Section: New York Auto Show
Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 19th, 2008 12:00 PM
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Buick is making good on a promise it made at the New York Auto Show, unveiling details and renderings today for the Invicta concept car ahead of its unveiling in Beijing.
Invicta, Latin for “Invincible,” is said to draw its inspiration from the recent Buick Riviera and Velite concepts, as well as the rich Riviera history of design. The concept’s power meanwhile is courtesy a turbocharged direct-injection four making 250 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque, and hooked up to a six-speed automatic.
Look for something along the lines of Invicta to show up as the next generation LaCrosse sometime around 2010. Until then, have a browse in our Invicta concept gallery below or check out the Buick press release below the fold.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 3rd, 2008 5:00 PM
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While most peopled who attended the New York Auto Show launch of the Pontiac Solstice GXP admired the curvaceous silhouette of the coupe, fewer mentioned the car’s performance potential. That could soon change as new rumors tell us that Pontiac is planning turbo-charged version of the Solstice’s Ecotec four-cylinder that could be good for 300 or more horsepower. That kind of power would seemingly put the Solstice Coupe into far closer competition with cars like Nissan’s Z.
If such a performance variant does come about, look for the engine to find its way into the Saturn Sky Redline as well as the convertible Solstice, and to be hooked up to a manual five-speed transmission. The high-po model is said to be slated for just after the coupe goes on sale next year.
+ Autoblog: Pontiac Solstice Coupe to pack 300 horses?
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Chris Paukert
March 24th, 2008 10:00 AM
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During our time at the New York Auto Show, the folks at Ford took us for a spin in a 2009 Flex. While we weren’t given the opportunity to get behind the wheel, we probably wouldn’t have gleaned a whole lot of valuable driving experience in the miasma that is the Big Apple’s bumper-to-bumper shuffle, but we did take the opportunity to learn more about the vehicle’s interior and many features.
The Flex’s neither fish-nor-fowl exterior is something of a love/hate proposition. Ford’s latest somehow reminds us of a Land Rover Range Rover that’s been capped at the knees and cross-bred with a Mini Clubman. That may sound unfortunate, but the tall wagon shape is actually not unattractive and has a number of unique details (scalloped door skins, matte-finish rear brightwork, and available contrast-color roof), and the square-rigged shape promises good interior space.
(Click through the jump to read on or on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of Flex in the city images.)
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Written By: Winding Road Staff
March 22nd, 2008 11:32 AM
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WINDING ROAD’s Art Director, Nate Luzod, was our point man for photography at the New York Show and it’s obvious the man knows how to use a camera. While not all of these shots were captured through Nate’s lens, we thought you’d enjoy a look back at the show’s best metal. Enjoy:
Saleen S5S Raptor
Dodge Challenger R/T and SE
Suzuki Kizashi Concept
2009 Honda Fit
2009 Acura TSX
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Denki Cube
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 21st, 2008 5:00 PM
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The stunning Raptor concept wasn’t the only thing carmaker Saleen brought to this year’s New York Auto Show, the long time tuner also showed off another special edition Mustang.
Saleen showed off its limited edition Gurney Signature Edition Mustang, partnering with the American racing legend to build a car that recalls past motorsport glory. The Gurney Stang will be a limited run of 300 cars, painted to pay homage to the driver’s 1969 Trans Am series car.
Gurney’s traditional eagle logos will be scattered across the car, but even more evocative of the racing icon will be the power pumping out of the supercharged V-8 motor. The mill makes 465 horsepower managed by a short-throw six-speed shifter, which should help to provide all new racing thrills to happy owners
(Click through the jump to read Saleen’s press release or on the thumbnails below to check out our Gurney gallery.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 21st, 2008 11:00 AM
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Nissan’s Denki Cube Concept is an electric vehicle dressed up in a rather fancy and futuristic package, but it’s got nothing on its art project brothers. These JDM Cubes have been used as a sort of blank canvass for the artist’s brush, with their unmistakable blocky shapes broken up with striations, patterns, and slashes of color.
Have a look at some of the Nissan Art Cube examples in our galleries below, and then give us your take on the project in comments.
Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 20th, 2008 5:00 PM
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Suzuki has shown the latest version of its Kizashi concept line, the Kizashi 3, here at the New York Auto Show. The company tells us that this third iteration of the design is the closest to a production version, and is said to be the embodiment of Suzuki’s sports sedan vision for the North American market.
The low sedan is equipped with an advanced all-wheel-drive system called i-AWD, and is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 developed in conjunction with Suzuki’s motorsports programs. The motor’s 300 horsepower is managed with a six-speed automatic transmission complete with paddle shifters.
Have a look at Kizashi 3 in our gallery below and click through the jump to find Suzuki’s official press release.
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Written By: Matt Davis
March 20th, 2008 3:00 PM
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Right here in Gotham, Lamborghini has cleared up rumors we were harboring regarding the showing later this evening of the LP640 Lamborghini used by Bruce Wayne in the latest Batman sequel The Dark Knight.
Long story short, we are not going to see any Lambo Batmobile today. Not even the Mattel model version that was outed two days ago on MTV.
(Click through the jump to read on.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 20th, 2008 2:00 PM
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Ford is attempting to leverage its long and prolific history in the taxi industry, with a cab concept based on its versatile Transit Connect commercial hauler.
The Blue Oval recognizes that the taxi game is changing rapidly, especially here in New York City, where new mandates are sure to alter the face of the typical city street. The Transit Connect taxi has the advantage of offering a small footprint and good fuel economy, combined with a rather massive interior. Eat your heart out Crown Vic.
Have a look at Ford’s new people mover concept in our galleries below, or read the full press release below the jump.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 20th, 2008 1:00 PM
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Saleen made a splash at the New York Auto Show today when it unleashed its impressive S5S Raptor Concept.
The two-seater mid-engined Raptor is said to be the first ground up project from Saleen’s new management team, and would seem to be an initial look at a follow up to the devastating S7 super car. The “S5S” moniker refers to the Saleen 5.0-liter supercharged motor, a monster of a powerplant capable of producing 650 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Making the engine even more impressive is the fact that it’s built to run on sustainable cellulosic ethanol, fueling the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
The beefy motor is well and good, but the new Saleen is also purpose built to turn a maximum number of heads per traffic light as well. Its sensual front flanks and wedge design are quintessential “super car,” and even the headlamps seem to have been shaped with speed at heart.
Take a long look at the sexy concept in our live gallery below, or follow the jump to read the official press release.
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Written By: Matt Davis
March 20th, 2008 12:00 PM
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Here at the New York auto show every year is the presentation of the hotly awaited World Car awards. This is the perfect venue, what with the United Nations being here in Manhattan and all, and the pre-show New York bagels are a very hot item for international journalists.
Seriously, from the looks of it all, the WCotYs are gaining credibility in big ways. Ford sent over a European CDTi Mondeo sedan, BMW shipped a 118d four-door hatch, Mazda found the only Mazda2/Demio currently in North America, and every other candidate for the four World awards was present as well.
(Click through the jump to read on.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
March 20th, 2008 11:00 AM
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Kia debuted its Koup concept this morning, advertising a design that is likely to make its way into future products.
The Koup has got the wild wheels and glass roof that one might expect from a concept of this ilk, with an aggressive stance and a front end that’s vaguely reminiscent of Honda’s latest European Civic. There are also no shortage of carbon fiber bits, the material can be found on the side mirrors, rear diffuser, even as part of the Kia badge. Less impressive is the car’s hood, which seems a little ill-fitting and broad, with raised character lines that give it a bit of a peaked appearance.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch live and stock galleries of the Kia Koup or on the jump to read more, including the official press release.)
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