To help spur sales last year, offered a complimentary maintenance program on select 2010 vehicles. Initially intended as a promotional tool, Lincoln has decided to make it permanent. Starting this fall, all 2011 Lincoln vehicles will have access to free oil and filter changes, tire rotations and multi-point inspections, in addition to the four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty already included. The complimentary maintenance program is also transferable to a second owner, if the vehicle is sold.
2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Continental has become the default choice for the upper crust of car buyers that it’s become known as the of the luxury market. The thing is, not everyone wants to pull up the country/yacht/private club in the same thing everyone else is driving. It’d be a shame, though, if more individualistic customers were deterred from considering the Bentley, because it’s one heck of a car. So to offer a little extra touch of individuality, Crewe has rolled out the Series 51.
Already on the coupe and convertible, the Series 51 edition can now be ordered as well on the Continental Flying Spur sedan. The choice trim level gives customers a broader range of color options, including two-tone exteriors, three-tone interiors, special veneer choices, and new nine-spoke, graphite-finish 19-inch alloys unique to the Series 51 (and different from the 14-spoke dubs on the coupe and convertible versions). Crewe’s design team has put together 14 special color combinations for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur Series 51 (which also challenges for the title of longest name yet), but buyers can specify an infinite array of combos of their choosing.
Along with the Series 51, Bentley has announced new front-fender air vents for any Flying Spur, as well as blue brake calipers, and the inclusion of a new touchscreen infotainment system on the Spur or the coupe and convertible – an upgrade that was far overdue. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, along with the high-resolution images in the gallery below.
If Volkswagen has taught us anything, it’s that you can never be too rich or have too many high-dollar automakers under your umbrella. Europe’s largest auto group already encompasses , and , is in the process of absorbing , and makes a couple more six-figure sports cars with badges. But according to reports coming in from Europe, VW has its eyes set on acquiring yet another top-dollar automaker: .
Given that it already owns Maranello’s most direct competitor, you might be inclined to file this report in the “wild rumor of the day” category and be done with it. And while you’d certainly be justified, there’s a whole lot of eyebrow-raising statistics surrounding this report. Rival Fiat group has been looking for ways to raise capital to keep both itself and going, and selling stake in Ferrari has been tipped as a possible avenue. Reports have also Volkswagen – which reportedly has some $27 billion in cash on hand – with a possible Alfa Romeo takeover.
For his part, Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says neither is on the table, but Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech has shown us nothing if not a penchant for buying up any brands he fancies. Given the fact that Fiat needs cash and Volkswagen is willing to spend, we wouldn’t rule anything out just yet.
We two next-generation prototypes out testing, showing off its slightly revised shape and new exterior features. We can only imagine what sort of rigorous testing procedures are involved with creating a new 911, so it doesn’t surprise us to see the the almost-naked back out on the road again.
Mum’s the word on exactly what lies underneath the 911’s new skin, though have stated that the 3.6- and 3.8-liter flat-sixes will carry over unchanged, though a new electro-hydraulic steering could be on hand in an effort to improve overall efficiency. We’ve heard rumblings about more spacious rear seats and an electronic parking brake being fitted to the new 911, as well.
We expect Porsche to take the wraps off of the new 911 sometime early next year, possibly at March’s . Until then, get another glimpse at Porsche’s pride and joy in our gallery of spy snaps below.
2011Chevrolet Cruze Eco – Click above for high-res image gallery
has released official fuel economy numbers for the , and the automaker’s original target of 40 miles per gallon (highway) has been surpassed. The is officially rated at 28/42 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission, making it the segment-leader in terms of efficiency.
To achieve this, the Eco uses GM’s latest 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, rated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. On its own, the engine is efficient enough to deliver 24/36 mpg, but a host of aerodynamic changes and weight reductions on the Eco account for the extra bump in fuel economy. In addition to a lower front air dam extension, rear spoiler, lowered ride height and revised underbody panels, the Cruze Eco rides on lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling-resistance tires. What’s more, a front grille shutter has been developed to improve airflow at higher speeds, thus accounting for a 10 percent coefficient of drag over standard Cruze models.
The Cruze Eco is priced from $18,895 and hits dealerships in January of next year. For the full details, hit the jump for GM’s press blast.
Haven’t we seen this play called before? Take a well-regarded European model, tweak it for the U.S. market, slap on a badge from a beleaguered North American brand, and hope for a touchdown. Indeed, the conforms to what has become ‘ version of the spread offense. Never mind that this wasn’t a winning strategy for , which tried selling various derivatives of Opel models from The General’s European operations before its demise – GM is back at it with the Regal.
Dredging up a name from the past is a curious move for a brand that wants to reinvent itself to appeal to a younger audience. (Even more curious is that the Regal moniker has dubious value, having been hung on all manner of mediocre and mostly badge-engineered cars over the past four decades.) Yet for all the skepticism inherent in the “new” GM going back to its old playbook, the Regal might actually be the car that makes this offense click.
Buick GL8 Van – Click above for high-res image gallery
has announced that it will launch its next generation GL8 van in China on November 28. While minivans on this side of the globe are relegated to ferrying screaming broods from school to soccer practice, Buick is marketing the GL8 directly toward business people as a more spacious, comfortable alternative to executive limousines. Fittingly enough, the Buick marketing department has decided to call the van an “executive wagon.” Play time is officially over.
Under the hood, buyers can expect to find one of two engine options. The GL8 will be available with either a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine or a more powerful 3.0-liter V6, though both will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
What say you? Would Buick be wise to offer a minivan in the U.S. again like the GL8, or is it still too soon since the ?
We recently mentioned that was about to for its corporate fleet and now, it seems, the buying binge has begun. The company announced today it will be ordering 15,000 electric vehicles for itself and partner with its fleet customers to get an additional 10,000 on the road by 2015. First on the list? The . 12,000 of them.
Yes, we know that technically the Volt is not a “pure” electric, but considering the dent these vehicles will put in total gasoline usage, we won’t quibble.
The move isn’t completely altruistic. Yes, it should be a bonus for the environment and reduce dependence on foreign oil. But by helping ramp up sales numbers in this new segment, GE expects about $500 million to find its way into its own coffers over the next three years.
Besides the big Volt buy, GE also announced the creation of what it calls “electric vehicle customer experience and learning centers.” The facilities will be put in place to give some of its customers, employees and researchers “first-hand access to electric vehicles and developing technologies.” One will be located at its Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center in Van Buren Township outside Detroit while another will find a home at GE Capital’s Fleet Services business headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Check out all the details in the official press release as well as a bit of corporate video discussing the purchase.
2010 PorscheCayman – Click above for high-res image gallery
has officially announced its plans to reveal a “mid-engined sports car” next week at the , in addition to showing off its latest crop of models – the and . It might sound vague, but we’re placing bets that the German automaker’s big reveal is the , a sort of “hardtop .”
According to earlier reports, the Cayman CS will be motivated by the automaker’s 3.4-liter flat-six, with power expected to be around 333 horsepower. Much like its kin, the Clubsport’s main objective will be lightness, with sources saying that anywhere from 162 to 184 pounds will be shed from the stock Cayman S body. This means things like fabric door pulls, aluminum body components and lightweight alloy wheels will be on hand, keeping the Clubsport focused on being a nimble, spirited track day queen.
We’ll have the official word live from Los Angeles next week, so stay tuned. To read all of the elusive details, for Porsche’s press release.
is out to give us all a little taste of better living through chemistry. The company has partnered up with the minds at the Fraunhofer Institute to develop a windshield that’s resistant to fog, frost and ice. The scientists managed to apply a thin layer of indium tin oxide to the outer layer of the glass, and they say that the compound does a good job of keeping frost from forming all the way down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. Pretty impressive.
Volkswagen marketing gurus have taken to calling the coating “Low-E” for low thermal emissivity. How does it work? Details are scarce at the moment, but the manufacturer is saying the compound helps to keep heat from radiating skyward, essentially keeping the glass just a bit warmer than the ambient temperature. While the Low-E tech won’t guarantee against fogging or frosting, it does greatly reduce its likelihood.
So how long will it be before the windshield in your new is immune to Old Man Winter’s shenanigans? No one is saying for sure. VW is still ironing out a few kinks at the moment, including the fact that the indium tin oxide wreaks havoc on both radio and cell phone signals.
We have no details, only the what, when and where: will be bringing a new electric vehicle concept and a plug-inhybrid platform to the LA Auto Show, and they will be revealed on Wednesday, November 17 at 1:20 p.m. PST. Other than asserting its intent to “demonstrate the company’s vision for the future of personal mobility and its continued commitment to developing advanced environmental technologies,” we haven’t heard much of anything about where Honda is going with… well, anything.
We look forward to finding out if the concept is on the production-ready challenger side, or a full-on green concept in the Jaguar C-X75 vein. Or something in the middle, like an electric NSX. If you’d like to watch the reveal live, Honda will run a live webcast of the event at . Synchronize your watches… now.
There are plenty of people in the world who, if the mood struck them, could stroll into a dealership and lay down cold hard cash for a vehicle of their choosing. We aren’t exactly privy to the financial records of Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider or Kevin James, but odds are that the quartet of comedians could count themselves among that crowd. This makes the fact that Adam Sandler reportedly just bought each of the stars of his newest movie a brand-new Italian exotic even more hilarious.
Word has it that Sandler wanted to show his appreciation to Rock, Spade, Schneider and James, so he shelled out around $800,000 for four unique Maserati models. We guess that a card just doesn’t adequately say “thank you for helping me rake in $270 million on Grown Ups.”
Let this be a lesson to all you bosses out there: when bonus season rolls around this year, skip the fruit cake in favor of a key fob.
When the U.S. auto market hit rock bottom late in 2008 automakers were left cutting corners and laying off workers just to stay in business. For and not even the necessary precautions were enough to keep the companies out of bankruptcy court. The industry is still crawling out of the abyss two years later, but have we seen the last of the pain?
Wards Automotive reports that in 2009 automakers from around the globe cut research and development dollars by 14.3 percent over 2008 spending. That’s $12 billion dollars in spending that could potentially keep new products and innovations out of dealer showrooms for months or even years. cut its development spending most according to the report, down 32.9 percent year-over-year. GM is next with cuts of 25 percent, followed by with a 19.8 percent cut and with a 17.7 percent trimming. Of the automakers ranked among the top 20 R&D spenders world-wide only increased spending in 2009.
So will the R&D cuts of 2009 lead to delayed products and technology? In the short-term, no. Ford, which cut spending the most on a percentage basis, has seen its sales skyrocket while VW’s U.S. sales have been weak. But over the long haul we’re pretty sure that delays are inevitable, because $12 billion in R&D is no drop in the tech bucket.
We know that the , but what if the law enforcement systems were more high-tech?
In certain parts of Europe speed cameras are a way of life. They’re everywhere and the all-seeing lens that might send you a ticket in the mail for going a few kilometers per hour above the limit, might now be able to ring you up for even more. A new system known as the Advanced Safety and Driver Support for Essential Road Transport, or ASSET, is a camera system that captures a lot more information beyond your speed and the characters on your license plate. The ASSET system shows if you are wearing your seat belt, driving too fast for current road conditions, checks the status of your insurance and will even note if you are following too closely to the vehicle in front of you.
After years of development, the system is being in Finland with an approximate cost of $80,000 per unit. Currently, the ASSET setup attaches to a trailer hitch and is moved into whatever locations deemed necessary. However, the system will soon be made small enough to fit directly into the police vehicles.
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click either image for high-res image gallery
As if the wasn’t tempting enough with 440 horsepower and killer good looks, is throwing in a few extra goodies to make it that much more desirable.
First off, the Blue Oval announced today that owners of the new Boss 302 will receive a dual set of keys, one of which, ‘TracKey,’ activates a secondary PCM race tune that alters nearly 200 engine management parameters for the 5.0-liter V8. “From an engine management standpoint, we’ve done just about everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience,” says Jeff Seaman, powertrain engineer. “It’s not for use on the street – for example, the deceleration is set up to preserve the brakes, and the throttle response is very aggressive. A skilled driver on a closed course will really appreciate the benefits.” The TracKey also features a two-stage launch control feature similar to the one on the that can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel.
Not wanting all of that new technology to go to waste, Ford has also announced that it will be offering customers a complimentary track day to test out their new ride. Offered through Team Mustang and Ford Racing, Boss 302 owners will be treated to driving instruction and track time at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. Owners will need to book their own travel arrangements, but once there, everything is free of charge.
With the way things are shaping up for the Boss, we’re already pondering second mortgages and/or raiding our children’s college funds for one of the coolest pony cars ever. If you’re good at resisting such temptations, hit the jump and read all of the details in the press releases from Ford.
Behind the scenes of Lotus’ Metamorphosis project – Click above to watch video
isn’t the first, just the latest, to encase one of its vehicles in the quixotic amber of conceptual art. In this case the project is called The Lotus Metamorphosis, and the aim is to express the company’s own reversal in some way that is grander than a press release.
Lotus employed French photographer Gérard Rancinan to conjure some ideas, and he gathered the five concepts from the Paris Motor Show for a photo session that created the images like the one above. The fact that Lotus has admitted that only the Esprit is being developed, the inclusion of the other four is a bit intriguing.
On the art itself, Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said of Rancinan, “I felt instinctively that he would be the perfect person to demonstrate our vision and encapsulate the spirit of our brand with his images.” We aren’t equipped to judge the art, but we do admit to watching the video with the same half-howled wonder as , namely, “What does it meeeeeeeeeeeeean?” If that isn’t enough, the presser might explain things.
James Glickenhaus’ P4/5C takes shape – Click above for image gallery
The that will race in next year’s Nürburgring 24 is taking shape. All we have at this point are a bunch of shots of carbon fiber layups being adhered to a roll cage, but shouldn’t that be enough? At this rate it looks like the car, using an chassis, will be ready early next year for testing, which should give the four drivers named to the team -Mika Salo, Nicola Larini, Fabrizio Giovanardi, and Luca Cappellari – plenty of time to find any cracks in its blood red armor. The next video segment of the racer’s gestation should be coming online soon, but in the meantime check out the shots below to see the P4/5C’s progress.
Red Bull X1 full-size model – Click above for image gallery
Polyphony’s Gran Turismogames tread the line between fantasy and reality with the balance of a trapeze artist. Not only are the games themselves a close approximation of reality, but once in a while, reality jumps out of the digital world and into the tangible.
A couple of years ago the game’s creators worked with the French automaker to give birth to the GTbyCitroën – a supercar designed specifically for the game. But then they made it into a concept car and put it on display. And while it never came to be, they even considered a limited production run.
The latest collaboration brought the on board for the . Again, an extreme high-performance vehicle designed specifically for the game – this time a vision of what an F1 car could be if not for all the pesky regulations. Initial reports that the car is powered by a turbine engine are now being corrected to an F1-derived, direct-injection, twin-turbo V6. Fortunately, the 1483-horsepower output remains.
Actually building the X1 into a functioning track car would be a little pointless and undoubtedly extremely expensive, but they have made a full-size mock-up that will be unveiled during the game’s launch party, scheduled (don’t hold your breath) for Madrid in a few weeks’ time. Here’s hoping GT5 can follow that same fantasy-to-reality trajectory and land in our hands on (the revised and revised again) schedule.
There’s no escaping the long arm of the Czechoslovakian law, even if you happen to be the country’s Transportation Minister. According to The New York Times, Vit Barta was caught driving his home from his wedding with a fake license plate tag. Barta explained that his real tag had somehow fallen off and that he was simply using the fake tag until he could have it replaced, but the authorities were having none of it. Barta was then fined around $250 and had his driver’s license revoked for six months.
There are plenty of oddities packed into this particular story, like why the transportation minister is driving a Maserati, but the thing we’re having the hardest time getting over is why Barta found it so hard to get an actual license plate to begin with. We’re guessing that overseeing the country’s transportation laws would likely have some benefits, namely being able to score an under-the-table plate for your Italian exotic.
To his credit, Barta has said that he will accept the punishment for his actions.
