Lexus IS Hatchback Makes the CT Look Like Crap

This rendered Lexus IS hatchback is a huge improvement over the existing CT hybird hatch. Now only if Lexus would build it.

Sadly, this Lexus IS hatchback is just a rendering created by the always talented Theophilus Chin. And it proves just how ugly the automaker’s current hatchback, the CT, really is. The CT also doesn’t win any points due to the fact that it’s a hybrid. But the new IS sedan is really a solid-looking car, no doubt one of the best things to have ever come out of Lexus’s design studio. And judging by these renderings it’d look great as a hatchback too.

Instead of the CT’s puny hybrid drivetrain, the IS hatch would pack either a 2.5- or 3.5-liter V6. But what we’d really like to see is a new IS F sedan as well as an IS F hatch. So is anyone from Lexus reading this? We certainly hope so, because even an IS 350 hatch with 306 horsepower sounds enticing. 

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Posted in Lexus

Abarth 500C is a Topless Little Wonder

With a starting price of just $26k, the Fiat 500C Abarth has Italian performance passion and an open top roof. What's not to love?

What’s got a rear diffuser, twin exhaust pipes, a unique convertible top that drops in 18 seconds, a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and bases for just $26,000? No, this ain’t the Mazda MX-5, but the Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio. Sure, it may not have the same sex appeal as a Ferrari, but this little pocket rocket may just represent the best combo of power, driving feel and affordability on the market today. Still not convinced? Join Justin Bell, who's also a professional racing driver, in the latest episode of "The World’s Fastest Car Show".

He gets behind the wheel of the 160 horsepower pocket rocket and simply can’t get enough of it. Can’t afford that Ferrari? This may just be the best Italian alternative.

 

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Posted in Fiat

Fiat Fridge Makes Your Beer So Much Cooler

Wanna chill your beer in a Cincqueccento-shaped cooler? Now you can.

From fast cars to sharp suits, the Italians are the masters of style. The modern Cincqueccento might be the exception to this rule, but the classic 500 is a good looking thing. And thanks to a collaboration with SMEG, it’s never looked better. Reshaped and reworked into an ice box it represents the ultimate man cave appliance. Part of the Fiat 500Design Collection, the SMEG 500 refrigerator comes with sliding doors, removable bottle holders, a shelf just for cans and at one-third the size of an old 500, it'll fit snuggly into most garages.

 

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Posted in Fiat

GM Exec Hints at Possible New El Camino?

Although the rumors have flared up again, the likelihood of the Holden Commodore Ute coming to the US still isn't good.

Don’t get too excited by the title here, as the likelihood of the Holden Commodore Ute pickup coming to the US as the Chevy El Camino aren't good. However, internet rumors have been flying over the past few days because of a photo released by GM showing its North American President, Mark Reuss, behind the wheel of the car while lapping the Nurburgring. Holden also recently stated that there’ll be a big announcement about the car next month. Some people then interpreted these as a sign the Ute is coming stateside.

According to several reliable sources, however, that ain’t gonna happen. For a small group of enthusiasts, having the chance to have a V8-powered semi-pickup sounds wonderful, but an even smaller percentage would actually buy one. In other words, despite the enthusiasm online, GM doesn’t believe the US market for the Ute truly exists. Along with a weak US-Australian dollar exchange rate and the notorious chicken tax, the Commodore Ute is simply too much of a niche product that even with a Chevy badge and the El Camino nameplate wouldn’t churn a profit. Business is business, after all. 

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Posted in Chevrolet

2014 Chevy SS Will Cost Close to a Stingray

Chevrolet releases official pricing for the new SS high-performance sedan, but it doesn't cost much less than a new Corvette Stingray.

First and foremost, the good news is that the US once again has a big, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered sedan with the Chevy bowtie badge proudly displayed on its front grille. Picking up where the old Pontiac G8 left off, the Chevy SS may be built on the same platform but it comes with a host of improvements. Thing is, that’ll come at a price. Chevrolet has officially announced that the 2014 SS will carry a base sticker price of $44,470 and that includes the $995 destination charge.

 However, if you compare that number to the new Corvette Stingray, you’ll discover that the SS costs only about $7,500 less.Compared to the outgoing C6 Corvette, the SS is roughly $5,000 less. So the big question now is whether the Chevy SS is worth it, but consider this: it comes with a standard 6.2-liter V8 that produces 415 horsepower and can go from 0-60 mph in about five seconds. Options are limited to just a $900 sunroof and a $500 spare tire package. When compared to the Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series the SS is still a bargain, but for not much more dough, you could also be the proud new owner of a Stingray. Just something to ponder. 

 

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Posted in Chevrolet

Cadillac Donates First CTS VSport

The first performance version of Cadillac's new sports sedan will be auctioned off for charity.

It may still be a while before a new CTS-V comes along, but in the meantime Cadillac is keeping us interested with the VSport version of its latest CTS. Packing a twin-turbo V6 with 420 horsepower, the CTS VSport is equipped with 18" alloys, upgraded steering, Brembo brakes, an electronic differential and more. With all that kit, you can bet that fans of the Art & Science brand will be clamoring to get their hands on one. So who will get the honor? That depends on the outcome of a Barrett-Jackson auction to take place later this year

 

GM donated the car to the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Foundation after its senior VP for product development Mary Barra was honored with the organization’s Industry Leadership Award – the first woman to receive the prize in its 25-year history. The proceeds from the car’s sale will go towards the foundation’s outreach programs that seek to educate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

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Posted in Cadillac

Cadillac Day at Larz Anderson Museum

Over 100 Caddys, from classics to customs, turned up for Boston museum's opening lawn event of 2013.

The lawn event season kicked off over the weekend at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, and, as always, Cadillac Day was the opening event. Sponsored by the New England Cadillac & Lasalle Club, the show attracted over 100 cars from a 1933 LaSalle Cabriolet to a custom 1962 Cadillac wearing a custom paint job and air ride suspension. Upcoming shows at the museum, which recently paid host to a Cars and Coffee Boston meet, include Corvette Day, British Car Day, Extinct Car Day and Porschefest, all of which we hope to cover. Pictures come courtesy of Joshua Sweeney.

 

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Posted in Cadillac