Created to celebrate Buick’s 100th anniversary in 2003, the Blackhawk Custom was one of 250 oddballs that General Motors decided to part with at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. Grouped in with modified GEOs and a first-run Pontiac Aztek, not much was expected for the lot of cars which were parted with more to free up space and cut down on up-keep costs than to raise much-needed funds for the struggling manufacturer. And yet, this one-off Buick fetched a cool $522,500.

Classified as a 1996 vehicle, the Blackhawk Custom is a 2+2 convertible fashioned from Buick body parts ranging from 1939 to 1986. To add some modern flare the vehicle boasts a retractable hardtop made of carbon fiber. The interior uses many customized 1996 Riviera components.

Under the hood you will find a 455 cubic inch V8 from 1970 that has been modified and features fuel injection. Output is 463hp and 510 ft-lbs of torque. Power hits the rear wheels thanks to a 4L80E 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

Other modern touches include a fully independent front and rear suspension and Z-rated 295/35/18 front and 295/45/18 rear tires.

Looks like Barrett-Jackson is giving the U.S. Auto Industry yet another bailout.

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

According to a report in the UK’s Telegraph newspaper, Top Gear’s “The Stig” is none other than Ben Collins.

Who?… you say.

Ben Collins.

Still not ringing a bell.. well, here’s a little profile on the man who, as Jeremy Clarkson would say, likes listening to Marvin Gay while driving a Pagani Zonda.

Collins has raced successfully in Formula 3, the FIA GT Series, Indy Lights and even at Le Mans. He began his career in the Formula Vauxhall series in the U.K in the ’90s. After a stint there he moved on to Formula 3 where he landed 5 straight wins in the British National Championship. In 1999 Collins began racing in the USA in the Indy Lights Championship scoring several podiums before returning to England. His oval track experience gave him a huge advantage when in 2003 he dominated the competition in the European NASCAR-style ASCAR Championship where secured the championship while setting new series records for points, pole positions and overall wins.

During this time Collins also raced at Le Mans and in 2005 joined the FIA GT3 European Championship where he races today in one of three Ascari KZ1R Supercars.

According to the Telegraph article, Bristol art gallery owner Simon Whitehead was the first to know for certain that Collins was The Stig when the legend himself said so. Apparently Collins told Whitehead while at the gallery to see about a limited edition Stig print.

Sadly this could mean the end of the road for Collins as The White Stig. The Black Stig, aka Perry McCarthy, was canned from the Top Gear show after outing himself in his book Flat Out, Flat Broke.

[Source: The Telegraph]

In recent months we have heard about a Chrysler merger with General Motors and then a possible merger with Nissan/Renault - now the struggling automaker has apparently entered into talks with FIAT.

As General Motors and Ford begin to source their European operations for small fuel-efficient vehicles Chrysler is facing being shut out of the market as the company has no such European operation to rely on. The talks with FIAT could see the Italian maker of such vehicles as the 500 and Linea take hold of a portion of Chrysler in return for access to an already existing line of platforms, engines and transmissions from the notoriously compact Italian carmaker.

[Source: AutoNews]

FIAT Linea:

We recently brought you news that Steve Saleen’s new company SMS Limited was getting set to unveil a fully customized version of the Dodge Challenger. Those plans are now a reality as SMS is showing off the very first Signature Series SMS 570(X) model as the vehicles go into production.

As we first reported, the SMS Signature Series versions of the Challenger R/T will be offered in two horsepower trims, the SMS 570 with 500hp and the SMS 570X with 700hp.

Both versions received added power thanks to an SMS 296 Supercharger.

Each vehicle will also receive a host of performance upgrades including a high-flow exhaust and “Red Butterfly” induction hood. Additional aerodynamics, including a new Signature Series front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts and a rear spoiler help set the car apart. The 570X models will come with a different rear spoiler and will also include a carbon fiber front splitter, carbon fiber side splitters and a carbon fiber diffuser.

Additional upgrades include a performance suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels and six-piston calipers with 14-inch rotors in the front and 12-inch rotors in the rear.

Saleen has said that the SMS Limited Signature Series vehicles will have an interior trim to match the performance. Every Signature Series model will also come with special “Signature Series” serial number, sill plates, badges, floor mats and a dash that has been personally signed by Steve Saleen himself.

The SMS 570 is priced at roughly $60,000 and the 570X at $70,000. Vehicles can be purchased through SMS Limited or through your local Dodge dealership.

SMS 570(X)

Ulrich Hackenberg, the head of development at VW has announced that the German automaker will bring the sub-sub-compact Polo to the U.S. market.

In Europe the Polo slots in between the tiny Fox (formerly Lupo) and the VW Golf – the smallest model currently offered in North America. It would compete in an ever increasing category of small, fuel-efficient cars, which include the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Chevy Aveo and Suzuki Swift.

VW has set for itself a lofty sales goal of 800,00 vehicles annually in the United States and plans to achieve this within the next ten years. A new, more affordable model must certainly be a part of that growth plan as 800,000 units is almost triple what VW currently sells in the U.S

The move would also provide a way for VW to continue to push it’s diesel mandate in America with models like the Polo 1.9 TDI.

Volkswagen is expected to introduce the 2010 Polo at the Geneva Auto Show in March with the potential of a U.S.-Spec version debuting at the New York Auto Show in April.

[Source: AutoNews]

2006 VW Polo TDI – Euro Spec:

Amidst all the excitement about the new Toyota Prius at the North American International Auto Show, no one at Toyota mentioned (and no one else seemed to notice)  that for 2010 the Camry will receive all sorts of updates.

The most significant change is the use of a slightly larger 4-cylinder engine – 2.5-liters, up from 2.4-liters. The engine will make 169hp on the LE and XLE models with 179hp on SE models – an increase of 21hp.

Incredibly, Toyota will offer the 2010 Camry four-cylinder models with either a 6-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

The 2010 Camry will also receive a new front grille and new front bumper with a larger lower intake. The projector headlights will also be larger, the tail lights will get a styling update and XLE and SE models will receive new wheel designs.

The Camry Hybrid will also get a few aesthetic enhancements, aimed at differentiating it from the rest of the lineup. A unique hybrid grille design and new front bumper are a part of the update, as is a larger lower intake and redesigned fog lights. A new 16-inch wheel design is also coming.

In terms of safety, all 2010 Camry’s will come with Vehicle Stability Control as standard. Auto up and down windows that feature jam protection will also be standard equipment on all Camry’s.

2010 Toyota Camry:

2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid:

Official release after the jump:

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In the land of sauerkraut, lederhosen and cars that have kidney shaped grilles with propeller logos on them things have changed. For 2008 the Audi A4, not the BMW 3 Series, was the best selling premium car (based on vehicle registrations) in Germany.

Audi reclaims the top spot after the 3 Series sat atop the premium segment in 2007. The move may seem surprising at first but put of the A4′s success is no doubt linked to the fact that the 2009 model was all new.

In Germany in 2008 98,714 Audi A4′s were registered. Audi as a brand also made huge strides in 2008 with it’s share it the German marketplace increasing 0.8 percent for a total market share of 8.1 percent. In Western Europe Audi also saw an increase where the company’s market share increased by 0.4 percent to 4.8 percent.

In the U.S. Audi also made strides in market share despite overall sales loses. According to a report in The Boston Globe, Audi’s market share rose between 0-6 and 0.7 percent for a total of 6.1 percent. Audi sold 87,760units in the U.S. in 2008 compared to 93,506 units in 2007 a decrease of 6.1 percent.

What these numbers really convey is that while Audi is suffering, its competitors are suffering more.

For the record, the most popular vehicle in Germany (for as long as anyone can remember) is the VW Golf.

2009 Audi A4:

[Source: The Boston Globe]

Official release after the jump:

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It looks like something Dodge had on display at the 2009 North Americna International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit will actually go into production. No, it won’t be a forward-looking electric car but rather a retro inspired version of the all-new Challenger.

Available as of today for $34,005, the Challenger R/T Classic gets a long list of “classic” design cues to bring back memories of the good old days.

For starters, the Challenger R/T Classic gets two wide side R/T stripes and old-school Challenger heritage badging. It also gets retro-inspired 20-inch chrome wheels, an egg-crate grille with an R/T badge, a body colored rear spoiler and a chrome fuel door. On the hood can be found two functional hood scoops!

Dodge will offer the Challenger R/T Classic in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Bright Silver Metallic, Stone White, as well as three Dodge heritage colors: HEMI Orange, TorRed and B5 Blue.

Of course, the R/T Classic comes with the latest version of Dodge’s 5.7-liter HEMI engine, which produces 376 horsepower  and 410 lb.-ft. of torque – enough to ensure a sub six-second 0-60 mph time. A performance exhaust is also a part of the package so you can hear that baby rumble.

A six-speed Tremec manual is standard equipment with a 5-speed auto optional. The six-speed gets a precision-shift “pistol-grip” shifter, Hill Start Assist and a 3.92 differential and both models come with a Track-Pak that includes special pedals, four-wheel disk brakes and stability control with a traction control system that can be shut off.

Inside the retro theme continues with a trapezoidal theme for the door-panel cover and gauge cluster. A dark headliner, slanted shifter console and “four bomb” gauge cluster are also inspired by the origial.

Dodge Challenger R/T Classic:

Official release after the jump:

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On January 13th at the Barrett-Jackson auction you will be able to buy a piece of General Motors history – and the company certainly hopes you do. GM has made the decision to sell off 250 rare vehicles to not only create some much-needed revenue, but also to reduce upkeep costs. Apparently each vehicle in GM’s “Heritage Collection” costs the company $2,000 a year in upkeep and storage costs.

According to a report in Business Week the vehicles marked for sale are those that the current executives aren’t big fans of, and we can’t blame them.

For starters, the list includes a 2003 Chevy Aveo Xtreme in bright green with all sorts of Fast & Furious add-ons including a big brake upgrade and 17-inch rims. Possibly worse is a 1989 Geo Metro Zonker, which features all sorts of extras above and beyond a standard Metro. GM estimates they may only get as much as $5,000 for this car. Another dud is the 2004 Saturn Ion Red Line. Arguably it’s not a terrible car with a 205hp supercharged Ecotec engine but those who really want one don’t really need to go to Barrett-Jackson.

The most notorious vehicle going up for auction is a 2001 Pontiac Aztek – the epitome of poor automotive design. Shockingly GM still plans to get at least $20,000 for this monstrosity.

Other bizarre creations include a 1986 Presedential Limo that was used in the film The American President staring Michael Douglas. Topping that is a 1998 Popemobile that was never used by the Pope. GM expects to sell each of these creations for at least $75,000.

The list also includes a 1955 Buck Centry Bolero, a 1918 Cadillac, a 1960 Chevrolet Impalla (Snoop, we’re looking at you), a 1970 Cutlas SX and a 1996 Buick Blackhawk.

One surprising item might just be the Solstic Jazz from the 2007 Transformers movie. GM expects it to fetch $50,000 but it could go for far more if the right buyers are interested.

GM’s Heritage Collection Rejects:

[Source: Business Week]

AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg recently repeated what he said a year ago by declaring that the horsepower war was indeed over. The last time he said it the Mercedes tuning experts at RENNTECH countered by announcing a 695 hp package for the 65 Series cars. This time they’re making their point even stronger by releasing a 777hp version of the iconic SLR.

That’s right…. 777hp!

There is more of a story behind the RENNTECH 777 than that, however. The supercar has actually been planned for quite a while and is the first of several special edition vehicles RENNTECH will release in 2009 to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary.

In order to get all that extra power – an addition of 160hp over the standard model – RENNTECH modified both the supercharger as well as the engine’s internals. Also key in the build was an upgraded cooling system.

With all that extra power RENNTECH engineers also reinforced the transmission and installed a new limited slip differential built by Japanese supplier OS Giken. The new diff can send up to 100 percent of the power to just one of the rear wheels – significantly improving the SLR’s cornering ability.

Most obvious, however, is the significantly redesigned exterior that looks considerably like the SLR 722 GT race car. RENNTECH designed the new aerodynamics using state-of-the-art CFD software – the same technology the company used to design the GLK Hybrid Rally Racerat the 2008 SEMA Show.

The RENNTECH 777 features a massive rear spoiler, a huge front splitter, a new hood and front bumper and even new side skirts that flow into significantly wider fenders.

In those fenders can be found a set of custom one-piece center-locking wheels.

RENNTECH founder Hartmut Feyhl had this to say about his latest creation: “It can be described as a street-legal track car, or something closer to what the enthusiasts were hoping for from the SLR, originally – which is more a successor to the McLaren F1.”

Feyhl also says that just 20 versions of the 777, (and of other 20th anniversary special editon models), will be built. “We intend to build a few different extreme vehicles like this for our 20th anniversary,” he says. “They are all very exciting projects, and we will be announcing them throughout the year, as they approach completion.”

Mark us down for a 666hp C63 Hartmut!

Official release after the jump:

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