Several months back we got our first look the the new Veyron Super Sport when Bugatti debuted the car by announcing it had been certified by the Guinness Book of Records as the World’s Fastest Car. Then we brought you numerous photos from the unveiling of the second production version of the supercar from The Quail motorsports gathering during the Pebble Beach festivities.

Now Bugatti has revealed a massive number of photos of both of those cars as well as a third model, with incredible detail – right down to the blue carbon fiber.

Photographed in the Andalusia region of Spain, it’s an impressive backdrop for such a incredible vehicle.

Driven by Bugatti official test diver Pierre Henri Raphanel at the Ehra-Lessian high-speed test track in Germany, the Veyron Super Sport achieved a top speed of 267.81 mpg, far exceeding the original Veyron’s 253.81 mph speed. The improved top end speed is the result of improved aerodynamics and an added 200-hp for a new total of 1,200-hp. Production models will be limited to a top speed of 257.9 mph

GALLERY: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Long before it has hit dealers, or even been driven by the automotive press, Ford‘s new 2011 Explorer is already shaping up to be a success for the Blue Oval.

Ford has revealed that it currently has 15,000 pre-orders for the new crossover, with 3,000 retail orders, 7,500 orders from dealers and 4,500 from companies. Again, 15,000 units might not sound like much, but it exceeds initial orders for the Taurus and the much-hyped Fiesta – and Ford won’t even begin marketing the new car-based Explorer until January.

Better yet, Ford looks to cash-in on the Explorer with half of all pre-orders being for the top-trim Limited model, priced at $40,000. On top of that, two-thirds are opting for 4WD, half are adding in Navigation and a full 87 percent are ordering their new 2011 Explorer with Ford’s MyFord Touch infotainment system.

The Explorer’s name is certainly helping it gain initial sales, while the fact that a new Explorer is long overdue has led to a strong demand by current owners in need of a replacement vehicle.

Ford’s launch of the new Explorer couldn’t come at a better time either, with a resurgence of interest in the large SUV/crossover segment that has seen a full 25 percent growth in the segment in the third quarter, and the utility vehicle segment now representing one-third of all vehicle sales in the U.S.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: The Detroit News]

Restomod classic Ford Mustangs are a love it or leave it deal for many, but among the thousands to emerge in the last decade this one probably ranks as one of the most interesting, and the most beautiful .

It’s a ’67 fastback that wears Shelby gingerbread, but unlike many such creations, the folks at Pro Touring Super Cars that built it resisted the urge to drape it in ‘Gone in Sixty Seconds II’ garb, instead giving the car a more signature and pure ’67 G.T.500 look, which in our minds is far better anyway.

Although the exterior details are subtle – larger 18-inch Coys wheels and BF Goodrich G-Force tires are tastefully integrated into the rest of the package, under the skin, this Mustang sports a late-model supercharged 4.6-liter Mustang Cobra engine, tuned to deliver 444 horsepower and 495 ft-lbs of torque. It also sports a beefy Tremec T-56 six-speed manual gearbox and modern coil over suspension, plus disc brakes front and rear.

Inside is a period looking cabin, with modern gauges tastefully integrated into the dash and a rather cool looking center console. Re-finished in Acapulco Blue with white Le Mans stripes, this ’67 looks arrow straight from all angles we could see and according to Charlotte, NC based RK Motors (which is now offering the car for sale) has been driven just some 475 shake down miles prior to completion.

Current asking price for this one-of-a kind stallion is approximately $99,900, not cheap by any means, but less than some of those ‘continuation’ Eleanor monstrosities turned out several years ago by now extinct Unique Performance. It likely runs much better too.

GALLERY: Pro Touring Super Cars ’67 GT500 Resto-Mod

[Source: RK Motors]

Mercedes-tuner Lorinser is hopping onto the “go green” bandwagon with an innovative new product: an aftermarket hybrid drivetrain.

This year at the Essen Motorshow, Lorinser has on display its new Easybrid on Smart‘s Fortwo. The electric motor produces around 41-hp and transforms the Fortwo into a hybrid vehicle. Lorinser promises added power and improved fuel economy with a driver-selectable drive mode so you can choose electric power, gasoline/diesel power or a combination of both. The electric battery pack is recharged by regenerative braking and Lorinser claims a 30 km (18.6 miles) of pure electric range.

A drivable prototype was on display in Essen and Lorinser is hoping to have the system working with Volkswagen’s Polo, Renault’s Twingo, and Fiat’s 500.

Lorinser is also hoping to work with utility companies to bring the cost down on the conversion, and they’re hoping to get it around the $6,700 range. We’re fairly excited about the prospects of a future hybrid Fiat 500.

GALLERY: Lorinser Easybrid Smart Fortwo

Full details available after the jump:

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We believe Bugatti’s Veyron Grand Sport needs no real introduction as the convertible counterpart to Bugatti’s Veyron coupe. It weighs more, it costs more, but hey, you can hit 220-mph with the roof off.

Now with only 150 of these bad boys being made in the world, we wouldn’t imagine that a whole lot of units would be customized. But lo and behold, O’Gara Coach Company, a dealership in Beverly Hills, played host to this beautifully done matte white Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport.

A lucky enthusiast was just passing by the dealership with his handy video-recording Canon DSLR and captured a video highlighting the vehicle to share with the rest of the world. How fortunate for us, because this Grand Sport is simply stunning. The matte white exterior is contrasts with red carbon fiber, striping and accents, giving it a truly race-inspired look. The wheels are finished in a matching flat white as well, while the interior is completely matched to the exterior’s theme. Even the engine bay receives a red and white treatment.

Video available after the break.

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We first told you about rental-car companies that were still renting out vehicles that had been issued recall notices. Now, U.S. auto-safety investigators are getting involved to ensure the repairs are being carried out before they are rented.

The investigation is a result of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) being alerted to “incidents involving allegations of personal injury and death” that were caused by defects and failure to conform to federal safety standards.

Part of the investigation includes auditing the repair history of 29 U.S. models to get an indication of how quickly and completely rental-car fleets are being repaired. Furthermore, the NHTSA is looking to verify that recall-related repairs were completed on vehicles that are leased.

Cars that fall under scrutiny include models from General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC.

The Federal Trade Commission was petitioned by the Center for Auto Safety in August to look at whether Enterprise Holdings Inc. (the largest U.S. rental-car company) rents cars to its customers before recall repairs have been completed.

Do you think anything will come of this investigation, or is it too little, too late? Let us now in the comments section below.

[Source: Automotive News]

Art really is subjective. So we won’t blame you if you scratch  your head when you hear about performance artist Chris Burden latest masterpiece dubbed  “Metropolis II”, which is a representation of road traffic in Los Angeles that uses 1,200 toy cars moving along 18 lanes.

This isn’t Burden’s first piece like this. In 2004, he built “Metropolis I”, which consisted of a 65-foot Erector Set skyscraper that stood in Rockefeller Center, 80 Hot Wheels toy cars speeding down two single-lane highways, as well as monorail trains moving on tracks of their own. This piece was bought by the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan.

“Metropolis II” took shape in 2006, when he and a team of eight studio assistants, including an engineer, began work on the more ambitious version. Included in this piece are 1,200 custom-designed cars and 18 lanes; 13 toy trains and tracks; and buildings made of wood block, tiles, Legos and Lincoln Logs. The crew is still at work on the installation.

Take a look at the video below – would you call it art or just the coolest toy car track ever made?

[Source: New York Times]
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Membership certainly does have its privileges, especially when it comes to being an Aston Martin aficionado. Now Aston Martin owners and fans can get access into the Aston Martin Club Lounge in Singapore.

A new lounge for lovers of all things Aston Martin, this chic space is located at The Prime Society in Singapore’s Dempsey Hill neighborhood. Just recently opening its doors, the club can boast the first location of its kind in the world and its decor is all things Aston Martin. You’ll be treated to pictures of the sports cars lining the walls and coffee tables made from Aston wheels. And of course, when you order a beverage, specially mixed cocktails in martini glasses referencing Aston Martin’s different models are always on tap. And why you’re relaxing, members have the added privilege of a specially designed cache locker to safe-keep their belongings.

Here’s one cool offer you can’t refuse. MINI and Paul “The Modfather” Weller have join forces to bring you a special art car, with proceeds going to charity.

Every year, MINI teams with top designers to produces a one-off car that is auctioned off for charity – but this year, the company decided to do something a little different. They tapped British musician Paul Weller to come up with a funky mod design for a MINI that will be sold during a live global online auction with all proceeds to Nordoff Robins and War Child charities. The auction is already live, and will run until December 11. The bidding is currently sitting at £12,250 (that’s just under $20,000 US).

Weller, best known for his time spent playing in The Jam and The Style Council, took his inspiration for the MINI car from a Ben Sherman shirt he designed for the clothing brand years ago. The car features bold pink and brown stripes across its entire body and is finished with a single silver line running up the bonnet and over the roof.

“I’ve always loved and driven MINIs so when I was given the opportunity to design a bespoke MINI Cooper I wanted to create something that reflected the mood and colours associated with the Mod era, which was also the classic Mini’s hey day,” said Weller. “I’d already expressed these colours in a shirt I designed for Ben Sherman a few years ago, so it made sense to me to continue the theme using a MINI Cooper as a palate.”

If you want to make a bid, go to www.paulwellerminiauction.com, or if you want to see the car up close, it’s on display in MINI’s flagship showroom on Park Lane, London for the duration of the auction.

If the idea of sleeping on the cold ground doesn’t appeal to you, then Napier has the tent for you. The company has just released their new Sportz SUV 82000 Tent and the Sportz Truck Tent.

The redesigned Sportz SUV 82000 Tent has got you covered with its full length rain fly,  an easy to set-up frame structure and the patented removable vehicle sleeve that fits hundreds of CUVs, SUVs and minivans. Offering shelter for up to five happy campers, this model measures 9 x 9 feet, and wraps around the cargo area of your vehicle – this gives you more sleeping space or more gear storage. The tent fits hundreds of different size vehicles, so all you have to so is adjust the tent’s vehicle sleeve to form a custom fit to your vehicle. It can also be used as a stand-alone tent, if you want to leave your vehicle behind.

Also getting a redesign is the Sportz Truck Tent. This tent gives you the option of letting you camp right in the back of your truck. For added convenience and flexibility, it comes equipped with new features such as an access panel to the cab and freestanding awning. Available in six models to fit almost every truck on the market, the Sportz Truck Tent is great for hunting, fishing and off-road adventures.

With room for two people, it offers increased interior area with over 5.6 feet of headroom, as well as a patented sewn-in floor. It also comes with a full rain fly, two side vents and two large windows with middle divider to allow for optional ventilation, and a rear access door that gives you access the truck’s cab for additional storage space.

The Sportz SUV 82000 retails for $299.95 and the Sportz Truck Tent comes with a price tag of $239.95. You can pick one up in December – perfect timing for the holiday season.