Supplier Magna Steyr Creates Oddball MILA Coupic Concept
February 28, 2012 / by: Alexander Stoklosa
Austrian manufacturer-for-hire and supplier Magna Steyr is bringing a concept car called the “MILA Coupic” to the Geneva auto show. Magna assembles cars for automakers such as Mini, Peugeot, and Mercedes-Benz, but it doesn’t sell a single car under its own name. So why did Magna create the MILA Coupic? It’s a showcase for its engineering, manufacturing, and supply capabilities. The Coupic is the sixth MILA concept created by the company.
The Coupic packs its features and concepts in a high-riding crossover coupe body wearing a bright two-tone paint job. Magna calls the Coupic a three-in-one car, because the two key technologies on display—a trick folding roof and reconfigurable interior—help it to offer multiple packaging options. The roof consists of an unconventional combination of glass and cloth panels; there are front and rear sections that can be opened independently.
Porsche Officially Names Upcoming Compact Crossover “Macan,”
February 16, 2012 / by: Alexander Stoklosa
The drawing depicts the 2014 Porsche Macan, the compact crossover formerly known as Cajun. We’ve extensively covered this long-anticipated baby Porsche SUV, but here’s a recap: The Macan will share its architecture with the Audi Q5 and slot into the Porsche SUV lineup—yes, the company now has a lineup of SUVs—below the Cayenne.
The styling is hardly shocking—it strongly resembles the Cayenne—and it looks very similar to a rendering we published some months ago. So why the name change? Apparently “Macan” sounds good in many languages—it means “tiger” in Indonesian—and, at least according to Porsche, “evoke[s] positive associations.” While Porsche’s small SUV was never officially named “Cajun”—as we pointed out when Porsche green-lit the model—it had a nice ring to it and it matched the larger Cayenne’s spicy-sounding moniker.
Winning Men and Machines Reunite for 50th Anniversary of Rolex 24
February 1, 2012 / by: Andrew Wendler
When NASCAR driver A. J. Allmendinger took the checkered flag by a slim margin of 5.198 seconds on Sunday afternoon, it ended a week of festivities dedicated to celebrating the golden anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.
Since 1962, drivers and manufacturers from around the world have journeyed to one of the meccas of American motorsport to compete on Daytona’s storied road course. The sanctioning bodies and technical specifications may have changed over the years, but many of the names have not: Porsche, Lola, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, and Chevrolet; Gurney, Haywood, Donohue, Pruett, and Rahal. These are but a few of the celebrated marques and legendary drivers that have in one way or another made an indelible mark at Daytona in the last 50 years.
