Keating has finally taken the wraps off its duo of bespoke supercars and has already set it sights on the Bugatti Veyron for top speed supremacy. Both models share the same architecture, and are swathed in either fiberglass or carbon fiber body panels. Weight comes in at just over 2,600 pounds and the dimensions are 4,300 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,100 mm tall. Prospective owners can opt for either a 6.0- or 7.0-liter GM-sourced V8, and both motors can be had in either naturally aspirated or supercharged guise. The entry-level model makes 404 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque, while the larger NA version crests the 500 hp. Slap a supercharger onto the 6.0-liter mill and it’s good for 520 hp, or if you opt for the 7.0-liter version, its output runs past the 650 hp mark.

The SKR model is considered to be more of a GT, while the TKR will be a track-ready model with a rumored twin-turbocharged version that could create up to 1,500 hp. Keating is taking orders and expects to start delivery towards the end of the year. Based on what we’ve seen so far, however, Bugatti needn’t be worried.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Push comes to shove, the Cadillac CTS is one of the sharpest-looking sports sedans on the market. But that doesn’t mean that room for improvement is missing… subjective though that may be. D3 Cadillac definitely sees it that way, and to that end has come out with a full aero kit for the crisp Caddy.

D3′s kit places a heavy emphasis on downforce, fitting a front splitter, roof spoiler, deck spoiler and diffuser to be extra sure that the CTS stays planted on the boulevard. The kit also includes a new front end with bigger vents for keeping the engine and front brakes cool, plus side skirts, a shiny new grille and, of course, big ol’ rims to cap it all off. A ‘Vette-powered CTS-V she ain’t, but the D3 kit enhances the CTS’ lines and improves airflow for those wanting a sharper Caddy than the ones down at the country club. Check out the info in the press release after the jump and the images in the gallery below for all the angles. We’ve already asked the models in the shots to move so we could see the car better, but they aren’t budging.

[Source: AutoBlog]

The word came down yesterday from Auto Motor und Sport that the Volkswagen TDI hybrid Golf concept that debuted in Geneva wouldn’t make the transition to production. According to the print edition of the German rag (translation courtesy of TTAC), the “forward-looking diesel-hybrid is already a thing of the past.” That came as a surprise considering how well the concept was received and rumblings we heard from VW’s people on the floor that the 69-mpg (European cycle) Golf was destined for the road. We shot off an email to a Volkswagen exec here in the States who responded by saying that, “It was just a concept. No plans to produce were announced.” Too bad. Guess we’ll have to make due with the gasoline-hybrid Golf that’s due out in the next few years.

If you had your heart set on dropping big-time coin to own the first next-gen Cadillac CTS-V, you’re already too late. CTS-V numero uno was auctioned off Thursday at a charity benefiting prostate cancer, and amazingly the 550 hp monogrammed sledgehammer was actually a bit of a bargain. Cigar entrepreneur Cano Ozgener dropped a reasonable $75,000 to become the winning bidder, which is likely a bit more than the CTS-V will cost at the dealership, but a heck of a lot less than other serial number ones that have sold over the past couple years.

[Source: AutoBlog]

When Auto China (a.k.a. the Beijing Motor Show) opens next week, BYD will pull the wraps off its e6, an EV crossover/MPV with a front end similar in appearance to the JDM Honda Odyssey. Unlike Honda’s people-mover, the e6 runs exclusively on batteries. Its operating range is stated as being 300 km (186 miles) on a full charge. Said batteries, we’re assuming they’re lithium-ion (the translation from Autoblog Chinese is a little dodgy), can be charged via a 220V outlet. If a quick-charger is used (details of which are not yet available), 15 minutes gets the driver an 80% charge. A completely respectable zero-to-100 km/h (62 mpg) time of ten seconds is achievable, along with a maximum speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). The e6 battery pack lives under the rear seats, where BYD says provides they’re well-protected in the event of a crash. BYD says that the e6 could go into production within two years. We’ll look for more updates when the show gets underway.

[Sources: AutoBlog]

Imagine a Hyundai Elantra minus the swoopy body line and with a more assertive, Opel-ish beak, and you have the Changfeng Qi Ling CP1A that’ll be unveiled this weekend at the Beijing Motor Show. According to thetycho.com, the CP1A designation is simply a code name, and the sedan will get power from a 1.8-liter four of undetermined size and strength. That’s the extent of the details at the moment, but we’ll keep an eye out for more as Auto China ’08 gets underway this weekend. Until then, there are three photos for you to check out in the gallery below.

[Source: AutoBlog]

If the visual updates to the Hyundai Elantra you see here are carried over to all markets, which we imagine they will be, the sedan is going to make potential Civic and Lancer shoppers take a long, hard look. Not unattractive in its current form by any means, the Elantra’s facelift being unveiled at Auto China next week incorporates a more upscale look in front than the current car. In a sidebar conversation, one of the other editors noted that it’s somewhat reminiscent of the beak on early-’00s Acura CL/TL models. Those cars still look good, so this is not a bad thing for the Elantra. The rear fascia gets tweaked as well, with new taillamps being the most obvious change. Inside, the layout appears to carry over, and as you can see, the Chinese model has available woodgrain trim for The People’s Luxury. Think of the changes as going from regular vanilla ice cream to that tastier version with the little flecks of real vanilla inside. They’re basically the same thing, but you gravitate towards the fancier one. This is how we feel about the new Elantra.

[Source: AutoBlog]