Porsche Panamera will be priced from $127,000

The Porsche Panamera was not even launched and we can already tell you it will be offered with a choice of three engines and that the base V6 version will be priced from bout $127,000, while the top version, the AWD V8 will go up to $198,000.
The hybrid version will be powered by a combination of 300 hp V6 gasoline engine and a 100-hp electric motor, enabling the driver to select from any combination of the two propulsion sources.
The car will make its debut early next year. At the launch it will be offered with two engines: a 405-hp 4.8-liter V8 and a 520-hp turbocharged variant of the V8, mated to a seven-speed version of Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Top speed in the range topper is said to be 186 mph.
The third version powered by a 3.6-liter V6 is due in 2010, followed by the hybrid in 2011. Porsche is also considering the V10 engine from the Carrera GT, but only if customers will ask for it.

2008 Range Rover Supercharged

Lexus announced increased prices on four 2009 models

To help all those who are affected by tough economic times, Lexus is lowering car prices. OH WAIT, THAT’S BACKWARDS, LEXUS IS RAISING PRICES. For 2009, the SC 430, LX 570, GX 470 and the RX 400h, will all have price increases. You can probably blame tough economic times or blame a weak dollar. But the truth is, if your shopping for a Lexus, these increases (all under 1.5 percent) are not fun, but they shouldn’t stop you from taking home Toyota’s premium brand.The 2009 SC430 will be priced at $66,805, an increase of 0.7 percent or $450; the 2009 LX 570 will be priced at $75,705, an increase of 1.3 percent or $1,005; the GX 470 will be priced at $47,615, an increase of 0.6 percent or $300; and the RX 400h front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive will be priced at $42,080 and $43,480 respectively, an increase of 1.2 percent or $500.
Press release after the jump.> More

BMW X5 and X6 will get M versions

In an interview with the publication Auto Motor Und Sport, Ludwig Willisch from the BMW’s M group revealed the future of the tuner division. It seems that the M division is in demand because Willisch spoke more about what the company was not going to produce more than current projects.
First there will not be a M3-Touring sedan, M3 coupe CSL, 7-series M car, or a rebirth of the M1 supercar. The Z4 will likely not be touched by the magic M hand also. At least they know where there time is better spent, because the M-division will not be working with any BMW diesels as well.
The future M models will all be turbocharged with output bigger than the normal models. The BMW M-division is currently working on M-versions of the BMW X6 and X5. They are expecting sales figures in the area of the M5-models. Willisch also says indirectly that these cars will feature a turbocharged V8-engine and, not a surprise, all-wheel-drive.

First Maserati MC12 road legal car for sale

Based on the Maserati MC12 GT1, the legendary race car which won the FIA GT Manufacturers’ Championship in 2005, the MC12 Versione Corse was limited to only 12 units.This car is the first one of the series (serial number #01).MC12 Versione Corse is powered by a V12 engine that delivers 755 at 8,000 and a peak torque of 740 at 5,500.It makes the 0 to 200 km/h (125 mph) sprint in 6.4 sec and hits a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph).

10,000 orders for the GLK-Class

Smaller SUVs may be what people are looking for. The 2010 Mercedes GLK was launched only a month ago and only in Western Europe, but Mercedes has already received a total of 10,000 orders. 1,000 of these orders are attributed to a limited edition called “Edition 1” that offers a few special interior and exterior add-ons.The U.S. will not be able to get its hands on the GLK until the beginning of 2009.

2009 Acura MDX pricing announced

Acura today announced pricing for the 2009 MDX luxury SUV. Prices are as follows: MDX, $40,790; MDX with Technology Package, $44,840; MDX with Technology Package and Entertainment Package, $46,590; MDX with Sport Package, $46,940; and MDX with Sport and Entertainment Packages, $48,690.
The 2009 MDX is powered by a 3.7-liter VTEC V-6 engine that delivers a about 300 hp. The 2009 model is currently on sale.
Press release after jump.> More

One of a kind Phantom - KEITH MOON LIVES

The Rolls Royce Phantom is already out for a couple of years old now, so seeing one on the street may not make you turn your head. But when you see one of this color you will turn for sure.
England hasn’t seen a lilac colored Rolls Royce since the late Keith Moon, drummer for the rock band The Who, used house paint to make his ultra-luxury car stand out. This lilac Phantom in England is rumored to be owned by the Princess of Kuwait.

Mercedes will cut production by 45,000 units

Mercedes announced that by the end of this year it will cut production by 45.000 units. Models affected are Mercedes S-Class and E-Class as well as the SUV vehicles.
A company spokesman announced that Mercedes has reached agreements with its works councils for the plants at Untertürkheim and Bremen — both in Germany – at the beginning of this week. He said other affected manufacturing facilities are in Sindelfingen, Germany, and the U.S. plant at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as well as the smaller German plants located in Berlin and Hamburg.
This Daimler said two weeks ago it would cut production in response to sluggish demand, particularly in the U.S.

Mercedes S63 AMG spy shots

AMG is giving a facelift to its tuned S-Class models. The view from the front suggests that the car will receive lower bodywork. At the back, the quad exhaust pipes have had their tips removed, which also hints that a new design is on the way. Both models (S63 and S65) are set to keep their current engines – a 6.2-liter V8 in the S63 and a 6.0-liter V12 in the S65 – but will likely receive some technology upgrades. The base prices of $127,875 for the S63AMG and $194,000 for the S65 AMG will also rise with the restyle.

DiMora Natalia SLS2 Supersedan to feature vulcanic rock materials

For those who don’t know, DiMora Natalia SLS2 Supersedan represents the most luxurious car. Still under development, the car promises to be the most expensive car on the market, more expensive than a Bugatti Veyron. In order to sustain its price, the manufacturer announced that the car will be built using the most exclusive materials, one of them being the "Barotex inorganic fibre" made from volcanic rock.
According to Lilo Beuzieron, CEO of Barotex Technology Corporation, "Not only is lava rock more abundant, but our manufacturing process requires far less energy. It is friendly to the environment, and the automobiles built with Barotex are lighter, so they use less energy every mile traveled." So be ready, prepare your money and wait for the launch of this new sedan that is said to be powered by a 16-cylinder engine capable of developing an astonishing 1200 hp!> More

2009 Cadillac Escalade

In a changing automotive climate, Cadillac enters the 2009 with the a much-needed hybrid, which is also the first in the large luxury SUV class. 2009 also introduces a new ultra-luxury Platinum Edition with even more segment-first technologies.The Escalade lineup features integrated powertrain, chassis, safety and interior systems that deliver the most powerful, efficient luxury SUVs in the segment, led by a 6.2L all-aluminum V-8 engine with variable valve timing technology delivering 403 hp and 417 lb.-ft. of torque. The 6.2L engine has been revised to run using renewable E85 ethanol, making it a flex-fuel vehicle for the first time.The Platinum edition includes a blend of technical innovations and aesthetic enhancements. The exterior features a unique front fascia and grille patterned after the CTS sport sedan. The Platinum includes unique 22-inch wheels and wears exclusive Platinum exterior badges.> More

Alchemist bringing new meaning to "Bling-Bling"

If you’ve ever been accused of having more money than brains, this may be the car customization for you. A company called Alchemist is now offering as service to cover the entire roof of a car in gold. The London based company has already worked on some premium brands like Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes and Aston Martin. In fact, the company is working on its own "ultimate James Bond vehicle" by gilding a whole new Aston Martin DBS in 24-carat gold and platinum.
The price starts at £12,500 (currently about $23,000) and each rooftop is signed and numbered and all clients receive a certificate of authenticity. I wonder how long before this makes it into its first rap video?

Hyundai working on 7-Series competitor

Hyundai revealed a teaser image of a model that will come to compete with the BMW 7-Series. Codenamed VI, the new model will make its official debut next February and will replace the front-wheel-drive Equus in the Korean market.
The new model will be a rear-driven car and will be powered by a 3.8-liter V6 or 4.6 and 5.0-liter V8 engine. We don’t know if this will be a global car, but good indicator would be how much the U.S. accepts its new Genesis.

Audi A7 coupe and cabriolet renderings

Audi is working on a four-door coupe that will take on models from Mercedes, VW and Jaguar. The future A7, set to be launched in 2009 will be built on the new A6 lightweight aluminum platform.Under the hood the company will place a based 2.8-liter V6 FSI or the new supercharged 3.0-liter V6. The RS7 version will be powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V10 engine, while the S7 will use a detuned version.Check out preview on the 2010 A7 in here.

2009 Hyundai Genesis : Luxury Car Clone With A Definite Edge

Ever watched those TV commercials where a well-known branded product is pitied against its competition? I’d bet you have. It’s an effective way to drive home the point about the former superiority when compared to its fledging rival. But for top-seeded Lexus GS460 and newcomer 2009 Hyundai Genesis, the exact opposite occurs. Stripped of its nameplate, the 2009 Hyundai Genesis looks identical with its Lexus counterpart. In fact, car enthusiasts say it’s almost an exact clone, and more—V8 engine, smooth aerodynamic designs, pure soft leather on dashboard and door panels, not to mention its seductive navigation system and multimedia accessories. As for fuel efficiency, the newcomer trashes competition with a perfect 10. Genesis puts in a rated 368 horsepower using regular unleaded while Lexus chalks up 342 horsepower using premium. A significant savings in these times of rising gas prices. So what’s the catch? Hyundai comes at an almost whooping 30% discount against its luxury counterpart. While Lexus sells at $50,000, a fully loaded Hyundai starts at $38,000. But the distinction doesn’t end there. It offers 5 years or 60,000 miles warranty compared to Lexus 4 years or 50,000 miles. However, some car honchos believe that tag price is not the sole consideration when buying a sedan. The company image behind the car, personality, as well as impressions of power, play crucial purchase factors. And Lexus has all these stack in its favor. My verdict? Hyundai rips an edge over its competition. Why would anyone settle for a bland carrot when he can have a whole burger at a much lesser co

Aston Martin ONE-77 rendering

Aston Martin will launch an extra luxury model limited to only 77 units and priced at around $1.9 million. And according to Jon Sibal the supercar will look like this.
The Aston Martin One-77 is powered by a 7.0-liter V12 engine and will get a handcrafted aluminum body and a carbon fiber chassis. As a result it is likely to do 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and have a top speed in excess of 200mph.

2011 Koenigsegg sedan - new rendering

Rumors about a four-door model from Koenigsegg started to circulate last week. Today we bring you first TopSpeed rendering of the future sporty sedan that will make its official debut in 2010 as a concept model at the Geneva Motor Show and as a production model in 2011. The currently unnamed sedan will compete with models like Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera.
The four-door model is supposed to have been under development for the past two years and will be made entirely out of carbon fiber. Power should come from a V8 engine that will develop around 700 hp. This engine will help the car to hit a top speed of around 215 mph. The sedan will be limited to only 70-80 units and will be cheaper than the CCX.

Mercedes S500 4MATIC by Inden-Design

The S500 4MATIC of Mercedes-Benz receives a new performance kit from Inden-Design, a German tuning company. The engine control unit (ECU) has been reprogrammed to add 27 hp, raising the total output of 415 hp. The new kit offers a sport exhaust system with four tailpipes, new 20-inch BBW LeMans alloy wheels in 245/35R20 tires in front and 285/30R20 at the rear. The suspension has been lowered by 45 mm. No words about the price yet.

Rolls Royce RR4 to come with suicide doors?

Guess what? The much-awaited Rolls Royce RR4 will hit the streets with a surprising rear suicide doors. You heard it right, folks. RR4 comes equipped with suicide doors. What’s a suicide door, by the way? According to Wikipedia, a suicide door is a car door that is hinged on the edge closer to the rear of the vehicle.The term reflects a perceived increased danger of the door falling open when the car is moving.
For sometime, Rolls Royce officials kept inquiries at bay about the car’s detailed specs except that the designers molded it after the road-hugging BMW-7 series.The usual aluminum-steel base combination provides RR4 the necessary legroom for a comfortable driving.
Now its spy shots showed distinctive improvements. There’s the shorter wheelbase, for a start. This means that RR4 will use the BMW Series -7 platform, but with its own custom-built engine. This was no big deal, of course, since car enthusiasts had already seen it coming. So what’s surprising about RR4? Spy shots showed hinges of its rear doors are built at the rearmost part of the panel, an unmistakable indication of suicide doors.Understandably, its manufacturers will juggle for semantics and call it “coach doors” instead. Rolls Royce RR4, priced at a staggering £170,000, will be officially presented Geneva Motor Show this coming March 2009 and production will begin immediately a year after. Until then, the reason why RR4 has suicide doors is as good as anybody’s guess.

BMW 8-Series coming in 2010?

Both Porsche and Mercedes will soon have a new competitor for their four-door coupe as BMW readies its four-door coupe-like sedan. BMW new four-door luxury GT flagship, possibly called the 8-Series, will be based heavily on the BMW Concept CS and will be launched in 2010. It will compete with models like Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.
The car will be built bu BMW’s M division, but will not carry a M name: “It will take a couple of years [to get the CS to market],” says BMW M president Ludwig Willisch. "The naming is not defined yet but it will not be an M car".
The 2010 8-Series will be made out of aluminum and carbon fiber to reduce weight for increased performance. One of the engine options will be a 6.0-liter V12 formed by adding two cylinders to the M5’s V10.

Mercedes S550 Signature Edition

Mercedes has designed a special edition S550 in order to raise funds for Saks Fifth Avenue’s KEY TO THE CURE, a women’s cancer initiative developed in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s (EIF) Women’s Cancer Research Fund.
The special Edition S550 sedan features exclusive Diamond White metallic exterior paint, Sahara Beige/Black interior, and 20”AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels with high-performance tires. A car for those who appreciate superior handling and power, the S550’s 5.5-liter, 382-horsepower V-8 engine will rocket this sedan from 0-60 mph in only 5.4 seconds.
The Signature Edition S550 also features AIRMATIC air suspension with Adaptive Damping System, heated and active-ventilated drive-dynamic multicontour front seats with 4-level massage feature, a power sunroof, PARKTRONIC audiovisual parking assist, KEYLESS GO, electronic trunk closer, and a rear view camera. Each Special Edition S550 sedan is also equipped with GPS navigation and a 14-speaker harman/kardon LOGIC7 surround sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1, SIRIUS satellite radio, an in-dash 6-disc DVD/CD changer, an in-dash memory card reader, voice control for audio, telephone and navigation, and an iPod integration kit.
Press release after the jump.> More

Bentley Continental Flying Spur by ASI

It seems that the Japanese tuners are beginning to expand their market outside their borders. This is refreshing considering that Japanese style can sometimes offer a unique alternative.Asi, an exclusive Japanese tuner specialized in high-end cars, unveiled today their new body kit for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.The development of the kit took nearly a year of meticulous design. The result gives a sleek appearance to the luxury sedan. The kit consists in a front bumper featuring LED winkers, stainless steel mesh, under-grill and carbon fiber lip, new carbon fiber side sills, a stylish trunk spoiler and a rear bumper fitted with stainless steel mesh, wheel house louvres, exhaust cutters and a carbon fiber lip.
No words about the price, but we have lots of images after the jump