The Best Future Cars

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Hatch Concept Study

Needless to say, it doesn't take much effort to come up with a better design than Subaru's original Impreza hatch, but that wouldn't be fair to the creator of this independent concept study. This realistic computer generated proposal for a more distinct and sporty-looking Impreza WRX STI with a wedgy-shaped three-door hatchback body is the work of an artist that goes by the alias 'Grid'. Please tell us what you think about the study by leaving a comment below.

Source: Grid , Via: Jalopnik

Koenigsegg Among the Remaining Bidders for GM's SAAB Division

According to a report from the Swedish financial daily newspaper, Dagens Industri, Sweden's own supercar builder Koenigsegg, is one of the three remaining parties interested in buying General Motors' SAAB brand. The newspaper said that the other two suitors for GM's Swedish arm are Fiat S.p.A that has also made a bid for Opel and Vauxhall fast car, and the Renco Group, a New York City-based holding company controlled by U.S. billionaire Ira Rennert. Citing unnamed sources close to GM, the paper said that the "toughest battle is expected between the Renco Group and Koenigsegg. Koenigsegg is considered as a fastest car"

Dagens Industri noted that the Swedish automaker's chief executive, Christian von Koenigsegg one of the fast car, declined to confirm or deny the newspaper report.

In April, Saab officials told a Swedish court, which granted the company an extension of its reconstruction period, that they expect to have completed the sale by the end of June.

Via: Reuters

Lotus Elise and Exige Recall Affects Most Tesla Roadster Models

As most of you may already know, the all-electric Tesla Roadster is based on the Lotus Elise with which its shares numerous parts including the rear hub flange bolts that have been deemed defective. According to the NHTSA, on some vehicles the bolts may be under-torqued and could become loose. The two companies issued separate notifications on the matter with Tesla saying that the recall affects 345 Roadster models manufactured between March 2008 and April 22, 2009 (out of a total of 400 cars sold until May 2009) while Lotus is recalling 27 Elise and Exige vehicles built from January 14 through May 5, 2009.

Both recalls are expected to begin in June. Tesla owners may contact the company at 1-877-888-3752 while Exige and Elise drivers can call Lotus at 1-800-245-6887.

Obama Announces 35.5MPG Average for 2016 and National Standard For Tailpipe Emissions

The Obama administration today announced tougher fuel mileage standards and tailpipe emission limits forcing automakers to meet a fleetwide average of 35.5 miles per gallon (6.6lt/100km) by 2016, four years sooner than what Congress required in 2007, when it called for an average standard of 35mpg by 2020. Under the new plan, passenger cars sold in the U.S. will be required to travel on average 39 miles per gallon while light trucks will have to return a combined figure of 30 mpg by 2016.

According to a senior administration official, the new program will add an extra $1,300 to the price of producing a vehicle (compared to the $700 forecasted by the Bush administration's 2007 fuel efficiency proposal) but it is expected that consumers will bank around $2,800 over the car's life from fuel-savings.

The new regulations are said to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 metric tons.

"The status quo is no longer acceptable. We have done little to increase fuel efficiency of America's cars and trucks for decades," Obama said in an address from the White House.

"As a result of this agreement, we will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years," Obama added. "And at a time of historic crisis in our auto industry, this rule provides the clear certainty that will allow these companies to plan for a future in which they are building the cars of the 21st century."

Via: MSNBC & Detnews (photo:flickr)

VW Releases Subtle Aero Kit for Eos Coupe-Convertible

Individual tuners aren't the only ones releasing sporty accessories these days; many automakers like Volkswagen have also jumped in the tuning bandwagon. The German firm has just revealed a new aero kit for its Golf-based hardtop-convertible, the Eos. The package consists of a front apron, side skirts and a rather subtle boot lid spoiler. Certainly not as a aggressively styled as other bodykit proposals, but not everyone wants their car to look like it's about to compete in a 'Fast and Furious' competition. Buyers can also complete the cabrio's looks with a set of alloy wheels.

Mazda to Celebrate MX-5 / Miata 20th Anniversary at Le Mans

It's been 20 years since Mazda blew the covers off the MX-5 / Miata roadster at the Chicago Motor Show in February 1989 and to celebrate, Mazda's European arm is holding a special birthday party at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that takes place on 13 and 14 June. A total of 200 MX-5s from all over Europe will meet at the race track with Mazda promising to give owners and fans of the car a special treat. The package that Mazda has readied for MX-5 owners includes a place for their car, an anniversary polo shirt, a rally plate, dinner and breakfast and of course, the chance to experience the race live at a special Mazda Camp reserved for them bordering the circuit.

A "Best of Show" competition will also be held during the event with a special award going to the most beautiful MX-5. Those that wish to participate can contact their national MX-5 club or visit the Mazda France website www.mazda.fr for more detailed information on how to sign up for the event that costs €100 (about $140 US).

Open-Top Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Enters Production - New Photo Gallery

The most outrageous convertible money can buy these days, the limited run 1,001HP Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Gran Sport has entered production at the company's headquarters in Molsheim, France. Overall, the firm plans to produce a total of 150 examples of the roofless Veyron, with the first 50 examples going exclusively to registered Bugatti customers. Up until now, 30 Grand Sports have been ordered each priced at €1.4 million (not including taxes and transportation) or the US equivalent of $1.96 million. Deliveries are expected to begin from July 2009 onwards.

The 'Number One' Gran Sport was pre-sold at last summer's Pebble Beach Auction for $3.19 million US, with part of the proceeds ($900,000 to be exact) being donated by Bugatti to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation Charity.

Billed as the fastest production convertible in the world, the Gran Sport retains the coupe's 1,001 HP quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine but comes with a removable lightweight transparent polycarbonate top as well as an emergency soft top that is stowed away in the trunk.

Other changes include the redesigned air intakes for the 16-cylinder mid-engine that feature 10-centimetre wide carbon-fibre elements to offer protection in the event of a roll, reinforced monocoque structure around the side skirts and the transmission tunnel plus stiffened B-pillars.

Bugatti also updated the car's interior with moisture-resistant, backstitched leather and added a range of new equipment features including a reversing camera with 2.7-inch monitor integrated in the rear-view-mirror, and the "Puccini" sound system with digital signal processor.

As for the Gran Sport's performance figures, with the roof closed it can reach a top speed of 253mph or 407 km/h. Open it up and you'll have to do with speeds of up to 224mph or 360 km/h (that's 11km/h or 7mph more than Bugatti initially projected). If you get caught up in a rain and are forced to use the emergency soft top, the supercar's top speed is restricted to 80mph or 130 km/h.

Audi to Pay Workers Hefty Bonus for 2008, BMW and Mercedes-Benz Say Nein

Among the three premium German automakers, the only company that will share part of its 2008 profits with workers is Audi as BMW and Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler decided not to pay a profit-sharing bonus for 2008. Audi AG will hand out €157 million from last year's record operating profit of €2.77 billion (+2.5% compared to 2007) to around 43,000 of its qualifying employees in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. That comes to an average of €3,651 or about $5,100 US for each employee that will receive the bonus by the end of May.

According to a report from Autonews, due to the fact that Daimler is facing the need to cut labor costs, the firm's management and union took the decision to withhold the €224.2 million euro profit-sharing bonus that it had planned to pay out to workers. The company has yet to decided what it will do with the money.

Via: Autonews (Sub. Req.)

Bespoke Lamborghini Murcielago with Full Carbon-Fiber Kit by Prindeville

The power, the looks, the lust. And if that ain't enough, then how about some exclusivity, as promised by British tuning boutique 'Prindeville Prestige'? The tuning firm has released yet another special Lamborghini Murcielago that builds upon its previous modded Raging Bull model that we showed in March. On the outside, minus a few changes like the different tail lamps and the underlying air vents, Prindeville's newest Murcielago proposal features the same carbon fiber bodykit as before. The company states that with the exception of the front compartment lid, all the other factory panels, including the roof, have been replaced and restyled.

What's really different about the new 'Murcielago by Prindeville' is the supercar's interior that has been completely overhauled. The entire cabin has been upholstered in a two-tone ostrich hide while other notable features include the precision-milled aluminum accents on the dashboard and the lower part of the center console.

To emphasize the attention to detail in the car's interior, the company's founder Alex Prindiville said: "The standard plastic air vents aren't worthy of the rest of the interior, so although it was a complex and therefore costly procedure, we decided to manufacture replacements from aluminum."

"On their own these vents represent a significant proportion of the £10,000 (around US$16,000) cost of our interior 'jewellery pack', but it's all part of the price of doing the job properly," Prindeville added.

Prindeville did not disclose the price of the modded Murcielago, but we reckon that those seriously interested in buying the car wouldn't care less on how much it costs.

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