The Mercedes SLS AMG is a stunning looking machine, and a serious performer. Better yet is the FIA regulation GT3 model, which debuted at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. Up until now we’ve only seen this vehicle in a pristine racing white, but now Mercedes has rolled out an all-chrome version of the racing machine, in association with Laureus.

Unveiled at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim, Mercedes is helping to support and promote the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which works to get kids off the street and away from drugs though sports.

Based on the street car and powered by the same 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine, the SLS AMG GT3 gets a six-speed sequential racing transmission and ultra-low curb weight to deliver a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds. That light-weight body is made entirely of carbon fiber, with impressive new aerodynamics including a massive front splitter, rear diffuser and enormous rear spoiler. Compared to the road car, the GT3’s bodywork is two inches wider, enough to accommodate some massive center locking 18×12-inch front and 18×13-inch rear wheels with racing slicks. Inside those wheels is a special composite AMG race braking system with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers.

Mercedes has announced the FIA GT3 spec car is able to compete in all FIA GT3 series, including the 24-hour races at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, and on the Nürburgring in Germany. There’s no word on a factory backed team and initially Mercedes will offer the car for sale to customers this Fall, with delivery set for just ahead of next year’s racing season.

GALLERY: Chrome SLS AMG GT3

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

[Source: JonSibal.com]

BMW will not be allowed to market electric cars like the ActiveE concept in Europe as emissions free, after a ruling by the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA). The news comes despite the fact that operating the fully-electric ActiveE produces no emissions.

According to EASA the ActiveE is not a zero emissions vehicle as is requires electricity to run. And as BMW can’t guarantee that the electricity generated for the car’s motor was produced without creating C02.

In that context, the ruling is easily seen as not only absurd, but as a road-block against promoting green technology. BMW has yet to comment on the matter, but is likely to carefully market electric vehicles in the future as not “directly” producing emissions.

While just a concept, the ruling on the ActiveE may have huge repercussions for BMW (as well as all other European automakers), as it prepares the launch of the electric MagaCity vehicle.

[Source: Caradvice.au]

Just when Toyota‘s bad news seemed to have ceased, the Japanese automaker is announcing yet another recall – this time affecting 373,000 Avalon models in the United States. The vehicles included in the recall date from 2000-2004 and the issue involves the steering column, which could lock-up under cornering.

According to Toyota, a defect in the casting of the lock bar means that after repeated operation the lock pin could come loose and possibly line up with the corresponding lock hole. This could lead to a vehicle that either exhibits a locked steering wheel when parked, or possibly even during operation.

Toyota will replace a bracket on the steering column as a fix for the problem, with owners being notified by mail in late august.

Those with questions are asked to contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or visit www.toyota.com/recall.

Official release after the jump:

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When it arrived on the scene, the genuinely full-sized, second generation Toyota Tundra appeared to have the goods to take on the likes of Ford, GM and Dodge. With it’s brawny styling, 381 horsepower iForce 5.7-liter V8 and 10,800 towing capacity, along with Toyota’s reputation for quality, ads declared  ”the truck that’s changing it all.” However, after getting off to a healthy start, the Tundra hasn’t enjoyed anywhere near the success its maker originally hoped.

Despite selling almost 100,000 units for 2008, demand has tapered off and less than 80,000 units found owners last year. The economy is no doubt partly to blame, but the Tundra hasn’t been well received on many fronts. The trucks are indifferently put together by Toyota’s usual standards and were included among the high-profile recalls that have plagued the company over the last few years. As demand has slumped, Toyota has also centralized all Tundra production at the Texas plant original conceived to produce it, with Tacomas now joining it on the assembly line to take up the slack in sales.

However despite these issues, sources inside the giant Japanese automaker have said that a next generation Tundra is on the drawing board, likely scheduled for release as a 2014 model, even despite impending (and tough) fuel economy standards slated to take effect for 2016.

What kind of powertrains and features this new Tundra will incorporate however, have yet to be determined; but with Nissan and likely Ford and GM set to introduce new or significantly revised full-size 1/2 ton pickups in 2014; it would seem there’s logic in Toyota’s decision to persevere in the full-size pickup market, even though the Tundra’s SUV cousin, the Sequoia, will likely be canned in the near future.

[Source: Pickup trucks.com]

HRE Wheels has introduced three centerlock wheel models for the Porsche 911 Turbo and GT3 in OEM and custom applications. Styles include the three piece Competition Series C90-C and C93-C, while HRE also offers a monoblok one series offering with their P40-C design.

The perfect bolt-on wheel for the new Porsche Turbo and GT3, they are available in 18- and 19-inch applications, engineered to minimize weight starting at 17 lbs. Our favorite part about HRE Wheels is their ability to do completely custom sizes and offsets along with colors and finishes.

In addition, all of HRE Wheels for the Porsche are designed to specific load ratings in the front and the rear in order to maintain the strength required by the new higher horsepower Porsches.

Official press release available after the break.

GALLERY: HRE Centerlock Wheels for Porsche Turbo, GT3

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We already brought you the design mockups of the all new Hyundai Elantra, so here are some pictures of the real thing, driving on the road. With a direct injection 1.6L 4-cylinder making 138 horsepower, the Elantra’s interesting styling and efficient powerplant should make it a competitive alternative to the usual Civic and Corolla.

Considering Hyundai just beat BMW, Audi and Toyota in a German magazine’s quality index, we think optimism is a safe bet when it comes to Hyundai, and the new Elantra.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Elantra

[Source: Hyundai Blog]

The Audi A7 Sportback is a pretty cool looking car, that has something in common with most of the Audi lineup; they all look even better with the S-Line bodykit.

Two levels of S-Line goodies will be available. The first packaging, featuring split 5-spoke 19×9″ wheels and a lower suspension, should be enough for most people. Interior accents in aluminum, brown wood or black lacquer are available, as are a multi-function steering wheel and the option of alcantara inserts in the leather seats.

An exterior kit is also available featuring a new front bumper and front spoiler, a rear valance, a diffuser and redesigned side sills.  Chrome exhaust tips are also included.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Audi‘s design chief Stefan Sielaff told Autocar magazine that Audi will never do a retro design, for fear of becoming locked into an increasingly stale aesthetic.

In an interview with Autocar about the upcoming A7 sedan, Sielaff commented that”…doing retro is a dangerous game, because you will always have the problem that as soon as you have done such a retro car, you have to think of the next generation, and the generation after that. What are you going to do? Because you can’t get out of it. It will always be close to what you have been doing before.”

Sielaff’s interview is generally interesting, as he detailed the challenges that went into merely getting the A7 into production, but he leaves out one detail. None of Audi’s designs before the TT were really noteworthy at all. How can they do a retro design if they have nothing to look back on?

[Source: Autocar via The Car Lounge]

The Truth About Cars appears to have dug up an interest but troubling fact about the new Chevrolet Volt; it requires premium gasoline.

Despite being able to go 40 miles without consuming a drop of gasoline, Chevrolet’s environmental savior plug-in hybrid needs the top shelf dino juice for some inexplicable reason, despite the fact that its “gas engine “range extender is a wimpy 1.4L four-cylinder engine putting out 80 horsepower. The Volt’s $41,000 pricetag and requirement for premium fuel are shaping up to be  a couple of big strikes against a very promising product.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

The Mercedes-Benz CLS is one of the decade’s most influential vehicles, responsible for setting in motion the “four door coupe” trend that’s gripping luxury car makers everywhere. The CLS itself ended up selling 170,000 units, cementing its status as a success for the three pointed star.

As Mercedes prepares to roll out the second generation CLS, the company has celebrated the last first gen CLS to roll off production lines.

The last CLS will be sent to the United States, and is outfitted with xenon headlights, premium leather upholstery and an AMG bodykit. Our guess is that the car will be seen on New Jersey’s roads shortly.

[Source: World Car Fans]