Production Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will be for track use only

It sounds like we can forget all about cruising South Beach in the upcoming Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. According to Autocar, The Raging Bull is planning to build the carbon-fiber terror as a limited production model for track duty only. 

Thanks to its unique construction, the Sesto Elemento should hit the scales at less than 2,200 pounds, all while boasting the same drivetrain as the wicked Superleggera. This promises to be one very fast machine, but chances are it will carry a price tag to match. Autocar is reporting that the newest addition to the Lamborghini stable will likely go for Reventón money. With an MSRP of over $1.6 million, you certainly won’t be seeing these parked in every paddock.

That’s all the more true given that Autocar suspects that Lamborghini will build less than 20 examples of the Sesto Elemento. Who knew that rare birds were built from forged carbon fiber?

Toyota Corolla will debut in LA with new nose

Toyota has given the Corolla a quick refresh for 2011, and we can expect to get our first in-the-flesh peak at the design at the 2010 LA Auto Show later this week. Toyota says it sought help from styling studios in Turin, Italy, in shaping the small sedan’s revised nose and tail section. 

With a new bumper cap, grille and headlights, the 2011 Corolla now wears a face that’s a bit more differentiated from the much larger Camry. Out back, Toyota designers also gave the car a reworked trunk lid and rear bumper.

Next year will also bring a host of standard safety tech, including vehicle stability control and traction control. Otherwise, buyers can expect to be met with the same 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as the 2010 model. 

While we have no qualms with the company’s workhorse four-pot, we are more than a little disappointed to see that the archaic four-speed automatic will stay on for 2011 as well. At least the five-speed manual gearbox is still available. Hit the jump for a look at the press release.

Toyota gets its sport hybrid on with Prius Plus Performance Package

Looks like Honda isn’t the only automaker trying to cash in on the idea of a “sport hybrid.” Toyota has just debuted its new line of Plus performance parts at this year’s SEMA show, and the first vehicle to benefit from these new accessories is the Prius hybrid.

The Prius Plus Performance Package (say that three times fast) includes a seven-piece aero kit that still allows the sleek hatch to maintain its 0.25 coefficient of drag. The new front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts and rear diffuser are rounded off with an attractive set of 17-inch forged wheels wrapped in slick 215/45-series tires.

In an effort to keep things as economical as possible, the Prius’ hybrid engine does not receive any upgrades, but the hatch’s suspension has been tweaked to provide better overall handling. Sport-tuned lowering springs have been fitted and a rear sway bar has been put in place to keep things flat and stable during cornering.

Toyota will be offering the Plus Performance Package in limited quantities beginning in April of next year. Follow the jump for the official details and see the modded-up Prius for yourself in the galleries below.

Toyota brings some swagger to Sin City

Seven million. That’s how many times Toyota’s much-loved Swagger Wagon rap video has been viewed on YouTube. 

Well, actually, it’s 7,154,749… but who’s counting? With that in mind, it’s not surprising that the Japanese automaker has chosen to outfit its official SEMA floorspace with a customized Sienna dubbed, appropriately enough, Swagger Wagon Supreme.

Actor Brian Huskey, otherwise known as Swagger Dad, was on hand to introduce the stretched and lowered metallic blue Sienna minivan. 

He started his speech from inside the Wagon, which is decked out with a nicely finished wood floor along with plenty of cabinetry, televisions and computer paraphernalia. See it for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Toyota Prius C&A Custom is the new definition of all show, no go

Can a Prius be sporty? Toyota’s latest offering here at SEMA proves to us that it can certainly try to look the part. The Prius C&A Custom Concept wears an aggressive, lightweight carbon fiber body kit and rides on 18-inch forged aluminum wheels. What’s more, the C&A has been substantially lowered thanks to a TIEN setup that drops the hatch’s ride height by four inches in front and six inches out back. The result is a Prius that has been transformed from a do-good hybrid into what looks like the anime version of a Lamborghini Reventón.

The upgrades have continued inside the Prius, where the cabin has been covered (and we mean covered) in Alcantara suede. The headliner, A and B pillars, door trim, rear seat, console box, front Recaro seats, steering wheel and even the aluminum shift knob all wear Alcantara.

This Prius certainly echoes the SEMA theme, as odd as it may be. See for yourself in our high-res gallery below, and read Toyota’s own words about the C&A Custom in the press release after the jump.

2011 Toyota Prius is EPA fuel economy leader for one more year

The United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy have released the latest Fuel Economy Guide, listing the most fuel-efficient vehicles available in the States. Once again, the Toyota Priustops this chart, besting the competition with its EPA ratings of 51/48 miles per gallon city/highway.

Beyond the Prius, the list of fuel economy leaders is rounded out with the usual cast of characters, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid (as well as its Milan and MKZ counterparts), Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus HS 250h and more. You won’t find Volkswagen’s oil-burning Golf TDI or Jetta TDI on the list, though, even though their 30/42 mpg is immensely respectable.

As for newcomer EVs like the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, the EPA states that “no 2011 model year electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have completed testing as of publication of this list.” Once the EPA decides how it is going to rate electric vehicle fuel economy, we’ll see these vehicles included in the list of fuel economy leaders, and the Toyota Prius will likely lose its first place crown.

U.S.-spec 2012 Mazda5 coming to LA Auto Show

We first saw the next-generation Mazda5 when it debuted in Geneva earlier this year, but now Mazda has confirmed that the version destined for the United States will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. 

Badged as a 2012 model, the U.S.-spec Mazda5 won’t differ all that much from its European kin in terms of appearance. A good thing, since the mini-minivan benefits from a healthy does of Mazda’s swoopyNagare design language.

Unsurprisingly, the 2012 Mazda5 will be powered by the same 157-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four that we enjoy in the Mazda3 and Mazda6. Happily, Mazda will still be offering the 5 with a manual transmission in addition to the standard automatic, making it more attractive to those of us who prefer the engagement that row-it-yourself gearboxes have to offer. Multi-configurable seating for six is available inside with the usual list of standard and optional features.

Report: Mazda working on next-gen rotary-powered RX-9

According to a report from Autocar, Mazda is currently working on a successor to the old RX-7 and the current RX-8. (We’ve heard this before. Many times.) Believed to carry the RX-9 nameplate, the next-gen sports car is tipped to ditch the innovative but clumsy quasi-four-door layout of the current RX-8, and that the platform is to be spun off from the MX-5 roadster. But what you really want to know about is the engine.

Dubbed the 16X project, the new Renesis rotary engine is expected to grow in size considerably over the RX-8′s and pack around 300 horsepower – quite a bit more than the 232 hp we enjoy in the current car. Mazda is also said to be hard at work keeping the engine as clean and efficient as possible, as the current RX-8′s high fuel and oil consumption have driven it out of certain markets already. 

The Japanese automaker could alternatively turn the RX-9 project strictly into a hydrogen halo vehicle, which might be nice if you happen to live near a hydrogen pipeline, less so for the rest of us.

Report: Mazda working on next-gen rotary-powered RX-9

According to a report from Autocar, Mazda is currently working on a successor to the old RX-7 and the current RX-8. (We’ve heard this before. Many times.) Believed to carry the RX-9 nameplate, the next-gen sports car is tipped to ditch the innovative but clumsy quasi-four-door layout of the current RX-8, and that the platform is to be spun off from the MX-5 roadster. But what you really want to know about is the engine.

Dubbed the 16X project, the new Renesis rotary engine is expected to grow in size considerably over the RX-8′s and pack around 300 horsepower – quite a bit more than the 232 hp we enjoy in the current car. Mazda is also said to be hard at work keeping the engine as clean and efficient as possible, as the current RX-8′s high fuel and oil consumption have driven it out of certain markets already. 

The Japanese automaker could alternatively turn the RX-9 project strictly into a hydrogen halo vehicle, which might be nice if you happen to live near a hydrogen pipeline, less so for the rest of us.

SEMA 2010: Mazda Miata Super20 makes two decades even more worth it

Both the UK and Europe got 20th anniversary edition Mazda MX-5s earlier this year, and we now have our own version… in concept form. Speaking to the same color and materials designer who gave us the skinny on the hip and evil Mazda2s, we were told that the brief with this one was to make the Miata a little tougher without going too hardcore. A hard top goes in the place of the canvas roof and the form is draped in dark gray speckled with gold metallic. 

The orange accents in the darker stripes are tuned to that metallic hue, and they are matched by the orange roll cage and orange contrast stitching inside. Other notable details are the suede inserts on the interior, the first-gen door handles, the reworked grille area sans Mazda’s smiley face and a badge-less nose.

Under the hood is a reflashed ECU controlling a supercharged Cosworth motor, an ACT clutch, Mazdaspeed coilovers and shock tower brace, and Racing Beat hollow anti-roll bars. StopTech and SpeedSource throw in braking hardware behind 16-inch Enkei wheels on fat rubber. As for the chances of us anything like it in real life, you’ve heard this one before: “There are discussions…” Spy it yourself in the gallery of high-res photos below.

The Batmobile is the automobile of DC Comics superhero Batman

Not so. How about movies with cars? That fits. Cars are so ingrained into American culture that they have become a sticking point in movies as well. So much that there have cars that have debuted in recent films. What are some of the more popular cars that have appeared in movies? Or, what are the more recognizable vehicles from movies?

Flashback to the early versions of the James Bond films, when Sean Connery played Bond, and many moviegoers remember his incredible car. The Aston Martin DB 5. It was riddled with all kinds of different gadgets to help him defeat his enemies. Now, flashback again to the 1960's, when rock star Elvis Presley ruled the airwaves. Not only was he popular in the music industry, he was also a movie star. In almost all of Presley's movies his 1955 pink Cadillac Fleetwood was featured in plenty of shots. That was the only car he kept until he passed away.

One of the most famous vehicles in all of TV and movies was the Batmobile. Owned and driven by Batman, it is one of the most popular vehicles in cinematic history. Many kids growing up had Batmobile hot wheels, replica toys and sometimes even a homemade Batmobile out of a wagon. The Batmobile has evolved over the years from the comics to the movies and has been redesigned when new Batman movies are released. Many replicas of the Batmobile are on display at theme parks across America to market the Batman ride.

Another famous car from the movie industry was named "Bullit" from the movie "Bullit." The car was driven by Steve McQueen in one of the longest car chase scenes in movie history. The car was a Mustang Fastback and it instantly became one of the most popular makes and models in the automobile industry overnight. Fast cars were also made famous and popular in other movies from the '60s and '70s such as "Italian Job," "Gone in 60 Seconds," and "Grand Prix." Movies in the modern era that feature fast cars are "Minority Report," "The Fast and Furious," and "I, Robot." All of these movies prominently feature fast paced cars that Americans have grown to become fixated with.

The movie industry has helped the automobile industry grow throughout history. Some of the most famous scenes in film have happened in cars. Car chases have always been a popular part of the movies. They can be serious or comical, like the one in the movie "The Blues Brothers." Probably one of the most comical movie scenes involving a car is from the movie Naked Gun. Actors O.J. Simpson and Leslie Nielsen, two of the cops in the movie, get stuck in their squad car when parked at a weird angle.

Demand for cool cars down in the recession

Could the recession mean the end of cool cars over substance for the motoring industry? This may seem a little over the top, but a number of news stories have emerged in the UK press recently concerning how consumers are being deterred from buying cool flash cars instead of those which are considered more practical, and are refraining from adding sporty extras to their existing cars. So are necessities such as car insurance and fuel economy taking the place of the look and style of the UK’s vehicles?

According to an article at justgoodcars.com, industry research has found that 36% of motorists surveyed said that their limited budgets are the most important factor when considering the purchase of a new car. Additionally, the reliability of the vehicle was also said to be influential in the decision, with one in five buying because of their trust in the manufacturer as opposed to the style or look of the vehicle itself.

Additionally, drivers who have bought cars with the intention of modifying or ‘souping’ them up in the last year have been forced to think twice as research published at myfinances.co.uk highlights the added expense to insurance costs. For example, the added cost of a new spoiler on a 2000 Ford Focus for a 17 year old will be a massive £688.84 a year, whilst something as innocuous as decals and stickers could push the yearly extra cost up by another £6225.22!

According to Gerry Bucke of Adrian Flux Insurance there is an intriguing irony with the latter. He stated: "Young drivers of modified cars are on average 20% less likely to have an accident and make a claim than young drivers in cars with a standard specification. The truth is, guys who modify their cars tend to be involved in fewer accidents. They invest heavily in their cars and take more care of them."

So what does this say for the motoring industry? Are we likely to see an end, or at least a pause, of people spending money on car style? The reports in the press would certainly suggest so, but whilst we might be gradually letting superficial aspects of our vehicles slide, with credit crunch cut-backs we will no doubt see individuals opting for cheaper cars rather than greener ones also. If manufacturers really want to sell new cars they will need to be able to offer cheap simplicity in order to match those that can be bought second hand.

Demand for cool cars down in the recession

Could the recession mean the end of cool cars over substance for the motoring industry? This may seem a little over the top, but a number of news stories have emerged in the UK press recently concerning how consumers are being deterred from buying cool flash cars instead of those which are considered more practical, and are refraining from adding sporty extras to their existing cars. So are necessities such as car insurance and fuel economy taking the place of the look and style of the UK’s vehicles?

According to an article at justgoodcars.com, industry research has found that 36% of motorists surveyed said that their limited budgets are the most important factor when considering the purchase of a new car. Additionally, the reliability of the vehicle was also said to be influential in the decision, with one in five buying because of their trust in the manufacturer as opposed to the style or look of the vehicle itself.

Additionally, drivers who have bought cars with the intention of modifying or ‘souping’ them up in the last year have been forced to think twice as research published at myfinances.co.uk highlights the added expense to insurance costs. For example, the added cost of a new spoiler on a 2000 Ford Focus for a 17 year old will be a massive £688.84 a year, whilst something as innocuous as decals and stickers could push the yearly extra cost up by another £6225.22!

According to Gerry Bucke of Adrian Flux Insurance there is an intriguing irony with the latter. He stated: "Young drivers of modified cars are on average 20% less likely to have an accident and make a claim than young drivers in cars with a standard specification. The truth is, guys who modify their cars tend to be involved in fewer accidents. They invest heavily in their cars and take more care of them."

So what does this say for the motoring industry? Are we likely to see an end, or at least a pause, of people spending money on car style? The reports in the press would certainly suggest so, but whilst we might be gradually letting superficial aspects of our vehicles slide, with credit crunch cut-backs we will no doubt see individuals opting for cheaper cars rather than greener ones also. If manufacturers really want to sell new cars they will need to be able to offer cheap simplicity in order to match those that can be bought second hand.

Demand for cool cars down in the recession

Could the recession mean the end of cool cars over substance for the motoring industry? This may seem a little over the top, but a number of news stories have emerged in the UK press recently concerning how consumers are being deterred from buying cool flash cars instead of those which are considered more practical, and are refraining from adding sporty extras to their existing cars. So are necessities such as car insurance and fuel economy taking the place of the look and style of the UK’s vehicles?

According to an article at justgoodcars.com, industry research has found that 36% of motorists surveyed said that their limited budgets are the most important factor when considering the purchase of a new car. Additionally, the reliability of the vehicle was also said to be influential in the decision, with one in five buying because of their trust in the manufacturer as opposed to the style or look of the vehicle itself.

Additionally, drivers who have bought cars with the intention of modifying or ‘souping’ them up in the last year have been forced to think twice as research published at myfinances.co.uk highlights the added expense to insurance costs. For example, the added cost of a new spoiler on a 2000 Ford Focus for a 17 year old will be a massive £688.84 a year, whilst something as innocuous as decals and stickers could push the yearly extra cost up by another £6225.22!

According to Gerry Bucke of Adrian Flux Insurance there is an intriguing irony with the latter. He stated: "Young drivers of modified cars are on average 20% less likely to have an accident and make a claim than young drivers in cars with a standard specification. The truth is, guys who modify their cars tend to be involved in fewer accidents. They invest heavily in their cars and take more care of them."

So what does this say for the motoring industry? Are we likely to see an end, or at least a pause, of people spending money on car style? The reports in the press would certainly suggest so, but whilst we might be gradually letting superficial aspects of our vehicles slide, with credit crunch cut-backs we will no doubt see individuals opting for cheaper cars rather than greener ones also. If manufacturers really want to sell new cars they will need to be able to offer cheap simplicity in order to match those that can be bought second hand.

Demand for cool cars down in the recession

Could the recession mean the end of cool cars over substance for the motoring industry? This may seem a little over the top, but a number of news stories have emerged in the UK press recently concerning how consumers are being deterred from buying cool flash cars instead of those which are considered more practical, and are refraining from adding sporty extras to their existing cars. So are necessities such as car insurance and fuel economy taking the place of the look and style of the UK’s vehicles?

According to an article at justgoodcars.com, industry research has found that 36% of motorists surveyed said that their limited budgets are the most important factor when considering the purchase of a new car. Additionally, the reliability of the vehicle was also said to be influential in the decision, with one in five buying because of their trust in the manufacturer as opposed to the style or look of the vehicle itself.

Additionally, drivers who have bought cars with the intention of modifying or ‘souping’ them up in the last year have been forced to think twice as research published at myfinances.co.uk highlights the added expense to insurance costs. For example, the added cost of a new spoiler on a 2000 Ford Focus for a 17 year old will be a massive £688.84 a year, whilst something as innocuous as decals and stickers could push the yearly extra cost up by another £6225.22!

According to Gerry Bucke of Adrian Flux Insurance there is an intriguing irony with the latter. He stated: "Young drivers of modified cars are on average 20% less likely to have an accident and make a claim than young drivers in cars with a standard specification. The truth is, guys who modify their cars tend to be involved in fewer accidents. They invest heavily in their cars and take more care of them."

So what does this say for the motoring industry? Are we likely to see an end, or at least a pause, of people spending money on car style? The reports in the press would certainly suggest so, but whilst we might be gradually letting superficial aspects of our vehicles slide, with credit crunch cut-backs we will no doubt see individuals opting for cheaper cars rather than greener ones also. If manufacturers really want to sell new cars they will need to be able to offer cheap simplicity in order to match those that can be bought second hand.

Honda Civic

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Honda Civic

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Honda Civic

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Honda Civic

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Honda Civic

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