worldwide automotive, auto classifieds, worldwide cars, automotive news online, auto cars

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Alfa Romeo

The saga of whether Bertone will or will not be at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show to debut its Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 concept is over. Automotive News Europe is reporting that the Italign design house will display the vehicle you see above in Geneva, just not at the Palexpo where the auto show is taking place. Bertone’s Vice Chairperson Marie-Jeanne Bertone told AN that her mother Lilli, who is also Bertone’s Chairperson, had cancelled the company’s booth at the Geneva show. Unfortunately, it’s not yet known where within the city limits of Geneva the car will debut. We assume it will be a shady part of town and a password might be required to get in. Despite the highly unorthodox unveiling, the B.A.T. 11 looks every bit as dynamic as the original B.A.T. concepts from which it takes inspiration. Being that it’s based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione platform, it probably goes like stink, too. We’ll do our best to infiltrate the Swiss underground scene and bring you back some live shots.

[Source: Automotive News Europe, sub. req’d]

Chicago Auto Show

If you’ve been holding off on a brand new Ford Edge because the styling just wasn’t sporty enough, have we got good news for you. Tonight at a press event in Dearborn, Ford took the wraps from it’s latest trim level of the well received crossover, the 2009 Ford Edge Sport. Featuring some nice design details like perforated alcantera seating surfaces, an 8 piece body kit, smoked headlights, dual exhaust tips, stiffened up performance suspension, and… oh okay, big stinky wheels. The Edge Sport gets polished 20″ wheels standard and 22 incher’s optional, both wrapped in fat Pirelli Scorpion Zeros. And just because you were already thinking it, no, there are no additional ponies riding under that hood. Expect to see the sportier looking Edge at dealers by fall. Keep it parked here for our live Chicago Auto Show coverage as we bring you all the reveals that are fit to print, er, publish.

CHICAGO, Feb. 5, 2008 - Ford is providing still more sizzle for America’s best-selling mid-size crossover, introducing a new factory-customized model - the 2009 Edge Sport.
“The new Ford Edge Sport is designed to instantly appeal to crossover customers who want a sportier custom look and feel,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford Division. “This specialty design reflects the growing popularity of personalization and more customers’ interest in industry shows like the annual Hot Import Nights around the country and the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas.”

The Sport model - which joins the SE, SEL and Limited models in the range - makes the Ford Edge the first vehicle in its segment to offer a customized model. Its modern, athletic design, flexible package and unique features like VistaRoof™ and SYNC helped sell 130,125 Edge units in 2007, making it the nation’s top-selling crossover. The new Edge Sport model will further distinguish it from competitors.

We’re running out of metaphors to describe the many ways that information, like water, leaks from automakers and bursts through embargoes. In this case it’s a flood of pictures from the facelifted 2009 Mercedes SL, and we’ve got so many of them that we’re tempted to start building a giant boat and filling it with pairs of animals. Yesterday it was just two quick glimpses of the 2009 SL 350, today we get exterior and interior photos of the new luxovert.

It’s still uncertain what’s going on under the hood of the new Mercedes because no one has been nice enough to leak the press release (but that’s bound to happen fairly soon). In the meantime, enjoy the cars and the smiley drivers MB trots out for these photos. [Carcoop]

Detroit Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Saab

We’ll be seeing a wide array of vehicles from General Motors at the Detroit Auto Show less than a month from now. According to Bob Lutz, the lineup will include at least the ZR1 ‘Vette, the CTS-V, Saturn Flextreme, and Two-Mode Saturn Vues in regular and plug-in variants. AutoCar is also reporting that a concept version of Saab’s new crossover, the 9-4X, will turn up at Cobo Hall. The 9-4X is expected to share a variation of GM’s Theta compact CUV architecture with the new Cadillac BRX and be built in Mexico alongside the Saturn Vue. Perhaps more interesting to true Saab aficionados will be the arrival of a new 9-1 model at the London Motor Show next July. This one will come off the next generation Delta platform along with the Astra and be as close as Trollhatten ever again gets to a “true” Saab.

[Source: AutoCar]

Toyota’s showing in Tokyo was rife with disappointments, none more so than what was over at the Lexus booth. Beyond its LF-Xh hybrid crossover, rumor had it that a revised version of the LF-A supercar would make an appearance. No such luck. Instead, the same show car we’ve seen over the last year stood alone, longing for refinement.

According to Winding Road’s Japan correspondent, the reason for the dismal showing was a shakeup on the engineering side of Lexus’ new halo. A number of “key engineers” have apparently been yanked off the project to work on other programs within Toyota, and that, partnered with problems providing power from both a V10 and a gas-electric hybrid V8, along with reaching the 218 MPH targeted top speed, has caused delays in development.

The business plan for the LF-A includes building 26 units per month, and sources suggest that sales are likely to begin in 2009 - the same year Acura will bring its own supercar to market.

[Source: Winding Road]