Luxury cars

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Honda Fit, Toyota Prius get top value honors, Lexus best overall in Consumer Reports annual auto issue

The Honda Fit and the Toyota Prius each earned a value score of 2.08 and provided the best overall value despite being very different cars. Scores are expressed in relation to the value of the average vehicle (designated 1.00). A score of 2.00 represents twice the value of the average model. In total points, based on the magazine’s average road test scores and predicted reliability scores, Honda and Subaru tied for first with an overall score of 77 out of 100 points in Consumer Reports’ ranking. Toyota and Hyundai finished second and third while Nissan and Volkswagen tied for fourth. The ratings were calculated despite the recent recall issues for the Prius and Fit. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car

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Abu Dhabi status: Ferrari means nothing unless it has a multi-million dollar license plate

In all, 72 specialized plates were sold in the auction for a total of 50 million dirhams ($13 million). According to the Guinness Book of Records, the most expensive plate with the digit 1 was sold to Emirati businessman Said Khouri in 2008 for 52.2 million dirhams ($14.2 million). The second most expensive plate “5” was also sold in Abu Dhabi for 25.2 million dirhams, ($6.86 million) during a special number-plate auction organized by the Emirates Auction Company in 2007. “I think it’s a matter of recognition,” said Muhammad Kashif, owner of the UAE Number Plates Company. “Just having a Ferrari isn’t much these days. People want a nice number to go with the car. It makes them just that

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California car magnate buys vintage Ferrari fleet in Dutch bankruptcy deal; will sell 20, keep 1

Buying and selling luxury cars is nothing knew for Tom Price. That’s what Price does for a living in the San  Francisco Bay Area. But when the purchase is a Ferrari collection of 21 vintage cars, that’s a different matter. Price, a car magnate in Belvedere, California, who owns several luxury car dealerships, purchased the collection of undisclosed Ferrari models on Feb. 2 from bankrupt Dutch vehicle-distributor Kroymans, according to a report in the Marin Independent Journal newspaper. Price declined specify the amount he paid for the vehicles, but the newspaper speculated the price at $30 million. The transaction was negotiated by car broker Thomas Hamann, owner of Hamann Classic Cars in Connecticut. Hamann told the newspaper he’s been negotiating

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Ferrari initiates two-year certified used car Power Warranty

So, in an attempt to help ease the fear of owners of some of its older models, Ferrari has announced a new 24-month warranty program. The 24-month Power Warranty will only apply on certified used cars purchased through the official Ferrari dealer network. To qualify for the program, the vehicle must pass a 190-point inspection at an official Ferrari dealer or approved service center. The inspection includes a service history check to make sure the car has had its annual inspection and has been properly maintained. The warranty remains with the vehicle and has a duration of 24 months from the date of purchase provided that the vehicle is correctly maintained (including the annual inspection) at an official dealer or

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Toyota CEO emerges from silence, outlines current woes, Prius, Lexus plans

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, speaking for the first time since his embattled company has recalled millions of its vehicles and is considering further recalls with Prius and perhaps Lexus models, has outlined the Japanese manufacturer’s plans. Here are the key points of what Toyoda, the grandson of the Toyota founder, said at a news conference in Nagoya, Japan, late Friday, which was shown at Toyota’s Tokyo office by satellite feed. Also included are other key points of the current Toyota scandal: * Toyota‘s president apologized for the automaker’s global recalls and promised to beef up quality control by setting up a special committee he would head himself. * Toyota is still deciding what to do to fix braking

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Ferrari red at its brightest: Rare 1963 GTO available in private England auction

In addition to being considered one of the most beautiful cars ever built by Ferrari, the GTO was tremendously successful in competition, securing multiple World Championships. In April 1963, the 4675 GT left the factory finished in Rosso Cina. It was raced by such drivers as Guido Fossati, Jean Guichet, Oddone Sigala, Vincenzo Nember and Luigi Taramazzo and proved itself a tremendously capable racing car, rarely finishing outside the top three in its class and achieving numerous race wins. It participated in the full range of competitive events, including hillclimbs, endurance races and rallies. For more information about the purchase of this car, contact Max Girardo at RM Auctions via telephone +44 (0) 20 7851 7077 or visit: www.rmauctions.com. James

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Ferrari confirms its hybrid will debut at Geneva Auto Show in March

Luca di Montezemolo, the automaker’s chairman confirmed at the presentation of the race team’s 2010 Formula One car. Montezemolo said the prototype 599 hybrid will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. The Italian magazine Quattroruote has reported the Ferrari hybrid new system will use lithium batteries and an electric motor to cut the fuel requirements of the 599’s V12 by 35 percent. Montezemolo said he wants Ferrari to lead F1 in the transfer of race technology to road cars. Experts report the Ferrari hybrid system is derived from the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) used in 2009 F1 racing season. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review

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Tesla Motors moves quickly again, announces $100 million IPO

The public offering has been rumored for months. Headquartered in San Carlos, California, Tesla makes the $109,000 Roadster sports car. It has plans to start selling less expensive models including the model-S at around $60,000, $10,000 less with tax credits. The model-S will have three battery pack options for a range of up to 300 miles per charge. Tesla has taken more than 1,500 reservations for the Model S and expects to begin production in late 2011 for the 2012 model-year. Tesla said it lost money between 2006 and 2008, and in the first nine months of last year reported losses of $31.5 million. Tesla has been selling its all-electric Roadsters for nearly two years, and it’s the only highway-capable

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Ferrari set to unveil new F1 car, team live via team's webcast

Alonso, the former two-time world titlist, is switching this season to Ferrari from Renault. The presentation is scheduled for 9:30 (GMT). Alonso will be joined by Felipe Massa, Luca Badoer and Giancarlo Fischella and other key personnel are part of the naming of the new vehicle. If weather is cooperative at the Ferrari Fiorano test track, the new team hopes to use the new car for a promotional video. Ferrari has launched its new car online every year since 1996. The webcast lauch will available in Italian, English and Japanese, according to web site information. To view the Ferrari launch, visit: Ferrari.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car

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Lexus RX 350, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

But instead of mining for gold, town’s folks now make their money selling coffee and homespun desserts. So what kind of a car is best suited for visiting a striving, hidden gold mining town like Gold Hill, Colorado in the high valleys of the Rocky Mountains? Usually. the new Lexus RX 350 is mostly seen in the low parking lots of America’s malls. But how well does this king of crossovers do when it has to tackle the steep icy and snow-cover roads of Colorado high country? Roman Mica, a contributing editor to TheWeeklyDriver.com shows and tells us in his latest video from TFLCar.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Honda, Lamborghini selected as cleanest, dirtiest cars by 'Green' environmental non-profit agency

A Washington, D.C.-based, non-profit research group, Greenercars.org, is dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. The clean and dirtiest designation are part of ACEEE’s Green Book, a unique consumer resource website providing Green Scores rating the environmental friendliness of every vehicle on market. ACEEE, ranked the cars by their gas mileage  and assigned the cars a green car score. Here are the top-three in the best and worst categories: Cleanest — Honda Civic GX, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid; Dirtiest — Lamborghini Murcielago/Murcielago Roadster, Bugatti Roadster, Bentley Azure/Brooklands. To read the complete list, visit: greencars.org. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Lamborghini gets dubious honor: least efficient EPA gas mileage averages in 2010

The Italian luxury car has two of the country’s three most inefficient 2010  cars. The Lamborghini Murcielago with manual and automatic transmission have the top and third worst gas mileage, according to the new cars guide released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Here’s the list: 1. Lamborghini Murcielago (manual) 8 mpg (city), 13 mpg (highway); 2. Bugatti Veyron 8/14; 3. Lamborghini Murcielago (automatic) 9/14; 4. Bentley Azure Bentley Brooklands 9/15; 5. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (automatic) 10/17; 6. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (manual) 10/16; 7. Maybach 57 10/15; 8. Bentley Continental Flying Spur Bentley Continental GTC 10/17; 9. Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 11/15; 10. Several BMW, Aston Martin and Porsche vehicles, 11/17. James RaiaA sports, travel and

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Lexus 450h AWD hybrid, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

In Mica’s assessment, the vehicle’s interior is stunning and comfortable. And he’s impressed by the car’s quiet, powerful hybrid engine and its gas mileage as a luxury vehicle. He’s not as keen on the car’s exterior design. 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 for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast

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Women of the North American International Auto Show

The women normally aren’t experts, and they may actually know little about the companies they’re representing. But they do well when cameras click and video cameras roll. Of course, that’s their jobs. The North American International Auto Show in Detroit was no different. Roman Mica, owner and editor of the automotive site TFL.com, attended the show and he took a healthy supply of  images, including of pictures of pretty healthy-looking women. To read more about the North American International Auto Show as well as a vast offering of other automotive content, visit: www.tflcar.com. 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

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Land Rover HSE Sport, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

Here are the specs for the 2010 Land Rover Sport HSE and  a three-minute video of the vehicle in Colorado snow conditions: Price as Tested: 70,845.00; Engine: 5.0L Aluminum Alloy V-8; Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission with CommandShift; Horsepower: 375; G-Tac Test Data test: 5430 feet above sea level; 15.55 seconds at 96 mph; 0-60 mph: 7.35 seconds; 60-0: 101 ft; 061 g’s; EPA Fuel Economy Estimates: City, 17 mpg; Highway, 17 mpg; Combined: 14 mpg; As tested: 13.9 mpg; CO2 per year: 15,651 lbs. 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

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Mercedes-Benz E550, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It isn’t often (OK, maybe never) the price of a luxury car gets reduced by several thousand dollars. But that’s what Mercedes-Benz did with 2010 models, including the E550. But Mercedes-Benz not only lowered it prices, it did so with a re-designed vehicle, not the staid offerings of yesteryear. The E550 five-passenger sedan is the prime example of how the German manufacturer is attempting to retrieve former Mercedes owners who may have opted for more trendy and less expensive luxury sedans in recent years. The Weekly Driver Test Drive In a perfect world, my weekly test drive would have been, let’s say, to drive across Germany on the Autoban. But a week of everyday driving was just fine, too. There’s

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