Delhi Motor Show: Honda New small Car Concept Premiere

Honda has announced plans to unveil a new small car concept at the 10th Auto Expo automobile show in New Delhi on January 5. Just last week, Toyota made almost the exact same announcement and both Japanese automakers are staying mum on any actual details.


According to The Wall Street Journal, Honda's entry in the hotly-contested market of India is being referred to internally as the "New Small Concept," and while it's intended primarily for emerging markets (think: Tata Nano), the vehicle is being engineered so that it could be sold in other parts of the world.


Interestingly, in addition to the NSC, Honda will also use the Delhi Motor Show to show off its the concept version of its CR-Z hybrid (shown above), originally seen at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this year. With brochure images already circulating of the production CR-Z, we expect to see the for-sale version premiere as soon as next month's Detroit Auto Show.


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Auction: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg

If you dig classic auctions and can't make it to Pebble, there will be a live webcast on the Gooding site at www.goodingco.com. Yet even though David Gooding said "Today's records become tomorrow's bargains," we don't expect to see any bargains at this year's show.


Pebble Beach regular Gooding & Company will be bringing three special cars to this year's auction and the vintage rides are said to carry not only the requisite pedigree, but are expected to be barometers of the classic car market at a time when values are, at best, variable.


Included are a 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan owned and restored by the late, great racer Phil Hill and being auctioned by his estate. It won Best of Pebble in 1977 and has never been auctioned before. Joining it will be a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Roadster (pictured) that was a gift from an heiress to a Georgian nobleman (Soviet Georgia, that is). Finally there's a car we can't help but love: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. We don't care if it has a story or not. We want it. Desperately.


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PRESS RELEASE

A Triumph in Duesenberg Design:
Crowning the cover of Gooding & Company's 2009 Pebble Beach catalogue, the regal 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster with coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz will be an exciting highlight offered at Gooding & Company's Sunday evening auction. One of 36 SJs created in 1935 and later described to be the most successful Bohman & Schwartz design ever created for Duesenberg, Chassis 2596 was originally an extravagant gift passed from Woolworth heiress, Barbara Hutton, to her very close friend Prince Serge M'Divani, of the Soviet Georgian Noble family. The car was later purchased during the 1950s by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club's then President Jerry Gebby of Dayton, Ohio, who took the wheel on its historic drive from Dayton to Tucson in 1960, traveling 129 miles at an average of 103 mph. Collectors and enthusiasts alike may also recognize this car from this year's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it won First in Class.

"The Champion's Champion" -- Phil Hill's Purple Packard:
For the first time ever at auction, this 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan, once owned and personally restored by Racing Legend Phil Hill, is a car to watch at the Gooding & Company Sunday evening auction. The only Murphy-bodied 343 believed to exist, this car left the Detroit plant as a bare chassis in 1927 and landed in the Pasadena workshop of the famed Walter M. Murphy Company, where it was custom fit with luxurious coachwork and later sold in Santa Monica. Purchased by Phil Hill in 1967, the car was later restored to immaculate condition in the original Packard lilac color combination by Phil Hill himself together with renowned partner Ken Vaughn and first employee Bob Mosier. With this car, Phil Hill won his second Best of Show trophy at the 1977 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Summary on Pebble Beach Auction:
The Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction is located at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. Preview days will be from Wednesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 16, 2009. The Saturday evening auction will commence at 5:00 PM and the Sunday evening auction will commence at 6:00 PM. Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auction. General admission to the viewing and the auction can be purchased at the tent for $40 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com.

Auction: Gooding tests the market with Phil Hill's Packard and a prince's Duesenberg

If you dig classic auctions and can't make it to Pebble, there will be a live webcast on the Gooding site at www.goodingco.com. Yet even though David Gooding said "Today's records become tomorrow's bargains," we don't expect to see any bargains at this year's show.


Pebble Beach regular Gooding & Company will be bringing three special cars to this year's auction and the vintage rides are said to carry not only the requisite pedigree, but are expected to be barometers of the classic car market at a time when values are, at best, variable.


Included are a 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan owned and restored by the late, great racer Phil Hill and being auctioned by his estate. It won Best of Pebble in 1977 and has never been auctioned before. Joining it will be a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Roadster (pictured) that was a gift from an heiress to a Georgian nobleman (Soviet Georgia, that is). Finally there's a car we can't help but love: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider. We don't care if it has a story or not. We want it. Desperately.


More Photos


PRESS RELEASE

A Triumph in Duesenberg Design:
Crowning the cover of Gooding & Company's 2009 Pebble Beach catalogue, the regal 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Roadster with coachwork by Bohman & Schwartz will be an exciting highlight offered at Gooding & Company's Sunday evening auction. One of 36 SJs created in 1935 and later described to be the most successful Bohman & Schwartz design ever created for Duesenberg, Chassis 2596 was originally an extravagant gift passed from Woolworth heiress, Barbara Hutton, to her very close friend Prince Serge M'Divani, of the Soviet Georgian Noble family. The car was later purchased during the 1950s by the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club's then President Jerry Gebby of Dayton, Ohio, who took the wheel on its historic drive from Dayton to Tucson in 1960, traveling 129 miles at an average of 103 mph. Collectors and enthusiasts alike may also recognize this car from this year's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it won First in Class.

"The Champion's Champion" -- Phil Hill's Purple Packard:
For the first time ever at auction, this 1927 Packard 343 Convertible Sedan, once owned and personally restored by Racing Legend Phil Hill, is a car to watch at the Gooding & Company Sunday evening auction. The only Murphy-bodied 343 believed to exist, this car left the Detroit plant as a bare chassis in 1927 and landed in the Pasadena workshop of the famed Walter M. Murphy Company, where it was custom fit with luxurious coachwork and later sold in Santa Monica. Purchased by Phil Hill in 1967, the car was later restored to immaculate condition in the original Packard lilac color combination by Phil Hill himself together with renowned partner Ken Vaughn and first employee Bob Mosier. With this car, Phil Hill won his second Best of Show trophy at the 1977 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Summary on Pebble Beach Auction:
The Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction is located at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. Preview days will be from Wednesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 16, 2009. The Saturday evening auction will commence at 5:00 PM and the Sunday evening auction will commence at 6:00 PM. Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction catalogues are available for $100 and admit two to the viewing and the auction. General admission to the viewing and the auction can be purchased at the tent for $40 per person. Bidder registration forms, press credentials and additional auction information are available at www.goodingco.com.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer lineup includes new MR Limited

Remember the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback we showed you back in October? The one that debuted in Paris? The one that we lusted after for its hatchback practicality and Ralliart brawn? The one that the good folks from Mitsubishi had promised we'd be getting here in the States this summer as an early 2010 model? Well, Mitsubishi has delivered. Sort of.


A few Mitsu reps drove down to Irvine from Cypress with a genuine 2010 Ralliart Sportback. And not only that, but they dragged along an Evo GSR and an all-new MR Limited as well.


The Ralliart Sportback drew a lot of attention for its shape, but the Limited was the one that caught our eye. It's a regular old MR with a few differences. In place of the Alcantara bits, Mitsubishi has gone all-cowhide inside. There are also a few additions to the standard options list, including an Evo-first moonroof.


Out back, the car has gone undercover by foregoing the large wing that has heretofore characterized the Evo sedans. Sounds like the Evo MR for grownups. Mitsu's reps remained tight-lipped on the details, but pricing is likely to top $40,000 for this model. We didn't get as many shots as we would have liked, but we did manage to get a few that we've assembled in the gallery below. As soon as we get more details, we'll fill you in.
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2010 Mitsubishi Lancer lineup includes new MR Limited

Remember the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback we showed you back in October? The one that debuted in Paris? The one that we lusted after for its hatchback practicality and Ralliart brawn? The one that the good folks from Mitsubishi had promised we'd be getting here in the States this summer as an early 2010 model? Well, Mitsubishi has delivered. Sort of.


A few Mitsu reps drove down to Irvine from Cypress with a genuine 2010 Ralliart Sportback. And not only that, but they dragged along an Evo GSR and an all-new MR Limited as well.


The Ralliart Sportback drew a lot of attention for its shape, but the Limited was the one that caught our eye. It's a regular old MR with a few differences. In place of the Alcantara bits, Mitsubishi has gone all-cowhide inside. There are also a few additions to the standard options list, including an Evo-first moonroof.


Out back, the car has gone undercover by foregoing the large wing that has heretofore characterized the Evo sedans. Sounds like the Evo MR for grownups. Mitsu's reps remained tight-lipped on the details, but pricing is likely to top $40,000 for this model. We didn't get as many shots as we would have liked, but we did manage to get a few that we've assembled in the gallery below. As soon as we get more details, we'll fill you in.
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Father's Day, 90210 style: the 2009 Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is most known for its luxury boutiques like Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton, but during Father's Day it's all about the cars. For the past several years, the city of Beverly Hills has blocked traffic along the famous street between Santa Monica Blvd and Dayton Way for the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance. The show is free to spectators, making it a popular outing for car-loving dads all over Southern California.


This year's event featured a unique collection of classic and vintage cars, highlighted by a spectacular 1939 Delahaye 165 and a trio of Bentley race cars from the 1920s. Rare and quirky supercars seemed to be a common theme, with a Bugatti EB110 SS, Cizeta Moroder V16T, and Vector WX-3R all on display. There were also a healthy amount of Shelby Cobras, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwings, classic Ferraris, and more.


More Photos

Father's Day, 90210 style: the 2009 Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is most known for its luxury boutiques like Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton, but during Father's Day it's all about the cars. For the past several years, the city of Beverly Hills has blocked traffic along the famous street between Santa Monica Blvd and Dayton Way for the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance. The show is free to spectators, making it a popular outing for car-loving dads all over Southern California.


This year's event featured a unique collection of classic and vintage cars, highlighted by a spectacular 1939 Delahaye 165 and a trio of Bentley race cars from the 1920s. Rare and quirky supercars seemed to be a common theme, with a Bugatti EB110 SS, Cizeta Moroder V16T, and Vector WX-3R all on display. There were also a healthy amount of Shelby Cobras, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwings, classic Ferraris, and more.


More Photos

New Zealand's Hulme supercar company developing three new models

New Zealand may not be known as a Mecca for world motorsports, but this hasn't stopped the company from aspiring to create a car worthy of New Zealand's only F1 world champion Denny Hulme, for whom the company is named. The Hulme supercar project has been under development for over five years now, and earlier this year we reported on the first public tests for the Hulme supercar. Now, with some new information from Jock Freemantle, the auto enthusiast and entrepreneur behind the car, we can bring you a thorough update about the future of the project.


When it comes to stripped-down race cars for the road, there are a number of options already available for drivers out there, such as the KTM X-Bow and Caparo T1. Hoping to shake things up a bit with these marques is a company all the way from New Zealand, Hulme, which is developing its own road-legal car that strives to give motorists the closest experience to driving an F1 car as possible.


According to Freemantle, the company will be building three different models, including an extreme 'CanAm' variant to honor Denny Hulmes' two CanAm championship wins. This car has graced the pages of MotorAuthority already, and the fact that it is powered by GM's LS7 V8 engine but still features no driver aids is an indication of its focus as a purist driver's car. With claims of close to 600hp (448kW) and a curb weight of around 1,000kg, the performance should be capable to say the least, and in the future Hulme may even consider a supercharged variant of the LS7 that could push horsepower figures even higher.


Two other models will also be appearing, the Hulme Spyder and the Hulme F1. For these models, Hulme is remaining secretive about what engines will be used, but the company is in talks with a number of engine manufacturers - including two that build F1 engines.


Pricing for all three models remains uncertain, but Freemantle estimated that the Hulme CanAm will cost around €280,000 ($395,000) at the European launch in 2010. Currently, the company is not taking any orders for the car until it has completed development of an EU certified car that it can demonstrate, but the company claims there is significant interest in the project. A U.S. launch is possible, should the car achieve success in other markets also.


The Hulme Spyder is expected to complete development in 2010, and when it’s released it will feature the same chassis as the track-focused CanAm, but will also feature a windscreen and wipers, as well as modified aerodynamic pieces and a new rear end. An exact timeline for the development of the Hulme F1 car, meanwhile, has not been revealed but according to Freemantle the Hulme F1 will be a 2-seater, closed road car.


Hulme has also just released an IPO for its company, with the hope of raising between NZ$2 million - NZ$7.5 million ($1.3 million - $4.8 million) to aid development of the three models. In the meantime, we'll be bringing more updates about the Hulme supercar project as it evolves.
via:motorauthority

New Zealand's Hulme supercar company developing three new models

New Zealand may not be known as a Mecca for world motorsports, but this hasn't stopped the company from aspiring to create a car worthy of New Zealand's only F1 world champion Denny Hulme, for whom the company is named. The Hulme supercar project has been under development for over five years now, and earlier this year we reported on the first public tests for the Hulme supercar. Now, with some new information from Jock Freemantle, the auto enthusiast and entrepreneur behind the car, we can bring you a thorough update about the future of the project.


When it comes to stripped-down race cars for the road, there are a number of options already available for drivers out there, such as the KTM X-Bow and Caparo T1. Hoping to shake things up a bit with these marques is a company all the way from New Zealand, Hulme, which is developing its own road-legal car that strives to give motorists the closest experience to driving an F1 car as possible.


According to Freemantle, the company will be building three different models, including an extreme 'CanAm' variant to honor Denny Hulmes' two CanAm championship wins. This car has graced the pages of MotorAuthority already, and the fact that it is powered by GM's LS7 V8 engine but still features no driver aids is an indication of its focus as a purist driver's car. With claims of close to 600hp (448kW) and a curb weight of around 1,000kg, the performance should be capable to say the least, and in the future Hulme may even consider a supercharged variant of the LS7 that could push horsepower figures even higher.


Two other models will also be appearing, the Hulme Spyder and the Hulme F1. For these models, Hulme is remaining secretive about what engines will be used, but the company is in talks with a number of engine manufacturers - including two that build F1 engines.


Pricing for all three models remains uncertain, but Freemantle estimated that the Hulme CanAm will cost around €280,000 ($395,000) at the European launch in 2010. Currently, the company is not taking any orders for the car until it has completed development of an EU certified car that it can demonstrate, but the company claims there is significant interest in the project. A U.S. launch is possible, should the car achieve success in other markets also.


The Hulme Spyder is expected to complete development in 2010, and when it’s released it will feature the same chassis as the track-focused CanAm, but will also feature a windscreen and wipers, as well as modified aerodynamic pieces and a new rear end. An exact timeline for the development of the Hulme F1 car, meanwhile, has not been revealed but according to Freemantle the Hulme F1 will be a 2-seater, closed road car.


Hulme has also just released an IPO for its company, with the hope of raising between NZ$2 million - NZ$7.5 million ($1.3 million - $4.8 million) to aid development of the three models. In the meantime, we'll be bringing more updates about the Hulme supercar project as it evolves.
via:motorauthority

Hanna-Barbera's Wacky Races Cartoon Cars Come to Life in Britain

The love of motorsports starts at a young age for many racing fans, and countless enthusiasts owe their obsession to Hanna-Barbera's classic Wacky Races cartoons. The 60's-era animated series featured all manner of characters competing wheel to cartoon wheel in the most hilarious automotive concoctions ever rendered on celluloid.

The complete set of the Wacky Races cars along with their respective characters will be displayed on purpose-built desert set at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that takes place on the 3rd to the 5th of July 3-5 July.
Source: CarScoop via autoblog

Hanna-Barbera's Wacky Races Cartoon Cars Come to Life in Britain

The love of motorsports starts at a young age for many racing fans, and countless enthusiasts owe their obsession to Hanna-Barbera's classic Wacky Races cartoons. The 60's-era animated series featured all manner of characters competing wheel to cartoon wheel in the most hilarious automotive concoctions ever rendered on celluloid.

The complete set of the Wacky Races cars along with their respective characters will be displayed on purpose-built desert set at the Goodwood Festival of Speed that takes place on the 3rd to the 5th of July 3-5 July.
Source: CarScoop via autoblog

Great Wall Hits it again with a CLS-kind of a Thing

This CHC011 might look a little, only just, like that German car but still I like to see Great Wall experimenting around. This is definitely better than a Cool Bear, that car by a way doesn't seem to Hit It, I've seen only one on Beijing's streets until today.


CHC011 shares its 3.0 V6 engine with that Hover H7 but as I get it no four wheel drive. Maybe the power will all go to the rear? A muscle car from China will be good, 400 hp please in this CHC011, and another name. No word yet on anything more, we'll see in Shanghai.


100409, Beijing. It was only yesterday oh yesterday that Great Wall leaked some images of a funny looking suv. Funny, but original. Today the wall leaks again and here we have a sedan-coupe cross over prototype called the CHC011. Say that again ma? CHC011, it doesn't really roll off my tongue easy but that might have to do with last night's beer, hik!
via The Tycho




Other article:
Shanghai Auto Show: Changan Motors e301 Crossover Concept
Roewe N1 concept sedan debut at the Shanghai
BMW-Brilliance 3 Series launched in Beijing

Great Wall Hits it again with a CLS-kind of a Thing

This CHC011 might look a little, only just, like that German car but still I like to see Great Wall experimenting around. This is definitely better than a Cool Bear, that car by a way doesn't seem to Hit It, I've seen only one on Beijing's streets until today.


CHC011 shares its 3.0 V6 engine with that Hover H7 but as I get it no four wheel drive. Maybe the power will all go to the rear? A muscle car from China will be good, 400 hp please in this CHC011, and another name. No word yet on anything more, we'll see in Shanghai.


100409, Beijing. It was only yesterday oh yesterday that Great Wall leaked some images of a funny looking suv. Funny, but original. Today the wall leaks again and here we have a sedan-coupe cross over prototype called the CHC011. Say that again ma? CHC011, it doesn't really roll off my tongue easy but that might have to do with last night's beer, hik!
via The Tycho




Other article:
Shanghai Auto Show: Changan Motors e301 Crossover Concept
Roewe N1 concept sedan debut at the Shanghai
BMW-Brilliance 3 Series launched in Beijing

Roewe N1 concept sedan debut at the Shanghai

Back in 2004, Chinese firm Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) purchased the rights to assemble the Rover 25 and 75 from British automaker MG. Since then, SAIC has been content to offer a few vehicles that closely resemble the old Rover designs under the Roewe brand name. If the new Roewe N1 sedan concept is anything to go by, it looks as if the Chinese automaker is finally ready to branch out with something a bit more modern.


So far, all we have are renderings of the sleek new sedan, but the real thing is expected to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show next week. We look forward to finding out whether the Jaguar XF-esque sedan's coupe-like profile is retained when the N1 makes its official entrance in the metal. Stay tuned.
via:autoblog



Other article:
Video & Photos: Roewe 550 Receives 5 Stars in Chinese-NCAP Crash Tests
Spy Photos of Roewe SUV based on the SsangYong Kyron
Roewe 550, 750 arrive in Chile as MGs
Shanghai Auto Show: Changan Motors e301 Crossover Concept