The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted something suspicious lurking on the Chevrolet Code 130R and and Tru 140S concepts, both of which debuted here today at the Detroit Auto Show. Each concept prominently features the legendary Chevrolet Corvette cross flag emblem, or at least appears to at first glance.

The Tru 140S wears the badges in question on the center caps of all four wheels while the Code 130R proudly displays them as integrated turn signals on the front fenders. According to Nicholas David, a senior exterior designer with General Motors and the man behind the Tru 140S, the cross flag emblems identify both concepts as members of a new “passion portfolio” within Chevrolet.

Once upon a time, the cross flags found themselves on a number of sport-oriented Chevrolet vehicles from the Corvair to the Corvette. As the years progressed, the badges fell off of every model but the Corvette. Now, David says GM wants to expand its family of sports cars, and each new member will feature the cross flags. With SS and RS models lining showrooms, GM isn’t exactly short on sports branding as it is. Fortunately, the cross flags likely won’t detail a separate trim so much as a family of vehicles.

It’s worth noting that while the emblems on the two concept twins are remarkably similar to the cross flags of the Chevrolet Corvette, they aren’t identical. The Corvette relies on a curled flag with a gold Bow Tie and a flur de lis on a red field, while the Code 130R and Tru 140S make due with just the Bow Tie.

Why do the Chevrolet coupe concepts have Corvette cross-flag emblems? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Land Rover took to the Delhi Auto Expo with a pair of Defender Concepts, demonstrating a few design possibilities Land Rover could pursue with the next-generation SUV. The company says it intends to launch the vehicle by 2015, which means the automaker has its work cut out for it if it plans to meet that deadline. The concepts feature many of the same attributes that made the original Defender and off-road icon, including dramatically short overhangs front and rear and a near vertical wind screen for increased visibility.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the pair of Defenders, though. After an initial debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Land Rover spruced them up for a North American reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November.

The Defender Concept Twins also come loaded with technology designed to make blazing your own trail all the easier, including a clever sonar-based system that can measure water depth as the vehicle crosses deep creeks and flooded streams. In addition, a new Terrain Response system maps the ground ahead of the vehicle in 3D and suggests alternate routes when the vehicle detects an obstruction. Hit the jump for a quick video on the vehicle as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Land Rover Defender concepts turn red for New Delhi [w/video]

Land Rover Defender concepts turn red for New Delhi [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unlike most cities, Japan’s capital city plays host to two major automotive exhibitions: the Tokyo Motor Show and the Tokyo Auto Salon. While these terms may be interchangeable when it comes to European expos, in Tokyo, they connote two different shows altogether. The first is the Motor Show, where new concepts and production models are unveiled by the world’s automakers. The Auto Salon is more of a tuner expo along the lines of the SEMA show in Las Vegas. So after Subaru made its long-anticipated splash at the Tokyo Motor Show with its new BRZ, now it’s heading to the Salon with some modified versions.

First up is a version of the BRZ Concept STI, packing some prototype carbon-fiber components, suspension upgrades, Brembo brakes and more. Subaru has also teamed up again with aftermarket tuner Prova (which shares its name with the traditional license plates carried by prototypes in italy) for a BRZ Black Edition. And you can bet there will be a handful or two of other tuners eager to show what they can do with the new rear-drive sports coupe, as well.

Subaru itself will also be showcasing an upgraded Impreza called the G4 STI with all manner of performance enhancements, and will, at long last, announce its return to a number of different motorsport disciplines. The Super GT300-spec BRZ, which we already know about, will be displayed alongside the Legacy-based racer it replaces. But there will also be a WRX STI that’s slated to be fielded at the Nürburgring 24, and Subaru will also be announcing its return to professional rally competition, though not the World Rally Championship series it left years ago, it will contest the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors casts quite a shadow over the annual Detroit Auto Show. First of all, their Renaissance Center headquarters are right next to Cobo Hall where the show is held every year. But beyond that, GM never fails to bring a big spread to its hometown expo. And this year looks to be no exception.

Some of the debuts slated for The General’s still-vast portfolio of divisions will be expected – like the Chevrolet Sonic RS and Cadillac ATS, both production vehicles that are slated to debut at the show. But details on others we’ll have to wait for. For one, Buick will unveil a new production crossover utility vehicle. Sources expect it to be smaller than the Enclave (which shouldn’t be too difficult) and possibly bear the Encore name, which kind of gives us the jibblies.

Chevy is also slated to roll out two concept cars from the GM North Hollywood Design Center. We’ll be watching out for details on all the Detroit debuts, so watch this space for more.

GM to showcase two Chevy concepts, new Buick crossover in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now that Chrysler is owned by Fiat, Jeep is looking to become a truly international brand, with a primary goal of raising its profile in the European market. As such, it comes as little surprise that Jeep has teamed up with French design studio Style & Design to create a pair of nautical-themed Wrangler Unlimited models at the Paris Boat Show.

For those with a love of the ocean and a heady wind at the sails, there’s the White Jeep Wrangler by Style & Design. Said to be inspired by sailboats, the White is highlighted in chrome, which covers the 20-inch chrome wheels, seven-slat grille, door handles and trunk hinges. The interior is swathed in Navy White leather with wooden-deck-style coverings for the floors, dash, console, doors and gearlever.

The Black Jeep Wrangler by Style & Design draws inspiration from yachts and, as its name implies, is black both inside and out with chrome and wooden deck embellishments similar to its lighter sibling. Both machines are also equipped with canvas awnings and a pair of canvas folding chairs.

No details have been given as to what’s powering these machines or if there are any chassis modifications, so we’re assuming they were left mechanically stock. Feel free to peruse the translated press release after the break, and be sure to scroll through our high-res image gallery.

Continue reading Jeep shows Wrangler Nautic concepts in Paris

Jeep shows Wrangler Nautic concepts in Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota unveiled a handful of production and concept Aqua models at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. As you may recall, the Aqua will serve as the Prius C here in the United States when it lands at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2012. The Yaris-sized hatchback will come equipped with a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, though Toyota hasn’t said what we can expect in terms of total output. We do know that the vehicle’s svelte curb weight and smaller engine will likely translate into Prius-besting fuel economy numbers, so buyers can look forward to over 50 mpg in the city.

The brightly-colored Aqua Kiriri Version and Aqua Piriri Version joined the production Aqua under the lights in Tokyo, giving the world a better idea of what the model could offer in terms of dealer modification. The little hatch looks sharp, and the fuel economy figures are enough to make anyone grin.

Toyota Aqua concepts hint at Prius C possibilities originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda plans to take to the Tokyo Motor Show this December with the largest display of any automaker in attendance. The company will show off a range of production and concept vehicles, including a slew of motorcycles.

Meanwhile, Honda says that the Small Sport EV Concept “maximizes the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance.” Details are markedly absent other than that brief description, so we’re hoping Honda will shed more light on the model once it debuts in Tokyo.

The company is also planning to pull the sheets off of a new electric motorcycle based on a 250cc chassis. The RC-E is meant to show off the kind of riding enjoyment that can come from an all-electric drivetrain on two wheels. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Honda previews Small Sports EV and AC-X plug-in concepts for Tokyo

Honda previews Small Sports EV and AC-X plug-in concepts for Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As we revealed last month, the theme for this year’s LA Design Challenge is Hollywood – more specifically, what the silver screen’s next iconic automobile might be. For some reason, this year’s challenge features a lot fewer entrants than year’s past. In fact, half of the field comes from Daimler, with concepts submitted by Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and Smart. The other three competitors are Honda, Hyundai and Subaru.

Their challenge was to dream up the next DeLorean, Highland Green Ford Mustang or Black Audi S8 that will capture the attention of moviegoers in the year 2050. Each entrant picked a different style of film; everything from westerns to thrillers to fairy tales and vampire movies is represented.

We’ve collected all six entrants, including descriptions of a blockbuster Hollywood storyline that goes along with each vehicle, after the jump. Check them out and then vote for your favorite in our poll. We’ll see if the Autoblog community was right on November 17 when the winner is announced at the 2011 LA Auto Show.

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Continue reading LA Design Challenge concepts toast Tinseltown

LA Design Challenge concepts toast Tinseltown originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda has given SEMA goers something to get excited about with a pair of MX-5 Miata concepts. The MX-5 Miata Spyder Concept has done away with the standard car’s folding soft top or retractable hard top mechanism in favor of a lightweight grenadine-red canvas covering à la Porsche’s Boxster Spyder. The look lends the already lithe roadster an even more svelte appearance, and the Spyder’s 17-inch Advan alloys and Mazdaspeed coilovers ensure that the driver should have plenty of fun when the road turns twisty. Mazda has also rolled in quite a few excellent details, including etched brushed stainless Spyder badging on the front fenders and a clean MX-5 Spyder logo on the passenger-side dash.

While the 2.0-liter MZR four-cylinder underhood looks familiar, Mazda says the MX-5 Spyder runs on isobutanol, the same biofuel that powers in Mazda’s/Dyson Racing ALMS car. To further the company’s “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” effort, the Spyder also has a lightweight lithium ion battery, among other changes.

Does the Spyder have a chance at production? Well, probably not the isobutanol powertrain, but a lighter model with a similar top configuration might have a shot. As Mazda’s design director, Derek Jenkins, notes “…because the stock models are extraordinarily versatile, who’s to say some elements of these SEMA concepts can’t be ready for public consumption?” Sign us up.

The MX-5 Super 20 – which debuted last year – brings more of a motorsports flavor to the convertible. A fixed hardtop has replaced the standard folding mechanism and the interior has been stripped bare in favor of a full roll cage. Additional power comes courtesy of a DPTUNE ECU reflash, a 304-stainless steel header and exhaust. Racing Beat hollow front and rear sway bars, Mazdaspeed coilovers and a Mazdaspeed shock tower brace help lend sharper handling, too.

Continue reading Mazda MX-5 Miata Spyder and Super 20 Concepts land in Las Vegas

Mazda MX-5 Miata Spyder and Super 20 Concepts land in Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It just wouldn’t be SEMA without a whole slew of Chevrolet Camaro coupes and convertibles staring us in the face, and this week’s Vegas show doesn’t disappoint. General Motors’ own booth features four rather interesting specimens, which you can see in the image gallery we’ve compiled here.

First comes the Camaro ZL1 Carbon Concept, which boasts a sinister Ashen Gray look with a smattering of carbon fiber bits and pieces. Power comes from the same 580 horsepower and 556 pound-feet of torque supercharged V8 that’s set to debut in 2012 in the ZL1.

Up next is the Camaro Red Zone Concept. Based on the convertible version of the Chevrolet pony car, this machine wears a coat of Crystal Claret that’s newly available for 2012 along with Chevrolet Accessories silver Ice interior pieces. The exterior features Accessory wheels and a full body kit, all available straight from the dealer. Finally, that stripe package you see will soon be available to Camaro owners.

The silver convertible you see in our gallery is the Camaro Synergy Series Concept, and it’s wearing a coat of Silver Ice plus black Synergy decals with red line inserts. Chevrolet Accessory black-painted wheels join a body kit and body-color grille.

Finally, there’s the Camaro 1LE Concept. As with other 1LE packages, this one has a suspension kit that is intended for road race circuits. It’s Victory Red exterior is set off by a flat black hood and hash mark extensions. Most of the underpinnings will be available on the ZL1 for 2012, including the magnetic ride suspension.

Read all about each of these concepts in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Chevrolet Camaro concepts storm the General Motors booth

Chevrolet Camaro concepts storm the General Motors booth originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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