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Report: Alfa Romeo Spider said to get modern styling, 168 horsepower

Filed under: Convertible, Alfa Romeo

Take a good look at the picture (and the high-res image gallery) of the Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta concept by Pininfarina, because the production Spider that will be a joint development with the coming Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t expected to look anything like it. According to a report in Autocar, designers at Fiat’s Centro Stile couldn’t figure out how to translate the concept to a production car.

We’re being told that the new Alfa roadster will be styled to match the modernity of the brand’s lineup, accented by “historic design themes,” and that its exterior is near final approval. Apparently, the traditional Alfa grille will be flanked by “lower intake whiskers” and headlights that are nothing like those on the 4C. To be built alongside the Miata in Japan, it will share certain platform hardpoints like the front bulkhead and engine compartment, but won’t have any body panels in common with the Mazda.

Only one engine is expected to be slotted in that bay: the 1.4-liter MultiAir with 168 horsepower. Those ponies will be charged with moving a roadster said to come in at no more than 2,420 pounds, with shifting performed by a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. If that information is correct, that would give it one more horsepower and 20 or more pounds less weight than the current manual-transmission Miata Sport. Comparing like-for-kind-of-like, it would have 10 more hp and be at least 122 pounds lighter than the current automatic-equipped Miata Sport.

Alfa Romeo Spider said to get modern styling, 168 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Extraction Zone app helps first responders safely cut through modern cars

Filed under: Safety, Technology

Extraction Zone

The more safety features and technology gets crammed into modern cars, the harder it gets for first responders to cut through them safely. Cutting someone out of a car is hard enough without having to worry about inadvertently triggering an airbag or hitting a power supply.

To solve that problem, the Extraction Zone mobile app includes maps of the vital systems of popular cars, like the Honda Civic Hybrid, to help EMTs and fire departments find a safe area to cut through. The app highlights structural supports, airbags, and power and propulsion systems to give rescuers an idea where to cut safely. There’s even a night mode to make the app more visible in low-light situations.

[Source: Bohemian Innovation]

Extraction Zone app helps first responders safely cut through modern cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2011: Mr. Norm’s Cuda Convertible melds classic style with modern metal

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Chrysler, Dodge

2009 Cuda Convertible by Mr. Norm’s at Barrett-Jackson – Click above for high-res image gallery

You’ve seen the car featured on Autoblog before… Mr. Norm’s 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible is a modern Dodge Challenger taken to an extreme level. Under the hood sits a 6.1-liter Hemi that pushes out 650 horsepower at the crank. The steel roof has been replaced with a drop-top and the black and yellow paint scheme screams classic muscle. The large “HEMI” graphic on the rear fenders helps a bit too.

The 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible uses actual parts from the classic ‘Cuda. The taillights, rear panel and fender gills are from a 1971 model. Inside, Mr. Norm’s two-door convertible sports all the modern amenities you would expect in a new Challenger, such as Bluetooth connectivity and a Boston Acoustics sound system.

Check out the official listing page for Mr. Norm’s 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible and be sure to keep an eye on the live streaming feed at Speed.

Are you playing Speed’s Online Fantasy Bid Game? If not, test your auction pricing mettle by guessing what a series of featured vehicles will end up bringing at the auction block – you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2009 Prototype ‘Cuda Convertible by Mr. Norm’s Garage at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Mr. Norm’s Cuda Convertible melds classic style with modern metal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Technology, Porsche, Design/Style

What if you could update your classic car with modern tech, without losing the style that you’ve come to love? Porsche now has a solution for owners of old 911s. Starting in October 2010, owners will be able to retrofit their cars with the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System (Part # 911 645 910 00), which packages a display screen fitted into a form factor that is an exact fit for the original factory radio’s location. Round knobs keep appearances in line with that classic Porsche aesthetic, but the technology is purely 21st century.

The unit will retail for €595,00 plus VAT (around $776 USD before taxes at current exchange rates). Considering what Porsche gets for some of the options on its modern cars, the neo-retro nav unit’s price seems pretty good. We understand a desire for modern conveniences in older cars, and the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System may be an answer to the prayers of some 911 enthusiasts since it obviates the need for a less desirable aftermarket solution. (Of cource, one could always just stick a portable GPS unit on the windshield…)

According to MotoBullet, the Classic Radio Navigation System is designed to fit Porsche 911s from from model years 1963 to 1977 (it might also fit the Porsche 914). They go on to suggest that this nav unit may also work with firstgeneration Porsche 912s, but those guys are already going too slow to care where they’re heading. (We kid, we kid… out of jealousy.)

[Source: Porsche via MotoBullet]

Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Budget, Performance

Hurst personalized Dodge Challenger – Click above for image gallery

If you’re like us, you certainly wouldn’t mind being able to park a neo-Hurst muscle cars in your garage. Unfortunately, we’d have to sell the farm, most of our loved ones and a kidney or two just to lay claim to one of the company’s individually-numbered bruisers. How ’bout some good news, then?

For a fraction of the cost of a gold-and-white beauty, Hurst will be more than happy to convert any new Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang into a genuine Hurst creation. All you need to do is have the vehicle delivered to the Hurst Garage in Irvine, California, pick which parts you want installed and let the shifting gurus take care of the rest.

Hurst will even go so far as to give each vehicle an individually numbered dash plaque and record the car’s VIN for posterity. Customers can choose from suspension components, sport-tuned exhaust, wheels, spoilers and the like as well as the typical trick shifters. If you’re planning on swapping in a few aftermarket parts on your new pony car, this would seem like a fine way to go about it.

Gallery: Hurst personalization program

[Source: Hurst via Motor Trend]

Hurst to offer custom personalization for modern muscle cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modern-day Lancia Stratos gets real

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Lancia

Lancia Stratos

Lancia Stratos – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Lancia Stratos revival project that we’ve been hearing about for the past week or so is much farther along than we thought, as engineers did some running at northern Italy’s Balocco test track in late June. For the first time, we’ve seen the new car alongside an original Stratos and the designers have done a remarkable job in recreating the classic’s unique shape, size and proportions.

This new Stratos arrives during the 40th anniversary year of the Marcello Gandini-designed Stratos Zero concept, whose name was later resurrected for the rally car and homologation special. Like the 1970s-era Stratos, power reportedly comes from a Ferrari engine, this time a V8 probably donated from the F430. (The original used the 2.4-liter Dino V6.) Italiaspeed reports that the new car is so true to the concept of the original that it even has door-mounted helmet storage. The bodywork has apparently been crafted in carbon fiber and as many as five prototypes may already be running. If so, this is not likely the one-off that was originally speculated, but a car that could see a limited production run like the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

Check out Top Gear’s take on the original Stratos after the jump. For a good history lesson on the Lancia Stratos, pick up the September 2010 issue of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car at your local bookstore, as one of this month’s feature vehicles is a 1976 Stratos, and the article has an informative backgrounder on the car’s journey from design concept to rally icon.

Gallery: Lancia Stratos

Lancia Stratos