Spy Shots: Volkswagen Golf VII Spied Testing

Posted on 11.29.2011 08:00 by Atik Filed under: Volkswagen | Volkswagen Golf | Spy Shots and Rendering | hatchback

The new generation Volkswagen Golf VI has only been on sale for a short time, but the company is already testing the seventh generation. This decision stems from the fact that the sixth generation Golf wasn’t anywhere near as successful as the first or the fourth generation, so Volkswagen is amping up its efforts and bringing in a new impressive design language and a more powerful and fuel efficient engine.

The new Golf VII will be longer and wider, while its exterior design will be more aggressive and sporty. The engine line-up will include turbocharged, direct-injection diesel and gasoline engines, but a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric version have also been rumored.

The new Golf VII will be launched in late 2012 and will be offered in three and five door versions, with a station wagon and a Golf Plus for the European market. There will also be a GTI and a cabrio version.

gallery: 2013 Volkswagen Golf Mk VII

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The Top Muscle Cars of the 60s and 70s

The early 60s all the way up to the 70s was a golden age for the American automotive industry if only for the simple fact that muscle cars were growing not just in number, but in overall stature. The muscle car arms race of the that time yielded plenty of options for customers looking for more power and metal-twisting torque from these vehicles. And the models only grew in popularity as more and more people began clamoring for the biggest, baddest, and most powerful machines.

The general appeal these muscle cars offered to the growing American car culture of the time was the opportunity to own powerful cars that could be used for drag racing while also keeping costs at bay. At that time, a number of brands began developing their own models, including legendary names like the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Plymouth Barracuda, the Pontiac Trans-Am, and the Dodge Charger, to name a few.

While the golden age of American muscle was limited to parts of these two decades, the industry has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in recent years. It’s not going to compare to the 60s or the 70s, but as proven by customer clamoring, the culture of American muscle cars is far from bearing its last legs.

To pay tribute to the time where muscle was king of the road - and the drag strip - we have compiled a list of the 10 most memorable muscle cars of the golden age.

2013 Lincoln MKS

Posted on 11.17.2011 18:00 by Atik

Next to the 2013 MKT debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lincoln has also presented the new MKS luxury sedan. For the 2013 model year, the MKS has received better handling, increased power, improved fuel efficiency, additional standard equipment, more refinement, and new technologies.

The model has received a contemporary new look that includes a new grille, HID headlamps, front fascia, hood, and front fenders. The rear of the vehicle was updated with a new fascia, LED tail lamps, new exhaust tips, and a new decklid design that improves access to the trunk.

The 2013 Lincoln MKS will be offered in three versions: V6 FWD, V6 AWD, and EcoBoost V6 AWD. The first two models are powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that now includes twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and delivers a total of 300 HP (increased from the previous 273 HP). Fuel economy comes in at 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway for the front-wheel drive model and18mpg city/26 mpg highway with the all-wheel-drive model. The more powerful version gets a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers a total of 355 HP.

2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV "Setaro" by PUR Wheels

Posted on 11.28.2011 19:00 by Atik Filed under: Lamborghini | USA | coupe | Supercars / Exotic cars | Lamborghini Murcielago | car tuning

While its become obvious that Lamborghini has become more aggressive in promoting the new Aventador supercar as their flagship model, a lot of people still haven’t forgotten about the supercar the Aventador replaced.

For a lot of us, the Lamborghini Murcielago is still a sentimental favorite. PUR Wheels, a US-based wheels specialist, is one of those that still hold the Murcielago in high regard, particularly the special edition Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce.

The American tuning company specializes in building custom wheels for some of the world’s most famous exotic cars and for the Murcielago LP670-4 SV, PUR Wheels made sure to dress up the supercar with only the best set of wheels in the market. In this particular case, the custom wheels offer a perfect contrast to the chameleon-like Green and Pink Pearlescent exterior finish, which may seem like an odd color combination for a car of this stature, but has turned this supercar into a true piece of Italian beauty.

As far as the powertrain is concerned, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 is powered by an upstanding 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces a mouth-watering 670 horsepower. It also boasts of a 0-60 mph sprint time of just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.

If a car is capable of performance figures like that and look sexy as hell while doing it, then it doesn’t matter whether the model is gone or not.

Paris Hilton’s Black Friday Purchase: A Red Ferrari California

Posted on 11.28.2011 18:00 Filed under: Ferrari | Celebrity Cars | sports cars | roadster | Ferrari California

The Ferrari California isn’t the newest model in Ferrari’s line-up, so there typically isn’t any reason to splatter news about it on the front page. That is, until a celebrity decides to do a little Black Friday shopping in a Ferrari dealership.

Paris Hilton has chosen a bright red Ferrari California as an early Christmas present for herself and, although we think the 460 HP California is an amazing supercar, we have to wonder why she opted for this particular model and not for Ferrari’s newest roadster model: the 570 HP 459 Italia Spyder. Maybe she’s had her fill of the super speedy since she just received a 560 HP Lexus LF-A for her 30th birthday. Or maybe she just got a really good Black Friday deal. Either way, this beautiful, red Ferrari California has just joined the elite group of amazing vehicles owned by Hilton’s princess.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover 5.0i V8 Supercharged by Hamann

Shortly after revealing their brand new package for the Porsche Panamera, Hamann turned its attention to a larger model in the luxury segment: the Land Rover Range Rover. Believed to have just enough power for the general public, the Range Rover has been given a once-over by the German tuner to increase that power for those who a deeper need for customization. The package includes exclusive bodywork, performance updates, and a new interior program.

The exterior of the Range Rover has been slightly altered with a new front spoiler with larger cooling air inlets and harmoniously integrated LED daytime lights. The SUV has also received wider wings, forming a single unit with the newly designed side skirts, a carbon roof spoiler, and stainless steel exhaust pipes. The final element for the exterior is a new set of 22" three-part forged wheels. The interior can likewise be made over with an infinite number of combinations formed from leather, Alcantara, wood, carbon, or aluminum trims.

For the engine updates, Hamann is offering an entirely new exhaust system, complete with X-manifold, center pipe, and perfected engine electronics for the Range Rover. As a result, the 5.0 liter V8 engine’s output has been increased to 530 HP and 487 lb-ft of torque at 2,600 RPM, from the standard 510 HP and 461 lb-ft of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is now made in just 6 seconds and top speed has been raised to 141 mph.

Mercedes officially drops the knife on Maybach

We knew that the time was coming eventually, and according to a source who spoke to Autoweek, the end has finally come to pass for Maybach.

Mercedes-Benz, the company that revived Maybach nine years ago, is finally pulling the plug on the luxury line in 2013. The decision to drop Maybach was spurned by disappointing sales figures for its two core models, the 57 and the 62. It certainly didn’t help matters when efforts in trying to jumpstart the company didn’t amount to anything, particularly when a proposed deal with Aston Martin to assist in building future models ended up falling by the wayside.

For now, the plan is for Maybach to continue selling the two models until 2013 when Mercedes’ fifth generation S-Class finally hits the market. The next-gen S-Class will likewise see an all-new S600, which you could take the reins from Maybach in competing in the ultra-luxury market currently dominated by Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

We can’t say that we didn’t see this coming, although we’re a little disappointed that Mercedes didn’t exercise a little bit more patience before they cut the cord. Then again, it wasn’t our decision to make and if Mercedes really wanted to cut their losses on the brand, they have every right to do so.