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Saab 9-3 Sport Combi unlikely but awesome Viper V10 transplant recipient

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Performance, Wagon, Etc., Europe, Saab, Specialty

Saab 9-3 Sport Combi Viper V10 – Click above for image gallery

Of the multiple sacred laws of hot rodding, “Thou shall put big engines in small cars” is by far our favorite. This line of thinking spans cultures and has led to the creation of many a magnificent machine. Machines like this Saab 9-3 Sport Combi with a kicking V10 sourced from the mighty Dodge Viper under its hood. This thing puts a whole new spin on the term “sport wagon.” As you might imagine, shoving a longitudinally mounted lump of American engineering into the engine bay of a small Swedish long roof required significant re-engineering of the 9-3 body structure, including fabricating an entirely new transmission tunnel.

With that big lump situated behind the front axle and a set of stoppers lifted from the big snake as well, we have to imagine that this beast is an absolute terror on the track. Who do we have to bribe for a little seat time? Check out the full build over in Zatzy forums thanks to contributor mrspringer.

Saab 9-3 Sport Combi unlikely but awesome Viper V10 transplant recipient originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Bijan’s custom Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport revealed

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Bugatti, Design/Style, Luxury

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport by Bijan

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport by Bijan – Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Persian fashion designer Bijan Pakzad was a genuine car nut, and he drove high-dollar exotics on a regular basis. He passed away last month while he was working on a series of special editions for Rolls-Royce, but before he left this world he worked up this one-of-a-kind Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport.

Bijan’s signature yellow dominates everything on this custom Veyron, from the broad stripe running up the center of the polished aluminum bodywork to the wheels and interior. As you can see, Bijan’s trademark bearded face motif is featured prominently on the nose, and Bijan logos are even featured on both sides of the rear wing. There’s even an iPad installed in between the seats that displays the same flower as those rotated daily in his Rodeo Drive boutique.

Created in close collaboration with Bugatti and its design director, Achim Anschdeidt, the car was completed six weeks ago. Low-key it is not, but then neither were Bijan and his other designs. And as you can see from the second video after the jump, it wasn’t the flamboyant designer’s first custom Veyron, either.

Continue reading Bijan’s custom Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport revealed

Bijan’s custom Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 May 2011 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Subaru looking at XV Concept for US, but wouldn’t be called Outback Sport

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Hatchback, Subaru, Shanghai Motor Show

Subaru XV Concept – Click above to view high-res image gallery

At the 2011 New York Auto Show, we asked Dominic Infante, Subaru’s U.S. product manager, about the XV Concept revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show. “It’s probably not for us,” he said, “but we’re looking at it. And if it did come, it probably wouldn’t be called Outback Sport.”

That’s because the Outback Sport is an anomaly in Subaru’s U.S. line-up that the brand’s marketing arm would like to correct – an Outback in name only, it is actually based on the Impreza platform. But it sells so well, Infante says, “that the sales guys don’t want them to change anything. They’re like, ‘Don’t mess it up.'”

What do you think? Should Subaru bring a production version of the XV to the States, or is it too much like the Outback Sport to matter? Make yourself heard in our poll below.

View Poll

Gallery: Subaru XV Concept

New York 2011: Subaru looking at XV Concept for US, but wouldn’t be called Outback Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC

Filed under: Crossover, Mitsubishi, Reviews

A Larger Lancer For These Crossover-Obsessed Times

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi has a problem with its current lineup. Unless you’re looking for a Lancer, your options are limited to the Galant mid-size sedan and the Endeavor and Outlander crossovers. Right now, the Galant is contemplating seppuku and the Endeavor hasn’t been fully redesigned since it first went on sale back in 2003. The Outlander, however, has something positive to offer. It seats up to seven passengers (in a pinch), has been named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, and tops out at 28 miles per gallon on the highway.

Mitsubishi knows having just two competitive vehicles to choose from isn’t enough to compete in an industry eager to fill every niche, and the company appears focused on evolving the two lone bright spots in its lineup. The Lancer has spawned many variants, the latest being the Lancer Sportback, a fun-to-drive wagon that doesn’t step on the toes of the top-trim Lancer Evolution. The Outlander, meanwhile, recently gave its name to the smaller 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, a five-passenger crossover looking to make its mark in a currently crowded segment.

Continue reading Review: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC…

Gallery: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC: Review

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC

Continue reading Review: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC

Review: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ford Fiesta gets sport appearance package with slight performance upgrade

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Ford

2012 ford fiesta

2012 Ford Fiesta w/ Sport Appearance Package – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford wants you to get personal with the 2012 Fiesta. Be it through custom exterior graphics or LED lighting, Ford offers something to make your Fiesta truly your own. Now, if you opt for the SEL or SES trims, you can also choose from a pair of new two-tone interior color schemes. The 2012 Fiesta can be outfitted with Oxford White or Race Red, both of which are paired with black.

Besides the interior style touches, the 2012 Ford Fiesta is now being offered with a sport appearance package. It includes blacked-out side mirrors, grille-surround, upper rear-hatch spoiler and a set of 16-inch polished alloy wheels. This isn’t just for looks, though. When equipped with a manual transmission, the standard 4.07 gear ratio gets swapped out for a 4.25 final drive ratio, meaning off-the-line acceleration should prove to be a bit more brisk.

Check out the new interior options in the gallery below, and click past the jump to read the full press release.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2012 Ford Fiesta gets sport appearance package with slight performance upgrade

2012 Ford Fiesta gets sport appearance package with slight performance upgrade originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey pits Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon against last year’s Nissan GT-R

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Wagon, Cadillac, Nissan, UAW/Unions

hennessey cts-v sport wagon versus nissan gt-r

Hennessey Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon versus 2011 Nissan GT-R – Click above to watch video after the jump

Hennessey is once again bringing its super station wagon out to the drag strip. The Texas tuner has taken Cadillac’s 556-horsepower fast family-hauler and tweaked it so that the 6.2-liter V8 now produces 650 hp. We previously showed you how it fared against an (outdated) Porsche 911 Turbo, and now Hennessey has brought the CTS-V Sport Wagon back to the track, and this time, the opponent in the other line is driving a Nissan GT-R.

A 2011 Nissan GT-R to be more precise. The model that produces 485 horsepower and runs down Hennessey’s track in 11.8-seconds. That’s a hair slower than the 11.7-second run ripped off by the Sport Wagon – an amazing time for the 4,398-pound American muscle machine.

However, the 2012 Nissan GT-R pumps out 530 horsepower, runs from 0-60 miles per hour in less than three seconds and will cover a quarter-mile in about 11.6 seconds. Now, you can take that to mean Hennessey should’ve run against the newer GT-R… or that they’ve built one hell of a station wagon. Click past the jump to watch the two cars run down the strip.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey pits Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon against last year’s Nissan GT-R

Video: Hennessey pits Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon against last year’s Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saturn Vue Chevrolet Captiva Sport announced for U.S. fleet customers

Filed under: Crossover, Chevrolet

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport – Click above for high-res image

Do you miss the Saturn Vue? If so, General Motors is ready to wipe your tears away. Meet the new Chevrolet Captiva Sport, a shockingly familiar crossover being offered for fleet sales here in the United States. GM is quick to point out that the Sport is a variant of the popular Captiva CUV sold in other markets, though its Saturn-badged kin can still be found all over the nation.

The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport will be available in three trim levels – LS, LT and LTZ – with two different powertrain choices. The base engine is GM’s Ecotec 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder, while the uplevel powerplant is The General’s 3.0-liter direct-injected V6. Having experienced both of these units in the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers, we found the four to be far smoother and more refined than the anemic V6. In any case, both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is optional on LTZ models.

LT and LTZ models use the 3.0-liter V6 and come standard with OnStar and Bluetooth connectivity. LTZ standard equipment also includes leather-trimmed seats (heated for front passengers), a rear-view camera and premium audio system.

Fleet companies can take delivery of the ~~Vue~~ Captiva Sport as early as the fourth quarter of 2011. For the full details, follow the jump for GM’s press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading ~~Saturn Vue~~ Chevrolet Captiva Sport announced for U.S. fleet customers

~~Saturn Vue~~ Chevrolet Captiva Sport announced for U.S. fleet customers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: First Bugatti Veyron Super Sport comes Stateside

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Videos, Bugatti

bugatti veyron super sport

Take a walk-around the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport – Click above to watch video after the jump

The first Bugatti Veyron Super Sport has touched down on United States soil. It’s one of only five examples produced that will hit the same top speed as the 268-mile per hour world-record setting version. The other 35 examples to be built will be limited to just 258 mph, because, you know, that extra 10 mph would simply be overkill.

Symbolic Motors of San Diego, California is the lucky dealership holding the keys to this amazing machine. It retails for $2.58 million, though we’re pretty sure that this one was snatched up before it even arrived Stateside. Click past the jump for a video walk-around of the very first Bugatti Veyron Super Sport to hit the States. Thanks for the tip, Mark!

Gallery: 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport: First Drive

2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

[Source: DragTimes.com]

Continue reading Video: First Bugatti Veyron Super Sport comes Stateside

Video: First Bugatti Veyron Super Sport comes Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: 2012 Brabus CLS adds dose of sport, economy

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Brabus CLS

2012 Brabus CLS – Click above for high-res image gallery

Brabus has released its tuning package for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS range ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show. As with all things Brabus, the package for the CLS leaves no stone unturned, from an aero and appearance package to the suspension and, finally, the engine.

Outside, the car gets a revised front bumper with bigger air intakes, new LED daytime running lights and a front splitter. There’s also a set of gilled fenders sporting the Brabus logo and side skirts that give the car the appearance of an even lower stance and helpful entry lights so you don’t bash a shin at night.

Keeping things stuck to the ground is a Bilstein suspension supporting your choice of six styles of Brabus rollers, ranging from 8.5x17s to monster 10.5×20-inch trash-can lids. In a bid for the eco vote, Brabus has focused its tuning efforts on the Mercedes-Benz BlueEfficiency diesel engines. The CLS 250 CDI BlueEfficiency gets a 31-horsepower bump and an astonishing 413 pound feet of torque.

On the higher-spec CLS 350 CDI, the engine mods are dual-mode. In eco mode, the car gets pushed to 509 lb-ft from 457, while horsepower stays the same. Hit the sport mode button, and you’re looking at climbing to 309 hp from 261. That translates into a 5.9-second 0-60 sprint and the inevitable 155 mile per hour top speed. Want more? See the complete press release after the break and be sure to peruse our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Brabus CLS

2012 Brabus CLS front three quarter 2012 Brabus CLS rear three quarter 2012 Brabus CLS profile 2012 Brabus CLS front close 2012 Brabus CLS fender

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: 2012 Brabus CLS adds dose of sport, economy

Geneva Preview: 2012 Brabus CLS adds dose of sport, economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati to present more powerful GranCabrio Sport in Geneva

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Maserati

Maserati GranCabrio Sport

Maserati GranCabrio Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

When the Maserati GranTurismo made its debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, it came equipped with a 400-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 made by Ferrari. A year later, Maserati shoehorned a larger 4.7-liter unit under the GT’s hood, boasting 434 horsepower. But when the GranCabrio – known as the GranTurismo Convertible in the United States – hit the market, the Modense automaker opted to skip the smaller engine and go straight for the 4.7 from the S. Now the Trident marque is doing one better with the new GranCabrio Sport.

Due to be unveiled in Geneva, the top-spec four-seat convertible packs an upgraded version of the 4.7-liter V8. 450 horsepower are driven through the same ZF six-speed auto as the standard model, but re-calibrated with the MC Auto Shift programming for quicker response. The Skyhood active suspension has also been optimized, along with the upgraded brakes, and as you can see from the images in the gallery below, the automaker has also applied a number of sporty touches to the styling as well. You can read the full press release after the jump

Gallery: Maserati GranCabrio Sport

[Source: Maserati]

Continue reading Maserati to present more powerful GranCabrio Sport in Geneva

Maserati to present more powerful GranCabrio Sport in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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