September 11, 2007
In our ongoing series of future product plan coverage let's take a look at what will be coming across the Atlantic in the coming years. Glancing through the Automotive News analysis it would appear Europe's focus will be on crossovers, small cars and increased fuel efficiency. Who'd a thunk it? But a return of Alfa Romeo and a "cheap" Rolls Royce should keep things interesting. I'm only covering half of the European brands today because, well, there's a lot of them!
Alfa Romeo: After years of hints and innuendos it appears Alfa Romeo may really be coming to America in 2009. Look for the 8C Competizione (rear-drive coupe with 450hp V8), the 159 sedan (front- or all-wheel drive), the Brea (a 2+2 coupe) and the Spider (a two-seat convertible based off the Brea platform). Momma-mia!
Aston Martin: The DBS is debuting this week in Frankfurt, and it looks to be a worthy successor to the Vanquish. But the real test of Aston Martin's future will come with the launch of it high-end, high-performance sedan, the Rapide (in 2009). With new ownership and a new product direction the future could be very bright for this British brand.
Audi: The redesigned A4 is practically here, and the redesigned A6 follows next year. But the big news for 2009 is a sleek new A7 sedan that goes up against the CLS, plus not one but two new crossovers (one of which is the Q5, pictured). An A5 convertible and redesigned A8 round out the fun in 2010.
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- Karl Brauer September 11, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Aston Martin, Audi, Auto Shows, BMW, Bentley, Ferrari, Future Vehicles, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Land Rover
February 26, 2007
It's amazing how a good drive to a great car show can brighten a potentially dreary weekend. I planned to attend this show last weekend, but my car was too dirty and I instead spent last Sunday morning detailing the Ford GT for several hours. I really needed a distraction this weekend, and the self-named Supercar Sunday provided it. It was only my third trip to this West Valley show, but there were hundreds of beautiful (and rare) automobiles. Of course there's no entry fee and anyone with wheels (two, three or four) is welcome to show up between 7 and 11 a.m. (get there early if you want a good space).
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- Karl Brauer February 26, 2007, 6:56 AM
- Categories:
- Driving, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini
April 13, 2006
Sometimes it's easy to forget why I do this. There can be an unending stream of traffic, meetings and -- in recent weeks -- rain. But every once in awhile the schedule, the weather and the roads all clear at the same time, and the car you're left with is a $200,000 form of rolling theatre (complete with full-scale orchestra). Yet I must admit, I had a weird shiver as I passed the exact same stretch of PCH were an Enzo gave its life just a few weeks earlier...
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- Karl Brauer April 13, 2006, 2:05 PM
- Categories:
- Lamborghini
February 23, 2006
Those lucky dogs at The German Car Blog got up close and personal with the Miura Concept during a recent visit to Audi headquarters in Germany. Plenty of good detail shots here that give you more of a "real life" perspective, versus the "overly-staged show car perspective" seen in all the press photos. Supposedly this concept car will never see the light of a showroom, but in my not-so-humble opinion Lamborghini should build this!!
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- Karl Brauer February 23, 2006, 4:43 PM
- Categories:
- Lamborghini, Retro Revivals
February 7, 2006
We picked up the Lamborghini Gallardo test car today. It's a 2006 SE with 20 additional horsepower (for a total of 520), the E-Shift transmission (same exact unit that Ferrari uses, but with different "tuning") and painted a shade of Aranco Borealis (think sherbert ice cream). I've only driven it on the freeway and at slow speeds for photos so far, but my first impressions are as follows:
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- Karl Brauer February 7, 2006, 8:03 PM
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- Lamborghini
