Mini Inspired by Goodwood at the Shanghai Auto Show

The Mini Inspired by Goodwood, which has been rechristened the Rolls-Royce of Minis, has made its world debut at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. Named for Rolls-Royce’s hometown, the Goodwood is built under the eye of Rolls-Royce advisors. It gets Rolls-Royce paint (Diamond Black Metallic), a Rolls-Royce inspired interior (in their customized color, Cornsilk), and it even gets the Cooper S engine, good for 181 horsepower. As alluring as the outside may be, the inside comes close to over-the-top. Mats are made from thick lambswool, just like on Rolls-Royce models. The Walnut Burr dash is topped with black Nappa leather, just like on a Rolls. Even the switchgear has gone upscale, and now features a piano black finish.

Mini notes in a statement that there are also "high-class" aluminum badges stamped with "Mini Inspired by Goodwood" above the front wheel arches and on the door sills (although the Old Money would never advertise that they are "high-class.")

The Mini Inspired by Goodwood gets the turbocharged 181-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine found in the 2011 Mini Cooper S. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission is optional.



Production of the limited-edition Mini will be limited to 1,000 units worldwide. It will arrive in showrooms in spring 2012. Pricing has yet to be announced, and it won't be cheap.

Bernie's International Lover: The Peugeot SXC Crossover at the Shanghai Auto Show

According to Peugeot, French automaker Peugeot's China Tech Center has created the SXC, a premium hybrid crossover designed specifically for the Chinese market.

The SXC (which stands for Shanghai Crossover Concept) is fitted with a variation of Peugeot's HYbrid4 system, which bundles a small turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor driving the rear wheels. The 1.6-liter THP engine makes 215 horsepower, while the electric motor adds 70kW, for a combined output of 308 hp. Peugeot says the combination returns average fuel economy of more than 40 mpg.

The SXC is fairly substantial, measuring 191.7 inches long overall. The roomy four-passenger vehicle rides on 22-inch wheels shod with Michelin 255/40R22 tires.

Other features include rear-hinged rear doors, LED lighting and brushed-aluminum accents.



I wonder how much it would cost for this fine crossover to be shipped to little ol' me? Probably way more than the actual worth of the vehicle.

I could use something like this in my life.

2012 Rolls Royce Ghost and it's Extended Wheelbase at the Shanghai Auto Show

The extended wheelbase allows more room in the back of the car. Which makes the age old saying true: Bentleys are meant to drive, Rolls Royces are meant to be driven in.

The car's wheelbase stretches 136.4 inches, and overall length is 219.2 inches (up from 212.6 on the standard-length Ghost).

Of course, the 2012 Ghost Extended Wheelbase is not only roomy, but powerful. Its twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 6.6-liter V12 makes 563 horsepower, providing 0-60 acceleration in less than 5.0 seconds, according to Rolls-Royce.

The automaker said the Ghost Extended Wheelbase "will be built to order and is available in only limited numbers for 2011 until full production begins in 2012."

Features include a panoramic sunroof and adaptive air suspension.

Let's Watch...



Talk about a highly dramatic video... but that was their choice in music.

Volvo's Universe Concept Car Debuts at the Shanghai Auto Show

According to Volvo, The Volvo Concept Universe gets a sleeker look than the current Volvo S80, with a long hood (I think Volvo accomplished that one) and more coupe-like proportions. The concept underscores Volvo's desires to be on an equal footing with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Let's Watch...



Powertrain details were not disclosed. Maybe that's a good thing because the body and the interior needs work.

The cabin has a somewhat stark appearance and features a touchscreen "that approaches the hand when the driver reaches toward it," said Volvo in a statement. The cabin molds around the rear seat to "become part of the seating environment," said the automaker. But wait? Is that woodgrain as an accent to a highly modern design?!?!?!?!? Maybe it's the colors that they used in the interior, but I'm not liking this at all. It's too much going on and it's bordering towards being a hot mess... Off white and woodgrain doesn't go together, this isn't a living room in the 1970's.

Because this is a concept car, I hope and pray that they go back to the drawing board and redesign that front end. It's too flat, it needs some sort of shape to it. Followed by tinkering with the interior.

It's a cute car, but it's not quite there yet.

2013 Chevy Malibu Revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show

Chevy Malibu's have come a long way since I drove one in Driver's Ed. Obviously, this doesn't have the passenger side breaks and an Italian New Yorker as a passenger. *sighs* Memories...

One of Chevy's big reveals at the Shanghai Auto Show as well as the New York Auto Show happened to belong to the Chevy Malibu. Fashioned after the 2010 Camero, the newly modeled Chevy Malibu is sure to turn some heads.

Let's look, shall we?

Now, let's watch....



I like the intensity that they were building with the commercial.

I do like the hidden iPod feature. I think that's cute, handy, safe, and I have a feeling that many automakers will be stealing that feature. GM quotes it as a "New radio face that articulates up and down revealing a six-inch-deep hidden storage compartment, a first for a U.S. midsize sedan".

But of course, seeing the car through pictures and video doesn't guarantee the final decision. 2013 Chevy Malibu, I'll see you'se in New York, minus my driver's ed instructor.

2011 Shanghai Auto Show Pre-Recap

Since the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show slightly overlapped with the 2011 New York Auto Show, I decided to showcase the Shanghai Auto Show first, seeing how the odds of my traveling to China are much slimmer than I am. I'd figured that I should make it seem like we were there.



Note to self, add Shanghai Auto Show to list of international Car/Auto Show events to attend.