Without new models in the pipeline, Bugatti has been limited to building even more exotic one-off creations with truly staggering price tags. Take the Bugatti L’or Blanc, for example, which was created in cooperation with the porcelain artisans at Berlin’s Koenigliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM). The selling price for this particular work of art ? A reported $2.5 million. As Motor Authority explains, the car is surfaced in aluminum and carbon fiber, painted to match designs created in the KPM studio. Handcrafted porcelain details (not our first choice for automotive applications) are used throughout, including the EB logo, the fuel filler cap, door handle trim, center console tray and the rear bulkhead. The material has been tested to withstand the type of rigors encountered on the road, but we still don’t see a porcelain ornament withstanding a 200 mph stone impact. The car marks the start of a partnership between Bugatti and KPM, so expect future models to sport such fine art ceramic detailing as well. As for us, we’d be happy to pay less money to get exterior trim that’s a bit more durable and less expensive to replace.                                                                                                                                               Go here to see the original: Video: Bugatti Explains The One-Off L’or Blanc Read the rest here: Video: Bugatti Explains The One-Off L’or Blanc

Eastman Kodak, who filed for bankruptcy in January , introduced Super 8 in 1965. Ten years later, Ford’s sole Liberian dealer used the film to document a country in its last years before its descent into one of history’s creepiest civil wars. These are his movies of driving across Liberia. More » View post: Driving The Roads Of Liberia In The 1970s [Video] See the rest here: Driving The Roads Of Liberia In The 1970s [Video]

With public relations representatives heavily involved, it isn’t often manufacturers are very candid about their products and the competitions. There are, of course, some exceptions such as Bob Lutz. He just tells it like it is, and those of us following the automotive industry have appreciated that. Nissan/Infiniti executive vice-president of global planning and marketing Andy Palmer was pretty candid about the 2013 Nissan Altima in an interview with Wards Auto . The Nissan Altima is currently the second-best selling passenger car in the United States, just behind the Toyota Camry. The Camry has held the title for a long time, thanks to an enduring reputation for reliability. It is the safe choice. With the 2013 Altima, while it wasn’t announced yet, we saw Nissan making a strong play for the top spot. A lot was put it into the cars design, as well as on increasing fuel economy. Palmer says the goal is to topple the Camry, and the directive is coming from Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. PHe also confirmed what most of us already knew: the Sonata shook up the competition. He says the 2013 Altima was delayed as a result. “Clearly, we referenced the Sonata when we were going through the design process…we even delayed development by a short amount just to check that the (new Altima’s) proportions were right, the (package) was right (and that) the product overall was right” says Palmer. That is a surprising admission from a top-level executive. It is true that the resulting Altima is more premium in appearance than ever before, drawing heavily from the flagship Maxima. Despite referencing Sonata though, Nissan still went for a more conservative design thanks to its desire to topple the Camry. Nevertheless, Hyundai made U.S. car buyers and the industry take notice three years ago with the release of its latest, aggressively styled Sonata. “I’d say they are our major point of reference,” Palmer says. “It’s Camry that is in our sights, (and) the target market is, relatively speaking, conservative….[they're] clearly looking for a vehicle with elegance but not so showy” said Palmer. Nissan has traditionally been the also ran versus Toyota and Honda, but that is changing. With the mid-size sedan segment more competitive than...

With public relations representatives heavily involved, it isn’t often manufacturers are very candid about their products and the competitions. There are, of course, some exceptions such as Bob Lutz. He just tells it like it is, and those of us following the automotive industry have appreciated that. Nissan/Infiniti executive vice-president of global planning and marketing Andy Palmer was pretty candid about the 2013 Nissan Altima in an interview with Wards Auto . The Nissan Altima is currently the second-best selling passenger car in the United States, just behind the Toyota Camry. The Camry has held the title for a long time, thanks to an enduring reputation for reliability. It is the safe choice. With the 2013 Altima, while it wasn’t announced yet, we saw Nissan making a strong play for the top spot. A lot was put it into the cars design, as well as on increasing fuel economy. Palmer says the goal is to topple the Camry, and the directive is coming from Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. PHe also confirmed what most of us already knew: the Sonata shook up the competition. He says the 2013 Altima was delayed as a result. “Clearly, we referenced the Sonata when we were going through the design process…we even delayed development by a short amount just to check that the (new Altima’s) proportions were right, the (package) was right (and that) the product overall was right” says Palmer. That is a surprising admission from a top-level executive. It is true that the resulting Altima is more premium in appearance than ever before, drawing heavily from the flagship Maxima. Despite referencing Sonata though, Nissan still went for a more conservative design thanks to its desire to topple the Camry. Nevertheless, Hyundai made U.S. car buyers and the industry take notice three years ago with the release of its latest, aggressively styled Sonata. “I’d say they are our major point of reference,” Palmer says. “It’s Camry that is in our sights, (and) the target market is, relatively speaking, conservative….[they're] clearly looking for a vehicle with elegance but not so showy” said Palmer. Nissan has traditionally been the also ran versus Toyota and Honda, but that is changing. With the mid-size sedan segment more competitive than...

At the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Honda/Acura unveiled the new NSX, which has a target launch of spring 2014. Like the original NSX this new iteration will feature a two seat design with a mid-mounted V6, but the similarities stop there. The new design incorporates a V6 hybrid powertrain, the latest version of SH-AWD (super handling all-wheel drive) system, and a newly designed dual clutch transmission. The original NSX was born back in 1991 as a lightweight rear wheel drive sports car. It was sold around the world as a Honda and as an Acura in the states. The NSX was never known for its power, rather its handling, silky smooth transmission, lightweight, and easy-to-drive nature were its strong suits. It was a remarkable, ground breaking vehicle in its day. According to Ben Cochran, Director of Dealer Services at GoAuto , the NSX was the first car with an all-aluminum monocoque body, first equipped with variable valve timing (VTEC), and the first variable volume intake manifold. What is even more remarkable is that in a short five years after selling cars outside Japan, the NSX was born. This passion for pioneering technology, innovative design, quality, making driver’s cars led Honda to many successful vehicles, such as: Civic Si Integra & Integra Type R RSX Type S CRX Si Del Sol Prelude S2000 NSX Type R Only one of those cars is still produced today, the Civic Si, and in its class of compact fun-to-drive cars it trails far behind the competition of the Subaru WRX, Mazda Speed 3, and Volkswagen GTI. In fact the Civic Si came in fifth in a seven car test for Car and Driver. The Civic model line was redesigned for 2012 and tested so poorly that Honda is going back to the drawing board and promises an update for 2013. In the 90’s Honda was an innovator and lead the charge. VTEC was such a ground breaking innovation that separated the brand from the competition, but now everyone has variable valve timing. And while everyone else is exploring turbo charged engines, Honda discontinued it’s only turbo motor (RDX). Most manufacturers have six and seven speed automatic transmissions, while most Honda’s have five speeds. So what happened to the manufacturer that had the passion and drive to build the first NSX? Where did they stray from their values? Did they...

Electric drive company Protean Electric displayed what it calls the “Technology Project Hybrid” at the 2012 Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress held in Detroit. The car uses a Brabus Mercedes-Benz E-class that comes with a 2.2L turbodiesel engine and a manual transmission. What makes the car special are the Protean electric motors that have been fitted into the rear wheels of the car. The vehicle makes use of Protean Electric’s patented in-wheel system called Protean Drive. These electric-drive systems are designed to provide vehicles with increased power, more torque, improved handling, and of course, much better fuel economy. The electric motors each produce 110 horsepower along with 590 lb.-ft. of torque, allowing the hybrid to go from 0-62mph in just 7.4 tics. According to Protean, the boost that is gained from the electric motors should be good for up to a 30 percent increase in fuel economy. Neither Brabus nor Protean have released detailed info on the size or the weight of the battery packs, but Protean representatives said that the weight of the motors can be offset with the tweaking of elements like struts, mounts, and springs. These in-wheel motors don’t come cheap, though—it is estimated that the motors would add about $50,000 to the price tag of a normal Brabus E-Class. Go here to read the rest:  Protean Electric and Brabus Showcase “Technology Project Hybrid” at World Congress

Sometimes certain types of cars become popular not because they’re practical, efficient, perform well, or even make sense. Sometimes it’s pure demographics. That’s the conclusion of Erich Merkle, head U.S. sales analyst at Ford Motor Company. We caught up with Merkle on a recent visit to New York City to get his take on what’s ahead for the auto industry. What are the biggest factors driving purchasing trends in the car industry these days? The boomers and the millennials… [are] kind of like the double humps on a camel [on a demographic graph]. These two segments… will continue to change the automotive landscape. There are about 80 million baby boomers; it’s such a massive number of people that they have the ability to expand and collapse entire [vehicle] segments as they move through their various life stages. Boomers have the ability to buy new vehicles, [so] they pay the bills in this industry. You’ve got a massive number of them now that are moving into retirement—about 10,000 a day. That will continue for the next 18 to 19 years. Those that aren’t retired are starting to think about it. The millenials, that’s the investment piece of it. Because even though they only represent about 13 or 14 percent of new-car purchases today, the millenials have not yet fully exerted themselves into the marketplace. Some of it’s just because of their station in life right now and the poor economy. But they will. They have a lot of time in front of them to purchase vehicles. And toward the end of this decade, the boomers and the millenials… 80 million and 80 million, that’s 160 million people. People don’t realize how big that age demographic of our population just is. What is your evidence for the impact of boomers on the car market? If you track [boomers] when they were in their late 20s and early 30s, back in the 1970s, they wanted small, with great value: the Datsun B210, Honda Civic, Volkswagen Bug. Cost of ownership was very important to them. They didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Fuel economy was important. They were young and single… space wasn’t a real issue… because of their station in life at that time. Now when they moved forward, things like minivans...

Despite more of an emphasis on small cars, hybrids and electric vehicles than ever, performance is still alive and well. In fact, the pony car and horsepower wars have reached a fever pitch. Ford shocked the world at the Los Angeles International Auto Show last November when it unveiled the 2013 Shelby GT500. It was announced as the most powerful Mustang ever, coming stock with 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. Those are absolutely insane figures for a Mustang. Supercar-level power, all in a package that still has a live rear axle and aerodynamics that remain largely the same as the stock car. Not to mention, all that power sent to the rear wheels exclusively rather than through an all-wheel drive system. Look out when these things hit the roads – you don’t have to be a driver with skill to purchase one. As far as power goes, rival General Motors has had a recent history of under-promising and over-delivering on power output figures. We’ve seen this to be the case with the GT500′s rival, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Now Ford is doing the same thing. The Society of Automotive Engineers has tested the 2013 GT500, only to find out it actually makes more power than Ford estimated. Team Shelby reports the SAE has certified the GT500 at 662 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque, up by 12 horsepower and an even more impressive 30 pound feet of torque. Te competition has its work cut out for it if they want to match these figures. Where will it end though? This horsepower war is getting pretty insane. The insurance on these things will be through the roof. It’ll be interesting to see what Chevrolet’s next moves are with the ZL1, as well as Street Racing Technology over at Chrysler. Will they be able to resist trying to outdo Ford? Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read the rest here: 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Actually Makes 662 HP

What It Is: A heavily camouflaged example of the next-generation Aston Martin DBS, seen here undergoing cold-weather testing in Sweden. We previously reported this car to be the next DB9, but our European sources have informed us that it actually is the new DBS. We’re told the car is wearing a significant number of dummy panels, so take the car’s sheetmetal with a pinch of salt. (more…) Here is the original post: 2013 Aston Martin DBS Spied: 550 hp and One-77 Looks Continued here: 2013 Aston Martin DBS Spied: 550 hp and One-77 Looks

You cannot doubt the idea that the SUV segment is an exploding market, even when you consider the current high price of gas. Let’s face it, in America, size matters and the SUV and crossover market is a dominating factor not only among growing households, but for those who demand added utility instead of the traditional sedan or coupe. Lamborghini is among a growing list of premium auto brands to introduce a new SUV that may hit the automotive market very soon. To officially unveil Lamborghini’s new SUV , the Urus, Stephan Winkelmann takes to the stage at the Volkswagen Group Night in Beijing. The new Lamborghini Urus (a Spanish Bull) will join the Italian Bull lineup focusing on premium SUV market consumers who want to depart from the traditional sports cars offered by such brands. Think of it as a dream you always had of taking the whole family to Disney in the new Aventador or Gallardo. Only this time, you will have 600 horsepower on tap, potentially 3 seats in the back and maybe a little usable storage to boot. Hit up the video below of the official introduction to the Lamborghini Urus Concept vehicle below.                                                 View original here: Lamborghini Officially Unveils Urus SUV Concept at Beijing w/Video The rest is here:  Lamborghini Officially Unveils Urus SUV Concept at Beijing w/Video

It’s traditionally believed that a good compromise is one where neither side is completely happy, but what fun is that, especially when it comes to automotive enjoyment? More » See the original post: What Car Is The Perfect Automotive Compromise? [Question Of The Weekend] Here is the original post: What Car Is The Perfect Automotive Compromise? [Question Of The Weekend]

While any act of automotive vandalism is senseless, we’ve heard of few more pointless acts of vehicular destruction than what happened last weekend outside of the Canadian city of Edmonton, AL . Sometime between last Saturday and last Sunday vandals broke into the barn where Don Keltie kept his car collection and the automotive carnage seen here is the terrible result. More » Go here to see the original: Studebaker Burnt To The Ground By Vandals Is A Truly Painful Sight [Car Crime] See the original post:  Studebaker Burnt To The Ground By Vandals Is A Truly Painful Sight [Car Crime]

If you thought Lamborghini’s first SUV, the LM002, was cool and appropriately outrageous for the Italian brand, get ready for its second shot at the segment, previewed by this Urus concept at the Beijing auto show . Even though Lamborghini is calling the car a concept, the company will eventually put the high-riding model into production alongside the new Aventador and the replacement for the current Gallardo . Keep Reading: Lamborghini Urus SUV Concept – Auto Shows Go here to read the rest: Lamborghini Unveils the Urus SUV Concept, It Looks Like a Taller Estoque! [Beijing Auto Show] Excerpt from: Lamborghini Unveils the Urus SUV Concept, It Looks Like a Taller Estoque! [Beijing Auto Show]

A majority of the automotive obsessed population of the world would love to drive something rare, flammable or ultra fast every day, but many of us have logged the most miles behind the wheel of cars that are a little more accessible—even if they aren’t any more reasonable. More » Excerpt from: What Car Have You Spent The Most Time Driving? [Question Of The Weekend] Go here to see the original:  What Car Have You Spent The Most Time Driving? [Question Of The Weekend]

After the initial buzz surrounding the radical fourth generation redesign of the Corvette started to fade buyers started to realize that underneath the long hood of the C4 things were less than impressive. For 1985 Chevy sought to solve this problem by introducing Tuned Port Injection to ‘Vette which bumped the horsepower to a then impressive 230. More » Read the original: 1985 Corvette Takes On European Exotic Sports Cars And Wins [Video] The rest is here:  1985 Corvette Takes On European Exotic Sports Cars And Wins [Video]