Remember the luxury sedan? Apparently, it’s a reality, as spy shots of the Kia flagship have hit a web forum in Korea. As you can see, the K9’s camouflage (which sneakily includes wheels) doesn’t obscure a set of -style fender ports. Just how upmarket is Kia shooting with this? Well, according to the tipster who sent them to us, the K9 is expected to slot into the market space between the Hyundai Genesis and sedans.
If those two are anything to go on, might be on to something. From these photos, it looks like the K9 will not only sport Quttroporte-referencing vents along its fenders, but long, angular headlights and a protruding grille, leaving impressions of the and – lofty benchmarks, indeed. Thanks for the tip, K7!
We mentioned that German niche sports car manufacturer was bringing a new concept to Geneva to gauge interest in a possible production version, and here it is. Color us very interested. Full details on the Wiesmann Spyder are yet to be released, but judging by the photos, it should impress.
Our team in Geneva will have more details and plenty of live photos of the Spyder concept once the exposition officially gets underway. Until then, head over to Autogespot check out one more angle of Wiesmann’s sports car.
If you like the Morgan Three Wheeler but have the need to traverse expanses of open water on your daily commute, Gibbs Technologies has just the thing for you. According to , Gibbs has secured patents for a new amphibious trike. Gibbs Technologies has made a name for itself producing vehicles that equally at home on land and water, and it looks like this new creation works much like the otherhardware in the company’s stable.
The trike’s engine sends power to its single rear wheel on land, but when things get aquatic, the power is diverted to a pair of water jets. Like Gibbs’s amphibious ATV, the three-wheeler’s front wheels fold up and away once the vehicle takes to the water, creating a WaveRunner-style contraption. Sounds like a cool idea to us.
According to Consumer Reports, researchers have discovered that three simple tests at the doctor’s office can accurately determine whether a stroke victim is fit to begin driving again. These tests take under 15 minutes and can effectively classify 80 to 85 percent of drivers who would have failed an on-road evaluation.
The first test assesses traffic knowledge and visual comprehension via road-sign recognition, while the second measures visual-perceptual and mental speed in a compass test. Finally, a trail-marking test is used to indicate visual-motor tracking and visual scanning abilities. If the individual being evaluated scores below 8.5/12 points on the first evaluation, 25/32 points on the second or takes more than 90 seconds on the trail-marking examination, chances are he or she would fail a road test.
The study was published in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology and included information from 30 previous trials. A total of 1,728 stroke victims with an average age of 61 were involved in the research.
2011Subaru WRX STI convertible – click for high-res gallery
Car dealers do the strangest things to their vehicles. Just think about how many cars are out there with , a generation after manufacturers nearly swore them off entirely. in Manchester, New Hampshire isn’t content to create some sticker-and-tape fake trim level on a top-dog . Instead, the dealer has gone all Chainsaw Massacre on the rally-bred performance sedan. The result is a picnic basket of automotive woe.
At least the “handle” left after all the chop-shopping maintains a fleeting semblance of rigidity. The rest? Awful. There’s an ill-fitting tonneau, chopped door pillars and the STI’s trademark enormous wing still hangs off the trunklid. The worst part? This poor Subaru’s price is purportedly $75,000. Not kidding. Sure, there’s an “exclusivity” factor, but 75 large buys an awful lot of real high performance convertible; the kind that won’t corner like an overcooked noodle. The dealership reportedly commissioned five of these abominations, which is likely five more than anyone wants. Thanks for the tip, Jason!
Changing tires while moving – Click above to watch video
Can you change a tire quickly? It doesn’t matter, because your skills fail to impress this crew of suicidal Saudi stunt drivers. No need for a jackstand when you have three friends, a long stretch of road and the ability to pilot a vehicle like one of the Duke boys.
While this stunt takes a lot of skill, and cojones far outweighing the curb weight of the vehicle involved, we checked the stupidity meter and it exploded in our hands. to see the most thrilling tire change you may ever witness.
Ducati Diavel on the production line – Click above to watch video
Ducati says it expects the upcoming Diavel to lead the company’s sales in 2011, and with 162 horsepower propelling just 456 pounds, we imagine that the Italian bike maker won’t have trouble finding homes for its latest creation. The Diavel, a performance cruiser, walks a fine line between face-ripping power and beautiful design. Now Ducati has given us all a glimpse into what it takes to put its new motorcycle on the road.
Using time-lapse video, we can follow the birth of a Ducati Diavel from a bare engine all the way to the menacing final product. Ducati says that it’s cranking out around 40 Diavel units per day, though it hopes to increase production by around 50 percent as riding season kicks into gear. to see the full build process for yourself.
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL – Click above to watch video
It’s rare that someone gets to hold onto a vehicle they love. Often, automotive heartthrobs wind up sold, crushed, crashed or, even worse, fated to land in the ruinous hands of younger siblings. Since spend plenty of time pining for the lost models that once occupied our stable, we greatly admire individuals who have not only kept the keys to their mechanical loves, but actually take the time to dust them off and light the tires on occasion.
Such is the case with this 1964 Galaxie 500 XL. The 2-door was originally a Z code car, meaning it came from the factory with a 390 cubic-inch V8 and a four-speed manual bolted behind it. At some point, that drivetrain was yanked out for R-code bits, including a 427 lump and a four-speed top-loader transmission. If you seek muscle-car divinity, look no further.
The owner says that his big Galaxie was originally owned by an old moonshine runner, and while it’s spent its fair share of time out in the weeds, it now sleeps peacefully indoors. to check out the video for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Brad.
Most people probably describe themselves as casual gamers, but then there are the guys who stand in line for two days to buy a new title and call in sick for a week as they immerse themselves in it. If that’s you when it comes to racing games like Forza and Gran Turismo, this gaming chair probably fits your lifestyle.
Yes, it’s made from the front end of an old Mini Cooper. The super-seat features a racing wheel and three proper pedals, but that’s just the beginning. It also boasts a pair of speakers connected to an iPod dock and a 500-watt amp, a mini fridge, an under-seat vibration pad, and a smoke machine. Sick. But it doesn’t come cheap:the chair’s price tag is $13,000.
At long last, we’ve seen the . As any fan of the golden bull should know, when it comes to guessing the next variant of ’s biggest and baddest coupe all one need do is imagine the car with about two feet of roof gone missing. Or you don’t even need to suppose, since has done it for you.
The Aventador’s close outward relation to previous members of Lamborghini’s V12 family means the roadster’s appearance – at least in rendered form – is exactly what you’d expect. So instead of considering this a test of the imagination, consider it planning: tax refunds will be coming soon, and you might as well figure out now whether the coupe or the inevitable roadster deserves your money…
2011 BMW 335is – Click above for high-res image gallery
Endras in Ajax, Ontario has a sweet blogging gig open. The winner of the dealership’s Ultimate Blogger contest gets a free condo for a year, a new Bimmer every six months and a $65K a year starting salary.
Endras is looking for someone to represent it online, a job that includes attending press events, junkets and auto shows, as well as handling the outfit’s social media efforts.
To enter, write and submit a 200-word blog post on anything BMW-related. After Endras BMW management weeds out the entries that fail to impress, 20 semifinalists be asked to produce a video proving their obsession with performance.
In the last round of eliminations, the 10 finalists will get face-to-face interviews at Endras. After that, someone’s got a new job. If you want a shot at it, hop over to and fire up your writing skills.
Koenigsegg Agera R – Click above for high-res image gallery
When the Geneva Motor Show kicks off this week, the Lamborghini Aventador won’t be the only exotic sucking in journos like a tractor beam. The Koenigsegg Agera R is also making its global debut, wearing in a Speed Racer-inspired paint scheme (per the owner’s request) and packing so much power that you’d think an R2 unit would be a better co-pilot than, say, Chim-Chim.
Now, about that power – the Agera R’s 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 makes a ridiculous 1,115 horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque on E85. Fill the tank with 95-octane gasoline instead of the biofuel, and figure on “only” around 940 horses and 811 lb-ft. The V8’s connected to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The driver harnesses that power from a that meets all the hypercar techno-fantasy criteria.
The Agera R’s body panels are draped over a carbon fiber monocoque whose rigidity is such that a roof is not required. Hence, that can be stowed inside the car. The owner of the example being displayed in Geneva is a skier, so the car is outfitted with a developed in conjunction with Thule. It’s a single-piece system that replaces the Agera R’s standard roof entirely; when you get to the mountain, you simply swap the ski-box roof for the standard roof (which is tucked away in the cargo compartment).
Other highlights of the Koenigsegg Agera R include Vortex Generating Rim (VGR) wheels whose spokes act as turbine vanes that help maximize downforce. They’re wrapped in Michelin rubber developed specifically for the Agera. Said tires are rated up to 260 mph, making them the highest-speed-rated tires in the world, according to Koenigsegg. As always, we’ll have a full team in Geneva next week to bring you full details and a live look at the Agera R. In the meantime, check out the high-res image gallery below.
King Abudallah returns home – Click above to watch video
It’s kind of a big deal when Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz returns home from overseas. Following a massive welcome ceremony at the airport that includes hundreds of men performing a traditional sword dance, the monarch is treated to a vehicle procession that makes the American president’s motorcade look like a couple of VW Buses caravanning to Bonnaroo. In addition to a fleet of armored , King Abdullah is accompanied by a number of assault SUVs just in case anything should go awry.
In the video after the jump, you’ll see that the Saudi ruler’s route is lined with both flag-waving supporters and members of the country’s armed forces. AThe king returned to Saudi Arabia amidst growing unrest in Africa and the Middle East that has seen more than one ruling party ousted amidst calls for democracy. to see the video for yourself.
To help commemorate the 60th anniversary of , vineyard Jeeper has teamed up with Delta 4×4, a company well-known in Europe for aftermarket wheels, tires and other offroad accessories, to produce a limited-edition champagne.
The history of Jeeper, a high-end vineyard in the middle of the champagne region, gives it some pretty cool credo with the offroad crowd. Turns out vintner Armand Goutorbe came home from WWII to his old job with some fairly serious inuries. Handicapped by his wounds, he couldn’t navigate the rough terrain of the vineyard on his own, so he bought a U.S. Army Jeep to help him get around.
As time went on, the Jeep became so much a part of him that his friends nicknamed him “Jeeper,” and he eventually re-named the vineyard in honor of his trusted vehicle.
The commemorative drink is officially dubbed “Delta Jeeper Grande Reserve Brut Jeep 60-year anniversary.” Talk about a mouthful. Speaking of mouthfuls, Jeeper says the champagne is marked by “the long-lasting scent of flowers with a honeyed fruit bouquet that gently lingers on the close.” Uh, ok. We’re sure it’s delicious.
Save your pennies if you want some; a half case (six bottles) will run you just shy of $360. You can read more in the press release .
isn’t the only company that’s been busy on the ice lately. just wrapped up a four-hour race in Åre, Sweden, that brought 20 roadsters out on the open ice for a little fender-to-fender action.
Teams faced temperatures that dipped as low as -24 degrees Fahrenheit and stiff competition from racers from around the world. Spiked tires were standard equipment for all of the vehicles, though it’s worth noting that the talent behind the wheel wasn’t professional by any stretch of the imagination. Mazda invited fans and automotive journalists from a total of 26 countries to participate in the event.
While early on it looked as if a team from Australia would take home the checkered flag, a late-race spin allowed a Russian team to pull ahead and complete the most laps around the three-mile circuit within the four-hour time frame. to check out video from the event as well as the full press blast.
De Tomaso SLS Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Here we are, just days before the doors open at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and De Tomaso has unleashed a series of images along with a few more salient details of its new . Well, actually, De Tomaso is now referring to the machine as the SLS (and no, it has nothing to do with the of the same name), which stands for Sport Luxury Sedan, as opposed to SLC, or Sport Luxury Crossover.
Fret not, Benz fans (and trademark lawyers). De Tomaso says it will give its future production model a new name that will be announced in Geneva.
Irrational naming conventions aside, what we have here is a somewhat high-riding humpback machine not unlike the . According to the company, two engines are planned at launch, a 300-horsepower V6 and a 550-horsepower V8. Power is sent to all four wheels, and a diesel engine option is planned for a later time.
De Tomaso plans to build two more vehicles on the same architecture with the goal of selling a total of 8,000 units per year. We’re hoping to hear more about the marque’s future plans after we hit the ground in Geneva. In the meantime, feel free to peruse our high-res image gallery below and read the awkwardly translated press release .
Despite the rise of the crossover, there’s still a market for traditional SUVs. If you’re in that market, the GX 460 is one of your most opulent options. Does that mean it’s right for you?
For the internet coming-out of the FF, Ferrari showed off its capabilities with a video of the car being driven in a manner that no one in their right mind would ever attempt. See for yourself.
Hungry for Rocketman information? This plethora of video footage ought to satiate you.
Also of interest:
’s weak sauce dunk [w/video]
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
Dodge Charger SRT8 Walk Around – Click above to watch video
Itching for a closer look at the new line of performance-oriented vehicles from but don’t want to brave the polyester-clad wolves at your local dealership? We have good news for you.
Dodge has been so kind as to turn out a handful of videos that focus on each and every one of the new muscle-bound pieces of hardware. The clips feature plenty of insight from Fred Deperez, head of Dodge marketing and David McDonald, the engineer responsible for crafting the luscious new . The videos are rife with performance figures and long looks into the engine bay, and you even get to spend some time gawking at the vehicles’ interiors as well.
Dodge has dusted off videos for the Charger SRT8, and even the for your viewing pleasure. to check out the footage for yourself.
Suzuki Swift comes to life one frame at a time – Click above to watch video
It may be calling out for some Peter Gabriel backing-music, but Michal Bakiewicz has put together what may be our new favorite “ ” video to date.
This stop-motion clip captures a Suzuki Swift as it goes from pile-o-parts to race-ready hatchback. The entire garage springs to life and, as the seasons changes, a new racecar is born. to watch the frame-by-frame action. Impressive work, Michal.
Ford F-150 crashes into James Feely’s pool – Click above to watch the video
A 32-year-old drunk driver missed a turn in Phoenix, Arizona in the wee hours of the morning and ended up crashing his through a cinder block wall into James Feely’s back yard, landing upside down in Mr. Feely’s swimming pool. Feely and his wife were awakened by a shower of broken glass and bricks to discover the truck in their pool.
Feely went outside to see if he could help, sure the driver had perished. “My reaction was, ‘Nobody lived through that.’ About three-quarters of the cab of the truck was under water.” The driver did survive, however, only to be charged with drunk driving by Phoenix police. Turns out the drunk driving charge was the least of his worries, as police discovered he was wanted in Scottsdale on a domestic violence/arson charge.
Luckily both the Feelys got through the ordeal without injury.
The kicker? This isn’t something new for the Feelys. Last night’s accident marks the second time someone in a pickup truck has crashed through their wall and into the pool. In another incident, a motorcyclist was killed when he hit the Feelys’ wall. Check out the video
[Source: ]
truck becomes third vehicle to land in AZ family’s pool [w/video]
