Luxury cars

Lexus reveals $73,000 price for flagship LS460 sedan

The 2011 Lexus LS 460 Touring Edition, the flagship sedan of the luxury division of Toyota, will be priced at $73,000 (rear wheel drive) and will be available at dealerships in late June or early July, the manufacturer announced. “The Touring Edition adds excitement to our flagship sedan,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “The package on this car enhances styling and comfort, allowing us to attract younger buyers to the LS line-up.” The 2011 LS 460 Touring Edition will be available on both the LS 460 Rear Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive models. It will be distinguished from other LS models by a Smoky Granite Mica exterior, and following equipment: 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels

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Mercedes-Benz 2011 (CL550) car review

The Mercedes-Benz 2011 four-passenger CL550 coupe I tested from the automaker’s CL-Class line is a throwback to the grand Mercedes coupes of decades ago. That was when Mercedes engineers were given a pretty free hand to design the automaker’s large sedan and coupe models, complete with thick double-pane side glass. Those big powerful cars thus were superlative and majestic. Although heavy, they were fast and had no serious competition in America, where they were overqualified for most U.S. driving — and for most U.S. drivers, who were accustomed to soft U.S. luxury cars. The new CL550 coupe is the entry model in Mercedes’ CL-Class coupe line. It’s a two-door version of the sumptuous Mercedes S-Class sedan and thus has all

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Aston Martin Rapide gets Design of the Year honors

The Aston Martin Rapide has joined a diverse group, including the Fiat 500 and Chevrolet Camaro, and has been honored with the 2011 World Car Design of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show. “Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide’s rear haunches are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful look,” said Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman. “There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit; the new double grill gives more presence on the road while the iconic signature side strake has been lengthened through to the rear doors to

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Ferrari 458 Italia honored as Performance Car of the Year

The Ferrari 458 Italia, the replacement vehicle for the F430, has beaten out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porrsche 911 Turbo, and named as the 2011 World Performance Car at the New York International Auto Show. The World Car Awards jurors said about the Ferrari: “The replacement for the F430 Fiorano has been voted by nearly every possible ranking this past year as the best performer hands down. The WCA’s would love to break ranks with the crowd, but we also put the 458 Italia squarely among our top three world performance cars. “Whether on the track or on a loosely policed winding two-lane mountain road, the technology on board the 458 sets it and its 570 metric horsepower far

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Acura TSX 2011 car review

The Acura TSX (Touring Sportscar eXperimental) debuted in April 2003 as a 2004 model. It remains the smallest and entry level sedan of the luxury brand. As the replacement for the Integra, the TSX and its new sibling wagon edition are built in Sayama, Saitama, Japan. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It seems fewer sedans are readily available with manual transmissions, which is the dominating reason my weekly test drive of the Acura TSX was so enjoyable. The standard engine remains the 2.4-liter,  4-cylinder with 201 horsepower. But with the six-speed manual transmission rather than the  5-speed automatic, the TSX moves into the unique category of sports car sedan. With the smooth-shifting manual transmission, it’s hard to categorize the vehicle

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Has famed digital artist created World's Ugliest Ferrari?

There’s no more iconic color in the automotive world than Ferrari Red. Yellow, blue, white or any other color Ferrari is perfectly fine, too. Unless, it’s a Ferrari 430 Scuderia and it’s been turned into a canvas for one of Laurence  Gartel’s wild creations. Gartel, known as the “Father of Digital Art,” has had his work exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, among other museums, in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American History. But Gartel, who has created artwork for many musicians, including Debbie Harry (Blondie), Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols) Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, has taken the pure beauty of a Ferrari and turned it into a nightmare. The over-the-top video below is ripe

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Academy Awards: Hyundai offers free iPad with Equus

Hyundai is arguably the current most talked about manufacturer in the auto industry, and now there’s another reason. The South Korean carmaker promoted during the Academy Awards commercials its unique top-of-the-line Equus feature — a free 16GB WiFi Apple iPad. Hyundai, the exclusive auto advertiser during the Oscars telecast, says in promotional copy for the new offer: “There’s nothing worse than buying a new luxury car only to sit down and have to learn about it through a boring owner’s manual.” “Thankfully, every Equus comes with a 16GB WiFi Apple iPad, and instead of the boring owner’s manual, the Equus Owner’s Experience app teaches you everything you need to know through demonstration videos, interactive product and safety demonstrations via a

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McLaren MP4-12C, 2012: world's best sports car?

Dan Neil, the long-time automotive columnist whose feature Rumble Seat appears in the Saturday edition of the Wall Street Journal, has something to say. He believes the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is the best sports car in the world. The reason: “(It’s) an era-defining work of technical intelligence and jet-fighter performance that will — be warned — make you look look at the other cars in your garage like they were lawn mowers.” Neil bases his opinion on a variety of factors, most notably: the new McLaren accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds and can complete a quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds. The C12 has a 32-valve, 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 with 592 horsepower and a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. Neil

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Million Dollar Baby, Pagani Huayra, will be sold in U.S.

Pagani, the niche Italian carmaker founded about 20 years ago, will sell the Huarya, its new more than $1 million sports car, in the United States later this year through a dealer network. The Zonda, Pagani‘s current model, is a perennial favorite for enthusiasts interested in top-speed and brute-power. But it’s not available in the United States. Pagani, based in San Cesario sul Panaro, near Modena, Italy, builds about 40 cars per year, and hopes to sell five of its new Huayra model in the U.S. this year. Named after Huayra Tata, an ancient God of wind, the Huayra has a six-liter, 12-cylinder engine with two turbochargers built by Mercedes-Benz’s AMG. The engine breathes through a pair of air intakes

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Pagani Huayra 2012: New god-like, $1.4 million supercar

Named after an ancient Andean god of wind, the 2012 Pagani Huayra is the newest Italian supercar offered from by one of the smallest and most unheralded automakers. Unlike the company’s current car, the Zonda, the Huayra has been engineered to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards, and should be available — to a chosen few who can get one of the 20 made for about $1.4 million. Pagani describes the car as “a carbon-titanium monocoque chassis cradling a mid-mounted, 700 hp 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine.” It was designed for Pagani by AMG, the performance division of Mercedes-Benz. The two-passenger cabin features leather and carbon fiber trim among other high-end gadgets and options. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist

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Ferrari set to debut FF 4×4 at Geneva Motor Show

Ferrari likes to outdo itself and it appears it may have with the FF. It’s the Italian manufacturer’s first four-wheel drive vehicle and its fastest four-seat car ever. With its designation as Ferrari‘s inaugural four-wheel drive car, the FF (an acronym for Ferrari Four) has a top speed of 208 mph. Its 6.2-liter V12 powertrain can propel the FF from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. The new FF is expected to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column

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Lexus IS350, 2011 car review

The Lexus IS series was introduced in 1998 under the Toyota Altezza nameplate in Japan and in North America as the IS300 in 2000. Altezza mean “highness” in Japanese and the IS initials translate to Intelligent Sport. The IS models are designated as entry level luxury cars below the ES in the Lexus lineup. Since its debut, now 11 years ago, many varieties have joined the IS offerings The IS350 receives exterior and interior restyling for 2011 and offers several new options, including all-wheel drive and the “F Sport” package. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Beyond its bright blue (Ultrasonic Blue Mica) exterior, which attracted a lot of attention, the Lexus IS350 gained quick admiration from everyone who rode in

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Super Bowl XLV commercials: Audi touts A8 via kids' book

It’s no secret the automotive industry is back. The buzz around the current North America International Auto Show provides a prime example. And on Feb. 6, a more expensive example will be showcased in Super Bowl XLV. At last count, eight automakers —  Audi, BMW, Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen — have purchased advertising time. Several other automotive-related companies have also purchased commercial time. According to a report in AdAge, several automotive advertisers have purchased multiple 30-second commercial slots, others will have one-minute spots — the most expensive ad rate in any communications medium. Super Bowl commercials are often as much of the anticipation of Super Bowl Sunday as the game. Automakers, like other advertisers, release commercials

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet 2011 car review

Mercedes-Benz four-seat convertibles always impress, although most have bland styling. The 2011 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet four-seat convertible radiates that old Mercedes luster with rakish styling. The new E-class two-door Cabriolet comes as the $56,850 E350 or $64,800 E550. They have a fabric soft top, when the trend has been to retractable hardtop convertibles. But that’s OK because this new Mercedes has a thick soft top that provides good protection and a quiet interior. Mercedes offers two retractable hardtop models, but they’re the SL and SLK two-seat sports cars. The E350 Cabriolet convertible is slower and softer than the E550 Cabriolet. It’s powered by a V-6 with 268 horsepower, at it’s no slouch. It propels the E350 from 0-60 mph in

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Hyundai Equus 2011 car review

Hyundai feels it’s ready for the big-time luxury sedan market with its new Equus. It’s designed to compete with the world’s top luxury sedans BMW to Mercedes-Benz to Lexus. Equus prices are $58,000 for the Signature model and $64,500 for the higher line Ultimate model. That puts it considerably below European and Japanese rivals. But resale value is a question mark. In these hard economic times, Hyundai feels that “modern premium” customers are willing to bypass products with established upscale names to get more value, no matter if it involves watches or cars. The Equus comes as a slickly styled, luxurious, equipment-loaded rear-drive V-8 model. It leapfrog’s Hyundai’s successful Genesis rear-drive sedan, which has been out two years and costs

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Bugatti remains world's fastest production car for 2011

Forbes loves car lists, the most expensive to most economical and worst gas guzzlers to safest machines on the road There are exceptions, but Bugatti makes most lists, including fastest production car for 2011. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is the fastest production car in the world for 2011 just as it was for 2010 or at least at its quickest top speed for the last six months. Here’s Forbes description of the Veyron’s speed. “It’s worth repeating. The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is the fastest production car in the world — faster than an underwater torpedo or a bullet train. “Racer Pierre-Henri Raphanel proved it in July, when he pushed the speedometer of this third and final edition

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