Gear Sports

The debut of the Mustang by Giugiaro isn’t the first time the two have come together, however, as Giorgetto Giugiaro, founder of Giugiaro Design, fused the two to create the Bertone Mustang in 1965.

The transformation started with a slightly wider body that adds an extra 30mm in front and 80mm in back. It’s enough to make you notice a difference, but it avoids the typical big-fendered look of most aftermarket kits. From there, Fabrizio gave this Mustang a much longer, lower profile thanks to an innovative panoramic roof built by a Detroit area supplier. It’s made from a special crystal that filters out 100 percent of UVA rays so you can enjoy unobstructed views without getting cooked.

From there, he turned his attention to the details. In back, Fabrizio added a twist to the Mustang’s classic three-lens taillights by giving them a new overall shape that not only looks more modern, it mimics the rear window louvers. Up front, Giugiaro maintained the unmistakable shape of the headlights, but added LED lights that match the body’s eye-catching orange color.

More than just a design concept, this Mustang was built to run with help from Ford Racing. Starting with a standard GT’s 4.6-liter V8, Ford’s engineers added a twin-screw supercharger, Ford GT fuel injectors, larger mass air meter and a free flow filter. Along with Ford Racing muffler and an X-pipe, this concept delivers an estimated 500 horsepower.

Interior:

The Opel roadster, which hits showrooms in March, will start at the equivalent of $39,675

Developed by GM Powertrain engineers on both sides of the Atlantic, the Opel GT is equipped with a 264-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine based on the 2.2-liter direct injection unit available in the Vectra model range since 2004 and on the 2.0-liter turbo induction unit that made its debut in the Vectra GTS in spring 2003.

It has an output of 264 hp at 5,300 rpm and maximum torque of 260 pound-feet at 2,500 rpm. The engine is linked to a five-speed manual transmission.

The roadster accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of approximately 143 mph.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, antilock brakes, an electronic stability program and power accessories.

The existence of the Camaro Convertible concept was so predictable, in fact, that any number of Photoshop manipulators, both amateur and professional, have already built their own. Or at least they have made virtual versions of it for fun or profit. In the last 12 months an entire cottage industry has cropped up around digitally chopping the top off last year’s Camaro Coupe concept.

Even Chevy’s public relations people don’t mention how much horsepower the 6.0-liter small-block V8 makes or the number of gears in the manual transmission. When pressed, they’ll say it’s “carryover” from the coupe, meaning 400 hp, six speeds and rear-wheel drive.

The suspension is all-independent just as it will be when the production version, based on an Australian-designed Holden platform, arrives in about two years. Likewise, the top engine will be the big pushrod V8, while base cars will receive V6 power.