2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection

2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection
Tags: 2012 rolls-royce phantom, 2012 rolls-royce phantom drophead coupe, 2012 rolls-royce phantom price, 2012 rolls-royce phantom series ii, 2012 rolls-royce phantom drophead coupe price, 2012 rolls royce phantom specs, 2012 rolls royce phantom msrp, 2012 rolls royce phantom sedan, new rolls royce phantom 2012 price, 2012 rolls royce phantom convertible price



The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe might already feel like a private jet, but in the interest of paying homage to its aviation history, Rolls unveiled a tarted-up Phantom Coupe special edition called the Aviator Collection.

Based on the Phantom Coupe, the Aviator Collection adds a smattering of design tweaks to the already sumptuous car. The coupe is painted a shade of aviator gray, and contrasted with a matte gray hood. On the inside, designers took a cabin already filled with leather and filled it with more: the glove compartment is lined with leather, embossed with a quote from company co-founder Charles Rolls after his first ever flight. If that’s not fancy enough, the floor mats are also made from leather.
The transmission tunnel is made of aluminum, with horizontal metal fittings mounted on the sides. That motif–which Rolls-Royce says apes the oil cooling veins on the Supermarine S6B, a British racing seaplane, is continued on the lower dash, which is finished in mahogany and has similar horizontal fittings.

No aviator would be complete without his/her watch, so Rolls-Royce fitted a Thommen clock into the dash, with a white-on-black gauge face and “blood orange needle tips.” That clock matches the gauges, which are also matte black.

The Aviator Collection package is finished with what Rolls-Royce calls “the Rolls-Royce of cupholders.” The cupholders — of which there are two — are made of polished aluminum, which should make them stand out from lesser, plastic receptacles for Big Gulps and Trenta Soy Lattes.
How much does all of this cost? It’s probably best you don’t ask, but the truth is that Rolls-Royce hasn’t yet released pricing for the car. But the company did say it will only make 35 examples of the Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection, and the first of those 35 is on display today at the Quail Lodge as part of the run up to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

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BMW Z4 Zagato Roadster

BMW Z4 Zagato Roadster
Tags: bmw z4 price, bmw z4 review, bmw z4 for sale, bmw z4 gt3, bmw z4 specs, bmw z4 coupe, bmw z4 forum, bmw z4 0-60, bmw z4 used, bmw z4 2012



BMW has unveiled its show piece for this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the BMW Zagato Roadster. The concept features many of the same dramatic curves as the Zagato Coupe that debuted earlier this year, but is dressed in top-down, Pebble Beach-appropriate attire.

BMW says the Zagato Roadster came together in record time, with BMW senior vice president of design Adrian van Hooydonk and Italian design firm head Andrea Zagato agreeing to partner on a second concept shortly after the Coupe version’s positive reaction. Once the project was given the green light, it took just six weeks to get from the design idea to the finished product being shown at Pebble Beach.

The car’s body features many of the same design elements seen on the coupe, including Zagato’s take on the BMW dual kidney grille, which is matte-finished and integrates the letter “Z” into its design. The front end also receives circular headlights with a “razorlight” strip of LEDs perched above on either side. The hood and front fenders get similarly styled intake vents, while the car’s long-wheelbase stance is complemented by short front and rear overhangs for an athletic look. Zagato’s signature “double-bubble” canopy has been worked into the Roadster’s convertible top cover, forming humps behind the pair of airplane wing-inspired roll bars. In back, the Zagato Coupe’s styling is seen again, with taillights set behind black-tinted glass, a bumper-integrated rear diffuser, and dual exhaust pipes.

Since this is a roadster, BMW and Zagato wanted to focus on the interior to help visually tie it to the exterior’s lines. A strip of brown leather creates a border around the cabin. More leather reaches across the instrument cluster and wraps around the roll bars and seats. More brown leather covers portions of the steering wheel, door panels, and center console. Brown contrast stitching accents the black leather seats, which also get Zagato’s “Z” logo embroidered on the headrest.
Like the Zagato Coupe concept, the Roadster runs and drives. Details on what motivates the car are slim, but as we speculated with its fixed-roof counterpart, it could be a Z4-derived drivetrain.

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2013 McLaren X-1

2013 McLaren X-1
Tags: 2013 mclaren mp4-12c, 2013 mclaren f1, 2013 mclaren mp4-12c spyder, 2013 mclaren price, 2013 mclaren f1 price, 2013 mclaren mp4-12c price, 2013 mclaren mp4-12c specs, 2013 mclaren mp4-27, 2013 mclaren spyder, 2013 mclaren slr



The one-of-a-kind McLaren X-1 concept debuted today at The Quail in Pebble Beach. The McLaren X-1 was built by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the automaker’s bespoke division, at the request of a customer who came to the automaker three years ago asking for a car that was timeless and had “classical elegance.” Based on the MP4-12C’s monocell and running gear, the X-1 was built to be driven, not just displayed.

MSO consulted with the owner – who owns a McLaren F1, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and an MP4-12C – about his desires for the car. After much discussion, inspiration came from classic cars including a 1961 Facel Vega, a 1953 Chrysler D’Elegance Ghia, a 1959 Buick Electra, a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K, a 1971 Citroën SM and an Airstream trailer as well as architecture such as the Guggenheim museums in New York and Bilbao; décor and furniture (a Jaeger LeCoultre art deco clock, a Thomas Mann Montblanc pen, and a grand piano); an eggplant, and finally a black-and-white photo of Audrey Hepburn.
The bespoke wide body with pontoon-style rear fenders adds 7.4 inches of width and 4.3 inches of length to the McLaren X-1 concept compared the MP4-12C, which make it look like the love child of an Audi R8 and 1960s-era Batmobile. The X-1 concept’s body is carbon fiber with piano black paint . All exterior bright work is nickel-plated machined aluminum including the rear wing. Wheels are diamond-turned with a tinted finish.

Each piece of the McLaren X-1 concept was custom-made including the headlights and taillights – which were inspired by the McLaren Speed Marque logo – and wheels, which had to meet production car standards as it would be driven on the street. Once the car was completed it was driven 625 miles during testing before being rebuilt by hand for the Pebble Beach reveal.

Inside, the interior looks much like the MP4-12C, but is finished in bespoke Harissa Red McLaren Nappa leather on the seats, door and roof trim, and switchgear featuring machined nickel-coated aluminum bezels. Titanium weave carbon fiber interior trim gives a 3-D effect. Special Andesite tufted carpet sits underfoot.

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2013 Fiat 500 Turbo

2013 Fiat 500 Turbo
Tags: 2013 fiat 500 abarth, 2013 fiat 500 abarth price, 2013 fiat 500 release date, 2013 fiat 500 colors, 2013 fiat 500 price, 2013 fiat 500 abarth review, 2013 fiat 500 sport, 2013 fiat 500l, 2013 fiat 500 turbo, 2013 fiat 500 specs




Fiat has revealed the newest member of the 500 family, the 500 Turbo, at the Concorso Italiano in Monterey. The new model is—you guessed it—turbocharged, and slots between the standard 500 and the sporty, range-topping Abarth in the Cinquecento hierarchy. The new Turbo is hardly a surprise—we discovered Fiat’s plans for it in a series of government documents—and it essentially is an amped-up version of the 500 Sport (like our long-term example).

On paper, the 500 Turbo reads much like a slightly neutered Abarth. There’s a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and a more muscular body kit. Whereas the U.S.-market Abarth is endowed with a healthy 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque from its version of the engine, the 500 Turbo gets 135 hp and 150 lb-ft—basically the same as the non-Essesse version of the Euro Abarth. Still, the Turbo is meaningfully more potent than the standard 101-hp 500, and it should be slightly louder, too, thanks to its sport exhaust system.
The Turbo’s power is routed to the front wheels through a five-speed manual borrowed from the Abarth. Fiat further beefed up the driveline with larger CV joints; larger-diameter half-shafts are designed to reduce the effects of torque steer. Fiat didn’t offer any performance estimates, but we figure that the Turbo’s 0–60 time should split the difference between the Abarth (6.9 seconds) and the standard 500 (9.9 seconds).

To complement the turbo four’s additional get-up-and-go, the 500 Turbo inherits the 500 Sport’s stiffer spring rates, shock tuning, and steering calibration. The brakes have been upgraded with sportier pads, and the front rotors were upsized by one inch in diameter, now measuring 11.1 inches. We’re a little disappointed in Fiat’s wheel choice for the Turbo: The 16-inch aluminum wheels are the same as the 500 Sport’s, simply modified with black-painted inserts between the spokes.

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2014 Mercedes CLA 45 AMG

2014 Mercedes CLA 45 AMG
Tags: 2014 mercedes cla class, 2014 mercedes cla pricing, 2014 mercedes benz cla, 2014 mercedes cls



What It Is: The AMG version of Mercedes-Benz's upcoming A-class–based compact sedan, the CLA, which is touted as the little brother of the CLS four-door coupe. The AMG version will top the car's lineup with a powerful all-wheel-drive model. Visual differentiation will come in the form of aero flics around the lower front intakes, rectangular dual exhaust outlets, and a large rear spoiler, which is meant to enhance high-speed stability. The car will roll on 19-inch aluminum wheels shod with 235/35 rubber. Inside, the standard CLA's embarrassingly old-fashioned column-mounted shifter will be swapped for one on the center console; it will emulate those on the rear-wheel-drive AMG models. The dashboard will be graced by a woven-carbon-fiber structure.

Why It Matters: AMG chief Ola Källenius aims to make the AMG sub-brand more accessible to new customers with the CLA45 AMG and the A45 AMG, the latter of which won’t come to the U.S. Källenius wants to grow his business—and position AMG as a serious contender—especially at a time when BMW's M GmbH seems to be losing its purist edge.

Platform: The CLA will be based on Mercedes' new "CC" platform, which was ushered in by the B-class and encompasses the A-class hatchback, the CLA, a crossover SUV model, and at least one more body style, likely a CLA station wagon dubbed a "shooting brake" despite its four-door configuration. The platform is designed to share powertrain and electronic components with Benz's rear-wheel-drive sedans and thus offers a remarkable level of high-tech features. Its strengths include ultra-direct steering and top-notch handling characteristics.

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Porsche Panamera Estate to Debut at Paris Show 2012

Porsche Panamera Estate to Debut at Paris Show 2012
Tags: porsche panamera price, porsche panamera turbo, porsche panamera review, porsche panamera for sale, porsche panamera gts, porsche panamera 4s, porsche panamera s, porsche panamera turbo price, porsche panamera lease, porsche panamera hybrid



We've already told you that Porsche is working on a shooting brake version of the Panamera, and it has now been widely reported that a concept car will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

The more practical estate version of the four-door Panamera will follow an emerging new ‘coupe-estate’ niche, which has been kickstarted by the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake revealed in June.

The concept car will be used to gauge public opinion, with a production model expected only if demand proves to be sufficient.

Porsche will be keeping a close eye on sales of the new CLS Shooting Brake, as its success or failure in the showroom could be a deciding factor in whether it builds the new car.

We'll bring you full details and pictures following the concept car's debut at Paris at the end of September.

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BMW Zagato Roadster Concept

BMW Zagato Roadster Concept
Tags: bmw zagato, bmw zagato coupe, bmw zagato price, bmw zagato coupe price, bmw zagato wiki, bmw zagato coupe specs, bmw zagato coupe cost, bmw zagato concept, bmw zagato msrp, bmw zagato release date


BMW has released this shadowy teaser photo to preview the Zagato concept that will debut this weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. BMW promises more information will be announced later this week.

This is the second collaboration between BMW and Italian design studio Zagato. Earlier this year, BMW showed off a Zagato-styled coupe at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. Though details were scarce, it appeared that the BMW Zagato coupe was based on BMW’s Z4 sports car. The car wore Zagato’s signature double-bubble roof, as well as a Kamm-tail rear inspired by that of a special edition 1940 BMW 328. Bold strakes, vents, and a drooping front end defined the front of the BMW-Zagato mash-up.
This shadowy teaser picture (two versions brightened by the magic of Photoshop are below) appears to show that the new BMW Zagato concept is a roadster, rather than a coupe. As before, expect the basic proportions and shape to be similar to that of BMW’s Z4. The company has never disclosed what mechanical parts are under the Zagato-tweaked sheetmetal, but BMW did claim the Zagato coupe was a fully operational model that had undergone high-speed testing.

In addition to the Zagato roadster concept, BMW will use Pebble Beach to show off the 2013 7-Series luxury sedan, the new M5 and M6 coupe performance cars, as well as the M8 prototype. BMW never built the M8 supercar, and has never shown it in the U.S. before now.

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2013 Dodge Durango

2013 Dodge Durango
Tags: 2013 dodge durango, 2013 dodge durango changes, 2013 dodge durango 8 speed, 2013 dodge durango reviews, 2013 dodge durango diesel, 2013 dodge durango citadel, 2013 dodge durango price, 2013 dodge durango rt, 2013 dodge durango release date, 2013 dodge durango transmission



The Problem: Side curtain airbags in seven-passenger SUVs with ORC modules for five-passenger vehicles may not deploy if the vehicle is struck on the side behind the second row, which could increase risk to passengers.

The Fix: Dealers will replace the ORC module for free. Chrysler will contact vehicle owners during September, though the automaker says most of the affected vehicles are still on dealer lots.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: Chrysler says 1661 model year 2013 Dodge Durango SUVs are affected, though the NHTSA reports that 1449 vehicles built from April 11, 2012 through July 20, 2012 are being recalled. Chrysler is unaware of any injuries or accidents related to the affected vehicles.

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2014 Acura MDX News

2014 Acura MDX News
Tags: 2014 acura mdx, 2014 acura mdx hybrid, 2014 acura mdx rendering, 2014 acura mdx news, 2014 acura mdx specs, 2014 acura mdx review, 2014 acura mdx info, 2014 acura mdx spy video, 2014 acura mdx rumors, 2014 acura mdx changes




What It Is: A next-generation Acura MDX prototype being tested in the desert while towing a trailer. Setting aside the fact that the mule in these spy photos is the first MDX this author has ever seen towing anything, the covered-up crossover does reveal what to expect when the redesigned model hits the market—besides its towing capability.

Why It Matters: The MDX in its current form was introduced for 2007 and has only received a single major refresh, which updated it for 2010. Despite its age, the MDX managed to place third in a recent five-crossover comparison test, and we still think it’s one of the better-driving offerings in its segment. Acura is in the throes of overhauling its entire lineup, having recently introduced the new RDX crossover and ILX compact sedan, as well as previewing the upcoming, range-topping RLX sedan in lightly disguised “concept” form. This MDX would be nearly the final piece in Acura’s mainstream lineup puzzle. (We’re not counting the highly anticipated NSX sports car revival here for obvious reasons.) Once this new MDX is squared away, pretty much all that’s left for Acura to do is figure out which sedan to place between the ILX and RLX—the TL or the TSX.

Platform: Expect the 2014 MDX to continue to offer three-row seating, some form of all-wheel drive, and crisp exterior styling. It’s also clear from these spy photos that there’s a size increase in store for the next MDX, chiefly in length. The wheelbase doesn’t look hugely different, but this tester has a lot more rear overhang than the current model. We expect the added length will free up more space in the way back of the MDX’s cabin, possibly allowing real-world adults to sit in the third row.

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Hyundai i10 2014

 Hyundai i10 2014
Tags: hyundai i10 2014, hyundai i10 price, hyundai i10 india, hyundai i10 review, hyundai i10 automatic, hyundai i10 magna, hyundai i10 diesel, hyundai i10 mpg, hyundai i10 mileage, hyundai i10 sportz, hyundai i10 colors



This is the next Hyundai i10, which is set to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this time next year.

The popular i10 - which rivals everything from the Fiat 500 to the Chevrolet Spark, Ford Ka and Kia Picanto - will retain the current car’s dimensions, but a closer look reveals lots of minor changes.

There's a new front-end with revised headlamps, which will feature LED daytime running lights, while different cut lines at the bottom of the front windscreen indicate a new bonnet design.

The sides of the car will have more distinctive styling - similar to that seen on the new Hyundai i30 - and will lead to a sharper rear end with more stylish tail-lights and a larger tailgate.

The engine line-up is expected to remain largely unchanged, with further efficiency improvements to the frugal 1.0-litre three-cyliner and 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engines.

The new Hyundai i10 will go on sale in late 2013, with prices starting from around £9,500.

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2014 Alfa Romeo Crossover

2014 Alfa Romeo Crossover
Tags: 2014 alfa romeo spider, 2014 alfa romeo giulia, 2014 alfa romeo, 2014 alfa romeo spider price, 2014 alfa romeo 4c, 2014 alfa romeo giulietta, 2014 alfa romeo suv, 2014 alfa romeo usa, 2014 alfa romeo 169



We’ve got fresh pictures of the new Alfa Romeo crossover, hiding under a Giulietta body. The newcomer is one in a series of new models based on the flexible CUSW platform that underpins Alfa’s family hatchback and is set to arrive in 2013.

The car will be powered by Fiat Group engines, consisting of turbocharged four-cylinder units. Most popular will be the 2.0-litre MulitJet diesels, which will produce upwards of 140bhp, while MultiAir petrols will also be available. Buyers will be given the option of both two and four-wheel drive.

The new car will play an important role in revitalising Alfa Romeo’s range – which is now down to just the MiTo and Giulietta the UK – and will aim to cash in on the popular crossover market, currently dominated by cars like the Nissan Qashqai.

It will also appear as a new compact Jeep model, which is designed to replace the Patriot.

Expect to see the Alfa Romeo crossover make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year, while the Jeep variant is expected to be at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

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2003-2004 Chevrolet Express & GMC Savana

2003-2004 Chevrolet Express & GMC Savana
Tags: 2004 chevrolet express, 2004 chevrolet express cutaway g3500, 2004 chevrolet express cargo van, 2004 chevrolet express g3500, 2004 chevrolet express van, 2004 chevrolet express g1500, 2004 chevrolet express 3500, 2004 chevrolet express 1500 mpg, 2004 chevrolet express 2500, 2004 chevrolet express cutaway, 2004 gmc savana, 2004 gmc savana g3500, 2004 gmc savana conversion van, 2004 gmc savana 3500, 2004 gmc savana mpg, 2004 gmc savana 2500, 2004 gmc savana 3500 specs, 2004 gmc savana fuel filter location, 2004 gmc savana 3500 parts, 2004 gmc savana van



The Problem: General Motors is recalling some 2003 and 2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles for issues with the fuel filler pipe. In Express/Savana models with a left-side cargo door and driven/purchased in states with lots of corrosive road contaminates (like road salt in snowy states), the contaminates can get stuck in the fuel filler pipe’s protective sheath, and corrode through both the sheath and the pipe. If this happens, the vehicle could throw a check engine light, or leak fuel. If the latter happens, there’s a risk of fire.

The Fix: Chevrolet/GMC dealers will install a new fuel filler neck. GM has already sent letters to the owners of the affected vehicles notifying them of the issue, and will follow-up with both dealers and owners when the recall begins early in October. The repairs will be free of charge. Owners can also call Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463 for more information.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 9389 Express and Savanas. The recalled models only include those vans with a left side cargo door and originally sold or registered in the Northeast (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont), Mid-Atlantic region (Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, the District of Columbia), the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin). Vans originally sold or registered elsewhere, or without the cargo door, are not affected or recalled.

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2011 Mercedes G-Class

2011 Mercedes G-Class
Tags: 2011 mercedes g class price, 2011 mercedes g class, 2011 mercedes g class review, 2011 mercedes g class interior, 2011 mercedes g class sale, 2011 mercedes g class edmunds, 2011 mercedes g class facelift, 2011 mercedes g class colors, mercedes benz e class 2011, mercedes benz g class 2011 price



The Problem: Mercedes is recalling some 2011 G550 and G55 AMG vehicles for issues with the molding strip mounted between the front passenger airbag and the cover flap. In the event of a crash where the front passenger air bag deploys, pieces of the molding strip could come loose of fall off. The resulting projectile could either strike and injure a passenger or damage the airbag, causing passenger injury.

The Fix: Mercedes-Benz will reinforce the connection between the flap and the strip free of charge. Mercedes-Benz will notify dealers this month of the recall, and estimates that the repair campaign will start next month. Owners can also call Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372 for more information.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 189 G550 and G55 AMG models, produced between September 30, 2010 and April 27, 2011.

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2012-2013 Mercedes M-Class

2012-2013 Mercedes M-Class
Tas: 2012 mercedes m-class, 2012 mercedes m class release date, 2012 mercedes m class launch, 2012 mercedes m class india, 2012 mercedes m class hybrid, 2012 mercedes m class diesel, 2012 mercedes m class wiki, 2012 mercedes m class bluetec, 2012 mercedes m class safety, 2012 mercedes m class cost




The Problem: All-season floor mats, sold as an accessory, may not completely conform to the floor, potentially reducing clearance between it and the accelerator pedal. As a result, the pedal could become trapped, which would prevent it from returning to its normal position after the driver lifts their foot. The vehicle may not decelerate as expected, which could increase the risk of a crash. Slowly applying the brakes will bring the vehicle to a stop, however.
The Fix: Mercedes will begin notifying owners in September, when dealers will replace floor mats free of charge. Mercedes advises owners to remove floor mats until new ones can be installed. Owners can contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372 for more information.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 8675 M-Class SUVs equipped with accessory floor mats including 2012-2013 ML350, ML550, and ML63 AMG models.

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2014 Range Rover

2014 Range Rover
Tags: 2014 range rover, 2014 range rover sport, 2014 range rover sport release date, 2014 range rover release date, 2014 range rover redesign, 2014 range rover sport changes, 2014 range rover sport price, 2014 range rover defender, 2014 range rover pictures, 2014 range rover rendering




With government regulators dictating that only the fuel-efficient and those with low emissions survive, engineers for the next Range Rover faced a Darwinian challenge. The fourth-generation Range Rover, which makes its public debut in September, uses so much aluminum that the company says it’s as much as 926 pounds lighter than its predecessor. That’s equal to two of the Galápagos tortoises that Darwin studied, or about half a Lotus Elise.

Land Rover says that the platform on which the 2013 Range Rover is built is completely new and that it’s the first sport-ute with an all-aluminum unibody structure. That structure, says the company, weighs just 61 percent as much as the predecessor’s unibody. The front and rear subframes also are built completely from aluminum, and have been redesigned from those of the previous model. At the scales, the American-spec 2013 Range Rover should weigh 700 pounds less than did the outgoing ute, giving it a mass of about 5150 pounds. That’s roughly a hundred pounds less than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and around 200 pounds less than a Mercedes-Benz GL450 weighs.

Initially, we’ll see two V-8 engines in the U.S. The current 5.0-liter V-8 will carry over with some minor updates, making 375 hp in standard guise and 510 hp when supercharged. An eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is standard regardless of engine. Europeans will see Range Rovers with the company’s new supercharged V-6 and a diesel six, but if either comes to the U.S.—execs have told us that they want to offer diesels here—it won’t at launch.

But as unsexy as “carry over” sounds, a lack of power wasn’t the outgoing Range Rover’s problem. Rather, the experience was upset by handling that made drivers feel as if they were steering from a lifeguard’s chair. Addressing this, the new SUV has a re-engineered adaptive air suspension, and Land Rover claims the Range Rover’s handling will inspire more driver confidence.

To maintain much-needed, rarely explored credibility, the Range Rover still is designed for off-roading. A new Terrain Response 2 Auto system debuts here, and with the company merely describing it as “fully automatic,” we’re not sure if drivers will even need to rotate a knob to pick the terrain mode they desire.

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2013 Lexus LS

2013 Lexus LS
Tags: 2013 lexus ls, 2013 lexus ls 460, 2013 lexus ls redesign, 2013 lexus ls 460 review, 2013 lexus ls 460 release date, 2013 lexus ls f sport, 2013 lexus ls 460 price, 2013 lexus ls spy shots, 2013 lexus ls pictures, 2013 lexus ls 460 pictures


Lexus has given its flagship LS saloon a complete overhaul, including sharper styling, new tech and the addition of a more focused F Sport version.

Two engine variants make up the new LS line-up: the petrol LS460 and hybrid LS600h. UK sales begin later this year.

External tweaks include the introduction of Lexus’s spindle front grille design — first seen on the firm’s CT200h last year — plus the option of LED lights front and rear.

Under the LS’s skin, Lexus has revised the Adaptive Variable Suspension in an effort to “suppress roll, pitch and heave vibration”. Steering and braking systems have also been refined for better response and comfort.

Additional insulation from engine, road and wind noise aims to boost the luxury saloon’s refinement.

To inject more sporting flair into the marque’s flagship saloon, a new F Sport model features a 10mm reduction in ride height compared with the standard limousine, plus beefier, more aggressive exterior styling, six-piston brake calipers up front and a Torsen limited-slip differential.

The F Sport’s paddle-shift gearbox incorporates automatic throttle blipping when changing to a lower gear.

A first for Lexus is the inclusion of selectable driving modes, which include Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+.

The temperature of the heated/ventilated front and rear seats and heated steering wheel can be controlled automatically, in what Lexus claims is a world first.

The revised LS’s satellite navigation system — which is displayed on an extra-large, 12.3-inch screen — features internet connectivity, and all UK-spec LS models come equipped with a 19-speaker sound system plus upgrades to the rear seat entertainment package, which includes a Blu-Ray disc player.

Standard safety equipment comprises Lexus’s Advanced Pre-Crash Safety system with Collision Avoidance Assist and an upgraded Lane Keep Assist system.

Lexus is currently remaining tight-lipped about performance figures and pricing details.

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Skoda Plans to Build Rapid Hatchback

Skoda Plans to Build Rapid Hatchback
Tags: skoda rapid hatchback, skoda rapid hatch


The Czech firm’s sales and marketing boss, Jürgen Stackmann, said the car would be shorter than the notchback Rapid and would feature a more Golf–like rear end.

The car was previewed as the Vision D concept at last year’s Geneva motor show. It featured bolder wheel arches and slimmer lights than the production Rapid’s. The final version is planned for launch towards the end of next year.

However, it won’t exactly mirror the Vision D’s look. “It’s not that car,” Stackmann told Autocar. Nor would he reveal the new hatchback’s name, although he did confirm that there will be no three-door version of the Rapid because the market volumes would be too low.

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2014 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet

2014 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Cabriolet
Tags: 2014 Vauxhall Astra, vauxhall astra cabriolet, vauxhall astra cabriolet for sale, vauxhall astra cabriolet review, vauxhall astra cabriolet second hand, vauxhall astra cabriolet used, vauxhall astra cabriolet roof, vauxhall astra cabriolet automatic, vauxhall astra cabriolet parts, vauxhall astra cabriolet 2006, vauxhall astra cabriolet turbo


The new Vauxhall Astra cabriolet is getting closer to production, as these spy shots reveal. The heavy cladding of previous mules has been shed, leaving behind a sporty silhouette that will be fully unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Unlike the old Astra TwinTop, the newcomer gets a fabric roof rather than a folding hard-top but remains a four-seater model. The Astra name is also likely to be dropped completely when the car is unveiled. Former Vauxhall boss Nick Reilly told Auto Express: “Calibra is a possible name, as well as Manta."

Underneath the camouflage it looks as though the cabriolet will get styling inspired by the sporty Astra GTC. That means pronounced creases in the bodywork and an aggressive bodykit, alongside ‘eagle-eye’ LED lights. A few chassis tweaks from the GTC will help sharpen up the handling too.

Engines will be borrowed from the rest of the Astra line-up, so expect to see a 1.4-litre, 1.6 and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines featuring alongside a range of 1.7 and 2.0-litre diesels.

The Vauxhall Astra cabriolet will go on sale next year and is expected to cost around £23,000.

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2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 & 2010 Lexus HS250h

2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 & 2010 Lexus HS250h
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The Problem: Toyota has found that both vehicles may develop suspension issues following a rear wheel alignment service. The rear suspension arm could move around excessively if the nuts aren’t reinstalled and torqued properly. As a result, rust could form at the threaded portion of the arm, which could eventually cause the arm to separate.

The Fix: Toyota is still researching a fix for the issue. Toyota will notify owners once a remedy has been found. For more information, Toyota customers may call 800-331-4331 while Lexus owners may call 800-255-3987.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: About 760,000 model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 crossovers (early 2011 RAV4s only) and approximately 18,000 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedans.

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2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
Tags: 2014 bentley continental flying spur, 2014 bentley flying spur, 2014 bentley suv, 2014 bentley continental gt, 2014 bentley truck, 2014 bentley gt, 2014 bentley continental, 2014 bentley supersports, 2014 bentley, bentley class 2014


What It Is: A 2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur—the four-door sibling of the Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible—caught while testing wearing fake Mercedes S-class camouflage. A lot of spy photos come through our email inboxes, but few prove as entertaining as these shots of the next Flying Spur. Not only did Bentley stick on some pseudo-Benz head- and taillights, but it went so far as to affix bulging fender flares similar to those on the current S-class. Looking past this Bentley’s drag, it’s clear that the Flying Spur will inherit the same basic stylistic upgrades that hit the 2011 Continental GT and 2012 GTC.

Why It Matters: Bentley’s entry-level sedan has been on sale in the same form since 2005—that’s quite the product cycle. It’s an especially long lifespan when you consider the stratospheric sandbox in which the Flying Spur competes; rich or poor, people tend to crave the latest and greatest, and that counts double when customers need to shell out nearly $200,000. Mix in the competition that appeared since the Spur first went on sale—the Rolls-Royce Ghost (which beat the Flying Spur Speed in a comparison test), the Aston Martin Rapide, and the upcoming Pullman version of the next Mercedes-Benz S-class—and a freshened Flying Spur becomes even more important for Bentley.

Platform: Just as the latest Continental GT and GTC sit on a carry-over platform, so too will this new Flying Spur. That said, the four-door should get entirely new sheetmetal; it may not be obviously different—changes to the other Continentals weren’t terribly easy to spot—but it should subtly bring the sedan in line with its two-door siblings, as well as the larger Mulsanne.

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