In the wake of the recently unveiled Bayswater and Baker Street versions, Mini presents another model inspired by London and dedicated to the upcoming Olympic Games, that will take place in the British capital this coming Summer. Unlike the aforementioned two variants, the Highgate trim will be made available for the Mini Cabrio only, that surely needs some sort of boost after the launch of the more captivating Mini Roadster.

The model is available for order with the following engine options: a 1.6-litre petrol in power steps of 122 hp (Cooper) and 184 hp (Cooper S), a 1.6-litre diesel producing 112 hp (Cooper D) and a 143 hp 2.0-litre diesel (Cooper SD), all of which will be coupled to either an automatic or a manual 6-speed gearbox. The Mini Highgate comes with an exclusive ‘Iced Chocolate’ metallic paint job, featuring brown longitudinal stripes with light blue outline, but Midnight Black and White Silver color schemes will also be made available. The model rolls on 17″ Double Cross alloys with gloss finishing inspired by the Union Jack pattern.

Inside we have Dark Truffle leather with contrasting light blue stitching, stainless steel pedals, Suntouched Brushed Alloy interior trim elements, Chrome Line interior package and floor-mats with Dark Truffle edging. The distinctive Highgate logo can be found near the external side indicators, on the door sills and on seat tags. The Mini Cabrio Highgate should become available on the market in April.

View the full Mini Cabrio Highgate photo gallery

0 comments

Shelby American is about to celebrate its first 50 years of history, and to celebrate the event properly they have presented three special Anniversary Limited Edition Ford Mustang models: the GTS, the GT350 and the staggering Shelby GT500 Super Snake. “Few thought that Shelby American would make it in the car business for 50 years“, said founder Carroll Shelby, “We built the first Cobra in a rented garage and then GT350’s in an old hanger. But our company is still here, manufacturing the best cars that I’ve ever made.” All three models will be produced in a series of 100 units - 50 black and 50 white cars for each model - which will come with an exclusive set of dedicated golden decals.

Needless to say, the three models will get some extra horses under the bonnet, too. The GT500 Super Snake will be available as a coupe or convertible in power steps of 650, 750 and 800 hp. Based on the Ford Shelby GT500, this anniversary package begins at 59,995 $, not inclusive of the price of the base car. La GT 350 uses LeMans racing stripes and is based on Ford Mustang GT 5.0. This model too will be available in three power configurations (430, 525 and 624 hp) and with coupe and cabrio body types. Those who will choose the GTS will also be given the chance to choose between two engine options: a 3.7-litre V6 3.7 or the new naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8. Check out the whole lot in our photo gallery.

View the full Shelby Anniversary Edition Mustangs photo gallery

0 comments

Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division has released a new official video starring the upcoming SLK55 AMG roadster, which was firstly introduced to the world back in August and has been spotted at several motor shows since. This one is going to be the third generation of model, and will come with a 5.5-litre V8 engine delivering 422 hp and 540 Nm of peak torque coupled with AMG’s own 7-speed automatic SpeedShift Plus transmission. The car goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h, while the average fuel consumption is down to 8.5 l/100 km, thanks in most part to its start-stop technology and to the advanced AMG Cylinder Management system. The new Mercedes SLK55 AMG is scheduled to be launched at some point in 2012, although an official release-date is yet to be confirmed.

via | SG CarMart

0 comments

Mercedes-Benz will present the new SL m.y. 2013 at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit, this coming January, but apparently somebody just managed to put his hands on some sort of German brochure of the model as the very first images of the eagerly awaited new roadster from the three-pointed star have just surfaced on the internet. Website Germancarforum.com published some grainy shots that show us exterior, interior and instrumentation panel of the model, which is actually quite reminiscent of the current SLK in all these aspects.

As previously reported in an extensive post, we already know that the new SL will make use of a super-light aluminum body shell which will allow it to be 140 kg lighter than its predecessor, and will feature some interesting new technology such as the FrontBass sound system (with bass loudspeakers placed in the footwells) and the Magic Vision Control (an innovative adaptive windscreen washing system). As for the engine range, rumor has it that a naturally aspirated 3.5 litre V6 unit will equip the SL350 while a 4.6-litre V8 should pulse under the bonnet of the SL500. We expect Mercedes-Benz to reveal more details about the new SL in the near future.

via | 4WheelsNews

0 comments

The Citroen DS3 Cabriolet looks like it won’t have the same folding roof mechanism as the Fiat 500C, despite this being considered the favoured option for some time. It seems like the DS3 will go “anti-retro” again, and have a mixed folding roof mechanism which maintains the front look of the hatchback and which finishes in a soft top fabric roof which folds back entirely onto the boot.

From the design, we can see that structural rigidity will be maintained through the door frames which will stay the same. Rear passengers however, will get a full open air experience in a style that resembles some open top jeeps. All will be revealed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, when the Citroen DS3 cabriolet will probably debut.

Source | Autosblog.fr

0 comments

The Opel Astra Cabriolet won’t debut for a while yet, but we already know a fair bit about the model, what with the Astra Cabriolet teaser pic joining recent spy shots. The new open-top Astra which should go some way to competing with models like the revived Volkswagen Golf Cabrio, will have a fabric roof and a style said to be inspired by the Astra GTC.

That latter model will also lend its engine range to the Astra cabrio, which promises to be a sporty little model if all this comes to pass. The cabriolet model, according to Car Magazine, will be offered as a separate model to the rest of the range and not as simply a drop-top Astra, much like the distinction between the Volkswagen Eos and the Golf.

In an interview with design head Mark Adams, we find out that the Opel Astra Cabriolet will be called something different as the model will have quite different aspects to the Astra nameplate we know. The new model forms part of a specific strategy from the German brand that also includes changes to the Insignia and a remodelling of the Astra and Meriva models.

The Opel brand relaunch has begun and will include niche models like the small Opel Junior, this Astra cabrio and the compact SUV currently called the Opel Cross Corsa. The Opel Astra cabrio model should get a 2012 launch, with sales starting in Europe in summer.

0 comments

Get your Italian car fashion fix today with the video of the Maserati GranCabrio Fendi. The model was presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and is basically an excuse to unite two Italian brands - Maserati and Fendi - in a fashion car mix. The GranCabrio keeps its 4.7-litre V8 engine with 440 hp but gets a new Fendi trim.

The GranCabrio Fendi edition gets a special three-layer paint in iridescent gold, 19-inch Trident Design wheels and Fendi logos on the door sills and upholstery, with the Maserati logo at times featured in yellow. Standing out in particular are the Fendi yellow brake callipers. See how it evolved in the Fendi Maserati making of video.

0 comments

The Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster might have gotten rid of the gullwing doors from the coupé model, but we still think it’s awfully good looking. In these new pics it looks like the AMG Roadster was zipped down to Bavaria for a few pics in front of a castle. The gullwing doors were the impractical but attractive part of the SLS AMG which gave the hardtop model all its charm, but the Roadster is just as good in everything else to make it worthy of its nameplate.

We can’t wait to see whether Mercedes’ gamble to provide the same performance and svelte style on the Roadster as the SLS hardtop will pay off, but we suspect it will. The open-air driving pleasure of the SLS AMG Roadster comes from the same 6.2-litre AMG V8 engine with 571 hp and 650 Nm of torque.

Top speed is 317 km/hr and the Roadster sprints to 100 km/hr in 3.8 seconds. New AMG Ride Control suspension is included, and the space frame aluminium chassis gives rigidity while adding just 40 kg to the coupé model. Beyond that, we think it’s hard to find a drop-top with this same kind of performance and style on the market - check out the new pics below to see just how much Mercedes is showing off its latest AMG pride and joy.

Continue reading: Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster new pics

0 comments

The two millionth Mini to roll out of Oxford production facilities in the UK had prime minister David Cameron on board and a few celebratory graphics to honour the economic contribution of the Mini brand and BMW investment to the UK. In fact, British Mini production is to get another £500 million investment package.

The Mini 2 Million model is a one-off special anniversary model which will be the prize in a global Facebook campaign to compile the faces of two million Mini fans. The winner will be chose at random when the competition ends on September 30th. And my local supermarket’s having a Skoda raffle… (still, I’m buying a ticket). Check out the two millionth Mini pics below.

Continue reading: Mini two millionth cabrio

0 comments

We were hardly in time to write about the axing of the Lancia Flavia sedan for Europe with the appearance of only the cabrio model, when Lancia officially announced the Lancia Flavia cabriolet at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. It has obviously done so with no mention of the sedan, but the announcement confirms that the Chrysler 200 open top will be coming to Europe.

In these pics, the Lancia Flavia is looking quite good and thanks to Chrysler the brand returns to the cabrio segment. The model is 4.9 metres long with space for four adults and has a new Lancia badge upfront matched by 18-inch wheels and LED technology on the rear lights.

The soft top roof opens and shuts mechanically and has apparently been designed to store away so that the car keeps its sleek lines when cruising with the top down. The interior gets some swanky Lancia finishes with chrome trim, leather seats, multifunction steering wheel and touch screen display. In fact there will only be one Flavia cabrio model available, that is Full Optional with a 2.4-litre aspirated petrol unit with 175 hp and six-speed automatic gearbox. We’ve only got this one photo from Lancia, so we’ll have to wait for Frankfurt for more pics and details.

0 comments