Lacking the fanfare of a flashy press conference, the arrived at the sporting an upgraded interior and new wheel options ( is one of the few automakers still following the actual calendar when it comes to model year introductions, meaning 2012 models are just now flowing into the North American marketplace).
While hardly lacking lavishness, the Evora’s cockpit has been further enhanced with additional leather on the door panels and lower sills. There is a new trim ring around the transmission shifter, the standard Recaro seats have been re-upholstered with upgraded leather (with contrasting piping and woven fabric inserts) and the bright brushed metal dashboard has a new dark finish for better contrast. Rounding up the interior alterations, the loathed Alpine audio/navigation system has been replaced with a superior system from Pioneer.
The standard alloy wheel package remains a staggered 18- and 19-inch setup, but Lotus is also offering a new 19- and 20-inch wheel package with several different finishes including a gorgeous matte anthracite (). The 2012 Lotus Evora / Evora S is rolling into showrooms today.
The is a Dutch take on the flying car, and whereas its Terrafugia contemporary is more like a plane you can drive, the PAL-V One (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) is perhaps more accurately called a driving gyrocopter. According to the company, this flying Dutchman can reach terrestrial speeds of 112 miles per hour and its fuel economy checks in at 28 miles per gallon on the ground. Then once you’ve found a suitable place to take off, you unfold the auto-rotating main rotor, the gas-engine powered propeller extends, and you can take to the air. Max airspeed is also 112 mph, and airborn range is listed at 220-315 miles.
The PAL-V One has finished its maiden flight and is now working to secure investors for the commercialization phase – the company hopes to start delivering production models in 2014. to watch video of the PAL-V one in action on its maiden voyage.
Shelby is celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion, the performance gurus rolled out the very first Cobra ever constructed.
Assembled by Carol Shelby himself, the roadster is the very first pairing of an AC Ace and V8 engine. Shelby first opted to slide a 221 cubic-inch eight-cylinder under the hood before later switching to a 260 cube engine tuned to around 260 horsepower. He beefed up components like the chassis tubes, spindles, rear differential and springs to build a car capable of handling the uptick in power.
Flash forward 50 years, and the CSX2000 looks surprisingly good. Gentle tears on the seats, a well-worn shifter and flawed paint lend the impression that this beast is in perfectly unmolested condition. Consider us in love. Currently, the first in a long line of snakes is valued at around $20 million, though Shelby himself says he has no intention of selling the vehicle any time soon. We can’t blame the guy.
First , the reborn, all-electric Delorean has made a surprise appearance at the this year. It’s a surprise because not even Delorean Motor Company president Stephen Wynne knew he was going to be here until a few weeks ago, when show organizers called with an invite.
With a prime spot near the EV ride along track – the DMCev is sadly not involved – Wynne said he’s been getting good attention, even though said track is in the basement. We asked Wynne what’s been going on with the car since last fall’s announcement and the short answer is that this is one EV concept that’s going into production.
The target date for fans to buy the DMCev is early 2013, but a lot has to happen between now and then. Right now, all the company has is the converted DMC-12 to show off the technology. To create this, the designers had to add 200 pounds of stuff, and the production version is going to be either the same weight as the gas version, or a few pounds less, in order to improve both performance and range. The car is powered by a 32-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack and has a 125 mile per hour top speed with a range of 100 miles. Published specs claim a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds, but Wynne said the target is now under six seconds. Price for all this fun? $95,000.
DMC will assemble the car in Houston, TX with a lot of help from Louisiana’s Epic EV, the company working on (not the ). These two companies are testing different motor/inverter combinations for the electric Delorean, and Wynne said they are looking for a “proven product” from a company that has at least “several hundred” units on the road. The current prototype also uses a DC motor, but the production will use AC for better range, performance and regenerative braking ability. The is also due for an upgrade
Those are the details we could glean in New York. Can you believe we made it through this entire post without a Back To The Future reference? The DMCev can’t do it, though, with a license plate that reads “” and a battery that carries the “Flux Power” nickname. For more, you can watch a video of Translogic going for a ride in the DMCev down , where you’ll also find a related press release.
, and now our spy shooters have caught it testing. The good news is that the car still looks stunning. The bad news is that’s because the original design has aged so well.
What we’re seeing in these photos doesn’t indicate much has changed outside of minor tweaks to the front fascia that seem mostly designed to accommodate new headlights with a different LED pattern. The rear fascia and taillights are similarly reconfigured, with round twin tailpipes like the , but without the side ducting.
When they sent us the images, KPG Photography also speculated that this forthcoming R8 update will ditch the R-tronic sequential automatic transmission for a dual-clutch gearbox. That’s in line with , which indicate that the DSG will be the only transmission available.
We’ve got shots of both the coupe R8 and the R8 Spyder, including some taken at night where it’s easier to see the new LED designs. Check out all the high-res images in our .
As is tradition, Day Two of the kicked off with the annual World Car of the Year awards. Global entries competed for honors in four different categories, and from the initial list of 34 contenders, the final four were selected this morning.
The big winner was the subcompact, which takes home the honor of World Car of the Year, beating out its other finalists, the and . We’ve had a chance to drive VW’s tiny runabout and, while it would be hard for the automaker to justify offering something this small in the United States (right now), we’d gladly welcome its tossable city dynamics and efficiency here on our shores. With a small bump in power, it could certainly show the who’s boss.
But the Up! wasn’t the only car praised in New York this morning. The new 991-series Porsche 911 was named World Performance Car of the Year, besting other nominees like the and . Stiff competition, for sure, but you just can’t match the 911’s razor-sharp precision, not to mention that this new 991 model is easily the best 911 yet.
Moving on to a different sort of performance, the took top honors for its eco-performance, securing the World Green Car of the Year award. In this segment, the other two finalists were the and Peugeot 3008 Hybrid greenlings.
Lastly, the WCOY jury selected the for the World Car Design of the Year – not really a surprise, seeing as how the baby Range Rover has been praised for its styling ever since the day it launched. Our condolences to the Citroën DS5 and Volkswagen Up! – you guys just aren’t pretty enough.
Stay tuned for more details about this year’s awards later today.
Full disclosure: Author is a juror and co-chair of the World Car of the Year Awards.
The will receive a significant refresh for the 2013 model year, and the majority of the changes are indeed more than skin-deep. That’s because the 2013 Ram will hit the showroom floor with a host of powertrain upgrades, including features that have never been offered on American pickup trucks until now.
Chrysler promises that the new 3.6 will improve fuel efficiency by “at least 20 percent.”
Many of the Ram’s new technologies speak to its fuel-saving nature, including an eight-speed automatic transmission for both six- and eight-cylinder models, stop-start, improved aerodynamics, electric power steering, grille shutters and an auto-adjusting air suspension. The air suspension is essentially a version of the setup used in the and features an Aero Mode, lowering the ride height by 1.2 inches to help cut through the wind more efficiently. Ram will also offer the Chrysler Group’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as the base powerplant, delivering 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. For reference, rates the pickup’s naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 at 302 hp and 278 lb-ft.
Chrysler promises that the new 3.6 will improve fuel efficiency by “at least 20 percent” compared to the old 3.7-liter unit. Another 20 percent added to 20 miles per gallon on the highway and 14 mpg in the city equates to a class-leading 24 mpg highway and 17 mpg city.
Of course, V8 power is available, courtesy of Chrysler’s tried-and-true 5.7-liter Hemi, which now delivers 395 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque. That’s five more horsepower compared to the 2012 model, and that improvement comes courtesy of the new electronic power steering system. The most impressive part is that the Hemi-equipped model will also boast 20 percent better fuel economy, thanks largely to the fact that the eight-speed automatic is also fitted to this eight-pot mill. Chrysler will announce official fuel economy numbers closer to the Ram’s on-sale date.
The Ram 1500 can achieve these substantial efficiency gains because of the aforementioned fuel-sipping technologies, but engineers have also cut considerable weight. The V6 powertrain is an amazing 76 pounds lighter than the outgoing 3.7-liter, and the TorqueFlite eight-speed and Hemi combine for a 30-pound reduction in the 5.7-liter model. Other weight savings come from an aluminum hood (26 pounds), chassis with more high-strength steel (up to 30 pounds), new floor cross-members in the bed (seven pounds), new front bumper (four pounds) and the electronic steering system (four pounds).
Additional improvements include upgraded exterior styling, a richer-looking cabin and a stiffer chassis that promises decreased noise, vibration and harshness. The Ram will also feature improved available infotainment tech, including an 8.4-inch navigation screen and a configurable seven-inch thin-film transistor screen that is standard on Sport, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn models.
to read over the Chrysler press release, which includes a ton more information. You can also watch a few videos that highlight some of the new features.
This is the 2013 Concept, along with its “more capable-looking styling” that’s been revealed today at the .
is re-aiming the Crosstour at “active consumers,” so those new capable looks come down to foglights shrouded in embossed polygons, and the soft-roader rugged-esque front bumper, and dark trim skirting the bodywork. There’s also a new grille that helps clean up the front end. The rear gets stressed horizontals to emphasize the concept’s width, but this is the only photo Honda has released, so we’re not sure yet what other changes (if any) are in store for the 2012 model. The new face looks modestly better than the original, but based one what we see here, we’re unclear how this updated look will improve the Crosstour’s frigid sales.
Inside, Honda says the new production Crosstour will be available with an eight-inch display and LaneWatch blind-spot detection along with updated trim and keyless ignition. As before, motivation will come courtesy of a 192-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 that shifts through a six-speed paddleshift transmission (Honda promises that the latter has been reengineered for more power). Don’t be fooled by the 19-inch wheels, though – the production version set to go on sale this Fall will get 18-inchers.
We’ll update this article with a gallery of live images shortly after the Crosstour Concept’s official debut at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more views of its “capable-looking” refreshening.
This is the 2013 Concept, along with its “more capable-looking styling” that’s been revealed today at the .
is re-aiming the Crosstour at “active consumers,” so those new capable looks come down to foglights shrouded in embossed polygons, and the soft-roader rugged-esque front bumper, and dark trim skirting the bodywork. There’s also a new grille that helps clean up the front end. The rear gets stressed horizontals to emphasize the concept’s width, but this is the only photo Honda has released, so we’re not sure yet what other changes (if any) are in store for the 2012 model. The new face looks modestly better than the original, but based one what we see here, we’re unclear how this updated look will improve the Crosstour’s frigid sales.
Inside, Honda says the new production Crosstour will be available with an eight-inch display and LaneWatch blind-spot detection along with updated trim and keyless ignition. As before, motivation will come courtesy of a 192-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 that shifts through a six-speed paddleshift transmission (Honda promises that the latter has been reengineered for more power). Don’t be fooled by the 19-inch wheels, though – the production version set to go on sale this Fall will get 18-inchers.
We’ll update this article with a gallery of live images shortly after the Crosstour Concept’s official debut at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more views of its “capable-looking” refreshening.
has used the to show off its new , which was announced at The Spring Festival, a small-scale event held in Southern California for Mopar LX fans and owners. Besides being seen by those select few, this is the coupe’s first public showing.
Powered by the same 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet torque as the base model, this machine gets a performance boost via an upgraded suspension package called the Super Sport Group. Updates include firmer front and rear shocks, larger front and rear sway bars, wider P245/45R20 Firestone Firehawk tires and steering that’s 25-percent quicker.
As you can see, there are also a bunch of exterior tweaks, including the big red stripe down the center, red-striped 20-inch wheels with a Pitch Black treatment and a body-color rear spoiler. Inside, the exclusive availability of heated front performance seats in Radar Red leather is the biggest news, but Dark Slate Grey is also available. The optional Exterior hues are Bright Silver Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Bright White and Pitch Black.
Want one? Dodge says the Rallye Redline will be available this month starting at $28,745 (plus $925 for destination). See the machine yourself in our high-res image gallery of live photos above.
Although we don’t doubt it’s been done, turning a Dodge Neon or into a race car would be a bit of a stretch. The , however, is another beast entirely. So people stood up and noticed when Dodge announced it was of its Alfa Romeo-based compact sedan – with no less prominent a performer than Travis Pastrana behind the wheel – in the Global RallyCross Championship.
Now the rally-spec Dart has debuted here under the bright lights of the – all 600 horsepower of it. And as far as competition versions of Dodge economy sedans go, it sure looks the business. Especially since Alfa hasn’t taken the Giulietta on which the Dart is based to any races we’ve seen, anyway. Check it out in our gallery of high-resolution photos from the Javitz Center show floor.
Remember the stunning that debuted at last year’s ? Guess what, kids – it’s coming to production. Well, sort of.
has officially announced that a new entry-level sports car will come to market next year and that it will indeed carry the “F-Type” moniker. But unlike the coupe concept that we saw in Frankfurt, the automaker has revealed that the F-Type will be a two-seat roadster.
No other official details have been confirmed, though Jaguar’s press release confirms that “a range of engines will be available, including a new powerplant family.” For reference, the C-X16 concept came with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 – good for 376 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque – matched with a “Push to Pass” hybrid system controlled by a steering wheel-mounted button that delivers an additional 92 hp and 173 lb-ft of twist when pressed.
Jaguar will announce the full F-Type model range and details later this year (likely at the ) and the car will go on sale in mid-2013. for the official press release and to watch – and hear – a disguised prototype.
There is no sugar-coating the fact that the has been a dud since Day One. Honda’s luxury brand is painfully aware of this fact, especially since . Then again, the RL has suffered the indignity of being outgunned by a lower-priced model , so we can see how selling one has been an uphill climb for dealers. But has an all-new luxury flagship waiting in the wings, and it’s seen its first light of day as the RLX Concept, which just debuted at the .
Honda is quick to point out that the sedan will provide large car interior volume in a mid-size package.
Like most other Honda/Acura concepts, the RLX is sure to look much the same in production trim. The concept features a new design direction for the upscale marque, with more understated yet elegant lines that just look more expensive than the outgoing RL. With the exception of the fussy concept car wheels, we think it looks rather crisp, though it is very conservative and has a trunk that reminds us more than a little bit of the when viewed in profile. The concept appears to be quite large as well, but Honda is quick to point out that the sedan will provide large car interior volume in a mid-size package.
The RLX concept arrives packing some advanced technology under the hood as well, including an all-new 3.5-liter V6 mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. But the reworked V6 and all-new transmission is just part of the powertrain story. The concept also features an advanced Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system that helps boost overall power to a V8-like 370 horsepower.
The concept features a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system that boosts power to a V8-like 370 horsepower.
The “hybrid” part of that title includes what Acura is calling a “unique dual electric motor drive unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system.” Basically, it’s a through-the-road electric all-wheel-drive setup with torque vectoring on the rear axle. The same Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system first appeared on the NSX concept, and we disguised as a last November. Acura promises fuel economy numbers of at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway and in the city.
The production RLX will also be available sans electric-AWD system, with 310 horsepower coming solely from the 3.5-liter V6. The front-wheel-drive version will feature a plethora of technology that improves handling, including Amplitude Reactive Dampers, a new double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. It will also weigh in “well under 4,000 pounds,” which should help in the handling department.
The production Acura RLX should be available in early 2013. to read Acura’s official press release and click on the image above to view the RLX concept in high resolution while you wait for our live shots from the show floor.
When the gets overhauled, , you know it’s not long before its corporate sister, the , gets revisited as well. And has done exactly that this afternoon at the , with the new model doing what the ES does best: Surprise no one.
, the biggest news is the announcement of a hybrid ES, a move that should be the final . This new hybrid is essentially the Camry hybrid in a nicer package, powered by the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder fitted with the ubiquitous hybrid system. As it does in the hybrid , Lexus will offer a sport drive mode, as well as an EV mode. Lexus estimates that the ES hybrid will have 40-mile-per-gallon combined fuel economy, matching that of the Camry Hybrid XLE (a number that presumably will give it best-in-class bragging rights).
The ES gets the new Lexus spindle grille treatment and a 1.8-inch longer wheelbase, but changes to the sheetmetal aren’t as dramatic as the upgraded cabin. The instrument panel now resembles the one in the GS, with a horizontal treatment and a big LCD screen, along with the love/hate Lexus Remote Touch Interface controller snuggling next to the gearshift in the center console. New seats boast a leather-alternative NuLuxe covering, although real hide is also available, along with premium semi-aniline leather. Somehow, Lexus has even managed to find an extra four inches of legroom up front.
The ES 350 will still mate Toyota’s proven 3.5-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic, driving the front wheels. But Lexus says it’s modified the suspension and steering in this generation of ES to improve handling – and it’s even cut the curb weight of the 2013 ES by 90 pounds.
The has made its long-awaited debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show. In an effort to further distance the model from the very successful , the MKZ now wears a more aerodynamic and distinctive shape, complete with a new interpretation of the family’s split wing grille. Max Wolff, the design director, says the grille is supposed to invoke the image of an eagle descending on its prey, though we see more splattered butterfly in the fascia. Still, the smallish, adaptive headlight arrays and contoured hood are a huge step forward for this luxury sedan.
Out back, massive C pillars dominate the design’s posterior, though the clipped tail and handsome trunk deck give the vehicle plenty of identity. Inside, the 2013 MKZ is beautifully executed as well, with attractive interiors and a clean center stack design made possible by the lack of a traditional gear selector.
The sedan will debut with a total of three driveline options, including a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder good for 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque as the base engine. A 3.7-liter V6 is also available with 300 horsepower, while fuel-economy minded buyers can turn toward the MKZ Hybrid with its 188 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor. So far, no EPA estimates are available for the hybrid, though the four-cylinder is expected to fetch 22 mpg city and 33 mpg on premium fuel. Expect to find front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, with both non-hybrid models relying on a six-speed automatic gearbox to put power to the wheels, while the electrified four-door makes use of a CVT. for the full press release.
has finally pulled the sheets back on its . The convertible counterpart to the hardtop that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show bows with the same vicious turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 under the hood. Good for 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the convertible should be able to launch to 62 mph in around 4.1 seconds. BMW hasn’t mentioned the weight difference between the hardtop and the convertible, though the automaker stressed the 2013 model has shed significant weight over its predecessor. The “base” 2013 BMW M6 Convertible will leave the showroom with 19-inch M-designed wheels, though larger 20-inch alloys are also available.
The vehicle will land on U.S. shores this summer ahead of its hardtop brethren. The big question is whether or not BMW will offer the convertible with an honest manual gearbox. So far, BMW hasn’t said much in that direction beyond saying the possibility is “under consideration.” Given the M6 Convertible target demographic, we’d say that we doubt it, but you never know – BMW has had a noteworthy habit of building America-only manual transmissions models as of late. for the full press release.
General Motors has just unveiled its facelifted at the today. The big crossover has abandoned the company’s corporate grille in favor of a new design that’s expected to eventually make its way to the rest of the utility vehicle stable. With three chrome-finish bars across the upper grille inlet, more expressive headlamp arrays and a new foglight design, the 2013 Traverse looks a bit more conservative and polished than it did before, at least from up front. Move past the A-pillar, however, and the vehicle looks plenty familiar. Even with a new hatch, redesigned taillamps and a modestly massaged rear valance, the 2013 Traverse hasn’t strayed too far from its family-minded original recipe.
Likewise, the 2013 model’s drivetrain remains untouched as well. The same 3.6-liter V6 puts down 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque through either the front wheels or an all-wheel drive system and the six-speed automatic has been reworked for quicker shifting.
Buyers will be able to opt for Chevrolet’s new MyLink system, complete with Internet-based applications like Stitcher and Pandora as well as Bluetooth voice and audio capability. Like its fellow Lambda-platform sibling, the reworked , the Traverse will also be available with a new center airbag that bisects driver and front-seat passenger. for the full press release and peruse our live shots for more views of this Chevy staple.
Your nitro-fueled R/C racer may look all badass and be really fast, but it’s got its limitations. Namely, walls. The Sand Flea robot shown above, developed by Boston Dynamics, won’t win any races or beauty contests, but it laughs at walls. More precisely, it just leaps over them.
The little bot, which scoots around like a regular all-terrain R/C car, is equipped with a CO2-powered piston that gives it the ability to leap 30 feet in the air. When presented with a challenge, the Sand Flea stops, tilts, and launches up and over the obstacle in front of it. The video showing it in action, , is simultaneously astonishing and hilarious (especially when you to each leap). On a full charge, the Flea can make 25 jumps. A gyroscope keeps it stabilized while airborne, and its wheels act as the cushion upon landing.
Funding for the project comes from , the , and the Army’s , and it’s meant to bolster the military’s ever-expanding arsenal of reconnaissance tools. As such, that the Sand Flea is headed to the for safety certification, after which several examples will head to Afghanistan for some real field testing.
, but the is now history. While is still building out the model run, it has closed ordering and “all cars are spoken for,” according to Car and Driver.
The report comes from the magazine’s European correspondent, so we assume any remaining cars are destined to remain in Europe, meaning that our friends across the Atlantic are just now catching up to our situation here. Perhaps this news should come as no surprise, as the 1 Series M Coupe was sold in the U.S. for just a single model year, 2011.
Of course, if your heart is set on owning one of fewer than 1,000 1 Series M Coupes that were offered in the States, the only thing standing between you and your dream is money. We imagine values of these cars will not depreciate much (the at the moment has been essentially bid up to MSRP), though whether the 1 Series M Coupe will achieve the cult status of the remains to be seen.
We love crazy promotional videos with hair-raising stunts that seem to defy gravity, and this particular spot certainly checks all those boxes. has teamed up with The Demon Drome crew to determine if its can successfully whirl around a motor drome.
The motor drome is essentially a cylinder about 30 feet in diameter with wooden planks that are positioned at an impossible angle. Trained men and women have traditionally used motorcycles in these stunts, but the Japanese automaker evidently thought its tiny Mazda2 would be an ideal four-wheeled replacement.
We knew the Mazda2 was nimble, but this is pretty sweet. to watch the video for yourself… and try not to be alarmed by the demonic-sounding backwards talk.
