Audi’s flagship luxury sedan, the A8, comes in two different lengths (and wheelbases)—A8 and A8 L. The ‘L’ in the 2011 Audi A8 L might as well stand for luxury, rather than length, as it’s the way to go if you ever plan to have adults ride in back. It’s about five inches longer in both wheelbase and length, with nearly all of that added… Here is the original: 2011 Audi A8 L

And oh what a day. Our alarm was set for 07:00 and like a small child waking up for a trip to Disney Land, we weren’t bothered much by the obnoxious buzzing. It was time for my first trip to the Welt, and Horatiu’s third. Clearly, this is an experience that never gets old, and Horatiu did not complain of repetition. Every moment in the Welt is impressive and meaningful in the context of your day; one earmarked as the day you bring home your new ‘baby.’ And today, we drove away in the new ‘baby M’ as some have coined it. Think about it as a baby with very big, sharp teeth, a knarly growl and slanted, focused eyes. Oh – and about 340 pounds of muscle; a baby Great White shark of sorts. Well, ours wasn’t white – it was Valencia Orange, sparkling in the sunlight even from within the Welt’s towering glass walls. However, there was a baby Great White with us, owned by Justin, a friend of a friend who decided to join us for his 1M pickup. Having the two cars delivered together was very special, and not just for photographic reasons. There was a certain intensity in the air. It was present the entire day. Double trouble? Nah, double the fun. The day went well in every respect, following the normal BMW Welt delivery procedures: plenty of signatures upon arrival, followed by time in the hospitality lounge where we could enjoy good food , quality German beer (is there a German beer not of good quality?) coffee and deserts. You really begin to feel a bit spoiled during the delivery, and I believe that was BMW’s intention. Finally, it’s time to meet your brand spanking new BMW. The odometer reads something in the realm of 1 mile. The paint is glossy and sparkling such that you nearly need your sunglasses to look at it. And when you open the door, a wonderful aroma of ‘new car smell’ envelops your nose and pleasures your senses. This … is going to be good. And so it was, setting off from the Welt to begin our European journey. Our first destination was to Tirol, Austria where I’m writing our first installment from my Hotel room. The drive here, from the Welt, was truly one of the best I’ve ever had. There were many ‘firsts’ and ‘bucket list’ checkmarks completed along the way, starting with my first drive on an unrestricted...

The 2012 motorsport season is looming: As part of the DTM event at Munich’s Olympic Stadium on 16th and 17th July 2011, BMW will present a BMW M3 DTM Concept Car for the first time. The Concept Car will give the first impression of what next year’s car will look like. This was announced by BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, who takes over from Mario Theissen on 1st July, at Tuesday’s pre-event DTM press conference in Munich. The presentation will take place in front of media representatives on Friday 15th July, where they will also gain some further insights about the DTM programme of BMW. The car will then be on show to the public at BMW Welt over the remainder of the weekend. Rendering by Jon Siba “The fact that the DTM is staging an event in Munich this year is obviously exciting and interesting for us too,” said Marquardt. “The location right on our doorstep gives the term ‘home event’ a whole new meaning in motorsport in the future. Although we will not be competing in 2011, we want to use this opportunity to give DTM fans and BMW Motorsport followers a taste of what they can look forward to next season. For this reason, this event is the logical venue to unveil a BMW M3 DTM Concept Car. Under the motto ‘BMW welcomes DTM’ we will welcome the series to Munich and follow the event at the Olympic Stadium closely. We hope the spectators will also enjoy the many classic BMW cars in action as part of the support programme. Whether the 1987 BMW M3 DTM, the BMW M1 Procar from 1981, or the Mini Rally Monte Carlo car from the 1960s: we think there will be something to suit every taste.“ BMW Welt will be dominated by motorsport throughout the entire DTM race weekend at Munich’s Olympic Stadium. The main attraction will be the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car. In addition, BMW is also exhibiting some of the historic cars, including the 1979 BMW M1 Art Car designed by Andy Warhol, the 1986 BMW 635 CSi and the BMW M3 GTR from 2001. The BMW M3 from the late 1980s, which notched up countless victories and two of the three DTM titles for the brand, will also be on display. With more than 1,500 individual wins to its name, this car is still regarded as one of the most successful touring cars of all time. Development of the BMW M3 DTM for the coming season...

BMW Germany released earlier today the pricing for the new 2012 BMaW M5. The super sporty and luxurious sedan has a base price of 102,700 euro.  Its main competitor, the Mercedes Benz E63 AMG, is priced at 105,791 euro for the 525 horsepower variant and 113,645 euro for the 557 horsepower model. The base price of the M5 includes important performance features such as the M double-clutch transmission, adaptive suspension, active M differential and compound brake system with the blue brake calipers. Other features include automatic climate control, Head-up Display, fine-grain Merino leather and sport seats. With the new super sporty sedan, BMW has moved on from from naturally aspirated engines to a TwinPower turbocharged V8. The high-revving 4.4-liter (4395cc) turbocharged uses the BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology, twin-scroll turbochargers, high-precision direct fuel injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and a cross-bank exhaust manifold. The engine outputs 560 horsepower from 5,750-7,000 rpm and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) of torque from only 1500rpm. The previous generation E60 M5 had an MSRP of 94,700 euro in Germany, considerably lower than the F10 M5. Based on recent information that were presented to us, we continue to believe that the 2012 BMW M5 will be priced near the $90,000 mark for US customers. The F10 M5 should arrive at local US dealerships in May-June 2012. [Source: Bimmertoday ] More:  2012 BMW M5 priced at 102,700 euro

Year's highest gas prices still coming? When it comes to gas prices, we ain’t seen nothing yet Gasoline prices are falling! In some areas, near $3.00 gas might even be possible in the next few months. But don’t expect these cheaper prices to last long. In fact, the year’s highest gasoline prices might be achieved later this year according to some oil experts. Nevertheless, enjoy the pullback in pump prices while it lasts, but make certain fuel economy remains a key factor in your next car purchase. Ironically, while we all want cheaper gasoline prices, cheap gasoline might not be as good as might seem obvious. Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at OPIS claims $3.00 gas prices will probably be synonymous with recession. On the other hand, a robust economy is certain to push gasoline prices higher. Ultimately, near $4.00 gasoline might just be on the verge of becoming common, at least if the US economy is to improve. Long term, most oil analysts, traders and producers believe gasoline prices will probably trend higher, coupled with even nastier price spikes. Later this year, for instance, the International Energy Agency believes that as the world economy stabilizes, oil demand and supplies will be a “ tightrope “. Couple that with continued Middle East volatility and conditions are very ripe for spikes beyond $4.00. Of course, new technologies, alternative fuels, etc. could provide some relief, some, but such relief is probably years away, minimally. Regardless, the upside potential for gasoline prices is very real and extremely volatile. Thus, if $4.00 gas has hurt, as numerous consumer studies have suggested, keep $4.00+ gasoline in mind as you head to the dealership for a new or used car. Chances are you’ll fill that new ride up with with alotta $4.00 gasoline over the next few years. Originally posted here:  Declining gas prices: Why fuel efficiency should still drive your next auto purchase

The 2011 Bentley Continental GT is a four-seat, two-door ultra-luxury coupe that shares many of its mechanical underpinnings with the Continental Flying Spur sedan. As a classic grand-tourer, the Continental GT provides all the craftsmanship and exclusivity—plus straight-line performance that approaches that of an exotic paired with a solid… Read the original post: 2011 Bentley Continental GT – GTC – Speed

Flavorless Lifesavers: These concepts helped shape a safer future. In the early ’70s, to encourage the development of safety  technology and determine future regulations, the U.S. Department of  Transportation offered carmakers contracts to build experimental safety vehicles (ESVs). The DOT established a number of challenging passive-safety targets, such as keeping occupants alive in a 50-mph crash into a solid barrier, as well as active-safety goals like braking from 60 mph in 155 feet or less. Many of  the ideas toyed with in those early ESVs ­eventually made it to production. But less clever notions—VW’s ceiling-mounted blanket restraint comes to mind—languished on drawing boards. More recently, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz have created safety concepts that continue to advance occupant protection. Keep Reading: Five Experimental Safety-Car Concepts – Feature Read the rest here: Five Experimental Safety-Car Concepts – Feature Read the original here: Five Experimental Safety-Car Concepts – Feature

When shaggy old cars go from the pound to the endangered-species list, they can achieve a sort of contrarian collectibility. Vehicles that disappear do so for (mostly) good reasons, but if  you’ve got about $1000 burning a hole in your pocket, head to Craigslist and show people that you don’t care what you drive. 1976–87 CHEVROLET CHEVETTE The rear-drive Chevette upheld the American tradition of punishing small-car buyers. In its favor, it was cheap and relatively reliable. Today, it would wear EPA numbers of 33 mpg highway for the 60-hp 1.6-liter and up to 42 mpg highway for the 51-hp, 1.8-liter Isuzu diesel. Performance? Not really. In our testing, the gas ’Vette did 0 to 60 in 13.0 seconds, and the diesel took 21.2. The best one in the world, a 16,727-mile ’81, brought $4290 at auction in 2009. ENGINES > SOHC 1.4-liter inline-4, 52 hp, 70 lb-ft (1976); SOHC 1.6-liter inline-4, 60 hp, 82 lb-ft (1976); 1.8-liter diesel inline-4, 51 hp, 72 lb-ft (1982) TOP SPEED > 80–88 mph  •  UNITS MADE > 2.75 million (including 26,681 diesels)  • PRICE > free–$4290 1971–80 FORD PINTO In 1971, Ford launched the subcompact, no-frills Pinto . Initially available as a coupe, eventually as a hatchback and a wagon, the Pinto became infamous for igniting when rear-ended. Engines grew from a 75-hp, 1.6-liter pushrod four-cylinder to a short-lived 2.0-liter, then a 2.3-liter SOHC and even a 2.8-liter V-6. Light and almost elegantly simple for the first few years, by the late ’70s, the Pinto wore hideous 5-mph bumpers. Low-mileage examples command surprising money ($12,000 for a 7000-mile ’76 model), but $1500 buys most survivors. ENGINES > pushrod 1.6-liter inline-4, 75 hp, 96 lb-ft (1971); SOHC 2.0-liter inline-4, 100 hp, 120 lb-ft (1971); SOHC 2.3-liter inline-4, 88 hp, 118 lb-ft (1974); pushrod 2.8-liter V-6, 102 hp, 138 lb-ft (1975) TOP SPEED > 88–110 mph (est)  •  UNITS MADE > more than 2 million  •  PRICE > $1–$12,000 Read more here: Unsafe at Any Price: Collecting the Chevrolet Chevette and Ford Pinto See the original post here: Unsafe at Any Price: Collecting the Chevrolet Chevette and Ford Pinto

Hollywood stuntman-turned-writer/director Hal Needham has performed on 4500 TV shows and in 310 feature films, launching his body (and automobiles, trucks, and speedboats) stunning distances into the firmament, usually amidst fireworks and gunshots and fireballs aimed at his person. Not surprisingly, the man has broken 56 bones and his back (twice). If you’re an American male, you’ve seen him wreck a whole bunch of stuff, which, in a circuitous way, makes you an American male. Needham is certainly an American male, and here’s proof: After attending a NASCAR race, he picked up a hooker at a hotel bar, who slipped him a Mickey, then robbed him of his jewelry. Four months later, attending a NASCAR race at the same track, he picked up another hooker at the same hotel, who slipped him a Mickey, then robbed him of  his jewelry. Needham’s 307-page bio is mostly a relentless, self-congratulatory compendium of  “Hey, watch this!” moments in which he proves he can do what his colleagues all insisted was impossible, simultaneously demonstrating emphatically—over and over—that the movies’ producers and directors are all pretty much nitwits, regularly outsmarted by  “Ol’ Hal.” Okay, fine. What do we care about the testosteronal zeitgeist of  American moviemaking? Our intellectual curiosity extends to issues far more complex—to the exigencies of the Human Condition itself. Which is why  we ask, “Dude, what about Burt Reynolds and Brock Yates in The Cannonball Run , the most glorious cin­ematic creation in human history? Huh?” On that topic, Needham reveals that Reynolds, who’d just finished Smokey and the Bandit (written and directed by Needham), claimed he was done with car chases and would never again drive more than 35 mph in front of a camera. But when he was offered $5 million for 14 days of shooting, Reynolds replied: “I know all about you and that crazy Brock Yates and your loony race across the country. I’ve told people, and I’m telling you now, I’ve always thought it would make a helluva movie.” In the end, Cannonball was shot in 32 days for $15 million with Needham directing. It made so much money that Cannonball Run II ensued, making its premiere at—where else?—the Cannes Film Festival. Light reading at its...

Hit play for an audio recording of a mystery car’s exhaust note, and then share your guesses or get a few hints from other visitors in the comments below. Be sure to check back on Thursday for the answer! See the original post here: Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 94 View original here:  Name That Exhaust Note, Episode 94

While other subcompacts have become seriously stylish, the next-generation Toyota Yaris may settle with “less ugly.” There’s a styling revolution happening in the subcompact-car segment, led by the swoopy Ford Fiesta and championed by the freshly redesigned Hyundai Accent , the snappy Kia Rio , and the funky Chevrolet Sonic . Toyota’s price-leading Yaris undergoes a ground-up redesign for 2012, but, judging by the looks of this prototype—not to mention the Japanese-market Vitz from which it is cloned—Toyota’s entry-level hatch won’t be advancing the state of tiny-car design. Keep Reading: 2012 Toyota Yaris Spy Photos – Future Cars Originally posted here: 2012 Toyota Yaris Spy Photos: Next-Gen Yaris to Be Less Ugly Original post:  2012 Toyota Yaris Spy Photos: Next-Gen Yaris to Be Less Ugly

BMW has unveiled the new Mini Coupe with pricing starting at $22,000, including destination charges. The S Coupe will start at $25,300 and the John Cooper Works model is priced at $31,900. The Coupe will be offered with three different engines—a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 121-hp, a turbocharged 1.6-liter producing 181-hp, and a John Cooper Works version producing 208-hp from its turbocharged four cylinder. All engines will come with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy estimates are not yet available. Mini claims the base Coupe will accelerate 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds; the takings Coupe is expected to clock in at 6.5 and 6.1 seconds for the John Cooper Works edition. Notable optional equipment includes xenon headlights, adaptive headlights, automatic climate control, and automatically dimming rear-view mirror and electric exterior mirrors. Entertainment options include Bluetooth, USB audio interface, and connectivity functions including web radio, Google search and Send to Car services, RSS news feeds, and in-car use of Facebook and Twitter. The Coupe will officially debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and it will go on sale in the United States shortly after. See more photos in our New Car Preview , and read our Mini Cooper road tests . Here is the original post: Pricing: 2012 Mini Coupe to start at $22,000

With the official start of summer and the school year ending this week in many areas, millions of Americans will be hitting the road for a much needed vacation. But before you head out on that road trip, check out our list of important things you can do to drive safely throughout the year. In 2010, over 33,000 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents and many of them were preventable. Just by doing the few simple things listed below, you can reduce your risks considerably. Buckle up. The use of seat belts saved the lives of 13,000 people in 2008. In a crash, it is your best defense to help keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle. If you don’t buckle up, you could be thrown out of the car, which is almost always a deadly scenario. Secure your kids. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for kids between 3 and 12 years old. By placing all children 12 and under in the back seat, you can reduce injury risk by 64 percent for children under 8 and 31 percent for 9-12 year olds. Also, make sure your children are in the proper seat for their age and it’s installed correctly. Don’t speed. Speeding is a factor in about one-third of all fatal crashes, killing nearly 900 Americans every month. Although it affects all ages, crashes and violations are much higher for young, male drivers. Obeying the speed limit will also help to conserve fuel. Keep your eyes on the road. In 2009, over 5,400 people were killed due to distracted driving and 448,000 were injured. The best advice is to put the phone away and focus on the road. No call or text is worth losing your life or killing someone else. Preventive maintenance. By checking your tire pressure and tread wear , fluids , and batteries regularly you can help spot a potential problem before it becomes a dangerous accident on the road. Also, keep up with the vehicle maintenance schedule noted in the owner’s manual to stay on top of problems before they happen. Don’t drink and drive. In 2009, there were 10,839 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, and while that number has declined from 2008, there are still many lives that can be saved if everyone remembers to assign a designated driver if you’ve been drinking or hand over the keys until you’re sober. Look around. Every car has...

Much more public transportation required to achieve 2050 greenhouse cuts Less driving needs to be part of the formula If the world is serious about meeting greenhouse gas emission and climate targets for the year 2050, technologies like plug-in cars and alternative fuels probably won’t be enough. Instead, less light duty vehicle travel will be essential to meeting these goals according to a new study by the University of California, Berkeley. The personal mobility revolution is on. In developed countries, where emissions are now higher, for instance, the study finds that a universal fleet of electric cars powered by carbon-free electricity, or 300 mpg cellulosic ethanol fueled cars, or 1000 mpg ICE vehicles would be required. Unfortunately, none of these possibilities, or a combination of them, offer a “realistic, affordable, or resilient pathway” forward. Consequently, while light duty transportation needs to become more fuel efficient, significantly better public transportation and plans for reducing average miles traveled must be part of the formula. Ultimately, it seems clear that the future of personal transportation will have to think far outside the current box on wheels. Here is the original post: Study – New auto technologies not enough to address greenhouse gas emissions

Aston Martin is cutting production of its five-door Rapide by as much as 50 percent due to a lack of demand. In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said that this was always the company’s intention: “Rapide had a higher than normal initial production rate to get through the launch phase and ensure delivery of cars to the dealers. After this initial period, it has settled at the expected rate.” The original annual sales target for the Rapide was between 2000 and 2500 units globally, but sources now say that the company will build many fewer—perhaps as small a number as 1200. (In contrast, the Porsche Panamera is on pace to sell more than 7000 units this year in the United States alone. Yes, it’s cheaper than the Aston in all its myriad forms, but it’s also better: the Panamera Turbo beat the Rapide in a comparison test .) The Gaydon, United Kingdom–based company recently announced that production of the Rapide, which went on sale in early 2010, would be moving from Magna Steyr’s Austria facility back to Great Britain. We suspect that Aston’s execs weren’t compelled to renew the contract with Magna in part because the volume of cars needed is so low. This news highlights how difficult it is even for well-known brands to sell high-end exotic sports cars. Lexus has also struggled to shift the LFA sports car, which costs $375,000, while even Ferrari has had some difficulty moving its 599 line. We expect Aston’s business is being watched closely by management at McLaren—which is on the cusp of opening a 19-dealer network around the world to sell its new MP4-12C—and Lotus, which is attempting a very ambitious launch of several new products, including a Rapide-esque sedan to be called the Eterne . Fortunately for the Rapide, there may be a little fuel to add to the sales fire. Our spy photographers recently caught a more-powerful Rapide S while testing, which should pack the 510-hp V-12 engine from the Aston Martin DBS. Aston won’t be able to count on the new powertrain to drive another thousand customers into Aston showrooms, but it may reignite some interest in the sedan. Continued here: Aston Martin Cutting Rapide Production by 50 Percent as Demand Weakens Continued here:  Aston Martin...