Having just launched the new 2012 Civic, Honda will introduce its soft-roader variant near the end of this year. The 2012 (or possibly 2013) CR-V is expected to undergo a long series of upgrades with minor style changes and little expected in terms of upgrades to the engine.

The 2012 CR-V should be lighter than the current model and look for fuel economy gains that could push the car to 30-mpg. We’d also expected to see the new i-MID telematics system make its way into the cabin.

The news was given during a briefing on the new Civic by Ameircan Honda Motor Co. sales boss John Mendel, who commented that after exploring some niche markets with cars like the CR-Z and Crosstour, it has now begun to focus on updating volume models with a major refresh on 88 percent of its models expected over the next few years.

While in many respects Honda seems to be struggling as of late with stiff competition from Hyundai and even from domestic automakers, Mendel says when it comes to retail sales the brand leads in five of the seven segment it competes in. Included in that is the compact crossover segment where the CR-V is on track to be the best selling crossover for the 5th straight model year.

In addition to a new CR-V, Honda will also debut a significant refresh for the Pilot SUV before year end.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

After releasing the first dramatic video of the new Aventador on the streets of Rome yesterday, Lamborghini has now added a second mini-film that cuts right to the action. The two 700-hp V12 Aventador’s take to the Italian countryside for a game of cat and mouse, and like the last vid there’s plenty of stunning shots, powerful music and breathtaking scenery.

Watch the video above and we’ve included the video from Rome below (plus one of our own from the car’s debut in Geneva):

Continue Reading…

We don’t know if he read Forbes’ list of worst cars for 2011. All we do know is that he’s made his own list, and that he is called the Stig.

That’s right, Top Gear’s ‘the Stig’ has released his list of the worst five cars he’s ever driven, with some shocking surprises and some rather obvious ones. The Stig in question here is the second Stig or the White Stig, Ben Collins, who joined the show in 2003 after the Black Stig was killed off and who left the show last year.

The list includes a total of five cars, two American, two Italian and even one from the UK. Hit the jump for a brief summary.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Continue Reading…

MINI‘s new limited edition Rolls-Royce-inspired Goodwood model, introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show, will inspire a line of luxury models in the future according to a new report. Similar to how the John Cooper Works name has become synonymous with added performance for MINIs, the Goodwood name will be tied to future luxury models. Likely to all be limited edition cars, the Goodwood MINIs will feature high-grade interior trims and paint, often built to customer specifications. And like the Goodwood car are likely to come with a hefty price tag (the Goodwood model is rumored to cost around $50,000).

Build with input and expertise from Rolls-Royce the Goodwood car uses high-grade black leather on the instrument panel and a Cornsilk hid  on the dashboard, seats, headliner, and door panels. In addition, the dash features a Walnut Burr wood previously only used in Rolls-Royce models. Even the smallest details are carefully crafted with new black dials for the instruments that feature numbers in the same typceface as their Rolls-Royce counterparts, while piano black is used for other instrument surrounds. Outside the car gets painted in a special Rolls-Royce shade ‘Diamond Black’ with 17-inch wheels. Also of note is the lack of a hood scoop, despite this being a 181-hp turbocharged Cooper S model, to give a sleeker appearance to the car’s shape.

GALLERY: MINI Goodwood

[Source: AutoCar]

The Scion FR-S, née Toyota FT-86 II Concept, Subaroyota, etc, finally gets a chance to open up its pipes for us in this exclusive video.

The Scion evolution of the long-teased Toyota concept was shown at the New York Auto Show, but this is the first time it’s actually been turned on. Scion has said that under the hood is a Subaru-sourced 4-cylinder boxer engine, mated to a Toyota direct-injection system.

Now that we know there’s an actual drivetrain under that cherry red paint, it shows that Toyota is one step closer to actually putting it into production. And just think: maybe in about 10 years, they’ll actually get around to, you know, building the thing.

Click the jump to hear the Scion FR-S start up and rev itself. And don’t set your expectations very high.

GALLERY: Scion FR-S

Continue Reading…

There’s an urban legend that Mitsubishi originally wanted to name the Starion, the ultra-80s turbo terror, the “Stallion,” only to FUBAR the translation. Say what you will about stereotypical Japanese pronunciation—somebody at Lexus isn’t helping that cliché.

A GS450h hybrid recently ran out of juice in Holland, only to display the unintentionally hilarious message “low traction battely.” Whoopsie-daisy! It’s unknown how many GS hybrids—nay, Lexus hybrids in general—are running around with the error-message equivalent of All Your Base; maybe their owners should idle their hybrid cars to oblivion and find out. Oh no, somebody set Lexus up the bomb!

[Source: Autoblog.nl via Driving With The Dutchman]

It’s a little rough around the edges, but this Futurliner bus represents the essence of a bygone era, specifically GM’s Parade of Progress, which during the 1940s and ’50s traveled across the country demonstrating the latest in the General’s automotive technology to consumers.

GM originally built 12 of these buses, which were 33 feet long, 11 feet high and rode on double tires at all four corners. Styling mimicked period locomotives and was designed to capture the essence of speed and streamlining, which was perceived as cutting edge at the time.

Eight of the original 12 Futurliners are known to still exist today and this one is being offered for sale by Auctions America on behalf of noted GM Motorarama car collector Joe Bortz. The bus is likely to fetch between $450,000 and $650,000 when it crosses the block at the Auburn Auction Park during the May 12-14 weekend.

“These Futurliner buses represent the largest artifacts remaining from GM’s great Motorama era and hold a significant place in American automotive history,” said Bortz

[Source: Auctions America]

Continuing to expand their already impressive portfolio of tuning Mercedes-Benz vehicles, Brabus has now introduced an engine tuning program for the new V8 biturbo powerplants from Mercedes, which includes the newest S550 and CL550, S63 and CL63 AMG. Power output from the new performance kits can reach 620-hp and 737 ft-lbs of torque and comes backed with a 62,000 mile warranty.

There are several different stages to Brabus’ PowerXtra CGI performance kits with pricing varying from $7,200 to $8,700. Your choice of kit depends on which V8 biturbo powerplant you’re sporting and is essentially an ECU reflash. In addition, enthusiasts can purchase a Brabus sport exhaust system with exhaust control. With a push of a button, your Mercedes can go from “Coming Home” mode to “Sport” mode.

In addition, further performance can be had with Brabus’ limited-slip differential upgrade. Exterior modifications can also be added to your package with carbon fiber aerodynamic accessories. And of course you can choose to outfit your Mercedes with any of Brabus’ 19- to 21-inch wheels.

GALLERY: Brabus PowerXtra CGI Performance Kits

Well, you can’t afford the real thing, and chances are, you can’t afford the replica either. We’d all like to get behind the wheel of a 1960 Ferrari 250 California Spyder SWB, but let’s face it – unless a magic lamp falls out of the sky to grant us three wishes, there’s no way we could afford the real thing, and as it turns out, even a 1:8 scale replica.

The latest in Amalgam Fine Model Cars line up, the 1960 Ferrari 250 California Spyder SWB has been shrunk down to an intricately detailed 1:8 scale replica. Measuring in at about 24 inches, these models, made by a team of highly skilled model makers, took about 4,000 hours of work to design and create. Add to that another 350 to each individual model to finish and build, and you’ll realize why it costs so much.

Detailed right down to the last point, this replica also includes the engine bay, chassis, drive train, suspension and the cockpit. There are only 199 of these beauties being made, and each one comes with a signed certificate of authentication and a unique edition numbered plate on the base. You can place this on your desk for the not-so-small price of $6,555. To buy it now, visit the Ferrari Store here.

UAW President Bob King said that the union may abandon their tactic of targeting one automaker during contract negotiations and negotiate with Chrysler, Ford and General Motors at the same time.

The UAW previously targeted one automaker during negotiations and used that to set an example for the others. However, King says that the relationship between the Big 3 and the UAW is better than previous years. King would like a deal to be completed before the union’s contract expires on September 14th.

King is hoping to extract concessions from the Big 3 after workers gave up thousands of dollars worth of compensation during the automakers lean periods.  The resurgence of the Big 3 has spurred some union members to demand King take a more aggressive tone with the automakers.  King previously criticized Ford for offering CEO Alan Mulally a $26.5 million compensation package, calling it “morally wrong”.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]