About two months ago we reported a collection of luxurious and exotic machines that were involved in a bizarre accident in Japan that claimed at least eight Ferraris, three Mercedes-Benzes, a Lamborghini, a Nissan Skyline and a Toyota Prius.

The exotic car crash occurred on the Chugoku Expressway out in the Yamaguchi Prefecture and fortunately only ten people were hospitalized with just minor injuries.

Now a video of the aftermath from that accident has surfaced and it appears that Japan is now home to at least two parking lots full of fine machines just sitting and rotting. This accident is now being dubbed “the world’s most expensive car pileup” with an estimated combined cost of $4-million in damage.

Take a closer look at the Italian carnage after the break.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Many of usl dream of owning an Italian exotic like the Ferrari 458 Italia or Lamborghini Gallardo, but sometimes desperation causes us to get our hands on whatever we can, in whatever form we can. That’s where this awesome wooden Lamborghini Gallardo comes into play.

This handmade wooden Lamborghini Gallardo replica is out in Latvia, but the sellers are willing to ship it worldwide and currently has a starting bid of around $2,400. The eBay auction listing states that it was made at the factory of Arbo Ltd. and is constructed out of a wooden material called DendroLight. A quick peek around the Arbo website shows that they specialize in wooden windows and doors – not car replicas, in case anyone was wondering.

We love the description though, which calls the Gallardo a wooden car in very good condition, constructed in the year 2011. There are no doors, so the windshield is a bit lifted up to make it easier to step into the car. It has front and rear lights, turn signals and a horn. The best part? It’s a two-human powered car, a la pedal boat style. Funniest of all is the bullet point for the description? “Chicks magnet.”  No doubt.

GALLERY: Wooden Lamborghini Gallardo

[Source: eBay]

After much speculation, Lamborghini has finally officially confirmed development and production for its new super-SUV, its first truck since the original Rambo Lambo LM002.

According to a well-placed source at Audi, its Italian supercar subsidiary is hard at work on the project and are aiming to make a grand unveiling of its brand new SUV/crossover concept for the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. The Audi manager could provide little information but did respond, “I can’t comment in detail but the speculation in the press is largely correct.” Lamborghini itself has yet to make any statements.

Initial speculations on the Lambo-ute suggested a version of the V10 powerplant sourced from the Gallardo. What’s more, while alternative-energy power plants go against the Italian supercarmaker’s traditions, a possible hybrid drivetrain capable of 700-hp has also been rumored. As an upmarket competitor rivaling the high performance Porsche Cayenne, Maserati Kubang, as well as the statement making BMW X6, the new Lamborghini SUV is projected to produce less than 1,500 examples a year and is expected to command a steep retail price no less than $200,000 in North America.

During the 2008 Paris Auto Show, Lamborghini revealed a sleek four-door Estoque and although Lamborghini denies the concept will make it to production, a successful Lamborghini SUV just might make room for a sedan as the fourth model in the line-up.

[Source: Autoweek]

All the rumors surrounding the inevitable introduction to the Lamborghini SUV should come to an end at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show where a concept version of the exotic SUV is currently set to debut in late April 2012.

An Italian publication, Quattroruote, recently leaked what appears to be a photo of the Lamborghini SUV that is clearly being built to compete with the SUV offering from Bentley and Maserati.

Based on the photo in the publication (and it could just be a real good render) the Italian automaker will be incorporating the design from its Aventador on their SUV, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Aventador is by far one of the finest Lamborghini designs in a while and if executed properly, could make the SUV look proper instead of out of proportion. The SUV is expected to be powered by the same V10 in the Gallardo with 575-hp, but a possible hybrid drivetrain is being, you guessed it, rumored with 700-hp and could be seen in 2015.

It would also make sense for Lamborghini to debut the vehicle in Beijing, where the Chinese market would welcome a Lamborghini SUV with open arms. Possibly much more than Europeans would at the Geneva Motor Show.

GALLERY: Lamborghini SUV

[Source: In Auto News]

If you’ve seen the cult classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off you should know that nothing good ever comes of keeping a car still while revving the engine.

In the movie’s case, Ferris tries to take miles off the odometer of a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California by jacking the rear wheels up on blocks and running the car in reverse. Pretty dumb. No miles come off the car and it rockets backwards out a display window to its doom.

You would think that people in charge of running an auto show would have enough sense to avoid such calamity, but you would be wrong. A privately-owned Lamborghini Gallardo got sacrificed to the car god of fire at this year’s Portland International Auto Show after someone gave an idiot the keys.

According to fire regulation, no car may enter the show with more than a quarter-tank of gas. When the Gallardo tried to go in with more than that, the fire marshal refused. A reasonable person might siphon the gas or better yet just cruise it off. After all, Lambos aren’t known for their fuel economy.

Nope! Enter Ferris Bueller’s real life double, someone stupid enough to pop the car in neutral and stick a wooden block on the gas pedal to burn off excess fuel. Well, as you might imagine, the car caught fire. We’re not sure whether to laugh or cry, but at least the otherwise nondescript Portland show got some unusual publicity.

Chalk this one up to ignorance.

[Source: Motor Authority]

A long while back, Italian exotic automaker Lamborghini made a bold claim that it would have something new for every major auto show. And now reports are coming in that Lamborghini will not just have one, but two debuts at the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

One of the reveals will most certainly be the production model for the Aventador Roadster, a rumor that we had reported back in December of last year. The convertible exotic undoubtedly features a 700-hp, V12 powerplant and would be more than enough for an auto show debut. But Lamborghini clearly wants to take the center spotlight at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, so it’s believed a second vehicle will also make its way to center stage.

There’s unfortunately no confirmation as to what the second vehicle will be (where’s the fun in that?) but rumor has it that it could be a production variant of the Sesto Elemento or Lamborghini could just release yet another special edition Gallardo model.

But better yet, what if Lamborghini has an entirely new model set to debut at this year’s show? Perhaps Lamborghini has kept the Gallardo’s replacement under wraps, or maybe even a sedan or crossover will make its presence known. Whatever it may be, you can bet AutoGuide.com will be there to cover it live as it happens.

[Source: Teamspeed]

We just can’t get enough of the Nissan Juke-R project, and probably won’t until we get our grubby little hands behind its steering wheel. But until then, we’ll just have to continue living vicariously through those fortunate enough to experience the monster first hand.

While it was in Dubai to pace the 24 Hour race, Nissan took its Juke-R out to the Dubai International Marina where a makeshift course was created and the funky Japanese crossover was pitted against a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 and a Ferrari 458 Italia. You know, just some of Germany and Italy’s finest supercars.

Now it goes without saying that we’d expect the Juke-R to look mighty impressive in the video against the exotics since it was probably staged by Nissan. But there’s no denying just how remarkable its performance looks and how undoubtedly fun it was for Lucas Ordonez, the first GT Academy winner, to pilot it. And obviously by watching the video, the drivers were putting on a show more than they were looking for a fast lap time.

We just hope a better resolution video surfaces soon.

Check out the video below.

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Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Maseratis, they all have distinct exhaust notes that turn heads from Hoboken, New Jersey to Hollywood, California. They still ain’t got nothing on the rare and raspy resonation that marks an Acura NSX.

Where an ultra-expensive Italian car says status, the NSX spits true tuner taste— especially because they aren’t in production. That’s why our ears perk up whenever news surfaces about the highly anticipated next generation of the old legend.

The latest? On Monday, Acura announced at the North American International Auto Show that they plan to do the research, development and manufacturing for the new NSX at their Marysville, Ohio facility.

“Honda associates are up to the challenge of producing the new NSX for global customers with a high degree of craftsmanship,” said Hidenobu Iwata, head of Honda’s North American manufacturing operations and president of Honda of America Mfg., Inc. in a press release.  ”Honda associates in Ohio have been building high-quality Honda and Acura vehicles for nearly 30 years, so this news in many ways is a culmination of their determined efforts.”

This is big news, considering the previous NSX was made entirely in Japan and then exported.

Hiroshi Takemura, president of Honda R&D Americas agreed, saying that the company has a rich history of creating cars in the U.S. and that the decision to build the new NSX in Ohio demonstrates the maturity and ability of Acura’s American operation.

For the most part, Acura is keeping mum on tech specs, though we do know that the car will, again, feature a mid-mounted V6, lightweight chassis and Acura’s Super Handling All Wheel Drive system. We also know that the car will be available within three years time.

Nothing probably irks us more than a bunch of people driving recklessly on the highway, but seeing a fleet of Lamborghinis doing it really makes us shake our heads. From the moment the video starts rolling, we’re anticipating disaster and of course it doesn’t fail to deliver.

It appears that this high speed freeway run took place out in Taiwan, and we don’t feel sorry one bit for the owner considering how many people these drivers also put at risk. Nonetheless, the Gallardo loses control and wrecks on the freeway causing quite a bit of damage to its front end and possibly more. Hopefully no one was hurt in the making of this video.

Watch the video after the break.

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Thanks to Bentley‘s strongest sales performance since 2008, the gentlemen of Crewe are looking to expand their line-up with the introduction of a new luxury SUV by 2014.

Known for its generous application of wood and leather, Bentley does not intend to compete against the likes of Cayenne or Range Rover. Instead, Bentley aims to position its SUV above any other SUV currently on the market. Expect prices to begin at $140,000 plus.

Volkswagen, Bentley’s German owner, also plans to carry this project over to its Lamborghini operation as well. A new Lamborghini SUV would become the third model in the brand’s exotic line-up and would also mark the return of the Lamborghini SUV after the LM002 “Rambo Lambo” was built from 1986 to 1993.

In 2008, Lamborghini first unveiled the 4-door Lamborghini Estoque concept car. Although the sedan was well received by both the press and public, a strong demand for sporty soft-roaders from emerging markets like China, Russia, and India suggest that a high-performance SUV for Lamborghini may be better going forward.

An official Lamborghini address on the matter is expected by the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Reiter Engineering ushered in the New Year by showing off their 2012 GT3 race package for Lamborghini‘s Gallardo LP600+. The 2012 update consists of some major upgrades as Hans Reiter confirmed that endurance racing will be their next step in development.

Reiter Engineering’s goal for 2012 is to have a safe and reliable car for long distance races. In short, they hope to have a winning 24-hour race car. So upgrades to their 2012 GT3 package include a new 2012 Holinger gearbox that is lighter and consists of less parts that can break. On the outside, the LP600+ now has a larger splitter and double dive plates on the front bumper corners for additional downforce.

Currently still under development is the suspension, being retuned for more mechanical grip while reducing tire scrub. For braking, a new AP Racing brake kit will be used, equipped with six-piston calipers and reworked brake cooling in the front to improve braking performance on long races.

Power will remain unchanged from the 5.2L V10 with 592-hp. No pricing has been announced for the 2012 edition GT3, but last year’s rendition ran around $373,400 not including taxes.

Reiter Engineering promises that the development of their endurance parts will be ready for the 24 Hours of Dubai and Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi races.

GALLERY: Reiter Engineering 2012 Lamborghini LP600+ GT3

[Source: Jon Sibal]

The #40 of 40 Special Edition Lamborghini Diablo 6.0L VTs ever built will be going up for sale at the upcoming Scottsdale, Arizona Barrett-Jackson auction. Sporting only 12-miles on the odometer, this limited edition Diablo (the last of the final edition Diablos) is practically new.

The 6.0L VT SE Diablos featured a V12 powerplant with 550-hp, all-wheel-drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s the last SE ever built and still has the original plastic covers on the seats. Since it was first bought, it has sat in a large climate-controlled collection on the West Coast. This particular Diablo’s exterior is Marrone Eklipsis with a Cocoa/Cream interior.

No reserve is set on this rare exotic.

GALLERY: 2001 Lamborghini Diablo Coupe

[Source: Barrett-Jackson]

The Volkswagen Group, which consists of Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Porsche brands in America, are looking to become the number one seller of vehicles in the world by 2018. That’s a bold proclamation as they’re currently sitting in the number three position behind Toyota and General Motors.

As of last year, the VW Group was at 7.14-million vehicles sold while Toyota was at 8.42-million and GM was at 8.39-million. They’re currently aiming to be moving 10-million vehicles a year by 2018 and CEO Martin Winterkorn anticipates it’ll even happen before then.

Their plan will be to target the global market obviously, having already secured the European market. Their new plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee currently has the capacity to produce 150,000 vehicles a year, but VW is working on expanding it to 500,000, the majority of which will remain within the US market.

Even though VW has taken over European automotive sales with 2.9 vehicles sold in 2010, they still look to increase their market share with their new Up! model. But key to VW becoming the global leader in sales will be how they perform in other markets including Brazil, Russia, India and most importantly, China.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Although official stats are lacking for this beast, the video footage alone is enough to tell most of the tale.

This fake Lamborghini Diablo looks as impressive as the real thing from the outside, and when you see whats under the hood it begins to look like an enthusiasts wet dream. Outfitted with four turbo units attached to a BMW 5.0L V12 engine, this “Diablo” is a scary powerful machine that probably puts out more horses than anyone could ever want. But it certainly looks cool.

The video was uploaded by youtube user wcheck08 and comes from an undisclosed location which appears to be an auto show of some kind. Watch the video after the jump to see a walk around of this unique kit car.

[Source:GTSpirit]

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What some people aren’t aware of with contests and sweepstakes is that when you win a car, often you end up having to pay taxes and other fees. While this sure beats having to pay for the car itself, sometimes the taxes and fees are more than someone can handle. This was possibly the case with David Dopp, winner of this lime-green Lamborghini Murcielago.

David Dopp, a truck driver for Frito-Lay in Santaquin, Utah won a $350,000 Lamborghini Murcielago in Maverik’s “Joe Schmo to Lamborghini” contest. Shortly after receiving the vehicle, he posted on his Facebook page that he was already stopped by the cops. Ok, no surprise – the man just won a Lamborghini and drives a chips truck for a living.

But then six hours later, Dopp wrecks his Murcielago, spinning out on an icy road after going 40-50 mph in a 35-mph road. He went right back on Facebook to let all his friends know him and his passenger were safe, no one was hurt (except for the car) and that he has insurance. So that’s where it gets interesting. If the vehicle is totaled, Dopp will get a nice payday from insurance. If it isn’t totaled, well, he just screwed himself and will be stuck with a wrecked and repaired Murcielago with the same amount of taxes to pay.

Now we have to give Dopp the benefit of the doubt and believe he wouldn’t wreck a Lamborghini on purpose – and honestly if he was going to, he should have done a lot more damage. But hey maybe he wanted to play it safe and make sure no one was injured in the process, but we honestly believe he had every intention of keeping it nice and clean so that he could sell it. The accident is probably a result of getting his hands on the steering wheel of a real car.

Check out the quick clip after the break showing off the winner of the Lambo, pre-cash.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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Rumor has it that Lamborghini has the Roadster variant for its new LP700-4 Aventador ready for production. When it actually makes it to the market will depend on Lamborghini, but a respected source notes that it’ll make a debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show – something that doesn’t really come as a surprise.

As with most rumors, not many details were supplied other than the fact that the model is confirmed. One great detail that was also included was the fact that the Aventador Roadster should feature a retractable roof solution much better than the one seen in the Murcielago Roadster. Needless to say, we reckon the Aventador Roadster will be absolutely gorgeous, and with a 700-hp V12 powerplant, it will definitely be one of the best Lambos to date.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

[Source: Teamspeed]

An bizarre accident over the weekend in Japan severely damaged 14 cars, eight of which were Ferraris. The other vehicles involved in the smash-up include three Mercedes-Benzes, a Lamborghini, a Nissan Skyline and a poor little Toyota Prius. According to the news report, a caravan of foreign car enthusiasts were heading from Hiroshima to Kyushu when one of the Ferrari drivers hit the median while trying to overtake a car on the wet, curved road.

Fortunately no one was seriously hurt in the crash, but it’s a sad sight to see all these exotics demolished the way they are. From what we can tell in the video, there were multiple F355s, F430s, an F360 and some form of an F512. Even worse, the accident shut down the road for six long hours as officials tried to determine exactly what happened.

Check out the news report from Japan below:

[Source: Jalopnik]

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Remember we told you about that Lamborghini Aventador LP700 model car that is selling for about $4.8 million (15 times more than the real thing)? Well, now there’s a model that’s set to beat that price tag.

The Lamborghini Aventador in question has been gilded in gold. German car model maker Robert Guelpen is in talks with a private collector for this special commission, which will see this model sporting the Midas touch. Guelplen is set to break his old record with this new version. There’s no word what he’ll use this time around to craft the golden model, but we’re guessing platinum, carbon fiber and diamonds will make its way into the mix. Word on the street is that the gold model will boast 700 diamonds studded on each of the two seats inside, a chassis made with solid gold, and accessories like platinum wheel rims.

If you had the money, would you spend it on a gold model or do you think spending so much on a car you can’t even drive is a waste? Let us know in the comments section below.

[Source: Born Rich]

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Don’t live in LA, or you just can’t be bothered to face the crowds and finish off your day with sore feet? Then you’re in luck. AutoGuide has done all the footwork (and the talkie talkie, and the video editing), to bring you the highlights from the 2011 LA Auto Show. From the Subaru BRZ STI Concept, to the 650-hp Shelby GT500 watch our video series to get the rundown on the most exciting vehicles at this year’s show.

Watch all of AutoGuide’s 2011 LA Auto Show videos below:

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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.

Among the attendees that gathered at the world introduction of the new rear-drive convertible were actors Dominic Monaghan (perhaps best known for his role as Merry in Lord of the Rings), Ralf Moeller (Conan the Adventurer -TV series) and Lake Bell (Boston Legal, How to Make it in America).

Filippo Perini, who head’s up Lamborghini’s design centern, gave a rare glimpse at the company’s design process, by doing live sketches of the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder during the event.

Further distractions included a fashion show, highlighting the new Automobile Lamborghini Winter Collection and music spun by DJ Cobra, which alternated between modern trendy club tunes and seriously old school New Wave, R&B and Hip Hop.

Stephan Winkleman, Lambo’s CEO essentially summed up the evening by saying that [the new 550-2 Spyder] “will appeal to a very special group of customers – many in Southern California – that enjoy a spirited driving style paired with the sheer exhilaration of open-air driving.”

Gallery: Lamborghini LP550-2 Spyder

See video from the reveal below:

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Audi drivers across the pond are getting the short end of the stick, or to be more precise: no stick at all.

What’s all this stick business, you may ask? The new version of the Audi S4 and S5 will only be available with an automatic transmission in Europe, cue the snickers and sneers from North American driving enthusiasts. It’s an unusual move, considering we’re usually the ones getting shafted with an auto-only option in cars where Europeans get a choice, but sure enough according to an article on Fourtitude, and Audi news blog, the decision is made.

This still may be a signal of things to come, but at least for the upcoming generation it seems the S4 and S5 will be available witha six-speed manual.

Barry Hoch, product planning manager for Audi of America confirmed that Europeans will lose the manual while North Americans will keep it. 100 percent confirmed, although I don’t know what other markets also get to keep it,” he said in an email to Fourtitude.

The move to S-tronic transmissions does make sense from a performance standpoint. Shorter shifts, better straight line performance and friendlier fuel economy sweeten the package in theory, but try telling that to someone as they slash through a manual gearbox on a winding road. You’re better off trying to debate Socrates.

Debates aside it’s hard not to see the future creeping in. Lamborghini and Ferrari have already adopted “automatic” dual clutch transmissions as their current standard. If the decision seems to be trickling down from the supercar market into Europe, we may expect to see similar changes in the future.

That, however, is conjecture. Focus on the positive for now, manual S4s and S5s are still available to those in North America who want them.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Lamborghini will reportedly move ahead with production of a LP550-2 Spyder variant, hitting the streets in a few months as a 2012 model year car. Unfortunately there aren’t many details surrounding the Spyder version of the LP550-2 (photo above) except that it will be “more demanding” and a “more emotional and gratifying drive”.

We can safely anticipate that an official announcement on the RWD LP550-2 Spyder will be made shortly, and we’re hoping there’s a possibility that it’ll make its debut at the upcoming 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

[Source: Teamspeed]

Maserati has long been Ferrari‘s little brother. However, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne believes Maserati is well placed to play a far more important role.

Insisting that Ferrari is not sold to the same market of buyers as Porsche or Bentley, and can only belong to an elite realm shared with Lamborghini and Bugatti, Marchionne has designated Maserati as acting Italian counterpart to Porsche and Bentley instead.

This suddenly gives Maserati a clear brand identity and a focused product plan. As Ferrari chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo would never allow an SUV in Ferrari’s portfolio anyway, it gives Maserati a clear opportunity to fill the niche of a Porsche Cayenne competitor.

Products in the pipeline include two sedans of different sizes replacing the Quattroporte as well as the Kubang SUV. With the GranTurismo completing the family picture, Sergio Marchionne is optimistic that sales numbers may even increase tenfold, from 5,675 units sold last year up to even 60,000 in the near future.

[Source: AutoNews]

Underground Racing’s Ferrari 458 Italia has been twin-turbocharged and packs 700-whp. Lamborghini‘s Aventador LP700-4 delivers 700-hp from the factory, so obviously it makes perfect sense to pit the two Italian exotics against one another in one awesome video.

Though the “racing” in the video isn’t exactly perfect in terms of judging which vehicle is truly better or faster, it’s worth watching to hear the sonorous note of two if Italy’s finest exotics.

The 458 features Underground Racing’s Stage 1 bolt-on turbo kit taking the factory 562-hp to a 700-whp on 93-octane pump gas. If you’re not aware of just how big a difference there is between 700-hp and 700 horsepower at the wheels, this video should clear things up pretty fast.

Underground Racing has promised a rematch of the two in the near future, just as soon as it preps a twin-turbo setup for the Aventador’s V12.

Check out the video after the jump:

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