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Renault planning 50th anniversary Alpine tribute concept for Paris

Rocky — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:31:05 +0000

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Rumormill

Love it or hate it, the automotive industry of today is not lacking for its exercises in reviving old nameplates. The trend ranges from Mini to Maybach, from Dodge Dart to Dodge Challenger. And the French are certainly not immune. Citroën revived its fabled DS moniker for a range of premium hatchbacks, and Renault – most of all – has been mulling bringing back the Alpine for years now.

Arguably just as central to Renault’s performance heritage as the recently revived Gordini line, Alpine made mid-engined sportscars with Renault mechanicals starting in the 1950s and discontinued four decades later. Its most famous model, however, was the A110 (pictured above), which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. And if a new report from Autocar is accurate, Renault has no intention of letting the occasion slip by unnoticed.

In fact, the French automaker is reportedly planning an Alpine concept car to unveil at the Paris Motor Show next fall. But the question remains whether there’s any production potential with such a concept. The French are known for producing some rather intriguing show cars – sportscars in particular – that never seem to get very far from the show stand, from the GTbyCitroën to the Renault DeZir.

Whether Renault can make the business case – without the North American market, at that – to take on the sports car establishment remains to be seen, but having the Nissan product bin to raid certainly couldn’t hurt.

Renault planning 50th anniversary Alpine tribute concept for Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM planning a big splash at Detroit auto show

Rocky — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:15:06 +0000

General Motors Co. is vowing to make a splash at the North American International Auto Show next month with at least four new products set to make their debut.
msnbc.com: Autos

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Aston Martin planning two or three Lagonda models

Rocky — Sat, 21 May 2011 21:16:40 +0000

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Aston Martin

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this year, we reported that Aston Martin had allegedly given its Lagonda crossover concept the green light for production. Now, in speaking to Europe’s CAR magazine, Aston CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez has confirmed that the concept will spawn “two or three” new Lagonda models.

Aston Martin is planning two full-fledged Lagonda crossovers – one that focuses on sport, and one more geared to all-terrain prowess, along the lines of the Audi Allroad, according to CAR. The sporty Lagonda would likely use a low-riding chassis and larger 21-inch wheels, while the more traditional CUV would have more modest suspension and wheel fittings.

The third potential offering? A luxury sedan not unlike the original Lagonda four-door from decades ago. CAR reports that, like Aston’s smaller Cygnet, the Lagonda sedan would combine traditional luxury amenities with “advanced packaging and a sophisticated drivetrain.”

No word on how long it will take Aston Martin to ready its Lagonda sub-brand, but since the company seems to be quite serious about launching this duo (or trio) of vehicles, we could see something crop up within the next few years.

Aston Martin planning two or three Lagonda models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Lincoln planning a compact concept for the LA Auto Show?

Rocky — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:20:19 +0000

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Lincoln, Rumormill

Lincoln Concept C – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Automotive News, there may be a new Lincoln concept headed to this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, based on Ford’s global small car platform. Information on the car is scarce for now, as Ford is keeping its lips buttoned on the rumor. Though the company won’t spill its guts on the possible luxury compact, anonymous insiders claim designers are plugging away as we speak and the car is forthcoming.

We first got a glimpse at a possible Lincoln-branded compact at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, where the automaker debuted the Concept C (pictured above). This concept was powered by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, so perhaps this new, Los Angeles-bound concept is simply a further evolution of the funky little Lincoln from a few years back. The Concept C was said to ride on next-gen (2012) Focus architecture, after all.

The move would certainly make sense for Dearborn, as Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz both have luxury concepts penned and aimed at production. For now, we’re left to wait until the LA Auto Show in November to see what the Blue Oval’s luxury department has in store.

Gallery: Lincoln Concept C

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Is Lincoln planning a compact concept for the LA Auto Show? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus planning to bring three new models, hotter CT200h to market

Rocky — Tue, 03 May 2011 09:21:12 +0000

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Lexus, Australia, Luxury

It looks like Lexus is planning to bring a range of new models and customer options to market in Australia soon. The Japanese luxury brand has met with struggling sales down under, and according to The Age, the automaker plans to reverse that slide by giving buyers more choices. According to Tony Cramb, the chief executive of Lexus, that will begin with the addition of a number of new paint colors and interior finishes to put the Lexus option sheet on par with what rivals Audi and BMW offer their buyers.

In addition, the Lexus showroom will grow a little more crowded with the introduction of three new models. Those include a CUV, a more affordable luxury sedan and a seven-passenger SUV. Details on those creations are slim at the moment, though Cramb says that the vehicles will join a new hotter version of the CT 200h called the CT 300h. That wee beastie will come with a more potent gasoline engine and a jazzed-up electric motor to match.

Lexus planning to bring three new models, hotter CT200h to market originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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