Start a Car

Posted on 01.28.2012 18:00 by Kirby Filed under: Hyundai | rally cars | video | Hyundai Veloster | Cars | Car News

We all know that Rhys Millen is adept in the art of rally car racing. What we didn’t know was that he has one hell of a golf swing too.

Well, not really. He did get some help from his trusty Hyundai Veloster Rally Car.

This video, which was shot at the Purangi Golf & Country Club in New Zealand, will show you just how a rally car can be of great help to a golfer’s game. Not only can it take the place - and be a whole lot cooler - than a golf cart, but anytime you need any help in sinking a hole-in-one, the Veloster can do the job for you.

Needless to say, you’d be hard-pressed to find a golf course in the world that will allow a Veloster anywhere near the playing grounds, but if it did happen, you can at least know what to do with it, right?

Check out the video and be treated to some bonus outtakes after the fact.

Video: Hyundai Veloster Rally Car knows how to play golf originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 January 2012 18:00 EST.

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Posted on 01.28.2012 12:00 by Kirby Filed under: Jeep | suv | concept cars | Jeep Grand Cherokee | special editions | Cars | Car Reviews | Jeep

A new special edition 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee was making the waves at the recent Houston Auto Show except that the SUV still didn’t have a name. Sounds odd, right?

Apparently, the production-ready concept vehicle is the subject of Jeep’s “Name My Ride” contest, an online competition that gives Jeep fans a chance to come up with the official name of the Grand Cherokee concept. The contest is currently being held at Jeep’s official website with the top three choices being elevated to another round of voting before the official winner is announced in May 2012.

As for the vehicle itself, this one-of-a-kind Grand Cherokee is based on Jeep’s Laredo X package and is highlighted by a bevy of stealth-inspired custom touches, including a Brilliant Black exterior finish, a black mesh grille, a chrome lower bumper trim, black headlamp bezels, a black liftgate light-bar, and a new set of 20″ glossy-black aluminum wheels. The interior also comes with plenty of special features, particularly the leather-trimmed seats and heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, as well as key technological components, including a 9-speaker 506 watt amp sound system with subwoofer, iPod/MP3 connectivity, Parkview rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear-park assist system, Keyless Enter-N-Go, and last but certainly not least, the Uconnect hands-free communications system.

“Jeep enthusiasts have always appreciated limited-edition models and the ability to customize their vehicles,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep. “This new Grand Cherokee comes with a unique, ‘factory-customized’ stealth appearance directly from Jeep, and is certain to attract interest from an array of potential customers.”

“If the level of excitement is what we anticipate, this new Grand Cherokee will be in Jeep showrooms this spring.”

To that, we say, bring it on, Jeep! This special, one-off Grand Cherokee looks absolutely stunning.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Concept Special Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 January 2012 12:00 EST.

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Posted on 01.28.2012 06:00 by Simona Filed under: | USA | Celebrity Cars | video | car girls | car racing | cool fast cars | Cars | Car News

The 2012 edition of the Bullrun will start to air on MTV2 later on this month and, as a preview of the great things that are to come, the company has unveiled a promo video with highlights of the 2011 event.

The BullRun starts in L.A. and runs for a week around the Western U.S. In this video, you’ll catch celebrities like Dudesons, Ice T., Vanilla Ice, Mr T., and others. Aside from these B-list celebrities, the BullRun will feed viewers more than their share of cool cars and hot girls, as well as some interference from some of the men in blue.

Check out this promo video and don’t forget that the mayhem started on January 26th. The 2012 rally drivers will be the stars of the original Bullrun television show; “Cops, Cars and Superstars”. The show will be in its 9th season and currently airs in over 96 countries around the world!

Video: Bullrun Promo for MTV2 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 28 January 2012 06:00 EST.

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California regulators on Friday approved a plan that would require 15.4 percent of new vehicles sold in the state be electric, fuel-cell or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2025.

Fiat says the fourth variant of its

Audi has combined two of America’s favorite things for its S7 ad, the Super Bowl and vampires.

The SRT group at Chrysler is doing a little Facebook tease with the 2013 Viper.

Mini will kick off its biggest road rally in America, called Mini Takes the States, on the East Coast on July 4. It will conclude at the Pacific Ocean on July 15.

Also in this episode: A sneak peak at the new SRT Viper is coming, Roger Penske is honored with the Keith Crain award and Audi brings on the vampires for a Super Bowl ad.

Where has your Ford taken you? Send us pictures of where you’ve gone in your Ford.

Posted on 01.27.2012 18:00 by Simona Filed under: Audi | suv | Spy Shots and Rendering | luxury cars | future cars | Audi Q6 | Cars | Car News

When BMW unveiled their X6 back in 2008, it immediately made jaws start to flap about what Audi’s response to the luxury SUV would be. Everyone got their answer when, in 2011, Walter de’ Silva, Design Boss at Audi’s parent Volkswagen Group, confirmed that the company had already started to work on the Q6 and that it would be out on the streets by 2015. This rendering is our interpretation of the future X6 competitor.

The Audi Q6 will be built on the platform used for the next generation Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, and will offer the same crossover-coupe aspect of its competitor. Under the hood, Audi will place a variation of gas and diesel engines, as well as a hybrid option (following the hybrid option of the Cayenne). The top version, rumored to be called the Q6 RS, will be powered by the company’s latest turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine.

Top Speed Rendering: 2015 Audi Q6 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 January 2012 18:00 EST.

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: Unless your tastes run to domestics, this 2011

Last week, we made things a little too easy, with a couple of dead-simple 1960s Japanese pickups that needed just a truckload of cash, sweat and

Honda on Friday announced pricing for the 2012 Honda Crosstour.

January 2012 - Volkswagen is kicking off the year 2012 with two world premieres, both of which showcase innovative…

Posted on 01.27.2012 15:00 by Simona Filed under: SSC | coupe | industry news | Supercars / Exotic cars | SSC Aero | SSC Tuatara | Cars | Car News

SSC North America, better known as the parent company of models like the record breaking Ultimate Aero and the recently unveiled Tuatara, announced it will be dropping the Shelby name from its title, opting to only use the SSC nomenclature. Apparently, there was way too much confusion when it came to whether or not Jerod Shelby (SSC’s founder) was in any way related to automotive legend, Carroll Shelby.

Jerod Shelby, Founder and Lead Designer, said in an official press release: “After several months of successfully launching our new corporate name and solidifying further International brand awareness for SSC at the Dubai International Motor Show and Top Marques in Macau, it was the right time to officially announce our name change.”

“We have always wanted to focus on the pride associated with being an American built supercar and the timing is right,” Shelby stated. “We have previously launched the Tuatara in both Shanghai and Pebble Beach and these two events in Dubai and Macau ensure the appropriate branding we are hoping to achieve for our company worldwide.”

We don’t necessarily see how only using SSC will stop the annoying “relation” question from being asked, especially since SSC stands for Shelby Super Cars anyway, but with vehicles like the Aero and the Tuatara diving into the supercar market, Jerod Shelby will more than likely get his own following.

SSC Drops Shelby Name From Title originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 January 2012 15:00 EST.

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So many great roadsters, only three days to ogle them.

Racing and dealer magnate Roger Penske was given the Keith Crain/Automotive News Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday evening at the Washington auto show.

Posted on 01.27.2012 13:00 by Simona Filed under: Lexus | sedan | Accessories | Lexus GS | sports cars | Lexus GS 450h | car tuning | Cars | Car Reviews | Lexus

Five Axis was the first tuning company to come out with an upgrade package for the new generation Lexus GS, specifically the GS 350 F-Sport, but now Toyota Racing Developments (TRD) is getting in on the action with a full list of accessories for the GS. The package can be applied to both the GS 350 and GS 450h models, but buyers beware, it’s going to get expensive. For example, just a new set of wheels will run the customer $6,574.

Aside from the pricey wheels, TRD is offering a pretty impressive aero kit that includes a front under-spoiler, side skirts, a trunk spoiler, and a rear diffuser. Customers can also opt for a quad-exhaust sports muffler and a new set of 19″ forged aluminum wheels that are lighter than the standard and help improve rigidity, contributing to the high dynamic performance and elegant comfort of the GS.

In addition to these features, the Lexus GS’ ride was superbly balanced with a new sport suspension that helps change the damping force of the spring and damper stiffness stabilizer from a revised rate.

Lexus GS by TRD originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 January 2012 13:00 EST.

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Posted on 01.27.2012 12:00 by Simona Filed under: Porsche | coupe | industry news | Porsche 911 | Accessories | sports cars | Porsche Turbo | Porsche 991 | Cars | Car News

Following the spy shots revealed yesterday of the upcoming Porsche 911 Turbo playing in the snow is a fantastic bit of news about what it will be carrying under that luscious hood. Turns out, the 911 Turbo will be powered by a 3.8 liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, but not equipped with a twin-turbo system as one would expect. Instead, Porsche is following in BMW’s footsteps by offering a tri-turbo system.

This system is currently in the final phase of development and, according to the first details, will help raise the engine’s output from the current 495 HP to somewhere in the region of 525 HP — or the same as that of the current 911 Turbo S. It will include the usual twin turbochargers found in the current engine, but will get a smaller unit mounted close to the engine to boost low-end response. This system will also improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions.

Once this tri-turbo system is complete, not only will it fit in with the 911 Turbo, but will also get dropped in the next-generation 911 GT2 and GT2 RS.

Porsche 911 Turbo will get tri-turbo system originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 27 January 2012 12:00 EST.

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