Jaguar XKR175 kicks off the kid brother mantle at Pebble Beach

Jaguar XKR175 – Click above for high-res image

Life can't have been easy for Jaguar in the Ford PAG years. Sure, the automaker had an influx of capital to dedicate to development of new models and the fine-tuning of existing ones. And sure, its notorious reliability and quality levels skyrocketed to a near-acceptable level (which is quite far from where they were). But all the same, it had to live in the shadow of their big brother Aston Martin.

The current Tata era, then, must be a breath of fresh air, with no one impeding Jag's upwards growth. Exhibit A: the XKR175. Like its continental (and similarly named) counterpart, the XKR 75, it's been made to celebrate the marque's 75th anniversary. Of course it's based on the XKR, a model of unique feline reflexes that was once impeded in its potential by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, never mind the DB9. But no more – with AML now under separate ownership, the XKR175 demonstrates just what the British GT is capable of.

We're talking about 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque from the supercharged V8. We're talking about a beefed-up aero kit, bigger wheels and super-sized brakes. We're talking about an unveiling no less prestigious than the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, so check out the solo image released in the interim and the press release after the jump.

If you like what you see, you'd better call your local dealer now. Because with a limited production run of – you guessed it – 175 examples (15 of which will head north to the land of igloos and maple syrup, the rest to be divided between these United States), you can bet that – even with a $104,500 price tag – demand will outstrip supply. Even Aston Martin will have to stand up and take notice to that.

New GM CEO a car guy after all

The announcement today that General Motors will soon be welcoming its fourth CEO in just 14 months was startling news, but the real unanswered question is just who is Dan Akerson? We've already told you what his business chops are and it's clear the man can run a lemonade stand, but there's virtually no other information available out there besides his resume. And as for pics, the entirety of the internet has but one to offer, which is Akerson's glamor shot as a member of GM's board of directors. Flattering? No. Looks like a high school principal's year book picture.

Well, we dug a little and found some interesting info on one Mr. Daniel F. Akerson. For one, he lives in McLean, Virginia and is reportedly an avid golfer. Ok, not too surprising, as most corporate executives can swing a club. How about this: He's said to be worth an estimated $190 million. Yeah, CEOing is a good gig if you can get it. Also, he currently drives a Cadillac CTS.

Finally, we're told that Mr. Akerson's first car was an MGB roadster, which he quickly traded in for a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass. Now, we don't have confirmation on which Cutlass he had, and it makes a difference. The 1970 Cutlass was nothing special, unless you're talking about the 442, which was a legitimate muscle car. The fact that Akerson first had an MGB makes us hopeful that he is a car guy after all and that the Olds in question was the 442... or at least was powered by a Rocket V8 of some sort.

Does the CEO of General Motors need to be a car guy? Not really. Ford CEO Alan Mullaly has never been considered a "car guy," which didn't stop him from righting Dearborn's sinking ship. Still, enthusiasts might take comfort in the fact that the man running one of this industry's most important companies knows his way around a four-barrel carb.

And Dan, a little advice: Trade up to a CTS-V Coupe. What's $190 million good for if you're not going to use it?

Moal Coachbuilders debuts Ferrari-powered Gatto

Moal Coachbuilders Gatto – Click above for high-res image gallery

Moal Coachbuilders, the shop that brought us the likes of Tim Allen's one-time Licorice Streak Special, showed up in Monterey with not only that Tool Time-worthy hot rod, but also its new Gatto retro sports car. The bright blue coupe reminds us of something in the vein of an Aston Martin DB4 GT or a Maserati A6 GCS. It's a beautiful shape that looks like it just stepped out of a ten year restoration... but it's brand new. Well, most of it is.

Under the hood resides a very special V12 engine – a 300-horsepower V12 derived from a Ferrari 250 GTO. Don't ask us how that came about, all we know is that the car was created for a wealthy California investment manager, and was built to his specifications. Besides that lustful engine under the bonnet, the Gatto also features a hand-built monocoque chassis, aluminum panels crimped directly onto the subframe to save weight, a Tremac five-speed gearbox, custom Borrani wheels, custom-fitted leather seats and straightforward analog gauges. One of the only modern touches is air conditioning.

It's a gorgeous car, but the funny thing is, we almost walked right past it, thinking it was another of Bonham's auction items or something. That's the nature of McCall's Motorworks Revival – so many great cars that sometimes things get lost in the shuffle. Thankfully not this time. Too bad we couldn't get anybody to open the hood... Click below to see our high-res image gallery.

BMW Gran Coupe reportedly go for launch

BMW Concept Gran Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Not to be outdone by the likes of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide or Audi A7, BMW will reportedly be building a production version of the Gran Coupe concept that debuted at this year's Beijing Motor Show. It may be a late arrival to the growing segment of swoopy luxury sedans, but BMW will indeed poise the Gran Coupe to offer just as much in the way of technology and refinement as the lot of its competitors.

Based on the next-generation 6 Series, the Gran Coupe is set to launch sometime in 2012 and will share its powertrains with what we're seeing in the 5, 6, and 7 Series BMWs, including a possible hybrid variant. Naturally, the production Gran Coupe will slot between the 5 and 7 Series in terms of size and price, and if the overall design doesn't change too much, it'll certainly be an attractive addition to the BMW lineup.

Steve Saleen's pre-pro Ford GT up for grabs in Monterey

Steve Saleen's Ford GT Prototype – Click above for image gallery

Steve Saleen has apparently gotten it in his mind to auction off his personal Ford GT. While we're not exactly ones to go all star-crossed over a vehicle's ownership history, this particular car is more than a plain vanilla GT with Saleen's name on the title. In fact, the car was never titled at all because it's the fifth of nine prototype vehicles built before GT production got off of the ground in 2005. The car started life dipped in yellow, but received the blue on white treatment at some later point in history.

If the paint doesn't do anything for you, the fact that the car reportedly wears a hand-built twin-screw supercharger should. Supposedly, Saleen's GT was the only of the nine prototypes to receive the blessing of forced induction. The car currently has 4,000 miles on the odometer thanks to a lengthy stint in PR and a few movie appearances in the likes of The Fast and the Furious and Rocky Balboa – that's got to be worth something, right?

If Saleen's supercar sounds like something you wouldn't mind sticking in the garage, you'll need to check out the Russo and Steele auction at Monterey this weekend.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept – Click above for a new high-res image gallery

Karl Stracke, General Motors VP of global engineering, has unequivocally denied the recent rumors about a mid-engine version of the next-generation Corvette with a wet-dual-clutch transmission. Stracke spoke with editors at Automotive News and Autoweek and addressed the latest batch of rumors. For decades, speculation about what will be done with a next-generation Corvette invariably pops up almost immediately after a new model is introduced.

For example, a mid-engined Corvette has reportedly been on the cards since at least the mid-60s, thanks in part to a string of concept and experimental models of that configuration. The last Corvette-badged mid-engine concept was the 1990 CERV-III, but that hasn't stopped the speculation – especially in recent years as the Corvette has gained increased respect among the ranks of high-end sports cars. According to Stracke, "There is no mid-engine in the plans."

The same goes for a the story revealed by a Saab engineer about development of a wet DCT. Automakers are increasingly moving away from wet-clutch gearboxes to dry-clutch units because they are less expensive and more efficient. While Stracke shoots down the wet DCT, no mention is made of a dry-clutch unit... if Chevrolet follows Ferrari and Porsche down the dual-clutch path, that is almost certainly the type we will see.

Stracke also put the kibosh on a V6 Corvette. GM has already announced a direct injected small-block V8 is coming soon for its full-size pickup trucks and the Corvette will no doubt follow. Stracke did acknowledge that a hybrid is a possibility for the sports car and since competitors are going that way it wouldn't be out of place.

That said, we want to know what you think – What should power the next Corvette? Click past the break to vote in our informal poll.

Ford working to better integrate internet in its cars

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We've seen Internet-equipped vehicles on more than one occasion over the past few years, but most connected cars and trucks aren't much more than a rolling hot-spot for passengers and (very) distracted drivers. That promises to change over the next decade as automakers and suppliers work to connect cars to the world around them. Ford has already begun to connect vehicles to the rest of the planet with SYNC and a smart phone, delivering information like traffic alerts, vehicle health reports, news updates and soon internet apps like Pandora (above). Senior technology leader K. Venkatesh Prasad tells CNET that the automaker plans to keep the momentum going.

Venkatesh says in a video interview (available after the jump) that in-car connectivity is currently "tuned to zero miles per hour," adding that there is an opportunity to connect vehicles to applications that enable the Internet to work for the occupants of the vehicle. Ford has been testing Smart Intersection safety technology where vehicles communicate with traffic signals through WI-FI and GPS, and that could just be the tip of the iceberg. Electric cars, for example, could one day communicate with the electric grid and your home to find the optimal time to charge. Hit the jump to watch the Venkatech interview.

Lexus to build GT racing version

Lexus LFA race edition – Click above for high-res image gallery

Motor Trend is reporting that Toyota's may be getting back into motorsports big-time with a GT entry based on the Lexus LFA. According to the report, Lexus would enter the FIA GT1 championship to take on the Nissan GT-R. This seems like a move downmarket for the $375,000 Lexus sports car from a marketing standpoint. GT1 is also a faltering race class that's being eliminated under the new 2011 Le Mans rules.

If Toyota wants to race the LFA, it would make more sense to head to Le Mans where it can take on Ferraris, Aston Martins and Porsches in the GT2 class. The LFA race edition (above) that's already been developed and run in the last two 24 hour races at the Nürburgring would already be close to GT2 specification and could be ready for the 2011 race season.

Chrysler chooses 600 dealerships for possible Fiat franchises

Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Chrysler Group is only a few months away from bringing the Fiat brand back to the United States, starting with the launch of the too-cute 500 later this year. The automaker will be holding a Fiat Experience event in Detroit at the end of August, and around 600 dealers from around the country have been invited to attend.

These 600 dealers are located in cities where Chrysler is planning to have Fiat franchises – a total of 119 different markets around the country. The Fiat Experience program will give dealers a detailed overview of Chrysler's exact plans for the brand in the U.S., and dealers will be allowed to submit proposals for snagging a Fiat franchise through mid-September.

No, not all of these 600 dealers will be approved for Fiat franchises, and Chrysler will be announcing its final list of Fiat locations in the fourth quarter of 2010. Hit the jump to see the current list of market considerations to find out if a Fiat dealer might be heading to a city near you.

Engine shortages holding back Jaguar Land Rover sales

2011 Jaguar XJ – Click above for high-res image gallery

The turnaround at Jaguar/Land Rover is happening even faster than the company's owner, Tata, had planned. A year ago, JLR posted a net loss of £64 million ($101M U.S.) in Q2; compare that to this year's second quarter and its £233.8 million ($369M U.S.) net profit on 57,135 vehicles sold.

While we're sure they aren't complaining, the boost has left JLR in bit of a lurch: production has bottlenecked because it needs more engines from Ford, after already buying "considerably more" than it expected. Ford hasn't offered any comment, but it is reported that the two companies are working together to figure out how to get Jaguar the powerplants it needs.

Pickup, crossover and RWD coupe being considered for Scion

Toyota A-BAT Concept – Click above for a high-res image gallery

Scion is about to expand its initial three-model lineup with a rather intriguing new vehicle that's set to take on the Smart Fortwo as the microcar of choice for those looking to downsize as far as humanly possible. While the upcoming iQ is a pretty nifty machine, it won't be quite practical for a large number of drivers here in the United States.

Hence, it's not entirely surprising that Scion is reportedly considering a possible fifth, sixth or even seventh model. As before, talk of a small pickup truck is apparently on the table. Interestingly, Scion vice president Jack Hollis suggests that something like the Toyota A-BAT concept could be revived in Scion guise.

Another possible Scion model could be based on the love-it-or-(more-likely)-hate-it Hako Concept from the 2008 New York Auto Show. Finally – and certainly most interestingly for enthusiasts – a small, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe is also on the table for consideration. We know where we're casting our vote...

How a 60-hour restorative detail brought this Ferrari F40 back to life

Todd Cooperider's 60-hour Ferrari F40 detail job – Click above for high-res image gallery

Detailing an uber-rare exotic like a Ferrari F40 isn't exactly like slathering your Corolla with Dawn dish detergent in your driveway. Restoring the paint on a Prancing Horse of that caliber requires equal parts chemistry, experience and patience. Need proof? Look no further than detailing guru Todd Cooperider's 60-hour job on a 3,500-mile F40. The 43-year-old Cooperider has been obsessed with bringing out the best in paint since he was a kid, but turned to professional detailing just three years ago. Since then, he's become the go-to-guy for owners of exotic metal of various vintage, make, model and flavor. He even had the honor of being named one of AutoWeek's top 9 detailers in the U.S last year.

For most of us, getting anywhere near one of the world's most legendary supercars with a power tool is a recipe for the kind of disaster that's funny later but expensive now. But Cooperider's extensive experience allowed him to tackle the big-bad Ferrari with all of the weapons in his arsenal without fret. Even with so few miles, the paint had suffered the effects of 20 years of occasional enjoyment, and as such, multiple scratches and blemishes were present all over the car. Cooperider worked out which polishing compound, pad and sealant to use with this particular car and set to work.

Follow the jump to see how he did it...

Mercedes-Benz recalls 3,500 G-Class SUVs over turn signals

Mercedes-Benz G-Class – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2002 through 2010 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is equipped with covers for the front turn signals – added for style as much as protection. Undoubtedly, many owners of the blocky SUV have never given the covers a thought, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has and it's been deemed unworthy of Federal Standard 108.

If you're wondering, that's the standard that covers "lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment." In this case, NHTSA claims that the cover could "impact over time the signal's ability to meet the minimum requirements of FMVSS 108." In other words, the cover could inhibit the visibility of the signal.

If you're one of the 3,522 G-Class owners affected by this recall, you'll be notified to bring your $100,000 off-roader to a Mercedes dealer, where they'll install a new turn light unit that works better with the grill cover. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.

Classic Recreations declared free of wrong doing

Classic Recreations Shelby GT500 CR – Click above for high-res image gallery

Classic Recreations and its owner, Jason Engel, are back at work cranking out jaw-dropping interpretations of the Shelby GT500 CR. Early last month, the restoration shop was raided by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. According to Classic Recreations, a former disgruntled employee made false accusations to the OSBI about stolen equipment. Authorities even confiscated multiple vintage Ford Mustangs during the raid, but found no pilfered hardware. Instead, the investigators determined that Engel had not followed proper protocol when replacing rusty sheet metal on the Blue Ovals – specifically where the VIN plate is attached to the vehicle.

The OSBI determined that Classic Recreations couldn't replace rusty metal around the VIN tag without completely retitling the vehicle – something that should concern anyone with an interest in putting an old car back on the road. Engel said that the OSBI's findings will only serve to drive up costs for both his shop and his customers as instead of being able to start with a rusty shell, he will now have to start with higher quality donors. We're guessing the Ford purists out there will be none too happy about that fact, either.

In the meantime, Classic Recreations is carefully inspecting the confiscated cars, detailing them and getting the wild ponies back to their rightful owners. Past that, Engel says that he is working with state legislators to more clearly define what can and cannot be replaced on a vehicle during a restoration. From the sound of things, that's something that parties on both side of the issue can agree upon. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Cascade engineering Corvette Racing

Click above to view the video after the jump

Episode eight of the Corvette Racing series is up and this installment delves into what the team calls "cascade engineering." It covers some of the same ground we discussed back in March when we toured the Pratt & Miller race shop where the C6.Rs are built and prepared.

The race team works very closely with the production engineering team, using most of the same computer aided engineering tools, and the lessons learned from the 10 years of the race program have been fed back into street car program. Proof? The face of the C6 with its flush headlamps and wider grille opening for better breathing were all inspired by the race car. Similarly, the track-bound coupes now use a 5.5-liter version of the LS7 V8 from the production Z06. Because of the limited in-season testing available to American Le Mans Series teams, the Corvette Racing crew relies on tools like computational fluid dynamics to improve the car from race to race, which you learn more about in the video after the jump.

Lancia Stratos revival won't be one-off, production planned

The story of the coachbuilt Lancia Stratos gets more curious by the day. Although it appeared that the homage was a Pininfarina-designed one-off for a wealthy and anonymous European, Car & Driver has done some snooping of its own and reports that it wasn't exactly designed by Pininfarina and it won't exactly be a one-off.

Supposedly in the works for four years, word is the new Stratos was penned by Jason Castriota when he was still at Pininfarina before departing for Stile Bertone. Italiaspeed has a sketch of a Stratos with a different front end, signed by Castriota, that was published in the Japanese magazine Zoom. If that sketch is accurate it could jibe with what a tipster wrote to us, saying that the client had asked the front end be changed to something more traditional. Even though the C/D notes the photo above as having been taken on Pininfarina's roof, according to C/D it is Bertone that will get credit for this new Stratos – and we supposed Castriota will, too, eventually.

The best news for all those commenters disappointed that there would be just one: rumor is this thing is going into production. If true, it would be a huge deal for Lancia, an underperforming brand with rebadged Chryslers that would have this to parade around the world. Everyone wins. And to that shadowy, monied-up American, if you made this happen, we salute you.

Chevrolet considering twin-turbo V6 for next Corvette

Chevrolet 50th Anniversary Corvette Stingray Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Fans of classic Americana, here's yet another anniversary to keep in the back of your mind: 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette. And, while we don't have to tell true Corvette aficionados this, here's another interesting little nugget of knowledge: the original version of Chevy's iconic sportscar came equipped with a six cylinder engine.

Where are we going with all of this? According to Autoweek, there is a distinct possibility that a downsized six cylinder engine will be offered in the next generation (C7, for those keeping track) of the Chevrolet Corvette, and there's an apparent push to try and get the car out the door in time to celebrate the car's 60th anniversary.

Yes, we know a downsized engine for the Corvette isn't exactly the newest rumor 'round the block – we've been hearing whisperings about the C7 'Vette since before the C6 model went public – but with the recent revelation that Saab had been working on a transmission for a twin-turbo V6-powered Corvette, it's worth sharing once again.

Small car or CUV could be added to Volkswagen plant

2011 Volkswagen NMS Sketch – Click above to enlarge

It's no secret that Volkswagen has ambitious plans for the U.S. market over the next decade. The German automaker has its sights set on a combined one million sales per year (made up of 800,000 VWs and 200,000 Audi vehicles, give or take) by the year 2018. That's three times as many vehicles as the company sold last year.

Of course, selling more cars in the U.S. means building more cars in North America. Hence VW's billion dollar investment in a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the automaker will build the upcoming "New Midsize Sedan" specifically for the American market.

Put down your Little Debbie snack cakes, job seekers – a report from Autoweek suggests that VW has plans in the works to build another vehicle in Tennessee. While we had previously heard that the second model may be an Audi, it now seems as if it may be a VW-badged small car of CUV. The report also indicates that an engine plant may go up alongside the new facility to build engines for North America.

In any case, the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the euro is likely to have a large impact on whatever decision is finally made.

Reynard Inverter Gets Road Legal In The UK

Reynard Inverter – Click above for high-res image gallery

One of the great things about being a gearhead in the UK is the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process. In short,

the IVA (formerly the Single Vehicle Type approval) is a set of rules that allows one-offs and very low volume vehicles to be approved if they meet only the most basic requirements of a road car. If it's equipped with head- and taillights, turn signals, seat belts and doesn't spew too much smoke or have any other obvious issues, you can get it registered. Lotus uses IVA to make UK street versions of its 2-Eleven track car and that's how Reynard Racing Cars will now sell the Inverter – a race car barely adapted for the street – to liven up your daily commute.

Power is currently available from either a 1,000-cc Honda Fireblade or 1,340-cc Suzuki Hayabusa inline-four, but a variant powered by a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec is under development. With the road version weighing a mere 981 pounds, the 180 horsepower Fireblade should provide plenty of performance. The Inverter starts at £35,000 for a turn-key unit (that's around $56,000 USD including Britain's Value Added Tax) or you can get a rolling chassis and body starting at £14,900 (in the neighborhood of $24k). Check out video and specs after the jump.

BMW M5 And Its Bulging Hood Snapped Again

It's been almost three whole months since we last saw M5 spy shots, but someone from BMW decided to change that by leaving the slightly camo'ed M-powered sedan unattended in a parking lot. There isn't much more to note on the exterior, save for catching what could be the production wheels and their whopping Pirelli tires. But now there are shots of the interior and new items like the seats, shift knob and tachometer with the greatly reduced redline. Click the link for more photos, and get ready to see it in person soon.

Honda recalling 383,000 vehicles over runaway risk

Honda has announced plans to recall 383,000 Civics, Accords and Elements built in 2003 and 2004. Due to a fault with the ignition interlock system that normally prevents the key from being removed until the transmission lever is in Park, the affected Hondas could roll away on their own accord.

According to Honda, the interlock system can wear prematurely, allowing the key to be pulled regardless of the shifter position. If the parking pawl isn't engaged, the vehicle can roll away if parked on a slope.

While this has nothing to do with the sort of problems that Toyota has experienced, there is an interesting parallel regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's defect database. Toyota complained that there was insufficient detail in the database categories, resulting in the appearance that there were more incidents of unintended acceleration than there actually were. This Honda issue is purely a mechanical failure of the locking system and yet it is grouped under Electrical System:Ignition problems. This lack of detail makes it much more difficult and time consuming for engineers to sift through the data to find and prioritize issues to fix. As part of the follow-up to its recalls, Toyota has been talking to NHTSA about revising the database to make it easier to mine relevant information other automakers will likely be following suit.

Dacia Logan MCV

Dacia Logan MCV

Dacia Logan MCV

Dacia Logan MCV

Dacia Logan MCV

Dacia Logan MCV

A new version of the Dacia Logan MCV, the best-selling station wagon in France, was launched following the Dacia Sandero and new Dacia Logan.

The fresh body styling adopting the new visual identity of the brand, an upgraded Lauréate model and the arrival of a Prestige version, new Dacia Logan MCV is an integral part of the renewal of Dacia, a generous and clever brand.

New Dacia Logan MCV obviously retains its successful formula of unbeatable cabin room for the price, impressive modular design and versatility in use, along with recognized reliability found in the previous generation.

The new Dacia Logan MCV was launched in France on October 3, 2008, naturally with the threeyear 100,000 km warranty. The entry-level price is as attractive as ever at just €8,900 in France.

The new Dacia Logan MCV is produced at Dacia's ISO 14001-certified Pitesti plant in Romania. The new model is 95% recoverable and contains 5% recycled plastic. The 70 hp dCi and 85 hp dCi models, emitting 140 g/km of CO2 and 137 g/km of CO2, respectively, both carry the Dacia eco2 signature.

Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeo 159

The Alfa Romeo 159 is an exclusive sedan combining refined Italian style with the "elegant sportiness" of Alfa Romeo. The Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon on the other hand combines the style, performance and handling of a genuine sports car with the flexibility of use and luggage space versatility of a prestigious station wagon.

The versions exhibited offer two new Euro 5 compliant engines which will be available from the beginning of April: the 1.75 liter 200 HP TBi engine and the 2.0 liter 170 HP JTDM engine. In detail, the Alfa Romeo 159 is fitted with the new 1.75 liter TBi engine (Euro 5) - maximum output 200 HP from 4750 to 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 320 Nm at 1400 rpm - giving it a maximum speed of 235 km/h and acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in barely 7.7 seconds.

The powerful Alfa Romeo 159 sedan is offered in the TI sporting version, featuring lowered geometry, bigger tires, 19 inch alloy rims, miniskirts and large aluminum brakes with red calipers. So, a very determined-looking car with a decidedly "ground-hugging" look. Inside, the TI environment is recognizable from the shaped sports seats in perforated leather with the Alfa Romeo logo stitched in red, plus the steering wheel with sports grip and the gear knob covered in leather with red stitching.

The internal coverings are black and the insignia are in "brushed dark aluminum". The same impression of sportiness appears in the instrument panel graphics, the pedals and the aluminum scuff plate with TI logo.

The public can admire an Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon equipped with the new 2.0 liter 170 HP JTDM engine (Euro 5). With this engine, the car can reach 216 km/h and takes 9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. The version displayed at Geneva is a Sport which is differentiated from the outside by the exclusive 18 inch alloy rims with the new "Turbine" design.

The inside, the eye is caught by the sports steering wheel with radio commands, the gear knob covered in leather with black stitching and the new sports seats covered in leather. Giving a further impression of sportiness, the head lining, the parcel shelf and the pillar fairings are black, while the badges are in "brushed aluminum" and the instrument panel employs "sporty" graphics.

The equipment (standard and optional) offered on this car is very high-spec: triple-zone climate control, Cruise Control, VDC system (with Electronic Q2), Bose Hi-Fi system, GPS system (with telephone and voice commands), and Visibility Pack (rain, mist and twilight sensors).

Mazda-Ryuga Concept Car

The Ryuga accommodates four cartage in archetypal 2+2 seating, with advanced brazier seats and a lounge-like rear commuter area.

A "floating" centermost array with continued pods includes a multi-function blow console for controls and displays. A set of charge-coupled accessory (CCD) cameras are installed for ecology the aback appearance and blind-spot.

The council caster is an accessible top style, which utilizes steer-by-wire technology.

Ford unveiling Boss Mustang

Ford Mustang Boss 302R - Click above for high-res image gallery, and watch video after the jump

With all-new powertrains debuting in the 2011 Ford Mustang, you knew it was just a matter of time before a new limited-edition model was introduced. Well, it looks like that time may be next week. As you all know very well by now, the 2011 Mustang GT has the new Ford 5.0 V8 underhood. Since the new race version (above) wears the Boss 302R moniker, a new street-going Boss 302 seems like a no-brainer.

During a recent Grand-Am race, the announcers let slip that the consumer-spec Boss 302 would debut in mid-August at Laguna Seca as part of Pebble Beach week. (The exact date spinning around the rumormill is August 13.) The Boss reportedly delivers about 430 horsepower with a price in the low $30,000 range. Ford's motorsports partner, Multimatic, is apparently building some special parts for the Boss 302, but we'll have to wait until next week to find out those specifics if indeed this rumor is true. Check out the video after the jump.