TechArt Cayenne

The widemouthed, surprised looking TechArt Porsche Cayenne bodykit looks to be inspired by Edvard Munch's "The Scream". Which is fitting, as this is the reaction that I had upon first setting eyes upon it. Why is it that every modified Cayenne has to be an orgy of gaping orifices?

AutoChops

Just posting my new blog, devoted photo manipulation. Thought I would keep it separate from AutoFug. Bear with me - it's still in the construction stages.

http://autochops.blogspot.com/

Paging Elton John

Besides having a horrible that seems to have little to do with anything, Mini's new Rocketman concept for the 2011 Geneva Autoshow is an ugly little beast. What's more, the looks aren't even that original, resembling a shortened version of the equally ugly Citroen C-Cactus concept from 2007.

If autofug were a country, this would be it's leader.

Click here for it's video on YouTube...

Wish I had more info butI can't speak the language in the video. It appears to have been filmed in Florida, however.

It appears to be mostly Mercedes wagon based, although you would think it may need a larger engine to push all that mass around. It's possibly a Chevrolet truck diesel, given that the engine sounds a bit larger than a Benz unit to my ears (and there's a random Chevrolet emblem front and centre on the hood). Other notable pieces are Chrysler Imperial headlights and pieces of older Cadillacs wedged in the bodywork.

I'm actually kind of impressed that it's actually driveable, and that the rear wheel steering seems to work so effectively. For the looks of it, you would think it would collapse in on itself with any movement at all.








Update:

It's for sale! It's 29 feet long and weights 7500 pounds! He hopes to get $950,000, which is about 100 times to more than it's worth.

Dreaming of a 300C Hybrid?

Wait no longer! In a remarkable show of restraint, the cars actually doesn't have scissor doors.

Super Dee-Duper

Remember Dinobots? I'm not sure, but I think this in one of the little known extras from the latest in the Transformer movie franchise that morphs into Barney the Dinosaur.

De Tomaso Revival is a Dodgey Proposition

Can you find the car that isn’t a Dodge in the image to the left?

De Tomaso is forever etched fondly in my mind with memories of Panteras and Mangustas, but its revival threatens to change that. Similar to the misguided attempt to relaunch the Lagonda brand, this oversized sedan / SUV / crossover / thing is apparently what defines De Tomaso for the millennium. Where most original De Tomasos were exotic machinery with potent Ford engines, the new De Tomaso unfortunately is little more than a new body sitting atop a Cadillac SRX – a vehicles that is decidedly mediocre to start with. And speaking of that body, it's a bit generic with some decidedly low-rent looking taillights that wouldn't look out of place on a Dodge. Even the interior is little changed, save for being slathered in leather. Truly a sad day for fans of exotic cars of the 60’s and 70’s.

Merccord Coupe

Mercedes has just released shots of it’s new C-Class coupe, which kinda sorta replaces the CLK. Kinda because the CLK sorta became the E-Class coupe. Which is based off the C-Class, but looks like an E-Class. Although this seems a bit repetitive, the C-Class coupe is smaller and doesn’t have the pillarless window effect of the E-Class Coupe or it’s dramatic bodyside treatment and (excessive) front end details.

In the end it’s a sleek and clean design that looks quite nice. Unfortunately, it also looks a lot like an Accord Coupe (in particular the greenhouse and bodyside crease), which probably isn’t the demographic they’re looking for.

Flavia Flav

We’ve been hearing for a while now of Fiat’s plans to have a Chrysler 300 based Lancia. I thought that sounded a little sketchy originally, and today Fiat's made it's plans crystal clear as it released some shots of the upcoming car, which will take the Thema nameplate.

Where before I assumed that the chassis, engine and other bits would be used in a Lancia, it now seems that basically the only thing changed is the emblem in the grille, on the trunk and in the rims.
More alarming is that the 300 based Thema is not the only badge-engineered Lancia in the works… The Flavia nameplate has been resurrected in the form of the Chrysler Sebring 200, and even the Grand Voyager can now be had with a Lancia badge on the hood The latter has been named – imaginatively – the Grand Voyager. Which I’m guessing is Italian for “blasphemy”.

One can only guess as what the Italian public will think of these new products, given that 40-50 years ago the company was known for sporty, distinctive cars with a rich rally heritage. Although that being said the brand had been pretty much diluted to the point of being Fiat’s Mercury anyhow. Still – I was hoping for at least a facelift.