Auto News - Facelifted 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata leaked?

Auto News - Facelifted 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata leaked? It looks as if the current generation Mazda MX-5 Miata will stay on for a while longer. (Note: We are not complaining.) Images clipped from a Japanese brochure show a newly facelifted version of the NC platform, designated the NC3.

The roadster wears an all-new front fascia, complete with a five-point grille opening and a pair of redesigned fog lamp housings to to either side. The fascia looks more than a bit like the one found on the Mazda Spyder Concept we all know and love, and softens the current car's always-happy-to-see-you grin.

Word has it the 2013 MX-5 Miata will come with a new pedestrian-safe hood designed to pop up in the event of a collision. Step indoors, and the interior boasts new blacked-out gauges, as well as a new dash cover. It's unclear whether there are any mechanical changes on hand, though we do know the NC3 will bow with a new range of paint color and wheel options.

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Auto News - Puritalia releases full renderings of Cobra-inspired 427 roadster

Auto News - Puritalia releases full renderings of Cobra-inspired 427 roadster. The minds at Puritalia have finally gotten around to taking the wraps off of their Shelby Cobra-inspired roadster. The Puritalia 427 is intended to serve as a modern interpretation of the legendary open-top built by Carroll Shelby.

In addition to the gaggle of photos you see here, Puritalia has also served the final specs on the machine. The 427 uses an aluminum space frame chassis with chromoly steel subframes, which help maintain stiffness while keeping the roadster as lightweight as possible. As a result, the machine tips the scales at a mere 2,403 pounds with a perfect 50/50 weight balance.

The body shell is stitched from carbon fiber, and buyers may choose between one of two engines. The base, naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 puts 445 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, aluminum driveshaft and limited slip differential, though a supercharged variant of the same engine is also available with a more heady 605 horsepower.

With its fully-independent suspension, adjustable shocks and sway bars, the 427 should also keep its feet planted on the ground. A set of six-piston Brembo calipers squeeze 15-inch discs up front, while four-piston clamps press 13.5-inch rotors out back. Sounds like fun to us. Head over to the Puritalia site for more information.

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Auto News - Jaguar F-Type prototype to take the hill at Goodwood

Auto News - Jaguar F-Type prototype to take the hill at Goodwood. Jaguar is taking its still-in-development F-Type to the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month. Mike Cross, Jaguar's head of vehicle integrity, will be piloting the all-aluminum convertible up the hill, and we guess he'll probably have the 380-horsepower, supercharged V6 underhood that we'll see when the production car is introduced next year, though a V8 is also possible. We're just hoping that Jag sees fit to delete the F-filled camouflage on the model seen above and show us the car in all its glory.

Jaguar's new kid should fit nicely with this year's Goodwood theme of "young guns." Scroll down for a press release on the F-Type's appearance.

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Auto News - Mazda to debut MX-5 Miata GT Concept, looking for feedback

Auto News - Mazda to debut MX-5 Miata GT Concept, looking for feedback. Does the idea of a Mazda MX-5 Miata with 205 horsepower – a useful bump over the stocker's 167 ponies – sound like a good idea? How about one with an upgraded suspension, carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser and spoiler?

Still not good enough for you? Fine. Throw in a free-flowing exhaust with single center-mounted tailpipe, body-color roll hoops, sticky tires and a pair of Recaro seats. If we're describing the Miata of your dreams, we suggest you tell Mazda how you feel – this exact machine, dubbed the MX-5 Miata GT Concept, will be on display at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it will make a run up the hill.

Mazda says it's "seeking customer reaction" to the hotted-up sports car, which it says is inspired by its MX-5 GT race car. Mazda: We speak for all when we say, "If you build it, we will come." Also on display at Goodwood will be the Mazda Takeri Concept and the company's new CX-5 crossover.

See for yourself in the image gallery and the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

MAZDA MX-5 GT CONCEPT TO DEBUT AT GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Mazda MX-5 GT Concept to run at Goodwood Festival Speed
Mazda seeks customer reaction to 205bhp Mazda MX-5 GT Concept
Mazda Takeri sedan concept and all-new CX-5 feature on the Mazda stand

Mazda will debut its road legal 205bhp MX-5 GT Concept at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 28 June – 1 July. The Mazda MX-5 GT Concept will be on display throughout the festival on Mazda's stand, as well as taking part in the hillclimb in the 'First Glance' category.

The Mazda MX-5 GT Concept has been inspired by Mazda's podium winning MX-5 GT race programme and its debut at Goodwood is to test customer reaction to a high performance version of the iconic sportscar. Built by race specialists Jota Sport, the MX-5 GT Concept produces 205bhp from a normally aspirated 2.0-litre Mazda petrol engine which is mated to the car's standard manual gearbox. Suspension has been uprated to improve handling and is adjustable for different track conditions, aerodynamic assistance comes from a carbon front splitter, a rear diffuser and boot spoiler. The exhaust note has been enhanced with a sports exhaust system with a central tailpipe. Recaro seats enhance the driver stability and the interior features a number of carbon enhancements that help reduce weight. For customers who want to acquire the car for track use, it comes equipped with road slicks and body-coloured roll hoops behind the seats.

Joining the MX-5 GT Concept on the stand will be the Mazda Takeri sedan concept, a close indication of the design direction of the future Mazda6, along with the recently launched all-new Mazda CX-5 compact SUV, the first car to adopt Mazda's revolutionary SKYACTIV technology which improves fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions without compromising driving enjoyment.

Mazda has also entered the World's fastest and most powerful MX-5 in the Goodwood hillclimb. Sponsored by SMH Fleet Solutions, Jota Aviation, Total Lubricants and Mazda Financial Services, the Jota Sport Mazda MX-5 GT4 is currently contesting the 2012 British GT Championship and took third in class at Brands Hatch this weekend. Competing against Lotus, Aston Martin, Ginetta and Ferrari racecars, the MX-5 GT boasts a top speed of 160mph and a 0-60 time of just three seconds, making this a very special MX-5.

Drivers for the Goodwood Festival of Speed are regular Mazda racers Mark Ticehurst and Owen Mildenhall and kart racer Jade Paveley, who at just 19 years-old, is one of the youngest drivers at the festival.

"This year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed we have a number of significant cars on the stand and contesting the hillclimb," said Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda UK. "The MX-5 has been our best known car for 22 years and with the GT4 and GT Concept on show, we are demonstrating that this car can compete with the more expensive race and performance cars but still remain true to its roots of affordable motoring with a strong focus on the driving experience.

"The Mazda Takeri gives a clear guide as to how the next Mazda6 will look. It will be the second car to use Mazda's new SKYACTIV technology following on from the Mazda CX-5 which we launched in May. SKYACTIV technology reduces vehicle weight, improves fuel consumption and reduces CO2, it takes our cars into the realm of environmentally friendly emissions but with no compromise on the fun to drive attributes that are typical of our brand.

"So come over and say hello during the weekend, we are also giving away a limited number of Le Mans books to visitors to the stand each day – so visit early."

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Auto News - Vilner breathes new life into classic Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda

Auto News - Vilner breathes new life into classic Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda. Now that we're familiar with Bulgarian tuner Vilner Studio, we shouldn't be surprised by the generous application of quilted leather in its latest project, the Mercedes-Benz W113 Gentle Pagoda.

A comprehensive luxification of a Pagoda-roofed SL, two-tone leather in cafe and latte hues are cross-stitched throughout the cabin, and set off with chrome, aluminum and a mahogany-rimmed steering wheel. Incredibly, the nicest part of the car could be the trunk, which is so well turned out you'd need to think about which valuables are worthy of putting in it. Take a closer look at it in the photo gallery above.

PRESS RELEASE

Gentle Pagoda by Vilner Studio

To be born in 1963. In the times when the cars were only for the chosen ones. When they were produced only for the chosen ones. When the speed was not the same as nowadays and when the fashion was different. In the times when 300 SL (W 198) and 190 SL (W121 BII) were modern, but not yet legendary.

Getting on in years like a real man, in order to turn into a classic – deserving attention and admiration. Based on Studio Vilner's novel – with Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda as the protagonist.

Typically for Vilner's style: the legendary automobile got some light exterior interventions und complete renewing of the interior. The colors are warm and vintage – café and latte.

Every element and small detail has been taken care of. The workmanship is precise; the material is high-quality leather in two colors with a plenty of decorative and light seams. The dashboard is upholstered; the chromed elements and mahogany steering wheel are renewed. Even the trunk is now luxuriously made like a boutique jewellry box. The eponymous hard car roof of "Pagoda" – as a part of the interior – received the necessary dosage luxury and stile.

Tenderly embroidered Gentle Pagoda labels adorn the car interior, and are also present in the cabin. Those are also engraved on the door ledges – in aluminum and artificially made to look older.

Studio Vilner touches the classic and revives it – with the necessary attention and endeavor!

Like in the old times... when the cars were only for the chosen ones.

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