Aston Martin has pulled back the sheets on the first images of its production V12 Zagato. The road car is headed for an official debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March.

Following in the tradition of the automaker’s ultra exclusive One-77, the V12 Zagato will take more than 2,000 man-hours to manufacture thanks to hand-hewn body panels, including the hood, roof and doors. Not surprisingly, Aston Martin has committed to building just 150 examples. The V12 Zagato will also make extensive use of carbon fiber, with the front and rear fenders, trunk lid and door sills all constructed from the composite.

Aston Martin created four new colors especially for the V12 Zagato, and paint alone takes 100 hours to complete. Indoors, it takes a full seven hides to cover the cabin in hand-stitched, quilted leather.

The V12 Zagato effectively rides on the same underpinnings as the V12 Vantage, which means buyers can look forward to a 6.0-liter V12 engine with 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, while a six-speed manual transmission puts the power to the ground. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Aston Martin debuts production V12 Zagato

Aston Martin debuts production V12 Zagato originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That’s a wrap, folks. Press days for the 2012 Detroit Auto Show have come and gone, meaning there’s just one thing left to do: pick our favorites.

As we said in our end-of-show wrap-up, the Detroit show is back in full force after several years of being stuck in first gear in the wake of a stagnant auto industry and a horrid economic climate. This year, though, automakers from the United States, Asia and Europe all had impressive production and concept vehicles to show off. After tallying our votes, these are our five favorites.

Continue reading Editors’ Choice: Top Five 2012 Detroit Auto Show Debuts

Editors’ Choice: Top Five 2012 Detroit Auto Show Debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Proving it’s more than just a haven for flat-billed tattoo enthusiasts and Disney-branded tourists, Orange County is hosting the global debut of the 2012 Honda CR-V concept. The slick-looking crossover gets a serious style upgrade, and judging by recent Honda concepts, it’s all but certain to be a very thinly disguised version of the production CR-V.

Before it goes on sale later this year, the fourth-generation CR-V that you can buy in stores will be shown to crowds at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. Behind the updated lines, the automaker promises that we’ll be getting improved fuel economy and new innovative features, but it isn’t talking specifics.

Stay tuned as more news of the updated 2012 Honda CR-V rolls out. For now, if you can’t run over to the Orange County Auto Show, check out our high-res gallery of the concept, then click past the jump to watch a new video discussing the concept.

Continue reading Honda CR-V Concept debuts in the O.C. [w/video]

Honda CR-V Concept debuts in the O.C. [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re inching ever closer to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and automakers are beginning to tease us with the wares they’ll have on display in Germany. Ford has announced that the company will show off a new “major new design concept” as well more details of a hopped-up version of the Focus. The reveals will take place on the manufacturer’s largest-ever Frankfurt display stand. At 34,444 square-feet indoors, visitors may need their own personal guides to shepherd them through Blue Oval’s new products. Outside, Ford is also featuring a test drive track laid out on over 30,000 square feet of parking lot.

What can we expect from the design concept and the performance Focus? Details are slim at the moment. It could be the rumored coupe model, and there’s always a chance that we’ll learn more specs on the forthcoming Focus ST, though there’s really no telling at this juncture. All in, we hear that Ford will unveil four new vehicles at the show. Look for their unveiling on September 12 and hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Ford teases new concept car among other Frankfurt debuts

Ford teases new concept car among other Frankfurt debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi rolled out yet another e-tron concept alongside the new Q3 in Shanghai, and what it lacks in power, it makes up for with efficiency, fuel economy… and weight.

The original A3 sedan concept that bowed in Geneva came packing a modified version of the TT RS’ turbocharged five-cylinder, outputting over 400 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. This etron variant – based on the RS3 hatch – ditches the five-pot in favor of a turbo’d and direct-injected 1.4-liter four-cylinder that brings 211 horsepower to the party, and combined with another 27 ponies pulled from the 20kW electric motor, can propel the A3 etron to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds before topping out at 143 mph.

A seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission is the only drivetrain component carried over from the concept’s RS3 roots, but combined with lithium-ion battery pack stored in the trunk, Audi claims the e-tron can putt along for up to 34 miles on electric power alone thanks to the plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The suspension carries over, with a MacPherson design up front and a four-link independent rear end, along with 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/30 R20 rubber at all four corners. The square setup would indicate that the e-tron is all-wheel-drive, but Audi doesn’t give any specifics on how power finds its way to the ground.

The exterior is a dead-ringer for the original A3 concept, albeit e-tronified with a new grille and bumper framed by a carbon fiber-reinforced frame, aluminum hood, trunk and doors. However, the weight savings is largely nullified by the battery weight in the boot, increasing the curb weight to 3,792 – nearly 400 pounds more than the original.

Inside, it’s typical concept car flare partnered with Audi’s next-generation MMI system complete with a UMTS module to provide wireless internet, WLAN hotspot functionality and Google mapping and POI search.

A toned-down version of the A3 sedan is due to hit the market late next year, and if Audi intends to stick to its electrified roadmap, we could see an e-tron variant arrive by 2013 at the earliest. Full details in the press blast below the fold.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A3 e-tron concept debuts in Shanghai [w/video]

Audi A3 e-tron concept debuts in Shanghai [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler has a hardcore group of owners who have taken their Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Challenger models to the next level of aftermarket bliss. For those Mopar super fans, Chrysler throws a little party called the Spring Festival of LXs. The event draws owners from all over eager to show off their customized rides, and this year, Team Pentastar had a little something special for those in attendance.

Chrysler unveiled the 300 S-Concept models, modded versions of its already hot-looking 2011 Chrysler 300. In the case of the featured video car, the big rear-drive Chrysler receives updates ranging from bigger, more audacious wheels, body-color moldings and an a new grille that looks like the outline of a brick wall. The interior has also received some custom touches, including a sea of red leather just about everywhere one’s body touches, along with an italic ‘S’ on each throne. Hit the jump to watch video of the unveiling, and be sure to click the gallery below for images of the 300 S-Concept at the event.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler debuts S-Concept 300 models at Spring Festival of LXs [w/video]

Chrysler debuts S-Concept 300 models at Spring Festival of LXs [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the eyes of international automotive media, the Tokyo Auto Salon tends to be overlooked, mostly due to its proximity to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Nonetheless, there’s still quite a bit to see at Tokyo’s aftermarket extravaganza, and Nissan, together with Autech Japan and the automaker’s Nismo performance division, will be showing nine models at the 2011 Auto Salon, which runs from January 14 to 16.

Nissan’s two freshest offerings, the Leaf and Juke, get added doses of sportiness, though apprently only in terms of appearance. The Leaf Aero Style Concept “expresses an image of futuristic sport EV driving,” says Nissan. All we know is, those wheels are excellent (albeit perhaps less than excellent for brake cooling). The Juke, on the other hand, wears dealer-installed parts designed for Europe and North America. Called the Juke Sporty Package, the show car includes things like chrome trim accessories and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Also on hand are two very different versions of the new Nissan Elgrand (that’s the Quest to us Yankees), one of which is designed to be a premium, luxurious cruiser while the other gets some help from the Nismo division (yes, a Nismo minivan). From there, Nissan is also displaying new versions of the March, Fairlady Z and, of course, the GT-R. See them all for yourself in the gallery below, and follow the jump for the official press release.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan plans nine debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon including Leaf Aero Style concept

Nissan plans nine debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon including Leaf Aero Style concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We were a bit miffed at the Paris Motor Show this year when Honda debuted its Fit Jazz Hybrid and told us there were no plans to bring it to the United States. Bigger plans were in the works, however, and we’ve now caught our first glimpse at the Fit EV concept on display at this year’s LA Auto Show.

Visually, the Fit EV doesn’t stray too far from the design language we’ve come to know from the gasoline-powered hatchback, albeit with a few concept-y touches thrown in for good measure. Interior refinement is standard-grade Fit spec, as well, with a modified gauge cluster showing battery and efficiency information.

Honda has outfitted the Fit EV with a version of the electric motor used in the automaker’s FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, and we’re told that range will be around 100 miles with a top speed of 90 miles per hour. Sounds like a Nissan Leaf competitor to us. Though purely a concept right now, Honda plans to sell a production version of the Fit EV sometime in 2012, and fleet testing of the electric hatch will commence in the coming months.

See the Fit EV for yourself in our galleries of live and stock shots below, and follow the jump for the full details in Honda’s press release.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading LA 2010: Honda debuts Fit EV concept, production version coming in 2012

LA 2010: Honda debuts Fit EV concept, production version coming in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been a while since something took us by surprise at an auto show. Usually we’ve seen the pictures and read the press releases a few days ahead of time, so there’s nothing new revealed we weren’t already expecting. Until today. We were expecting Lotus to reveal a pair of new Evora models, a new front-engined GT called the Elite, and if we were lucky, maybe the new Esprit. What we got was something much, much better.

As we arrived at the Lotus booth here at the Paris Motor Show, we spotted a total of five cars under cover. Perhaps a concept and some new versions of existing cars? What proceeded to happen was something entirely unexpected. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar addressed the crowd, announcing that Lotus would be entering a new era. In a matter of minutes, the wraps were pulled off the Esprit, Elan, Elite, Elise and Eterne concept cars, each time with a gasp from the crowd as the next concept’s name was announced. This wasn’t just the introduction of a few concept cars. We were witnessing the complete and utter revitalization, rebranding and rebirth of a legendary car company.

With this new lineup of cars, it’s easy to see that Lotus wants to play with the big boys – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Aston Martin. Bahar had announced last year that this was the direction the company would take, but we didn’t expect it to happen so soon or all at once.

One question still has to be asked, though. Is this direction the right one for Lotus? We can appreciate all forms of performance cars, but is there enough room for Lotus to edge its way into each of these target markets? Can the Esprit conquer the McLaren MP4-12C or the Ferrari 458 Italia? Will buyers go for a Lotus Elite over the Ferrari 599 GTB or the Aston Martin DBS?

Lotus has long been the master of lightweight, nimble sports cars, and many will undoubtedly say that the company should stick to the same cars it’s been building for the last decade. After all, what would Colin Chapman say about a Lotus coupe that weighs over 3,600 pounds? And a grown up Elise? Then there’s the styling. As usual, we’re split down the middle here at Autoblog. Half of us love the styling, while the other 50 percent thinks it looks too generic. In the end, only time will tell whether Lotus fans will like the direction the company is headed.

There’s quite a bit of information on each vehicle, so click the links below to learn more about them.

• Lotus Elite Concept
• Lotus Esprit Concept
• Lotus Elise Concept
• Lotus Eterne Hybrid Sedan Concept
• Lotus Elan Concept

You can also browse through our live galleries of each concept:

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Lotus shocks Paris Motor Show with five concept debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When we think of Lotus, the words “hybrid” and “sedan” aren’t exactly the first words that come to mind. Now, though, Lotus is changing all that with the introduction of its Eterne concept, a four-door sedan with an optional hybrid powertrain. This may be a big step in a different direction for Lotus, but it’s nothing new. The Eterne takes the same shape as the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and Audi A7 Sportback.

Like the new Esprit concept, the Eterne is powered by a 620-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 sourced from Toyota. The optional hybrid drivetrain uses a Formula 1-style KERS energy recuperation system, and the Lotus sedan will be available in both rear- and all-wheel drive. Of course, this is still a Lotus, so good performance numbers are an absolute must, and we’re told that the Eterne will run to 60 miles per hour in just 4.0 seconds on its way to a top speed of 196 mph.

While merely a concept at this point, Lotus says that the Eterne is slated for production in 2015 and that the sedan will cost around $190,000. Enjoy the live photos direct from the Paris Motor Show floor and a video after the jump.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Paris 2010: Lotus debuts Eterne hybrid sedan concept [w/video]

Paris 2010: Lotus debuts Eterne hybrid sedan concept [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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