The automotive enlightened ones know that when you really need to turn heads, going for a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati might work but it’s nothing compared to pulling up in something nobody has ever seen before.

For your consideration, the Falcon F7. It’s the second supercar to come from the company that built their name making special body panels for Dodge Vipers. Last year Falcon Motor Sports debuted the Mach7 at the Detroit Auto Show, jump forward 365 days and we have the F7, an evolution of its predecessor.

The F7 is powered by a 7.0-liter V8 sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette. That mill churns out 620 hp and 585 lb-fit of torque, put to the wheels via a six speed transaxle. What’s more impressive about this car than the horsepower rating, is the fact that it only weighs 2,785 pounds, making it lighter just under 80 pounds lighter than the tiny Honda S2000 thanks to a carbon fiber body.

Falcon estimates the car will jump from 0-60 in 3.3-3.6 seconds with a top speed of about 200 miles per hour. For brakes it gets six piston calipers in the front and four piston calipers in the back that help it squeal to a stop from 60 miles per hour in less than 100 feet.

The F7 won’t be winning any awards for luxurious interior design, but it still comes with the goodies that are standard in modern cars, like GPS iPod docking and bluetooth connectivity. These cars will be available by the end of the year, but not for cheap. They start at $225,000 and go up from there based on bells and whistles.

GALLERY: Falcon F7

We have seen pictures of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-class before, first when pictures from its brochure got leaked, followed by the official release of images and specs about a month ago.

However, its unveil at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI., is the first time it has been shown in the flesh. Like its predecessor, it has a folding metal roof, and the air scarf system, which blows hot air on your neck, perfect for driving with the top down even on cold days.

What is new about this new SL is its nearly all-aluminum construction. Due to this light-weight material, this new SL is 175 lbs lighter than the out-going model. Couple its lighter weight with the new 4.7-liter, turbo-charged, V8 which produces 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and you’ll end up with a very quick rear-wheel drive car. 0-60 mph in the SL550 model now takes just 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically-limited to 155 mph. You can bet, faster AMG-models are also going to be offered shortly after this model goes on sale.

If you like gadgets more than performance, not to worry, the new SL has plenty of toys to keep you happy. There is the MAGIC SKY Control, which makes the panoramic glass in your retracting hard-top go from clear to dark. So it is truly a convertible for all seasons and all types of weather.

There is also the MAGIC VISION Control, which is an advanced wiper system, which features wash nozzles that send washer fluid directly onto the wiper blade, and also would heat the water on colder days, so give a nicer, cleaner wipe from the start.

The audiophiles will no doubt love the new Frontbass system. This audio system utilizes the space in the footwell, which now features extra speakers. With sound coming from all corners, the idea is to give a full orchestral experience to the cars occupants.

The 2013 SL550 will go on sale in spring.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes SL550

See AutoGuide’s First Look Video of the new SL below:

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Very few car companies can lay claim to have a twin-turbo charged, 500-hp, V8 as their entry level vehicle, but Bentley can.

At the 2012 North American International Auto Show, the Bentley Continental GT V8 made its World premiere. While the original W12 version continues in production, this new V8 will be offered at a lower price point to combat the very best super-coupes from its German rivals.

The GT V8 looks very similar to any other Continental GT, both inside and out, so essentially this is a powertrain story. The power comes courtesy of a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo, V8. Maximum output is 500-hp and 487-lb/ft of torque. Like all previous Continental GT’s, the new V8 model also features all-wheel drive. The only transmission on offer is a close-ratio, 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

The performance numbers as you’d expect are pretty impressive. 0-60 mph sprint takes just 4.6 seconds, while top speed is a remarkable 188 mph.

Perhaps even more impressive is its fuel economy. On a highway cruise, this GT V8 can achieve 33-mpg. It can manage that because of its cylinder-deactivation system. So when you’re simply cruising, it will shut down four of its cylinders. So this Bentley can actually run for 500-miles on a single tank of petrol. Could this be a sensible Bentley!

2011 was a great year for this British manufacturer, recording their second-highest year of sales in its history, with 7003 cars delivered globally, of which 1876 units found homes in America.

With this new entry-level GT V8 (No prices given, but expect those to be over $150,000), and also the GTC V8 convertible going on sale this year, Bentley sales might surpass all their previous records.

GALLERY: 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

If you have been a fan of the turbo-charged motor in the current Acura RDX, you may not like what you’re about to read.

At the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit MI., Acura unveiled the 2013 RDX, which is to ditch its unique turbo-charged motor for a more conventional 3.5-liter V6 motor.

This new engine does pack a bigger punch. It develops 273-hp, that is 33-hp more than the current model. Acura said its customers were not very happy with the fuel-economy of the turbo-charged motor, so it has gone with a more conventional V6. Helping it achieve better fuel-economy will also be its new 6-speed automatic gearbox (current version has five-speeds). Acura has already carried out EPA testing for this vehicle, and the result is 20-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway.

The new model will be available as either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel model.

The new RDX will also be longer than the out-going model, which didn’t offer much rear-seat legroom or much trunk space.

So in many areas, the new RDX seems to be a better vehicle than the one it replaces. Will it still be as much fun to drive? We will let you as soon as we get to drive one.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura RDX

Scion Racing has made its 2013 FR-S Drift Car official at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Less than a week ago, we spotted photos of the same car testing, and our assumptions proved correct: This is the Formula Drift race car for Ken Gushi and the 2012 drift season.

Built in collaboration with GReddy, the FR-S drift car will feature 600-hp and over 500 lb-ft of torque and is presumed to be turbocharged. That’s all the details Scion fed us with on the new drift car, but we’re sure we’ll be hearing more as the Formula Drift season opener on April 6-7th, approaches. But judging by its decals, it appears that the FR-S will operate with KW suspension and Gushi will be drifting on Hankook tires for the 2012 season. GReddy’s brake calipers peek behind the Rays wheels and there’s no doubt Cosworth had their hands in building the powerplant.

We can’t wait to see this thing go sideways.

GALLERY: Scion Racing FR-S Drift Car Official Photos

GALLERY: Scion Racing FR-S Drift Car Detroit Auto Show Debut

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here

Discuss this story at FR-Sforum.com

Audi has unveiled a themed vehicle in the form of their Q3 compact SUV at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. The Audi Q3 Vail is named after the famous winter sports venue in the US with winter sports and functionality as its theme.

The themed design targets young enthusiasts of winter sports who love skiing or snowboarding and represents a new, potential variation on the SUV concept. The Q3 Vail sports an Energy Red exterior that features gold pearl while the add-on body parts are finished in a matte gray quartz-based paint. Aluminum and glossy black details also enhance the exterior styling.

Features that caught our eye on the Q3 Vail include the flared wheel arches and running boards which Audi announced that they plan to incorporate into the extensive range of Q3 accessories. Up top, the aluminum roof rails were designed specifically for transporting skis and snowboards, with their display vehicle rocking carbon fiber sports equipment.

Wheels for the Q3 Vail come in the form of 20×8.5-inch in a high-gloss finish mated to 255/45/20 off-road tires. The interior continues the same color scheme as the exterior with a titanium gray Alcantara headliner while the majority of the interior is black with red accents. Aluminum is used to highlight the instrument cluster while other trim pieces have been finished in high-gloss black.

And for the winter sports fans, the side wall of the trunk houses a charging station and can also be used to store flashlights while charging them inductively at the same time. There is also a Thermos bottle in the cup holder between the front seats that’s able to chill or warm drinks. Both sport LED lights to show the current charge level, while the flashlights can also play double-duty to warm your hands of ski boots thanks to an infrared heating element.

Powering the Q3 Vail is a 2.5L turbocharged, five-cylinder TFSI powerplant with 314-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Q3 Vail is a great concept in showing off what the new Audi model can potentially do for the everyday consumer.

GALLERY: Audi Q3 Vail Official Photos

GALLERY: Audi A3 Vail Debut

Hollywood comedian John Lovitz was on hand in Detroit to help launch the Smart For-Us pick-up concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show today.

Smart might have struggled with sales here in the USA with their fortwo model, but globally this eco-minded brand sold over 100,000 units in 2011.

To capture the American market, Smart is hoping that their new For-Us concept, which is billed as an urban-truck will resonate better in our market. This pick-up however is not designed to carry construction workers and their gear to work. No, the For-Us is aimed towards young couples with an active life-style. So if you are looking for a vehicle to carry your mountain-bikes up to your favorite trail, this would do, just as long as that trail is not too far away.

The For-Us is an electric vehicle and uses the same 55kW motor and 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack first seen on the all-electric Smart fortwo. Range is thus pegged at 86-miles on a full-charge. Performance numbers are a similar story, its brisk, but not fast. acceleration from 0-37 mph takes about 5-seconds.

Will this vehicle just be a concept? Very likely, but it shows that Smart is trying to expand its customer base and market share.

GALLERY: Smart forus Concept

Acura‘s new ILX sedan, based on the Honda Civic sedan, officially features Acura’s first hybrid system and has made its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The 2013 Acura ILX will become the automaker’s new anchor in a strategy to capture entry-level luxury buyers.

Acura’s target market with the ILX are intelligent, young professionals. The 2013 ILX Concept that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show today featured 19-inch wheels and was announced to have three different powertrains, including Acura’s first hybrid. Even though Acura isn’t positioning the ILX as a technology vehicle, there is still plenty of features for technophiles to love including Pandora Internet Radio, rear-view camera and text-to-speech messaging.

The three powerplants that will be offered for the ILX include a 2.0L four-cylinder with a five-speed automatic transmission, a 2.4L with a six-speed automatic and the 1.5L four-cylinder, 93-hp hybrid powertrain from the Honda Civic hybrid. Acura did specify that its hybrid system will be tuned for more performance and as a result, will have less fuel economy than Civic’s 44-mpg.

The production version of the ILX will debut this Spring and as a result, no pricing was announced. Acura did however state that they anticipate pricing to be “well below $30,000.”

GALLERY: Acura ILX Sedan Concept Official Photos

GALLERY: Acura ILX Sedan Detroit Auto Show Reveal

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage here

And watch a first look video of the Acura ILX below:

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First announced back in late November of 2011, Porsche has officially debuted its 911 Carrera Cabriolet and Carrera S Cabriolet at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The new 911 Cabriolet features a soft-top, retractable roof  with a glass rear window that has been glued directly to the outer fabric skin. The 911 Carrera Cabriolet will start at $97,300 while the Carrera S will be priced from $108,000.

The powerplants in both models will be identical to the 911 Coupe, with the Carrera Cabriolet sporting a 3.4L with 350-hp while the Carrera S Cabriolet will be powered by a 3.8L with 400-hp. Both models will feature Porsche’s newly developed seven-speed manual as the standard transmission, but an optional seven-speed PDK double-clutch transmission is also available.

America is Porsche’s largest market for the 911 Cabriolet model, so its official debut at the Detroit Auto Show made sense for the German automaker.

The new-generation 911 Coupe will be available in the US starting next month and Porsche announced that the Cabriolet variant will be following a few months later.

GALLERY: 2012 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

See AutoGuide’s Complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here

Ahead of its official debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Lexus has released photos and a press release on their refreshed 2013 LX570 SUV. The facelifted LX570 is surprisingly aggressive and sporty, and it’s clear that Lexus is trying to make a consistent statement with their front fascia designs across all their models – starting with the 2013 GS.

The new front and rear bumpers go with the new Lexus spindle grille, 20-inch wheels and upgraded interior. Lighting has also been changed with new LED daytime running lights to go with the new headlight design and larger foglight bezels. In the rear, the taillights have also been tweaked while the license plate surround gets a new look and a tow hitch cover is more integrated.

Powering the LX 570 is a 5.7L V8 engine with 383-hp and 403 lb-ft of torque. An electronically-controlled six-speed automatic transmission is mated to the powerplant while the transfer case provides full-time, four-wheel drive.

Inside, one can expect all the luxury amenities typically found in all of Lexus’s models in a spacious, eight-passenger cabin.

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus LX 570

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 North American International Auto Show Coverage Here