Movie producer turned investor and serious car nut James Glickenhaus has just revealed the final renderings of what his P4/5 Competizione race car will look like. Set to compete at next year’s Nurburgring 24 Hour race, the car is a followup to his Ferrari Enzo-based P4/5 supercar that was designed by Pininfarina.

Based on the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, the car uses the suspension and V8 engine from the Ferrari F430 GT2 ALMS race car, suggesting that while track-capable, this car could potentially be driven on the street afterward.

There’s no word indication what class the car will compete in, but considering what it is, we expect it to challenge some other creative vehicles in an experimental class.

GALLERY: James Glickenhaus Ferrari P4/5 Race Car

[Source: Facebook]

First there were rumors that Honda would axe the Acura RL, and then came the official word that it wouldn’t, but here is the first sign that the RL continues to carry on – even if the car has become irrelevant.

While it’s not official for North America, Honda in Japan has announced that the Acura RL (still sold as the Legend there) will get a refresh for the 2012 model year that includes a new 6-speed automatic transmission. This may help the RL pick up a few extra buyers as the added gear should help improve both fuel economy and acceleration. Then again, perhaps its just a bigger sign of how irrelevant the RL is when the supposed luxury car is only now getting a 6-speed transmission – something Ford offers on the $13,000 Fiesta.

A selection of other upgrades and trim changes for the RL are made for 2012, plus it gets a unique new invention: an in-wheel silencer that is designed to absorb road imperfections.

No changes are slated for the 300-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine.

If anyone at Honda is listening, we’re certain the addition of a more Honda-like grille (rather than the Acura beak) would help sell a few extra cars here as well.

[Source: TOV]

While there’s a long list of small upgrades to the 2011 Subaru Forester, no change is as important as what’s under the hood. For the first time in decades the Japanese automaker has introduced an all new version of its boxer 4-cylinder engine that will soon make its way into the rest of the Suby lineup.

While completely re-engineered, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder doesn’t deviate much from the current setup in terms of overall output. Power is kept the same at 170-hp but at a slightly lower rpm for better usability. Torque is up just a touch from 170 ft-lbs to 174 ft-lbs and at 300 lower rpm as well. Unfortunately, Subaru hasn’t decided to match this engine with a 5-speed automatic (the 4-speed slushbox remains), regardless, fuel economy is improved from 20/27-mpg (city/highway) for the manual and 20/26-mpg for the automatic to 21/27-mpg for either transmission on the new 2011 model.

Forester 2.5XT models retain the turbocharged 2.5-liter – for now.

Numerous additions and changes find their way into each trim package with all but the base model now featuring Bluetooth and a one-touch up/down driver’s window. The 2.5X Premium and 2.5XT Premium models now also get a new audio system with six-speakers, USB and Aux. inputs, as well as iPod and Satellite radio capability.

Subaru has also changed up its trim level naming with the top level Limited now wearing the Touring badge, which gains HID headlights, dual-zone climate control and a backup camera.

GALLERY: 2011 Subaru Forester

See the full list of 2011 model year changes after the jump:

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Having just officially revealed the second-generation CLS at the Paris Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz is set to present the high-performance AMG version of the car next month at the LA Auto Show.

Power for the 2012 Mercedes CLS63 AMG is expected to come from the same twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 powerplant found in the new CL63 and S63 making a total of 544-hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque. That engine will come paired to the latest version of the 7-speed AMG Speedshift auto-box.

Mercedes is also expected to announce a special AMG Performance Package that will up the output considerably to an astonishing 571-hp and 664 ft-lbs of torque.

Other goodies set to be included in the package are a more aggressive front end, larger wheels, a stiffer suspension and upgraded brakes. Inside, there’s certain to be a sport steering wheel and plenty of carbon fiber highlights.

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes CLS

[Source: Autoblog]

Wraps are easily becoming the new aesthetic modification of the future. The offer owners a fairly cost-efficient method of changing the entire look of their vehicle, without having permanent ramifications. If you get bored of it, you can simply peel it off and go back to the stock look. And with any style that catches on and demand goes up, enthusiasts find new and better ways to set themselves apart from the crowd. This Ferrari F40 went the route of a full on carbon fiber wrap as opposed to just a more common flat black wrap.

The material used is a carbon fiber film that is also known as DI-NOC from 3M Films. The DI-NOC material comes in a different variety of finishes including wood, aluminum, marble, stucco, granite and more. One impressive aspect with the material is that you can actually feel the fiber in the weave and, truth be told, the close ups reveal that is looks a lot more realistic than one would think.

We’re loving just how race-inspired and menacing this Ferrari F40 looks with the complete wrap. And even alongside its current-generation friends and counterparts, it’s definitely a stunning car. The matte black wheels and tinted headlights and taillights just round off the package perfectly.

[Source: Mike Bolt Photo via Jon Sibal]

GALLERY: Carbon Fiber Vinyl-Wrapped Ferrari F40

Given that environmental issues and the need to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil are currently hot button issues, the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have laid out fuel economy and emissions proposals for all commercial vehicles – i.e. medium-duty trucks, big rigs, buses, motor coaches and RVs.

Three categories are being proposed: those for over the road trucks (which the agencies have labeled combination tractors) would be phased in beginning in 2014 and aim to achieve a 20 percent reduction in fuel economy and emissions by the fourth year of implementation (2018). Those for heavy-duty pickups, also designed to be phased in beginning in 2014, will actually comprise two different standards – one for gasoline engines, the other for diesels, which aim at a 10 and 15 percent reduction in smog output and fuel consumption respectively. Lastly, the proposed standards for vocation vehicles, also slated for a 2014 phase in would aim to achieve a 10 percent reduction in emissions and improvement in fuel economy through 2018.

Ray LaHood, the current U.S. Transportation Secretary, declared that the NHTSA and EPA proposals are “a win-win-win for the environment, businesses and the American consumer.” He also stated that “through [these] new fuel-efficiency standards for trucks and buses, we will not only reduce transportation’s environmental impact, we’ll reduce the cost of transporting freight.”

Exactly how the cost in transporting freight will be reduced remains to be seen. Currently, the vast majority of freight in North America is transported by truck and these new standards are stringent – a 20 percent reduction in fuel economy over such a short time frame is going to be difficult to achieve, which is already causing bumps to appear on the horizon. If big rig manufacturers and fleets aren’t able to meet these targets, then it is likely they will face hefty fines which in turn will be passed onto consumers – raising the cost for goods and services, including such essentials as housing, clothes, food and fuel. So instead of reducing freight costs they’re like to increase quite considerably. Meanwhile, economic analysts predict that it will take the best part of a decade for the U.S. economy to rid itself of the most recent recession and these standards will hit at a time when many Americans will likely still be struggling to make ends meet.

Oh my lord. There are many things on the Internet that can leave one speechless, but this thing might just top them all.

This 1994 Chevy Camaro sports 143,204 miles on the body but sports a transplanted LT-1 motor with only 36,000 miles or so. But the outside is the real reason for our disgust. The current eBay auction (yes, this bad boy is up for sale) states that it was built to “resemble million dollar exotic supercars, without the costs, maintenance, repairs, insurance, etc.” Oh and that it’ll “peal and smoke the tires from a stand still.”

And as offensive as the bodywork is, the builder even utilized 4-inch wheel spacers to accommodate the widebody conversion.

We’re sure it took a lot of effort and the bodywork really does resemble a Lamborghini, but if you’re any sort of car enthusiast and part of you isn’t disgusted by the idea of the creation, we have to question your passion for all things automobile.

GALLERY: Camaro Converted Lamborghini Reventon

[Source: eBay via Cardomain Blog]

Consumer Reports has released its latest reliability study and while little has changed in respect to the industry-leading Asian brands, domestic automakers are catching up. Toyota and Honda each recorded the highest scores in five vehicle segments in the 2010 Annual Auto Survey, while General Motors posted considerable improvements while Ford is ranked best among domestic automakers.

Toyota brand vehicles took the top reliability spot for the small car segment (Yaris), mid-size SUV (FJ Cruiser), luxury SUV (Lexus LX), minivan (front-wheel drive Sienna) and full-size pickup truck (Tundra V6). Honda took the top spots for upscale sedan (Acura TL), luxury cars (Acura RL), small SUVs (CR-V), upscale compact SUVs (Acura RDX) and compact pickup (Ridgeline).

Ford placed top among domestic automakers with 90 percent of Ford and Lincoln models posting reliability ratings of average or better. This compares to General Motors, where 69 percent of the lineup ranks as average or better. GM still has a ways to go in terms of reliability but it has surpassed Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. As a division, Cadillac improved the most at GM, while Chevy posted the best numbers with 83 percent of models ranked average or better.

Chrysler lists as a big exception, with 12 of 20 vehicles listed below average, while not a single vehicle score above average.

As for the big players from Korea, all six new Hyundai and Kia models (including the Genesis Coupe, Sonata, Tucson, Forte, Sorento and Soul) are listed as average or above.

As for the European automakers, both Porsche and Volvo list all their models as average or better, while the big players (BMW, Mercedes and Audi) build some of the least reliable vehicles. Five of 11 BMW models ranked below average (lead by 1 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series model with the turbocharged six-cylinder engine). Six of the 13 Mercedes models are below average, with the GLK and E-Class Coupe some of the least reliable vehicles in the industry, while the E-Class Sedan was one of the few bright spots. And if those numbers seem bad, almost 75 percent of Audi models tested are ranked below average.

The Consumer Reports reliability survey aims to predict the reliability of 2011 model year cars based on data collected o the reliability of vehicles from the past 10 years. Date from 1.3 million vehicles was used to produce the latest survey numbers.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

BMW has recalled 130,000 vehicles using turbocharged inline-6 engines after complaints regarded the fuel pump used with the engine. Vehicles affected include 2007-2010 135i, 535i, X6 and Z4 cars, while another 20,000 2008 X5s are also being recalled, despite not using the turbo motor.

BMW owners approach ABC after they complained of “losing power” while driving, which was apparently the result of a fuel pump malfunction that caused the vehicle to enter into the “limp home” mode that owners of high performance engines may be too familiar with. In limp home mode, the engine reverts to a “safe” configuration that reduces power and load on the engine while ensuring that the driver can safely get the vehicle to a secure location.

ABC is said to be continuing their investigation, and we’ll avoid passing judgement untill all the facts are out.

[Source: ABC]

Mazda‘s CEO is hoping to double American sales to 400,000 units within the next 5 years, thanks to new fuel-saving technology known as SkyActiv, as well as a push upmarket.

The new SkyActiv gasoline and diesel engines, as well as weight saving technology, will help Mazda position their cars at a more premium price point. Mazda’s ambitious target of doing this by 2015 will seem impossible to a number of observers, but Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi is betting on a newly resurgant market to carry them to their target.

“The reason is that by 2015, when the industry returns to around 17 million, if you look at the segmentation of the recovery, small passenger cars and crossovers will be driving the rebound,” Yamanouchi said.

[Source: Automotive News]