If you're wondering about the future of the XK, this isn't it. No, what Jaguar is set to reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week is far more ambitious. This is Jag's Porsche Cayman-fighting two-seater – a Jaguar coupe you can actually afford.Powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 putting out 376 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, the C-X16 concept takes Jaguar's great heritage of supercharging into the next century with the addition of a "Push to Pass" hybrid system controlled through a steering wheel-mounted button.An electric motor is integrated into the eight-speed gearbox, delivering an additional 92 hp and 173 lb-ft of twist when the button is pressed. The resulting performance numbers – 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and a 186 mph top speed – are almost as impressive as the 165 g/km C02 emissions and the C-X16's ability to travel up to 50 mph on electric power alone.Juice is provided by a 1.6kWh battery pack mounted behind the rear seats, helping to contribute to the 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. And if you're wondering, we understand the engine compartment could fit a V8, assuming Jaguar wants to move it up the price scale.As for the styling, it's as good as anything from Ian Callum, Jag's Director of Design, but we'd be remiss not to say that it looks a little dated. Gorgeous, no doubt, but in the same way the XK is a stunner, but fails to quicken our pulse when we see one on the road. Judge for yourself in the gallery and check out the video and press blast after the jump.
sursa:autoblog.com
Following a bit of an early leak ahead of its actual debut on the eve of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor
Show,Lamborghini has gone ahead and pulled the sheets off its Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale for real. And it's a beauty.Looking rather fetching in its flawless coat of Rosso Mars paint, which the automaker proudly claims recognizes Italy's famous red racing cars, this latest version of Lambo's V10-powered supercar is based on the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition that was unveiled at last year's Paris Motor Show. That means it weighs 2,954 pounds and makes good use of its 570 horsepower to hit 0-62 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds.That massive rear spoiler is manually adjustable to help keep the wheels on the ground, and both it and the car's hood are crafted from carbon fiber. Lamborghini will happily plaster the interior with carbon goodness in place of the standard black and red motif, surely for an extra charge.Only 150 of these special Gallardos are earmarked for production, in either the aforementioned red hue or, optionally, in Grigio Telesto or Bianco Monocerus. Feel free to read all the details in the press release after the break, and be sure to check out our live gallery of high-res images.
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Lotus may have gone off the reservation with its plan to be all things to all people (again), but at least a few engineers back in Hethel still seem to have their heads on straight. And here's proof.The next generation Exige gets a reworked body and tweaked interior, but the real news is under the clamshell. Lotus has pulled the 3.5-liter, supercharged V6 from the Evora S and slotted it into the back of the Exige S to create a 2,380-pound, 346-horsepower track sled designed and engineered to be, in the words of CEO Dany Bahar, "the ultimate Lotus experience."Although the 200-plus pound weight increase isn't something Lotus founder Colin Chapman could get behind, the performance should be more than enough to make even hardened Lotus aficionados temporarily forget the "add lightness" edict.Specially-developed Pirelli P-Zero Corsas are fitted at all four corners, while the Lotus Dynamic Performance Management (DPM) system allows drivers to switch between Touring, Sport and DPM Off traction control modes. Option up for the Race Pack, and "Race" is included in the settings, along with Launch Control and a reworked suspension.Two interior packages – Premium and Premium Sport – will be offered when the Exige S goes on sale next year, but Lotus isn't giving out performance figures just yet. But considering the current Exige S does 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, it's safe to assume the added grunt will bring that figure down deep into the threes, and have the handling chops to match. Details in the press release after the jump.
sursa:autoblog.com
As you can see from our coverage, there's been plenty to see and report from the halls of the FrankfurtMesse at the first major auto show of the post-summer season. But while most vehicles were displayed prominently under the bright lights in the big rooms, tucked away at the back of a supplier hall sat one of the most intriguing debuts of the show.
Its modest location isn't all that's unusual about the Rimac Concept One. And when we say "unusual," we mean "all kinds of awesome." From its headquarters in Croatia (of all places), the electric propulsion upstart has crafted quite the stunning show car.
Its drivetrain is localized at each corner, with four individual motors teamed up with their own inverter and gearbox for each wheel. The package reminds us of elements from the Devon GTX, Jaguar C-X75 andKoenigsegg – good places to start, all – but without looking derivative as independently made supercars often do. And while many concept cars pay little attention to the interior, this is another area in which the Rimac doesn't disappoint.The cabin was styled by a team of former Pininfarinadesigners, and then outfitted by Vilner. The Bulgarian leather crafters regularly trim out some of the most stunning interiors this side of the QE2, but have outdone even themselves with this latest project. But don't take our word for it. Have a look for yourself in our gallery of live shots from the show floor, the second gallery of stock images and the brief press release after the jump. You won't regret it.
sursa:autoblog.com
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is going racing, and it has its eyes set on conquering the DTM series. That means the standard C-class Coupe gets the typical DTM outfit of a massive front splitter, seductively wide fender flares and a wing large enough on which to throw a party fit for Dance-centrum in Stuttgart.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe DTM AMG was introduced to the Frankfurt Motor Show crowds by racing greats Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. It is a fitting reception considering the amount of wins Schumacher has, and just how German Rosberg is. The new C-Class DTM AMG racer will have to live up to both of those men on the racetrack, while also carrying on an impressive history set forth by Mercedes DTM cars of the past.In 27 years, Mercedes DTM racecars have secured 84 victories in 156 races. Those wins also saw five driver's titles handed to the tri-star-backed teams. The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe DTM AMG begins defending its heritage in 2012.
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Dincolo de sărbătorirea Zilei Naţionale a României, 1 decembrie aminteşte lumii întregi de mari artişti, de oameni care şi-au pus amprenta asupra evoluţiei ştiinţei, sau de compozitorii îndrăgiţi de români, precum autorul şlagărelor "Vrei să ne-ntâlnim sâmbătă seara" şi "Hai acasă puişor".
Fanii Muzeului de Ceară din Londra au un motiv în plus să sărbătorească ziua de 1 decembrie - la această dată, în 1761, s-a născut Marie Tussaud,fondatoarea celebrului Muzeu din Londra. Tot de 1 decembrie, în 1743, s-a născut fondatorul chimiei anorganice, Heinrich Klaproth. În 1892 s-a născut scriitorul Cezar Petrescu, membru titular al Academiei Române.În 1866 a încetat din viaţă aplinistul care poartă numele celui mai înalt vârf de munte de pe Terra din munţii Himalaya - Sir George Everest, care a condus Serviciul geodezic al Indiei şi a realizat cartografierea ţării. Mult mai recent, în 2004, a încetat din viaţă prinţul Bernhard al Olandei, tatăl reginei Beatrix.Pe plan intern, pe 1 decembrie 1960 înceta din viaţă unul dintre artiştii iubiţi de români - Ion Vasilescu, dirjior şi compozitor de muzică uşoară, autorul şalgărelor "Vrei să ne-ntâlnim sâmbătă seara", "Hai acasă, puişor", "Habar n-ai tu". Pe de altă parte, la doi ani după Adunarea Naţională a Românilor de la Alba Iulia de la 1 decembrie 1918, municipalitatea Braşov dona Castelul Bran reginei Maria a României.
sursa:realitatea.net
Toyota was once an automaker known for its two-door sportscars and coupes. There was the Celica. There 
was the Supra. There was the Lexus SC. But while those have all long since departed, the Japanese auto giant is clawing its way back to the territory it once owned.
The Lexus LFA is one heck of a first salvo, and the FT-86 is around the corner. There's a world of space between those models, though, and according to the latest reports, Toyota is planning to fill that space, too.
Rumor has it that, while not officially sanctioned, a team of engineers is working on a rear-drive successor to the Supra, though where the project stands and what future it may have remain big question marks. A second front-drive luxury hybrid coupe is also tipped to be in the works from Lexus, adopting much of its underpinnings from the CT200h.Before those arrive, though, we look upwards to the LFA. The convertible version has reportedly been postponed if not axed entirely, but word has it that a special edition is to be presented at and named for theTokyo Motor Show. The model would reportedly be distinguished by bare carbon-fiber panels for the roof and spoiler and a significant price premium over the stock model.
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