The BMW 6 Series Cabrio was officially presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show today but without the drop-top. The design of the new model was inspired by the beautiful Concept 6 Series Cabrio and features a very long bonnet, xenon headlights, LED fog lights and massive 18-inch alloy wheels / 19 inch for the 650i model. In order to reduce the weight of the car, the German engineers retained the car’s double buttress soft top which only needs 19 seconds to be lowered and 24 to be raised at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h).
The fancy Dakota leather upholstery and the freestanding 10.2-inch iDrive display are the main highlights of the interior, a look inspired by the old model but with a more pronounced accent on the quality of the materials. As an optional, the car can feature Nappa leather with SunReflective Technology.
There will be two models available: the 640i and the 650i. The first one will be equipped with a 3.0 turbocharged six-cylinder engine that can output 320 hp (239 kW / 324 PS) and a massive torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft). These figures allow the car to sprint to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and hit a maximum (electronically limited) speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). For those of you interested in the eco-friendliness of the car, it will have 185 g/km CO2 emissions and eat up 35.8 mpg.
Its bigger sibling, the 650i will be offered with a more powerful V8 4.4-liter that is capable of producing 407 hp (304 kW / 413 PS) and an incredible torque – 660 Nm (442 lb-ft). 0-100 km/h is done in only 5 seconds and the top speed is also limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). CO2 emissions will be 249 grams and fuel consumption will be approximately 26.4 mpg.
As standard, the car will come with a six-speed manual transmission, regardless of what engine is selected. Optional, you can choose an eight-speed automatic gearbox which in some markets, like the United Kingdom will be exclusively.
Because it will wear the BMW badge, it will handle like one. The German engineers installed an advanced suspension which features an aluminum-intensive double wishbone front axle as well as a multi-link rear. As standard, the car is equipped with Dynamic Damper Control and Active Steering System. The Active Roll Stabilization and the Integral Active Steering system are optional.
Compared to the original model, the new 6 Series Cabrio is 74mm longer and 39mm wider. These new more generous figures translate into a more spacious rear passage room and a useful 350 liters space for luggage (300 liters if the roof is down).
The model will be available at European BMW dealerships next March, as for the US market; it will be for sale in the next spring at a yet unannounced price.
Post tags: Tags: 6-series, BMW, cabrio
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VW presented yesterday at the Los Angeles Auto Show the new Eos convertible. The car now features a redesigned front grill and bumper along with an all-new rear bumper matched to a new set of taillights. In United States it will be available exclusively with a 2.0-liter TSI engine, capable of outputting 197 hp (200 PS / 147 kW).
European customers of the Eos will choose between TSI engines ranging from the entry-level 122 PS / 90 kW to the high-end 210 PS / 155 kW. A diesel version is also available; the 2.0 TDI with 140 PS / 103 kW that only consumes 4.8 liters / 100 km thanks to the BlueMotion technology (stop/start system + regenerative braking).
Other features of this new model include a keyless access system for the doors and the ignition, a park assist function and remote control roof opening and closing.
The car will be available for sale in Europe starting with mid-January. United States clients have to wait for the VW Eos Cabrio until March.
Post tags: Tags: cabrio, eos, Volkswagen
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After developing some interesting performance kits for the Audi Q7 facelift earlier this week, the German tuning house B&B has just revealed its tuning packages for the Cabriolet version of the Audi A5 and S5. All of the engines available for the models have been upgraded to produce more power.
First off, the top of the range 3-liter TFSI engine can now reach a dizzying 415 HP with 520 Nm, largely due to the new sport exhaust system, but also to an optimized airflow and re-balanced electronics in the engine. The new top speed for this model will be 285 km/h (177 mph).
The 3-liter TDI engine hasn’t been forgotten, as it will now reach 325 HP with a torque of 640 Nm. The progress to this performance is in three stages: the first will see the electronics changed and the boost pressure increased, letting 280 HP and 585 Nm for €1,198, the second will see another optimization of the electronics costing just €100 more, and the third will outfit special unit-injector elements and a suction pipe to the cooling system for the engine, costing a heftier €3,950, but will reach the aforementioned 325 Hp and 640 Nm.
A special four-staged tuning program was made for the 2-liter TFSI engine, which will steadily increase the output to 250 HP and 400 Nm, for €998, followed by 260 HP and 295 HP for the next two stages, and culminating with the last one, which squeezes 310 HP and 465 Nm, through outfitting the engine with a special turbocharger and a sport exhaust system.
Last but not least, the entry-level 2-liter TDI which develops 170 HP/ 350 Nm received two stages of tuning, one increasing its output to 200 HP/ 400 Nm and the other to 220 HP / 420 Nm, with the price starting at €1,198
Besides all of these performance upgrades, B&B also offers special adjustable suspension, and the B10 and B12 wheel sets, with 20 inch rims, in order to look better with the revamped bodykit.
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Post tags: Tags: Audi, audi-a5, audi-s5, b&b, cabrio, cabriolet, Tuning
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NCE (Newport Convertible Engineering) is a small company based in Placentia in northern Orange County, California which has been turning all sorts of cars into convertibles, giving wealthy customers choices that sometime manufacturers don’t. For example, they’ve worked their magic on cars like the new Dodge Challenger, the Cadillac CTS, the Toyota FJ Cruiser or the Prius and now they’ve completed this, a convertible Mercedes Benz CL AMG (we don’t know if it’s the CL63 or the CL65, but we don’t really care). We have no idea how much this costs, but one thing’s for sure…it ain’t cheap.
So, what do you think about the car? I absolutely love it and I’m convinced that if Mercedes would ever consider taking something like this into production, it would definitely be a major threat to the Bentley Continental GT.
Full Photo Gallery: Convertible Mercedes Benz CL by NCE
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Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, mercedes benz cl, Mercedes-Benz, nce, Tuning
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Last year, at the Paris Motor Show, the Lexus IS 250C made its world debut, announcing hard times ahead for rivals like the BMW 3 Series Convertible or the Mercedes Benz CLK. And last week, Toyota announced that the car will hit showrooms this summer, in July, with a strating price set at around £30,000 (around $43,500).
While the car is based on sedan version, it received a major redesign and except for the bonnet, headlamps, door handles and mirros, everything is new, in order to make room for the folding metal roof, which opens and closes in 20 seconds (the best time in its class). The car’s nose is 15 mm longer than the sedan’s, the doors are 30 cm longer to allow easier access to the back seats (the front seats also have a ‘one-touch walk-in button’ which folds the front seats and slides them forward).
Under the hood, there will be the same 204 hp 2.5 liter V6 mated to a six speed automatic transmission which will allow the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in nine seconds and to go up to a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
Photo Gallery: Lexus IS 250C at the Paris Motor Show
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Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Lexus, lexus is, lexus is 250c, production
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The Italian car maker released the first official photos and details of the upcoming limited edition Lamborghini Murcielago LP650-4. If you’re wondering what’s with the ’650′ in the name, it’s because the car will be powered by an upgraded version of the V12 engine (6.5 liters) which delivers 650 hp (478 kW) and 660 Nm of torque and which will only be available for this roadster version. Powered by this beast, the new Lambo convertible sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).
Like we said, the LP650-4 Roadster will be available in a limited run of only 50 units and it will feature a Grigio Telesto exterior with grey bodywork combined with a special bright orange paint for the front spoiler and side sills. This combination is also used for the interior, where we have orange touches, asymmetric dash design with black Alcantara leather on the driver’s side and black Nero Perseus leather for the passenger’s side. And of course, the car has LP650-4 logos applied both to the exterior and the interior.
So far, there’s no official word on how much the car will cost (we have a feeling it ain’t gonna be cheap) or when exactly Lamborghini plans on releasing the Roadster, but stay tuned because we’ll let you know once we find out.
Photo Gallery: Lamborghini Murcielago LP650-4 Roadster
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Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Lamborghini, lamborghini-murcielago, roadster
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The Infiniti G37 Convertible, the first cabrio of the G range, was unveiled yesterday at the LA Auto Show. The car will be powered by a new 3.7-liter V6 delivering 325 hp and will be available either with a 7-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. For this model, Infiniti decided to go with a three-piece folding steel top and the G37 will come with several interesting features, like an unique Bose Open Air Sound System that dynamically changes equalization based on outside noise, vehicle speed, and top position, and an adaptive climate control system that adjusts fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed. Being an Infiniti, the car will also have high-end technology features, like RearView Monitor, touch-screen Infiniti Navigation system with XM NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic informationm, Pre-Crash Seat Belts, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Preview Braking and Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS).
Beside the standard version, Infiniti will also offer a G37S Convertible Sport 6MT, which features extras like sport-tuned steering and larger sport brakes, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and W-rated performance tires.
Infiniti has also announced a limited G Convertible Premier Edition, with only 200 units available, offered exclusively through the Bloomingdale’s Holiday Catalog. The special edition features custom Monaco Red Leather interior, handcrafted red-tone Maple Wood trim, Midnight Black front grille and 9-spoke 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires.
The Infiniti G37 Convertible will go on sale next spring, in the United States, with global launch following after. Also, they’ve already started taking orders for the Premier Edition, with first deliveries scheduled for 2009.
Complete photo gallery and video after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Infiniti, infiniti g37, infiniti g37 convertible, la-auto-show
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It looks like the recently launched California is not the only new convertible Ferrari has been working on, because yesterday the Italian carmaker introduced the new Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M Spider, the convertible version of the Scuderia. This has been rumored before and there were quite a few voices saying that this model has no point at all. Still, Ferrari has decided to build the car, in celebration of its recent victory in the Formula 1 Constructor’s World Championship 2008. Weighting 1340 kg (2954 lbs), the convertible Scuderia is 80 kg (176 lbs) lighter than the F430 Spider, which means that, powered by the 510 hp V8 it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds and goes up to a top speed of 315 km/h (195 mph). According to Ferrari, and we believe them, this is the fastest convertible they’ve ever built.
The Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M Spider will be built in only 499 units, which will go to their “most passionate clients”, whatever that means. Check out more photos after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Ferrari, ferrari f430 scuderia, ferrari f430 scuderia spider, ferrari-f430, spider
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We already knew that Fiat was working on a convertible version for the Fiat 500, and now we have the first spy shots of the car. However, from what we can see, it seems that the car won’t be a full convertible, but more of a semi-convertible, something like the Citroen C3 Pluriel, keeping B- and C-Pillars and with a retractable textile cover replacing the regular rooftop. This solution was probably chosen by Fiat to minimize development costs, but we don’t mind, because we’re sure the small Italian car will still look great. That’s about all the info we’ve got so far, but rumors say that we might get a surprise unveiling at the Paris show, though a Geneva debut is more likely.
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Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Fiat, fiat-500
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Last week we’ve told you about some rumors about a possible convertible version of the Ferrari F430 Scuderia. And here are the first renderings of the car, created by one of the most talented guys out there, Jon Sibal. Though it looks good, we can’t really understand the purpose of this car. I mean, why try so hard stripping a car of all possible extra weight and then add 70 kilos and create a convertible? But word on the street is that, to compensate for the extra weight, Ferrari will fit the car with its brand new 7-speed dual clutch transmission system from the California.
Check out one more rendering after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Ferrari, ferrari 430 scuderia, scuderia, spider
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The premium coupe cabriolet market is a very attractive one for car manufacturers and the BMW 3 Series Cabrio and the Audi A5 Cabrio are two of the most beautiful cars around, no doubt about that. And now it seems that Toyota also wants a piece of the action because, according to Carscoop, besides the IS facelift, the Paris Motor Show will mark the debut of the Lexus IS Coupe-Cabriolet. That great news and we’re really waiting to see the car live at the French show. What’s really interesting is that, according to Carscoop’s sources, the model that will be on display in Paris will be marked as a concept, but except for some minor changes, it will basically be the production-ready version, that will go on sale next summer.
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Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Lexus, lexus is, lexus is cabrio, paris motor show, Toyota
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Rumours have started to float around regarding one Ferrari’s most powerful models, the 430 Scuderia, and that a Spider, convertible version is going to be launched. Irony would be the name of the game, italian engineers working very hard to shave of the extra kilograms from the car, by removing luxuries like radio and sacrificing the interior, only to “fatten up” the model again, by adding further bracing and support due to the rigidity lost by removing the roof out of the car.
The presumed F430 Scuderia Spider will be made in a limited run of 300 cars, available for the top customers of the manufacturer, and is sure to attract quite a few clients, who want to have a thoroughbred Italian stallion in their garage, and of course to be seen driving it with the top down. Until the presumed official launch at the Ferrari Challenge at Mugello in November, all we’re left to do is admire the current version of the F430 Scuderia in this video.
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Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Ferrari, ferrari f430 scuderia, ferrari-f430, scuderia, spider
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After a long break, today we resume our Rpmgo Readers’ Cars section with a very beautiful ride. This Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio you see here belongs to Nick, one of our readers from Temecula, California.
This is my dad’s porsche 911 turbo cabriolet. It has 480 hp. It goes from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. My dad bought it in november 07. It is one of a kind because of its black on black. This is an older picture so it doesn’t show the black rims. It has a carbon fibre interrior,phone capabilatie, and a ipod hook up. In the left back seat the seat was taken out to fit woofer in to create more bass. My dad paid from $165,000 to $170,000.
So, what do you think, you like it? We definitely do. And don’t forget to send us photos of your own cars, we’d love to see them. For more details, go to the Readers’ Cars section.
Photo Gallery: Nick’s Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio
Post tags: Tags: cabrio, convertible, Porsche, porsche 911, porsche 911 turbo, Readers' Cars
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Smart ForTwo’s recalled for paint problem
So far, the weirdest recall we remember was the one involving the three SLRs, but I think this one tops that on a ‘weirdness’ scale. Smart USA announced that 43 Smart ForTwo’s will be recalled due to a…paint problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem comes from the car’s unique construction methods and, because the paint is a delaminating risk, and if it comes apart near the portion where the windshield and roof are adhesive-mounted, they could separate from the rest of the car, which could cause a crash if the roof or windshield separated from the vehicle while in motion.
Post tags: Tags: cabrio, Recalls, Smart, smart-fortwo
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Here’s an interesting one. We have a set of photos that picture a BMW M5 Convertible from 1989, which never made it into production. Why? No official info, but the Team Speed member that uploaded the photos said that the car was developed in 1989, even had a spot booked on the BMW stand at the Geneva Motor Show, but BMW decided to terminate the project only one week before the show. They’ve decided to do that because they thought a convertible M5 would probably start a demand for a regular 5 Series cabrio, which would affect the market for the 3 Series, which was their convertible at the time. To be honest, it’s a shame this car never made it into production, because it really looks great and, knowing the M5, it would have probably been really fun to drive.
More photos after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: BMW, bmw-m5, cabrio, convertible
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