Maserati Collection at Pitti Uomo – Click above for high-res image gallery
Arguably more than ever before, automotive marques are positioning themselves as brands and icons as much as automakers. is certainly no exception to that trend, conveying a lifestyle image to go with its GTs. To that end, the Italian automaker is teaming up with an array of fashion houses for a new collection of merchandise.
Together with the likes of Vuarnet, Suprem and Pellemoda, Maserati is displaying its latest wares – including the () – at the Pitti Uomo fashion show this month at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence. The collection includes yachting and golf apparel and accessories, a selection of which you can view in the image gallery below, along with the details of the exposition in the press release after the jump.
Ever eat in your car? If so, we’re thinking there is a good chance there is currently at least one french fry stuck between the driver seat and the center arm rest. That’s pretty bad, but a study by researchers from British auto accessories retailer Halfords shows that there probably are a lot more disgusting things in your ride than some fried potatoes or a few chunks of shredded lettuce. Scientists swabbed the door handles, steering wheel, shift knob, radio and seats and found bacteria ranging from Staphylococcus to Bacillus Cereus. Those names just sound unhealthy, and in reality they are the germs that cause food poisoning, impetigo severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Those nasty germs enter your car through the soil you walk on, the pets you travel with, the passengers you transport and the very hands you use to eat all that food.
That’s really bad news if you eat in your car regularly, and the study by Halfords shows that 70 percent of people do just that. Further, half of those study admitted to leaving food behind in the car, giving those bacteria the sustenance they need to help ruin your week. And don’t think that since this is summertime that the sun will bake your interior to the point where the germs die off. Quite the contrary, the nasty little microbes multiply faster as your vehicle heats up, bolstering the little buggers for the impending fight against your immune system.
To protect yourself from these germs, the best defense is to keep your hands clean and leave the eating for a clean kitchen table. But if you must eat while driving, scientists feel that car owners should clean their vehicles as often as one would wipe down that kitchen table. We’re not the type to shy away from every germ nature has to offer, but something as serious-sounding as Staphylococcus makes us want to make with the disinfecting wipes in short order.
Bimmerfest 2010 – Click above for a high-res image gallery
Bimmerfest is billed as the celebration of being a enthusiast – but to most it is simply the world’s largest BMW event held in North America. After starting as a small get-together at a BMW dealership in Santa Barbara just over a decade ago, the show has outgrown all of its venues… until now. The 2010 show, its 11th annual event, was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this weekend. Thanks to strong online forum support for , this year’s show was packed with thousands of BMW models covering decades of production and dozens of vendors peddling accessories. If you have a Roundel on your hood, it’s worth the trip (some drove from as far as Alaska and Florida just to attend).
The best part of Bimmerfest – and the reason we enjoy the show so much – is that nearly every single BMW at the show is privately owned. Sure, BMW North America brought some cars to display (among them an and a Alpina B7), but the diversity and customization of the owned cars meant no two were alike. We weaved our way through hundreds of freshly detailed and models to find dozens of real gems. Our favorites included the race-bred E30 M3 models, a sweet BMW Z8, and a rare BMW 850CSi six-speed manual. Check out our gallery to find some of your favorites.
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Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
2011 Audi A8 – Click above for high-res image gallery
One day, we’ll be able to have wireless internet access from nearly every point on the globe. And while many cities and towns are making efforts to offer free wireless service across a broad range, automakers are now looking to bring WiFi connectivity to cars. is on board, and it has just announced that the will be available with factory-installed in-car wireless hotspot.
The WLAN hotspot is located within the rooftop antenna, and passengers can connect to the internet via any laptop, netbook or new-age tablet, like the Apple iPad. Audi says that the network is capable of speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/sec and that WAP2 encryption is on hand in order to securely transfer data. Audi claims that this is the first such factory-installed system, although other automakers offer WiFi connectivity with dealer installed accessories.
The new A8 is already packed to the brim with the latest and greatest in automotive technological achievements. Things like the automaker’s second-generation MMI control interface, the and an impressive LED lighting system up front set it apart from other vehicles in the class, and the addition of wireless internet will only strengthen the appeal to prospective buyers. The full details are available in Audi’s press release, after the jump.
Every once in a while, automakers will design special trim levels and packages specifically tailored for our friends to the north. The latest, from , is the A-Spec package available on the , which includes add-ons like 19-inch wheels on special summer tires, an aero kit, dark chrome grille (which somehow manages to make the shield a bit easier on the eyes), rear accents and (of course) A-Spec badges. Underneath the extra glitz is Acura’s system, and a choice of either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.
We spoke with Honda’s American PR team, and while they assure us that there are no plans to bring the A-Spec to Yankee soil, prospective TL buyers in the States shouldn’t be too put off. Glancing through the TL’s , we see that American models can be optioned with all sorts of A-Spec-like accessories, including underbody spoilers, sport grilles and different wheels. It might not have the appropriate badging, but it’ll do the trick.
The TL A-Spec can be ordered from Canadian Acura dealers as you read this, retailing from $51,290 CAD. For the full details, hit the jump to read Acura’s press release.
Lexus IS-C F-Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
is having a spring sale on several of the F-Sport accessory packages that offers for the IS and GS models. The packages include a $1,450 suspension lowering kit and a $4,495 kit that adds new wheels and tires to the package. For those who want to go all out, the top package runs $8,995 and adds in a brake upgrade with six-piston front calipers and cross-drilled 14-inch rotors. A set of four-pot calipers and 13.6-inch discs are provided for the rear corners.
The sale price on that top package is a savings of $1,479. All three packages are discounted from June 1 to July 31 and installation is included in the price. Want to know more? See all the details after the break.
has just announced its newest wave of incentives. Those looking to snap up anything from the company’s four brands can look forward to zero-percent financing courtesy of GMAC on most of its products. Chrysler models can be had at the low APR for 60 months or 1.9 percent for 72 months. If that doesn’t float your boat, the company is also dishing out $3,000 in consumer cash.
Likewise, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Commander are all now available with either zero-percent financing or up to $4,000 in cash. If buyers sign their car loan with GMAC, the lender will also throw in an additional $1,000 in bonus cash on those Jeep models. Sorry, fans, but everyone’s favorite go-anywhere machine is only available with $500 in Mopar bucks.
Speaking of Mopar bucks, buyers can now take advantage of a hefty $2,000 to be used exclusively toward Mopar accessories. Chrysler has also rolled out similar incentives for other and Ram Trucks products. for the press release.
If you’re planning a road trip, there are worse ways than going in a . But notwithstanding the extra space afforded by the sport-ute or the new four-door, most Porsche don’t have a wealth of luggage space. Fortunately, Porsche Design has released a full line of luggage and travel accessories made especially for its sister-company’s line-up.
Part of the Porsche Design Driver’s Selection, the new Travel Collection offers choices of Ultralight polycarbonate hard-shell luggage, AluFrame wheeled pieces and leather Carfit baggage. They’re all made to fit in the trunks of the , , , Cayenne or Panamera, and many of the hard-shell pieces can even be ordered to match standard Porsche exterior paint colors. To cap it off, there’s extra accessories like coordinating wallets, jackets designed for the traveler and the requisite sunglasses for the road. Check ‘em out in the gallery below, along with the details in the press release after the jump.
Here’s a sign that things are possibly turning around in the automotive industry – Advertising Age is reporting that the total number of ad pages bought by automotive advertisers went up over the past year. First quarter numbers for American magazines went up compared with the first quarter of 2009, according to a report by the Publishers Information Bureau. This represents the first time that both of those numbers has gone up since 2007.
Back in February, the Media Industry Newsletter reported that although it was the smallest drop during nine consecutive quarters of decline, there was a 5.7-percent dip in ad pages compared to 2009 figures. The Publishers Information Bureau shows an even bleaker picture, with a reported decline of 9.4 percent from the first quarter of 2009. And lest we forget, the first quarter of 2009 was already pretty dismal, with drops of more than 25 percent over 2008 numbers. Still, the automotive sector is apparently stronger than several others, at least as far as magazine ad pages go.
Although Advertising Age says that financial, insurance and real estate figures have actually increased by 11.3 percent, with toiletries and cosmetics going up by 7.6 percent, the auto sector is still better off than several others. Apparel and accessories were down 15.7 percent, drugs and remedies dropped 15.6 percent, technology dipped 14.7 percent, media and advertising declined by 13 percent, as did public transportation, hotels and resorts.
European BMW 5 Series accessory catalog as scanned by – Click above for high-res image gallery
Leave it to a rabid fansite like to scrape up the latest accessory catalog for the new F10 . While this one happens to be for the European market, and is in German, 5Post promises an English-language version when it’s available. Click through to the gallery and you’ll see some of the add-ons BMW offers for the latest iteration of its midsize sport sedan.
You’ll see everything from luggage to bike racks, plus the usual assortment of wheels, interior trim bits, spoilers and taillight lenses (which are… unique, to say the least). Some of the wheel offerings are clearly new as well. So, if you’re in the market for a 2011 BMW 5 Series and want a preview of how you can blow your bottom-line price at the dealership right into the stratosphere, hit the gallery.
Kia Forte Koup with “R” package – Click above for high-res image gallery
In our of the , we were very impressed with the car’s overall style and levels of standard equipment, but we wished that the car were a bit more potent on the street. One remedy for that is the “R” package of dealer-installed accessories that Canadian customers can now spec on either the SX or EX model.
Sadly, the R treatment doesn’t aim to churn out any more power from the Forte Koup’s four-cylinder mill, but it does add things like a performance exhaust, AIM drop-in performance air filter, stiffer springs and a strut tower brace. This healthy bit of tuning should help to make the Forte a bit more involving on twisty roads and the added appearance kit (front skirts, side sills and rear spoiler) and the obligatory badge package gives it a much more aggressive look. Those 18-inch Europa wheels wrapped in Yokohama S-Drive rubber are pretty spiffy, too.
Canadian Forte Koup buyers should be able to add the R package to their cars starting in mid-May, and the optional bits will be available a la carte from any Kia dealership in the country, so kurrent current Kia Koup owners who want to upgrade will be covered, too. Will all or part of the package make it to the States? We hope so. However, no confirmation could be given from Kia’s American or Canadian public relations department at this time. A tip of the hat to Chuck!
2010 Honda Element with Dog Friendly Package – Click above for high-res image gallery
How does an automaker take a model that’s been largely unchanged since inception and give it a little juice seven years into its life cycle? If you’re , you go to the dogs. Literally. After unveiling it as a “concept” at the 2009 New York Auto Show, the Dog Friendly accessory package has made the transition to production accessory. The theory is that if you are a dog lover, you might consider buying an Element geared specifically toward your needs.
The Big H has plenty of experience in this department. , in Japan there’s a (it’s incredible, really) loaded with info about transporting pups in . Naturally, there are “Travel Dog” accessories that drivers can purchase for each car as well. In fact, in Japan, there’s also a dedicated model, the , which is specifically outfitted with dog owners in mind – much like the Stateside-market Elements kitted out with the new Dog Friendly package. As luck would have it, I have two dogs. Hence, I, and they, will be your humble 2010 Honda Element (Dog Friendly!) evaluators. Get your paws over to the jump to read more.
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Photos by Alex Núñez / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Having trouble deciding which of the three modern muscle cars you want to buy? is now providing some extra incentive to buy a over a new or . Through April 30 Mopar is offering $2,000 in “Mopar Bucks” to anyone who buys a Challenger R/T, R/T Classic or , allowing customers to choose between several combinations of performance parts and accessories.
For those who want their Challenger to look even more retro, the best option is probably Mopar’s exterior package. It includes a body-color hood with scoop, rear “Go-Wing” and stripe graphics. Of course, at $1,995, that leaves you with nothing left for performance parts. That’s why we’d probably opt for the cat-back exhaust system ($1,190) and pair it with the interior package ($780) for the manual transmission (of course) that includes a T-handle shifter and full car cover. For super-boring more practically minded Challenger buyers, Mopar is also offering customer care packages that include scheduled maintenance, towing and roadside assistance and rental car allowance. Thanks, but no thanks. Get all the details of the offer after the jump.
A designer in Portugal has created a decal to celebrate Europe’s most recent celebrity wedding. The 2.5-inch, self-adhesive decal is waterproof and UV resistant, and fits Saabs from 2003 to the present day. You can own this instant classic for just $10, and the creator can probably expect a ping from the gents at in three, two…
Lexus IS C F-Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
As much as we’d love to see a convertible version of the pulse-quickening , it doesn’t appear to be in the cards. Instead, is offering up plenty of F-Sport accessories for the , including the new IS350C F-Sport Special Edition which goes on sale later this month. Only 100 of these F-tuned droptops will be produced, retailing for $58,375 (including the $875 destination charge).
Available in either Obsidian or Tungsten Pearl, the F-Sport isn’t any more powerful than a standard IS350, but it includes things like new 19-inch wheels, a front and rear brake upgrade and Blistein shocks. Additionally, new lowering springs set the IS one inch lower to the ground, and a beefier sway bar is in place to aid in better overall handling. Inside, there’s a leather-wrapped shift knob, embroidered floor mats and a numbered badge, all with F-Sport logos, of course.
While this is all well and good for the IS C, we can’t help but think that, at over $58K, our money would be better spent on a or Audi S5 cabriolet. Still, Lexus buyers looking for a more sporting edge should like the F-Sport touches, and with only 100 units being made, we doubt the automaker will have any trouble moving them off of dealer lots. Hit the jump to read all of the details in the press release.
The all-new A8 is another technological tour de force from Audi, but does it have the requiste grandeur to compete with the BMW 7 Series and M-B S-Class?
General Motors may have announced that Hummer is winding down, but before the SUV manufacturer is shuttered, the General is pursuing two more bidders to save the brand.
The 2011 Porsche Cayenne has arrived, and not only does the Turbo S return, but the sportiest sport-ute gets a hybrid option.
Mugen Honda CR-Z – Click above for high-res image gallery
says its new hybrid hatchback is supposed to hearken back to the days of its sporty little CRX, so it’s anything but surprising that Mugen, the Japanese automaker’s tuning company of choise, is showing off its package of accessories for the model ahead of its official sale date. Sadly, none of the bits or pieces will make the car much faster… but at least the CR-Z can look like a proper hot hatchback, right?
Included in the kit are the expected updates to the front and rear fascias, side skirts and an all-conquering roof-mounted wing that looks as if it could serve double-duty as a picnic table at your next tailgating session. There’s also a new grille with optional LED lamps, triangular rear exhaust tips, and at least five different alloy wheel options. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention the carbon fiber license plate holder.
Inside you’ll find an aluminum gearshift knob, a three-gauge central cluster, floor mats and, wait for it… a carbon fiber rear-view mirror cover. Fortunately, there are a few extras that will improve the car’s driving dynamics somewhat, including a cat-back exhaust system, upgraded springs and shocks and a full set of brake pads. Perhaps those pieces will restore enough performance to offset the added weight of the bodykit? See for yourself in our high-res gallery below.
The Hyper PRO Racer – Click above to view the video
Ah, those Aussies, they never quit, do they? Ten years in the making, a fellow by the name of Jon Crooke has developed the Hyper PRO Racer, a so-called “Superkart” delivering massive power and minimum weight. Using a Yamaha 450 WR four-stroke motorcycle engine that runs through a five-speed sequential gearbox, the Hyper PRO weighs just 352 pounds minus the weight of a person tucked into the cramped driving position. That isn’t too much more than the enduro bike the engine is taken from.
The weight savings is courtesy of the superkart’s spaceframe, which also acts as an FIA-approved roll cage. Instead of building a frame that accessories would be mounted to with brackets, the superkart’s externals are mounted directly to a highly designed and minimalist chassis frame without additional hardware. Those externals include Ohlins aluminum-bodied race shocks, four-wheel cross-vented disc brakes with billet four-pot aluminum brake calipers.
The result, according to Hyper PRO, is a track runner that can lap a little faster than an Aussie racing car (not a V8 Supercar), a little slower than a GT Production car. But it beats them all for price: the track day Racer S is $29,500 Australian ($26,546 U.S.), the hillclimb Racer R is $35,500 ($31,947 U.S.). to check out video of the Hyper Pro Race in rather fast action, or have a slower look in the gallery below.
Hamann Tycoon Evo M – Click above for high-res image gallery
Last year Hamann introduced the -based , and while the widebody kit gave the crossover a mean look, it was only backed up by a mere 360 horsepower from the twin-turbo inline-six. That horsepower deficiency will soon be resolved as Hamann plans to introduce the Tycoon Evo M at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Under the hood is the ’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that only needs a high-flow exhaust system and a reprogrammed ECU to reach 670 horsepower and 576 pound-feet of torque. Hamann claims that the extra 115 horsepower is good for a 4.2 second sprint to 62 mph and a top speed of 186 mph.
Along with the additional power, Hamann has also developed a revised widebody kit to fit the X6 M. The fenders have been widened 60mm, and LED running lights are now featured prominently on the front fascia. Additional upgrades include lightweight 23-inch forged wheels and aluminum and carbon fiber interior accessories. We’ll have live photos from the Geneva show floor in just a few short days, but until then you can browse the high-res gallery below and read more details in the press release after the jump.
