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2015 Jeep Renegade 42

Houston Auto Show – 2015 Jeep Renegade Inside and Out in 45 New Photos

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The Renegade is the second Jeep we have absolutely hated upon first sight, but really warmed up to as the style sunk in and was seen in the flesh. Visiting the Jeep stand at the Houston Auto Show this week confirms the cool and chunky stance of the Renegade, as a right-sized compact SUV. The ultra-traditional tall windshield and functional upper bodywork maximize cabin and storage space, with the Jeep heritage styling cues at once both very modern but also classic. If the new Cherokee is almost Cayenne-like in its swoopiness from the rear three-quarter angle, the new Renegade harks …

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2015 Peugeot 2008 DKR Rally Racer – Tech Specs and Pre-Dakar Photos

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The Peugeot DKR prototype currently blasting through the Chilean sahara on the 2015 Dakar rally has been a bit of a wallflower before the race. Few official photos of the truck have been seen. The mid-engine, rear-drive off-roader is an evolution of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak car, but raised dramatically for its new Dakar mission. The same team that created the LeMans 908 HDi FAP cars have created both of these latest racing Pugs, and all have shared the primary super-diesel engine power. This 3.0-liter twin turbo-diesel is a total torque monster: it pushes out 590 pound-feet of …

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Dakar 2015 – IVECO Making Big Gains With One-Two Finish on Day 11 in T4 Trucks Class

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These Dakar press releases are always a bit confusing due to how long and how many stages there are in this grueling race. We are wrapping day 12 today, with two more to go. The T4 trucks class is always a fun one to watch because the vehicles are simply so gigantic. To see a 10-ton truck do flying leaps and landings is an unfortgettable spectacle, to be sure. Italian Iveco has been moving up the charts late in the Dakar 2015 race, but still languishes about 7th in overall truck rankings — behind the huge volume of Kamaz, Renault …

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Infiniti QX70 by AHG-Sports 3

Infiniti QX70 by AHG-Sports Shows Great Style and Stance

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One of the big advantages of going to a big tuner for your car upgrades is that — no matter how eye-watering;y expensive they are, a big tuner’s parts will be far less than commissioning the work piece by piece. In Germany, driving one of the big local brands really helps broaden the availability, and affordability, of tuner parts and car mods. The Infiniti here by AHG-Sports lacks both of these benefits: it is nearly a one-off upgrade and each change is deeply pricey. Secondly, Infiniti’s in Europe are so rare that limited options exist to go wild on power …

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2015 Dakar Rally – Peugeot 2008 DKR – 100-Photo Action Gallery

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In the previous Dakar article today about the MINI Countryman All4 team, we noted how their action photos from the event took the cake for sharing the race excitement with the rest of us. After a bit of digging, we’ve found a real treasure-trove. Photos and videos so amazing they make MINI’s effort look a little silly and amateurish. Who could deliver this? None other than the racing powerhouse Red Bull. Videos, photos, interviews – all numbering in the hundreds. All with production values that are ready for 4K HDTV. Most of the MINI team is powered by Monster Energy, …

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MINI Countryman DAKAR 2015 19

MINI Countryman Team Looks Set for Dakar Four-Peat

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MINI has been dominating the Paris-Dakar rally in Chile for the last four years running — and that dominance looks set to continue this year. The MINI squad is up about 30 minutes ahead of the next-quickest team as we enter day 12 of the race. The major competition in the form of the very-cool Peugeot 2008 DKR is still in the game, but with only one truck left. One of the DKR Pugs crashed out early in the competition. So will MINI sweep the competition again!? Watch this space. But when it comes to amazing action shots from the …

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2014 Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV 14 - Copy

Design Analysis – 2014 Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV

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When Mitsubishi rolled out its latest trio of design concepts in Geneva last March, we were slightly horrified and very shocked. The designs are quite ‘advanced,’ — which is another way of saying they are freakishly ‘out there’ and not exactly attractive on first glance. But after seeing how this look filtered down to the 2016 Outlander, we are determined to give the new Mitsubishi design style a chance. And clearly, Mitsubishi believes it is on to something here. The XR-PHEV here became the firm’s Vision Gran Turismo car as an ‘Evolution’ version of this design, so you cannot say …

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detroit 2

#NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery – Day Two in 175 Photos!

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175 more photos from the Detroit Auto Show! A few at the beginning from the Industry preview the 14th and 15th, with engineers pouring over the competition in very extreme detail. The Detroit auto show opens to the public on the 17th. This gallery is the new slideshow — so after the new tab opens, the main window is now a slideshow. Next photo: click right-hand side of image. Previous photo; left-hand side. Enjoy!   NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery Two    

cayenne turbo s

3.8s 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Is Quickest SUV EVER!

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  Here is the scenario: two amazing Porsches. Which to do first? Our first article definitely led with the new Targa GTS — until we looked at the spec sheets. The PDK Targa GTS sprints to 60-mph in a very-respectable 4.1-seconds with the PDK pack. But brace yourself for some real heat with the new Cayenne Turbo S. This $160,000 super-truck is now the quickest SUV of all time: 3.8-seconds to 60-mph. Apologies for the lack of formatting in the specs below. Screenshots of the full specs PDF included, however, as proof of this unbelievably quick new Cayenne Turbo S. …

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xc90r

2016 Volvo XC90 R-Design Is Damn Sexy Swede

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When the Volvo XC90 debuted earlier this year in Stockholm, we were floored by its super luxurious cabin and extremely smart PHEV powertrains that actually deliver huge horsepower — and mileage. The 400-horsepower T8 is far ahead of any other seven-seat hybrid SUV, and is the world’s first plug-in seven-seater. But to be honest, the style of the normal two XC90’s — one body-colored and one with off-road pieces unpainted — seemed extremely frumpy and dull. The XC90 R-Design helped a great deal in those stakes, but it is always hard to get a sense of a car from renderings, …

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mkx

2016 Lincoln MKX – Will Mini-Bentley Design Appeal to US and Chinese Luxury Crossover Buyers?

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Updated 1.13.2015 Mini-Bentley!? Yes, that is the sense we have when viewing the MKX in some of its profile shots. It is actually a really well-resolved and premium appearance, with great proportions that say Luxury and Big Back Seat loud and clear. This is important, because the MKX is aimed squarely at two markets that value those two things very highly: the USA and China. Lincoln is launching in China with the MKX as one of its star cars. The luxury crossover segment is one of the few segments that is still red-hot in Chinese sales, and Lincoln is well-positioned …

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Update1 #NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery – Day One in 160 Photos!

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Press day one is complete, one more to go! Enjoy this 160-photo mega gallery of the hottest debuts, and watch this space for a full docket of press conferences tomorrow as well. The Detroit auto show opens to the public on the 15th. This gallery is the new slideshow — so after the new tab opens, the main window is now a slideshow. Next photo: click right-hand side of image. Previous photo; left-hand side. Enjoy! #NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery

titan

2016 Nissan TITAN Hopes to Quadruple Sales With HD Style and 5.0L Cummins Diesel

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You know that the Nissan Titan is the sixth-ranked truck in US sales, and has been for years. But we’d wager you did not know exactly how far the Titan lags behind the top-five trucks: the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, RAM 1500, GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra. Per The Wall Street Journal’s report today, the 2014 calendar sales of the Nissan Titan were less than 15,000 units. In total. For the whole year. Versus the Ford F-150’s 750,000 2014 sales, the Titan made up just 2-percent with its paltry 15,000-unit tally. The Titan peaked around 2006 with around 80,000 sales …

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hyundai santa cruz concept

2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept Explores SUV Pickup Crossover

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  What is this Hyundai Santa Cruz? A pickup/SUV? Think of it like a Honda Ridgeline, but perhaps tilted a bit more toward the SUV side of things versus the pickup truck? The Hyundai Santa Cruz concept revealed minutes ago in Detroit is certainly a headscratcher.Not least because the Honda Ridgeline has been a bit of a dud, despite a new model coming for 2016 for Honda. The best way to think of the concept is a look at Hyundai entering new truck segments in the future, as well as a snapshot of the brand’s latest design ideas in the …

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tacoma trd offroad

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Trim Is Mid-Size Raptor-Hunter

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Lots of action in the new 2016 Tacoma range this year. Along with the leather-seated Limited trim come two new TRD packages, with this TRD Off-Road trim level particularly captivating. Huge 35-inch tires, mud-friendly detailing and the AccessCab shown here are all very new and cool indeed. The lift and suspension tweaks for the special-wheeled TRD Off-Road package make it the only mid-size truck capable of going everywhere a Ford Raptor can on the rough stuff. The sandy Moab color help reinforce the Tacoma TRD’s Moab credibility, as do the fender flares and unique grille versus the Limited. A new …

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tacoma limited

30 New Photos! 2016 Toyota Tacoma Delivers Big Tech Upgrades, LED DRLs + New Limited and TRD Trims

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Updated 1.12.2015 Thrilled to share the full details of the upcoming Toyota Tacoma, which packs all-new engines and transmissions, a full redesign outside and in, and even a new range-topping Limited trim level. The biggest news for the best-selling Tacoma is the addition of six-speed automatics for the base four-cylinder trucks and the top 3.5-liter V6. The new transmission promises a quicker sprint time as well as a near 15-percent jump in fuel economy all by itself. But it is not working solo. The new V6 is very special indeed, with a truck-first combination of direct and port fuel injection …

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2017 Ford Raptor Is EcoBEAST! Cool New Style, Much Quicker and Even More Bad-Ass

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It is very rare to have a truck’s front suspension A-arms be a styling detail that lights up your eyes from the front, but the 2017 Raptor proves the exception. The truck shows off its tough and rough off-road equipment and suspension from all sides, especially dead-on from the nose. Here we see the Raptor’s trademark honeycomb grille and giant FORD letters writ large, paired with the super-cool new LED lighting from the top F-150 Platinum trims. Here the lamps are exposed and free of a clear shell — the better to show off the box-LED style and also to …

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chevy bolt

2015 Chevrolet BOLT Concept Previews All-New EV 5-Door Arriving Within a Year

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We are big bears on EV adoption overall, and love seeing Elon Musk squirm. In that regard, the Bolt is a fun new entry to the rapidly-irrelevant EV model niche. The Bolt is a relatively exciting surprise from Chevrolet: the new five-door EV concept that is a lightly-veiled production model arriving within a year to Chevy showrooms. The new Bolt EV concept shows the potential of a utility and family-friendly package with EV underpinnings. No pricing has been quoted, but expect this package to sticker from about $35,000 before tax incentives bring its costs to about $30,000. It is most …

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2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupé S-Model Storms The D With 585HP

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The new GLE63 Coupe is official!  It is the flagship model above the AMG GLE450 Coupe, and packs a huge wallop from its twin-turbo V8: from 557HP in the normal truck to the 585HP in the S-Model. Stunning performance is a sure thing: we could be looking here at the quickest-sprinting SUV of all time via pace of 4.0-seconds to 60-mph.   2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupe   The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC: Driving performance reinterpreted Affalterbach/Detroit Jan 12, 2015   Affalterbach/Detroit.  With the new GLE 63 Coupé, Mercedes-AMG is in highly dynamic mood as it enters the 2015 …

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2015 Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE

Update2 – 360HP Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Is Sporty PHEV Crossover Concept

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The Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE has arrived today with sporty looks and a five-passenger cabin that is about the size of the BMW X6 inside and out. The concept runs a 3.6-liter V6 plus a large hybrid power unit with EV-driving ability. Its style is an important preview of the production CrossBlue, a Passat-based seven-seater set for assembly in Tennessee beside its sedan cousin. We are likely to see this style replicated near-exactly on the large CrossBlue, but in a larger and blockier roofline layout. This design is production-ready in almost all ways, with the actual Cross Coupe a possibility …

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alpha-t

Concept Flashback – 2001 Nissan Alpha-T

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Nissan is giving journalists a first look at the 2016 Titan pickup today in Detroit at a football viewing party, and we wish we were there to see it! To set the stage, it seems timely and relevant to share Nissan’s first full-size pickup truck concept: the 2001 Alpha-T. Definitely a product of its moment in time, but also a bit stylish and adventure-bound in its style — even almost 15 years since. 2001 Nissan Alpha-T Jan. 8, 2001 Nissan Explores New Territory with Radical aT Concept – First Foray Into Full-Size Truck Market Makes ‘Big’ Statement     Nissan …

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mkx

2016 Lincoln MKX in 30 Photos – 2.7L EcoBoost, Open-Pore Wood, 19-Speaker Audio

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The 2016 Lincoln MKX has broken cover, and it is a very impressive next step for the resugent American luxury brand. A step up in size from the MKC, the MKX is larger and more posh, of course, but also a bit more evolved. The MKX images here show sexy new detailing inside and out, with a heavy emphasis on advanced luxury not offered on any Ford at any price. These details include the new twin LED DRL accents in front, a multi-lens HID low and highbeam design, and a full-width LED lightbar in back. The MKX with these modern …

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Bugatti SUV Design Concept by Ondrej Jirec

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In the original article toward the bottom of this page, we explore an online rendering of a Bugatti Veyron-style SUV, plus created our own janky lift of the official Galibier concept from Bugatti. But neither of the below ideas is really as avant-garde as Bugatti would seek for any Super SUV with its EB logos attached. College of Art Center of Design student Ondrej Jirec has a very cool idea for a Bugatti SUV. Grand style, grand pace, and the name? The Grand Colombier. A nod to the explorer Cristobol Colon — who we Americans know as Christopher Columbus — …

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subaru rally cars 2015

2015 Subaru WRX STi Rally Racecars + Outback SuperGT First Rescue Operation

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Three distinct Subaru’s here: the WRX STi for the Japanese Rally Championship, the WRX STi for Global Rallycross and lastly the custom SuperGT support Outback. The Japanese rally spec appears purest and most like the production car, aside from chassis bracing for the roll cage, a roof vent for the drivers to get some air, and a slightly taller ride height on rally-sped wheels and tires. The Global Rallycross car is interesting: it wears a much wider front-end and bumper that acts as a bit of a flexible splitter. This seems able to take impacts and also be a decent …

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 is 200k-Mile, 2025 TOTY

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Review Spending a week in this Ocean Blue Chevy Silverado is enough to make anyone a truck guy. Effortless capability and strength have always been key elements of the Silverado, and continue for 2015 — even as the rest of the truck becomes far more tech-savvy, comfortable and fun-to-drive. The Z71 LTZ 1500 trim of the test truck brings the best style and equipment to the table, and really helps show the Silverado in its best light. The upgraded cabin for 2015 is packed with cool goodies: some standard like the 4G LTE wi-fi, and …

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q7 tech

2016 Audi Q7 Shows New MMI Touch, Audi Connect and MIB Tablet Interfaces by Nvidia

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The new Audi Q7 will debut not just a much lighter chassis and all-new styling outside, but a cabin that is fresh from the carpet upward and absolutely packed with tech goodies. Where to start? The latest Virtual Cockpit design uses a 12.3-inch TFT panel in the main guage cluster, able to show 3D instruments, full Google-Earth navigation and maps, and a dozen other custom displays as needed. These are operated by voice, redundant knobs and buttons on the wheel and dash, or by the new MMI Touch control panel with multi-touch capabilities (ahead of the shifter). On the road, …

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tacoma

2016 Toyota Tacoma Is Official: Butch New Design + Rugged Capability

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The full batch of 2016 Tacoma images are now all online – with the truck looking fresh and butch up front. A large grille and more deeply-stamped creases and curves give the new Tacoma a bit of the 4Runner’s style kudos, plus new headlights with an LED accent not even the 4Runner enjoys. 2016 Toyota Tacoma    

s60 xc

Volvo S60 XC Marks Return of the SUS!

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The SUS lives! Sport Utility Sedans are a rare breed indeed. Only a few hundred of the original Subaru Outback Sedan were made and sold in core Subie markets like Vermont and Colorado in the late 1990s. Volvo’s new S60 XC entry will head to Detroit and then nationwide as a fun niche model for the brand. The Cross Country style actually looks amazing on the S60 sedan shell – and we’re eager to spot the rare and elusive SUS Volvo in the wild later in 2015…! Volvo S60 XC Volvo takes Cross Country brand into sedan territory Volvo Cars …

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lr defender2

Land Rover Honors 2015 Defender Retirement with Trio of Special Editions

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  Heading back to the start 65 years ago, Land Rover has created a fantastic Earthen honor to its founding model: the Series I. The legend of this truck actually started in the sand. The salty ocean fringe medium was actually where the first engineering sketches were drawn. Long after the waves washed the shape away, the product of those ideas is now a global icon in off-roading. This brief video shows the latest Defender sand drawing on the English coast – as etched by three new 2015 special-editions in a 1-kilometer-wide shape.     Among the new Heritage, Adventure …

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glk sema

Concept Flashbacks – 2010 SEMA Mercedes-Benz GLK Tuner Cars

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Shocked and appalled by hideous custom Mercedes-Benzes prowling the world’s roads? Wish there were an upgrade kit that fits the refined aesthetic of the Merc brand? If only Mercedes would commission a few tuner custom show cars of its own, it would have control and be able to yay/nay any questionable elements. For the US launch of the GLK in 2010, MB-USA did just that: four custom GLK’s for the SEMA show in Vegas. Unfortunately for those who do not like loud, brash designs…. what resulted are four of the wildest, silliest concept GLK’s ever seen. Removing the constraint of …

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nomad colors

2015 ARIEL Nomad – Exclusive Digital COLORIZER

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This Ariel Nomad is a very cool piece of news – even as CES is in full swing and Detroit is starting to build momentum ahead of press parties starting on Sunday. We’ve spent a bit of time in photoshop to create an exclusive color visualizer for the new Nomad — with our skills obviously best able to create bright, Skittles-style shades. We’ve also lightened and darkened the wheels for a few ideas of what the gloss-black optional rims might look like. This car seems like it is *perfect* for the X-raid class of rallying, and as such there are …

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ariel nomad

3.3s 2015 ARIEL Nomad – Tech Specs, Options and Full-Throttle Testing Video!

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Updated 1.6.2015 If anything, the real-life Ariel Nomad is even cooler than last week’s teaser renders indicated. Power is a stout 235-ponies, the Yokohama 35-inch mud tires are insane, and the options list will make you start drooling onto your touchscreen. Is there any downside to the ultra-light yet super-strong Ariel Atom chassis concept being applied to an off-roader? Not that we can think of. A heated windshield is even offered. The rear-engine playfulness and handling joy seem to apply themselves perfectly to the Nomad’s off-road mission — as well as guaranteeing traction for sprints and heavy braking. The 100-kph …

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highlander hybrid

Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD – By Ken Glassman

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  2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review   By Ken Glassman Last year the Toyota Highlander underwent its third major makeover, and not much has changed for this year. While the Highlander is technically a crossover vehicle, based upon a car platform, it looks and feels very much more truck-like, and seems more akin to the Toyota 4Runner than a Camry. It is a large vehicle, which seats 7 or 8 depending upon the interior choices, and has more cargo space than the last generation. It is also better looking, with a bold front end and brawny, bulging fenders. The base …

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e63 wagon

HD Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model

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Updated 1.5.2015 With 63 New Photos   When it comes to the rarest of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars and trucks, the S-Models are the absolute top of the pops. And the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Estate? The ultimate in rare supercars – the S-Model Estate is certainly up there with the most-exclusive cars available. By our estimates, fewer than 200 total S-Model E63 AMGs will come to the United States per year, but even one is a huge blessing.   The E63 Estate is just one click slower to 60-mph than the S-Model sedan. That makes this the 3.6-second wagon king. …

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2002 Dodge M80 Concept

2002 Dodge M80 Concept Was Faithful Remake of 1940s Power Wagons

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  Remakes and retro redesigns were all the rage in the early 2000s – and Dodge had a whopper in its back catalog eager for a modern restyle. The Dodge Power Wagons of the 1940s became quite a symbol of American might both domestically and abroad thanks to their plentiful presence in the US Army ranks. This remake is a little less jokey than the Chevrolet HHR or SSR, but still feels relatively more than 12 years after its debut. That is the Catch 22 of retro designs, as any New Beetle owner can explain thoroughly. 2002 Dodge M80 Concept …

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2012 Chrysler 700C Concept Looking Like True Preview of 2016 Town & Country

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When the 2012 700C arrived on the scene for Detroit 2012, it seemed extremely far-fetched. But viewed in the context of the new Chrysler 200, the 700C not only looks possible — it looks extremely likely. The cabin of the 700C in particular shares much of the functional and style moves seen first in the 200, including the rotary-shifter and numerous contrast color elements like the steering wheel. A reveal of the next-gen minivans may take center stage for Chrysler and Dodge next week in Detroit. 2012 Chrysler 700C Concept  

larte rrs

LARTE Design Launches Flashy New Range Rover Sport Upgrades

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There are no shortage of custom upgrades for the new Range Rover Sport, but this latest kit from Larte Design is instantly one of the most distinctive. A gloss black dip for all the trim elements and the new alloys sets the tone, while new bumpers front and rear are fresh and angular like the best supercars.A new pair of white LED DRL’s live in the lower intakes, and an F1-inspired rear central brake light shines bright red from the lower bumper. The new three-pod grille insert is a fresh take on the RRS style – and is one of …

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jeep renegade

2008 Jeep Renegade Concept Was Off-Road EV Speedster

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The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles concept parade continues unabated! Here we have the 2008 Jeep Renegade concept — which was a brave look at what a wider, lower and EV-powered Wrangler might look like. The exposed doors and organic surfaces, along with integrated fenders, meld well with the chopped windshield glass. Overall, the Renegade concept showed a modern form language whose lighting elements are seen on the upcoming 2015 Renegade small crossover. 2008 Jeep Renegade Concept

jeep hurricane

Concept Flashback – 2005 Jeep Hurricane Was Twin-HEMI Warthog-Fighter?

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As the Jeep Hurricane started spinning in its own wheelbase length on the stage of the 2005 Detroit show, the crowd nearly forgot all about the truck’s real trump card. Or pair of Kings. A giant HEMI V8 at each end of the Hurricane promised otherworldly off-road power and movement precision. Sure, this vaguely recalls the Peugeot Hoggar from a few years before, but much more closely resembled the HALO video-game machine known as the Warthog. As the Halo game franchise has evolved, the Warthog has too. In 2010, the military machine fantasy even earned a spot in Forza Motorsport …

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f sport colors wheels

2015 Lexus NX Colors, Trims and Cabin Visualizer + Prices for NX200t vs F Sport vs NX300h

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The 2015 Lexus NX is one of the most hotly-researched new crossovers. Its nationwide rollout is in full swing, with three models that all look extremely fresh, modern and premium. The performance of the NX200t, NX200t F Sport and NX300h Hybrid are all respectable, and AWD is available across the board for $1500 extra. Base prices start from just under $35,000 — which is great value for a vehicle that is larger than the BMW X3 inside. The NX is very, very close to the current RX in size, as the next-gen RX350 is expected to grow a bit and …

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ez miev

Concept Flashback – 2006 Mitsubishi EZ MiEV

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  If the Concept D5 Mitsubishi van represents a hard and blocky view of the future, this EZ MiEV is a much softer look into next-gen van style and tech.With its ultra-rounded and white pearlescent exterior features, the resemblence of this concept to the iPod from Apple is intentional. But things in this bubble van are just getting started with the exterior design and wrap-around glass. With a flat-battery platform an in-wheel electric motors, the EZ MiEV takes cabin versatility to a whole new level. The seats fold to form a full eight-foot bed with room for two adults. The …

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Concept Flashback - 2004 Mitsubishi Sport Truck

Concept Flashback – 2004 Mitsubishi Sport Truck

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Mitsubishi was actively exploring its mid-size truck future in this time period – with an eye on US sales for a truck like this. A bit smaller and lighter-duty than even the Honda Ridgeline, this Sport Truck was based on the Endeavor SUV chassis. To make it in the US market, it would need to be built in the US to avoid a punishing 25-percent tariff on all imported pickup trucks, however. Mitsu just did not have the bandwidth to make a business case for this beauty, which is a shame, but understandable. The company went with a rebadged Dodge …

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mitsubishi concept d5

Concept to Reality – 2006 Mitsubishi D5 to 5th-Gen Delica

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When we think of cars from the future, the aesthetic is generally minimalist and slightly brutal with its form language. This can be typical normal shapes like hatchbacks and pickups and mid-size sedans — but all designed with a lean and crisp look that eschews frivolous bulging and chrome in favor of minimalism. Will this be what cars in the future actually look like? Probably not. Just like we do not dress in spandex StarTrek outfits or one-piece tracksuits in 2015. But those are still the most popular uniform for most hyper-futuristic hollywood movie. Cars that would fit in that …

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ariel nomad

2015 ARIEL Nomad is Off-Roader With ATOMic Lightness and Speed!

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Thrilled to see the latest move from Ariel Motors in the UK: an off-road version of its legendary Atom sports car! This new variant is called the Nomad and is based on the latest Atom 3 running gear — but with a totally new roll-cage/chassis combination, a huge suspension upfit and giant dune-munching tires. A windshield is also in the mix on the teaser shots. This will be helpful for keeping the mud and sand out of your face! 200-horsepower is the output from the rear-engine Nomad, with rear-drive keeping things just a few hundred pounds up on the flyweight …

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la

LA Auto Show 2014 – Photo Gallery of 80 Cool New Cars

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Now that it is a full month after the LA auto show, and only a few weeks from Detroit, it seems like many of these images are not going to be utilized in full articles. So that they are not snapped in vain…. here are 137 photos from the showfloor. A few of these are from the tuner/specialist booth outside the LA show proper – but this is where we find Morgan, Galpin Ford and the GTR1, Saleen and other popular brands. Two really cool showcars that have not been covered much? The Black Pearl custom low-rider and the Zelectric …

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gsc g400 cdi

Latest G-Class Widebody by German Special Customs Is Classy and Subtle, But Still Super Lux

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When it comes to upgrading your G-Class Mercedes-Benz, the widebody exterior treatments from German Special Customs are some of the best and most realistically desirable. We love their latest bright blue over dark charcoal wheels. The monchrome exteior is much wider and far more modern than the factory model – but is not too over-the-top about becoming such a custom brute. The widebody fits the G400 CDI, G500, G550 , G63 and even the G65 AMG — or is also available on a per-piece basis. Installing all together is highly recommended so you can paint and color-match everything at the …

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mansory g-couture

MANSORY G-Couture and G63 Soft Upgrades Add Fresh LED Headlight Strakes

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The Mansory G-Couture is an absolutely brutal upgrade of the already-militant G-Class — with a huge new bumper and lower body upgrade that is wider, stronger and meaner than ever. The G63 “Soft” kit is a bit more comfort and style-oriented, and is where the latest Bentley-style LEDs debut their new embedded light elements. Beside these new round lamps are three horizontal white LED strakes behind a new glass shroud. It’s a nice update for the Galendewagen’s well-known style — and matches the lower bumper LEDs and roof LEDs very nicely! The upgrades lists are very, very extensive. See the …

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evoques

Six Custom BRABUS StarTech Range Rover Evoques Show Huge Style Gains

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Brace yourself! Evoques on parade today from StarTech Refinement, the Range Rover division of Brabus. This six customs in 120 photos show some really cool style enhancements – making the most of the low-roof and contrast-color designs of the factory truck. Out favorite elements are the five-spoke alloys and the super cool rear spoilers. Te seats from an F-Type R are pretty sweet too.   StarTech Range Rover Evoque Black and Red StarTech Range Rover Evoque White/White StarTech Range Rover Evoque Light Blue StarTech Range Rover Evoque Medium Blue StarTech Range Rover Evoque Urban Tan StarTech Range Rover Evoque White …

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MANSORY Range Rover Sport

MANSORY Range Rover Sport Widebody Upgrades Catalog

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  Mansory typically builds custom vehicle conversions that are so thorough that they’re sold as a completed supercar. The latest Range Rover Sport upgrade program is a bit friendlier and approachable for owners looking for a few a la carte upgrades. The result of the whole widebody kit is still as dramatic as any other Mansory, but being able to pick up individual pieces will broaden the potential market dramatically. For the first time, you do not have to be super-ultra rich to drive a Mansory!  But everyone will still think you are with these Range Rover Sports…. MANSORY Range …

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shleby raptor

575HP SHELBY RAPTOR – Animated Colors and Options Guide

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The Ford  RAPTOR off-road special is the biggest hit among shoppers since the F-150 Lightning of the 1990s. Performance street trucks like the Ram SRT10, Silverado SS and GMC Cyclone appear to be taking a backseat to baja-ready machines like the Tundra TRD Pro and the stock Raptor. But with the huge popularity of the Ford dune-blaster comes a bit less excitement and exclusivity for owners. Enter, Shelby American. You can equip and buy a custom Shelby Raptor as new or retro-fit these cool parts to an existing truck. Highlights in the full $17,000 Shelby upgrade are the Whipple supercharger …

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2015 Cadillac Escalade ChopTop Renderings

Fantasy ChopTop Renders – 2015 Cadillac Escalade Feeling Lowww!

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Big drama in development work on the site today. The only respite for this author – to stay busy and resist panicking as all images went down? Making more custom images, oddly enough. A chop-top conversion is one of the hardest to handle with OEM quality. A widebody is almost exclusively an exterior upgrade, but a chopped roofline requires some serious changes. Roll cages, electronics, cabin trims, doors, doorframes and glass all need to be redone. Not exactly something you can eyeball along the way, or carbon-fiber your way out of CAD-CAM studies in advance. But for visual impact, a …

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tt concepts

Best of Awards – 2014 Audi TT Offroad and TT Sportback Concepts

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After really hating the Audi Prologue, we are eager to balance those sharp opinions on Audi design. The expanded TT range via two concepts this year shows huge promise and great potential. A TT sedan! So simple an idea, and one that would be a sharp competitor for the BMW 1 Series sedan in 2016 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The TT Offroad shows the same potential. Both have an approachable and modern-but-fun design, great proportions, and a style that will pull sales. 2014 Audi TT Sportback Concept 2014 Audi TT Offroad Concept      

2017 audi q6 q8

Future SUV Renderings – 2017 Audi Q6 and Audi Q8

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  With gasoline prices in the US now below $2.00 again in a few spots, you can bet that any large SUV idea is seeming brilliant in Germany. The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and BMW X7 are two key segments where Audi is not competing with its fierce rivals. The GLE-Class Coupe and the BMW X6 is another huge market opportunity where Audi’s lack of large SUVs makes it a non-competitor. Not matching Mercedes and BMW for every model in the cheaper price ranges might make sense for Audi. But these giant SUVs have the fattest profit margins in the car business, …

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f-150 review

First Drive Review – 2015 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 3.5L EcoBoost Is Best. Pickup. Ever.

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INTRO One-word takeway from a drive of the new 2015 F-150 Lariat 3.5-liter EcoBoost? Outstanding. The new F-150 is perhaps the most-anticipated new pickup truck of all time, and as such it is hyped almost beyond belief at the moment. Trucks are arriving now to Ford stores nationwide after shipments started in early December, but before driving it — we had a hefty, hardy amount of skepticism. Would its all-new alloy bodywork over a steel frame be that much of a revolution? Are its LED lights just icing for the top $50,000-plus models? Let’s dive into this review drive with …

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kahn 600le

KAHN Design Range Rover RS600 Is Private Haven in Snow White/Gloss Black

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KAHN Design will make you turn-key stunner like this or help you upgrade your Rangie a la carte via Kahn wheels, grilles, trims and styling pieces over time. Either way, the results are definitely unique and striking. The level of vulgarity and hints of criminals behind the wheel goes up dramatically with any kind of matte or monochrome paintwork, so this white/black stunner is a great balance. Flashy and classy in all the right ways. There are widebody flares on this car, and totally unique front and rear bumpers as well. The design of these pieces is so well-integrated and …

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explorer colors header

2016 Ford Explorer Colors and Pricing – Animated Turntables in Every Color!

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  Thrilled to see the 2016 Explorer is progressing and evolving into an even better seven-seat SUV: new engines, new luxury and tech inside, and new style outside are all very promising. Even more exciting for shoppers than the new Platinum trim level at the top of the ladder? All new colors for every trim level – even the base Explorer 2.3-liter EcoBoost from $31,000. We’ve prepared this animated colors visualizer with half an eye toward file sizes. Previous Mustang and 2015 Edge color articles have nearly broken the poor interwebs under the weight of 400-plus images. =] BASE PRICING …

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Future SUV Renderings - 2016 Audi RS Q7 16

Future SUV Renderings – 2016 Audi SQ7

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Here is an exclusive look at how the new Audi Q7 might look as an S or even an RS Q7. Despite the current Q7 S-line being the sportiest trim offered, the strong rumor is that this generation of Q7 will have performance upgrades in the trim structure. This will make sense to battle the Mercedes GLS63 AMG, formerly called the GL-Class — as well as the BMW X7 M Sport. We’ve prepared two angles to review, plus a few grille trims to see how the new Q7’s style takes to the latest gloss-black themes. Overall, the appearance of a …

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1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter

Mecum Kissimmee 2015 Preview – 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter

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Sure, this Shelby transporter from 1966 might not be as glamorous as the classic Mercedes, Porsche or Ferrari transports — but it does have one huge factor in its favor. Authenticity. This truck is the real deal and in original, unrestored condition. That alone will make it quite a special find for Shelby and Ford Racing fans. Highlights include the COBRA LeMans engine block, among other tasty details. The big blue rig hits the auction block at Mecum’s Kissimmee, Florida auction in mid-January, 2015. 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter   Mecum Kissimmee 2015 Preview 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing …

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1938 studebker coupe pickup

Mecum 2014 Austin – Mid-Century Trucks – 1937 Studebaker J5 Express Coupe Pickup

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Clarification: Some confusion on which truck is which: this is the Studebaker, the previous article incorrectly referred to a 1948 Diamond T as the Stud. Part of a series. What really sticks with you about the 1937-1950 trucks featured here is how fun a joyful their designs are. Sure, they were work trucks – but the work was fun. There are a half-dozen or more amazing pickup trucks headed across the block tomorrow and Saturday in Austin, Texas for the Mecum auction.    https://www.mecum.com/ Auction Schedule Seller’s Check-in: Wednesday, December 10 from 8 AM-6 PM Thursday, December 11 from 8 …

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1948 Willys Jeep Pickup

Mecum 2014 Austin – Mid-Century Trucks – 1948 Willys Jeep Pickup

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Part of a series. What really sticks with you about the 1937-1950 trucks featured here is how fun a joyful their designs are. Sure, they were work trucks – but the work was fun. There are a half-dozen or more amazing pickup trucks headed across the block tomorrow and Saturday in Austin, Texas for the Mecum auction.  https://www.mecum.com/ Auction Schedule Seller’s Check-in: Wednesday, December 10 from 8 AM-6 PM Thursday, December 11 from 8 AM-6 PM Auction: Gates open daily at 8 AMVEHICLES: Friday at 10 AM Saturday at 10 AMROAD ART: Will begin 30 minutes priorTV BROADCAST SCHEDULE:Friday, December …

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1941 Chevrolet AK Pickup

Mecum 2014 Austin – Mid-Century Trucks – 1941 Chevrolet AK Pickup

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Part of a series. What really sticks with you about the 1937-1950 trucks featured here is how fun a joyful their designs are. Sure, they were work trucks – but the work was fun. There are a half-dozen or more amazing pickup trucks headed across the block tomorrow and Saturday in Austin, Texas for the Mecum auction.  https://www.mecum.com/ Auction Schedule Seller’s Check-in: Wednesday, December 10 from 8 AM-6 PM Thursday, December 11 from 8 AM-6 PM Auction: Gates open daily at 8 AMVEHICLES: Friday at 10 AM Saturday at 10 AMROAD ART: Will begin 30 minutes priorTV BROADCAST SCHEDULE:Friday, December …

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willys 38

Mecum 2014 Austin – Mid-Century Trucks – 1939 Willys Series 38 Pickup

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Part of a series. What really sticks with you about the 1937-1950 trucks featured here is how fun a joyful their designs are. Sure, they were work trucks – but the work was fun. There are a half-dozen or more amazing pickup trucks headed across the block tomorrow and Saturday in Austin, Texas for the Mecum auction.  https://www.mecum.com/ Auction Schedule Seller’s Check-in: Wednesday, December 10 from 8 AM-6 PM Thursday, December 11 from 8 AM-6 PM Auction: Gates open daily at 8 AMVEHICLES: Friday at 10 AM Saturday at 10 AMROAD ART: Will begin 30 minutes priorTV BROADCAST SCHEDULE:Friday, December …

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q7

2016 Audi Q7: Dramatic Quattro-Style Redesign is 700-Pounds Lighter!

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Here is a welcome new crossover! The long-anticipated 2016 Audi Q7 is here and official. The revamp is far more thorough than the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg, with Audi using a new mixed-material body and numerous other lightweighting tech to drop its weight ratings dramatically. At 4,400-pounds, the 2016 Q7 is still no ballerina, but is now the lightest in its class, per Audi. It is certainly much more svelte than the 5,000-pounds-plus of the latest Escalade and others. These benefits have a multiplicative impact on performance, handling feel and efficiency for all engines and driving scenarios. We are …

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1937 Hudson Terraplane Series 70 Pickup

Mecum 2014 Austin – Mid-Century Trucks – 1937 Hudson Terraplane Series 70 Pickup

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Part of a series. There are a half-dozen or more amazing pickup trucks headed across the block tomorrow and Saturday in Austin, Texas for the Mecum auction.      https://www.mecum.com/ Auction Schedule Seller’s Check-in: Wednesday, December 10 from 8 AM-6 PM Thursday, December 11 from 8 AM-6 PM Auction: Gates open daily at 8 AMVEHICLES: Friday at 10 AM Saturday at 10 AMROAD ART: Will begin 30 minutes priorTV BROADCAST SCHEDULE:Friday, December 12 NBCSN: 6:30 PM-12 AM ET/5:30-11 PM CT SDD Saturday, December 13 NBCSN: 3-7 PM ET/2-6 PM CT LIVE Notice: Big Brochure Deadline: Wednesday, October 29 at 5 …

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1937 diamont t

Mecum 2014 Austin – Mid-Century Trucks – 1948 Diamond T Model 201 Pickup

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Clarification: Some confusion on which truck was which: this is the Diamont T, the previous article incorrectly referred to a 1938 Studebaker. Part of a series. There are a half-dozen or more amazing pickup trucks headed across the block tomorrow and Saturday in Austin, Texas for the Mecum auction.  https://www.mecum.com/ Auction Schedule Seller’s Check-in: Wednesday, December 10 from 8 AM-6 PM Thursday, December 11 from 8 AM-6 PM Auction: Gates open daily at 8 AMVEHICLES: Friday at 10 AM Saturday at 10 AMROAD ART: Will begin 30 minutes priorTV BROADCAST SCHEDULE:Friday, December 12 NBCSN: 6:30 PM-12 AM ET/5:30-11 PM CT …

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2015 Subaru Outback 1

Updated With 100 New Photos – 2015 Subaru Outback COLOR Visualizer

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Updated 12.10.14 With 100 Real-Life Photos Third Update: We reversed Lapis Blue and Twilight Blue Metallic. We mixed them up. Lapis blue is the darker color. The new Legacy and Outback are vastly improved over their predecessors in every important way: exterior style is cooler, interiors are more luxurious and refined, and the cabin safety and infotainment take a huge flying leap into the future. To help you pick which Outback color suits your tastes, we’ve prepared a full animated colors guide to all nine options. Many of these colors are premium and new for this year – with the …

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GLE450 AMG

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Revealed! Production Form Ahead of Fall 2015 USA Deliveries

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Here is a twin-turbocharged burst of huge news for this Tuesday! The new Mercedes GLE-Class is official: the red model is the GLE450 AMG 4Matic and is set for its public unveiling at Detroit in just a month’s time. The GLE-Class will slide in beside the ML-Class replacing-GLE as a sportier X6 rival. The GLE-Class proper then is likely to be more practical and family-friendly, with a taller roofline and a third row of seats for the first time. This GLE-Class Coupe is therefore targeted at the coolest and most-stylish clients in the luxury SUV business. This GLE450 AMG is …

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hoggar

Concept Flashback – 2003 Peugeot Hoggar Was Twin-Engine 4×4 a la 2015 DKR Racer

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Here is a fun look at a dune buggy from Peugeot more than a decade ago. The brand had long ditched its  off-road-race pedigree through the 1990s, and with it any available 4×4 powertrains. The only way they could make this little cabrio a true 4×4 involved some very unique engineering. In what is a strange and exponentially more complex arrangement than a prop shaft, the Hoggar has twin four-cylinder turbodiesel engines. Both mounted transversely – with one on each end. Think of it like the noses of two Peugeot hatchback’s joined by a chromoly chassis in between. It is …

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X-Tomi Design Ute Pickups

X-Tomi Design Renders Ute Pickups From 12 of The Hottest New Cars

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You know X-Tomi Design as the talent behind the Lexus RC-F cabrio renderings featured a few weeks ago — and this is one prolific car design artist! One of his latest feats is making Ute pickup truck versions of many hot sports cars, crossovers and supercoupes. Sure, the market for these machines in real life might be very slim outside of Australia — but they are fun to ponder regardless. Pop him a like over on the Face via the below link, and check his site for all the latest fantasy renderings he puts out. https://www.facebook.com/xtomidesign http://xtomi.blogspot.hu/   X-Tomi Design …

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sienna xle 2015

Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Sienna XLE Brings All-New Infotainment and Fresh Comfort Upgrades

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On the way to test out the 2015 Sienna, we traveled by Sienna! Our chariot of 2014 Sienna SE offered a great basis point to evaluate the 2015 model’s improvements. Let’s dive in with the usual format of Exterior, Interior, Performance and Summary. We have split each segment into Sienna XLE and Sienna SE portions, in hopes of offering a good idea of what both offer families – highlighting relevant differences between the two. EXTERIOR Sienna XLE There are subtle style changes outside around front and back. The SE and Limited Sienna’s benefit from some classy LED accents in the …

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silverado cng

2015 Silverado HD CNG 6.0L Bi-Fuel V8 is a Natty G Revolution!

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This energy revolution will not be televised. It will rarely draw stares or have other drivers following you to ask questions. The 2500HD CNG is all-new from Chevrolet this year and marks the beginning of a potentially game-changing new trend in heavy-duty pickup truck efficiency. As nice as a diesel engine’s extra 25-percent fuel efficiency is, what about a powertrain package that doubles overall range and can be flipped between gasoline and compressed natural gas at the touch of a button? If there are no CNG filler stations on your route, simply run the truck on gasoline and enjoy is …

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suburban evo compressed gif

Animated Evolution of the Chevrolet Suburban from 1915 to 2015

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  One thing has been pretty constant throughout the last 100 years: Chevrolet. The icon of Chevrolet for most people is the truck line. Imagine a world where Chevy could only keep making one car. That is it. Which model would you pick to evolve through year 2100? Many people would choose the Suburban. The “Chevrolet One Ton Commercial Truck” can do it all. As an all-new model arriving to Chevy dealers just before the Super Bowl 2014,all signs show this upscale workhorse will be a huge hit with shoppers. Who does not have an awesome Chevy Suburban memory? Growing …

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lm002 gif

RM Arizona 2015 Preview – 1989 Lamborghini LM002 – The Off-Road Countach Is USA Street Legal

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A bit less of a legend than the 037 Lancia? Perhaps. But almost as appealing. After 25 years to appreciate the LM002’s overt masculinity, dreamer-spec engine and mechanicals, and before-its-time superlux offroader credentials — the LM002 looks like a new shape of timeless classic supercar to us. The biggest news about this Lambo Rambo besides its very fresh paint and excellent interior condition? It is finally old enough to be driven legally in the United States! It might even be time for John Rambo Jr. to hit the big screen, with this his on-screen battle truck….   1989 Lamborghini LM002 …

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sienna se

Road Test Review – 2014 Toyota Sienna SE Is The Ultimate High-Speed Q-Ship

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When you think of minivans, the sportiest one available might seem like a dumb question. I mean, what is the point of having huge power on demand when you are likely to have a car full of kids? After a week rocking the 2014 Sienna SE to Ponte Vedra, Florida and back for the Camry rollout, we became seriously attached to the Sienna’s easy highway manners and friendly city maneuverability. Without a variety of kids and 1000-pounds of toys in the eight-passenger Sienna SE, we can tell you that this is the sportiest van of them all. Standard format of …

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juke color studio

2015 Nissan JUKE Color Studio Offers 4000+ Unique Trims Via 12 Customizable Areas

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  The new 2015 Nissan Juke Color Studio is a fantastic step forward for Nissan – with MINI-besting combinations of trims that total at least 4000 unique variations. How? Over the eight base Juke coolors for 2015, shoppers can custom-color 12 sections of the body in unique accent shades. Everything from matte black wheels to carbon-fiber-effect wraps creates a mind-boggling level of one-of-a-kind Jukes. Once a shopper has picked their ideal Juke Color Studio combination, the results can be sent right to the local Nissan dealer to be fitted to a new Juke on arrival. The styling of the new …

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juke gif

2015 Nissan JUKE Secures High-Style LEDs All Around in Design Refresh + Official USA Pricing

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  Updated 12.1.14 The 2015 Juke in the USA now brings the latest styling enhancements seen first in Geneva on the Euro-market Juke. Included below are 2015 USA Juke prices. Watch this space for a follow-up article on the 2015 Juke’s new Color Studio accessories.   NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan announced U.S. pricing for the new 2015 Nissan JUKE sport cross, which features a revised exterior and enhanced standard equipment – plus a new JUKE “Color Studio” personalization program. The 2015 JUKE goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide, following its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto …

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2015 Kia Sedona SXL gif

2015 Kia Sedona SXL Snapped in 65 Real-Life Photos

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Updated 12.1.14 with 65 Real-Life photos in SXL range-topping trim. We are really impressed by the complete transformation of the Sedona SXL for 2015. The new van wears a unique and fresh style that shares many design themes with the also-fresh 2016 Sorento. The result is not quite a full crossover conversion for the Sedona, but certainly moving toward the freshest style in the minivan segment. The coolest part of the new design for these eyes is the nose. The hood is slightly taller and the grille far more upright than most minivans, with the resulting style quite evident from …

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trax gif

2015 Chevrolet Trax Arriving in January With Base Price of $21,000

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Updated 12.1.14 The Chevy Trax is arriving to Chevy dealers very, very soon! As these latest photos and top 20 features below show, Chevy is eager to make Trax in the compact crossover market sales charts! We were pretty far below the Trax’s actual prices in our ballpark below of $19k to $25k — the Trax will actually start from $21,000 as a front-drive and $22,500 with AWD. Simple trim levels at least mean the LTZ AWD will not be much of a jump up the price ladder – with our new estimate being $27,000 with every available option. Fuel …

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gle gif

Sneak Peak! 2016 GLE550 Coupe and C400 Coupe in Mercedes-Benz Detroit Teasers

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Updated 11.27.14 Mercedes-AMG has revealed a teaser for the Detroit auto show in January: some sweet new AMG Sport and AMG Performance trims for the C-Class Coupe and GLE Coupe. The AMG Sport is a returning trim level for the C-Class, while AMG Performance is a new feature that has C63-style lower detailing that is dark-colored and very convincing. The new GLE will wear a full revised from bumper design — but this sneak peak indicates a full redesign may be a year or more into the future. Actually, after taking a look at the roofline of this preview more …

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2015 outback scroller

2015 Subaru Outback COLORS Guide – All 9 Shades From Every Angle

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The new Legacy and Outback are vastly improved over their predecessors in every important way: exterior style is cooler, interiors are more luxurious and refined, and the cabin safety and infotainment take a huge flying leap into the future. To help you pick which Outback color suits your tastes, we’ve prepared a full animated colors guide to all nine options. Many of these colors are premium and new for this year – with the new Crystal White Pearl looking especially nice. The 2015 Outback is priced from $25,000. http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/index.html 2015 Subaru Outback COLORS 2015 Subaru Outback Crystal Black Silica 2015 …

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triant gif

Design Evolution Series – 2003 INFINITI Triant Concept – Explored Crossover Coupe Design Themes

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Part Two in a Series. In 2003, the excitement about Infiniti’s new G35 sedan was palpable. Thousands were pre-ordering the vehicle on the strength of the initial drive reviews alone. A combination of 350Z sportscar platform kudos and the latest style were all confirmed as excellent on the roads. The G35 sedan would go on to be the most-successful vehicle ever to wear the Infiniti logo. It would become a two-door coupe, be stretched for the M35 and M45, and even grew into the stunning FX35 and FX45. During this design evolution, the Triant concept was a fresh look at …

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fx45 gif

Design Evolution Series – 2001 INFINITI FX45 Concept Expored Idea of Supercar Crossover

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Part One in a Series. The first of five or six articles here walking through Infiniti’s first steps designing and visualizing what the brand’s values would be in acrossover form. The QX4 (Q by 4) Pathfinder overhaul arriving in the late 1990s was a decent first effort, with some stylish cues to its wheels, lighting and overall aesthetic. But some time at the wheel made clear how luxury-focused the QX4 was. It was not an eager canyon-carver, and its 3.3-liter V6 was given extra-short gearing to the four-speed automatic to make the QX4 feel a bit less sluggish than it …

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2015 Toyota Prius V gif

Refreshed 2015 Toyota Prius V Pricing, Release Date and Upgrades Detailed

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Are we noticing a theme in 2015 updates? This is the year of revised infotainment, enhanced ride comfort/quietness, and new LED lighting everywhere you look. All the cool cars are getting these tweaks to their existing packages, and the 2015 Prius V 5 trim goes one further with LED low and high-beams along with a dapper LED DRL line across the top of the new lamp design. It is fresh and clean, with tweaks in the grille designs and bumpers rounding out the changes to the style outside. Pricing is very similar to the 2014, with base price of about …

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sorento sxl

2016 Kia Sorento SXL Adds Quad-LED Fogs for LA Debut

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Updated 11.25.14   The updated Sorento is likely to arrive in the US market some time in the spring of calendar 2015 as a 2016 model. The 2015 Sorento is already available at dealers, which is why we speculate about the 2016 model year. Kia calls this the third-gen Sorento, as Europe is less concerned with model years than we are in the USA. Overall, the styling update is a big success. It is paired with a new refinement on the road, an all-new cabin, and a much larger third row of seats than before. The design upgrade really helps …

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x6 gif

2015 BMW X6 M Sport vs xLine in 350 New Photos

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Okay, we admit defeat! Usually, the main gripe when new cars launch is that there are far too few photos of the vehicle. Or they are not photos at all: but digital renderings that often do not show the car in real-world detail. But with the latest BMW X6 photo batch, we raise the white flag. 350 photos is too many for any editor to process. But in the name of completeness, we have faithfully included them all here. The car looks most amazing in M Sport trims versus the xLine, which has a somewhat busier lower nose, more chrome …

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unimog upfits

2015 Unimog U218 and U423 Upfit Showcase: 4 Seasons Hero in 30+ Configurations!

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When investing in a hard-core heavy truck like the new Unimog U218 and U423, you might have one or two general usage scenarios in mind. But once you realize how unstoppable and customizable the Unimog platform is, what was once a snow-plow or fire rescue truck is suddenly an all-purpose hero. Pull a freight train?  Check. Agriculture tractor-replacement? Dumptruck? Extreme landscaper? Check, check, check. Here is the incredible Unimog in 150 photos showing some of its most popular upfitted uses. A handful of the photos are the previous-gen trucks  – which can be told apart based on the grille. The …

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trd pro baja 1000 gif

2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Wins Its Baja 1000 Full Stock Class + SEMA Pro Truck Showcase

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The lightly race-prepped TRD Pro Tundra is back from Baja — with a win! The TRD Pro Tundra jumped and roared its giant V8 the 1200 miles to the finish line in first place, then cruised home the 1000 miles back to the start line for good measure. Was it showroom-fresh upon arrival back to Toyota headquarters in Torrance? Not exactly!  A huge gash in the sheetmetal and rear fender shows the fury of racing. But the fact that the TRD Pro Tundra continued on its mission is impressive. A solid achievement and vote of confidence in the new TRD …

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murano gif

2015 Nissan Murano Pricing + COLORS and 60 New Photos

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  Nissan just announced the pricing for the 2015 Murano, plus released a nice batch of photos in the car’s signature Pacific Sunset color. We have not see the wheels or detailing of anything but the top-flight $41k Murano Platinum, but are pleased to see the base pricing slide in below $30,000 overall. The new Murano is on sale from December 5th. Deep below are all the Murano colors, the 60 new orange photos from Nissan, and finally: 100-plus real-life photos of the stylish new Murano in Magnetic Black from an Atlanta preview the other week.     2015 Murano …

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transit diesel gif

HD First Drive Review – 2015 Ford Transit PowerStroke Diesel

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  In the broad and deep Ford Transit line for 2015, there are more than 50 variations in cab setup, overall length, wheelbase, roof height, engine and rear axle setup. The dually rear-end in LWB, high-roof cargo configuration is surely one of the hardest-working in the bunch. This extends to its payload and tow ratings as well as its overall cost-of-ownership. For cargo and passenger Transits that will cover huge miles with a full pack of cargo in back or on tow, the PowerStroke diesel is a welcome option to consider. This cutting-edge 3.2-liter inline-5 diesel is one of the …

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transit upfits gif

2015 Ford Transit Upfits Bring 30+ Factory-Adjacent Suppliers For Streamlined Procurement

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One of the most impactful changes in the 2015 Transit vs Econoline is that a huge variety of custom cargo upfits can now be ordered right at a local Ford dealer or through any fleet manager. This means the trucks arrive ready-to-work with exactly the right set of interior cargo solutions, exterior racks or even full chassis conversions. We saw a great selection of the Transit Upfits available on Ford’s recent roadshow — and were very, very impressed. Ford’s suppliers all now have factories within 20-miles or so of the giant Transit hub in Kansas City. This means the trucks …

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2015 Cadillac Escalade Luxury AWD 89

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Cadillac Escalade Luxury AWD – Long Live The King

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INTRO   The 2015 Cadillac Escalade is the ultimate in look-good, feel-good luxury SUVs. After a week driving the Escalade around Georgia and the Carolinas, we really came to love the big truck and never ceased to be amazing by its performance and tech achievements in this fourth-generation model. For many years of the first three generations of Escalade, SUV buyers seemed to bow down to the king Caddy for its prestige appeal — with the actual changes and upgrades from the Denali seeming less-than-complete. The risk of paying the Cadillac premium is that car-guys might see through the blingy …

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gts gif

Porsche GTS Crew Lands Lufthansa Red-Eye To LA – Cayenne, Cayman, Boxster and 911 GTS LA Photos

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Frankfurt to Los Angeles — direct — is a long, long flight. 11-hours and 10-minutes, to be precise. The list price for a human is $4,000 on Lufthansa, and 10X that for a vehicle. Equipment? 777ER. Or more likely, the trusty 747-400. The trip feels especially lengthy when you are in the chilly cargo bay of a jumbo jet — which often has precious cargo in its below bay. Lufthansa is one of the only world airlines that flies cargo and humans on the same flights, at the same time. But the humans are kept warmer. At 35,000 feet over …

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2015 Nissan Murano Colors Guide 15

2015 Nissan Murano COLORS Guide With Animated Spinners and Tallpaper Collages

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      Let’s say you are curiously smitten with the 2015 Murano – arriving in Nissan dealers in December with an all-new style, extremely luxurious cabin and all the latest safety and infotainment tech. You will be thrilled with the Murano’s eye-catching LED lighting, flowing and expressive sheetmetal, and the 20-inch machined-surfaced alloy rims on the Platinum trim level. With such a stylish mission statement for all Murano’s, the exterior color is going to be a serious choice. The magnetic black of the mega photo gallery below shows a lovely rich and deep ebony that makes the artful chrome …

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sema mustangs gif

2015 Ford Mustang SEMA Showcars – Roundup of All Ten Official Wild Ponycar Customs

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Ford really dominated SEMA this year with about 10 custom F-150’s and Mustangs – not to mention a wicked pack of Transits, Fiestas and Expeditions. The downside of these customs being based on all-new, not-yet-available cars? Many appear not to have been ready until hitting the show glitz. So here is a recap of all the official Ford Mustang customs from SEMA 2014.   2015 Ford Mustang SEMA Showcars Roundup 2015 Ford Mustang by Forgiato   2015 Ford Mustang by Mountune 2015 Ford Mustang by Galpin Auto Sports     2015 Ford Mustang by DSO Eyewear / MAD Design 2015 …

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2015 Ford F-150 Show Trucks – Roundup of All Nine Pimped Pickups for SEMA and LA

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Ford really dominated SEMA this year with about 10 custom F-150’s and Mustangs – not to mention a wicked pack of Transits, Fiestas and Expeditions. The downside of these customs being based on all-new, not-yet-available cars? Many appear not to have been ready until hitting the show glitz. So here is a recap of all the official Ford F-150 customs from SEMA and LA 2014.       2015 Ford F-150 by TS Design   2015 Ford F-150 by Fabtech   2015 Ford F-150 by ADD Pearl   2015 Ford F-150 by The Custom Shop   2015 Ford F-150 by …

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Best of Awards – 2016 Mazda CX-5 Goes From Good To Great

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The Mazda CX-5 just went from one of the best crossovers available to perhaps the single best under $30,000. The changes for 2016 include a freshened exterior via a more premium dark-grey grille in a smaller shape, dark-accented wheels and more body-colored accents. Stylish new LED lighting in a cool and expressive design are standard front and rear, plus LED main beam headlamps for the first time. These Adaptive LED Headlights are part of a suite of new safety tech for the CX-5 and a redesigned cabin infotainment setup. Mazda MZD, this new tech package has a larger screen and …

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2016 Honda HR-V LA Debut With 50 New US-Spec Photos Inside and Out

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 Updated 11.21.14   As cool as the new Honda HR-V looks outside, a bit of really surprising news lives in the cabin of this Civic-based crossover. It is simply far more premium, stylish and modern than anything currently in the Honda stable. The floating console and fabric or leather-wrapped dash elements create a real sense of maturity lacking in the current Civic. The touchscreen tech solutions for HondaLink also appear to be very mature in the 2016 HR-V — meaning they are fast-reacting, easy to learn, and easy to use in day-to-day driving. The new HR-V is arriving into a …

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2016 Kia Sorento X-Men Custom For Wolverine at Australian Open!

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Kia’s new X-car Sorento for the X-men will bring out the inner comic book nerd in all of us. Set to attend the Australian Open in Jabuary, the Sorento X-Men model ties in with the blu-ray release of the latest film in Australia. The 2016 Sorento just made its US debut in LA – stay tuned for details in a different article. Pretty cool – but not sure if it would pass pedestrian safety regulatory approval with those adamantium blades on each side of the nose… =] 2016 Kia Sorento X-Men ‘X-Men’ inspired Kia Sorento to debut at the Australian …

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