When it rains, it pours, and nobody knows that better than Toyota. With recalls popping up like weeds, the company is forced to endure yet another ignominy by recalling 39,000 Lexus LX470 SUVs from the model year 2003-2007.

These top of the line trucks appear to have a defect in the steering shaft, that can see the part disengage after repeatedly enduring significant shocks and then having the wheel turned to full lock. No accidents have been caused by the defect, which is always nice to hear. Lexus will begin fixing the defect in the middle of August of this year.

Hit the jump for the official press release

[Source: Toyota]

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Now that Ford has wrestled Ken Block away from the clutches of Subaru, the company is looking to leverage their alliance with the internet superstar beyond their collaboration with the new Fiesta and the upcoming rally car based off the compact hatchback.

In an interview with radio station KROQ, Block was asked about a special edition Fiesta named after him, DC Shoes or one of his other sponsors. Block was only willing to give the standard “We’re discussing those types of things but there’s nothing set in stone at this point,” answer, but it would be foolish of Ford not to leverage his high profile and large fanbase.

With Block already an “internet celebrity”, and the web being a crucial component of the Fiestas marketing campaign, don’t be surprised if the new model shows up in another installment of the Gymkhana videos.

[Source: KROQ]

Have you got talent or do you think you’ve got talent? Kia Motors America is looking for you to be the next big Internet star with their $10,000 Who’s Next? contest on YouTube.

An online video contest based around the Kia Soul, “Who’s Next” invites contestants to post their videos themed around the Soul on YouTube for a chance to win $10,000. Fan judging begins August 20, and runs through the end of September. Videos will be judged by YouTube celebrities SMOSH, ShayCarl and Lisa Nova, whose combined channels have more than 640 million video views and 2.62 million subscribers. You can watch the videos on the Kia Soul video channel on YouTube.

Out of all the entries submitted, only the top eight selected by the judges will be entered into a three-round voting process (two of these finalists will be picked by viewers). Once selected, the finalists will head to Los Angeles for the big $10,000 announcement.

Michael Sprague, Kia’s vice president of marketing and communications, said of the YouTube-based contest: “Social media is an important part of the marketing strategy for Soul, and engaging passionate enthusiasts in this space creates additional opportunities to build buzz through a new, interactive experience.”

[Source: Inside Line]

In perhaps the ultimate example of schadenfreude, more details have surfaced surrounding the story of the turquoise Koenigsegg and Lamborghini that were given the boot outside the ultra-ritzy Harrods department store in London.

It turns out that the owners of the supercars were also members of the Qatari royal family, the owners of Harrods. Most people take some joy in seeing the wealthy get taken down a peg, but when you consider that they just bought Harrods for $2.3 billion, it almost makes sense for them to park in an illegal but convenient spot. Not only can they afford to pay the fines, they can probably afford to abandon their cars and buy another one if it proves to be more expedient than waiting for a traffic warden to come remove the device.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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Well well well. One of the most beautiful (and most gratuitous) Aston Martins in the world is now for sale on JamesList courtesy of Prestige Cars Abu Dhabi. And if you’re unsure of what this beast is all about, we had previously posted up detailed photos when we spotted it in person at Frankfurt. But a quick summary is that Mansory took a DB9 and redid the entire body in full carbon fiber, widening it at the same time to mimic the styling of the One-77.

What we’re finding thoroughly entertaining about the listing is that there is little to no information on the car, as if it’s not required. Best of all, there’s no price listed at all but it’s available upon request – naturally. We’ll take a wild stab that if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

[Source: JamesList]

GALLERY: JamesList Mansory Cyrus Carbon Fiber Aston Martin DB9

GALLERY: Mansory Cyrus Aston Martin DB9 in Frankfurt

GALLERY: Mansory Cyrus Aston Martin DB9

Each August, the classic car world gears up for the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, near Monterey, California, where some of the finest automobiles in the world are exhibited. Given the value and condition of most of the vehicles invited each year, many are transported by enclosed carrier or even flown to the event. However, a sizeable number are actually driven. This year, one of the latter will be the car shown above –  a 1902 Mercedes-Benz Simplex; a machine that also bears the title of the oldest car currently in road worthy condition.

Powered by a 28 horsepower engine, the Simplex was built from 1902-09 and in many respects was one of the most advanced motor cars of its day, especially in terms of performance and hill climbing ability. This particular car, restored back in 1993 under the supervision of noted collector car specialist John Bentley, will be driven approximately 1,500 miles by Bentley, along with Arturo and Deborah Keller, as part of the annual Pebble Beach Motoring Classic. This road rally, now in its sixth year; starts in Seattle  on August 3 (nine days before the Concours) taking in sights such as Mount St. Helens and the Columbia River Gorge, before arriving at the Pebble Beach Golf Course in time for the Concours event. Given that the trip includes numerous inclines and twisting roads, it’s quite a feat to be undertaking it in a 108 year-old car with no roof.

[Source: Pebble Beach Concours]

In response to recent rumors that Toyota‘s full-size truck-based SUV, the Sequoia, might be nearing the end of its shelf life, the Japanese automaker issued a statement, aiming to quell the issue. The statement reads as follows:

“Toyota denies any reports of the discontinuation of the Sequoia. For obvious competitive reasons; Toyota does not discuss future product plans. Sequoia continues to be a profitable, high quality vehicle and several years remain in the life of the current generation. Our focus remains on building our vehicles, including Sequoia, with the highest possible quality.”

However, from our observations, the tone of the wording in this statement indicates that perhaps, the rumors might just have some traction, especially in light of upcoming Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards of 35.5 mpg (42 mpg for cars and 26 mpg for light trucks), which will make it tough for large, V8 engined, body-on-frame SUVs like the current Sequoia to meet. Stay tuned for further developments.

[Source: Pickup trucks.com]

Porsche‘s hard-core Cayman ClubSport (CS for short) is rumored to debut at the LA Auto Show in December. Inspired by the Boxster Spyder, the Cayman CS is expected to use a version of that car’s direct-injection 3.4-liter flat-six to make at least 330-hp. Along with a lower curb weight (The Boxster Spyder weighs 176-lbs less than a stock model), the car will get a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission and hit 60 mph in roughly 4.5 seconds. Pricing is expected to be around $65,300.

In addition, Porsche is expected to introduce a new limited edition 911 Speedster model at the Paris Auto Show. It will be limited to just 100 models and feature the Carrera 4S widebody but will be rear-wheel drive. It will come with a 408-hp 3.8-liter flat-six, combined with Porsche’s impressive 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. Other highlights will include a limited-slip differential, PCCB brakes and 19-inch wheels. In true Speedster style, it will come exclusively with just two seats and be offered in either blue or white. It won’t be cheap, however, with an MSRP close to $200,000.

Then at the Geneva Auto Show in the Spring, Porsche will deliver the Carrera GTS. It will get unique styling, a sport exhaust and center locking wheels. Like the 911 Speedster it will get the same 408-hp engine, but will be offered with a 6-speed transmission. It will also be rear-drive but with the wider body and track. Both a Coupe and Cabriolet will be offered priced at $103,100 and $112,900 respectively.

[Source: Planet-9]

Designed not only to deliver 911-like driving dynamics in a 4-door package, but also to make Porsche execs rich richer, the new Panamera is doing just that. The German sports car maker has just announced that after just 10 months it has already build 25,000 Panamera models at its factory in Leipzig.

The 25,000th vehicle features ruby-red paint and is a standard Panamera model featuring a 300-hp V6 engine. Just recently released, the V6 Panamera and Panamera 4 will easily add a significant increase to the already impressive Panamera sales numbers.

Read AutoGuide‘s Panamera reviews at the links below

2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo First Drive

2010 Porsche Panamera S First Drive

2010 Porsche Panamera 4S Review

2011 Porsche Panamera, Panamera 4 First Drive

Official release after the jump:

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Legendary motosports mogul, engineer and NASCAR team owner Jack Roush, remains stable in hospital, after a serious aircraft accident yesterday. Roush, who’s also a keen aviation enthusiast and pilot, was at the controls of a Beechcraft Premier business Jet on July 28th, inbound to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual Fly-In at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which boasts one of the largest gatherings of vintage aircraft in the world. On approach to land at Wittman Regional Airport, witnesses say Roush’s Beechcraft appeared to be coming in too low and too slow. It hit the ground and then spun 180 degrees, breaking its back before coming to rest on the grass.

According to a statement issued by Geoff Smith, President of Roush-Fenway Racing, Jack Roush, who suffered facial injuries in the crash, is currently in stable condition in a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. His friend, Brenda Stricklin, who was also onboard the aircraft at the time of the accident, suffered minor injuries and was released from hospital yesterday.

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France, stated “on behalf of our industry, our prayers go out to Jack Roush, the Roush Family and Roush Fenway Racing. All of us are looking forward to a full and speedy recovery.” Click on the link below for video footage.

[Associated Press]