Large Sedans

2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited Review

Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited – By Ken Glassman

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2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited Review By Ken Glassman The first Hyundai Sonata appeared on the scene way back in 1988. It was a small, homely looking sedan, but a capable, economical car with a lot of content found only on cars costing a few thousand dollars more. And it may be best remembered for having a five year bumper to bumper warranty, and 10 years on the powertrain. Hyundai in those years were trying to impress the buying public that their cars were ready for prime time, and they were willing to back them up with the best warranty in …

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HD Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model

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Updated 1.5.2015 With 63 New Photos   When it comes to the rarest of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars and trucks, the S-Models are the absolute top of the pops. And the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Estate? The ultimate in rare supercars – the S-Model Estate is certainly up there with the most-exclusive cars available. By our estimates, fewer than 200 total S-Model E63 AMGs will come to the United States per year, but even one is a huge blessing.   The E63 Estate is just one click slower to 60-mph than the S-Model sedan. That makes this the 3.6-second wagon king. …

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k900 v8

Road Test Review – 2015 Kia K900 V8 – By Ken Glassman

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  2015 Kia K900 Review By Ken Glassman For 2015 Kia has jumped into the high end luxury sedan market with the K900, just as their sister company Hyundai has done with the Equus. In fact, both cars share the same basic platform, and mission statement. That is – to build a high quality automobile, stuff it with a long list of standard safety, and luxury appointments and amenities, and offer it at a price that is thousands of dollars less than similarly equipped German, Japanese, and even American luxury brands. Under the long hood, you’ll find a muscular 5.0 …

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Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs

Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs

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GSC makes some of the wildest body kits in the world — and almost none is more flashy than their CLS-Class upgrades. What is the name for this shrinking violet of a car? One so shy and demure you would never notice it on the streets? The Stealth…. Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs German Special Customs Mercedes-Benz CLS The world of beautiful and rich people is as fascinating as the popular documentary soap “Die Geissens“ – a reality show aired on television every week. Wherever money rules, it is not unusual to pick cars from the shelf since cars …

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2001 Dodge Super8 HEMI

Concept Flashback – 2001 Dodge Super8 HEMI

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Chrysler has been a prolific concept-car machine since the late 1980s. Many of these star show cars led to hit production models, but this Super8 was a bit far-fetched even for a clean-sleet large sedan. It was meant to recall the glory days of American rear-drive luxury cars: with a bench seat, inverted A-pillars and wrap-around windshield glass and that giant cross-hair grille. 2001 Dodge Super8 HEMI    

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2016 Cadillac CTS-V in 99 New Images + Roaring Dynamic Video!

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  The above 45-second CTS-V promo video is heaven. The super-sedan category has a very potent new entry in the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V. Revealed today online ahead of its public showing in Detroit in two weeks, the new CTS-V is powered by a supercharged 6.2.-liter V8 making a stonking 640-horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Let’s repeat those numbers. 640HP, 630 Ft/LB. That is a cool 100 over the BMW M5 and 60-plus more than the E63 AMG S-Model. The rear-drive sedan has a limited-slip diff in back along with the latest eight-speed automatic from the Corvette Z06. The one …

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b6 alpina gc

Updated With 50 New Photos – 540HP, 3.7s 2015 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive GranCoupe

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Updated 12.25.14 The BMW 6 Series wears perhaps the most unnoticeable facelift for what we believe will be the 2016 model-year. That does not diminish how cool and exclusive the B6 xDrive GranCoupe is. Nor does it dampen the huge, HUGE sprint and top-end pace of this AWD super-sedan. PREVIOUS Meet the first (and only) Alpina B6 in the United States at the moment. This blue stunner is, in fact, the quickest BMW ever made. The addition of AWD and a huge jump in twin-turbo V8 power means the Alpina B6 is more rapid to 60-mph than any other BMW. …

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Update1 – 640HP, 200MPH 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Revealed + Tech Specs

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  The super-sedan category has a very potent new entry in the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V. Revealed today online ahead of its public showing in Detroit in two weeks, the new CTS-V is powered by a supercharged 6.2.-liter V8 making a stonking 640-horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Let’s repeat those numbers. 640HP, 630 Ft/LB. That is a cool 100 over the BMW M5 and 60-plus more than the E63 AMG S-Model. The rear-drive sedan has a limited-slip diff in back along with the latest eight-speed automatic from the Corvette Z06. The one that is .4-seconds-quicker to 60-mph than even the …

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BMW 550i By Fostla

BMW 550i By Fostla.de Is Wrapped, Uncapped and Remapped to 570HP Bliss

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  The stock BMW 5 series has all the makings of an amazing sports sedan – one with outstanding performance, luxury and room inside for every situation. But from the factory, even the 550i M Sport lacks a bit of visual aggression. How to better project its unique performance cred on the outside? Fostla.de not only wrapped this F10 in a subtle satin-finish “grey olive matte metallic” foil, color-matches the new 21-inch Yido wheels, and accents the design with another shade of bright tan. The foil wrap delivers real visual punch by being subtle and also quite special and flashy …

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2015 Mercedes S63 AMG ChopTop Renderings

Fantasy ChopTop Renders – 2015 Mercedes S63 AMG is BOSS

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For the S63, we explored a few cab-backward ideas as well as a simple roofline cut. But could this be yours on the aftermarket, even with a big-bucks upgrade like the Mansory seen in the profile images? A chop-top conversion is one of the hardest to handle with OEM quality. A widebody is almost exclusively an exterior upgrade, but a chopped roofline requires some serious changes. Roll cages, electronics, cabin trims, doors, doorframes and glass all need to be redone. Not exactly something you can eyeball along the way, or carbon-fiber your way out of CAD-CAM studies in advance. But …

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3.1s, 1000HP Mercedes-AMG S63 Is Latest MANSORY Monster

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The Mansory Monster! That has kindof a nice ring to it =] In reality, Mansory makes cars that are overhauled so well, and so thoroughly, that you would only call it a monster with a smile on your face. The latest S63 AMG goes under the microscope at Mansory and comes out wider, lower, meaner and leaner. There are numerous body upgrades to enjoy outside, ultra-soft leather inside with unique patterns and an unlimited palatte, but leather-wrapping of virtually every cabin element. Everything. Do upgrade an S-Class so thoroughly is really, really difficult. They basically have to disassemble entire sections …

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1937 lincoln v12

RM Arizona 2015 Preview – 1937 Lincoln Model K Two-Window V12 Sedan

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  We have a bit of a budding infatuation with the Lincoln back catalog and current model range lately. This 1937 Model K really shows how special the brand is. Things like the greyhound leaper badge, the elegant art deco V12 grille plaque and the shrouded lamps of this streamlined nose. Things like the doors ringed in rosewood layers, or the square faces of the dials and gauges. All so quietly elegant and world-class. 1937 Lincoln Model K Two-Window V12 Sedan   RM Auctions Arizona 15 – 16 January 2015 Lot 215 1937 Lincoln Model K Two-Window Sedan $70,000 – …

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2016 Lexus GS-F Teased Ahead of Detroit + Exclusive Digital Renderings

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Lexus has not specified exactly what new F model is coming to Detroit – preferring to leave a bit of mystery in the two teasers just revealed. We have a hunch it is the long-rumored GS-F in production form, arriving to Lexus showrooms in Summer 2015 as a 2016 model. But it could be a new IS-F, or perhaps even the expected LS revamp. We believe it is the GS-F from a close look at the front fenders, the hood length, and the fact that the GS would greatly benefit from the latest nose shown in the IS and RC. …

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2015 BMW M6 Coupe, Cabrio and GranCoupe Refreshed with 560HP

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The new M6 triplets are fresh this year with revised LED headlamps, black chrome detailing, and a new trunk design. The rear end is perhaps easier to spot than the nose — where the LED indicators are the biggest clue. These are now mounted above the headlamps versus below on the previous car. In back, the trunk has an extra bustle form in its lower leading edge. This is the line closest to the badge on the vertical trunk face, as opposed to the one right below the new spoiler. New LED optics inside the lamps are also fresh for …

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Concept Flashback – 2008 Peugeot RC HYbrid4 Finally Turned Design Tide

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After highlighting two of Peugeot’s less-impressive achievements from 2006 in the 907 and 908 RC, we are eager to show how the brand turned its style page — to a far better step in the right direction. The 2008 RC HYbrid4 takes some of the initial sketches from the 908 RC to fruition, but is not burdened by a giant mid-engine package in its proportions. In addition to showing a promising and crisp new style, the HYbrid4 was a showcase for Peugeot’s then-new hybrid AWD powertrain. Running a unique electric motor and battery on the back axle but a normal …

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Concept Flashback – 2006 Peugeot 908 RC Was Rear-Engine V12 Diesel Limo

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Peugeot is one of the most prolific OEMs when it comes to fantastic halo concepts. These very rarely are the lightly dressed-up versions of future production cars that other manufacturers trot out these days. They are pure and simple fantasy looks into the future. Often, though, these concepts are a fun and lavish way to preview actual design themes and styles that will make it to the brand’s mini hatchbacks in the coming years. And so it was with this 908 RC. Running the powertrain of the 908 HDi FAP Le Mans car, the 908 RC shows some slinky style …

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Mecum Austin 2014 Preview – 1955 Chrysler 300C Is Flawless in Fire-Engine Red

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There are old cars, and then there are classic cars. A third group is the absolutely flawless show car — with every inch of the car looking arguably better than it did the day it rolled off the assembly line. This stunning 1955 Chrysler C-300 is in that third group. Sure, the chrome and paint outside is stunning. But wait until you open the hood. Your jaw will hit the grille with the condition of the engine compartment. The cabin is another huge achievement in originality, expert restoration and preserving the complete originality of the vehicle. It is great to …

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2015 BMW 6 Series Revised With New Grille, LED Headlights and Dual-Mode Exhaust

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The 2015 BMW 6 Series Coupe, GranCoupe and Convertible are freshened for the 2015 model year, with a new look for the nose, upgraded trims and cabin tech, and a few tweaks to the performance setup. Arriving from around February to showrooms, the new 640i, 650i and M6 have a few meaningful design tweaks that go a long way. The most noticeable element is admittedly pretty subtle, but is a new, larger and sharper twin kidney grille. This new look fixes some of the awkwardness of the previous car’s grille and hood intersection, where there was some uncomfortable overlap between …

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Concept to Reality – 2010 Mazda Shinari to 2013 Mazda6

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Now here is a company with some genius ideas, and the brilliance to bring them to a street near you. The Shinari is gorgeous, and the Mazda6 is too. Well done.     Concept to Reality – 2010 Mazda Shinari to 2013 Mazda6 2016 Mazda6   2013 Mazda6           2010 Mazda SHINARI Concept  

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4.7s 2015 Chevrolet SS Upgraded With Magnetic Suspension and New Six-Speed Manual

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The Chevrolet SS is what happens when a Camaro SS meets the full-size Impala. It has the performance chops to drift with the best muscle-cars, but also to blend smoothly into fastlane traffic anonymously. Perhaps a bit too well? The SS is handicapped only a year after its launch by looks that fail to excite and vaguely recall the previous-generation Impala, to some eyes. These facts make its amazing performance and 415-horsepower V8 the car’s main selling points. The new magnetic ride control and no-cost six-speed manual will definitely help the SS appeal to its core buyer segments — and …

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Concept Flashback – 2008 Mercedes-Benz F700 Was Aggressively Ugly Eco-Limo

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After scathing critiques of Audi’s Prologue concept for LA 2014 and a few other recent machines, we want to balance things out. An equal-opportunity offender here! But the Prologue is just a major disappointment. It is not something that makes you want to gouge your eyes out with a red-hot iron spike. When thinking of other truly fug-nasty concept cars, the F700 leaps to mind instantly. What were they thinking? The low-nose and cab-forward style as a future S-Class-plus limo is hard enough to swallow, but then we have gobsmacking bug-eye lamps, a deeply plunging windowline into the front doors, …

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Design Analysis – 2012 Pininfarina Cambiano – Why So Lifeless, Bland and Generic?

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We feel a bit guilty for absolutely skewering the Pininfarina/Ferrari Sergio the other day.  After all, they may have had no control over the lame production-friendly changes done by Ferrari. Let’s take another look at some of Pininfarina’s other recent work to balance things out, shall we? The 2012 Pininfarina Cambiano concept was an expression of a clean, EV sedan in the mold of the Tesla Model S, Fisker Karma or the Quant e-Sport Limousine. The vehicle has two doors on the passenger side, and one longer coupe door on the driver side. The trouble is: it is super boring …

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cadillac sixteen

Concept Flashback – 2003 Cadillac Sixteen Hoped to Join $100k+ Limo Segment

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The Cadillac Sixteen created a huge, huge stir around the world after its reveal in early 2003. This was shortly after the Rolls-Royce Phantom had been reborn in its ultra-long and cab-backward style, and the world was even more gaga for the Sixteen. Cadillac trotted the car around the world at least thrice to attend every major auto show you could ever name. Fashion and lifestyle agazines wrote about it. Famous photographers snapped it in famous places. All this love came out of left field, to be honest. No one in the $100,000-plus luxury car market of 2003 would ever, …

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2014 Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf Unveiled in Dubai with DB10-Influencing Nose

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Updated 12.5.14 Well, big day for Aston Martin! The new DB10 was front and center for the SPECTRE cast announcements, with director Sam Mendez pulling back the silk cloth on Aston’s future sportscar. Not a moment too soon!? Aston has been endlessly jabbed for their reheated styles in the last few years. But what we all may have forgotten is that we *love* that current style. But time moves onward and so does Aston. The new DB10 makes much more sense in the context of the limited-release Lagonda by Q Branch for 2014. This car is absolutely intense from many …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Buick LaCrosse V6 Premium Is Deceptively Sporty and Extremely Luxurious

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Quick: name the best large sedan on the market for less than $50,000? Requirements for consideration are a huge back seat, width to never touch elbows with front passengers and all-day cruising comfort. Because you are a keen driver and love a great curving road, let’s add mountain road poise to the list. We are not considering luxury cars like the BMW 5 series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz C or E-Classes — they are too small in the back seat. The immediate group of competitors with these prerequisites are: the Hyundai Azera, Lincoln MKS, Toyota Avalon, Kia Cadenza and perhaps …

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Audi Shits Bed in LA? Second Take on 2014 Audi Prologue Concept + 50 New Photos

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Updated 11.23.14     Audi Shits The Bed. ? What kind of headline is that? Despite being so brash — it seems a bit nicer than the original, which was: Audi Prologue is Worst LA Debut. We have to be honest, the latest press photos of the Prologue look better than the car does in real-life photos — which is rare. Usually any ultra-lux concept will look far more interesting in the real world. The Audi Prologue is a nightmare scenario for Audi’s supposed design resurgence for more than a few reasons. The lack of real-life impact is just the …

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2015 Chrysler 300C and 300S Bring Stylish and Functional Improvements (120 Photos!)

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  How to refine an icon? Porsche has struggled with this for more than 50 years of 911’s at this point – and Chrysler is learning the fine art with its bold and butch 300 sedan. As a real touchstone vehicle for Chrysler since its reveal in 2005, the rear-drive, 120-inch-wheelbase of the Chrysler 300 has languished a bit in recent years while the auto world has rapidly progressed around it. This changes for 2015 – with updates to the cabin and powertrain that bring the 300C and 300S bang up-to-date with the latest from Cadillac in the CTS, Hyundai …

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Update1 – 2015 Mercedes-Maybach S600 Brings Royal Upgrades to New Super-LWB S-Class

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 Updated 11.21.14 The “Mystery of the C-pillar” has now been solved! When the long-rumored Mercedes-Benz S-Class ‘Pullman’ was running around this year, it wore only the slightest camouflage disguise, and on one of the places you would least expect it: behind the rear doorframe. What could be so special in that region as to require a disguise, yet let the rest of the car run camo-free? We now know that it is a subtle change in the arc of the S-Class roofline that marks out the new Mercedes-Maybach S500 and S600 limousines. This brings a much softer and curved chrome …

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Update1 – 2014 Audi Prologue Concept – World Debut and Design Analysis

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  There has been much speculation about what Audi was teasing for LA – and the wait is now over. The concept is called the Prologue and is a giant A9-sized two-door coupe. This much we knew – but few expected the car to be an actual two door, but rather a four-door coupe as is in vogue. Overall, however, when asked about what the Prologue previews — Audi is keen to say “Everything.” Even the name points to the pre-read status of this car for all future Audi designs – from the 2016 A8 to the 2016 A4, all …

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2015 Hyundai Genesis 5

Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 RWD

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2015 Hyundai Genesis 5.0 Review By Ken Glassman   If you got behind the wheel of the new Hyundai Genesis 5.0 and didn’t know who manufactured the car, you’d swear you were driving a German luxury car, like the E-class Mercedes, or 5-Series BMW, or Audi A6. Only after looking at the price tag would you know that it couldn’t be one of those European makes, because a similarly equipped German sedan would cost at least 6 to 10 grand more. The Genesis is both an outstanding car in its own right, and an outstanding value. V-8 engines are becoming …

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Updated 2016 Audi A7 and S7 Will Debut in LA + New Black Optics Package

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The Audi A7 and S7 are clear winners – they are so attractive and so fast that they make a strong case for themselves versus everything from the BMW 5 and 6 series all the way to the S-Class and even the Audi A8. The biggest competition for the glamorous Audi A7, S7 and RS7 really comes from the Porsche Panamera, in my opinion. So the keep the trendiest and most fashionable clients in the business happy, the A7 and S7 gain new LED lighting solutions front and rear for 2015. These images show the UK spec cars, with no …

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Updated With 70 New Photos – 2016 Audi A6 USA Debut in LA

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The Audi A6 and A7 are fresh this Spring with enhanced trims, newly-available engines and upgraded LED lighting all around. Here is a first-look at the USA trim levels, plus the previously-announced European models in a few extra images toward the bottom. The changes to the A7 are not too drastic outside of those sexy new headlamps — with more power for the supercharged V6 engine and a new turbo four-cylinder to lower the cost of entry. Despite the Avant and A6 Allroad shown below, those variants will not be coming stateside for 2016.   PREVIOUS The Audi A6 is …

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3.7s 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat in 60 New High-Res Photos!

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  Updated 11.10.14 You can tell how exciting the Dodge and SRT teams are about this car — even from a mile away, the performance of the Charger SRT Hellcat is visibly and audibly awesome. Great job on these photos, too, Dodge — looking fantastic! Favorite features: the special hood with front intake and rear outlet vents, a la the Viper, the clean and un-adorned grille design, and the razor-sharp front lower bumper element. This piece forms a deep and three-dimensional painted splitter element that is sexy as hell. In back, the spoiler and fender vents in the back bumper …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Chrysler 200 Limited Is ThisClose To Being Great

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What keeps the Chrysler 200 Limited from really seeming like a good car – one to crack the top five of the best mid-size sedan ranks? When we picked up this rented 200 from Enterprise in Chicago last month, the initial impressions were very good indeed. There is almost nothing carry-over inside — which is a huge relief after years of every Chrysler product reminding this author of his family’s 1996 Town & Country. We know the 200 looks very good – but you just expect it to be the same heap of garbage on the road as every Chrysler …

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Speculative Rendering – 2016 Lexus ES350 F Design

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The latest Lexus ES is an all-star for the company – and time in the seat tells you why. The car is simply astounding in how comfortable and smooth it makes even the worst roads, or the most tedious errands. Lexus is not likely to mess with the core competency of this perennial best-seller, but the ES could use an exterior refresh these days. Its xenon low-beams and halogen high-beams were once slim, but now look gaping and too-large versus the coolest cars out there. And what are these cool cars? Many of them are right in the Lexus showroom …

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2015 Toyota Camry Colors and Trims – Visual Buyers Guide

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  For perhaps the first time ever, there is a huge amount of style variety in the best-selling Toyota Camry lineup. After writing up full XSE and XLE reviews, we realize that a trims and colors guide would be really helpful for many prospective owners. To achieve that, we spend a while on Toyota.com getting eerily familiar with the seven trim designs  — screen-shotting it all along the way! (There are nine price levels, but seven distinct flavors thanks to the V6 option for the XLE and XSE)   Below please find the visual trim comparison, XSE color guide and …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Camry LE and XLE V6 Bring Lexus-Infused Style and Comfort

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INTRO “Is that a Lexus?” This question came from two families passing by the new Camry XLE as we snapped photos on a rare stormy afternoon in Florida the other week.  The next thing they both said? “A Camry? Really?” For 2015, the Camry XLE V6 is almost unrecognizably-stylish and premium. The XLE version here with its dark-grey horizontal bars grille is fresh and very distinct from the SE and XSE cars’ gloss-black nose treatment. So does it just look like a Lexus, or is it a fairly convincing upgrade to Lexus levels of comfort, quality and refinement on the road? …

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2015 Hyundai Azera First Look at Miami Auto Show

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First look today at the refreshed Hyundai Azera — which brings more power, refreshed fascias and new LED foglights on the Limited model. Those headlamps also have an angel eye of LED light to go along with the white LED element in the top of the lamp. Stay tuned for more images of the new Azera! THE 2015 HYUNDAI AZERA MAKES ITS NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW Refreshed Azera Arrives Offering Exterior and Interior Design Enhancements Along with State-of-the-art Safety Technologies to Increase Premium Sedan’s Appeal MIAMI, Nov. 7, 2014 – Hyundai Motor America introduced the …

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SEMA 2014 – 2015 Hyundai Sonata by BISIMOTO and Sonata JP Edition + TOCA Genesis

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These Sonatas are all pretty tasty – with a full track makeover from Bisimoto and a dark street-fashion widebody from John Pangilinan. They are both authentic in their missions and show the all-new 2015 Sonata Sport in its most extreme configurations! Included first are a few real-life snaps of the 2015 Genesis by Toca — which is a dark and menacing VIP mod for the hot-selling Genesis full-size luxury car. Are any of these as sweet as the AR550 Genesis? That is up to you… but the Ark Performance car is the clear favorite for thisguy. 2015 Genesis by Toca …

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2015 Hyundai Genesis AR550 ARK Performance in 26 New Photos + Tech Specs

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Updated 11.5.14 With 26 New Photos What the what! Looking for specs on the 2015 Tucson on Hyundai Media, and what is staring me in the face on the homepage but an extremely tuned Genesis! Have you ever seen a SEMA concept so well-executed and well-timed? The new Genesis is absolutely killing it on the sales charts: the combination of 7 series proportions and 3 series pricing is really a huge, huge hit with shoppers. But how to convince the skeptical? How about a performance upgrade to shade even the M5 and E63? Enter, Ark Performance and the AR550 Genesis. …

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EDITOR’S DREAM – Brabus 850 Is 2.9s 4Matic Estate in 75 High-Res Photos

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So, ever wondered what car the editors of this site would love to own? All of them! True story. Anything not disgustingly covered in dog fur like our 2005 Subaru Legacy GT wagon would be nice, but let’s dream big. With $250,000 to spend, we would walk right past the Huracan’s and McLarens and Bentley’s of the world. When seeking a new fantasy ride, Q-car appeal is paramount, along with killer pace on contract 24/7/365. We want Gallardo-crushing pace with one-handed effort. With room in back and a low hop-in height. Choice? Brabus 850.   Brabus 850    

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Are The Kia SEMA 2014 K900 Trunk-Mounted Twin Turbos Fake?

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  Update1 11.4.14 We have to be honest here: these concepts are not doing it for us. Despite Kia’s Optima GT actually winning its racing series this year, the latest SEMA concepts from Kia just have a resounding suckiness. The K900 upgrade is the most performance-oriented, but the car seems beyond hope. Without icecream desserts at the booth, we worry that the Kia stand at SEMA would be totally deserted. A resounding “meh.” Why push performance when 2015 Kia road cars drive like salvage-title 1998 Tauruses? It is just not authentic or convincing in the least. Sorry to be a …

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Novitec Tridente Maserati GHIBLI Launches With Gorgeous Performance and Style Upgrades

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  Maserati’s latest sedans suffer from what we call the “Cadillac Problem.” Good design, competitive performance, great equipment and true BMW-battling credentials in almost every way. But one huge deficit is present in the Cadillac and Maserati ranges: coolness. The factory cars wear nerdy wheels, nerdy colors and overall seem tailored to a geriatric customer base. Tan with small multi-spoke alloys? Almost all CTS sedans like this sit on the lot for months, and the same goes for the base Ghibli and Quattroporte. They are just old lady cars — and that is never something to aspire to own. They …

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Concept to Reality – 2011 Kia GT Was Stunning; Too Bad About The K900

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Looking over the details of the gorgeous 2011 Frankfurt concept from Kia, the GT, really triggers frustration. Sure, some of these ideas like the C-pillar and roof accent made it into the latest Optima — but the most desirable rear-drive nature was lost on that front-drive model. Lost forever? One would think — until the K900 flagship debuted this year with pricing from $60,000, rear-drive, and a V8 engine. But where the GT concept is artful in its form, the K900 is a blob of vaguely-melted shapes, like a plus-size model who is not afraid to show some skin. The …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Limited Is Nipping Camry and Mazda6 Heels

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Rave review first-drive here on the new Subaru Legacy! Along with three dozen all-new photos of this newly-competitive mid-size car. It looks like the drive video we shot did not survive its GoPro upload to the computer, so we will write this one up the old-fashioned way! EXTERIOR The new Legacy’s design is shown in its best light with the 2.5i Limited, which wears the latest LED accents and projector-beam lighting from the 3.6R top-line model. As equipped, this 2.5i is actually very handsome and premium. Why the surprise? Well, let’s face it: the base Legacy has been seriously nerdy …

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RM Hershey Highlights – 1905 FIAT 60HP Five-Passenger Tourer by Quinby & Co.

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A top earner at the Hershey, Pennsylvania event from RM Auctions earlier this month? This 1905 Fiat Tourer with a whopping 60-horsepower. 60HP is double what anything else offered in 1905 — with huge power like this making it the Rolls-Royce and Bentley of its era. The Fiat packs triple the 20-hp that the Ford Model T’s “L-head” four-cylinder delivered from from 1910 to 1930. A wheel and triple-pedal setup on the floor also predates nearly any other car with this now-standard control layout. This very car was originally owned by August Anheuser Busch Senior — to give a sense …

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2015 Rolls-Royce Phantom Metropolitan Collection Is Bespoke Tastemaker + Berlin Lightshow

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  An unexpected challenge when commissioning a Rolls-Royce? The thousands of options for the exterior and interior can be slightly overwhelming. What if an ultimate tastemaker could select and deliver the ultimate in 2015 mood — with just the click of a button? Such is the new Phantom Metropolitan Collection – a subtle but ultra-stylish member of the Phantom family – available in a limited-run of two dozen copies. The Metropolitan Collection celebrates the greatest parts of city life with a subtle satin grey/blue outside over a lovely ivory cabin with custom woodwork and detailing. The Phantom Metropolitan is a …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Camry XSE Is FAST and QUIET!

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  Fast and Quiet? Yep. A variation on Fast ‘n’ Loud is what most sedan shoppers actually prefer in their daily drivers, and the Camry XSE nails these benchmarks better than any other mid-size sedan. INTRO Can you imagine how tough the Camry is on competing cars like the Accord and Fusion? As far as we see it, the Camry gets better and better every year — without one slot in the armor of this best-seller to sneak an arrow through? The only area where the previous Camry let its competition get some ideas was with the overall exterior design, …

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Kia SEMA 2014 Preview – K900, Soul and Sedona “Day At The Races”

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  Kia just rolled out its latest SEMA concept car – and it is clearly the best yet. A K900 called the “Day at the Races,” it promises a huge upgrade in style as well as performance. Big brakes, a deep body kit and a massive intercooler appear in this teaser photos. So will this be the holy grail? A turbocharged V8? Stay tuned for more details as they become available. Overall, the K900 needs all the halo it can get. Sales have been extremely lackluster in the first six months. This is in sharp contrast to the new Hyundai …

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Pebble Beach Concours – 1911 Hotchkiss AD Amiet Enclosed Limousine

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  Paris-based Amiet bodied this Hotchkiss limo in 1911 — more than 30 years after Connecticut industrialist arrived in France to set up a military armaments factory. The competitors for the Hotchkiss would have been the Benz wagon. Looking like a stagecoach was a nice ‘in’ to gentrified society buyers. These folks had long traveled within enclosed coaches, leaving the rain and smells of the city to the driver up front or simple farmers. For a sense of what the hoi polloi were traveling in? See the steam-car nearby for context! After more than 100 years, this original Hotchkiss limo …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Lexus GS350 AWD Is Quick And Balanced with Killer 835W Audio System

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By Special Contributor Ken Glassman Photos Include the 2015 GS350 F Sport Crafted Line EXTERIOR Refreshed in 2013, the Lexus GS350 remains about the same for the 2014 model year. For whatever reason, the mid-size Lexus has never been a great selling model, maybe because it goes up against some stiff competition from the European models like the Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class, BMW’s 5-Series, and even the excellent Cadillac CTS. But the GS350 and its GS hybrid cousin are still very fine automobiles, and should appeal to anyone looking for a mid-size luxury car.     The power comes from …

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Updated With 50 New Photos – 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and CLS63 AMG Refreshed With Standard 4Matic

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Updated 10.19.14           Well, would you look what we have here! See, it really does pay to crop photos extra tight (sometimes). You never really know what you will find. Such was my excitement to see the facelifted 2015 CLS63 AMG in the second Mercedes-Benz release about the new 24-LED-per-side MultiBeam headlights. These replace the previous block/bar of lighting in the CLS, which was unique but not exactly welcoming, warm or desirable. The new layout is much like the E63 AMG, but with only a single LED band up the top of the lamp shape. Of …

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Update3 With 70 New Photos – 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Coupe Priced from $116k

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Update3 10.17.14 Three updates?!  This article is becoming a beast and a half – with about 150 photos of the new S550 in Pebble Beach and elsewhere included below. But who can deny how gorgeous the new S-Class Coupe is in every latest photo! Not us, that is for sure. The options shown on this S550 Coupe make it every bit as sexy and slinky as the S63 and S63 AMG Coupes — not to mention the Bentley Continental GT. In terms of differentiating among the powertrains, the big key is in the front bumpers — where the S550 is …

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Update1 No Crash, But No Speed Either – 2014 Audi RS7 Piloted Concept at Hockenheim

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Updated 10.19.14 No driver, no drama and no crashes from the Audi RS7 around Hockenheim! But also… not as much speed as one might expect. The car was driving at about five tenths, which is disappointing due to the outlined info below. It knew the track and was still pretty wimpy. No doubt Audi being cautious, but still … kindof lame versus seeing a car really driven on its ragged edge. After all, driverless tech will be very helpful in running 24-hour durability tests in the future — once it gets warmed up and will start flooring the throttles!   …

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Updated with 55 New Photos – 2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed in Paris + Colorizer

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Updated 10.16.14 The Mulsanne Speed is clearly the best-looking flagship in the Bentley sedans range. Surprising how nicely the dark trims and giant five-spoke wheels clean up the appearance so dramatically. Bentley even suggests a few very bright colors in the visualizer — things like Apple Green are just one of the hundreds of standard and custom shades available.   Check out the visualizer here. http://visualiser.bentleymotors.com/bm/en/831-speed    PREVIOUS Holy flagship, Batman! The Bentley Mulsanne Speed tops the Bentley line for 2015, with sexy exterior trim tweaks and a huge jump in power from the gutsy 6.75-liter V8 engine up front. …

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Update1 – Superlux Style VOTE! Mansory Bentley Flying Spur vs. Mansory Rolls-Royce Wraith

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These two are both pretty outrageous expressions of UHNWI style and personalization. The colors and trims shown here are not the ‘limit’ of Mansory’s abilities. Moreover, they are the opening salvo. You can have anything your mind can dream up on a Mansory custom. The refinements are pretty extensive outside, inside and under the skins of this Wraith and Flying Spur. The Wraith with a matte-effect silver on the grille and upper body is actually pretty interesting in contrast to the super-metallic sheen of the painted surfaces. The interior of the Flying Spur is remarkably glamorous – and shows the …

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Chevrolet SEMA Cars Lineup Includes Blacked-Out Impala, SS, Cruze and Sonic Sedans

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Okay now! After being seriously unimpressed by the SEMA Colorado and Silverado concepts from Chevy, we are pleased to share a better sedans lineup. Everything from the SS to the Impala to the Cruze and Sonic benefits from a cool personalization. The performance of the cars will stay the same, but the desirability and ‘want’ factor is clearly increased dramatically on all four cars. The lack of a Malibu here hints that a Malibu performance concept may still be forthcoming from Chevy before SEMA next month. Our favorite among this group is the Impala Blackout — which is likely to …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

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Like any project, the ones you are passionate about are far easier to do quickly and with great results. Alternatively, the ones where there is tough news to deliver can sit on the back burner for far longer than is ideal. And so it is with car reviews – even week-long press loaner reviews that are usually top-priority. There are great updates to the latest Avalon and Avalon Hybrid, including the exterior style, interior tech and great efficiency. But there are also serious areas where the new Avalon Hybrid neither delivers the cushy ride of the old model — nor …

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Zero to Hero in the 2015 Chevrolet Impala CNG SuperCruise

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The Chevrolet Impala is a critical test-bed for two future GM technologies in 2015: a bi-fuel CNG option and the forthcoming SuperCruise automated highway driving system. We caught up with a 2015 Impala LTZ featuring the shield grille that comes on LTZ cars with the Safety tech option package – and this is still the best-looking full-size sedan from Chevy in decades. The current setup does not yet incorporate lane-keeping and automatic steering, but that is certainly in the pipeline. The Cadillac CT6 is tipped to debut a true SuperCruise functionality next year — with on-ramp to off-ramp highway driving …

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Gen-6 Toyota Camry NASCAR Revealed Ahead of 2015 Season

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The NASCAR ‘Car of Tomorrow’ is now in its sixth generation after barely as many years roaring round the nation’s speedways. Luckily, this latest design rulebook allows the cars to look much less generic, and more like their actual namesake road car models. The first out of the gates for the 2015 season of the Sprint Cup and 2015 Xfinity (formerly Nationwide) racing series is the new Camry. It really does look like the production car! ANIMATED OVERLAY ANALYSIS: Camry v ‘NASCamry’ In this transparency of the production Camry XSE versus the NASCAR Camry, we can see how similar these …

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3.2s 2015 Tesla Model D Arriving in February With AWD and AutoPilot in 60D, 85D and 85D Performance Trims

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Pretty exciting news last night from Tesla! The Model S is now available with a dual-mode AWD system that boosts mileage by 10-percent and is a $4,500 option on all three battery sizes of the Model S. Few changes outside except a small radar box in the lower nose of the Model D, along with new badges out back. Inside, updated systems integrate a new AutoPilot automated drive mode — but we are still awaiting official details from Tesla on the functionality of the system. Overall, we expect lane-keeping assist, full-speed cruise control with city braking as new convenience and …

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Speculative Renderings – 2016 Volvo S80 and 2017 Volvo S60

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The new Volvo XC90’s style is being very warmly received across almost all of the seven-seat SUVs major markets. This all-new platform brings a stunningly-luxurious cabin and a high-tech PHEV hybrid drivetrain with T6 and T8 engine choices. But the secret behind those badges and the T8 moniker? They are both turbocharged four-cylinder engines, with varying levels of electric assistance. So how will the new XC90 influence the rest of the Volvo lineup, both under the skin and in the exterior designs? The answer to both, we predict, is heavily. The tech of this new chassis is set to roll …

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European-Market 2015 Volkswagen Passat Is Luxury Sedan For Contract Killers on a Budget

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Updated 10.9.14 We had some seriously scathing things to say about this new 2015 Passat for European markets when it debuted the other month online. Overall, the new Passat is not nearly as dull and lifeless as it seemed in VW’s initial renderings. In real life, the detail in the new design is pretty fresh up front and in back. A new-to-VW LED style is seen in both the head and taillamps, and is the most successful part of the design. Overall, the wagon is far more appealing in its quest to bring some of the low-roof / long-hood look …

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Update2 – 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda Production Debut – Exclusively Available in Middle East

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Updated 10.5.14 New photos and production details of the new Lagonda limo — including a cabin that is breathtakingly posh. Regretfully for some, the Lagonda will only be available to buyers in the Middle East. As a low-volume model like the One-77, the Lagonda is sure to be one of the rarest of all luxury four-doors. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda             PREVIOUS Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda     Inspiration for …

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Updated With Real-Life Photos! 140MPH+ 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV With Optional 4×4 and Track-Ready Suspension

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UPDATED 10.3.14 Got to meet the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe PPV this week – and its presence is undeniable! In fact, when this thing pulled up behind a few cars in the parking lot – we were sure that the real PoPo was investigating something. Only after seeing Chevy PR guys hop out did we realize that this is the demo model. Changes versus the current civilian Tahoe versus the LEO models are pretty significant. For spotters, the front bumper with its taller profile and tow hooks is a give-away, with less aero cladding down below so that the Tahoe can …

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Updated With 42 New Photos – INFINITI Q80 Inspiration Concept Flagship

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Updated 10.2.14 One popular design cliche is to describe the panel shapes of a model as ‘like flowing silk.’ The idea is to be lighter than air, and always in motion with ripples and elegant movement at all times. Far beyond cliche, the new Q80 Inspiration makes the idea real.A rare achievement, to be sure, and very exciting. Freeze that wind-swept silk in time, and it carries the beauty of motion even as a static piece. That is how we would describe the latest panel shaping theme shown in the new Q80 Inspiration, which is officially set to become a …

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Hyundai SEMA Showstopper: ARK Performance AR550 Genesis Is E63-Hunter With Supercharged 5.0L V8!

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What the what! Looking for specs on the 2015 Tucson on Hyundai Media, and what is staring me in the face on the homepage but an extremely tuned Genesis! Have you ever seen a SEMA concept so well-executed and well-timed? The new Genesis is absolutely killing it on the sales charts: the combination of 7 series proportions and 3 series pricing is really a huge, huge hit with shoppers. But how to convince the skeptical? How about a performance upgrade to shade even the M5 and E63? Enter, Ark Performance and the AR550 Genesis. Damn. Sexy. Hyundai?     ARK …

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Ford Advanced Design Sketches Show Direction of 2016 Taurus Redesign

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The 2016 Taurus is rumored to ditch its jumbo Volvo-based platform in favor of an enlarged Fusion chassis. The current Fusion has been a total savior for Ford as rival Chevy Malibu and Chrysler 200 have nose-dived in recent years. Originally designed for the Mazda6, this platform is lighter and has been heavily tweaked to meet all the latest crash and emission standards. These updates continue for 2016, as the Taurus is markedly larger in every dimension than the mid-size models. So what will the new Taurus look like? Today’s reveal of the updated European-market Mondeo also includes a variety …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Lincoln MKZ 3.7 AWD Is Stylish, Sporty and Futuristic!

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The Lincoln MKZ is easily the best Lincoln this author has ever driven. Outstanding design and technology features make the MKZ stand apart from anything else coming out of Detroit this decade, and getting to know the new Lincoln over a week was endlessly surprising. This car handles with a fantastic AWD balance of my personal Subaru Legacy GT, carries a charming and unique design that is cutting-edge and futuristic unlike anything else on the road. Dozens of preconceptions went out the ultra-sleek moonroof as we cruised to Atlanta with the Active Cruise engaged, the massage seats on full blast, …

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Update2 New Photos – 2015 Peugeot 508 Facelifted With New LED DRLs, Box-Design Beams and Tweaked Cabin Tech

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My passion for great LED lighting is spiraling out of control. It seems, lately, that a new headlight design with some flashy LEDs is enough to win my favor. But am I alone? LED lighting and headlights are by far the easiest piece of a car for the manufacturers to update — no new sheetmetal is required at all in many cases. But the impact on the 30-percent of the time spent driving in the dark or dusk? A totally transformed car. This new 508 is more than an LED refresh – and includes various new shapes for the grille …

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INFINITI Q80 Inspiration Previews Gorgeous and Fascinating S-Class Competitor

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One popular design cliche is to describe the panel shapes of a model as ‘like flowing silk.’ The idea is to be lighter than air, and always in motion with ripples and elegant movement at all times. Far beyond cliche, the new Q80 Inspiration makes the idea real.A rare achievement, to be sure, and very exciting. Freeze that wind-swept silk in time, and it carries the beauty of motion even as a static piece. That is how we would describe the latest panel shaping theme shown in the new Q80 Inspiration, which is officially set to become a production model …

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Introducing Novitec SPOFEC for the Rolls-Royce Ghost: More Style and Power + Lower Ride and Dual-Mode Exhaust!

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SPOFEC!? That is short for SPirit OF ECstacy. Get it? It is like a super-acronym. Using a similar strategy of unique branding by marque, the Novitec Group is rolling out hits left and right these days. Just a few weeks since the debut of the Novitec Torado (Lamborghini) and Novitec Tridente (Maserati) specials, here we have a SPOFEC Ghost that has everything hip buyers might want. This includes 22-inch wheels, a new controller module for the air-ride suspension to lower the car at speed or on demand, a dual-model exhaust to hear the V12 sing, an aero upgrade kit and …

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Concept Flashback – 1985 Nissan Cue-X Inspired Original Infiniti Q45 Flagship and Future Q80

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  As we prepare for the upcoming Infiniti Q80 Inspiration concept’s debut in Paris, how about a look back at the springboard ideas that led to the first flagship, the Q45 of 1990. The 1985 Cue-X concept from Nissan shares clear details with what became the Q45 from all angles, but especially in profile. This low and lean shape was far less formal than the competition from Lexus in the LS400, as well as the established players like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. It is fascinating to see the inspiration for the original Q, and the low and flowing style shown by …

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Rolls-Royce Lands Largest-Ever Order for 30 Phantoms from Louis XIII Hotel in Macau

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30 cars in a single transaction is never something to sneeze at — least of all if the car in question costs more than a million dollars each. This bright red fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantom II Extended Wheelbases will chauffer Macau casino guests to the forthcoming Louis XIII hotel in true opulence and style. The Hong Kong Peninsula Hotel is also a large client of Rolls-Royce — but the demure green of those Phantoms will be quite shaded by new the Louis XIII fleet. Part customer relationship management, part experiential marketing, and part external marketing — this single order has …

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Bentley Mulsanne Speed is New for 2015 With 811-Pound-Feet of Turbo Torque!

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Holy flagship, Batman! The Bentley Mulsanne Speed tops the Bentley line for 2015, with sexy exterior trim tweaks and a huge jump in power from the gutsy 6.75-liter V8 engine up front. Max speed is up to 190-mph, while the 60-mph sprint is now down to just 4.8-seconds — which is a huge bit of speed for such a large barge of a car. Dark tints are added to the nose and tail detailing, with the headlamps now standard-fit in this more subtle design. 2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed   BENTLEY ANNOUNCES NEW MULSANNE SPEED – THE WORLD’S FASTEST ULTRA-LUXURY DRIVING …

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2015 Lexus RX350 CRAFTED LINE – Pebble Beach Debut In Detail

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The RX350 Crafted Line is the most subtle of the tweaks that are also offered on the IS, ES, GS and LS. Where the others have a deep and rich obsidian finish to many surfaces, the RX350 Crafted Line has graphite wheels and a less-thorough grille overhaul. Even so, this RX350 is clean and extremely handsome in real life. The latest Ultra White paint shade from all the Crafted Line cars is outstanding — with a rich white finish that is extremely bright even in low lights. The undertones are tan versus lavender for many whites — but the extreme …

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2015 Lexus ES350 CRAFTED LINE – Arriving in November from $42,500

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After such a smooth and relaxing experience with the 2015 ES300h this month, we are excited to introduce the latest and greatest ES: the Crafted Line. New for 2015 with a variety of sexy gloss black accents over Ultra White bodywork, the ES Crafted Line is quite a glamorous upgrade for this imminently practical luxury car. Check of the Pebble Beach launch photos below, plus the official details from Lexus below. 2015 Lexus ES350 CRAFTED LINE The Crafted Line by Lexus Debuts at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with Exclusive TUMI Luggage Set LS 460, GS 350, IS 250, …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus ES300h Delivers Industry-Best Value, Efficiency and Cabin Comfort

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The ES is by far the most-successful Lexus nameplate since the brand launched in 1989. These days, the ES is outsold only by the crossover king RX350 and RH Hybrid, so the ES flame is still burning bright in Lexus showrooms worldwide. The ES300h Hybrid is just about the opposite of the car most performance-sedan fans might pick for themselves, but the fact of the matter is: we absolutely adored the ES300h after spending a week together.   Intro: ES Bias? From an outsider perspective, one might write off the ES350 and ES300h as legacy models — cars sold to …

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5.0s, 84MPG 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-in Hybrid Joins USA S-Class Lineup

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  It has taken more than two Hybrid S-Classes to really achieve relevance and technological superiority to the other eco-limo’s on the market — but that time has now arrived. The S550 Plug-in Hybrid joins the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid as the most socially responsible way to pilot a Mercedes flagship, even during times of greenwashing and uncertainty about the world’s energy future. For the first time in an S-Class, this new Hybrid model is not a cynical niche model. It is a well-rounded and fully-engineered addition to the S-Class, with all of the high-tech electrics integrated into the S-Class …

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2016 Audi A6 LED and Trim Refresh Previewed by UK Updates

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The Audi A6 is looking fresh in the UK this month, with a new LED design for the head and taillights. The latest look shows a solid horizontal bar diverging at the outer ends. No word on then these or the new A7 lights will be coming to the US market, but as a 2015.5 or 2016 seems highly likely. 2016 Audi A6  

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2015 Aston Martin Lagonda in 27 New Hot Weather Testing Photos

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Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda   Aston   Inspiration for the design is said to tie directly to the 1976 Lagonda saloon below in original and VirtualModels.org’s dragster prototype. Most likely reference points in the bespoke 2015 Lagonda are the D-pillar shape and glasshouse, which is more faithful a revamp than the current Rapide S. A chopped and simplified vertical grille and nose bring the light elements low and part of the front face, versus on …

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2014 Peugeot EXALT Concept Refreshed for Paris – Will Future 509 Sedan Reach This Level?

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UPDATED 9.5.14   2014 Peugeot EXALT Concept   PEUGEOT EXALT CONCEPT: A NEW INCARNATION FOR THE PARIS MOTOR SHOW 04/09/14 European version of PEUGEOT EXALT Concept Car brings a host of innovative features Hybrid petrol-electric power train has a combined output of 340hp A new version of ‘Newspaper Wood’ returns to uniquely tailor the Concept’s bespoke interior PEUGEOT is showcasing the EXALT Concept Car in a new livery at the Paris Motor Show next month. The bodywork features shades of grey that emanate from the bare steel covering the majority of the exterior to the distinctive ‘Shark Skin’ rear end. Inside, the …

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2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8 Debuts in Moscow – 53 High-Res Photos

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Thew New Flying Spur is all about formality and luxury of the Mulsanne style, but in an easier and AWD package. Exclusively the W12 before, the new Flying Spur V8 will easily dominate the sales charts from now. The V8 has huge power and a bit of lightness in the nose that the twelve-cylinders’ lack. Surprisingly, the real design action is out back – where a much blockier form language takes over with large lamps far apart in each corner. 2015 Bentley Flying Spur V8       NEW FLYING SPUR V8 MAKES DEBUT FOR BENTLEY IN MOSCOW Russian premiere …

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2016 Audi RS7 Makes Moscow Debut With Updated LEDs, Extra Power and New Tech

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No news from Audi USA on when this refreshed model will take over for the current 2015 RS7 we just landed in the USA. But it is likely to be one of the first updates in calendar 2015 cars, with a Spring arrival most likely on the street.   2016 Audi RS7         SEARING PERFORMANCE AND EVEN SHARPER STYLE: THE NEW GENERATION AUDI RS 7 SPORTBACK   Mighty twin-turbo V8 engine retains its rightful place at the heart of the new-look RS 7 Sportback but is now even more efficient  New headlights and design details for a …

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Updated With Pricing: 2015 Toyota Camry Preview

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 UPDATED 9.3.14 With Pricing Prices are here for the new Camry! 2015 Toyota Camry – Pricing The Camry LE receives a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $22,970 while the SE will carry a base price of $23,840.  The XSE and XLE models will carry identical MSRP’s of $26,150 for models equipped with the four-cylinder and $31,370 for the V6 versions. Pricing for the Camry Hybrid will start at $26,790 for the LE model, $27,995 for the SE, and $29,980 for the premium XLE. The MSRP for the 2015 Camry does not include the delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee …

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MANSORY Rolls-Royce Ghost Upgrades In White and Electric Blue Gold

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Before Pebble Beach automotive week, we decided on these pages that a Mansory luxury car might be the ideal ride to a show like this. It took until day three to spot a Mansory in Carmel Bay, but when we did, it was the grand-daddy of them all: the Gold Veyron! For those looking to make a splash with more than one passenger, the MANSORY Ghost might have been just the ticket to spin heads. These two vary from the pure and uncluttered aesthetic of the Mansory White Ghost, all the way to the eye-popping blue and gold Ghost. Somewhere …

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Update2 With 20 New Photos – 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Coupe Priced from $116k

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Update2 8.31.14 The new S550 Coupe is super posh and low in person, with a fantastic cabin. It can be hard to tell it from the S63 AMG,  and S65 AMG – so here is a comparison. 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 Coupe   2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC and S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe Quick Reference Guide Customer Availability & Pricing S550 4MATIC Coupe – Fall 2014; Pricing TBA (MY14: CL550 4MATIC starts at $116,600) S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe – Fall 2014; Pricing TBA (MY14: CL63 AMG starts at $154,600) S65 AMG Coupe – Embargo lifts July 2014 (MY14: CL65 starts at $215,500) …

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2015 Maserati Quattroporte Buyers Guide to Colors, Wheels, Options, Specs and Prices

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Is the Maserati Quattroporte still the sexiest limo on the market in this latest sixth-gen model? For many eyes, nothing beats Italian glamour in a leathery four-door sedan. The rarity of the idea is itself pretty tittilating versus the dry and cold German alternatives, or the lush and colorful English brands that might be a bit too cuddly for some. The Quattroporte draws from an enviable set of clients. Mercedes-Benz might have its sponsorship all over New York and Berlin Fashion Week — but the Quattroporte has always been designed to appeal to Vogue Italia readers. These are stiletto-sharp people …

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2015 Cadillac CTS Updated With New Badges, LED Brake Lights, Exhaust Details and Cabin Tech

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Light updates and upgrades for the 2015 CTS, detailed below. Mechanically, the cars stay exactly the same as the 2014 models. But there are tweaks front and rear to the style, 4G LTE and active safety upgrades inside, and a new satin-effect for the window brightwork that replaces the previous chrome. Out back, the exhaust finishers are altered slightly, as is the central high-mounted LED brake light. Based on thee images and the lack of the 2015 CTS in Pebble Beach last week, we specualate that the 2015 CTS is still about a month away from dealerships. Ballpark a late …

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Updated USA Debut – 2014 BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept – Design Analysis

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Updated 8.27.14 The fact that the BMW Vision Future Luxury concept headed to Beijing this Spring instead of to the concurrent New York show says quite a bit about its market-makers. This machine needs to be successful in China. Period. As the biggest growth opportunity, China represents perhaps the only non-American and non-German (domestic) volume market for ultra-luxury sedans in the coming decade. But while the Chinese limo shopper has whole-heartedly adopted the Audi brand, BMW and Mercedes-Benz find themselves playing second fiddle. At the same time, the VFL concept needs to revive the unpopular current 7 series in the …

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Update1 New Photos – 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series Rendered by VirtualModels.org

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  Updated 8.27.14   1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC at Pebble Beach 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series This first one is a group effort … with the side profile by Sebastian Motsch and the front three-quarter angle by Car-Revs-Daily.com VirtualModels.org Mercedes-Benz 300S and SLS Bonneville Speed Special 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S (W188) – Style Update Germany’s Sebastian Motsch is a very talented individual – a guy who loves cars so much that he spends some of his free time imagining the impossible cars we all dream about. The quality of his renders puts most magazines or websites to shame. These cars of his …

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2015 Lexus LS460 F Sport Crafted Line – Pebble Beach Debut in 30 New Photos

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Updated 8.27.14 The LS is perhaps the most enhanced by Lexus’s 2015 Crafted Line enhancements, but this is an entirely subjective assessment. In fact, every Lexus bar the CT200h and the new NX crossover are greatly benefitting from these new style upgrades. The LS benefits both in practice with the new grille and black wheels looking stellar on this luxury limo flagship, but also in theory. The Lexus LS has simply lost much of its top-three luxury car awareness in recent years to the resurgent S-Class and ever-popular Audi A8. The solution is not exactly easy to see for Lexus …

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TECHART Porsche Panamera Grand GT Program Shows Huge Range of Exterior, Performance and Cabin Upgrades

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The TechArt upgrades suite comes in three primary flavors for the outstanding Porsche Panamera: — First-gen Aero kit — Second-gen Aero kit — Grand GT comprehensive upgrades inside and out. As these ten demo machines show below, the depth of the packages are deep in making any Panamera into a widebody, ultra-performance beast! TECHART Porsche Panamera Grand GT Second-Gen (2014 – current)       Welcome to the TECHART Aerokit I for the Porsche Panamera models. Breathtakingly elegant and excitingly sporty. Uncompromising in both, its outer appearance and its inner values. Developed in the wind tunnel, made of quality materials …

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Best of Awards – 2015 INFINITI Q70S and LWB Q70L Win Best Design Refresh

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Best Facelift? That is not a category many would aspire to win. Certainly not Argentina’s embattled President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who sulked mightily in the corner of the McLaren P1 GTR launch event on Friday in Pebble Beach. But for many luxury sedans, a great facelift can be the breath of life they need to earn new buyers and keep previous loyal owners happy at the same time. 2013’s best luxury sedan facelift would certainly go to the Mercedes-Benz E350 — a car so new-feeling that its sales have jumped mightily, but so carry-over that it is almost hard …

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Update1 Photos and Video – 3.7s 2014 BMW M5 Jahre 30 Hits 600HP Horsepower, Adds Active M Rear Diff

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Updated 8.23.14 with real-life USA debut details. We are trying out a new YouTube intro/branding clip ahead of all the videos — and have the current BMW M6 with M Performance exhaust as the audio overlay (for the time being…). This is relevant to the BMW M5 Jahre 30 edition because it shows what this engine can really sound like with an aftermarket addition. It also shows that the Pebble Beach audio recording of the Jahre 30 is not nearly as vivid.   In fact, the Jahre 30 sounds really terrific in person, with much more engine rumble and hum …

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INFINITI Q50 Eau Rouge in 40 New Photos From Pebble Beach + Vettel Track Video At Spa

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With a 180-mph speedometer clearly visible on the production-ready cabin of the Q50 Eau Rouge shown at the Quail last week, the hottest-ever Infiniti is almost as fast at the top end as Sebastian Vettel’s F1 car! But Seb has AWD and 560-horsepower from a turbocharged V6 with this concept as he blasts around the Eau Rouge’s namesake corner at Spa Francorchamps…! INFINITI Q50 Eau Rouge  

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2015 Lexus GS350 Crafted Line Aces Style Mood in Bright White Over Gloss Black – 37 New Photos

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The GS350 F Spot Crafted Line is really dynamic and attractive in real life — with the custom two TUMI luggage pieces that are included a nice addition. Gorgeous news from Lexus for five lucky 2015 models! The Crafted Line by Lexus introduces a dark ultra-white/gloss-black glamor to the LS 460, GS 350, IS 250, ES 350 and RX 350. The Ultra White shade shared by all five cars is the latest and extremely amazing shade that was launched for 2014. The Crafted Line cars all vamp up with glossy dark wheels, trims, grilles and mirrors to match the stunning …

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2015 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Extended Wheelbase in White at The Quail Lodge

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How to make a millionaire weep? Two ways: — remind him of your personal, daily EBITA salary (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization) — take him for a ride in your Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II limousine Sure, we can all measure ourselves by income or banked wealth. But what life really means seems to become vastly different as one crosses the $100-million mark. For cars, it certainly seems to become less about pace — and much more about grace and space. For the ultimate journey and arrival, nothing on four wheels beats the Phantom II. The Limo model with its …

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