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De Tomaso revival effort shown ahead of Geneva

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Luxury

De Tomaso SLC Concept

Behold, the De Tomaso SLC Concept in all of its, um, glory. If you’re like us, this probably wasn’t the first thing that leapt to mind when you heard that De Tomaso was being resurrected (again) from the ashes of bankruptcy for a triumphant return to the world stage. The company says that the SLC is a luxury sports crossover.

Despite its stubby and somewhat odd proportions, this thing should be a blast to drive. According to reports, under the hood sits a 524-horsepower V8 engine, though buyers should be able to also opt for either a 296-horsepower V6 or a 247-horsepower turbodiesel six-pot should their hearts – or wallets – so desire.

De Tomaso says that the SLC Concept will bow at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month and that we can expect a production run of around 3,000 units starting next year. The price tag for this fine piece of machinery is expected to sit at a cool €85,000 – around $115k Yankee bucks. Better start saving your milk money.

If you were hoping to see something more along the lines of the infamous Pantera, never fear. Word is that the company is also hard at work on a spiritual successor to that beast along with a four-door sedan designed to tango with the Porsche Panamera. Check out the link below for more images.

[Source: Il Tirreno (translated)]

De Tomaso revival effort shown ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chevy Sonic shown off as sedan and hatchback

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Chevrolet Sonic sedan

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has officially yanked back the sheets on the newest sub-compact from Chevrolet, the 2012 Sonic. Just don’t call it the Aveo. The five-door hatch and four-door sedan are set to be officially unveiled later today at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, but the Bow Tie brand has been kind enough to share the skinny on this vehicle that’s supposed to tango with the likes of the new Hyundai Elantra and the Ford Fiesta. The Sonic will be available with a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, though buyers can opt up for a turbocharged 1.4-liter producing 138 horsepower, which GM underscores is 18 ponies more than the Fiesta. Shifting duties are handled by either a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic gearbox.

In fact, it’s clear that The General had its sights locked on the Fiesta from the get go. The Sonic hatchback packs more back seat room than its Blue Oval competitor and, with the rear bench folded flat, delivers more cargo room, as well.

GM also put plenty of effort into the suspension by tasking the geometry gurus responsible for the Corvette’s mighty grip. Up front, the Sonic benefits from a MacPherson strut design, while a torsion beam handles suspension duties out back.

There’s also plenty design-wise to differentiate the Sonic from its homely predecessor, including a more aggressive front fascia with massive headlight arrays. Judging from the photos, the biggest changes are indoors, where a stylish cockpit replaces the bland, bargain plastics of the Aveo. Stay tuned for live photos from the show floor of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show and hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan2012 Chevrolet Sonic Sedan

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback2012 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback

[Source: General Motors]

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2012 Chevy Sonic shown off as sedan and hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini Countryman rally car shown testing for WRC

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Mini, Racing

Mini Countryman WRC

The more we hear about Mini’s quest to run the Countryman in the World Rally Championship, the less and less it sounds like a publicity stunt. The company has just finished testing its prototype rally beater at Prodrive’s private test facility, putting the car through its paces over four days and multiple road surfaces. According to Mini, most of the abuse took place on a tarmac circuit, though the team did spend plenty of time getting the car situated on a few low-grip stages. The R&D was prep for an excursion to Portugal, where the team plans to put the Countryman through a full week of gravel testing.

Despite the psycho-swirly camo, Mini says that the racer is currently wearing “an interim body and aero package” while the minds at Prodrive concoct the final lines. It remains to be seen who the company will come up with to helm its high-riding missile. We’re just happy to see Mini back in the WRC. Hit the jump for the brief press release.

[Source: Mini]

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Mini Countryman rally car shown testing for WRC originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tivo Alert: Mid-Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu-drama

Filed under: Motorsports

Last week’s American Le Mans Series race at Mid-Ohio was a nail-biter right down to the checkered flag with lots of action in each of the four classes. Unfortunately, the race wasn’t shown live on TV… though it was streamed over the interwebz. If you missed the action the first time around, you can catch yourself up this Sunday in an interesting new way.

Intersport Productions, the creators of one of the greatest racing films ever, Truth in 24, has applied its skills to the Mid-Ohio footage. The cameras were rolling throughout the weekend and the editors have spent this week putting together a 90-minute special that apparently goes beyond just the race to tell a narrative about the whole process of competition. The docu-drama, called Road Warriors, will air this Sunday, August 15, at 12:30pm EDT on CBS.

Gallery: American Le Mans Series Mid-Ohio 2010

[Source: American Le Mans Series]

Tivo Alert: Mid-Ohio ALMS race to be shown Sunday as 90 minute docu-drama originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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