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Heads up, Hondaphiles – it looks like the NSX has been dug out of storage and plopped back on the table as a candidate for production. Company president Takashi Ito has announced that he’s jump-starting development on the supercar. As you may recall, the beast was unceremoniously put to bed after the global economy gutted itself back in 2008. At the time, the project sailed under the HSV-010 moniker, and Honda even went so far as to campaign a version of the machine in the Japanese Super GT series.

Since then, the supercar segment has all but exploded with new metal. Mercedes-Benz jumped into the action with its SLS AMG, Lexus came to the party with the high-tech LFA and old-timers like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Nissan GT-R have been enjoying their own slice of supercar territory. We’re all for the notion of a resurrected Honda fighter, but we’re still going to treat this one with a healthy dose of skepticism.

We’ve been burnt before.

[Source: Japanese Nostalgic Car]

Report: Honda confirms NSX development has restarted

Even though it won’t hit the streets for another couple of years, the next-generation Land Rover Range Rover is already out on the prowl in development mule stage. Thus, we can’t tell what sort of new design elements will be found on the next-generation Range Rover, though the larger, bolted-on wheel arches give off the impression that the next SUV will likely be slightly wider than the one currently on sale.

Expect the usual crop of eight-cylinder powerplants to be available in both naturally aspirated and supercharged variants. There’s also been talk of a possible Range Rover Hybrid – a vehicle that would likely make its debut in the SUV’s next generation. Our spies are calling this Range Rover a 2013 model, so look for it to debut sometime in 2012. Click through our high-res image gallery to see the full set of spy shots.

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2013 Land Rover Range Rover mule spotted winter testing

Ugh, fine. We’re sorry. Okay, so that’s not exactly how the BBC responded to Mexico’s Ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza, but it certainly didn’t fall all over itself in making a formal apology, either.

In case you need a refresher, Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond quipped on a recent broadcast episode of the hit television series, in reference to the Mexican-built Mastretta MXT sports car, “Mexican cars are just going to be a lazy, feckless, flatulent, oaf with a mustache leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat.”

Not surprisingly, a number of the country’s inhabitants were not amused… including the aforementioned Mexican Ambassador, who sent a letter to the BBC as something of a formal complaint. The BBC responded with a letter in return, which included the following statement:

Our own comedians make jokes about the British being terrible cooks and terrible romantics, and we in turn make jokes about the Italians being disorganized and over dramatic; the French being arrogant and the Germans being over organized. We are sorry if we have offended some people, but jokes centered on national stereotyping are a part of ‘Top Gear’s’ humor.

In any case, an apology was demanded and an apology (of sorts) was provided. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we lazy, over-fed and easily amused Americans are moving on. Hat tip to Jesse!

[Source: Associated Press via Google Image: Gareth Fuller/AP]

Followup: BBC apologizes for Top Gear remarks about Mexicans

Hyundai Veloster rally car teaser – click above for high-res image gallery

Throughout 2010, Hyundai teased us with shots of its unconfortunately sporty new three-door. Thankfully, we finally got to see the 2012 Hyundai Veloster in its production skin at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Now comes a brand-new image to further tantalize us. Wearing Red Bull Racing colors, this rally-prepped Veloster has been captured mid-flight.

We don’t have all of the details on this rally-ready Hyundai Veloster to devulge just yet, but we can confirm that we’re dying to know more. Set your calendars for February 9, 2011 at 9:45am CST because that’s when Hyundai will make good with more information. Also, be sure to tune in to our 2011 Chicago Auto Show coverage, because word on the tarmac, gravel and snow-covered street is that this mighty Veloster is hopping a plane to Chi-town… after it eventually touches down from this jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai teases Veloster rally car ahead of Chicago debut

2012 Toyota Vitz/Yaris – Click above for image gallery

Toyota has big plans to wade into the hybridized B-segment in Europe, and it looks like we may get a peek at the automaker’s first effort in that department at the Geneva Motor Show. The Japanese manufacturer has confirmed that it will unveil its Yaris HSD Concept in March. The company is keeping the details of the concept to itself for the time being, so there’s little information on what kind of powertrain or fuel economy the car will boast when it takes a bow next month. Toyota did say that the Yaris HSD Concept will wear some very hybrid-specific design cues, so expect more than a little Prius influence outside.

While the B-segment is one of the hottest auto markets in Europe, Toyota may be facing a bit of an uphill battle with the notion of a hybrid Yaris. Buyers in the Old Country have been notoriously cold toward gasoline hybrids due to the popularity of high-efficiency diesel engines. Combine that hurdle with the difficulty of making a hybrid drivetrain affordable and Toyota will have to pull some pretty impressive tricks to make this car a viable competitor in Europe. That doesn’t mean we can’t wait to see it on the stage in Geneva, though. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota confirms Yaris HSD concept gas-electric for Geneva

Toyota confirms Yaris HSD concept gas-electric for Geneva

We know the 2011 Kia Optima is an excellent sedan, but apparently it’s so desirable that anyone and everything across time and space are clamoring to get it.

In the Korean automaker’s new Super Bowl ad, a police officer playing ‘bad cop’ decides to take the car off the hands of a couple, now cuffed to his parked motorcycle. The constable, in turn, is no match for a super villain, his slick helicopter and a waiting mega-yacht. The Optima nearly falls into the villain’s hands, but by then, the all-new sedan has piqued the interest of the gods (we would have pegged Poseidon as a Maserati guy), and that’s when things get really interesting.

Click past the jump to watch the elaborate and visually impressive journey unfold.

[Source: Kia via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Epic Kia Optima Super Bowl ad stars Poseidon, aliens

Video: Epic Kia Optima Super Bowl ad stars Poseidon, aliens

According to Autocar, the Lotus Evora has a date with the plastic surgeon. The site is reporting that the decisionmakers at the sports car manufacturer have opted to put their 2+2 under the knife for a quick revision. The move is an attempt to jolt the Evora’s sales, which are said to be lackluster. Apparently, the current face of the car isn’t aggressive enough for Donato Coco, Lotus’ new design boss. The British publication even has what it says is a grainy leaked image of the substantial redo. If accurate, the new tweaks appear to focus mainly on the car’s mouth, and under Coco’s direction, we should expect to see the more aggressive visage sometime soon.

Likewise, Lotus plans to turn its design crew loose on the vehicle’s interior as well. The new cabin is said to boast a higher level of standard equipment and a healthier focus on fit, finish and materials as well. Autocar reports that the revised Evora will likely hit dealers late this year as a 2012 model to serve as a stopgap between the company’s current stable of old hardware and the new fleet set to arrive in 2013.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Michael Harley / AOL

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Lotus rushing to get massively facelifted Evora out the door

Mitsubishi is reportedly considering selling a rebadged version of the Infiniti M sedan in order to fill its void of premium offerings in its home market of Japan. However, Automotive News notes that Mitsubishi’s President, Osamu Masuko, has stated that the automaker will not leverage manufacturing deals with other companies in order to expand its lineup here in the United States, so don’t expect to see a Mitsu-branded Infiniti on our shores anytime soon.

Mitsubishi’s last endeavor into the luxury sedan market was with the Diamante – a car that suffered from lackluster sales numbers during its run throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Due to Mitsubishi’s financial woes during the mid-2000s, luxury car development was put on hold. Now, though, selling a rebadged version of the Infiniti M (or Nissan Fuga, as it’s known in Japan) would insulate Mitsubishi from research and development costs, making it easier for the automaker to launch back into the luxury segment.

Automotive News reports that the Mitsubishi-badged Infiniti could go on sale in Japan as early as this year. Expect the standard gas version to be the first to wear a triple-diamond badge, though Mitsubishi may sell a version of the M Hybrid, as well. Top tip, Randy!

Photos copyright (C)2011 Michael Harley / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Rumormill: Mitsubishi to sell rebadged Infiniti M… new Diamante in the cards?

BMW’s Megacity EV appears to have all the makings of one unique little runabout. The future city car is, after all, expected to be a battery-powered BMW that will feature a body-on-frame chassis made of aluminum and carbon fiber. Automotive News reports that the unusualness of the Megacity EV won’t end with exotic materials, as the “buying” process will be unique as well.

We placed quotes around the word “buying” because BMW sales boss Ian Robertson has told AN Europe that the company wants to lease the Megacity instead of buying, saying that people should purchase “the use of the car.” If the Megacity ends up being a lease-only affair, it will be far from the only EV or fuel cell vehicle to receive such treatment (the Honda FCX Clarity and the General Motors EV1 come to mind). But the Megacity will apparently be available as more of a short-term lease vehicle possibly following the model of Daimler’s ‘Car2Go’ program in Germany and Austin, Texas.

So why would BMW opt for short-term leases instead of the more traditional buy or lease models? The true buy price of the city car would likely be far too high for one, and the German automaker will never likely recoup its development costs on this one model.

BMW will reportedly test the short-term leasing waters with the 1-Series-based ActiveE beforehand. We don’t know exactly when the Megacity will be available for lease, but we do know that the EV range will receive an official name on February 22.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: BMW to lease (not sell) Megacity EV

WekFest III is gearing up to take San Francisco by storm. The event is a celebration of Japanese automobiles and it kicks off at 1pm on February 20th, 2011. Last year, over 450 vehicles showed up, and this year should be no different. But there is one machine in particular that we’re very interested in.

Fatlace, a boutique clothing store, is bringing along a stock 1974 Nissan Skyline 2000GT. The car will be shown off, then taken back into hiding to be transformed into the car you see pictured above… then given away to one lucky (LUCKY) winner.

Fatlace, thanks to the design work of the talented Mr. Jon Sibal, has a stylish end-goal for the Skyline. The car will be modified over the course of 2011 and presented to the winner at the Fatlace Klassik in October. We fully expect a ride.

[Source: Fatlace via MotorworldHype Image: Jon Sibal/jonsibal.com]

Enter. Win. Then give us a ride in your 1974 Nissan Skyline

Designed in London and christened with the phonetic spelling of “thunderbolt” in an Italian Apennine dialect, the Agility Saietta has just been revealed at the Carole Nash/MCN London Motorcycle Show. This newest debutante on the electric motorcycle scene doesn’t hold back on the bold.

Sporting a narrow fairing evocative of a highly-stylized ram’s head (or possibly some sort of evil alien insect, we’re not sure) that swoops back to form a battery-encapsulating dome that fills the entire area directly ahead of the rider, the Saietta may be one man’s vision of rolling art. What sort of vision it provides for another man is anyone’s guess.

When the bike hits the streets, possibly as soon as April, it will be available in two packages: R and S. The S is the lesser of the beasts with 50 miles of range, a 0-to-60 time in the 5-second neighborhood and a price tag of £9,975 ($16,090 U.S. at today’s rates). The big brother is packed to go 100 miles, is a second quicker to 60 miles per hour and ships for £13,975 ($22,540).

As if we didn’t have enough to ponder whilst we wait for more specifics about the powertrain and performance, we can’t help but wonder what else might be lurking in the Agility Global Ltd. labs. The press release threatens that the “Saietta is the first of two new vehicle types that will revolutionise private transportation in cities.” Consider yourselves forewarned. Video of teaser renders after the break.

[Source: Agility Global Ltd. via Engadget]

Continue reading Agility Saietta electric motorcycle revealed, can’t be unseen [w/video]

Agility Saietta electric motorcycle revealed, can’t be unseen [w/video]

The departure of the 8C Competizione has left rather large shoes to fill at Alfa Romeo. And stylish ones at that. Last week, we brought you initial reports that a new 4C GTA was being developed to take its place, and now a whole mess of details have emerged.

With the current Alfa line-up consisting entirely of front-engined, front-drive models, the 4C is to go with a mid/rear-engined, rear-drive setup. Its basis: the KTM X-Bow. Like the Austrian track toy, the 4C is to be developed by Dallara, the race car constructor also headquartered in northern Italy. Alfa’s sister brand, Abarth, has long been rumored to get an X-Bow-based roadster, but now it appears to be going to Alfa instead.

In its carbon/aluminum chassis is tipped to sit a 1.8-liter, turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine from Alfa’s existing range, giving the lightweight roadster a power-to-weight ratio expected to best the Porsche Cayman S. Styling is reportedly being carried out by Alfa’s own Centro Stile, and not by Pininfarina as some have reported.

Production is rumored to come in around 20,000-25,000 units annually over the course of five years, with a price tag in the 40,000 euro (about $55,000) range – considerably more accessible than the 8C. Although the prototype was targeted for unveiling at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, reported setbacks could force us to wait a little longer.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

Report: Dallara to build X-Bow-based Alfa Romeo 4C GTA

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything about Sebastien Bourdais. The French driver took the Champ Car title four years running, but when the call came to move up to F1 courtesy of Scuderia Toro Rosso, Bourdais suffered a disappointing stint, prompting his mid-season replacement with rookie driver Jaime Alguersuari.

Bourdais went on to race in Superleague Formula and at Le Mans with Peugeot, but now reports indicate that he could be eying a return to American open-wheel racing in the IndyCar Series that replaced the league he dominated for years.

The Frenchman who made his name in Champ Cars reportedly tested for Dale Coyne Racing this past week, showing promising results with the IndyCar team. While Bourdais may have nothing left to prove in Indy racing, a return to winning form could be just what the doctor ordered for his currently stagnant career.

[Source: Autosport Image: Guillaume Baptiste/AFP/Getty]

Sebastien Bourdais reportedly eying return to Indy

	Top Gear host wants electric vehicles powered by bumper car technology Watch out!		Italian designers envision amazing Solar Wind bridge It looks like the future, that’s for sure.
	Agility Saietta electric motorcycle revealed, can’t be unseen Two models coming this spring.	Other news: Mini E driver offers electric vehicle critic some real life experience Study: Diesels, hybrids retain more value than gasoline-fueled vehicles $33 million in EV tax credits went to buy unqualified vehicles (think Hummer H3, bicycle, etc.)

AutoblogGreen for 02.04.11

The year 2011 marks Ford’s 108th year in business. Over the course of its long history, the automaker has collected millions of images. Most of these images are stored in boxes, away from prying eyes… but that is about to change. Ford is launching a brand new site that will give users access to thousands of these archival images.

FordImages.com currently has over 5,000 images available to be licensed. The site adds hundreds more every week and is shooting to have 10,000 available by January of 2012. The seemingly endless galleries of images cover everything from key products and personnel to historic motorsports shots and all Ford vehicles through the ages.

The site offers more than just images, however, with a wide range of signs and artwork also offered. Limited-edition photos of cars like the Ford GT and Shelby GT500 are available and signed by Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby respectively.

If you’re a Blue Oval fan, this may become your new favorite web site. There’s enough material here to decorate your office, home and garage. All those boxes of stored photos mean there’s plenty more where these came from. Check out the gallery below for a few examples of what Ford will offer and be sure to read the full press-release waiting after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford opens its archive of images to the world

Ford opens its archive of images to the world

Disney and Pixar have given us a closer look at some of the stars of the upcoming flick, Cars 2. Mater, Lightning McQueen, Sally and the rest of the crew from the first film will be joined by a host of new faces this time around. Those will include Shu Todoruki, a Le Mans prototype race that hails from Japan, Raoul CaRoule, a WRC racer, Carla Veloso and others. As we’ve seen from the movie’s trailers, a duo of crime fighters will help McQueen and Mater as they work to fight off a pair of sinister evildoers.

Those bad guys officially have a name now, too. Grem, a crusty looking Gremlin and Acer, a similarly dilapidated Pacer (Are all AMC’s bad guys? Certainly not the Eagle!) are both out to cause havoc in the best way possible. Fortunately for our heroes, Holley Shiftwell and Finn McMissile are both there to lend a hand, er, tire.

Cars 2 centers around an international plot to disrupt the World Grand Prix, and it’s up to McQueen and Mater to save the day. Hit the jump to check out a heap of videos of the newest characters, and scroll through the gallery for an image and detailed description of each character.

[Sources: Facebook, HeyYouGuys]

Continue reading Meet seven new characters appearing in Cars 2

Meet seven new characters appearing in Cars 2

According to The Car Connection, a new study has found that the automotive industry is the second most trusted business in the world just behind technology. The research was conducted as part of the Edelman 2011 Trust Barometer and included results from 5,075 people in 23 countries. Each of the respondents were between 25 and 64 years old, held a college degree and were also in the top 25 percent of household income for their age group. Each participant was asked a series of questions concerning businesses, government and the media, especially concerning whether or not individuals trusted those entities to “do what’s right.”

Around 81 percent of those surveyed said that they trusted the technology sector to do the right thing (whatever that may be), compared to the automotive industry’s 69 percent. In fact, carmakers beat out 14 other industries including food and beverage, energy, pharmaceuticals, media and biotech. Why? The Car Connection seems to think the findings are coupled to the automotive industry’s underdog presence thanks to bankruptcies and massive recalls around the globe, while the greater push for green technologies and a rampant social media presence likely play a part as well.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Study: Auto industry second most-trusted behind Tech

General Motors has officially launched its replacement for its recently deceased GM Goodwrench service division. The automaker has pulled the sheets back on new Certified Service programs for Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac. The company is hoping that the new service strategy will help strengthen brand loyalty throughout the ownership cycle by offering top-quality service and parts at newly competitive prices. The General also says that each of the four brands’ service departments will carry a new “look and feel,” though there’s no indication as to what kind of aesthetic changes buyers can expect to see on their next trip to the service department.

Fortunately, GM has detailed exactly what it plans to do in order to keep prices in check. Along with routinely benchmarking its price tags against those of the competition, the automaker says that the new Certified Service programs will now include a wide range of price options to allow a greater level of flexibility than before. Additionally, rebates and tire-price matching will also be part of the strategy. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Mr. Goodwrench replacement launches at GM dealerships

Mr. Goodwrench replacement launches at GM dealerships

Lucky Lexus owners across the globe are eager to receive their new LFA supercars. Javier Quirós of Costa Rica is one such person, and decided to celebrate the delivery of his red LFA in a manner befitting such a vehicle… by doing a few donuts.

Don’t worry about Javier losing control of the 552-horsepower, 10-cylinder two-door. Quirós is a race driver with Gazoo Racing and president of Purdy Motor, the Costa Rican distributor for Toyota products. Javier has competed around the globe at tracks like Daytona and the Nürburgring.

You can’t see it in the video but we imagine Mr. Quirós’ smile is wider than the grille on the front of his new LFA. This is LFA #0014, which Quirós specially requested from Akio Toyoda because 14 is his usual racing number. Click past the jump for the clip.

[Source: YouTube via LexusEnthusiast]

Continue reading Video: Man celebrates Lexus LFA arrival with donuts

Video: Man celebrates Lexus LFA arrival with donuts

Up to this point, the only actual vehicle Tesla Motors has offered for sale is the all-electric Roadster. But the Silicon Valley-based automaker has drummed up a ton of interest and money by showing off its next planned product, the Model S sedan. It looks as if that trend will continue, as a report from the fine folks at Car and Driver suggests a new crossover will be shown off for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This makes some sense, since Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that we’ll get to see the Model X before the end of the year.

Assuming this report is accurate, it’s worth noting that the CUV’s appearance in Frankfurt will mark the first time Tesla has used a major auto show to introduce a new model – both the original Roadster and the Model S sedan were both unveiled in smaller, private events.

The CUV will be based on the same underpinnings as the Model S sedan, which was designed from the start to allow for future model expansion. C&D speculates the crossover will sport all-wheel drive, though it’s not known exactly how such an arrangement will work. It’s possible that Tesla will craft a second powertrain unit that will power the front wheels independently of the rears. We’d expect a similar lithium ion battery pack to be used in the CUV as is planned for the sedan.

Following the unveil of the crossover, development of both a coupe and a larger, likely three-row sport utility vehicle will move forward in full force. There’s also been talk of a carbiolet and possibly a minivan or MPV. Of course, all of this assumes that the startup automaker, which has partnered up with both Daimler and Toyota, doesn’t run out of money before any of these future vehicles come to market. Here’s hoping.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Tesla Model S-based crossover coming to Frankfurt?