Scheduled to go on sale in September and to debut on Wednesday at the New York Auto Show, the 2013 BMW X1 is the latest car to be leaked ahead of the show.

Changes to the 2013 X1 will be relatively minor, but include new recessed fog lamps, a silver paint-accented front bumper and slightly redesigned headlights. New silver side sills and redesigned taillights, complete the exterior facelift along with new paint colors.

The interior is only a little different from its predecessor with a slightly revised lower center console and dash trim, though the rest looks essentially the same as the 2012 model.

Expect the same 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four cylinder to power the U.S. model, making 242 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Watch for more details on the 2013 BMW X1 this Wednesday during out live coverage in New York.

GALLERY: 2013 BMW X1 leaked

Racing driver Walter Rohrl, Group B monster Audi Sport quattro S1, and the treacherous Pikes Peak Hill Climb are iconic in and of themselves, but when combined, it marks a legendary moment in the history of motorsports.

25 years ago, when the 4,301 meter hill climb was pure gravel, Rohrl threw his Audi around 156 cliff-side corners, four-wheel drifting his way to the summit to set a record breaking time of 10 minutes, 47.85 seconds.

Since then, Rohrl has been dethroned by the likes of Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima and the Unlimited class Suzuki SX4 Hill Climb Special, climbing the modern Pikes Peak in 9 minutes 51.278 seconds. However, the hill climb course itself is now completely paved with tarmac and while that provides better grip for the cars to climb faster, this dampens the sheer danger and spectacle of its gravel past.

This year, Walter Rohrl and his record-setting Audi Sport quattro S1 will return to Pikes Peak for an exhibition drive. Although Rohrl will not be competing on the main event, race fans will certainly be excited to see their childhood heroes back together again.

Check out footage of Walter Rohrl’s 1987 Climb in his Audi Sport quattro S1 after the jump: Continue Reading…

The i8 plug-in hybrid is the product of BMW‘s best engineering and innovation in an effort to create the most advanced automobile to ever come from the Bavarian automaker.

Motivated by a 170-hp electric motor driving the front wheels and a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine producing 223-hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque at the rear, the performance figures don’t sound exactly supercar territory. However, thanks to a lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, BMW managed to keep its i8 down to a thin 3,197 lbs., good enough to earn respectable performance numbers like a 0-to-62 mph time of 4.9 seconds. A unique all-wheel drive system, which can change into an all-front or all-rear powered car in an instant, should provide the i8 with superior all-condition handling performance as well. What’s more, on a full charge, the BMW i8 can travel 20 miles in full electric mode.

But BMW isn’t going to stop there. In an effort to make the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car even more appealing, a convertible “Spyder” version is also in the works, with a selection of photos having been released ahead of the cars debut at the New York Auto Show next week. Could this be the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric convertible to go into production?

GALLERY: BMW i8 Spyder

Set to hit the track today for the first time in competition is an all-new RS5 race car. Competing in the Superstars Series in Europe, Audi officially unwrapped the car just hours ahead of the series kick-off.

Competing against everything from the Mercedes C63 and Porsche Panamera, to last year’s championship winning Maserati Quattroporte, the RS5 takes the is the successor to the RS4.

The action starts today at Monza in Italy.

GALLERY: Audi RS5 Superstars Series Race Car

[Photo credit: Stefano Ciabattoni]

Volkswagen revealed its new Alltrack Concept ahead of the upcoming New York Auto Show.

Positioned as a Subaru Outback competitor, the Volkswagen Alltrack concept is virtually identical to the Passat Alltrack displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, which is headed for Summer delivery in some overseas markets.

While station wagons have historically seen little success in the North American market, the Volvo XC70 and the Subaru Outbacks are exceptionally popular. Both featuring mild styling and more ground clearance than other station wagons. Now, Volkswagen is also betting that wagons with a dash of rugged aesthetics just might be the recipe for popularity.

The Alltrack Concept features a 4Motion system that offers an off-road mode that functions at speeds below 18 mph to allow variable calibrations on vehicle systems including stability control for a milder, more progressive throttle response in low traction situations. Hill descent control also automatically engages to approach downhill slopes exceeding grades of 10 percent.  Thanks to a 1.2-inch raise in ride height, approach and departure angles for the Alltrack concept are 16 degrees and 13.6 degrees, respectively, with a 12.8 break over angle in between. Under normal driving, the 4Motion sends about 90 percent  power to the front wheels but can give 100 percent to the rear when necessary.

Power will come from the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 140 hp and 236 lb-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

Volkswagen emphasized that production on the Alltrack has yet to be confirmed but a positive response at next week’s New York Auto Show is more than likely to cement the possibility of a production model.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Alltrack Concept

From the Porsche European Delivery Program to the Master Italian Lifestyle Maserati Driving Experience, European automakers go the extra mile to make customers feel special.

BMW enjoys sharing its enthusiasm for automobiles also but best of all, you don’t even have to own a Bimmer to experience its passion.

Its headquarters feature a unique principal visitors center called “BMW Welt” (German for “world”), a multi-functional customer experience and exhibition facility that has attracted 2 million visitors annually since opening in 2007. As the term “multi-functional” suggests, BMW Welt is made up of the BMW Museum as well as the BMW Munich Plant, effectively bridging the company, the brand and its products to visitors fans. In fact, the company believes that BMW Welt effectively allows people to experience the company’s past, present and future as a whole.

Inside, BMW Welt is an event center equipped with state-of the-art technology for concerts, conferences, broadcasts, more. BMW’s Junior Campus allows the younger guests to explore the automotive world creatively. It’s also a delivery area where more than 100 customers receive their cars each day.

Located beside the BMW Group Headquarters, the concept behind the museum is arranged in linear fashion as 120 exhibits through 25 exhibition areas snake across the complex, guiding visitors through more than 90 years of brand history. Among those exhibits there are historic cars, motorcycles, racing and aircraft engines and hints at future designs.

The BMW Munich Plant is the original plant of the Bavarian automaker. Building thousands of vehicles a day thanks to a workforce of approximately 9,000 people, the BMW Welt experience provides visitors with insight thanks to a “window into the world of BMW production.” Individual tours are available as well.

Car enthusiasts who are planning on taking a trip to Europe in the near future may visit the BMW Welt website to learn more.

GALLERY: BMW Welt

An all-new Mercedes-Benz SL does not come very often. Since 1954, Mercedes-Benz has only introduced five generations of its luxury grand-touring coupe. For the 6th generation 2013 SL that will hit showrooms later this year, Mercedes-Benz spared no expense, packing it full of all the most desirable luxuries available to make it a true successor of its iconic heritage.

Starting at $106,375, the new SL features advanced driving aids including ECO Start/Stop engine technology, Active Body Control, Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control, and Active Lane Keeping Assist. What’s more, conveniences such as Keyless-GO, surround sound system with forward bass, sun-reflecting leather, Adaptive Wipers, COMAND online, a fully integrated electric draught stop, and a Panoramic Vario Roof Magic Sky Control are available as well.

In order to deliver performance that matches the SL’s level of technology and luxury, the Mercedes-Benz SL550 boasts a 4.7-liter V8 turbo producing 429-hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox, this Mercedes sports car can cover a 0-to-60 mile sprint in just 4.5 seconds, a full second quicker than the outgoing SL. Even though it’s more powerful, the new SL will be efficient as well. Thanks to an all-aluminum frame construction, the new SL is up to 300 pounds lighter than its previous generation equivalent.

In order to highlight all the features the new SL has to offer, Mercedes-Benz has concisely produced a manageable and informative promo trailer that touches upon many of SL’s clever functions. However, the ending proves that nothing is more important in the SL than the powerful V8 delivering rapid acceleration.

Check out the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 promo video below.  Continue Reading…

It’s too bad that even though David Beckham could make enough money to purchase a fine collection of luxury and sports cars, he could never find the time to enjoy them.

Feeling a bit disappointed that his collection sits around in the UK collecting dust, Beckham’s loss can be someone’s gain as the 36 year old star soccer player (or is it football?) for the LA Galaxy has decided to sell his two Bentleys, a BMW 645i Convertible, a Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lamborghini Gallardo. Beckham may also sell his three Harley Davidson motorcycles.

“David’s collection is amazing and each of these vehicles is worth a fortune,” says a friend of David Beckham. “They are hardly used and are kept in prize condition — but David sees little point in them just mothballing in the UK and it’s not practical to ship them to America.”

Beckham’s pal adds, “Their value easily exceeds half a million but their real worth will be the association with Becks.”

David Beckham has sold several cars in the past including a BMW M3 that he bought in 1997 for 44,000 pounds. Beckham sold his BMW M3 in 2005 for £90,000.

GALLERY: David Beckham’s Cars

[Source: The Sun]

As we draw closer to the upcoming 2012 New York Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz continues promote its new 2013 GLK compact crossover.

Featuring multiple shots, the automaker highlights the GLK’s versatility, road manners and its ground clearance over a range of conditions. Interior shots reveal a luxurious, welcoming, and airy interior.

Competing against the likes of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz offers two engine choices for the GLK: an updated 3.5-liter V6 producing 302 hp for the GLK350 and a 190-hp turbo diesel 2.1-liter four-cylinder for the GLK250 BlueTEC. Both trims will be mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and both the GLK 250 Bluetec and GLK350 will be available in either rear-wheel-drive or 4Matic all-wheel-drive. To further improve efficiency, the GLK will use engine start-stop technology and inform the driver of its performance over time via the ECO display within the instrument cluster.

Look out for the official debut of the Mercedes-Benz GLK at the 2012 New York Auto Show and our other coverage on March 4. In the meantime, watch the promo trailer after the jump: Continue Reading…

BMW unveiled its specially decorated 3- and 5-series cars bound for the 2012 London Summer Olympics today. 

More than 40 examples of the specially dressed fleet cars have already been delivered to the Olympic Park where they will serve to ferry people during the competition. The fleet will eventually consist of a wide variety of BMW vehicles including diesels, hybrids motorcycles, electric cars and even bicycles. Those already delivered include the 520d EfficientDynamics and the 320d EfficientDynamics sedans.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) outlined emissions parameters for the Game’s event, which was a challenge BMW met with its variety of vehicles.

It was only December of last year when Google earned patents for autonomous vehicles. Now, the technology continues to rapidly move ahead as automotive supplier Continental has commenced testing a semi-autonomous vehicle of its own that is more affordable and could be among the first licensed for use on Nevada’s designated public roads by months end.

Nevada is the first state to pass laws regulating driverless vehicles. To qualify for a special state license, engineers at Continental have built and driven a heavily modified Volkswagen Passat with its brake and steering controls removed and replaced with sensors to digitally read and interpret surroundings. According to engineer Ibro Muharemovic, the Passat has logged almost 10,000 miles of autonomous driving and during a more recent trip from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Brimley, Michigan, home of Continental’s development and testing center, more than 90 percent of the journey did not involve the use of hands and feet.

Unlike Google’s ambitions to create a sophisticated fully autonomous vehicle, Continental went along to develop an interim semi-autonomous option that could take over duties during stop-and-go traffic or extended stretches of highway, the least satisfying of driving conditions. However, Continental and Google’s endpoint is identical: to create a solution that will reduce accidents, congestion, and fuel consumption. Continental director of engineering systems and technology Christian Schumacher said, “We still have a long way to go, but the technology is amazing.”

According to Ravi Pandit, CEO of India’s global IT and engineering company KPIT Cummins, “There is a strong business case for an autonomous car that can drop you off or a cab without the expense of a driver.”

Despite the optimism, mass production semiautonomous cars are still a couple years away. The technology exists but the idea raises questions of liability, regulation, and public acceptance. NHTSA will begin a study of autonomous driving in August with a one-year pilot project in Ann Arbor, testing 3,000 cars with the ability to communicate with one another to avoid an accident. What’s more, in an event of a crash, the law has yet to resolve who is reliable or whether the occupants of an autonomous car are legally exempt from bans on mobile devices.

As for passenger anxiety, Ravi Pandit is confident that, “A car can see better than a human can, and the car responds faster.”

Engineer Ibro Muharemovic commented, “I was surprised by how well it worked.” Continental’s Volkswagen Passat is fitted with a stereo camera that can monitor speed-bumps or potholes as far as 220 yards away and adjust steering, braking, and acceleration accordingly. Muharemovic adds, “The driver is always in control and can override the system any time.”

If testing is successful and Continental is qualified for Nevada registration, a special red license plate will be provided to distinguish the driverless car. In the future, production driverless cars would receive a green license plate.

Check out video footage of Continental’s autonomous Volkswagen Passat driving itself below.  Continue Reading…

Offering the mighty 6.3-liter V8 AMG engine in almost every model in its current line-up, Mercedes-Benz is a master of creating powerful machines cloaked in rather inconspicuous exteriors.

A favorite for driving enthusiasts that enjoy the idea of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, Mercedes-Benz created its first sleeper sedan in 1985 when it developed the Mercedes Benz 500 E sports sedan in cooperation with Porsche.

In fact, the ultimate iteration of the mid-size W124 was hand-built to perfection over a span of 18 days each at Porsche’s Rossle-Bau plant in Zuffenhausen, Germany. Power comes from a specially tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine taken from the 500 SL roadster, delivering 322 hp and 354 lb-ft. of torque, propelling it from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds all the way to a top speed of 177 mph.

Seriously quick even by modern standards, the 500 E was known by many as the “Hammer” for its brute power and relentless delivery. Brabus decided to take it even further, enlarging the engine to become a 6.5-liter unit delivering 444 hp. Acceleration would take only 5.2 seconds to 60 mph but top speed remained the same.

Now more than 20 years old, a mint example is hard to find. Coincidentally, Brabus just so happens to be selling a virtually brand new “6.5″ right now. With only 157 miles on the odometer, this is likely the best preserved example of  the cult classic in the world. However, few details on the vehicle have been provided and in fact, even the model year and price have been omitted. To learn more about the car for sale, visit the Brabus website and shoot them an email or give them a call.

GALLERY: Brabus 6.5

This morning, we shared new images of the updated 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK compact luxury crossover due to unveil at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

To the casual viewer, the photos were of the typical glossy PR variety. However, upon closer inspection you are able to spot an easter egg within the images– what can only be a refreshed 2013 model year Mercedes-Benz G-wagon.

Distinguishing features include a set of LED daytime running lights that run along the bottom of the headlights as well as a pair of redesigned exterior mirrors. Although it’s certainly possible that the 2013 G-Class will receive additional updates, we are unable to determine what the other styling tweaks may be from the image available.

We expect more details and information to surface as we draw closer to the upcoming 2012 New York Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Going by present product development trends, the number of luxury crossovers to choose from will continue to expand as premier automakers offer more vehicles to fit all sorts of niche markets.

Despite the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo crossover’s lack of commercial success, BMW is moving forward with Gran Turismo body styles for its 1-Series and 3-Series as well. Answering the offerings from BMW, Audi is also working on a high-roof, people carrier version based on the next-generation A4. Regarded internally as the “Superavant,” the new concept may replace the A4 Allroad (Shown Above) and slot between the A4 Avant and the Q5 CUV.

For now, Audi is supposedly in talks with the Italdesign studio, which was recently acquired by Volkswagen. Detailed information of the new A4 Superavant is unknown but we expect the concept version to be unveiled by 2014.

GALLERY: Audi A4 Allroad

[Source: Automobile Mag]

Volkswagen, the German automaker whose name translates to the “People’s Car,” is creating a low-cost sub-brand that will offer products to people in emerging markets. 

According to Volkswagen head of research and development, Ulrich Hackenberg, the automaker has garnered expertise in low-cost vehicles production and will create products that are tailored to these individual markets.

“In India we build the Vento and a local version of the Polo that only costs around €7,000 ($9,300). In China we’re planning a more affordably priced car in the size of a Seat Toledo,” he said.

However, taking a market segment between €5,000 and €7,000 would prove to be the real challenge. Careful considerations must be weighed to what sort of content should be taken out in order to make the package as affordable as possible. Ulrich Hackenberg adds, “Here you really have to closely look at what can be done away with, but those cars would not be sold under the name Volkswagen, more as their own brand.”

The low cost car will likely be a roomy sedan platform that can also be built in a van body style. Volkswagen has not confirmed whether the vehicle will be manufactured in China.

[Source: Automotive News]

Six years ago, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new GL Class crossover, a full-size vehicle designed specifically for the North American market, at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

Enjoying quite a bit of commercial success, Mercedes-Benz now prepares to unveil a refreshed second-generation 2013 GL Class for the upcoming New York Auto Show.

Details are limited but the GL Class will use the revised ML Class platform and remains a 3-row, seven passenger vehicle. As with all succeeding models, the interior is expected to be roomier and more refined while the mechanicals will deliver better fuel economy.

For the frugal and environmentally conscious, the big Benz crossover is available in the GL350 BlueTec diesel trim, which accounted for 40 percent of GL sales last year. Other available engine options include the GL550, even though a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 will replace the outgoing 5.5-liter V8. As Mercedes-Benz does not offer a V8 below the 4.7-liter, the middle-pack GL450 faces a bit of a dilemma. A special AMG GL64 is rumored to be in the works as well.

More information regarding the next generation Mercedes-Benz GL will be available as we draw closer to the New York Auto Show. The official release is expected later this year.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL spy photos

[Source: Motor Authority]

Imagine ranting online about how much you want do drive a car — and having it come true. For one lucky fan last year, and now more to come, that dream will be a reality.

Audi just announced the relaunch of its #WantAnR8 campaign, which boils down to a contest where R8 fans can tweet about their longing for the chance at having one delivered to them. While the car won’t actually be theirs, the eight winners will be able to choose between taking the car to a track or having it theirs to drive for a day.

Audi will choose two winner after each of the four contest periods, beginning March 20 and running through October 28. Those winners will be chosen by a judging panel and graded on specific criteria. Creativity and originality are worth 34 percent, quality of the conversation that grows from the tweet is worth 33 percent and use and quality of multimedia in the tweet count for, as you hopefully can guess, 33 percent.

Full details on the contest are available on the Audi site.

When Mercedes-Benz first launched the Gelandewagen (a.k.a. G-Class) in 1979, it’s purpose in life was to be mainly a military vehicle. Their goal was to take business away from the Land Rover Defender, a vehicle that was synonymous with the likes of NATO’s peace keeping forces, as well as the African safari adventurers.

However, over the years, the G-class has evolved and has become a vehicle that is more likely to be found in the urban jungle, rather than the actual jungle.

Quite a few years ago, they came up with the G55 model, which had a super-charged V8 capable of producing around 500-hp. Some thought that would be the ultimate G-class, but they underestimated the madness of AMG engineers.

Now comes news, the G65 is upon us, and it will pack a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V12, that is capable of producing 612-hp. We first reported on this last year, when it was just a rumor. Now it has turned out to be true, as information of the G65′s specs and pricing has been leaked by AutoEvolution.

According to the spec sheet, this V12 SUV will send power to all-wheels via an AMG Speedshift Plus 7-G-Tronic automatic gearbox, which should not only give it better performance, but also better fuel economy (as if the latter matters to those who buy V12 SUV’s that weigh well over two-tons).

If you’re interested, be prepared to fork out roughly $290,000 to have one. It is expected to go on sale in June.

[Source: Auto Evolution]

With the Panamera Hybrid already on sale, Porsche is planning its next step in the electrification of its lineup with a plug-in hybrid version of the performance luxury sedan set to arrive in 2014.

No powertrain details are yet available, with the current Panamera S Hybrid making 380 hp from a combination of an electric motor and a supercharged V6 engine. Porsche claims a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds with a price of $95,000.

In addition, a similar plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to be fitted to Audi’s Q7 SUV, and a version for the Cayenne is then also likely.

Volkswagen AG, which owns Audi and 49.9 percent of Porsche, is also planning plug-in hybrid versions of the European version of the VW Passat as well as the Audi A3.

Speaking with Automotive News, VW electric drive boss Rudolf Krebs commented that, “We are really convinced that the future of hybrids won’t be pure hybrids, but the plug-in hybrids.” Rather than relying primarily on an electric engine for power, like, say, the Toyota Prius, VW’s strategy will be to put the focus on the electric drive system with a gasoline engine used to deliver extra range.

[Source: AutoNews]

More details on the 2014 Audi TT coupe and roadster, which Audi is unobtrusively preparing to launch, emerged today.

The German marque’s little sports car is taking drastic steps away from its cutesy origin to become a more muscular sports car. As we previously reported, the new TT will take advantage of the brand’s MQB platform to be more cost and space efficient by sharing a platform with both the A3 and Volkswagen Golf, which we also expect will shave a little more than 132 lbs off the car’s weight.

The TT-S and TT-RS have both already been confirmed for 2014, where we can expect to see a more powerful set of engines. The information, uncovered by CAR, shows a list of engine options for the European market that runs from a 180-hp 1.8-liter TFSI four cylinder that we don’t expect in the U.S., all the way to a 2.5-liter, 380-hp TFSI that we would expect to see in the TT-RS, which would mean a 20-hp boost over the current TT-RS.

Updated styling information is also available, including a setback main air intake and more complex LED lighting. The car also gets fake lower black vents to improve the newly muscular look. Expect the tail lights to receive similar treatment with more LEDs than previous models.

[Source: CAR]

Volkswagen‘s $1.1 billion bid for Ducati has the automotive world wondering what the automaker would want with a superbike company, but answers are out of reach. 

Such situations quickly become a speculative breeding ground for ideas, ranging from a vision of world domination permeating both four- and two-wheel markets, to a more conservative view based on interviews with Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech.

Reviewing past interviews with Piech could shed a little light on the company’s interest, as Automotive News reports. In 2008, Piech spoke to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung about the merits motorcycle engines could provide.

“A 1-liter engine can produce 200 horsepower,” Piech told the paper. “Small engines are also lower from the point of view of fuel consumption. We can learn something here,” he said.

Now, that quote which might have otherwise been forgotten, is resurfacing to fuel speculation that Volkswagen may be eyeing Ducati for its small engine technology.

There’s nothing to suggest the company isn’t interested in producing motorcycles to compete with BMW in a new area, but the notion of a 195-hp, 1,198cc engine like the one found in Ducati’s 1199 Panigale could share valuable tech insight when automakers seem to be hitting every new engine with a shrink ray.

[Source: Automotive News via Popular Mechanics]

Mercedes-Benz has announced a number of improvements for its popular Sprinter commercial van.

In an effort to improve the Sprinter’s fuel efficiency without compromising its rugged dependability, Mercedes-Benz has introduced an optional seven-speed automatic transmission, capable of delivering “silky smooth gear changes” at temperatures as low as -30ºC or -22ºF. Additional fuel saving updates that help optimize performance from the 4-cylinder diesel engine include BlueEFFICIENCY engine start/stop technology, low rolling-resistance tires, an ECO steering system, and high-ratio rear axle to achieve 7.0liters/100km or approximately 33 mpg.

For safety and improved braking response, Mercedes-Benz also introduced the Electric Stability Program with Brake Disk Wipe and Electronic Brake Prefill. Brake Disk Wipe removes water from the brake discs while Electronic Brake Prefill activates the brakes the moment a driver quickly removes their foot from the accelerator.

These updates will be found in Mercedes-Benz Sprinters beginning this spring.

Car enthusiasts probably cringed during Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis” video as the duo mangled a Maybach 57, but the joke seems to be on them now.

The irreverently-altered Maybach was supposed to bring between and estimated $100,000 and $150,000 at auction. That money was meant to go, at least in part, to the Save the Children Charity.

Unfortunately, as the audacious music stars learned, people don’t really like the idea of spending that kind of money on what amounts to a disfigured and outdated Maybach. The car earned $60,000 — an less than a quarter of its original value. While that’s chump change to own an ultra-exclusive Maybach (especially because the company is gone), it’s still a lot to pay for junk.

It’s too bad one of the music moguls didn’t just “give” it to the other as a memento of the video shoot. They could have collectively donated more to the charity without breaking much of a sweat. Heck it wasn’t so long ago that Birdman gave his brother and Lil Wayne Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Mulsanne respectively.

Nonetheless, Save the Children is probably grateful for whatever money it got, regardless of wasted potential. At least it still raised more than Justin Bieber‘s Hyundai Genesis, though even that is questionable considering the Hyundai sold for more than its original MSRP.

You can watch the music video after the break.

Continue Reading…

The original BMW 7-series made its debut in 1977 and has since been the top luxury model in the Bavarian company’s fleet.

The fifth-generation model, internally known as the F01 came out in 2009 and much to everyone’s delight, was a lot more pleasing to the eye than the outgoing E65 model.

However, just because something looks good, doesn’t mean the company should just leave it alone and not bother updating it; and BMW knows that all to well. So rumor has it that BMW will be launching an updated version of the 7-series later this year as a 2013 model.

BMW is staying tight lipped about any styling and mechanical upgrades at the moment, but expect a nip and tuck on its exterior, while under the skin it will benefit from all the newest engines and gearboxes the company has to offer.

Rumors also suggest that the ActiveHybrid 7 will be tuned to be more efficient, rather than be a greener and faster version like the current model. If BMW adopts a version of the ActiveHybrid 5, that’ll mean the big Beemer will swap its V8-hybrid powertrain in favor of a six-cylinder hybrid engine to further improve its fuel economy.

Along with the hybrid version, expect the revisions to be carried out on the rest of the range, which include the 740i, 750i and 760i. The new Alpina version, called the B7 will also likely be launched next year, based on the new, improved model.

Exact information is scarce, but expect BMW to drop some more details on the new 7-series at an upcoming motor show.

[Source: Car and Driver]