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News: Shanghai's (Sort-Of) Surprise

Gregory Anderson

August 1, 2007

BMW’s sales in china—the world’s fastest emerging luxury car market—have increased 750 percent in the last five years. So it should come as no surprise that the Bavarian company chose the Shanghai Auto Show to tantalize throngs of nouveau riche communists with the likely design direction of the next 8 Series.

The Concept CS is what BMW officially calls a Gran Turismo. Larger and longer than the regular wheelbase 7 Series sedan, and lower and wider than the 6 Series coupe, the car could herald a new flagship for the brand. However, rather than offering truly groundbreaking GT design, the Concept CS follows the lead set by the Aston Martin Rapide, Mercedes-Benz CLS, and Porsche Panamera: It is basically a low-slung, four-door sports sedan that looks like a coupe. (Click images to enlarge)

Gone are the ill-fitting flame surfaces of BMW’s recent product line, replaced by svelte curves and aggressive angles. Like most design studies, the Concept CS is a showcase of newfangled gadgets and gimmicks—from the pop-up door handles and LED headlights, down to the 21-inch wheels. Production plans and mechanical details are mere speculation at this point, but designers note that the car could accommodate a V-10 engine behind the front axle. Drivers will notice the lack of a clutch pedal and—best of all, the absence of the much-reviled all-in-one iDrive auxiliary control system. Enthusiasts, rejoice. —Gregory Anderson

Audi RS4 Cabriolet
This fall, the RS4 Cabriolet is making its way to U.S. showrooms, as a 2008 production model. The canvas-top cabrio shares the same high-revving 4.2-liter V-8 FSI as the RS4 sedan version and forthcoming R8 sports car. The engine—which produces the same 420 hp at 7,800 rpm and 317 ft-lbs of torque at 5,500 rpm as the sedan—is also only available mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Although pricing has not been officially announced, a limited production run of 300 cars for the U.S. market and high demand means that the RS4’s $66,000 base price will not likely carry over to the cabriolet model. —Paul Meyers (Click images to enlarge)

Limited Edition Porsche Boxster and Boxster S
First shown in the Porsche Lounge at Splashlight Studios during the New York Auto Show, the production version of this limited edition Porsche Boxster and Boxster S was officially announced during a private gathering of automotive journalists at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. Coated with the same orange hue used on the GT3 RS, only 500 cars (250 Boxster and 250 Boxster S versions) are scheduled for official production. Special design elements include black side mirrors and trim, reworked rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser with improved aerodynamics and a sportier appearance. The unusual color scheme is further reflected in the interior with the seats, carpet, dash, and door panels showcasing black and orange trim. The engines in both models will remain the same—245 hp at 6,500 rpm for the Boxster and 295 hp at 6,500 for the Boxster S. —Paul Meyers

Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series
Built as a road-going version of the Official F1 Safety Car, the CLK63 AMG Black Series ($136,000) loses its rear seats and ups the output of the 6.2-liter V-8 engine to 500 hp at 6,800 rpm. The modifications turn the Black Series into a two-seat rocket that blasts from zero-to-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited). The production of the CLK Black Series is limited to 700 samples (with only 350 available in the U.S.). It can be easily identified by its carbon-fiber flared fenders and rear spoiler. The suspension is fully adjustable and the ASR traction control and ESP stability control systems are specially calibrated for the demands of more intense track driving. The first 2007 CLK63 AMG Black Series deliveries are scheduled for the fall. —Paul Meyers (Click images to enlarge)

Callaway Speedster
Set to make its official debut on August 19th at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Callaway C16 Speedster ($300,000) is the third and final iteration of the C16 series. The Speedster develops 700 hp and 660 ft-lbs of torque with a 6-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which produces a zero-to-60 mph time of approximately three seconds. Due to the removal of the windshield and roof, the car weighs less than 3,000 pounds and can reach speeds over 200 mph. Individual polycarbonate deflectors shield the driver and copilot from high-speed wind, while the air extractor behind the carbon fiber/magnesium wheels relieve underbody pressure. The interior highlights include hand-tooled German leather, bolstered seats, and a navigation system. Each car is built to customer specifications and will be available for fall delivery. —Paul Meyers