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First “Naomi for Haiti” Lotus Evora Fetches $496,000 at Charity Auction
Over the weekend, the first three of eight “Naomi for Haiti” special edition Lotus Evora sports cars were auctioned off, with the first car fetching $496,000. The vehicles, created by supermodel Naomi Campbell and Lotus Design Director Donato Coco, were auctioned off at the Fashion for Relief event held during Fashion Week in London with…
Geneva Preview: Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible Unleashed
No auto show would be complete without the obligatory special edition/limited edition/crazy horsepower Bentley debut. The 2010 Geneva Auto Show will have one and, surprise, it’s a Continental. OK, so we’re having a tough time getting excited, but surely there will be plenty of folks who will lust after the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, the…
Geneva Preview: Jaguar XKR Special Edition Goes Faster, Looks Meaner
At the upcoming Geneva Auto Show, Jaguar will unveil a new Special Edition version of the XKR. Technically, the Special Edition model is a combination of two new option packs, the Speed Pack and the Black Pack. The Speed Pack is quite simple, raising the top speed of the 510-hp supercharged V8 from 155 mph…
2011 Lotus Elise and Elise SC Get New Design With Improved Aerodynamics
For 2011 Lotus has decided to give its hallmark sports car, the Elise, a mild update. Upgrades for both the standard Elise and Elise SC include revised body work with a new rear bumper, engine cover and a more aggressive front clamshell. The new design certainly looks like the work of Lotus design boss and…
Lotus to Auction Off Eight Naomi Campbell-Designed Evoras for Haiti Relief
Lotus has teamed up with supermodel Naomi Campbell to create eight limited edition Evora sports cars that will be auctioned off to help with relief efforts in Haiti. Campbell and Lotus Design Director Donato Coco created the unique paint scheme, which includes the colors of the Haitian flag. All “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be…
Kansas City Man Wins MINI Convertible Challenge for Most Hours Clocked Top-Down
Easily the biggest gimmick on the new MINI convertible models is the Openometer. The what? Well, the Openometer is a gauge just like all the other gauges you might find on a car’s dash, but on the MINI convertible models it measures how long the owner has driven with the top down. To help promote…
BMW, Peugeot Citroen Extend Partnership to Build New 4-Cylinder Engines
BMW and French automaker Peugeot Citroen have signed a new agreement to work together to develop a new generation of improved 4-cylinder engines. The new powerplants will be used in BMW’s MINI lineup as well as in Peugeot’s 207 and Citroen’s C3 Picaso. BMW recently made several changes to the 2010 versions of the engines…
Report: MINI Countryman JCW “Definitely Under Consideration”
A high-performance version of the MINI Countryman crossover is “definitely under consideration” says MINI U.K.’s general manager Jochen Goller. Only recently did MINI officially confirm the Countryman model which is expected to make its word debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. Currently the MINI Cooper S Countryman boasts the highest output with 184-hp….
MINI John Cooper Works Challenge Edition Launches in Australia
We can’t say we’re surprised to learn that MINI has decided to introduce a John Cooper Works Challenge Edition model, but we are a little shocked to learn that it’s exclusive to Australia. The Challenge Edition essentially takes all that’s good about the JCW model, including the stiffer suspension, bigger wheels and more powerful 208-hp…
Video: MINI Countryman Crossover Takes to the Streets
MINI has just release two videos showing its upcoming Countryman crossover in action. The 2011 MINI Countryman (the car may take on other names in other markets) becomes the fourth model in the MINI family and the first with four doors. Despite the foray into the crossover segment, the Countryman retains signature MINI design elements,…
2011 MINI Countryman Crossover Officially Revealed After Pictures Leaked
A day after pictures of its new crossover were leaked out to the web, MINI has officially released details and photographs of the 2011 MINI Countryman. Originally scheduled to be unveiled at next month’s Geneva Auto Show, the Countryman was originally supposed appear at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show but was unfortunately delayed. It is…
Leaked: MINI Countryman Official Photos Slip Out Ahead of Debut
Ahead of its expected debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March, these photos of MINI’s first crossover have leaked onto the net. With an undeniable MINI look, the photos also show the ALL4 badge, indicating MINI’s new AWD system – a first for the brand. Show in concept form at the Paris Auto Show…
Report: European MINIs Get Updates for 2010 Including Larger, More Efficient Base Engine
MINI has just announced a list of engine enhancements for its European lineup in 2010, many of which are expected to be carried over to other markets. For starters, both the Cooper and Cooper S models get a slight boost in power. The Cooper gets a 3-hp jump to 122-hp, while torque is rated at…
Report: Lotus Evora Cup Car Launches With New Spec Series
Lotus has just announced the introduction of the Evora Cup car, which will compete in its own spec series in 2010. Stripped-down and powered-up, the Evora Cup car weighs just 2,645 lbs and features a larger 4.0-liter V6 engine that makes an impressive 395-hp. The race car is built to FIA GT4 specs and will…
Detroit 2010: Lotus Evora, Morgan AeroMax Share Booth Space in Detroit
On display at the Detroit Auto Show, Lotus showed its new flagship sports car, the Evora, alongside another rare British auto, the Morgan AeroMax. The AeroMax sports a BMW sourced 4.8-liter V8 engine and can accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It retails for a whopping $180,000. As for the Evora, it’s Lotus’ all-new…
Detroit 2010: MINI Coupe, Convertible Concepts Confirmed for Production
Essentially a foregone conclusion at this point, MINI has confirmed that both the MINI Coupe Concept and MINI Convertible Concept will see production in the near future. Officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson confirmed the production plans at the Detroit Auto Show, while unveiling the company’s…
Detroit 2010: MINI Beachcomber Concept, First Live Photos
MINI’s new Countryman crossover hasn’t even officially debuted and yet the creative minds at the fun British car company have already turned the platform into a new concept: the MINI Beachcomber Concept. Based on the Countryman’s platform, the MINI Beachcomber Concept takes the crossover’s capable ALL4 all-wheel drive system and sets it free on the…
Report: Patent Filing Reveals Lotus Planning 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission
A filing by Lotus at the U.K. Patent Office has revealed that the British sports car maker is working on a dual-clutch transmission. The quick-shifting unit is reportedly a lighter unit than anything on the market and is a simpler design although you’d never guess it from the details of the patent filing, shown above…
Report: Lotus Exige S Type 72 Celebrates British Brand’s Return to Formula One
To help celebrate the brand’s return to the pinnacle of motorsports, iconic British sports car maker Lotus has just announced the release of the Exige S Type 72. As the name suggests, it’s inspired by the Type 72 F1 car, which was driven by drivers like Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson and Jacky Ickx,…
New Photos: Mansory Cyrus Carbon Fiber Aston Martin DB9
First unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the carbon fiber bodied Aston Martin DB9 (first thought to be a DBS), drew crowds even when competing with the launch of exotics like the Ferrari 458. Needless to say, not all those examining the ultra-thick carbon fiber weave were in favor of the modification. Germany tuner Mansory…
Report: Aston Martin One-77 Hits 220-MPH In Initial Testing
Aston Martin is preparing to launch the One-77, its first ever supercar, next year and the British automaker is so impressed with the car’s initial performance that it sent out a press release to give an update on the project. Just this week the 7.3-liter V12-powered monster began high speed testing at “a top secret…
Report: New Photos of Aston Martin Cygnet Give First Real Look at Luxury Mini-Car
Aston Martin has just released a selection of photos of its Cygnet mini-car concept, giving us the first real look at what this luxury econo-box will be like. Officially still a concept, the Cygnet is expected to go on sale next year in the U.K. and is based on the Toyota iQ mini-car. Sold exclusively…
Detroit Preview: MINI Beachcomber Concept
***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here*** With MINI almost set to unveil its Countryman Crossover, the British brand is already looking towards its next project with the MINI Beachcomber Concept. This open-air vehicle is based on the same underpinnings as the Countryman: the Crossover Concept. It also features the brand’s new ALL4…
Lotus Hires Another Ferrari Exec, This Time to Head-up Design Department
Lotus has just announced the appointment of Donato Coco as the company’s Director of Design in what seems like the latest step in transforming Lotus into Ferrari. Coco, you see, comes with an excellent record of employment, which includes a stint at Ferrari as the Italian automaker’s Director of Design and Development, where he worked…
