2012
-
The very first 45th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, VIN 001, was sold for $150,000 at the Barrett-Jackson 10th Annual Florida Auction that took place earlier this month. That might seem like a lot for what’s normally a $1,375 premium over the asking price of a 2012 Camaro coupe or convertible in 2LT or 2SS trim, but there was one very good reason the buyer offered so much. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Chevrolet donated the 45th Anniversary Camaro Convertible, which was fitted with a 6.2-liter V-8 mated to a six-speed manual...
-
2012 Volkswagen Golf R: First Drive
First off, we have to tell you that the new 2012 Volkswagen Golf R is worlds better than the last Golf 'R' to be sold in the U.S. That's the 2008 R32, which was comfortable and faster than the GTI, but not much faster, and all too heavy and luxury-laden—more like a grand-touring hot-hatch...
Bengt Halvorson -
Racer Beccy Gordon To Tackle Pikes Peak In An Electric Mitsubishi
If Beccy Gordon’s last name sounds familiar, it should. Brother Robby Gordon is an accomplished racer, having driven in series ranging from IndyCar though NASCAR and even the SCORE off-road series. Father “Baja Bob” Gordon was an off-road racing legend, and sister Robyn was the...
Kurt Ernst -
MINI Inspired By Goodwood On Display At Harrods Department Store
If a Rolls-Royce Phantom had an illicit love child with a MINI Cooper, the end result would look a lot like the MINI Inspired By Goodwood special edition that we first spoke of last April. While the MINI Inspired By Goodwood doesn’t get a 6.7-liter V-12 stuffed between its front fenders, it...
Kurt Ernst -
Bentley Announces Global Partnership With Starwood Hotels
In an effort to create a “signature experience” for those who appreciate high-end luxury automobiles and the finest lodging, Bentley has formed a global partnership with St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwod Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Bentley...
Kurt Ernst -
Four-Cylinder Volvo Models Coming This Fall
It’s no secret that Volvo is moving away from larger engines in favor of smaller ones. The Swedish automaker has already eliminated V-8 engines, and will soon begin paring back five and six-cylinder engines, too. In fact, in the not-too-distant future, all Volvo models will be powered by...
Kurt Ernst -
Warning: Video contains some not-safe-for-work language. Firefighters were called into duty on Saturday when a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 burst into flames on a highway near Aliso Viejo in Southern California. With no other reports of Aventadors going up in flames, it’s believed that this black example is the first to suffer the sad fate. Fortunately, the driver managed to escape unscathed but the brand new Aventador, driven during a regular test drive, is now nothing but a charred pile of aluminum and carbon fiber. The photo below, which was posted to Facebook, shows that...
-
Rugged Ridge PowerTop Adds Convenience To Jeep’s Wrangler Unlimited
If you’ve ever owned a Jeep Wrangler or Wrangler Unlimited, you understand the simple joy of go-anywhere, topless motoring. As entertaining as the Wrangler is, owners soon learn that there are two types of convertible tops: those that are quick and easy to install and remove, and those that...
Kurt Ernst -
The Tesla Model S Undergoes Winter Testing: Video
Baudette, Minnesota, is a sleepy little town at the far northern end of the Midwestern state. Its population is just over 1,100 residents, and its claim to fame is that it’s home to Automotive Enviro Testing, which specializes in extreme cold weather testing of vehicles. Cold weather can be...
Kurt Ernst -
2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Production Updates
We bring you some inside info on the ongoing production and delivery of the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1.
Nelson Ireson -
Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, 911 Designer, Dead At 76
The designer of the original Porsche 911 has died.
Nelson Ireson -
BMW 3-Series Long Wheelbase Set For 2012 Beijing Auto Show
The long-wheelbase 3-Series is making its world debut at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show and has been developed exclusively for the Chinese market.
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Unless you’re a hard-core MINI fan, chances are good that you’ve never heard of the 2006 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works GP, or, simply, the Cooper GP. Only 2000 were built, and only 415 of these made their way into the United States. As GP MINI explains, the Cooper GP was built to commemorate the end of MINI Series 1 production in 2006, and featured an engine rated at 215 horsepower, weight savings of nearly 100 pounds (thanks largely to the removal of the rear seat and the use of aluminum rear control arms), a unique aero kit and special livery. As the highest-performance MINIs...
-
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Tackles The Nürburgring: Video
In an attempt to highlight the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's on-road abilities, SRT hired 'Ring ace Sabine Schmitz to take it on a hot lap of the Nordschleife.
Kurt Ernst -
All 2012 Buick Models Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Honors
To Buick, size should have little to do with vehicle safety. Its smallest sedan, the Verano, recently earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which means that every model in the current Buick lineup is a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick. To earn the Top...
Kurt Ernst -
MINI Announces Rauno Aaltonen Edition Cooper And Cooper S
If you’re not familiar with the name Rauno Aaltonen, we’re not surprised. A former European Rally Championship (the predecessor to the WRC) winner, the man known as “The Rally Professor” also won the 1967 Rallye Monte Carlo, behind the wheel of a MINI Cooper. To honor that...
Kurt Ernst -
The 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Revisits Jay Leno's Garage
Fiat brings a 2012 500 Abarth to Jay Leno's Garage for a test drive.
Kurt Ernst -
Shaquille O'Neal On Hybrids, The Buick LaCrosse And The 'Oh Effect': Video
Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal praises the 2012 Buick LaCrosse for its room, comfort and "oh effect."
Kurt Ernst -
The 2012 Camaro ZL1's production delay is over, presumably resolving whatever issue caused it.
-
Shelby American Admits To Faked Photo Of Shelby 1000 Mustang
When Shelby American announced its 1000-horsepower Shelby 1000 Mustang, it was clear that the car would be the very definition of excessive. Now it seems that the photos of the car in action were a bit excessive, too. As USA Today found out, the images of the Shelby 1000 lifting it’s front...
Kurt Ernst -
2012 BMW 135i Three-Door Hatchback Spy Shots
The 2012 BMW 135i three-door hatchback is nearly ready for sale--and it might, just maybe, be coming to the U.S. for the first time.
Nelson Ireson -
Shelby Showing 1000 HP Mustang In New York
If a lot of horsepower is good, then even more horsepower must be even better. That’s the theme behind the latest limited-production version of the Ford Mustang announced by Shelby American ahead of the car’s New York Auto Show debut. The Shelby 1000 will produce an estimated 950...
Kurt Ernst -
Jeep And Mopar Announce Six Concepts For 2012 Moab Jeep Safari
Last week we brought you teaser images of three concepts that Jeep would be bringing to this year’s Moab Easter Jeep Safari. This week, Jeep and Mopar have teamed up to reveal an additional three concepts, as well as details on the concepts shown last week. The winner from last week, in our...
Kurt Ernst -
First 45th Anniversary Camaro Convertible To Be Auctioned For Charity
If you want a 45th Anniversary Edition Camaro, the package is available for any 2LT or 2SS trim level coupe or convertible, as long as you’re willing to spend the $1,375 package price. On top of the Camaro’s starting price, that money buys you Carbon Flash Metallic paint, a unique...
Kurt Ernst