Malignant Rumors: Jaguar Considering 2,000 Units a Year of Turbine-Powered C-X75 Halo Car

    trend automotive
    As Porsche begins development on the hybrid 918 Spyder, Jaguar is reportedly taking the idea of a limited-run production version of its Paris Motor Show C-X75 concept into consideration. Autoweek reports that the British luxury marque is discussing the possibility of building up to 2,000 units annually of its XJ220 successor. If you're thinking about getting the checkbook out anytime soon, though, hold it right there.

    trend automotiveFirst, due to production methods and costs, a firm number has to be decided on in regards to the C-X75's volume. Then, over the next five to seven years, Jaguar will try to prove its futuristic micro gas turbines - which are actually cheaper to develop than an internal combustion engine - are feasible for a consumer vehicle.

    Tony Harper, head of advanced powertrain development for Jaguar, says, "We're talking two to three years for implementation of the gas-turbine technology, then another three to four years to integrate into a vehicle."

    Should this timeline be believed and the bookkeepers give Jag a green light, we could begin seeing mules of the futuristic turbine-powered supercar as early as 2012 or 2013. Don't worry; by 2017 the Matt Beaven-penned C-X75 should still be looking fresh.

    By Phil Alex

    Source: Autoweek


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    New Fiesta to Take Center Stage at Ford's SEMA Show Booth with 350HP Turbo Concept and Tuner Project Cars

    trend automotive
    Hot on the heels of the Euro-designed subcompact's U.S. market launch, Ford is planning to bring a gaggle of tuner Fiestas to this year's edition of the SEMA Show, which takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the first week of November.

    trend automotive"SEMA represents a special opportunity, because we can show off unique designs that other companies have created," said Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager. "It's not just Ford coming to the table. It's other companies interpreting what Fiesta is, and bringing their own style to the Fiesta launch."

    Aside from the independent tuner project vehicles that you can read more about below, Ford's in-house Racing Performance Parts division will display a concept Fiesta fitted with a production-based 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine, enlarged to 2.3 liters to pump out 350 horsepower.

    "The goal of our 350-horsepower Fiesta is really twofold – first to reinforce Fiesta's fun-to-drive nature with an extreme version that captures the attention of the influential enthusiast, and second, to introduce the Ford Racing/EcoBoost connection in a way that's unexpected and outrageous," said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing Performance group marketing manager.

    The sported-up Fiesta will also get Brembo brakes, Ohlins dual-flow valve dampers, a short-throw shifter, a Ford Racing exhaust system, and 17-inch cast-aluminum alloy wheels.

    Ford said the concept model, which will hit the show floor in a blue color, will be painted by an as of yet unnamed artist during the show with the intention of auctioning the car in the near future to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF).


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    _____________PRESS RELEASE: SEMA SHOW FORD FIESTAS_____________


    trend automotive2011 Ford Fiesta by Ford Vehicle Personalization

    The Ford Vehicle Personalization Fiesta uses green accent colors on the wheels and grille to set off the unique car, which is equipped with a four-piece body kit. A new interior package debuts, featuring white-and-black seating surfaces, door trim inserts, steering wheel and interior components. It also comes with a newly developed side graphic – an evolution of the tattoo graphic that is currently available.



    trend automotive2011 Ford Fiesta by Universal Technical Institute

    This unique Fiesta from Universal Technical Institute offers a custom DuPont paint job and an Air Lift full digital suspension. A custom roll cage and Status racing seats make it track-ready, while Baer brakes and 18-inch wheels and tires provide upgraded performance.



    trend automotive2011 Ford Fiesta by 3dCarbon

    3dCarbon's Euro Series Fiesta makes a bold statement with race-inspired styling, which includes 3dCarbon racing stripes, window films and rear roof spoiler. A four-piece body kit consists of an aggressively sculpted front air dam, aerodynamic side skirts and a rear lower skirt accented with black trim.



    trend automotive2011 Ford Fiesta by L&G Enterprises

    L&G Enterprises has created the digital Fiesta, which shows off circuit board-inspired graphics on the exterior. Complete with a lowered and more aggressive stance, the Fiesta also has a new exhaust and air intake. Inside are carbon fiber accents, highlighting a sleek black interior with integrated iPad command center.



    trend automotive2011 Ford Fiesta by H&R Springs

    This Fiesta by H&R Springs makes a style statement and demonstrates the versatility of Fiesta with several interior and exterior modifications. A color-matched body kit and large rear wing, along with European hood vents offer style and functional benefits. A graphics wrap around the car shows off a high-tech look, playing on the nature of Fiesta.



    trend automotive2011 Ford Fiesta by Steeda Autosports

    Steeda Autosports is putting a Fiesta on display that has serious handling and performance upgrades for enthusiasts. A short-throw shifter and cold air intake developed by Steeda up the performance level. Additionally, tuned front and rear lowering sport springs, retuned dampers, antiroll bars and a front strut tower brace provide what enthusiasts are looking for in a high-performance car.



    trend automotive2011 Ford Fiesta by FSWerks

    FSWerks is showing its appreciation for the all-new Fiesta with a complete line of high-performance parts. Features on the SEMA vehicle include FSWerks-developed cool flow air intake system and race exhaust, along with stress bars. Other modifications include a body kit, Continental ExtremeContact™ DW tires and Aristo Noble two-piece wheels.

    Fiat Panda and Lancia Ypsilon Replacements Pushed Back for 2012

    trend automotive
    Following CEO Sergio Marchionne's comments at the 2010 Paris Motor Show (see here), Autonews Europe has uncovered new information regarding the Fiat Group's future product launches.

    One of Fiat's most important models in Europe, the third generation Panda, was originally due in summer 2010 but its launch had already been pushed back to September 2011. Now, sources inside the company told the news site that the introduction of the small five-door hatchback will be further delayed until January 2012.

    trend automotiveThe third generation Lancia Ypsilon supermini has also been delayed more than two years, as have the replacements for the Fiat Idea / Lancia Musa small MPV twins and the Fiat Multipla 3+3 seater people carrier, which has been in production since 1998. The latter two launches were scheduled for December 2011 but have now been postponed until the second half of 2012.

    Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne froze his company's spending in 2008 as the financial crisis hit Europe. Spending was set to return to normal this year, but has now been postponed indefinitely in light of what Marchionne perceives as an unimproved European new car market.

    He now predicts a weaker Q1 2011 than Q1 2010, due to the ending of scrappage schemes in many European countries. The rest of 2011 is expected to be no better sale wise for Fiat, Marchionne predicts.

    Analysts are predicting that Fiat's new car sales are likely to continue to decline without any new products; sales in Europe fell 13.9% to 723,356 vehicles in the first eight months of 2011 in a market that declined only 3.5%, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

    Stuart Pearson, an auto analyst at Morgan Stanley in London, says: "Fiat is playing a dangerous game and by delaying key models risks missing any European Union recovery if they are wrong on the timing. Customers are only paying for brand new metal."

    The report did not mention any plans on future Alfa Romeo cars.

    By Tristan Hankins

    Source: ANE [sub.req]


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    2011 Scion xD RS 3.0: New Limited Edition Priced from $17,765

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    Toyota's Scion division has revealed its first [of many more to come] limited edition vehicle for the 2011 model year, the xD Release Series 3.0, which will begin arriving in showrooms later this month.

    Offered in a new brownish color named xPRESSO, which is not currently available on any other Scion model, the new xD RS 3.0 features a four-piece body kit with front and rear lower lips along with side skirts, plus carbon-fiber trimmed B-pillar appliqués with the RS logo. And well, that's about it.

    Scion said it will only build 1,500 units of the xD RS 3.0, with each car featuring a unique, individually numbered stainless-steel badge.

    Pricing for the special edition of the xD hatch is set at $16,905 when combined with a manual gearbox, and $17,705 when the engine is hooked up to an automatic transmission. Bear in mind that neither figure includes the mandatory $720 delivery, processing and handling fee.


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    VIDEO: Chevy brings 2012 Camaro Z/28 to the 'Ring

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    Now that the Z/28 program is back on track, GM has begun to test its Shelby-killer super Camaro at the Nürburgring. You can check out the vid below; it shows the car scooting around the track and rolling around on unsuspecting German roads.

    Unlike Ford's new Mustang Boss 302, which is more in-line with its original iteration, the new Z/28 shrugs off its Trans-Am heritage for range-topping excess that's high power out-putting with better stopping and handling than the current SS.

    When the car comes out next year as a 2012 model, there should be a version of the CTS-V's LSA supercharged V8 under the hood. Whether or not the engine will be re-tuned is anyone's guess at the moment, but if it were to strictly carry over I'm pretty sure no one would complain. After all, it's still got 556 horsepower, 551 lb-ft of twist, and a six-speed driving the rear wheels.

    Pricing is still up in the air, but if this is meant to go up against Ford's Shelby GT500 we should be seeing it in the mid- to high-40k's before options. More info as it becomes available.

    By Phil Alex

    Via: Camaro5


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