Automotive Description: August 2011

Hot News: Nissan& MX-5 Rival is Back

Japanese giant Nissan’s rival to the Mazda MX-5 is back on the agenda – and it’s going electric.

The company had shelved plans to revive the legendary rear-wheel-drive 200SX back in 2008. But work on the project has started again, as part of Nissan’s push to launch 52 new cars by 2016. Before the 2+2 was canned, the plan had been for it to sit on the 370Z platform, with power from the 188bhp 1.6-litre turbo found in the Juke.

Now, though, we have learned that the car – which is likely to get an entirely different name – will use a new chassis. In March this year, Daimler bosses signed an agreement to supply mid-size platforms to Nissan, which would accommodate everything from four-cylinder motors to V8s.

This will not only underpin the new MX-5 rival, but also the 370Z replacement and the next GT-R. The Infiniti G and a new sports car from the luxury brand will also use it. Insiders in Japan believe that bosses have yet to make a decision on what will power the new Nissan, but a tuned version of the Leaf’s drivetrain and a hybrid set-up are under consideration.

The company has previously expressed an interest in an all-electric rear-wheel-drive sports car, with the ESFLOW concept, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. To ensure sharp handling, our sources have revealed that Nissan will get help in tuning the chassis from Lotus Engineering; the Brits could also assist with a new lightweight construction. Expect the new model to arrive in 2013, with a price tag of around £20,000.
Thanks to: Auto Express

New Car: 2013 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 small crossover—previously seen as the Minagi concept earlier this year—will be unveiled at September’s Frankfurt auto show. (Well, at least the Euro-market version pictured here will be; our model should differ only slightly, if at all.) It will be the first Mazda to wear the company’s new Kodo styling language, which replaces the current, smile-intensive Nagare theme.
The CX-5 retains virtually all of the Minagi’s styling cues and body lines, and the look is nicely tailored and well executed. But stripping away the show-car glitz—specifically the aluminum-look accents to the grille, fog-light surrounds, and window line, and the shiny, black-painted molding—makes the final product look, well, bland and a bit less upscale in comparison.
Peeking inside, however, we find reason to get excited. The cabin is rich looking, with a very simple and well-laid-out design, and we especially like the uncluttered center stack. Expect to see an available navigation system that’s controlled by a console-mounted rotary knob and possibly a multifunction display located in the right-most section of the instrument cluster.
In Europe, the CX-5 will be offered with Mazda’s new Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine and Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel in multiple iterations with various outputs. Both automatic and manual transmissions are on the menu, likely also of the Skyactiv variety. (The term is being widely applied to Mazda’s efficiency-minded powertrain components.) In the U.S., the Skyactiv-G will be installed in the 2012 Mazda 3, making 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, and the company says it’s still on track to bring a diesel engine to our shores in 2012. While there’s no official word yet from Mazda confirming that the diesel will come in the U.S.-spec CX-5 and not the 3 or 6, we fully expect to see both engines available in our version, albeit each in a single tune, when it arrives next year.
Thanks to: Car and Driver

2012 Porsche 911 Makes a Brief Appearance on "Need for Speed: The Run" Trailer

While checking out the latest preview trailer for Electronic Art's [EA] limited edition racing game "Need for Speed: The Run", we noticed that among the new cars included in the special package are the Lamborghini Aventador, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Since we've already seen the other cars, the surprise here is the new Porsche 911 which makes a very brief appearance in the trailer at around 59 seconds into the video. EA's trailer only shows the 991's rear air vent and the headlamps.

It Came From eBay Hell: 2012 Faresi Concept Car

Grab onto to something before you read this, but if the eBay seller of this car is to be believed, Edson Faresi is a name soon to be held in the same high regard as Ettore Bugatti and Enzo Ferrari.

What makes this all the more funny is when one looks at his 2007 Pontiac Solstice-based Faresi Concept Car that’s currently advertised on eBay. The seller expects this Frankenstein monster of a car to “be very collectable in the future, maybe even worth millions.”

Mr. Faresi, who’s unknown to the internet except in this ad, has been designing cars for donkey’s years and is such an automotive heavyweight that his, “first cars are very collectable and are in Museums and have auction off [sic] for over $12,000,000.”

Super Cop gets Hit by a Joyrider Only to get Up and Hunt him Down

A British police officer made headlines today after the release of a dramatic in-car video footage showing him being violently tossed into the air when a stolen BMW rammed his patrol car, only to get up and chase down the offender on foot.

It all went down on July 3 when the Surrey police was in pursuit of 29-year-old Lee Ralph Adamson for stealing a BMW. Police Constable Dan Pascoe was getting ready to set up a roadblock off the M25 when the offender crashed onto his vehicle.

Jaguar Rumored to Tease E-type Successor with a New Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Over the past few years, we've heard plenty of rumors concerning Jaguar's plans to build a spiritual successor to the famed E-type of the 1960s and 1970s. The latest word on the grapevine comes from British weekly magazine Autocar that claims Jaguar will release a sporty model in the spirit of the E-type as early as next year. Read more »

Detroit's Big 3 Post Higher Sales in July on Demand for Crossovers and Light Trucks

General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have all announced higher sales in July compared to the same month of 2010. GM reported today that its sales increased by 8% compared to July 2010. Passenger car sales rose by 8% and deliveries of crossovers by 20%.

It’s the same story over at Ford, with car sales increasing by 3 percent and light trucks by 12% for a total increase of 6%, as well as for Chrysler, which saw its July sales rise by 20% thanks to a new range of models and a 46% increase in Jeep deliveries.

Coys to Auction Sculpture of Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/6 F1 Racecar

Ayrton Senna may have passed away 17 years ago, but the famed three-time Formula One champion from Brazil continues live on in the hearts of many motorsport fans.

The recent documentary film "Senna" directed by Asif Kapadia that depicts his life and death sparked a new interest in anything associated with the Brazilian champion. And what could be more relative than a giant sculpture of Senna's McLaren MP4/6 F1 racer from his last season as World Champion.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Completes its First 24-Hour Endurance Test

McLaren claims it is satisfied with the performance of its new MP4-12C GT3 racer, which entered a 24-hour race for the first time last weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. And this despite the fact that from the three cars entered, two factory models retired early and only one run by customer team VonRyan Racing, managed to cross the finishing line. Read more »

SPIED: 2012 Porsche 911 Coupe and Convertible Drop Body Camo Completely

Truth to be said, we've spied the upcoming Porsche 991 -that's Porsche talk for the next generation of the 911- more times than we can remember these past few months. In fact, just earlier today we brought you some fresh spy shots of the 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible.

So what's new about these latest scoop pictures? Well, we get a clearer look at both the regular coupe and convertible models of the 911 series without any of that annoying body camouflage.

However, Porsche's engineers have retained the fake surrounds on the headlamps and taillights to confuse us (insert tongue-in-cheek comment here) on the appearance of the 991.

Oops: Hundreds of Irish National Lottery Winners Wrongly Informed They’d Won a Jaguar XK

If you were lucky enough to win something in last Wednesday’s €4.4 million (US$7.3 million) draw of the Irish National Lottery and checked your numbers online, you were in for an additional surprise: that you’d also won a €150,000 (US$246,450) Jaguar XK convertible.

Unfortunately for the hundreds of €2 and €2,000 (US$3.29 and US$3,286) lottery winners, there was only one car to be won and it’s already been claimed.

And the Most-Frequently Stolen Car in the US is…

Honda may now be caught in war of words with Consumer Reports over the results of its test drive of the 2012 Civic sedan, but the Japanese firm's models continue to be preferred by a…certain type of drivers.

According to the latest findings of The National Insurance Crime Bureau [NCIB], the 1994 MY Accord was the most frequently stolen car in the US in 2010 for the third year in a row. The not-for-profit organization stated that the reasons can be found in the car’s weak security systems and the demand for used parts.

2012 Ford Edge with 240HP 2.0-Liter Ecoboost Returns up to 30MPG

Ford is slowly releasing the fuel economy numbers on its latest batch of vehicles to receive the firm's new EcoBoost engines.

Following last week's announcement on the 2012 Explorer with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit, Ford today revealed that the 2012 Edge with the same powerplant will deliver an EPA certified 21mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway.

In the Edge, the EcoBoost four-cylinder engine produces 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. Power is transferred to the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Video: MT Drives the New 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

We won't be seeing the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu in U.S. showrooms until after next year's Super Bowl XLVI, but GM is already handing out early prototypes to journalists for a first encounter with the mid-size sedan.

This time, it's Motor Trend magazine editor Todd Lassa who was handed the keys to Chevrolet's newcomer. However, being that the example he drove and which you can see in the video after the hump, isn't a final production model but a showcar, there wasn't much to say about the Malibu's handling or other characteristics.

SCOOP: 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible Snagged with its Top Down

Our spy photographers continue to capture test mules of the upcoming, next generation Porsche 911, which is internally referred to as the 991, ahead of the sports car world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

We have already shown you the regular 911 Carrera models in both coupe and convertible format as well as the 911 Turbo and what we believe is the 911 Turbo S coupe, but now we have some fresh spy shots of the 911 Turbo Convertible with its top down, caught during hot weather testing.

Half-Naked Man Crashes New Chevy Camaro in Brazil, gets Locked inside… [Video]

In one of the weirdest car accidents of the year so far, a young man wearing only a t-shirt crashed his new Chevrolet Camaro in a park located at Sao Bernardo do Campo in São Paulo, Brazil.

According to the local media, the unnamed man who happens to be the son of an influential businessman, was found locked inside the Camaro coupe intoxicated with a bottle of whiskey on his side but luckily, unhurt.

European Premiere for Updated 2012 Mazda3 at Frankfurt Motor Show

Mazda's all-new CX-5 compact crossover (which we told you about earlier today) will be joined by the refreshed 2012 Mazda3 at the Japanese firm's Frankfurt Motor Show stand.

Revealed for the first time at the Toronto Show in Canada in February, which was followed by an appearance at the New York Auto Show in the U.S. earlier this year, the 2012 Mazda3 gains new and more fuel-efficient engines that deliver lower CO2 emissions.

Lamborghini Frankfurt Motor Show Invitation Hints at New Supercar Model?

What is claimed to be an official press invitation from Lamborghini for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in the form of an image that was allegedly sent through email is making the internet rounds today.

The invitation reads: "Discover a new Lamborghini super sports car at the next Frankfurt Motor Show. Press conference 13/09/11, 12:45, Lamborghini stand at IAA."

We can't be 100 percent sure about its authenticity, but if real, it raises the question what will this new "Lamborghini super sports car" be? The answer could be anything from the production version of the evil-looking Sesto Elemento and either a roadster or a more extreme version of the new Aventador, or perhaps a different concept model altogether. Follow the jump to share your thoughts in the comments section.

Toyota Reveals Next-Gen Safety Systems [Video]

Toyota has revealed a host of both active and passive safety systems that it is developing for use in its future models. The Japanese company said that it concentrates on protecting both older drivers as well as pedestrians.

If you're wondering why, this is because of the statistics which show that in Japan, more than half of road traffic fatalities are of people aged 65 and above, while pedestrian now account for more fatalities than vehicle occupants.

Imperium to Craft One-Off Bentley Continental GT Special

Given the price of a Bentley Continental GT, it should not come to a surprise that some tuners prefer to offer their clients a more personal service when it comes to customizing their cars.

UK-based design house Imperium is one such example developing a one-off Continental GT at the request of an unnamed entrepreneur from Britain. Previewed here in a pair of renderings, we see that the tailored made coupe will feature bespoke bodywork with uniquely designed front and rear aprons, carbon exposed side skirts, a subtle boot lip spoiler and rear carbon fibre diffuser.

Fiat 500 by Gucci Goes Topless, Priced from €20k

With the "500 by Gucci" hatchback having already logged some 3,000 pre-orders online, Fiat wasn't about to let a good run go to waste. Today, the Italians announced the release of topless version that goes by the name "500C by Gucci". Read more »

Official: Mazda Unveils New CX-5 Compact SUV

A little over a year after Mazda previewed the Minagi Concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Japanese company lifted the curtains off the production version of its compact SUV that we will come to know as the CX-5.

The world premiere of the CX-5 will take place at the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show that opens on September 13 and will go on sale in early 2012.

Spied: 2013 BMW 7-Series

BMW is planning to revitialise its flagship model, the 7-Series, as is evident from the leaked images.

Reacting to Audi’s latest challenge in the form of its all-new A8 L, BMW has planned a mid-life facelift for the 2012 7-Series. However, unlike the 2011 Audi which gets a new platform, the 2012 7-Series will only undergo subtle cosmetic revisions.

The spy pictures suggest that the overall look and feel of the current 7-Series hasn’t been changed. Those oversized kidney grille has been retained albeit with thicker grille surrounds. The current headlamp design stays, but we speculate an addition of LED treatment. The lower section of the front bumper has been re-worked and the outside rear view mirrors now get integrated turn indicators. The rear bumper too gets minor tweaks. Not much is known if there will be changes to the interiors though.

The 2012 7-Series may also get BMW's 8-speed automatic transmission – sourced from ZF – which enables smoother and quicker gear shits along with improved fuel efficiency. The 2012 BMW 7-Series facelift will hit Indian shores once it’s launched in the foreign markets in the first half of 2012.

Thanks to: Autocar India

New Car: 2011 Mini Soho

MINI has gone to town with a pair of limited editions - one based on the Hatchback, another on the Convertible. Called the MINI Soho, the newcomers are the latest in a line of MINI specials edition named after London boroughs, districts, streets and landmarks - such as the Mayfair, Camden and Park Lane.

The Soho name has already been used on a MINI - last year's Soho Clubman - but this is the first time it's been applied to the Hatchback and its soft-top sibling. Available as both a Cooper and Cooper D, the latter with congestion charge-exempt CO2 emissions of 99g/km, they will be on sale from now until March 2012.

Finished in a White Silver paint job and fitted with 17-inch Black Star Bullet alloy wheels, the monochrome exterior is unique to the Soho edition. Inside the cabin, a three-spoke steering wheel and piano black trim separates it from the standard car.

Prices start at £16,765 for the MINI Cooper Soho Hatch, rising to £18,045 for the Cooper D Hatch. The MINI Cooper Soho Convertible costs £19,060 while the Copper D Convertible will set you back £20,135 - almost a £2,000 premium over the equivalent standard models. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Spied: 2013 Mercedes SL

The new Mercedes SL is taking shape! Our spies captured the clearest pictures yet of the new roadster, and the slim black camouflage on this prototype does little to cover the shape of the two-door.

With only small pieces of black tape concealing its shape, it’s clear that the new SL’s wide, low front end is inspired by both the CLS four-door and the SLS, and the reshaped headlights – which now include a pair of LED running lights – are clearly visible beneath the black masking.

Reportedly being benchmarked alongside key British rivals from Aston Martin and Jaguar in the form of the Vantage Roadster and facelifted XK. Entry-level versions will be powered by a 305bhp, 3.5-litre V6 engine, while hardcore AMG versions of the SL will feature the all-new 540bhp 5.5-litre V8 twin-turbo, from the CL.

The SL 500 will be powered by a smaller 4.6-litre unit that combines strong performance with greatly improved fuel efficiency, and it could also benefit from similar fuel-saving technology to the forthcoming SLK55 AMG, which can shut down up to four-cylinders when cruising.

Thanks to extensive use of lightweight reinforced plastics and carbon-fibre components the 2012 model is expected to be lighter than its predecessor too, with the newcomer set to make it’s motor show debut at Geneva next year. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Recall Up Date: 2011 Lexus RX350

Toyota is recalling 32 2011 Lexus RX350 crossovers due to Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) systems that are not calibrated properly.

The Problem: The affected VDIM systems may cause the right front wheel to work improperly during situations when the anti-lock brakes (ABS) or vehicle stability control (VSC) systems are engaged. Vehicles may crash due to increased stopping distances or decreased skid correction.

The Fix: Lexus dealers will replace the VDIM system free of charge. The recall will begin in August 2011.

Number of Vehicles Affected: 32 vehicles manufactured from August 30, 2010 to May 18, 2011.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Recall Up Date: 2007 Volvo S80

Volvo is recalling 2007 model-year S80 sedans for issues stemming from a hose in the power steering system.

The Problem: According to Volvo, the affected sedans have power steering reservoir hoses that are incorrectly routed, which could lead to increased pressure in the system. Due to the added pressure, the hose may burst near the steering gear and cause a loss in power steering fluid. The driver may lose power steering assistance making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle.

The Fix: Volvo will inspect and replace the hose as needed, free of charge. The recall is expected to start sometime in August 2011.

Number of Vehicles Affected: 8406 S60 sedans manufactured from March 8, 2006 to May 16, 2007.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Recall Up Date: 2011 - 2012 Nissan Altima

Nissan is recalling model year 2011 and 2012 Nissan Altima sedans and coupes for an issue related to the suspension.

The Problem: Nissan states that the transverse link bolt, which is part of the suspension system, may not have been tightened to the proper specification at the factory. The bolt could eventual loosen and cause noise and vibrations. Drivers may also have a hard time controlling the car, resulting in a crash.

The Fix: The recall starts today. Nissan will replace the transverse link bolt and nut free of charge. Owners can call Nissan with any questions at 1-800-647-7261

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: An estimated 20,000 vehicles manufactured at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant from April 25 to June 10, 2011.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Recall Up Date: 1997 - 2004 Ford F-Series & 2002 - 2003 Lincoln Blackwood

The Problem: The sprays used to deice roads can corrode the straps that hold the truck’s fuel tank in place. Eventually, one or both of the straps can break. If one strap breaks, fuel tanks will be pulled out of the tank; if both break, the tank will fall onto the roadway. In either case, gasoline could leak and cause a fire.

The Fix: Ford dealers will inspect affected trucks and replace the fuel-tank straps with new ones with better corrosion protection. If replacement straps aren’t yet available at a dealership, engineers will install a cable support as a temporary fix. Ford will contact owners of trucks registered in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District Of Columbia.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 1.1 million 1997-2004 Ford F-150, 1997-1999 Ford F-250, 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood trucks.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2012 Toyota Camry

Each successive generation of Toyota Camry seems to take one or two minor styling risks that generate some conversation without jeopardizing the model’s staggering sales figures. These spy photos showing the car running bare in the desert indicate that will be the case again when the car launches in the coming months.

Last time around, the car had a touch of BMW’s overstyled “Bangle butt,” and the rear should remain a talking point. The new taillight design falls somewhere between those of the current Subaru Legacy and Volvo S60, both of which, interestingly enough, represented dramatic stylistic overhauls of two historically conservative cars. Compared to those cars, the Camry’s red lenses come to more fang-like points down at the bottom and come to sharper points on the rear quarters. While we’re talking about styling inspiration, the linear cut of the C-pillar reminds us a bit of a Cadillac’s.

It’s really only when our eyes meet the front end that the new Camry starts looking like itself. There’s no direct outside inspiration for the new nose, and it looks modern and bold, but also a bit generic. There’s no egg-tooth overbite for the corporate “T” logo, though, which automatically makes the front better looking than the last Camry’s.

This is a rare instance, however, where conservative design might actually be risky for Toyota. The Hyundai Sonata and the Kia Optima have delivered dramatic styling in their latest incarnations, and the 2013 Chevy Malibu is on its way with a touch of Camaro showing through its new skin. In the end, though, we’re thinking Toyota’s traditional buyers will appreciate the Camry’s very simple shape.

Under the hood, we expect Toyota will again offer four- and six-cylinder engines, and the car shown here clearly displays hybrid badges, so the third and most-fuel-efficient model in the range will return. With the Ford Fusion hybrid serving as an efficiency benchmark—it returns 41 mpg city and 36 highway—expect Toyota to improve on the previous gas-electric Camry’s 31/35 ratings. The traditional gas-engine models likely will swill less juice, too. If the above comes to pass, it likely will mean business as usual—make that big business as usual—for the sales king.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLC: A-Class-Based 'Baby' CLS Scooped

If you are still wondering how Mercedes-Benz plans to beat its German competition and take the reins from the likes of BMW and Audi in the premium car segment, the new CLC sports saloon is just one example of how the Stuttgart-based company intends to proceed in the future and lure more customers to its brand.

Mercedes-Benz insiders rightfully describe the CLC (note that the company may use a different name for the production car) as a "baby CLS".

The latter was the German firm's first sporty looking sedan and it essentially established a category that many automakers and the press alike are akin to calling "four-door coupes" (feel free to agree or disagree with the term).

New 2012 Civic Hits Rock Bottom in Consumer Reports Test, Honda Says it Disagrees

Usually new or redesigned models fare better in car reviews than their predecessors. Technology moves on during the lifespan of a model, automakers learn from their mistakes and improve their production methods, while the competition gets better forcing everyone else to improve etc.

However, that’s not the case with the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic LX, or at least that's what Consumer Reports states in its latest test of the Japanese model.

According to Consumer Reports (CR), the highest ranking small sedan for many years and a Top Pick in five of the last 10 years has in its latest iteration dropped too low to even earn a “Recommended” tag!

New BMW Family Activity Sports Tourer Scooped, gets Front-Wheel Drive

Once upon a time, not too long ago, you could count BMW's model series on one hand. For example, in the 1980s you had the 3-Series, the 5-Series, the 6-Series and the 7-Series.

Nowadays, you need both hands and very soon, that is after the launch of the two i-Series models and the rumored introduction of more nameplates into the range, you'll probably lose track even if you asked a friend to lend a helping hand…

One of the newest and perhaps most controversial projects BMW is working on now is the development of a new front-wheel drive hatchback currently known by the acronym F.A.S.T. which stands for Family Activity Sports Tourer.

It Came from eBay Hell: Porsche 959 Replica Based on a…Porsche 356 Replica

Two of the most egregious of Porsche replicas to be found on eBay are those of the 356 of the 1950s and ‘60s and the 959 of the late 1980s. Both these cars were legends of their times and are rightly regarded as classics today.

So it’s no surprise that replicas are especially widespread and varying in quality from the very good to the very bad. On the latter end of this very broad spectrum is this 959 replica, which is evidently based on a –hold on- a…Porsche 356 replica.

MTM Drops Some Power Upgrades to Audi A7 Sportback TDI

After Senner Tuning's recent take on the Audi A7 Sportback TDI, MTM is next in line to offer its services to the diesel-powered model.

In regular factory trim, the A7's 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel engine churns out 245-horses and 500Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque. The German tuning firm offers buyers two different options, the first pushing output to 285HP and peak torque to 580Nm (427.8 lb-ft), and the second to 300-horsepower and 600Nm (442.5 lb-ft) respectively.

Video: Lithuanian Mayor Crushes a Mercedes S-Class with an Armored Troop Carrier

The BTR is the standard Soviet (now Russian) armored troop carrier used by the military of the former Eastern Block. Communism has fallen and Lithuania is now independent, yet Arturas Zuokas, the Mayor of the city of Vilnius used the BTR to destroy one of the symbols of the decadent capitalist West [sic].

But seriously, Zuokas climbed on to a BTR and drove over a W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class as part of a publicity stunt to show his frustration over the fact that rich citizens with expensive cars cannot disregard the law and park wherever they want, even in bicycle lanes.

Ford UK Announces Base 2012 Focus Studio with 85HP Priced Under £14k

Ford is widening the options for UK buyers of the all-new 2012 Focus by confirming the availability of a new entry-level model called Studio which will be priced at £13,995 when it arrives in September.

The company said the new Studio will replace the Focus Sport, a final special edition of the previous model that has been on sale since October 2010 reacting sales of 15,000 units.

Carlos Ghosn Hints at a GT-R Based Infiniti…Sort Of

Nissan’s luxury offspring, Infiniti, already has a sports car, the G37 coupe. But lately there has been a lot of talk about cooperating with Red Bull now that the latter is considering entering the car-making business.

In addition, Nissan’s boss, Carlos Ghosn, is teasing us with a rather exciting prospect: an Infiniti version of the amazing Nissan GT-R. At least that’s what he hinted at during an interview in CAR magazine.

Man Attempts to Carjack Undercover Cop in Pittsburgh, Blames Batman Movie!

Apparently, Christian Bale as Batman and Tom Hardy as the Bane filming scenes for the upcoming Hollywood blockbuster "The Dark Knight Rises" (see the videos here) weren't the only protagonists at downtown Pittsburgh this past weekend.

According to news reports from the local media, a young man tried to hijack an unmarked police vehicle near filming for the latest Batman movie, and when the officer arrested him, he claimed that it was part of the movie script for "The Dark Knight Rises"!

Toyota Announces Pricing for 2012MY FJ, Highlander and Land Cruiser

It's time for Toyota to release pricing on its 2012 FJ, Highlander and Land Cruiser SUVs which continue virtually unchanged for the new model year.

Starting with the FJ, there are noteworthy upgrades for the 2012 (according to Toyota's own words) but pricing has increased by $200 or about 0.7 percent and now ranges from $25,990 for the 4x2 equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission to $27,580 for the 4x4 V6 automatic.

Scooped: New Batmobile Tumbler from The Dark Knight Rises Filmed During Shoot in Pittsburgh

In about a year's time (that would be summer of 2012), Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise will continue with the third movie in the series called "The Dark Knight Rises". Actor Christian Bale will return as the Caped Crusader and will go against Bane (played by Tom Hardy) and Selina Kyle, aka the Catwoman (Anne Hathaway).

Also making its return to the movie is the Caped Crusader's Batmobile, also known as the Tumbler from the previous films.

Shooting of the movie commenced in May this year in India and now continues in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where a couple of individuals managed to capture an array of videos of the latest Tumbler while on the move as well as during filming of some scenes.

One-Off “Blue Angels” Ford Mustang Auctioned at Air Show

Ford has created a one-off special edition of the Mustang inspired by the US Navy Blue Angels demonstration team. Based on the 2012 Mustang GT, the car was auctioned on July 29 at the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) 2011 Air Venture Oshkosh aviation event.

It sold for $400,000 and the proceeds will go to the EAA Young Eagles organization that has provided free introductory lessons in flying to more than 1.2 million young people since its foundation in 1992.

Honda Mugen CR-Z RR Study: New Photos

Here's a new set of photos of the Honda CR-Z Mugen RR competition study that made its debut alongside the more production ready CR-Z Mugen Concept at the beginning of July in the Moving Motor Show area at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

While the CR-Z Mugen was designed and built by "MUGEN EURO" based in the UK, the more hardcore RR model is the work of the firm's Japanese division.

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