Spy Shots: Latest look at Porsche’s upcoming 911 Turbo

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

Porsche 911 Turbo Spy Shots

Porsche 911 Turbo spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

Thanks to our crafty team of spy photographers, we now have a clear look at the next-generation Porsche 911 Turbo undergoing its development. It doesn’t exactly take a keen eye to notice those two massive air intakes situated on the flanks of the vehicle, and a set of flared rear fenders do their best to hide some serious rubber.

Around the rear of the vehicle, it’s clear that the new 911 Turbo will wear exhaust outlets that are integrated into the back valance. Interestingly enough, there’s no massive whale tail lurking around, so the engineers must have found a way to package the potent flat-six without needing the extra space.

Speaking of the engine, word has it that Porsche has managed to milk anywhere from 500 to 600 horsepower out of the six-pot, and all of that grunt will likely dump onto the pavement via an all-wheel-drive system. Porsche is slated to pull back the sheets on the base 911 at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. That leaves room for the Turbo to bow at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012.

Gallery: Porsche 911 Turbo Spy Shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Latest look at Porsche’s upcoming 911 Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zagato teases upcoming TZ4 with holiday greetings?

Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Alfa Romeo, Design/Style

Zagato holiday card

Close your eyes and picture the most beautiful contemporary sportscar designs. Were the Perana Z-One and Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione in the mix? Well, perhaps they ought to be. Now open your eyes and look at the image above.

What you’re looking at is a holiday card from the good folks at Zagato featuring the full Alfa Romeo TZ family. Starting from the back, there’s the original TZ1, followed by the classic TZ2, the most recent TZ3 Corsa unveiled at Villa d’Este and, what’s that wrapped in a bow, a fourth TZ model?

This is the first indication we’ve had of such a model in the works, but from what we can see in the image above, it looks promising, blending the aforementioned Z-One and 8C together into one tempting shape. Logic would dictate that the fourth model will carry the TZ4 nameplate. If it’s real, it’s likely to have been commissioned by some wealthy client, and probably borrows its underpinnings from the 8C Competizione. Whatever it is, color us intrigued, so watch this space for more details as they become available.

[Source: AutoEdizione]

Zagato teases upcoming TZ4 with holiday greetings? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW’s M division releases more details, images of upcoming 1 Series M Coupe

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW


BMW 1 Series M Coupe teasers – Click above for image gallery

Fans of the original BMW M3 might not be enamored by the current V8 model, but the upcoming 1 Series M Coupe promises to bring it back to the source. The Bavarian automaker has released new information on the more compact M ahead of its full release in December ahead of the Detroit Auto Show where it’ll be finally revealed to the public.

The 1 Series M Coupe packs a 340-horsepower version of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter six from the Z4 sDrive35iS in a package weighing about 3,300 pounds, with power fed to the wheels exclusively through a six-speed manual. This a departure from the “bare-bones” M3 GTS that packs a dual-clutch gearbox.

Pricing is slated to come in between those of the existing 135i and M3, placing it somewhere around the $45k mark. Click below to check out the updated gallery of teaser images, including some new swirly ones.

Gallery: BMW 1M Coupe teasers

[Source: BMW M division]

BMW’s M division releases more details, images of upcoming 1 Series M Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati to base upcoming junior Quattroporte on next Chrysler 300?

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chrysler, Maserati, Rumormill, Luxury

1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati

1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati

As excitement and anticipation mount for the arrival of a new “entry-level” sedan from Maserati, so do the rumors. The new model, expected to slot in below the current Quattroporte, has been the subject of much conjecture and speculation, but the latest hits a little closer to home.

According to reports, the junior QP could share its underpinnings with the next Chrysler 300C. This in contrast with previous reports that the Trident marque was looking to develop a new platform for the model, a move that would be decidedly more expensive for a Fiat/Chrysler empire already spread too thin. (Closer collaboration is expected between the Chrysler and Lancia divisions, which could also lead to a next-gen 300-based successor to the discontinued Lancia Thesis.)

As sources point out, this wouldn’t be the first time that Maserati and Chrysler have gotten into bed with each other. Close ties between onetime Chrysler chief Lee Iacocca and Alejandro de Tomaso (of the eponymous sportscar company that once owned Maserati) led to the disastrous badge-whoring exercise known as the Chrysler TC by Maserati (pictured above). If the latest reports come to fruition, we’d certainly hope the outcome would be in a different league altogether.

[Source: autoblog.it via PistonHeads]

Maserati to base upcoming junior Quattroporte on next Chrysler 300? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked documents out upcoming Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200

Filed under: Performance, Motorcycle

Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors have swirled since the introduction of Aprilia’s in-house developed 750cc V-twin engine back in 2007 (in the company’s naked Shiver and supermoto-inspired Dorsoduro models) that a larger 1200cc version of the potent mill was in the offing. Well, it’s been nearly four years since its introduction, and we still don’t see a big-bore bike to go up against the likes of the Ducati Monster and Hypermotard.

However, it seems such a machine may finally be headed to a dealership near you. And interestingly enough, the news kinda sorta comes from Aprilia itself in the form of (what we assume to be) a mistakenly posted service manual for the upcoming bike. It appears that the new engine will sport higher compression in addition to the increased displacement, so we’re expecting plenty of power from the ride-by-wire platform.

We should also see a suitably beefed-up chassis with slightly more relaxed steering geometry, longer wheelbase and fully adjustable Sachs suspension. Anti-lock brakes will be optional and can be fully turned off. All signs point to a November debut at the upcoming EICMA Show in Milan, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see 1200cc versions of both the Dorsoduro and Shiver.

Gallery: Review: Aprilia Dorsoduro 750

Source: Aprilia via Hell For Leather]

Leaked documents out upcoming Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked sketch shows upcoming power cruiser from Ducati

Ducati Power Cruiser sketch – Click above to enlarge

Close your eyes and think of a Ducati motorcycle. Got it? Good. What’s in your head? We’d guess something fast, beautiful and… red. That about right? Despite having roots firmly in the sportbike minefield, clearly the Italian motorcycle maker has its sights set on expanding its market share by entering into new and previously untapped markets. Evidence? We’ll call the Multistrada Exhibit A.

And this sketch is about as strong an Exhibit B as you’ll ever lay your eyes upon. Sometimes dubbed the Mega Monster by the motoring press, this sketch gives us an indication of what Ducati has up its corporate sleeves for the upcoming EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

As you can see, a liquid-cooled Testastretta V-twin engine with the Multistrada 1200’s 11-degree valve overlap angle, which smooths out power and improves fuel efficiency. We’re expecting something over 150 horsepower in this application, and ride-by-wire and traction control will also be present. There’s also a single-sided swingarm holding an absolutely massive rear tire (spy shots indicate it’ll be a 240, but we’ll see), USD front forks and monobloc calipers up front.

Naturally, Ducati’s trademark trellis chassis is in full effect, in this case used for style and not really for substance. Ducati does indicate that the power cruiser will sport a reasonable 40-degree lean angle, but we have to wonder about the potential handling characteristics of a bike with a raked-out front end and wide-for-the-sake-of-style rear tire.

For what it’s worth, assuming this bike is what we think it is, this is not the first time a European motorcycle maker has decided to dip a toe in the cruiser market. Way back in 1998, BMW released its R 1200 C range, and while the bike was much more technologically advanced than anything else on the market at the time (fuel injection, ABS brakes, telelever front suspension, single-sided shaft drive, etc.), it failed to reach the kind of sales figures hoped for by the German marque. We’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out for Ducati in November.

[Source: Ducati.ms via Asphalt & Rubber]

Leaked sketch shows upcoming power cruiser from Ducati originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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