Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Supercars, Lamborghini

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder

When we got word that Lamborghini was bringing a new model to the LA Auto Show, it wasn't hard to guess what it would be: the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder. Sun-loving Californians would all drive convertibles if they could, making Los Angeles an ideal venue for the debut, and Lamborghini has a habit of following up its coupe models with a drop top version. Our hunch was confirmed earlier this morning when pictures flooded the internet, and we know have live shots from the show floor, along with more details on the car. The new folding top runs via a hydraulic pump as well as electric motor that can close and raise the top in around 20 seconds. The headlights have been slightly updated with new LEDs and daytime running lights. As with the coupe version, the Spyder features the new 5.2L V10 producing 552 bhp and 398 lb-ft torque, and the suspension and e-gear transmission upgrades carry over as well. With the reduced weight and added power, the Spyder now reaches 100 km/h in four seconds flat and tops out at a touch over 200 mph. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, and both live and press shots are in the high resolution galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2008: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder unveiled LIVE

LA 2008: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder unveiled LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Porsche

Even as the industry swirls in turmoil, Porsche continues to offer hope to enthusiasts as they relentlessly increase performance without sacrificing efficiency. For 2009, Porsche has given the Boxster and Cayman a mild facelift, along with updating the interior and accessories. More importantly, and following in the footsteps of the 911 Carrera PDK, all 2009 Cayman and Boxster models are also offered with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe transmission (aka PDK). Mated to the new transmission are two significantly reworked engines featuring direct injection. The result is more power, and improved fuel economy (we shouldn't fail to mention that the PDK accelerates faster than the six-speed manual). Porsche is offering two engines in 2009. The standard engine is a 2.9-liter flat-six rated at 255 hp. The "S" models are fitted with a more powerful 3.4-liter sending 310 hp to the gearbox. Like the Carrera, go-fast options on the sporty mid-engine two-seaters include active suspension (PASM) and ceramic brakes (PCCB). Look for both to arrive in showrooms in early 2009.

Photos copyright (C)2008 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2008: Porsche reveals improved Boxster and Cayman

LA 2008: Porsche reveals improved Boxster and Cayman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

Tonight on Knight Rider, the new Mustang has a special guest appearance. Other stuff will happen too, mostly involving bad acting and a dumb plot.

The official synopsis, from NBC:

"Knight of the Zodiac" Mike, KITT and Billy head to Vegas to take on a money laundering ring.

I'm all in. See you after the jump.

Continue reading Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 8

Knight Rider: The Liveblog -- Season 1, Episode 8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Volkswagen

This is Volkswagens entrant in this weekend's Baja 1000: a spaceframe-chassis Touareg TDI with 75 cm of suspension travel competing in the top-dog Trophy Truck class and utilizing an oil-burning V12 with nearly 550 hp. That's a long way from the first VW win in 1967 that came courtesy of a VW Beetle converted into one of the soon-to-be-ubiquitous dune monsters. Driver Mark Miller won the Baja 500 last year in the first Race Touareg. Aided by helicopters and eight support vehicles, we'll find out on Sunday if he and navigator Ryan Arciero can take The Big One this year.


Live photos copyright (C)2008 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2008: VW Race Touareg 2

LA 2008: VW Race Touareg 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Infiniti

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible

Infiniti did it. While most manufactures struggle to make their convertibles even remotely as attractive as their coupe siblings, this luxury brand has delivered a drop-top that looks every bit as good (or better) than its fixed-roof kin. In person, even with the top up, the convertible is sleek as it lacks the heavy B-pillar of the coupe (giving it an airy appearance). With its three-piece automatic power hardtop retracted, it screams sophistication and luxury as all of the hardware disappears beneath a flush fitting tonneau cover. Aesthetics aside, motivation for the new convertible comes from a 325-hp 3.7-liter V6 driving the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic. As expected in this segment, the G37 Convertible arrives in the spring with a long list of standard equipment (see the press release after the jump). While Infiniti hasn't released pricing, our best guess says the G37 Convertible will start in the mid-40's.

Live photos copyright (C)2008 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading LA 2008: Infiniti lifts the lid on the 2009 G37 Convertible [w/VIDEO]

LA 2008: Infiniti lifts the lid on the 2009 G37 Convertible [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments