Mazda Takeri Concept

While it's already been shown at three other auto shows around the world, the Mazda Takeri Concept finally made its North American debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show. Looking as stunning as ever, the four-door concept features Mazda's new KODO "Soul Of Motion" design language, and previews the next-generation Mazda6 mid-size sedan.

Up front the Takeri sports the new corporate face of Mazda, with a five-point grille and bladed front end design. Flared front fenders and large 20-inch alloy wheels give the Takeri an aggressive stance and lean proportions. In the rear, the trunk lid runs into the taillights--a design cue intended to give the Takeri more visual width.

The interior of the Takeri Concept features sculpted white seats and metallic accents. A three-spoke steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and paddle shifters all hint at Mazda's sporting intentions with the car.

Under the hood the Takeri Concept features a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter turbo clean diesel engine which is connected to a lightweight six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda's i-stop start-stop system and i-eloop capacitor-based brake regeneration system both help increase fuel economy.

GMC Denali XT Hybrid Concept

This GMC sport-utility truck (SUT) borrows its unit-body construction from the General Motors' Australian Holden unit, which is the prime mover on GM's global rear-drive Zeta platform. While the design is rugged and futuristic, the concept it self harkens back to such car-based pickups as the GMC Caballero and Chevy El Camino.

Riding on a 125.4-in. wheelbase, the Denali XT measures 205.0 in. in overall length and has a 55.0-in.-long cargo box behind its 4-door, 4-passenger cabin. Like GM's truck-based SUTs, the Chevy Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade, the Denali comes with a mid-gate bulkhead that allows the passenger compartment to be opened up to the cargo bed to carry longer items.

Power comes from an all-new 4.9-liter V-8, which produces 326 bhp. This flex-fuel vehicle can be operated on unleaded regular gasoline or ethanol mixtures up to E85. The engine, which features cylinder-deactivation for fuel savings, is mounted to GM's 2-mode hybrid transmission. That system combines a stop-start feature and low-speed electric operation that enables the vehicle to deliver city fuel economy ratings on par with the traditionally higher highway number.

GMC Terrain

In an unsteady economy with strangely fluctuating gas prices, the only thing consumers can count on is that it's best to be prepared for the worst. That means buying fuel-efficient, durable and practical transportation. Trucks and SUVs generally don't meet all those requirements. The new breed of car-based SUVs, which we like to call crossovers, is trying to change that by focusing heavily on fuel-economy improvements. The results speak for themselves.

The GMC Terrain is based on the Chevrolet Equinox, but looks nothing like it. It's a 5-passenger crossover with bold styling, and it's available with fwd or awd. Making it unique is its base 182-bhp direct-injected 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that is tuned for the best possible fuel economy. GMC anticipates an EPA rating of 21/30 mpg. That's quite close to the 32 mpg highway rating of the Saturn Vue Hybrid, and 5 mpg better than the 2009 Chevrolet Equinox's city rating.

But don't expect great performance; to achieve these fuel-sipper numbers requires a special driver-selectable "ECO" mode that results in a low-rpm torque converter lockup of the 6-speed automatic and likely a sluggish throttle map. The 4-cylinder also has electric-assist power steering to help maximize efficiency.

GMC Granite Concept

The GMC Granite Concept follows the theme that seems to be everywhere at the Detroit show—small is in. This little box on wheels is a nifty Scion xB fighter. Its size would indicate it rides on a platform shared with the Chevrolet Cruze, but this concept seems to have little production potential. Many of its design elements, however, could be integrated into a more buildable car. The suicide rear doors for example are a big no-no. Sliding doors would be better, and I don’t think they would hurt the design. Being able to fold the front passenger seat completely out of the way is handy, giving the Granite the ability to carry a bicycle or a motorcycle.

I like the “industrial design” on the exterior and interior. It will help the Granite appeal to buyers who might consider a full-size van because of its practicality, and may even think the Transit Connect is neat, but find the Ford visually unappealing. With this style, plus a fuel-efficient powerplant and decent driving dynamics, the GMC Granite could challenge the leaders in the mini-minivan market. 

The proposed powertrain has a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual. The 20-in. wheels on the concept are a bit unrealistic for production, but maybe GMC is aimed at inner city dwellers who value compact size and practicality over driving in the dirt.

2014 Rolls-Royce Corniche

We know Rolls-Royce builds some of the most expensive and luxurious cars in the world, but who could have imagined how creative the British luxury brand was in terms of prototype camouflage. These spy images of the future Rolls-Royce Corniche offer a hint at what the opulent 2-door Rolls will look like once it reaches production in the next couple of years. Though from all the bizarre humps and bumps of this test mule (especially towards the rear of the car), not to mention faux rear doors and massive BMW twin kidney-style grille cut outs, Rolls could be hiding pretty much anything beneath the swirly black and white paintjob. Even the center caps of the 7-spoke alloy wheels have been hidden

Expect the production model to wear a grille that’s slightly smaller and, perhaps, raked back a few more degrees compared to the sedan. While it’s hard to see on this car, the roofline will elegantly taper down to where it meets the trunk – fear not, the blocky rear spoiler on this test car is only part of the extensive disguise.

2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster is going to be one of the most exclusive, expensive, and blindingly quick convertibles when it comes to market. Revealed for the first time, this ultra-exotic comes powered by a 700-bhp 6.5-liter V-12 engine, coupled to an ISR 7-speed transmission. Forming the core of the Roadster is a carbon fiber tub, which in the Aventador coupe weighs a scant 324.5 lbs. According to Lamborghini’s stopwatch, this all-wheel-drive mega-convertible accelerates from 0 to 62-mph in 3.0 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 217 mph. This kind of performance comes with a price, specifically one just north of $380,000 per vehicle.

The reason to buy the Roadster versus the Aventador hardtop is the top, or more specifically, the lack thereof. In the case of this drop-top Lambo, the two-piece convertible top is constructed out of lightweight carbon fiber and is removed manually, with storage provided in the front luggage compartment. It’s worth noting that the McLaren MP4-12C Spider also features a folding carbon fiber lid, but one that neatly disappears with the push of a button. The manual labor required in the Lamborghini does at least result in an even more ravishing shape than the already outrageous-looking hardtop variant.

Morgan EvaGT Concept Car Makes its Debut at Pebble Beach

The Morgan EvaGT 2+2 concept car broke cover at Pebble Beach, California, during this August’s Monterey Weekend festivities. Charles Morgan is the grandson of H.F.S. who founded this 101-year-old British sports car maker. Hence, he has an excellent idea of what made Morgans special. But Charles is also shrewdly aware of the 21st century and its fresh design demands.

The EvaGT is based on the Morgan Aero, and shares the latter’s bonded aluminum chassis—retaining bits of ash superstructure here and there—and superformed aluminum bodywork. Its powertrain, sourced from BMW, features a 3.0-liter direct-injected twin-turbo inline-6 teamed with a choice of 6-speed transmission, either manual or (gad!) automatic. Such is its 306 bhp combined with a projected weight of 2755 lb. that stellar performance is expected: a predicted 0-62-mph acceleration of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 170 mph.

In possibly the understatement of the year, there’s no mistaking the EvaGT 2+2 for my own 1965 4-Passenger Family Tourer (although their shared sporting familial intent is acknowledged). In fact, the EvaGT’s styling has evolved very nicely from that of the Morgan Aero. The EvaGT is a more sculpted design with tautly controlled razor edges, all paying less homage to classic lines of traditional Morgans. The front end is particularly striking, its recessed grille shape being to Malvern Link what the Bugatti Veyron’s horseshoe counterpart is to Molsheim.

A concept car at the moment, the EvaGT is said to satisfy Euro 5 and 6 regulations as well as relevant U.S. standards. There’s no particular reason the car couldn’t be added to Morgan’s decidedly 21st century product line.

2014 SRT Viper Roadster - First Look

Still fresh from its dramatic debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the 2013 SRT Viper appears ready to stage a two-pronged (or double-fanged?) attack on the sports car market. These artist illustrations depict the upcoming SRT Viper Roadster, expected to go on sale next year. Chrysler was keeping quiet in New York about specifics regarding the Roadster, but it doesn’t take a degree in rocket science to realize a drop-top variant is an integral part of the Viper range.

After all, the original Viper, the 1992 RT/10, was a no-frills roadster. That first model’s top was notoriously flimsy and difficult to install, and the side windows were nothing more than fabric and clear plastic. Most owners wisely removed the top once, and left it off. Since the first Viper lacked any form of traction control, or even ABS brakes, it was highly unlikely anyone would willingly drive the car during inclement weather anyhow.

Honda AC-X Concept

The Honda AC-X Concept is a family-size plug-in hybrid that may point to a future design direction for the Accord. Its sleek design is almost a one-box fastback shape that appears to be an evolution of the current fuel cell-powered Clarity. 

One of the key features of the AC-X Concept is its autonomous drive mode.

The car features a bold front graphic with a large single bar and prominent Honda logo. The front fascia, side skirts and rear diffuser are moveable, lowering to improve the car’s aerodynamics at speed. The sides of the vehicle are defined by sharp character lines housing ambient lighting that carve a cove from behind the front wheels out through the rear deck.

Dacia SHIFT Concept

The dacia shift is a concept hybrid car by liviu tudoran, a design student studying at the institute of european design in turin, italy. the compact two-seater car has a very fluid form with a full glass top.

The car would be powered by an atypical combination of electricity and hydrogen. the undercarriage would use hydrogen fuel cells to power electric batteries.

These batteries would supply energy to the car’s front mounted electric motor. this formation would allow user to charge their car using electricity or swap out hydrogen for more travel time

Mustang Boss® 302 Laguna Seca

The 2012 Mustang Boss® 302 with Laguna Seca Package* adds elements like race-compound tires, an aggressive front air splitter and rear pedestal spoiler, standard 

Torsen differential and Recaro® seats, additional track gauges, and even deletes the rear seat and adds a rear cross-brace to save weight and add torsional rigidity.

*Front air splitter included in Laguna Seca Package is intended for race track use only and is not legal for on-street driving. May degrade crash performance and void vehicle warranty. Must be installed by customer.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

Relative supercar newbie Mercedes seems to have adopted a similar philosophy, which likely explains why the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT has emerged just two years after the standard car exploded onto the scene. Essentially a faster and more driver-focused version, it will be sold alongside the standard SLS (and from next year, the 650 horsepower SLS Black Series) in Europe and other markets around the world.

 Here in the U.S. it will replace the standard car altogether, which makes sense, as the overwhelming majority would go for the GT anyway.

  If you're currently scanning the pictures looking for a wild new rear wing or jutting chin spoiler, you'll be sorely disappointed. Visual changes on the outside amount to headlamps and taillights with darkened glass, red brake calipers, and a GT badge next to the AMG logo on the trunklid. Hardly remarkable, but in keeping with the subtle evolution vibe. Release the gullwing doors on the Coupe, or swing open the conventional doors on the Roadster version, and it's more of the same inside. Added extras include red seatbelts, red stitching on the wheel and dash, and the option of quilted leather on the seats, but then the SLS never really needed any help getting noticed.

Lamborghini Aventador Lp700 4 Roadster

European pricing for the 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster was released when the model was officially introduced early this week, but we had to wait a few extra days to see how much customers over here should expect to pay for the topless supercar. Now, Lamborghini has announced that US-bound versions of its new roadster will run $441,600, which doesn't include the $3,700 gas-guzzler tax, meaning the Aventador Roadster will wear a base MSRP of at least $445,300.

As a refresher, this new roadster is a topless version of the 700-horsepower, all-wheel-drive Aventador, and it features a two-piece removable top made of carbon fiber (each weighing in at around 13 pounds) that can be stored in the front trunk. Performance figures include a 0-60 time of under three seconds and a top speed of 217 miles per hour. Lamborghini is currently taking orders for the Aventador Roadster with the car set to go on sale next summer.

Peugeot's Onyx

Though the French automaker is clearly on the top of its game with all of its offerings for the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Peugeot's Onyx concept is its definitive highlight.

A masterpiece in matte black paint, Onyx's most striking features are the two huge swathes of polished copper that adorn both sides. Each side is made from a single piece of copper and, other than extensive polishing, the material is unprotected from the elements. The goal here, says Peugeot, is that the copper panels will change and evolve over time with oxidation.

The lightweight concept car – all of the body panels are made from carbon fiber and the car weighs just 1,100 kilograms (2,425 pounds) – is propelled by an aggressive hybrid powertrain. At the heart of the propulsion is a 3.7-liter V8 that's good for a whopping 600 horsepower, and it's modulated via a six-speed sequential gearbox. The conventional engine is augmented with lithium-ion battery-powered electric system that adds another 80 horses to the mix.

Camaro Based Firebreather

Pontiac is dead, but that hasn't stopped Classic Design Concepts from selling a modern-day Firebird.

Dubbed the Firebreather, the car is based on the Chevrolet Camaro and features a unique front fascia, new headlights (with LED halos), a revised hood, side sill extensions, and a modified rear bumper with an integrated diffuser. Other styling tweaks include new taillights, a rear spoiler, and 20-inch wheels outfitted with Pirelli P-Zero tires.

Inside, the cabin boasts leather upholstery, piano black trim, red ambient lighting, special floor mats, and an individually numbered plaque.

Power is provided by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with a cold-air induction system and a 3-inch cat-back dual exhaust. It produces 599 hp (447 kW / 607 PS) instead of the standard 426 hp (318 kW / 432 PS).

Firebreather production will be limited to 50 units and pricing starts at $60,000.