Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Jaguar XKR (2010 / 2011) Ultimate Special Edition – the Video

The 2010 Jaguar XKR - with all the options - the Video Earlier today we reported on the (very) minor changes to the Jaguar XK range as a whole for 2010/2011 and also on the very appetising changes Jaguar has introduced for the XKR for the new model year. The changes include the addition of a couple of option packs which make the Jaguar XKR a more hardcore car than it has been to date. These changes have probably come about after Jaguar played with the XKR to produce a Lime Green hot version for last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the option of graphics on the side certainly owe their existence to the Goodwood Special.

Nissan pits GT-R vs. Leaf Nismo RC vs. Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan had a little fun at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, Australia earlier this month. For an exhibition, it pitted its Leaf Nismo RC versus its Nissan GT-R road car and the Nissan Altima V8 Supercar. Thankfully, the whole contest was recorded for posterity.