Overfinch Country Pursuits Range Rover concept

Range Rover tuning specialist Overfinch has developed a new concept vehicle based on the premium Land Rover SUV, which was displayed today at the Salon Prive Luxury and Supercar Show at the Hurlingham Club in London. The modified SUV, dubbed the Country Pursuits Concept, is based on the Vogue SE Range Rover and is aimed at luxury buyers seeking more utility from their premium SUVs.

Standout features of the Country Pursuits Concept is its exclusive mica pearlescent ‘Aubergine’ paint and custom interior created in partnership with consulting firm Colour & Materials Design. There’s also a refrigerator, and an ‘Olive Ash’ removable gun box with three sliding drawers.

Power comes from a 470hp (350kW) 4.2L V8 engine and an enhanced suspension system has been added that can lower or raise the car by up to 25cm whilst on the move. Despite being labeled a concept, the Country Pursuits Range Rover is slated for production and will be available for sale in October priced at £143,950 (approximately $287,000).

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Updated: Aston Martin DBS revealed

Now with super-high resolution images and full specifications.

The car everyone has been waiting for since seeing Casino Royale is finally here. Aston Martin has taken the wraps off the stunning DBS coupe, revealing a car that exudes performance and power yet still has the same proportions that made the DB9 one of the most beautiful cars in the world. The DBS will be officially unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this week and will go on sale in Q1 2008.

Under the hood you’ll find the same venerable 6.0L V12 engine found in the DB9 but with a number of modifications. These include a ‘by-pass’ engine air intake port that opens above 5500rpm to allow more air into the engine, and re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber. Mated to the engine is a six-speed manual gearbox – no “softcore” auto for the DBS, thank you. The result is a power output of 380kW (510hp) and peak torque of 420 lb.ft (570Nm). In addition, Aston Martin’s extensive use of carbon fibre has reduced the weight of the DBS to 1695kg, around 65kg less than the equivalent manual DB9.

How does it perform? Glad you asked. The DBS will hit 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds and keep pulling all the way to a 191mph (302km/h) top speed, making it a true supercar.

Everyone knows that power without control is nothing, which is why Aston Martin has pulled all the stops to make the DBS excel around the track. It’s the first Aston to be fitted with carbon ceramic brakes, greatly reducing stopping distances and providing excellent resistance to fade. Also new is an Adaptive Damping System with five different settings to adjust the car’s ride and handling characteristics. Providing contact with the road are 295 size 20” Pirelli tyres in the rear.

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Project Kahn enhances the Range Rover Vogue

Afzal Kahn, owner of the eponymous 'Project Kahn' outfit, has unveiled his latest creation in what has come to be a long line of customized luxury vehicles. This time around the Project Kahn team has taken the relatively sober Range Rover Vogue SUV and tinkered with its appearance and handling slightly.

The Project Kahn Range Rover Vogue conversion consists of a new bodykit, color-coded paint scheme and a custom sports exhaust system. The interior is given the bespoke touch, with an exquisite piano black trim made to the exact requirements of the customer.

The vehicle also features specially designed 22in ‘RS-L’ alloy wheels. The wheels feature a multi-spoke design with studded edging and a titanium silver finish. They have also been designed to accommodate a variety of manufacturer center caps.

For those looking for a Project Kahn SUV with a little more bite, the British tuner also has a customization package for the Range Rover Sport that was co-developed with engine specialist Cosworth. The package is based on the 3.6L TDV8 model and features an output of 300hp (224kW).

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Update: Custom Ford Mustang AV8R sells for $500,000

Update: The special one-off Mustang AV8R has sold for $500,000 at the Gathering of Eagles charity auction, with the funds going to support the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh youth education and inspirational experience program. The Mustang AV8R is Build number 1 of 1 and is based on the 2009 Mustang GT. It also features autographs from aviation legends and celebrities who attended this year’s EAA AirVenture, including Harrison Ford, Edsel B. Ford II, Jack Roush, Carroll Shelby and others.

Original: Ford will donate a special one-of-a-kind Mustang as part of its continuing commitment to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh aviation event held annually in Wisconsin. Last year, Ford donated two tickets to the finals of the American Idol series, which sold for $16,500, and before that Ford and Shelby Automobiles donated a Mustang Shelby GT-H in 2006, which sold for $250,000.

This Ford has built the special the Mustang AV8R, which will be sold through the Gathering of Eagles fund-raiser. The new car is based on the 2009 Mustang GT and was created together with a team from Ford Racing. Special features include a glass roof, custom front and rear fascias, an integrated spoiler and GT500 wheels.

Ford Racing's contributions include a handling pack (dampers, lowering springs, anti-roll bar kit and strut tower brace), supercharger and tuned exhaust that will generate 400hp (298kW) from the aluminum block 4.6L V8 engine.

The Mustang AV8R is painted in Satin Silver matte paint with Black Gloss accents. The interior features distressed leather inserts along with a ‘Bullitt’ aluminum instrument panel cover and shift knob. It also has a panel that will also be signed by aviation legends and notable enthusiasts scheduled to be in attendance, who include Edsel B. Ford II, Chuck Yeager, Jack Roush, Harrison Ford, John Travolta, Morgan Freeman and Jim Lovell.

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Mercedes Benz G-Class

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Mercedes Benz G-Class will keep on truckin’ through 2015

Thirty years is a long time in the automotive industry, but the more things change, the more they stay the same - in 1979, the second oil crisis was in full swing, Detroit was smack in the midst of its malaise-era madness and the Mercedes Benz G-Class was born.

Despite its age, there are plans to see the G-Class continue on in its current guise for at least another six years. Austria’s independent vehicle manufacturer Magna Steyr has confirmed it will continue to build the vehicle until the end of 2015.

Magna Steyr has built 200,000 units of the G-Class and was a vital element of the vehicle’s development during the 1970s, according to Automotive News. The G-Class was originally developed as a military vehicle for the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran (a major Daimler shareholder at the time). 

The first civilian version of the G-Class went on sale in 1979 and since then it has gone on to spawn several different variations including a high-performance AMG model. Mercedes Benz also released a special 30th anniversary edition this month, which you can read about by clicking here.

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Lamborghini Mucielago LP650-4 Roadster hit the web

Lamborghini's Superveloce LP670-4 was spied earlier in the month, but today images and details for the upcoming Lamborghini Murcielago LP650-4 Roadster have surfaced, with all the over-the-top flair you'd expect from a limited-edition Lambo.

The car's powertrain is still under wraps, but it's expected to get a 650hp (485kW) V12 mill like that found in the Reventon. Typically ridiculous acceleration figures - about 3.4 seconds 0-62mph - are expected from the AWD platform.

The exterior is a special flat gray called ‘Grigio Telesto’ and is accented with bright orange elements on the side skirts and front lip, as well as in strategic locations inside the cabin. Dark ‘Hermera’ alloy wheels finish off the dramatic exterior. The brake calipers are also finished in this same orange coloring, while contrasting carbon-fiber is used to adorn the engine frame and disc brakes. 

Inside, the car gets an asymmetric dashboard, acres of Alcantara and leather with Arancio Leonis stitching, and a few other unique touches. 

More information and photography is expected as the Geneva Motor Show draws nearer, though with the Superveloce already tipped for a Swiss debut, the LP650-4 Roadster may get pushed back to later in the year. Only 50 of the cars will be built, with a starting price of about $380,000 (€295,000).

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Report: Bugatti planning 440km/h Veyron ‘Centenaire’ for Geneva Motor Show

Bugatti is no stranger to limited editions of its Veyron, with the Sang Noir, Pur Sang, Hermès, Pegaso and Grand Sport (pictured) to name just a few. Now it appears a new model may be added to the list: the Centenaire, in celebration of Bugatti's 100th anniversary.

Early reports suggest the Centenaire could have an output of up to 1,400hp (1,043kW) and a top speed around the 440km/h (273mph) mark. The information comes from an inside source who revealed to Auto Motor and Sport that the new super-Veyron could probably go even faster but is limited by the integrity of its tires. Still, this should easily see it snatch back the title of the World's Fastest Production Car from the SSC Ultimate Aero TT.

The Centenaire isn’t just about extra horsepower, though. Through an extensive weight saving program, Bugatti engineers have reportedly shaved almost 150kg from the standard Veyron’s kerb weight. This is said to have been done with the addition of lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum in replacement of some the standard model’s steel components. 

Founded in 1909, Bugatti has led a storied path through the worlds of automotive industry, motorsport and high-end supercars. Under the Volkswagen Group's ownership it has seen steady success despite its extremely limited-volume output and the latest Centenaire is only likely to build upon this. 

Expect full details on the car - if it materializes - next week once the 2009 Geneva Motor Show is in full swing.

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

by Alex Kaufmann

Ferrari announces 599 HGTE package and 599XX experimental car

Though the California convertible has grabbed almost all the attention paid to Ferrari in the media recently, the 599 GTB is still just as formidable and attractive as it was the day it hit the streets. However, never one to rest on their laurels, the men and women in Maranello have plans to make it even more desirable at the Geneva Motor Show.

As it has done with the 575 and 612 before it, Ferrari has developed a new track focused handling package for the car. Called the Handling Grand Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE), the new upgrade will help add some spice to the 599 as it draws toward the end of its product cycle.

Exactly what will go into the 599 HGTE is still unknown, but history suggests it might include exterior appearance touches to the grille, wheels and rear diffuser/exhaust area, upgraded tires and more carbon fiber in the cabin. Slightly stiffer springs and anti-roll bars are also likely. The car's already massive 612hp (456kW) and 450lb-ft (608Nm) of torque are likely to remain untouched.

Also on show at next week’s Geneva event will be a preview of the ‘Laboratorio Technologico’ 599XX experimental car. The oddly named show car is described as a technological laboratory aimed at a select group of clients. It will incorporate the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari’s road-going and F1 research, with many elements appearing for the first time. Expect to see something similar to Ferrari’s previous FXX model, with possibly even a new group of official client testers being established specifically for it.

Chevrolet Camaro to star as Indy 500 official pace car

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) has selected the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro to star as the official pace car in the 93rd running of the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 24. The new Camaro Pace Car was unveiled during a ceremony at the IMS Hall of Fame Museum with the organization’s president Joie Chitwood presenting the car along with Indianapolis 500 winners Johnny Rutherford, Al Unser Jr. and Eddie Cheever Jr.

The Chevy Camaro first paced the Indianapolis 500 in 1967 and to this day is still regarded as one of the most loved official pace cars of all times. This year marks the fifth time the Camaro has been selected to pace the Indianapolis 500 (1967, 1969, 1982, 1993, 2009), and the 44th time a General Motors vehicle has paced "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing".

The particular model being used is the high-performance SS, complete with a 6.2L LS3 churning out 426hp (317kW) and 420lb-ft (570Nm) of torque. It features a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and 3.45 axle ratio.

No drivetrain or suspension modifications are required to prepare the Camaro for its pace car duties. The only modifications to the vehicle include a fully integrated strobe system, including a GM-designed custom light bar utilizing Whelen 500 series linear strobes.

This isn’t the first time the new Camaro will be completing pace car duties. Earlier this month the car was also used as the official pace car of the Daytona 500.

Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

Consumer Reports' Top Five Economical Cars

Consumer Reports has picked the Toyota Prius Touring as its best overall value of 300 U.S. and foreign cars reviewed. Not a single U.S. brand was among the 41 vehicles on the group's Best Value list this year.

In its 2009 annual auto issue, the consumer magazine said the Prius has a five-year ownership cost of $26,250 and rated relatively high on its road test.

The Prius doesn't have the least expensive sticker price in its class, but its excellent fuel economy of 42 mpg overall and solid resale value help give it a low overall owner cost.

"A low price doesn't necessarily make a car a good value," Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports said in a statement. "At a time when people need to make every dollar count, our best value list will help consumers understand the difference."

Rounding out the top five were the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Rabbit, Honda Civic EX and the Honda Fit.

"All three U.S. automakers continued to be at the back of the class," the magazine said. Although GM and Ford improved their overall scores, Chrysler "disappointed the most." The company's "poor-performing products and sinking reliability results have kept all Chyrsler, Dodge and Jeep-badged vehicles off CR's recommended list."

The U.S. automakers have struggled amid falling sales, causing both GM and Chysler to seek a government bailout. GM said today it lost $9.6 billion in its latest quarter.

One GM vehicle, the Chevrolet Avalanche pickup, was among the magazine's top picks, though not on the Best Value list. The Volvo C30 (Volvo is owned by Ford) did make the Best Value list.

In its auto issue, Consumer Reports highlights the best new-car value vehicles in nine vehicle categories: small cars, family cars, upscale cars, hatchbacks/wagons, sporty cars, minivans, small SUVs, midsized SUVs and pickup trucks.

Here are some of the highlights:

Best Value Small Cars: Honda Civic EX, Honda Fit (base), Hyundai Elantra SE, Toyota Corolla LE and the Honda Civic Hybrid

Best Value Family Cars: Toyota Prius Touring, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Prius (base), Hyundai Sonata (4-cyl.) and the Honda Accord (4-cyl.)

Best Value Hatchbacks/Wagons: Volkswagen Rabbit, Mazda3 hatchback, Scion xB, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and the Toyota Matrix

Best Value Small SUVs: Toyota RAV4 (4-cyl.), Toyota RAV4 (V6), Honda CR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander (4-cyl.) and the Nissan Rogue

Best Value Midsized SUVs: Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Nissan Murano, and the Honda Pilot

The magazine also breaks down its top picks for cars in ten major categories.

This year, the Toyota Highlander dethroned the Hyundai Santa Fe in the midsized SUVs category, while the improved reliability of the new Chevrolet Avalanche helped it to replace the Chevrolet Silverado as top pickup.

Despite the arrival of more gas/electric hybrids, the Toyota Prius remains top pick in the "green" car category for the sixth straight year. The Prius's 44 overall mpg is the best Consumer Reports measured in any five-passenger car.

Here, by category, are the 2009 top picks written by Consumer Reports:

SMALL SEDAN: Hyundai Elantra SE The Elantra SE ($18,695) is a comfortable, roomy small car that provides good fuel economy, a quiet and nicely finished interior, and plenty of features for the money. Only the SE version comes with standard electronic stability control, which is absent on many other small cars.

MIDSIZED SUV: Toyota Highlander The Highlander ($26,000 to $41,000) is a very refined and versatile vehicle. It provides a comfortable and quiet ride, a nicely finished interior, three rows of seats, and decent fuel economy for its class. The Highlander Hybrid's fuel economy, 24 mpg overall, is among the best of any SUV in Consumer Report's ratings. First-year reliability has been excellent.

PICKUP TRUCK: Chevrolet Avalanche The Chevrolet Avalanche full-sized crew cab ($36,000 to $47,000) is one of the most versatile and comfortable pickups that Consumer Reports has tested. Its unified bed and cab helps give it a solid feel and a comfortable, quiet ride. Its innovative partition, between the cab and the bed, can be folded to allow longer cargo to extend into the back of the cab.

BEST OVERALL VEHICLE: Lexus LS 460 With a road test score of 99 out of 100, the Lexus LS 460 ($64,000 to $77,000) is Consumer Reports' highest-scoring vehicle. It provides a luxurious, uncompromising driving environment, with a supremely comfortable ride and a roomy, well-finished, and exceptionally quiet interior. The LS is brimming with electronic amenities, yet the controls are easy to use. Its 380-hp, 4.6-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic transmission deliver smooth, quick acceleration and relatively good fuel economy.

FAMILY SEDAN: Honda Accord The Honda Accord ($21,000 to $31,000) is a roomy, well-rounded sedan that's easy to live with and enjoyable to drive. It offers a comfortable ride, agile handling, and efficient, refined four- and six-cylinder powertrains. Electronic stability control is standard, and crash-test results are impressive. UPSCALE SEDAN: Infiniti G37 One of the highest-rated sedans tested, the G37 (33,000 to $36,000, formerly G35) combines sportiness and luxury in a very appealing package. It has a very lively powertrain, agile handling, a comfortable ride, and a nicely appointed interior. For 2009, it also has a larger, 328-hp, 3.7-liter engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, which improves fuel economy.

FUN TO DRIVE: Mazda MX-5 Miata The Miata ($22,000 to $29,000) is a true sports car at a reasonable price. With quick, precise steering, a crisp-shifting manual transmission, and balanced handling, it virtually tied the Porsche Boxster in test scoring, but it costs about half the price.

SMALL SUV: Toyota RAV4 Thanks to a larger and more powerful four-cylinder engine and other upgrades for 2009, the RAV4 ($23,000 to $30,000) narrowly outscored the Subaru Forester to remain our Top Pick for the third straight year. It provides agile handling, a roomy and quiet interior, a comfortable ride, and an optional third-row seat. The four-cylinder version gets the best fuel economy of any automatic, nonhybrid SUV CR has tested.

MINIVAN: Toyota Sienna The Sienna ($26,000 to $38,000) offers a spacious, versatile, and comfortable way to carry up to eight people. Consumer Reports found that the quiet, well-finished interior rivals that of some luxury sedans. Electronic stability control is standard. This is the only minivan available with all-wheel drive.

GREEN CAR: Toyota Prius Despite the arrival of more gas/electric hybrids, the Prius ($22,000 to $24,000) leads this category for the sixth straight year. The base model's 44 overall mpg is the best Consumer Reports has measured in any five-passenger car. The interior is roomy and versatile, and reliability remains excellent. A redesigned Prius will arrive in early summer.

Consumer Reports' annual auto issue is on sale March 3 to May 4 wherever magazines are sold. Free highlights from the issue will be available at ConsumerReports.org.

As reported by SCOTT MAYEROWITZ, ABC NEWS Business Unit

Feb. 26, 2009

Toyota Prius is Still Consumer Reports' Top Green Car

The market is flooded with gas/electric hybrid vehicles--the Ford Escape, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Silverado--but the good ol' Toyota Prius still takes the top spot, according to the Consumer Reports Annual Auto Issue. 

This is the sixth straight win for the Prius in the magazine's Best Green Car category, despite plentiful competition from car companies trying to salvage their brands. Consumer Reports claims that the Prius base model's 44 MPG is the best they've measured in any five-passenger car, and the car's reliability and comfort level is above par. 

But just because the Prius can claim legacy in the Consumer Reports competition doesn't mean it has a guaranteed win next year. The Nissan Cube, Chevrolet Volt , and Honda Insight are all poised to muscle in on the Prius' spot.

BY Ariel SchwartzFri Feb 27, 2009 at 3:57 PM

Copyright © 2009 Mansueto Ventures LLC

Japanese brands top Consumer Reports annual car list

Japanese brands once again dominate the list of the most highly rated cars in Consumer Reports' annual new car issue, released yesterday, while most products of struggling Chrysler LLC came in for harsh words.

But the magazine did name the Chevrolet Avalanche as best pickup truck, replacing last year's winner - the Chevrolet Silverado. It also said the newest models from General Motors and Ford showed improvement in performance and reliability. And it called the just-redesigned Dodge Ram pickup "competitive."

The magazine's ratings are based on tests conducted at its auto center in Connecticut, plus factors like crash test performance, vehicle cost and past or projected reliability, the latter based on annual surveys of the magazine's 7 million print and online subscribers.

The magazine said in announcing its 2009 new car issue, which goes on sale March 3, that "a Japanese nameplate is no guarantee that every car in a model range will be a reliable and good performer." For example, it said, the Honda Element and Toyota Yaris did poorly in its evaluations, while the Ford Flex and F-150, Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS "rank near the top of their classes." 

 

But, it said, "Less than a quarter of Consumer Reports' recommended vehicles are from U.S. companies, a result of inconsistent reliability and performance. About half are Japanese."

Among midsize sedans, Consumer Reports deemed the Honda Accord the best, although the Toyota Camry outsells it.

The magazine said Honda's cars and trucks were "the best all-around vehicles" but said of Chrysler, "The company's poor-performing products and sinking reliability results have kept all Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep-badged vehicles off [our] recommended list." 

In a statement, Chrysler acknowledged that the magazine is "one of the most credible sources of information for consumers," but contended that its reliability ratings don't reflect recent improvements. "In the past 12 months, Chrysler has reduced its warranty claims by 30 percent," the company said, "so we expect to see an improvement in our results when new data is reported this fall." 

The magazine named the Hyundai Elantra as the best small car, though it specified the SE version, which comes with electronic stability control. 

The magazine deemed the Toyota Highlander the best midsize SUV, but also had praise for the Buick Enclave SUV and mechanically related Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. 


Best overall vehicle:

Lexus LS 460, above

Family sedan:

Honda Accord

Upscale sedan: Infiniti G37

Small SUV: Toyota RAV4

Midsize SUV: 

Toyota Highlander

Minivan: Toyota Sienna

Small car: Hyundai Elantra SE

Full-size pickup:

Chevrolet Avalanche

"Green" car:

Toyota Prius

BY TOM INCANTALUPO | tom.incantalupo@newsday.com

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