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Spy Shots: Lotus Esprit nearing completion

May 22

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Lotus

With its 60th anniversary rolling around the corner, Lotus isn’t about to coast down the straightaway. After years of relying on Elise derivatives - including the Exige, 2-Eleven and Europa - the world-renowned gurus of handling are preparing two completely new models: the Eagle - a new 2+2 GT - and the return of the Esprit - the hardcore, Ferrari-battling supercar.

After seeing numerous spy shots of the former, a test mule for the latter has emerged, giving us a glimpse at how the top-of-the-line Lotus is shaping up. The Esprit’s design is tipped to be quite different from other Lotus models. But while the platform will be distinct from that of the compact Elise, Lotus’ new Variable Vehicle Architecture will be malleable for future applications as well… although, with such a diverse sportscar range zooming over the horizon, we wonder what else Lotus has got in store.

Sources claim power for the new Esprit will come from BMW - not an in-house engine like the previous Esprit, nor a Toyota engine like those found in the current models, and not an Audi engine like that one-off. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from Bavaria is tipped to be tuned to 500hp for the Esprit, which will be ready to take on the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 when it hits the market at the end of next year.

[Source: EVO]

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Undercover Stangs: Indiana police to use unmarked Mustangs

May 22

Filed under: Sports/GTs, Etc., Ford

Being a cop just got a little more fun for state troopers in the state of Indiana. The police department just purchased 18 brand new black Ford Mustang GTs for traffic patrol, with one being sent to each district. The Mustangs look completely stock and only have a light bar inside the top of the windshield - not even antennas usually found on unmarked vehicles. A few troopers took the opportunity to test out their new pony cars at O’Reilly Raceway Park last week and found them to handle “differently” than the Crown Vics. We would hope so.

[Source: FlyerGroup.com via MustangBlog.com]

Continue reading Ford to make less vehicles in 2008: more cars, fewer trucks

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Ford to make less vehicles in 2008: more cars, fewer trucks

May 22

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Ford, Earnings/Financials

Ford issued a press release this morning detailing its plans for the remainder of 2008, and considering the current price of gasoline, weak U.S. economy and rising cost of raw materials, the changes are exactly what you’d expect. Ford will now be producing 690,000 vehicles during the remainder of this year’s second quarter, down 20,000 units from its previous estimate and 15% below its total for Q2 2007. Production levels in Q3 will fall to between 510-540,000 units in Q3 2008 (down 15-20% from Q3 2007) and between 590-630,000 units in Q4 2008 (down 2-8% from Q4 2007).

Though it will be producing fewer units overall, Ford will increase production of hot-selling cars and CUVs like the Focus, Edge and Escape, Mercury Milan and Mariner, and Lincoln MKZ and MKX. Production of trucks and SUVs, however, will drop sharply because potential customers are walking away from these relative gas-guzzlers in droves. Since those models typically earned big profits for Ford, the Blue Oval revised the timeline for its turnaround plan and now expects to break even overall in 2009, though it will probably take longer than that now for its North American operations to contribute any black ink to the ledger.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2009 Kia Soul bares itself ahead of Paris

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2009 Kia Soul bares itself ahead of Paris

May 22

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Kia

Click above to enlarge

Kia has released the first official image of the production Soul. And that’s pretty much it. The press release accompanying it is several paragraphs of filler that tells you exactly nothing of value, other than that the car keeps “it’s” concept forebear’s name and will be formally unveiled in October at the Paris Motor Show (which we knew). Kia also says that the Soul “defies classification,” which is elaborate automaker code for, “it’s a small crossover that’s our answer to the Scion xB.” Yes, but this is better-looking.

[Source: Kia]

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2010 Chevy Camaro caught in first stages of production

May 22

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

Click above for high-res gallery of the Camaro in production

We don’t know how how someone got access to take these pictures or whether someone is getting in a lot of trouble as we speak, but they have infiltrated the internets overnight. So now we too bring you photos of the 2010 Camaro in its first stages of production. There are apparently two preproduction units on the line in these photos as we see the body shells advance from stage to stage and get molested by a dozens of potentially suicidal robots. In fact, not a single human can be found anywhere in these pictures, which is just as well considering the trouble GM’s had with striking workers lately. As for where these pictures were taken, our best guess is GM’s plant in Oshawa, Ontario since that’s where actual production of the Camaro is scheduled to take place. Peruse the gallery below and see if you can pick out any interesting details we might’ve missed about the car. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

Gallery: 2010 Camaro in Production

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True targa-top Porsche 911 available from aftermarket

May 22

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertibles, Coupes, Porsche

If you’ve been in the market for a vintage, or just affordable, Porsche 911 in the last ten years, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the number of Targa-topped 911s for sale. The reason for the glut of Targas is two fold: Porsche sold a slew of them in the 70s and 80s and they remain less desirable than their fixed-roof counterparts. However, the allure of the Targa hasn’t been lost.

Porsche’s introduction of the 911 Targa was largely a response to stringent safety regulations in the 1960s, but the appeal of both an open-air experience (without the aesthetic and noise issues of a traditional cloth convertible) and some manner of additional safety made the Targa a popular choice. Porsche reintroduced its modern interpretation of the Targa last year, but instead of the removable roof and fixed rollbar/B-pillar, it opted for a duo of sliding glass panels.

Paso Robles, California-based performance shop, VeloTech, has decided to move beyond its bread and butter business - turbocharging European vehicles - and has developed its own traditional targa setup for current 911s. The roof, which is comprised mainly of carbon fiber, is still a pricey solution for a very select group of enthusiasts, but VeloTech maintains that if the price for the conversion can be reduced from its current cost ($10,000) to something more palatable ($6,000), the market could expand.

[Source: Detroit News]

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Be sure to check your blind spots with ScopeOut

May 22

Filed under: Gadgets, Safety

There have been many inventions in the last few years in order to reduce accidents due to that age-old hazard, the blind spot. Some solutions, like the electric systems on some higher-end brands like Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Buick, are rather high-tech and probably prove quite useful. Still, there’s something to be said for simple engineering, like Ford’s upcoming new Blind Spot Mirror, as seen here. If you are into simple solutions, but won’t be purchasing a new Ford any time soon, perhaps you’d be interested in ScopeOut, a new rear-mounted mirror system designed to help see objects in your path. Because it’s mounted on the rear glass, the system is visible from your rearview mirror.

Available as either a single-mirror unit for smaller vehicles or a larger dual-mirror unit for large vehicles and SUV’s, perhaps the ScopeOut could reduce the thousands of crashes due to the blind spot.

[Source: Sense Technologies via Motorcycle USA]

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Mahindra joins Tata as interested party to purchase MV Agusta?

May 22

Filed under: Motorcycles, India, Tata, Rumormill

Click on the image above for pictures of the Brutale 910 R

Tata Motors, rumored to have been interested in purchasing a large chunk of Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta, could have some competition. Another large Indian conglomerate, Mahindra & Mahindra may now be interested in a controlling stake in the storied company. According to India Automotive, the potential exists to gain instant traction in the global motorcycle market by picking up MV Agusta, and the Italian company could use the extra funds from a large and profitable company to release a new line of more competitive machines.

Volkswagen, are you paying attention to all of this? As we’ve previously reported, the German automaker has expressed interest in purchasing an established motorcycle brand, even going so far as to mention Ducati by name. MV Agusta would offer instant credibility and would be a rather easy entrance into the marketplace.

[Source: India Automotive]

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AutoblogGreen for 05.22.08

May 22

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

What would you rather drive, an EPA-rated 30/41mpg 2009 Jetta TDI or a 52mpg Mercedes A 160 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY? If you’re looking for a ride on the Suzuki Crosscage, you might be in luck: a runner is in testing. Nissan is getting some love from Plug In America for recent EV announcements and demonstration.