Monthly Archives: December 2007
- December 27, 2007
- Toyota A-BAT Concept: Returning to its compact truck roots
Toyota returns to its compact-truck roots with its latest concept vehicle A-BAT (Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck) making its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in January. The A-BAT uses a hybrid powertrain reported to provide modern versatility, roominess, and style for a new kind of buyer.
“Driving from the suburbs to the city [...]
- December 27, 2007
- DiMora Natalia SLS 2: spec list shapes up for $2 million super sedan
As development moves ahead on the Natalia SLS 2, DiMora Motorcar is building an extensive list of equipment from OEMs for the anticipated $2 million super-sedan. The latest: DiMora has announced that the car will come equipped with the HeatFlexx electrically-heated frameless windshield wiper.
(It’s exciting, we know.) The HeatFlexx system, designed by Von Stach Products, [...]
- December 27, 2007
- Automobile names Audi R8 top car for ’08; GM wins for hybrid tech
It’s that time of year where everyone’s prognosticating like Nostradamus about what the coming year will hold. The authoritative ink slingers at Automobile magazine have decided that Audi’s R8 deserves the dual honors of 2008 Automobile Of The Year and Design Of The Year, as well.
While infused with the generous spirit, Automobile named General Motor’s [...]
- December 27, 2007
- Rolls-Royce to produce 10% more Phantoms in 2008
Business at Goodwood is, well… good. As such, Rolls-Royce, already having dedicated millions of dollars to enhancing its production facilities, is looking to add more hands in a bid to keep up with the ever-growing demand for its cars.
Production in 2007 was up 25% over 2006 to 1,000 units, and RR execs see another 10% [...]
- December 22, 2007
- Coming to America: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 GT
Some will say for better, others will say for worse, but one way or another, the Mercedes SLR McLaren is the supercar that refuses to go quietly into the night.
It was previewed by the Vision SLR concept way back in 1999, and since entering limited production in 2003, the Anglo-Saxon supercar has performed disappointingly both [...]
- December 18, 2007
- Nissan FORUM Concept: The future of people moving?
Nissan doesn’t look like it’s ready to throw in the towel on minivans–at least not yet.
The Forum concept, which Nissan is bringing to the Detroit auto show in January, has the automaker’s design crew trying to shift the perception of people movers from the stigmatized mom-mobile to a luxurious gathering space for families on the [...]
- December 17, 2007
- VIDEO: Production version of the BMW X6
When the BMW X6 concept was revealed in Frankfurt in September, we had mixed reactions to its oversized hatchback proportions. BMW made no bones about the fact that the sleek CUV was close to its production reality, and after seeing the motion pictures on YouTube, we tend to believe them.
Video of the freshly-unveiled X6 in [...]
- December 17, 2007
- SPOILER ALERT: 2007 Race of Champions results
The premise of the Race of Champions is simple: take the best drivers in the world and have them compete on equal terms. Drivers from Formula 1, DTM, WRC and more go head-to-head in the same cars on the same track with personal and national pride at stake.
Drivers face off in a trio of different [...]
- December 16, 2007
- Detroit Preview: North American debut for Buick Riviera concept
One of the stylistic highlights of the 2007 Shanghai Motor Show was the Buick Riviera concept. The gullwing coupe was developed by GM’s Chinese design team, who did a bang-up job.
The Riviera reportedly gives a pretty good preview of the design direction for future Buicks, especially ones sold in China. If so, Buicks will finally [...]
- December 16, 2007
- Maserati GranTurismo has some baggage
Fret not. The new Maserati doesn’t have issues and isn’t in need of therapy or anything. The baggage we’re talking about is the kind you pack your clothes and shaving kit in.
The slinky new coupe is actually the beneficiary of a little tie-in with Salvatore Ferragamo, which has produced a new five-piece set of fitted [...]
