Ford Says F-150 Orders with EcoBoost V6 on the Rise
April 29, 2011
With gas prices on the rise again, an increasing number of Ford F-150 buyers looking to save some (let’s not get carried away here…) cash at the pump without compromising on power are turning to the company’s new EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine. According to Ford, demand for the EcoBoost engine in the F-150 has increased each month since production began in January. In March, one in every four (25%) models sold in the States was equipped with the force-fed V6, increasing to around 35 percent in April. Read more »
GM to Build and Sell New 2013 Chevrolet Malibu in Korea
General Motors is quite serious about selling its upcoming 2013 Chevrolet Malibu on a global scale. So serious, in fact, that the Detroit automaker is making plans to built the mid-size model on several continents. Today, GM revealed that will build and sell the redesigned Malibu sedan in Korea. We’ll remind you that earlier this year, GM Korea announced it is replacing the Daewoo nameplate with the Chevrolet brand for the local market. Read more »
Lamborghini Unleashes two Aventadors on the Twisty Roads around Rome
We've only recently brought you a host of videos from Lamborghini's presentation of the Aventador LP 700-4 in Rome, but we’re convinced you won’t mind us showing more of Sant’Agata’s exotic creation. This time, two new and eye-catching short films of the Aventador surfaced online. The official videos show a pair of LP 700-4s taming the Eternal City's scenic streets as well as the winding countryside roads outside the Italian capital.
So buckle up, turn up the volume and head over the jump to watch the white and orange Aventadors enjoying life in their natural habitats.
Read more »Mini to Use Rolls Royce-Prepped Goodwood as a Sub-brand for Bespoke Models
In the same way the John Cooper Works moniker designates high-performance models, Mini plans to use the Goodwood name as a sub-brand for high-end luxury versions of its cars. According to British magazine Autocar, which quotes sources from within the company, the Goodwood badge will be used on luxurious, bespoke Minis just like the JCW badge is put on its high-performance models.
The first model of the Goodwood line is the “Mini Inspired by Goodwood”, which made its world premiere at the Shanghai auto show. The car is essentially a Cooper S that sports unique styling cues and trim options designed “in close collaboration” with Rolls-Royce. The name itself pays tribute to Rolls-Royce's headquarters, while the Shanghai unveiling signals the importance of the Chinese market for very expensive Minis.
New Audi R18 TDI Le Mans Competitor with smaller 3.7-liter V6 Diesel to Receive Racing Debut in Spa
In less than two months time, Audi’s brand new R18 TDI racer -that would be the bug-eyed model pictured on the right, will show us what it’s capable of at the famous 24 hours of Le Mans on June 11/12. But before the prestigious event in France, the brand with the four rings will give the R18 TDI its racing debut at the second round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup at Spa in Belgium on Saturday, May 7. Read more »
2012 Volkswagen Beetle Filmed out in the Open in Texas
April 28, 2011
In what could be one of the first public sightings of the brand new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle outside of a motor show, Youtube user JWalters84 passed by and filmed his short encounter with the car on a road in Laredo, Texas. What was it doing there? Well, who knows, but it's safe to assume that it’s probably a pre-production model used either by dealers or by VW Group employees since sales of the third generation of the Beetle in the USA will not start until September. Read more »
Seat Rumored to Start Production of Audi Q3-based SUV in 2012
It seems that the VW Group’s Martorell plant in Spain will not only build the new Audi Q3, but a similar version of the compact SUV for Seat as well, according to a report from British car magazine, What Car. Industry sources told the publication that the Seat IBX crossover study shown at Geneva this year will be built in the same plant with the Audi Q3, with both models to share the same platform. The production version of the IBX is expected to be introduced next year. Read more »
Chevrolet Reveals 2012 Corvette with Modest Upgrades [with Video]
Chevrolet will improve the Corvette’s performance capabilities with a series of enhancements for the 2012 model year aimed at offering better on-track performance and on-road comfort. The subtle performance improvements concern the Z06 and ZR1 models, while the rest of the Corvette lineup receives modest interior and equipment updates. Read more »
New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Debuts as Official Safety Car of DTM Racing Series
Mercedes-Benz and its AMG division continue to serve safety cars to the world of racing, this time with the refreshed C63 AMG sedan that will be used for the 2011 DTM touring car season. The Stuttgart automaker’s latest Safety Car will make its premiere on May 1, 2011, at the opening race of the German Touring Car Masters season at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg. Read more »
Porsche Says Goodbye to the 997 Series with 500HP 911 GT3 RS 4.0 [with Video]
The new 911 GT3 RS 4.0 is Porsche's ultimate street-legal track racer and a fitting farewell to the current 911 series, codenamed 997, which will soon be replaced by an all-new model set to be unwrapped at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
There’s a lot to like about the new GT3 RS including the fact that it is fitted with the largest engine ever to be mounted on a factory-approved 911; a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six unit that develops 500 horsepower at 8,250 rpm, 50 horses more than the standard GT3 RS. It is also the most powerful 911 naturally aspirated engine with 125 horsepower per liter. The engine carries the crankshaft from the 911 GT3 RSR racing car, while the forged pistons' connecting rods are made from titanium.
Zagato TZ3 Stradale: A Dodge Viper ACR Dressed as an Alfa Romeo
We don’t know if Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne’s future plans for the upcoming, next generation of the Dodge Viper include the development of a corresponding Alfa Romeo model based on the underpinnings of the muscle car, but famed Italian coachbuilder Zagato has given the formula a try with its new TZ3 Stradale.
You see, Zagato’s TZ3 Stradale is an Alfa Romeo bodied sports car based on the platform and mechanical hardware of the track-conquering Dodge Viper ACR, which features the same 600HP 8.4-liter V10 engine as the standard Viper SRT-10 along with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a race-spec suspension. All parts of the TZ3 Stradale’s carbon fiber body are new with the cherry topping being the classic Kamm-tail (K-tail) layout.
Ferrari Explains to 458 Italia Drivers what to do with all those Switches and Controls
April 27, 2011
When Ferrari released the 458 Italia back in 2009, the Italian supercar surprised the world not only with its performance (after all, it's expected from a new Ferrari to set the bar high), but with its high-tech gadgetry as well.
Using Formula 1 expertise, Ferrari put almost all of the car's controls on the steering wheel, including the indicator switches, windshield wipers, long beam, horn, engine start button, Manettino switch, suspension de-coupling, gearshift paddles, audio volume and track selection system.
Read more »Lamborghini Aventador LP-700 Descends on Rome for Media Presentation
The hype surrounding the spanking new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 has yet to calm down, and the Italian firm’s decision to bring more than half a dozen examples of the V12 supercar down to Rome for a media presentation, only adds fuel to the fire.
Luckily for us, there were plenty of by-passers willing to film this unique gathering of Aventadors in the Eternal City. Even though the LP 700-4 adopts the familiar aircraft-inspired design from the limited-run Reventon, Lamborghini’s latest creation is one of those cars you just can’t get your eyes off no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Watch the videos from the Rome presentation right after the jump.
Read more »F1’s Team Lotus Acquires British Sportscar Maker Caterham
The owners of Formula One Team Lotus announced today the acquisition of lightweight sportscar manufacturer Caterham, for an undisclosed sum from the shareholder consortium led by Corven Ventures.
Based in England, Caterham has made a name for itself for building the Seven, a lightweight two-seater sports car that was designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman and who sold the rights of the car to Caterham in 1973.
Team Lotus chiefs Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin said in a statement that the company plans to expand Caterham’s profile and product family while also continuing the development of the Seven.
Read more »In the Backseat with Serene: Hot Host Takes us for a Spin Around the 2011 New York Auto Show
April 26, 2011
Even though it may sound blatantly stereotypical to say that the majority of men like hot cars and women, well, deep inside we all know it’s true. Therefore, we can’t blame the organizers of the 2011 New York Auto Show for trying to combine the two to promote the event to the public, or at least to the social media-active male population.
If you’re still with us and haven’t followed the jump to enjoy the clips, allow us to introduce Serene; the attractive and playful female host of the 2011 New York Auto Show’s “After Dark” video series.
Serene takes us for a tour around the Jacob Javits Center, while also asking questions of the sort, “Which car has the best backseat for...ya know...backseat fun?”. Feel free to enlighten Serene with your answers in the comments section after the jump…
Read more »Kylie Minogue Promotes the 2012 VW Golf Cabriolet in New Ad
It appears that carmakers have a love-connection with Australian pop singer, Kylie Minogue. Following a recent collaboration with Lexus for the European launch of the Lexus CT200h, the Melbourne-born star signed an advertising partnership with Volkswagen to promote the new Golf Cabriolet. Minogue has already filmed the first TV commercial for Wolfsburg's new convertible model that aired in Germany this week. Read more »
2012 Opel Astra GTC Sport Hatch is…Virtually Here: First Official Images and Video of Production Model
General Motors’ Opel division is getting ready to take the wraps off the all-new Astra GTC as the company released the first official renderings and a video of the production model shown in a virtual landscape.
The new sharp looking, three-door version of the Astra, will be revealed in the flesh and in detail in just six week’s time, on June 7, well ahead of its world premiere at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, on September 15. Both Opel and its sister company in the UK, Vauxhall, will begin accepting orders in the summer with first deliveries expected this fall.
Kowalski Approved: Dodge Dealer Creates Nouveau Vanishing Point Challenger Based On 392 Inaugural Editions
April 25, 2011
The 1970s spawned some pretty cool car movies. Gone in 60 Seconds, Two-Lane Blacktop and Vanishing Point were all born in the decade of big collars, flared trousers and microwave dinners. The last of these three movies is considered to be somewhat of a classic. In it, a man named Kowalski (Barry Newman) makes a bet that he can drive a white 1970 Dodge Challenger from the dealership in Colorado to a customer in San Francisco in just 15 hours. The inevitable series of street races and confrontations with The Man ensue.
Now, forty years after the film premiered, New Wilmington Dodge dealer and long-time fan Bob Frederick has unveiled a special edition model to celebrate this genre classic. All of the “Kowalski Edition” cars are based on the 2011 392 Inaugural Edition Challenger SRT8, as white was not available for standard SRT8s.
Mercedes Announces U.S. Prices for 2012 SLK Roadster and 2012 CLS [Plus New Photo Galleries]
We’ve already had our first look at the new-generation SLK roadster and CLS sports sedan lineups, but now, Mercedes-Benz has decided to reveal pricing on both models ahead of their U.S. market launch this summer.
For the time being, the German automaker has announced pricing only for the 2012 SLK350 that will start at $54,800, not including a $875 destination and delivery charge, which raises the cost to $55,675. In comparison, the soon-to-be-replaced 300-horsepower 2011 SLK350 is priced at $54,145 (including transportation fee).
Video Walkaround of Nissan’s New Versa Sedan
Even though American consumers still tend to prefer larger vehicles, both domestic and foreign automakers are convinced that soaring gas prices will eventually convince buyers to embrace more compact-sized and fuel efficient models. The 2011 New York Auto Show marked the debut of the latest crop of compact cars including the 2012 Nissan Versa sedan, which will try to lure buyers with a low staring price of $10,990 and a promise for affordable costs of ownership.
Hot on the heels of the 2012 Versa sedan’s North American premiere in New York, the Japanese brand released a new video that walks us around the four-door model that will go on sale in the U.S. this summer.
Read more »
