It’s Always Better When It’s a Shelby

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Even though I’m not this biggest fan of Ford I do acknowledge that when you put Ford and Carroll Shelby together the results are usually something very special.
Ford announced they would most likely go ahead with this concept back in 2004, even offering up 605hp with 501lb-ft of torque as the specs we could expect from a 6.4L V10 powerplant and 0-60mph in 4 seconds.

“The Ford Shelby Cobra concept was a small step in our plans for the Ford GT architecture and our relationship with Carroll Shelby, and the Ford Shelby GR-1 is a giant leap toward the future”
- J. May Ford Motor Company group vice president of global design

So, It Will Go to Production

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Then MotorTrend had the scoop and the photos of the 2007 Ford Shelby GR-1 to be released at the end of ’06, MT had a MSRP of $130,000 and similar specs to the V10 only coming from a 90-degree 32v DOHC V8propelling a 3500lb coupe to 60mph in 3.9 second through a new 6-speed manual transmission.

“It’s gonna be up to Phil and me,” says Mays bluntly. “How badly do we want to do it?“

And Still Nothing

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MotorTrend suggested:
If you want Ford to produce the Shelby GR-1, send your cards and letters to Bill Ford at The Ford Motor Company, The American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48126-2798

Next year you can expect to see a new Bugatti Veyron driving around (not that you expect to see the regular one around that often). This latest version to be built is a Targa top. This will give the Veyron a removable hardtop roof.

The reason Bugatti went with the targa top version is due to the speed and safety of the beast. A true convertible was not possible because changes that would have to be made to the safety cage would not make it safe enough. When it pushes up to 1001 horse power, safety cannot be compromised.

No information has been made available about how many of the targa’s will be built, but I doubt it will be that many. As for the price? I don’t think it will really make a difference as it’s over a million dollars anyway.

3 Wheel Lotus?!?

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Yeah, THREE wheel! This all electric two-seater is as fast as a BMW M3 and apparently due to be released in the U.S. next year! You’re gonna wanna see this.

156mph would be a rush in this

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Weighing in at only 700kg the Alias produces 320hp and 557 torque, will hit 60 from a standstill in 5.7 seconds, and top out at 156mph.
This collaboration between Lotus and Zero Air Pollution – a Californian company, will be powered by an electric motor at each wheel and get around 100 miles out of each charge.

Neat but not really practical in the U.S.

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Don’t quite know what we’re suppose to do with the 100 mile range but if you’re in the market for a work commuter that will still give you the opportunity to use the HOV lane and you have a spare $30,000 then the Alias may be the perfect vehicle for you.

A Beautiful Bat Mobile

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I know nothing at all about this car other than I like it! I found these images online but no detail on the car. If anyone has any details or knows where I can get further info, please pass it along.

Hoping someone just photoshop’d the Peugeot badge on

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I do like this concept car but I have to be honest, I’m struggling with the fact that it’s French.
The fact that it is a Peug

For your veiwing pleasure, the unveiling of the new Acura concept delivered an awesome looking coupe that almost has the look of the Cadillac XLR Roadsters boxier rearend, but still holds true to the Acura look we’re familiar with.

Humbled

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I recently wrote about the Peugeot Prana concept, I also joked about the fact it had a Peugeot badge on it and said that we’d never see a physical version because of that fact.
Well thanks to a reader - aalmada, I’ve been humbled and now have a new respect for the French auto maker.

Competition

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Peugeot offer budding designers an amazing opportunity to design a vehicle of the future, it may not make the production line but they do make a working concept that is displayed at auto shows around Europe,

Winners

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Images I found over at gizmag.com, just a few that made the top ten.

Toyotas Small IQ

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Smart Car with a 3rd seat Toyota intend to deliver the production version of at next months Geneva auto show, sporting a 1.0L engine to push along to 3 meter city car.

Toyota Press Release 2/13/08:

iQ represents a break-through in compact urban transportation. For a first, up to three passengers can be comfortably seated in a compact urban vehicle at sub three metres in length, and additionally have enough area to accommodate a child or luggage.
The spaciousness of iQ is a result of its ingenious packaging, which was created by six space-saving but inter-linked engineering innovations that represent a revolution in Toyota’s automotive vehicle development. Infused with Japanese design elements, iQ is a radical change in vehicle design as well as environmentally friendly transportation, and away from the belief that small cars are basic and less safe.

Sporty Hybrid

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Honda have announced that the sporty CR-Z will move from the concept stage to the production line in 2009, obviously a modern view of the popular CRX hatchback first seen in the 80’s, though Honda insist it’s not.

Compact Renaissance Zero, or CR-Z for short

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No details on the specs as yet but it’s expected to share the same powertrain as the current Civic Hybrid, I believe this will be a move in the right direction for Honda as they have nailed their design theme of ‘Hi-Tech and Sporty’ though I’m sure we’ll see a slightly different version come 2009.

Smoking Not Recommended

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The Splinter is made from Maple, Plywood and MDF, designers from North Carolina State University have used wood pretty much anywhere they could.

Wonder if it floats?

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A 4.6L V8 produces 600bhp and moves the 15ft wump of wood from 0-60mph in 3 seconds, topping out at 240mph, not bad for a car where the 6 speed manual transmission made mostly out wood too.