Penske Automotive, the distributor of smart vehicles in the U.S., used the LA Auto Show to announce that for 2009 the special Brabus edition cars will be part of its product lineup. Offered initially to current smart owners, the Brabus fourtwo can be had as a Coupe or Cabriolet in either silver or black at a starting price of $17,990 or $20,990, respectively. (A $4,000 premium over the standard production models).

“This car has always been about personal expression,” says Dave Schembri, president of smart USA, “and as we approach our first anniversary of sales in the United States, Brabus adds a new dimension, extending our brand into new areas of customization and personalization.”

The Brabus edition smart fortwo comes with a complete aero-kit including a front lip that is designed to reduce lift on the front axle – giving the car increased stability at highway speeds. Side skirts are also a part of the package as is a new rear bumper with cut-outs for the Brabus exhaust. Most noticeable, however, are the Brabus Monoblock VII wheels in a front 15-inch and rear 17-inch fitment.

Inside there are plenty of other Brabus accessories, like brushed aluminum sport pedals, a Brabus sport steering wheel and Brabus floor mats.

Surprisingly, while the car does have improved shifting and an upgraded suspension that sits 10mm lower thank stock, Brabus did not do any engine tuning – something it is famous for with Mercedes vehicles. Because of this, smart can still market the Brabus fortwo as getting an EPA rated 41 mpg.

Penske also used the LA Auto Show to announce that Brabus accessories for smart vehicles will be sold individually.

A complete list of those accessories can be found after the jump:

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With almost 8,000 out of 25,000 votes, Dana Roberts of Gilroy, CA was chosen as the “cheeky” winner of Saturn’s “Kiss my Astra” photo contest. As the Grand Prize Winner Dana was awarded a brand new Saturn Astra.

Several other prizes were also awarded, with $300 gift cards going to the first five runners up, and all remaining finalists receiving a $100 gift card.

The contest was kicked off earlier this year with Vice Chairman of Global Product Development Bob Lutz submitting the first photo.

See Bob Lutz kissing Astra, after the jump:

[Source ImSaturn.com]

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Jeep used the Paris Motor Show to display two concept versions of its popular compact SUVs, the Patriot and Compass.

The Jeep Patriot Back Country is a rugged vehicle designed for a more active lifestyle. Looking familiar from the outside, the inside receives a significant update with earthy colors and textures. The SUV also features a list of authentic Jeep accessories by Mopar.

As for the Compass Overland concept, it moved the compact SUV up-market with a classy design and superior safety, connectivity and audio features. Many of the style highlights on the Compass Overland have been adapted from the popular Grand Cherokee Overland and Commander Overland production SUVs.

Both SUVs feature improved sound-deadening, an improved ride quality, redesigned instrument clusters, center consoles and door trim panels, as well as custom interior materials and colors. We expect Jeep will add these two vehicles to its lineup in 2010.

Jeep Patriot Back Country:

Jeep Compass Overland:

Official release after the jump:
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In this volatile economic environment, no auto manufacturer is safe from hard times, including Jaguar and Land Rover. According to an Automotive News/Reuters report, the two historic British car companies are facing a “cash crisis.” Parent company Tata Motors, the Indian auto manufacturer that recently purchased the luxury brands from Ford for $2.3 Billion, recently secured funding from the banks for “tens of millions” of dollars in aid. The news comes after Tata poured “hundreds of millions” of dollars into the struggling companies earlier this year.

It was thought such a move would be unlikely as the current squeeze in the credit market would make borrowing such sums of money impossible. According to the report, however, banks were more forthcoming after rumors surfaced that the British government may also borrow money to help keep the iconic nameplates of Jaguar and Land Rover afloat.
[Source Automotive News from Reuters]

Think of it as Spyker’s version of a Porsche GT3. Unveiled at the LA Auto Show, this stripped down special edition of the Spyker C8 Laviolette weights just 2,805 lbs and makes a significant 400hp thanks to its Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V-8. Spyker claims this is good for a 0-60 mph sprint of 4.5 seconds (which sounds underrated) and a top speed of 187 mph.

The car was built to pay homage to the Spyker Squadron GT2 cars that have ran at Le Mans since 2002 and even participated in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).

Only 24 of the C8 Laviolette LM85 vehicles will be made and they come with some very special add-ons. Included with each sportscar, every owner will receive a Chronoswiss 24 Hours Pilot Watch. Every owner will also be invited to the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans to be special guests of Spyker Cars.

Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

Official release after the jump:

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With its debut at the Dubai Motor Show as a “Design Study,” Maybach shocked the world by announcing, shortly afterward, that it would in fact build the 62S Landaulet. This bizarre creation is a genuine limousine (stretching a foot longer than even the Rolls-Royce Phantom) and yet it features a retractable rear roof. This way, passengers can enjoy the sun while the driver can stay focused at the task at hand.

The bizarre design keeps the metal roof structure at all times, so from a side perspective it always looks like a standard sedan/limousine. From behind or on top, however, it is possible to see that the material rear roof folds away behind the passenger compartment.

Driver and passenger compartments are also distinguished by the color of materials used. The driver compartment is filled with glossy black Stromboli leather with piano black accents. As for the passengers, they sit surrounded by Seychelles white leather, with white velour carpets.

The Landaulet is powered by a twin-turbo Mercedes V-12 that makes 612hp at 4800 rpm and 738 ft-lbs of torque at 2000 rpm.

Maybach has not released how many models will be built but the 62S Landaulet is expected to sell for $1.35 million.

Maybach 62S Landaulet

Official release after the jump:

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A joint project with Nissan, the 2009 Suzuki Equator pickup truck will be built in Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn. Facility. Suzuki will offer plenty of variants including Extended Cab and Crew Cab body styles, Long Bed and Short Bed variants, four- and six-cylinder engines, and two- and four-wheel drive options.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 152hp and 171 ft-lbs of torque, whereas the more capable 4.0-liter V-6 powerplant produces 261hp and 281 ft-lbs of torque. Four-cylinder models will be available with a five-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic will be optional on the 4-cylinder and standards on V-6 models.

2WD V6 Extended Cab models will boast a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs.

An optional shift-on-the-fly 4WD system is an option with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Equator comes equipped with traction control, an electronic locking rear diff, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control.

Pricing for four-cylinder models starts at as low as $17,995 with the Crew Cab Base model with 2WD starting at $23,985. The Crew Cab Sport, which includes aluminum alloy wheels, cruise control and power windows and door locks, starts at $25,150 for 2WD and $28,095 for 4WD models. Finally, the Crew Cab RMZ-4 carries a starting MSRP of $29,325.

Suzuki Equator:

Official release after the jump:

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After unveiling the luxury plug-in hybrid Karma Concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit last year, Fisker is set to show another concept as well as the production version of the Karma.

The production Karma S, has been developed with Quantum Technologies and boasts a plug-in Hybrid system that allows drivers to drive 50 miles on a single charge. Once the battery power runs out, the gasoline engine will kick in and the car will operate like a conventional hybrid.

Because of this innovative system, Fisker says that owners who drive less than 50 miles per day will achieve a yearly average fuel economy of 100 mpg.

The Karma will be powered by a GM-sourced 2.4-liter Ecotec engine that has been updated with direct injection technology. The engine alone makes 260hp and when combined with the two electric motors will make 408hp. Fisker claims this is enough for a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. Top speed is rated at a respectable 125 mph.

The stunning looking (both inside and out) Karma S will be priced at $87,900. The first deliveries are scheduled for November 2009 and apparently models are sold out until mid-2010.

Impressively, Fisker has arranged for the Karma S to be produced at the Valmet Automotive plant, a state-of-the-art facility where the Porsche Boxster and Cayman are manufactured.

Fisker Karma S:

Official release after the break:

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