Filed under: Coupe , Performance , Japan , Tokyo Motor Show , Subaru , Rumormill Despite dropping all the information about its Tokyo-bound concepts, Subaru hasn't hinted at when we'll be seeing its version of the Toyota FT-86 coupe. Thankfully, Japan's Holiday Auto has stepped up to the plate to throw more fuel onto the fire with a subtly modified sketch of the FT-86 and some possible powertrain information of Subaru's first rear-wheel drive coupe. According to the report (and a heaping helping of common sense), the Japanese rumormongers expect the STI version of the coupe to debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show (after the standard model is revealed next year), complete with Subaru's 250-hp EJ25 2.5-liter boxer. Similar to the dual-injected, 200-hp EJ20 fitted to its Toyota brethren, the engine will remain naturally aspirated, but a turbocharged version hasn't been ruled out. In addition to a wider track and upgraded tires, wheels and brakes, expect the STI version to don a gaping front fascia and a sizeable rear wing, similar to the camo-covered mule we saw in the latest round of spy shots . If Subaru wants to compete with the rest of the high-horsepower sports cars in the U.S. and Japan, it better get cracking, because competition is fierce, and the only way it can compete is to keep the price down and the weight in check. Gallery: Toyota FT-86 Concept [Source: Holiday Auto via 7Tune ] Rendered Speculation: Subaru's 250-hp FT-86 coupe in STI trim originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Quick Spin: Superformance GT40 MkI is vehicular sashimi, raw and delicious The vintage vehicles we've come to love aren't genuinely vintage at all -- they're classic bodies wrapped around modern mechanicals. And the GT40 Mk1 proves what motoring -- not merely driving -- is really about. Spy Shots: Toyota-Subaru coupe prototype caught ringin' der N

Filed under: Aftermarket , Performance , Wagon , BMW Manhart Racing BMW M3 E91 5.0 V10 SMG - Click above for a high-res image gallery Wedging BMW's V10 into an M3 is nothing new , but what if you want the convenience of a wagon? Manhart Racing has the answer. The German tuner has converted an E91 to look like the M3, then stuffed M5's V10 into the engine bay complete with its seven-speed SMG. To quote Manhart Racing..."Attention all sporty, family men!" The transformation from a standard E91 3-Series Estate to super wagon begins with the exterior, where the car gets the front fascia, front fenders, side skirts, and the powerdome hood from the M3. Manhart Racing then adds their own rear wheel arches and rear fascia that makes room for a stainless steel exhaust system sporting quad exhaust tips. Next, the 5.0-liter V10 gets stuffed into the engine bay along with the the gearbox, and a limited slip differential is mounted out back. Manhart claims a 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of just over 200 mph. You can buy your own turnkey version for a mere €120,000 or Manhart will gladly upgrade your current E91. Hit the jump for full details. Gallery: Manhart Racing BMW M3 E91 5.0 V10 SMG [Source: Manhart Racing] Continue reading German tuner builds V10-powered BMW M3 wagon German tuner builds V10-powered BMW M3 wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST.

Filed under: Hatchback , Chrysler , Fiat , Rumormill , Luxury 2009 Lancia Delta - Click above for high-res image gallery With the appointment of Lancia CEO Olivier Francois as head of the Chrysler motor division , we can expect the two companies to collaborate on future products and take advantage of economies of scale. With Lancia operating exclusively overseas and Chrysler primarily in North America, the two brands can share products without having to worry much about stepping on one another's toes. But while that cooperation is expected to manifest itself in new models that have to be developed, new reports suggest that the tie-in could begin a lot earlier than that. Although there doesn't appear to be much to substantiate the claims beyond extrapolation and speculation, word on the Italian street is that the current Lancia Delta could make it over here - together with the Fiat 500 and a handful of Alfa Romeos - as a Chrysler. Although the quasi-premium hatchback has quirky styling, we've found the execution of Lancia interiors to be top-notch. Whether car buyers in America would be interested remains to be seen, but there could be a business case to be made for giving Chrysler a competitor to the likes of the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series without the cost and time involved in developing a new vehicle. Gallery: 2009 Lancia Delta [Source: eurocarblog ] Rumormill: Lancia Delta coming to America with a Chrysler badge? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: Spy Photos , Sedan , Performance , Videos , BMW , Luxury Click above to view video after the jump If you were disappointed by reports that BMW was planning to retire the award-winning, high-revving V10 engine from the current M5 in favor of a twin-turbo V8, well...we can't really blame you. It's one heck of an engine, and we'll all miss it dearly. But all is not lost. The Bavarian automaker is hard at work on the next 5 Series, and with it the next-gen M5. And now spy video footage of the uber-sedan lapping the Nurburgring has surfaced. With all the swirly camouflage, it's hard to tell much about the car's styling. You can expect it to follow the lead set by the new 5 Series Gran Turismo, though. But the engine - well, just follow the jump , watch the video and tell us if you're not hearing that telltale turbo whine. Thanks for the tip, Paul! [Source: YouTube] Continue reading SPY VIDEO: 2011 BMW M5 prototype whines its way 'round the Nordschleife SPY VIDEO: 2011 BMW M5 prototype whines its way 'round the Nordschleife originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

Filed under: Convertible , Performance , Auctions , Chevrolet , Specialty 1993 Lister Corvette - Click above for high-res image gallery Back in the early Nineties, Lister North America looked to recapture some of the awesomeness that is the 1959 Lister Corvette, a British car built to compete with the likes of the Jaguar and Aston Martin on the British racing scene. Opinions on whether or not the reborn company was successful are split, and the endeavor resulted in just five 1992 and 1993 Lister-bodied Chevrolet C4 Corvettes being produced. This being the case, finding one of these rare automobiles for sale isn't a particularly common occurrence. Hence today's eBay Find of the Day - a 1993 Lister Corvette dolled up in bright yellow with a black interior. Regardless of what you think of the bespoke bodywork, the guts of the 'Vette are sound. There's certainly nothing wrong with a worked-over Chevrolet LT1 V8 engine stroked to 383 cubic inches and topped with a Vortech supercharger, right? This particular Lister Corvette has traveled just 7,048 miles and has apparently been the subject of a magazine article or two. Bidding is currently at $16,600 (reserve not met) and there's less than a day left on the auction . Check out our gallery of images below and the listing in the link below. Gallery: 1993 Lister Corvette [Source: eBay Motors | Images: Viva Las Vegas Autos - Reproduced with permission] eBay Find of the Day: #1 of 5 1993 Lister Corvette is nothing if not ambitious originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:30:00 EST.

Filed under: Concept Cars , Coupe , Performance , Audi , Alternative Fuel Audi e-Tron concept - Click above for high-res image gallery Even though we knew it was coming, the Audi e-tron concept still caught us by surprise. After all, who would have expected an electric sportscar with over 3,000 lb-ft of torque? But if that wasn't enough of a shock, reports now suggest that Audi is actually preparing to put the green beast into production. Although clearly based on the R8, the e-tron concept unveiled just a couple of weeks ago at the Frankfurt show is actually sized in between the range-topping supercar and its kid brother, the TT. In that frame, however, are packed four electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack pumping out the equivalent of 313 horsepower and an unfathomable 3,319 lb-ft of torque. According to a report from Automotive News , Audi's North American chief Johan de Nysschen says the company is proceeding with plans to put the e-tron into production, and hopes to start testing working prototypes within the next two years. So if you were disappointed that Audi didn't produce the V12 TDI version of the R8 , you've now got something else on which to feast your imagination. Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Audi e-tron concept [Source: AutoWeek ] REPORT: Audi plans to produce e-tron, begin testing prototypes within two years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: Sedan , Wagon , BMW , Luxury BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery No matter what you think of the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo wagon/hatchback/crossover/thing, if you want to get your hands on a brand-new Bimmer 5, that may be your only choice for the time being. Reports suggest that the Bavarian automaker has stopped taking orders for the E-60 5 Series sedan and wagon, with production tipped to end in December in preparation for the new model. Dealers have reportedly been instructed only to take "special orders" for the outgoing 5 (whatever that means) with the new GT version scheduled to hit the streets by year's end. Of course, dealers stocked with extra sedans and wagons will be eager to offload their inventory, and we'll be keeping an eye out for hints of the new model coming around the bend. Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo [Source: BimmerFile ] BMW reportedly stopping production of current 5 Series to pave way for new model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising , Videos , BMW Click above to view the video after the jump Question for BMW owners: Have you ever been so excited about your Bavarian beauty that you went all Tom Wopat and dove into the driver seat without opening the door? We've been in quite a few Bimmers ourselves, and while the driving experience is usually pretty damn good, we've always just opened the door. After the jump, a new commercial gets creative by showing BMW owners of all walks of life getting physical with their German wheels. If a Golden Girl jumping through the X5's moonroof and a guy leaping off a roof into a 1 Series makes you want to perform stupid stunts with your BMW, please reconsider, and if you still must, kindly make sure to have cameras rolling. We're sure Tom Bergeron is anxiously awaiting your video. [Source: BMW] Continue reading VIDEO: People get all jumpy when it comes to their new BMWs VIDEO: People get all jumpy when it comes to their new BMWs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Convertible is just right Bridging the gap between the base Corvette and the track-focused Z06, the Grand Sport - unlike the aluminum chassis Z06 and ZR1 - is available in both coupe and convertible form, giving 'Vette lovers another way to enjoy motoring al fresco . Review: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic is an Italian beauty you can live with With the V7 Classic, Moto Guzzi has created the most Italian UJM ever. And while that might be a contradiction in terms, its blend of power and comfort can't be denied. Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector carsk What if future collector cars weren't limited to American muscle or exotic Europeans? What if relatively cheap and reliable Japanese cars were the new must-haves at auction? GRM's Tim Suddard lists off the top ten Japanese vehicles bound for collectors' garages, and we weigh in with our own take on his picks. Other news of import Penske walks away from Saturn deal, brand to "wind down" Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo concept ready to move your eco-friendly goods Revamped for 2010 Nissan Altima says hello, gets priced from $19,900 Officially Official: Fernando Alonso signs with Ferrari F1 for three years Tokyo Preview: Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV comes with a plug, extra cocochi Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 9.30.09 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink