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Autocar reports Lexus may be mulling a production version of the company’s LF-LC Concept. After receiving a near universally positive reception following its unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show this year, Karl Schlicht, head of Lexus product planning, reportedly gave the vehicle a 50-50 shot at hitting dealers sometime in the future. Those aren’t great odds, but it is a change of tone from when the vehicle first hit the stage. Back in January, Toyota made it very clear the LF-LC was strictly a concept. As you may recall, the vehicle is a 2+2 coupe with a hybrid drivetrain and a low-slung presence.

According to Schlicht, the vehicle would have never even been considered for production if it had merely been submitted as a design proposal. With a physical concept backed by chorus of positive reviews, the company’s decision makers have evidently been prompted to give the LF-LC a second look.

Schlicht himself is set to become the head of product planning for Toyota and Lexus starting on April 1.

Lexus LF-LC super coupe concept pondered for production

Any device or system that draws a driver’s attention away from the road is inherently distracting, but some navigation systems are better than others. Now, AT&T Labs is said to be hard at work developing a steering wheel with haptic feedback that may allow more drivers to keep their eyes off of the center console screen. According to MIT’s Technology Review, the system uses 20 small actuators to to create a pattern of vibrations in the wheel. When the wheel buzzes clockwise, the driver is meant to turn to the right, while counterclockwise vibrations suggest turning left. The company’s research indicates that when the system is used with standard audio and visual cues, inattentiveness in younger drivers drops by around 3.1 percent.

Researchers defined “inattentiveness” as time spent looking away from the road in driving simulations. The haptics had no impact on older drivers, but a separate study by Carnegie Mellon indicated drivers over the age of 65 could see their inattentiveness drop by around four percent.

Even with the promising results, it will likely be years before a similar system could be adopted by automakers, if it ever reaches the market at all.

AT&T Labs, Carnegie Mellon investigating steering wheels with haptic feedback for navigation

Svelte as it still looks, the DB9 is getting a little long in the proverbial tooth – Aston Martin first launched the 2+2 way back in 2004. As such, it’s high time the British purveyor of luxury GTs gear up to roll out a new model, and this is the best look we’ve had at it yet.

Spied virtually undisguised while undergoing winter testing in the snow, the new DB9 (or whatever AML opts to call it) carries all the trademark elements of a contemporary Aston Martin design. The grille appears to be a little smaller and the rear fenders pack a more pronounced curve. Expect the new V12 GT to arrive sometime next year, but you can check it out now in the high-res gallery of spy shots above.

Aston Martin DB9 successor caught romping in the snow

CBS’ 60 Minutes sat down with Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne last night to discuss the automaker’s resurrection and the touch-and-go period in 2009 when the Fiat executive began talks with the federal government over a controlled Chrysler bankruptcy. Marchionne said that when he arrived at Chrysler, the company’s employees were all afraid the company wouldn’t survive. Now, he says, that fear is gone. The segment explains how Marchionne saw early on how well Chrysler strengths, specifically in minivans and light trucks, could dovetail with Fiat experience in small-car technology. The executive calls Chrysler the “other half” of the Fiat coin from a product perspective.

The segment also spends some time looking at the upcoming Dodge Dart, with Marchionne saying the car is “mechanically outstanding.” The executive played a strong hand in improving both Fiat and Chrysler quality, at least according to Consumer Reports. The besweatered Marchionne also spends a bit of time talking about American workers and the labyrinth of bureaucracy within Chrysler when he arrived. Hit the jump to watch – it’s well worth the 13 minutes of your day.

Continue reading Watch Sergio Marchionne on last night’s 60 Minutes

Watch Sergio Marchionne on last night’s 60 Minutes

Dutch website NU recently reported that Volvo expects low demand for its C30 Electric, and therefore it decided to stop building the mostly electric car (it has a small, ethanol-burning heater to keep passengers warm). The original source for this information was a story in the Belgian newspaper The Age that cited Volvo’s government affairs director, Anders Kärrberg. Turns out, this isn’t quite right.

First, Volvo has always said the C30 Electric is a limited program. When the company started making the attractive EV in last summer, the public plan was to make just 250 units. So, the fact that the automaker is getting ready to finish up building the 250 units and then reevaluate the situation is not a surprise.

We asked Volvo’s Malin Persson about the situation, and she told Autoblog that “[it has] never been our aim to continue with production of C30 Electric for a longer period of time.” She added that:

• [Volvo Car Corporation] will not end the production of the C30 Electric – but it has always been a project limited in numbers and time.
• Approximately 200 cars have been built from the first generation, another 50 remain to be built before summer.
• In the second generation, starting after the summer, 100 cars will be built in cooperation with Siemens and with Siemens technology.
• The know-how and experience VCC has gained and will gain from the C30 Electric project will be extremely valuable when taking decisions about the way forward when it comes to electric cars.

So, instead of reporting that Volvo is stopping C30 Electric production, the reality is that 100 vehicles has been added to the build order. How aggressively Volvo continues to push on with electric technology beyond its C30 program – in something like the XC60 plug-in hybrid – remains to be seen. Kärrberg told The Age that Volvo thinks EVs will only make up one percent of the market in the next eight years, thanks to expensive batteries and a hodgepodge of government incentives.

Despite rumors, Volvo not ceasing electric C30 production plans

Didn’t get your deposit down in time to secure a condo in Porsche Design Tower? Not to worry, because just across town – that town being Miami – Pininfarina has been contracted to design another building.

Developed by the Related Group, 1100 Millecento Residences (pictured) is being designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott at 1100 South Miami Avenue. So where does Pininfarina come in? Aside from Ott citing the famed Italian automotive design house and coachbuilder as a primary influence in his work, the developers have brought Pininfarina in on the project to design the interior space of the building – the first such project it’s undertaken in America.

That includes all 382 apartments in the 42-story tower, along with the ninth-floor pool deck with club room, the rooftop infinity pool with private cabanas, the fitness center and the private theater. We’re told to expect a lot of exotic woods and Italian leather. But then we’d expect no less from any project Pininfarina might undertake, automotive or otherwise. See below for the brief press release.

News Source: Pininfarina via DRIVEN

Continue reading Pininfarina designing luxury condos in Miami

Pininfarina designing luxury condos in Miami

Keen European demand was the expected reason for us not getting the BMW X1 until the Summer of 2013, when it would get a mid-cycle refresh. And at the time it was reported, few wagers would have been put on that timetable since U.S.-market delivery had repeatedly been delayed and the exact wording used was “postponed indefinitely.”

But in a press release announcing its wares for the New York Auto Show, BMW slipped in this line: “The updated BMW X1 will be available in U.S. showrooms in summer 2012.” For now that’s all there is to know, although we’d expect more details to be given out at the Javits Center, perhaps even pricing. The model’s stying elicits strong opinion, but for those of you with X1 lust you now know what to circle on the calendar.

Continue reading BMW promises updated X1 in U.S. dealers this summer

BMW promises updated X1 in U.S. dealers this summer

There’s an awful lot of information to consuder when it comes to Formula 1 racing. It’s arguably the most complicated and technologically advanced sport in the world, with an ever-changing rule book, aerospace-level engineering, and the most elite driver talent. It’s enough to make any fan’s head spin. Fortunately we’ve got a tidy infographic that lays it all out for you.

Submitted (interestingly enough) by online bingo site Ladbrokes.com, this infographic breaks down everything, including the newest features on the 2012 cars, each team and the equipment they use, the full race calendar, the lap times from the pre-season test sessions, and a smattering of other interesting information. Check it out after the jump.

Continue reading Infographic breaks down the intricacies of Formula 1 in 2012

Infographic breaks down the intricacies of Formula 1 in 2012

The 2013 Subaru BRZ is “one of the most rewarding cars we’ve ever driven” says Edmunds after subjecting the new coupe to some track time. This, despite having a 0-60 time that rivals that of some minivans – 7.3 seconds. Inside Line says those numbers are mostly due to an overactive rev limiter that forces a third-gear shift at 59.2 mph. We bet that’s an early tuner fix. Also likely to be improved with an aftermarket reflash is the 15.3-second quarter-mile time.

So you won’t be winning many stoplight drag races in box-stock form, but as we all know, there’s far more to a fun car than just straight-line numbers. According to IL, “the BRZ offers a level of engagement that, until now, has been either too costly or too impractical for the average enthusiast.” They even go so far as to compare the BRZ’s overall character to a Lotus Exige and the beastly Porsche 911 GT3(!).

No, the BRZ can’t hang with either of those hardcore Europeans, but Inside Line says its balanced mixture of handling, cost, every day usability, and practicality make for “a perfect balance between date nights and track days.” Check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru BRZ tested at 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3

2013 Subaru BRZ tested at 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.3

The New York Times reports the European Central Bank may have inadvertently helped buyers looking to take home a new Volkswagen Up! secure low-interest loans. Volkswagen Financial Services was one of many institutions that took advantage of the €1 trillion the central bank set aside to be loaned out at just one percent interest. Volkswagen borrowed €2 billion (about $2.6 billion USD) of that money, and plans to offer the cash to buyers in the form of loans with low three to four percent interest. While the goal of the low-interest loans was originally to stabilize uncertain markets, automakers and other industries are taking advantage of the effectively free cash.

Mercedes Bank has already taken advantage of the generous terms, and PSA Financing, a unit of Peugeot and Citroën, has made mention of doing the same in an attempt to stave off looming poor sales. According to The New York Times, the European auto industry may be facing down its second downturn since 2009. Registrations for new vehicles were down 8.3 percent between January and February of this year compared to the same period in 2011.

How European Central Bank loans may have subsidized the Volkswagen Up!

The BMW i8 plug-in-hybrid sports car is just the sort of crazy project that could help redefine the BMW brand – and perhaps even the notion of what makes a car enthusiast – for the 21st Century. It’s the sort of out-of-the-box thinking we’ve been waiting for some automaker to deploy, so these new details are exciting.

To start with, according to Britain’s Car, the i8 will only be available as a plug-in hybrid – no conventional, internal-combustion-only version will be offered. That means no M version will be in the cards, at least not an M product in the way we currently define the BMW performance moniker. But the report says the i8 will have a more powerful gas engine than we’ve previously reported, with its 1.5-liter three-cylinder cranking out 223 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque through the rear wheels. The front-drive electric motor is said to be rated at 170 horsepower, giving the i8 a combined 393 hp and 406 lb-ft.

The report claims that the i8 will have a 20-mile all-electric range, a top speed of 156 miles per hour, and sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. Curb weight is said to be just 3,125 pounds, which is less than most models of the new 2012 3 Series, thanks to the i8’s carbon fiber body and aluminum chassis. Recharge time is said to be six hours, presumably on a 220-volt system. In all, a pretty amazing package.

But here’s the kicker: Car says the i8 will be priced above €100,000, which is $132,600 based on today’s exchange rates. We expect the i8 to hit the market as a 2014 model, and while that price is spendy by plebeian standards, the queue for the car will most certainly be long, at least initially.

Click past the jump if you’ve missed any of BMW’s i8 videos.

Continue reading BMW nixes plan for M version of i8, but production car to have more power? [w/video]

BMW nixes plan for M version of i8, but production car to have more power? [w/video]

Mercedes-Benz has a history of offering performance models that would make any niche supercar manufacturer cower. The latest among them is the SLS AMG, but the gullwing coupe and its roadster counterpart aren’t the extent of what the German automaker’s skunkworks have in store. No, that place of honor at the top of the Mercedes-Benz lineup will soon be taken by an SLS AMG Black Series.

Following in the footsteps of the SLK55 AMG Black Series, CLK63 AMG Black Series, SL65 AMG Black Series and (most recently) the C63 AMG Black Series, the new SLS AMG Black Series promises to eclipse them all with an anticipated 560 horsepower, reduced curb weight and aggressive aerodynamics package.

These spy shots, snapped while the vehicle was undergoing cold-weather testing in the frigid north, also show the tell-tale widened fenders to house the upgraded rolling stock and a new front bumper to feed the over-clocked engine with all the air it needs to breathe.

We’re told to expect the SLS AMG Black Series sometime next year, but you can check out the spy shots now in our high-resolution image gallery.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series caught braving the cold

In 2002, the first U.S. Mini dealership opened in San Francisco. With only one model and a gallon of gas selling for an average of $1.25, there were plenty of critics who said the Mini brand didn’t stand a chance in the States.

“Mini launched in the U.S. during the time when gas was cheap and large trucks and SUVs ruled the road,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President of Mini USA in a statement. “Many thought the brand would be a one-hit wonder, and we are extremely proud that we were able to surprise some the toughest critics, and at times, even ourselves.”

Now, ten years later, Mini has six models, gas prices have more than tripled and “small car” doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap car.” It’s safe to say those naysayers in 2002 made a big mistake about the premium small car from BMW.

So, happy birthday, Mini USA, and congrats on convincing an SUV-loving American public that bigger is not always better.

Continue reading Happy 10 year anniversary, Mini

Happy 10 year anniversary, Mini

Ah, donuts – one of the automotive world’s purest forms of hooliganism. We’ve all done ‘em, simply because every once in a while, it’s just plain fun to light up a car’s back end and fling it around in a circle.

Fun as they may be, donuts aren’t necessarily all that fun to watch. After all, one car spinning in circles certainly loses its charm after a while. But what about seventy cars spinning in smoke-filled circles? Now that’s something.

Earlier this week, over 70 vehicles showed up at Infineon Raceway in order to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of cars performing donuts successfully. Check out what ensued in the video after the break, complete with epic battle background music.

Continue reading Guinness Book of World Records spin-off shows it’s time to make the donuts

Guinness Book of World Records spin-off shows it’s time to make the donuts

Our spy photographers managed to spot something curious (and decidedly hilarious) recently. General Motors has been busy testing what would appear to be Chevrolet Volt models with massive 20-inch wheels and tires in place of the low-rolling resistance pieces on the stock plug-in.

Why? Guesses are slim at the moment, but one hypothesis is that this is actually our first glimpse at a Cadillac Converj test mule. That vehicle will make use of an altered version of the Voltec drivetrain found in the Chevrolet, albeit bolted to flashier wheels. The luxury hybrid has been an on-again-off-again affair for General Motors since the concept first rolled across the stage at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Last we heard, the Converj is on track for launch in either 2013 or 2014. If true, now would be the time to begin working out any engineering bugs on the rumored Voltec 1.5 system. With luxury buyers more willing to hand over stacks of cash for new technology, the Converj could make quite a bit more sense to buyers than the Volt. Or bolting chrome dubs to a hybrid, for that matter.

Is this dub-rockin’ Chevrolet Volt actually a Cadillac Converj in disguise?

The all-electric Leaf hasn’t exactly set the sales charts ablaze since it hit the market, but it has succeeded in delivering a zero-emissions halo to the Nissan brand, and the model’s fortunes are poised to improve now that it’s a 50-state offering. What’s more, TheDetroitBureau.com reports that the electric love will soon migrate over to Nissan’s luxury marque, but with a lot of Leaf under some sexier sheetmetal.

We’ve heard rumors of an Infiniti-branded EV concept for some time now, but details on the electric concept car have been scarce to this point. Now, the automaker tells TDB that it will feature G-Series-inspired styling with a sprinkling of inspiration from the Emerg-E concept (pictured above). Infiniti wants to frame the unnamed concept as a luxury car first and EV second, with more performance and a larger battery pack than the Leaf’s 24 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion setup.

The concept will reportedly also utilize a 6kWh charger that will charge a spent battery in about half the time needed for the Leaf. The beefier charger is likely to make it to production, since the Leaf will reportedly get the 6kWh unit by December.

Nissan Leaf-based Infiniti concept car headed to New York

Freightliner is stealing the spotlight at this week’s Mid-America Trucking Show in Kentucky with a new truck concept. The Revolution Innovation is aimed squarely at reimagining the face commercial trucking. With innovations like a more aerodynamic body, cold-rolled aluminum frame that’s 200 pounds lighter than its steel equivalent, low-slung engine placement and an intelligent rear axle that can automatically switch between four and six-wheel drive as needed, the concept is more fuel efficient while retaining plenty of functionality.

Designers looked at how most drivers use their rigs, and determined that most of the time, there’s only one occupant in the cab. To that end, they scrapped the passenger door in favor of a more efficient work station and a rest area. There’s even an innovative rear door between the cab and trailer. A new gauge cluster and cell-connected center console both add extra layers of functionality as well.

Outside, clever use of LED lighting and low-drag cameras replace traditional design elements. Despite its concept looks, the Revolution Innovation is a fully operational truck. Hit the jump to check out the full video for yourself and peruse the gallery for more.

Continue reading Freightliner’s awesome new Revolution Innovation is a future rig done right [w/video]

Freightliner’s awesome new Revolution Innovation is a future rig done right [w/video]

The newest trim line of the Ram family will also be its most expensive. The 2012 Ram Laramie Limited will have a starting price of $45,700 for a 1500 4×2 model, Ram officials tell Autoblog. That’s well over double the $21,820 asking price of a no-frills 1500.

Of course, spending that kind of money, you’d expect the interior trim to come with some fancy name like “black burled walnut,” an overpowering smell of leather every time you open the door and more shiny chrome exterior accents than 1934 Chrysler Airflow. The Laramie Limited, introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February, does that and more, playing its role as the ultimate Ram when it arrives at dealerships in the coming months in the full-size and heavy duty offerings. The starting price for a Ram Laramie Limited 2500 HD SWB 4×2 is $47,780 (prices do not include $995 in destination charges).

In recent years, Detroit’s pickup builders have continued to create more high-end pickups along with their work versions. Hey, how’s a One Percenter supposed to tow his yacht? Just a few weeks ago, Ford introduced a Platinum trim of its Super Duty trucks, which will push the price of an F-450 Platinum north of $70,000. There appears to be a growing market for these vehicles as well, as the J.D. Power Information Network notes that nearly 30 percent of heavy duty truck buyers spend more than $50,000 for their vehicles. All of that money is not simply going for the diesel powertrain upgrade. No, these trucks are loaded up with all of the amenities of a luxury sedan. After all, affluent buyers want to flaunt their success a little, but it’s not like you can carry a load of lumber in the trunk of a BMW 7 Series.

At $45,700, Laramie Limited is most expensive Ram trim yet

It’s funny how a couple of letters can change the meaning of a word entirely. Take “racy” and “racing,” for example. One implies a certain charge of sexuality, while the other refers to the competition of getting from Point A to Point B the quickest. Pamela Anderson, for example, would be one we’d categorize under the former, but now the Canadian model/actress/bombshell is breaking into the latter by launching her own racing team.

Downforce1 by Pamela Anderson is the name of the new team that will be fielding an Aston Martin Vantage GTE in both the (European) Le Mans Series and the International GT Open, wearing white and blue livery with the glamour model’s signature and bearing the logos of PETA (the animal rights group for which Anderson is a spokesperson) and ICM (the talent agency that manages her career). The team is apparently being managed by a Swiss outfit with ten years of experience in GT racing.

This is not the first time we’ve seen a model lending her image to a racing team: Paris Hilton was connected to a MotoGP squad a couple of years back, and now Pam appears to be following in her high-heeled footsteps. And apparently she’s not stopping at GT racing, either, as the effort could spawn a NASCAR team as well. In the meantime, Anderson hopes to be present at as many of the races as her schedule will allow. Which ought to be plenty distracting for the racers.

So what is it about models like Pam headlining racing teams? Beyond the usual barrage of innuendos – the airbags have, after all, been removed – maybe the former Baywatch starlet herself put it best in a recent interview with British tabloid The Sun: “Fast cars and fast women go together.” Who are we to argue?

Pamela Anderson goes from racy to racing with her new Downforce1 team

Spring means lots of things to lots of people, but for Jeep owners, this time of year points to just one main event on the calendar: Easter Jeep Safari. This year, Jeep and Mopar have put their heads together to create another group of awesome concepts. All told, the automaker will roll out six new vehicles in the desert, including the Jeep Wrangler Apache, Jeep J-12 and Jeep Mighty FC concepts – the last of which is pictured above. We can’t say much about what the Apache will bring to the table, but the J-12 looks to pay homage to the old Kaiser Jeep M715.

Another year, another Jeep pickup truck that’ll likely never make it to production. Sigh.

Still, the truck should be as cool as can be. Speaking of awesome, the Mighty FC teaser hints to the resurrection of the long deceased Forward Control. Our hearts ache from how killer this is. All six concepts will be unveiled in Moab on March 31. Hit the jump for the brief press release.

Continue reading Jeep teases new concept trucks for Moab Easter Safari

Jeep teases new concept trucks for Moab Easter Safari