BMW 1M Coupe stops by Paris, doesn’t even stay for the show

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW

BMW 1M coupe striptease in Paris

BMW 1M Coupe teasers – Click above for image gallery

Between the 6 Series Coupe concept, the 5 Series Touring wagon and the new X3 crossover, BMW had plenty to show us this year at the Paris Motor Show. But the real surprise, as it turns out, may have been in the French capital during the show, it wasn’t even put on display. Instead, the Bavarian automaker took its currently-in-progress 1M Coupe out onto the city’s famous tree-lined boulevards, covered up and disguised, but did a suitably Parisian burlesque striptease to give us a glimpse at what to expect.

Aside from the silhouette, all we can see are the front fender, headlamp (which is now taped-up in Zorro-esque fashion for some reason) and part of the air dam – all of which we saw before in the last teaser video – along with a newly-revealed section of the rear bumper and quad-pipe exhaust, plus the wheels protruding from the flared arches. If previous reports prove accurate, there will only be 2,700 examples on offer, so this may be the best look we’ll get for some time… better check it out in the gallery below. Thanks for the tip, Jason!

Gallery: BMW 1M Coupe teasers

[Source: BMW M-Power via 1Addicts]

BMW 1M Coupe stops by Paris, doesn’t even stay for the show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Infiniti, First Drive, Luxury

Increases Performance Little, but also Increases Price Little

2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe

2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our waiting Infiniti IPL G Coupe idles curbside. Exiting its enormous Thermos-sized chrome exhaust tips, the invisible waveforms invite a closer listen. The baritone note suggests power, with a cadence that is is lumpy, sounding closer to a V8 with a heavy cam than any V6 we’ve ever heard. A harbinger of things to come, or just an evil audible tease? We had flown to California’s Napa Valley to find out, but first we needed some context.

Continue reading…

Gallery: 2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe: First Drive

2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe

Photos copyright (C)2010 Rex Roy / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe

First Drive: 2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acura mulling TSX coupe, Civic-based sedan?

Filed under: Etc., Acura, Rumormill



Acura is planning a host of product updates in the very near future, and along with the launch of the TSX Wagon, two new models could come down the pike. According to Autoweek, Acura is considering a coupe built atop the TSX platform and a compact sedan to capitalize on the States’ newfound love of smaller vehicles.

A TSX-based coupe would fill the gap left by the CL after its demise in 2003, and while Acura already produces a compact sedan for the Canadian market – the Acura CSX pictured above – it’s simply a re-badged Civic with an upgraded interior. Obviously, Acura would need to do more to woo buyers into a smaller vehicle, and its best bet is to leverage one of Honda’s other platforms for the task. An Acura Fit? Not so much…

[Source: Autoweek]

Acura mulling TSX coupe, Civic-based sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xenatec shows limousines the door with Maybach coupe conversion

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Europe, Maybach, Luxury

Maybach 57 S Coupe by Xenatec – Click above for image gallery

If you want a big luxury coupe – and we do mean big and luxurious – Bentley and Rolls-Royce would be glad to hook you up with a Brooklands or Phantom Coupe. But Maybach would be left shrugging their shoulders. That’s where Xenatec comes in. Back in May the German coachbuilder announced a partnership with Maybach to turn the über-Benz into a two-door coupe, details of which have just been released.

To turn the four-door limousine into a two-door coupe, Xenatec solicited the pen of one Fredrink Burchhardt. Don’t recognize the name? Burchhardt was the same talent behind Maybach’s last foray into coupedom with the high-speed, one-off Exelero. Xenatec and Burchhardt started with the Maybach 57 S and fitted new side panels, fenders, bumpers and replaced four doors with two longer ones. They also chopped down the roof and raked the windshields front and back at a steeper angle. But while the body and interior have been modified, the running gear hasn’t, so the existing 612-horsepower twin-turbo V12 carries over unchanged.

Only 100 examples of the Xenatec Maybach coupe will be produced, each built to order to the buyer’s specifications. That means just about any of the Maybach saloon’s features can be specified, as can a glass roof, 20 or 21-inch wheels, or – drawing from Xenatec’s background in ballistic protection – even armor plating. But don’t think for even a second that it won’t cost you, and cost you dearly, with a list price of 675,000 euros. Details in the press release after the jump, with a fresh crop of images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Maybach 57 S Coupe by Xenatec

[Source: Xenatec]

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Xenatec shows limousines the door with Maybach coupe conversion originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey runs its “Coupe DeThrill” down the quarter-mile

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Cadillac

2011 Hennessey V700 Coupe

2011 Hennessey V700 Coupe on the dragstrip – Click above to watch video after the jump

We think the 304 horsepower Cadillac CTS Coupe is pretty cool and the 556 hp CTS-V Coupe is an outright badass. The power pundits at Hennessey think any car or truck could use a little more oomph than it leaves the factory with. John Hennessey’s crew has massaged the blown LSA motor under the two-door Caddy’s bulging hood and the results scream for themselves. The 2011 Hennessey V700 Coupe pushes out 700 hp to the rear wheels and makes nearly 740 pound-feet of torque.

How does that all that power do when the car is launched down the dragstrip? The trip from tree to finish takes just over 11 seconds. Hop the jump to see the action for yourself.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

Photos by Steven J. Ewing and Chris Shunk / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey runs its “Coupe DeThrill” down the quarter-mile

Video: Hennessey runs its “Coupe DeThrill” down the quarter-mile originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is not an Italian DJ, but is an upgraded super coupe

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Maserati, Luxury

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale – Click above for high-res image gallery

Maserati can produce some gorgeous automobiles. The Maserati GranTurismo is no exception, in fact we’d place it in the give-up-your-first-born-to-own-one category of beautiful. In addition to its looks, the GranTurismo is a powerful and luxurious grand touring machine that causes both eyes and ears to strain for more as it goes by. The 430-horsepower GranTurismo S was the king of the trident-wearing coupes, until today. Taking the stage at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is the all-new Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.

The GranTurismo MC Stradale ratchets up the excitement by pushing power output to 450 horsepower. The chassis has been tweaked and the body slightly updated for increased aerodynamics. The MC Stradale manages to increase the levels of downforce without causing a noticeable increase in drag. The result is an elegant two-door that’s begging for track time. Have a look at our high-res gallery of the drool-worthy Maserati, below.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Paris 2010: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is not an Italian DJ, but is an upgraded super coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus IS coupe could come as early as 2012

Filed under: Coupe, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus IS350 C F-Sport

2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Lexus GS is set to get a comprehensive redesign sometime next year, including thoroughly upgraded underpinnings that will for the basis of Lexus’ next generation 5 Series fighter. Like the current GS platform, the new architecture will form the basis of the next IS, which in its current form is essentially a shortened and squished GS.

With that in mind, the next generation IS will follow shortly thereafter – likely sometime in 2012 – and in addition to the current sedan and convertible, Lexus could finally add an IS coupe to its lineup. Lexus recognizes that it hasn’t had a credible player in that market for far too long, and with the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe around the corner and the two-door BMW 3 Series holding its own, the obvious question is why hasn’t Lexus done it sooner?

According to our sources, it was easier for Toyota to make a business case for the IS cabrio, particularly given the SC430’s imminent demise and Lexus’ need for a drop-top offering to fill the hole. If the coupe does come to fruition – and we’ve been told in no uncertain terms that it’s in the cards – expect the two-door IS to bow sometime in late 2012 or early 2013. And it’s safe to assume an F version will arrive with in year of the coupe’s debut.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Lexus IS coupe could come as early as 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé looks low, flat and mean

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept in Paris
2011 BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW’s Paris press conference isn’t set to take place until later today, but the boys from Bavaria left its Concept 6 Series Coupé hanging around on the display’s massive curved plinth.

While we couldn’t finagle our way inside to take a gander at the interior (at least not yet), the crisply styled GT clearly foreshadows the nearly-here 6 Series production model. The attractive and surprisingly large coupe borrows bits from Beijing’s Grand Coupe concept as well as the new 5 Series, particularly in the nose.

When it arrives next year, the serial 6’er will likely be powered by BMW’s range of turbocharged and naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines, with eight-cylinder motivation reserved for the next M6.

Gallery: Paris 2010: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept

Gallery: BMW 6 Series Concept

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: BMW]

Paris 2010: BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé looks low, flat and mean originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered for your pleasure

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Videos, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered inside and out – Click above to watch video after the jump

The BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept appears to have separated the audience into camps called “OMG BMW what have you done?” and “OMG BMW is back!” If there are any of you left on the fence looking for a closer look before you sign up to one of those clubs, here are high-definition renderings of the concept without and within.

Of course, they’re still renderings so you can reserve final final judgement, but you’ll see how the exterior light elements work and get clues to interior details. We’re digging that glass roof in all kinds of ways. Follow the jump for the close-ups, and stay tuned for live coverage straight from the Paris Motor Show. Hat tip to Rob!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered for your pleasure

Video: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept rendered for your pleasure originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Exagon Furtive e-GT is a range-extended super-electric coupe [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Europe, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Electric

Exagon Furtive e-GT – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Born of Exagon Engineering, constructor of many a race car (including the eight ice-melting machines that contested the Trophée Andros Electrique last season), Exagon Motors has uncloaked a new street machine for a handful of French journalists, and the car’s performance numbers will probably raise more eyebrows than its looks.

The 2+2 is said to achieve a Tesla Roadster-beating 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds with twin Siemens motors producing 340 horsepower. The all-important, all-electric range is similar to the Silicon Valley speedster as well, with 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) claimed as the distance possible before the need for its on-board gasoline motor to kick in to take you the next 400 kms.

It appears the French manufacturer could begin production as soon as 2012. As far as the price goes, we’re going to guess this is is one of those, “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” type of deals. Still, we’ll ask anyway when we check it out for ourselves in the metal. Or carbon fiber. Or whatever it is. In the meantime, you can get a great look, inside and out, in the video reveal awaiting you after the break.

Gallery: Exagon Furtive e-GT

[Sources: Zer Customs, Turbo.fr]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Exagon Furtive e-GT is a range-extended super-electric coupe [w/video]

Paris Preview: Exagon Furtive e-GT is a range-extended super-electric coupe [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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