Clearly Mercedes-Benz‘s newest CLS is going to be the real hot kid on the block and the aftermarket is well aware of this, jumping on it quicker than we’ve seen in recent years. Wald is the latest tuner committing to the new CLS and it looks like they’ll be bringing their oddly-named Black Bison treatment, giving the CLS an even sportier look.

Like most Black Bison kits, Wald will outfit the new generation CLS with a wider body complete with a new front bumper add-on, side skirts and we’ll assume a rear diffuser. From there, it’s safe to assume that the CLS will receive a lowering module of some sort and will be outfitted with a set of Wald wheels.

Changing the sculpted lines of the new CLS quite a bit, it’s not the most attractive offering but is sure to appeal to some. Perhaps more exciting will be the tuning packages that are sure to follow for the new turbocharged V8 engines.

With the anticipation growing for Audi‘s R18 LMP1 race car to hit the track competitively, Audi is probably wishing it’ll happen sooner themselves. After losing out at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Audi may be looking forward to getting the R18 out on the track in order to replace the current R15 race cars.

Two of the R18s were first test-driven at Sebring along with an R15 as a control car and all ten Audi racing drivers were involved in the testing program. Currently they’re on their way to Europe and will be torn apart and analyzed by Audi Sport in Ingolstadt.

Their next appearance will be at the famous Le Mans racetrack and will compete for the first time in the six hour race in Spa-Francorchamps.

Official press release available after the break.

GALLERY: Audi R18

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Yep, clearly money just can’t buy taste. Apparently if you have $220,000 lying around and always wanted a Nissan GT-R that most everyone will point and laugh at, then we have the right one for you. Dubbed the Nissan GT-R VVIP, this obscenely expensive GT-R is your run-of-the-mill 2012 model featuring 24K gold-plated accessories and other modifications that are hardly worth the inflated price tag on the car.

The intake grille and side emblems are plated in 24K gold while the interior receives a full Seton leather treatment. The audio system is upgraded with custom Bose speakers while the outside also receives a new diffuser and carbon fiber rear wing from the Spec V model. And for those that think that doesn’t get you a $220,000 value, the GT-R also receives some sort of suspension modifications and it has a slightly higher top speed. How slightly? We’re guessing not the same slightly higher price tag the VVIP carries with it.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Another one makes the cut. Add the 2012 Volvo S60 to the list of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award winners. That means it earned good performance ratings for front, side, rollover, and rear crash protection. It also comes with standard electronic stability control (ESC), which is also needed to win this award.

It has been a few years since the S60 has picked up a Top Safety Pick. In previous years, the S60 sedan only earned good ratings in the Institute’s front and rear evaluations, but when it came to the side impact test, it was only rated acceptable (in previous models, they weren’t tested for roof strength in rollover crashes).

But that’s old news, and the good news is that the new model has made the grade when it came to testing side impact and roof strength tests. The IIHS found that the roof of the S60 withstood a force equal to 4.95 times the car’s weight. Right now, the current federal standard is 1.5 times weight.

[Source: Autoblog]

A MINI Cooper S fitted with an experimental hybrid all-wheel drive system was spotted testing in winter climates, a surprise move for BMW, which has given no indication it was developing such a car.

Sharp-eyed readers will not the electric motor mounted between the rear wheels, as well as the “hybrid” stickers mounted on the vehicle. A traditional gas engine provides power to the front wheels.

Considering MINI has their All4 AWD system already, it could become superfluous if the hybrid AWD setup becomes a fixture during the 2013 revamp of MINI’s lineup. With BMW developing hybrid technology in collaboration with Peugeot and Citroen, the cost of such a system would be spread across a large number of models, and thus make it an affordable option for MINI cars.

[Source: Left Lane News]

If you own an Aston Martin (and were pretty sure some of you actually do), keep reading, you might be interested in this bit of news: Aston Martin of Beverly Hills in conjunction with ESX Motorsports is holding a special track day for owners of these British exotics.

The event will be held on April 8, 2011 at the Willow Springs Raceway, and the organizer will provide helmets, driver training and food. Aston Martin of Beverly Hills will subsidize the cost of this event, so your cost will be just $495 per vehicle and a party of two.

So if you want to see what your One-77, DB9, DBS, Virage, V8 – V12 Vantage or Rapide (or any other Aston you might own) can do, this might be just the event you’ve been waiting for.

[Source: Aston Martin BH]

James Glickenhaus took his custom made P4/5 Competizione to the Nurburgring ahead of its first race there at the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

Driver Mika Salo was able to get ample seat time in the hand-built racer, but co-driver Luca Cappellari was limited to a single lap after a red flag came out for unidentified reasons.

Fortunately, there was plenty of video shot during the session, and no less than 4 clips have surfaced online, and we have them all after the jump.

[Source: P4/5 Competizione]

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Determined to make sure the launch of their new 2012 Focus is flawless, Ford is road testing the first examples of the new Focus for 30 miles, an unprecedented length for a mainstream car.

Ford will take a Focus from its Wayne assembly plant to a Dearborn test track for evaluation, and then a further inspection once back at the factory. While some industry analysts have raised questions about whether the elaborate procedures are a cover for significant problems with the Focus, Ford is claiming that the launch is crucial for the company, especially in light of the Focus’ 40-mpg capability and rising gas prices.

Ford spokesman Said Deep said that Focus models being built right now would not get the same 30 mile test drive, but will get a thorough inspection nonetheless.

[Source: Automotive News]

It’s rare to hear about a recruitment drive these days, but Volvo Car Corporation is in the process of hiring up to 1200 new people over the next 12 months.

Most of the new hiring will be in the company’s Research & Development arm, as Volvo pushes forward with advanced powertrain technology in an effort to save fuel consumption on its upcoming vehicles, such as plug-in Hybrids . Other hires will be in areas such as IT; marketing and purchasing, with a few in manufacturing.

Volvo has seen its sales grow in recent months; up by some 11.6 percent versus 2009; spurring increased vehicle production at its manufacturing plants in Ghent; Belgium and Torslanda; Sweden.

“We need to expand our operations to enable development of the highly competitive and fuel efficient products and technologies which are part of our growth plan”, declared Volvo’s President and CEO Stefan Jacoby in reference to the recruitment drive.

[Source: Volvo Car Corporation]

Back in 2006, Ferrari introduced a whole new way for the rich to be separated from some of their cash, by building a track only version of the Enzo supercar. This new car was called the FXX and while initially only 29 were to be made, by the time production ended, 38 were built.

Now one of these $2-million track day specials is up for sale, and while it currently sits in Italy at Ferrari’s Corse Clienti department, the owner of this car (chassis no. 146359) is from Toronto, Canada.

According to this cars history, the owner Lorne Leibel drove the FXX in every single Corse Clienti event held around the world and will give its new owner a heart-stopping ride in the next event at Infineon Raceway in May.

This particular example was also given the Evo upgrade package which raised the power to 860 hp. To date it has covered 5000 kms (3105-miles) and while no sale price has been given, you can bet it’ll be worth more than most peoples houses.

{Source: Ferrari’s Online]