In the world of luxury you just can’t put a price tag on exclusivity – or can you? The original Maybach Exelero was a high-speed test mule conjured up by the minds at Daimler by Fulda tires. And exclusive it was, with only one ever built, selling for nearly $8,000,000. That’s right, six zeroes.

But with everything that’s so exclusive, somewhere in the world there are individuals motivated enough to make a replica. Over on JamesList is a listing for just that: a Maybach Exelero replica that is apparently based on 2010 Dodge Viper. It sports the 8.3-liter V10 motor pushing out over 800-hp with 23-inch wheels.

Details pretty much stop there but apparently the Swiss company offers any style and colored interior along with any color exterior for whatever buyer may be interested. So if you’ve got $680,000 lying around, place an order and wait four months for it to come. That price tag may seem high, but it’s quite the savings over the $8,000,000 that the original one sold for. And hey, they even toss in free shipping.

[Source: JamesList]

GALLERY: Maybach Exelero

We’ve seen an abundance of Japanese tuners turning their attention to German cars; so now it’s interesting to see German tuner Cobra Technology and Lifestyle, turning their attention to Japanese cars. Dubbed the Cobra N+ Sports Kit for the Nissan 370Z Roadster (applicable to standard coupes as well), Cobra brings a little bit of German engineering to one of Japan’s most popular sports cars.

The aesthetics are pretty standard with a front spoiler and rear diffuser done in a “carbon-fiber-look” variety. Here’s to guessing it’s not authentic carbon fiber, but looks the part. Taking a closer look at the rear diffuser, however reveals the most interesting component to Cobra’s tuning package – its remote-controlled exhaust.

Much like what Audi offers stock on the RS4, Cobra’s 370Z exhaust incorporates a butterfly valve that can be opened or closed, affecting the performance and tone of the exhaust. Something that is often seen on German vehicles, it’s nice to see the German engineers transitioning over some of that technology to Japanese models.

Cobra’s N+ kit also includes your run-of-the-mill lowering springs and their own set of 19-inch Cobra N+ CN22 wheels that sports a simplistic and minimal design. Hey and best of all, their parts come with a 2-year warranty with unlimited miles, showcasing their quality.

Check out the video and official press release after the break.

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A Florida-based dealer of airplanes, helicopters, and all manner of rare and exotic vehicles called Aero Toy Store Collection has recently listed Jean Alesi’s 1991 Formula 1 ride for sale, this chassis no. 126 Ferrari F1 Scuderia Tipo 642.

It may not have the race-winning pedigree of a Schumacher era Ferrari, but at “just” $700,000 it’s a relative bargain and would still make a nice conversation piece for a well-heeled Ferrari collector. Alesi did manage a third place finish at the ’91 Monaco Grand Prix, and in general the Tipo 642 is considered the beginning of Ferrari’s F1 resurgence.

What’s interesting (and perhaps a bit distressing for a potential buyer) is that the dealer lists the engine as turbocharged, yet turbos were banned from Formula 1 in 1989. But at least the dealer got the 3.5-liter V12 part right. To be more specific, the engine is Ferrari’s 035/5 65° V12 giving 660 hp at 13,000 rpm.

Perhaps this oversite on the engine’s specification can be forgiven when you consider that Aero Toy Store, founded by Morris Shirazi and located in six hangers at the Ft. Lauterdale Executive Airport, specializes primarily in selling or leasing customized private jets and helicopters as well as luxury vehicles. Still, Shirazi made his fortune dealing in Ferraris, so listing this ’91 Tipo 642 as “the last of the turbocharged Formula One cars” is a mistake you wouldn’t expect.

If you’ve got the cash to invest in this Ferrari, then you’ve also got the means of calling the dealer to clarify its history and engine configuration. Also keep in mind that we’re available for test drives once you buy it. In the meantime, check out the extra pictures after the jump.

[Source: Aero Toy Store Collection]

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Drivers who text have just met their worst enemy – the United Nations. In an attempt to end distracted driving, the United Nations has launched a new campaign aimed to stop texting while driving.

This new program, named “Global Call to Action on Ending Distracted Driving,” has plenty of supporters in high places, including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  The program, which is available in all languages, focuses on driving safety and putting down the cell phone. There’s also a Facebook page you can join where you can support the cause.

Accidents caused by distracted driving are on the rise – in fact, between 80-90 percent of accidents are caused by driver behavior like distracted driving. Other interesting stats from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that 1.2 million people die on the roads each year and another 20-50 million are injured. WHO also projects that by 2030 crash fatalities will become the 5th leading cause of death, surpassing HIV/AIDS, cancer, violence, and diabetes. There are currently 600 million cars on the road and 4.6 billion cell phone subscriptions.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

News of a fifth Fast & Furious film have been around for quite some time, but now comes word that this next installment in the franchise will include Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. According to a report by Deadline.com, Johnson will star alongside F&F originals Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. In fact, it’s suggested that Johnson’s character will be, “on the right side of the law,” a role that will no doubt have him slugging it out with Vin Diesel at some point in the movie.

While riced-out lime green Talons and terrible import car jargon might not have us out street racing in an H22 Del Sol like it was 2001, we’re eager to see the next installment of the F&F franchise. If not for the usually cool car chases, then at least for a laugh.

[Source: Deadline.com]

GM might have dealt Pontiac a quick and undignified death, but the late performance oriented marque lives on. In classic car circles Pontiacs represent some of the most desirable vehicles of all, especially those from the muscle car era. And if perhaps to illustrate the point, on June 19th, RM Auctions will host it’s Classic Muscle and Modern Performance sale, at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA;. the highlight of which will be an impressive number of primo Pontiac muscle cars, including a select number of GTOs and Firebird Trans Ams being offered for sale from the private collection of Jim Wangers.

For anybody with even a passing interest in muscle era Pontiac power; Wangers needs no introduction. Working at the Advertising Agency of McManus, John and Adams in the 1960s; Wangers, via his now legendary promotion techniques, helped cultivate a performance image for the Pontiac brand that resonates with enthusiasts to this very day. Among the cars up for auction from his personal collection, include a 1965 GTO hardtop, a 1966 GTO convertible; two Carousel Red 1969 GTO Judge coupes, one of which is an original Drag Race dealer program car; a 1967 Firebird 400 magazine project car “Greenbird,” an original 1969 Trans Am (one of just 697 ever built) a 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am; 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am and a 1999 30th Anniversary Trans Am that was featured in Car & Driver and Motor Trend magazines, back when it was new. The Auction is one of the most highly anticipated of the year and is likely to draw substantial crowds and a ready number of potential buyers for these rare and desirable Pontiacs. Check out our gallery below or hit the link for full details and specs on all the cars. Plus, make sure you stick with AutoGuide for our follow up report to this one-of-a kind auction.

GALLERY: RM Auction Jim Wanger’s Pontiac Collection

[Source: geetotiger.com]

A first in the tire industry, Toyo Tires has just released an online tire fitment guide that’s compatible with the iPhone and iPod Touch. The guide includes information on proper tire sizes, inflation pressures and premium replacement products.

The Tire Finder program — located at http://tirefinder.toyotires.com/ — recognizes an iPhone or iPod Touch and formats viewing for the mobile device screen. To search the comprehensive database of vehicles, fitments and premium replacement tires, users simply select vehicle year, make, model and options from drop-down menus.  The result is a list of Toyo brand tires in sizes appropriate for the selected vehicle, ranging from the original equipment size to plus sizes.

“As a company that prides itself on technology and innovation, we are pleased to be the first tire manufacturer in the world with a mobile fitment guide,” said Steve Hutchinson, vice president of marketing, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.  “Consumers and dealers alike want fast, easy access to information. The Toyo Tire Finder meets this demand and places our extensive line of replacement products in their hands.”

[Source: Toyo Tires]

These days, for the sheer number of different nameplates on the market, it appears that actual choices in the types of vehicles available is becoming increasingly limited. One segment that’s probably hardest hit are small pickups. Compared to their heyday in the 1980s, when more than 1 million compact trucks were sold;  just 87,985 compact and mid-size pickups were through April this year (according to J.D. Power and Associates), though many cite the poor choice of vehicles as a major contributing factor to the sales decline in the segment over the last few years.

At present, the best selling vehicles in the small truck category are the Ford Ranger and mid-size Toyota Tacoma, but when the Ranger goes away next year (Ford says it won’t offer a replacement), there will be precious few choices for small trucks. (GM has also announced that the slow selling mid-sized Canyon and Colorado will be phased out, likely in 2012). But to give the General credit, rumors suggest that it is seriously considering a return to true compact trucks, like the old Chevy S10 and GMC S15/Sonoma (a version of which is still built in Brazil for other world markets).

For some, the current Tacoma is too big and too pricey and with the Ranger gone, no cheap, small trucks will be available. For General Motors, this could present a huge opportunity to offer something like a new generation S10, touting the virtues of affordable running costs and fuel economy, which for many vehicle shoppers still represent very important considerations, even though precious few models offer both today. And GM isn’t the only one. There are also rumors that Chrysler is looking at a small pickup truck to replace the Dakota and Toyota’s Scion brand is even considering a small pickup – interesting since compact Toyota trucks of the late 1970s through the early 1990s, were and still are popular with younger buyers and enthusiasts.

If we do see a return to compact pickups, given the proposed CAFE fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks, there’s every indication they could become some of the hottest selling vehicles in the coming decade, much like they were a quarter of a century ago.

[Source: Pickup trucks.com]

They are great to putter around the neighborhood in, or zip to the store to pick up a few groceries. But low-speed vehicles (LSV) and mini-trucks are no match for regular traffic when it comes to an accident.

Recent crash tests preformed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) illustrate what happens when the two types of vehicle collide – and the results aren’t pretty. Although many states allow LSVs (also known as neighborhood electric vehicles) to share the road with regular traffic because they reduce emissions and cut fuel use, they don’t have to meet the basic safety standards that cars and pickups do.

“By allowing LSVs and minitrucks on more and more kinds of roads, states are carving out exceptions to 40 years of auto safety regulations that save lives,” says David Zuby, the IIHS’s chief research officer. “It’s a troubling trend that flies in the face of the work insurers, automakers, and the federal government have done to reduce crash risk.”

You can find LSVs pretty much everywhere in the U.S., on any road with a speed limit of 35 mph or lower. Their rapid surge in popularity is evident, with drivers and policy makers alike. In eight years, the number of states that allow LSVs on the road as risen from just over a dozen states to 46. Primarily intended for recreational purposes within retirement or other planned communities with golf courses, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) set the standard for LSVs in 1998. It’s important to note that mini-trucks weren’t even on the radar when these standards were introduced

Both types of vehicles are now allowed to share the same roads as other cars, trucks and SUVs, so it’s no surprise that no good will come when the two types collide with regular traffic. If you’re planning on purchasing an LSV or mini-truck, Zuby recommends spending more on a standard pickup to get crash protection and a vehicle that’s suitable to drive on all roads. If you’ looking to shrink you environmental footprint, a better choice for regular traffic is a crashworthy hybrid like the Toyota Prius or another fuel-efficient car.

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Subaru has just launched a fun new merit badge program that lets owners show off their brand loyalty and interests. The Subaru “badges of ownership” can be purchased online (and presumably at your local dealer) and can then be easily afixed to your Subaru. Numerous badges are offered with little logos for auto related things like mechanical prowess, performance and the 100,000 mile club, plus owners can show other interests with badges for gardening, the arts, biking and animals. Heck, in a nod to political correctness, Subaru even offers a rainbow LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) badge.

Subaru fans are also sure to love that the company is offering a badge to show how many Subarus you’ve owned.

But don’t try and order badges for your Kia Rio, Subaru requires you put enter your VIN number to order the badges. (Although we encourage anyone to try and let us know if it works)

To order your own badges, hit the link below

www.badgeofownership.com

[Source: Subaru via Autoblog]