Changes coming to LA Auto Show

This year's show will have more design, more competition

The toughest opponent for the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show has never been the weather, which is always perfect, nor the location, in car-crazed Southern California. It's been the calendar. After decades of being run on the exact same dates as the larger and more globally recognized Detroit auto show, LA finally stepped out of the shadow of the Motor City several years ago and grabbed its own spotlight -- in November. That lasted only until 2013, when both Tokyo and Guangzhou, China, two huge shows of global importance, were scheduled right on top of the LA Auto Show's Nov. 22-Dec. 1 dates. LA can't seem to win, and we're not talking about the Dodgers.

The LA Auto Show also had trouble making any kind of big news, with “world debuts” of trim levels and second-string concept cars instead of significant world-beaters. The show-opening keynote address didn't help much, either, with non-news public relations-scripted pablum delivered by various executives. Show management also seemed more interested in bringing in the local gate than shining on the international stage.

But don't give up on LA, baby. While scheduling conflicts are still a reality, a new general manager is in charge and hopes are higher than some of the guys living on the street only a few blocks from Staples Center.

Terri Toennies was hired as general manager earlier this year after a career in big-time event planning, including House of Blues Las Vegas.

“We have to think of this as 12 days of entertainment,” Toennies said. “It's about bringing the eye candy back to the show.”

First up will be the Motor Press Guild Invitational, a car show to be held from 6:30 to 8:30 the morning of the first press day Nov. 22. Toennies likens it to Cars 'N' Coffee events except that there will be art deco French masterpieces from the Mullin Automotive Museum, customs from local hero George Barris and what Toennies promises will be “celebrity” cars from local entertainment glitterati like Jay Leno and Billy Gibbons. Manufacturers will also bring cars to the invitational. It will be held outdoors on John S. Gibson Boulevard and in the area to the south of Staples Center. So that part certainly sounds promising. While the MPG Invitational won't technically be open to the public the first year, “We see this evolving into a public event,” Toennies said.

The car show at the car show will also replace the largely pointless keynote address as the opening event for press days at the Los Angeles Auto Show, another good thing.

In the West Hall Lobby, the Petersen Automotive Museum will park several cars from its 300-car collection and will provide “ambassadors” Fridays through Sundays to guide visitors and talk cars.

The big triangular area just off the West Hall Lobby and part of the Concours Hall will host a big design gallery, with displays from many, if not most, of the automotive design studios in Southern California. Each studio will get 8 feet of wall space to show off drawings, as well as floor space in the triangle for project and concept cars.

Inside Concours Hal itself will be the usual high-performance luxury suspects, which this year will include Aston Martin, Lotus and McLaren, among others.

Porsche will occupy its usual space in Petree Hall and will debut the Macon small SUV and possibly other models.

Effort will also be put into reviving Kentia Hall, which is sometimes lost to visitors because it sits underneath the massive South Hall of the Convention Center. Both Galpin Auto Sports and DUB will be out in force at Kentia and will also have display cars in the South Hall's ginormous lobby, so that show attendees get in the mood for cars right away.

Alfa Romeo and Maserati, missing in recent post-recession years, are not confirmed but are looking likely to attend. They'd be in the South Hall. Lamborghini won't make it in 2013 but has said it will return next year.

Even before the Nov. 20-21 press days, on Tuesday, Nov. 19 there will once again be a Connected Car Expo, featuring panelists, keynote speakers and participation by app developers, electronics interests and carmakers. Entrepreneurs will get to participate in fast-pitch sessions where they can make their case to industry titans.

Also on Nov. 19, the LA Auto Show will host the annual Western Automotive Conference at the Biltmore Hotel, put on by NADA and J.D. Power. It's mostly a dealer thing.

Thursday night, Nov. 21 will be the annual charity preview, where the paying public can pay a little more to see the show early and without the crowds -- though going Monday morning is probably just as uncrowded, if a little less glamorous.

“It will be a giant transition this year,” Toennies promised.

We Hear: GM Delays Chevrolet Cruze Redesign

The compact sedan segment has been hot recently, with numerous redesigns and strong sales across the board. Despite its age relative to the competition, the 2013 Chevrolet Cruze has enjoyed a surprising amount of sales success, boasting its best-ever sales month in June and coming out on top in the compact class. A new report from Reuters, though, claims that GM has pushed back the Chevrolet Cruze redesign by a year to 2015.

Reuters cites unnamed GM sources in saying that the next Cruze, which was set to debut in late 2014, will now be delayed until late 2015. The Canadian Auto Workers union allegedly announced the delay to workers in a supplier plant in Stratford, Ontario. The Chevrolet Cruze is currently manufactured in Lordstown, Ohio for the U.S. and Canadian markets, and GM has said publicly that the next-generation North American Cruze will continue to be manufactured in Lordstown.

Reuters presumes that the model’s recent uptick in sales numbers has allowed GM to take its time on the redesign – important, as GM needs to ensure the new model will be competitive in the rapidly evolving compact segment. The Chevrolet Cruze was introduced to the U.S. market in 2009. Since then, nearly every other major compact competitor has been redesigned, including the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra in 2012, the Nissan Sentra in 2013, and the upcoming 2014 Toyota Corolla which debuted last month and will go on sale later this year.

We spotted a camouflaged mule of the new Chevrolet Cruze testing earlier this year, and the visible styling cues seemed to take from the smaller Sonic sedan and hatchback with its narrow headlights and vertical grille. It could be that GM is taking this test mule back to the drawing board to rework components of the updated Delta platform, which will also underpin the next Volt and Equinox, or the rumored nine-speed automatic transmission that is also under development in concert with Ford.

Chevrolet did recently introduce the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel in the U.S., and the North American Cruze should also receive the mild facelift that debuted recently in South Korea. Until 2015, though, don’t expect to see an all-new Cruze, most likely as a 2016 model year vehicle.

The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze starts at $17,995 and is available with the choice of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, or a 2.0-liter turbodiesel.

Source: Reuters

Volkswagen prices limited-edition Beetle GSR

Only 3,500 built worldwide

Volkswagen is bringing back the yellow-and-black Beetle GSR for 2014, more than 40 years after the “Yellow Black Racer” (Gelb Schwarzer Renner) debuted for the first time. That car had around 50 hp; the new one will eclipse that by just a little bit.

On sale today, the Beetle GSR will use VW's turbocharged 2.0-liter TSI engine making 210 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The sprint to 60 mph will take a respectable 6.6 seconds while speed will top out at 130 mph. Peak torque is delivered at only 1,700 rpm, and a six-speed manual transmission is standard.

The 2014 Beetle GSR will start at $29,995, not including destination; the DSG-equipped car costs $1,100 more.

Only 3,500 will be produced globally, sporting the classic bumblebee paint scheme. “GSR” lettering is pasted on the side skirts, while 19-inch Tornado aluminum alloy wheels sit at all four corners. We first saw the hopped-up bug at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

Inside, the Beetle GSR has a yellow/black theme, sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The seats are black leather with yellow stitching. Elsewhere in the interior, changes including an R-Line dash pad, a GSR shift lever and black floor mats with yellow accents. A badge on the steering wheel will note the limited edition.

The GSR is based on the R-Line with Sunroof and Sound with Navigation model -- yes that's the full name – and it comes with the Fender premium audio system, keyless access with push-button start, xenon headlights, heated front seats and Bluetooth, in addition to the sunroof and nav system.

China's BAIC interested in Fisker Atlantic model

Last minute visit to Fisker's facilities stokes buyout rumors

A delegation from Beijing Automotive Group, or BAIC traveled to Fisker's facilities in California over the weekend, China Daily is reporting is reporting. BAIC has expressed interest in the Fisker Atlantic electric car, a vehicle that was at one point slated for production until Fisker ran into money problems back in March. Since that time, a number of Chinese automakers in addition to BAIC have shown interest in the technology.

In April of 2012 Fisker showed a functioning Atlantic prototype at the New York auto show. The Atlantic was meant to be a plug-in hybrid with a BMW-sourced four-cylinder gas engine that would function as a range-extending generator. The rear-wheel-drive, four-door sedan was supposed to fit below the Karma in the model hierarchy, and was expected to retail for just below $40,000. The Atlantic was to be built at former GM plant in Delaware that Fisker purchased.

BAIC was said to be “racing against time” in a bid to purchase Fisker as the California-based automaker inches closer to a possible bankruptcy. Just days ago it was reported that bankruptcy was more likely than not for the company, which owes $170 million in federal loans.

It's not all that unusual for Chinese companies to buy flagging western companies, even just to acquire one product or one piece of technology, in any industry. Back in 2005 Nanjing Automobile received quite a bit of media attention for purchasing a number of MG Rover technologies and existing models, moving entire assembly lines to China.

With no shortage of cash or labor back home, this approach to gaining a competitive edge in the global marketplace seems to be quite effective, allowing China to overcome technological barriers almost overnight. We'll see how this tactic may or may not apply to Fisker moving forward.

 

We Hear: Volkswagen Phaeton Rejoining U.S. Lineup?

Volkswagen may bring the luxurious and expensive Phaeton sedan back to the U.S. market next year, according to Bloomberg. The new report says that the Volkswagen Phaeton will be re-introduced at the Detroit auto show, although company officials say otherwise.

The first-generation Volkswagen Phaeton was sold here from 2004 to 2006, but it was never much of a success and was quickly pulled from our market. The pricey luxury car didn’t necessarily fit with the Volkswagen brand image — an Audi-priced executive sedan was in the same showrooms as the Jetta. Moreover, customers who wanted a true luxury ride could instead pick the similar Audi A8. Sales of the Volkswagen Phaeton in America peaked at 1939 units in 2004, before dropping to 820 in 2005 and just 235 in 2006.

Since then, Volkswagen executives have vacillated over whether to bring the Phaeton back to America. Now Bloomberg reports that the car will be shown at the Detroit auto show in January, so that the high-end model can boost Volkswagen’s image in the U.S.

“A brand as large as Volkswagen needs a halo project in the upscale segment,” Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn told Bloomberg. “We’ve seen what happens to brands that don’t have that kind of project.”

However, a Volkswagen representative in the U.S. said the company is unaware of any plans to show a Phaeton concept or production car at the Detroit show. He stressed that the company is focused on building its core models, and that Winterkorn’s comments may have been talking about a long-term goal for Volkswagen of America to eventually add a halo product. He also noted that if the Phaeton were introduced here again, sales would be “not very high.”

“We’re concentrating on the segments that we’re already in,” the Volkswagen representative told us, conceding that, “there’s no reason why we can’t offer more niche vehicles” in the future.

Volkswagen U.S. sales for the first sixth months of this year are down 0.9 percent compared to the first half of 2012. However, the company did not plan any major introductions and sees 2013 as a “consolidation” year. Moreover, year-to-date sales of the Passat are up 1.9 percent after the car had its best ever June sales result. The car is holding its own against a strong suit of rivals: last month, the Volkswagen Passat was the ninth best-selling model in the hotly contested midsize sedan segment.

This generation of the Volkswagen Phaeton was introduced at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show. It is related to the Audi A8, and features expensive touches like traffic sign recognition, a selection of several types of wood trim, a length list of leather upholstery, massaging seats, and more. Prices in Germany start at €70,000, equivalent to $91,900.

Volkswagen is expected to launch a new midsize crossover at the 2014 Detroit auto show, which will likely be based on the CrossBlue concept shown in Detroit last January.

Source: Bloomberg

Maserati Ghibli Fast-Tracked for Shanghai Debut

The Trident Targets A7

Until now, we've assumed the next all-new product from Maserati would be the Levante SUV based on the Kubang concept. While rumors of a smaller sedan have been circulating, it appeared to be farther down the pipeline. Not so. 

We're now told that, with the new Quattroporte's growth into a proper S-Class/7 Series/A8 competitor, the Ghibli is jumping ahead in the line to do battle in the higher-volume and arguably more important E-Class/5 Series/A6 segment. Don't expect a traditional sedan, though. Our source says the styling will be "four-door coupe" in the vein of the Audi A7. 

The Ghibli will have the go to back up its show. We're told its engines will be lifted straight from the new Quattroporte, which means a twin-turbo V-6 to start and a twin-turbo V-8 to do battle against the E63, M5, XFR, CTS-V, and S7. To really make it competitive, it's rumored Maserati might pair the twin-turbo V-8 with an AWD system -- emphasis on "might." 

Our source didn't have power numbers, so it's unknown at this point whether the Ghibli will share the Quattroporte's output--but it's likely.

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Nissan Reveals Datsun Go Hatch for India, Other Emerging Markets

Datsun, the resurrected Nissan brand, has revealed its first new car that will launch in India next year. The Datsun Go is a simple, affordable four-door hatchback that will also be sold in Indonesia, Russia, and South Africa.

Nissan announced last March that it would resurrect the Datsun name for a line of low-cost cars for emerging markets. The new Datsun Go measures 149.0 inches long and 64.4 inches wide, putting it close in size to a Mazda2 hatchback. A 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission route power to the front wheels. There is no built-in radio, but Datsun says the new car features a smartphone dock for playing music. The Go will cost the equivalent of $6700.

“This is an historic day for Nissan Motor Company and for our customers,” Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said in a statement. “It’s also an exciting moment for many women and men here in India who — today — come one step closer to realizing the dream of purchasing a car.”

Although Datsun pitches the Go as a first car for many families, the company promises the Go is not a stripped-down car. It is said to be, “high-quality, stylish and modern, delivering an engaging driving experience.” Datsun will build the Go in Chennai, India, and also plans to launch a range of other new low-cost cars next year. Much of the engineering work for the car was also completed in India, although the styling was done by Nissan’s designers in Japan.

Nissan has no plans to sell Datsun cars in the U.S. or Europe. The company’s goal is to have a totally separate brand for selling low cost cars in emerging markets, so as not to tarnish the reputation of other Nissan and Infiniti cars.

Source: Nissan

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2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG revealed

Latest AMG variant has 577 hp, scoots to 60 mph in 4 seconds

Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance-car division has officially revealed its new 577-hp S63 AMG ahead of the rapid sedan's public Frankfurt motor show debut in September.

Several traditional AMG styling mods distinguish the S63 from recently introduced but lesser S-class models (“S-class Stunner,” Autoweek, May 27). They include a deep new front bumper, chromed blade grille, twin-turbo V8 badges on the side and beefed-up sills. The new bad boy is planned for U.S. sale in November wearing a $140,000 sticker -- about the same as the outgoing car.

In long-wheelbase form, the new S63 weighs 4,400 pounds -- 220 pounds less than its predecessor despite being slightly bigger and having more standard equipment.

AMG's 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 powers the car, reworked to develop 577 hp, 41 more than the old S63. Torque? To put it mildly, a stout 664 lb-ft between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm.

The direct-injection gas engine already meets EU6 emission regulations, with 23.3 mpg combined on the European test procedure. Power is again channeled through AMG's seven-speed MCT (multi-clutch transmission) with three driving modes: controlled efficiency, sport and manual -- the former brings an automatic stop/start function.

Following other new AMG models, four-wheel drive is standard. The car will rocket to 62 mph in just 4.0 seconds, a half-second quicker than the old model. To compare, the Audi S8 runs a 4.0-liter, 513-hp twin-turbocharged V8 and will hit 62 mph in 4.2 seconds.

The S63 AMG 4Matic's suspension is conventional steel springs and Mercedes-Benz's new ADS Plus adaptive damping system, providing continuous adjustment in two modes: comfort and sport. It also receives revised geometry with added camber and a larger antiroll bar up front along with a stiffer rear subframe. The standard 19-inch forged aluminum wheels measure 8.5 inches in width front and 9.5 inches rear, and come with 255/45 and 285/40 profile tires front/rear. Optional 20s will be available in the same width.

Further options for the S63 AMG include carbon-ceramic brakes for the first time and an extensive list of other high-end extras.

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BMW-Toyota Sports Car Taking Shape

Expect Hybrid-Assisted Power, Different Sheetmetal, Tokyo Show Concept Debut


When BMW and Toyota announced their intention earlier this year to produce a jointly developed, midsize sports car, it took some industry watchers by surprise. You can certainly argue Toyota needs help building up its performance portfolio, but you can't say the same for the gang from Munich, which already has a garage full of Ultimate Driving Machines.


It all starts to make sense when you look closer at the budding BMW-Toyota tie-up, which began in late 2011. It's the sort of mutually beneficial relationship that is starting to become more commonplace in the industry.

 "Toyota is strong in environment-friendly hybrids and fuel cells… I believe BMW's strength is developing sports cars," said Toyota boss Akio Toyoda in January. "I get so excited thinking about the cars that will result from this relationship." So do we, Toyoda-san, so do we.

So while jointly developed diesels, fuel cells, and the latest lithium battery and hybrid tech likely are more exciting from a corporate perspective, enthusiasts are salivating about the sports car. Looking at the existing Toyota-BMW lineups, an upscale sports coupe makes the most sense. It could possibly signal the return of the Supra and fill yet another niche in the BMW portfolio as a stand-alone coupe different in mission and positioning than the Z4 or the soon-to-arrive 4 Series and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

 A source close to Toyota tells us that by the time of the official announcement in January, the two companies had already conducted feasibility studies and development was well underway.

"When BMW announced in December 2011 that it would supply a new clean diesel engine to Toyota, the jointly developed sports car project had already begun," says our insider. The person who green-lighted this project? You guessed it: Toyoda, the same exec responsible for green-lighting the Lexus LFA and Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S. The man loves his sports cars.

We also hear the engineer charged with spearheading this new coupe is none other than GT86/FR-S chief engineer Tetsuya Tada. According to our sources, Tada has already visited BMW multiple times in the past year or so. He said in a March interview on Toyota's official U.K. blog that he was planning to head to Munich after the 2013 Geneva Motor Show to sit down with BMW execs over some beer and bratwurst.

 "I am hoping for a synergy effect with BMW that will result in a product that none of us could have imagined; something more than anyone expects. I would like that to be something like a sports car," Tada said in the interview. "I would even go so far as to say that for the collaboration to work we have to bring a product which exceeds all these expectations."

We don't expect the BMW-Toyota sports car to use the 2.0-liter flat-four found in the GT86/FR-S (and their Subaru BRZ sibling). A BMW I-4 engine is more likely (though a Toyota-sourced I-4 is possible) and would necessitate significant modifications to the GT86/FR-S platform expected to underpin the car -- a task that would fall to BMW. The platform would also likely have to be stretched to bring it into the midsize category. There's an outside chance a BMW platform is being used, but given Tada's extensive involvement in the project, it's a long shot.

Naturally aspirated, supercharged, and turbocharged versions are reportedly being considered, but atmospheric induction is the most likely because it probably will be paired with electric motors. Our source tells us Toyota has been working on an all-wheel-drive GT86 equipped with front in-wheel motors and that this setup could make it into the new BMW-Toyota sports car. Additionally, we hear the BMW and Toyota products will have significantly different sheetmetal, unlike the 86/FR-S/BRZ. A speculative artist rendering of what the Toyota version could look like is depicted here. A concept (or concepts) is expected to be shown later this year at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. The GT86 took two years to go from concept to production, but with the basic platform already finished, the time to market for this BMW-Toyota sports car could be shorter.

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XCar takes a look back at the first Porsche Cayman

An attainable Porsche, still for the hard core

The second-generation Porsche Cayman debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2012. It brought more power -- 275 hp as opposed to 265 -- but a tad less torque. The S model also grew, from 315 hp to 320, and torque was up 5 lb-ft to 270. These numbers were intentionally suppressed, so they wouldn't encroach on 911 territory.

The company did the same thing when the first Cayman came out in 2005. Video outfit XCar took a look at the groundbreaking first-gen Porsche Cayman, to see what made it so great.

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2014 Nissan GT-R Special Edition priced at $106,590

Nissan is introducing the GT-R Special Edition for 2014, slathered in Midnight opal black paint. Only 50 units will be available in the United States, 100 worldwide.

The Special Edition, which is based on the Premium model, gets the unique paint, dry carbon-fiber rear spoiler, and forged aluminum wheels with a “hyper-titanium” coating. A gold model-number plate will be attached in the engine compartment, noting the specialness of the vehicle.

The Midnight opal paint is applied by hand, with a sparkling finish that changes depending on light conditions.

Power continues from Nissan's 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 rated at 545 hp and 463 lb-ft of torque. It's routed through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels.

The 2014 Nissan GT-R Special Edition will cost $106,590, including destination. That's a $6,000 bump over the GT-R Premium model.

The Special Edition will join the Black Edition and two-seat Track Edition for 2014. The cars will ship in September.

Dry carbon fiber spoiler on GT-R. 

2014 Nissan GT-R Special Edition engine plaque. 

Lighweight forged wheels on 2014 Nissan GT-R. 

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Honda adds HFP package for 2013 Accord

Limited edition gets bigger wheels, lower suspension

The limited-edition Honda Factory Performance package for the Accord Coupe goes on sale Tuesday. It was first shown at the Las Vegas SEMA show in 2012. Honda says the package enhances vehicle dynamics and adds distinctive styling cues.

The HFP package adds 19-inch HFP wheels, a decklid spoiler, a sport suspension that lowers the car by about a half inch, front, side and rear underbody spoilers, red interior illumination, and new badges and floormats. The parts carry a three-year, 36,000-mile limited warranty when installed in a new vehicle.

Only 500 HFP packages will be sold for the 2013 Accord Coupe, at a cost of $4,620, not including installation.

"The new Accord Coupe V6 is already a natural on twisty roads, but the HFP package really takes it to a new level," said Lee Niffenegger, program senior engineer at Honda Performance Development. "With a lowered ride height, sport suspension and more performance-oriented tires, the HFP kit definitely provides more controlled body motions and enhanced stability."

The 2013 Honda Accord gets power from a 3.5-liter V6 making 278 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Mileage is rated at 22 mpg combined with the manual, 25 combined in the automatic. Check out our full review of the V6 Accord here.

The HFP package will be limited edition. 

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Rare British metal to shine at Pebble Beach auction

Gooding & Co will celebrate 10 years at Pebble Beach this year

Gooding & Co. is gearing up for its Pebble Beach auction later in August, which is one of its biggest events of the year. The auction will take place Saturday Aug. 17th and Sunday Aug. 18 in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Even though the Pebble Beach venue doesn't produce the crowds or the selling volume of the Scottsdale auctions in January, it has become an important annual venue for Gooding & Co.. Last year's Pebble Beach auction produced an impressive 89 percent sales rate for Gooding, with 155 lots sold for a total of $113.7 million. That sale included a total of 123 cars, as well as selected lots of automobilia. The top highlight from last year was undeniably the 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540 K, known as the von Krieger Special Roadster, which hammered for $11,700,000. That price was actually a world record for any Mercedes-Benz sold at auction...at least until Fangio's Mercedes W196R.

Other notable lots from 2012 included a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione which sold for $11,275,000, followed by a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Prototype which ended up selling for $6,600,000. With the top three sales being in the seven-figure range or higher, it's clear what kinds of cars are changing hands at Gooding Monterey every year.

We're pretty confident that the results in 2013 will be just as spectacular, so let's take a look at some of the lots that will be on offer this year at Gooding's Pebble Beach auction.

The star of the show this year is likely to be this spectacular 1929 Bentley Speed Six Grafton Coupe, seen above. An original bodied and numbers matching car--chassis FR2630--this Bentley was one of a few surviving examples out of 182 produced. Featuring coachwork by Freestone & Webb, this model was based on the two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning Bentley.

All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Photos by Mathieu Heurtault. 
1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Three-Position Sedanca Coupe will be offered for sale at Gooding & Co's Pebble Beach auction 

Another lot that will surely receive some inspired bidding will be this Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Three-Position Sedanca Coupe from 1933. Estimated to bring between $1,000,000 and $1,300,000, this happens to be one of just 18 such examples believed to have been built. A numbers-matching example, which is rare to see on these old Rolls-Royce cars, this one took Best in Class at Pebble Beach back in 2009.



All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Photos by Mathieu Heurtault. 
Look for this elegant 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback at Gooding & Co's Pebble Beach sale

Perhaps our favorite upcoming lot has to be the 1954 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback, just due to its spectacular looks. Found in 2000 and completely restored by marque specialist Vantage Motorworks in Florida, this example is one of just seven built in left-hand drive with center shifting. This sinister-looking example bodied by H.J. Mulliner has since taken First in Class at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, Meadow Brook, and the Quail Motorsports Gathering. This example is estimated to bring between $1,750,000 and $2,250,000.

Click here for a full list of consigned cars at the Gooding & Co.'s website.

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Volkswagen Taigun poised for production

German automaker moving closer to joining small-SUV ranks

Volkswagen has moved a step closer to joining the small-SUV ranks -- it will produce its compact Taigun, VW sources told Autoweek.

Looks like it won’t head to the U.S., though. Volkswagen officials suggest they don’t think the new model’s compact dimensions and three-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines fit American tastes.

First shown as a concept at last year’s São Paulo motor show, the front-drive Taigun is meant to slot into Volkswagen’s lineup two classes below the existing Tiguan. According to VW, the small SUV market accounted for more than 8.7 million sales worldwide in 2012, and that number will only go up in the coming years with strongest demand in developing economies across Asia and South America.

The Taigun’s biggest competitor will be the similarly conceived Ford EcoSport. The Ford will offer optional four-wheel drive, though, and at this point VW’s plan calls for front-drive only. Why? VW wants economies of scale with the car’s sister model, the smaller, more-affordable Up hatchback.

Volkswagen says the Taigun also seeks to provide buyers with a more distinctively styled and versatile alternative to a growing number of compact front-wheel-drive SUVs, including the Fiat Panda Trekking, Suzuki Jimny and its own CrossUp -- the latter tentatively planned for launch in Europe later this year.

No official timeline for the production Taigun’s introduction has been revealed, though the product-planning team says the new car has already progressed past the concept stage into an initial engineering program. If all goes according to plan, the new Volkswagen SUV should be on sale by 2016. Also in ’16, VW intends to launch a long-wheel-base, second-generation Tiguan, previewed at the Detroit auto show back in January as the CrossBlue concept.

Volkswagen plans to assemble the Taigun at two manufacturing plants to satisfy what it hopes will be strong sales in many developing markets. Left-hand drive examples will likely hail from its operations in São Paulo, Brazil, with right-hand-drive examples set to come from its plant in Pune, India. Producing it at a third plant in Kaluga, Russia, is also being looked at.

The Taigun is based around Volkswagen’s New Small Family platform structure (PQ12). The VW Up also uses it. It’s stretched a bit though: At 97.2 inches, the new SUV has a 2.0-inch longer wheelbase than the Up, while the track widths remain the same -- 56.2 inches front and 56.0 inches rear.

The stretched PQ12 was originally planned to underpin a production version of the SpaceUp concept revealed in various guises. However, this model has now been placed on the back burner as Volkswagen commits its engineering resources to getting the Taigun into showrooms.

Engine options for the Taigun will probably be a range of gas and diesel three-cylinders mated to either a standard manual or optional dual-clutch gearbox. A natural gas variant is also planned. Volkswagen officials remain non-committal whether electric and gasoline-electric hybrids are also in the works.

Meanwhile, the Taigun doesn’t mean VW has abandoned plans for a slightly larger SUV to rival the Nissan Juke, Opel Mokka and Mini Countryman.

Such a model is considered crucial to Volkswagen’s goal of meeting ambitious sales targets in various markets, including the U.S. “There is obvious room between the Taigun and Tiguan for a further additional model,” sources told Autoweek. “But we are taking things one step at a time.”

While Volkswagen denies any concrete plans, rumors suggest it is likely to be based around Volkswagen’s widely used MQB platform.

Driving the Taigun

Parked next to the curb in San Antonio de Areco, a sleepy Argentinean town, the Taigun is put into perspective in the very surroundings it can expect to encounter when sales begin in 2016.

Concept cars have a tendency to appear out of place away from the motor show spotlights, but apart from its vivid blue paint scheme, the new entry-level Volkswagen SUV looks convincing among the cafes, shop fronts and municipal buildings lining the town’s square.

It is unmistakably a Volkswagen when you’re standing next to it, with clear similarities to the larger Tiguan. A wheel-at-each-corner stance also gives the Taigun visual confidence for something so compact -- its 17-inch wheels with 205/65 tires fill the substantial wheel houses nicely.

Nothing is official just yet, but signs are the new five-door will see production with only subtle changes to exterior styling, a collaboration between Volkswagen’s main design studio in Wolfsburg, Germany, and its Italian offshoot Giugiaro.

VW officials suggest the grille could be toned down to reflect the more reduced look other recent Volkswagen models have. Same goes for the headlamps. The two-piece tailgate gives excellent rear access but is too complex for a lower-market car. A simpler, one-piece hatch will likely replace it.

A turn behind the wheel on a variety of roads shows the Taigun combines a small SUV’s elevated seating position with a small hatchback’s compact dimensions. The concept has a compelling completeness, hinting its development is perhaps more advanced than Volkswagen is willing to admit.

With front seats mounted 27.3 inches above the ground, you sit 2.5 inches higher in the Taigun than in its mechanically identical sibling, the Up. It doesn’t sound like much, but the moderate increase in seat height is sufficient to provide the driver with quite a commanding view of the road, along with excellent visibility to all corners.

Overall length is 151.9 inches; the car is 68.0 inches wide and 61.8 inches high. Still, the Taigun gives the impression it is a much larger car from inside, thanks to deep footwells, generous cabin width and rather substantial seats.

The interior, including its high-mounted dash, has been conceived for production, although certain aspects will need reworking before that point. Same goes for the brightly colored trims and neoprene upholstery -- no doubt the showroom version will use quieter hues and more traditional materials.

Once underway, the concept’s 1.0-liter, 109-hp turbocharged three-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine, borrowed from the upcoming Up GT, provides peppy performance with entertaining aural properties while the six-speed manual gearbox has a crisp and urgent feel across the gates.

At just 2,194 pounds, it is relatively light, so it doesn’t take much engine effort to propel it along at typical city speed limits; with 129 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm, there’s low-end pull aplenty and sufficient midrange shove to make it lively despite the engine’s modest output.

Volkswagen claims the Taigun will crack 62 mph in 9.2 seconds and reach 116 mph -- should be fine for a car conceived primarily for urban driving.

The Taigun’s most-impressive facet is maneuverability. The electro-mechanical steering is nice and light, the turning circle tight and the engine is responsive.

It also feels home on the open road; the steering retains its directness with added speed, the square footprint ensures solid stability and though still in early development, the concept displayed solid body control at moderate speeds. The ride clearly needs some work before it could be deemed showroom ready, but on the whole the concept is well engineered.

Volkswagen should produce the Taigun several ways: an unadorned standard version for the first-time car buyer, a more rugged version featuring the concept’s roof bars and spare wheel mounted on the tailgate, and a luxury version with an up-market interior and other goodies.

The concept is a glimpse into what to expect. If the production car keeps its confident good looks and engaging on-road character, it will do well in what is set to become a big, tough market segment. Roll on 2016.

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