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In the spirit of one-off coachbuilt automobiles that have gone before, Pininfarina, Ferrari, and American Edward Walson have teamed up to create the Ferrari P540 Superfast Aptera. The vehicle was commissioned by Walson, son of the creator of cable television, to emulate the Fantuzzi-designed custom re-bodied Ferrari featured prominently in the Edgar Allan Poe-inspired 1968 Fellini short film, "Toby Dammit."

The P540 Superfast Aptera started life as a production Ferrari 599 GTB, retaining that car's crucial safety equipment including bumper structures and windshield. Around that basis, custom bodywork was created and the chassis was stiffened extensively to compensate for the roof being removed. In the end, due to lightweight construction and material use (including carbon fiber) the P540 Superfast Aptera weighs in at just 44 lbs more than a standard 599 GTB. Running gear is largely standard 599 GTB spec.

The project began in 2008 when Walson met with Pininfarina designers to start work on the car, creating a modern version of the gold-colored movie car.

"I had always dreamed of designing sports cars, and when I saw this film the decision came of its own accord: one day I would have 'my' Ferrari," Walson said.

Initial sketches were produced and 14 months later the final road car had been built. Walson recently completed several shakedown runs in the one-off Ferrari and took delivery of the car at the Italian automaker's Fiorano headquarters, where he remarked, "This is the most special Christmas present of my life."

The car is the second to be born from Ferrari's Special Projects program that offers owners customized cars far beyond the standard options sheet.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

The Mercedes-Benz SL-class is a perpetual favorite among the wealthy and glamorous, and with the current model, the Germans got the formula right again. In production since 2001, the R230 SL has already gone through two face lifts. The soft, outdated look of the original design has been sharpened, albeit at the expense of the overall stylistic balance of the car. It's time for Mercedes to get busy putting the next generation into production.

And so the last update done for 2009 will likely be the end of the road for this SL; these photos show that the next generation is well along in its development. While the basic concept of the SL will remain unchanged, there will be a lot of updates under the skin. Most important, the awesome V-12 engines, a 6.0-liter and a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter, will get the bullet, and the naturally aspirated, 6.2-liter AMG V-8 will be gone as well.

The AMG version of the next SL will instead be powered by a turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 which will likely produce 563 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, says Henner Lehne, analyst at CSM Worldwide in Frankfurt, Germany. Lehne expects M-B to downsize the engine portfolio, with the three non-AMG versions that will launch initially powered by V-6 engines. Two naturally aspirated engines will make 241 hp and 311 hp, while a turbocharged V-6 is expected to turn out 382 hp—as much as the current SL550’s 5.5-liter V-8. Mercedes is working on engine stop/start systems as well, but a full hybrid is far off, if it comes at all.

Under the skin, the next SL will share many components with the E-class; outside, the look will remain similar to the current model. "Mercedes needs to be careful the SL doesn't come too close to the SLS AMG," says Lehne. Chief designer Gorden Wagener, fond of experimental styling elements, will have to exercise significant restraint if he wishes to preserve the SL's character.

For a while, Mercedes-Benz toyed with the idea of returning to a conventional softtop, somewhat more appropriate for a vehicle that is rarely used as a year-round daily driver outside of temperate climes. But in the end, Mercedes decided to keep the retractable hardtop, which has become somewhat of an SL trademark.

We expect the SL to come with all the electronic wizards—crash-prevention tech, night vision, and lane-departure warning systems, for example—for which modern Mercedes vehicles have become known. Taken from the vast corporate parts bin, these electronics will aim to make the next SL, due to be launched in the third quarter of 2012 as a 2013 model, as safe and convenient as it is glamorous.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Toyota will launch a new compact concept car at next month’s New Dehli motor show aimed at emerging markets.

The Japanese firm hasn’t released any other details about the car and a source told Autocar it was unlikely to be seen ahead of its official launch on 5 January.

Reuters reports that the car has been code-named EFC, standing for Entry Family Car. It won’t be a rival to the Tata Nano, however, as it is set to cost around $10,000 (£6000).

It will be sold in markets including India, Russian and South America, and it is likely to be built at Toyota’s new Indian factory from late 2010, with production also earmarked for Brazil in 2011.

Toyota will display the car alongside 13 other concept and production vehicles at the New Delhi show.

Thanks to: Autocar

Word from Japan indicates that the next generation Nissan GT-R could be a hybrid sports car.According to Japanese automotive magazine Best Car, the GT-R may get a 440-hp gasoline powered engine mated to a 160-hp electric motor. The total, in theory, would be around 600 hp, meaning the upcoming Godzilla will not lose any of its performance potency.

There is also mention that it could be scaled down to near Honda CR-Z proportions in order to improve overall performance and efficiency.More details will surely come, so stay tuned.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

The Viper may be leaving the Dodge lineup this year, but that isn't to say its bloodline will cease to exist. Carrying on the tradition (until plans for an all-new 2012 model are officially detailed) will be a non-street-legal racer called the 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR-X that combines the ACR's performance with the racecar-like persona of the limited Viper Competition Coupe. It marks the third special edition Viper included in the last 500 unit run for model year 2010.

As you can imagine, everything on the ACR-X is tuned for optimal usability, tunability, and strength while charging hard on track. The well-known 8.4-liter V-10 now makes 640 hp -- or 40 more than a standard model -- thanks to less restrictive SRT-developed headers and exhaust system. Like the ACR, each corner gets a tunable coilover setup that allows teams to uniquely suit the car for each circuit run.

With generous amounts of carbon fiber employed, combined with a gutted interior, weight has been reduced by 160 lbs. compared to the standard coupe. Inside, drivers get a full dosage of Viper Competition Coupe with a factory installed roll cage, fuel cell, harnesses, and lightweight composite seat. High-speed cornering improves courtesy of an extra pair of front canards and of course, the ACR's extra-large -- but highly useful -- carbon fiber adjustable wing.

Although relatively short, development of the ACR-X was thorough. SRT had SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship series driver Kuno Wittmer fine-tune the car, which he says will be stepping stone for grassroots racers to enter into the GT1 level. During his time in the car while at the 2.238-mile Laguna Seca Raceway, he clocked consistent 1:31 sec lap times. That's around 2 seconds faster than the production car best of 1:33.91 set by a streetable ACR last month.

Dodge hopes most, if not all, ACR-Xs will make their way to the track as part of a newly established Dodge Viper Cup series. The series stipulates that every competitor must run an ACR-X and will compete in two races each of the five weekends it runs starting July 9-11 at Virginia International Raceway. Mopar and Dodge Motorsports have pledged to pay more than $200,000 in cash and Mopar vouchers to race winners. The season's top three finishers also get extra cash bonuses. The car is also designed to compete in other series such as the ever popular Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and National Auto Sports Association (NASA).

Getting your hands on one will set you back $110,000, or around $12,000 more than the Viper ACR. Production is to begin next spring, with deliveries just in time for the Viper Cup Series start. If there's a best way for the current-generation Dodge Viper to go out with a bang, racing around one of the country's tracks has got to be it.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Despite the effects of the Great Recession on personal-use truck sales, there is still demand for pickups ready to do hard work. The heavy-duty truck market has gotten smaller, but the guys who buy those pickups are fiercely loyal to the segment-they need the extreme capability these hard-working haulers provide. Some may wonder why anyone would own a truck that can tow nearly 20,000 pounds, but for a lot of people in construction, those who transport vehicles or goods, and those with ranches, this is just a part of everyday life.

Within the next few months, the heavy-duty category will heat up, as all three manufacturers have all-new offerings coming. The Ram Heavy Duty is the first to market, and it's already ahead of the game. When Ford and GM's all-new heavy-dutys come out, both new diesel engines are going to require urea injection to meet emissions requirements that take effect January 2010. The Ram Heavy Duty's Cummins inline-six turbodiesel, which puts out an impressive 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, met those requirements -- without urea -- over a year ago.

Instead, the Ram 2500 and 3500 use a NOx adsorber with precious metals that convert the NOx into inert gases. Not only does this mean the Ram's emissions and exhaust systems are less complex than those in the upcoming Ford Super Duty and Silverado/Sierra HD (which could improve reliability and help keep maintenance costs down), it also means that, at the dealership, the Ram will very likely have a price advantage over its competitors. And while in this size category diesel is king, there are plenty of heavy-duty truck buyers who prefer gas power. The 5.7-liter Hemi, the Ram's base engine, has the most horsepower (383) and torque (400 pound-feet) of any V-8 in its class -- and only the Ford Super Duty's V-10 has more torque than the Hemi, but it still has less horsepower.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

As Chrysler continues to struggle in the absence of new product, it’s refreshing to finally get a glimpse of the next-generation Dodge Charger, which can’t get here soon enough. Although it’s covered in camouflage, we’re able to see some new cues that appear to have been influenced by its retro-sibling, the Challenger.

For starters, up front we can see the trademark cross-hair grille grows larger and is restyled. Rather than being a canted overbite tucked under the nose, the new grille bubbles out from the center of the cross hairs, while the hood retains its domed shape.

A smoother greenhouse incorporating a more steeply raked windshield nicely accents a new shoulder line. Sweeping along the doors, the line flows into a slightly extended rear deck. With camo hiding the aft section of the rear-door glass, we can only speculate that changes are below, which we think could mean more glass at the C-pillar instead of the current car’s plastic triangle. Revised side mirrors are shorter in height and positioned lower at the base of a thinner A-pillar. We hope that will combine with the possible extra glass in the rear to resolve visibility woes.

At the rear, restyled taillights—which could be LED units—sit in what looks like a recessed rear valance, much like that on the Challenger. Overall, we are hoping for more of a vintage style to the updated Charger that will better complement its muscle.

And speaking of that muscle, while it’s obvious we can’t see what is under the hood, Charger fans should expect to see the latest version of the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, currently rated at 368 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. We expect Dodge to eke out a little more power in this application; perhaps the 390 hp as in the Ram’s version of the engine. Additionally, the new Pentastar V-6 debuting in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will serve as the base powerplant with some 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. While the future of the performance SRT line has often been in question, we’d say it’s safe to expect a Charger SRT8 to remain in the cards with as much horsepower as—or maybe more than—the 425 offered by the current 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 (a more powerful 6.4-liter version has been rumored for some time).

The new Charger should appear in the buff sometime this auto-show season with production beginning late in 2010, but with so much uncertainty wrapped around Chrysler’s future, that estimate is most likely subject to change.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

These could be the first images of the Kia K9, a Hyundai Genesis-based large saloon.

The design sketches were shown at a design conference in Seoul, Korea during a speech given by Kia's design boss, Peter Schreyer.

Although details are limited, it's rumoured that the car would be based on the Genesis platform and initially be offered with V8 power in the US, with other markets testing reaction to it.

However, a Kia source denied any knowledge of the car, saying it had not been presented in a forward product plan briefing given earlier this month.

Instead, he suggested that the pictures could be an early design sketch for Kia's K7, which will go on sale as the Cadenza in the US.

Thanks to: Autocar

The Qazana is inching closer to showrooms, as these spy shots prove. Nissan’s compact SUV stunner stole the limelight at March’s Geneva Motor Show – and this prototype reveals the distinctive looks will be carried over to the final version.

Dominating the aggressive nose will be a mouth-shaped grille and large headlights. There’s also a low, rakish roofline and short overhangs front and rear. Inside, reports suggest the Qazana will take cues from the concept’s striking cabin. That means we can expect a protruding dash and a centre console inspired by a motorcycle fuel tank.

The car will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, and sit below the Qashqai. A wide range of petrol and diesel engines is to be offered when it goes on sale in mid-2010, priced at around £12,500. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

These are the first spy shots of the new Renault Megane coupe-cabriolet, which will be launched at next year’s Geneva motor show. It will go on sale in late spring with a price tag of around £21,000.

The cabriolet model will complete the new Megane’s range, after hatchback, coupe, estate and Renaultsport models were all launched this year.

The current cabriolet is still sold in the UK and at one point it was second only to the Mazda MX-5 in terms of units sold. It was one of the first in the C-segment to get a retractable hard-top roof, which has since been introduced on rivals such as the Volkswagen Eos and Ford Focus.

A Renault source told Autocar that the engine range would mirror that of the hatchback and coupe models, and it would also be one the first Renaults to benefit from the firm’s new dual-clutch gearbox.

These spy shots, which show the car winter testing in Sweden, reveal a heavily disguised car and little is given away about the car’s styling. Expect the styling to be akin to the new Megane range, which is heavily toned down from the more radical styling of the previous model.

Thanks to: Autocar

First details of the Mercedes E-class cabrio have been released, including how the innovative retractable wind deflector that sits at the top of the windscreen works.

Called Aircap, the driver-operated system raises a wind deflector on the tip of the windscreen to direct wind 20cm higher, over the top of the passenger compartment. It works in conjunction with a rear deflector to eliminate buffeting and reduce noise with the roof down.

It can be raised up to 99mph, and operates effectively up to 161mphph. As a result, Mercedes says the car is the first cabrio that can be used as a permanent four-seater throughout the year and on any type of road.

The system was developed over “between two and three thousand hours” in the wind tunnel according to Teddy Woll, Mercedes’ senior manager of aerodynamics.It is made up of 211 different parts, is built with 44 different materials and has been tested in extreme conditions through more than 10,000 cycles.

However, although Mercedes says it could be used on other open-top models, its effectiveness makes it most practical only for four-seaters. Insiders also say that Mercedes designers are conscious that the system, while practical, would not be welcomed by style conscious buyers of sportier two seaters.

The coupe version of the new E-class is the world’s most aerodynamic production car with a Cd of 0.24, but the cabriolet’s rises to 0.28. Raising the Aircap further disturbs that figure, rasing fuel consumption by an additional 1.2mpg on average.

The E-class cabrio is based on the E-class coupe, and will go on sale in the UK next March and will have Aircap fitted as standard. Air scarf, which directs hot air around occupants’ neck, will be available as an option.

It is around 70kg heavier than the coupe, and will have the same range of four, six and eight-cylinder engines as the latest E-class saloon and coupe, including the twin-turbo four-cylinder E250 CDI.

Prices haven’t been determined yet, but sources suggest they will be around five per cent less than on the current car, in line with reductions for the latest generation saloon and coupe models.

Thanks to: Autocar

After months of denials, Volkswagen and Suzuki finally announced today that they will be pairing up. Volkswagen will buy 19.9% of Suzuki worth about $2.5 billion while Suzuki, in return, will invest about $1.13 billion of that back into shares of Volkswagen.

"I don't want you to misunderstand: Suzuki is not becoming a 12th brand for Volkswagen," Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki said at a press conference announcing the deal in response to a question whether the company could have a German CEO in the future. "I don't want other folks telling me how to do things.

"That isn't exactly how Volkswagen sees it, though. The company wants to overtake Toyota as the number one automaker worldwide by 2018 and would love to see Suzuki count towards that goal. Asked about that goal, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said "If that succeeds faster (than 2018), we're happy."

"In partnership with Suzuki, the VW Group can take a big step forward in the compact car segment, particularly in the emerging markets in Asia," Winterkorn said. "In turn, Suzuki can benefit from our experience with efficient and environmentally friendly drivetrain and vehicle technologies.

"As Winterkorn alluded, Volkswagen's big gain is in Suzuki's small car expertise. While a niche player here in the U.S., Suzuki is the number 3 automaker in the Japanese market behind Toyota and Honda and its Indian partnership, Maruti Suzuki, is the leading manufacturer in that market. In both markets, Suzuki's small cars make up the bulk of its sales. Volkswagen, meanwhile, has had issues cracking into the small car market and could receive a strong boost in the Chinese market, where it is already a leader, with Suzuki-based small cars. Suzuki, meanwhile, will get access to Volkswagen's hybrid and electric vehicle technology and perhaps the company's larger vehicle platforms, traditional weak points for the Japanese automaker.

The deal essentially replaces General Motors with Volkswagen in Suzuki's corporate make-up. From 1981 until the recent financial meltdown, General Motors owned 20% of Suzuki in a similar partnership, but sold that share as it tried in vain to avoid bankruptcy. GM sold its last 3% of Suzuki shares in November of last year to raise money. CEO Suzuki characterized the new partnership with Volkswagen as "more serious" than its partnership with GM. The agreement has been finalized and cooperation between the companies will begin immediately.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

If you were considering the Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV but wanted something a bit more upscale, the logical decision might be to try the related Audi Q5. In Europe, however, the Volkswagen Tiguan Track & Avenue bridges the gap between a loaded Tiguan and a base Audi Q5.

The Europe-only special edition model makes a statement with 19-in. Savannah alloy wheels and other visual upgrades inside and out, but what really catches our attention is the price: 38,225 Euros, or about $56,000 U.S. Keep in mind that currency conversion rates can make vehicles cost more when purchased abroad in U.S. dollars, but when you know that an Audi Q5 costs 36,500 Euros in Germany (about $53,500 U.S.), it's clear this is a limited edition model targeting those who would rather drive a dressed-up mainstream vehicle then a bare-bones premium vehicle.

As you would expect, the Tiguan Track & Avenue special edition is more than just a set of wheels: a 25-degree off-road front end, silver diffuser, and subtle wheel flares are included, as well. Oryx White Pearl Effect and Island Grey Pearl Effect are the two color choices -- both of which are shown below from Volkswagen Germany's Build-Your-Own vehicle feature -- but it's really inside that this special edition package makes itself known. The exclusive sport seat coverings are made from a leather "whose softness and durability make it one of the highest grade leathers," Volkswagen says.

A fancy sound system, HID headlights that can see around a curve, and fog lights complete the package. If you're reading this in Europe, the SUV can be ordered in a number of powertrain combinations: manual or automatic transmissions and your selection of two diesel engines or the 2.0L four-cylinder engine that powers the Tiguan in the U.S.

Do you think Volkswagen should bring a Track & Avenue special edition to the U.S.? A top-line Tiguan SEL retails for $32,065 (including destination) while a V-6 Audi Q5 starts in the high-$30,000 range. What do you think?

Thanks to: Motor Trend

This is the Dacia Duster budget crossover, which could be made available in the UK.

Production of left-hand drive Dusters is set to begin early next year, but Dacia would need to offer the car in right-hand drive before it could be considered for a UK launch.

A Renault source told Autocar that the chances of the Dacia brand being launched in the UK was still only a “maybe” and if the brand was launched, only the Duster and the Sandero would be available as it doesn’t see a market in the UK for its Logan.

In Europe, the Duster will be available in two and four-wheel drive, with either a 108bhp 1.6-litre 16V petrol engine or 84bhp and 104bhp 1.5-litre diesels.

The Duster is a five-seater, at 4.31 metres long and 1.82 metres wide. By comparison, a Skoda Yeti is 4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide.

It is billed as a genuine off-roader when fitted with four-wheel drive, thanks, Dacia says, to its 20cm ground clearance, 30 degree approach angle and 35 degree departure angle. There are three driving modes - auto, which switches torque according to grip, lock, which splist the torque 50:50 and 4x2, which locks the car in front-wheel drive.

No prices have been announced.

Thanks to: Autocar

Audi says it only plans to make 1000 units of its e-tron electric sports car and that it will almost certainly be priced at "above R8" levels when it goes on sale in 2012.

"There are always people who want to be first to own new technology," Achim Badstubner, Audi's head of exterior design told Autocar.

He added that given it has 5000 dealers worldwide, Audi thought 1000 units was achievable. However, he added that Audi would make e-trons to order and would stop short if the run didn't sell out.

Audi's vision for its electric car is not dissimilar to Tesla's, whose roadster also commands junior-supercar prices. "Electric cars are usually city cars," said Badstubner, "but this is difficult because batteries are so expensive, limiting their competitiveness."

Like the Tesla Roadster, therefore, the e-tron will be a premium alternative for well-heeled early adopters.

The 313bhp sports car is powered by four electric motors, one for each wheel, and uses composite bodywork over an alumninium spaceframe chassis.

Audi believes some customers will choose an e-tron over a conventional sports car, but that many customers will choose one to make a statement instead of buying a cheaper electric car or hybrid.

Thanks to: Autocar