paris 2010

Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design

Of all the European premium automakers, Volvo arguably doesn't come across as the sportiest. Safe and well engineered, sure. But not quite as aggressive as a Mercedes AMG or BMW M, for example. Well the new R-Design models of the S60 sedan and V60 wagon ought to help clear up that problem.

The R-Design specification injects the S60 and V60 with some extra attitude, courtesy of a new front bumper, bigger wheels and sporty interior trim. But that's not the end of it. Although the engine hasn't been modified, a sport suspension and torque-vectoring traction control system promise to improve handling.

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show, r-design, s60, v60, volvo, volvo r-design, volvo s60, Volvo S60 R-Design, volvo v60, Volvo V60 R-Design

Rolls-Royce to Highlight Bespoke Design Program in Paris

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Although Rolls-Royce won't have anything new per se to show us at the Paris Auto Salon this week, it will be highlighting its extensive "bespoke design" catalog with five customized models at the Port de Versailles.

Included in the line-up will be specialized versions of the Phantom Coupe, Drophead Coupe, two Ghosts and the long-wheelbase Phantom limousine you see above. It features a special gunmetal metallic paintjob and an interior decked out with custom embroidery, mother of pearl trim and piping on the seats.

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show, rolls, rolls-royce, rolls-royce ghost, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

Infiniti Performance Line G Convertible Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Japanese luxury automaker Infiniti is preparing to unveil the latest in its Infiniti Performance Line this week in Paris. The IPL G Convertible Concept is, as the name suggests, strictly a concept car for the time being, but it has real production potential, upgrading the existing G37 convertible with some added attitude.

Although Infiniti hasn't released any official details on what it's done to the convertible, its fixed-roof counterpart, the IPL G37 Coupe, is hitting the streets from December with a 348-horsepower engine, factory body-kit and chassis modifications.

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, infiniti, infiniti g37, infiniti g37 convertible, Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept, infiniti performance line, Infiniti Performance Line G Convertible, Infiniti Performance Line G Convertible Concept, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show

Ferrari SA Aperta

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

After much trepidation and anticipation, Ferrari has finally released details and photos of its latest model. Called the SA Aperta, it's based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, only it's missing the roof.

In its place, Ferrari has increased the car's rigidity and installed a makeshift folding cloth roof. The name pays homage to Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina (the heads of the eponymous design house, hence the SA) while indicating its open-air body-style (Aperta). Only 80 examples will be made, making the SA Aperta one of the most exclusive Ferraris ever produced.

The SA Aperta follows a long line of limited-production V12 convertibles from Ferrari that has included such recent examples as the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina and the 575 SuperAmerica. Ferrari is also expected to unveil an environmentally-oriented concept based on the California at the upcoming Paris Auto Salon.

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, ferrari, ferrari 599, ferrari 599 gtb fiorano, ferrari 599 sa aperta, ferrari sa aperta, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show, pininfarina, sa aperta

Porsche Exclusive Celebrates with Limited Edition 911 Speedster

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Another day, another new variant of the Porsche 911. Joining the recently announced 911 Carrera GTS on the company's Paris show stand – to say nothing of the dozen or so other models in the line-up – is the new 911 Speedster.

A favorite among Porschephiles, the 911 Speedster features two seats (instead of four), a double-bubble rear deck and a chopped down windscreen for a svelter look that recalls the 356 Speedster of 1950s vintage. In fact Porsche will only be making 356 examples, specially crafted by the Porsche Exclusive division that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Gallery: 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, 911, 911 speedster, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show, porsche, porsche 911, porsche 911 speedster, porsche exclusive, speedster

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you've had your eye on a new Maserati but wanted something a little more hard-core in its performance delivery, look no further than the new GranTurismo MC Stradale.

Bridging the gap between the existing GranTurismo S and the race-spec GT4 model, the MC Stradale increases the performance quotient considerably. The chassis has been tuned to near-competition standards, the engine has been squeezed up to 450 horsepower and the aerodynamics have been optimized to increase downforce without increasing drag at the same time. In short, a racing car for the road.

Gallery: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, gran turismo, maserati, maserati gran turismo, maserati gran turismo mc stradale, mc stradale, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show

Lotus Unveils Paris-Bound Elite

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Lotus is about to embark on a new direction,and this is the model which will spearhead it. Aptly called the Elite, this is a new kind of Lotus, and will debut at the upcoming Paris Auto Salon next week.

Unlike the brilliant, but cramped, mid-engined vehicles currently in the Lotus stable, the Elite is a commodious 2+2, its engine mounted up front, yet close to the vehicle's center, with a retractable hard-top. The 5-liter V8 comes from the Lexus IS F, providing enough power (611 horses, to be precise) to propel the Elite to 62 mph from a standstill in 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed approaching 200 mph.

Although this model – set to debut next week in Paris – is technically a concept, a production version is expected to arrive on market by 2014 with a £115,000 ($180k) price tag.

Gallery: Lotus Elite

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, elite, lotus, lotus elite, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show

Citroen Lacoste Concept to debut at Paris Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Two of the biggest French names in their respective fields have teamed up for a new take on the motor vehicle in advance of the upcoming Paris Auto Salon, and the product is what you see before you.

A collaboration between French automaker Citroën and French sportswear label Lacoste, the show car eschews such frivolities as doors and a roof in favor of a more open-air approach in keeping with Lacoste's design ethos. In designing the concept, Citroën says they adopted "a simplified, no-nonsense approach to motoring - without forgetting refinement - and transports passengers to a lighter, fresher world."

The compact vehicle is (in concept at least) powered by a small 3-cylinder engine, which they reckon would be plenty to propel the vehicle at a brisk pace without unnecessarily polluting the air it so embraces.

Gallery: Citroen Lacoste concept

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, citroen, citroen lacoste, Citroen Lacoste Concept, lacoste, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show

Porsche Introduces New 911 GTS

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're in the market for a Porsche 911 – one of the most iconic sportscars of all time – then you've got no lack of choices. Between the basic Carrera, the all-wheel-drive Carrrera 4, the forced-induction Turbo and the track focused GT3 and GT2 (never mind unique models like the Targa and Sport Classic), plus S or RS variants of each and many of them available in either coupe or convertible body-styles, there are well over a dozen variants to choose from. And now there's one more.

Called the Carrera GTS, the latest 911 is slated to be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Auto Salon. The model adopts the wider body from the Carrera 4, but retains the rear-drive set-up, with a 408-horsepower 3.8-liter Flat-Six engine that bridges the gap between the standard and GT3 models. It's available in either coupe or convertible, with either manual or semi-automatic dual-clutch transmissions. Prices start at $103,100.

Source

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, 911, 911 gts, gts, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show, porsche, porsche 911, porsche 911 gts

Abarth 500C & Punto Evo EsseEsse heading to Paris Salon

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

In a perfect world, maybe everyone who wanted a fast little Italian car could get his hands on one. For better or worse, though, not all of us can afford a Ferrari or Maserati. That's where their little brother comes in. Abarth starts out with humble enough little Fiats, then tinkers with 'em until their on the verge of breathing fire. And they've just announced their latest.

Based on the Abarth 500C and Punto Evo unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the EsseEsse versions pack even more muscle: 160 and 180 horsepower, respectively. Which may not seem like much, but it's plenty to move these nimble little creatures along at an impressive pace. Both will be unveiled at the Port de Versailles later this month during the Paris Auto Salon.

Gallery: Abarth 500C & Punto Evo EsseEsse

Tags: 2010 paris auto salon, 2010 paris motor show, abarth, abarth 500c esseesse, abarth punto evo esseesse, paris, paris 2010, paris auto salon, paris motor show

2011 Land Rover LRX to Debut at Paris Motor Show

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Production 2011 Land Rover LRX rendering – Click above to enlarge

Is the world ready for a kinder, gentler Sport Utility Vehicle? Land Rover is betting on it, and the rugged British off-road brand will reportedly debut its hotly anticipated LRX at the Paris Motor Show later this year. Shortly thereafter, the production LRX will make its North American debut in LA. According to Automotive News, the LRX will go on sale in the third quarter of 2011.

We first saw the LRX Concept at the 2008 edition of the Detroit Auto Show, where it was generally well received by both the press and the showgoing public. The LRX is expected to be Land Rover's most efficient model and is likely to be offered with some sort of hybrid powertrain.

Late last year, Autocar reported that Land Rover's first hybrid drivetrain would include a 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine mated up to a 25kW electric motor. The system would be a full parallel hybrid, meaning it could operate on any combination of gasoline or electricity using its onboard lithium ion battery pack.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req'd]

Source

Tags: Land Rover, land rover hybrid, land rover LRX, Land Rover LRX COncept, land rover range rover lrx, LandRover, LandRoverHybrid, LandRoverLrx, LandRoverLrxConcept, LandRoverRangeRoverLrx, LRX, lrx concept, LRX Hybrid, LrxConcept, LrxHybrid, paris 2010, paris motor show, paris motor show 2010, Paris2010, ParisMotorShow, ParisMotorShow2010, range rover, range rover lrx, RangeRover, RangeRoverLrx