U Spy: Can You Name the Mercedes-Benz Prototype in these Pictures?


One of our longtime readers, Vladimir P., was traveling on the roads of Munich in Germany this past weekend when he came across a prototype of a Mercedes-Benz model partially covered in black tape, strategically positioned to keep the styling details out of sight.

What we want from you is to tell us which upcoming Mercedes-Benz four-door sedan model do you think is hiding behind the plastic wraps of this prototype.

Read more »

Audi Reportedly Green Lights Seven-Seater Minivan


At the same time that many automakers are pulling away from the minivan segment offering alternatives in the form of seven seater crossovers, Audi has reportedly given the green light for the development of its first MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) that will arrive in 2016. Read more »

Lamborghini Gallardo T-Bones Shelby GT500 that Continues Like Nothing Happened [Updated]


Whenever you compete in a race and as much as any driver would like to avoid it, there is always the possibility that something might go wrong and you end up leaving your vehicle in shambles.

Which is precisely what happened to a driver of what appears to be a fairly stock Lamborghini Gallardo during a recent racing event called 'Formula GT500 Copa' that took place in Medellin, the second largest city in the Republic of Colombia.

Read more »

Chrome Lamborghini Aventador, Viper ACR and Batmobile Assemble at Times Square


New Yorkers and tourists passing through Times Square were treated to a rare sight this past weekend when an assortment of specialty cars were parked on the road for their viewing pleasure.

The vehicles that stood out the most were a Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 dressed in a chrome foil wrap with contrasting red pin stripes decorating and highlighting the supercar's hard edges, a Batmobile replica from Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film and a Dodge Viper ACR.

Read more »

Monster Miata, the Makers of the V8-Powered MX-5, Revisited


In the latest episode of Automobile Magazine's "The Downshift", the crew revisits the Monster Miata tuning shop in San Marcos, California, and interviews the company's founder Martin Wilson.

In the video, Wilson talks about the past, the present and the future of the company that became famous for stuffing a Ford Mustang-sourced 5.0-liter V8 into the engine compartment of the Mazda MX-5 roadster (see another V8 powered Miata here).

Read more »

Porsche Rumored to Debut Panamera Shooting Brake Concept at Paris Motor Show


Earlier this month, we told you that aside from the upcoming Macan crossover and the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid, Porsche is plotting a second supercar model with a conventional powertrain and a smaller version of the Panamera sedan, internally known as the Pajun.

As it turns out, these aren’t the only new models under consideration at Porsche's Stuttgart headquarters as Car&Driver is reporting that the German firm will unveil a station wagon concept of the Panamera with a "shooting brake" moniker at the Paris Motor Show in late September.

Read more »

Toyota Offers Drift Rides in a Specially Prepped GT86 in Thailand


One way to draw car buyers into showrooms is to organize some meaningful events and show off your vehicles, which is what Toyota and its in-house tuning shop TRD (Toyota Racing Development) did in Phuket, Thailand.

The Japanese automaker brought along a race-spec GT86 (Toyota's version of the Scion FR-S) and a professional drift driver who took several event-goers for a slippery ride around the circuit.

Cross over the break to take a look at the video from the event.

Read more »

VW Investigating its Chinese Partner FAW for Stealing Designs and Illegally Producing Parts!


Chinese carmakers and parts manufacturers stealing designs of components or even entire vehicles from Western automakers is nothing new, but we rarely see these issues coming out in the open when they happen. And if you are wondering why, it is because foreign companies don't want to disrupt their business in the country.

However, on Friday, German business daily Handelsblatt reported that the Volkswagen Group is investigating allegations that its Chinese manufacturing partner FAW Group Corp. illegally copied and manufactured transmissions, engines and other components owned by VW.

A Volkswagen spokesman in Germany was quoted by the Wall Street Journal saying that the company "was examining the situation carefully before coming to any conclusions".

It was reported that VW managers recently uncovered FAW's plans to copy the German automaker's MQ200 transmission found in several Audi, Skoda and VW models and use it on the Besturn B50 small sedan, to be sold in Russia where it will compete against similar models from VW and Skoda.

Read more »

Chrysler Saves the Quarter for Fiat Group with the Alliance Posting a $440 Million Profit


When the Fiat Group stepped in to acquire the Chrysler Group LLC back in 2009 after the Detroit carmaker emerged from a government backed Chapter 11 reorganization, the Italians were supposed to be the ones doing the saving.

Enter the present day and it’s the American arm of the group taking over this role as the alliance earned a profit of $440 million or €358 million in the second quarter thanks to Chrysler and not Fiat.

Read more »

Lexus Shares Video from the 'Chic' Presentation of the New LS, Plus a Clip on the Model's History


Designer Jonathan Adler and Barneys Creative Ambassador Simon Doonan were on hand to reveal the refashioned 2013 Lexus LS during a 'chic' event at the “Lexus Laws of Attraction” exhibit in San Francisco on Monday night.

Instead of calling in the media, Lexus invited more than 500 guests from the San Francisco arts and design community to show the redesigned premium saloon.

Read more »

VW Exec Dreams of More SUVs and the Return of the Phaeton in U.S. Lineup


To meet its ambitious goal of reaching 800,000 annual sales in the United States by 2018, up from 324,402 deliveries last year, Volkswagen might need a little help through the introduction of new models and variants.

If Rainer Michel, Volkswagen of America's vice president for product marketing and strategy, could get his way, he would enhance the company's American lineup with a new base SUV placed under the current Tiguan crossover and a larger model slotting between the latter and the mid-sized Touareg SUV.

Read more »

Spy Shots: 2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Prototype Caught with Fake S-Class Camo


You have to admit that Bentley's people had a great sense of humor when it came to covering up a prototype for the updated 2014 Continental Flying Spur sedan.

The British firm's engineers devised a funny looking set of headlamp and taillight decals and fake wheel arch moldings with the intention of creating the illusion of a…Mercedes-Benz S-Class limo.

Read more »

"Poor Man's" Batpod Prototype Discovered in Vietnam


Bruce Wayne has all the money and free time in the world to build the ultimate Batpod, but what happens when your resources are extremely limited? Well, as always, this it means it's time for your imagination and creativity to take over.

This one-of-a-kind replica of the Batpod in the Dark Knight Rises film is said to have been imagined into reality by the young Vietnamese man you see riding the bike in the video after the break. Too bad he skipped on the Batman costume.

Read more »

Skoda Confirms Five-Door Hatchback Version of New Rapid


The freshly launched in Europe Skoda Rapid sedan will soon be joined by a conventional looking five-door hatchback, previewed by the Vision D concept car displayed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

The Czech automaker's sales and marketing boss, Jürgen Stackmann, broke the news to Autocar magazine. He said that the hatchback would be shorter than the Rapid, which itself is a notchback-style sedan with a tailgate that lifts together with the rear window, featuring a "Golf–like rear end".

Read more »

MINI Prepares us for the New Paceman Crossover with Revealing Photos


You know it is only a matter of time before the presentation of a new model when a carmaker drops pictures of a barely camouflaged prototype as MINI did on Tuesday with the Paceman.

The new images show the three-door crossover model with only parts of the rear end covered in the traditional swirly livery we have come to expect from Mini's engineers over the past few years.

Not that we're surprised, mind you, as back in April, Kay Segler, Senior Vice President MINI Brand Management, had confirmed the name of the new model and announced that the Paceman would be presented in a "few months’ time and launched onto the market in 2013".

Read more »

Scoop: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series Edition Spotted on Video


Mercedes-Benz is completing the development of an even higher performance version of its SLS AMG 'Gullwing' Coupe, which will bear the Black Series Edition moniker.

The hardest and fastest street-legal SLS AMG of them all was recently filmed running some quick laps around the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.

Read more »

GM Infographic Tells the Global Tale of the New Chevy Spark


As the new Chevrolet Spark hatchback begins to arrive in showrooms across the U.S., General Motors decided to share a second infographic with us about its mini car, which was first launched in South Korea in 2009 having sold more than 600,000 units worldwide up to date.

Whereas the first information graphic concentrated on the Spark's size, this one includes some interesting and some not-so-interesting facts about the car from around the world.

Read more »

Peugeot Treats 807 MPV with Some Trivial Updates


To say that the Peugeot 807 is long in the tooth is an understatement as the French MPV, which was the result of a partnership between the PSA Peugeot Citroen and the Fiat Group, has been on sale more or less unchanged since early 2002.

Nevertheless, Peugeot is willing to give the seven-seater 807 another year in the market with a petty update that brings a new two-tone emblem at the front and a redesigned tailgate finisher and badge at the back of the minivan.

Read more »

Race to Brokeface Mountain, the Motorcycle Edition


As it turns out, the Yamaha R6 cannot go up a hillside. But all humor aside, the rider of this Japanese sports motorcycle had an unfortunate and painful encounter with a mountain side when he lost control of his bike, first heading up towards the sky and then face down on the ground.

From the surroundings, we're guessing the location is at Mulholland drive in Los Angeles. The video poster noted that the man was not injured.

You will find the video clip right past the break.

Read more »

VW Opens Up New Plant in China with an Annual Capacity of 300,000 Vehicles


As the Volkswagen Group's largest market, the Germans want to maintain the momentum in China by opening a new plant for Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW) in Yizheng, situated in the eastern part of the country.

Construction of the new manufacturing facility that has an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles began in July of 2010 and was completed earlier this month ahead of schedule.

Read more »

Porsche Seals Deal with Martini to Offer Special Racing Livery on 918 Spyder Plug-in Hybrid


For the past couple of months, Porsche has been seen testing prototypes of the upcoming 918 Spyder wrapped in various Martini Racing-themed monochromatic outfits.

Today, we learn that Porsche has completed a deal with the Martini brand, represented by Bacardi & Company Limited, to offer the racing livery on the production version of the 918 Spyder that goes on sale in September of 2013 at a starting price of €645,000 (about US$789,900 at today's exchange rates), excluding taxes and country-specific charges.

Read more »

Lexus Gives the 2013 LS Sedan a Little More Character with a Thorough Facelift


At long last and after more leaks than the proverbial bucket, Lexus came out with all the official details and pictures of its redesigned for the 2013 model year LS flagship sedan series, which was unveiled on Monday during a special happening in San Francisco.

While based on the fourth generation model that has been in production since 2006, the refreshed LS sedan gains a more dynamic exterior look along with a restyled interior and notable changes under the sheetmetal to fend off the German competition that comes in the form of the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

For the 2013MY, the LS line-up includes the LS 460, LS 460L (LWB), LS 600hL hybrid, and the first-ever LS 460 F Sport variant . The LS 460 and LS 460L are available in both RWD and AWD versions while the LS Hybrid is offered with a full-time AWD system.

Read more »

Clean Looking VIP-Style Japanese Sedans Riding on Air Suspensions


One of the more popular fads in the Japanese tuning scene is the VIP Style or "Bippu", which usually refers to the modification of large Japanese sedans, though we have also seen the same theme being applied to import models as well as to vehicles from other categories.

The common denominator of VIP Style models is a clean and hunkered down look achieved through select aero parts, prominent exhaust pipes, high-end rims with low offsets that sit flush with the fender and a lowered suspension.

Read more »

Scoop: Three Porsche 918 Spyder Prototypes Filmed on a Highway in Spain


Given that, even the sighting of a single prototype of the upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder on a public road is a rare occasion, you can imagine the surprise of this driver who saw not one, not two but three examples of the plug-in hybrid supercar pass by on a highway in Valencia, Spain. Read more »

New 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible Carries a Base Price of $60,445*


The 2013 Camaro 1LE that bridges the gap between the SS and ZL1 coupes wasn't the only new model to receive a price tag, as according to Autoblog.com, General Motors also announced pricing for the 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible during an event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Sunday.

The rag-top version of the ZL1 will start at $60,445 (€49,100), which includes a $900 destination charge (*). That's a $5,450 premium over the current, 2012MY Camaro Coupe priced at $54,995.

Read more »

Rally Crash Proves It's Not Over Until It's Really Over [NSFW]


Racing cars crashing and rolling over during a race is nothing new but you may want to stick around and watch this video until the very end.

To explain, during the Rally West Virginia on July 27, 2012, a Brakim Racing team car slid off the gravel road at speed and rolled over.

As you will soon see for yourself, the driver and his co-pilot reacted extremely cool during and after the crash, with the two men having a short chat about the best way to get out of the car that was lying on its side.

Read more »

Vilner Crafts the Ducati Monster 1100 EVO Bulgari


We're going to assume that the 'Bulgari' moniker on Vilner's latest creation has something to do with the design house's country of origin and not with the famous Italian jeweler and luxury goods retailer (or else it may have the same fate with Carlex Design's Burberry-themed Range Rover).

The Bulgarian company's second motorcycle tune after the BMW F800 R is based on the Ducati Monster 1100 EVO.

Read more »

Feds Probe 2013 Infiniti JX After Reports About Unnecessary Application of "Intelligent" Braking


The so-called intelligent brake assist system on the 2013 Infiniti JX35 crossover may not have lived up to its name in two cases, if we are to believe complaints submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

According to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), two drivers allege, "that the intelligent brake assist system inappropriately activated emergency braking autonomously bringing the vehicle to an immediate and complete stop."

Read more »

Spy Shots: Test Mule for BMW 6-Series Grand Coupe Rivaling Maserati Sports Sedan


We have known for some time now that Maserati plans to expand its range within the next few years with a new crossover model, previewed by the Kubang Concept, and a smaller sedan than the Quattroporte.

The latter will compete against the Audi A7, BMW 6-Series Grand Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS, as well as the higher end versions of the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

For the first time, our scoop photographers have captured what they claim to be an early test mule for the executive sports sedan that will sit right under the next Quattroporte, which is nearing the final stages of development.

Read more »

Auto Express and Road&Track Video Review the New Ferrari F12berlinetta


It didn’t take long for the first videos of the new Ferrari F12berlinetta to trickle down through the internet after the Italian automaker began inviting the press for test drives at the Fiorano circuit.

Among the first magazines to post a review of their encounter with the V12-powered supercar is UK car publication Auto Express, while US-based magazine Road & Track took the passenger seat with Ferrari test driver Raffaele de Simone handling the wheel.

Read more »

GM Global Marketing Chief and European Division's Next VP of Design Step Down


Even one resignation of a high-ranking official at a major car company would make news, but General Motors is in the difficult position of announcing two separate resignations at the same time.

The first one concerns General Motors Marketing Chief Joel Ewanick who stepped down during the weekend, with Bloomberg News reporting that he resigned because he "didn’t meet the company’s expectations of an employee," according to an e-mailed statement it acquired from the Detroit automaker.

Read more »

Nissan Unveils Final Production Version of 2013 Pathfinder


Not that we were expecting anything to change over the Pathfinder Concept displayed at the Detroit motor show in January before it headed to the Chicago Auto Show for a second appearance in February, but Nissan has officially revealed the final production version of its new crossover on its Facebook page. Read more »

Watch a Nissan 350Z Street Drift into a Metal Handrail


Just because you own a powerful sports car like the Nissan 350Z that is suitable for drifting, doesn't mean you have the necessary skills to do it, as this driver proved to himself the hard and costly way when he tried to force the Japanese sports car into a turn on a public road – possibly in Russia, if we’re not mistaken.

When you're doing it wrong, all the spoilers and jumbo-sized rear wings in the world won't help you avoid the crash with the 350Z Coupe smashing into the metal handrails on the side of the road.

Read more »

New 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ Turbo Hits the Track for a Short Promo


After the sported-up 2013 Camaro 1LE earlier today, Chevrolet is following up with the release of a second video of one of its upcoming models.

This time, the car in question is the more mainstream 2013 Malibu Turbo that goes on sale in the States this fall with prices starting from $26,950, not including a $760 destination charge.

Read more »

Audi Releases UK Pricing for 2013 R8 Coupe and Spyder Facelift Range [New Photo Gallery]


The recent online debut of the cosmetically and mechanically updated for the 2013 model year Audi R8 has been followed up with an announcement on UK prices.

In Britain, OTR (On The Road) prices for the revamped R8 start at £91,575 for the 4.2 V8 Coupe and top out at £127,575 for the new 5.2 V10 Plus Coupe, with Audi offering buyers the ability to order their car from next month, though first deliveries will take place in early 2013.

Read more »

Scoop: MG 3 Supermini Filmed Testing in Europe


A little over a year after MG confirmed plans to offer the new MG3 supermini in Europe starting with the UK at the end of 2012, company engineers were spotted testing a prototype of the five-door hatchback in Spain.

The MG3 is the production version of the 2010 Zero Concept Car and is already offered in China in two body styles, a regular five-door hatch and a mud-loving faux-crossover version with a hoiked up ride height and plastic moldings named MG3 Xross, which may or may not be offered in Europe.

Read more »

New 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE Priced, Pictured and Filmed on the Track


General Motors is looking to give the 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 with or without the Laguna Seca package a run for its money with a new edition of its 2013 Chevrolet Camaro named 1LE.

The 1LE is offered as a $3,500 (€2,850) package on the Camaro 1SS and 2 SS V8 coupe models with the 6-speed manual gearbox. A Camaro 1SS 1LE starts at $37,035 (€30,100)m which includes a $900 destination charge.

Inspired by the first Camaro 1LE from 1988, the new model keeps the standard SS' 6.2-liter V8 delivering 426hp (318 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569Nm), but swaps the Tremec TR6060-M10 6-speed manual for a Tremec TR6060-MM6 with the same number of gears but a numerically higher 3.91 final-drive ratio, closer-ratio gearing and a liquid-to-liquid cooling system.

There are more changes to be found in the suspension as the 1LE features exclusive, monotube rear dampers instead of the twin-tube dampers on SS models, larger 27-mm solid front- and 28-mm solid rear-stabilizer bars and a strut tower brace.

Read more »

1991 BMW 850i with 6-Speed Manual and Only 11k Miles for Sale


While not a barn find in the literal sense, with only 11,440 miles or 18,407 kilometers on the odometer, this 1991 BMW 850i Coupe might as well be one.

The seller, Denver-based 'The Motorsports Gallery', notes that the silver colored GT is a one-owner car with complete service records adding that aside from being upgraded with a Dinan Chip, a sports exhaust system, plus AC Schnitzer alloy wheels, it is completely stock.

Read more »

Toyota Land Cruiser Seeks Watery Revenge on Avensis Driver


Not all road rage incidents in Russia end up with fists doing the talking as some motorists prove to be highly imaginative when it comes to revenge – regardless whether they are right or wrong.

Video footage caught from a following vehicle shows a silver Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and a Toyota Avensis sedan trying to squeeze into a single lane with neither driver doing the sensible thing by cutting back and letting the other one enter.

Read more »

1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replicated Out of a Chevrolet Optra / Daewoo Lacetti


The clone-happy tuners of India's BigDaddyCustoms, which we came to know from their efforts to replicate the Range Rover Evoque SUV with a Tata-based model, have struck again.

Their next automotive victim is the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 'Eleanor' from the 2000 Hollywood blockbuster 'Gone in 60 Seconds' starring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie.

Read more »

Hyundai Recalling Around 220,000 Santa FE SUVs and Sonata Sedans to Fix Airbag Flaws


South Korean automaker Hyundai has issued two separate and unrelated recalls for the previous Sante Fe crossover and the current generation Sonata sedan because of problems with their airbags.

In the case of the Santa Fe, the recall affects 199,118 vehicles from the 2007-2009 model years built from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008, to fix the occupant classification system (OCS).

Read more »

2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Range gets New Trim Structure and Revised 1.6-liter Turbo in the UK


The new model year brings a fresh trim structure and changes in the engine lineup of the UK market Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon, Estate and Coupe models.

For the 2013MY, the C-Class is now offered in three grades named Executive SE, AMG Sport and AMG Sport Plus.

The Executive SE is the new entry point in the revised range for the C180 BlueEFFICIENCY, C200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon and Estate models.

Read more »

AC Schnitzer Tunes BMW M Carbon Racer Bicycle


When AC Schnitzer says it wants to be a tuner of everything BMW it really means it; from cars to motorcycles and now even the Bavarian firm's bicycles. And mind you, not any BMW bicycle but the ultra-light M Carbon Race developed by none other than the brand's fabled M division.

Since there are much less part to tune on a bike compared to an automobile, AC Schnitzer turned its focus on lowering the M Carbon Racer's weight and making some subtle changes to its appearance.

Read more »

Kia Blows the Box Open on New 2014 Forte / K3 / Cerato Compact Sedan [Photos & Videos]


As soon as Kia placed the new K3 compact sedan at a mall in its home market of South Korea, we knew it was only a matter of time before the automaker would blow the covers or in this case, the box off the compact sedan model.

The first thing you need to know about the K3 is that it is a global model with the alphanumeric moniker used only in Korea where it goes on sale this fall.

In the first quarter of 2013, the sedan will begin arriving in North American dealerships as the 2014 Forte and in other markets as the new Cerato, with coupe and hatchback variants to follow in due time. We still do not know if Kia has plans to sell the compact saloon model in Europe.

Read more »

New Photos and Videos of Ferrari F12berlinetta from the Fiorano Presentation


In case you haven't heard, Ferrari kicked off the international media test drive of its all-new F12berlinetta in Italy this week.

And just to let you know what you are missing out on, the Maranello-based supercar-maker released a handful of new photos plus two videos from the inaugural event, including a general promo and a clip with Scuderia Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa having some fun at the Fiorano racetrack.

Read more »