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Posts tagged leather interior
Los Angeles: Updated Jaguar C-X16 Concept inches closer to production
Nov 16th
Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Jaguar
Earlier today at a private event in Los Angeles, Jaguar presented an updated version of the C-X16 Concept that initially debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September. The car, freshly clad in a coat of White Pearl paint, was presented by Jaguar design chief Ian Callum who all but confirmed that a version of the C-X16 would be put into production.
The C-X16 Concept certainly looks ready to takes its place as a modern rendition of the E-Type with various design cues that pay tribute to the legendary two-seater. The technical aspects of the car are anything but retro, however, with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 under the hood paired with an electric motor built into the 8-speed transmission. The combination produces 468 horsepower and 505 lb-ft torque, which Jaguar says is good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.
Whether items like the hybrid power system will make it into production is certainly questionable, along with the trick side-opening rear hatch (an E-type tribute) and the stunning red leather interior with carbon fiber race seats that are more likely to remain conceptual features only.
You can see our live photos of the updated C-X16 Concept sporting its new White Pearl paint in the high-res gallery above.
Updated Jaguar C-X16 Concept inches closer to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: Mercedes-Benz reveals 518-hp ML63 AMG ahead of Los Angeles debut [w/video]
Nov 14th
Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, SUV, Mercedes-Benz
We’ve seen a lot of action from Mercedes-Benz and its AMG performance division this year, most of which concerns replacing the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 with the company’s new, more powerful, more efficient twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8. The 5.5 is a great engine, but we’ve lamented the death of the 6.2 for a while now (though Merc is still putting it to good use in the C63 AMG), and the next vehicle to get the 5.5-liter swap is the all-new 2012 ML63 AMG, which makes its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this week.
In standard guise, the ML63 AMG puts down 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, though an optional AMG Performance Package raises those numbers to 550 and 560, respectively. This power is put to the ground via Merc’s AMG Speedshift Plus seven-speed transmission, driving all four wheels in the case of the ML63. The Performance Pack also raises the SUV’s top speed from 155 miles per hour to 174, and the extra grunt reduces the ML63′s 0-to-60-mph time from 4.7 seconds to 4.6.
We like how the AMG design has been grafted onto the new M-Class shape, as the previous model was a bit too bulgy and brash for our tastes. Inside, there’s a standard Designo leather interior, along with a whole slate of high-tech gizmos to keep you safe, comfortable and entertained.
Stay tuned for live impressions direct from Los Angeles later this week. In the meantime, have a look through our attached high-res image gallery, and hit the jump for the official press blast as well as some B-roll video of Merc’s new AMG crossover.
Continue reading Mercedes-Benz reveals 518-hp ML63 AMG ahead of Los Angeles debut [w/video]
Mercedes-Benz reveals 518-hp ML63 AMG ahead of Los Angeles debut [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: Sonic and Cruze headlining for Chevy at SEMA
Oct 24th
Filed under: SEMA Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM
The Chevrolet Sonic and its big sister, the Cruze, have proven to the world that General Motors is once again capable of building class-leading small cars. To showcase these cars in a new light, Chevrolet will be bringing a smattering of Sonics and Cruzes to the upcoming SEMA show, with these models accounting for 60 percent of the brand’s show cars. (Don’t worry, there will still be plenty of Corvettes, Camaros and Silverados, and we’ll have details on those in the coming days.)
The 2012 Sonic is the latest and greatest of the Chevrolet small car portfolio, and GM will have 20 different Sonics on display. Here, we see the Sonic Z-Spec I (above) and Z-Spec II (right), showing the different aftermarket options that will be available for the Sonic hatchback. The Z-Spec I wears a lower aero kit that will be available to order starting this December, while the extra body work of the Z-Spec II is still purely conceptual right now.
Not pictured, a sedan version of the Z-Spec I will also be on display, as well as the Sonic Dusk concept, which wears a new Berlin Blue exterior finish, Z-Spec aero kit and a two-tone Mojave leather interior. All the SEMA Sonics are equipped with GM’s 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, ride on special 18-inch wheels and are fitted with upgraded suspension bits, as well as Brembo brakes.
Both the Z-Spec and Dusk treatments make their way to the Cruze sedan in a similar fashion. In terms of design, the Cruze models look very similar to their Sonic counterparts, though the upsized dimensions of Chevy’s C-segment sedan allow for larger wheels – 19-inch sets on both vehicles.
We’ll have more images and details live from SEMA next week, but for now, follow the jump to read the full scoop in GM’s press release.
Continue reading Sonic and Cruze headlining for Chevy at SEMA
Sonic and Cruze headlining for Chevy at SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Official: Lexus releases new ES, CT and LS special edition models
Sep 30th
Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury
Lexus has introduced a slew of 2012 special edition models, including unique variants of the LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h. The rear-wheel-drive Lexus LS 460 Sport Special Edition offers buyers standard equipment that includes Brembo brakes, a sport-tuned air suspension and sport front seats in addition to 19-inch split-10-spoke wheels and a two-tone leather interior, among other amenities. Expect to hand over $77,000, excluding destination.
Meanwhile, the ES 350 Touring Edition comes laden with 17-inch 10-spoke wheels, a steering wheel and shift knob trimmed in leather and wood, navigation and saddle-tan leather heated and cooled seats. Additional equipment is also part of the package, and all that kit will bump the ES 350 Touring Edition MSRP to $40,475, excluding destination.
Finally, the CT 200h is getting the sport treatment as well with the F Sport Special Edition (seen above). The model is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels of its own, along with an F Sport suspension that includes specific springs and sway bars. An F Sport appearance package is also along for the ride, and includes a mesh grille, larger rear spoiler, aluminum sport pedals and a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel. Asking price? A cool $37,995. Lexus will politely ask for $875 for delivery on each model. Hit the jump for the press release.
Continue reading Lexus releases new ES, CT and LS special edition models
Lexus releases new ES, CT and LS special edition models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Monterey: Rolls-Royce once again proves its Bespoke department knows no bounds
Aug 19th
Filed under: Convertible, Etc., Rolls-Royce, Design/Style, Luxury
Since its inception, Rolls-Royce has made a living making its customers feel very, very special. Given the average net worth of its buyers and the custom-tailored nature of their vehicles, this sort of approach makes good business sense. That said, some customers are clearly more special than others. Michael Fux, a businessman and philanthropist who commissioned the unusual purple Phantom Drophead Coupe seen here, is clearly one of the latter.
Fux is one of Rolls’ very best customers, and he’s also known for being one of its most outlandish, perpetually giving Goodwood’s Bespoke department specialists a workout. Rolls has debuted one-off Fux cars during past Monterey weeks, and this year, they’ve teamed up again to reveal this striking purple and white Phantom. While the visuals that Fux pushed for certainly won’t be to everyone tastes (we’re more accustomed to seeing these sort of aesthetic choices among aftermarket firms like Mansory), there’s no denying the quality of the workmanship, from the matching purple roof to the customized engraved sill plates and relentlessly white leather interior. And Fux isn’t the only Rolls buyer whose tastes require an increasing degree of personalization – earlier this month, the automaker announced plans to double the size of its Bespoke operations to keep up with demand.
Fux’s custom Rolls-Royce commissions have never been known for their subtlety. In the past, he’s ordered a screaming yellow Phantom Convertible (shown in Pebble in 2008), as well as a candy red Drophead that featured Rolls’ first-ever black-and-red carbon fiber inserts. That car was such a test for the English automaker’s bespoke team that they not only named the paint for Fux (and guaranteed its exclusivity), they produced a 2010 video about it that you can watch after the jump.
Continue reading Rolls-Royce once again proves its Bespoke department knows no bounds
Rolls-Royce once again proves its Bespoke department knows no bounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Fiat launches 500 in China with artistic First Edition
Jul 19th
Filed under: China, Hatchback, Fiat
With the Chinese market accounting for an increasingly large portion of international auto sales, Fiat has landed in Shanghai with a very special edition of its popular 500 hatchback.
Called the First Edition, the limited run of 100 individually numbered units are based on the Lounge trim level with the 1.4-liter, 101-horsepower MultiAir engine coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, red leather interior and a three-coat pearlescent white paint job. But what makes these limited editions unique is what’s been applied over the white: Fiat has teamed up with five local artists to interpret their vision for the ties that bind Italy and China with unique graphics.
The cars will be offered to the public by lottery, with the first to pre-order their 500 entered into a drawing for the option to change their order to one of the First Editions. Follow the jump to read more about each of the artists and their creations in the full press blast and scope ‘em all out in the high-res image gallery.
Continue reading Fiat launches 500 in China with artistic First Edition
Fiat launches 500 in China with artistic First Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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2012 Chevrolet Volt priced from £28,545 in UK
Jul 6th
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Chevrolet, GM
2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors has revealed pricing for its 2012 Chevrolet Volt in the UK. The General says the Volt will cost £28,545 ($45,860 in U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate) when it hits showrooms in early 2012. That price includes the UK’s £5,000 ($8,033 U.S.) Plug-in Car Grant. As an added bonus, all UK-bound Volts also come standard with leather interior.
At £28,545, the 2012 Chevy Volt is more expensive than its electric-only rival, the Nissan Leaf, which costs £25,990 after the aforementioned £5,000 rebate. However, the Volt is less costly than its mechanically identical cousin, the Vauxhall Ampera, which is priced at £28,995 after taking into account the £5,000 subsidy.
Photos copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL
[Source: Autocar]
2012 Chevrolet Volt priced from £28,545 in UK originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Porsche celebrates production of 300,000th Boxster/Cayman
Jun 24th
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Porsche
2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’re big fans of Porsche’s Boxster and Cayman, and it appears we’re not alone. Porsche is celebrating 300,000 Cayman and Boxster models sold, almost exactly 15 years after the first roadster left the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant in Germany. The lion’s share of those sports cars have been convertibles – the hard-hatted Cayman didn’t join the party until 2005 as a 2006 model.
To put an exclamation point on production vehicle number 300,000, Porsche went all-out by building a Boxster Spyder with Platinum Silver paint and Carrera red leather interior. The undoubtedly hot ride will go to a lucky customer in Germany.
With a classy design and peerless handling, we’re not at all surprised that Porsche has sold 300,000 copies of its mid-engined Boxster and Cayman. Hit the jump to read over Porsche’s press release.
Continue reading Porsche celebrates production of 300,000th Boxster/Cayman
Porsche celebrates production of 300,000th Boxster/Cayman originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jaguar brings a pair of Designer Editions to go with the announcement at AutoRAI
Apr 10th
Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Jaguar, Luxury
Jaguar XF Designer Edition – Click above for high-res images
There are major auto shows, and there are relatively minor ones. Holland’s AutoRAI may fall more into the latter category, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have its fare share of new debuts. And a big part of those are reportedly coming from Jaguar.
Say what you will about the wisdom of decisions taken in Europe’s notoriously mind-altering playground, but as we already reported, Jaguar has apparently chosen the Amsterdam expo as the location to elaborate on the future of its X-Type successor. But the company’s English manners prevent it from turning up empty-handed with only some promises of things to come, so it’s created a special series specifically for the Dutch market.
Called the Designer Edition, it’s available on either the XF or the XJ, powered by the 3.0-liter V6 engine, and decked out in Stratus Grey London paint – looks decidedly greenish to us – with tan leather interior and piano black lacquer trim. The XF Designer Edition is further distinguished by bi-xenon headlights, 19-inch wheels in grey or black, heater leather steering wheels and sports seats and heated windshield. The XJ Designer Edition, meanwhile, packs a infotainment system with Bowers & Wilkins audio, high-def dual-view touchscreen and TV tuner plus a leather headliner.
Only 20 units of each are slated for production, the former coming in at €77,790 ($110,000 by current rates), the latter at €121,290 ($171,000). Just don’t forget where you parked yours.
Gallery: Jaguar XF & XJ Designer Editions
[Sources: TopSpeed, autoblog.nl]
Jaguar brings a pair of Designer Editions to go with the announcement at AutoRAI originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ferrari Daytona of royal, Top Gear provenance up for auction at Brooklands
Mar 30th
Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Ferrari, Celebrities
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona chassis #16531 – Click above for high-res image gallery
With examples from the 250 series fetching earth-shattering prices, the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” is quickly becoming a classic favorite. The wedge-shaped GT from the late 60s and early 70s was a clear separation from the bulbous models that proceeded it, and is today regarded as one of the definitive classic Ferraris of all time. But even among the 1,400+ built, some are more special than others.
For starters, this particular example – which is going up for auction in May under the auspices of Historics at Brooklands – is one of only 158 right-hand-drive models. But chassis #16531 is set apart from the other 157 by its fate once arriving in the UK.
Its first owner was HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, who only drove it for about a week before selling it. A few owners of varied stature owned the car since, until it appeared on the BBC’s ever-popular car show Top Gear. You may recall the episode (twelfth in the fifth season) when James May set sail for Saint-Tropez from Portofino in a speedboat, while Richard Hammond took the coastal road in a Daytona? Well this is that very same car.
Resplendent in metallic blue, tan leather interior and Borrani wire wheels, this 365 GTB/4 has only 26,281 miles on the odometer, and was verified on the dyno shortly before the Top Gear filming to have lost none of the 352 horsepower with which it left the factory. It’s a beauty. Details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Historics at Brooklands]
Continue reading Ferrari Daytona of royal, Top Gear provenance up for auction at Brooklands
Ferrari Daytona of royal, Top Gear provenance up for auction at Brooklands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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