Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Crossover, Nissan, Rumormill

As much as we were hoping that it was nothing more than an elaborate internet hoax by a talented Photoshopper, we're getting closer and closer to slotting this one away in the Silly But Apparently True file. According to Inside Line, the oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible is indeed coming to an auto show near you, starting late this year at the LA Auto Show.

Yes, we're serious. No, we're not sure we get it either.

If there's any truth to this rumor, we can expect the droptop crossover to hit the market as a 2012 model equipped with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and continuously variable automatic transmission as the standard-issue Murano. The switchover to convertible status will reportedly include the removal of the rear doors and may even come with a Chrysler PT Cruiser-esque hoop that's ostensibly there to boost rigidity and act as some sort of roll bar in the unlikely event of a tipover. We're sure it'll be just the thing for unstable homecoming queens come parade duty.

Gluttons for punishment are free to see the complete retina-roasting rendering here at Inside Line. Hey, don't blame us... we warned you.

[Source: Inside Line]

Oft-rumored Nissan Murano convertible tipped to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: SUV, Europe, BMW, Rumormill, Luxury

The good people at AutoExpress are doing their best to fan the flames of the BMW X4 rumors. The site claims to have snagged a bevy of information on the Bavarian brand's product plans, including a more detailed account of what we can expect out of the much-rumored X4. Supposedly the new high-rider will borrow a heaping helping of design cues from the X6, so if you aren't a fan of that brute, odds are you won't like the new model, either. Unlike the big boy, the site claims that the X4 will make use of a double-gated hatch in the rear similar to what's found in the 5 Series Gran Turismo - a smart choice to help load and unload parcels.

AutoExpress also lays out drivetrain possibilities, including the likelihood of one very thrifty 2.0-liter turbo diesel mill that promises around 50 mpg. The site says that in that configuration, 0-60 is likely to click off in a somewhat loping 8.6 seconds, though there will be more potent variations available, including one powered by a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with north of 300 horsepower.

It all sounds good, but BMW itself hasn't said word one about seriously mulling a new 'ute.



Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: AutoExpress]

More details on BMW's rumored X4 swirling about originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Porsche, Humor, Specialty

This author will be the first to admit that he's not exactly overflowing with love for the Porsche 944, but don't expect any amused looks from this camp about seeing this car degraded into a stumpy rendition of Tim Burton's Batmobile. Sadly, that's just what seems to have happened with this particular 1985 944. According to the seller, the car still boasts the stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a five-speed manual cog box, so you won't be outpacing baddies anytime soon. A NOS Sniper system has been installed on the car, but thankfully, it's never been used. We're guessing hitting the go-go juice would be a heckuva lot of fun - but probably just once.

A few of the movie car's more outlandish traits have made their way to this poor Porsche, including those wild batwing fins and a pair of replica .223 machine guns that light up for effect. The car does feature the kind of sound system you'd need to drown out the riotous laughter of those in traffic around you, so that's a plus. The seller says that the front fenders need to be finished, and as such, you can get this puppy for a song. Asking price is a mere ,500. You can check out the full listing here. Thanks for the tip, Kris!



[Source: Kijiji]

Online Find of the Day: Holy Abomination Batman - It's a customized 1985 Porsche 944! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

Matt Farah and the crew from The Smoking Tire just can't seem to get enough of the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible they had for this year's Bullrun. With the cross-country party over and nothing but a mountain of citations looming in the distance, The Smoking Tire set out to give the big Blue Oval one last goodbye. Of course, they couldn't spend an entire episode pouring over every last detail of a vehicle that regular viewers know all too well. Instead, the show lined up a quick stint behind the wheel of the Classic Design Concepts Firebreather.

Think of it as what the 2010 Pontiac Firebird would have looked like if the Poncho had survived the GM apocalypse and the company's designers had been on acid. If you can get past the wildly rear sheet metal and the drooping front fascia, there's a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V8 in the Chevrolet Camaro on which it's based. The whole concoction is good for 600 horsepower, and while the car was originally worked up for an Exodus Productions movie, Classic Design Concepts will be selling genuine Firebreather models to the public. Hit the jump to see Farah wrangle the car through a canyon or two.

[Source: The Smoking Tire]

Continue reading Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather

Video: The Smoking Tire gets to play with the Firebreather originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Toyota

Sitting in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Toyota's Higashi-Fuji technical center is part proving grounds and part engineering center. But unlike most facilities, Higashi-Fuji includes an array of engineering and research offices employing over 3,000 employees, and an assortment of non-track test facilities.

The Higashi-Fuji campus opened back in 1966 and has grown to encompass nearly 2.7 millionsquare feet of facility floor space. We were given the rare opportunity to visit the facility where we witnessed one unique crash test, tried out one of the world's most advanced driving simulators and sampled an assortment of new safety features, including a brake override system, enhanced pre-collision braking, pedestrian detection and updated ABS calibrations for the Prius. Make the jump for the full report.

Continue reading Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video]

Autoblog gets seat and simulation time with Toyota's newest safety technology [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Europe, Japan, Nissan

Just when we thought the softer-riding Nissan GT-R SpecM had disappeared for good, the car shows up at the Nurburgring for a little abuse. The crew from Auto Motor und Sport managed to lay their hands on a lengthy video of a few barely-cloaked examples of the car scooting around Green Hell, and everyone's best guess is that the vehicles are a peek at what we can expect out of the Nissan 2011 supercar lineup. As you likely recall, the SpecM is designed to be a more comfortable interpretation of the company's no-holds barred bruiser. The suspension is tuned more for the street than busting around your favorite road course, and the interior is supposedly swaddled in more high-grade materials.

Judging from what we see in the video, we're guessing that the new SpecM will wear aero additions borrowed from the mighty Spec-V, along with wheels swiped from the same car. Hit the jump to see the flick for yourself.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Carscoop]

Continue reading Spy Video: Nissan GT-R SpecM gets wrung out at the 'Ring

Spy Video: Nissan GT-R SpecM gets wrung out at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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