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My helmet has just been crammed into the cross ribs of the roof of our Miata for the third time in less than a kilometer, driving a guttural “OOMPH” from my lungs mid-sentence at the same time. I regain my breath, look from the route book to the kitchen timer that’s Velcroed to the rally computer on the dash, and start counting out the seconds on my fingers. My tiny brain is already too overloaded for simple math, and I’ve reduced myself to elementary school tricks for quick calculations. It’s the fifth stage of the fourth day, and the verdict isn’t good; we’re a far cry from our target time.

“We are 17 seconds slow,” I say into the mic, doing my best to stifle any tones of urgency.

“Seventeen seconds? Are you sure?”

The short answer is that no, I’m not sure. For the first time in a full week’s worth of time-speed-distance rallying, our time intervals are making no damn sense. We’ll pass one and be 25 seconds down only to pass the next and be within five seconds of our target. I’m all kinds of crossed up, but mid-stage is no time to let your driver know his navigator has no damn clue what’s going on.

“I’m sure. Beat on this thing.”

Always project confidence.

Continue reading How to lose the 2011 Targa Newfoundland in one easy step [w/video]

How to lose the 2011 Targa Newfoundland in one easy step [w/video]

Lexus has introduced a slew of 2012 special edition models, including unique variants of the LS 460, ES 350 and CT 200h. The rear-wheel-drive Lexus LS 460 Sport Special Edition offers buyers standard equipment that includes Brembo brakes, a sport-tuned air suspension and sport front seats in addition to 19-inch split-10-spoke wheels and a two-tone leather interior, among other amenities. Expect to hand over $77,000, excluding destination.

Meanwhile, the ES 350 Touring Edition comes laden with 17-inch 10-spoke wheels, a steering wheel and shift knob trimmed in leather and wood, navigation and saddle-tan leather heated and cooled seats. Additional equipment is also part of the package, and all that kit will bump the ES 350 Touring Edition MSRP to $40,475, excluding destination.

Finally, the CT 200h is getting the sport treatment as well with the F Sport Special Edition (seen above). The model is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels of its own, along with an F Sport suspension that includes specific springs and sway bars. An F Sport appearance package is also along for the ride, and includes a mesh grille, larger rear spoiler, aluminum sport pedals and a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel. Asking price? A cool $37,995. Lexus will politely ask for $875 for delivery on each model. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Lexus releases new ES, CT and LS special edition models

Lexus releases new ES, CT and LS special edition models

Our spy photographers have snapped a glimpse of the forthcoming 2013 Ford Fusion. The Mondeo-based sedan looks to have lifted lighting inspiration from the Ford Evos Concept that the automaker debuted at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. With thin, slit-like projection lenses and a very vertical grille, the 2013 Fusion looks to bring quite a bit more attitude to the table than the current model. Right now, the Fusion is built in Mexico, but there’s some indication that the model may shift to a U.S. plant in the near future as part of the current negotiations between Ford and the United Auto Workers.

At this stage in the vehicle’s development, it’s unclear exactly what Ford will offer in terms of powertrain options or what the inevitable hybrid variant will bring to the table when it arrives. We are told that Ford will likely show off the first real look at the 2013 Fusion at January’s Detroit Auto Show. Stay tuned.

Next-gen Ford Fusion reveals new face

Anything But A Trivial Pursuit

There’s something inherently satisfying about using a blunt force object for its exact purpose, be it ripping the cover off a baseball with a Louisville Slugger or bonking one of those animatronic pop-up varmints with a rubber mallet at the local arcade. At the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s something equally satisfying about using a precise tool designed for an exact purpose, be it a Montblanc pen or a pickle fork. With the introduction of its 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV, General Motors is betting that law enforcement customers are willing to trade-in the former brand of satisfaction for the latter.

For decades now, an overwhelming majority of America’s policemen and women have relied on the four-wheeled equivalent of a blunt object, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, as a primary tool in combating crime. Stubbornly resistant to change since its introduction during the Carter administration, the Crown Vic proudly rode its pig iron and scrimshaw frame into retirement earlier this month, a victim of growing legislative hurdles and slowing sales. Yet despite – or perhaps because of – its antiquated technology and crude construction, precincts far and wide have been clawing over each other to secure the last few examples.

GM believes it has a better way: 2012 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle. Company officials say they are so cognizant of the unique needs of law enforcement that they’ve designed and built this special pursuit vehicle specifically for their use. GM has divulged no plans to park a civilian version in your Bowtie showroom and you won’t be seeing them in New York yellow, either. This is a purpose-built piece of kit. Of course, the truth is a bit more complicated than that. The Caprice PPV is actually a lightly modified version of GM’s long-wheelbase Zeta sedans that are marketed in Australia as the Holden Commodore and in the Middle East as… well, a Chevy Caprice. GM recently offered ordinary U.S. consumers a shorter Zeta, in the form of the well liked but short-lived Pontiac G8, but it expired when its brand was shuttered.

GM invited us out to its Proving Grounds to play cops and robbers on the very same day that the pilot light was going out at Ford’s Crown Vic plant. Coincidence? Rather than mull the question, we hightailed it out to Milford, Michigan to live out our childhood policeman fantasies and file this report.

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

When Porsche announced that Rennsport Reunion IV would be held at the famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, we knew that the triannual celebration of the marque wasn’t something to be missed. We made sure our calendars were clear for the third weekend in October. Now that Rennsport is less than a month away, we have even more details about what’s in store for the event.

The last time Porsche was the featured marque at the Monterey Historics, nearly 150 examples took to the track. We thought that was a lot, but it will be nothing compared to when Porschefiles from around the world descend on Laguna Seca for Rennsport. According to the organizers, no less than 350 Porsches will take part in the on-track racing, and an additional 50 historic models will be on display in the paddock, many shipped over directly from the Porsche museum in Stuttgart. In addition, the newly released 2012 Porsche 911 will be making its first North American appearance.

We’ll be in Monterey for Rennsport in just a few weeks to provide you with daily live coverage, but until then you can read more about the Porsches that will be on display after the jump.

Continue reading 350 Porsches set to descend on Laguna Seca for Rennsport Reunion IV

350 Porsches set to descend on Laguna Seca for Rennsport Reunion IV

As recent rumors suggested, BMW is, in fact, growing its hybrid offerings, though battery power may not be headed to the 3 Series just yet. The German automaker has just unveiled a new production ActiveHybrid 5. The vehicle is based on the 535i, and pairs the company’s turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a 55-horsepower electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A lithium-ion battery pack provides electricity storage. All told, the system produces somewhere around 335 horsepower and allows the driver to whir along on all-electric power at speeds of up to 37 mph, but it can only push along in all-electric mode for around 2.5 miles at average of 22 mph. Early guesses say that the system will afford a “double-digit percentage improvement in fuel economy over the 535i,” yet it will also propel the ActiveHybrid to 60 mph in around 5.7 seconds.

That’s plenty quick by any account, and BMW says that the vehicle will be available in U.S. dealerships by as soon as March of next year. So far, there’s no indication as to exactly how much BMW will ask for the vehicle or what sort of fuel economy buyers can expect. Is this a suitable replacement for the short-lived X6 ActiveHybrid? We certainly think so, but we aren’t exactly fans of high-riding hybrids, either. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading BMW reveals 335-horsepower ActiveHybrid 5 Series

BMW reveals 335-horsepower ActiveHybrid 5 Series

In 2001, Bentley returned to Le Mans after an absence of more than 70 years with a machine known as the Speed 8 (pictured above), eventually winning the 24-hour race in 2003. Bentley hasn’t been involved in motorsports since, although a new report indicates that could change soon.

In a recent interview with Autocar, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer stated that a new LMP1 race car could be in the works to compete against Audi and the upcoming Porsche LMP1 racer. Interestingly, all three automakers are part of the VW Group. “There is nothing saying the same brands can’t compete against each other – the only important thing is that the racing activity supports fully the brand identity,” he said. “The three brands of Bentley, Porsche and Audi could race in different regions and come together five or six times a year for the world sportscar championship and then once per year in France. It’s not decided, but it is possible.”

In addition to the usual marketing benefits of a racing program, Durheimer indicated that the main motivation for getting Bentley back into motorsports would be to develop a connection with the race team and the company’s production facility in Crewe. “I am also keen that people from the road car side sample the racing side – I saw at Porsche that one or two years with the race team can really change how people work.”

Bentley considering new LMP1 race car

After our first drive of the Hyundai Veloster, we described the three-door hatch as an ‘eco-sport’ rather than an ‘all-out performance car’. The 1.6-liter four-pot under the hood produces 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet torque, which provided ‘adequately entertaining’ acceleration. In other words, we wouldn’t mind one bit if the Veloster got an extra dose of power.

The folks over at ARK Performance were thinking the same thing, and are set to debut a custom Veloster at SEMA in November with an extra dose of oomph under the hood. The additional ponies – 210 in total – comes courtesy of intercooled turbocharger system and a high-flow exhaust system. ARK has also worked over the rest of the Veloster with six-piston front brakes, coilover suspension system, custom Alcantara interior and a widebody kit with green and grey graphics.

You can check out the full list of upgrades after the jump, and be on the lookout for live coverage of the car at the SEMA Show come November.

Continue reading Custom turbocharged Hyundai Veloster to bow at SEMA

Custom turbocharged Hyundai Veloster to bow at SEMA

Your dream of owning a $45,000 Lotus plug-in minicar could become a reality in 2013. If that’s truly your dream, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the extended-range Lotus Ethos will reportedly hit U.S. dealerships in late 2013 as a Model Year 2014 vehicle.

Unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus’ minicar concept, now called the Ethos, will enter the production cycle in 2013. That’s official. However, word of the Ethos coming to the U.S. has not been confirmed by the automaker.

In production form, the plug-in Ethos is expected to employ a range-extending 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. Lotus claims the Ethos will have an electric-only range of 37 miles before that range extender swings into action, adding 270 miles of gas-burnin’ action. Top speed checks in at a reported 76 miles per hour and the 0 to 62-mph dash takes nine ticks of the second hand.

So, it’s time to start gearing up for the possible arrival of a $45,000 plug-in minicar with a Lotus badge. We’d be willing to bet that its steep price tag will be a bit of an issue when it comes to racking up sales here in the States.

Lotus Ethos plug-in minicar headed to U.S. in 2013?

Ford took everyone by surprised when it unveiled the F-150 SVT Raptor back in 2008, not only with the truck’s capability but by the fact that they had the guts to produce it at all. The success of the Raptor left other automakers scrambling to produce something similar, although everything yet has fallen short in one way or another. Chrysler unveiled the Ram Runner Concept at SEMA last year, although you have to build it yourself if you want one, and GM has merely teased the idea of producing the Sierra All Terrain HD Concept shown earlier this year.

Now, Toyota is stepping up to the plate with the Tacoma TRD TX Baja Series. Unveiled today at the Texas State Fair, this limited-edition truck takes inspiration from Toyota’s Baja racing history and features items like an electronically-controlled locking differential, TRD off-road package with Bilstein race shocks and an increased ride height of two inches, BF Goodrich T/A KO tires and bead-lock style wheels. Power comes from Toyota’s 4.0-liter V6 and both a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission are available.

The TRD TX Baja Series also benefits from changes made to the standard Tacoma for 2012, including a restyled front end with a new hood, grille, front bumper and headlights. The interior gets a new instrument panel, updated gauges, new steering wheel and more. You can read full details about both the standard Tacoma and the limited edition Baja Series in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Toyota unveils Tacoma TRD TX Baja Series Limited Edition in Texas

Toyota unveils Tacoma TRD TX Baja Series Limited Edition in Texas

Scion has released a volley of information on the company’s latest Release Series models. The 2012 xD Release Series 4.0 will come to dealers dipped in an exclusive Premium Blizzard Pearl paint with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. Inside, color-matched trim panels along the center console, steering wheel and doors echo the exterior scheme, and a set of embroidered carpet floor mats round out the upgrades inside. Scion says that the company will only produce 800 examples of the xD RS 4.0, each starting at $16,250, excluding a $750 destination charge.

In addition, Scion is also rolling out the xB Release Series 9.0. The larger five-door, which can be seen above, will only be available in bright orange Hot Lava paint, and a honeycomb lower grille and illuminated Scion badges help set the model apart from the rest of the fleet. Inside, the vehicle’s seats wear perforated simulated suede seat covers with an embossed Scion logo. Scion intends to manufacture 1,500 examples of the xB RS 9.0. Expect to the vehicle to start at $18,110, excluding destination. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Scion prices 2012 xB and XD Release Series models

Scion prices 2012 xB and XD Release Series models

“The best Chrysler sedan we’ve seen in decades,” says Consumer Reports, in reference to the 2011 Chrysler 300. At the risk of damning a very fine car with faint praise, that may not be all that much of an accomplishment. And we’d have to add that the last all-new Chrysler 300, which hit the market in model-year 2005, was also the best Chrysler sedan the world had seen in decades.

That said, we agree – the redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 is indeed a giant leap forward for the brand.

The previous-generation Chrysler 300 only managed to eke out a rather miserable score of 64 points, which placed it near the bottom of its class of upscale sedans. The redesigned 2011 model, though, earns an “Excellent” overall test score of 80. Also receiving Excellent scores are the 2012 Hyundai Genesis (which led the field with 92 points, according to CR) , along with the refreshed Acura TL and Toyota Avalon, all of which fall into the same upscale sedan classification.

In other news from CR, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sedan did not fare well when tested against its non-hybridized siblings. With an overall score of 69, the Sonata Hybrid earned a full 20 points less than the highly rated gas-only Sonata GLS. CR cited poor handling and an unrefined drivetrain as reasons for the low score, saying that “the trade-offs in driveability, refinement, and braking performance are too high” versus the Sonata GLS.

Also tested by CR was the all-electric Nissan Leaf, which was blessed with an overall score of 78. The electron-fueled hatchback was praised for its low running costs of just 3.5 cents per mile, but it was held back by a highly variable driving range that plummeted to just 60 miles in the winter with the heat on. Driven gently in mild weather, CR managed up to 90 miles of range from the Leaf.

For all the details from Consumer Reports’ latest round of automotive testing, check out the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Consumer Reports lauds Chrysler 300 improvement, Hyundai Genesis still tops

Consumer Reports lauds Chrysler 300 improvement, Hyundai Genesis still tops

Ram has announced a slew of additions to its line of pickup trucks, starting with the 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty. The vehicle combines all of the excellent value of the standard Tradesman, but throws in the joy of three-quarter-ton towing and cargo capacity as well. Ram says that the vehicle now boasts the best-in-class title for both of those categories. With a maximum trailer weight of 11,500 pounds, the Tradesman HD tops the Ford F-150 by 200 pounds and the Chevrolet Silverado by 800 pounds. Meanwhile, Ram has also rolled in a 3,100-pound payload capacity, which exceeds the F-150 by 40 pounds and the Silverado by 1,235 pounds.

Things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows, though. The Tradesman HD is only available as a two-wheel drive truck with a regular cab and an eight-foot bed.

In addition, Ram has broadened the model availability in the company’s 1500 Express trim. Buyers can now opt for Crew Cab and Quad Cab configurations for the first time. The 1500 Express Crew Cab starts at $28,050 while the Quad Cab lands closer to $30,010, both without destination or handling charges. Both will still come with the company’s 5.7-liter V8 as standard equipment.

Finally, Ram has grown the company’s Rambox system to accommodate 6-foot, 4-inch bed lengths, which means that Quad Cab buyers can also enjoy the in-bed storage system. Check out our galleries then hit the jump to read up on Ram’s press releases.

Continue reading Ram unveils 1500 Tradesman HD, expanded Express lineup, bigger Rambox

Ram unveils 1500 Tradesman HD, expanded Express lineup, bigger Rambox

Just when you thought automakers couldn’t shove any more inflatables into a vehicle’s cabin, General Motors has introduced yet another new airbag. The company’s new front center airbag is basically designed to keep the driver in place during a solo far-side impact, as well as prevent occupants from bouncing off of one another if there is more than one person in the car. The new device is set to be introduced as standard equipment on models like the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia with power seats beginning in the 2013 model year. The tethered, tube-shaped airbag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat and positions itself in the center of the vehicle.

GM says that the company’s analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data revealed that far-side impact crashes accounted for 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover incidents between 2004 and 2009, and that those deaths represented 29 percent of all fatalities in all side-impact crashes.

Automotive parts supplier Takata co-developed the airbag with GM over the course of three years. Hit the jump for the full press release as well as a video of the device in action.

Continue reading GM debuts new front center airbag [w/video]

GM debuts new front center airbag [w/video]

Fun, Form And Function… In That Order

Human beings can be a fickle bunch, especially Americans. Case in point: The five-door hatchback is unarguably one of the best arrangements for an automobile, providing ample room for adult-size occupants and their random detritus without being so large as to significantly impact fuel efficiency or make it difficult to fit into tight places.

And yet we consistently flock to ever-larger vehicles with the biggest, most powerful engines available. We opt for SUVs and crossovers in lieu of wagons and hatches; we ogle over sloping rear greenhouses, high beltlines and severely raked windshields. In short, our decisions are often dictated more by style and perception than the realities of daily life.

But we’re not here to condemn style-conscious consumers. We’re equally as enamored with the latest fashion-forward trends as the next red-blooded enthusiast. But we still have to wonder how far the ooh-it’s-pretty attention spans of car buyers will go before a lack of usability begins to hinder purchase decisions. To help answer that question, we took to the roads in and around Nashville, Tennessee in the 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe.

Continue reading 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe JCW

2012 Mini Cooper Coupe JCW

Ford’s F-Series is one of the brightest jewels in the Blue Oval crown, and the 2012 Ford F-150 has been given more sizzle with new appearance options and more meat on the bones underneath it all with expanded driveline features and options. We’ve posted the full press release after the jump, but here are some highlights:

Down where tall blades of grass tickle the underbits, Ford has equipped every 2012 F-150 with Hill Start Assist to make starting off on grades less stressful. Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum F-150s are given a new four-wheel drive system that includes an automatic mode to augment its four modes in each range. All 2012 F-150 4X4 models have the ability to be flat-towed in neutral, and an electronic-locking rear differential is available for EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V8 F-150s. Wheelbase and payload tweaks are made, as well, and your bladder will certainly notice the 756-mile range of the 2012 F-150 EcoBoost 4X4, made possible by a new 36-gallon fuel tank.

The most visible addition for 2012 is the available FX appearance package that adds visual badassery to F-150’s exterior with flat black stripes, red badging, unique head- and tail-lamps, chrome exhaust tip, and a black grille. Wheels for the FX package are flat black 20-inchers, too. The FX package also tarts up the interior with black leather on the seats set off by red piping and perforations. The steering wheel continues the theme with red stitching. Black and satin-metallic accents complete the FX package’s interior high points. There’s also a new FX Luxury package that adds heated and cooled front seats.

Ford has also launched a new Head to Head Pickup Comparison tool to help buyers figure out which configuration and powertrain best suits their needs. The tool also shows how the F-150 compares to its competition. Dive into it all after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Ford F-150 gets driveline upgrades, 750-mile range, new graphics

2012 Ford F-150 gets driveline upgrades, 750-mile range, new graphics

Could this be Seat’s version of the Volkswagen Up!? Skoda recently showed off its take on the Up! runabout, the Citigo, and it’s plausible that VW wants to make the biggest statement possible with the little car. The diminutive hatchback could also be employed to help reverse Seat’s fortunes – remember, in May of 2010, the Spanish brand was put on notice about its financial performance. An innovative and inexpensive city car could help round out the planned portfolio expansion.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, our sister UK site reported that Seat was working on a sporty version of the Up! that would be “good to drive.” However, there wasn’t any additional information at the source site, so we aren’t sure how much of the image above is an actual photo and how much is rendering. We expect it would still come, as the rest, with either the 59- or 74-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-clinder engines.

Is Seat getting its own version of the VW Up?

Behold the Sealander; Germany’s take on go-anywhere camper. This little vessel is small and light enough to be towed by any modestly-powered CUV and features a fully-configurable interior. Inside, there’s space for a four-person table, a kitchenette and a sleeping area, and there’s even space outside for a deck. Why would you want a deck on your tiny camper? Because you’ll need somewhere to stand when you take to the open seas in your home away from home. As its name suggests, the Sealander is completely amphibious. All you have to do is strap on the pint-sized motor and avoid any small craft warnings.

If you’ve got an inkling to call der Schwimmcaravan your very own, you’ll need to brush up on your German and import one from the EU. Head over to the Sealander site for more information, and check out a video of the aquatic RV in action.

Continue reading The aquatic camper we’ve been waiting for

The aquatic camper we’ve been waiting for

The Olympics are coming to London and the games are apparently a perfect opportunity for Mini to launch a new special edition. To be fair, Mini would view a sunny Tuesday as the perfect opportunity for a new special edition. Still, the Mini London 2012 Edition is here, and it’s arrival has been marked in a rather unique way.

Mini parked three examples of the all-new limited-edition Cooper side-by-side then enlisted the help of England Long Jump Champion J.J. Jegede to do what he does best.

Offered up in either Chili Red, White Silver or Lightning Blue, the Mini London 2012 Edition Coopers can be had in base, D, S or SD varieties. Each is outfitted with a pair of unique 17-inch gray wheels, red, white and blue interior stitching and a host of upgraded interior features such as lounge leather sport seats and chrome accents. The most notable interior feature, however, is the etching of the London skyline, which has a beautiful piano black backdrop.

Check out the Mini London 2012 Edition in the gallery, and click past the jump for all the details.

Continue reading Mini jumps to unveil 2012 London Olympics special edition Cooper

Mini jumps to unveil 2012 London Olympics special edition Cooper

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the Ford Raptor pickup. After all, there aren’t many vehicles you can drive straight off the showroom floor, over and through harsh desert terrain at high speed and then back again. But Ford decided its off-road-ready truck needed a few updates for the 2012 model year.

While the 2011 Raptor was quite adept at handling varied terrain, from rutted washboard surfaces to the occasional jump (within reason…), it’s four-wheel-drive system wasn’t really designed with hardcore rock climbing in mind. For the new model year, though, Ford’s extreme pickup gets a new Torsen front differential that features a helical gearset that promises to send torque to whichever front wheel has the most traction.

Another intriguing update for ‘12 is a front-mounted camera that can be ordered alongside the navigation system. This feature ought to help the driver figure out where best to steer the truck’s front wheels so as to avoid otherwise unseen obstacles. The eight-inch screen in the center of the dash will be used to display what the camera sees at speeds of 15 miles per hour or less. Oh, and there’s a dedicated washer for the camera to help keep it clean.

Besides those functional upgrades, the 2012 Raptor also gets a new optional side graphic that sports two diagonal stripes and is accented in matte, gloss and textured black. On the inside, a matte anodized blue treatment is now available on every color but Race Red (also new for ‘12). Rounding out the notable changes are optional cooled seats and new Euroflange wheels that keep their weights on the inside for better protection from off-road hazards.

Check out our high-res image gallery to see it all for yourself, and feel free to read the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Ford SVT Raptor gets new Torsen diff and interior package among 2012 changes

Ford SVT Raptor gets new Torsen diff and interior package among 2012 changes