We’re really not sure what to think of this. Undoubtedly the end result isn’t very attractive, especially since the starting platform doesn’t even come close to the R8′s curvaceous body. But we’re a little bit intrigued at the entire idea and possibility of Audi offering a sedan variant of their supercar.

Based on what’s online, this is actually a 2001 Audi A8 that was spotted outside a Hooters in Montreal, Canada. From there the front end was clearly converted to resemble an R8 while the rest of the car is outfitted with an extremely gaudy and excessive body kit. And the exhaust setup, well that’s definitely a first for us.

We’ll hold out for a Panamera-based Audi, or even an RS7.

GALLERY: Audi R8 Sedan

[Source: CarScoop]

Hyundai is preparing to launch its all new Grandeur (sold as the Azera in North America) in its home-market of South Korea and has given us the first glimpse at the new luxury car though an innovative commercial.

While 3D is all the rage these days, Hyundai refers to its two-minute long ad as being 4D and is designed to make you feel like you’re behind the wheel. The ad will be shown in movie theaters throughout the country in the coming months.

While the exterior looks very much like a stretched Sonata (not that there’s anything wrong with that) the interior looks to be a big step up-market. Notable features include a panoramic moonroof and radar cruise control.

Hyundai hasn’t said when the 2012 Azera will go on sale here, but it’s not expected until later this year.

GALLERY: 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur

See the video after the jump:

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Hyundai has just released a short teaser video giving us the best glimpse yet and its new Veloster compact sporty car ahead of it’s debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

Positioned as a rival to the Honda CR-Z, the Veloster won’t be a hybrid, but will still beat the Honda in terms of fuel economy (on the highway anyway) thanks to a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder mated to a dual-clutch transmission. Power will be rated at 138-hp and 124 ft-lbs of torque.

Check back for more info soon, plus complete details from the live reveal at the Detroit Auto Show on January 10th.

Check out the video after the jump and get more Hyundai Veloster News and Info at Veloster.org:

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As part of the Fiat/Chrysler alliance, one significant strategy moving forward is that smaller vehicles will be Fiat based while, larger offerings will use Chrysler’s own architecture.

Now we’re starting to see the first results of this. Jeep brand CEO Mike Manley, recently announced that the next generation Jeep Compass and Patriot, scheduled to be launched some 18 months from now, will adopt one of Fiat’s front-drive platforms, though in terms of actual engineering, he said both trucklets will “remain 100 percent Jeep.”

Manley also says that both the Compass and Patriot replacements will also be ‘Trail Rated’ (the current Compass, when originally launched in 2007, was the only Jeep vehicle not designed for off-road use, however, a 2011 facelift has finally seen it adopt the trail rated designation, thanks to a higher ground clearance on Freedom Drive II equipped trucks).

The new platform will also spawn a range of Chrysler and Dodge small cars, likely the replacement for the current Caliber in North America.

[Source: CNET]

It’s a banner year for safety, as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) doled out its Top Safety Pick award for 2011 to 66 vehicles – double that of last year.

The list of recipients, which includes 40 cars, 25 SUVs, and a minivan, were picked based on their ability to protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Vehicles must have electronic stability control, a crash avoidance feature that significantly reduces crash risk to earn this honor. The IIHS ratings help consumers pick vehicles that offer a higher level of protection than federal safety standards require.

And making it onto this year’s list was quite the feat, as the IIHS toughened its criteria for Top Safety Pick. This time around, vehicles had to earn a good rating for performance in a roof strength test to assess protection in a rollover crash. At first, this new criteria cut the list of potential 2010 winners, with only 27 vehicles qualifying for the award. But the number grew to 58 as auto manufacturers reworked existing designs and introduced new models. Now another 10 vehicles join the winners’ list for 2011.

The front runners of this year’s awards go to Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi who each have 9 winners for 2011. Following with 8 awards apiece are General Motors, Ford/Lincoln, and Toyota/Lexus/Scion. Subaru is the only manufacturer with a winner in all the vehicle classes in which it competes, earning 5 awards for 2011.

Take a look at the list of winners after the jump and we’d like to offer our congrats to all the vehicles that made it to the top.

[Source: IIHS]

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Move over Germany, Brazil has taken your spot. No we are not talking about World Cup Soccer, but instead about car sales.

According to Anfavea, Brazil’s national automobile manufacturers association, a total of 3.45-million vehicles will be sold by the end of 2010, which gives Brazil the number four spot for vehicle sales, behind China, U.S.A. and Japan. Germany now places fifth.

This will certainly get the attention of more car companies to get their feet into the Brazilian market.

Anfavea president Cledorvino Belini, who is also the head of Fiat in Brazil said, “with a population of 192 million, had approximately one vehicle per seven residents, leaving plenty of room for growth.”

Currently there are about 30-million vehicles in Brazil, and as the economy improves, that number can balloon very quickly.

Brazil is currently the sixth largest car producing nation in the world, making 3.64-million units under 17 different brands. With Hyundai and Chery looking to open new factories, that number can climb higher still.

Nearly 80% of the cars produced in Brazil are exported, mostly to Argentina and other South American markets.

With their currency ‘the real’ continuing to grow and the number of luxury imports also rising, Brazil is a market worth keeping an eye on.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Enjoy the world of Aston Martin through your iPhone with the Aston Martin Explore app.

The modern, exclusive sports car now has a modern app that lets fans of the iconic brand enjoy all things Aston Martin. The free iPhone app comes with a ton of cool features and keeps you up to date with all the latest Aston Martin news. With this app, you’ll be the first to see exclusive Aston Martin videos and images featuring the One-77, DBS, DB9, Rapide, V8 and V12 Vantage. To help lull you to sleep, you can drift off listening to the evocative sounds of the iconic V12 and V8 engines, and first thing in the morning, you can explore the heritage of Aston Martin.

Other features this app comes with include:

• Feel some of the Aston Martin magic, start the app with the in-car ignition sequence.
• Rev James Bond’s car of choice, the DBS by using your phone as an accelerator.
• Take an exclusive virtual tour inside Aston Martin’s global headquarters.
• Keep up-to date with Aston Martin on all social networks and follow live Twitter feeds from key events and endurance races around the world.
• Arrange a test drive and sign up to the Aston Martin newsletter.

You can download the app for free here.

The 2011 Mustang GT is here with its 5.0-liter engine and 412-hp, so if you’ve got an older model chances are it’s feeling a bit underwhelming lately. The solution might just be Turbonetics’ turbo kit, made specifically for the 2005-2009 Ford Mustang GT

Boasting a 50-state CARB legal EO # and delivering 550-hp, Turbonetics’ turbo kit offers smooth and efficient power output without sacrificing reliability.

It’s easy to install with no wires to cut, splice or connect. It utilizes all the factory accessories and sensors and a custom ECU re-flash (Diablo Sport Tuner) is included so no tuning is required. At the heart of the kit is a T4 custom ceramic ball bearing turbo while a Spearco front mount intercooler fills up the Mustang GT’s front bumper. Additional fuel comes from eight drop-in fuel injectors.

The turbo kit is only available for manual transmission models. Pricing has not yet been announced.

GALLERY: Turbonetics Ford Mustang GT Turbo Kit

The recent death of a Massachusetts man has put the spotlight on the Ford Motor Company and its handling of the recall of its Windstar minivan. The van itself was recalled back in August due to rear axles that could snap. The vans date from 1998 to 2003 and initially Ford was reluctant to issue the recall (as was the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) as Ford insisted it wasn’t a safety issue.

The death of Sean Bowman, however, is certainly challenging that assertion and thanks to an ABC News report highlighting the family’s tragedy we now have some pretty shocking video of just what could happen when a rear axle breaks. The official government test video clearly shows just how dramatic and dangerous a snapping rear axle could be, with the side stability bars used on the car the only things preventing it from rolling over.

The death of Sean Bowman has caused Ford to reexamine the Windstar recall, and even expand it to include 37,000 move vehicles, including those in Utah – which are at risk due to extreme corrosion caused by road salt.

UPDATE: NHTSA is now investigating the Windstar for rusting subframe issues. Click here to read the story.

See the video after the jump:

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General Motors is working on a plan to more than triple sales of electric cars in the near future says company CEO Dan Akerson. According to a report by Automotive News, Akerson wants to reach this goal by the middle of the decade. Arguably, tripling sales of GM’s current EVs (ie. the Chevy Volt) wouldn’t be all that hard, but Akerson is setting as a goal triple the output of what is forecasted for 2012 – a rather significant 45,000 units.

In previous statements GM has said it will build 10,000 Volt models next year, jumping to that 45,000 number in 2012.

To achieve this goal GM is rumored to be working on several new products using the Voltec powertrain, including an MPV based on the Chevy Orlando (called the Volt MPV5) which was first shown at the Beijing Auto Show last year, as well as a version of the Cadillac SRX crossover. In addition, GM will also sell the Volt in other markets as the Opel Ampera.

Helping promote Volt sales for now is a $7,500 tax credit (along with additional credits for certain regions, like California). That, however, will dry up once GM manages to move 200,000 EVs – although that target could still be a long way off

[Source: Automotive News]