The Mercedes S-Class with AMG styling gets a more athletic appearance with additional BRABUS body components Continued here: BRABUS Aerodynamic-Enhancement Kit for the Mercedes E-Class and S-Class AMG

  Immediately into the restructuring of the Chrysler Group, it appeared the niche performance vehicles known for adding style dazzle in the automobile’s line-up were going to be casualties to financial restraint. Not having enough time or money to redesign the aging but still potent Dodge Viper, the supercar’s production is idled (strong likelihood for a restart of the Viper is slated for around 2014). Bringing some comfort to the Mopar performance fans, Dodge introduced the 470-horsepower Challenger SRT8 392 in time for a high-output pony car revival in the 21st century. Demonstrating Chrysler’s search for a new roots in the American auto industry does not include bidding goodbye to past performance greatness, the company’s latest target to exert strength on the road has turned to their full-sized LX platform sedans. The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 was revealed first rapidly claiming the brand’s road warrior image. Already gaining traction from the bold “Imported from Detroit” campaign rolling since February Super Bowl commercial, the Chrysler 300C gains moxie with its own new SRT8 version. The 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 is the first vehicle released since the Pentastar company announced a dedicated high performance division. Though the SRT initials were worn on a variety of vehicles since 2003, Chrysler Group is now respecting the development and design work for future SRT models in much the same way as Mercedes-Benz does with AMG. Conducting few changes to the chic, metropolitan restyle of the Chrysler 300C, the 2012 300 SRT8 receives subtle trimming adjustments to the exterior. Wearing a lower fascia on the front, the SRT8 version of the Chrysler 300 sedan features large 4-inch diameter dual exhaust tips. Exclusive SRT colour-matching body cladding subtracting the extension of chrome Chrysler added to their full-sized sedan. However, for those desiring a special shine, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 will be available with the new Black Chrome Package retouching exterior areas including the front grille slots. Standard motion of all Chrysler 300 SRT8 sedans is supplied through the spinning of seven-spoke, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels. The 2012 300 SRT8 wheels can be matched with either all-season Goodyear tires or summer and winter radials....

There’s a war going on in the automotive universe, a battle between the plug-in hybrids and fully-electric cars. But which side is right, and does it matter? Nissan has launched the fully-electric Leaf hatchback while Chevrolet has launched the Volt, which is being advertised as an electric car. But these two vehicles aren’t the same. The Nissan… View original post here: Are Plug-In Hybrids A Waste Of Time? #YouTellUs

The wraps have only just come off the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle but so far only the hard-top model has been revealed. However, as we saw with the previous generation ‘New Beetle’, sales of the convertible are just as important as those of the coupe and in some years were actually the higher of the two. In fact, from 2003 to 2005, the… Read the original post: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible Coming Next Spring

Putting a car in the shop is never fun, but then again, it’s almost never as bad as you think, either. You adjust your schedule, you take a bus or two, you survive. But could you last more than a few days without your ride? Could you last a whole month? Zipcar wants to find out. For the fourth year in a row, Zipcar is gearing up to launch its… Continued here: Next Week: Zipcar Launches The Low-Car Diet Challenge

Too bad more people don’t drive cars with manual transmissions. Skipping the PowerShift automatic in the Focus and getting a stick instead eliminates one of the car’s biggest annoyances. It also just happens to make an entertaining car even more enjoyable. We were curious about how the Focus would drive with a manual transmission. Since our tested Foci (a SE sedan and a SES hatchback) are both automatics, we borrowed a stick-shift SE sedan from Ford. As we’ve written before , the Focus doesn’t use a traditional automatic transmission. Instead it uses a manual gearbox that shifts automatically, without a clutch pedal. These transmissions can be more efficient than a traditional automatic since they eliminate the torque converter, thereby reducing parasitic losses. But the Focus’ PowerShift transmission doesn’t shift smoothly at low speeds; it feels like it’s being driven by someone who is just learning to drive a stick. For those who can truly drive a stick, the manual transmission Focus banishes those complaints. The clutch pedal effort initially feels a bit high, but you quickly get used to it, and the shifter is smooth and light. It all adds up to a car that’s more engaging to drive, improving on its already impressive handling and solid feel. Manual transmissions usually give a fuel economy boost over automatic equivalents, but the Focus might not follow suit. We don’t do instrumented tests on borrowed press cars. But when we tested two Ford Fiestas, the automated manual version got better fuel economy than the do-it-yourself manual. The Focus’ traditional manual has only five gears while the PowerShift has six. EPA numbers are better for the “automatic” and it’s telling that the “super-fuel-economy” Focus SFE version is automatic only. Some enthusiasts have complained online that Ford only offers the Focus manual in the lower S and SE trim lines; SES and Titanium models are auto only. That eliminates some features for those trying to build a budget Audi or BMW alternative, like the optional leather power seats. You also can’t get MyFord Touch. But, then again, we don’t think that’s a big loss in the system’s present overcomplicated form. Our borrowed...

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are among the favorite cars to give away during Casino promotions. The Hard Rock Casino in Tampa gave one away last year, and now the Grand Falls casino is also giving a Mercedes-Benz vehicle to it’s customers. It’s not just a great way to get more traffic to the casino, but also a way to increase its own branding with the help of the MB brand. Grand Falls casino had a record $4.4 million in revenue for the month of June, just a month after they opened their doors to the public. General Manager says that she’s really excited that much revenue has come in along with attendance numbers and that the casino is hoping that this will continue. Guests are able to chose from hundreds of slot machines and many poker rooms in the brand new casino Resort in Larchwood, Iowa. The casino will surely continue to increase attendance and record even greater profit, maybe even give a few more Mercedes-Benz vehicles away. Excerpt from: Grand Falls casino gives new Mercedes-Benz vehicle away

According to a recent report, when Subaru launches the next WRX in 2014, the model will be isolated from the rest of the Impreza line-up. The reason for this is the WRX will transform into a sports coupé and will feature its own design that’s different from the regular Impreza. The WRX will still centre on the Impreza but will feature a shorter wheelbase for improved handling. “The first thing you must understand about our all-new WRX is that we have developed it from the ground up to win in motorsports events. That’s why we have focused so heavily on weight issues, not to mention a shorter wheelbase that permits faster, more precise turn-in. Marry that to our proven AWD system, and we think we have a winner.” The WRX will also spawn an STI variant, in which a future WRC rally car will be based upon. The WRX will be powered by a 266bhp (270PS/199kW) 1.6 litre turbocharged Boxer petrol engine, although the Japanese marque is developing a bi-supercharged system. Meanwhile the more powerful WRX STI will produce 300bhp (304PS/224kW) from its 1.6 litre Boxer engine. Go here to read the rest: Next-generation Subaru WRX to be a coupé View original post here: Next-generation Subaru WRX to be a coupé

As car manufactures descend to Death Valley, spies have scoured the desert to bring you these spy photos of the forthcoming Jaguar XE compact sports car. The XE test mules underpin a shortened XK platform and sport extended wheelarches, repositioned fuel cap, and fake body panels. This particular mule, unlike others, boast a pair of centrally-mounted twin exhausts with faux pipes on each end of the lower rear bumper. A quick peek into the cabin reveals some tweaks, including two single seats. Power for the new XE will come from a newly-developed 3.0 litre V6 , arriving in both naturally-aspirated and supercharged, with the latter likely to power a hot R-variant. A diesel engine is also a distinct possibility, alongside a petrol-hybrid. Arriving in both coupé and cabriolet bodystyles, the XE will go on sale in 2013 where it will compete with the Mercedes SLK, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Audi TT, and BMW Z4.   Via WorldCarFans.com     Jaguar usually registers its mules and prototypes in New Jersey See the original post here: 2013 Jaguar XE caught in Death Valley The rest is here:  2013 Jaguar XE caught in Death Valley

No, this isn’t a free-loving hippy but a Chrysler employee High ho, off to the car we go! Chrysler’s employees have been caught smoking drugs and drinking alcohol beverages close by the marque’s Trenton engine factory in Trenton, Michigan. This isn’t the first time Chrysler workers have been caught blind drunk and high. September 2010 saw a group of workers smoking and drinking on the job by a FOX news team at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. Majority of them were fired. Again, the group were filmed by a FOX news crew who were scouring the area. Chrysler has seen the footage and has promised to identify and expel those workers. Chrysler issued a statement saying it would not tolerate such misconduct and that “more decisive action may be required to ensure that this behaviour does not continue.” See more here: Video: Chrysler employees caught smoking and drinking during break, again The rest is here: Video: Chrysler employees caught smoking and drinking during break, again

These are the first spy images of Volkswagen’s upcoming Passat CC facelift undergoing extreme hot-weather testing on the West Coast. If the current Passat and Jetta are anything to go by, the facelift will see the current Passat CC ’s sleek, stylish bodywork phased out to bring the car up-to-date with the current Volkswagen line-up, which entails smoother, rounded front and rear fascias. Apart from exterior updates, the interior will be upgraded to offer better materials and a revised dashboard layout. Engines will be updated to offer lower carbon emissions, more powerful, and better fuel economy. With all that in mind, expect a price increase when the car goes on sale early next year. Via WorldCarFans.com See the original post: Volkswagen Passat CC facelift spied in California Excerpt from:  Volkswagen Passat CC facelift spied in California

Toyota’s youthful division, Scion has announced pricing of the ultra-compact iQ city-car, which goes on sale later this year. Starting at a lofty $15,995, the iQ is more expensive than the Smart ForTwo and supermini’s, but on par with compact family cars. Although specifications have yet to be announced, Scion believes the city-orientated iQ will be popular amongst fashionistas. Being an unusual car with a “3+1” seating layout, the 3dr iQ will have an outlandish launch. The month of October will see the vehicle launch on the West Coast (California, Washington, and Oregon) before going on sale across the “South” (Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana etc) in January 2012. The East Coast (New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina) will receive the vehicle a few months later before going on sale in the middle of the country. Here is the original: Scion iQ pricing announced (U.S) Read more here: Scion iQ pricing announced (U.S)

A South African man has been given a driving ban after he was captured with his 11 year old son sitting adjacent in the driver’s seat. The 39 year old driver had his left leg removed in 1996 following a gunshot wound, thus unable to use the clutch pedal. Merle Lourens, chief traffic inspector, said to proceed with driving, the man sat his son close by, telling him when to press the clutch. To add insult to injury, the unnamed man sported an expired automatic learner’s permit, while his vehicle had a faulty handbrake and defective seatbelt. He was fined a mere 1,000 rand (£90). “He won’t be allowed to drive, but he shouldn’t have been driving in the first place,” she said. Originally posted here: Man used 11 year old boy as clutch Original post:  Man used 11 year old boy as clutch

According to Automotive News , BMW Financial Services is looking to add two new items to the offerings for lease and pre-owned vehicle customers. One is an excess-wear-and-tear policy for lease customers that will allow for additional insurance when the vehicle is returned. By adding this policy to their lease, customers will be less responsible for wear-and-tear items at the end of their lease, and additional charges could be avoided. The other is a “CPO wraparound” product that would enable certified pre-owned vehicle customers to purchase coverage beyond the standard 6-year/100,000-mile warranty. For those that don’t know, in BMW terms, the certified pre-owned program is a service you can opt for on any BMW over about 10,000 and under 60,000 miles. However, for a vehicle that is less than 4 years old and has mileage that low then you should hold off as the factory warranty is still more than likely available on the car. As for the warranty itself, it’s good for 2 years or the next 50,000 miles from when it is certified. “We’re in our due diligence” on those products, says Shaun Bugbee, vice president of sales and marketing at BMW Financial Services. If approved, he said, the products probably would launch around the end of the year. For more information on BMW warranties, read our “ What to do if your BMW warranty has expired .” View post:  BMW considering lease excess-wear-and-tear policy and extended CPO warranty

Our friend and spy photographer Palbay spotted the new BMW 1 Series M Coupe at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina. The new “baby-M” has recently joined the M fleet at the Performance School and it is available for either one or two days of track time. Along with the new 1M, BMW aficionados, and not only, will get to enjoy the other M vehicles in the BMW family: M3, E60 M5, M6, X5M and X6M. From skid pad contests to timed laps and race track exercises, the M vehicles will not only put a smile on your face, but will also make you a better driver. As a reminder of what you will be working with, the BMW 1M is powered by the N54 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine. For the 1M, the turbocharger, exhaust system, and ECU have been revised to produce 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, though up to 369 pound-feet are available temporarily in overboost mode. For more information on the BMW Performance Driving School, visit the following link. [Source: Teamspeed ] Read more:  BMW 1 Series M Coupe at the M Performance School