Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

In conjunction with Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. 100th anniversary celebrations, the company will present a one-off Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport known as Sang Bleu at Pebble Beach.

Instead of applying two paint colors, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Sang Bleu comes with two different bodywork materials, i.e. carbon fiber and aluminum. The Pebble Beach version features blue carbon fiber with polished aluminum.

The visual carbon fiber is tinted in royal blue while the rear airscoops are tinted in nightblue.

The Sang Bleu stands on a Midnight Blue and Diamond Cut two tone finish rims which are inspired by the Grand Sport Roadster.

Inside, the Bugatti Grand Sport Sang Bleu for the Pebble Beach version features Gaucho leather.

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2011 Steeda Q Series Mustang

Steeda carries a strong reputation within the Ford community as a builder and innovator of original custom parts and equipment. Nowhere is that rep stronger than amongst the Mustang crowd. Earlier this year the company showed a teaser for its latest high performance Mustang–now, in advance of its upcoming official debut at the 2009 SEMA auto show, Steeda has revealed the 2010 Steeda Q Mustang Series. 

Based on the 2010 Ford Mustang, the new Q Series tradition with computer-designed and track-proven parts. Some of the key pieces include Steeda underdrive pulleys, sport springs, billet lower control arms, Steeda Spyder wheels in 20×9.9-inch front and 20×11-inch rear, sport shifter and Nitto NT-05 high-performance tires. Aesthetically, the car also gets a special Steeda hood paint treatment and sidewinder stripes.

Steeda says it is working to make the car the best Steeda Mustang that’s ever hit the road, however, we’ll have to wait until the upcoming SEMA event to see what kind of performance mods the company has in store.

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2011 Audi A3 TDI Clean Diesel

Audi has announced plans to introduce an engine start-stop system on A3 models equipped with the S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. Available on the A3 1.6 TDI and A3 1.4 TFSI, the start/stop system improves fuel efficiency and decreases CO2 emissions. The 1.6 TDI will be rated at 4.2L/100km (56.00 US mpg) and 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer (175.42 g/mile). Likewise, the 1.4 TFSI comes in at 5.3L/100km (44.38 US mpg) and 124 grams of CO2 per kilometer (199.56 g/mile).

In terms of performance, 1.6 TDI produces 77 kW (105 hp) and 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the three-door A3 to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 11.7 seconds, before topping out at 194 km/h (120.55 mph). On the other hand, the 1.4 TFSI packs 92 kW (125 hp) and 200 Nm (147.51 lb-ft) of torque. The dash from 0-100 km/h takes 9.3 seconds, while the top speed is 203 km/h (126.14 mph).

Both A3s are also equipped with an on-board energy-recovery system, which “intelligently controls the alternator to recover energy” during braking and coasting.

Set to be launched this November, German pricing starts at €23,700 (3-door) and €24,600 (Sportback) for the 1.4 TFSI and €25,500 (3-door) and €26,400 (Sportback) for the 1.6 TDI.

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2011 Acura RDX Facelift Revealed

Acura has released details of the redesigned 2010 RDX. Though these official details have not been released to the motoring media, Acura has regardless gone ahead and posted them on its official website.

art of the upgrade is the new Acura corporate front grille with a new front bumper. New alloy wheels are fitted and the rear bumper sports new trim too. The vehicle measures 4.635m in length, 1.870m and stands 1.655m tall. It also has a minimum ground clearance of 15.87cm.

Acura is now giving buyers the option of FWD (front-wheel-drive) with their 2010 RDX. That model becomes the baseline model and sells at US$32,520, US$2,000 less than the AWD version. The latter comes equipped with Acura’s Super-Handling AWD system.

Powering the two vehicles is the 2.3-litre turbo motor that develops some 177kW (240hp) and torque of 260 lb-ft at 4500 rpm. Mated to the engine is a 5-speed automatic shift transmission with paddles for semi-automatic changes. The estimated fuel economy figures for the RDX are 19 and 24mpg for city and highway driving respectively, and 17 and 22mpg for the RDX with SH-AWD.

Safety systems fitted include ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist. Standard wheels are 18″ x 7.5″ aluminium-alloys running on P235/55 R18 tyres.

The inside features automatic dual-zone, humidity control and air filtration, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB audio and iPod interface as well as a 6-CD in-dash changer.

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2011 McLaren MP4-12C

The McLaren MP4-12C is meant to make its dramatic appearance on the supercar stage in 2011. The MP4-12C looks like any other midengine car until you notice the details.The C-pillar location delivers aero efficiency; the rear overhang is notably short.

McLaren says the dihedral doors improve access; they certainly provide visual drama. Although the basic look had already been decided, ex-Ferrari designer Frank Stephenson finalized the details. From its twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 to its carbon-fiber chassis, this car is all McLaren. The twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 makes 600 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.

The cockpit’s simplicity is distinctive. Twin instrument pods flank the driver; an analog tachometer is the key instrument. Since the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is operated by a paddle attached to the steering wheel, there’s neither a shift lever nor a clutch pedal. The driver is protected by the carbon-fiber MonoCell.

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Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

With Mercedes and McLaren battling for supercar supremacy at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the long-rumored Lamborghini Reventón Roadster had become a bit of an afterthought – until now.

Like the original Reventón coupe, which debuted in Frankfurt two years ago, the roadster redefines style, elegance, and insanity. Designed to be a stealth fighter for the road, the Reventón boasts jet-inspired carbon fiber body panels and aggressive 18-inch wheels. Inside, the roadster is decked out in alcantara upholstery and carbon fiber trim.

While details are limited, the roadster will likely be powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine with 650 HP (478 kW) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque. Backed up by a six-speed e-gear transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Reventón will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. If you keep your foot planted, the roadster will top out somewhere in the neighborhood of 340 km/h (211 mph).

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Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept Front Angle View

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz has confirmed that the Cadillac CTS-V coupe has gotten the greenlight. Lutz, a longtime auto executive now in charge of marketing at GM, made the announcement during a web-chat on the automaker’s FastLane website.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept Side Angle View

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept Rear Angle View

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept Interior View

“As of now the V package is planned only for the sedan and coupe,” Lutz wrote. He also left the door open for additions to the product lineup. A sport-wagon variant of the CTS is due out in 2010, which will certainly spur some requests for a V version of the model. To this, Lutz said that if the demand exists, “there is no reason why we couldn’t do a V-Series wagon, and I would be standing in line for one, just ahead of you.”

The V package gives the CTS the same 6.2-liter V8 engine found on the Corvette ZR1. Using the 556 horsepower engine that produces up to 551 ft-lb of torque, the CTS-V sedan managed a blistering 7:59.32 lap on the ‘Ring. Helping out the driver is the Vette’s six-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual transmission. The V-packaged sedan was introduced alongside the CTS coupe at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. This coupe should hit the market in summer, 2010.

Aside from Cadillac, Lutz was also talking Pontiac. The company has given thought to rebranding the Pontiac G8 as the new Chevy Caprice. Lutz told fans that the company is “studying the feasibility of bringing [the G8] in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public.”

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