More proof that Lexus is a motivated seller when it comes to its : the base price of the rear-wheel drive model won’t change from 2011. That means $46,900 (plus $875 handling) will put you into the comprehensively and vastly improved sedan – or, for any of you who might actually prefer the 2011, it means you can start licking your chops for a screaming deal. The all-wheel drive model, however, has gone up by a modest $600 to $49,450.
Underneath the redesigned styling of the 2013 GS 350 is a likewise redesigned chassis, suspension and interior that provide a much sportier ride and more room and luxury while enjoying it. Two packages called Premium and Luxury, as well as the , will fill it with further enhancements.
The price of the GS 450h will be revealed at a later date. For now, there’s a press release with all the relevant info on the GS 350 after the jump.
After dominating Le Mans-class endurance sportscar racing for years now, is left with little to prove. Plus, with sister-company returning with an LMP1 program of its own, and reportedly considering the same, rumors have been circulating that the four-ringed automaker could quit while it’s ahead. It’s something that rivals old (like Peugeot) and new (like ) were undoubtedly rooting for, but no such luck: Audi isn’t going anywhere but the finish line.
The German automaker’s racing division – which is, incidentally, undergoing a thorough shake-up in preparation for new opposition – has brought its new R18 prototype to these United States for testing at Sebring, saying little more than that it’s preparing to challenge the new FIA World Endurance Championship in the new year. But take a close look at the photos the company released along with the statement after the jump and the keenest of eyes may notice that the new R18 has undergone what looks like some significant changes.
Of course, all we can see from the outside is the aero package, but sources suggest there’s something more lurking under the skin. The Audi fanatics over at QuattroWorld insist this latest prototype is packing a hybrid powertrain, putting it up against Peugeot’s 908 Hybrid4 and Toyota’s upcoming hybrid challenger. If that’s the case, we can pretty much guarantee that whoever’s car will cross the finish line in the upcoming season of endurance racing will be doing so with a bit of battery boost, too.
The very first production car from China has made it to North America, though it’s not what you might think. In an effort to move more of its production out of Japan, has begun manufacturing models in the People’s Republic and importing them to Canada. There’s no indication that the vehicles will make their way to the U.S. in the future, however. While there are plenty of automakers who operate plants in China, only a fraction of the vehicles built there are made for export. Last year, only three percent were sent outside of the country’s borders.
Honda and other Japanese manufacturers have begun investigating production facilities outside of the U.S. to combat the rising Yen, and Honda says that the company will begin producing Fit models in Mexico for U.S. customers soon. According to The New York Times, Honda may be reticent to test the American waters with a Chinese-built vehicle for fear of risking the company’s reputation for quality and reliability. That’s despite the fact that the company says Chinese-built Fit models are held to the same production quality standards as any Honda vehicle built elsewhere in the world.
As a graphic designer for nearly 20 years, Cameron Booth credits his deep and abiding love for transit maps to his dad’s obsession with trains. The Australian-born, Portland, Oregon-based artist has adapted the infographic aesthetic of subway maps to America’s road networks, creating some beautiful new artwork in the process.
We think Booth’s work serves well as both information and art, particularly his brand-new U.S. Routes map, which includes a number of thoughtful touches (e.g. historical roads hidden as thinner route lines “beneath” current main road networks.
Booth tells Autoblog that the experience of creating this map has been an enlightening one:
“Applying a transit map template to a road network makes us look at a familiar system in a new way: Instead of the familiarity and detail of a geographically accurate road map, we’re instead presented with simplified routes, connections and bright colors. It also could be interpreted as a reflection on America’s love affair with cars.”
The U.S Routes project was quite a challenge – far more than Booth’s previous maps, which includes the less involved but equally striking Interstate Highway graphic. Taking over a year to complete, Booth admits that this is probably his toughest-ever undertaking.
The artist is now taking prepaid orders for U.S. Routes prints in various sizes, but the holidays and a need to get a print run together will mean that those orders probably won’t be processed until some time in early January. Check out more detailed shots of U.S. Routes, as well as his work (including some great photography) at his website, , and if you’re interested in ordering one of his prints, .
The Dubai Autodrome will play host to a very special guest for the 2012 Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai race.
In addition to the scads of GT3-spec , , and , the pace car running in front of them will be none other than the Nissan Juke R.
The 480-horsepower / mash-up hasn’t made its debut in front of the public yet, so unless has a surprise up its sleeves before the race, which is scheduled for the weekend of January 12-14, this will be Juke R’s coming out party. We won’t be on hand to snag shots of the R in Dubai, but rumor has it that it could make its first Stateside appearance at the .
In the interest of full disclosure, that’s my byline on . Yes, it’s , and you are of course strongly encouraged to let me have it in the comments. Anyone who calls out 50 different automotive brands for their worst FAIL moments had better have thick skin, which I do.
I also have a sense of humor – and not for a minute do I or anyone else at our sister site that weighed in on the list think it is as definitive as it is funny. If you’ve been around the classic car hobby for a while, you come to realize that there is a charm to be had in even the worst cars. Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s meant witnessing the Dark Ages of the auto industry firsthand, the era from which many of these vehicles hail. While these cars were not a lot of fun to own back then, today we can look back and laugh at them, the automotive equivalent of polyester jumpsuits and acid wash jeans.
There are undoubtedly many more vehicles that could be added to the list, so feel free to join in the discussion after .
There was a golden era of coachbuilding models, and there is the modern era of coachbuilding Ferraris. In between there was very little such activity, but its rebirth was heralded largely by the coupe you see here.
As the story goes, the inspiration for this car dates back to the original Ferrari 250 GTZ, which Zagato built in the late 1950s. One such example landed in the collection of a noted Japanese collector by the name of Hayashi, who sought to celebrate the original’s 50th anniversary. So in 2005, Hayashi contracted Zagato to build a modern interpretation of the original based on the 575 M. Ferrari gave its blessing, but since the new was set to debut at the 2006 , they asked Zagato to delay their unveiling until Villa d’Este two months later.
The reaction to the 575 GTZ was so positive that Zagato put it into production, albeit in extremely small numbers. Only six examples were made, with the first two going to Mr. Hayashi – and this is one of them. Whereas the first example received a two-tone silver paint job, this second example was painted black with a green interior. And now it has come onto the market.
Although the one ever built recently went up for sale, the opportunity to get your hands on an original Zagato limited edition as exclusive as this car is a rare one indeed. It’s on sale at Symbolic Motor Car Company of La Jolla with just 2,800 miles on the clock, though there’s no asking price listed and it isn’t street legal in California. Check it out in the high-res image gallery for a closer look.
Ever since the launch of the, uh, polarizing , the rumormill has been buzzing with word that might someday to the lineup. Makes sense, since the on which it’s based offers a four-pot, and the CUV’s key competitor, the , also offers a more efficient four-cylinder powertrain.
The 2012 Crosstour – remember, it no longer wears the Accord name – will now be offered with a 2.4-liter inline-four in its EX and EX-L trims. Rated at 192 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, the front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder Crosstour is good for up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway (21 mpg in the city), and is mated exclusively to a five-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the top-trim EX-L V6 model, none of the four-cylinder Crosstours will be available with all-wheel drive. What’s more, four-cylinder models will ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, whereas six-cylinder Crosstours can be had with 18-inch rollers.
New powertrain aside, the Crosstour remains largely unchanged for 2012. A couple of new paint colors are available, and formerly optional equipment like Bluetooth, auto headlights, a backup camera and an automatic dimming rearview mirror are now standard. for the full details in Honda’s press release.
Consumer Reports and the haven’t had the best of relationships. The model failed to earn the publication’s coveted “recommended” designation for the first time in the vehicle’s history after an extensive redesign, but CR has found space in its heart for the 2012 Civic SI.
The more sporting version of the venerable compact managed to pickup a recommended rating thanks to additional torque from its revised 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine as well as a quality transmission and good fuel economy. Unfortunately, CR still docked the vehicle for many of the same problems it had with the base Civic, including vague steering, cheap plastics inside and a noisy cabin.
Those faults helped the beat out the Honda Civic SI in a recent head-to-head competition. Evaluators specifically cited the precise steering of the GLI as well as suspension tuning that yields little body lean as benefits, though at 27 miles per gallon, the model averaged 2 mpg less than the Honda. It’s worth noting that the Jetta GLI is still to new to have earned a recommended rating. for the full press release.
While the Tokyo Motor Show is a stage for the world’s manufacturers to strut their production models, the Tokyo Auto Salon allows designers and engineers to stretch their legs with custom hardware. This year, is bringing 10 special models to the Tokyo Auto Salon, including a custom version of the recently-released .
The custom CX-5 wears special paint, a lowered ride height and unique wheels for a significantly sportier appearance. Likewise, the company’s Demio also receives a little attention, and visitors to the show can expect to see the Demio 13 Skyactiv Smart Stylish bow alongside the CX-5. The pint-sized hatch makes use of a few aero treatments including a front underspoiler, side skirts and rear underskirt.
The new Axela Skyactiv will also be on display, complete with a body kit of its own, along with a sharp-looking set of wheels. Visitors can take a closer look at a pair of custom Roadster models as well, including the Black Tuned version and a racing-spec version called the Jimba-Ittai, or Rider and Horse as one. We like the sound of that. to read the full press release.
Thanks to the folks at Road & Track, we got at the -bound concept yesterday, and to follow suit, has released its first official image showing the new two-plus-two in all its glory. We don’t know much about the new coupe, except that the design was “crafted from a clean sheet of paper,” and that “the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine.”
Alright then.
We’ve suggested that the LF-LC could be a Lexus LS-based coupe to take on the likes of the and , but we won’t know exactly what’s in store until the concept car is revealed next month. For now, scroll through our attached image galleries – one of the official Lexus shots, the other of the leaked R&T images – and for Lexus’ brief press release.
Is 42 MPG The Ultimate Answer To The Ultimate Question?
On paper, it sounds like an enthusiast’s dream. Start by trimming almost 100 pounds from the curb weight of the base . Then drop the optional turbocharged engine underhood, bolted to a six-speed manual transmission. Lower the suspension and mount some lightweight, forged alloy wheels. Finish it off by sticking a little spoiler on the decklid, along with a special badge.
Where do we sign up?
But the car we’ve described isn’t the stuff of boy racer fantasies; it’s not even a performance car at all. No, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco is not meant to run circles around the competition on an autocross course as much as it is designed to pirouette its way around the Environmental Protection Agency’s fuel economy test. It’s the greenest machine to wear a Bowtie this side of the , boasting a highway fuel economy of 42 miles per gallon. But that heady figure is accomplished without the benefit of any advanced hybrid powertrain technology. The Cruze Eco is an impressive package that proves GM’s smarts and gives the company further green bragging rights. That said, we’re not entirely sure it’s the Cruze we’d park in our driveway.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has concluded its investigation into vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The agency looked into a total of 364 reports of shift quality issues supplied by and they’ve reportedly determined that owners have experienced no loss of mobility or any unreasonable safety risk due to the problems. According to Inside Line, Ford identified several possible issues that could have contributed to difficulty shifting, including cold transmission fluid, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash and loosening clutch plate bolts in early production vehicles. Ford has since replaced those fasteners with new hardware currently used in production.
The automaker said that the majority of the gear shift issues were due to the transmission not being up to operating temperature while driving and that the problems sorted themselves out after the drivetrain warmed up. Had NHTSA found any glaring issues with the transmission or clutch in the 2011 and 2012 Ford Mustang models, Ford may have been forced to issue a recall.
It’s been a good year for . The company marked its 100th anniversary in 2011 and is set to beat its all-time sales record. That’s not a bad way to celebrate if you ask us, particularly just a couple of years removed from the bankruptcy of its parent company. The automaker has sold 4.8 million units worldwide through November, and December isn’t looking to slacken the pace. Chevrolet managed to carve out nearly half a percentage point of additional global market share this year. What’s more, sixty percent of the company’s vehicles are now sold outside of the U.S. in a bid to move Chevy more into the global arena. That’s thanks in part to growth in markets like China, Vietnam, Europe and South Korea as well as solid sales in familiar stomping grounds like South America.
Here in the States, Chevrolet is slotted behind first-place in total consumer market share. Even so, vehicles like the may soon improve the automaker’s fortunes. General Motors says Chevrolet dealers have just a 17-day supply of the new B-segment bruiser.
The has some strange skeletons knocking bones in its closet, including the Mustero. Believe it or not, the Mustang/Ranchero hybrid you see above was actually a -licensed product. The company authorized Beverly Hills Mustang LTD to produce the machines for just two years.
At the time, the conversion came carrying a price tag of $6,500. That made the Mustero as expensive as the Shelby Cobra. Needless to say, buyers weren’t exactly lining up with cash in hand for a pint-sized pickup sports car, and only 50 were ever produced, including this well-restored example.
According to the owner, this ‘66 Mustero received a complete restoration in the ’80s and has been carefully stored indoors since then. A 289-cubic-inch V8 lurks under the hood, mated to a three-speed manual gearbox. Manual steering and brakes are part of the party as well, so be prepared for a work out when it comes time to wheel this machine through town.
The vehicle currently sits with a Buy It Now price of $32,500. Head over to for a look at the listing.
What’s in a name? That depends who you ask. And that will also determine whether you think it’s a big deal or not that Faralli & Mazzanti have changed the name of their latest model before it even hit the market.
A couple of weeks ago we brought you of a vehicle being made by the obscure Italian automaker. Then it was called the Mugello, after the famed Italian race track. Maybe the circuit’s owners (just happens to be ) objected to the use of the name, or maybe F&M just had a change of heart. One way or another, the finished product you see here is called the Evantra.
Regardless of the nameplate, the Evantra packs a serious punch, and some serious exclusivity. Only five examples are set to be produced, and each owner can specify either a naturally-aspirated or twin-turbo version of the 3.5-liter flat six that sits amidship, delivering either 400 or 600 horsepower, and either composite or custom aluminum bodywork.
With the right combination, the Evantra can way as little as 1200 kg (2645 lbs) and hit 62 from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds. But while the carbon bodywork may be the lighter option, the aluminum offers buyers a chance to fine-tune the intriguingly-ported design to make it their own. You know, just in case one of the other four also happens to be in your neighborhood.
We’re still a couple weeks away from the , but the Lexus LF-Lc has leaked thanks to the crew at Road & Track and their YouTube account.
We still don’t know much about Detroit-bound concept, but the swoopy coupe combines some of the more emotive elements of the , along with the grille of the that eventually formed the basis of the . The massively elongated hood terminates with headlamps that plummet deep into the air intakes and a more extreme grille than that found on the Predator-esque fascia of the Gh.
With an “Lc” designation, this could signal Lexus’ intention of building an -based coupe to take on the likes of the , but until the official curtains are pulled in Detroit, we’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, check out the video for the unintentional early reveal. As long as it stays on YouTube…
is still a year away from delivering its first , but the up-start automaker has released official pricing details on its all-electric sedan, along with options and battery specs.
Pricing for the Model S is broken down depending on battery capacity and the resulting range, with the 160-mile version commanding $57,400, the 230-mile variant priced at $67,400 and the 300-mile Model S coming in at $77,400. There’s also the $87,400 Perfomance model which has the same 85-kWh battery as the 300-mile version. It’s worth noting that if you check , Tesla lists pricing after the $7,500 federal tax credit, which is a bit disingenuous, but to Tesla’s credit, it has kept pricing perfectly in line with previous announcements.
The battery specs have also been officially announced, with the 40-kWh pack providing a 160-mile range, a top speed of 110 miles per hour and a 100,000-mile warranty; the 60-kWh pack juicing up for 230 miles, a 120 mph top speed and a 125,000-mile warranty; and finally, the aforementioned 85-kWh battery pack delivering 300 miles of range and a 125 mph top speed in standard spec and a 130 mph top speed in the Performance version. The last two come with an unlimited mileage warranty and Tesla makes a point to clarify that ranges are based on an average speed of 55 mph.
Standard kit includes 19-inch wheels and that awesomely massive 17-inch touchscreen display in the dash, while 19-inch aerodynamic wheels that boost range by another 20 miles are optional and come in at $1,500. If you’re so inclined, you can opt for 21-inch hoops ($3,500), metallic paint ($750), panoramic roof ($1,500), Nappa leather ($1,500), air suspension ($1,500) and the $3,750 Tech Package which includes back-up camera, a power hatchback and keyless entry. You can also option up for an upgraded onboard charger good for 20 kilowatts and an additional 62 miles of range per hour ($1,500), along with a high-power wall connector for the custom charging system that will set you back $1,200.
Christmas just came a few days early for fans with the announcement of the A1 Quattro, a high-performance, limited-edition version of Audi’s subcompact hatch.
As its name would imply, the A1 Quattro comes equipped with the automaker’s legendary all-wheel-drive system, with power provided by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder used in the S3. The reworked mill puts out 252 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm – a boost of more than 70 hp and 74 lb-ft over the standard 1.4-liter A1.
A six-speed manual shuttles that power to a Haldex AWD setup and on to center-locking 17-inch wheels that ape the original 80s-era Quattro’s style. There’s no word on weight, but Audi claims the hi-po A1 will match the S3’s 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds and top out at 152 mph.
In addition to grippy 225/35 R18 rubber, the wheel wells are filled with a modified MacPherson strut suspension in front and a multi-link setup out back, while the braking hardware has been upgraded with larger discs at all four corners with black painted calipers. The electromechanical steering has also been tweaked to provide a 14.8:1 ratio, the ESP has been modified for high-performance duty and a new electronically controlled differential lock will keep wheelspin at bay. Although Audi decided to keep the rear seats in place, the AWD components have reduced trunk space to 7.4 cubic feet – or 2.1 cubes less than the standard model. Not that you care.
The exterior speaks for itself, drawing cues from past Audi concepts and a few bits from the S and RS lines, while the interior receives a new instrument panel, aluminum pedals, seriously bolstered buckets and black leather with red contrast stitching.
The A1 Quattro is an S1 in everything but name, and it’s set to go on sale later next year with only 333 units on offer. And naturally, the U.S. is left out. We’re as irritated as you. Get even more disappointed by reading all the details in the press blast .
Road Inc. is like an interactive coffee table book of classic cars.
It’s become the hackneyed phrase of the decade, but yes, there’s an app for that. And this, and the other. So when we tell you that Pyrolia’s Road Inc. is a must-have for iPad owners, you might think we’re exaggerating, that this is just one of those dozens of apps that one day you might get around to downloading, but then again, you might not. Should you choose to interpret our suggestion in that fashion, you would be wrong. And if you miss the opportunity to , for just $0.99 instead of the usual $9.99 price, well then, you’re just foolish.
To read why we say so and see a demonstration video of the app, click .
