Luxist

Acura TSX Sport Wagon coming to New York

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2010 6:04AM

If you're not a fan of the North American-market Honda Accord and are in the market for something more luxurious, Acura has got your destination. The TSX is essentially the European-market Accord (an entirely different model) outfitted with all the luxury trimmings – and a more prestigious badge – that you'd expect from an Acura. Until now it's only been available in four-door sedan body-style, but for those needing a little extra utility, Acura is preparing to unveil a Sport Wagon variant at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

Carrying over essentially from the above-pictured Honda Accord Tourer sold in Europe (where Acura does not market), the TSX Sport Wagon will surely offer a compelling alternative for those who weren't enamoured of either the North American-market Honda Accord Crosstour or the new Acura ZDX crossover.

Tags: acura, acura tsx, acura tsx sport wagon, new york, new york auto show, tsx, tsx sport wagon

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster leaked from Patent Office

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2010 5:01AM

If its predecessor the SLR McLaren serves as any indication, the latest flagship supercar from Mercedes-Benz – the SLS AMG – stands to breed a long line of derivatives. Before its eventual demise, the SLR was available in coupe and roadster versions, along with the 722 and the Stirling Moss edition, and various combinations between them.

Now the new SLS has already given birth to a speedboat, but like its predecessor (and its iconic Gullwing progenitor) the next variant is expected to come in convertible format. And these patent drawings leaked from the German patent office give us our first look. With an open cockpit, the SLS AMG Roadster promises to be one heck of a ride.

Tags: Mercedes SLS AMG, Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, SLS, SLS AMG, SLS AMG Roadster, sls roadster

Citroen teams up with British GQ for a Special Concept Car

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2010 3:01AM

In case the array of new debuts which Citroen brought to the Geneva Motor Show weren't enough of an indication, the French automaker has emerged as a real draw with its concept cars. Now Citroen has partnered with no less prestigious a publication that the British edition of the men's magazine GQ for another unique show car.

Called, simply enough, the GQbyCitroen, the concept car is a joint effort between the magazine's editor and the automaker's design director. Considerably more "gentlemanly" than the extreme GTbyCitroen and classier than the more recent Survolt concept, the GQ concept features a hybrid drivetrain and an interior outfitted by Savile Row tailor E. Tautz. Very GQ indeed, even if it is just a concept car, and you can have a closer look in this month's issue or click through our gallery of images below.

Gallery: GQbyCitroen

Tags: british gq, citroen, citroen gq, gq, gq by citroen

British Supercar Maker Farbio Acquired by Rival Ginetta

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2010 2:02AM

If you're looking for an exotic sportscar and aren't keen on the usual selection of Porsches and Ferraris, there's no shortage of niche automakers in the UK that will be glad to help you out. Great Britain has a long history of independent automakers producing small runs of sportscars, and now two of them have come together.

Ginetta is mostly known for its racing cars, but has, over the years, produced several street-legal sportscars as well. The British firm has now reportedly acquired Farbio, another British sportscar manufacturer that started just a few years ago. The company's one product is the Farbio GTS, a mid-engine carbon-fiber sportscar developed by Arash Farboud, who has since started another company producing yet another small-run supercar.

The Farbio GTS will now be re-branded as a Ginetta, and sources indicate that the new owners – which have left their acquisition largely under its own management – hope to expand their market presence, including certification for the U.S. market.

Tags: arash farboud, farbio, farbio gts, farboud, ginetta, gts

Aston Martin Could Offer Clients Endless Customization

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2010 1:01AM

Once upon a time, it was easy enough for a sportscar-maker like Ferrari or Aston Martin to offer unique variants with special bodywork and features for its most discerning customers. But modern production techniques have made that considerably more difficult. Aston Martin, however, is learning the process again.

From the arduous process of developing its seven-figure One-77 supercar, Aston has reportedly gained the competence it needs to offer paying (make that dearly paying) clients a virtually endless array of possibilities. We like the sound of that.

Gallery: Geneva 2009:Aston Martin One-77

Tags: aston, aston martin, aston martin one-77

Lexus LFA Nürburgring Track Edition

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2010 12:01AM

With its six-figure price-tag and otherworldly performance, the Lexus LFA charts new territory for the Japanese luxury brand. But as it turns out, Lexus isn't stopping there, as reports from the Land of the Rising Sun bring us the hard-core, track-focused LFA Nurburgring edition.

Named after the famous German road course on which the racing prototypes that gave birth to the LFA first competed, the LFA Nurburgring track edition reportedly benefits from carbon fiber spoilers front and rear, new wheels and tires, a stiffer suspension and a 10-horsepower boost. Only four colors will be offered, and production is expected to come out of the 500-car allotment originally earmarked by Lexus. Stay tuned for more details.

Tags: lexus, lexus lfa, lexus lfa nurburgring, lexus lfa nurburgring edition, lexus lfa nurburgring track edition, lexus lfa track edition, lfa, nurburgring

Daimler To Phase Out Maybach Brand

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 15th 2010 10:02PM

Since its launch eight years ago, Maybach has largely been characterized as a failed venture. The ultra-premium counterpart to Mercedes-Benz never reached the sales figures which its rivals Bentley (part of the Volkswagen group) and Rolls-Royce (owned by BMW) have enjoyed in the superstrata of the luxury car market. That's largely come down its lackluster product, which appears to all to be little more than a gussied-up Mercedes S-Class, available in 57 and 62-decimeter lengths.

In the face of even further lagging sales, however, reports now indicate that Daimler is preparing to wind down the brand and phase it out entirely. But not before the line-up gets a mild refresh. After that, Mercedes hopes to fill the niche with more exclusive versions of the S-Class, which to our ears sounds more or less the same as where it stands now, only with a different hood ornament.

Gallery: Maybach Landaulet

Tags: daimler, maybach, maybach 57, maybach 62, mercedes, mercedes-benz, MercedesBenz

Lapo Elkann hands LA Lakers the Game-Winning Point

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 15th 2010 8:02PM

Fiat scion Lapo Elkann has landed himself in the news once again. But this time it has nothing to do with denim-clad Ferraris or transvestite prostitutes. This time around, it's all about the game.

While attending the LA Lakers/Toronto Raptors game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Elkann reportedly interfered with the ball in play, giving the Lakers the precious points they needed to edge out their Canadian rivals. The incident is being compared with the infamous case of Steve Bartman who intercepted a ball during Game 6 of the 2003 National League playoff game between the Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins. Follow the jump to watch the video recap from Yahoo! Sports.

Tags: elkann, la lakers, lakers, lapo, lapo elkann, los angeles lakers, raptors, toronto raptors

2010 Geneva Motor Show: The Best of the Rest

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 12th 2010 8:01AM

The annual Geneva Motor Show features a veritable cornucopia of new automobiles of every shape and size, coming from countries near and far. After having brought you the best from England, France and Germany, the latest top-of-the-line supercars and a handful of new Alfa Romeos, we've collected the best of the rest

These vehicles defy classification but are intriguing just the same. Among them we've brought you hybrids from Japan, grand tourers and hot hatches from Italy, oddities from Australia, sportscars from Spain and luxury sedans from Sweden. Follow the jump to read all about 'em and see them in our high-resolution image galleries from the Geneva show floor.

Tags: 2010 geneva motor show, abarth, abarth 500c, abarth punto, abarth punto evo, bufori, bufori geneva, fiat 500 c abarth, fiat punto evo, fiat punto evo abarth, geneva, geneva 2010, Geneva Motor Show, gran turismo, hispano suiza, lexus, lexus ct 200 h, maserati, maserati gran turismo, maserati gran turismo mc sport, maserati quattroporte, Maserati Quattroporte GT S Awards Edition, quattroporte, volvo, volvo s60

2010 Geneva Motor Show: Les Françaises

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Mar 11th 2010 6:01PM

It's been said before, but it warrants repeating. The French can do upscale fashion. And they can do cars. (If you're in the market for a minivan or budget hatchback, at least.) Combining the two, however, has traditionally been a sticking point for the country's automakers. But that doesn't mean they're not working to rectify that problem.

Nowhere has that been more evident than at this year's Geneva Motor Show. In the hallowed halls of the Palexpo, Peugeot, Citroen and Renault each unveiled their plans for taking their products into a new level of premium. Follow the jump to see what they had in mind.

Tags: 2010 geneva motor show, 5 by peugeot, citroen, citroen ds, citroen ds high rider, Citroen DS High Rider concept, citroen ds3, citroen ds3 racing, citroen survolt, geneva, geneva 2010, gordini, peugeot, peugeot 5, peugeot 508, Peugeot SR1, peugeot sr1 concept, renault, renault gordini

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