Luxury cars

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BMW 3-Series, 2012: Sixth generation sedan will match sibings' technology

Now 37 years old, the BMW 3 series in its sixth generation will debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and for the first time will include the technology currently available in its 5 and 7 series siblings. That technology currently includes lane-departure warning system, night vision, a system to prevent the driver from falling asleep, and radar-based adaptive cruise control with collision-mitigating automatic braking. The 2012 3 Series is expected to be powered by a new family of aluminum four-cylinder petrol engines ranging from 135 to 245 horsepower. These will include new technologies such as variable intake and exhaust-valve timing, sequential turbochargers, and direct fuel injection. The 245 hp (183 kW; 248 PS) four-cylinder may be

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Audi A7, 2012: New luxury sports sedan tops best 2012 car list

Since its debut in the United States 10 months ago, the 2012 Audi A7 has received wide acclaim. It's been named Car of the Year by at least one publication (Playboy), and it's also on numerous top-10 lists. The Weekly Driver reviewed the Audi A7 a few months ago, but it's also now featured again as the first in the alphabetical listing of the general consensus choicea of 2012 Cars of the Year among several automotive web sites and print publications. The A7 marked Audi's return to the executive hatchback market since the 1970 three-door Audi 100 Coupe of 1970 and the 1977 five-door 100 Avant. The A7 was preceded by a concept car, the Audi Sportback, first shown at

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Mercedes-Benz set to debut two hybrid sedans at Detroit Auto Show

Mercedes-Benz will debut two hybrid E-Class sedans at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the E 400 Hybrid and the E 300 Bluetec Hybrid, according to several automotive sites, most notably Autoweek.com. The E 400, which is expected to be available in the United States later in 2012 as a 2013 model, will feature a single electric motor between a 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a modified version of the company's standard seven-speed automatic transmission. The company's first diesel-electric vehicle, the E 300 Bluetec Hybrid, was previewed as long ago as the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. It features a 201-hp, 2.1-liter turbodiesel engine that produces 369 pound-feet of torque and is fitted to the same 20-kw electric

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Jaguar XKR-S, 2012: Powerful speedster named Playboy's Car of the Year

The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S, the 550-horspower speedster with a top speed of 182 mph, was selected from a stellar finalists' field that included Audi to Range Rover and Hyundai to Mercedes-Benz as Playboy Magazine's 2012 Car of the Year. The magazine's choices were selected by Ken Gross, the veteran automotive journalist, author and former auto museum executive director. The Jaguar XKR-S, with a starting price of $132,000 for the coupe and $138,000 for the convertible, is the most-powerful production car Jaguar has built. It has a 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and 0-100 mph in 8.6 seconds. Here's Playboy's 2012 other Car of the Year selections: Fiat 500 Winner of Playboy’s “Coolest Throwback” award,

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Lexus keeps current price despite redesign, upgrades in 2013 GS 350

The 2013 Lexus GS 350, introduced recently in regional and national car show without a price, now has one with the manufacturer announcing a "zero increase" for the newly designed vehicle. Scheduled to arrive a dealerships next February, the base price for the 2013 GS 350 will be priced $46,900 for the real-wheel model. The all-wheel drive model will have a base price MSRP of $49,450. The configurations are available as F SPORT models or can be equipped with the available Premium or Luxury packages for greater personalization. The GS 350 powertrains have been elevated for 2013 to provide better fuel economy and more responsive performance. The GS 350 is powered by an advanced 3.5-liter V6, four cams, and four

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Lexus will debut concept coupe at Detroit Auto Show

Lexus has already many of its newly designed 2013 lineup, but the Toyota luxury brand has announced plans for another new vehicle — at least as a concept — the LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe. According a Lexus press release, the concept coupe will be unveiled Jan. 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.” Conceived as a design exercise to

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Bugatti Veyron remains world’s most expensive car in 2012

The Bugatti Veyron Supersport, the exclusive and elusive French-made supercar, remains the world’s most expensive car in 2012, according to the new report on Forbes.com. The mid-engined grand touring car is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed 268 mph. Bugatti is designed and developed by Volkswagen Group (based on the Bentley Hunaudieres concept) and produced by Bugatti Automobiles SAS in Château Saint Jean in Molsheim, France). Here are some facts & figures about the Bugatti Veyron Supersport: Manufacturer: Bugatti Automobiles and Volkswagen Group (parent company); Production: 2010-present (Super Sport); Assembly: Molsheim, France; Body style     Standard: 2-door coupé; Layout: Longitudinal mid-engine,permanent all-wheel drive; Engine: 8-liter, W16 quad-turbocharged, 1,184 horsepower; Transmission: 7-speed DSG sequential; Wheelbase,

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Mercedes-Benz SLK350, 2012: Aggressive new design rekindles staid brand

The redesigned 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 isn't inexpensive, but finally seems worth the money. The new-generation SLK remains small, with just a 95.7-inch wheelbase. But it has more aggressive styling for a sexier, more masculine look and continues with its fast-acting retractable hardtop. Even the exhaust outlets are artfully shaped. The 3,397-pound SLK350 has a solid feel — top up or down. But Mercedes stuck its plastic three-pointed star emblem right up front in the center of the grille, where it can be easily damaged. The first Mercedes-Benz SLK, which I drove in Italy at a media preview in the late 1980s, was a bore. It had terribly plain styling and modest performance. It was at least some fun with a

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Lexus, 2013: Vast media blitz set for redesigned GS 350, 450h

Lexus GS 350 and GS 450 H prototypes, unveiled Nov. 30 in a regional preview in Las Vegas to international journalists and broadcasters, showcased the brand's traditions and new highlights for the 2013 models to debut next spring. The most obvious changes are the newly designed front grill and appreciably improved technology packages. Pricing for the GS 350 won't be announced until near the end of the year, while the hybrid model's price, according to Lexus representatives, won't be for "a couple of months." Other keen features and relevant info: * Mark Levinson sound system with 835 watts, 17 speakers; * 12.3 inch navigation screen; * Lexus expects to sell 20,000-25,000 2013 models per year for the lifespan of the

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Lexus GS 350, 2013: New design, new technology

The 2013 Lexus GS 350, unveiled this summer at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, Calif., and on display for the first time to the general public at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, will arrive at dealerships in February 2012 amid vast national media campaigns. The 2013 Lexus GS 350 will be featured in the carmaker's first Super Bowl commercial followed by its affiliation as the Official Automotive Marketing Partner of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. The fourth-generation 350 GS will feature the new Lexus design, including the manufacturer's signature Lexus spindle grille, as well as a 3.5-liter, 306 horsepower V6 engine rated in the standard 0-60 mph test in 5.7 seconds. Cabin materials include three types of wood

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So long, Maybach, we hardly knew you or anyone who bought one

Maybach has joined the expanding list of discontinued car brands in recent years after parent company Daimler AD announced its will cease the ultra-luxuy line with its 2012 models — and only a decade after its revival. Poor sales was the culprit, with the Wall Street Journal reporting in Saturday, Nov. 26 editions that fewer than 200 Maybachs sold worldwide in 2010. With the Maybach departing, the German luxury car maker said it plans to expand its S-Class Mercedes Benz, the top-end segment, to six models from the current three beginning in 2013. The Maybach had a elegant, plush reputation, but its starting price begins at $375,200. According to the newspaper, Daimler currently yearly sells close to 80,000 S-Class models,

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Los Angeles Auto Show: More tech, power for 2013 Lexus

The 2013 Lexus GS 350, GS 450h and GS 350 F SPORT models, featuring new technology, design and power upgrades, will make their first North American auto show appearance Nov. 18-27 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 and 306 horsepower, the 2013 GS 350 has 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.7 seconds. The six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission, equipped with paddle shifters, offers four driving modes: Normal, ECO, SPORT S, and SPORT S+.

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World debut of 2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible at LA show

The 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible, which like its sibling the ZL1 Coupe, has 580 horsepower and 6.2-liter V8, will make its world debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. "The Camaro ZL1 convertible will be one of the most powerful and most capable, convertibles available at any price," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "This is a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you drop the top – or hit the gas." The Camaro ZL1 convertible's power is complemented by advanced powertrain and chassis technologies designed to deliver exceptional performance on the road or track. In fact, it's the same balance of acceleration, handling and ride quality that enabled a Camaro

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Andy Rooney: A 'love affair' with Lexus and the used car industry

In his iconic career with CBS, Andy Rooney gave opinions about politicians and personalities and even used cars, including the history and affection for his one-time Lexus sport utility vehicle. In the commentary, Rooney traced his former Lexus SUV's life after he sold it. It transitioned from wholesaler to wholesaler to used car lots to car auctions to the suburban family who bought the car. As was his style, Rooney expressed his opinion, noting that the only company who didn't speak with him was the company "that probably made the most on the car." Even in his three-minute commentarty, Rooney was a master at explaining the entire used car industry. He had a passion for his Lexus and found out

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Arnold Schwarzenegger's Ferrari 360 an eBay no-sale but still for sale at Sacramento Maserati dealership

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's 10-year Ferrari 360 didn't sell during its recent auction on eBay, but the pristine high-powered machine is still for sale. According to Andrew Lyon of Sacramento Maserati, the 2002 vehicle formerly owned by the former Governor of California attracted some international attention, but there were no potential buyers on eBay from the United States. The listing for the car on eBay ended Nov. 1. Schwarzenegger had listed the Ferrari 360 Spider, via the dealership and eBay Motors for $92,450. The convertiable Ferrari features a 3.6-liter, eight-cylinder, 400-horsepower and has silver exterior and black interior. The vehicle has been driven less than 13,000 miles. In 2002, the list price for the car new was $161,475. Lyon said

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Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, 2012: Fast, luxurious, expensive

Despite a lazy economy, you can still buy posh Mercedes-Benz models that accelerate like locomotives at full steam. And one glance at the revised 2012 Mercedes CLS63 AMG should tell you this is one very fast, luxurious car. It looks expensive and is expensive at $94,900 — without desirable options. With the destination charge, they pushed the price of my new test CLS63 AMG to $112,585. This four-door sedan has coupe-like styling, pioneered by Mercedes in 2006 with the original CLS and has been copied by other automakers. Some may feel the revised styling of the 2012 CLS63 AMG is overly aggressive, compared to the 2011 model’s "softer" styling. But, what the heck, this thing is designed for aggressive driving.

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