2012 Chevrolet Camaro "King Camaro" by 813 Customs

Actually, "excessive" even feels like an understatement, especially when you’ve had the time to process exactly what you’re looking at.

In this case, what you’re looking at is supposed to be a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS. It still looks like a Camaro SS, at least for the most part, but what we can’t wrap our heads around is just how far 813 Customs took to giving this muscle car one of the most insane programs we’ve ever seen. For starters, the chrome wrap isn’t all that bad, as is the custom front grille, the red racing stripes, the LED strips on the hood opening, and the red headlights. We can live with those components and actually like them to a certain extent. But after that, things get a little hairy.

The standard-sized wheels have been taken off in favor of a new set of 32" versions. 32 inches, people. From there, the interior of the Camaro was dressed in a combination of red leather, red chrome, and other red what-have-yous to create a visual eyesore. Then, there are the speakers, which all look like planted mushrooms on a small field and probably have enough bass to make your ears bleed even if the volume’s at mute.

The finishing touch for this true one-of-a-kind Camaro? A double-sided LCD flat screen whose purpose in this whole cacophony of absurdity we still can’t seem to understand.

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2013 Subaru BRZ "Zero" Rally Race Car

So, Toyota is ready to present their GT-86 endurance race car? Subaru isn’t sweating that one out because they themselves have a racer up their sleeves.

The Subaru BRZ, the GT 86’s sister from another mister, is getting a race-spec version, except that instead of it hitting the endurance block, it’s being primed for the rally scene.

The car, which is being called the BRZ "Zero Car" or "Opening Car," actually made its debut at the 2012 Japan Rally Championship on July 28th and 29th as a race-livered sports car that has been customized for rally use. It has a number of new features, including a front chin spoiler and a rear wing, as well as a new set of white-finished alloy wheels.

Further details about the car are expected to be revealed by the Japanese automaker in the coming days. What we do know is that, judging by the photo Subaru dropped on us over the weekend, the BRZ "Zero" is looking like it has a future in the rally scene, not just in Japan, but everywhere else as well.

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2014 Porsche 911 Targa may not happen after all

A few months ago, there was a Porsche prototype caught testing that looked to be a Targa model disguised by a convertible top. At that point, we all though that Porsche was bringing back the famous fixed Targa roof option for the new generation 911. However, according to Autoevolution, this may not be the case after all. They are quoting a Porsche insider saying that "the car maker is considering selling the new glass roof model as a special Carrera rather than a Targa."

More than likely, Porsche took the public’s level of interest into account and decided that the Targa would be better off as an option as opposed to a full blown model. That would mean that this version would still get both rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations and the engines from both standard 911 Carrera and Carrera S models.

Previous rumors suggested that the 991 generation Targa would arrive in 2013 as a 2014 model, so we expect the new Targa option to have the same timeline.

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2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec

Hyundai’s sporty little coupe - the Veloster - was an ace in the hole in terms of design, but its power left much to be desired, so the South Korean manufacturer took it a step further by offering the new Veloster Turbo. The new Turbo comes with a 201 HP 1.6-liter turbocharged-gasoline direct injection engine, but this may only be a starting point for future power boosts.

According to MotorAuthority, a Hyundai insider revealed that the company is considering an even more powerful Veloster. This future model will feature a stiffer chassis and a revised suspension with mechanically adjustable dampers, components that many thought would have been added to the Veloster Turbo. The insider let it be known that the lack of changes to the chassis and suspension for the Turbo model were a part of a grand scheme to offer up a more powerful Veloster variant. If produced, this hotter Veloster will more than likely end up with an updated version of the current 1.6-liter turbo.

There is not an official name for the future Veloster as of right now, but taking inspiration from its bigger brother - the Hyundai Coupe - it is believed that the new model will be named the Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec.

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Volkswagen’s Sole Ownership of Porsche Could Spawn the Baby Boxster

Last week, we gave you a nice little rundown on what Porsche has in store for us in the coming years. One of those cars included Project 551, which we have all nicknamed the “Baby Boxster.” This compact, entry-level roadster looked to be a certainty in Porsche’s lineup, when suddenly the plan was axed, as Porsche’s CEO basically said it doesn’t fit the Porsche mold and they want to retain their customer exclusivity.

Well, now that the recent automotive giant, Volkswagen AG, has bought out the remaining shares of Porsche, err, “restructured” their corporate design, we may see this all change. You see, VW could give two cents about customer exclusivity. It wants to sell units and that’s that. VW will likely keep the 200,000-unit goal that Porsche had set before the “restructuring” and the way that VW may do this is to release a lower-priced roadster.

Think about it, fresh college graduates can’t typically afford a $50,000 base-level Boxster, but a $23,000 Miata is not an issue. Well, if Porsche slides a smaller, less feature-packed version of the Boxster right between the two, say at about $32,000, it could suck these young professionals into the Porsche brand early. With these premium brands, once they get in, they are typically customers for life.

In addition, the excuse that Porsche CEO, Matthias Mueller, made regarding a Baby Boxster not fitting the Porsche mold is complete hogwash. Porsche released an SUV and a sedan in the last decade, plus it is about to release a smaller version of its SUV, so how in the world could a smaller, more wallet-friendly roadster not fit in with a sports car company? Yeah, we don’t get it either.

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2015 MG Roadster

When MG released the Icon concept car in Beijing, we were all a little shocked, as it had been ages since we had heard from the U.K.-based, Chinese-owned automaker. We also were impressed and disgusted with the concept all at the same time, as its overall styling was pretty sleek, but the Mini-like appearance and strange protruding fog lights killed it for us.

At the time, we knew that the Icon would make it to production, though the dates were a little fuzzy still, but we didn’t realize that this compact crossover may spawn the resurrection of a legend. Well, now we do know that the Icon will also be the basis that a new MG Roadster will be based on.

It sounds a little awkward when you think about it, but this Roadster will be a 4-seater crossover convertible. Calling it a Roadster is a pretty big stretch of the term, as a roadster typically has only two doors and two seats (see: Mazda Miata, BMW Z4 and Toyota MR2).

Regardless of the stretching of its name, the new MG Roadster will likely be a blast to drive, given its compact size and roughly 130 horsepower. We also don’t have to wait too awful long to see a production model, as reports are pointing to a 2015 release of the Roadster. The Roadster also earns brownie points for being relatively affordable at a reported ₤14,000 ($21,800 at the current rates).

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2013 Mercedes C63 Black Series by Domanig

Not pleased with the standard 510 HP offered by the Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series, German tuner Domanig put together their own little power update that increases the output to an amazing 600 HP. This boost in power also increases the top speed from the standard 155 mph to an exhilarating 198 mph.

In order to obtain the extra power, the tuner installed an a-header, sport catalysts, and a modified engine control unit to the already impressive 6.3 liter V8 engine of the C63 AMG. The modifications were then moved to the exterior where the tuner added a new set of 20" Domanig High Quality Wheels painted in a very cool black gloss with polished outer edges and wrapped around Dunlop Sport Maxx GT 265/30 and 305/25 tires. The wheels are combined with a new KW 3 suspension system that lowers the car’s ride by 30 mm.

These changes, combined with the red exterior paint finish and that huge rear wing, make the C63 AMG Black Series a force to be reckoned with.

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BMW to test short-term rentals at New York-area dealerships

BMW Group Financial Services plans to offer short-term rentals at BMW dealerships under a pilot program starting next month in the New York metropolitan area.

Customers will be able to make reservations online starting Aug. 13, said Ed Robinson, CEO of the captive finance company in Woodcliff Lake, N.J.

Pricing for the service — BMW on Demand — will be disclosed later.

“BMW on Demand will fit the market niche between car sharing and rentals,” Robinson said Friday in an interview with Automotive News.

The company hopes that BMW on Demand rentals will spur new-car sales.

The pilot program, expected to run through year end, is limited to 12 BMW dealerships in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Robinson said.

BMW Group Financial Services will retain title to the cars and insure them, he said.

After cars have been in service for a while — how long, exactly, is one of the details to be worked out, but maybe for a year, Robinson said — dealers will have an opportunity to buy the cars for resale, similar to the way dealerships handle off-lease cars.

The finance company will pay dealerships for service work and for time and effort dedicated to the program, he said.

For instance, some customers may want a product orientation when they pick up a car, or spend time in the customer waiting area.

Those features distinguish the BMW program from car-sharing programs such as Zipcar, where customers pick up cars on the street directly after other customers use them, Robinson said.

Clean, fueled cars

Customers can expect BMW on Demand cars to be clean, in good repair and fueled, he said.

“We’ve taken all those worries away from the customer,” he said.

Robinson said that if car-sharing rentals are five or six hours, BMW on Demand rentals could be up to five or six days or even longer.

Administrative details will be handled by retailers, but it’s likely that the same dealership employees who handle service loaners probably would handle BMW on Demand cars, Robinson said.

The parent company has a more comprehensive BMW on Demand program in Germany.

It offers the entire BMW lineup, plus some classic BMW models and “specialty” models such as high-performance BMW M variants.

According to a BMW on Demand Web site in Germany, hourly rates range from the equivalent of about $30 for a 1-series coupe to $85 for high-end cars such as the M5.

In the United States, BMW Group Financial Services expects to launch the program exclusively with the 3 series, Robinson said.

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2012 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Prestige Coupe

what the Audi TT should be–a high-revving, precise-handling, rock-solid all-wheel-drive sports coupe. I’ve always felt that the front-drive TT roadster was a bit of a poseur, with not enough chassis stiffness and too much front-drive understeer to support its high-charging aspirations. This car, with the fixed roof and well-balanced all-wheel drive, does a great job of exorcising all of the demons and bringing out the car’s devilish character.

In this guise, the TT coupe runs hot and sharp, with plenty of boosted power from the little 2.0-liter turbo four, and great grip, chassis control and steering response from this setup. Purists might cry for a proper clutched manual gearbox, but I’m happy with this dual-clutch tranny. As long as you run it in sport mode, response is quick and direct, with the paddle shifters providing a little extra prodding if necessary.

All in all, in this trim and coupe body style, this is the TT that enthusiasts should be looking for–unless they can get their mitts on an over-the-top TT-RS.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: This 2012 Audi TT Prestige coupe is a tight little machine, with excellent reflexes and the looks of a chic flying saucer. It’s fun to look at and drive. Personally, this isn’t exactly the car for me, but it is a hoot to motor around town in style.

It gets attention, especially in this shade of Volcano red, which really does have more than hint of lava hue. I love the wheels, too.

The chassis is tight, but didn’t beat me up. The steering is light on center followed by satisfying response into movements, especially when pushing through a gentle expressway curve at 80 mph with the needle at 2,500 rpm.

I like the cabin, which is laid out smartly, it has a businesslike atmosphere and classy accoutrements. With the windows cracked and the audio cranked to classic rock, the TT was a cathartic commuter.

I was fortunate to get an additional weekend in this sexy coupe, and it made for fun, enthusiastic driving that nicely blended athleticism with comfort. I picked up a few things I didn’t notice in my first one-night stint in this cute sports car, including the quietness of the cabin and the punch of the engine. Obviously, I liked these features during my initial sampling, but there’s some depth to these elements that gets better with more time.

For example, summoning 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm is a riot. It gives the driver a copious dose of confidence during passing, merging and other dashing maneuvers. There’s a slight turbo lag, but otherwise this is a potent yet modest engine that works well with the dual-clutch.

Secondly, the cabin is quiet for a car this small. Yes, it’s an Audi and still premium endeavoring, but generally smaller sports cars can make a racket. Not here. The TT’s interior cushioning drowned out a semi next to me and muffled the outside world appropriately. The dials and the flat-bottomed steering do a good job of conveying a sense of athleticism, and the seats fit me perfectly.

I liked this little runner. It’s not for everyone, as some will seek a raw sports-car experience and others will trend toward the larger, more powerful muscle coupes of Detroit. Still, it fills a niche and even wears a bit of a halo for Audi.

2012 Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Prestige Coupe

Base Price: $39,175

As-Tested Price: $48,920

Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; AWD, six-speed dual-clutch sequential manual

Output: 211 hp @ 4,300-6,000 rpm, 258 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,200 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,153 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 26/25.1 mpg

Options: Prestige model including Audi navigation plus, six-disk CD changer, Audi parking system, Bose sound system, heated front seats, LED interior lighting package, black fine napa leather package ($6,100); Audi magnetic ride with S button program ($1,900); S line package including black leather/Alcantara seats, 19-inch, seven-twin-spoke-design wheels with summer tires, matte brushed-aluminum inlays, extended leather, headlight washers, S line steering wheel with shift paddles, S line exterior package, S line door sills, S line fender badging ($1,200); Volcano red metallic paint ($475); Audi music interface, iPod cable ($70

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2013 Via Vtrux

Electric vehicles and various hybrid systems are taking over the front pages of the automotive world as of late. One of the areas where hybrids and EVs haven’t completely infiltrated is the world of pickup trucks. Well, that’s until former GM executive, Bob Lutz, joined forces with the little-known Via Motors.

Via Motors has quite literally taken the electric truck, SUV, and van ball and run with it, and has started carving itself a nice little niche in the automotive world. One of its entrants is the Vtrux, which is a range-extended electric truck. The information on this new green pickup is not 100 percent available yet, but Via has posted a good amount of information on this pickup’s upcoming release.

The question on the mind of the automotive world is can an electric truck actually do well in this world of powerful diesel- and gasoline-powered pickups? The answer to this question is very simple, but to get to that answer, we have to tear into the Vtrux and find out what makes it tick.

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2013 Lotus Evora S

Among the unpaid bills and Bahar-ranting, Lotus has found the time to prepare a series of updates for the 2013 Evora S set to go on sale in October 2012. There aren’t many details available as to what changes will appear on the exterior or interior, but we do know that it will include the addition of Lotus’ Intelligent Precision Shift six-speed automatic transmission.

This transmission is already offered for the standard versions, but it is a first for the Evora S. The IPS six-speed transmission features four operating modes: fully automatic, manual mode, fully automatic sport, and manual sport. The Sports mode allows the driver to really feel each gear shift and be in complete control of the transmission, while Manual mode gives the driver full control over the transmission using the paddle shifters. The engine lineup will remain with the usual 3.5 liter V6 engine that delivers a total of 345 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The new Lotus Evora S equipped with IPS will make its official debut in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, so stay tuned for more details.

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Is this the 2013 Lexus LS?

The pictures show the LS F-Sport specifically, and feature design elements previously seen on the GS sedan. These features include new headlights, a signature spindle grille, and larger air vents. The LS 460 F-Sport version will be distinguished by the usual F-Sport elements: front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and a rear diffuser with prominent tailpipes.

The entire LS lineup will include the LS 460, LS 460 L, LS 600h, and LS 460 F-Sport. Lexus has yet to offer any details on the engine line-up, but some potential units are a 4.6-liter V8 engine delivering 357 HP and a 5.0-liter V8 engine for the hybrid version producing about 438 HP.

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NJ state troopers may face charges in 'Death Race 2012' escort

Two New Jersey State Police officers who escorted a high-speed caravan of luxury cars, including one driven by former New York Giants star Brandon Jacobs, to Atlantic City will likely be charged criminally Friday, according to a source familiar with the investigation.

Sgt. 1st Class Nassir Nassry, a 25-year-veteran of the State Police, and trooper Joseph Ventrella, 28, were suspended in April without pay after the incident in March. Nassry allegedly ordered Ventrella to help with the caravan.

The escort down the Garden State Parkway at speeds believed at times to be in excess of 100 mph made national headlines after one motorist who was passed by the Lamborghinis, Porches and other expensive, exotic cars described it as "Death Race 2012."

No one was hurt, and there were no accidents as the convoy drove from north Jersey to Atlantic City.

Video of the incident by a construction worker appeared to show that some of the vehicles had tape over their license plates, which apparently prompted the Attorney General's office to consider filing criminal charges in the case, the source familiar with the investigation said.

Nassry filed his retirement papers Thursday morning, just hours before his attorney, Charles Sciarra, was to hold a news conference in which he was expected to sharply criticize the Attorney General's office for pursuing the criminal charges, NBC 4 New York has learned.

The incident could prove costly for Sgt. Nassry, who otherwise has an unblemished record with the State Police.

One estimate suggested if he loses his pension, either through conviction or plea bargaining, it would amount to a $3 million fine, the maximum the 47-year-old veteran could otherwise expect to collect over his lifetime.

NJ Attorney General Jeff Chiesa is expected to announce a new policy for car escorts Friday, as well as internal disciplinary action against several other troopers who were involved in a similar caravan in 2010 that was caught on video and posted on YouTube.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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2012 Volkswagen Amarok Colt Seaver Edition

In the series, Colt Seaver drove a beat up 1980 GMC Sierra that was put through many suspension-breaking stunts and, much like General Lee on the Dukes of Hazzard, the Sierra never showed any signs of wear. Well, the theme of this one-off Amarok is the Sierra that Seaver beat the heck out of.

The Amarok Colt Seaver Edition receives its power from a 1,968 cc 4-pot engine that cranks out 163 PS (160 horsepower) at 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm (295 pound-feet) of torque at 1,500 to 2,000 rpm. What makes it like the Sierra that Seaver beat around is the fact that it boasts the same tan-on-brown paint scheme, brush bar, roll bar, and light bar that the Sierra boasted – scaled down to meet the Amarok’s compact size, of course. It also boasts a rather large “Fall Guy Stuntman Assoc” decal on its hood.

The truck itself actually looks rather neat with its lift kit, all-terrain tires, and classic paint job, but to name a special edition truck after a relatively unknown TV series from the `80s is strange. This becomes especially strange when you consider that the dealership building this truck is asking €51,695 ($62,700 at the current exchange rates) for it, which is just shy of three times the Amarok’s base price

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2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor by Geiger

Ford’s mighty F-150 SVT Raptor recently got a host of changes to make it more driver-friendly and off-road capable, but the lack of engine modifications seem to have inspired Geiger Cars to make a few changes of their own. Their package basically pays homage to Hennessey’s VelociRaptor 600 - even though probably not on purpose - with similar improvements done at an expert level.

But let’s get back to the F-150. In its standard form, the Ford truck’s 6.2-liter V8 delivers a total of 411 HP, but after the German tuner’s handywork, it now delivers an impressive 600 HP. This was done with a built-in compressor that also amounts to a fuel savings at a constant speed of 100 mph.

The package includes a few other additional features, including a six-speed automatic transmission, differential lock, 17-inch alloy wheels with massive 35-inch off-road tires BRGoodrich, a Sony sound system, dual-zone air conditioning, and numerous leather items. These changes can be applied for both the Super Cab and Super Crew Cab versions.

The problem with all of these updates is that they come with an astronomical price of € 74,900, or about $90,500 at the current exchange rates.

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Next Mercedes S-Class will include seven body variations

First, there will be a standard wheelbase sedan codenamed W222 (this version will measure 200.79 inches). Then, for markets like China where extra large models are a hit, Mercedes will offer a long-wheelbase sedan codenamed V222 which will get another 7.08-inches in its length and an extra-long-wheelbase sedan codenamed X222 that will be 13.78-inches longer than that. The model replacing the old Maybach limousine is a six-door Pullman that stretches an impressive 25.59-inches in total length.

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2012 Audi AS7 Sportback by ABT Sportsline

The German tuner has just released a new performance program for the luxury Audi sedan, an upgrade that will give it enough added power to give Mercedes’ CLS AMG line a serious run for its money. The upgrade, which has been christened the "AS7" takes the S7 Sportsback’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged TFSI V8 engine and increases its output from the standard 420 horsepower and 406 lb/ft of torque figures all the way up to 520 horsepower and 442 lb/ft of torque. This allows it a new top speed of 183 mph, up from the standard 155 mph top speed of the stock model. Do the math and that equates to a 100-horsepower and 36 lb/ft of torque increase from the standard S7 Sportback and an improvement of 28 mph.

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Lotus Scraps Almost All of Bahar’s New Model Plans

As we always say, sports car lovers are a fickle bunch. They know what they like and do not deal well with changes. Ferrari and Lamborghini lovers want fat sports cars with even fatter engines, whereas Lotus lovers want svelte and nimble machines that they can toss around at will. The models that Lotus has axed were very fat, by Lotus standard, and were not warmly received by enthusiasts.

Also scrapped in the process was the crazy notion that Lotus would produce its own engines for these new models. If the consistent lapping of Lotus-powered vehicles in INDYCAR isn’t enough of a deterrent for Lotus building their own engines, the sheer cost of the project is.

This is all clearly a cost-controlling measure by DRB-Hicom and Lotus to try and save the failing company, but it does have a bit of the undercoating of a jab to Bahar’s ribs. Regardless of the possible shot at Bahar’s ego, this is just one of the many necessary evils that Lotus has to go through to get back to being a profitable business.

Another necessary evil is the fact that Lotus will have to lay off 50 contractors hired to work on these new projects, which were part of Bahar’s “Five-Year Plan.”

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2013 Audi R8 V10 Spyder

For this particular space, the onus is on the R8 V10 Spyder, considered the sexiest of them all thanks to its rich looks, throaty power, and yes, that fold-able top. Unlike the coupe versions of the R8, the R8 Spyder can dress up in more ways than one.

And trust us, that’s a very good thing.

In any case, the new R8 family does have plenty of surprises, including new aesthetic features, a plushier interior, and engine upgrades that will literally give you that proverbial "I-want-me-some-of-that" itch.

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Rumors: Bentley’s Crewe, England Plant Shutdown Could Mean EXP 9F Pre-Production Preparation

Automotive plant shutdowns are no huge ordeal, as they have become pretty much commonplace in the modern automotive world. These shutdowns are designed to help reduce costs during low-production times, which are normally toward the end of the summer. The Bentley plant in Crewe, England typically closes its doors in August for two weeks to allow workers to rest and to help keep costs down, but this year that time frame has been extended to three weeks.

That would normally be chalked up as additional cutbacks, but the reasons given for the extra time off included enabling a number of facility changes in preparation for future productivity increases. Well, Bentley is not one to put out a new model each and every year and their productivity level does not change each year, so the only reason productivity would increase would be the addition of a new model. Add in the fact that the only new model that we know of in development is the EXP 9F, and you can see why we think that this extra shutdown is to get ready for the production phase of this love-it-or-hate-it SUV.

As we said earlier, we could be completely incorrect, but that slip of the tongue by Bentley is pretty telling. This is especially telling when dealing with a company that only sells fewer than 10,000 cars per year.

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Ford Paying Dealers $300 Spiff for Escape Recall

We certainly got that, but we never expected it to be to the extent that it has become. Reports have emerged that Ford is actually paying dealerships a $300 spiff to repair each and every recalled Escape, which is about 11,500 vehicles. Even our basic mathematical skills can sort out that we are talking about $3,450,000 worth of spiff payments, which does not include the cost to repair the issue.

We are curious to find out if the dealers are passing this spiff onto the service writers and technicians that are repairing the vehicles or hoarding this payment for themselves. We are willing to bet that it is the latter, as the technicians and service writers make commission off of the recall repairs and dealers rarely share spiffs any more.

In addition to this extra bonus, Ford is also recommending that dealerships wash and vacuum the SUV, and fill the gas tank. Talk about going over the top...

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Porsche 918 Spyder reveals its interior

The first thing we noticed is the enormous center console that seems to be inspired by the console found in the Carrera GT, but it also gets a large LCD screen in the middle. A few dials and control interfaces are visible below the screen, but it’s clear that the large screen will be a touch screen.

Porsche has tried to keep everything camouflaged, but it’s also obvious there will be plenty of carbon fiber used for the upcoming supercar’s interior. Spy shots also reveal a red indicator that shows what gear the car is in and a few gauges that help the driver be in control of his vehicle. The sports seats also reveal the "918 Spyder" logo stitched into the headrest, but we bet the final product will look completely different. The tachometer appears to have a 9000rpm redline, and the word "Charge" also appears on it, while aluminum paddles complete the look.

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for toyta lovers

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Ferrari F1 V10 vs. V12 at Fiorano

Youtube user Marchettino has managed to shoot yet another amazing video. This time, he took a trip to the Fiorano race track where he caught two of the most amazing F1 cars racing: the Ferrari F1 V10 and the V12.

The video starts with a Ferrari F2005 F1 screaming around Fiorano. As the car comes back to the pitlane, an epic 412t2 F1 took its turn out on the track. Some can only imagine how amazing it was to hear the glorious sounds from both the V12 and the V10 engines. All of us, on the other hand, can take a listen to this video for full enjoyment. Let us know in the comments section below which of the two models is your favorite.

For comparison’s sake, the model driven by Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello - the V10 - delivers a total of 940 HP, while the model driven by Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger - the V12 - delivers a total of 700 HP.

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Posted on 07.24.2012 17:00 by Justin Cupler

The end result is a super-lightweight car that pumps out an impressive 122 PS (120 horsepower) at 5,200 rpm and 174 Nm (128 pound-feet) of torque at 4,800 rpm in a compact package. This means that the supercharger added a full 28 PS (27 horsepower) and 56 Nm (41 pound-feet) of torque. GAZOO Racing is building a very limited number of these iQs – 100 to be exact – and they have dubbed this machine the Toyota iQ GRMN Supercharger.

In addition to a supercharger, GAZOO Racing included an updated suspension and transmission. Also added in were 4-wheel disc brakes, allowing its driver to bring this micro-machine to a halt quickly.

The Toyota iQ GRM Supercharger retails at 3,550,000 Japanese Yen, which is $45,367 at the current exchange rates. That’s a full $27,332 more than the base-level Scion iQ, which is quite a price hike

 

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bmw said

We won the 11th annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Award for our BMW i8 Concept Spyder! If you are as excited about this news as we are

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee under NHTSA investigation

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been in the spotlight lately, with Teknikens Värld claiming that the vehicle failed their Moose test (or Elk test) miserably. Chrysler called "bullshit" on that claim, but it’s not going to be so easy convincing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that their latest safety concerns are bogus.

The NHTSA is investigating the SUV because of two complaints they received from Grand Cherokee customers. Apparently, there have been some under-hood fires that have caused the destruction of both vehicles. The sources of the fires are unknown at this point, but one customers stated that a hose ruptured when the vehicle was traveling at low speeds: "Mechanic received directive from Chrysler on a fix. He made the fix as directed, but the new hose quickly burst on him during testing," the owner wrote to the agency. The other owner’s complaint was that he "glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed smoke outside the vehicle. He pulled over and exited the vehicle, when suddenly massive flames erupted from under the hood."

We’re not very sure how this investigation will affect the Grand Cherokee, but if these claims lead to a recall, there will be almost 107,000 Grand Cherokee units affected

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2012 Range Rover Sport "Burberry" by Carlex Design

The last time we heard from Carlex Design, they were busy putting in some shiny new digs on the Rolls Royce Ghost "Save the Queen". Now, the Polish interior specialist has set its sights on another British vehicle, the 2012 Range Rover Sport. Keeping up their reputation as one of the most unique interior stylists in the business, Carlex Design found inspiration from one of the fashion world’s most iconic high-end brands: Burberry.

The design of the interior, which we assume is targeted to the ladies, is replete with odes to Burberry, particularly the "Burberry tartan" design that has come to be associated with the luxury British brand. The tartan pattern you see was even densely backstitched horizontally while the patterns on the headrest come with white embroideries in leather. Meanwhile, the headliner was designed through serigraphy and comes with a pattern that’s made of Alcantara. Other touches on the interior include decorative trims that have been varnished in deep piano black and juicy cherry with a matching white stripe that only adds to the high-class feel of the entire interior.

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BMW Bringing OnDemand to the U.S.

The Europeans get all of the cool stuff first, as BMW allows them to rent various BMWs, including M-Series models, hourly, daily, or weekly, as opposed to shelling out the $40,000+ required to buy one. Well, after successfully testing in the Euro market, BMW is finally bringing this system, called OnDemand, to the U.S.

Initially, the U.S. Launch will be isolated to only one dealership, BMW of Manhattan, and to one model, the 328i. BMW of Manhattan will offer up a total of 100 328is for people to rent to impress their boss, friends, or date. This system is also great for fleet companies deciding if BMW is right for them or prospective retain customers looking to take an extended test drive prior to lumping down thousands of dollars. It is pretty safe to assume that given this is the initial launch is in Manhattan, booking a rental 328i won’t be as simple as booking a Taurus from your local Avis dealer.

Given this is all successful, we will see the available lineup slowly expand. Some of the models to be added to the available rentals include the new 7-Series, X5, X6, M3, and even the M5. According to the report, however, to get premium rides, like the M3 and M5, the renter has to go through a more rigorous qualification process.

Pricing for renting the initial 328i will not be known until about August, but you can rest assured that it will not be a $20 per day rental and we bet insurance is not optional. We’ll update you once pricing is released on this new system.

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Spyker looking for additional investors for future survival

The past few months haven’t been easy for Spyker. After ending its affiliations with Saab, and changing its name back from Swedish Automobile to Spyker, the company fell on hard times. CEO Victor Muller confirmed a few months ago that investors were needed and once found, production could substantially increase.

Unfortunately, those investors never materialized and, as a result, the economic viability of Spyker has continued on its downward spiral. Spyker was recently in serious investment talks with CPP Global Holdings and North Street Capital, but both firms have gone quiet in the past few months and Spyker’s future is looking very bleak yet again.

De Telegraaf recently reported that Spyker Cars posted a net profit of $154 million in just the first 6 months of the year and consequently, one would think that finding a large investor would be a walk in the park. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

In saying that, however, Victor Muller’s statement that the company is “virtually debt free” doesn’t leave us with a great deal of confidence, as it’s clear that the firm’s undisclosed debt levels are dissuading investors from picking up the exclusive marque.

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McLaren JetSet could preview future minimalist supercar

McLaren made their intentions on creating a small, stripped-out supercar clear when they announced a design contest asking students enrolled in the Royal College of Art’s vehicle design course to imagine a minimalist McLaren supercar. Now, the winner of that contest has been chosen and may just be a starting point to McLaren’s future model.

The McLaren JetSet designed by Marianna Merenmies uses an electric motor and uses extensive amounts of carbon fiber on the chassis, body, and wheels. The concept measures just 3.7 meters long and 1.03 meters high, and has a proposed drag coefficient of 0.20.

When asked about the future model, McLaren Design boss Frank Stephenson said: "It’s about making more of less. It’s our job to push automotive technology — to make the car safer, lighter, more powerful, more efficient, eco-friendly and more fun to drive."

Expect to see the new supercar launched in 2015 with an intended price of £50,000, or about $78,000 at the current exchange rates.

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2017 Lamborghini Urus

With Porsche introducing an SUV in 2003, it was only a matter of time before the other premium sports car and supercar manufacturers joined in the fun. After years of rumors, whispers, and planning, Lamborghini is the next to cross over into the high-performance soccer mom world, AKA the SUV realm, with the oddly named Urus.

Though the name sounds odd, it is very appropriate for the model. The urus, also called the aurochs, is an ancient ancestor of the modern day cow, which went extinct in 1627. These things were massive, ranging from 61 to 71 inches tall at the shoulders and weighing in at 1,500 lbs – phew, that’s a lot of quarter pounders. This makes the urus one of the largest bulls ever recorded, which is appropriate, considering the Lamborghini Urus is almost certainly going to end up being the largest to boast the raging bull emblem.

Now that we have turned off Animal Planet, we can continue with the Lamborghini Urus and not the extinct cow relative. There is some debate as to whether Lamborghini can actually support an SUV, especially after the LM002, the original Lambo SUV, fizzled out in 1993 with only 328 models ever produced.

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W Motors preparing two new supercar models: the Hyper-Sport and the Super-Sport

This company comes by way of Beirut, Lebanon and recently, they stopped the industry on its tracks with the announcement of two supercars that will be the first pair of exotics to be exclusively built by the Middle Eastern nation.

The cars, called the Hyper-Sport and the Super-Sport, will be built by W Motors in collaboration with some of the best industry partners you can assemble, including Magna Steyr Torino, RUF Automobile, and Studiotorino. Together, they make up the team that will bring to life a pair of supercars that will be unlike anything we’ve seen before.

Details surrounding the Super-Sport have yet to be revealed so we’ll keep that on the back burner for now. As far as the Hyper-Sport is concerned, W Motors has already set a limited run of just five units for the model, with a debut expected around the end of the year.

According to W Motors, the Hyper-Sport will feature a host of ridiculous features, including a carbon fiber frame, a gold-plated hood, signature diamond-incrusted LED lights, gold or platinum keys, and a holographic display unit. Umm...wow.

On top of that, the Hyper-Sport will also come with a mid-mounted, twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder engine that will produce in excess of 70 horsepower while carrying a 0-62 mph time of just 2.8 seconds and a targeted top speed of 240 mph.

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2012 Subaru Impreza WRX Club Spec Edition

Our friends in Australia are probably stoked about getting dibs on a car that’s exclusive to them; pity for us because the said vehicle happens to be one we’re more than interested in getting our hands on.

Subaru Australia has announced that they will be releasing a special edition Impreza WRX Club Spec. It’s going to be limited to only 300 models, which means that only a select few will get their grubs on one. The Impreza WRX Club Spec carries a few distinct styling cues that will be limited to its kind, particularly the choice of a Tangerine Orange or Midnight Black exterior finish. In addition, the high-powered sedan also gets a Subaru Tecnica International spoiler, black door mirrors, Club-Spec badge, a leather interior trim with either orange or red stitching depending on the color of the vehicle you choose on the seats, back rests, and steering wheels. Rounding out the features for the WRX Club Spec are a new set of 17" alloy wheels.

Even better, Subaru is also giving prospective customers an opportunity to add optional upgrades, particularly an STI body kit that’s comprised of a front lip spoiler, a short shift gear lever kit and a flexible strut tower brace bar.

Performance modifications weren’t made on the sedan, but that shouldn’t turn off customers any bit because the WRX already produces 305 horsepower, thanks to its turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.

If you happen to be Down Under and you’re interested in this special edition Impreza WRX, prepare to shell out AUD $41,490, which is around the same figure when converted to USD.

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