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Reimagined Jaguar E-Type to enter very limited production

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Jaguar, Specialty, Design/Style

2011 Growler E concept

2012 Growler E concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Swedish design firm Visualtech has confirmed it will build a very limited run of production cars based on its Growler E, a reimagining of the Jaguar E-Type. According to the company, plans are to have the first Growler ready for delivery in the summer of 2012.

Speaking of plans, the current goal is to produce three or four of the cars to be finished simultaneously. If there’s overwhelming demand, Visualtech may decided to build a very short series run of the cars, with help from Steyr or Finnish firm Valmet.

The car is to be powered by a Jaguar XKR-sourced 5.0-liter supercharged V8. With a few choice tweaks, the Growler should close in on the 600-horsepower mark. Visualtech hopes that will lead to a 0-60 run under 4 seconds.

The Growler will have a composite body glued to a carbon fiber structure, with front and rear tube frames holding the running gear. Should you have the wherewithal to order a Growler, expect to pay nearly $700,000 if they make a series run, and closer to $1.4 million if they only make a few.

Gallery: Growler E 2011 Concept

Growler E 2011 Concept

[Source: Top Gear]

Reimagined Jaguar E-Type to enter very limited production originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 261-mpg Volkswagen XL1 to enter limited production

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Electric, Diesel

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, what do you know? When Volkswagen decided to show off the latest version of its so-called one-liter car, the Formula XL1, at the Qatar Motor Show, we wondered out loud whether or not the German automaker would actually manage to put it into production. As it turns out, that’s the plan, albeit at a very small scale.

According to Automobilwoche (sub. req’d, via The Truth About Cars), Volkswagen will build 100 XL1s as a small batch of regular production machines… meaning they’ll actually be offered for sale to the general populace. No word on what will power the production models, but the concept features a two-cylinder TDI engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All that fuel-sipping goodness is enough to achieve an astonishing 0.9L/100 km – just over 261 mpg.

Germany will reportedly get first crack at the XL1, followed by the United States and China. Color us surprised that VW actually plans to produce a nearly 300-mpg machine, going to the trouble of putting it through safety and emissions tests and all that goes along with making it legal, for such a small batch of vehicles. Surprised, but pleased, while also a bit skeptical it will ultimately happen. Projects like these are usually the first to get cut when the global economy forces belts to be tightened.

Gallery: Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Report: 261-mpg Volkswagen XL1 to enter limited production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Saab to enter WRC with new 9-2

Filed under: Motorsports, Saab, Rumormill

Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept

Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Saab was quite successful in rally competition once upon a time, and it looks like the automaker’s new management hopes to kick-start the brand’s revival with a return its motorsports roots.

The word out of Europe is that Saab has met with World Rally Championship officials and committed to a 2012 entry into the series with a machine based on its upcoming smaller car. Depending on who you talk to, the new model could be dubbed either the 9-1 or 9-2.

The small car project originally began several years ago when Saab was still under the General Motors umbrella with the car expected to be based on the Gamma platform that underpins the Opel Corsa. As an independent, Saab doesn’t have the resources to develop such a platform on its own and is currently talking to other potential partners including BMW and some Chinese makers. Expect its design to be inspired heavily by the Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid concept (above).

If Saab hooks up with BMW, it could have a Mini-based 9-1/9-2 competing against the new Mini Countryman WRC.

Gallery: Saab 9-X Air BioHybrid Concept

[Source: CAR]

Rumormill: Saab to enter WRC with new 9-2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mini Countryman to enter Rally Italy in 2011

Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, Mini, Rumormill, Racing

Mini Countryman – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rally and the original Mini went together like sugar and grits. That pint-sized Brit made a habit of showing up at stages, mopping the floor with the competition and motoring home with trophies in tow. The wringability of the little hatches helped catapult them into the storied halls of motorsports lore – something that the new generation of Mini machines has been quick to capitalize on. Now that the brand is set to introduce the Countryman, there’s some concern as to whether or not the high-riding CUV can adhere to the brand’s ethos of punching above its weight.

We’ve heard repeated murmurings in the past about a collaboration between the rally gurus at Prodrive and Mini that could result in the honkin’ Countryman doing battle in the most grueling rally arena of them all – the WRC. A new report says that the two companies will announce something pertinent to their work together later this week. We’re hoping that means a first look at the rally beater, but since we haven’t heard word one from Mini just yet, it’s hard telling. Autocar seems to think that the announcement may have more to do with the team’s schedule than anything else, saying that it expects Mini to hit the WRC by the time Rally Italy rolls around in May of 2011.

Gallery: 2011 Mini Countryman

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Mini Countryman to enter Rally Italy in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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