2015 Bentley SUV

Ultra luxury brands beware, another one of your comrades is falling down the shame spiral and building a - gasp - SUV!

Sure that’s a little dramatic, but so are all of the people that are scoffing at the fact that Bentley has now confirmed a new SUV scheduled to hit their lineup sometime in 2015. If everyone remembers correctly, these are the same people that were horrified that Porsche decided to build the Cayenne and look how well that turned out for them. Now, with a 37% increase of sales in 2011 (to 7,003 vehicles sold), Bentley is looking to double this number by the time this new SUV comes out by making it "the world’s most luxurious 4x4" SUV and targeting growing SUV markets like the US and China. The "luxurious" title will also match the price; Bentley is stating that the starting price for their future SUV will be $140,000, making the $48,200 starting price of the Porsche Cayenne look like it belongs on a Kia Sportage.

So what constitutes the jumbo price tag? Other than the supposedly tremendous amount of luxury built into the future SUV, it has also been stated that it will be powered by the next generation W12 engine delivering up to 600 HP. For markets like Europe, Bentley will also offer a 6.0-liter V12 TDI engine with an output of about 500 HP. Rumors of V8 and plug-in hybrid alternatives for future model years have also been discussed.

Bentley is taking a big step with its improving sales by giving an SUV a chance to flourish. Does the world need a strong competitor for the Porsche Cayenne? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that high-end customers with deep pockets won’t be writing out checks for a chance to wallow in the luxurious nature promised by Bentley.

UPDATE 08/24/2012: The word "big" won’t just be used to describe the future Bentley SUV’s engine anymore as Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer has stated that potential customers of the luxury SUV would like to see a third row option added. Interior designers for the model have stated that the third row option isn’t for the children, but for the au pair to have a place to sit during family trips. If Bentley approves, which is a strong possibility, this would mean that the production model would need to be bigger than the concept, so expect some dimensional changes to take place. Aside from that, the Bentley SUV should somewhat follow along the concept’s design, but with less dramatic lines, considering that a poll of potential buyers gave the SUV a 7 out of 10 rating for its design.

Another topic of discussion is the price for the future luxury SUV. In the same interview, Durheimer stated, "Currently you can’t spend more than 170,000 Euro on an SUV. We are going to solve that problem." We don’t know about anyone else, but we don’t really feel that is a problem. We don’t think people go car shopping and say, "You know what, I really want to buy a luxurious SUV, but there are just no options out there that are going to make a big enough dent in my wallet. I wish cars were more expensive." Slash the price on the future SUV and see how many more cars you can sell, Bentley. Then come and tell us that not having an expensive enough SUV is a problem. (Insideline)

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2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe

The most awaited BMW of the time its finally out! As a response to models like the Mercedes CLS-Class and the Porsche Panamera, BMW has launched the 6-Series Gran Coupe - a production version of the Gran Coupe concept unveiled at the beginning of 2010. On the US market, the new 6-Series Gran Coupe will be offered in a 640i version first, but a 650i and a 650i xDrive version will join the line-up later in the summer of 2012.

The new Gran Coupe will be immediately recognized as a 6-Series, but adding a unique combination of top-class sporting dynamics, stunning design, and luxurious touring comfort. However, compared to a standard 6-Series coupe, the new Gran Coupe version was built on a wheelbase that is 4.5 inches longer and its distinctive profile is dominated by its four-door, elegantly stretched roof line.

The 640i - the first to be offered on the US market - is powered by a TwinPower turbo 6-cylinder engine with an output of 315 HP at 5,800 to 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 330 lbs-ft delivered between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. The model will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and will hit a top speed of 155 mph.

UPDATE 08/24/2012: BMW has released another video of their five-passenger limousine, but this one follows the vehicle on a trip through Sicily, providing an even closer look at the 6-Series Gran Coupe. Enjoy!

 

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2015 Audi Quattro Coupe

The 2010 Paris Auto Show brought us many concepts, but while the Lotus five-year plan has since fizzled to nothing and the Renault Dezir is only planned to be chopped up and used for inspirational parts, Audi is pushing forward with a production version of the Quattro concept. That’s right, the Quattro has been given the green light for limited production which should be ready for the 2015 model year.

The production Quattro will be based on Audi’s latest aluminum spaceframe chassis with a body built in carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. It will weigh in at about 660 lbs less than the RS5 as seen on the prototypes already testing. It will also feature a wheelbase that has been reduced by 150 mm and an interior featuring seats made from forged composites.

We don’t know exactly what will be used under the hood of the sports car, but the concept version is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder attached to a classic six-speed gearbox. The engine delivers a total of 402 HP and 354 pound-feet of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in just 3.9 seconds, while top speed is of course limited to 155 mph. Hopefully we will see either this configuration or something a bit more powerful on the production Quattro.

UPDATE 08/24/2012: Sources have told AutoBild that the future Audi Quattro Coupe (internally known as the Q35) will only feature small bits of inspiration from the Quattro Concept displayed at the 2011 Paris Auto Show. Other than that, the four-seater, two door sports car will have short overhangs, a flat roof, LED headlights and taillights, 20" wheels, and some hood-mounted air vents inspired by the original Quattro. In terms of power, the Quattro will feature a supercharged 2.5L five-cylinder engine mated to a dual clutch S-tronic transmission. This engine will produce 380 HP and send the Quattro from 0-62 mph in a little over four seconds.

AutoBild is predicting that the Audi Quattro will debut in March 2013 to coincide with the original Quattro’s 35th anniversary, hence the internal Q35 designation. It will be priced somewhere between the Audi TT and the Audi R8, which will fill in the gap nicely with the $38,650 and $114,200 price tags of the aforementioned models.

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2012 Mercedes SLS Roadster by Domanig

Two years after they built a program for the Mercedes SLS AMG, German tuner Domanig has come out with another program, only this time, it’s for the SLS AMG Roadster.
While there isn’t any aesthetic modifications done on the car, the German tuner did have a couple of things in store for the SLS Roadster. The first is the wheels, which Domanig takes pride in. For this particular program, the German tuner fitted the SLS Roadster with a new set of 20" SOM03 wheels in the front and wrapped it in 275/30ZR20 Michelin Super Sport tires. Over at the back, the choice was 21" DOM06 wheels rapped in 305/25/ZR21 Michelin Super Sport tires.
Moving on to the car’s suspension, Domanig added a new KW suspension system that not only lowers the car’s ride height by 30mm, but also makes it work in tandem with the supercar’s standard Ride Control system.
Finally, Domanig made some engine tweaking to the SLS Roadster 6.3-liter V8 engine and ramped up its output from the standard 571 horsepower to past 600 ponies. 620 horsepower, to be accurate.
Overall, the program is bereft of the style of other tuners, but as far as unbridled power is concerned, it gave quite a bit of an added punch.

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2012 Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR

On August 29th, the Moscow International Automobile Salon 2012 kicks off and it is scheduled to run through September 9th. For this upcoming show, TOPCAR has put together an entrant in the form of a 2012 Porsche Panamera customized to the gills. This Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR is actually the 9th edition of 25 upcoming Stingray GTR models.

We are not necessarily huge fans of the Panamera and even less of fans when it comes to customized models. So many companies tend to go way overboard restyling the Panamera and they actually end up taking away the little character that this Porsche sedan actually has.

TOP CAR has taken to this Panamera from top to bottom, decking out its interior, exterior, engine, and even the brakes in an attempt to not just make it look better, but run with the best of them. Can TOP CAR really pull off the nearly impossible by handing us a well-designed Panamera with accents where they need to be, or did they just roll out another Panamera hack-job like we usually see?

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Amazing car company Volkswagen'' you driving on snow, water, sand,''!!

Now is the time Brand Chinese Volkswagen with a new design impressive incredible, would not believe that I told you that this car you can command on the sand and in the snow and also the water came designing wonderful distinguishes it from other four fans blowing to make it hover, they also environmentally friendly as it works tohydrogen-fueled engines, one of the engines came down the car to be submitted to the Supreme while the other came to push forward and direct.
Mr. Zhang says this car designer: "It soon will someday be available to the general public for use"

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Melkus files for bankruptcy in Germany

So much promise, yet not enough to back it all up. Such is the case with German automaker Melkus who has now filed for bankruptcy in a Dresden district court.

German press sources have told GTSpirit that sales of the Melkus R2000 have fallen short of the company’s 25-models-a-year target, thus forcing the company to file for bankruptcy in a last ditch effort to keep the company afloat, albeit barely.

Since the company was relaunched in 2006, Melkus has produced a total of one model - the RS2000. Not exactly the kind of business Melkus had hoped for after six years of being in the business. Certainly, the car’s combination of performance and price - the RS2000 has an output of 325 horsepower and is priced at close to $200,000 - is pretty insane, especially considering the multitude of more powerful choices you can have for that kind of money, but apparently it was not enough to warrant any sales.

Melkus’ struggles appear to have come as a result of overestimating the market with a car that doesn’t pack the kind of punch warranted by its price. Now, it appears they’re paying a pretty steep price for it.

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Car and Athlete: Andrew Bynum may no longer be a Laker, but he’s still a bonafide car nut

Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum - yeah, he’s not a Los Angeles Laker anymore - is a pretty tall dude at 7’0", but even with all that length, not to mention the bulk of being close to 300 lbs, the 24-year old certainly has a pretty strong affinity for top-of-the-line supercars.

As we previously showed in the last installment of Car and Athlete, athletes with this kind of financial security have become more adept at splurging their dollars on something as insatiably satisfying as a limited edition model. Andrew Bynum fits into this mold because the man is more than just a highly-paid basketball player; he’s got the garage to back it up too.

So have you ever wondered what kind of cars Bynum has in his garage? True to his reputation as one of the most popular auto enthusiasts in the world, Bynum’s list of cars run long and impressive.

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2013 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Lamborghini has already confirmed that the Sesto Elemento will indeed be headed to the production line, albeit in a very limited run. With such a minute number being produced, anyone would be hard-pressed to get know when Lamborghini is even actively selling it, let alone be able to grab hold of one of those units. The task of purchasing an Elemento got even harder as a high-end dealership in La Jolla, just north of San Diego, confirmed that Lamborghini was already accepting orders for the car and that only three units were headed over to the United States.

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will be offered at a princely sum and rumors suggest that payment will be taken Reventon-style, which means three equal payments of $300,000 or higher with the remainder being paid at the end of the deal. That kind of price tag will bring its owner a 570 HP V10 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per HP. This allows the Sesto Elemento to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a sensational 2.5 seconds, while top speed will be higher than 186 mph.

Anyone willing and able to pay that incredible price tag better have their phone in hand and their bank account numbers handy.

UPDATE 08/21/2012: The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento was on display at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours where Lambo representatives have confirmed that the model is priced at a cool $2.2 million. Anyone lucky enough to scrap together enough cash will still be heartbroken when they hear that all 20 units have already been sold. (GT Spirit)

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2012 MINI Coupe Targa Raze by RevoZport

When you start thinking about MINI, there’s growing sentiment that the German automaker has become increasingly adept at building some pretty aggressive machines.

Some aftermarket companies has taken notice too, and one of them, RevoZport, has announced their new program for both the MINI Coupe and Roadster, christening it the "Targa Raze."

Built in-house to be the kind of MINI program we just fall head over hells for, the Targa Raze is beyond sick, with a bodykit that includes new bumpers, revised side skirts, and a ventilated hood, all of which are made from carbon and Kevlar. Likewise, a carbon fiber roof and a prominent rear spoiler are part of the program, reducing the car’s weight by 40kg/88 lbs while also widening its profile by 15mm.

Under the hood, RevoZport opted for a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that now comes with new, larger intercooler, new camshafts, a remapped ECU unit, and a new titanium exhaust system. With all these modifications in tow, the Targa Raze now has an impressive output of 250 horsepower, an increase of 69 ponies from the standard model’s 181-horsepower output.

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Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid achieves 185 mph world record at Bonneville

World speed records are usually associated with vehicles like the Bugatti Veyron, which can hit a high mark of 267 mph and look great while doing it. Advances in hybrid technology, however, have now made it essential to include vehicles like the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid on the list of top speed records. No, the Jetta was not able to dominate the Veyron’s top speed, or even come close to it, but it has achieved a land speed record of its own at the Bonneville Salt Flats. During the Southern California Timing Association’s Speed Week at Bonneville, the Jetta Hybrid was able to record a 185.394 mph top speed, marking the fastest speed ever achieved by a production-based hybrid on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

"Achieving this speed at Bonneville shows that the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid is a distinctly different offering in the compact hybrid class,” said Jonathan Browning, CEO and President, VW Group of America. “As well as being expected to achieve combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid also retains the fun-to-drive nature you expect from a Volkswagen in a segment dominated by less exciting vehicles.”

The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline powerplant generating 150 horsepower and 184 lb/ft of torque. The gasoline engine is then combined with a 20kW electric motor with a lithium-ion battery that’s produces an additional 27 HP and weighs less than 80 lbs. The Jetta’s top speed record was achieved by implementing a few changes to the setup. Volkswagen R&D in Wolfsburg, Germany modified the engine to provide a few more ponies, while A-Salt Racing and Advanced Product Engineering, based in Camarillo, California, provided project integration and other modifications. Everything was finalized with an engine calibration and a once-over by the folks at the Volkswagen Test Center California in Oxnard, CA

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Tesla Refuses to "Enter the Graveyard" with other Failed Companies

So many car companies lose sight of the single most important aspect of running a business: keeping cost low and profit high, while maintaining good quality control. This has ultimately landed many start-up companies into early closure and even some juggernauts, like Pontiac and Oldsmobile, into shutting their doors for good.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk really seems to have his finger on the pulse of his business, as they slowly start bringing more mainstream cars – as mainstream as an EV can be – into the market, with its new Model S and upcoming Model X. To help control overhead, each Tesla Model S is built to order, so there aren’t any leftovers on the shelves, but this also poses the risk of not being able to keep up with demand.

At this point, Tesla is manufacturing at its capacity and needs to push out another 5,000 Model S units by December 31st to hit its goal and stay in the black. This is a tall task that will likely not be possible without increasing production, but Tesla’s CEO also knows that increasing production also increases cost, so there needs to be a delicate balance. Musk was quoted saying that “The challenge that Tesla faces over the next few months is scaling production enough to achieve a certain gross margin on our product so we can be cash flow positive. That’s extremely important,” and “If we’re unable to do that, we’ll enter the graveyard with all the other car company startups of the last 90 years.”

Clearly, Musk is willing to take this challenge head-on and he understands what’s at stake. We love the Tesla line and want to see it succeed, and seeing a CEO that is willing to admit the challenges ahead and ready to take them on is a promising start. We’ll keep a close eye on this to make sure Tesla can actually hit its goals for the year and stay afloat.

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2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe by Hamann

In April 2012, German tuner Hamann released their program for the new BMW 6-Series, a car that has been a fixation of ours for quite some time now. But as it turns out, Hamann’s got more up its sleeve with a teaser photo of their latest offering, this time for the 6-Series Gran Coupe.

Nothing much in the way of details have been revealed, but look for some significant modifications from the people who know what it takes to build some serious programs for their cars. Judging from the picture, there appears to be a slew of new components added into the car, including revised bumpers, new side skirts, a boot lid wing, an unmistakable Hamann bonnet, and a new set of Hamann wheels.

Performance modifications - if there are any - are still being kept under wraps so we’ll have to wait for more details on whether Hamann has improvements for the 6-Series Gran Coupe’s 445-horsepower 4.4-liter V8 engine. Looking at what Hamann showed us, though, we have to say that the components look mighty impressive, to say the least.

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Porsche Ads Reveal a new Roadster, but Only in London...

Ewe no, their are thymes when a spellchecker is in order and advertismenting sumthing is Juan of them thymes. Their’s not much worser then misspelling the nayme of the pro-duct you are saling. Welp, it looks like Porsche has decided against spell checking its ads.

Okay, we’ll stop now... but seriously. Every single Porsche Boxster billboard ad in the great city of London has a glaring error in it. It’s missing an “S,” so the sports car is now known as the "Boxter." Granted, the pronunciation is exactly the same, but the spelling is simply horrendous.

Really, how in the world does a professional advertising company, which we only assume Porsche uses, misspell a key word, like the product’s freaking name, on a slew of billboards? To boot, how exactly does Porsche not catch this before having the billboards installed? Yeah, accidents happen, but that’s fine on a single small ad somewhere, not on billboards all across London.

An ad campaign of this magnitude has to cost a load of money and if the ads are up, it means that Porsche apparently approved the final proofs. So the question is how did Porsche approve botched proofs or did the ad company misprint them when they made the billboards?

We tried coming up with a department to call in Porsche’s operation to find out whose error it was, but we came up empty. We are sure that within a matter of days these ads will be fixed up. It’s still worth a good laugh.

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Jeep Wrangler Truck in the Works?

As other manufacturers are eliminating SUV-truck hybrids (See: Chevy Avalanche and Ford Explorer Sport Trac) Chrysler is just now debating officially releasing one in Jeep Wrangler garb. In 2005, Jeep teased us with the idea of this monstrosity with the Gladiator Concept, which we didn’t care for then and really dislike now, as that fad has run its course.

In an interview with CarAdvice, Jeep president, Mike Manley, let them in on the secret that Jeep will be making a decision “pretty soon” on whether the Jeep Wrangler-based pickup will head into production or not.

In the interview, Manley was asked when he thought the Wrangler truck may be an option, Manley responded by saying “Probably the next generation.” This means that the Jeep Wrangler truck could be in Jeep’s lineup as early as 2015. The biggest debate, aside from whether there is a market for it or not, is whether it will come as a 2- or 4-door.

The 2-door model eliminates lots of passenger room, but in return, you get the Wrangler’s impressive break-over angle – the ability to avoid dragging its back end when climbing a steep grade. In a 4-door model, you get the added passenger room, but Jeep would then have to make the bed longer and that would cause a smaller break-over angle, resulting in you dragging the tail when starting up a steep grade. The only other option there would be to lengthen the wheelbase, which can result in your New Wrangler pickup turning into a large teeter-totter when climbing over rocky terrain.

We have a quick solution to this whole problem... Just scrap the plan altogether, Jeep. There is already an aftermarket kit to turn the Wrangler into a truck. If customers want one that bad, they can have it custom fabricated.

We could be wrong and the Wrangler-based truck could be a hit, but we just don’t see that kind of response coming from Wrangler fans.

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Tesla Refuses to "Enter the Graveyard" with other Failed Companies

So many car companies lose sight of the single most important aspect of running a business: keeping cost low and profit high, while maintaining good quality control. This has ultimately landed many start-up companies into early closure and even some juggernauts, like Pontiac and Oldsmobile, into shutting their doors for good.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk really seems to have his finger on the pulse of his business, as they slowly start bringing more mainstream cars – as mainstream as an EV can be – into the market, with its new Model S and upcoming Model X. To help control overhead, each Tesla Model S is built to order, so there aren’t any leftovers on the shelves, but this also poses the risk of not being able to keep up with demand.

At this point, Tesla is manufacturing at its capacity and needs to push out another 5,000 Model S units by December 31st to hit its goal and stay in the black. This is a tall task that will likely not be possible without increasing production, but Tesla’s CEO also knows that increasing production also increases cost, so there needs to be a delicate balance. Musk was quoted saying that “The challenge that Tesla faces over the next few months is scaling production enough to achieve a certain gross margin on our product so we can be cash flow positive. That’s extremely important,” and “If we’re unable to do that, we’ll enter the graveyard with all the other car company startups of the last 90 years.”

Clearly, Musk is willing to take this challenge head-on and he understands what’s at stake. We love the Tesla line and want to see it succeed, and seeing a CEO that is willing to admit the challenges ahead and ready to take them on is a promising start. We’ll keep a close eye on this to make sure Tesla can actually hit its goals for the year and stay afloat.

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2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupes Olympic Editions

With the 2012 London Olympics closing with a tremendous bang over the weekend, the ceremonies pretty much celebrated everything that is British. If we’re talking about the term "British" in the context of the auto industry, you won’t find anything more British than Rolls-Royce.

Having said that, the British automaker was front and center during the closing ceremonies of the Olympics, particularly three models of the 2013 Drophead Coupe, which was the transport-of-choice for artists Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, and Taio Cruz during their collaborative performance titled ’A Symphony of British Music.’

More importantly, the three Drophead Coupes sported newly-designed badges for the first time in the company’s 108-year history. These new badges were designed by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design Team and replaced the traditional double R-R for the first time since the company started in 1904.

"I am delighted that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was invited to take part in celebrating the success of the Games and it is appropriate that we should recognise this occasion with a fitting tribute," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce’s Chief Executive, in a press release.

"These unique cars were hand built at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood by our dedicated and passionate workforce and the whole team can take great pride in their part in making history for our company."

Each of the three models were finished in an English White paint with the company’s iconic Spirit of Ecstacy dressed in the Union Flag sitting elegantly on the grille badge. Meanwhile, the self-righting wheel centers have been scripted with the words ‘London 2012’ and surrounded by the Olympic motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius.’ Translated to English, it means "Faster, Higher, Stronger." Inside, the steering wheel center of the luxury car comes with a traditional laurel wreath and torch.

From there, the cars also have unique tread plates with badges identifying each model of their model designation. Only three units of this special edition model have been built. Can you say ’ultra-exclusive’?

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2013 LandRover RangeRover Exterior and Interior Images Leaked!

Earlier today, we caught wind of a couple of leaked images for the 2013 Landrover RangeRover, but now we’ve got the whole kit and caboodle in the form of interior and exterior shots of the future luxury SUV. These images don’t reveal a whole new vehicle, but that’s not what we were expecting anyway. What they do show is the familiar RangeRover shape and curves with a little Evoque thrown in for modern measure. There are also new air ducts on the front grill and softer edges throughout.

The interior of the Range Rover has also been revamped to look even more luxurious, which is not a small feat considering the luxury the SUV has anyway. The center console was thoroughly cleaned up and only a few buttons and knobs were left to operate. The air vents were moved above the navigation screen and the dashboard looks to be cleaner and digital with striking lights. Overall, the interior has just been updated for more practicality and a modern edge.

Now that the full package has been leaked in pictures, we expect LandRover to officially release all of the details on the future Landrover Range Rover very soon, before it makes its appearance at the 2012 Paris Auto Show in the last week of September. Sales will begin in November 2012.

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2015 Volkswagen Touareg CC

Volkswagen is making it their personal goal to compete with just about every single auto manufacturer in the world, be it from acquiring the Porsche brand or making their own car to compete with someone. The latest rumor afloat in the automotive realm is the BMW X6 Competitor, the Volkswagen Touareg CC.

The information on this new crossover SUV is very scarce, but based on our knowledge, we were able to come up with a rendering of what we think the Touareg CC will look like. One thing that we are fairly certain of is that the Touareg CC will be modeled after the Cross Coupe Concept we saw in Geneva, boasting an aggressive-looking front end with an array of sharp body lines and a stylish chrome grille up front. On the rear, you’ll get exaggerated rear fender wells and arches, semi-oval taillights, and a raked rear hatch. You also get a pair of oval exhaust exits directly under the rear bumper.

Down the side of the Touareg CC, you have a profile that looks more like a coupe, almost like the profile that Nissan gave to the Juke. Unlike the Juke, however, you will have an exposed rear door handle, giving away its status as a 4-door model.

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2013 Nissan Juke Midnight Edition

The Nissan Juke doesn’t lack in funkiness. It certainly has a design that can be best described as ’unconventional," so there’s no measure of surprise that Nissan is bullish on releasing special edition models of the Juke because, hey, it catches attention and, at the crux of it all, it sells.

The latest of these special edition models is the Midnight Edition Package, which is being made available as an accessory for a number of Juke trims, including the S, SV, and SL models. Among the new digs, the Juke Midnight Edition is set to include a choice of three new color options, including Atomic Gold, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White. The model will also get a new Sapphire Black rear roof spoiler, Sapphire black mirror caps, and a new set of 17" Black wheels.

Nissan is only charging $1,200 for these extras, which is pretty sweet considering the additions the crossover will carry in its Midnight Edition guise. As part of the 2013 model, the Juke SV will also get a RearView Monitor added to the Navigation Package while the SL model will get a revised Rockford Fosgate ecoPUNCH audio system for the SV Navigation Package.

Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc, commented on the Juke Midnight Package, saying: "The Midnight Edition JUKE stands out by its subtlety."

"The combination of black-on-black-on-black wheels, spoiler and mirrors gives JUKE a dramatic new look, which we think enhances its already bold styling. We expect it to be a very popular addition to the JUKE lineup for 2013," Castignetti adds.

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2012 Fiat 500 Color Therapy Edition

With all of the iterations of the current 500 galloping around the streets, Fiat wanted to remind us what an amazing car the 500 was back in the 1970s with the launch of a very cool Color Therapy Edition. The new 500 Color Therapy Edition was created in cooperation with top fashion and beauty photographer Elisabeth Hoff and will be offered in both hatchback and convertible versions. Prices will range from £10,760 (about $16,800 at the current exchange rates) to £14,510 ($22,700 at the current rates).

The new 500 Color Therapy edition will be offered in a choice of five special paint colors: New Age Cream, Countrypolitan Yellow, Pasodoble Red, Volare Blue, and Tech House Grey. The list of standard equipment includes air conditioning, special paint, white mirror covers, white wheel covers, a ‘poolball’ design gear knob, and specific key cover. Customers can choose between a 0.9-liter TwinAir or a 1.2-liter petrol engine.

"The special colors and stylish new touches will make the Fiat 500 an even more attractive proposition for our customers," says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. "Tasteful features such as the white door mirror covers and ‘poolball’ design gear knob in matching colour, take the popular 500 to a new level, showing just how timeless this classic city car really is."

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Supercar Frankenstein: Piecing Together the Ultimate Supercar

 

Every car nut has daydreamed about building a car. Hell, we do on a daily basis, and building one in real life would cost more money than we could ever imagine having in our checking accounts. Let’s suspend reality for a tick here and imagine that someone handed you a blank check and asked for you to build the ultimate supercar.

Well, we are going to go over all of the supercars and lay out what pieces from which cars would come together to create the ultimate supercar Frankenstein. Now, there are some rules here. We have to make sure things are feasible. Things like slapping a W-16 Veyron engine into a Lotus Elise will not work, therefore it flat out can’t be done.

We’ll review our favorites in each of the three major categories — body and chassis, engine, and transmission — and end it all up by giving you our estimated specifications for our new vehicle.

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2012 BMW 328i by iND

For those that love the BMW 328i, but just feel like it is lacking a little something in the styling area, you are not alone. BMW modifiers extraordinaire, iND, have pieced together a beautiful package to help make any 328i look a little more stylish, and sound better too.

Up front you’re getting gloss-black-painted grilles, which help break up the monotony of the 328i’s front end. Adding a little extra style is a urethane front bumper lip from 3D Design. This lip features secure mounting hardware and simple instructions, making for a clean and factory-looking mount.

The 328i’s center of gravity is dropped slightly, using a set of H&R springs. Unfortunately, the amount of drop and the resulting spring rate is not given. Just the drop alone is bound to help increase the 3-Series’ nimbleness. Also helping in the twisties is a set of four pewter 19-inch BBS CH-R wheels, measuring in at 19 x 9.5 inches.

Helping bring the 328i to a stop, iND added in a set of M Performance brakes. This kit includes slotted and drilled rotors, 4-piston front calipers, and 2-piston rear calipers.

In the land of engine performance, iND did very little to the 328i’s performance numbers. The only addition on this entire modification is the installation of an Eisenmann exhaust system. There is no mention on how many ponies this adds, but we assume it will add about 5 to 8 horsepower, which brings its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine up to about 245 to 248 horsepower. Other than the exhaust system, the remainder of the mechanics remain untouched.

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2012 Ford Falcon GT RSPEC Limited Edition Series by Ford Performance Vehicles

Far from the land we call America where the Ford Mustang travels its fair roads, Australia has its own muscle car version, called the Falcon.

So while we get inundated with all the Mustang variants left and right, the Aussies now have something to brag about with the unveiling of the GT RSPEC Limited Edition Series, or as they describe it, the fastest Falcon ever made.

Certainly, we’d love to see what the Falcon is capable of when lined up against a Mustang, but that’s a discussion and a debate for another day. What needs to be done now is to pay respect to this special edition muscle car that boasts of some pretty cool features that would make even the iconic Mustang proud.

Understandably so, Ford Performance Vehicles director Bryan Mears has nothing but gushing words for his company’s latest project. "On the track the RSPEC’s capabilities are just awesome, he said, "it is the finest-handling GT in history."

"We have put 18 months into the development of the FPV GT RSPEC and we are extremely proud of the results; anyone who drives it on the track will be blown away by just how complete and capable this car is."

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2013 Toyota Yaris R1A Rally Car

Toyota’s Motorsport division has its eye on a return to rally racing and they’re bringing a new ride for the occasion. This new model should come in just in time for the ninth round of the World Rally Championship at the ADAC Rallye Deutschland on August 24th to 26th, 2012.

The car will be the Toyota Yaris, the company’s lovable little hatchback that has been rechristened as the "Yaris R1A." In order to comply with FIA R1A regulations, Toyota gave the Yaris limited performance modifications that include a new racing exhaust, a catalytic converter system, shorter final drive gear, a new motorsport suspension with adapted springs and adjustable ride height, and cursory safety enhancements like the bolt-in roll cage, rally seats, safety harnesses, a power cut-off switch, fire extinguishers, and sump guards.

Talking about the new Yaris R1A, TMG president Yoshiaki Kinoshita said: "It is a great thrill for TMG to return to rallying, a discipline in which we enjoyed a great deal of success in the past. The TMG Yaris R1A is a completely different project compared to our WRC past; it is an affordable but exciting car which makes rallying‟s major events accessible to a whole range of participants."

For now, the Yaris R1A will participate at the ADAC Rallye Deutscheland as a "Zero Car" with Toyota setting a goal for their new rally baby to become the first car in the world to be awarded FIA R1A homologation, allowing it to compete in regional, national, and international competitions, including the WRC.

For a car that has been priced at €22,500 ($27,800), the Yaris R1A is already getting plenty of interest in the rally world. "We have already received numerous inquiries about this car so we know there is a huge appetite in the rally world for a new TOYOTA," said Kinoshita.

"I hope this is the start of a new rally dynasty at TMG."

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2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Results and Highlights

After a huge wildfire delayed the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, it has finally had its day in the spotlight, and it did not disappoint. The entire PPIHC was chock-full of craziness and highlights, along with some low-lights worthy of mention.

The biggest highlight of the day was seeing a record set at last year’s race fall. It fell not only once, but twice in only 10 starts. Switzerland’s Romain Dumas – a PPIHC rookie – fired up the hill, completing the course in just 9:46.18 in his 2012 Porsche GT3 RS. This demolished the 9:51.278 record set by Nobuniro Tajima In 2011. Just 10 starts later, Rhys Millen, an 18-year PPIHC veteran, beat Dumas’ time by 0.02 seconds in his 2012 Hyundai Genesis coupe. Yeah, figure that one out; a Hyundai beat a Porsche GT3 RS.

Dejected, Dumas vowed never to race Pike’s Peak again, claiming it is unfair because he raced in rainy conditions, while Millen got a drier track to run on. In all honesty, though, 10 starts just doesn’t seem like a long enough time frame to cause a huge discrepancy in track conditions. We’re calling “Sore loser” on this one. That’s no way to get a good name in the racing world.

A huge low-light in this year’s race is the fact that the 2011 champion and former record holder, Nobuniro Tajima, didn’t even get a shot at the title, as his electric motor burned up. Tajima had a pretty good chance to win the race in back-to-back years, but that was apparently not in the cards this year. We’re sure he’ll be back near the top next year.

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2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Project Ice Blade by SR Auto Group Posted on 08.13.2012 16:00 by Kirby

When it comes to aesthetic and aerodynamic modifications, SR Auto Group is one of the premier aftermarket companies for the job. Time and again, these boys come out with something spectacular, and their latest project adds even more truth to what is becoming a growing sentiment in the industry.

The project is called Ice Blade and it’s a program for the mighty Italian supercar, the Ferrari 458 Italia. SR Auto Group describes it s a program that’s "vivid, adventurous, and simply brilliant."

With the help and use of a Novitec Rosso body kit, SR Auto Group was able to turn its evolutionary idea into reality. The creation of this bold and unique program begins with Novitec Rosso carbon fiber body kit, which includes new components like the front splitter, side skirts, door handles, mirrors, a rear spoiler, and a rear diffuser that flows effortlessly into the pure white exterior, creating a look that speaks to the car’s Ice Blade nickname.

From there, SR Auto Group fitted the 458 Italia with a new set of 21" and 22" PUR 4OUR DEPTH wheels that carry their own nickname: DaVinci Red.

For a car that really doesn’t need a nickname to give it even more swag, the Ferrari 458 Italia does look a whole lot better as the Ice Blade.

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Video: Lamborghini Aventador vs. Mercedes AMG SLS Roadster

Although the two vehicles in this video are different - one’s a coupe while the other is a roadster - the Lamborghini Aventador and the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster can still be considered two of the most amazing supercars currently on the market. Hennessey Performance obviously feels this statement is accurate since they decided to pit the two cars against each other on a spicy 1/4 mile dragstrip race.

You’ll have to watch the video to see who wins the race, but we’ll give you some details to help you out. The Aventador is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine that delivers a total of 700 HP and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. The SLS AMG Roadster, on the other hand, is powered by a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 563 HP and can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4 seconds.

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Koenigsegg Accessory Line: The only Koenigsegg we can afford

Almost every automaker in the world is currently offering a special line of accessories to get more bang out of their brand image buck. Koenigsegg has now joined the bunch with a new Accessory Line, making it the only Koenigsegg product we can actually afford.

The new Koenigsegg Accessory Line includes a variety of lifestyle items ranging from hand-built scale models to cuff links, artwork, and clothing. The prices are also pretty accessible - when compared to a Koenigsegg model - and range from $45 for a pen or $48 for a t-shirt up to $12,300 for a carbon ceiling lamp.

We also found a blue Agera R in 1:43 scale in the store. This scale model is limited to only 500 units and priced at $188. The blue Limited Edition model was created by Frontiart for exclusive distribution by Koenigsegg Lifestyle. Each product in the new accessory line has been chosen or developed by founder Christian von Koenigsegg.

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Rumormill: The FIA to Forbid its Drivers Form Competing in Global RallyCross

There are tons of racing circuits in the world right now, but the fastest rising one in the U.S. is the Global RallyCross Championship circuit. You have super-fast cars on multiple surfaces (dirt, mud, sand, pavement, etc.) with little room to maneuver, plus they throw in obstacles and and ramps. No, we don’t mean relatively cushy dirt jumps in regular rally circuits. We mean ramps with huge gaps between them. So, who can blame us for falling in love with it?

It looks like the FIA is a little envious of the GRC and is planning to start its own international global rallycross circuit. With this potential entry into globalizing its rallycross circuit, the FIA is rumored to have forbid its drivers to participate in GRC. This would take some pretty high-level names out of the GRC, like Ken Block, Sebastien Loeb, Tanner Foust, and Liam Doran. To make matters worse, Tanner Foust is actually the points leader in the 2012 season, so that would be a major shakeup if the ban comes mid-season.

As we said, these are just rumors right now, but with multiple sources spreading the same whispers, there is likely some truth behind it. We have shipped off an email to GRC to get a quick statement and to see if there is any truth behind this, but we really doubt that they will confirm or deny the rumors.

For now, we just have to kick back and wait to see if the FIA follows through with this ban and if it’ll affect the 2012 season.

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2012 Nissan GTR P600 PKG by Switzer

Switzer Performance has unveiled quite a few tuning packages for the Nissan GT-R, and it seems they won’t be slowing down anytime soon now that Nissan has inadvertently announced another generation for the sports car. Their latest package is called the P600 GTR PKG and delivers an astounding 600 HP, up from the standard 545 HP.

In order to obtain this amazing power increase, the tuner has added Switzer-specific high-flow filters, Switzer’s own high-performance ECU software, and the free-flowing SS90 exhaust that not only helps increase power, but also improves the 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine’s sound. This allows the P600 GTR to get from 0-60 mph in just 2.6 seconds (one second faster than the standard model) and make it from 60-130 mph 2.5 seconds quicker than the stock car.

Switzer’s main focus was the power increase, so no major aesthetic changes were made to the vehicle. The only change they made was the addition of a new set of new Switzer Signature series lightweight forged aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Supersports tires.

The absence of exterior and interior modifications doesn’t affect the price, however. The P600 PKG by Switzer will set Nissan GTR owners back $12,990.

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As Expected, Audi Planning to Use Digital Rear-View Mirrors in Production Models

Back in May, we announced that Audi was eliminating the traditional rearview mirror from its R18 Le Mans cars, due to its lack of rearward-facing glass. We also made it clear that a lot of additions to new cars come from successful experiences in the racing world. Well, the R18s ended up garnering a 1-2-3 finish in that race.

As expected, with success comes commercialization, and Audi has announced that its upcoming R8 e-tron will boast this digital mirror technology. This system will consist of a 7.7-inch AMOLED screen mounted in the traditional mirror’s spot. The “mirror” uses a rear-mounted camera to send a video feed, giving the driver a slightly wider field of vision than the average rearview mirror.

Here’s the issue though, the NHTSA’s law book still requires a mirror made from reflective glass to be mounted to all passenger cars. The law specifically states “Each passenger car shall have an inside rearview mirror of unit magnification” and it defines a “unit magnification” as “a plane or flat mirror with a reflective surface through which the angular height and width of the image of an object is equal to the angular height and width of the object when viewed directly at the same distance except for flaws that do not exceed normal manufacturing tolerances. For the purposes of this regulation a prismatic day-night adjustment rearview mirror one of whose positions provides unit magnification is considered a unit magnification mirror. ”

The issue is in the verbiage is that the phrase “ a plane or flat mirror with a reflective surface...” eliminates an LED screen, as it is not a reflective surface. Now, the law becomes nullified is the car comes with side-view mirrors that have 49 square-inches of reflective surface and offer a complete view of the rear end of the vehicle. Those mirrors would be huge for this supercar, so we doubt that exemption will be valid.

We’ll have to see exactly how Audi plans to get around this, or if the NHTSA makes adjustments to its laws.

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Mecedes-Benz Celebrates AMG’s 45th Birthday by Reviewing its History

AMG has been around since 1967 – we bet you didn’t know that – and its success story is amazingly interesting, mostly due to the immediate success it had. The AMG project actually began as a side job for Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. The two gained notoriety by modifying the 300 SE’s engine into quite the racer, by installing direct fuel injection back in the mid-1960s.

In 1967, Aufrecht and Melcher left Benz-Daimler and started AMG in a small workshop in a barn. The real success came in the 1970s when AMG developed a 300 SEL 6.8 like no one had ever seen before. It was tuned up to 320 ponies at 4,750 rpm and 541 Nm (399 pound-feet) of torque at 3,500. This allowed the heavy 300 SEL to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.5 seconds, and easily win its class at the 24-hour race in Spa Francorchamps and take a second place overall finish.

The history lesson that Mercedes-Benz gives us on the AMG brand is available online in its fullest and progresses through each decade and even gives us a look at what the future holds for AMG. It outlines the AMG E-Cell and talks about its racing future too, which continues to look rather promising.

So head on over to Mercedes-Benz’s site and have a look at the history of AMG. It’s a pretty easy read and is broken down into small, easy-to-understand sections. Happy B-day, AMG, we hope to see 45 more from you!

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2014 BMW M3 Caught During Hot Weather Testing

The next generation BMW M3 won’t be showing its face until the 2013 Paris Auto Show, but we’ll at least get to see it undergo its painstaking testing until that happens. Bimmerpost was able to capture the future sports sedan as it endured the hot weather in Spain.

The video shows a little more of the M3’s exterior, but our main focus as we watched it was the sound pouring out of what we suspect is the new inline-six cylinder engine. We believe the previous V8 engine has been dropped in favor of the new V6, but we are still unaware of whether the new engine will be equipped with two or three turbos. Either way, it will boast of 450 HP, an increase over the current model’s 420 HP.

The future BMW M3 will be offered exclusively as a sedan and will show up on US dealerships in the winter of 2014. Before that, we’ll be able to get a closer look at the future model whenBMW unveils its M3 Concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

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mclaren cars 2012 McLaren MP4-12C FAB Design Terso by Office-K

In an effort to be bigger and badder in the tuning world, some tuners go the way of updating a vehicle that has already been graced with tuning hands once before. Last year, FAB Design unveiled a sleek Terso package based on the McLaren MP4-12C and this year, Japanese tuner, Office-K, has taken a crack at the Terso package to further update its look. Looking at the vehicle before and after Office-K got to work is like checking out the angel before it heads to the dark side. Both cars are exquisite, but the after model has a lot more edge.

The obvious starting point for the Office-K package is the black paint finish for the exterior, as well as the addition of a new rear spoiler, a new front spoiler fitted below the front windscreen, and a new exhaust system with three end pipes. The interior has also been updated with black leather and red accents. The tuner then added crocodile leather on the doors, foot-wells, central armrest, seats, and headliners. There is also a new carbon fiber trim that make the sports coupe look even cooler. The final piece is a new set of three-part forged wheels.

The McLaren MP4-12C Terso by Fab Design was hooked up with an engine upgrade that netted the V8 680 HP. This boost in power left it with a 0-60 mph sprint time of just 3 seconds to go with a top speed of 213 mph. As of right now, we are unaware of any other changes to the McLaren’s engine from Office-K, but the previous engine upgrade is certainly enough for just about any MP4-12C owner.

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Next Renault Alpine could be developed in cooperation with Caterham

There are some whispers spreading around on the good ol’ Net that Renault and Caterham may be teaming up to facilitate the return of the Alpine name. The ball has already started rolling with the introduction of the Renault Alpine A110-50 Concept, but a French report is stating that this team effort will benefit the lineups of both manufacturers.

Renault’s goal is to create a light and agile Alpine which will be easier with the help of a smaller company, while Caterham is looking to build a new range-topping sports car that will be made possible with the knowledge provided by a larger, more experienced manufacturer. It’s the classic, "You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours" scenario. What we’ll get out of it is a light rear-engined Alpine priced somewhere between $44,000 to $50,000 which is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2015.

"We’ve had talks with potential partners," said Carlos Tavares, Renault’s Chief Operating Officer in a previous interview. "We’ll decide whether or not to revive Alpine before the end of this year, but I think there’s a good chance that a new Alpine will see the light of day."

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2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport GTS-X by Overfinch

While everyone is waiting for the new generation Range Rover Sport to arrive, the British guys over at Overfinch have developed a very cool tuning package based on the current generation SUV. The package not only includes a vivacious exterior tuning package, but also increases the engine’s output to an amazing 575 HP - a 50 HP increase over the car’s standard 525 HP.

This power increase was achieved by an ECU remapping for the supercharged 5.0 V8 engine, a custom airbox, and a new exhaust system. As a result, the Range Rover Sport goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds, while top speed goes up to 145 mph.

Adding to the pizzazz of the Range Rover Sport is a bright orange exterior paint finish with massive 22-inch Titan alloy wheels combined with new Brembo disk brakes. The tuner has also installed a new lowering module for a more menacing stance and a clean carbon fiber package for the interior.

You want power and good looks, it’ll cost you. The car and package combo for the Land Rover Range Rover Sport GTS-X by Overfinch will set customers back £147,500 (about $230,000 at the current exchange rates), which is almost double the price of the standard Ranger Rover Sport.

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Spyker Sues GM; Where will the C8’s engine come from now?

Chrysler

Chrysler is definitely a long shot in this deal, but it is a possibility. Fiat definitely needs to maximize Chrysler’s profit while increasing costs a minimal amount to keep itself afloat. Chrysler has really come to bat and Fiat is now showing profit, despite it losing money itself. Providing the 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi engine to Spyker at a decent cost could really help inject some low-cost profit into the company, and give the Hemi some exposure in other markets. We are not too sure if the Hemi engine meets the EU’s stringent emission requirements, but Spyker may be able to reciprocate in the deal by helping Chrysler meet these requirements, if needed.

This is a win-win for both parties, but Chrysler is not one to share its engine technology with many companies.

 

 

2011 Ford Mustang 5.0L V8 Engine

The new 5.0-liter V-8 in the Mustang is an engineering marvel and there is likely more in store for the 5.0, like direct injection, with the upcoming redesign in 2015. At 420 horsepower, the current 5.0 is a little underpowered for Spyker’s liking, but it has been shown again and again that this 5.0-liter V-8 engine is easily tuned to produce well over 500 horsepower. Ford could lend its Hi-Po 5.0 from the Boss 302, but we’re not sure if Ford would want that kind of technology floating around in too many hands. This can also be an additional profit driver for Ford, as it continues to prove it can win without any assistance.

BMW

BMW has no beef with Spyker and no direct competitor either. Plus, it’s much closer than Ford or Chrysler. In addition, BMW is pretty free in offering up its engines for use in other vehicles, giving there is a little reciprocity in the deal. The 4.4-liter V-8 from the 5-Series is one engine that BMW has lent out before and will likely do so again. Granted, it pumps out a little less horsepower than Spyker would like, but with the savings it would gain by not importing engines from overseas, it could tune the 4.4-liter to a healthy 550 ponies easy. An added benefit is that the 4.4-liter plant is slightly smaller than the other engines we have looked at, keeping the C8’s overall weight more manageable.

Hyundai

Yeah, we said it, Hyundai. Believe it or not, Hyundai is now a player in the performance car realm and there have already been rumors of a high-performance version of its 421-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 finding its way into a supercar. Spyker would be a willing and beneficial candidate to test out such a possibility with little risk on Hyundai’s end. The chances of this are very slim, as Hyundai already shares engine technology with Oullim Motors, in the form of the 2.7-liter found in the Spirra. Then again, Hyundai has already shown that it is willing and ready to join forces with someone, given its rumored recent link-up with BMW.

Image is of the 5.0L V8 engine found in the current Hyundai Genesis R-Spec.

Conclusion

Those are the four most likely candidates that we could see Spyker sourcing engines from. There is the outside chance of Spyker calling up Mercedes and borrowing an engine, but Mercedes has already shared its engines and may not be game for another partner. We feel that either Ford or BMW are the two most likely candidates, since Hyundai very well may develop its own supercar of sorts one day and Chrysler is greedy with its high-output engines.

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Chelsea Truck CJ300 Expedition Vehicle by Kahn Design

If auto tuning was an actual Olympic event, British tuner Kahn Design would probably be the odds-on favorite to win the most gold medals by sheer quantity of programs alone. Don’t sleep on these guys though, because they’ve got top-class quality covered too.

For their latest offering, Azfal Kahn and his team decided to go the utilitarian route by releasing a new program for the Jeep Wrangler, called the Chelsea Truck CJ 300 Expedition Vehicle.

The most distinguishable element of the program for the Chelsea Truck CJ 300 is its military green paint finish, which pretty much gives away the underlying purpose of the vehicle. Moreover, a lot of intricate modifications were given to the Wrangler to ensure that it keeps true to its new looks, including the smoked headlights and indicators to go with LED daytime running lights. The front grille was also abjectly modified to give the Wrangler’s front profile a more menacing look while also getting some technical boost thanks to new openings on the valance and grille area, providing better airflow to the radiator, intercooler and brakes. etc. Over at the back, Kahn Design added a new enamel tailgate, cross hair exhausts in stainless steel, and a new 20" smoked black Kahn RS spare wheel.

Moving inside, the British tuner added heated perforated leather seats with matching stitching, aluminum pedals, and a red speedometer and rev counter fascia to complete the aesthetic overhaul for this off-road menace.

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SSC Tuatara vs. Bugatti Veyron: An Automotive David vs. Goliath

When we decided to pit the two top supercars against one another, the list had to include the Bugatti Veyron, the Goliath of the supercar world. Its competitor, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as clear cut, as there are numerous cars that you can match up against the Veyron and get a good fight.

The first one that we looked at was the Hennessey Venom GT and its 1,244-horsepower V-8. In all honesty, the Hennessey just feels more like a kit car to us, thanks to its Lotus Elise base. Granted, that’s one bad-ass, Bugatti killing kit car, but it still just didn’t feel right to us.

After spanning the globe trying to find a good competitor, we ended up right back in the U.S. with the all-new SSC Tuatara. This limited production supercar definitely has the power to handle the likes of the Veyron on paper, but we really need to dig in deep to see what really happens when we put them up against each other.

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Chrysler Mulling Over Plans to Sell EVs and Announces Production of Fiat 500EV

Chrysler has had only one mass-produced electrified vehicle in its history and that was the now-discontinued Durango hybrid. According to a report from Bloomberg, Chrysler is once again kicking around the thought of electrified vehicles, be it by 100 percent electricity or some sort of hybrid system.

Bob Lee, the head of Chrysler’s engine and electrified propulsion engineering department was quoted as saying “We do believe in electrification, sparingly and for the right kinds of targeted applications.” This basically means that Chrysler is taking its dive into electric propulsion very carefully until it knows that there is a market among Chrysler buyers.

That’s not a huge shock, considering that Chrysler was pulled from the financial flames twice in the last decade, or so – once by Daimler and once by Fiat. Chrysler is finally pulling in a profit and now it’s actually carrying its parent company, Fiat, on its shoulders to keep it from drowning in debt.

Speaking of Fiat, Lee also confirmed in the same report that Fiat is moving into production of the anticipated 500EV, the electric-powered Fiat 500. The 500EV will go into production later on this year and be ready for release sometime in the 2013 model year.

The 500EV will likely be the testing grounds for Chrysler to see if it is a profitable venture or not. We are willing to bet that buyers gobble up the 500EV and that Chrysler soon follows suit with a small EV of their own. Down the road, with fuel prices going how they are, we may even see the Viper utilizing a hybrid system, much like Ferrari is planing to install on its upcoming Enzo/F70.

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2013 Honda Accord Coupe

Exterior

With its most recent press release, Honda gave us a lot of information about the Accord’s exterior. The first thing you’re going to see as you approach this new Accord is the fact that its grille is brand new. Gone is the old cross-bar grille and in comes a a plastic honeycomb-style grille. The chrome accent on the grille moves from the top to the bottom, drawing extra attention to the new open-mouth look in the fascia.

The 2012 Accord’s hood was likely one of the most boring hood design in 2012, but Honda addressed this for 2013. The 2013 Accord coupe has four lines running its length that add some much-needed flare to an otherwise flat hunk of metal.

The headlights are virtually identical to the 2012 model year, as they are horizontally mounted and wrap around the front fender. The headlights were one of the good points to the 2012 Accord, so carrying them over into 2013 is a great idea.

Down the side of the 2013 Accord is a belt line that runs the length of the vehicle and flares upward on the rear quarter panel. This makes the new Accord look fast just sitting in a parking spot and breaks up the monotony of the car’s side profile. The rocker panel on the rear quarter panel, just in front of the rear tire, boasts a contour that adds some extra character that the 2012 model just didn’t have, making this relatively large coupe look sportier.

On the back end, the rear window has a slightly shallower rake, which allows the quarter panel to curve upward to meet it. This gives the Accord a fastback-like look that adds to its curb appeal. The taillights are completely redesigned in a style more similar to the headlights, giving the car a sharper look from the rear. The trunk lid boasts a nice curve that gives the back end a sweet finish.

Honda also shortened the new Accord very slightly, making it easier to handle. Also, the aerodynamic drag is reduced, when compared to last year’s model, by making the windshield and its wipers flush mounted and tailoring the under-body in a way to reduce resistance.

Overall, we like what Honda’s done with the outside of the Accord. It gave this flagship coupe a sporty look while retaining its classy appearance.

Interior

There is not too much information that Honda has offered up on the 2013 Accord’s interior. Honda did not stray away from the Accord’s main principle; offer the most room possible in a minimal package. You’re going to get slightly more passenger room and cargo room in the 2013 Accord Coupe, when compared to the 2012 Coupe.

You are also getting HondaLink with Bluetooth connectivity, which is only about a decade late to the infotainment party. For your listening pleasure, Honda has tossed in the ability to stream Pandora internet radio through the Accord’s HondaLink. You also get hands-free text messaging when you link a smartphone to the HondaLink system. The optional Aha system allows you to perform personalized restaurant searches, listen to Facebook audio feeds and audio books, and much more.

We are still uncertain about other interior options because Honda hasn’t officially released the information. We’ll add more as it becomes available.

Engines and Transmissions

Honda hasn’t given us any ideas on what engines the production Accord may boast, but we did receive some information on the concept version’s engines. The base level unit in the Accord Concept is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that pumps out 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. A step up from that is Honda’s “Earth Dreams” Technology engine, which is a 2.4-liter engine that gets 5 percent more mpg than the base 4-cylinder and pumps out 10 percent more torque, increasing that number to 195 pound-feet.

We all assume that the 3.5-liter V-6 will also come along for the party, but will be re-engineered to boast “Earth Dreams” Technology, increasing its fuel economy by 10 percent and output – horsepower and torque – by 5 percent. That puts its horsepower near the 300-pony range and its fuel economy at 18 mpg city and 27 mpg.

We anticipate the 2013 Accord coming with a 6-speed manual transmission standard. There should be two optional engines, a 6-speed automatic and a CVT. Though we hate CVTs, we have to respect the fact that they are more economical than multi-speed units.

There are some whispers of a hybrid-drive variant coming to the 2013 Accord lineup, but there is no confirmation on that just yet.

We are still awaiting confirmation that the 2013 Accord will boast the same engine lineup as Honda proposed with the concept. We’ll update you with official numbers once we find out.

Pricing

Honda has yet to release any pricing, but we anticipate only a mild increase on the 2012 Accord’s $23,080 base price.

Competition

Since the late-1970s, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have been duking it out for supremacy, so why change now?

The recently redesigned Camry is one that you either love or hate. In our opinion, Toyota seemed to almost force the fact that the Camry competes with the Accord, by making it slightly resemble the Accord from the front end. Add in the fact that the rear three-quarters of the Camry is too square to match its wedge-style front end and we have a major styling issue.

In the go-go department, the Camry boasts a 2.5-liter 4-pot that punches out an acceptable 170 pound-feet and 178 horsepower. This puts the base level Camry at a 4-horsepower and 7 foot-pound deficit when compared to the Accord’s base 4-cylinder. The optional V-6 on the Camry is a 3.5-liter that pumps out a slightly underwhelming 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of twist. We anticipate the Accord pumping out just about 300 horsepower from its 3.5-liter, giving it a leg up on the Camry.

The Camry finally does exceed the Accord in one thing: fuel economy. The Camry’s 2.4-liter engine gets 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, and its V-6 variant gets 21 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Even with the V-6’s increases, the Accord cannot touch the Camry’s mpg, while the Camry just barely beats out the Accord when you compare the two 4-cylinder engines.

Conclusion

Ultimately, we need to hold out for more information. On the surface, however, the Camry looks as if it is falling behind its Honda competitor. Honda is simply offering more features, more power and a better looking car than Toyota is. Now, if Toyota decides to bring the Malaysian Camry to the States, we may have a different ballgame.

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