1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept Auctions for $1.3 Million at Barrett-Jackson

A 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept was auctioned at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction for $1,375,000, the auction has seen some one-off projects auction at very high prices such as the Original 1966 Batmobile that auctioned for $4.62 million.

This Diablo was a product of the director of automotive design for Chrysler in 1953, Virgil Exner Sr., who was given the responsibility to design all of Chrysler’s concept cars starting in 1954. Exner would then collaborate with Ghia, one of the best body builders in Italy to come up with the Diablo Concept. Designed in a wind tunnel, the Diablo is one of the largest custom bodied convertibles ever built by the Ghia body builder and in its second phase it retained a full convertible top.

They used a 1956 Chrysler 300 with a 392 cubic inch V8 engine featuring two four barrel carburetors, automatic push-button transmission and a ton of chrome in the engine compartment. Every detail on this car was fastidiously gone over by Virgil Exner including the pitchfork emblems, emblem on the gas filler lid which is in the trunk area and the sculpting on the exhaust tips, which reportedly took Virgil several days on the drawing board to get the design just perfect.

The Diablo is also fitted with power steering, power brakes, power windows, power top, power antenna and air conditioning. The size of this car is of 21′ long and very wide. This car has been in the same important collection for approximately 25 years.

[Via Autoblog]

1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept Auctions for $1.3 Million at Barrett-Jackson

A 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept was auctioned at the 2013 Barrett-Jackson auction for $1,375,000, the auction has seen some one-off projects auction at very high prices such as the Original 1966 Batmobile that auctioned for $4.62 million.

This Diablo was a product of the director of automotive design for Chrysler in 1953, Virgil Exner Sr., who was given the responsibility to design all of Chrysler’s concept cars starting in 1954. Exner would then collaborate with Ghia, one of the best body builders in Italy to come up with the Diablo Concept. Designed in a wind tunnel, the Diablo is one of the largest custom bodied convertibles ever built by the Ghia body builder and in its second phase it retained a full convertible top.

They used a 1956 Chrysler 300 with a 392 cubic inch V8 engine featuring two four barrel carburetors, automatic push-button transmission and a ton of chrome in the engine compartment. Every detail on this car was fastidiously gone over by Virgil Exner including the pitchfork emblems, emblem on the gas filler lid which is in the trunk area and the sculpting on the exhaust tips, which reportedly took Virgil several days on the drawing board to get the design just perfect.

The Diablo is also fitted with power steering, power brakes, power windows, power top, power antenna and air conditioning. The size of this car is of 21′ long and very wide. This car has been in the same important collection for approximately 25 years.

[Via Autoblog]

Specialty marque VUHL revealed, first model arriving at Goodwood this July

VUHL 05 teaser photo enhanced

Vehicles of Ultra- lightweight and High-performance

Vehicles of Ultra- lightweight and High-performance (VUHL) is a brand new specialty marque which will be presenting its first model in July at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The VUHL 05 is a “road-legal lightweight supercar” which has been “precision-engineered for the track”. Promising to provide “exhilarating performance”, the vehicle has been co-developed with Multimatic, Ford, Magna Steyr and other important names in the automotive industry. The handling of the VUHL 05 was tweaked in United Kingdom, while the body will be made in Canada. Chassis production and final assembly will take place in Mexico City.

VUHL (pronounced “vool”) has been established by Iker and Guillermo Echeverria with funding from private investors as well as the Mexican government. The styling of the 05 model was done by Mexican/American design agency Etxe owned by the two brothers.

We will have more details on July 14 when the car will be shown to the public for the first time.

Audi A3 Sedan will be built in China, arriving at Auto Shanghai next month

Audi A3 Sedan unibody structure / autohome.com.cn

Production kicks off in first half of 2013

The Audi A3 Sedan has been photographed at the FAW-Volkswagen factory, confirming production will take place in China.

Audi’s smallest sedan will make its public debut on April 20 when the 2013 Auto Shanghai opens its doors for the press. Set to tackle the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the A3 Sedan will take some of the styling cues seen on the 2011 concept showcased in Geneva. It will ride on the MQB platform and is expected to be 4.44 meters long, 1.84 meters wide and 1.39 meters tall.

Engines will most likely be taken from the regular A3s, with gasoline mills varying from a 1.2 TFSI with 105 HP (77 kW) to a 1.8 TFSI with 180 HP (132 kW), while diesels should include two 2.0 TDIs with 150 HP (110 kW) and 184 HP (135 kW).

Based on a recent report, Audi will offer the new model in the United States in both four- and five-door versions with gasoline and diesel engines.

Renault drops plans for a Mercedes-based flagship – report

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift

Would have been based on the E-Class

The partnership between Daimler and Renault was set to spawn a luxurious new flagship for the French automaker but those plans have been put on ice according to Renault Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Tavares said the car was axed because the company couldn’t build a business case for the model. The proposed luxury sedan was also hampered by an assortment of issues including problems with sourcing, assembly and logistics.

Tavares declined to go into specifics, but a source said the plans were nixed because Mercedes was offering components from the current E-Class. This means the Renault flagship would have been launched when a new E-Class was right around the corner.

As a result of the model’s demise, Renault will focus on revamping their current higher-end models as well as launching a new “Initial Paris” trim.

Sergio Marchionne to auction off his Dodge Challenger SRT8

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 owned by Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne 12.3.2013

Marchionne finally gives Piech a chance to buy something

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has announced plans to auction off his Dodge Challenger SRT8 at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach, Florida.

The customized 2011 model has a Pitch Black exterior with Dark Charcoal racing stripes and a sports exhaust system. The car also features an adjustable coil-over suspension, tinted taillights and matte black 20-inch alloy wheels.

Interior changes are limited, but the cabin is nicely equipped with bespoke leather sport seats and a vehicle information center that provides “instant feedback for 0-60 mph, 60-0 mph braking, one-eighth mile and quarter-mile elapsed times along with various G-force measurements.”

Like the standard model, the Challenger has a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine that develops 470 bhp (350 kW) and 470 lb-ft (636 Nm) of torque.  It is connected to a six-speed manual transmission that allows the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in the “high 4-second range” and return up to 23 mpg highway (US).

The car will be auctioned off early next month and all proceeds will go to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

1991 Ferrari 512 TR formerly owned by Sir Elton John will be auctioned

1991 Ferrari 512 TR formerly owned by Sir Elton John

Driven for 2,100 miles

A 1991 Ferrari 512 TR previously owned by Sir Elton John will be auctioned by COYS tomorrow at their Sprint Classics sale in London.

The car was initially purchased by Sir Elton John and it has been driven by him for 1,812 miles (2,916 km) out of a total of only 2,100 miles (3,380 km). This Testarossa was previously sold to its current owner for 98,000 GBP.

Wearing a Rosso Corsa paint with a beige interior, this Ferrari 512 TR is in mint condition and has a full service history plus a letter of ownership authenticity from Sir Elton John. It is estimated to fetch between 90,000 GBP and 110,000 GBP.

Other cars which will be auctioned include a 1969 Ferrari Dino 206 GT, a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, a 1974 Jaguar E-Type Commemorative and a 1975 Aston Martin V8.

Further details are available in the attached press release.

SsangYong Korando facelift spied

SsangYong Kornado facelift spy photo 11.03.2013 / Automedia

Minor tweaks

SsangYong is preparing yet another facelift for the Korando which is likely to receive minor revisions as these spy photos show.

It was only last year when SsangYong facelifted the Korando and now it is getting ready for another one. The compact SUV will suffer mild tweaks limited to the front bumper and grille, as well as the rear spoiler and skirt. The updated model is scheduled to go on sale in Europe and Asia next spring.

It will be the last facelift before the new generation arrives in 2016. Most likely, the refreshed SsangYong Korando will stick to the same engine lineup, including the 2.0-liter gasoline unit producing 153 hp (114 kW) linked as standard to a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic.

2013 Ford Fiesta ST launched in UK – driving dynamics at Lommel [video]

Priced from 16,995 GBP

Ford has launched the 2013 Fiesta ST in the United Kingdom.

Currently arriving at dealerships, the £16,995 hot hatch is described as the company’s “fastest and most dynamic” small car ever. It is distinguished by an aggressive body kit that includes modified bumpers, a rear diffuser and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. There’s also honeycomb grille inserts and LED-infused headlights.

The sporty styling carries over to the cabin as the hatchback features Recaro seats, a sport steering wheel and faux carbon fiber trim. Other niceties include alloy pedals and a “Sound Symposer” that channels engine noise into the cockpit.

Power is provided by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that develops 182 HP (134 kW) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a six-speed manual transmission which enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h). In terms of efficiency, owners can expect to average 47.9 mpg UK (5.9 L/100km / 39.9 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 138 g/km.

On the handling front, the Fiesta ST is equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, enhanced Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) and a three-mode Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system that is fully defeatable. There’s also retuned springs / dampers, a reduced ride height, a revised power steering system and an improved braking system with rear discs.

Qoros 3 Estate Concept 2014

Qoros unveiled the Qoros 3 Estate Concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in march, along with the Qoros 3 Sedan.