Audi A7 3.0T Quattro vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS550: Four-Place Frippery Compared

Audi A7 3.0T Quattro vs. Mercedes-Benz CLS550: Four-Place Frippery Compared: "

In an Eccentric Orbit: Two big Germans chase tiny cracks in the market.

If we take a Darwinian view, the automotive world until very recently broke down into the following species: sedan, coupe, wagon, truck, minivan, SUV, and Pontiac Aztek. But evolution never stops its relentless churn, especially when it is believed that gold lies in the (sometimes invisible) fissures between these established groups.

Keep Reading: 2012 Audi A7 3.0T Quattro vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 – Comparison Tests

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2012 Volvo S60 R-Design First Drive: Return of the Volvo S60R—Kind Of

2012 Volvo S60 R-Design First Drive: Return of the Volvo S60R—Kind Of: "

Volvo’s newest R-Design has more R than design. We’re okay with that.

“High performance” is not a descriptor typically employed for products from Volvo, the safety-savvy Swedish company previously operated by Ford and now owned by China’s Geely. But three years after cancelling its R-badged performance derivatives of the V70 and S60, Volvo is dipping its toes back into the sporty pool with the 2012 S60 R-Design, a more powerful, more stiffly sprung version of the firm’s mid-size sedan. (The XC60 R-Design, which was introduced last year with an upgraded suspension, also gets a power boost for 2012.) While this higher-performance S60 shares the throne of most powerful production Volvo ever with its sister XC60 R-Design, it has an uphill battle to win over the Euro-sport constituency—it’s priced right up against some serious and well-established competition.

Keep Reading: 2012 Volvo S60 R-Design – First Drive Review

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Toyota to Debut Production Prius Plug-In Hybrid at Frankfurt Auto Show

Toyota to Debut Production Prius Plug-In Hybrid at Frankfurt Auto Show: "

Toyota has dangled the plug-in version of its popular Prius hybrid in front of the world for almost two years, and it will finally unveil the production car at this fall’s Frankfurt auto show. Toyota first showed off a “concept” Prius PHEV at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, and we even drove one last year; so the plug-in Prius likely will offer few surprises over what we already know.

Toyota did include a few technical specifications and performance figures in its announcement of the Prius PHEV. The hybrid’s electric bits will be powered by a lithium-ion battery instead of the regular Prius’s nickel-metal hydride pack, and Toyota claims the car should consume fuel at a rate of 2.2 liters/100 km on the optimistic European cycle, which translates to 107 mpg over here. The company didn’t reveal whether that is an mpge figure for when the car is operating in electric-only mode, but either way, don’t count on actually seeing numbers that high in the real world. The Chevrolet Volt, which has vastly superior electrical operation, earns an EPA-rated 93 mpge combined in electric mode.

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Fourth Gymkhana Video Sees Ken Block Getting in Touch with His Hollywood Side, Sideways [VIDEO]

Fourth Gymkhana Video Sees Ken Block Getting in Touch with His Hollywood Side, Sideways [VIDEO]: "

Rally driver Ken Block has transformed the term “Gymkhana” into everyday lexicon for car people with internet videos of his driving awesometude and car control on obstacle-ridden courses, and today he released the fourth clip in the series. This installment appears to star Block’s latest Ford Fiesta WRC-based Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle, and features copious sideways action—a hallmark of the other Gymkhana videos—and was filmed on a Universal Studios Hollywood backlot set. The result is a show of driving skill we’ve come to expect from Ken Block, but with a lot of entertaining cliché Hollywood explosions and quirky comedy mixed in. Check out the clip below, and enjoy.

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2012 Honda Fit Official Photos and Info: More Refinement, More Content, and Updated Styling

2012 Honda Fit Official Photos and Info: More Refinement, More Content, and Updated Styling: "

A refresh for our current favorite small car.

The Honda Fit is one devious little subcompact—its dinky size and milquetoast looks belie its incredible interior versatility and surprising athleticism. But good as it may be, the current Fit bowed in 2009, which means it’s time for the five-time 10Best winner to get an update.

Keep Reading: 2012 Honda Fit – Official Photos and Info

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Audi Urban Concept Spyder: Audi’s Second Weird Frankfurt Concept

Audi Urban Concept Spyder: Audi’s Second Weird Frankfurt Concept: "

Because two is better than one, the Urban concept goes topless.

Earlier this month, Audi let slip its plans to reveal a futuristic electric city car called simply the Audi Urban concept. We likened it not only to VW minicars like the Up! concept and the company’s “1-Liter” cars, but also to the Messerschmitt KR200. Well, now that Audi has released sketches of a Spyder that will debut alongside the rollback-canopied coupe, the comparisons get even more entertaining. Doesn’t this little thing look like a German designer’s take on a soapbox derby car?

Keep Reading: Audi Urban Concept Spyder – Auto Shows

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Jaguar Celebrates E-Type’s 50th Anniversary at Monterey

Jaguar Celebrates E-Type’s 50th Anniversary at Monterey: "

Over the years the E-Type Jaguar (aka XKE) has won many accolades as one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Indeed none other than Enzo Ferrari said so soon after its launch in 1961.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the E-Type’s launch Jaguar will have plenty of cars at this weekend’s extravaganza at Monterey. Jaguar is the featured marquee at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Jaguar expects more than 65 historic Jaguar race cars will participate, either on track or on display, including at least 7 Jaguar C-Type cars, 11 Jaguar D-Type cars and 3 XKSS cars. These cars accumulated 5 Le Mans victories as well as hundreds of additional wins across the globe.

Significant cars will include the Jaguar XK120 driven by America’s first World Driving Champion, Phil Hill, to victory in 1950 at the very first race on the Monterey Peninsula, the Pebble Beach Road Races which was run through the Del Monte forest on sections of the famous 17-Mile Drive.

Also in attendance will be the Jaguar C-Type driven by Hill at Elkhart Lake, Wis., to win the 1952 Sheldon Cup, once again on an open road course, before the construction of Road America. Co-incidentally, this year also marks the 50th anniversary of Hill’s Formula 1 championship. He began his long and illustrious racing career while working as an apprentice for Jaguar in the United Kingdom.

You can also see Bob Tullius’ Group 44 1974 Jaguar E-Type that won a string of seven races and the 1975 SCCA B Production Car Championship.

If you’re thinking of buying a new Jaguar you’ll find examples of the 2012 XF, XK and XJ models, including the all-new high-performance XKR-S, will be available for consumer test drives at three events throughout the weekend: Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Quail Motorsports Gathering, and on Peter Hay Hill at The Lodge on Pebble Beach. The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid super car will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours Concept Lawn on Saturday and Sunday.

Looking back one can see how the E-Type’s stunning looks and 150 mph performance at a truly affordable price immediately made it an aspirational car. I can attest to this as I grew up in the UK at the time and it immediately became my dream car and I was fortunate enough to own a 1966 E-Type for nine years between 1977 and 1986.

For a fascinating take on the history of the E-Type and the affection it holds for British car enthusiasts you can do no better than watch Jeremy Clarkson’s recent segment on the E-Type on Top Gear (UK). And, in typical Jeremy Clarkson fashion, there is a zinger at the end of the video, so watch it through to the end.

Related posts:

1. Jaguar Celebrates 50 Years of the Iconic E-Type
2. Jaguar E-Type Celebrations Continue
3. 50th Anniversary of the Renault 4

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Eterniti: New Luxury Brand at 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show

Eterniti: New Luxury Brand at 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show: "

A new British-based luxury brand, Eterniti is launching its first product at next month’s 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.

This is a preview sketch of a new luxury SUV crossover planned to go head to head with the recently announced Bentley and Lagonda SUV’s with a sticker price of circa $246,000. Eterniti claims it will be the first into this high-end segment, selling only a 100 cars a year based on an existing platform and other hardware but with a unique body style and interior trim.

More details on this, and yet another supercar, will be revealed at Frankfurt in a few week’s time.

Related posts:

1. Subaru XV – 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show Preview
2. Frankfurt Auto Show Preview: Ford Plans Largest Ever Display
3. Caught Before Frankfurt Auto Show: Audi City eTron Concept

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Porsche’s Past and Present on Display at 2011 Monterey Classic Car Weekend

Porsche’s Past and Present on Display at 2011 Monterey Classic Car Weekend: "

Porsche 918 RSR hybrid concept

Whether you’re a diehard air-cooled fan, or you prefer to wait for the latest sports hybrid model, Porsche will have something for all its fans during the 2011 Monterey Classic Car Weekend. A Porsche display on Peter Hay Hill at Pebble Beach will feature everything from a 1979 935 from the Brumos Collection, to Hurley Haywood’s multi race-winning 1972 911 S, along with the recent 918 RSR hybrid concept. For enthusiasts who’d like to get behind the wheel, the Zentrum, located at Quail Lodge, features a full-line Porsche display and consumer test drive program.

And if you can’t make the trip to Monterey this weekend, fear not Porsche fans, there is plenty more to come. According to Porsche, the 918 RSR concept car –along with the displays from the Monterey Classic Car Weekend – are a precursor to the cars that will be on the track at Rennsport Reunion IV, held from October 14-16 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Related posts:

1. This Weekend: Detroit Tigers Classic Car Show
2. Monterey Weekend Kickoff
3. 2011 East African Safari Classic Rally – Will a Porsche 911 Finally Win?

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Ken Block’s Gymkhana 4

Ken Block’s Gymkhana 4: "

If you’ve seen Ken Block’s other works (if you’re reading this blog, then we know you have) you’ll be pleased to see his latest video aptly titled Gymkhana 4. Much like his other videos, Block takes his rally cross prepared Ford Fiesta and proceeds to destroy his tires as quickly as possible. In other words, he hoons it up to our great entertainment. This latest video, though, shows the translation into marketing that is required to keep company’s like Block’s DC Shoes in business. Rather than subtly placing merchandise in nearly subliminal locations, Block is in your face about it. He has jackets catching on fire, a zombie eating a leg with a shoe still on and a ninja slicing a hat in half.

Enough with the social commentary, though. Enjoy more stunts and visuals (we especially like the bullet time video) from Ken Block.

Related posts:

1. Ford Keeps Ken Block’s Gymkhana Drive in Spin Cycle
2. Gymkhana in Southern California with Ken Block
3. Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three Video Released!!!

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