Given current and future proposals for Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards it probably isn’t surprising that General Motors is focusing on gas mileage when it comes to new product offerings.

Having launched a spate of new passenger cars recently, including the Cruze and Sonic, GM is now turning its attention to trucks, with new full-size pickups due in 2013 for the ‘14 model year, followed shortly by big SUVs and a small crossover for GMC, known as the Granite.

In an effort boost fuel economy, in order to come into line with the 35.5 mpg CAFE regulations, its likely the new generation of big trucks will feature GM’s new eight-speed automatic transmissions as well as turbocharged engines and eAssist light hybrid technology.

Besides the trucks, other new vehicles in the pipeline include a baby Cadillac, the new ATS, along with a XTS sedan, as well as new vehicles for Chevrolet, such as the Korean built Spark mini car and the updated 2013 Malibu mid-size sedan.

[Source: Automotive News]

The wrap company out of Czech Republic, Tintek, has been producing chrome vehicles for the Internet to enjoy for quite some time now. New to their collection is a Chevrolet Corvette, and if that wasn’t enough, this Corvette sports a set of vertical doors.

A quick peek at their website reveals that Tintek doesn’t look to be slowing down on the chrome wrap movement either. They’re showing off a new violet chrome variant and even recently did a Bentley GTC in gold chrome. Oh what the hell, who cares about being subtle anyways.

GALLERY: Tintek Chrome Chevrolet Corvette

[Source: GT Spirit]

Toyota‘s miniature city car, known to us as the Scion iQ, is clearly a budget-friendly subcompact but who is to say that you can’t have a little fun and comfort while driving it? After Vilner transformed the Smart ForTwo they set their eyes on the next city car project this time keeping the modifications strictly in the interior. Looking to add luxury with the iQ’s eco-friendliness, Vilner fills the interior with brown Napa leather and Alcantara throughout.

Vilner claims their iQ’s interior brings it “close to the interiors of highest class luxurious cars,” but we’ll leave that up to your judgment. The seats are completely reupholstered in brown Nappa leather, including the letters “iQ” on the headrests and an interesting rectangular-pattern throughout the rest of the seat. The entire ceiling and pillars get redone with brown Alcantara while designer and laser-engraved elements are placed on some elements throughout the interior.

GALLERY: Vilner Scion iQ

Elliot Handler, the Mattel co-founder and inventor of Hot Wheels died on July 21 at age 95 of undisclosed causes. Handler also invented the Barbie doll with wife Ruth Handler and created Hot Wheels after searching for a product that would appeal to boys. Hot wheels debuted in 1968 with a line of candy-coloured hot rods, with special fast spinning wheels. Mattel says that 41 million kids have played with Hot Wheels cars for more than four decades.

Handler was born in April 9, 1916, the second of four sons in his family, and grew up in Denver, Colorado. He met his future wife, Ruth Mosko, at a charity dance in 1932, and the couple married about five years later. Before Handler founded Mattel, he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army. Ruth Handler passed away in 2002, and,  survivors include Handler’s daughter,  his brother, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In the last few years, Mr. Handler lived a quiet life, renting out a studio space where he would often go to paint, his daughter said.

[Source: Washington Post]

We’re all pretty big fans of Gulf-themed livery on cars, but it has to be the right car and it has to be done right. Unfortunately this Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM completely missed the mark on trying to pay respects to the classic two-tone color scheme. We’re not really sure what went awry with it all, but the whole baby blue and orange just looks like a complete mess on what is otherwise a very awesome car.

The special edition CLK, which features a widebody design that is similar to its DTM counterpart featuring a 5.4L V8 powerplant with 582-hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately though, all the performance in the world can’t save this CLK AMG DTM from looking like an atrocity with this poorly executed Gulf-themed livery.

Check out a video of the Gulf-themed CLK AMG DTM after the break.

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A lowrider event hosted by the La Raza car community in Kent, Washington, erupted in gunfire on Saturday, as a fight broke out between unnamed individuals, ending with at least 12 people suffering from gunshot wounds. Nine people ranging from age 14-32 were taken to Harborview Medical Center with injuries to their arms, legs, feet and torso.

Police have not made any arrests yet, but said that multiple suspects are currently being investigated. The violence was likely gang-related, with the shootings possibly stemming from an argument over a lowrider’s paint job. Police were unsure how many shooters were present.

Overall, there were around 250 people in attendance and over 50 cars on display at the show when the shooting occured. None of the wounded have life-threatening injuries.

Check out the video after the jump!

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It is a sad day for Bimmer fans everywhere, as the first ever recorded accident of the powerful 1-Series M Coupe occurred in South Korea.

The 1M crash took place in South Korea and the owner, who was the first customer to receive the 1-Series M in South Korea, posted the pictures on the BMW 1Addicts forum. He explained that it wasn’t his fault, because another car ran through a red light.

Usually for a car accident to end up on the auto news section, the vehicle in question tends to be a pricey supercar. However this is a very exlusive model. BMW admits that its latest high performance two door rocket will have a very limited run of one model year. With limited production in place, the $47,010 price tag may be a bargain should this car appreciate in value in the future. BMW stated that “less than 1,000 units” will be produced in 2011.

[Source: 1 Addicts]

Kate Middleton’s 2001 Volkswagen Golf with 62,000 miles on it, sold for a whopping $74,500 as the Sunday bidding closed on the eBay auction site.

Five bidders fought over the Golf for the last 10 days, and ten minutes before the end of the auction, one person shelled out 48,100 pounds ( $78,383 USD) for the used vehicle. The book value of the 10-year-old Golf is about $5,700 and a brand new Golf sells for $24,000.

Kate Middleton bought the Golf in 2001 while attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and she owned it until 2007 Kate passed the car onto her brother James, who later sold it to 21 year old Sonny Brazil.

“I do believe this will be the best piece of royal history anyone could have,” said Sonny Brazil. Brazil originally said he would include a pair of silver cufflinks found in the car, but has since changed his mind and decided to return them to the Middleton family.

[Source: The Toronto Star]

Ferrari Red is an unmistakable, timeless shade that even the youngest car enthusiasts can recognize from a mile away. But who would have ever thought this many decades later that a matte red Ferrari would look so stunning? An enthusiast on the Teamspeed forum fell in love with Mansory’s Ferrari 599 Stallone package and took it upon himself to drop his black 599 off to Mansory to get the same treatment, but with a twist.

The twist obviously being that the Ferrari received a full matte red wrap along with the Stallone conversion. Even though Mansory styling and products aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, we love the way this finished product looks. It also sports a set of 20×9-inch wheels up front while the rear gets a nice 21×11.5-inch fitment. For performance, the owner opted to have a new exhaust with high-flow cats installed, ECU retuning and of course, new suspension to give the 599 a fitting stance with the wheels.

Lastly, the interior got some Alcantara goodies along with leather, carbon fiber and Mansory branding to show off to the world.

GALLERY: Mansory Matte Red Ferrari 599 Stallone

[Source: Teamspeed]