), since the guy took his GF to dinner and was at the car wash cleaning it. Brighton PD rolled through the car wash and ran the plate. The plate came back as a Jeep, so the officer started talking to the guy. The guy lied and said it was his fathers car and things weren't adding up, so he ran the VIN. After it came back stolen he arrested the guy and he confessed to stealing the car. He told them the trailer was at his house still hooked up to the truck and my helmet and fire jacket were in his house. ) She is now back safe and sound here at the dealership. I'll be loading her up tonight and taking her to a new secure storage place. 
Gotcha! Here are the best pictures yet of Mercedes’ next SLK. Spied testing in Germany, these latest shots reveal almost every detail of the newcomer’s styling.
Penned by design boss Gorden Wagener, the SLK refines the successful two-door folding metal hardtop bodystyle that debuted way back in 1997. The all-new third generation car gets a prominent nose that’s clearly inspired by Mercedes’ range-topping SLS AMG supercar, while the swept-back headlights owe much to the latest CLS that will debut at the Paris Motor Show.
In profile, the SLK looks very similar to its predecessor, albeit with a new crease which runs from the front wing indicator back into the doors to add a little extra visual drama. Once again, the SLK features a two-piece retractable roof .
At the rear, the SLK features an angular bootlid, which is similar to that sported by the current E-Class Coupe, flanked by LED taillights. The newcomer also gets trapezoidal exhaust pipe tips.
On the inside, the design will be influenced by the SLS. A minimalist design and retro air vents are likely to feature, along with the firm’s clever AirScarf neck warmers built into the seats.
Under the bonnet, the SLK gets a new range of engines. The entry level SLK200 will get the 201bhp 1.8-litre CGI petrol, while the convertible gets diesel power for the first time, courtesy of the 201bhp 2.4-litre CDI unit from the E-Class. The 300 V6 model is discontinued, but the SLK350 gains the revised 302bhp direct injection V-Series 3.5-litre V6. A performance version is likely to be offered, which may be powered by AMG's hotly anticipated twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 which produces around 465bhp. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
MEET the Citroen that’s riding high! These are the first pictures of the firm’s new DS4 hatch, which delivers on the style promised by the DS High Rider concept seen at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Following the DS3, which is based on the C3 supermini, the DS4 features a more extravagantly designed exterior than the C4 which underpins it. The newcomer measures 4.27 metres long, 1.81 metres wide and 1.53 metres high, making it shorter, wider and 10cm taller than the regular C4 and a little bigger than the MINI Countryman.
At the front, the hatchback wears the latest Citroen family face, that debuted on the C5. The extra chrome on the two-bar grille and the pair of boomerang-shaped daytime running lights add class, while at the side, generously flared wheelarches house 19-inch alloys, although smaller rims are available.
The coupé-like roof line and upswept shoulder line taper towards the rear, where the handle for each of the small back doors is hidden.
On the tail, the DS4 features a scalloped bumper with neatly integrated exhaust pipe exits.
The interior boasts higher-class materials than in the regular C4 hatch. Liberal use of chrome for the dials, leather on the dash and doors, plus aluminium for the pedals demonstrates the firm’s attention to getting the luxury details right. Buyers will be given the choice of five leather combinations. Top-specification cars feature hide trim designed to mimic expensive watch bracelets linked together. Meanwhile, every variant gets a panoramic windscreen which extends backwards into the roof line and helps bathe the cabin in light.
Also available is a high-end stereo system and front seats with a massage function. All cars come with a unique selection of four exotically named tones for the various warning sounds: Classic, Crystal Symphony, Jungle Fantasy and Urban Rythmik.
Despite the DS4’s style and luxury, practicality is still high on the agenda. The passenger door pockets have been enlarged, and a cooled centre console storage bin is standard fit. At 370 litres, the boot is larger than that of a Volkswagen Golf, too. Safety kit includes blind-spot monitoring and a speed limiter, fitted in accordance with the Safety Assist section of Euro NCAP crash tests.
Under the bonnet, the DS4 features a line-up of five engines. Diesel buyers can choose from a 110bhp 1.6-litre unit with e-HDi stop/start tech and regenerative braking, and a 160bhp 2.0-litre. There are three petrol choices, too: a 120bhp 1.6 VTi, and a pair of turbocharged 1.6-litre units with 155bhp or, in the range-topping car, 200bhp.
The DS4 debuts at October’s Paris Motor Show, before going on sale in the UK in early 2011. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Nissan announced its 2010 L.A. Auto Show model introductions today, and by the looks of the vehicle list, they're sure to attract plenty of attention. Three of the four planned debuts are world premieres.
Headlining the display is the brand's all-new Ellure concept. The sedan is said to add strong innovation to the typically drab four-door sedan.
Take away this Chinese test car’s disguise, and it’s clear to see how MG’s new supermini is shaping up.
The MG3 will be the smallest model to wear the octagon badge since the Rover 25-based ZR, and these spy shots show it retains the good looks of the MG Zero on which it’s based.
The Beijing Motor Show concept’s big central exhaust and chrome wheels have vanished, but the dynamic stance remains – as does the wide hexagonal front grille – giving the 3 a welcome hint of sportiness.
On sale in China in next month, from around £6,000, the model will be powered by a 109bhp, 1.5-litre petrol engine from sister firm Roewe. Also under development is a 1.3-litre four-cylinder unit and a turbocharged version of the 1.5. The latter could power a more focused MG3 hot hatch.
Tentative plans are to build European versions of this car at MG Rover’s old Longbridge plant in the West Midlands from 2012. Our spies in China have also seen a variant with a chunkier tail-light treatment – which could be a new Streetwise. Although the pumped-up Rover 25 was a flop here, it has since proved a sales hit in China. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Yes, it's another BMW1 Series M Coupe teaser video, but we're not complaining. Rather than showing the M Division's latest hot coupe on a track, it's stagnant in a showroom under a tight fitting cover.
If you didn't catch the other teaser video and spy shots, the 1 Series M Coupe is said to be the spiritual successor to the original E30 M3, meaning it should be light, compact, and powerful.
Rumor has it that BMW's speed-hungry engineers fitted their N54-series, twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six engine underneath the short hood. How do an estimated 350 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque sound? Yeah, we thought so, too.
Lotus has officially revealed details on the Evora S and IPS in advance of the Paris Motor Show.
Last week, leaked email messages from Lotus executives showed that the Evora S and Evora IPS automatic-equipped car would debut in Paris.
Lotus says that aside from supercharging the 3.5-liter V-6 from Toyota, the 345-horsepower Evora S has a retuned suspension and overall more responsive driving experience.
"You don’t realise what you were missing from your driving experience until you get behind the wheel of the Evora S," said Dany Bahar, Lotus’ Chief Executive Officer.
Other motorists won't miss your Evora S, though, especially if you activate the exhaust baffles that apparently make the car sound more muscular.
The Evora S has a sport button that lets the driver customize throttle response and activate the exhaust bypass valve. That button is also the key to raising the instantaneous rev limit and lowering the interference from the dynamic stability control.
“The Evora S...retains core Lotus values such as performance through lightweight but it also gives more than that," said Lotus Chief Commercial Officer Andreas Prillmann. "It’s the perfect combination of top performance, style and comfort. Form doesn’t sacrifice function in the case of the Evora S.”
Clearly, the S model is the pure enthusiast's choice in the Evora lineup. Still, it's likely the other new debut -- the Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift) -- will help pay for the S model.
The Evora IPS is powered by the regular 276-horsepower V-6, now mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Aside from manual paddle shift and automatic drive modes, the IPS has a sport mode that enhances the feeling of control.
"It’s been a long time since Lotus created an automatic and we’ve spent a great deal of time refining this one to make sure that it perfectly complements the Evora drive experience," Bahar said.
Both new Evoras will debut at the Paris Motor Show, starting at the end of September.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
It’s been a two-year wait, but Chevrolet has finally revealed the production version of its Orlando MPV. The concept car impressed at the Paris show in 2008, and the finished version of its seven-seater people carrier retains the striking looks.
Designed to blend the chunky looks of a crossover with a traditional MPV, the Orlando features a low, swept roofline, flared wheelarches and the traditional Chevrolet split front grille.
On the inside, the Orlando gets a flexible seven-seat layout where the second and third rows of seats are mounted higher than those in the front for a better view for rear-seat passengers. Designed with a family in mind, the Orlando interior also features a host of cubby holes and storage areas, plus Chevrolet claims it has one of the biggest boots of any MPV.
The Orlando is based on the underpinnings of the Chevrolet Cruze, and will launch with three engine choices – a 139bhp 1.8-litre petrol and low and high power 2.0-litre diesels which produce 129bhp and 161bhp respectively.
Set to go on sale in the UK early in 2011, buyers will have the choice of four Orlando trim levels, but all cars will be generously equipped with electronic stability control, six air-bags, air conditioning and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors fitted to all cars.
The Orlando is just one of four cars that Chevrolet will show off at Paris, and starts an aggressive expansion programme for the firm which will see seven new cars launched in the European market in the next 15 months. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Honda has confirmed that it will launch a hybrid version of its Jazz supermini at the Paris motor show at the end of next month.
The Jazz hybrid will share many of its components with the Insight, including that car’s 1.3-litre petrol engine-based hybrid powertrain.
The engine/electric motor mix is mated to a CVT gearbox and, like the Insight, the Jazz will be able to run on electric power alone in low-speed conditions.
The new model gets a few visual cues to make it stand out from regular Jazz variants, including revised headlights with a blue surround, clear tail-lights, a new front grille, different bumpers and flashes of chrome on the rear hatch.
The interior gets a single-colour dashboard and blue-lit dials and instruments. Leather trim will also be offered for the first time on a Jazz in Europe.
The Japanese manufacturer has yet to reveal any details on CO2 emissions or fuel economy figures for the car, which will go on sale in the UK next spring. But expect a CO2 figure of just over 100g/km, and more than 65mpg.
Thanks to: Autocar
Thanks to Chuck H, who tipped us off to leaked information posted on GTRBlog.com about a slate of revisions for the 2012 Nissan GT-R. The updates are more significant than the minor equipment changes for the 2011 model year, although what’s been revealed so far is still somewhat less than earth-shattering.
The ’12 GT-R receives a redesigned front bumper with LED running lights and a new rear diffuser, and the former reportedly drops the GT-R’s drag coefficient from 0.272 to 0.268, while the diffuser is said to provide ten percent more rear downforce at speed. The rolling stock will be replaced by forged aluminum wheels from Rays, which are both stronger and lighter (by 6.6 pounds per corner) than the current ones; they’ll be offered with a three-layer paint process in Hyper Blue Black or Hyper Titanium colors. Less performance-oriented are two new paint colors (seen above).
GTRBlog also says that the updated GT-R will be sold in “Pure Edition” and Premium trims, although that likely applies to other parts of the world, as the American model switched to a single trim level last year. The bad news for potential buyers is that the base price is expected to climb between ¥80,000 and ¥210,000 in Japan. If those numbers convert exactly, we’re looking at increases of between $950 and $2500; the U.S.-market 2011 model bases at $85,060.
We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the 2012 Nissan GT-R, which should hit dealers here early next year.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
Rolls-Royce has unveiled two new Phantom models for the Middle East market: the Phantom Coupé Shaheen and the Phantom Bayunah.
Both will be built according to demand and pricing will depend on the options the individual customer chooses.
The base price in the Middle East is $381,000 (£245,000) for the standard Phantom, and $408,000 (£262,000) for the standard Phantom Coupé, not including delivery or VAT.
The four-door Phantom Bayunah’s interior and exterior styling features shades of beige and brown and has a tan ever-flex roof. It has been inspired by the landscape of the Baynunah area in the western region of Abu Dhabi famous for its sand dunes.
The inlay and marquetry are “inspired by the traditional, vibrant colours of an Arabian camel harness” according to Rolls-Royce and are made at Rolls-Royce’s headquarters in Goodwood using individually cut hand-assembled pieces of coloured veneer.
The Phantom Coupé Shaheen has been inspired by the region’s famous falcon, the Shaheen, and has a marquise-white exterior with a red and Seashell leather interior featuring falcon motifs embroidered into the head rests.
Both will be made available in Rolls-Royce’s eight dealerships across the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Manama, Muscat and Riyadh.
Thanks to: Autocar
Here’s a glimpse into Peugeot’s future. The French firm has just unveiled the production version of its 3008 hybrid crossover.
Called the 3008 HYbrid4, the Peugeot teams a 163bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, which drives the front wheels, with a 37bhp electric motor, which drives the rears. The 3008 is the first to use a diesel engine, unlike the petrol electric system used by Toyota’s Prius and Honda’s Insight.
The combined maximum power output is 200bhp, with a substantial 500Nm of torque also being produced, while combined fuel economy is 74.4mpg and carbon dioxide is pegged at a tax-free 99g/km.
Despite offering four-wheel drive, there’s no mechanical link between the diesel engine and the electric motor. The diesel unit features Peugeot’s latest stop-start system and is mated to a six-speed automated manual gearbox.
The driver can select from four operating modes – Auto, which selects the best combination of diesel or electric propulsion, ZEV, which activates all-electric mode, four-wheel drive mode, which activates both powerplants, and Sport mode which speeds up the gearshift at higher engine speeds.
Peugeot has elected to use nickel metal hydride batteries which are less expensive than lithium ion cells. These are mounted beneath the boot floor, along with the electric motor.
To mark out the hybrid from its conventionally powered siblings, the 3008 HYbrid4 features daytime running lights and a small rear spoiler on the outside, and a seven inch display on the dash with a readout of the powertrain’s performance.
The 3008 HYbrid4 will be produced in France in Sochaux and Mulhouse and marketed in the spring of 2011 in Europe. Prices are still to be confirmed, but the hybrid will sit at the top of the 3008 range thanks to its generous spec, which includes sat-nav, a built-in hard drive for storing music, parking assist and distance alert, at around £24,000.
The 3008 is one of a raft of new hybrids that Peugeot will produce. The hybrid module has been designed to fit into many of the firm’s products, including the 508 and RCZ. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Lamborghini is poised to revise plans to launch a four-door supercar, previewed by the Estoque concept shown at 2008’s Paris motor show.
CEO Stephan Winkelmann told reporters in the US that “a third model would fit Lamborghini very well”, and “a four-door car would be a very feasible approach”.
The Estoque was shelved last year due to the global financial crisis, but it may now be revised to help reverse Lamborghini’s falling sales.
First half sales this year were down 18 per cent on 2009. Winkelmann said a third model would need to provide “a real leap” in sales.
Thanks to: Autocar
We’ve already seen a leaked brochure showing several pictures of the next-gen Mercedes CLS-class, due in 2011 as a 2012 model. Now you can save your eyes the trouble of straining to see a grainy German brochure, as Mercedes has released official pictures of a European-spec CLS.
The second-gen CLS—the four-door coupe that started a segment—has a more restrained, muscular design this time around. If the first CLS was meant to be mistaken for an Italian car (or so Benz’s PR folks said), this one is clearly Germanic, with flared rear wheel arches and squared-off corners. The headlights, which are now completely made up of LEDs, morph from the previous generation’s amoeba-shaped units to a blocky design similar to the lights on the E-class.
The interior is also significantly upgraded, notably ditching dash-mounted COMAND controls for the more intuitive console-mounted knob. The gearshift moves from the center console to the column, like on the S-class and other Benzes, making the cockpit more spacious. An unusual and charming feature from the first CLS, the matte-finish wood on the dash, will no longer be available. It’s replaced by optional high-gloss wood, piano black lacquer, or carbon fiber (seen in the accompanying pics). Overall, the interior still appears stylish and avant-garde—especially compared to an E-class—but based on the pictures, the intimate and warm atmosphere from the previous generation does not carry through.
While Europeans will have optional V-6 gas and diesel engines, the North American CLS will be V-8 only. The standard car will still be called the CLS550, but the old car’s 382-hp, 5.5-liter engine is replaced with Benz’s new twin-turbo, 4.6-liter V-8, which churns up 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. There will, of course, be an AMG version of the new CLS. It, too, will retain the first generation’s nomenclature—CLS63—but it receives the new corporate AMG engine. Another twin-turbo V-8, the AMG mill displaces 5.5 liters and cranks out as much as 563 hp and 664 lb-ft in the new S63 AMG.
Both cars will be sold with Benz’s seven-speed automatic, though enthusiasts will keep their fingers crossed that Merc will decide to install the seven-speed dual-clutch unit like the one in the SLS AMG. For the more sedate shoppers, the new CLS will offer 4MATIC all-wheel drive—the first generation was rear-wheel-drive only—available slightly after launch.
Mercedes has said the price for the new CLS will only increase 1–2 percent over the current car. For 2010, the big-boy CLS63 ran $98,825, while the CLS550 clocked in at $73,275. When it goes on sale in mid-2011 as a 2012 model, the 429-hp CLS550 might be the most expensive “bargain” on the market.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
Audi’s rival for the Mini Cooper S, the S1, has been caught undisguised near the Nürburgring in Germany ahead of its debut at the Paris motor show late next month.
As expected, the S1’s look is borrowed from the standard car’s S-line package, including lowered suspension, 17in alloy wheels and a small spoiler at the trailing edge of the roof.
The model spied here gives away its identity with a larger exhaust, while our spy photographer noted the S1 had a much louder and more distinctive sound than the rest of the A1 range.
Audi has yet to confirm any technical details on the car, but it’s understood to use a tuned version of the VW Group’s 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, producing around 180bhp and 184lb ft.
The S1 will be front-wheel drive, making it the first S-badged Audi to do without a quattro drivetrain. The gearbox will be a seven-speed double-clutch unit, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Expect the S1 to match the Cooper S’s performance figures; Audi technical development boss Michael Dick has said the firm is aiming for a 0-62mph time of less than seven seconds and a top speed of more than 140mph.
Thanks to: Autocar
Hyundai’s answer to the Volkswagen Scirocco will be launched at the Los Angeles motor show in November.
The Veloster coupé, first seen as a concept in 2007, will replace the Coupe as the flagship in Hyundai’s UK range early next year.
It is a car the firm “wants to be bought for its looks, having been built with the Scirocco firmly in its sights”, according to one insider.
Engines are likely to include a 168bhp 1.4 turbo petrol with stop-start and direct injection. A normally aspirated unit will also be offered.
Hyundai promises “dramatic styling — even more so than the concept”. One key feature is Mini Clubman-style asymmetric doors, which will be re-engineered for right-hand-drive cars.
Thanks to: Autocar
On the heels of a "leaked" Mercedes-Benz CLS brochure, our spy photographers captured an AMG-tuned version running the Nürburgring Nordschleife during tests.
With little camo masking the nose, this prototype is clearly a work of AMG. Designers have implemented the usual barrage of go-fast goodies -- aggressive front bumper, pronounced side sills, integrated rear diffuser, bigger cross-drilled brakes, larger wheels, lowered ride height -- onto this edition. Look closer and you'll notice a quad exhaust and subtle trunk-mounted spoiler.
Set in between the LED-clad headlights is a simpler grille with a single horizontal bar in place of the regular edition's double elements. There also appears to be brake ducts hiding under a layer of cladding set ahead of the front wheel wells.
Rumors are indicating this CLS AMG is powered by the division's latest twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8, rather than the current 6.2-liter V-8. Insiders have told us the mill makes around 570 horsepower (up 63 horses), and that despite the smaller displacement, Mercedes product planners will likely keep the "63" badge so that owners don't feel shortchanged. Expect more information to arrive closer to its Paris Motor Show this October.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
The Jeep Wrangler and its four-door sibling, the Wrangler Unlimited, are Jeep’s best-selling models despite remaining practically unchanged for years. The Wrangler’s pure, unfiltered charm and off-road prowess are the reasons it sells so well. For 2011, Jeep has addressed one of the SUV’s biggest letdowns by revamping the interior. The new trappings look much sharper and take cues from the new Grand Cherokee.
The overall layout is the same, with exposed screw heads and a passenger-side grab handle—now bearing a “Jeep, Since 1941” plaque—but the materials have been thoroughly modernized. The clunky center stack now has a smoother, cleaner layout with chrome-ringed vents and up-to-date climate-control knobs. There’s a new three-spoke steering wheel that incorporates cruise and audio controls, and a refreshed instrument cluster. Soft-touch materials appear on the center console (now lockable) and redesigned armrests. Two-tone interiors are now on offer, too, a welcome change from the monotone plastic setup that graced earlier Wranglers.
Additional features include a 110-volt power outlet, optional heated power mirrors, and Bluetooth phone and USB audio connectivity with the upgraded sound system. Jeep says it has added more sound-deadening to keep the interior quieter. The cabin upgrades make the Wrangler’s cockpit much more appealing, although traditionalists may decry the dilution of the Jeep’s rugged spirit.
Outside, buyers can choose from five additional paint colors: Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue, and Bright White. The optional hardtop for Sahara trim levels is now body-colored, for a more cohesive exterior look. It makes the two-door Wrangler look like a Dodge Nitro and the four-door Unlimited model resemble a Mercedes G-class.
The vehicles are mechanically unchanged from 2010, with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. Four-wheel-drive is standard on all but Unlimited models equipped with the automatic. Production of the 2011 Wranglers began earlier this week, so they’ll be in dealerships soon. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but we don’t expect a drastic increase over the current sticker, which starts at $21,915 for a two-door model.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
Hyundai will launch a revised i10 range at the Paris motor show next month, including a new 99g/km model.
This new 99g/km model will be the cheapest car with sub-100g/km CO2 emissions in the UK, according to Hyundai, “by some margin”.
A new 1.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine will power this model, which is in effect a smaller version of Hyundai’s 1.2-litre petrol unit equipped with variable valve timing. Despite its smaller displacement, Hyundai says this engine “is not a cheap unit, just a very efficient one”.
All i10 models will have their styling overhauled to take styling cues from the new ix35 crossover, including that car’s front headlight and front grille design. There will also be interior changes, although these will be less substantial than the exterior styling tweaks.
All of the i10’s engines will now be Euro 5 emissions compliant; the 1.2 petrol unit will be more powerful and have improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
The upgrade to Euro 5 means the 1.1-litre petrol engine will be deleted from the range, while the firm is still considering plans to introduce a three-cylinder engine to the i10 range.
Thanks to: Autocar
Audi is keeping its forthcoming Q3 baby SUV under wraps - although leaving the lights on probably wasn't a good idea.
The Tiguan-based Q3 is due on sale before the end of next year. It’s loosely based on the Cross Coupé concept that was shown at the Shanghai motor show as long ago as 2007.
But although the bags draped over this test car’s bodywork disguise the detail, the profile does suggest that the show car’s steeply raked tailgate is being kept for production, making the Q3 more of a coupé crossover than a pure mini-SUV.
The new model will slot into Audi’s line-up beneath the Q5 and Q7. It’s around 4.4m long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m high — 20cm shorter and 7cm narrower than the Q5.
The Q3 will be mechanically similar to the Volkswagen Tiguan, although Audi is likely to offer adaptive damping on its model.
It will feature three petrol engines — a 140bhp 1.4, a 180bhp 1.8 and a 210bhp 2.0 — plus two diesels, with 140bhp and 170bhp. A 204bhp twin-turbodiesel is also in the pipeline.
The Q3 will be built at Seat’s Martorell factory near Barcelona — an ironic choice, given that the Spanish VW subsidiary’s own Tiguan-based project, the Tribu, has been postponed indefinitely.
Thanks to: Autocar
The new range-topping Evora S has been spied testing in Germany ahead of its debut in Paris. The S comes with a supercharger fitted to its mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6. The blower is located between the two banks of cylinders to ensure that unlike in the Exige S, rear visibility won't be a problem.
The exterior design will be almost unchanged over the standard version. Look closer and you'll notice the more pronounced, larger rear diffuser which gives a clue towards the extra power on tap.
Most of the mechanical underpinnings, including the brakes and suspension, will be shared with the base car, but the addition of a supercharger should push power to 350bhp, and increase torque to 407Nm.
That’s a 74bhp increase over the naturally-aspirated model, and the power boost should mean that the Evora S will be able to reach 60mph in under five seconds, and go on to achieve a top speed of over 175mph.
The Evora S was caught during a three day handling test at Germany’s Nürburgring circuit, with its official public unveiling scheduled for the Paris Motor Show in September, alongside an automatic version developed primarily for the U.S. market.
Both will go on sale immediately after the show, and although prices have yet to be announced, expect it to cost around £62,000.
Also sharing the British brand’s 10,000sq ft stand will be three other new models, including the brand new Esprit, a new hybrid two-door GT, and a new Seven, all as part of a push to revive the marque. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
The first details and a shadowy teaser shot surfaced two months ago and Morgan has now revealed the Eva GT at the automotive droolfest otherwise known as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
The demurely named Eva breaks with Morgan traditions in that it offers seating for four occupants and their luggage (at least according to the company's claims) and also new is the fact that its propulsion comes from a high-tech BMW-sourced twin-turbo six-cylinder engine (rather than the customary V8).
The British-based sportscar specialist says the slinky, low-slung coupe -- which ditches the marque's familiar olde-worlde styling -- will go into production from 2012, and pricing is tipped to fall in the $125-150k bracket (ex-UK), which strikes us as rather good value.
Although its looks are a fairly radical departure from Morgan's existing offerings, the Eva GT is underpinned by an evolution of the lightweight bonded aluminium chassis used by the Aero Supersports.
Helping keep kerb weight down to a waiflike 1250kg are aviation-inspired superformed aluminium body panels, which have been sensuously sculpted to endow the Eva with classic long-bonnet-short-tail proportions.
The newcomer is about half a metre longer than the 4.2m Aeromax, which is ostensibly how the extra room has been eked out to accommodate four occupants.
The BMW-built 3.0-litre twin-turbo six pumps out 225kW and 400Nm and meets Euro6 emissions regulations, but of more interest is the fact that it allegedly enables the Eva GT to sprint to 100km/h in around 4.5sec and achieve a v-max of 270km/h-plus.
Despite the supercar-threatening performance, fuel consumption is said to be as frugal as 7.0L/100km. Transmission choices will include a six-speed manual or auto, but no word on BMW's excellent dual-clutch sequential DCT transmission.
The Eva GT will be technical tour de force by Morgan's standards, with standard kit expected to include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, xenon headlights, satnav and the latest-gen multi-stage airbags.
Company boss Charles Morgan was quoted by UK's Autocar magazine as saying: "It's intended to be capable as serving as everyday family transport as well as a luxury GT. The rear seats will be comfortable for children and small adults, and should serve for occasional use for taller occupants."
Thanks to: Car Point
