Automotive manufacturers are continually trying to make their cars appealing to the masses and one popular way of doing this is by offering programs which allow customers to individualize their cars to not only make them more valuable, but to also make them perfectly suited to whatever paces the owners plan to put them through.
High end cars can be optioned with different kinds of leathers, carpets, and even stereo systems, but we’ve yet to see custom instrument panels being offered, until now. As part of the BMW 5-series’ fairly large update released recently, the German brand is offering an option where all 5-series cars can be optioned out with a 10.25-inch LCD coming standard with Black Panel technology to make it as real as possible, by adding super-deep and crisp blacks.
The action however, kicks off as the driver can choose out of four different displays, where the information on the instrument panel changes as does the color, such as those backing the speedometer and tachometer.
The familiar BMW set-up comes standard, while the three remaining options are dubbed Comfort, Eco Pro, and Sport and each have their own customized functions with the Eco Pro set up displaying how efficiently the car is being driven, similar to other instrument panels fitted to hybrid and electric cars.
In a similar vein, while in Sport mode, the speed and gear selected in the car are featured prominently to help minimize the time the driver’s eyes are looking down, by displaying them through large numeric figures.
No details have been released about how much this optional extra will set prospecting buyers back, but $1000 - $2000 wouldn’t be out of the question.
German automaker BMW is ratcheting up the promotion of their highly anticipated special edition M Performance models.
We already got wind of a teaser video BMW UK released for the M5 M Performance Edition, but now it appears that it wasn’t the only teaser video BMW had in store for us. Shortly after releasing that video, the German automaker released another teaser vid, this time of the M3 M Performance Edition.
For the M3 model that has seen its fair share of special edition models,, the M3 M Performance Edition is arguably one of the most highly-anticipated of all these limited run models. Details are still scarce surrounding the M3 M Performance Edition models, but like it’s M5 counterparts, the line will be limited to only 30 units, 10 each for the three available colors - Frozen Red, Frozen Blue, and Frozen White - that will be launched soon.
As soon as more details behind the M3 M Performance Edition come to light, we’ll be sure to keep you guys updated. In the meantime, check out the teaser video BMW UK has released of the limited run line-up.
When you have a tuning program that’s being described as ’perfect’ the same way Wheelsandmore is calling the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider "Perfetto", then there’s some serious living up to do to justify that ’perfetto’ claim.
The German tuner went to serious lengths to give the Italian supercar some serious modifications. On the outside, Wheelsandmore fitted the 458 Italia Spider with a plethora of new carbon fiber components on the rear diffuser, the fuel cap, the rear fog lamp frames, mirrors and spoiler fins. On top of that, the supercar’s interior, trunk and engine compartment were all refined, thanks to new side panels, a custom-fit trunk tray, and a final panel for the rear window trim. Even the wheel well and the entire lower floor can be refined to replace the autoclave produced high-performance carbon-fiber components with a matte finish. The addition of all these carbon fiber components resulted in a reduced weight of 30 kg. Rounding out the aesthetic upgrades are a new set of 21" 6Sporz ² forged rims wrapped in Hankook tires.
Sounds pretty ’perfetto’ to us.
For the performance upgrade, Wheelsandmore took the 458 Italia’s 4.5-liter V8 engine and added plenty of new modifications, including its newly developed Carbonairbox. Add in the installation of manifolds, the addition of a flip-controlled exhaust system, and software optimization, and you have an increased output of 647 horsepower and 468 lb/ft of torque, a drastic improvement from the standard model’s 570 horsepower and 400 lb/ft of torque numbers.
The past few days have been pretty busy for BMW. First they unveiled the 3-Series Station Wagon and after it the 1-Series three-door and the M135i. And now the US market has received a new model to its 1-Series line-up: 135is offered in both coupe and convertible version. Prices will start from $44,145 for the coupe model and $48,845 for the convertible and sales are scheduled to begin this fall.
The BMW 135is is powered by a TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 engine that delivers a total of 320 hp (+20 hp increase compared to the 135i) and 317 lb-ft of torque (+17 lb.ft). The engine features Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology, direct injection and a single twin-scroll turbocharger and has been combined with a standard 6-Speed manual transmission or an optional 7-Speed Double Clutch Transmission, but also with a Performance exhaust system.
The new 135is will be distinguished by exclusive 18" wheels, unique high-gloss black kidney grill, black mirror caps and special exterior badges in additional to the standard M Sport Package components. For the interior BMW will add stainless steel pedals, special interior badges and optional black leather seats with blue stitching for the standard sport seats.
Lexus is already preparing the next generation IS and with the standard version will come a new IS-F model. The first details we have on the upcoming IS-F suggest that it will be offered with a 5.0 liter V8 engine that will deliver a total of 470 HP, making it a serious competitor for the BMW M3.
The Lexus IS-F will measure 4,680 millimeters in length, 1,820 millimeters in width, and 1,400 millimeters in height. The new 5.0 liter V8 engine will deliver a total of 470 HP at 7,000 rpm and a fuel economy of 23.5mpg. It has been rumored that the IS-F will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and will hit a top speed of about 170 mph.
Rumors are also floating around that the future IS-F will be offered for the first time in coupe and convertible versions, but we’ll have to get more than a whiff of that rumor to believe it. Stay tuned!
The Ghia L6.4 was just about as exclusive as you could get in the 1960s, as it was designed and built only for actors and other high rollers in Hollywood. The final of the 26 Ghia L6.4s ever built was built for one of the largest stars of that era, Dean Martin. Martin was not the only Rat Pack member to own a L6.4, as Frank Sinatra also owned one, as did other Rat Pack members.
Recently, one of the 26 Ghia L6.4s built, the one owned by Dean Martin, was put up for auction on eBay as Hyman Ltd. got its hands on Martin’s old L6.4. For a car of its age, the modern features are plentiful, but it still wasn’t enough for Dean Martin, as he shipped the car off to George Barris, “Hollywood’s King of the Kustomizers,” to have even more customizations performed on this already rare vehicle. This customization turned Martin’s L6.4 into a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
Click past the jump to read the full review on this vehicle and see how it has held up throughout the years.
When Lamborghini unveiled the Urus Concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, it came with the announcement that a production version would arrive sometime in 2017. And now, in an interview with Automotive News, Maurizio Reggiani has stated that the company hopes the Urus will become its top-selling model with an annual volume of 3,000 because of strong demand in China, the United States, Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. That’s almost double compared to the 1,600 vehicles Lamborghini sold last year.
The future Urus will be built on the Volkswagen new PL73 platform that will be used for the next-generation Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg, as well as the production version of Bentley’s new SUV. Lamborghini also hopes that their future SUV will weigh as much as 4400 lbs - or about 440 lbs lighter than any of the models in its segment. And because the new platform will be made of steel, Lamborghini will need to use innovative technologies to hit their target weight. One of these solutions is a T-shaped, forged-carbon composite structure that extends from the central tunnel to the rear suspension hinging points.
Reggiani also confirmed that a twin-turbo, gasoline-direction-injection V-8 is a strong possibility because it "improves weight distribution without forcing an increase to the SUV’s wheelbase and overall length." This engine will be coupled to a permanent four-wheel-drive system and most likely a dual-clutch transmission.
In 2009, Infiniti replaced the G35 with the more powerful G37, and in 2014, another switch will be made. The company is preparing a new generation G model as evidenced by the images of the first mule caught testing on public roads. Our spy photographers informed us that this chassis and engine mule was also spotted in Northern Sweden.
These images show that the new model will sit on a slightly wider track and will have extra air intakes on the front bumper just under the grille. These extra air intakes could mean that Infiniti will be using its first diesel engines as a result of the recently announced Nissan-Mercedes collaboration. We tend to believe this especially because these mules were seen going in and out of a Mercedes test facility.
Next to the new rumored diesel engine, it is also believed that the company will drop the current 3.7 liter V6 engine in favor of a new, smaller turbo engine.
UPDATE 05/15/2012: In an interview with Inside Line, a high-level Nissan executive has confirmed that the next-generation G37 will arrive in the spring of 2013. The same source has revealed that the same four-cylinder engine built for the upcoming Mercedes-Benz C-Class might also be used for the upcoming G sedan as replacement for the current V6 engine.
One Lap America actually has roots dating back to the original Cannonball Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, known simply as Cannonball. Many of today’s enthusiasts think that Cannonball was simply a movie or plot, but this was actually a real-life cross-country race that included high speeds on U.S. highways.
The original Cannonball only lasted five runs until its organizer, Brock Yates, decided he had better quit this no-holds-barred race before the authorities decide to close it down. In 1984, the Cannonball returned, but was not about making it across the country as fast as possible, but about making it through a course that went throughout the lower 48 states and ended up with the amount of miles closest to Brock’s estimate.
In the modern era of the One Lap America, the race is now about following the rules of the road, as you drive throughout a predetermined course, and between these leisurely drives, you have track events. The scoring of this event is solely based on the track event results, but you and your co-driver(s) must also survive driving 24 hours on end, stopping only to enjoy a “gourmet” gas station hot dog or two along the way.
This 19-event, eight-day racing series just wrapped up on Saturday and we have your full list of winners in each class and we have also broken down a list of all of the oddest and most awesome cars to grace the 2012 running.
Click past the jump to read about the odd and awesome cars, as well as the winners from each class.
Next to the 2013 MKT debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lincoln has also presented the new MKS luxury sedan. For the 2013 model year, the MKS has received better handling, increased power, improved fuel efficiency, additional standard equipment, more refinement, and new technologies.
The model has received a contemporary new look that includes a new grille, HID headlamps, front fascia, hood, and front fenders. The rear of the vehicle was updated with a new fascia, LED tail lamps, new exhaust tips, and a new decklid design that improves access to the trunk.
The 2013 Lincoln MKS will be offered in three versions: V6 FWD, V6 AWD, and EcoBoost V6 AWD. The first two models are powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that now includes twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and delivers a total of 300 HP (increased from the previous 273 HP). Fuel economy comes in at 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway for the front-wheel drive model and18mpg city/26 mpg highway with the all-wheel-drive model. The more powerful version gets a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers a total of 355 HP.
UPDATE 05/15/2012: Lincoln has unveiled a cool commercial for their latest 2013 MKS that takes us back in time and presents the most important moments from the company’s history. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Lincoln MKS.
