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Posts tagged blue paint
Los Angeles: Land Rover unveils updated DC100 Concept
Nov 16th
Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, SUV, Land Rover, Off-Road
Land Rover is continuing to explore how to approach the next generation Defender, as evidenced by this updated version of its DC100 Concept that was initially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The latest version features new 20-inch wheels shod with Cooper all-terrain tires and a new Heritage Blue paint scheme with a Candy Weiss roof.
Land Rover Chief Designer Gerry McGovern, who unveiled the new DC100 Concept to the Los Angeles Auto Show crowd, stressed that while the company is serious about building a new Defender, this particular concept may not be representative of the future production version. “The reality is that we’re serious about putting this vehicle into production – not necessarily this design, but a Defender into production,” he tells us. “It’s one of several design studies under consideration at the moment.”
It’s apparent that McGovern’s design team at Land Rover has struggled wrestling with rendering a modern day Defender that doesn’t abandon the model’s loyal followers. “Should it be evolutionary or should it be revolutionary? How much of the design cues based on the original functionality are relevant in a modern context? For us we feel it’s important to recognize our past but not be harnessed by it. The retro trap is one we have to be very careful of. If you’re too retrospective it can be a kiss of death.”
Continue reading past the jump.
Continue reading Land Rover unveils updated DC100 Concept
Land Rover unveils updated DC100 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Frankfurt: Abarth brings out trio of special scorpions
Sep 14th
Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat
The thing about scorpions is that they pack a mean wallop in a small package. And the same can be said of the auto marque that hoists the scorpion as its emblem. As promised, Abarth rolled into the Frankfurt Motor Show three cars deep. Or three new versions of their existing lineup, which is essentially centered around two cars, anyway.
Replacing the sold-out 695 Tributo Ferrari is the new 695 Competizione. Based on the 500 hatchback, it’s essentially the same as the Maranello homage, only it replaces the former’s striped bright paint and Prancing Horse emblems with a slick matte finish. The 500 Cabrio Italia, meanwhile, celebrates 150 years of Italian unification with a special package that encompasses Abu Dhabi blue paint (huh?), tan leather, folding roof panel and 160-horsepower turbo four. Finally, the new SuperSport is based on the Punto decked out in pale gray with matte black stripes, 18-inch alloys, 180-horsepower engine and Koni suspension.
Each one is a little bit of awesome in its own right, so check ‘em out in our high-res image galleries live from the show floor. Just watch your step… lest you get stung.
Abarth brings out trio of special scorpions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Frankfurt: Alpina unveils 507-hp B6 Biturbo Convertible
Sep 14th
Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, BMW
Nice as it may be, the BMW 6 Series convertible doesn’t really make our heart beat any faster. It’s a soft, plush open-top tourer, and though the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 underhood certainly doesn’t skimp on the power, it doesn’t really make for an enthusiastic driving experience.
Enter Alpina, the BMW tuning house that has given us the 7 Series-based B7 here in the United States, not to mention creations like the B5 abroad. Like the rest of its work, the appropriately named B6 Biturbo Cabriolet adds more power to the 650i engine – 507 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, compared to 400 hp and 450 lb-ft in the standard car. What’s more, the suspension geometry gets tweaked slightly, and the car features new styling touches like a more aggressive front fascia, Alpina’s iconic blue paint, and – of course – the tuner’s signature 20-spoke wheels.
Nice, yes, but we think we’ll stick to the B5 wagon that bowed in Geneva back in March. Still, see the B6 for yourself in our attached high-res image gallery.
Alpina unveils 507-hp B6 Biturbo Convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony’s Xperia Play bringing exclusive content to AT&T customers Sept. 18
Sep 9th
Sony’s Xperia Play smartphone will be available through AT&T on September 18, complete with PlayStation gamepad and running on Android’s Gingerbread (2.3.3) platform. The Xperia Play has been available through Verizon since May 26, and AT&T is offering some exclusive content for its customers’ patience, including 4G capability, a “stealth blue” paint job, and the Sony Ericsson Multimedia Dock DK300 and music cable.
AT&T’s Xperia Play will come with seven pre-loaded games, in a slightly different lineup than we saw with Verizon’s release:
- Dungeon Defenders: Second Wave
- Asphalt 6 Adrenaline
- Star Battalion
- Madden NFL 11
- The Sims 3
- Tower Bloxx: My City
- Crash Bandicoot
The Xperia Play will cost $49.99 with a new two-year agreement through AT&T, which is drastically less than Verizon’s initial offer of $199.99 with the same agreement. However, AT&T’s Xperia Play doesn’t come pre-loaded with Tetris, which is totally worth the extra $150, in our opinion.
Continue reading Sony’s Xperia Play bringing exclusive content to AT&T customers Sept. 18
Sony’s Xperia Play bringing exclusive content to AT&T customers Sept. 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Romeo Ferraris celebrates Italian unification with tricked out Mini Countryman
Jul 19th
Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Crossover, Mini
Few tuning houses are as quintessentially Italian as Romeo Ferraris. Just say the name out loud and you’ll want a glass of Chianti to go with your Risotto. Most of the garage’s products have been Italian – Fiat 500s mostly – but there have been a few foreigners in the mix as well, including the Chevrolet Corvette, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and Land Rover Defender. And this is their latest.
Created, somewhat ironically, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian confederation, Romeo Ferraris started out with the Mini Countryman Cooper S and tricked it out from there. The 1.6-liter turbo four was chipped and fitted with new breathing apparati and intercooler to bring output up from 184 horsepower to a more prodigious 227 ponies and 242 lb-ft.
To go with the power upgrade, RF has fitted an adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes and 19-inch two-tone multi-spoked alloys with low-profile Yokohama rubber. The trick matte blue paint contrasts nicely with the chrome stripes and the brushed-finish brightware and blacked-out grille, while the interior has been decked out in white leather with blue piping and Italian flag stripes.
A little over the top, maybe – particularly with all the sponsor logos – but to quote our old friend Rick James, “It’s a celebration… enjoy yourselves!”
Romeo Ferraris celebrates Italian unification with tricked out Mini Countryman originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Poll: Should Cadillac make the CTS-V go "Supersonic"? [w/poll]
Jul 12th
Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Cadillac, Design/Style, Luxury
Cadillac CTS-V “Supersonic Blue” prototype – Click above for high-res image gallery
Last month, following an IM conversation between myself and Autoblog’s Test Fleet Manager, Steve Ewing, I tweeted this. I love the Supersonic Blue paint GM offers on the Chevrolet Corvette, you see, and I think it’d look killer on the Cadillac CTS-V. I hadn’t given it much thought until yesterday, when I attended a Cadillac event at the Monticello Motor Club. Parked outside the clubhouse next to the pit road, was the car you see above, a new CTS-V sedan finished in Supersonic Blue with satin graphite wheels. Inside, the Recaro seats and door trim matched the exterior. It’s wicked.
I immediately asked Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell if this was a new paint color for the 2012 model. It’s not. Not yet, at least. Caddy prepped the car and brought it out to Monticello to gauge reaction to the color before a final decision is made. If it winds up happening, it’ll likely be a new special edition, in the vein of this year’s Black Diamond package. Personally, I think this is a no-brainer, and said as much to the Caddy reps on hand. Maybe you think differently, though, so here’s your shot to weigh in.
Use the poll below to tell Cadillac if you think they should have the CTS-V go Supersonic. Before you vote, just imagine the Sport Wagon done up like this. Got that mental image? Good. Now go vote.
Should Cadillac make the CTS-V go “Supersonic”? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Blue Angels-themed Mustang to be auctioned off at EAA AirVenture
Jul 6th
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford
Blue Angels Ford Mustang GT – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford has partnered up with EAA AirVenture for the last several years, producing one-off aviation-themed Mustangs that are auctioned off to benefit the EAA Young Eagles program. Whether it’s the collectible nature of the cars or just plain generosity by those with deep pockets, the cars have always garnered huge bids. Last year, an SR-71 Blackbird-themed Mustang built in collaboration with Shelby and Roush sold for $375,000, and previous years’ cars have sold for up to $500,000.
We fully expect there to be plenty of interest in this year’s car as well, with the Blue Angels being chosen as the theme for 2011. The one-off Mustang was built by Creation ‘n Chrome in Valencia, California, and features an amazing chrome blue paint scheme that pays homage to the famous F/A-18 Hornets. The Spectra Chrome process that was used along with hand painting the graphics took more than 600 hours to complete. A Boss 302 front fascia, custom rear wing and a set of HRE 590RS wheels complete the look of the exterior.
The Blue Angels theme continues inside, drawing inspiration from the pilots’ suits. Dual yellow stripes can be seen on both the seats and seat belts, and the custom Alcantara and leather Recaros each feature an embroidered logo of the Blue Angels’ crest. A few pieces from the Boss 302 Laguna Seca parts bin were used inside as well, including the dash-mounted triple gauge pack and the rear seat delete that has also been painted yellow. Even the gauges have been changed to an aviation theme, with the speedometer now displaying “ground speed.”
Performance hasn’t been ignored either. A supercharger system, Ford Racing handling pack and Brembo brakes have all been installed.
If you want to see the Blue Angels Mustang up close, it will be on display inside the Ford Hangar during EAA AirVenture from July 25-31 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Interested in buying the car? You’ll have your chance on July 28 when it goes up for auction. Hit the jump for more details and the official press release from EAA AirVenture.
[Source: EAA AirVenture, Creations 'n Chrome]
Continue reading Blue Angels-themed Mustang to be auctioned off at EAA AirVenture
Blue Angels-themed Mustang to be auctioned off at EAA AirVenture originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Spy Shots: 2012 Subaru Impreza shows its face
Apr 8th
Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Subaru
2012 Subaru Impreza spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery
Subaru released a side profile shot of its 2012 Impreza sedan ahead of the car’s New York Auto Show debut, and now, our trusty spy photographers have caught the new Subie out in public, revealing its fresh face. Rather unfortunately, the production-spec Impreza looks to be a pretty drastic departure from the decidedly hot concept car that bowed at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November.
The automaker is keeping quiet about what’s under the hood of its new Impreza (the black car seen above looks like it might be a base model), but the brand has already confirmed that a revised version of the trusty boxer flat-four powerplant will be on hand and good for 36 miles per gallon on the highway – a figure all but unmatched in the all-wheel drive kingdom. Subaru will continue to offer the Impreza in both sedan and hatchback formats, and of course, AWD will be standard.
As for the design, we’ll wait until the 2012 WRX and STI present themselves before making the final judgments. Slap some more aggressive styling elements on this thing, along with rally-spec blue paint and gold wheels, and perhaps we’ll be singing a different tune.
Gallery: 2012 Subaru Impreza: Spy Shots
[Images: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Company]
Spy Shots: 2012 Subaru Impreza shows its face originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Geneva 2011: Fab Design SLS AMG is anything but
Mar 2nd
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style
Fab Design SLS AMG – Click above for high-res image gallery
We find it a bit ironic that a car this hideous came from a company called Fab Design. It’s hard to imagine that a car as pretty as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG could be turned into something so offensive. We’re fine with the matte blue paint finish, but the added aero treatment, massive rear air vents below the taillamps and blue-trimmed wheels are all sorts of awful.
And then there’s the interior.
This kaleidoscope of ugly uses a mixture of white and blue on nearly every touchable surface, including the leather seats. We don’t doubt that it’s as comfortable as ever, but this is eye-stabbingly bad.
Don’t believe us? See the Fab Design SLS AMG for yourself in the high-res image gallery below.
Gallery: Fab Design SLS AMG: Geneva 2011
Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL
Geneva 2011: Fab Design SLS AMG is anything but originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Renault skips RS treatment with Gordini edition Wind Roadster
Feb 7th
Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Renault
Renault Wind Roadster Gordini – Click above for high-res image gallery
When Renault brought the Gordini name out of retirement, enthusiasts took note. After all, Gordini was once one of the most respected names in the business. Some were a little disappointed that the name was applied to existing Renaultsport models that bore no changes beyond a paint job, but that was alright, because the company’s RS hot hatches are already regarded as some of the best around. But then they slapped the same blue paint and white stripes on standard models, and things went downhill.
Now Renault has announced a new Gordini version of the Wind Roadster. The innovative little convertible, as you may recall, is based on the Twingo but features the same kind of flip-top roof as the Ferrari 575 SuperAmerica. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities between the Ferrari and the Renault end, relegating the Wind to the poseur category.
So what has Renault done to give the Wind the Gordini treatment? Sadly, they skipped the RS treatment altogether and went straight for the color scheme. So it’s got the French racing blue paint with the white stripes, 17-inch alloys and white trim, with the theme continuing to the interior. Oh, and there’s a Facebook page coming. Unfortunately, that appears to be the extent of it, so this is one European offering most won’t pine for from abroad.
Gallery: Renault Wind Roadster Gordini
[Source: Renault]
Continue reading Renault skips RS treatment with Gordini edition Wind Roadster
Renault skips RS treatment with Gordini edition Wind Roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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