2009 BMW 1 Series Convertible Video
Filed under: 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Auto Show Videos, BMW, Convertibles
Tags: 1 Series, Detroit, German
If you’re looking for a compact convertible, watch our video of the BMW 1 Series Convertible debut from the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, MI. The 2009 1 Series Convertible will start at $34,000, and will be a RWD vehicle with 50/50 weight distribution.
Click here for more on the BMW 1 Series Convertible.
The Lexus LF-A Goes Topless At Detroit
Filed under: 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Concept Cars, Convertibles, Lexus, Supercars
Tags: Detroit, Japanese, LF-A, Roadster
For the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the engineers and designers at Lexus continued to use their groundbreaking LF-A premium sports car concept as a medium for expressing their ideas about what a high-performance sporting vehicle not only could be, but should be. In this latest expression of the LF-A, they have removed the car’s top to create a high-performance roadster.The LF-A Roadster is based on the sturdy yet lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum body used for the LF-A coupe, which helps maintain the structure’s strength and rigidity even without a top.
Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving V10 engine that approaches 5.0 liters in displacement. The V10, capable of more than 500 horsepower and test-track speeds greater than 200 mph, is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what the LF-A’s engineers refer to as a “front-mid” configuration.
The engine is connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member that adds rigidity to the drivetrain and chassis while also reducing vibration.
Styling is rooted in the Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy, conferring the LF-A Roadster’s front end with a compact, low-profile, aerodynamic shape. Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster stands just 48 inches tall, but the Roadster configuration adds a speed adaptive rear wing.
The rear is marked by a pair of wrap-around, arrowhead-shaped taillights that bracket a pair of large grilles. These grilles vent the heated air from the car’s two rear-mounted radiators into the LF-A Roadster’s aerodynamic wake. The radiators are fed cool air by two large intake ducts mounted just above the rear wheel wells. This aft radiator positioning not only allowed the designers to keep the car’s front profile low and tight but also aided the LF-A’s chassis engineers in their search for optimal weight distribution.
Helping to provide balance and scale to the design, which features an overall length of 175.6 inches and a wheelbase of 102.6 inches, are high-performance tires on turbine-styled alloy wheels. The front tires are 265/35R20s, while the rears are 305/30R20s. Like the LF-A coupe, the brakes consist of 14.2-inch cross-drilled, vented discs up front, and 13.6-inch cross-drilled, vented discs at the rear. The front brake calipers are six-piston units and the rear calipers use four pistons each.
An “F” logo, located on each front fender of the Roadster, indicates the vehicle’s status as a part of the new “F” marque. The name is derived from the original “F” designation for the first Lexus LS prototype. That vehicle was internally coded “Circle-F,” with the “F” standing for “flagship.” The Circle-F designation further evolved into the code name Flagship One, or F1, and the first F1 concept developed into Lexus’ first vehicle, the LS. Since then, the “F” code has come to signify a special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process. In addition, Fuji Speedway is the IS F’s home circuit, and the shape of the F-logo was inspired by many of the track’s turns.
2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK At The Detroit Auto Show
Filed under: 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, Convertibles, Mercedes-Benz, Sports Coupes
Tags: Detroit, German, SLK
The latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK blazes a trail of new sporty highlights, and bestows yet greater appeal on this thriving two-seater sports car with the trend-setting vario-roof that transforms it from roadster to weatherproof coupe in a matter of seconds.
The designers have honed the looks of the cult two-seater for added sportiness. Especially eye-catching is the restyled front bumper featuring modified segmentation of the air intakes and a more pronounced V-shape, while the area around the Mercedes star now stands out more boldly. The designers have also remodeled the vehicle’s tail, with the diffuser-look styling at the bottom giving the Roadster an even more powerful appearance from the rear too.
Many of the interior’s details have also undergone remodeling, and the interior has been refined as a whole by meticulous material selection. Particular care was taken to optimize the interior in such a way as to make it that much more driver-focused again. The focal point in this respect is formed by a new three-spoke sports steering wheel with multifunction controls, as well as a new instrument cluster with intriguing-looking bezels.
For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is equipping the SLK with the new NTG 2.5 generation of audio and telematics components. This boasts improved user friendliness together with even more handy functions. All audio systems come complete with a built-in hands-free facility with Bluetooth technology, plus a new media interface in the glove compartment, which enables mobile audio devices such as the iPod to be fully integrated into the audio system and operated from its control panel. The switch to the new telematics generation now sees Mercedes-Benz offering the optimized LINGUATRONIC voice control system, renowned for its outstanding operation, as an option for the SLK-Class for the first time.
Customers who wish to enjoy the ultimate acoustic experience, whether driving with the vario-roof up or down, can opt for the harman kardon® Logic7® sound system. Here, the passenger compartment is filled by a rich surround sound, delivering crystal-clear listening pleasure of unprecedented quality for a roadster.
Making a mighty contribution to the sporty billing of the 2008 generation of the SLK are three re-engineered drive units which all stand out by virtue of their lower fuel consumption, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions. Both the four-cylinder engine in the SLK 200 Kompressor and the six-cylinder sports engine in the SLK 350 benefit from a substantial increase in output and torque. Only the familiar eight-cylinder powerplant in the SLK 55 AMG remains unchanged, despite which it has lost absolutely none of its thrill and continues to be a unique selling point in the SLK segment.
The Mercedes-Benz engineers devoted particular attention to the V6 sports engine with high-revving concept, which is making its debut in the new-generation SLK. By performing a major overhaul of the engine’s mechanics, the engineers succeeded in giving the V6 unit a completely new lease of life. From an unaltered displacement of 3498 cubic centimetres it now musters 224 kW/305 hp at 6500 rpm, a whole 24 kW (33 hp) more than in the engine it replaces. Torque has been upped too (+ 10 Nm) and now peaks at 360 Nm at 4900 rpm.
This has been achieved by raising the rev speed limit to 7200 rpm, at the same time as increasing the compression ratio, fitting a new intake manifold and making extensive modifications to the valve gear.
The new engine also strikes a far more emotive-sounding note after being deliberately tuned to deliver resonant sports engine acoustics, with overrun mode producing a particularly emotion-stirring sound. When partnered by the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, the engine management furthermore blips the throttle automatically during downshifts – not only does this create a very sporty soundtrack, it helps to limit load-alteration effects too.
Yet despite its higher power output and such high-calibre performance, fuel consumption in the SLK 350 has been cut by a sizeable margin. In conjunction with the six-speed manual transmission, it now burns just 9.5 litres of fuel per 100 km on the combined cycle, meaning that consumption has been reduced by a remarkable 1.1 litres per 100 km. When coupled to the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, the sports engine limits itself to a mere 9.2 litres for every 100 km on the combined cycle, 0.9 litres less than previously. The cut in fuel consumption lowers CO2 emissions by 23 g/km to 219 g/km on the automatic model (manual transmission: 227 g/km, a reduction of 28 g/km).
Following the facelift, the engine line-up for the second generation of the successful SLK-Class will comprise three further variants:
- The four-cylinder supercharged engine delivers an extra 15 kW/21 hp of output (135 kW/184 hp), with torque increasing from 240 to 250 Newton metres. Combined fuel consumption has dropped by 1.0 litre to 7.7 l/100 km. This in turn reduces CO2 emissions by 27 g /km to 182 g/km.
-The SLK 280 has likewise been optimized for lower fuel consumption, and therefore CO2 emissions. Fuel consumption has dropped by 0.4 litres to 9.3 l/100 km (automatic: -0.2 l to 9.1 l/100 km) and CO2 emissions by 11 g to 220 g/km (automatic: -6 g to 216 g/km)
-At work under the hood of the SLK 55 AMG is the familiar 5.5-litre V8 powerplant delivering 265 kW/360 hp and 510 Nm of torque.
The three new models in the SLK range all come with a precision six-speed manual gearshift. The SLK 55 AMG retains the 7G-TRONIC Sport seven-speed automatic transmission. The SLK 200 can be specified with an optional five-speed automatic, while the two V6 models – the SLK 280 and SLK 350 sports engine – offer the option of the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, or alternatively the 7G-TRONIC Sport with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
A newly developed direct-steer system with variable power assistance that elicits the very best from the suspension’s sporty capabilities is optionally available (standard on SLK AMG 55). It combines agility and maneuverability on twisting country roads with low steering forces when parking and sure steering characteristics at high speeds.
The direct-steer system is derived from the previous speed-sensitive power steering and operates purely mechanically. This dispenses with the need for sophisticated actuator units and complex sensors, which interfere with the direct flow of power between wheel and hand and therefore have a detrimental effect on steering precision. At the heart of the system is a new rack with ingeniously devised toothing, that is designed to alter the steering gear ratio as the steering angle changes. Around the central position, the steering has an indirect ratio for good straight-line stability, resulting in excellent safety at high speeds. As soon as the steering wheel is turned to an angle of 5 degrees, the ratio increases rapidly and the steering feels far more direct. In this way, the number of steering wheel turns from lock to lock is reduced by around 25 per cent with the new direct-steer system. Consequently, relatively small turns of the steering wheel are sufficient for changing course when driving in city traffic. Meanwhile, high-speed twisty sections of country roads can be negotiated safely, precisely and with enormous pleasure using relatively small steering movements, all in almost intuitive fashion.
BMW Goes Green
Filed under: 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Auto Show Pictures, BMW, Concept Cars, Convertibles, Crossovers, Green Hybrids/Alternative Fuels, SUVs, Sports Coupes
Tags: , 1 Series, German, X6, xDrive
BMW will be bringing several new models to the 2008 North American International Auto Show in January.
The first production version of the X6 Sport Activity Coupe (SAC) will premiere in Detroit. The X6 will be offered in two models: the X6 xDrive35i with the 300hp twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six and the X6 xDrive50i equipped with the new 400hp 4.4L twin-turbo V8. The X6 is slated to go on sale in late Spring of ‘08 as a 2008 model. The BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid will also be at featured, showcasing BMW’s two-mode hybrid drivetrain.
The big news is that BMW has gone green. The BMW X5 xDrive35d and BMW 335d will make their first US debuts. Available Fall 2008, the vehicles will be equipped with BMW’s Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance. The diesel engine that will be in both vehicles meets the strict exhaust emission requirements in North America; it is a 3.0L inline-six featuring Variable Twin Turbo Technology that produces 265hp.
The BMW 1 Series Convertible will also make an appearance. The 1 Series Convertible will go on sale in late spring as a 2008 model, a few months after the 1 Series Coupe. The 1 Series Convertible will be offered as a 128i (230hp Valvetronic inline-six) or a 135i (300hp twin turbo 3.0L inline-six).
For more coverage, check back on Sunday, January 13th, when we go live from the 2008 North America International Auto Show.
Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept Photos
Filed under: 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, 4x4s/Off-roaders, Audi, Auto Show Pictures, Concept Cars, Convertibles, SUVs
Tags: Cross Cabriolet Quattro, German
The Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept debuted at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show. We’ve brought you video and written coverage from Audi’s Concept debut and now we have photos from the show for you to browse.
Click here to see more coverage on the Cross Cabriolet Concept.
Video of the Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept.
Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept Video
Filed under: 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, 4x4s/Off-roaders, Audi, Auto Show Videos, Concept Cars, Convertibles
Tags: Cross Cabriolet Quattro
Audi recently debuted their design experiment, the Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept, at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show and we were there to cover it. The Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept is the offspring of a SUV and cabriolet but with obvious Audi heritage. To see Audi’s American design statement, watch our video and let us know if this concept should go to production.
You can also watch the Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept Video on YouTube.
Audi Cross Cabriolet Quattro Concept Unveiled
Filed under: 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, 4x4s/Off-roaders, Audi, Auto Show Pictures, Concept Cars, Convertibles
Audi introduced a new vehicle segment with its presentation of the Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro concept car at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The two-door, four-seater car measures 4.62 metres in length and combines the genes of a typical dynamic soft-top convertible from Audi with the all-round qualities of a fully fledged SUV. The muscular, powerful, but also elegant lines make no secret of this vehicle’s potential. The 240 bhp three-litre TDI engine with ultra-low emission technology delivers sporty driving dynamics with exhaust emissions on the level of the EU 6 limits. The quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system and high-tech chassis with electric ride height adjustment are a recipe for driving pleasure on all terrain and in any curve radius.
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Audi TT Roadster Shows At The NYIAS
Filed under: Audi, Auto Show Pictures, Convertibles, New York International Auto Show
After debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Audi TT Roadster made an encore appearance at the New York International Auto Show. The new Audi TT Roadster is powered by one of two transversely installed engines- a four cylinder turbo and a V-6. Both units provide it with high levels of power and performance. The 2.0 liter four-valve turbocharged engine puts 207 lb-ft of torque onto the crankshaft even at engine speeds as low as 1,800r rpm, and is able to keep this high level of torque constant up to 5,000 rpm. Even more power is on tap from the V-6 engine, with its 3.2 liter capacity. It develops a maximum torque of 236 lb-ft between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm, and at 6,300 rpm delivers a power output of 250 horsepower.
Photo Gallery: Audi TT Roadster Photos
