Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[FPV GT 5th Anniversary edition unveiled in Sydney]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/10/fpv-gt-5th-anniversary-edition-unveiled-in-sydney/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/10/fpv-gt-5th-anniversary-edition-unveiled-in-sydney/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/10/fpv-gt-5th-anniversary-edition-unveiled-in-sydney/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the FPV 5th Anniversary model

Ford Performance Vehicles, otherwise known as FPV, is celebrating its fifth birthday as being the sharp end of Ford Australia's performance stick. FPV presented itself with a gift at this week's Australian International Motor Show in the form of a special edition FPV 5th Anniversary model. Only 200 units will be produced of the rear-wheel-drive Falcon-based birthday present, ensuring instant collector car status for the discerning Aussie buyer. The car features Alpine Silver 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, 6-piston Brembo brakes, sports seats upholstered in Nudo leather and special "5th Anniversary" decals on the trunk, ahead of the rear wheels, embossed on the front headrests and on the floormats. The FPV 5th Anniversary model will be available in Lightning Strike or Silhouette, both with striping, and starts at $71,890 in Australian dollars, which FPV says equates to $9,600 worth of extra goodies for only $5,300 more than the FPV GT sedan. So happy birthday to FPV, and we hope that Ford invites us to your rear-wheel-drive performance sedan party some time soon.

Gallery: FPV 5th Anniversary Special Edition


[Source: FPV]

Continue reading FPV GT 5th Anniversary edition unveiled in Sydney

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australian international motor showAustralianInternationalMotorShowford performance vehiclesFordPerformanceVehiclesfpvfpv 5th anniversaryFpv5thAnniversarysydney motor showSydneyMotorShowFri, 10 Oct 2008 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[HSV unveils 40th Anniversary GTS, SV08 in Sydney]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/hsv-unveils-40th-anniversary-gts-sv08-in-sydney/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/hsv-unveils-40th-anniversary-gts-sv08-in-sydney/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/hsv-unveils-40th-anniversary-gts-sv08-in-sydney/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above for hi-res gallery of the HSV SV08

It's anniversary time in Oz for HSV, Holden's high-performance division. That means stripes, stickers, commemorative badges and a pair of new unveilings at the Sydney Motor Show. In HSV's case, at least, the extra pieces of flair go on fire-breathing, tire-shredding LS3-powered monsters, so the usual lameness attached to these sorts of things goes right out the window. The 40th anniversary of the GTS nameplate's first appearance (on the '68 Monaro) means we get a special HSV GTS 40th Anniversary model. And since 20 years have passed since the original SV88 appeared, a special edition HSV Senator Signature dubbed SV08 has also been unveiled. HSV will build 100 of the Anniversary GTS models and just 50 SV08s. And yes, we'd happily take one of each, thank you.

Gallery: HSV SV08


Gallery: HSV GTS 40th Anniversary


[Source: HSV]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>40th anniversary gts40thAnniversaryGtsholdenhsvhsv gtsHsvGtssenatorsenator signatureSenatorSignatureSV08sydney 08sydney motor showSydney08SydneyMotorShowThu, 09 Oct 2008 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA Preview: RKSport doing up Genesis sedan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/sema-preview-rksport-doing-up-genesis-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/sema-preview-rksport-doing-up-genesis-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/08/sema-preview-rksport-doing-up-genesis-sedan/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above to enlarge

There are six modded Genesis' planned for SEMA: three coupes, three sedans. The coupes have been worked over by Street Concepts, HKS, and Rhys Millen. A rendering of the first tricked-out Genesis sedan from RKSport has rumbled onto the page, and it looks less like competition for the 5 Series than it does a challenger to the Death Star. The Platinum Silver sedan will wear carbon fiber accessories and a couple of spoilers as it hunkers on its oversized TSW wheels.

RKSport's take on this car is to raise the performance stakes, and it's going to have Hyundai's help doing it. The whipped cream on the sunday will be a K&N air intake, Magnaflow exhaust, Eibach springs, Baer brakes, and a body kit. The sunday itself consists of performance upgrades that Hyundai is giving to the car's Tau V8 engine. The Korean automaker is hush-hush on those changes, but they're probably good for a bump in the numbers in all the right places. And since you can't drive the cars at SEMA, they'll probably look and sound pretty good, too.

[Source: Motor Trend]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermarkethyundaihyundai genesishyundai genesis sedanHyundaiGenesisHyundaiGenesisSedanrksrksportrksport genesisRksportGenesissemasema 2008Sema2008tunersWed, 08 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Spotted: '80s Flashback Renault Alpine A310]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/spotted-80s-flashback-renault-alpine-a310/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/spotted-80s-flashback-renault-alpine-a310/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/spotted-80s-flashback-renault-alpine-a310/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Alpine A310

We see rear-engine, 6-cylinder sports cars from Europe every day. They always have a Porsche badge on them and usually "911" in their name. Whether in Carrera, S, Targa, 4, 4S, GT3, Turbo, GT3 RS or GT2 trim, they are great cars but so common that they barely stand out anymore. The occasional 356 is always a pleasant surprise, but especially in Southern California, those too are almost every-day sights. So when we saw this particular rear-engined European sports car, we were quite thrilled. It's a 1980 Alpine A310! And not just any A310, this one had a full on Fleishmann Group IV body kit plus a massive rear spoiler that must make this puppy stick like glue as it approaches its 130+ mph top speed. While several thousand A310s were built between 1971 and 1984, none were officially imported into the States. Seeing one "in the wild" is such a treat, even if it happens to be at a dealership that specializes in rear-engine European sports cars.

Alpine was affiliated with Renault a bit like AMG is with Mercedes. They started out as tuners and racers but were eventually bought and incorporated into the Renault operations. They had a pretty good racing record with the older Alpine A110, particularly in rallying, where they won the Monte Carlo Rally and World Rally Championship in 1973. The A310 was their follow-up. It started life powered by a tuned Gordini four-cylinder engine with up to 125 hp, but eventually featured the PRV 2.7L V6 later used in the De Lorean. Even with just 150 hp, these little fiberglass flyers could keep up with a contemporary Porsche. Think of it as a Lotus Exige built by the French, with a back seat, and the engine hanging in back of the rear axle. Okay, maybe the Exige analogy is a bit of a stretch, but with its tubular steel backbone chassis and fiberglass body, it was light, quick and a good handler, which makes it a fun sports car and a delight to see in person.

Gallery: 1980 Renault Alpine A310


All photos copyright (C) 2008 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alpine A310AlpineA310Renault Alpine A310RenaultAlpineA310Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:27:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA Preview: Street Scene Equipment F-150]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/sema-preview-street-scene-equipment-f-150/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/sema-preview-street-scene-equipment-f-150/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/07/sema-preview-street-scene-equipment-f-150/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res pic of the SSE F-150 Lariat

Custom truck lovers, it doesn't matter that the whole world might seem to be against you, you will not be forgotten at this year's SEMA. Performance West will be bringing a hotted up F-150 and F-350, and now Street Scene Equipment rumbles onto the stage with it's own entrant, a juiced up 2009 F-150 Lariat.

The SSE job appears to be a little more subdued than the Performance West numbers, but that might just be down to the lack of racing stripes. The Lariat will of course be dropped, because you can't even call it a tuning job if the truck is more than an inch above the ground. After that, the exterior gets new front and rear bumpers and skirts, new mirrors, a bed cap, a tailgate wing, and some of DuPont 's Hot Hues to make it all shiny, among other things.

Inside will be the standard rolling theater treatment: headrest video monitors and a "high-end infotainment system" from Audio Innovations. In keeping with the restrained theme, engine mods looks to be limited to an Air Raid intake and a new exhaust. Subtle ain't such a bad thing, though -- we gotta admit we're digging that grille.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aftermarketf-150fordford f-150ford f-150 lariatFordF-150FordF-150Lariatpickuppickup trucksPickupTruckssemastreet scenestreet scene equipmentStreetSceneStreetSceneEquipmenttunersTue, 07 Oct 2008 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Alfa Romeo 8C goes on sale now in U.S., already sold out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/alfa-romeo-8c-goes-on-sale-now-in-u-s-already-sold-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/alfa-romeo-8c-goes-on-sale-now-in-u-s-already-sold-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/alfa-romeo-8c-goes-on-sale-now-in-u-s-already-sold-out/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

And with these words, the Alfisti shall rejoice: Alfa Romeo is finally back in the United States. While a full scale return by the Italian maker won't happen until 2009 or 2010, you can officially buy the Alfa 8C Competizione starting this month through one of the designated Maserati dealers tabbed to carry this rolling piece of automotive hotness. Check that, you can arrange delivery. Seems all of the 8Cs earmarked for the U.S. are already spoken for. So at least in theory, Alfa has returned. The 8C Spider open air version won't show up until 2010, but we really like the coupe enough not to be too distressed about the wait.

When the full operation ramps up, we are expecting that someone strolling into an Alfa Romeo dealership will be able to purchase not only the 8C Competizione and 8C Spider, but hopefully the hotter 8C GTA, the Brera and 159 or their replacements, the MiTo and 149, and whisperings also suggest a large rear-drive car possibly based on a Jaguar platform, along with a BMW X3 rival. Sounds a bit like Heaven. As always, we'll keep you posted.

Gallery: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione


Gallery: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione


[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
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Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Kuga Individual

When we put the production Ford Kuga next to its progenitor, the Iosis X show car, on our test drive in Belgium, we couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. The Kuga is a fine looking cute-ute, but lacks the aggressive styling that made the Iosis X such a show stopper. Ford promised to close the gap a little with the Individual version of the Kuga, launched here in Paris.

The Kuga joins Individual versions of the Ford Mondeo, Fiesta, S-Max and Galaxy, offering overseas buyers a host of luxury options you'd normally find on higher-end automobiles. The interior trim in particular goes a long way towards addressing some of the incoherence we mentioned in our review as well. Along with the leather and stuff, the Kuga Individual gets a revised exterior package that evokes some of the touches from the concept car, like aluminum intake fascias, 20" wheels and ground effects. The latter gives the Kuga a more road-skimming look as opposed to the Iosis X's jacked-up stature, but it's a nice touch all the same. The best part, however, could be the new engine option: the same Volvo-sourced turbo five from the hot Focus ST, albeit detuned to 200hp. Check out the photos in the gallery below to see the updated Kuga Individual from the Paris show floor.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Ford Kuga Individual

Gallery: Ford Kuga Individual

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>european fordEuropeanFordfordford individualford kugaford kuga individualford kuga individual parisford parisFordIndividualFordKugaFordKugaIndividualFordKugaIndividualParisFordParisparisparis auto showparis motor showParisAutoShowParisMotorShowSun, 05 Oct 2008 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris 2008: Citroen 2CV by Hermes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/04/paris-2008-citroen-2cv-by-hermes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/04/paris-2008-citroen-2cv-by-hermes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/04/paris-2008-citroen-2cv-by-hermes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the Citroen 2CV by Hermes

There are a lot of big birthdays in the car industry this year, and the Citroen 2CV joins GM and Land Rover in the candle-blowing crowd. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the deux-say-vay, Hermes created a special version of a 1989 Citroen 2CV6 Special for the Paris Auto Show. If you saw the Bugatti Veryon by Hermes you know what to expect, with hand-stitched swathes of Hermes trademark gray-beige leather contrasted with white on the front and rear benches. Of course the Hermes treatment is worth as much as the car itself, but anything the 2CV lacks in luxury is more than made up for by character. Check out the press release after the jump and the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Citroen 2CV by Hermes

Continue reading Paris 2008: Citroen 2CV by Hermes

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bespokecitroencitroen 2cvcitroen 2cv6 specialCitroen2cvCitroen2cv6Specialcoachbuildinghermesparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowspecial editionsSpecialEditionsSat, 04 Oct 2008 18:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-mercedes-benz-slr-mclaren-722-s-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-mercedes-benz-slr-mclaren-722-s-roadster/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-mercedes-benz-slr-mclaren-722-s-roadster/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click the image above for a high-res gallery of SLR 722 Roadster pics

Certain cars encourage a response that is as routine and predictable as the reaction to a stoplight, and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is one of those cars. This is what happens every time someone gets in one, irrespective of their age, sex, or nationality: she snuggles into the seat, looks into the footwell to make sure her feet are placed just so on the pedals, slides her hands around the steering wheel for a couple of seconds to find just the right position, snuggles into the seat again... and then she just sits there, staring off into the distance. She might flip the paddles once or twice, or check out the center console. Then it's back to the thousand yard stare at the wall in front of her. She gets her picture taken, notices the line of people waiting to do the same thing, and it's all repeated again and again. And for good reason - the SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster is topless testosterone-topped terrificality. 650 horsepower from a supercharged 5.5L V8 and a convertible soft top that'll stay put above 208 mph deserves the attention. You can check out the specs after the jump, or better yet, go straight to the gallery of high-res images below that we snapped in between the line of people waiting to sit in it.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Continue reading Paris 2008: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coupesmclarenmclaren slr 722mclaren slr 722 roadsterMclarenSlr722MclarenSlr722Roadstermercedesmercedes mclarenmercedes mclaren slr 722 roadstermercedes-benzMercedesMclarenMercedesMclarenSlr722Roadsterparisparis 2008paris motor showParis2008ParisMotorShowslr 722slr 722 roadsterSlr722Slr722RoadstersupercarsFri, 03 Oct 2008 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[One to One to 599: Ferrari customization available on GTB]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/one-to-one-to-599-ferrari-customization-available-on-gtb/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/one-to-one-to-599-ferrari-customization-available-on-gtb/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/one-to-one-to-599-ferrari-customization-available-on-gtb/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Prior to Ferrari's successful customization plan for the 612 Scaglietti, your best bet at having Maranello build you a one-off would be to throw your wealth around like a Sultan. The One To One Personalisation Programme has been met with enthusiasm, so Ferrari is going to offer the factory custom treatment on the 599 GTB Fiorano, as well. The official announcement will take place at the Paris Motor Show tomorrow, where everyone will be packed like sardines to get a glimpse of the new Ferrari California up-close. An Atelier has also been set up in Italy to aid buyers in looking through all of the various permutations in order to come up with just the right car. The only option we're interested in is the one entitled "park a Ferrari in your driveway."

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading One to One to 599: Ferrari customization available on GTB

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bespoke ferrariBespokeFerrariferrari californiaferrari fioranoferrari one to one personlizationferrari personalizationferrari scagliettiferrari scaglietti 612FerrariCaliforniaFerrariFioranoFerrariOneToOnePersonlizationFerrariPersonalizationFerrariScagliettiFerrariScaglietti612Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Fiat creates special edition Fiat 500 Lupin III]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/fiat-creates-special-edition-fiat-500-lupin-iii/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/fiat-creates-special-edition-fiat-500-lupin-iii/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/fiat-creates-special-edition-fiat-500-lupin-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



If the song is true that "to everything, turn turn turn, there is a season, turn turn turn," then we're going to need a lot more seasons for the Fiat 500. In addition to versions by StudioTorino, Diesel and Abarth, not to mention a convertible and an F1-themed run of 12, Fiat is making a special edition 500 to celebrate the car's appearance in the movie Lupin III: Green vs Red.

The Japanese anime film itself celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Lupin III series of movies, which began in 1979 when gentleman thief Lupin III used a yellow Fiat 500. While the film is out now on DVD, the special edition Fiat 500 in yellow livery and graced with Lupin's image won't come around until the latter half of 2009, and probably only in Japan. If Fiat keeps this up, it might just challenge the Ford Mustang for the title of Most Gratuitous Special Editions Differentiated by Inconsequential Details. Thanks for the tip, catgirlshyla!

[Source: Fiat 500 News]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animeanime moviesAnimeMoviescoupesfiatfiat 500fiat 500 lupinFiat500Fiat500Lupinhatchbackslupin iiiLupinIiispecial editionspecial edition fiat 500special editionsSpecialEditionSpecialEditionFiat500SpecialEditionsWed, 01 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris Preview: Ford reveals Kuga Individual package]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/29/paris-preview-ford-reveals-kuga-individual-package/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/29/paris-preview-ford-reveals-kuga-individual-package/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/29/paris-preview-ford-reveals-kuga-individual-package/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for more shots of Ford Kuga Individual

Ford of Europe has an Individual Program that's been rolled out for a number of old world offerings, and now the Kuga gets its turn in the wardrobe room. Inspired by the Iosis concept from 2006, the new body kit and 20-inch wheels clothe a specialized interior for the Kuga Titanium that features Ebony Nappa and Bond leathers with contrasting piping and high-gloss Piano White fixtures.

Down in front, the Kuga will benefit from a new 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder Duratec Turbo with 200 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque that comes out of the Focus ST. It should add some sporty to the spaciousness while returning 29 Imperial mpg. This gas engine is 64 hp up on the standard offering, the Duratorq TDCi diesel. Another first for the Kuga, it can be shifted with an optional 3-mode, 5-speed automatic transmission.

On another note, the Duratec puts out a more energetic sound thanks to new exhaust tuning. The Individual program and powertrain options will be available from the beginning of 2009, and the first Kuga Individual showcasing what customers will be able to do goes on display at this week's Paris Motor Show. In the mean time, check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Ford Kuga Individual


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Ford reveals Kuga Individual package

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crossovercrossover suvcrossoversCrossoverSuveuroeuropefordford individualford kugaFordIndividualFordKugakuga individualKugaIndividualpersonalizaton programPersonalizatonProgramMon, 29 Sep 2008 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris Preview: Alfa Romeo Brera TI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/paris-preview-alfa-romeo-brera-ti/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/paris-preview-alfa-romeo-brera-ti/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/paris-preview-alfa-romeo-brera-ti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res shots of the Alfa Romeo Brera TI

We're already distressed about not being able to buy the Brera in the U.S. Now, Alfa Romeo is giving its Brera the Turismo Internazionale treatment for the Paris Motor Show, and we want it even more. Called, naturally, the Brera TI, the car gets a number of modifications that separate it from the standard coupe: stiffer springs and dampers, 19-inch wheels with 8C-derived rims, red Brembo one-piece front calipers, and TI logos on the front fenders for the outside.

Inside, along with more TI logos, are highly bolstered and top-stitched seats, aluminum console trim or optional carbon fiber, aluminum pedals, perforated leather throughout, and the choice of a leather dash. The car goes on sale later this year with either the 185-bhp 2.2 JTS engine or 3.2-liter V6. You can read the full press release after the jump and check out the hi-res photos below.

Gallery: 2008 Alfa Romeo Brera TI


[Source: Top Speed]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Alfa Romeo Brera TI

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfaalfa romeoalfa romeo breraalfa romeo brera tiAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeoBreraAlfaRomeoBreraTibrerabrera tiBreraTicoupecoupesparis motor showParisMotorShowThu, 25 Sep 2008 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford officially reveals F-450 Harley-Davidson and F-X4 Cabela pickups]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/ford-officially-reveals-f-450-harley-davidson-and-f-x4-cabela-pi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/ford-officially-reveals-f-450-harley-davidson-and-f-x4-cabela-pi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/ford-officially-reveals-f-450-harley-davidson-and-f-x4-cabela-pi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford F-450 Harley-Davidson Edition

Today Ford added two new co-branded models to its F-Series Super Duty line-up, the F-450 Harley-Davidson and FX-4 Cabela edition. The 2009 HD model continues a long tradition of collaboration between the Blue Oval and builder of hogs, but is the first time this co-branding has been applied to the mightiest of F-Series pickups, the F-450. It comes with a blue-flame paint job that's carried through into the interior on the gauges. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Harley-Davidson edition F-Series if there weren't a plethora of commemorative badges on the truck to remind you.


Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford FX-4 Cabela Edition

For those looking for a truck that is perhaps a bit more mild, Ford offers the Cabela edition FX-4. Cabela is an outdoor retailer that appeals to hunting and fishing types, so this co-branding deal puts Ford right in front of their faces. The Cabela edition FX-4 gets a two-tone paint scheme that can be ordered up in a number of colors, cloth seats, dark Paldeo wood trim and lockable storage units to hide your hunting rifle, fishing pole or whatever.

Ford has also announced the availability of new options for the Super Duty line like a spray-in bedliner called Tough Bed, SYNC, voice-activated nav system with SIRIUS Travel Link, and the Ford Work Solutions package.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-450 Harley-Davidson


Gallery: 2009 Ford FX-4 Cabela Edition

Continue reading Ford officially reveals F-450 Harley-Davidson and F-X4 Cabela pickups

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 ford f-450 harley-davidson2009FordF-450Harley-davidsoncabelaford cabelaford harley-davidsonFordCabelaFordHarley-davidsonharley davidsonharley-davidsonHarleyDavidsonThu, 25 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MAKE reader builds Ariel Atom replica out of spare parts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/make-reader-builds-ariel-atom-replica-out-of-spare-parts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/make-reader-builds-ariel-atom-replica-out-of-spare-parts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/make-reader-builds-ariel-atom-replica-out-of-spare-parts/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more shots of this home-built Ariel Atom replica

We can think of few better ways to spend our evenings than bending, welding and beating metal into submission to produce our own car and it seems that we are not alone. MAKE reader, Utah resident and Flickr user proximacentuari took the design of the Ariel Atom -- currently one of the most desirable track cars in existence -- and replicated it in his home garage. What's more, he documented the entire process with pictures and uploaded the whole thing to the internet. This is the coolest show-and-tell ever.

Powering the beast, known by its builder as z59, is a Honda K-Series four-cylinder engine from a wrecked Acura RSX. It's an impressive build, taking "15 months and at least 800 hours of work in the garage," all done without any official Ariel schematics. "The frame is completely custom. I didn't make a single measurement off the real car... what you see is a series of very educated guesses," according to the builder. Much of the car is made from scrap parts, including the bodywork from a number of old appliances, a kayak and a doghouse. Check out a few pics in our gallery and click here to see the entire photostream on Flickr. Thanks for the tip, Pedro!

Gallery: Home-built Ariel Atom replica


[Sources: Flickr, MAKE]
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Yes, this is a Mirage, but no, you're not seeing things. Following hot on the heels of the Peony edition Phantom, Rolls-Royce is introducing yet another special edition of the uber-luxury saloon exclusively for Middle Eastern customers.

Official details aren't available yet, however the Mirage edition Phantom is reportedly named after a famous Arabian horse. It can be had in either black or white, and features 21" wheels, special tailpipes, a carbon fiber interior (yeah, we're serious) and a special emblem stitched into the headrests and assuredly emblazoned elsewhere around the luxury land-yacht. Of course, like the name Phantom Mirage might suggest, the performance image is all smoke and mirrors, with no actual mechanical changes made over the standard model. But like the likewise sporting-pretentious Maybach 57 Landaulet, you can bet buyers will be paying a considerable premium for this special edition.

[Source: 4Car]

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How do you improve on one of the most desirable sportscars in the world? By applying the magic formula, of course! That means less weight and more power, as Alfa Romeo is preparing to do to commemorate its 100th anniversary with the extremely limited edition 8C GTA.

Although we can't be 100% sure that this is indeed the GTA, we'd have to wonder why else Alfa would be testing an 8C after the development work on the existing model is already done. The prototype is also wearing protective strips along the front fascia and a different set of rims. With the centential celebrations less than two years away, we're looking forward to feasting our eyes (if not our hands) on the GTA, which is anticipated to loose about 300 lbs. and gain an 50 extra horsepower.

[Source: Autogespot via Euro Car Blog]

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Click above for high-res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard

Short of riding around in a tank, among the highest levels of protection while motoring are provided by armored Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker has been protecting heads of state and captains of industry for 80 years now, and to mark the anniversary has officially released the new S600 Pullman Guard limousine, which was initially announced way back in February 2007.

Based on a stretched version of the standard, off-the-shelf S600, the Pullman is engineered right off the assembly line to withstand handgun fire, grenades and explosive charges to the stringent B6 and B7 ballistic protection standards. The extra weight of all that armor is pulled around by Mercedes' top-of-the-line 517-hp 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12 and is further supported by run-flat tires, a self-sealing fuel tank and integrated fire suppression system. Of course, the stretched limousine can be specified with all manner of luxury equipment, coddling its occupants in security and opulence. All that protection and luxury surely doesn't come cheap, but for wealthy public figures under threat, price is presumably no object. However, Mercedes also offers an armored E Guard and G Guard as well as the standard-wheelbase S600 Guard.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard Pullman Limousine


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz marks 80 years of protection with new S600 Pullman Guard

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mercedesmercedes benzmercedes pullmanmercedes s 600 pullman guardmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMercedesPullmanMercedesS600PullmanGuardpullmanTue, 23 Sep 2008 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen Golf Collectors Edition by Walter de Silva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/volkswagen-golf-collectors-edition-by-walter-de-silva/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/volkswagen-golf-collectors-edition-by-walter-de-silva/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/23/volkswagen-golf-collectors-edition-by-walter-de-silva/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to view the VW Golf Collectors Edition in hi-res

Remember when the Volkswagen Golf was meant to be an economy car? Well those days may be long gone, if they weren't already, as customers in Europe have demonstrated a willingness to shell out extra for luxury options even on less-than-premium automobiles. To cash in on that demand, European automakers have been scrambling to launch luxury option packages, complete with leather and all the trimmings, like Volkswagen has done with the first special edition of the new sixth-generation Golf.

Called, quite simply, the Collectors Edition, the exclusive new Golf tops the range of trim levels. The exterior is sprayed in an especially dark shade of blue which Volkswagen calls "Moonlight blue pearl effect" with matching grille. The 18-inch "Vancouver" wheels have been given a special high-gloss finish. But it's the interior that has been given the really special treatment, swathed in "Iowa" natural leather with piano-lacquer dash inserts and aluminum kick-plates. The special edition, supervised specifically by design chief Walter de Silva - whose initials adorn the vehicle - is being launched in its German market specification; we wouldn't expect it to make it to the US market any time soon, but you can still check out the press release after the jump and the trio of images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Volkswagen Golf Collectors Edition

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen Golf Collectors Edition by Walter de Silva

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Click for hi res gallery of the Versus edition Lancia Ypsilon

The other day I was sitting at a beachside bar where they had Fashion TV playing on flatscreens around the place and I couldn't help notice that while some of the stuff looked great, the rest looked horrible. Looks like the same trend has applied itself to automotive design, as Italian fashion house Versace has forged a new relationship with another automaker. But while the Versace edition Lamborghini Murcielago looks cooler than air conditioning in Alaska, somehow this new Lancia Ypsilon doesn't quite cut it.

That's probably more Lancia's fault than Versace's, but the overall package, thorough though it is, leaves much to be desired. Created with Versace's second brand Versus, the special edition Ypsilon is sprayed bronze, much like the customers likely to buy it. The Versus logo is applied all over the interior and exterior of the car, which features matching bronze chromework and rims. The Lancia Ypsilon Versus edition will be unveiled in concept form next week in Paris, and will be produced in a limited run of 500 examples starting in March next year. This isn't the first designer edition Ypsilon, following the previous Momo edition, but Lancia's going to need something better than a new paint job to extract itself from the bronze age. For our part, we'd sooner go for the Diesel edition Fiat 500. Press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Lancia Ypsilon Versus edition

[Source: Lancia]

Continue reading Paris '08 Preview: Lancia Ypsilon Versus edition

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