Detroit's New Metal
- Published: 15/01/2010 at 10:12 AM
- Online news: Auto Preview
Cars for the showroom include everything sporty ranging from saloon, coupé to cabriolet.
REVENGE Verde Supercar
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American-based Revenge is entering the supercar fray with an eco-friendly option called the Verde. It uses a Ford GT chassis and a 400hp E85-friendly V8 hybrid from the Ford Mustang. There are also Ford Racing V8 with 605hp or GM's supercharged LS9 with 638hp.
Thai sales potential: none.
HONDA CR-Z
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After a series of tantalising concept cars, Honda has finally introduced the showroom-ready CR-Z 2+2 coup aacé with a 122hp 1.5-litre petrol/electric combo via either six-speed manual or CVT auto. Driving style can be altered by a three-mode setup: comfort, normal and sport.
Thai sales potential: high, grey market first.
FORD Mustang GT
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Ford's legendary pony car gets another shot in the arm with the return of a 5.0-litre V8 engine pumping out 412hp. To cope with the increased performance, the left-hand-drive Mustang gets 19-inch wheels and stoppers from Brembo. Gearbox options include six-speed manual and automatic.
Thai sales potential: moderate, grey market.
BUICK Regal GS
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General Motors' brand for America and China is making good use of the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia mechanicals, as well as from the Saab 9-5 that's winding down, in the Regal executive saloon. Buick's go-faster GS has a 255hp 2.0-litre turbo motor, six-speed manual, all-wheel-drive and electronic rear diff.
Thai sales potential: none.
MERCEDES-BENZ E-class Cabriolet
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Stuttgart's fourth E-class gets a traditional soft-top, although the so-called Aircap roof system has been designed to make open-top motoring more comfortable and refined. Of all the engines available, the one suited for Thai tastes would be E250 CGI coming with a 204hp 1.8-litre turbo four-pot.
Thai sales potential: high.
BMW Z4 sDrive35is
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The Z4 hasn't got the M treatment, but this is the most powerful and quickest roadster from BMW to choose from now. The regular 306hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six of the sDrive35i has been tweaked to 340hp for a better 4.8sec 0-100kph time. Transmission is via seven-speed twin-clutch automatic.
Thai sales potential: moderate.
CADILLAC CTS-V Coupé
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General Motors' upscale brand has finally created a stormer to devastate the BMW M3. The CTS-V stands out with sharp, wedgy design cues and completes the job with a bustling 556hp 6.2-litre supercharged V8 to better the M3's 0-100kph time in 4.0sec flat. Gearbox is conventional: six-speed manual or auto.
Thai sales potential: low, grey market.
About the author
- Writer: Motoring
- source : bangkokpost.com
