Rolls Royce Brings the 624HP Wraith Coupe Out in the Open

This is the all-new Wraith, Rolls Royce's luxurious interpretation of a performance coupe. Revealed just hours before it makes its first appearance in front of a crowd at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5, the Wraith is dubbed as the most powerful and fastest production car ever built by Rolls Royce.

What Rolls Royce considers performance and what the rest of the world considers performance, are two very different things, as proved by the Wraith's heavy underpinnings sourced from the Ghost limo and the fact that the British company highlights (pun intended) the car's Starlight Headliner featuring 1,340 fibre optic lamps that "give the impression of a glittering, starry night sky"…

Even so, the Wraith is no slouch, with its tuned 6.6-liter twin-turbo'd V12 engine delivering 624hp (633PS) and a peak torque of 800Nm (590 lb-ft) for a 0-60mph sprint in 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds), compared with 563hp and 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds for the Ghost sedan. Rolls-Royce did not disclose the Wraith's top speed. The V12 engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF driving the rear wheels.

Rolls Royce says it has re-tuned the suspension to "minimize body roll and discreetly amplify feedback when cornering; while steering weight is heavier at high speeds and lighter at low speeds adding to the spirited drive".

The fastback-style coupe is 5,269 mm / 17 ft.3 long, 1,947 mm / 6 ft 5 wide and 1,507 mm / 4 ft 11, while it rides on a 3,112 mm / 10 ft 2 wheelbase, making it 130mm (5.1 inches) shorter in overall length than the Ghost sedan. The Wraith has a curb weight of 2,360 kg / 5,203 pounds.

Inside, you will find a familiar dashboard from the Ghost, the aforementioned "Starlight Headliner" and more wood veneer than a Victorian house.

A new tech feature that makes its debut in the Wraith is the Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT) that relies on GPS data and driving style to select the most appropriate gear for the terrain ahead.

Rolls-Royce said sales of the four-seater model will begin in the final quarter of 2013, with European pricing to start from around €245,000 (US$320,000) – evidently, pricing will differ from country to country.

New Rolls-Royce Wraith Coupe, First Official Photos

The most powerful Rolls Royce production car is a secret no more as images of the Wraith Coupe spilled all over the internet today revealing its "fastback" looks, less than 24 hours before its world premiere at the Geneva motor show.

What we know about the new Wraith coupe is that is based on a shorter version of the Ghost sedan's platform using the same V12 engine, but reworked to produce over 600-horses that are channeled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

While we wait for Rolls-Royce to share all the technical details and less interesting tidbits (for the masses) such as availability and pricing, you can head past the break to check out the photos and tell us what you think about its styling in the comments.

Final C6 Corvette built in Bowling Green

With all of the attention given to the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray lately, you could be forgiven for thinking that it's already well along in production, yet tooling up for the new C7 has only just begun. In fact, production of the outgoing C6 generation in Bowling Green, Kentucky just halted on Thursday.

As the C6 has aged, production numbers have predictably ebbed along with demand, but this year, the addition of the 427 and 60th anniversary models resulted in an uptick in vehicles built – this, despite a model year shortened by around 25 percent to accomodate the new model changeover. The final C6 Corvette ever, No. 13,466 built this year, was a white 427 Convertible destined for the General Motors Heritage Center museum. The car's 7.0-liter V8 heart was assembled by Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter himself.

In total, Bowling Green pushed out 215,100 C6 Corvettes over nine years. If you're still a C6 fan at heart and are hoping to get a good deal on a phase-out model, step lively – Chevrolet reportedly had about 6,100 unsold units, which Autoweek suggests is good for around five and a half months of supply at the model's current sales rates. Given that demand will likely slacken even further as the C7 draws closer, that should be a big enough stockpile to keep dealers satisfied until 2014 Stingrays begin showing up on their forecourts.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Excitement Speeds into Bowling Green

Yesterday, at 8:04 a.m., the last 2013 Corvette came off the line at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant. The celebration was short lived, as less than 30 minutes after the last car was built, workers began remodeling the plant to prepare for the launch of the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray.

A total of 215,100 sixth-generation "C6" Corvettes were made at Bowling Green since production began in 2005, the last of which was the exclusive 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition outfitted with the 60th Anniversary design package. This package boasts an Arctic White exterior and a Blue Diamond leather-wrapped interior with suede-microfiber accents.

At the heart of the 427 Convertible is the 7.0-liter (427 ci) LS7 aluminum-block V8, which is handcrafted by skilled engine craftsmen at the GM Performance Build Center. For the LS7 destined for the last C6 produced, the engine was built by Corvette executive chief engineer Tadge Juechter.

The last C6 Corvette will join other historic General Motors vehicles at the GM Heritage Center in Warren, Mich.

"Leading up to the production of the last C6 has been all business," said Bowling Green plant manager Dave Tatman. "We take our job seriously and consider it the privilege that it is. But you can't do what we do and not get emotionally attached to the car."

Even as the team celebrated building the last C6, Tatman said there has been a great deal of anticipation and excitement toward building the all-new Stingray.

"The last C6 rolls off the line at 8:04 a.m. and I'll have people in here at 8:30 a.m. to start tearing down and putting in new tools," Tatman said.

The task will require that 120 workers take just four weeks to turn the Bowling Green plant around, completing a job that usually takes months to accomplish. All employees are slated to return to work on March 25, where they will learn the entirely new process required to build the Stingray.

Bowling Green Assembly, which hosts up to 50,000 visitors a year, is currently closed to the public to facilitate the remodeling of the line. Tatman said he plans to reopen the plant to outside tours as soon as possible, knowing that everyone is excited to see this new generation of Corvette built.

AC Schnitzer Prepares New Aero Tunes for BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and 3-Series Touring M Sport

German aftermarket specialist AC Schnitzer will highlight two new BMW tuning proposals at next month’s Geneva Auto Salon, for the 6-Series Gran Coupe and 3-Series Touring models equipped with the M-Technik sport packages.

For the time being, AC Schnitzer is letting us play the guessing game about what it has prepared for these two models through the release of the respective image galleries, with detailed information to be announced during the Swiss show.

From the pictures, we see that the 6-Series Gran Coupe with the M Sport package gains a new carbon fiber lip spoiler, a chrome-plated lower grille and headlamp accents up front, and a new rear diffuser made from carbon fiber with different exhaust outlets at the back. AC Schnitzer's two-tone alloy wheels complete the look.

Similarly, the 3-Series estate with the M Sport Package is updated with a chrome lower front grille, a two-piece front spoiler, a painted rear diffuser, new tailpipes and five-spoke wheels.

Interior options for both models include an AC Schnitzer knob for the i-Drive system, bespoke mats and aluminum pedals.

McLaren releases astonishing P1 performance figures

McLaren took the wraps off its upcoming P1 supercar nearly five months ago at the Paris Motor Show, but the automaker refused to release details about its interior, powerplant or performance – those juicy details would all have to wait.

Yet after a private showing in New York, followed by another exclusive event in Beverly Hills, McLaren began to slowly trickle out information about the P1's instrument cluster and passenger cabin, before finally disclosing its 903 horsepower hybrid powerplant earlier this month.

Finally, after much speculation, McLaren has revealed the last piece of the puzzle and announced its tested performance figures. The 100 km/h benchmark (62 mph) falls in "less than three seconds" while the 200 km/h barrier (124 mph) is shattered in "under seven seconds." Lastly, the rear-wheel drive P1 will hit 300 km/h (186 mph) in "no more than 17 seconds" (an impressive 11 seconds faster than its legendary McLaren F1). Those blistering numbers put the P1 among a very small and elite group, with members like Bugatti, Koenigsegg and Hennessey – the fastest road cars on the planet.

If you are wondering how much it costs to embarrass a Ferrari, McLaren also broke its pricing embargo today. Base price, in the United States, is a cool $1,150,000.

McLaren Automotive announces performance figures for the McLaren P1™

• Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) provides astonishing acceleration: 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph) in less than 17 seconds, more than 35% faster than the legendary McLaren F1
• Top speed electronically limited to 350 km/h (218 mph)
• The production number has been limited to 375 units
• Base price in the US is $1,150,000
• Fully equipped as standard for road and track use
•  Production model is almost unchanged from the original design study

McLaren Automotive has announced the final numbers, images and information relating to the McLaren P1™ ahead of a global reveal in just a few days at the 83rd International Geneva Motor Show.

The race-inspired Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) gives the McLaren P1™ astonishing performance. Zero to 100km/h (62 mph) will take less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 km/h (124 mph) in under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 km/h (186 mph) will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds. This is 11 seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1 road car. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h (218 mph).

The McLaren P1™ has translated to production form with very little changed from the prototype shown at the Paris Auto Show. In fact just one change-the addition of LTR ducts ahead of each of the front wheels to further aid cooling and optimise downforce.

McLaren has announced a global production number of just 375 units – a figure that will ensure the McLaren P1™ will remain a rarity.

McLaren has also announced that the car will have a base price of $1,150,000 in the US and have a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use. The company prides itself on designing performance cars that their owners can use regularly so the McLaren P1™ comes standard with a comprehensive specification list. The options list is limited to only bespoke content that a customer might wish to add through McLaren Special Operations, and fitted luggage.

As already announced, the McLaren P1™ will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is substantially enhanced featuring, for example, larger turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to give a combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. This ensures instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the EU combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula 1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed and an instant boost of power.

The tires fitted to the McLaren P1™ are specially developed P Zero Corsas, which have been developed with McLaren's technology partner, Pirelli. The team at Pirelli has been involved throughout the entire development program, and this has seen the tire testing phase integrated into the schedule, as a key performance component. The final compound and construction has been developed and optimised during testing, and the end result is a tire that is finely tuned specifically to the performance and handling characteristics.

To rein in the power produced by the twin powerplants, the McLaren P1™ is designed to offer braking performance more associated with a GT3 or sports racing car. Developed by McLaren's Formula 1 partner Akebono, the system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability. The system also boasts significantly reduced weight, and a bespoke ceramic layer coats both friction surfaces to give an attractive mirrored finish.

The car can also be driven solely in electric mode. In city driving, with an average speed of 30 mph, this could mean up to a 20km range. More than enough for an owner to enter, for example, a city center Zero Emissions Zone, have dinner and return home.

Articles Source : Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive Show

This is, arguably, the least practical of the current crop of high-end electric cars, but we don't really care.

Gullwings, SLS AMG looks, a hot electric blue exterior, and up to 155 miles of all-electric driving range? Sign us up. The SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive is a winner.

Also, for once, we're not really bummed they put music over the sound the car driving--because it's nearly silent.

Of course, we'd rather have the snarling, awesome 6.2-liter V-8 in the 2013 SLS AMG GT, but we wouldn't kick this one out of bed for eating electrons.

Articles Source : Motorauthority

Gemballa Takes on the McLaren MP4-12C Spider with Geneva Motor Show Tune

After revealing its tuning take on the McLaren MP4-12C Coupe at the 2012 Geneva Auto Salon, Gemballa is returning to this year's event in Switzerland with a similar proposal for the newly launched Spider model of the series.

The German tuner avoided dipping its hands into the open-top McLaren model's engine bay leaving the 616hp (625PS) twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 untouched, and instead focused on the car's appearance and wheels.

Gemballa's cosmetic updates include an aero package with a newly designed front bumper, side skirts and rear valence with new exhaust pipes, while around the side, we find GForged-one lightweight alloy wheels, in 20 and 21-inch diameters for the front and rear axles respectively, shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/30ZR20 (front) and 305/25ZR21 (rear) tires.

For the interior, the tuner offers a full leather treatment and customized instrument panel gauges, both in individual colors.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Chevy might've pulled out of NASCAR if it weren't for new Gen 6 car

We've been on the fence with NASCAR for some time now. On one hand, it's some of the closest racing anywhere in motorsports, with actual passing and door-handle-to-door-handle action as a matter of course. But on the other, it's become template racing – a personality-driven sport more about the drivers than any sort of loyalty to a particular automaker. The Car Of Tomorrow format really rammed that message home, with a racecar's identity coming down to little more than headlamp stickers slapped on the nose. That's not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, but we've wondered for some time what's in it for the automakers, who pay big money to stay in a series that has had little increasingly little do with street car sales, let alone innovation.

Apparently General Motors was beginning to wonder the same thing. In a new ESPN report, Rick Hendrick, team owner of Hendrick Motorsports, suggests that GM would have seriously considered leaving NASCAR if it wasn't for the move away from the COT to the new Gen 6 racer. According to Hendrick, GM North America boss Mark Reuss spearheaded the charge away from the 2007 COT and toward a racecar with clearer automaker ties – cars like the new Chevrolet SS racer shown above. Learn more about the fight for a closer-to-production look in the ESPN story at the link.

Articles Source : Autoblog

Vorsteiner Readying New Tune for BMW M6 Coupe and Cabriolet Models

In January, Vorsteiner announced the release of a new set of forged aluminum concave wheels finished in brushed aluminum and available in sizes 21"x9.5J for the front and 21"x11J for the rear end of the BMW M6 Coupe (F12) and Cabriolet models (F13), but that was only the beginning.

The tuner is now working on a full styling and exhaust package for the mightiest models of the 6-Series range that are both powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 at 552hp (560PS) and 516 lb-ft (700Nm).

For now, Vorsteiner is teasing its M6 Edition Package through a set of renderings depicting the coupe model fitted with an aero kit that includes a modified front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler and a new rear diffuser, all made out of carbon fibre.

The car is also riding on a different set of deep-dish wheels finished in black with beefier tires than the original.

"Turbo" Chevrolet Camaro is a 700-HP fantasy car come to life

For a concept car built to promote an animated movie about a snail that wants to go racing, this thing ain't half bad. The outsized monster you see before you started life as a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and then went through a big-time Hollywood makeover before being positioned on the Chevrolet stand here in Chicago.

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

2013 Turbo Camaro Coupe

This 2013 "Turbo" Camaro Coupe is getting the promotion machine ratcheted up for a new DreamWorks tale by the name of, you guessed it, Turbo. Coming this summer, the movie will follow one snail's quest to become a race driver worthy of making the cut at the Indy 500. Like many DreamWorks vehicles before it, we're guessing that the petrolhead snail will star in a movie that adults (especially racing fans) with have no trouble watching with their kids. Check out the trailer below to see if you agree.

As for the car, we're told that it is "instrumental" in transforming Turbo from snail into racer. Helping the beastly pony car in this mighty task, is an ankle-cracking front splitter matched by a ungodly huge rear wing out back, a COPO hood and a supercharged (yes, supercharged) V8 engine making more than 700 horsepower. 24-inch wheels all the way around – 10-inches wide in front and 15-inches wide in back – should allow the "Turbo" Camaro to hook up with ease, as well.

Articles Source : Autoblog