When you’re bleeding money like Alfa Romeo, the way out of the hole probably isn’t a super-expensive, limited run sports car like the 8C. What would be better is an equally sporty, aesthetically pleasing car that people can actually afford. And according to several reports, that’s exactly what Alfa has planned for the future.
Ferrari introduced its FF shooting brake concept just last Friday. Some will love the hatched-out Ferrari. Some (likely more some) will hate it.
Whatever you feel about the Geneva-bound concept, you have to admit one thing: you’re itching to see it in action. And here’s your Calamine lotion: a video of the FF doing some night testing in Italy. It’s not the hardest hitting action, watching more like a commercial, but it is the first video we’ve seen of the four-wheel drive on the track. Check it out after the break and get more details on the FF from last week. [via WCF]
Well it looks like the Subota will be joined in Geneva by an all-new Toyota FT-86. Toyota teased its second FT-86 today, indicating that the new coupe will provide “the clearest indication yet of the final design for Toyota’s next sports car.” In other words, it will be nearly identical to the production version.
Toyota hasn’t shown much in the teaser, but the FT-86 II, as it calls it, has a redesigned front-end with a new set of headlights. We like what we see so far, but will reserve our judgment until the full unveil.
The concept version of the car that will replace the 612 Scaglietti made its debut earlier today. Officially called the Ferrari FF (four seats, four-wheel-drive), the car will be Ferrari’s first four-wheel-drive production model and will bring a rear hatch to its line. According to Ferrari, its four-wheel drive delivers maximum performance in all conditions thanks to intelligent torque distribution to all four wheels.
That torque will be provided in numbers of up to 504 lb-ft by the FF’s 6.3-liter V12 engine. The engine is slightly less powerful than the rumored 670-hp, but not by much: it will put out up to 651 horses. The car’s rumored performance was right on target: 0-to-62 in 3.7 seconds and 208 mph top speed.
The FF will make its auto show debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Hit the break for a couple of extra pictures and video of the concept. [via InsideLine]
Mercedes got the ball rolling on its birthday celebration in Detroit when it announced SLS AMG E-Cell production as well as a worldwide fuel-cell vehicle tour. According to an Autocar report today, the next part of Mercedes celebration will be an all-new design concept that will be revealed on the company’s actual birthday: January 29. The new concept won’t be an actual car, but rather a sculpture similar to the one it used to tease the F800 concept at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show (above).
Toyota FT-86
It’s been a while since we’ve had any FT-86 news, but in a preview of the cars that it will show in Geneva, Subaru slipped in the fact that it will debut a concept based on the partnership with Toyota.
Called simply (or not so simply) Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept, the car will feature Subaru’s horizontally opposed Boxer four in rear-wheel-drive configuration. Subaru didn’t get into any details on the specific engine, but the car is expected to be offered with a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter Boxer used in Toyota’s variant, possibly the turbocharged Boxer from the Impreza WRX STi. [via AutoBlog]
Lambo chief Stephan Winkelmann has already indicated to the media that the Bull is considering offering a very exclusive production of the Sesto Elemento concept. Reports today suggest that Lamborghini will stick to its M.O. and develop a limited edition supercar for its 50th anniversary, which will be in 2013. And speculation says that the production Sesto and 50th Anniversary car may be one and the same.
This is straight out of an action-hero cartoon: a car that has two built-in motorcycles for rear tires. Of course, in a cartoon version, it probably wouldn’t be an electric urban commuter, and the motorcycles would have two wheels. But in today’s world of green design, this car is about keeping it clean as much as it is about fulfilling boyhood fantasies.
A Red Dot Award winner, Bobin Kil’s “Light Weight Concept” (thrilling name) is a light but strong urban commuter that runs on electricity. The rear tires separate from the car when you need something even smaller and more efficient: one-wheeled motorcycles with Segway-based drivetrains. Not necessarily the baddest motorcycle-car, but a pretty unique design. [via Yanko Design]
Is the standard, recently shipped Nissan Leaf not quite stylish or aerodynamic enough for you? Nissan is bringing an upgraded version that it calls the Aero Style to the Tokyo Auto Salon next month. The Aero Style benefits from the aero body kit, which includes a new front bumper, side skirts and mirrors.
As Nissan describes: “Equipped with an aero body kit that accentuates Nissan LEAF’s distinctive silhouette and character lines, this concept car expresses an image of futuristic sport EV driving.”
It doesn’t look all that “aero” to us, but whatever.
The Aero Style will be one of 9 tuned-up, kitted-out vehicles that Nissan shows off at the show. [via WCF]
