Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Chevrolet

General Motors will be expanding Chevrolet of Europe's lineup by adding a five-door Cruze, and while we won't get our first look at this new hatchback for a few weeks, GM has decided to preview it early with a few pictures on the web. Sure to be one of the major draws at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks, the liftback ought to compete nicely with the 2012 Ford Focus five-door, but don't expect GM to offer the more functional Cruze in the United States. "Americans don't like hatchbacks," remember?

Much like the Aveo RS and Buick Regal GS from this year's Detroit Auto Show, GM calls the Cruze hatchback a "show car," but in this case, that means that it's somewhere between the stages of concept and prototype. Don't expect the body to change, but we can easily see the front LED light bar and larger wheels being scrapped for the sake of cost-cutting.

Chevrolet says it will begin selling the Cruze hatchback across Europe in mid-2011 and pricing will be announced closer to the model's on-sale date. Follow the jump for the full details in GM's press release. Thanks to everyone for the tips!



[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Paris Preview: GM unveils Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for Europe

Paris Preview: GM unveils Chevrolet Cruze hatchback for Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Aston Martin unveiled the One-77 supercar, everyone was amazed. After all, it’s not every day you see a $1.4 million supercar with such a dynamic design come from the British company. The amazement wasn’t short-lived either as all 77 units of the supercar sold out as quickly as they were unveiled. With such a stupendous response, and such a quick sellout, Aston Martin has decided to apply the same treatment for the future DB9.

So, in 2013 we will see a new generation DB9 (probably carrying the DB10 nomenclature) with styling cues borrowed from the limited-edition One-77 coupe. We are expecting Aston to stick with the aluminum spaceframe for another generation before Aston jumps on the carbon fiber wagon.

The recently redesigned DB9 is powered by a 6.0-liter V12 engine delivering an unchanged 470bhp and 442lb ft of torque and mated to a choice of six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ paddle-shift automatic or six-speed H-pattern manual transmission. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in just 4.6 seconds and top speed goes up to 190 mph.

Future Aston Martin DB9 to be inspired by One-77 supercar originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 September 2010 16:00 EST.

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Usually an output bigger than 600 HP and a top speed of 200 mph are specifications for a sports car, and not an SUV. However, when you put together a BMW with the appropriate specifications, anything is possible!

Manhart Racing has developed a new M6XR Twin Turbo package for the BMW X6M that takes the V8’s specifications to an impressive 687 HP. In order to obtain this amazing output, the tuner had to overhaul the engine’s electronics, including DME control, and had to put in a catalytic conversion including modifications to the converters. The result is a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph. And if this still isn’t enough for the typical enthusiast, the tuner has also announced plans for a new version that will develop more than 700 HP.

The tuning package also includes a new stainless steel exhaust system, with four 90 mm tailpipes and two 200-cell HJS racing catalytic converters and a new set of 23" sport wheels.

Amazingly, the output provided for the X6 M is even larger than the power added to the BMW M3 E92 back in February. When Manhart Racing attacked the sports car, they were only able to squeak out 655hp!

Press release after the jump.

BMW M6XR by Manhart Racing originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 September 2010 15:00 EST.

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Peugeot seems to be pretty excited to reveal their new concept at the 2010 Paris Motor Show at the end of this month. They claim that their "car of the future will combine 200 years of history with 200 years of demands and emotions." That’s a slightly big statement to make. We hope they have the vehicle that will substantiate that claim, but they are not starting off too well considering this vehicle is only a design study with no plans for a production version. Typical, we supposedly finally get the car we’ve been waiting 200 years for and we won’t even be able to drive it...ever.

The Peugeot EX1 design study will combine design elements found in the BB1 unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 and the SR1 unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Show. We don’t know for sure if the concept will be a hybrid or an electric vehicle, but we do know it will be a sports car featuring a futuristic interior. With such a bold claim, the EX1 better be worthy of the company’s 200 years of experience or Peugeot will look pretty silly.

The first official details will be revealed on September 6, followed by a reveal on September 21, so stay tuned!

Peugeot will unveil EX1 Concept in Paris originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 September 2010 14:00 EST.

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Looks like Austin, Texas won’t be the only new venue that’s going to be included in future Formula One seasons.

Rome, Italy has been pining to host a Formula One race for quite some time now and it looks like Italy’s capital is on track to host a round in the F1 calendar soon.

According to Mayor Gianni Alemanno, the time-table for a race to be held in Rome should be “from 2012 or no later than 2013”. Noted circuit designer, Hermann Tilke, has also earmarked the potential site for the race and it could possibly be set-up at the Italian capital’s EUR district, making it a street-race instead of the usual track circuits that are currently being used in Formula One.

Despite the optimism, there are still a number of roadblocks that need to be cleared before the project receives a green light. The most important roadblock being the approval of political leaders and residents of the area. In spite of the obstacles, Alemanno is confident that an agreement would be hatched soon, paving the way for two Italian stops in future Formula One seasons.

Rome a possible location for second Italian F1 race in the next few years originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 September 2010 13:00 EST.

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Admiration, astonishment, magic. These are the feelings that the exhibitions of the Italian Aerobatic Team arise, since its foundation. A cohesive group of air force pilots capable of proudly taking the Italian colors worldwide, during its long history, in conjunction with the highest level of professionalism, performance and elegance.

These results are the consequence of a methodical and ongoing commitment to the relentless pursuit of perfection. Values that also MV Agusta embodies in its history, in the brand and in its men. Guiding principles it shares with the legendary "Frecce Tricolori", a common awareness of being an icon of “Italian Style”, synonymous with technical excellence and unparalleled style.

To seal the common objectives, on the 50th anniversary of the National Aerobatic Team, MV Agusta dresses the most powerful and prestigious of its creations, the new F4, in the colours of the sky and of the Italian flag, producing 11 unique motorcycles in "Frecce Tricolori" livery.

MV Agusta F4 Frecce Tricolor originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 September 2010 12:17 EST.

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An Aston Martin SUV? That seemed to be the plan back in 2009 when the company brought back the Lagonda brand with an SUV concept. In 2010, however, the company has decided that the Rapide is the only non-sports car version they will ever develop. It’s probably a good decision considering the Lagonda SUV wasn’t very well-received by the automotive industry when it debuted.

So, instead of wasting money on something no one will buy, Aston Martin is going to bring a Lagonda version of the Rapide sedan. It will grow in length in order to offer enough interior space for the rear passenger, and will most likely be more luxury oriented.

If we remember correctly, at the concept launch Aston Martin Lagonda Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said that the future sedan would be "the luxury car of the future, a combination of total usability, a new form and innovative new technology and materials." Sounds promising, but we’ll have to wait about four years to see if they’re right since that is how long it will take Aston Martin to produce the Lagonda Rapide.

Aston Martin drops Lagonda SUV; plans sedan instead originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 September 2010 12:00 EST.

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