Lexus debuted the convertible version of its popular IS model to some rather mixed reviews. Basically, half love it and half hate it. I suppose that I belong to the latter group, not because I hate it, but because I don’t love it. All it is is an IS (wow that was awkward to write) without the roof. In two words, so what?

But I digress, for I do realize that there are some of you who adore Lexus, and would settle for nothing less than a review that gives due credit to a new addition of the Big L’s line-up. So here we go:

Starting off with the styling (and I’m doing my best NOT to focus on that pretty girl), sports car fans might be disappointed that the 250C is softer and milder than the hardcore IS-F, but it’s understandable given its anemic 208 horsepower engine (more on that sad fact later). I’ve always thought that the cut-off look in the back is out of proportion, but it does a nice job of hiding the mechanized hard top. I wish they would do something about the “pinched squirrel look”, but I know some people who think it looks great. To each his own.

More info and pictures (courtesy of RPMGO) after the jump. Continue Reading…

For those who don’t know, Peugeot is a French car company that isn’t really relevant outside of Europe. They don’t have astronomical sales, they control no market segment, their cars aren’t incredibly exciting, in short, they aren’t really well known.

But at the 2008 Paris Motor Show they generated a deserved amount of attention over several of their cars, the coolest being the absurdly named RC HYmotion4 Concept.

And it is not hard to see why. This four door four seater basically proves two things: that a sedan doesn’t have to be boring, and that it is very possible to look cool, be green, and haul four people around in one nice package.

I mean, just look at it. That, my friend, is one sick ride. Personally, I think it copied the Audi R8’s front, only it looks better, and it far outshines the no doubt more expensive Lamborghini Estoque that was shown at the same show. I’m usually a two-seat speed addicted sports car guy, but I would be proud to own one of these sensual machines.

More info, spec sheet and lots more pictures after the jump: Continue Reading…

Wow.

THIS is what we need.

This hot hatchback is unfortunately only for sale in Europe (why the hell did Ford do that?), but word is that we will get it come 2010.

So until then, you can roll these thoughts around your mind: this is quite possible the hottest hatchback ever made. Ford confirms that the lucky Europeans will have a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder turbocharged engine to do their every whim. The engine produces an estimated 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. A reported 161 mph top speed and a 0-60 mph time that will definitely arrive in less than 6 seconds makes the RS the fastest European Ford ever.

Unexpectedly, this car is front wheel drive. Usually performance cars use rear wheel drive, but what they hey, if Ford knows what they’re doing…

In case you are wondering how Ford’s design suddenly became so much better, you have the “kinetic” design theme to thank. That is the term Ford has officially applied to many of its upcoming vehicles, and I must say, I like it. I can certainly see many people flocking to Ford dealerships for such cars like the Focus RS.

Except, of course, for the fact that Ford is NOT SELLING THEM in the U.S. Seriously, has Ford ever wondered why they’re not making money here?

Another picture after the jump. Continue Reading…

Some companies, when they stick with fundamentally only one design scheme, end up with a whole line of ugly cars. Others, when they have the same mindset but choose a good design, end up with a line of good to very good looking cars.

Case in point: BMW’s new 7 and 3 Series are still fugly, while this concept from Audi looks fantastic. And, remember, the BMWs have powerful engines and respectable performance, while the A1 Sportback Concept is a sub-compact hybrid. In essence, it is an econo-car. And yet it is still hotter: proof that fuel-efficient cars can be very cool.

It is a five-door four seater, boasting a very impressive design. Now this is no sports sedan, but the styling is clean and classy, yet very modern and technical at the same time. Audi would like to direct your attention to the headlights and taillights, which are all LEDs, and, if you would notice, all incorporated into one setup. The interior is nothing spectacular, but you can expect all the Audi values of quality and durability.

Another picture, more info, and the press release after the jump: Continue Reading…

Now this is rather bizarre. Bizarre and interesting.

There has been a respectable amount of online hype for Citroen’s concept GT (yes, the official name is GTbyCitroen), and from the looks of things, it deserves it. This has got to be the wildest car Citroen ever penned, and perhaps the wildest at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. It is the product of a partnership between Citroen and Polyphony, the designers of the Gran Turismo 5 game. Apparently, this is the first time a full size version of a video game car has been built, by the company of the car.

In case you are wondering, this car will not hit the streets. It can’t even rightly be called a concept, as the GT is purely a show car. In the game though (only for Play Station 3, by the way), the car has an electric drive train and is powered by a fuel cell. And according to Autoblog, it features the following: 3.6 seconds to reach 60 mph and 646 horsepower.

Now about the design… the whole idea was to create the feeling of movement. The long rear supposedly creates “retinal persistence”. The white to gray graduation is a sneaky design feature that makes the car look fast, and there are a whole bunch more little tricks that you can find in the press release. As for the front, I keep on thinking of some kind of animal, I just don’t know what it is. Whale shark? Catfish? A rabid squirrel? Maybe even an odd interpretation of some kind of cat?

The gull wing doors are pretty sick though.

More pictures and press release after the jump. Continue Reading…

Ooohh, this is tasty stuff.

Here are some new pictures and information for the upcoming Aston Martin One-77 supercar. (Pics courtesy of Auto Unleashed and Autoblog)

This seductive menace was revealed at the Paris show, but only a front and back corner were visible; the rest was draped in an obstinately obscuring cover. As you can see for yourself, this is very clearly an Aston Martin, but more extreme than anything the marque has ever attempted.

The engine is rumored to be a 7.3 liter V12, which contradicts the 7.0 liter V12 that the teaser released. It will pump out about 700 horsepower, along with 553 pound-feet of torque. The One-77 is a performance coupe in the finest sense of the word, so none of that “four-door coupe” nonsense that has been plaguing my thoughts.

The body itself will be crafted from carbon fiber, while the body panels will be aluminum. It of course has the requisite features like carbon ceramic brakes, a deployable rear spoiler, adaptive suspension, and tons of other goodies that cause it to weigh in at just about 3,300 pounds.

Most importantly, however, is the rumored price and exclusitivity. I hear that a single example of this fine automotive machine will rip a 1,050,000 euro (around $1.8 million) hole in your bank account. And that’s base price. I also hear that the whole production run will include all of 77 cars. One million euros, 77 examples (One-77, get it?) Finally, it is supposed to go on sale by the end of 2009.

Another picture after the jump. Continue Reading…