Tag: roadster

Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault, Rumormill

The internets are abuzz with word that the recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Renault may allow the the long dead Smart Roadster to be revived. The folks at Autocar report that a source within Smart says the company has had its eyes on bringing the roadster back to market for awhile now. Evidently, the purveyor of pint-sized transportation is interested in branching out from its city car roots – something that the recent partnership with Renault just might facilitate. Renault has a host of experience producing inexpensive small cars that Smart just might be able to capitalize on.

Autocar doesn’t say exactly which Renault model Smart would use as the basis for the reborn Roadster, but there is some indication that other products may be part of the company’s plans as well. The article even made mention of a potential Mini Countryman competitor, meaning that Smart is eying jumping into the CUV fray. Either way, any new blood in the Smart portfolio is bound to help. With fuel prices down, American buyers aren’t interested in making the kind of sacrifices that the ForTwo requires, but an ultra-compact convertible? That has some potential.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ICONIC Motors announces production of AC Roadster to start in 2011

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance

2011 ICONIC Motors AC Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery

Most small American supercar companies don’t seem to have the best of luck, which is why we were somewhat skeptical when we first heard of ICONIC Motors. The concept was impressive if not somewhat unbelievable – a lightweight roadster with an aluminum 6.9-liter V8 putting out 800 horsepower with design cues inspired by the legendary Shelby Cobra. The GTR, as it was then named, made its debut at the 2008 Amelia Island Concours, and we got our first look at the car at the New York Auto Show shortly thereafter.

We haven’t heard much from ICONIC since then, but apparently the company has been quite busy finalizing the production version that includes a few design changes from the original concept. In the last two years, ICONIC has also formed a partnership with AC Cars, and the car has officially been renamed the AC Roadster. ICONIC has scheduled a 2011 release date for customer cars and states that they currently taking orders. Follow the jump for full details in their latest press release.

Gallery: 2011 ICONIC Motors AC Roadster

[Source: ICONIC Motors]

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ICONIC Motors announces production of AC Roadster to start in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Viper ACR Roadster built for No. 1 dealer before production ended

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Dodge, Specialty

Being the number one Dodge Viper dealership for 11 years has its perks – like being able to pick up the phone and tell the suits up at Auburn Hills that you’d like a convertible version of the diabolical Viper ACR. According to AutoWeek, that’s exactly what Woodhouse Dodge did after hearing that its cash cow was headed to the slaughterhouse, and surprisingly enough, Dodge obliged. What resulted was a mere 20 examples of a drop-top ACR, complete the coupe’s tweaked suspension, mammoth brakes and special final gears in the transmission.

If you’re thinking that hacking the roof off of a standard ACR-X is bound to play havoc with the car’s rigidity and aerodynamics, you’re probably right. That’s exactly why the ACR crew had to completely reinvent the roadster’s aero package with a stubbier rear wing and a redesigned front splitter – just to suit the topless car. As for rigidity, well, that’s just a sacrifice buyers are going to have to be willing to make. Dodge built just 20 of the cars for Woodhouse, complete with the same 21B build code set aside for the hard top cars. If you want one, get on the horn with Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, Nebraska. Just make sure you’ve got $107,310 to blow at the same time. Short of cash? Dream the impossible dream by checking out AutoWeek‘s photos at the link below.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Viper ACR Roadster built for No. 1 dealer before production ended originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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