Kawasaki teases 2011 ZX-10R

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2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R teaser – Click above to enlarge

In case you hadn't noticed, there's a new crop of superbikes terrorizing the roadways and racetracks of the United States. And more than any other point in recent history, the Big Four Japanese brands aren't leading the way. Instead, it's the European brands – Specifically Aprilia, BMW, KTM and MV Agusta – that are encroaching on Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha's territory.

Team Green isn't likely to let the newest challengers turn its flagship Ninja into an also-ran, and the latest evidence of such can be seen in a new teaser of the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R. Expect a completely new motorcycle for next year, including a new engine, frame and suspension package. In order to compete with the latest from Europe, we'd also imagine the literbike to get an upgraded electronics package.

While we don't have any details on those hard bits, we do have one rendering that shows an aggressive new look with a gaping ram air scoop front and center.

[Source: Kawasaki Challenge via Asphalt & Rubber]

526-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell

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Shortly after introducing the SLS AMG last year, Mercedes-Benz announced that it was also developing a battery electric version of the gull-wing supercar. The first prototype is now ready to be shown to the world, resplendent in bright yellow paint (AMG Lumilectric Mango to be exact – the Mopar Boys would be proud). The SLS E-Cell is propelled by a quartet of electric motors with the pair at each axle integrated with reduction gears to drive all four wheels.

Those motors, which top out at a screaming 12,000 rpm, combine to apply 526 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque to the wheels – sufficient to push the coupe to 60 miles per hour in just four seconds. The installation of the front motors necessitated the replacement of the double-wishbone suspension with a multi-link setup with push-rod dampers.

The lithium polymer batteries are split between the center tunnel and a box mounted behind the cockpit, and can provide a combined output of 480 kilowatts (643 horsepower). Two separate cooling circuits can manage the temperature of the battery packs and related power electronics by either heating or cooling the units as needed.

An extendable front splitter works with the reshaped rear diffuser to increase available downforce beyond what's possible with the standard 6.2-liter-V8-powered SLS. Inside, the electric SLS gets a 10-inch touch screen in the center console. According to reports, this is a drivable prototype, so expect driving impressions to arrive before the production model goes on sale in 2013.

Bugatti vs Nissan GT-R 35 in a Street Race

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Who do you think will walk away victorious??

Comment if you were right or not below!

Cadillac to get new range-topping rear-wheel drive flagship

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According to Car and Driver's Jens Meiners, Cadillac is poised to get a new full-size, rear-wheel drive sedan to slot in above the forthcoming XTS – a model that itself will sit above the CTS when it bows to serve as a combined replacement for the STS and DTS.

To hear C/D's moles tell it, the flagship sedan is still in the early planning stages, but the model is being built at the directive of none other than GM CEO Ed Whitacre. If the rumor is accurate, the forthcoming model is apparently likely to be derived from a stretched Sigma platform, the same architecture that underpins the CTS family. Meiners dismisses thoughts that the car could be built on the much-used Zeta platform that underpins the Chevrolet Camaro, suggesting that it's too heavy and old to support such a vehicle.

With word that a Lambda-based three-row crossover and the BMW 3-Series fighting ATS are on the way for General Motors' Wreath and Crest division, it's becoming increasingly clear that the boys down at The Tubes have hit the product accelerator pedal for their luxury brand. We just hope that this mystery offering means that Cadillac is finally going to cook up something that looks like 2003's showstopping Sixteen concept (above), albeit likely in a scaled-down format.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Mitsuoka Orochi Gets the Premium Gold Treatment

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Mitsuoka Orochi Premium Gold

Just when you thought you had washed the Mitsuoka Orochi's image from your mind, it's back – and it's gold! Mitsuoka has just released the Premium Gold Orochi, which will be limited to a production run of only 20 units. This special Orochi is set apart from its kin with a unique paint job, additional spoilers at the front and rear and some "Premium Gold" badging thrown in for good measure. The cost? €95,000 in Europe, or roughly $113,407 (!) based on current conversion rates.

Those keeping track will remember that under the Orochi's hood lies a Toyota-sourced 3.3-liter V6, good for 233 horsepower and mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Hardly entertaining. Obviously, though, the most fascinating thing about the Orochi is its shape, and while we're still having a hard time warming up to it after all these years, there's no doubt that you'll never get it confused with any other car on the road – especially with its new golden cloak and bizarre new wing.

Car Designer Dreams Up a Ferrari 612 GTO

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Ferrari 612 GTO by Sasha Selipanov – Click above for image gallery

Just about every time Ferrari comes up with a new variant of one of its supercars – be it the Scuderia, Spider, Challenge, XX or what-have-you – someone takes it upon themselves to imagine what another Prancing Horse from the stable would look like with the same treatment. Some come out looking better than others, but push comes to shove, there is no 458XX, no 599 Challenge and no California Scuderia. Once in a while, though, someone comes up with something truly intriguing.

In this case, that someone is Sasha Selipanov of Berlin, Germany, also known as the Angry Car Designer. Sasha's idea? The Ferrari 612 GTO. Only the thing is, these renderings don't depict what the Scaglietti would look like given the same treatment as the 599 GTO. No, this is something altogether more intriguing. More like a mix between the Aston Martin One-77 and the Ferrari 458 Italia, with a few elements from the original 250 GTO thrown in there for good measure. (Ferrari, Pininfarina? Are you paying attention for the 599's upcoming replacement?)

[Source: AngryCarDesigner.com via autoblog.nl]

Jeep Recalling Nearly 300k 2006-2010 Wranglers Due To Possible Brake Fluid Leak

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Chrysler is quietly racking up quite a few recalls so far in 2010, with a pair of 300,000 unit minivan recalls, a Dodge Caliber sticking gas pedal concern and now a brake issue with the Jeep Wrangler. The Pentastar is calling home 288,968 2006-2010 Jeep Wrangler models due to front fender liners that could make contact with the right front and left rear brake tubes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the friction caused by the fender liners could "cause wear of the tubes causing a brake fluid leak." That leaking fluid could cause partial loss of service brakes at the affected wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

The NHTSA website states that Jeep Wranglers build between May 15, 2006 and August 9, 2010 are affected by the recall. August 9, 2010 is still two months away, so we're thinking NHTSA made a mistake since Chrysler will begin repairing vehicles beginning in June. If your Wrangler is covered by the recall, you can take your Go Anywhere off-roader to the local Jeep dealer for a free fix.

Taiwan's Luxgen Reviels The New High-tech Crossover

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2011 Luxgen7 SUV – Click above for high-res image gallery

First came the Luxgen7 MPV, now comes the Luxgen7 SUV from Taiwan's first passenger carmaker. The Luxgen7 SUV is as wide as a Mercedes-Benz M-Class, but about about a half-inch longer, and touted as having the "largest exterior dimensions in its segment" and a "coupe-like profile" (*ahem*).

Styling aside, its most compelling attributes might be the Think+ infotainment system and a host of features seemingly cribbed from a Mercedes order book, including optional night vision, blind-spot monitoring, and a lane departure warning system. On thing the Three-Pointed Star doesn't have, though: an anti-theft system that automatically slides the driver's seat forward and leans it against the steering wheel to thwart would-be thieves. Take that!

The Luxgen7 SUV ranges in price from NTD 838,000 ($25,831 U.S.) to NTD 1,148,000 ($35,386 U.S.).

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG available in Alubeam - Just Have To Be Patient

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2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in Alubeam silver

If you're shopping for a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG finished in Alubeam silver here in the United States, you're in luck, but you'll have to be patient. A reader dropped us a note to let us know that a Dallas, Texas dealer apparently informed a friend of his that Alubeam had not been released for the American market yet.

We checked with Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran, who tells us that the special finish is indeed available. Alubeam first appeared on the 40th anniversary CL65 AMG several years ago. If you haven't seen it, Alubeam is a stunning metallic finish that looks like molten silver.

According to Moran, the Alubeam bodies are hand-painted at Mercedes-Benz's Sindelfingen factory, while other colors are applied at a Magna Steyr body shop. The more labor intensive process means that only about 2-3 cars a week are available for U.S. market allocation. Hopefully the customer and dealer are just having a miscommunication about the longer wait time, because the special paint is definitely available.

* Print * Email * TwitterFacebookDiggStumbleUponMore * Comments (10) Rolls-Royce Sales Up 146% On Popularity Of Ghost

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2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost

If there was any lingering doubt as to the business value of the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, recent sales figures appear likely to put such concerns to an abrupt end. Over the course of the first five months of 2010, Rolls-Royce has sold a total of 678 automobiles. That doesn't sound like a whole lot when judged against the world's largest automakers, but that figure represents an impressive 146-percent increase over the previous year.

As you might have guessed, that sales uptick is being driven by orders for the new Ghost, which, with a price starting at around $250,000, is Rolls-Royce's new entry-level model. Company head Torsten Müller-Ötvös expects the sales surge to continue throughout the 2010, suggesting that the automaker will post figures "at least double the volume of last year." As we found during our recent First Drive, Ghost buyers are likely to be very pleased with their new saloons.

New 2010 GMC Terrain Review

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2010 GMC Terrain

GMC's "Professional Grade" tagline works best when it's being used to upsell truck shoppers into Sierras instead of Chevy Silverados, but even wider mass-market success comes from snaring folks who couldn't care less about payload. And while the Yukon has its place at the table for some families, the thirsty brontosaur's broad appeal vanished with the disappearance of super-cheap gasoline. Hence, traditionally truck-focused GMC has crossed over, so to speak. The three-row Acadia was the beginning, and while the trucks are still there for those who want or need them, if you're shopping for a family car, the nice man in the tie would like to show you something different: the 2010 GMC Terrain.

BMW Megacity to spawn EV, Sport models, Gran Coupe coming in 2012

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BMW Efficient Dynamics Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rejoice, Bimmer fans. If you thought the new BMW interest in the world of hybrids and EVs spelt the beginning of the end for your favorite driving machine, think again. Word has surfaced that the company is planning a multitude of different versions of its Megacity EV, including at least one sports car. While chatting with Autocar, Ian Robertson, the head honcho of sales and marketing for the company, said that the Megacity will be made primarily of carbon fiber in order to hit weight targets, and that it will in fact be sold under the BMW banner instead of a newly-minted nameplate.

That's all fine and good, but what about this sports car? The publication cites an unnamed BMW board member as saying that the Megacity platform will spawn multiple variations. Combine that with word from Inside Line that the Bavarian automaker is mulling the creation of a genuine sports car to compete with the likes of the Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz SL, and you've got a recipe for a genuine EV bruiser. Word has it that the creation would be sculpted in the image of the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept.

The IL crew also says that there's also plenty of indication that the ever lovely Grand Coupé will inspire the replacement model for the current 6 Series by late 2012. That's no bad thing in our book.

Keep in mind that all of this is still quite a ways off, though. The Megacity isn't expected to see the light of day until 2013 at the earliest, and any other progeny would crop up in the years to follow. In the automotive universe, a lot can change in two years.

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Gets Updated SmartGauge

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When the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will have an updated version of the SmartGauge that debuted last year on the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The basics of the SmartGauge remain the same, with a pair of 4.3-inch LCD displays flanking a central speedometer. The LCDs can display several layers of information to help coach the driver to be a more efficient motorist.

The most obvious change is the color palette for the LCD gauges. They have been changed from a predominantly blue color scheme to what Lincoln officials describes as a more upscale-looking green and gold. The leaves on the right of the display have been present since the introduction of system on the Fusion and provide a graphical representation of the driver's short-term average fuel economy. The more thrifty your driving style, the more leaves you get. Behave like a lead-foot and they dissolve.

The SmartGauge in the 2011 MKZ Hybrid will also add some new flora to the mix in the form of a long-term fuel efficiency indicator. The indicator takes the form of apple blossom flowers (the state flower of Michigan) that appear amidst your tangle of digital leafs. If your average fuel economy is sufficient (Ford won't say what number you actually need), the first flowers will begin to appear after 4-6 weeks of driving. They first appear as buds and then grow into small and finally large flowers. More flowers appear over time, but the more you get, the more time it will take to earn more. If you earn all of the flowers, then you'll have saved about $8,000 in fuel costs and 30 tons of CO2 over the life of the car.

Aside from adding a whole new element to the game of achieving high MPG that we all play when behind the wheel of a hybrid, Ford's new long-term flower indicator also may serve a second, more practical purpose. If you decide to sell your MKZ Hybrid a few years down the road, a full bouquet of flowers in the SmartGauge proves you were a slow, careful driver and may fetch you a higher price on the used car market.

Asus Lamborghini VX6 And VX7 Laptops; Tail Lights & All

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Growing up, we spent most of our innocent youth being envious of the kid down the street. While we were spending our nights stuck in a lame twin bed, he was having the time of his life by catching his 40 winks in a genuine race car bed. Don't let anyone try to tell you life is fair. As it turns out, ASUS is out to help you elicit that same level of epic jealousy in your fellow coworkers with a new line of Lamborghini-inspired laptops.

Both the LX6 and LX7 feature a glossy case with styling borrowed directly from the tail-end of the ever-sexy Gallardo. Under the hood, er case, is a slew of drool-worthy tech, including a dual-core Atom 525 processor and a sound system courtesy of the gurus at Bang & Olfsen. They're sexy, they're over the top and they're everything we would hope a Raging Bull laptop would be. Asus hasn't released pricing on either of the two lappies, but chances are that they'll be considerably less costly than the four-wheeled products from Sant'Agata.

[Source: Engadget]

Ford Is Expanding Graphics To All Vehicles

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Claiming that its exterior graphics have proven far more popular than it anticipated, Ford will offer customizable decals for all of its cars and trucks by the end of summer.

You know what we mean: camo, flames, dots, stripes, flowers — all the designs that people think make their cars look unique. Ford first latched on to the idea when the graphics proved popular with its Fiesta test drivers; an impressive 70% of them chose graphics for their cars. Its graphics’ website, Fordcustomgraphics.com, has received more than 10,000 hits.

Ford spokesman Jim Abraham told the Detroit Free Press that he attributes the trend to a growing desire among young people to “customize products ranging from iPhones to cars.”

Ford will first offer graphics for the Mustang and F-150 pickup truck this month and then roll out designs for the rest of its vehicles by summer’s end. Ranging in price from $200 to $1,200, the graphics are permanently affixed to body panels. The automaker will wait and see before it offers similar products for its Lincoln and Mercury brands.

We’re still skeptical, though. Do exterior graphics interest you? Would you customize a Ford if you bought one? Let us know in the comment section below!

Next Generation (40th Anniversary Edition) Nissan Z to get Mercedes V6, I4-hybrid?

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Given the reality of upcoming CO2 emissions regulations in both Europe and North America, it's not much of a stretch to assume that the next generation Nissan Z will get more fuel efficient. How Nissan will manage to extract those extra miles per gallon and reduced emissions is purely conjecture on the part of everyone outside of Nissan's engineering staff at this point.

Thankfully, the British motoring press has no aversion to speculation or even simply stuff up. In the wake of the cooperation deal between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance, the future of the Z is a ripe target for such prognostication. Could the 370Z successor get a version of the 3.5-liter V6 hybrid powertrain from the Mercedes S400? How about a V6 diesel or inline-four diesel-hybrid?

Anything's possible, but not necessarily probable. Given the personality that customers expect from a Z, we think something along the lines of a downsized, boosted gasoline V6 is a much more likely configuration. The relatively low volumes of the Z would easily be balanced out by all of the electric vehicles Nissan is planning to build without having to do anything too radical to the sports car.

2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic Being Reviewed

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2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 - Click above for high-res image gallery

When you launch a vehicle during the year's most over-hyped estrogenfest, you're obviously trying to appeal to a specific demographic. Specifically, not us. There's a reason we haven't taken a crack at the Mercedes-Benz GLK until the sequel to Sex and the City hit the screen. It was just too easy to pigeonhole this cute 'ute as nothing more than a boxy four-wheeled trinket – a cynical fashion accessory designed to compliment your rat-faced pooch and Manolo Blahniks (yes, we had to look that up).

But a funny thing happened on the way down I-5.

While blasting the stereo and hauling along at a decidedly Germanic clip, all of the stereotypes about the GLK's target demographic flew out its expansive sunroof. For as much as we dislike the mere idea of "entry-level luxury" – and in particular the scads of pseudo-SUVs that populate it – the GLK started to make sense. It's well proportioned, has adequate power and comes with nearly enough amenities to match its tri-pointed badge. We actually enjoyed it, even though our manhood might've taken a hit in the process.

Which State Has The Dumbest Drivers?

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GMAC Insurance just completed its annual survey of driver knowledge, and the results don't look good. Of those questioned, New York drivers proved to know the least about the rules of the road, with 20 percent failing the written exam and 85 percent not knowing basic information like what to do when approaching a yellow light. The trend continued for most of the North East with the region managing the lowest average test score of 74.9 percent.

Meanwhile, the Mid-West took the highest average test score by region with 77.5 percent average. It turns out Kansas drivers are the most knowledgeable of traffic laws. The state's residents managed to pull down an average test score of 82.3 percent. GMAC surveyed a total of 5,000 licensed drivers from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. for its research, and looked into distracted driving issues as well.

GMAC didn't provide average test scores for the entire nation, but we can guess they're nothing to brag about. Our country's approach to driver's education is outdated and underfunded at best, and hand-me-down at worst. Bi-annual testing, behind-the-wheel training (complete with an understanding of vehicle control in emergency situations) and law-enforcement for infractions other than speeding would be a good place to start. It ain't gonna be cheap, but it certainly would be worth it in lives and insurance costs.

[Source: CBS News ]

TPC Racing to Turbo Charge Porsche Boxster Spyder

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TPC Racing Porsche Boxster Spyder – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Boxster Spyder may be one of the purest Porsches to date, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. However, unlike the majority of tuning firms, TPC Racing is different. They take a holistic approach to the project at hand and in the case of their white-on-black Spyder, they're not just looking to improve the Porsche's performance, they're out to build a supercar.

We've spent time with the company's Cayman S Turbo and there's no doubt they've got the skills to accomplish the task (20+ years of motorsports knowledge helps), but how do you improve on something that's damn-near perfect right out of the box? In this case, the answer (predictably for TPC) comes in the form of forced induction.

Although they've already increased the output of the flat-six to 321 horsepower with a few ECU tweaks, the planned turbo upgrade will boost the power to 470 hp... at the wheels. In a 2,811-pound roadster.

But if you only want the power upgrade, look elsewhere. TPC won't offer the engine work alone, opting instead for a comprehensive upgrade package that includes a round of suspension mods that won't just make the Spyder stick harder, but offer infinite adjustability through Porsche's two-mode shock system. The whole kit-and-caboodle will set you back around $16,000 ($10k for the engine mods and $6k for the suspension), but once it's completed, the $80,000 entry price should be enough to shame some of the world's most high-powered exotics.

Kilometer Magazine will be following the build, so expect more updates to come in the following weeks.

2011 Chevy Cruze Priced at $16,275, LTZ Costs $22,695

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Chevrolet announced the starting price of the all-new Chevy Cruze compact today, and it might be shocking to some. The $16,275 price tag, before a $720 destination fee, is considerably higher than the outgoing Cobalt it replaces — $14,990 — but it’s also a larger vehicle with better gas mileage.

The price bump puts it about $1,000 higher than the Mazda3, and we’d guess Ford will price its upcoming 2011 Focus somewhere in between or higher than the Cruze, which goes on sale in September. A Honda Civic VP starts at $16,405, and a range-topping Civic EX-L is $21,005.

The base price gets you a manual transmission LS model; a six-speed automatic is standard in the $18,175 LT. The highly touted Eco model, which is expected to get 40 mpg highway with aerodynamic enhancements, also will start at $18,175.

Check out the price and equipment breakdowns from Chevy below, including the top-of-the-line LTZ. Then let us know in the comments if you think the price is too high or just right. We’re more surprised that features such as USB input aren’t standard on more trim levels at this price point rather than the prices themselves.

2010 Aston Martin Rapide: 4 Door Sports Car Auto Review

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0-60 in 5 seconds? Nice! Check it out!

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

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2010 Nissan Sentra

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