If you’ve made your list and checked it twice, Ford has got a host of new gift ideas for the holiday season.

A car has long been a tool of freedom. It allows an individual to reach any destination at anytime in whatever fashion desired. It’s a rite of passage and a sign of maturity and adulthood. So it’s no surprise, automakers have long directed its focus to the youngest demographic in hopes to instill brand loyalty as soon as possible.However, a new and unexpected opposition is endangering the market– the rising relevance and popularity of the smartphone.

Looking for a great stocking stuffer for the kids? Here’s a cute toy we wouldn’t mind playing with – My First Autobahn Tape Kit & Race Car.

It seems true car enthusiasts, even when it comes to Ferrari owners often get the short end of the stick. With waiting lists of Maranello’s newest offerings often excessively lengthy, the simple fact remains that demand far outstrips supply.

This California based Porsche Experience Center will be the second one built in North America, the first Porsche Experience Center being located at Porsche’s North American HQ at Atlanta Georgia. Globally, there are three others located at UK’s legendary Silverstone Circuit, at Leipzig, Germany, and at Shanghai, China.

Ralph Lauren doesn’t just design fabulous clothes – he’s also the owner of an exclusive exotic car collection. And while this collection may be a bit out of reach of us ordinary folks, you can bring home one of the limited edition scale models.

If there’s one thing you can guarantee in Southern California, it’s the opportunity for a bit of glamor and glitz. Probably not surprising then that Lamborghini, at a very exclusive gathering in Beverly Hills, elected to unveil the latest member of it’s Gallardo family – the LP550-2 Spyder.

The Detroit Red Wings, one of the most decorated hockey teams and the winner of the most Stanley Cup Championships ever, announced that the Ram 1500 Express 4X4 Crew Cab is named the “Official Truck of the Red Wings.”

MINI does social networking right. Introducing the MINI Motoring smartphone app, available for both Android and iPhone, it allows fellow drivers to share their favorite driving roads with each other.

An example of early adoption, Toyota Motor Sales launched its brand new “Toyota USA” page on Google+ on November 7, 2011.

While Microsoft and Ford‘s previous collaboration, MyFord Touch, drew significant criticism from users as well as from Consumer Reports, their latest product promises to be a big hit. Designed for the new Ford Focus Electric, the MyFord Mobile app has earned the International CES Best of Innovation Design and Engineering Award in the software and mobile applications category.

It’s holiday shopping time – what are you going to get the greenie in your life? Wrap up High Voltage Wheels 2012, the first calendar to feature electric vehicles.

Red Bull livery. It’s not just for Honda CBRs any more. Not since Infiniti teamed up with the energy drink company’s F1 team last year and Sebastian Vettel won the World Championship for the second year running.

Although security checkpoints and the TSA permanently sealed the leisurely “jet set” lifestyle into a thing of the past, Delta Airlines is bringing a little flair back to air travel.

Grand Theft Auto, the last word in automotive mischief, is back with its fifth installment. While previous video games in the franchise often follow the rise of a lowly thug making his way up to mob boss, Five follows an older, wealthier, and retired gangster who has chosen to move to a new town and start anew as a family man.

However, if there’s ever a truth in the land of GTA, it’s that trouble will always come looking for you. Check out Rockstar Game’s trailer of Grand Theft Auto V, featuring an obligatory cops and robbers chase scene with an awesome Aston Martin-looking power-retractable hardtop sports car.

If you weren’t addicted to your Crackberry before, you will be once you get your hands on the Porsche Design P’9981 Smartphone from Blackberry.

For decades, Cobra has provided drivers with the technological edge necessary to speed without the risk of getting caught. After endless efforts from speeders and enforcers to one-up one another, Cobra finally revert to the age old adage of “strength in numbers” and “the power of the people.”

The British economy maybe in the tank, yet some people, it seems, still can’t get enough of luxury goods in the UK, including classic cars.

Continuing with a look at some of the “themed” pickup trucks on display at this year’s SEMA show, we bring you the Toyota Oakley Surf Tacoma.

According to a study conducted by the Department of Transportation, results revealed that Americans have been driving less now than they have over a year ago.

It seems that pickup trucks with “rugged outdoors” themes are becoming increasingly popular. Ram has released the Outdoorsman and more recently the Mossy Oak Edition as production specialty trucks, while General Motors is now taking a stab with this, the Chevy Silverado HD based “Realtree.”

A study published in the Journal of Psychology & Marketing has revealed that driving enthusiasts and gear heads are more likely to be aggressive drivers.

Carhenge, Nebraska’s remarkable automotive replica of England’s Stonehenge, has been a proud display of automotive greatness and whimsical art for 24 years. Jim Reinders, the man behind the fantastic creation announced that Carhenge and its land will now be up for sale, with an asking price of $300,000.

At the annual Truck Rodeo in San Antonio, the Texas Auto Writer’s Association (TAWA), declared that of the 48 vehicles evaluated among 57 members, the 2012 Ford F-150 was most deserving of the prestigious “Truck of Texas” award for 2012.

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.

Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin have teamed up to create a special edition timepiece that will have fans of the iconic auto brand racing to pick one up.

When Marty McFly met up with Doctor Emmet Brown at the Twin Pines Mall in the wee hours of Saturday, October 26 1985, he was stunned at the Doc’s latest invention, a timing traveling DeLorean DMC-12.

If you can’t afford the real thing, chances are you can’t afford the watch. Inspired by Lamborghini, a new watch designed by Adriao Valente will set you back a cool $35,100.

In the latest trend of cars influencing home decor, Racing & Emotion has launched its Art Ball and Art Egg series of chairs, inspired by classic racing vehicles such as McLaren and Porsche.

There is no need to worry if you can’t get enough Top Gear paraphernalia because there is no shortage of collector items in sight.

TomTom is launching a limited edition GO LIVE “Top Gear” edition satnav device, featuring the hit British motoring TV show’s star presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, as well as its resident driving extraordinaire, the Stig.

Not to rest on their success, Recaro is looking to new channels to spread their word on the advantages of their seats. It has now just launched a Facebook page and a YouTube channel to attract more fans to their brand.

Porsche Design Studio has partnered with Johnnie Walker Blue Label to offer a limited edition series of exclusive scotch collectors’ items.

With every development of a new app, the smartphone is turning into a necessity. The latest to be created for car owners is the Car Recalls iPhone app.

Now according to sources, the union has broken before it even started, citing money issues. If the deal had stayed intact, Aston Martin would have built the next generation models of the Maybach 57 and 62. In return, Aston Martin would have benefited from Mercedes-Benz‘s hybrid technology, the 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 and platforms for the 2012 M-class and 2013 S-class.

After his car was stolen and torched in 2008, Jed Lind had to change the way he got around. After riding a bicycle around the streets of L.A. for two years, the Toronto-born artist learned a valuable lesson about how difficult it is to navigate the street of the typical urban jungle without a car.

When it comes to collector’s items inspired by the Lamborghini Aventador, you may not be able to afford the scale model version, but you may be able pick up the limited edition pen without taking out a second mortgage.

Limousines often symbolize wealth and celebrity status. To travel in one means that you’ve either arrived or are celebrating a special occasion, which, usually calls for a little more excess than normal.

What do you do with all the crappy art your kids draw for you? You can hang it on the refrigerator so everyone grabbing a glass of milk can marvel at the next Picasso in the making. Or you can turn it into plush toy that they’ll play with for about 20 minutes before moving on to something else (probably to draw you more “works of art”) and forgetting all about it.

If you thought a real Lamborghini was expensive, just wait until you see the price tag of one that you can pick up with one hand. The world’s most expensive model car has just been unveiled for a cool $4.8 million and it’s only one-eighth the size of the life-sized Lamborghini.

Taking a love of miniatures to the extreme, the special edition of the Lamborghini Aventador costs 15 times more that the luxury car it’s based on (a full-sized version comes in at an affordable $379,000). Designed by German model maker Robert Gulpen, the model Aventador follows closely in the footsteps of the original. Not only is it spun and milled from carbon fiber, it is also laced with gold thread. Accounting for about $2.7 million of the asking price are the diamonds that adorn the seats, steering wheel and headlights.  “This is a high-tech work of art,” said Gulpen. “I wanted to do something unique, something that has not existed until now.”

The model limited edition Lamborghini Aventador took 500 hours to create, using computer data shared by Lamborghini. It will be auctioned by Southeby’s in December, but if you’ve just got to have it right now, you can buy it for set price of $6.2 million. You can watch a video of the model being shown off at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past week after the jump.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Some boys never outgrow their toys… and for those kids who refuse to grow up, there’s the Carrera Slot Car Race Set.

There are some people who are really attached to a brand. If fact, they love it so much, that it has to be displayed on everything they own… including their car’s interior. And to show their apprication for luxury fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Burberry, they’ve had their vehicle’s interior styled like it just stepped off the runway.

Ten years have gone by since Porsche Design created a watch that took its cues from the dashboard gauges of the 911. It’s about time for an update, and the luxury brand is ready to launch a new model, the Porsche Design P’6620 Dashboard watch.

Sean Connery embodied cool as James Bond, driving around in an Aston Martin DB5. You can build yourself a little piece of iconic film history– you’ll feel just like Q after you make a 1:8 replica of the classic spy car used in Goldfinger.

EON Productions and Aston Martin have partnered with GE Fabbri Ltd to offer a special series of part-work magazine and car parts that will be delivered to the subscribers over 85 weeks so you can rebuild a complete model of the car.

No detail has been overlooked – in fact, actual blue prints of the DB5 model were used to recreate every part, right down to the tiny screws. These parts will be delivered with an issue of a special edition part-work magazine by GE Fabbri spanning 85 weeks. While you’re waiting for the next issue to arrive, you can read the current magazine for detailed accounts and pictorials about the making of the movie. And to make sure you don’t miss a single issue, GE Fabbri has created new logistical networks and systems so that you’ll always be guaranteed safe and timely delivery of these limited edition magazines.

Take a look at the video of the model DB5 after the jump. It’s a pretty cool collector’s item that will keep the James Bond fanatic in your life busy for the next year or so. You can order the Aston Martin BB5 replica model online.

[Source: Born Rich]

Not too long ago, a beauty contest in the sub-$20k segment would seem like a competition for the most attractive bar of soap. But now, Kia‘s current line-up will make you look twice.

Prestigious carmaker Rolls-Royce has announced that British comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson will be in attendance at the company’s stand during the Frankfurt Motor Show press preview on Tuesday September 13th .

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the exotic automaker’s fashion line, Lamborghini has designed a limited edition Spyder Supreme Diamond Cell Phone. The uber-luxe cell phone dazzles with bling and is the epitome of high-end accessories.

French automaker Citroën has teamed up with award-winning fashion brand Gio-Goi to create some cool new kicks based on Citroën’s DS3 Racing supermini. The limited edition DSC Racing Shoes will kick your style into high gear.

Compact and cool, the MINI Lifestyle Collection is all about traveling in style. The perfect travel companions for any jet setting adventure, this collection features a range of luggage accessories that are ideal for day trips and extended vacations. And now MINI is promoting the collection using the upcoming MINI Coupe – which will debut in just a few week’s time at the Frankfurt Auto Show with 9.8 cubic feet of trunk space.

Anyone can carry around an iPhone or a Blackberry, but if you want to stand out from the mobile crowd, you’ll want to pick yourself up the new Mobiado Aston Martin Grand 350 cell phone.

Sand. It can be tricky. Besides often being found in parts of the world where daytime temperatures can be searing hot, it also presents a few other challenges when it comes to four-wheeling.

It may be a dream of yours to own one of the world’s most sought-after and beautifully designed luxury automobiles. You may not be able to afford the real thing, but for a fraction of the cost, you can gaze at them longingly with The Impossible Collection of Cars book.

Imagine having a gadget in your car that could tell you how fast to go to avoid stopping at the next light. Well, now you can. A network of dashboard smartphones can monitor traffic lights and congestion helping drivers avoid idling, cutting fuel use by 20 percent.

Lamborghini is always on the cutting edge of what’s new and exciting. So it isn’t a big surprise that the company has taken its accessories line in a new direction. Its new line of bags and luggage is made from carbon fiber – the same material used to make planes, cars and boats.

Block the sun’s rays with the new Bentley sunglasses. But keep your eyes on them at all times, because you can’t afford to misplace them.

British luxury automakers seem to be branching out into other areas as of late. Not only can you stay in a Jaguar themed suite the next time you’re visiting London, but now you can also dine-in, in a Bentley themed room.

Thrustmaster has the next best thing to being behind the wheel of a Ferrari. All you need is an Xbox 360 and a passion for racing games.

Fashion takes its inspiration from the unlikeliest of places. In fact, one clothing designer’s newest collection takes its cue from luxury cars’ interiors.

When it comes to introducing your kids to your love of all things Porsche, you might as well start them young. And now, you can push your little ones to play dates in the Porsche baby stroller.

There’s no question that it’s one of the most celebrated cars in the world and certainly one of the most imitated. However, surprising as it may seem, there’s never been a Shelby Cobra exclusive event.