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Detroit 2009: Lamborghini ups the personalization options

Filed under: Aftermarket, Detroit Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Supercars, Lamborghini, Special/Limited Editions

Click above for live images of the Ad Personam Lamborghini's from Detroit

Lamborghini debuted the new Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder in L.A., and the rumored LP670-4 SV is still a ways off, so the Italian supercar manufacturer decided to show off some of their non-automotive offerings in Detroit. Specifically, Lambo brought examples of its Ad Personam personalization program. A white 560 Spyder was flanked by a satin blue LP640-4 and LP560-4 coupe that were both simply mesmerizing. We're huge fans of these new satin paints, because aside from lending an air of understated luxury to the Lambo's lascivious lines, they're remarkably easy to photograph. They reflect light beautifully, while providing translucent reflections that minimize glare and extraneous objects from the car's surface. Lamborghini refers to it as a matte-luster paint finish, we'll just call it matte-sex.

Both of the personalized cars here in Detroit are painted in Lamborghini's new matte blue, although there's no truth to the rumor that anyone showing a birth certificate that says their name is Matt Blue will get a free Lambo. Besides the new blue hue, Lamborghini announced that three more colors are now permanently available in the Ad Personam program: Nero Nemesis (matte-luster black), Bianco Canopus (matte white), and Marrone Apus (matte brown). But don't let that limit you. Lamborghini will do just about anything the customer can dream up. And if you can't get what you want from the factory, you can always go the aftermarket route and get yourself an Ed Hardy special. There's a full press release after the jump and galleries of live and media pics are available by clicking any image below.

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lamborghini Ad Personam

Gallery: Lamborghini Ad Personam Detroit

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Lamborghini ups the personalization options

Detroit 2009: Lamborghini ups the personalization options originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Volkswagen

Click above for a live gallery of the Volkswagen Concept BlueSport

Volkswagen's Concept BlueSport should go a long way towards making the term "diesel performance" a household name. While it might seem to be an oxymoron to some, seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show, we can tell you that if it reaches production, everyone will be a believer. While officially just a concept for now (and the interior is a dead giveaway this isn't production-ready), the two-door roadster sports a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four mounted amidships. It puts out 180 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and pushes just 2,600 pounds via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Expect a 0-60 of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 140, all while returning about 35 mpg on the European cycle and upwards of 62 mpg in "Eco" mode.

The BlueSport might look a lot like an Audi TT with a Scirocco nose, but unlike its corporate sibling, the mid-engine layout provides a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution. It's also a tidy package at just over 13 feet in length, with a 96-inch wheelbase, a front track of 58.5 inches and a rear track of 60 inches. So it's about the same size as the TT, but in reverse. In person it seems much smaller than the Audi and reminds us of the Porsche Boxster more than anything, which isn't a bad thing. Stylist Walter da Silva explained his design inspiration in great detail for the assembled masses, unfortunately he did it in Italian, without subtitles, so we have no idea what he said. We did understand what Volkswagen Chairman Martin Winterkorn said, and that was that VW is officially committed to growth with cars that will continue to offer maximum excitement with minimum consumption, and the BlueSport is a perfect example of that philosophy. We say build it and bring it, ASAP. Hit the jump for all the details in the pres release.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

Gallery: Detroit Preview: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live

Detroit 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport roadster live originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C Concept, what the Sebring should have been [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Chrysler, LLC.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chrysler 200C Concept

We were beginning to worry that the 300C was all Ralph Gilles had in him. But if the Chrysler 200C Concept is what Chrysler's styling star can bring to the hitherto dull banquet of Chrysler design, then he should have been placed in charge long ago. It is absolutely gorgeous - check out those wheels - and to our eyes, at least, this is what the straked nonsense known as the Sebring should have been (or at least, what it could have looked like).

A range-extended four-passenger sedan, the car is about the size of a BMW 5-Series. A rear-wheel-driver powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that includes a "small gasoline engine" - Chrysler didn't say how small - aided by a lithium-ion batteries and an electric generator putting out 55kW (74 horsepower) of continuous power. The system's combined forces are good for 200 kW (268 hp) of peak power. The car can go 40 miles on electric power alone (a number that sounds rather familiar), and has an estimated range of up to 400 miles. The 200C is not a slowpoke, either, with a predicted 7-second blast to sixty, and a top speed north of 120.

Inside, the 200C Concept is crammed with enough tech to guide a starfleet. The interactive dashboard is infinitely changeable, internet enabled (via Chrysler's uConnect), and tied into security cameras and street cameras when you want to see how long the line is out front of the Delta Terminal at Detroit Metro. Even better, you can control everything from the integrated tablet PC in the glovebox or from an iPhone-like controller - even roll down the windows and check on the status of the car. And the technology leaf for the passenger also gets a huge shoutout. You can read all about it in the minutely thorough press releases after the jump, and the live presser video is also available. Also, check out the galleries of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Chrysler 200C Concept

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C EV

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C Concept, what the Sebring should have been [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Chrysler 200C Concept, what the Sebring should have been [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 2010 Buick LaCrosse inside and out

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Buick

Click above to watch video after the jump

The current Buick LaCrosse is one of those cars that passes you on the road and you don't even notice it. GM and the Buick design team are looking to remedy that situation with the 2010 LaCrosse. Classy sheet metal, vastly improved interior materials, and an all-new powertrain will help the new LaCrosse compete with the likes of the Lexus ES350 and the Lincoln MKS. A 260 hp, 3.0L direct injected V6 and a 3.6L powerplant that outputs 280 ponies means the new LaCrosse will also be able to compete on performance and efficiency as well.

We had the opportunity to talk with several of the people responsible for the new LaCrosse, and we had cameras rolling so you could get in on the conversation. Hit the jump to view the video for yourself, and if you'd like to read our extensive preview of Buick's newest sedan, click here.

Gallery: 2010 Buick LaCrosse - LIVE