Is this the 2009 BMW Z4? A member of the Zpost forum spotted this car at a BMW dealership that was being used to film a movie with Micheal Douglas called Solitary Man. One word comes to mind: Sexy.

[via Zpost]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Mercedes might be taking a drastic step to cut its fleet’s overall emissions and improve its fuel economy by droppings its V-12-engine. Prior to the rise in the importance of the fuel economy as of lately, Mercedes-Benz was working on a replacement engine for its flagship models. Its work is now rumored to be leaning towards a twin-turbocharged V-8, which could make similar horsepower but should return better gas mileage. This will affect all 600 and 65 models and maybe even the Maybach sedans.

[via Top Speed]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Fisker will be unleashing the production version of its Karma electric/hybrid sedan at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car will be utilizing GM’s Ecotec four-cylinder engine combined to an electric power plant for a potential gas mileage of 100 miles per gallon. The official zero-to-sixty time of the Karma is 5.8 seconds. 

Deliver of the $87,900 sedan will start in November of 2009.

[via The Car Connection]

Porsche has released more photos of its upcoming 2010 Porsche Panamera sedan. See all the hi-resolution photos here.

[via Serious Wheels]

via duPont REGISTRY

9ff displayed a 900-hp Carrera GT at the Essen Motor Show in Germany over the Thanksgiving weekend. The 9ff GTT900 gains the extra 295 horsepower via a pair of turbochargers that were slapped onto the engine, a revised exhaust, and new camshafts. The show car was painted red with carbon-fiber accents,  had cut-out front wheel wells, and a fixed rear wing.

[via Supercars.net]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Pictures and details of Porsche’s new venture into the four-door coupe marketplace have finally been released. The car is rumored to come with a standard V-6 engine, a 400-hp V-8, and a turbocharged V-8 with 500 hp. The Panamera will utilize the 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission that first debuted in the 2009 911. Rear-wheel drive will be standard on the naturally-aspirated engines, with four-wheel drive being standard on the Panamera Turbo model and optional on its siblings. A hybrid is in the works; to be released later in the car’s life.  A full release, including more juicy details, of the Panamera is expected in the spring of 2009. More pictures here.

[via Porsche]

Provided duPont REGISTRY

Fox News is reporting that the big three auto manufacturers are not the only ones asking for a bailout. Tesla Motors is seeking a piece of that $25-billion auto-loan pie. The $400 million they are asking for would primarily be used for two projects; most likely finishing production of the Tesla Roadster and to start production of their cheaper, four-door electric sedan. If Tesla closed down, it would not have near the widespread impact like the big three would, but Congress may want to give it a helping hand since its environmentally-friendly vehicles are now seen as the future.

[via Truth About Cars]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Debuting at the L.A. Auto show are the mildly-revised 2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman models. Like the 2009 911, the Cayman’s and Boxster’s changes are hard to spot; even for some enthusiasts. The 2009 tweaks include new head lamps, tail lamps, rear diffuser and some minor cosmetic changes in the cabin.

Both cars receive a power boost in both their standard and optional engines. The Cayman now creates the most out of the duo to help justify its price premium over the Boxster. The 2.9-liter F-6 is standard in both cars and now makes 265 hp in the Cayman and 255 in the Boxster.  The Cayman S and Boxster S, equipped with the 3.4-liter F-6, now produce 320 and 310 hp, respectfully.

Both cars will now take advantage of Porsche’s dual-clutch PDK transmission that was just released in the 2009 911. The PDK is able to shift so quick, acceleration times with the PDK are faster than that of the manual-equipped cars. More pictures here.

[via Car and Driver]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Unlike the Superleggera, the Gallardo LP560-4 will come to market sans its top. The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder is rumored to have already hit a delay in production and won’t be in showrooms until late 2009, maybe even 2010. Performance should be only a few ticks off from the coupe, with sixty coming in less than 4 seconds and with a top speed of close to 202 mph.

[via The German Car Blog]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

When 9ff decided to build the world’s fastest car, its crosshairs were on the Bugatti Veyron with its 253-mph top speed. Unfortunately for 9ff, the SSC Ultimate Aero came out of nowhere to take the reins of the title with an average top speed of 255 mph. Not one to just sit in second place, 9ff has decided to tinker with its 254-mph GT9 to hopefully blow the doors off the whole competition. Initial estimates have the 9ff GT9R producing 133 more horsepower and 64 more pounds per foot of torque for a total of  1120 hp and 774 lb-ft. The engine will be the same 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged F-6 engine used in the original car.  

Since only 20 GT9s were ever scheduled for delivery, expect the GT9R to be limited to very few units. Pricing will most likely be above the bargain-priced $785,677 MSRP for the GT9, which pales in comparison to the price paid for a new Veyron.

[via Motor Authority]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY