Lamborghini eagerly begins the New Year with the much anticipated unveiling of the Lamborghini Miura Concept, a modern interpretation of the Lamborghini Miura. Currently celebrating its fortieth anniversary, the Miura was originally designed by Marcello Gandini and first publicly presented at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show by Ferruccio Lamborghini and Nuccio Bertone. The new concept model which, as of now, is strictly a concept with no firm date set for its production launch, is the inspired creation of Walter de? Silva, the world-famous Audi designer. He has redesigned every aspect of the car while remaining absolutely faithful to the original form.

The new car retains the extraordinary purity of line, characteristic of the original Miura: the designer's intervention has been defined by refining the contours and eliminating any superfluous detail, in order to enhance the clean, simple lines and perfectly balanced proportions of the original that so impassioned enthusiasts. The restyling of the lower part of the body takes the car's structural strength and aerodynamic performance to new heights, without disturbing the delicate aesthetic equilibrium. Even the touches of contemporary styling applied to the interior, the lights and the wheels have been carefully measured to achieve a homogenous design that is both timeless and immediately recognisable. The Lamborghini Miura Concept will be on show at the Lamborghini stand at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

 

Lexus is throwing another dart at the blue-and-white bull’s-eye that is BMW. Toyota’s luxury division knows that 30 percent of BMW 3-series sales are coupes and convertibles, and it wants a seat at that buffet. Introduced nine years ago and well into its second generation—Toyota doesn’t act without exhaustive study, apparently—the entry-luxury IS sedan finally gets an additional body style: a hardtop convertible.

In dealerships by the end of May, the two-door, four-seat IS250C and IS350C feature an aluminum hardtop roof that relies on 15 electric motors and 37 sensors to crack into two panels and seamlessly belly-flop into the waiting trunk. The process takes 20 seconds.

In most other respects, the IS convertible varies not a nanometer from the established Lexus path. Although every exterior panel and molding on the IS C is unique to the convertible (except the hood), it looks to untrained eyes like a sedan that has met a hacksaw. The engine choices—a 204-hp, 2.5-liter V-6 and a 306-hp, 3.5-liter V-6—are identical to the IS sedan’s. So are the transmission choices, which mean a six-speed manual is available in the IS250C and a six-speed automatic in both models. As expected, the IS convertible features Lexus fit and finish and, somewhat less appealingly, Lexus dynamics.

More on that shortly. Lexus customers tend to be more about the “what’s it come with?” than the “what’ll she do?”