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Spy Shots: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet spotted testing in the nude

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Porsche, Luxury

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet spy shots

The Porsche 911 wouldn’t be the Porsche 911 unless there were twenty-something different models to choose from (note: we are not complaining), and the latest one was just spied by our trusty photographers out on Germany’s Nürburgring. Feast your eyes on the 911 Turbo Cabriolet – the droptop version of the new Turbo wonder that debuted in May – looking all sorts of stealth in its black-on-black-on-black prototype scheme.

Mechanically, the 911 Turbo Cab should be identical to the fixed-roof version, meaning a twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six engine will live in the car’s rump, putting out something like 520 horsepower. Of course, there’s also the hotter Turbo S version of the coupe, and we expect that to get the droptop treatment, as well, with 560 horsepower on tap. The added weight of the folding top and additional structural supports will likely make for slightly slower 0-60 times for both cars, though considering the base Turbo will hit 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds, “slower” is a very relative term indeed. All that force will run to the ground via all-wheel drive, managed by Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.

The wide stance of the 911 Turbo Coupe carries over to the Cabriolet, no doubt fitted with the same (standard) 20-inch wheels. Inside, the usual luxury amenities will be on hand, along with nearly endless customization options.

Given that the Frankfurt Motor Show isn’t too far off in the future, we expect to see the Turbo Cabriolet officially bow before then. For now, check it out in the high-res spy shot gallery above.

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet spotted testing in the nude originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Long Term: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: June 2013

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Hyundai, Long-Term Garage

There are an awful lot of good reasons to get into the Hyundai Veloster family and formula. This car looks good, is loaded out with tech and offers a great deal of practicality in a small form factor. One good reason not to consider a Veloster, at least if you’re a city dweller or have primarily urban daily driving path, is the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in the eponymous Veloster Turbo.

Two major factors kill the Veloster Turbo in terms of said city driving: turbo lag and fuel economy.

Two major factors kill the Veloster Turbo in terms of city driving: turbo lag and fuel economy.

I had our long-term Turbo for all of June and the first week of July, during which time I primarily used the car as a runabout in Ann Arbor, MI. With the exception of a few 40-ish-mile jaunts into Metro Detroit, I drove the Hyundai roughly five to ten miles at a time, with speeds that I’m sure averaged 30 miles per hour or less. This kind of driving isn’t a good recipe for high mile-per-gallon numbers, to be sure, and I netted out at about 21.6 mpg – a decent bit lower than the EPA estimate of 24 mpg in the city.

Meanwhile, I wasn’t having a riveting time whilst burning that gas (at least you don’t have to run premium). If you’ve been following the saga of this long-term car to date, you’ve read a lot about how the Turbo doesn’t feel especially hot-hatchy. There are plenty of reasons for this, but I think much of it comes down to a laggy turbo. Getting into the heart of the boost takes a really heavy foot and a low gear when initially accelerating. Worse, the rush from the turbo boost doesn’t feel especially strong once it does come on. (I don’t actually mind a bit of turbo lag, if the payout at the end is a crazy accelerative moment; see Mazdaspeed3, Mini Cooper S, etc.)

In other words: If the Veloster Turbo felt really fast, even sometimes, I’d forgive the fuel economy. As it stands, I’m quite sure the trade-off versus the standard, slow, nice handling non-turbo Veloster, at least for city drivers, is a bad one to make. That’s not even taking sticker price into account…

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2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: June 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jul 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche celebrates 10 years in China with special edition 911 Turbo S

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, China, Porsche, Design/Style, Luxury

2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S China Edition

2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S China Edition – Click above to enlarge image

To celebrate its tenth anniversary in the ever-hungry, ever-growing Chinese market, Porsche is unleashing a special edition version of its 911 Turbo S. The car comes with the Turbo S’ 530-horsepower, twin-turbo flat-six, mated to Porsche’s PDK sequential gearbox.

Rather than go crazy with mechanical mods, Porsche is sticking with an appearance package for the commemorative 911. Outside, there’s special Gold Bronze Metallic paint set off with flat black and carbon fiber accents. The car rides on sexy black 19-inch Fuchs-style alloys borrowed from the 911 Sport Classic.

Inside, customers get a gold commemorative plaque, and all the Alcantara you could ever want. Porsche sets off the acres of black fabric with contrasting gold stitching.

If you want one, you’re pretty much out of luck. Porsche is only going to build 10 examples, and they’re all going to China.

Porsche celebrates 10 years in China with special edition 911 Turbo S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next Chevy Corvette to offer small-displacement turbo V8

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Chevrolet, GM

2012 Chevrolet Corvette

2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to TheDetroitBureau.com, General Motors is planning to alter its strategy with the next-generation Corvette to appeal to a wider range of customers. Traditionally, the Corvette has always been offered with high-displacement eight-cylinder powertrains, but according to sources within GM, the C7 Corvette may also offer a small, turbocharged V8.

Just how small, exactly? TDB reports that the next Corvette’s European-style V8 could measure in at just over 3.0 liters, using an overhead-cam setup and dry sump oil system. With the aid of turbocharging, unnamed GM sources expect that this engine will deliver “in excess of 400 horsepower,” or about 125 hp per liter. What’s more, the smaller V8 could be of the extremely high-revving nature, with TDB citing that engine revs could handle up to 10,000 RPM.

GM’s North American president, Mark Reuss, previously told The Bureau that the C7 Corvette will “target a very different sort of buyer.”

However, traditional V8 enthusiasts need not worry, as the story states that a full range of engines will be available, including the classic larger displacement units that have traditionally found a home in the Corvette.

Of course, the rumormill about exactly what’s in store for the C7 Corvette continues to swirl. We’ve heard everything from a mid-engine layout to a split rear window design that pays tribute to the 1963 ‘Vette. Whatever the case, GM just invested $131 million in the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant that builds the Corvette and the all-new model is expected to arrive within the next two to three years.

Next Chevy Corvette to offer small-displacement turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz to shoehorn twin-turbo V12 into the G-Wagen for 612-hp G65 AMG?

Brabus G V12 S Biturbo – Click above for high-resolution image gallery

After over three decades of production, the big boxy Mercedes-Benz G-Class is not long for this world. (At least, not in three-door, short-wheelbase form.) But while a Final Edition is already being offered in Europe, you didn’t think that Mercedes would leave it down to some extra chrome to bid auf weidersehen to its long-serving, all-conquering workhorse, did you? Of course not. At least, not if the boffins at AMG have anything to say about it, and if these rumors prove true.

The word circulating these interwebs is that AMG is planning to shoehorn in the twin-turbo V12 from the S65 AMG into the G-Wagen’s engine bay for a monstrous twelve-cylinder rolling barn with 612 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of twist.

That’s a lot of power no matter which way you look at it, but we already know it can be done. AMG is said to have produced a few such G-12s for custom order, as has its closely related tuning house Brabus (the result of which is pictured above). Would Affalterbach be able to find enough customers to officially offer such a vehicle? Go deep enough into Asian markets like Russia and the Gulf emirates and you just might find out.

Mercedes-Benz to shoehorn twin-turbo V12 into the G-Wagen for 612-hp G65 AMG? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class getting upgraded V6, twin-turbo V8

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The hardcore Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG isn’t the only E-Class model that gets a new heart for the 2012 model year. According to our sources within Mercedes-Benz, both the E350 and E550 models will receive new powerplants currently found elsewhere in the automaker’s lineup.

The base E350 will now be powered by the automaker’s new 3.5-liter V6 with direct-injection, an engine that we recently tested in the C350 sedan and SLK350 roadster. Rated at 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, the new engine provides power increases of 14 hp and 15 lb-ft over the current V6, while the use of direct-injection and a seven-speed automatic transmission will no doubt return improved fuel economy.

Moving along, the eight-cylinder E550 will ditch its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 in favor of a twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter unit with direct-injection, currently found in the CL550 coupe. In the E-Class, this engine will be good for 402 hp and 443 lb-ft – improvements of 20 and 52, respectively.

Look for the refreshed E-Class range to debut this Fall.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class getting upgraded V6, twin-turbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 May 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac ATS-V to pack twin-turbo V6 power

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, Rumormill

Cadillac ATS spy shots

Cadillac ATS spy shots – Click above for high res-image gallery

When we heard Cadillac was mulling up a V-Series variant of the upcoming ATS, we were really hoping for LSA V8 power. But if Car and Driver sources are correct, we may not be so lucky. Those sources claim the upcoming entry-level performance Caddy will boast a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with around 380 horsepower. That should be more than enough juice to push the performance ATS to 60 in under five seconds, while also saving a bit of fuel compared to a supercharged V8.

Cadillac is targeting the BMW M3 with its new ATS-V, and the folks in Munich have already confirmed that the next-gen M car will also have turbocharged, six-cylinder power.

C/D opines that an uber-ATS could also be in the works, LSA power and all. While far from a sure thing, a supercharged V8-packing ATS would no doubt serve notice to the world of entry lux models that Team Cadillac is playing to win. Still, a twin-turbo V6 ATS could still be an ass-kicking marvel of considerable proportions. 380 horsepower could indeed be an underestimation, in part since no V variant has ever featured less than 400 horsepower. We’d further add that any Cadillac V-Series model should be able to best a $28,000 Mustang GT, but that’s just our opinion.

Cadillac ATS-V to pack twin-turbo V6 power originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Veritas twin-turbo coupe still on the drawing board

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, MISC

Veritas coupe CAD rendering In Vino Veritas, the old Latin saying goes, “In wine is truth.” But what about CAD renderings? That’s what Aussie auto website CarAdvice got a glimpse at while touring the headquarters of German niche carmaker Veritas.

The engineering trust formed the collective brain behind the Veritas RSIII, a radical retro roadster powered by BMW’s celebrated V10 engine, and has long been rumored to be following up with a coupe to join it. And the design, at least, for that model appears to be coming along nicely.

Since the M5’s V10 has now been discontinued, Veritas has, like Wiesmann, had to work around its replacement: the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that powers the X5 M and X6 M and which will drive the new M5, as well. Since the turbo-eight reportedly requires a lot more cooling than the ten-pot it replaces, the design’s aerodynamics had to be thoroughly rethought.

That’s about all there is at present, but we’ll expect to hear more as the project progresses. In the meantime, head over to CarAdvice for a closer look.

Veritas twin-turbo coupe still on the drawing board originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend gets dirty with the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon, Porsche Panamera Turbo and BMW X6 M

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Etc., Videos, Crossover, Hatchback, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, Luxury

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon in the desert

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon in the desert – Click above to watch video after the jump

True to its word, Motor Trend has released a follow-up video to its three-way drag race between the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon, the Porsche Panamera Turbo and the BMW X6 M, though this isn’t exactly your run-of-the-mill comparison test. Given the quirkiness of the vehicles at hand, MT took all three vehicles out to a dry lake bed for a little fun in the sun. If you like watching high-dollar, high-horsepower cars get down and dirty, you’ll want to check out the video after the jump.

It’s hosted by none other than our pal Jonny Lieberman, and he’s even wearing proper footwear this time around. So, which of these automotive oddities came out on top? You’ll have to check out the video to see for yourself.

[Source: Motor Trend via YouTube]

Continue reading Motor Trend gets dirty with the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon, Porsche Panamera Turbo and BMW X6 M

Motor Trend gets dirty with the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon, Porsche Panamera Turbo and BMW X6 M originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Suzuki makes a Kizashi Turbo, calls it the Apex concept

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Sedan, Suzuki

Suzuki Kizashi Apex Concept

Suzuki Kizashi Apex Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Suzuki has often flirted with the idea of strapping a turbocharger to the Kizashi, and it’s once again putting it at the front of our minds with this, the Apex concept, here at the 2011 New York Auto Show.

The Kizashi Apex uses a Garrett turbocharger, air-to-liquid intercooler and a recalibrated ECU to produce an estimated 275 to 300 horsepower, mated solely to a six-speed manual transmission. To communicate that grunt to the road, Suzuki has fitted the Apex with a set of 19-inch wheels wrapped in sticky 245-series Yokohama tires.

As for the graphics package, the livery is pulled from the Japanese automaker’s GSX-R race motorcycles, tying the Apex to Suzuki’s racier roots. Of course, the car is simply a concept for now, but we’re crossing our fingers that it makes it to production… somehow.

Gallery: Suzuki Kizashi Apex Concept: New York 2011

Gallery: Suzuki Kizashi Apex Concept

New York 2011: Suzuki makes a Kizashi Turbo, calls it the Apex concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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