The MG SV-R is a car most people in North America (or anywhere else for that matter) haven’t even heard of. But it did exist for a short time, and we’re glad it did. So how did it come about?

The project started when MG Rover, wanted a halo car for their brand, to raise the company’s profile and keep it in business. So what MG did was look for a suitable car to form the basis for their new sports car (this would save them tons in development money), and mold it into something unique.

What they got was the underpinnings of the Qvale Mangusta, a car that started out in life as the De Tomaso Bigua. With the underpinnings secured, MG went all out and hired automotive designer Peter Stevens.

Steven’s is most well known for penning the iconic McLaren F1 supercar, and he soon got to work to clothe the chassis he was given. The end result might not be to everyone’s taste, but it is most certainly interesting.

To power their new sports car, MG made a deal with Ford to get both the 4.6-liter V8 from the Mustang, and a 5.0-liter V8 crate motor. They also got some supercharged 4.6-liter V8s from Ford SVT division. The motors were then sent to Sean Hyland Motorsports in Woodstock, Ontario in Canada to tune them to MG’s specifications. As a result, the base 4.6-liter engine was good for 320 hp, while the 5.0-liter and the supercharged 4.6-liter V8s were good for 385 hp. At launch time, there was talk of much more power to come, but nothing came of it.

Power was fed to the rear wheels via a Tremec 5-speed manual gearbox, and when launched properly would sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, and onto a top speed of 175 mph. So while not the quickest or fastest sports car ever made, it’s certainly respectable.

Despite having a high profile client like Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean, Johnny English), who ordered a dark green example, MG struggled to sell their latest sports car in big numbers. All in all, just 82 examples are believed to have been produced between 2003 and 2005, of which 42 were the more powerful SV-R versions.

The car pictured above is believed to be the very last complete SV-R ever produced by MG. This car was once the star of the 2005 Italian Motor Show. Sadly the MG Rover group soon went into administration and this car stay locked up for three years, before the cars current owner bought it and registered it in 2008. Since then it has covered just 800 miles. In a way, this silver on black example is almost like new and comes with such original goodies as an MG Racing car cover, an SV-R collector’s DVD, hardback book, an MG jacket, T-shirt and key ring. All these items are also described as brand new.

If you are intrigued by this left-hand drive example (which makes it rarer than rare), you can bid on it at the Silverstone Auctions on November 4, 2011. This car is part of the Walter Hayes sale, which includes many other tasty collector cars.

This MG SV-R is expected to fetch around $55,000, a bargain for what could very possibly be a desirable future classic.

GALLERY: MG SV-R

[Source: Silverstone Auctions]

Volvo and the Twilight Saga are inviting fans to join “Journey to the Wedding,” an online promotion created in conjunction to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, in theaters November 18th. Participants of the “Journey to the Wedding” online game could win a trip to visit the locale of Edward and Bella’s honeymoon, Rio de Janeiro, as well as a night in the same luxurious house the movie’s hero and heroine enjoyed. More importantly, participants also get a chance to take home the Volvo S60 R-Design driven by Edward in the movie.

Edward’s Saville Grey metallic 325-hp Volvo S60 T6 R-Design is fitted with all wheel drive, an automatic transmission, active dual Xenon headlights, climate package, multimedia package, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), keyless drive, the same supple off-black leather interior that coddled Edward and Bella, stunning 18-inch diamond-cut Xion alloy wheels, and a sport chassis accented with a rear spoiler.

The question is, do you want this sweet Volvo badly enough to admit to the world that you’re Team Edward?

Visit http://www.journeytothewedding.com/ to play the interactive game. Volvo will announce the winner on November 28. Its online gallery will also feature photos and information on Edward’s Volvos, including the Volvo C30, Volvo XC60, and Volvo S60. Fans can also learn more at on Volvo’s Facebook page and Twitter account.

GALLERY: Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design

Chrysler has announced that it will expand its Ram trim levels for 2012, offering two new ones on the 2500 3/4 ton Power Wagon, plus a limited run “Mossy Oak” Edition as part of the 1500 1/2 ton lineup aimed at the hunting and fishing set.

Getting back to the Power Wagon, the two trim levels include a base ST, essentially a no frills version of the heavy-duty off road rig, that features a black painted grille and bumpers, single tone paint and available roof mounted clearance lights – a truck largely aimed primarily at the likes of mining contractors, forestry services and border security agencies (essentially fleet buyers who need some serious four-wheeling capability). Plus, Ram will also offer a luxo-lined Laramie trim (shown) that slots in above the existing Power Wagon (which will be called SLT).

Like other Laramie trimmed Ram trucks, the Power Wagon version sports all the creature comforts one could ask for, including a woodgrain dash, leather seats, dual zone air conditioning, premium sound system and on the outside, plenty of chrome gingerbread, including the grille, bumpers, exterior mirrors and door handles. The base Power Wagon ST has a MSRP of $42,620, the mid-range SLT, $46,560, while the new Laramie retails for $51,995.

Moving on to the Mossy Oak, this truck is designed to capitalize on the success of the Outdoorsman and indeed is based on this truck, adding special “Mossy Oak Breakup Infinity” camouflage on the pickup bed trim and tailgate, plus the dash and door panel inserts.

There’s also Mossy Oak logos on the head rests and on the rear quarter panels. Retailing for $39,910, the Mossy Oak Edition will be offered in a variety of exterior colors (including Black, Bright White, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl (all of these in either mono or two tone), plus Mineral Gray Metallic, Saddle Brown and Sagebrush monotone. However, it will only be offered as a crew cab rig with four-wheel drive.

According to Ram Division, the Mossy Oak Edition answers a need for a “premium” outdoor truck, since demographics supposedly indicate that 30 percent of all Ram 1500 buyers like to hunt, while 42 percent like to camp and 44 percent like to fish.

Obviously, with stats like that, the former sun belt urban cowboy buyers, who once snapped up two-tone Laramie 1500s by the bucket load, must have largely evaporated.

GALLERY: 2012 Ram Power Wagon Laramie

Continuing on its success in building multiple Black Bison packages for various Mercedes-Benz models, Wald has decided to show off its newest tuning package for the SL Class. As we’ve come to know and expect from Wald’s Black Bison line, the SL Class receives an aggressive body kit that can be ordered in either glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) or carbon.

The styling package revamps the exterior of the SL, giving it a much more aggressive design, replacing the front bumper, front fenders, side skirts, rear arch extensions and a rear trunk lip spoiler. The front bumper features large intakes, daytime running lights and side vents while the rear bumper features vents and an aggressive diffuser.

As usual, Wald has a huge collection of wheels available for various makes and models, with them choosing a 20×9-inch and 20×11-inch Renovatio R12 two-piece wheel setup for this particular SL.

No pricing was announced from Wald.

GALLERY: Wald Black Bison SL Class

Former Formula 1 double world champion Mika Häkkinen will return to motor racing, piloting a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 at the 6-hours of Zhuhai on November 13. Representing Customer AMG Sports Team China, Hakkinen will share racing duties with co-drivers, CongFu Cheng and Lance David Arnold.

This is the first time Mika Hakkinen has raced competitively in the last four years, his last one being 2007 DTM season finale at Hockenheim. His return to racing is his way of giving a vote of support, as his superstar appeal and his role as Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador will give the SLS AMG GT3 a huge boost of publicity in its first appearance in China.

Says Mika, “It’s a great honor for me to be able to contest the first SLS AMG GT4 race in China. Although I’ve visited China many times, I’ve never raced there, which is why I’m really looking forward to Zhuhai. It will be a tough race in a competitive field, but I’ll do my best for Customer Sports team AMG. Of course, being a guest driver in such a line-up should be a lot of fun, especially in the SLS AMG GT3. It’s a great customer motorsport vehicle which is both fast and extremely good-looking.”

GALLERY: Mika Hakkinen Mercedes SLS GT3

The moment has come. Formula One, the pinnacle of international automotive racing, is coming for Greater New York in 2013!

According to well placed sources involved in the matter, the Formula 1 franchise will make an official announcement of the “Formula One Grand Prix of America” some time next week. Slatted for June 2013, the Weehawken-West New York road course of New Jersey will feature a stunning Manhattan skyline backdrop.

A Tuesday press conference at Port Imperial, Weehawken is expected. This project was first proposed in August, when the mayors of Weehawken and West New York issued a joint statement that revealed discussions with a group of investors led by Leo Hindery by Leo Hindery, Jr., a former chief executive of the YES Network, to bring a race to New Jersey were in motion.

The current Formula One calendar features nineteen incredible destinations including Monaco, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Yas Marina, Montreal, Melbourne, and Catalunya. The last grand prix held in the United States was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007.

By 2010, already a three year hiatus, Formula 1 already announced plans for a return to the United States. As we speak, a state-of-the-art $250 million racetrack in Austin, Texas enters the final phases of construction, readying for its debut at the November 2012 Formula One Grand Prix of America. With the addition of the New Jersey circuit, racing fans in the United States finally gets to experience the excitement they deserve.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Your car is making a strange noise, but you don’t want to take it into the garage for a costly examination. The alternative: give your car a check up yourself with the CarMD.

To run a diagnostic on your car, this handy handheld devise plugs into the 16-pin Data Link Connector (DLC) found on the driver’s side of your car. Just plug it in and it goes to work, seeing if it can detect a problem. It uses the same technology as scan tools found at a repair shop and the CarMD can read powertrain (Check Engine, vehicle sensors), body (ABS, brake system), and chassis (SRS, safety system) codes.

With your CarMD, you’ll also get lifetime software and firmware updates with free access to CarMD’s database. After you run your test, just plug it into a computer and you’ll receive personalized Vehicle Health Reports. It also lets you know about safety issues or recalls, and will even do some price comparisons for parts and labor in your zip code.

You can buy the CarMD Gift Pack for about $119.85 at the CarMD website.

According to Saab CEO, Victor Muller, a takeover offer of the Swedish brand by China’s Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. has been turned down.

Although initial talks were intended to aid Saab in raising capital, Muller explains during a Reuters interview, “The token offer was unacceptable because it would trigger every conceivable change of control clause and that would possibly mean the end of Saab.”

Although the undisclosed offer was unsuccessful, the two Chinese automakers are still interested in Saab, committed to their 53.9 percent stake in the Swedish brand.

Addressing Saab’s plans if the Chinese companies walk away from the deal, Muller answers, “There is always a plan B.” However, keeping his cards close to his chest, Muller will reveal the details of the plan, “only if we resort to it.”

Moreover, an investment firm has also pledged an injection of capital, prompting the directing administrator in charge of Saab’s reorganization to request on Thursday for the Swedish court to pull the plug on Saab’s bankruptcy protection. Saab, having extended plants halts since March due to lack of money, avoided bankruptcy last month when the Swedish court granted Saab voluntary reorganization.

[Source: Automotive News]

If you’re a fan of the Mini Cooper, you’ll want to pick yourself up one of the Mini Cooper flash drives. Available in 11 historic versions of the iconic car, this flash drive will impress with its accurate attention to detail.

Made by Zero Basic, these flash drives will go wherever you go and make a geeky (yet cool) fashion statement.  Each Mini Cooper flash drive comes with 4GB of storage and boasts details that are truly impressive. Just a few include tire treads, working headlights (the headlights light up when the drive has power and they flash to signal drive access), front and rear license plates, door handles, windshield wipers and front grills, all of which are crafted meticulously. To plug it in, the USB plug flips out from inside the trunk with a switch found on the undercarriage.

You can buy the 4GB Mini Cooper flash drives GizmoAgent for $35.90.

It has been well over a decade when Mercedes-Benz first opened its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. What might have started out as just a production facility for the ML model has grown to accommodate production of the R-class, GLK-class and in 2014 will also produce the C-class for North American consumption.

But the news gets even better as Mercedes-Benz is now planning to add another model to its portfolio and it will also be built in the States. The vehicle is rumored to be the MLC, which will be Merc’s answer to the BMW X6.

Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said: “This new model from the Tuscaloosa plant is an important element of our growth strategy. It is one of the ten additional models which we will introduce within the next four years alone across all segments.”

This project will see this German brand investing $350-million and create an additional 400 new jobs, which is great news for the economy.