Order a new from the factory and you’ll be presented with nearly limitless color and trim choices for your chariot’s interior and exterior. The experience is not unlike ordering a custom suit, made to measure. Now the two processes are coming together in a more direct correlation thanks to a new partnership between Bentley Motors and .
The latter is a custom clothier that might be recognized by some for outfitting one Angel Ramos, named the “best dressed real man” by Esquire magazine. Now they’ve teamed up with Bentley’s North American subsidiary to provide a custom-tailored new suit – along with bespoke shirt and handmade silk tie – to every client that orders a new Bentley. The deal was first announced on orders for the new , but is now being expanded to the entire model range and will be provided free of charge to Crewe’s customers in the United States and Canada. You know, in case you needed another reason to want a new Bentley.
We know there are a lot of you out there who are just like us; itching to get your hands on Gran Turismo 5. Checking the Sunday paper this morning, we ran across ads from Sears (above) and Target (right) that say that the highly anticipated (and eternally delayed) driving sim will hit store shelves this Tuesday (its former “confirmed” release date). Don’t bother getting in line, though.
As has been well documented, the official saying, “we can confirm that Gran Turismo 5 will not be available this November 2nd, but the game’s release will be coming this holiday season.”
So what gives? It’s pretty simple. Retailers’ national print ads like these are finalized weeks or even months in advance (you can expect the big Black Friday circulars to start leaking any day now). This is likely just a case of the stores getting burned by Sony’s most recent late-in-the-game GT5 postponement after the weekly sale flyers had already been approved and gone to print.
if you take a look at the Target ad, it includes something very important: an asterisk with the warning, “release date subject to change.” Prescient, given Sony’s history GT5 “release dates.” So, despite what you may see in your Sunday paper’s ad inserts, don’t plan on picking up GT5 this Tuesday. The wait continues…
SuzukiKizashi Bonneville Special – Click above for high-res image gallery
Suzuki has announced its plans for this week’s 2010 SEMA show. The automaker is bringing three cars out to the Las Vegas convention center: A Kizashi modified by Delta Tech Engineering, an Equator pickup truck customized by ICON Vehicle Dynamics, and the salt flats-blasting, 203-mph Kizashi Bonneville Special.
The Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special is a , to capture the blown gas coupe record out at the salt flats. The record did indeed fall when the Kizashi, driven by R&T’s Sam Mitani, hit an average speed of 203.720 mph.
Delta Tech is known for lightening cars, and it did just that to its SEMA-bound sedan by gutting the interior and body shell, then putting it back together with components to keep the weight down. Underhood, interior, and exterior modifications result in a Suzuki Kizashi that’s ready to tackle the track but can still be driven home afterward.
ICON Vehicle Dynamics’ Suzuki Equator pickup features a beefed-up motor, lifted and upgraded suspension, plus added lighting for nighttime trail running. The ICON Equator is a mean off-roader with an aggressive stance and menacing black paint job. We can’t wait to lay eyes on it in person.
Rita Hayworth’s ‘41 Lincoln Continental Coupe – Click above for high-res image
This year’s RM Auctions event in Phoenix will feature several classics with serious celebrity provenance. First and foremost is a rare 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder that was alternately owned by Reggie Jackson and Evel Knievel. By itself, the Daytona Spyder is expected to fetch around a million bucks, but that’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Also on the roster is a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton used by Elvis Presley in the movie Spinout (also estimated at a million +/-), a 1941 Continental Coupe (pictured above) given by Orson Wells to Rita Hayworth (~$175k) and a 1949 Series 75 Woodie Limousine with custom bodywork by Schwartz commissioned by MGM studios (~$300k). With nearly three months to go before the auction, you can bet there’ll be plenty more interesting vehicles on their way to Arizona for the event. Hit the jump to read about what’s been consigned so far.
In spite of a ridiculous that simply will not die, appears to be doing anything but going out of business. ’s “weakest brand,” as it was called, just posted a 66 percent increase in profit for Q3. Kia’s home market sales, in South Korea, rose by 25 percent, while international sales were only a shade off, increasing by 24 percent – in the U.S. specifically, sales were up eight percent.
That has meant 541,884 retail sales, earning net income of 666.6 Korean won ($593 million) and an operating profit of 421 billion won ($375M U.S.). Sales of the new Kia K5/ and have been credited – and we’re sure new sales haven’t hurt – and record profits are expected again in the fourth quarter.
Hyundai has already shown us its and a . Now we get two more looks at what they’re bringing to SEMA this week. Hyundai has teamed up with DUB Magazine and Mummbles Marketing on a pair of Equus sedans.
The DUB Equus shows surprising restraint. While it wears 24-inch wheels, they blend in nicely with the body kit. Likewise, the grey-black paint scheme is sinister without being SEMA-shouty. Dare we say it? This is one SEMA ride we wouldn’t mind spending some seat time with.
Mummbles Marketing, a new custom shop of out Harrisburg, PA, has turned the standard Equus into a luxo-custom it calls the “Elegant Equus.” Mummbles didn’t just focus on looks, however; some wrenching was done on the Equus’ V8 engine, too. Thanks to a turbo kit from Legacy Innovations, a nitrous system and a Magnaflow exhaust, the Elegant Equus now produces 450 horsepower. Mummbles also adds an extra iPad (over ) that controls the air suspension, rear curtains, stereo and windows.
Check out all four of Hyundai’s 2010 SEMA vehicles in the gallery below. You can also read more about the DUB Equus and Mummbles Elegant Equus in the press releases posted .
2011 Audi A8L – Click above for high-res image gallery
The President of the United States may be the highest target for assassination in the world – hence , his custom, leather-lined tank – but there’s no shortage of people in the Middle East who’d bite that the opportunity to take a shot at the Prime Minister of Israel. (The recently commemorated assassination of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is evidence enough.) It comes as no surprise that the Shin-Bet – Israel’s national domestic preventative security force – has ordered a new armored limousine to transport the country’s head of government.
The duties had been carried out until now by a motor pool of American and German vehicles, accompanied by Japanese SUVs in leapfrog formation (it’s a wonder to behold if you’re ever seen them in motion), but will soon be taken over by a specially-commissioned Security.
The car is reportedly based on the Audi A8 (likely the long-wheelbase version) with the 450-horsepower, 6-liter W-12 engine, Quattro all-wheel drive, B6+ and B7 ballistic protection, run-flat tires, an independent oxygen supply for the cabin, a fire-suppression system, explosive charges to free the doors in case of shockwaves, a DVD entertainment system, drinks fridge and humidor (Netanyahu’s a known cigar aficionado). Those, of course, are just the features we know about, and given Israel’s leading position in security equipment, we don’t doubt there’s plenty more that remains undisclosed. The car is said to cost around $700K from the factory, but add the country’s incredibly high taxes – which the government still has to pay, but not on the security equipment – and you’re looking at a cool million.
A reporter from Sweden’s Automobil was returning a to the factory in Trollhättan when he stopped at a gas station to fill the tank. And what did he spy with his little eye? A Sedan also pulling up to the pumps, with a trunk full of batteries. When the car started up, the reporter realized that said 9-3 was also powered by a diesel engine. This has all led to speculation that Saab has picked up its previous work on a diesel hybrid powertrain.
Three years ago, in November 2007, some scribes visiting the same factory that and were working on a diesel hybrid. The engineer said that “We will get everything to work together. With the next generation of hybrid we can lower the fuel consumption up to 40 percent. This is possible with the use of more electricity.” Peugeot has a diesel hybrid coming in early 2011. It will be interesting to see if Saab could get in front of that wave and reap the benefits instead of playing catch up.
has announced that DesignworksUSA is hard at work on what’s supposed to be the world’s greenest parking garage. In partnership with Canopy Airport Parking, the design house plans to construct a 4,200-vehicle facility at Denver International Airport that will leverage a full spectrum of green technology solutions. The garage (and its shuttle buses) will tap into power sources from solar, wind, geothermal, compressed natural gas, biodiesel and hybrid drivetrains, just to name a few. In an attempt to make the new building more attractive to EV and plug-in hybrid owners, there will be “juice bar” charging stations on hand, too.
As a result of its efforts, DesignworksUSA hopes that the new garage will nab a Platinum certification from the Green Parking Council, a non-profit group that certifies parking structures based on their ecological and social impact. The whole shebang is slated to be open for business starting late next month, just in time for the holiday season. to take a look at the quick press release.
NASCAR’s VP of communications, Jim Hunter, has passed away after a 12-month bout with cancer. Over six decades of motorsport involvement, he moved from from being a sportswriter and editor to handling PR for Dodge racing in the sixties. From there, we went on to handle PR for two marquee raceways and ultimately went on to lead the press charge at NASCAR itself.
In 1983 he became an official NASCAR executive, taking top-level positions in administration and then with Darlington Raceway and the International Speedway Corporation. He moved into corporate communications in 2001 at the request of Bill France, Jr. and had been there ever since. It was he who led NASCAR’s PR efforts through its massive growth, and he will be missed. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
2011Nissan Leaf – Click above for high-res image gallery
Initially, quoted the ’s estimated range at an even 100 miles. From the beginning, we knew that this number was more or less an average of what the car could travel between charges and not a figure that was set in stone for all drivers on any given day. Recently, the automaker laid out some that took weather variations, speed, HVAC settings and more into account. These showed that the Leaf’s operating range could drop as low as 47 miles and top out at 138 miles under ideal circumstances.
Real-world results are usually a better indicator than drawn-up estimates, however, and writer Nick Chambers was recently given the chance to conduct a total range test of the battery-powered Leaf. Chambers plotted a course from Nissan North America’s headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee to the famous Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg. The 116.1-mile drive took Chambers across country roads, through small towns flooded with stoplights and onto local byways. Chambers claims that he didn’t drive aggressively and often stayed below posted speeds, but did not baby the Leaf “like an obsessed hypermiler” might have.
In the end, the Leaf made the trip; that’s 116.1 miles traveled under real-world conditions. The range-testing run utilized around 22.76 kW of the Leaf’s total 24 kWh battery, indicating that it was pushed to the limits. Surprisingly, Chambers claims to have called upon the cool air of the range-depleting A/C system for much of the journey. He also engaged the Leaf’s before starting his jaunt, giving us a decent prediction for what a green-footed driver can expect.
Citroën DS4 – Click above for high-res image gallery
In its quest to take on the lucrative premium compact segment, Citroën has been unrelenting with the release of the its higher-end DS line. The was just unveiled in Paris, and now reports indicate that the French automaker plans to take on the likes of the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R with a new performance-oriented version of the high hatch.
The kicker is that, according to , the Citroën DS4 Racing is tipped to go hybrid, following the likes of the and . A 95-horsepower electric motor would be mated to the car’s 200-horsepower turbo four, in either a Hybrid4-sytle all-wheel drive setup or as a front-driver using the system being developed with . Sounds enticing, but hybrid or not, the DS4 Racing isn’t expected before 2013.
Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
Only a few more days remain before the arrival of the S Hybrid. It’ll carry a $21,000 premium over the plain-Jane V6 Cayenne, but for your $67,700 you’ll hold onto the performance and gain a helping of frugality. The supercharged, 333-horsepower six-cylinder with battery help does 0-to-60 in 6.1 seconds and 25 miles per gallon is the highway return. Plus, you get a max speed of 37 mph in electric operation and all that instant torque. You’ll find more info in the press release , and your checkbook is probably on your dresser if you’re ready to do this dance right now.
Gallery:
[Source: Porsche]
Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid to hit U.S. dealers in November
Scion previews its 2010 SEMA Lineup – Click above for high-res image gallery
invited us to its art gallery in Culver City, California last night, for a chance to preview part of the lineup it’s bringing to SEMA this year. Parked out front was an that was transformed into a limo by Cartel Customs. The concept of a Scion xB limo sounds ridiculous, but in person its ridiculously awesome. Rear suicide doors open to a comfortable environment outfitted with a large television, bar and wrap-around sofa. It’s far cooler than your run-of-the-mill . The limo was just the beginning though, because inside four more vehicles were waiting.
A Scion xB-turned-mobile DJ booth, which we had seen a year earlier at the 2009 SEMA show, was the perfect custom vehicle to see of the mood inside the Scion Gallery. Two sporty were parked near each other, one by GReddy and the other by Crawford Performance, while another xB was parked across the room. This Scion xB is called the Salty Dog and it was customized by the US Navy, as part of Scions Battle of the Builds. The Marines, Army and Navy all put together cars and the winner will be crowned in Vegas.
This collection represents just a portion of what Scion has in store for us at SEMA. We have information on the entire product lineup they will be showcasing, as well as shots from the event and a gallery of all the cars, for you after the jump.
Radiator Springs Racers – Click above to watch video
One of our favorite automotive-themed toys from our days as auto-obsessed ankle biters was the slot car track. It wasn’t that watching scale-replicas of our favorite cars going around and around in circles was all that entertaining. Nor was it the skill required to keep your racer wheels-down for more than one lap. We just liked imagining what it would be like to drive a car at break-neck speeds held to the ground via the magic of magnets. It looks like we weren’t the only ones with that fantasy.
Disney has released a video showing exactly what we can expect from the new attraction at its California Adventure theme park. That smiling car we saw earlier will dart around a life-size track, complete with high-banked turns and plenty of elevation changes. Even better, the video shows the ride building some pretty good speed, too. Disney says that the attraction is built on the same architecture as the Test Track ride at Epcot in Florida.
So, it may not be -rivaling speed or acceleration, let alone the 150-mile-per-hour . Still, sounds like fun to us. to see the video for yourself.
What is it like to drive the blown CL63 AMG? Is the big coupe able to effectively balance performance with luxury and technology? Are there any other full-size two-door vehicles on the market for this low volume Mercedes-Benz to compete with?
The Green Hornet spends his vigilante nights tangoing with both the law and various shady characters from behind the wheel of a heavily modified Chrysler Imperial. Justice, thy name is body-on-frame.
Autoblog has learned that American Hyundai executives definitely want the 2012 Sonata Wagon and are working to build a business case for it.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you live in India, your list of available supercars to purchase just grew by one very fast model. has announced it will begin selling its there. Undeterred by the nation’s 110-percent import tax, Bugatti is taking orders for the topless two-door, which will cost about 160 million rupees or $3.6 million USD. For reference, the same model would cost you about $2.24 million here in the United States or €1.6 million in places dealing with Euros. After receiving the orders, the cars will take six to eight months to be delivered
India is a blooming market for luxury goods manufacturers, and plans to follow Bugatti by shipping over its hardtop convertible sportscar. , and are already selling in India… and selling quite well, as the number of Indian millionaires continues to grow.
If you do live in India, are in fact a multi-millionaire and are on the fence as to whether a Veyron belongs in your garage, we think you should re-read our . Case closed.
A Stig who’s ? Why, that just won’t do, will it? As you might expect, then, Top Gear presenters Clarkson, Hammond and May are hot on the trail of a replacement Stig, and they’ve apparently found just the place: a farm. And not just any farm… a farm where Stigs are cultivated, no less.
Clarkson has reportedly found a perfect candidate who will be unveiled at the Top Gear Live event at Earl’s Court in London next week. It’s not known whether this new Stiggy will be the final model used for the next series of episodes, leaving only one real question left that still needs answering: What color will the next Stig be?
2011 FordEdge Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
That was quick. has issued a recall for a whopping 71 and models due to rear latches that are unable to be locked. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the locks weren’t programmed properly from the factory, and as such, the rear gate can’t be locked by any of the buttons inside of the vehicle or even the key fob.
NHTSA says that the problem violates the agency’s motor vehicle safety standard number 206 pertaining to locks and door retention components.
Ford will reprogram the locks free of charge, and the recall is set to get under way starting on November 1. Owners can contact Ford or the NHTSA to learn more about having their vehicles repaired.
0-60 Magazine Lexus GS450h at SEMA 2010 – Click above for high-res image gallery
is descending on Las Vegas with a host of custom-built show cars just for SEMA. A total of six models will be on hand for the aftermarket shindig, including an F Sport version of the all-new . The hybrid rolls on 18×8-inch wheels and sports a high-performance big-brake kit straight from the company’s go-fast catalog.
But the CT200h isn’t the only hybrid Lexus will be bringing to the party. In fact, all of the customized rides that the company plans to display rock a battery pack and an electric motor. VIP Auto Salon worked up an with custom wheel, exhaust and interior work as well as a trick , and 0-60 Magazine spun a few wrenches on a GS450h. That particular sedan rocks one of the wildest carbon-fiber body kits we’ve ever laid eyes on, as you can see above.
Meanwhile, Lexus set Fox Marketing loose on another LS600h L, resulting in a slightly more subdued vehicle with custom paint and a unique bumper. Finally, Paul Tolson of EST will be bringing along an with a full wide-body treatment. for the full press release and check out all the vehicles in high-res glory below.
We know there are a lot of you out there who are just like us; itching to get your hands on Gran Turismo 5. Checking the Sunday paper this morning, we ran across ads from 
Mummbles Marketing, a new custom shop of out Harrisburg, PA, has turned the standard Equus into a luxo-custom it calls the “Elegant Equus.” Mummbles didn’t just focus on looks, however; some wrenching was done on the Equus’ V8 engine, too. Thanks to a turbo kit from Legacy Innovations, a 
