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The last Pontiac Fiero GT sold for $90,000 at auction

Back in early October, we reported on the consignment to GAA Classic Cars auction of the last 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT produced, and still in its pre-delivery plastic seat covers and driven only 582 miles.

Auction completed, GAA reports the historic rear-engine two-seater sold for $90,000.

GAA does not report overall sales total, but did say that 84 percent of the lots offered went away with new owners.

Ford Mustang Boss 429 on the block

The top sale of the auction was $285,000 for a 2005 Ford GT in black. A 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, one of 238 produced in candy-apple red, was next at $190,000.

Among other top sales were a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for $147,500 (in a post-block transaction), a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle for $132,500, a 2020 Ford Mustang for $130,000, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro for $100,000, and a 1970 Dodge Challenger in Plum Crazy purple for $100,000.

Chevrolet SSR selling for charity

Proceeds from a 2004 Chevrolet SSR benefited the Samaritan’s Purse and from a 2018 Can Am Spyder F3-T went to the Road Warrior Foundation.

The next GAA Classic Car auction is scheduled for February 25-27, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

For more information, visit the GAA website.

This article, written by Larry Edsall, was originally published on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.

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December 3, 2020
2022 BMW 2-Series spy shots: New generation of rear-wheel-drive coupe coming soon

A prototype for BMW’s next-generation 2-Series coupe has been spotted.

The car is expected in showrooms late next year as a 2022 model, and the advanced stage of these prototypes suggests a debut in the next 6-12 months is likely. The current 2-Series coupe arrived as a 2014 model and underwent a mid-cycle update for 2018.

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The good news is that the redesigned coupe won’t go the front-wheel-drive route of other 2-Series members like the 2-Series Gran Coupe and 2-Series Active Tourer. Instead, the sporty two-door will stick with rear-wheel drive (and likely available all-wheel drive).

The platform is a version of BMW’s flexible CLAR design which supports plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. It’s possible the 2-Series is using the same version of the CLAR platform that underpins the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra twins.

2022 BMW 2-Series spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

The proportions of the new 2-Series coupe are very muscular. The car is still heavily camouflaged though, so we can’t tell whether the new 4-Series’ oversized grille with vertical kidneys will also make it onto the 2-Series.

What we can say is that the car looks low and wide, and its long nose virtually confirms that inline-6 powertrains will be offered. One of the inline-6 powertrains will feature in the next-generation M2. The engine is likely to be a detuned version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 found in the X3 M and X4 M and destined for the next M3 and M4. Expect output to hover around 420 horsepower in the next M2. That’s up considerably on the 365 hp of the current M2 and should give the new car the edge over the 416-hp 45-series from Mercedes-Benz AMG. Hopefully the current M2’s manual transmission option will also stick around.

2022 BMW 2-Series spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Some of the shots provide glimpses of the interior. An infotainment screen, likely with touch capability, can be seen above the air vents in the center console. A multi-function steering wheel can also be spotted.

Production of the new 2-Series coupe is expected to take place at BMW’s plant in Lerma, Mexico. The plant currently handles production of some 3-Series models, and some 2-Series prototypes have been spotted in the surrounding area. The jury is still out on a convertible being developed. There’s a good chance we won’t see one due to low demand.

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December 2, 2020
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQE spy shots

Mercedes-Benz is committed to having at least 10 EVs in its lineup by the end of 2022, and one of them will be a small sedan called the EQE.

A prototype for the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4 rival has just been spotted ahead of a likely debut in 2021. We should see it arrive in showrooms toward the end of that year as a 2022 model.

2021 Mercedes-Benz EQS prototype and Vision EQS concept

Though heavily camouflaged, the prototype reveals that the EQE will feature similar styling to the larger EQS electric sedan also due out next year. The styling was previewed by Mercedes’ Vision EQS concept car unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Although the EQE will be similar in size to a C-Class, its interior should be as roomy as the cabin of an E-Class. This will be due to packaging advantages of the EQE’s dedicated EV platform, which is referred to internally as EVA and features a flat battery in the floor and electric drive at both axles. The EVA platform will make its debut in the EQS and will also underpin EQE SUV and EQS SUV models.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQE spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Mercedes’ current EVs feature modified versions of platforms originally developed for internal-combustion cars.

It isn’t clear how much battery capacity and power the EQE will offer but Mercedes is almost certain to deliver improved performance on the EQC, whose EQC400 grade delivers 402 horsepower and around 200 miles of range. Note, the EQC still isn’t on sale in the United States as Mercedes has decided to delay it until after the EQS is launched.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQE spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Production of the EQE will be handled at Mercedes’ newly constructed plant at the automaker’s headquarters in Sindelfingen, Germany. The high-tech facility, referred to as Factory 56, started operations earlier this year with the redesigned 2021 S-Class. It will also build the EQS and future self-driving cars from Mercedes.

Other EVs in the pipeline at Mercedes include the EQA and EQB compact SUVs, and an electric G-Class.

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December 1, 2020