2011 Pirelli Calendar by Karl Lagerfeld – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Pirelli Calendar is an annually produced gift, intended for friends and VIPs who associate with the top-tier tire manufacturer. It’s also become a fashion icon, with 12 months of high-art photography that typically includes nude or near-nude subjects. For the 2011 edition, Pirelli has teamed up with fashion maven Karl Lagerfeld and a host of models, both male and female, including actress Julianne Moore. The theme for this year’s calendar is Greek and Roman mythology, with Moore playing the part of Hera and Brad Kroenig portraying Zeus.
Past calendars have chosen to show off Brazil, , and even . Lagerfeld’s 2011 edition sticks to the mythology theme but was shot at his Paris studio, and then unveiled in Moscow. No, this doesn’t make a ton of sense to us either…
For additional information on the 2011 Pirelli calendar, be sure to hop past the jump and check out the press release – in all of its nearly 16,000-word glory. More importantly, safe-for-work shots from the calendar can be seen in our gallery below.
Mazda celebrates 90 years and we look at its changing logo – Click above for high-res image gallery
turns 90 years old this year, and during the Japanese automaker’s near-century of building cars, it has stayed true to the Zoom-Zoom ethos that defined it. One thing that has changed over the years, however, is its logo. In 1936, Mazda entered the world of automobile manufacturing and hit the ground running with not one, but two logos: a simple “Mazda” written in script and a triple “M” symbol that was said to be both a tie to its headquarters – home of Hiroshima City and the sense of speed and agility that Mazda puts into its cars. That triple M also served to stand for Mazda Motor Manufacturer.
Over the course of Mazda’s 90 years, its logo would be changed four more times. Today, The stylized M more closely resembles outstretched wings and the Laguna Seca Blue font below it shows just how dedicated Mazda is to making cars that are, at their core, fun to drive.
Take a look through the gallery below and travel through a timeline of Mazda logos.
Rinspeed BamBoo – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ah, . The crafty Swiss design house that has brought us funky creations like the , and has just given us a preview of its latest creation, the BamBoo. Set to debut at the next year, the BamBoo is a sort of “grown up golf cart” (Rinspeed’s words, not ours), and as its name would suggest, many of the interior components have been constructed from bamboo fibers.
So, what’s the purpose of the BamBoo? Beach assault vehicle? Tropical resort cruiser? Rinspeed offers this as an explanation:
“This open-top vehicle awakens the longing for sun, summer, for lightness and easiness, the desire to be at the beach. It is a reminiscence of the Seventies, of the south of France and St. Tropez. And one would expect to find Brigitte Bardot behind the wheel with playboy Gunther Sachs at her side heading towards Tahiti beach.”
Sounds lovely, but the Swiss designers have left out practically all of the nitty-gritty details about the BamBoo, including powertrain, interior accommodations and plans for production (if any). Nevertheless, we’ll get the full scoop at the Geneva show in March. In the meantime, check out Rinspeed’s latter-day Fiat Jolly/ Thing Acapulco in our gallery below, then for the press release.
Hyundai Azera/Grandeur caught running down the highway – Click above to watch video
We’ve seen and . Now we have clear footage of the as it rolls down the highway. The lines stay very true to what we saw in the rendering and the result is a uniquely-Hyundai, stylish full-size sedan. The big Hyun’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language comes through without being shoved in one’s face and the overall aesthetic of the car is quite appealing, with a look that reminds us of a slightly larger and more refined .
We’re really looking forward to seeing this one in the flesh, but for now all we have is the video that is waiting for you .Thanks for the tip, Paulo!
One point three inches. How much difference can it make? That depends on what you’re measuring. If you’re comparing the 2010 to the 2011, that small measurement makes all the difference in the world.
If you’re a Subie fan, you’ve already read our . The headline news for the 2010-to-2011 changeover is that the WRX gained the model’s widebody fenders and 1.3-inch wider track. Wanting to know whether the growth in girth made any difference to the affable and relatively affordable WRX, we decided to spend some quality time in the example you see here.
We learned plenty. Many things work well for the practical enthusiast. Others, not so much.
Ralph Gilles and D’Ann Rauh with the final Dodge Viper – Click above for high-res gallery
According to The Detroit News, most of the rumors we’ve been hearing about the next aren’t true. The meanest of the models won’t be riding on a modified Alfa Romeo or platform when it bows anew in 2012 as a 2013 model. The Pentastar has said while there may be some similarities to the 8C Competizione, the Viper will make use of entirely unique underpinnings and will carry significantly different proportions compared to the Italians. Part of that means doing away with the snake’s iconic long hood in favor of a design with a little more balance.
What’s more, Dodge head Ralph Giles tells the Detroit daily that the Mopar supercar won’t utilize a Ferrari engine for its power, though he stopped short of saying whether or not the old 640 horsepower V10 will survive the vehicle’s rebirth. That means that a new lump may surface, though the number of cylinders and how much horsepower it will produce remain a mystery. Thanks for the tip, Prhime.
2006 Lamborghini Gallardo SE – Click above for high-res image gallery
Back in 2005, the had been on the market for two years, and the LP560-4 was still three years away. So to spruce things up a bit, the Bolognese automaker came out with the Gallardo SE. The special edition of 250 examples were differentiated primarily by its two-tone color scheme, offsetting the primary color with black trim, inverted on the interior. Now reports indicate that Lamborghini could be planning a repeat.
The new two-tone Bicolore edition is said to be in the works, this time based on the current LP560-4 model that’s now been on the market since 2008. Like the original Gallardo SE, the new model would also likely get a new set of wheels, while a small power boost could be in the cards as well. Sources anticipate the new two-tone Gallardo to bow at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show with deliveries beginning early in the new year.
Browse through the fresh gallery of high-resolution images below for a trip down memory lane and a refresher on what we might expect from the new model.
Land Rover Defender 90 Yachting Edition by Startech – Click above for high-res image gallery
Think of yachts and you’ll likely conjure up images of opulence and luxury. The Defender 90, less so. Don’t get us wrong here: the Defender is one of the most capable and desirable off-roaders ever devised. But to that end, it’s typically a spartan and bare-bones affair. That is, until Startech came along.
The German tuning house has taken the Defender and given it a yachting theme with such touches as a brilliant white paint job, illuminated running boards, and an interior that’s literally decked out in teak wood trim, offset by navy blue leather and Alcantara. There’s also the color-keyed headlamp surrounds, grille and Recaro seat shells, plus 16-inch wheels. Have a closer look in the gallery below and get all the details in the press release after the jump.
2012 Audi A6 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Set to make its debut early next year, the is a totally revamped version of the automaker’s mid-size luxury sedan. Styled to match the , the new A6 (which, as we pointed out when it , looks a lot like the old A6) hides plenty of lightweight aluminum and high-tech steel components under its revised exterior. Inside, the A6 benefits from a wrap-around cockpit that envelops both the driver and front passenger with leather and wood, while luxury amenities – ranging from heated and ventilated seats to optional massage functionality – are all available for the taking.
The available powertrains – a choice between two gasoline engines and three diesel mills worldwide – have improved fuel economy by 19 percent, and a hybrid version will be introduced down the road. The most economic unit, a 2.0-liter TDI, is expected to achieve about 48 miles per gallon, while the hybrid will come in closer to 38 mpg. You don’t have to be totally frugal on the fuel to have some fun though, thanks to a carryover 300-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI powerplant that achieves 27 miles per gallon and runs to a limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.
The other gasoline engine is a 2.8-liter naturally aspirated unit that produces 204 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque which may or may not be available in the States (don’t hold you breath). For oil burner fans, two 3.0-liter diesel choices exist: a 204 hp/295 lb-ft example and a top-of-the-line 245 hp/368 lb-ft mill. The more powerful unit is rated at nearly 40 mpg yet runs from 0-60 in just 6.1 seconds.
The 2012 A6 Hybrid, the second hybrid behind the launch of the , will make its debut sometime after the new A6 hits the market. Power will come from a 2.0 TFSI engine paired with an electric motor that sits between the engine and the eight-speed transmission. The A6 Hybrid will be able to run on electric power alone at speeds of up to 62 mph.
Transmission options on the 2012 A6 are as varied as the available motors they pair with. A six-speed manual will join a CVT and seven-speed S-tronic automatic before the aforementioned eight-speeder arrives in the hybrid.
A mega press release chock full of A6 information is waiting for you just , and a massive photo gallery lies down below. Keep in mind these figures represent the German version of the A6, but give us a good idea of what to expect when it makes its way to the U.S.
is pinning rather high the expectations on its new , billed as “T.” According to Brian Bolain, the automaker’s national advertising and marketing manager, Lexus expects to sell about 1,000 CTs here in the U.S. each month. We wish them the best of luck, but have some serious reservations.
Consider that the combined sales of the , and (which represent the vehicles most likely to be cross-shopped with the CT) tally up about 1,500 sales per month, according to Ward’s Automotive. For what it’s worth, the 1 Series, which is the only non-dedicated hatchback and easily the sportiest of the bunch, makes up the vast majority of the segment’s sales.
As you’re surely aware, the CT 200h is indeed a dedicated hatchback and it offers up a comparatively paltry 98 horsepower from its -derived Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder, aided by another 36 ponies from its two electric motors and 28 NiMH batteries. As we said in our , that power level, particularly when coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission, doesn’t exactly incite driving excitement.
Also factor in the sales flop that is the dedicated-hybrid , a model whose yearly sales will struggle to hit half the 20,000 units Lexus had counted on, and you can see why we’re a tad skeptical that ’s luxury division will manage to move a thousand CTs per calendar flip. In any case, we figure the CT is at least as attractive as the HS, and we look forward to spending some quality time with the hybrid hatchback in day-to-day driving scenarios where it should become much more clear how the machine stacks up against its competitors.
What do you think, will the CT 200h be a hit in America? Have your say in Comments.
It recognizes hundreds of voice commands. It will interface with your Bluetooth-enabled smart phone. It was co-developed with Microsoft. Sounds like popular SYNC tech, right? Sure does, but it also smacks of Fiat’s Blue & Me system that has been in production in Europe since 2007. The technology will be available stateside when the tiny Fiat 500 goes on sale early in 2011. The cost? $500 in a base 500, and the system is standard on uplevel Sport and Lounge models.
Like the Fiat 500 itself, Blue & Me certainly sound compelling, but it’s one small niche product in a sea of cars, trucks and crossovers. Perhaps more significant is the fact that Fiat’s infotainment tech could be available in Chrysler products as early as 2012. And while B&M apparently doesn’t do everything as well as SYNC, it also carries some advantages of its own. For instance, 500 Sport and Lounge buyers can shell out an extra $400 for an optional Tom Tom navigation system that interfaces with the voice command system. Fiat also enables drivers to download their driving habits to a USB stick and load it to a website called Eco:Ville. The site will process the data and give drivers tips for more efficient driving.
So will Blue & Me become as popular as SYNC? Who knows, but at the very least it’s nice to see that competition for Ford’s system is on the way.
Want to and get the first available production model of one of the most eagerly-awaited vehicles of the decade? You can, if you’re willing to bid some money to help the Detroit Public Schools – more specifically the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, which supports math and science education.
The “first Chevrolet Volt available for retail sale” will be auctioned on through 6 p.m. (EST?) December 14, with the winner announced on December 16. The actual first retail Volt will be kept by , so the auction car will have a vehicle identification number ending in BU100002. The car includes the Light Neutral interior with dark accents, has the Premium Trim Package, Rear Camera and Park Assist Package and polished wheels. The auction starts at $50,000 and comes with a 240-volt charging station installed in the winner’s home. No word on whether of not winning the auction still qualifies you for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
As you might expect, GM is highlighting the connection between all of the advanced technology in the Volt and the math and science needed to create it. General Motors North America president Mark Reuss said in a statement that, “By encouraging Detroit-area students to pursue these topics, we hope to cultivate the next generation of engineers who will build upon the Volt’s innovative technologies.” To this end, GM will also hire 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan within the next two years. You can , but before you go anywhere, check out an official time-lapse build video of the first Chevy Volt after the jump.
2011 Honda Insight – Click above for high-res image gallery
The slow-selling hasn’t exactly stolen any of the ‘ thunder since its introduction last year, and with new green cars like the and ready to join the battle, the future of Honda’s hybrid hatch doesn’t look too bright. Still, the Japanese automaker has given the Insight a host of improvements for the 2011 model year, including a new base model that retails for $18,950 (including the $750 destination charge).
So, what do you losegain with the base Insight? For starters, a downgraded stereo system is on hand, with a single CD player and two – yes, two – speakers. Audiophiles need not apply. Remote entry is standard on the base Insight, but if you want amenities like cruise control, a USB audio interface, center armrest and floor mats, you’ll need to opt for the mid-grade LX trim. In other words, the new price leader is something of a municipal and fleet special. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the pricier EX now comes standard with steering wheel-mounted audio controls and can be optioned with navigation.
The Insight’s 1.3-liter inline-four with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist carries over largely unchanged, with fuel economy rated at 40/43 miles per gallon, city/highway. 2011 Insight models are arriving at Honda dealers as you read this, and for the full details on what’s new, for Honda’s press release.
2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet – Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford has yet to officially announce the 2012 Mustang Cobra Jet, but the full details on the car are apparently now available thanks to a Puerto Rican Ford dealer that published the specifications early on their website. The car, named after the legendary Cobra Jet drag racers of the late 1960s, was relaunched in 2008 at the SEMA show and revised in 2010 (pictured above).
Now Ford Racing is updating the car once again with a slew of new upgrades and options. The 2012 Cobra Jet will come standard with an aluminum block (previously an option) and the 5.4-liter V8 now also boasts a fortified crankshaft and upgraded forged connecting rods. The rear suspension and brakes have also been improved, and springs rates both front and rear have been optimized. New black anodized Weld Racing wheels are wrapped with Cobra Jet branded Goodyear tires with an all new compound. Finally, three colors will be offered – red, white and blue – with an optional graphics package.
Hit the jump for the full list of specs and features for the 2012 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet.
Cadillac ULC – Click above for high-res image gallery
According to Autocar, may have a burning desire to lock horns with . The site quotes designer Niki Smart as saying that the time is right for The Wreath and Crest to build a model akin to the company’s Urban Luxury Concept that we saw at this month’s LA Auto Show. His reasoning? The company needs metal that’s more appealing to European buyers than what’s available in the current lineup. That means a heavier focus on small, hatchback designs that still retain the premium Cadillac aesthetic. Smart seems to think that translates into a fighter.
With its scissor doors and 78 mpg hybrid drivetrain, the Urban Luxury Concept isn’t any closer to production than the now-iconic Sixteen Concept of years past. Even so, Smart told Autocar that GM’s Advanced Design Studio has looked into ways to make the vehicle production ready, funky doors and all. While we aren’t exactly wild about the design of the ULC, the thought of a flingable Cadillac with a V on its hatch is certainly a notion worth mulling.
Why The Most Anticipated Driving Game Ever Is Not A Must Buy
Gran Turismo 5: Review – Click above for high-res image gallery
1,000 cars. Hundreds of events. 71 track variations. Six years in development. There are lots of numbers to throw around and lots of numbers behind the latest release of Gran Turismo, the version that fans of the franchise have been aching for while suffering through delay after delay. Gran Turismo 5 is finally here, and in plenty of ways it’s the best installment that the storied franchise has seen to date.
However, it’s also the least polished release, least complete feeling and seemingly the buggiest – yes, even worse than the infamously rushed Gran Turismo 2. It’s a frustrating mix of amazing content and glaring shortcomings that will leave even the most devout GT fanboys and girls with mixed feelings. But, of course, the full story is rather more complicated than that. So let’s get to it…
2012 Audi A6 leaked images – Click above for high-res image gallery
It would seem that, despite ’s best efforts to hold back the floodwaters while teasing its fans with some rather , you appear to be looking at the German automaker’s new sedan thanks to the folks at . You’re forgiven if you have to squint a bit to notice the changes, but this is, in fact, a pretty thorough (if conservative) reworking of Audi’s middle child.
We’re digging the stylish front and rear LED lighting treatments, and the interior predictably appears to be a thing of beauty. We can’t yet say for certain what sort of powerplant options Audi will bestow upon the 2012 A6, but the car in these photos has a six-cylinder turbo diesel. Globally, we’re counting on a full slate of gasoline and diesel engines along with optional Quattro all-wheel drive, while in the States we’re likely to get a couple of petrol engines, a single TDI option and standard AWD.
The whole kit n’ kaboodle is slated for an official web unveiling tomorrow, so we should know all the details soon enough. In the meantime, check out the high-res image gallery below and let your voice be heard in the ‘Comments.’
New Stratos GT2 by Amalgam – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you’re looking for the bragging rights with four wheels, getting your hands on any of a number of exotic supercars – most of them hailing from Italy – will undoubtedly do the trick. But if every kid on the block already has one, you’ll need to go with a coachbuilt custom. Still not enough bragging rights? Then a racing version is in order.
That’s what Jim Glickenhaus did with his custom Ferrari P4/5, commissioning a second Competition model to follow the road car. Now Michael Stotschek is following the same route with his new take on Lancia’s fabled Stratos. The Pininfarina-designed New Stratos road car just made its debut at France’s Paul Richard HTTT circuit, and already reports of a racing version are popping up online.
While the original Stratos cut its teeth on the rally stage, the new model is reportedly being prepared for circuit racing in accordance with GT2 specifications. The work is reportedly being carried out by Danisi Engineering, which has previously worked with the likes of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Iveco and Pininfarina on a variety of racing machinery, from touring cars to Dakar trucks.
Few details are available at this point, but high-end model studio Amalgam has already got a 1:8 scale diecast model on its way, and as you can see from the images in the gallery below, some serious aero modifications are apparently in the works for the racing Stratos. Thanks for the tip, Chris!
Ding! There goes the charming little reminder that your car is getting low on fuel, as most new cars come straight from the factory with an audible reminder that it’s time to fill up. No big deal, right? Just takes a quick second to remember which side the filler is on, then you get out, unscrew the cap and insert the nozzle. Fill ‘er up… couldn’t be easier.
Unless you live in New Jersey or Oregon, notesThe Wall Street Journal, where it’s still illegal to pump your own gas. According to Bikram Gill, a businessman who bought up 26 gas stations in New Jersey, “Any idiot can do it.” We know for a fact that there are idiots in all 50 states, and in 48 of them, those idiots are free to handle the somewhat volatile fuel themselves. In 1951, though, the Supreme Court of New Jersey decided it was too dangerous to allow just anyone to pump gas, suggesting that the process of refueling is best left to the professionals.
Predictably, there have been attempts to change the law. In 1988, a judge issued a ruling that it was unconstitutional to disallow Americans the right to pump their own gas, but it was later overturned by a court of appeals. And again in 2006, governor John Corzine attempted to put self-service stations along the Turnpike, but the voting public said ‘No Thanks.’
And so it remains illegal to pump your own gas in Jersey. Of course, the next time it’s raining or snowing or sleeting and you need to fill up, something tells us you’ll understand…
2011 Honda Brio – Click above for high-res image gallery
has pulled the sheets off of its new small-car prototype at this year’s Thailand International Motor Show. Called the Brio, the vehicle is slated to hit the market in India and Thailand in 2011. Honda says that it intends to develop unique models for various markets, noting that the Thai version will be more efficient than its Indian counterpart. Likewise, the Indian market Brio will come with a bigger focus on driving performance to suit customer demands. As of right now, there’s no indication as to what engine powers the Brio, but early reports lean heavily toward the company’s 1.2-liter four-cylinder mill.
The Brio should help Honda tap into the growing consumer interest in economical small cars in Asia. The Japanese automaker says that the Thai version will carry an MSRP of around 400,000 baht, or around $13,200 at current conversion rates.
Still, competition at that level is fierce. Honda can expect to square off against metal from , and just to name a few. to watch a video and to check out the full press release.
