New Sport Citroën Metropolis – in China

In an interview with the trade journal Automotive News China confirms Gregoire Olivier, board member of the PSA Peugeot Citroen with a special responsibility to model and strategy, the concept Metropolis series is produced. Metropolis, which likely will be renamed to DS9, is one of the more premium models such as PSA Peugeot Citroen is planning for the Chinese market.

Even if the luxury car market is still not large compared to the U.S. and Europe, it has a growth rate that allows the development curve points to very high numbers at the end of the decade. The car makers want to sell many “luxury” must therefore be present in China and have models that are tailored for the Chinese taste. While PSA Peugeot Citroen is well aware of this and you will not let the German colleagues to be alone on this lucrative market.

Citroën Metropolis – in China

Citroën Metropolis – in China

The cooperation between PSA and Changan Automobile Group will result in a group of premium models in which the Metropolis, or DS9, is one of the cars:
“The same design components to be used for a top model from Citroen to be developed in China,” said Gregoire Olivier to Automotive News China. However, he mentioned nothing about when this model would be ready and if it also is relevant for the European market.

Metropolis is the first concept car developed by the PSA’s own design studio in Shanghai and it was at the inauguration of the World Expo in the spring as it was unveiled. Citroën has not revealed all the details but the powertrain will consist of a two-liter gasoline V6 that provides 275 hp and 375 Nm, which indicates that Citroën makes use of turbocharging.

The transmission is a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. V6 driving the front wheels, while an electric motor at 40 kW/55 hp (quick “boost” effect 95 horses) drives the rear wheels. The system allows engines to work separately or together. Metropolis can run a few mil in city traffic completely emission free.

Quick Tip: Summer Car Rental Tips

You should also try to rent from off-airport locations, which tend to be cheaper, especially on the weekends, and pre-pay when you book the rental to get a discount.

What about insurance coverage for your rental? Will the credit card you have give you the coverage you need?

Credit Cards and Car Rental Insurance

All the major cards offer you some form of secondary coverage. If you get in an accident, you file a claim with your auto insurance company and the credit card will cover most extra charges, including deductibles that you need to pay. However, there are many exclusions.

New Sport Gillet Vertigo .5 Spirit

Gillet Vertigo .5 Spirit

Gillet Automobiles has unveiled the new Vertigo .5 Spirit sports car. The new model is described by the company "pleasure of driving sensations in a work of art object." And judging by the look of the car we have to admit, the car looks quite impressive.

Built on a carbon-fiber chassis the car weight only 950 kilos. Under the hood there is a Maserati sourced 4,2 liter V8 engine that delivers an impressive 420hp. The engine is mated to a 6-speed Sequential gearbox. However, Gillet did not revealed any performance numbers just yet. But stay tuned! The car sits on 19" wheels.

The new Vertigo .5 Spirit is a 100% customizable car. Upon command, each element is discussed, studied with the client and then decided. This will help you create the Vertigo you like, in both colors and interior treatments. Gillet did not announced the price for their new model, but they did promised it will be "the most accessible of Supercars."

New Sport Bugatti to begin selling Veyron in India

Bugatti to begin selling Veyron in India

Bugatti must be really confident in the buying power of the rich folks of India considering that the company has introduced the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport in the country despite the ridiculous 110% import tax tacked to items like foreign exotic cars.

Add the car’s cost to the tax it comes with and to be able to purchase a Veyron in the country would mean that you would have to pay a staggering $3.6 million. Apparently, Bugatti is undeterred by the mammoth tax cars like the Veyron will be given, opting to focus more on the huge potential of the spending power of wealthy locals, which, according to analysts, could reach $14.7 billion as fast as 2015.

Satya Bagla, head of Exclusive Motors Pvt., the company that carries high-end brands Bugatti, Bentley, and Lamborghini, said that the Indian market, specifically the wealthy, are beginning to open up their bank accounts. “People have more spending power and are getting more aware of owning beautiful things,” she said.

New Sport Dodge RedLine Charger

Dodge RedLine Charger 2011

Lost in the overly hyped Mustang versus Camaro tug-of-war is the Dodge Charger, Chrysler’s muscle-bound mayhem machine. It may not have the cache of its two competitors, but the 2011 Charger is anything but a push-over.

So what happens when you give the boys at Mopar Underground a 2011 Dodge Charger and let them work their magic on it?

Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles answered it best. “We let the designers of the production car and their friends at Mopar rip. I wanted them to show us what they would do with this vehicle if it were their own dream car.”

New Sport Peugeot Shine Concept

Peugeot Shine Concept 201o

If Peugeot ever decides on introducing a new concept car, we highly suggest that they give Piotr Czyzewski a call.

The Polish designer is responsible for this stunning Peugeot concept called ‘Shine’. The four-seater coupe’s design is nothing short of jaw dropping. The sleek curves and aggressive linings give it the look of a stealthy puma ready to pounce on a very unfortunate – and unsuspecting – prey.

While the aesthetic and the glossy black color is enough to give the Shine Concept a VIP entry to the ‘Smoking Hot Concept’ Club, we still haven’t gotten to those opposite-opening doors that make the car look more awesome than it already is.

Czyzweski didn’t give any details on the performance package that comes with his work of art, but you can be assured that whatever’s under the hood of this car, it’s sheer appearance alone is all the evidence we need to know that this is one Peugeot concept the manufacturer should seriously think of rolling into the production block.

New Sport Abarth Roadster

Abarth Roadster 2012

News of Abarth preparing their own roadster started back in 2008 and, although we have caught some rumors here and there, nothing much has panned out leaving us to believe that Abarth will be clutched under the wing of other European brands forever. That, apparently, was an incorrect assumption.

Hoping to leave behind the disappoint that was the Smart Roadster, Abarth’s new Roadster model will feature an all new design, a transverse, mid-engined layout similar to that of the Lotus Elise. There are previous suggest reports suggesting the future Abarth model will share the chassis with the KTM X-Bow, but that is still under discussion. The car’s exterior design will be inspired by Abarth models of the 1960s.

Under the hood there will be the recently launched turbocharged 1.4-liter MultiAir, available with outputs as high as 170bhp. The engine will be mated to a new six-speed, dual-clutch gearbox, but a seven-speed version is also a possibility for the future.

Expect the new Abarth Roadster to debut in 2012, priced at around £25,000 (aprox. $40,000 at the current exchange rates). Abarth expects to produce a total of 5,000 units to sell worldwide.