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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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New York 2011: Nissan says subcompact buyers aren’t looking for styling, sportiness

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Nissan

2012 Nissan Versa

2012 Nissan Versa – Click above for high-res image gallery

After Nissan unveiled its redesigned 2012 Versa sedan at the New York Auto Show yesterday, coverage was almost unanimous in declaring it, at best, inconspicuous. David Reuter, Nissan’s VP of Corporate Communications, tells Autoblog that’s fine:

“The Fiesta may have been getting the press, this is what was selling. We were up 20 percent last year. Our competitors have gone for sporty and styling, but that’s not what these buyers want. Subcompact buyers want a dependable, roomy car with good fuel economy, and they want the features and specs to feel they spent a lot more on a car than they did.”

The formula, inconspicuous as it might be, has worked: Nissan moved 99,705 Versa sedans and hatchbacks in 2010, running away from everything else in the class – next were the Honda Fit with 54,354, the Hyundai Accent with 51,975, and the Chevrolet Aveo with 48,623 units sold. Say what you will about the looks, with a segment-leading 103 cubic feet of room in the 2012 Versa and more standard features at a competitive price point, the momentum will likely continue.

Gallery: 2012 Nissan Versa: New York 2011

New York 2011: Nissan says subcompact buyers aren’t looking for styling, sportiness originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video]

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Ford

2013 Ford Taurus

2013 Ford Taurus – Click above for high-res image gallery

Upon taking the wraps off of the 2013 Ford Taurus, Derrick Kuzak, the automaker’s group vice president of global product development, said the styling tweaks were wholly influenced by the new Audi A6. Sure, the new front fascia and LED square around the taillamps are total Audi knock-offs, but what’s important to learn from this is that Ford is using the A6 as its target for the Taurus, and with a host of updates for the 2013 model year, Ford’s flagship gets one step closer to being an Audi alternative.

All in, the design tweaks give the Taurus an added sense of aggressiveness, though the car is still immediately recognizable as a successor to the all-new flagship that debuted for the 2010 model year. The trapezoidal grille has been tweaked, and now features active air shutters to improve overall fuel economy. The hood has been fully resculpted, and out back, tweaked taillamps with LED running lights blend into a slightly revised rear fascia. Dual exhaust tips are now standard across the board, as are new 20-inch wheel options.

The big enhancements for 2013 are the Taurus’ powertrains. Ford’s trusty 3.5-liter V6 still serves as the base engine, though its output has been bumped up to 290 horsepower – a full 27 more horses than the outgoing car. New for 2013, though, is the addition of the automaker’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, rated at 237 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. With the EcoBoost engine underhood, the Taurus is estimated to achieve up to 31 miles per gallon on the highway.

Inside, there’s a new steering wheel and more soft-touch materials have been added to the dash and center console, which now uses the automaker’s MyFord Touch infotainment system. Other new enhancements include the addition of Ford’s curve control system – first seen on the Explorer – that enhances cornering capability and braking control. Speaking of brakes, the Taurus also gets a larger brake master cylinder, meaning braking feel should be substantially better.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date in early 2012, and while the 2013 Taurus might not be a perfect competitor to Audi’s A6, it’s sure to offer similar content (and style) at a much lower price-point. Check out all the details for yourself in the press release after the jump, as well as some B-roll footage of the new car. We’ll have plenty of live photos and impressions from the car’s official New York Auto Show debut, as well.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

2013 Ford Taurus

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video]

2013 Ford Taurus gets 2.0L EcoBoost four, styling tweaks [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition gets horsepower bump, sinister styling

Filed under: Convertible, Porsche

2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition

2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

Much like the recently unveiled 911 Black Edition, Porsche has created a murdered-out version of the Boxster S roadster that combines a slight boost in power with a raft of new standard amenities. Called the Boxster S Black Edition, the new two-seater features black paint, black wheels, a black convertible top and a fully black interior. It looks sinister, and we’re big fans.

Under the hood is a 320-horsepower version of Porsche’s 3.4-liter flat-six – 10 more ponies than the standard Boxster S – mated to a six-speed manual or the automaker’s PDK dual-clutch transmission. Sprinting to 60 miles per hour takes just 4.8 seconds, and the roadster will eventually top out at 170 mph. An optional Sport Chrono package shaves two-tenths of a second off that acceleration time, and the Black Boxster is capable of achieving fuel economy numbers of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg highway.

New standard features include things like the black-painted Design package, convenience package (bi-xenon headlamps, auto-dimming mirrors, automatic climate control) and infotainment package (navigation, Bose surround sound and XM satellite radio with NavTraffic). The whole kit will set you back $65,200 when the car officially goes on sale this spring. Follow the jump for Porsche’s press release.

Gallery: 2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition

2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading 2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition gets horsepower bump, sinister styling

2012 Porsche Boxster S Black Edition gets horsepower bump, sinister styling originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class styling buck caught in the buff

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz

2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class spy shot

2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class spy shot – Click above for high-res image gallery

As the smallest member of the Mercedes-Benz line, the A-Class has had a tough time earning much credibility or respect. That could change, though, if the German automaker were able to inject a dose of stylishness and sportiness into the next design, and it appears it may be doing exactly that.

Spy photographers managed to snap off a set of images that appear to show a quarter-scale styling buck of the next-gen A-Class (codename W176), and it’s much lower and more agressive than ever before, complete with some 2012 CLS in the flanks and fascia. As you can see from the green car in the background, Mercedes-Benz appears to be using its BlueZero F-Cell Concept as a basis for the small hatchback’s overall proportions.

Rumor has it that Mercedes-Benz will incorporate thee- and five-door models into the A-Class pipeline, along with a possible crossover to take on the likes of the BMW X1. There could even be an AMG version of the little front-wheel drive machine, with as much as 270 horsepower. Reports indicate that the next B-Class will be based on the same architecture.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz A-Class

[Source: Brenda Priddy & Company]

Spy Shots: 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class styling buck caught in the buff originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura

Filed under: Car Buying, Acura, Design/Style, Luxury

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD at sunset

2010 Acura TL SH-AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s no secret that the corporate schnoz adopted in recent years by Acura is, shall we say… controversial. But whether or not it’s helping or hurting sales is up for debate. On one hand, the brand’s 24-percent increase in sales in 2010 over the previous year has Honda’s luxury division outpacing the gains of its rivals. On the other hand, nearly everyone’s 2009 sales figures went down the economic toilet, and J.D. Power reports that exterior styling is the number one reason new car shoppers are rejecting the marque, followed closely by Acura’s interior styling.

Perhaps tellingly, Acura’s two most successful models in sales gains are the MDX and RDX utility vehicles, models competing in burgeoning segments (and the former of which features a somewhat muted faces compared to the rest of the company’s lineup). But hope may be on the way, and soon. According to Automotive News, Dave Conant, who owns an Acura store in Mission Viejo, California and has gotten an early look at the next-gen TL, Acura’s middle child is getting a major nose job.

And more new models are reportedly on the horizon as well, including hybrids and a likely return to the entry-level compact luxury class. What’s more, the automaker has promised dealers that future models will be better differentiated from one another, both styling-wise and in size. All that sounds good, just so long as no giant polished cow-catcher grilles get in the way.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

J.D. Power: Styling biggest reason people reject Acura originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets new four-cylinder model, refreshed styling

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Click above for high-res image gallery

Look very closely – this is the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which gets a very modest facelift for the new model year. Good thing, then, that the majority of changes made to the C-Class are found underhood, where Mercedes-Benz is offering an all-new four-cylinder engine option here in the United States (as well as a new model designation – C250), not to mention some tweaks for the V6 found in the top-end C350.

Design tweaks are limited to a new aluminum hood with slightly restyled headlamps and LED running lamps down below. Yes, it looks extremely similar to the 2011 model, but if we’re honest, the current C-Class design isn’t exactly growing old. In fact, we rather like it as-is. The styling upgrades to the rear end are hardly noticeable, and that’s just fine, too.

Four-cylinder powerplants are quickly replacing six-cylinder mills these days, even in the entry-level luxury segment. You’ll remember that just a few years ago, Audi discontinued the 3.2-liter V6 in its A4, leaving only the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine on tap. Based on preliminary specifications, the new direct-injected 1.8-liter turbocharged mill looks to be plenty potent, with 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque on hand. That’s 27 less horsepower than the mid-range 3.0-liter V6, but the 1.8T offers eight more pound-feet of twist. Thus, both the C250 and the mid-range C300 4Matic will do the 0-60 sprint in 7.1 seconds, but the C250 returns 24 miles per gallon (combined) while the C300 nets just 20 mpg. The range-topping C350 also gets some help from direct injection, meaning its 3.5-liter V6 now produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft, gains of 34 hp and 15 lb-ft over the outgoing model.

In addition to new engines, the 2012 C-Class benefits from a restyled interior, mimicking what we’ve grown accustomed to in the E-Class. New driver assistance systems like Attention Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist and Parktronic help keep things in check out on the road.

The 2012 C-Class will make its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month with the cars going on sale in the United States next summer. (Full Disclosure: This information was under embargo, but a few other websites decided to spill the beans a bit early). Follow the jump for Mercedes-Benz’s official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets new four-cylinder model, refreshed styling

Officially Official: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class gets new four-cylinder model, refreshed styling originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: 2012 Mazda5 with updated styling now goes with the flow

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Mazda

2012 Mazda5

2012 Mazda5 at the LA Auto Show – Click above for high-res image gallery

The upcoming 2012 Mazda5 just showed us its smiling face, and Mazda’s flowing design language is visible everywhere on it. The mini people mover has gotten a displacement increase up from the old 2.3-liter and is now powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 157 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Three trims are available, entry-level, Sport and Touring, and a five-speed automatic transmission comes standard on all of them. Thankfully, the Sport is available with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Incorporating the Nagare “flow” design has brought the 2012 Mazda5 in line with the rest of the family. Not only that, it adds a slightly elegant touch to a vehicle that has always offered solid utility alongside a fun driving experience. Be sure to read more about it in the press release sitting after the jump.

Gallery: LA 2010: Mazda5

2012 Mazda5

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LA 2010: 2012 Mazda5 with updated styling now goes with the flow originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Galatea thinks Hyundai Tiburon is perfect platform for coachbuilt styling

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Hyundai, Design/Style

Galatea Revision – Click above for high-res image gallery

Examples of high-end coachwork usually draw long, wistful stares and high levels of admiration, with skilled craftsmen taking something beautiful and creating something stunning. An Aston Martin DB4 is a wonderful machine, but a 1960 DB4 GT Zagato looks so good it’ll melt your face clean off. Same with the James Glickenhaus-owned Ferrari Enzo that evolved into the P4/5. The examples of high style and peerless engineering are as numerous as they are arresting. And then this showed up in our inbox.

This is the Galatea (pronounced: Gal-ah-tay-ah) Revision, a custom coupe built upon none other than the – you guessed it – Hyundai Tiburon. Says Galatea:

“Unlike many kit cars that are based on a fairly old donor car, the Galatea is a comparatively modern car with modern features…The kit is available for $5,180 in fiberglass and includes all lights, hardware, emblems, and a detailed instruction book to make installation easier. The parts included are a new hood, fenders, front bumper, headlights, rear bumper, and taillights.”

While it’s certainly not the worst custom Tiburon we’ve ever seen (you’ll see far, far worse at any HIN show), it doesn’t quite evoke the spirit of true coachbuilt styling. It’s a body kit. An elaborate, ambitious and oddly proportioned body kit, but a body kit nonetheless. It seems strangely appropriate that Galatea has chosen this particular Hyundai coupe as a basis for the project, as the Tiburon itself was both widely criticised and lauded for deriving its styling from a much more exotic automobile – the Ferrari 456 GT.

If you own a last-gen Tibby or just want to see it in person for yourself, the Revision will be making its debut at the Alpine Invitational Car Show and Concorso d’Eleganza on October 10 in Palisades, NY.

Gallery: Galatea Revision

Galatea Revision

[Source: Galatea Automobiles]

Continue reading Galatea thinks Hyundai Tiburon is perfect platform for coachbuilt styling

Galatea thinks Hyundai Tiburon is perfect platform for coachbuilt styling originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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