Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you live in India, your list of available supercars to purchase just grew by one very fast model. has announced it will begin selling its there. Undeterred by the nation’s 110-percent import tax, Bugatti is taking orders for the topless two-door, which will cost about 160 million rupees or $3.6 million USD. For reference, the same model would cost you about $2.24 million here in the United States or €1.6 million in places dealing with Euros. After receiving the orders, the cars will take six to eight months to be delivered
India is a blooming market for luxury goods manufacturers, and plans to follow Bugatti by shipping over its hardtop convertible sportscar. , and are already selling in India… and selling quite well, as the number of Indian millionaires continues to grow.
If you do live in India, are in fact a multi-millionaire and are on the fence as to whether a Veyron belongs in your garage, we think you should re-read our . Case closed.
2011 FordEdge Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery
That was quick. has issued a recall for a whopping 71 and models due to rear latches that are unable to be locked. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the locks weren’t programmed properly from the factory, and as such, the rear gate can’t be locked by any of the buttons inside of the vehicle or even the key fob.
NHTSA says that the problem violates the agency’s motor vehicle safety standard number 206 pertaining to locks and door retention components.
Ford will reprogram the locks free of charge, and the recall is set to get under way starting on November 1. Owners can contact Ford or the NHTSA to learn more about having their vehicles repaired.
0-60 Magazine Lexus GS450h at SEMA 2010 – Click above for high-res image gallery
is descending on Las Vegas with a host of custom-built show cars just for SEMA. A total of six models will be on hand for the aftermarket shindig, including an F Sport version of the all-new . The hybrid rolls on 18×8-inch wheels and sports a high-performance big-brake kit straight from the company’s go-fast catalog.
But the CT200h isn’t the only hybrid Lexus will be bringing to the party. In fact, all of the customized rides that the company plans to display rock a battery pack and an electric motor. VIP Auto Salon worked up an with custom wheel, exhaust and interior work as well as a trick , and 0-60 Magazine spun a few wrenches on a GS450h. That particular sedan rocks one of the wildest carbon-fiber body kits we’ve ever laid eyes on, as you can see above.
Meanwhile, Lexus set Fox Marketing loose on another LS600h L, resulting in a slightly more subdued vehicle with custom paint and a unique bumper. Finally, Paul Tolson of EST will be bringing along an with a full wide-body treatment. for the full press release and check out all the vehicles in high-res glory below.
RK Collection Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
After t, we didn’t think could find another way to toy with our emotions. We were wrong. Rob Kauffman, the owner of RK Collection and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, has teamed up with Toyota Racing development to produce a street-legal, NASCAR-inspired high-performance .
Those words don’t seem like they should go together, but the parts list for the RK Collection Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition reads like the shopping list for a potential dream car. The most important piece of that list sits under the hood: a 358 cubic inch TRD NASCAR V8 engine producing 680 horsepower, which is paired with a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission.
It’s as if Rob Kauffman was reading our dreams and then built the most exciting Camry on the planet. The RK Collection Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition will be waiting for our cameras (and our hearts) at the rapidly approaching SEMA Show in Las Vegas. for the press release.
2010 Suzuki SX4 by RoadRace Motorsports – Click above for high-res image gallery
has recalled almost 70,000 models, including a handful built in 2007 as well as those constructed between 2008 and 2010. The recall centers around faulty screws that are used to attach the vehicles’ side view mirrors. Over time, vibrations can cause the screws to loosen and the mirror may fall off. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, if that happens, a lack of visibility may lead to an accident.
While Suzuki has not yet come up with a repair schedule for the issue, the company says that replacement screws are being shipped to dealers right now, and that the problem will be taken care of free of charge. Owners can contact their local Suzuki dealer for more information. for the company’s statement on the recall.
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK testing in Death Valley – Click above for high-res image gallery
We love it when automakers go through the trouble of releasing their own spy shots. Our spy photographer friends, however, could easily see this as their own hard work being done for them. In any case, what we have here is a brand new set of photos of the next-generation testing in the Death Valley heat, prepping for its debut in 2011 ( perhaps?).
One of the new features that will debut on the 2012 SLK is its roof. This glass-paneled hardtop contraption can automatically be tinted to control how much light shines through the roof in an effort to keep the interior cooler on bright, sunny days when the top isn’t down. We’d expect this sort of technology to make its way onto the Big Daddy after the SLK’s launch, and could even be used on side windows for the rest of Merc’s product line.
Scroll through our image gallery below to see high-res shots of the SLK testing in Death Valley. Mercedes-Benz’s prolific press release is available , as well.
Ken Okuyama K.O 7 Roadster – Click above for high-res image gallery
We and have been thinking about it ever since. We’ve wondered aloud what it would be like to drive designer Ken Okuyama’s beautiful K.O 7 Roadster, and now, thanks to Motor Trend, we have an idea. The buff book recently got to spend some time with .
The K.0 7 Roadster is powered by a 210-horsepower, 1.8-liter 2ZZ-GE engine, which has been bored out to a full 2.0 liters. In their testing, M/T recorded a 0-60 time of five seconds flat. More importantly, they also state that the butterfly-doored bantamweight is “heroic in the twisties” and is more fun to drive than a Elise R, a car with which the K.0 7 shares modified underpinnings.
The former Design Director for Pininfarina, Ken Okuyama is part of the team that brought us the Enzo as well as the and . The K.0 7 Roadster is Okuyama’s vision of melding the craftsmanship and precision found in fine watches with the heart and soul of a lightweight sportscar. Okuyama is only looking to build a few of these per year, but at a price of around $240,000, the K.0 7 was never going to be a mass-production piece. Low-volume also means flexibility, however, and Okuyama admits he is looking at even more powerful engines from Cosworth, or perhaps the powertrain from the dearly departed
What happens when a KTM X-Bow and an smash into each other on the drawing board? We get the Roding Roadster 23. This is no longer just a unique-looking, lightweight sports car that because the car has now been caught in action. Despite the hate-it-or-love-it styling, this Roding Roadster 23 looks like it’s an absolute blast to drive.
The Roadster 23 weighs just 2,030 pounds and is powered by a six-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The run from 0-62 miles per hour happens in just under four seconds. Better yet, the car appears quick – not just in the straights, but around turns as well. The drivers in the video, which is waiting , toss the car around like a toy. It almost looks like the car prefers being sideways.
Unfortunately, the “23″ in the name refers to the number that will be built. So it’s highly likely that the one you see in the video is the only one you will ever see.
2010 Honda Insight – Click above for high-res image gallery
has not yet given up in the entry-level hybrid fight. There’s , for one thing, but the older hybrid isn’t being left in the dust, either. reports that some of the lessons from the Jazz are being applied to the Insight – most importantly that the “stop” time of the Insight’s stop-start cycle can now be up to 90 seconds long in Eco Mode.
Because of “obscure patenting reasons” that made the system assume a worst-case humidity situation, the previous limit was just 30 seconds. This change can save a lot of gas in city driving. There are no new mile-per-gallon numbers to tout just yet, and the change isn’t likely to affect America’s EPA figures (the government agency’s test cycle doesn’t recognize the benefits of start-stop), but it’s a nice, green upgrade nonetheless.
Honda has also apparently adjusted spring rates and made changes to the rear camber angles, the V-shaped rear suspension brace and adjusting mounts for a “better driving experience,” explains Autocar. Wonder ?
Another day, another change in the winds surrounding the Aston Martin Lagonda. After last month’s revelation that the high-riding Aston would remain nothing more than a bad dream for fans of the brand, Ulrich Bez, CEO, recently let it slip that the crossover had been given the green light. The luxury utility is slated to ride on the platform, but the company is keeping drivetrain details to itself for the time being.
The Lagonda Concept and has since existed under a hail of disparaging comments from journalists and enthusiasts alike. Last month, Aston Martin owner David Richards officially announced that the project would be scrapped. And while there was much rejoicing at the time, it appears the Bez sees dollar signs in the mega-buck crossover market, pedigree be damned.
He may not be far off of his mark, either. famously stepped into the SUV market with its and has been laughing its way to the bank ever since. It wouldn’t surprise us if Bez and the rest of the Aston Martin crew are hoping for a similar performance.
Sure enough, has been playing with ASIMO for 10 years. To mark the occasion, Honda has rolled out a new website dedicated to the life and times of its humanoid robot. There are baby pictures, adorable stories and even a video or two to sink your teeth into. You know, if you’re into that sort of thing. Of course, ASIMO itself is the result of over a quarter of a century of work on humanoid robot technology that Honda hopes will one day aid in human mobility. Additionally, the Japanese company wants ASIMO to evolve into a robot that can help people in their everyday lives, potentially taking over household chores.
For now, though, ASIMO has been busy meeting heads of state and conducting orchestras. Important work, sure, but meanwhile, ‘ one-year old is headed to outer space to lend a hand or two at the International Space station.
Damn kids.
If you want to check out the Honda ASIMO festivities, head over to the company’s robot-themed site. There’s even an iPhone app available for download. for the press release.
While has yet to unveil a wagon derivative of its /i40 family sedan, while the car has been undergoing testing around the globe. The load-lugging Korean is a lock for Europe and will doubtlessly surface in other markets, but to date, there has been no word as to whether the wagon will haul itself into U.S. showrooms.
While there’s still no official word from Hyundai, Autoblog has learned that American executives definitely want the car and are working to build a business case for it. Further, according to our source:
“We can’t comment on future product plans. But we certainly are aware of the upsurge in popularity of well-executed wagons, especially in markets like Europe where consumers demand the high degrees of versatility and fuel economy that wagons deliver. The Elantra Touring has been a terrific addition to our lineup and is a huge hit with its customers. A great wagon can bring in incremental customers who otherwise might not consider a given brand’s sedan.”
Despite and recently in favor of lifted, more crossover-like two-boxers, we still see a clear area of opportunity for a large, stylish and fuel-efficient wagon. As we’ve , hatchbacks and wagons sell in better numbers than many automakers would seem to give the bodystyles credit for, and we suspect that with the new Sonata’s , adding a second format would help them close the gap with their Japanese rivals. And while we’d love to see an affordable base model, the smart money suggests that Hyundai would have a better chance of profiting from a Sonata wagon if it were to launch with a single, higher-margin upscale model – a loaded 2.0-liter turbo, say.
What do you think – should Hyundai sell a Sonata wagon in the States? Vote in our poll below and then leave your thoughts in Comments.
Each Fall, Mother Nature puts on a spectacular display in many parts of the country. As winter approaches and days become shorter, there isn’t enough sunlight for trees to support photosynthesis. Starved of their source for energy, the leaves on many variants lose their green chlorophyll and expose bright reds, yellows and purples – hues from glucose trapped in the drying foliage.
Upstate New York is unquestionably a spectacular venue for a driving introduction to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG. Against a brilliantly painted backdrop, the facelifted full-size coupe, fitted with an all-new twin-turbocharged V8, is a near-perfect chariot for a tour of the Hudson Valley. The 536-horsepower rear-wheel-drive two-door, with its signature greenhouse sans B-pillars, offers an excellent view of the colorful canvas outside the glass. Whether gliding effortlessly down the turnpike, or rustling up a wake of fallen leaves on an autumn country road, the automaker’s flagship in this rarified segment seems to have few peers.
What is it like to drive the blown CL63 AMG? Is the big coupe able to effectively balance performance with luxury and technology? Are there any other full-size two-door vehicles on the market for this low volume to compete with? to find out…
We’ve seen more than our fair share of spy shots over the past couple of years showing test mules for the much-anticipated successor to the Pagani Zonda. What we’ve been lacking on, however, are details of the car’s specifications. Now Britain’s Autocar weekly claims to have the inside scoop on how the supercar codenamed C9 is shaping up, and it’s looking good.
First of all, the engine: AMG is once again developing the Pagani’s powerplant. But whereas the current Zonda’s V12 is naturally aspirated, the new unit – thought to be derived from the SL65’s – is tipped to carry twin turbochargers. That should help the C9 churn out some 700 horsepower and 730 lb-ft of twist – considerably more than the current model.
All that muscle is reported to be transmitted to the rear wheels via an X-trac seven-speed sequential transmission, all the while reducing carbon emissions by half. That’ll make the C9 – or whatever it’s called when it finally hits the market – Euro 5 compliant, but that’s not all. Autocar says Pagani is developing the car specifically to meet American federal regulations, meaning that the C9 will be sold Stateside whereas the current Zonda could not.
Construction is expected to take advantage of the carbon-titanium weave that Pagani developed for the ultra-exclusive , keeping weight down to around 2700 lbs. Production is supposedly to expand to 40 units per year, but Autocar expects that, despite similar pricing and a big improvement in performance, the current Zonda will continue to be built to order alongside the new model.
2007 World Champion Kimi “Räikönnen” – Click above for high-res image gallery
Someone at Ferrari World has some esplanin’ to do. A gaggle of readers with keener eyesight than us happened to notice something a little fishy about wall of World Champions in Abu Dhabi’s newest exotic-car-themed amusement park. If you look closely at the image above, you’ll notice that under 2007, the park has the winner displayed as “Kimi Räikönnen.” The only problem there is that Kimi’s name is actually spelled Räikkönen. That’s one very large mural to have replaced for a couple of swapped consonants.
Does anyone know how to say, “It’s my first day” in Arabic?
Ferrari World has already to the adoring public, so the mistake is there for the world to see for the time being. We’re guessing that the slip-up will be fixed sooner rather than later. Thanks for the tips, Seppo, Anne and Pasi from Finland!
McLaren MP4-12C GTR renderings by Jon Sibal – Click above for high-res image gallery
Could you imagine McLaren making a supercar and not racing it? Of course not. Even though the Woking, England-based outfit might have envisioned the original McLaren F1 purely as a road car, history naturally had different plans for it – and with spectacular results. So we were hardly surprised back in March when began coming in that The House That Bruce Built was planning a competition version of the new MP4-12C.
As was the case with the F1 and indicated by those earlier reports, McLaren’s plans, according to AutoWeek, involves teaming up with independent racing garages to turn its road car into a racer. In this case, that firm is said to be , a British outfit that’s racked up a considerable number of victories in GT and open-wheel racing. But CRS will hardly be going it alone. Reports have McLaren’s own people working on the design to be implemented by the outfit.
Lest you think there will only be a handful of MP4-12C competition cars on select tracks, reports have CRS building a fleet of some fifteen GT3-spec versions and another batch of GT2 machines that could find their way to Le Mans by 2013.
Peugeot 308 GTI – Click above for high-res image gallery
Some automakers call their cars by name. Others give them alphanumeric designations. The trouble with the latter is that, if you follow a formula, sooner or later the sequence is going to either run out or repeat itself. That’s the issue that Peugeot is looking at with the next generation of its popular hatchback range.
The current model is called the 308, so it would follow logically that its successor be called the 309. After that the French automaker would have to either abandon the traditional _0_ naming scheme that identifies all its products (and the _00_ for minivans and crossovers) and dip into the _1_ range, but even before that comes up, Peugeot’s facing the issue that it already produced a model called the 309 between 1985 and 1993.
Rather than reuse the same nameplate, sources speculate that Peugeot could go for a name designation like it did with the RCZ coupe. The formula would likely follow across the range, leaving sister-company Citroën to stick with its alphanumeric C_ and DS_ naming scheme.
Aston Martin One-77 does the ‘Ring again – Click above to watch video
Today’s word from the audio dictionary is “Bellow,” one of whose verb forms is defined as “alouddeepsound,asofpainoranger.” We’re going to be on the side of angry today.
But you can’t really understand those words until you watch, and listen to, the latest video of an Aston Martin One-77 (the infamous , perhaps?) testing its chops and its pipes at the Nürburgring. Along the way it runs down other ‘Ring runners like an and a , but it’s likely all they registered was a blur and a bawl. Perhaps even a bellow, if you will. for the aural treat.
2009 Nissan Cube S – Click above for high-res image gallery
At one time there were high hopes in the UK for the current generation . But in the year since its entry into the market, the quirky little box on wheels has experienced putrid sales. We’re talking a reported 686 units sold. In a year. And with no diesel version on the way.
Auto Express reports that the Cube has been so unsuccessful on the Island Nation that dealers won’t be required to have a Cube on site for demonstration purposes. And if dealers can sell twice as many copies of the also-quirky in one month (1,617 were wold in September alone) as the Cube in an entire year, we can’t see to many dealers asking for a Cube if they don’t need one.
Does this news mean anything for the future of the Cube in the U.S.? Nearly 20,000 copies of the boxy little runabout have been sold so far this year; probably not a poor enough showing for the Cube to be shown the door, but nothing much worth bragging about, either.
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Photos Copyright (C)2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.
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For most people, the 6.2-liter V8 with 411 horsepower in the is plenty. Others, like our own Jeremy Korzenewski, who said as much in his , think that it still needs more power. The solution? ProCharger, a Kansas-based company that has been adding forced induction to just about everything under the sun for the last 16 years, has developed a range of centrifugal supercharger systems for the good for up to 600 horsepower on pump gas. The 5.4 guys haven’t been left out either, with a 505-horsepower system available for the smaller V8.
Each of the packages includes ProCharger’s self-contained supercharger, a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler, larger fuel injectors and new programming for the engine’s computer. ProCharger says that the engine bay maintains an OEM appearance (it actually looks quite a bit better in our opinion), and that the blower easily fits underneath the stock hood. Pricing starts $5,446 for a tune-it-yourself kit for the 5.4-liter V8 while the full system for the 6.2-liter V8 will run you $6,496. for official details in the press release.
