Panoz Unveils 25th Anniversary Edition Esperante Spyder, Costs $181,320

Believe it or not, the Panoz Esperante is still being produced, despite the fact that it was introduced back in 2000. Furthermore, the low-volume American sports car manufacturer has released a special edition model of the Esperante Spyder, called the 25th Anniversary Edition.
The name refers to the 25th anniversary of the company’s carmaking activity, not the Esperante’s. The first unit of the limited edition features a radiant red exterior, carbon fiber accents, tan leather interior and V8 engine. Panoz hopes to build about 25 units of the Esperante Spyder 25th Anniversary Edition and Spyder GT, despite a steep base price of $181,320 (€131,340) for the Spyder.
However, the company says production “will be intentionally limited to a handful of custom builds for select customers, keeping with the Panoz LLC’s goal of creating America’s most exclusive custom sports car.”
Compared with the original hand-built Panoz convertible, the Esperante Spyder features lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum structures, a modular extruded aluminum chassis, completely revised and fully independent front and rear suspension, and an upgraded anti-lock brake system (ABS).
Customers can choose between two sports car bodies: a lightweight aluminum body on the standard Spyder or carbon fiber body panels for the Spyder GT. Available V8 powertrain packages range from 430 to 800 horsepower.
The cockpit features high-tech gauges to monitor the car’s vital systems, lightweight and fully adjustable carbon fiber sport seats, high-quality leather and wood-trim, as well as media player connectivity and a race-inspired carbon fiber steering wheel.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Some Experts Question Advantages Gained from Ford F-150's Aluminum Construction

Concerns over high repair costs were the first signs that not everyone had a positive view on Ford’s decision to make most of its new F-150pickup out of lightweight aluminum. The Blue Oval obviously argued for the move, listing the advantages it has over steel, boasting that it was the first manufacturer to use the metal in this kind of application.

Now, additional question marks are being raised by (and discussed at length on) WardsAuto, as they put together the quoted opinions of industry voices.

Mike Levine, a Ford spokesman explains their side of the story: “We used high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy throughout the body, which improves dent and ding resistance while saving as much as 700 lbs. (317 kg), giving our customers improved towing, improved payload and better fuel efficiency.”

However, his certainty is dented by the words of chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research, David Cole: “It’s a big roll of the dice. Whether it’s an advantage or not is yet to be determined,” he said.

The latter goes on to ask if the tradeoff is really worth it from the end consumer’s perspective, when other alternative materials like carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) are coming into focus, along with more advanced steels and increasingly efficient powertrains.

“There are programs going on for every (technology), but it is not clear what the (winner) will be,” Cole said. “It may be that there is not just one solution. Other (automakers) may think having a steel body with a modified engine or diesel is equivalent to a twin-turbo, aluminum-bodied vehicle.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Mercedes C-Class Comes with Standard 41 Liter or 10.8 Gallon Fuel Tank in Europe, is it Enough?

The all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is up to 100 kg (220 lbs) lighter than the model it replaces and one of the elements contributing to the weight saving is the smaller fuel tank. StandardC-Class models are offered with a 41-liter (10.8-US gallon) fuel tank, similar in size or even smaller than what superminis are offering nowadays.

The C-Class’ relatively tiny fuel tank is said to contribute to as much as 16 percent of the average 75 kg saved by the new W205 generation.

By shrinking the standard fuel tank by 18 liters (4.75 gallons), Mercedes-Benz has reduced the official curb weight of the C-Class by 12 kg (26.4 lbs). In the EU, a car’s official curb weight is calculated using a fuel tank filled to 90 percent of its capacity, as well as an additional 75 kg (165 lbs) for the driver.

While weight saving is great news for fuel economy and handling, is it really a good idea to offer a smaller fuel tank? Apparently, Mercedes-Benz believes it is. “We have reduced the fuel tank capacity of the new C-class roughly in line with the fuel savings it offers over its predecessor. For those customers who place a priority on range, we offer an optional 66-liter tank,” a company spokesman was quoted as saying by Autocar.

In Germany, Mercedes-Benz charges €59.50 ($81) for the optional 66-liter (17.4-gallon) tank. In the UK, however, the C-Class will be offered as standard with the larger tank, although official figures will be quoted from the European standard and the 41-liter tank.

The most economical C-Class currently on offer in Europe, the C 220 BlueTec, has a declared average fuel consumption of 4 l/100 km (58.8 mpg US), which means it ideally has a driving range of 1,025 km (637 miles) with the 41-liter fuel tank. However, official fuel economy figures are always more optimistic than real ones. Choose the C 200 petrol model that averages 5.3 l/100 km and driving range drops significantly to 773 km (480 miles). And that’s still a fuel-efficient model we’re talking about...

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

VW Golf Plug-In Hybrid to Become Sporty GTE Model

If you thought the choice between the three hot VW Golfs currently on offer was decent (GTI,GTD and R) then we need to tell you that there may be a fourth one added to the list, and it promises to be even greener than the diesel…

Believed to gain the GTE designation, it will share its powertrain with the Audi A3 e-tron, which marries a 148 hp turbo petrol engine with a 107 hp electric motor – when working in tandem, they make a maximum output of 201hp.

What remains unclear is when it will be built and for which markets it will be addressed. The plug-in A3 is coming to market later this year, so according to Car&Driver and Autocar, it would be fair to assume that its launch could happen one year later.

However, despite the US’ affinity with all things hybrid and especially plug-ins, plus the positive reviews of the Jetta Hybrid that’s already on sale, it’s not seen as a sure thing for the GTE to make it into Stateside showrooms when it does get launched.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Stock Veteran Says GM Will Buy Tesla in 2014, Auto Exec Doubts It

As one of the most advanced electric vehicle manufacturers, Tesla Motors is no doubt being closely monitored by volume carmakers wishing to gain a firmer foothold in the electric vehicle segment. General Motors, for instance, has openly admitted to creating a special unit to monitor Tesla Motors.While that doesn’t necessarily mean GM wants to buy Tesla, there are some analysts who believe that this is the case and that a transaction could happen as soon as next year.
In an interview with CNBC, Yra Harris of Praxis Trading made a bold prediction that GM could try to buy Tesla Motors next year. The trader said Tesla is a perfect fit for the Detroit carmaker and that such a deal could make sense for both companies.
For GM, owning Tesla would give it access to advanced plug-in technology as well as a premium high-tech brand to its stable. In exchange, GM would help Tesla grow further thanks to its established global retail and service networks.
While there were previous rumors about other companies being interested in Tesla (such as Apple), a carmaking giant like GM or even Ford would likely be a better fit for the company founded by Elon Musk.
However, not everyone agrees with Harris, with former Mazda North America CEO Charles Hughes telling CNBC that the acquisition of Tesla by GM or Ford wouldn't work for any of the two Detroit-based carmakers. You can find out why from the second video posted below.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

First Retail 2015 Ford Mustang to Go under the Auction Hammer in January

Just as Chevrolet did with the first production 2014 Corvette Stingray, Ford also announced that the first retail unit of the all-new 2015 Mustang will be sold at Barrett-Jackson’s auctionin Scottsdale, Arizona, on January 18, 2014. The car will be offered at no reserve, with all proceeds to benefit JDRF, a global organization funding type 1 diabetes research.

The winning bidder of Lot No. 3010 will be able to choose a manual or automatic transmission as well as any interior, exterior and stripe color combination offered on the new 2015 MustangGT that is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 390 lb-ft (528 Nm) of torque.

The car will be signed by the team involved in Mustang design and development in appreciation of the donation to JDRF. The Mustang is scheduled for delivery after production of the new model year begins.

“We’re thrilled to be able to take advantage of Mustang’s popularity to help achieve the dream of ending juvenile diabetes,” said Steve Ling, North America car marketing manager for Ford.

“Ford Mustangs have always been among the most popular collector cars at Barrett-Jackson Collector Car events,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “While every collector wishes they had snapped up the first Mustang sold in 1964, this is an opportunity to realize that dream in a different way,” he added.

Each 2015 model celebrates 50 years of the Mustang with a badge showing the galloping pony logo and the words, “Mustang – Since 1964.”

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Gordon Murray’s T.25 and T.27 Confirmed for 2016 Launch

One could feel guilty and ashamed of wasting so much fuel and space each time they climb aboard a five-seater car and head off for a drive on their own. Basically, you’re hauling four unused seats and an empty boot, uselessly burning far too much fuel in doing so.

However, there are few really viable alternatives for going very small, without severe compromises that make the ownership and operation much more of a chore than it has to be, so not switching to one is somewhat understandable...

That’s why we optimistically look to the year 2016, when Gordon Murray’s T.25 and (all-electric) T.27 micro cars will hit the market in a commercially-viable form. According to the official site of Gordon Murray Design, “the T.25 and T.27 concept has now been sold to a customer and with a following wind a lot more drivers should be able to enjoy the center drive experience in 2016!”

This means that, three years from now, we’ll be able to buy either the 660cc T.25, or the battery-powered T.27 which has a one-charge autonomy of between 80 and 100 miles (~130 - 160 km). Why is this good news? Well, they are lightweight vehicles, with seating for three, a central driving position, fun handling and a patented manufacturing process called iStream, which cuts costs significantly. In an interview given to Fifth Gear a while back, Murray said the T.25’s expected sales price hovers around the $10,000 / €7,600 mark, and at this price, whoever sells it will still make a good profit out of the whole deal.

We’re curious about the company that bought the rights to make these two vehicles, and whether they are an automotive business that wants to expand in a new (cheaper, greener) direction, or a venture from another filed of activity, looking to tap into the automotive sector for the very first time.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More