These engineers at Brabus sure are tough guys to please. Apparently, the top speed record they set at Nardo with the Brabus Rocket wasn’t good enough. Some of you may recall that back in June, we reported that the Rocket maxed out at 362.4 km/h (225.18 mph) on a top speed attempt at the Italian track. That was good enough to snare the uber-CLS the lofty title of “Fastest Sedan in the World.” Continue reading Brabus Rocket bests own speed record
Ahhh, 80s week. We’ve already seen one of our favorite Germans and a blocky Japanese classic. Today, we take a virtual road trip up to New Hampshire for a little Scandinavian treat. Patrick’s 1987 Saab 900 Convertible was bought four years ago for a reasonable-sounding $1,800. At the time, he says, the car was junkyard material. Luckily for the ragtop Saab, Patrick (a.k.a. Flickr user smackdownsaab), was prepared to give it the TLC and financial support needed to bring it up to daily-driver standards. We’d say that things worked out quite well. Continue reading RR of the Day: ’87 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible
Subaru is paying tribute to the late Richard Burns, 2001’s World Rally Champion, by offering a special-edition Impreza in his honor. The RB320 STi’s name is derived from Richard’s initials and the power output of the car’s engine. All the Richard Burns editions receive the Prodrive Performance Pack, which in addition to delivering the 320 horses, includes an uprated suspension that puts the Subie 30mm closer to the ground. Continue reading Subaru announces RB320 STi in honor of fallen rally driver
GM, in what can only be termed as a smart move, has killed plans to redesign its minivan lineup for the 2009 model year. Like Ford, which axed the slow-selling Windstar, GM will euthanize it’s rather awful minivan lineup, meaning that we won’t have the Chevy Uplander, and Buick Terraza around to use as punchlines anymore. Instead, GM will focus on its new full-size crossovers that feature 3-row seating — the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave. Continue reading GM minivans taken out back and shot
We told you last week that reports of Cadillac building a long-wheelbase version of the DTS were true, and now we have confirmation in the form of official shots of the long legged sedan released by General Motors today. While no information accompanied the images, you can clearly see about 6 to 8 inches of extra wheelbase that makes itself evident behind the rear doors. Continue reading Official Shots: Cadillac DTS-L
The automotive industry is eagerly anticipating the debut of the 2008 Cadillac CTS. The sedan is tipped to preview Cadillac’s newest styling direction, and is expected to take a bow at the Detroit show in January. As we tipped earlier, unlike the current CTS and previous Catera which were offered only in sedan form, the new CTS will spawn a variety of bodystyles, which could include (in addition to the sedan) a wagon, a crossover and the two-door coupe pictured at right. Continue reading Cadillac CTS coupe
Last Friday the first two Tundra pickups rolled off the line at Toyota’s new production facility in San Antonio, Texas. The facility, called Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, took three years to build and cost $1.28 billion. At full capacity it can pump out 200,000 Tundras a year, a rate at which Toyota hopes the plant will be operating sometime next year. The facility also houses 21 suppliers who produce components for the Tundra on-site. Toyota’s president Katsuaki Watanabe and Texas Governor Rick Perry were on hand to witness the ceremony that marks Toyota’s entry into the North American auto industry’s biggest market. Continue reading Toyota Tundra production begins
The Toyota Camry, despite being knocked by many enthusiasts as soulless and bland, has still managed to outsell every other car on the market. Second on the list is its own sibling, the Corolla. And sales keep going up, so it obviously has a lot going for it. First it wins “Most Popular” award for its sales record and now it has won Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2007. We’d say it’s a shoe-in for Miss Congeniality, too. Motor Trend Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie issued a statement that said the award goes to the whole Camry range for its innovation and wide appeal. This is, amazingly enough, the first win for the Camry. It beat 26 other nominees for the title. Continue reading Toyota Camry crowned Motor Trend Car of the Year
This weekend, if your Christmas shopping exploits bring you to the WIRED Magazine store in SoHo, be advised that you might be able to snag a lift to your next destination in one of Infiniti’s new G35 sedans. It’s all part of a perfect marketing storm created when corporate synergies and Thanksgiving weekend shopping plans collide. The resultant Category 5 promo campaign is called “WIRED Wheels.” Continue reading Infiniti giving free rides in NYC
This bit of news will no doubt be a big badge of honor for the few owners there are out there of the Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI. VW is hoping the number of Touareg TDI owners will grow, and demonstrated the diesel ute’s mighty pulling power recently in a press event that pitted it against the standing weight of a Boeing 747. The Touareg was “lightly modified” with the addition of 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs.) of ballast weight (!) and the fitment of the 4.56 axle from Touareg V8 model. Continue reading Touareg V10 TDI tows a 747
THE Renault Laguna is back and the new-look model comes with a diesel engine only. There’s a pile of letters in Renault Australia’s Melbourne office that has been growing since the company returned here in 2001. They are from people who have driven its diesel cars in Europe, often as part of Renault’s own Eurodrive leasing program. “Why can’t we buy one here?” they ask. The new Laguna dCi means Renault can start replying — with good news. Continue reading Renault Laguna goes diesel
Consider the position of Audi’s new S6 and the predicament in which the Audi brand finds itself in the American marketplace. A case can be made that the situations are surprisingly parallel. Like the entire Audi brand, the S6 has matured, yet is lagging somewhat in visibility compared to its German rivals. Also like the brand itself, the S6 must stand on its own, continuing to appeal to the traditional Audiphile, yet still catch the eye of those who’ve never owned or even considered a car with those four chrome rings affixed to the grille. Continue reading Driven: 2007 Audi S6