Our army of spy photographers has managed to grab a few images of the next-generation cruising around with less body cladding than we’ve seen in the past. The new shots show the 2013 Altima wrapped in swirl vinyl instead of the baggy plastic that surfaced . As a result, we can see more of the vehicle’s body lines than before, and it’s clear the vehicle will borrow more than a few cues from its sibling moving forward. The lines look handsome enough from this vantage, though we’ll have to wait and see exactly what Nissan has planned for the front fascia before casting a final decision.
The Japanese automaker may saddle the Altima with the same boomerang headlights we’ve seen on the Maxima and , and there’s some indication that the company will power the Altima with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Could that be the same mill currently found in the ? Anything’s possible. Also on the menu is a drivetrain. Fans of the vehicle’s 3.5-liter V6 need not cry, however. The engine is expected to remain on the option sheet.
The is right around the corner, now just a few weeks away. And with each approaching day, we get a clearer picture of what to expect when the doors open at Motown’s Cobo Hall on January 9.
Here we have our first glimpse at a new concept car which will be unveiling at the show. All we have to go on so far is the teaser image you see above (which you can click to ) and a brief statement (), but from what we can tell it looks very aggressive, and rather sportscar-like.
Penned by Lexus’ Calty studio in Newport Beach, the concept is said to preview a bolder new design language for the luxury division. We’re sure to get more information and a better look as the show approaches, so watch this space for more and feel free to speculate in Comments.
We got our this weekend, but BMW has since released over 100 new photos of the car, plus some video. We’ve got all the images right here in one monstrous , which also includes some behind-the-scenes shots of the car during development. (Yes, we love seeing stylists’ sculpting clay.)
The video is , so get clicking, then be sure to participate in our poll below.
Accomplished Sports Coupe Rekindles Hope For Scion
When it comes to wringing out a performance car, nothing beats track time. Public roads are crowded, chock full of regulations and policed. Race circuits are lawless expanses of curvy asphalt with just one golden rule: Keep it on the pavement.
Under invitation from , we loaded into a widebody 777 for the long trek across the Pacific Ocean to Japan. Our objective was to drive the automaker’s highly anticipated, all-new sports car. Upon arrival, we were pleased to learn that Scion had rented Sodegaura Forest Raceway for our full day behind the wheel.
After dozens of laps at unrestricted speed – few have been offered as much track time – we answered many of our own nagging questions. Does Scion’s new rear-wheel-drive coupe deliver all that it promises? How is the power delivery from the naturally aspirated flat-four engine, and is it sufficient? Is the handling balanced and the chassis up to the task? Most importantly, why would someone choose the Scion FR-S over its clone, the ?
left a few fans scratching their heads when the company chose to call its new compact car the Dart. Previous rumors had hinted to the possibility of the resurrection of the Hornet name, but the sporty moniker was nowhere to be found when showed off a few teaser photos of the Alfa Romeo-based sedan. According to Automotive News, the company built 3.3 million Dart models between 1960 and 1976, and there was a time when nearly every block in the country had at least one Dart sitting on the corner – that kind of hard-earned brand awareness is hard to pass up.
To its fans, Darts were known as affordable, tough-as-nails economical transportation. In many ways, they were some of the longest-lasting vehicles to roll out of Chrysler factories before the company’s quality implosion of the late ’70s and ’80s. Of course, the automaker’s naming decision has its detractors, too – those who think Chrysler is taking a risk by exhuming an old moniker that many associate with dowdy, frills-free motoring.
Click on our poll below to let us know what you think.
The Scion FR-S may not be big on power, but and engineers have delivered a lightweight, rear-drive coupe at what should be a palatable price point. That sounds like a recipe for track day fun if you ask us, or you can watch the post-jump video for visual evidence.
One drifter as he has his way with the FR-S on a track, and his camera was capturing the frames for proof. The unnamed cockpit commander seemed easily able to nose in and kick out the rump, often without the use of the parking brake. A light rain may have helped the drifts along a bit, but we’re encouraged by what we see. for some entertaining sideways shenanigans.
UPDATE: The wheelman in question is Formula Drift racer Ken Gushi, wheeling around Sodegaura Forest Raceway just outside Tokyo.
2011 has been a trying year for , as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the flooding in Thailand have conspired to slow vehicle production and cut into profits. Toyota lowered its profit forecast after the Japan disaster, and now Automotive News reports that the automaker is once again cutting expected profits by a significant margin.
Toyota has cut its forecast by 54 percent to reflect manufacturing issues resulting from the Thailand floods. The company is now expecting to make $2.3 billion in the fiscal year ending March 31. In a down economy, a profit is a profit, but this is a far cry from the $10 billion or more Toyota had been earning annually for years.
The revised profit forecast is reportedly less than half of what analysts have expected. The flooding alone will reportedly account for more than $1.5 billion in lost profits. Toyota has also cut vehicle production numbers from 7.6 million vehicles to 7.38 million.
While this is all bad news for Toyota, it’s safe to say that the automaker remains in pretty good shape overall. After all, the Japanese automaker has suffered through two major natural disasters in a matter of six months, and it’s still expecting a profit. When compared to the billions of dollars lost by , and due to man-made factors a few years ago, the situation at Toyota is hardly as dire as it could be.
It’s open season on rumors concerning the upcoming Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman. With Maybach deader than disco, the German automaker is undoubtedly searching for a suitable ultra-luxury competitor to the likes of and , and we’ve already head that may translate into the resurrection of the legendary Pullman name.
Autobild reports the vehicle will span a little over 21 feet in length and get its power from a smooth 650-horspower V12 engine. The publication isn’t calling out any sources at the moment, but the article claims there will be a total of six versions of the Pullman when the model debuts and that each of them will ride on the rear-wheel architecture.
Buyers who don’t need enough power to pull down a house will be able to purchase a four-cylinder turbo-diesel variant with a more modest 204 horsepower, and Autobild reports Mercedes-Benz is currently working on two hybrid variants, as well. Of course, with no sources names in the article and the Pullman so far from production, we’d advise taking everything here with a land-yacht sized grain of salt. Head over to for a look at a rendering of the vehicle.
Reuters reports that General Motors and are headed toward a partnership that may see the two automakers join forces on the creation of a fuel cell system. German business magazine Wirtschafts Woche has cited unnamed industry sources as saying talks between the companies are already quite advanced, and that the duo may formalize the agreement soon.
GM has already established itself as an industry authority on fuel cell vehicles, and BMW is likely hoping to leverage some of that knowledge into its own products. GM has refused to comment on the partnership, though BMW has said that the two companies are “speaking about various future technologies.”
The German automaker seems to be on the equivalent of a green-tech land grab. Earlier this month, the company announced a with designed to foster collaboration toward new green technology.
We aren’t surprised to see automakers joining forces on green tech. Research and development can be costly, and it only makes sense to spread that financial burden out amongst as many collaborators as possible.
PickupTrucks.com reports that – surprise, surprise – it may be a very, very long time before we seen the Mahindra T20 and T40 pickup truck on our shores. The Indian automaker has found itself at the center of a legal tempest after its U.S. distributor, Global Vehicles USA, filed suit alleging breach of contract. An arbitration panel in the UK then claimed sole jurisdiction over any dispute against the two, and Global Vehicles agreed to to take its case to the arbiters. Mahindra and Global Vehicles presented their arguments back in August, and while a ruling was expected to surfaces by November, the arbiters have remained quiet on the case.
Global Vehicles has since found itself on the raw end of a with the company’s network of more than 350 dealers alleging that they’ve spent over $60 million in dealership rights and capital improvements. Those dealers are now seeking compensation for breach of contract among other offenses. The plaintiffs want a jury trial on the matter.
It may be years before that case wraps up, which means we may never actually see the Mahindra T Series on our shores. Still, given that the truck returns such , that may not be such a bad thing.
The dam is busting and the latest news to trickle through is that is bringing an CoupeConcept to show off. The concept will “reveal the styling direction” of the 2013 Accord, which – by the time it goes on sale in the fall of 2012 – will enter its ninth generation and 36th year of bringing harmony to people the world over.
Honda suggests the production car itself will have a “dynamic and aggressive profile,” which is something we’d like to see – perhaps recent doldrums have lit some adventurous fires. We won’t put money on it just yet, but when paired with baby brother we expect the Honda playground to host some interesting toys. There’s a press release with a little more info.
In the wake of the heavily publicized fatal crash involving a with keyless ignition in California, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing standardizing keyless ignition systems. The government regulator wants all vehicles with keyless ignition to turn off after a button press of just half a second, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The proposal states that among the concerns are “drivers’ inability to stop a moving vehicle in a panic situation,” according to the report. That’s what happened in the crash that killed four people in 2009, in which a three-second button press was necessary to turn off the engine, according to Bloomberg. The incident was one of many that led to recalls of vehicles in 2009 and 2010.
Automakers have already discussed standardizing their keyless ignition systems, according to an Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers spokeswoman. The half-second delay falls within a range recommended by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
While this new regulation is clearly a good thing, we do wonder what was wrong with just using keys?
The and V8 has been unwrapped and it’s a kinder, gentler bulldog that makes do with “just” 500 horsepower and 481 pound-feet from its 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8. That is down 20 horsepower and up just 8 pound-feet from the output of the , with which it shares the innovatively-packaged, cylinder-deactivating V8. We’re going to guess that’s to leave unquestionable space between it and the 631-hp Continental GT, and so Bentley could reach its 40 percent improvement goal with respect to emissions and gas mileage.
Specific numbers aren’t divulged just yet, but it will get from standstill to 60 mph in under five seconds and will go more than 500 miles on a tank. Unless the tank size has changed from the 24-gallon receptacle in the big daddy W12, which we doubt, that means the V8 is good for at least 21 miles per gallon.
You’ll be able to tell this one apart by its black grille with chrome accents, red Bentley “B” badge (red badges were traditionally used on sportier Bentleys, so we’re not sure if that’s meant to be a sign of this coupe’s performance vs. the W12) and reworked treatment of the lower grille. The package rides on 20-inch wheels, same size as the flagship GT, but in back you’ll find “figure-eight” tailpipes (which will quickly be swapped for something less obvious) and another red badge.
Both coupe and sedan will introduce themselves to rich buyers and not-so-rich voyeurs at the 2012 . You’ll find a press release after the jump with obligatory references to inconceivable colors like Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus, and a high-res gallery of photos for much more understandable pleasures above.
The for the better part of six years and now has confirmed that the next generation NSX is finally on its way.
The will play host to three new Acura models, with the center ring occupied by a concept version of Acura’s next-gen supercar. Playing second and third fiddle will be the automaker’s interpretation of a compact luxury sedan, dubbed the ILX and competing in the same class as the BMW 1 Series, new Mercedes A-Class and Lexus CT200h. Power will be sent to the front wheels by either a 2.0-liter inline four or an optional hybrid drivetrain, with pricing somewhere south of $30k thanks to its Civic roots. Finally, Acura will show off a prototype version of the 2013 that gives current owners more of what their after, including fuel efficiency.
There aren’t much in the way of hints or details in the release , but we do know that the NSX will take aim at the with a V6 hybrid powerplant mounted amidships and sending power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The exterior will most certainly be . in the third Ironman installment and pricing won’t be anywhere near that of the Lexus LFA – Honda wants this to be obtainable, and if , it’s already been approved for 2013 production.
That there’s a Santa Claus and an “elf” riding some sort of contraption behind a miniature big rig is intriguing enough. In reality, the downsized big rig is the story. Built by model maker Luca Bordin, the 1/4-scale Peterbilt 359 isn’t a kit, it’s made from scratch.
As best we can tell from Google Translate, Bordin found detailed plans of the 359, then fabricated the body out of fiberglass, including the cabin, and attached it via springs to a twin-rail frame made of iron. The differential steering mechanism was lifted from go-karts, the diesel tanks are plumbing pipe, a nightclub smoke machine blows white clouds from chrome stacks, a 12v compressor powers two truck-sounding horns, and the engine is from an electric jack “with lots of torque.”
What’s more: when Santa’s not riding out back, Bordin fabricated a fiberglass trailer to go with the tractor. It’s impressive, and we’re hoping Santa drives it straight under our tree. There’s video of it .
We’re inching closer to the December 21 release date of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Based on Stieg Larsson’s global best-seller, the film looks to be just the kind of gritty perfection you’ll need to wash the holiday cheer from your mouth. recently chatted with Justin Kell of Glory Motor Works in Los Angeles, the shop responsible for crafting Lisbeth Salander’s bikes used in the film. While the studio wanted the anti-heroine to have a modern motorcycle, Kell pushed to give the character a bike a 20-something could actually afford, creating a wicked late ’60s CB350 custom for her instead.
Can we get a round of applause for this gentleman?
Kell and Glory Motor Works whipped up a prototype bike to demonstrate to the studio that an older machine could be just as reliable as its newer counterpart, and after getting the go-ahead, the shop had just 30 days to find and build three identical bikes. The crew sourced three low-mile, original CB350s, then stripped and powder-coated every metal part accordingly. New clutches, brakes, wiring harnesses and fasteners were used on all three machines, and each engine was torn down to its bare innards before being cleaned and reassembled.
In order to handle the rigors of movie life, the bikes were also given larger, sealed batteries along with an upgraded charging and starting system. Head over to for a closer look at the motorcycles themselves, and to check out the film’s trailer.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is still eight months away, but that hasn’t stopped from producing another video to get us excited about it. Or rather, Porsche is working to get us excited , when it will return to the 16.75-kilometer circuit with a new LMP1 car.
Porsche hasn’t won Le Mans’ top category since 1998, when the 911 GT1 was the overall winner. With and entered in the LMP1 club, and considering, and the years-long battle between and Peugeot still going strong, even if it is 2.5 years before Porsche’s return, the wait is looking very, very worthwhile. For now, you’ll find the new video .
Consistency is paramount in racing, but sometimes a thorough shake-up is called for. And that’s what’s taking place at the LotusRenault GP team next season.
Not only is the team formerly known as Toleman, Benetton and Renault changing names once again to Lotus, but it’s thoroughly shaking up its driver lineup as well. After the surprising announcement that former world champion to fill in for , the team revealed that it’s called Romain Grosjean back up to the plate to take Vitaly Petrov’s place.
The Franco-Swiss driver has longstanding ties to the team, having served as an officialtest driver since 2008. He was summoned to the race seat in 2009 when Nelson Piquet was ousted in the wake of the Crashgate scandal, but failed to score a single championship point in those seven races. Now with the experience of having taken the titles in the GP2 Series, the GP2 Asia Series (twice), and the Formula Three Euroseries, Grosjean is getting another shot at the big leagues.
What will happen with Petrov (or Bruno Senna, for that matter) remains to be seen, but given his talents – and the massive sponsorship dollars he brings from a key developing market – we wouldn’t be surprised to see him find another ride for next season. Marussia Virgin Racing: we’re looking at you, comrades.
Spell it with two Es and the name is intrinsically linked to . Drop that second E for an A, though, and you’re looking at another 60s icon altogether. While the VW might not hold much sway for music buffs, the Beatles and its individual members hold plenty of interest for car fans.
If it’s not going up for auction, it’s a special . This time around, though, it’s Harrison’s that’s garnered our attention.
This 1964 DB5 belonged to Harrison back in the 60s and was just sold at auction for well above its estimated value. After a fierce bidding war under the auspices of Coys in London, the classic Aston went to an unnamed collector from Houston, Texas for £350,000 (equivalent to $547k at today’s exchange rates) – a good £150k ($235k) more than expected.
At those prices, the new owner may be whistling “baby you can drive my car”, but is more likely to hide his love away in a climate-controlled garage somewhere. Follow the jump for the full press release.
The in the picture above was turned into a Transformers-like casualty after an acetylene tank inside the cabin blew up. The Canadian you see hugging the FJ is its owner, who happened to be in the SUV when that acetylene tank exploded.
According to his account of the event, the cap on the sealed tank became loose before he parked the truck in his garage overnight. The following morning, the ripe smell of acetylene filled the FJ, so he opened its doors to air it out. Wanting to speed the job along, he pulled the truck out of the garage – yes, that involved starting it. Then, while still inside the FJ, he hit the switch to roll down the passenger-side power window, and, as the old Batman series would have said, “KA-BOOM!”
Obviously, he lived. Not just that, he suffered nothing more than a loss of hearing in his right ear and a scratch. Which is not a bad way to say, “Christmas came early.” Have a look at the aftermath in the mage gallery, and in case you needed a reminder, don’t try this at home.
