Autoblog

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION

When Jaguar launched its latest XK coupe, the ad campaign that accompanied it was called "Gorgeous". When the Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION eventually becomes the next E-Class, the first thing Mercedes should do is call Jag to see if Gorgeous needs a friend. The shooting brake is absolutely stunning in person, the ultimate rendition of MB's current design language. Whereas a few of the 3-pointed-star's current cars have signature elements that ring true, this E-Class-Coupe-Wagon is the first time the entire theme sings in sweet harmony. The interior is the kind of thing that bespoke dreams are made of, with richly stained wood alternating between low-gloss metal and buttery suede. It is as if Mercedes discovered its inner passion, and if the next E-Class shares these qualities with the ConceptFASCINATION, then BMW and Audi better start worrying. You can discover more about the concept in the press release after the jump, as well as view it live in the gallery of high-res images below.

Ford's Ka has always had an expressive design, and the second generation of the little city car is set to continue that trend with three new custom packages that will debut with the new model in January. All three of them make quite a statement, though we'll leave it to you to decide if that's a good or a bad thing.

Ka Digital: Hi-Liter green is the name of the game, with an offset stripe across the top of the car and on the sides, along with a glow-in-the-dark colored grille. Inside, that same shocking color is applied liberally throughout, appearing on the dash, doors and seats.

Ka Grand Prix (above): Traditional red and white racing colors make a more subdued impression than the green of the Digital, and the two colors cover all the same features on the Grand Prix. A rear spoiler and white alloy wheels round out the racing-theme.

Ka Tattoo: For Ed Hardy fans, Ford rolls out the Tattoo edition of the Ka with a large decal on the roof and a smaller matching one on the fender. Metallic colors and trim cover the interior, which gets tattoo-like embellishments on the seats and floor mats.

All three special editions will be available on the Zetec model, though pricing has yet to be announced. If we were forced to choose one as our favorite, it would definitely be the Grand Prix, if only by default. Check out the gallery below for high-res shots of each.


[Source Ford]

If you've got it, flaunt it. The super high-end automotive market has been counting on that attitude for years, and it may now be coming back to bite them. It seems that sales of luxury marques such as Bentley, Maybach and Aston Martin have been on a downward trajectory over the last year. Despite the fact that there are a number of people who still have plenty of dough to purchase these expensive toys, public perception is causing some of them to hold back and keep those fat wallets in their pockets.

To combat the problem, some high-end brands are choosing to aim even higher. If ex-customers with a net-worth of less than $5 million find it socially unacceptable to make a purchase, Bentley has said it will begin marketing to those with at least a net worth of $25 million. Let us add that we've driven a few Bentleys and Rollers and can say with certainty that they are definitely conspicuous in a sea of CamCords and Mustangs.


[Source: Advertising Age]

Being able to complain that hauling your 34-foot Airstream around means leaving your full-dresser Harley at home for vacation strikes us as an enviable problem to have. For those of you with a surfeit of high-end toys and a longing to hit the road, Airstream has you covered with its new PanAmerica model. Being a high-end product itself, the PanAmerica sports Airstream's trademark aluminum construction and mid-century modern styling that ensures it's perpetually in vogue. The best part of the trailer, however, is that it sports a garage in its aft compartment that can swallow a pair of motorcycles, some ATVs, or our current favorite, a red Radio Flyer wagon. The garage has an 11-foot depth and is comprehensively equipped with tie downs and wheel clamps so your scooter will stay put while you drag everything over mountain passes.

The dragging part will require a pretty beefy tow vehicle. You'll want your pickup to have the largest available engine to cope with the 11,500-pound gross weight rating. Once you've docked your rig at camp, it's nothing but traditional Airstream class inside, meaning stainless appliances, indirect lighting, and snazzy cabinetry. It all looks like some kind of 1950's Brasserie, and if we had 85 large to drop on a jet-age home away from home (and a truck brawny enough to pull it), we'd be blogging from various bucolic undisclosed locations on a daily basis.


[Source: squob.com]

Click above for more images of the Track Tvan

If you're one of those take-no-prisoners off-road types, then we've found the perfect camper trailer for you. It's called the Tvan, and it's made by Track Trailer. The company, Australian-based and located outside Melbourne, has been in business since 1982. Their Tvan model is specially engineered to eliminate the problems found with conventional flip-over type campers (which stow the tent on the bed). With the Tvan, the tent is stowed in the rear hatch allowing your bed to be kept clean and dry. Even better, a hard roof over your head ensures a better night sleep.

As Track is experienced building military trailers, much of their heavy-duty technology finds its way into the Tvan. Features such as an asymmetric link suspension with Koni shock absorbers, 10 inches of wheel travel, and a 30-degree departure angle allow the trailer to follow the tow vehicle over nearly every terrain. With a hot dip galvanized steel frame, it is also built to take abuse and last. Of course, the kitchen appointments are stainless steel with abundant power outlets, lights, and ventilation to take the edge off of roughing it. It even comes with a 70-liter "food grade" water tank as standard equipment. Now, we found you the camper, you just have to figure out how to get it here... unfortunately, the Australian company isn't shipping to the States.

[Source: Squob]

Ford of Europe has an Individual Program that's been rolled out for a number of old world offerings, and now the Kuga gets its turn in the wardrobe room. Inspired by the Iosis concept from 2006, the new body kit and 20-inch wheels clothe a specialized interior for the Kuga Titanium that features Ebony Nappa and Bond leathers with contrasting piping and high-gloss Piano White fixtures.

Down in front, the Kuga will benefit from a new 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder Duratec Turbo with 200 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque that comes out of the Focus ST. It should add some sporty to the spaciousness while returning 29 Imperial mpg. This gas engine is 64 hp up on the standard offering, the Duratorq TDCi diesel. Another first for the Kuga, it can be shifted with an optional 3-mode, 5-speed automatic transmission.

On another note, the Duratec puts out a more energetic sound thanks to new exhaust tuning. The Individual program and powertrain options will be available from the beginning of 2009, and the first Kuga Individual showcasing what customers will be able to do goes on display at this week's Paris Motor Show. In the mean time, check out the gallery of high-res photos below.


[Source: Ford]

We dig the cars in car flicks -- but what about the cars that make the flicks about cars? Looking less like Transformers and more like space junk peddled by the sand people, it's hard to imagine what it takes to turn a regular old car into a mobile studio worthy of Deja Vu (pictured).

The Dukes of Hazzard TV series was barely better than those campy 60s movies, with a scenery film running in the back window of the General Lee during in-car shots. The General Lee from the movie is practically two car lengths longer than what you seen on the screen due to the equipment needed to make realistic rolling footage (and a roll of really bad film). Who'd have thunk it? Have a look at the gallery below, and follow the link to check out a bunch more shots of the rolling sound stages. Thanks for the tip, Brian!


[Source: Oobject]

Today Ford added two new co-branded models to its F-Series Super Duty line-up, the F-450 Harley-Davidson and FX-4 Cabela edition. The 2009 HD model continues a long tradition of collaboration between the Blue Oval and builder of hogs, but is the first time this co-branding has been applied to the mightiest of F-Series pickups, the F-450. It comes with a blue-flame paint job that's carried through into the interior on the gauges. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Harley-Davidson edition F-Series if there weren't a plethora of commemorative badges on the truck to remind you.



For those looking for a truck that is perhaps a bit more mild, Ford offers the Cabela edition FX-4. Cabela is an outdoor retailer that appeals to hunting and fishing types, so this co-branding deal puts Ford right in front of their faces. The Cabela edition FX-4 gets a two-tone paint scheme that can be ordered up in a number of colors, cloth seats, dark Paldeo wood trim and lockable storage units to hide your hunting rifle, fishing pole or whatever.

Ford has also announced the availability of new options for the Super Duty line like a spray-in bedliner called Tough Bed, SYNC, voice-activated nav system with SIRIUS Travel Link, and the Ford Work Solutions package.

Those wacky kids in Japan can do all kinds of things with their cell phones that those of us in the U.S. can't. Thanks to Nissan, Sharp Corporation, and NTT DOCOMO, the Japanese mobile communications company, they can now add car control to the list of possible cell phone features.

The phone uses the two-way communication of Nissan's Intelligent Key System, the same thing you use on your G37. For now, it can only lock and unlock the car and start and stop the engine, but if it takes off we imagine they'll add other options later. This is about convenience, not necessarily about sense -- if your phone gets stolen, that makes your car one more thing that the villains can abscond with.

The phone won't go on sale commercially until 2009, but will be demoed at the CEATEC exhibition in Japan later this month. You can read the full press release is after the jump, and get ready to overhear this in Japanese: "I called the wrong number and my car just drove off..."

[Source: NTT DOCOMO]

In these tight economic times, the project car budget typically gets left on the cutting room floor. Fortunately for addicted enthusiasts there are resources, such as Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, to prove that it is still possible to put together a prize winning ride for only a few bills. Just in time to save the wavering automotive habit of frugal individuals comes the Kumho Tires Grassroots Motorsports $2008 Challenge. For the past nine years, the magazine crew dedicated to amateur motorsports has organized an annual competition of cars built around a budget equal to the current year in dollars. It may sound impossibly restrictive, but some competitors even come in under the cap. The 2007 champion, a Chevrolet Corvette sucker-car, managed to top the field for less than two grand. The monetary limitation forces creative and innovative back-yard engineering amongst the entrants.

The $2008 Challenge will take place October 3 – 4 at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, FL. The cars will spend a grueling two days dueling it out on the autocross course, drag strip and even the parking lot for a car show. Competitors should also be brushed up on their accounting skills since they are required to keep an itemized list of all their expenses. This detail keeps the event fair and also offers the magazine's readership inspiration to create their own budget racers. Follow the jump to for the official press release.

[Source: Grassroots Motorsports]