Mazda Working on Small Roadster Model Based on the Mazda2

The latest gossip from the Japanese front is that Mazda is working on a new two-seater roadster model based on the underpinnings of the current generation Mazda2 supermini (see gallery after the jump) which is sold in Japan as the Demio. If true, the roadster would fit right under the MX-5 / Miata in Mazda's sports car range competing in Europe against the likes of the forthcoming Renault Twingo CC, the Opel Tigra and the Peugeot 207 CC.

No word on the roadster's top, but we gather that a retractable metal roof is the most obvious choice for a model of this sort.

The proposed two-seater is said to use the same front-wheel drive layout as the Ford Fiesta-sized Mazda2 with power coming from a similar engine line-up that in Europe includes 1.3-and 1.5-liter gasoline units as well as 1.4- and 1.6-liter turbo diesels.

Japan's Best Car magazine also came up with a preliminary computer generated rendering of the proposed roadster model which looks quite interesting sans the quirky headlight arrangement.

And while we have no way of confirming the report from Best Car, we believe that a roadster version of the Mazda2 is not only plausible but it also makes sense for Mazda to add such a version in its range.

Ferrari Dino Rosa: Concept Study for a New Entry Level Mid-Engine Ferrari

Many independent designers have tried to capture the Ferrari spirit in their conceptual proposals, but to be completely honest, very few have really succeeded. Unfortunately for designer Paolo Rosa, we'd classify this study for a smaller mid-engined Ferrari sportscar -supposedly inspired by the 1967 Dino 246 GT- in the first category. In our opinion, the worst design aspect of the Ferrari Dino Rosa is the rather generic front-end. Hit the jump to check out more photos of Rosa's 1:10 scale model that is currently on display at the "Dreaming the Automobile" Exhibition hosted by the Museo dell'Automobile Bonfanti-Vimar in Italy.

Lexus LF-A V10 Rumored to Debut at '09 Tokyo Show, Production Limited to 500 Units

If we are to believe the latest gossip coming in from the 'Land of the Rising Sun', Lexus is scheduling to reveal the production version of the long-anticipated LF-A supercar at the forthcoming 2009 Tokyo Motor Show that runs from October 23 to November 8. Citing inside sources close to the V10-powered supercar's development team, Japan's Best Car magazine said that the LF-A's production will be limited to a mere 500 units, with 120 of those being allocated to the domestic market with an estimated starting price of around 30 million Yen a piece or about $310,000 US - €220,000 at the current exchange rates.

The price alone places Lexus' V10-powered supercar into an entirely different league than the GT-R as it costs twice as much as the recently launched GT-R V-Spec model (15,750,000 Yen in Japan).

The report goes on to say that aside from the standard model that will most likely bear the GT500 moniker, there's also talk about an even more exclusive version dubbed SS550 where SS stands for Super Sport - that is unless someone decides to make a fuss about the name...

More specifically, the GT500 will be powered by a high-revving 5.0-liter V10 producing an estimated 500HP, while the SS550 is said to get a tweaked version of the V10 with a displacement of 5.5-liters and an output of around 550HP. Both variants feature a front-mid engined layout with a transaxle housing the semi-automatic gearbox and rear-mounted radiators.

When Lexus first unveiled the LF-A Coupe concept at the 2005 Detroit motor show (followed by a Roadster study at 2008 Detroit show - see photo album below ), the Japanese automaker claimed that its Ferrari-challenging supercar would reach a top speed of around 200mph or 322km/h. But now the word is that thanks to the extensive work on the LF-A's aerodynamics, the supercar will top out closer to 220mph or 354km/h.

We remind you that Lexus entered two LF-A prototype models at the 24h of Nurburgring endurance race, with one of those cars ending up in flames -

Honda S2000 Coupe Independent Concept Study Looks the Part

Not many of you were excited with the prospect of an all-wheel drive, 2+2 hybrid coupe replacement for the Honda S2000 as are the rumors currently circulating in Japan. Then how about an evolution of today's S2000 roadster with a fixed hardtop and some serious styling changes that include a Nissan GT-R-like snout, a rounded but, concave body surfacing and a pair of xtra large side air-vents? Pretty cool, wouldn't you agree? The artist responsible for creating these computer generated images of the S2000 Coupe Concept is actually the same person that crafted the alluring Subaru Impreza WRX STI three-door study that we showed you earlier today and who goes by the alias 'Grid'. Hit the jump to view the complete gallery.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Hatch Concept Study

Needless to say, it doesn't take much effort to come up with a better design than Subaru's original Impreza hatch, but that wouldn't be fair to the creator of this independent concept study. This realistic computer generated proposal for a more distinct and sporty-looking Impreza WRX STI with a wedgy-shaped three-door hatchback body is the work of an artist that goes by the alias 'Grid'. Check out the rest of the photos in the gallery after the jump and tell us what you think about the study by leaving a comment below.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Renault's 2010 Twingo CC with ala Ferrari 575M Superamerica Rotating Rooftop

With Renault officials having already openly admitted that they are readying a roofless sportscar based on the Twingo mini that could enter production as early as 2010, it was only a matter of time before magazines started their speculative takes on the car's looks. In its latest issue, Autoplus has published a series of computer generated images based on scoop photos of a thinly disguised prototype of the so-called Twingo CC. The most prominent feature of Renault's budget-conscious sportscar is without doubt its rotating central-piece rooftop that is similar in design to the one found in the Ferrari 575 M Superamerica.

However, unlike Ferrari's rooftop that flings itself back onto the deck lid, the Twingo CC's single-piece hard-top is stowed away inside the boot which opens up in the same way as most coupe-convertibles.

If the car's design is anywhere close to what we see here in these CGIs - and judging by the accompanying scoop photo, there's a strong possibility it will, the Twingo CC won't be winning any beauty contests but it certainly looks like it will be turning heads on the road.

There's no official word on the powertrain options, but expect to see a variation of Renault's 1.2-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 100HP in standard form as well as the Twingo RS' naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine with 133 Hp at 6,750rpm with 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Honda S2000 Successor Rumored to Get AWD and Hybrid Powertrain

Earlier this year, Honda announced that the S2000 Roadster's decade-long production run will come to an end this year, leaving the company without a proper sports car. However, in addition to the launch of the production version of the front-wheel drive CR-Z hybrid small coupe in 2010, Japan's Best Car is now reporting that Honda is also working on a larger and more powerful coupe that would essentially act as a replacement to the S2000. The magazine claims that the 2+2 coupe would ditch the S2000's rear-wheel drive layout for the firm's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD).

Furthermore, it is said in the report that the sports coupe will benefit from a hybrid system similar to the ones used on Honda's Insight and Civic IMA hybrid cars. No word on if the S2000 replacement would use a high-rev 4-cylinder or go for a larger displacement V6 petrol engine.

Officially, Honda has given the green light to the CR-Z hybrid sports car while the Japanese firm announced the cancelation of its V10-powered NSX successor at the end of 2008 due to the economic crisis. Honda has made no announcement whatsoever on a S2000 replacement.

So what do we think about Best Car's report? It isn't the first time we've been hearing rumours about a Honda sports car of this type, and it sure ain't the last. A high-performance 2+2 Hybrid Coupe with AWD does sound interesting and more vitally, feasible, but for the time being we'll keep this story in the grapevine.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Lamborghini, Ferrari and BMW Sportscar Concept Studies by Iranian Designer Emil Baddal

Remember the collective Iranian concept studies that we showed you back in April? Well, we found yet another designer with potential from the Middle Eastern country. His name is Emil Baddal and we picked out three illustrations from his portfolio that caught our attention. The designs proposals are for a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a BMW supercar. We reckon that all three studies could benefit from some tweaks here and there, but overall not a bad attempt at all.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

LAMBORGHINI

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BMW

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FERRARI