We could have sworn the V12 Zagato production car had already made its debut, but no, we've only seen the concept plus a couple racecar prototypes that Aston raced in the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Turns out we'll get to see this top car in the Vantage series next month at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, following its official debut this month in Kuwait. We imagine it won't have gotten any cheaper by the time it arrives in Switzerland, but we'll enjoy looking at it all the same. Aston will build 150, and deliveries begin this fall.
Just don't name this one Zig... OK, guys?
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Categories: Aston Martin,Geneva Motor Show,Luxury Cars,Sports Cars
This is the 2013 Acura ILX, a new entry-level sedan that will arrive this spring with a price "well under $30,000" according to Acura. The cynical among you will no doubt refer to the ILX as Acura's Civic, and to some degree you would be right.
Then again, it's more than just a rebadge job. Just looking at it will tell you that. There are enough new lines on this car to give it a look of its own, one that is decidedly better than the Civic. Acura didn't get specific when it came to drivetrains, at least not in terms of horsepower figures, but most of the engine displacements look familiar.
The base engine will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the optional engine will displace 2.4 liters. There will also be a hybrid model with a 1.5-liter gas engine. So a step above the Civic, but nothing ground-breaking here.
We didn't get a chance to see the interior, but given that Acura calls this car a concept, it probably doesn't have anything resembling the final setup. To say that it will be nicer than the Civic isn't exactly a stretch, however, so use your imagination. With sales slated to begin this spring, it won't be long before we find out for sure.
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Categories: Acura,Detroit Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Sedans
This is the future of Lincoln, or at least part of it. Revealed for the first time this morning in Detroit, the Lincoln MKZ concept is the latest in a long line of "revival" vehicles designed to bring the luxury car company back from the dead.
Based on the same platform that underpins the new 2013 Ford Fusion shown yesterday, the MKZ concept will arrive in production form later this year with only minor changes. Lincoln officials didn't say much about the specifications of the new sedan; instead they talked about where they hope to take the brand.
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Categories: Concept Vehicles,Detroit Auto Show,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,Sedans
Lexus didn't bother discussing the 2013 LX 570 during its press conference yesterday, and rightfully so given that the LX is only getting a minor refresh. Instead, the company's largest and most opulent luxury SUV is just sitting on the Lexus stand in Detroit between a GX 460 and a red LFA.
The changes to the front and rear fascia are pretty obvious compared to the 2008-'10 LX 570. Headlights are now HIDs (and with an $80K price tag, we're surprised they weren't standard before) and the grille has more chrome and a new GS-inspired look to it. There are also LED DRLs. In back, Lexus has cleared the lens for the amber turn signals. You're also looking at a new 20-inch wheel design for the LX and one of the two new paint colors (Nebula Gray Metallic).
Inside, there's a new TFT (that's thin-film transistor, of course) display in a new gauge cluster, and granny's bird's-eye maple trim gives way to more youthful mahogany inlays. Also seen here is the new Parchment interior decor in lieu of the former Cashmere. The 2013 LX 570 also picks up Lexus Enform, meaning that if you know how to use your smartphone and Bluetooth, you can use apps like Pandora and Open Table via the audio-navigation system.
Sales start in early February, and we're told pricing will be released in a couple weeks.
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Lexus,Luxury Cars,SUVs
I'm back in MA for the holiday this week and I'm convinced that, knowing I'll be home eventually to tell them, none of my about-to-buy-a-car friends have read a single word on the current automotive landscape. Just yesterday a buddy came to me with this question, "Mike, I'm looking for a new car. It has to have at least four-doors. It has to be rear-wheel drive. It can't be German or Asian and from what I've heard Chrysler's interior's are terrible so it can't be one of those." He should've just said "What's the closest thing to my Caprice I can get that has a warranty and isn't rusting itself to the ground?"
I tried to explain that the current 300 is really, really nice (and has a killer user interface for the infotainment system) and pretty much his only option outside of the used market, a Tahoe or conning a salesmen into giving him a fleet-service Caprice. He wasn't having any of it and talked himself into keeping his car "one more year" to give GM a chance to win him back.
This is an unfortunately common occurrence for Chrysler and one they're not particularly thrilled with. Enter the 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series. Expect to hear about this new 300's ultra-premium Poltrona Frau leather (which they claim was "once limited to some of the most exotic Italian luxury cars"), eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, hand-sanded Natural Pore Mocha wood, and platinum chrome coated grille surround, mesh grille, mirror caps and door handle accents.
The Luxury edition starts at $40,145 for a rear-drive V6 and runs $45,245 for a 300C in AWD.
High res photos after the jump.
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Categories: Chrysler,Luxury Cars,Sedans
Perhaps Maybach is confused about why the brand is going under in 2013. If the brand was being axed due to intentional volume limitations then the announcement that they are increasing prices for 2012 would make a tiny bit of sense.
Unfortunately for Maybach, the only thing limiting Maybach production is the number of people that actually want a dudded-up Mercedes.
For 2012 the Maybach 57 now starts at $379,050 instead of $375,250. The 57 S is now $418,950, the 62 is $430,450 and the 62 S is $470,350. All price reflect a $4,200 increase excluding the $2,750 destination fee.
I'm willing to bet if you walk into a Maybach dealer in 2012 (you've got a local one, right?) and offer them 2011 prices in cash, they'll take it.
Categories: Luxury Cars,Maybach
Perhaps to take some attention away from a certain leaked sports car, Lexus has announced pricing on the all new, fourth-generation 2013 Lexus GS 350 and it is exactly the same price as the last generation: $47,775 including an $875 destination fee.
The 2013 GS 350 goes on sale in February and comes with bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and a 3.5-liter V6 making 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel drive model will start at $50,325 -- a price hike of $600.
Pictured is the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport which gets F Sport-tuned adaptive suspension, F Sport 19-inch wheels, F Sport badging and will add $5,690 to the price of the GS 350.
Other options priced out on the GS include a $5,750 luxury package which gives you variable suspension, adaptive lighting, espresso wood trim, 18-way power front seats, 18s and a wood-and-leather steering wheel; A $1,400 premium package with rain sensing wiper and heated/ventilated steats and; and a $1,735 navigation system.
No pricing was announced for the GS hybrid.
Categories: Lexus,Luxury Cars,Sedans
Last week Lexus teased the first image of a new concept vehicle that the luxury arm of Toyota will be bringing to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The image didn't show much; some tires that appear to be 265/35R21, headlights, and some neat accent lights that aren't the same-old row-o'-LEDs that's getting slightly boring. It was an interesting concept that had a lot of people speculating. This interior shot should spark that debate again.
It sort of looks like the inside of a whale's mouth. Or a fig cut in half. It's a fantastic design and the stitch work looks stunning. Chance of it making production this way: 0%.
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Categories: Concept Vehicles,Detroit Auto Show,Lexus,Luxury Cars
So what if photos of the revamped 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class leaked last night? That wasn't going to stop Benz officials from releasing this preview video about the car's all-aluminum chassis today. It may be the loveliest video of a naked aluminum chassis we've ever seen and you'll be the richer for watching it.
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Categories: Future Vehicles,Luxury Cars,Mercedes-Benz,Sports Cars
The latest victim of the colander that is the internet is Mercedes-Benz. Today, brochure shots of their all-new 2013 SL have spilled all over the internet giving people a blurry, greenish look at their all new sports convertible. Not exactly the high-resolution, high-quality shots they spent a small fortune shooting for the official reveal that's coming shortly.
We don't get any new information here and we only get a quick look at the interior. That interior shot, though, confirms what we saw in previous spy photos; specifically the nav screen flanked by air vents.
Check the pics after the jump and let us know what you think.
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Categories: Convertibles,Future Vehicles,Luxury Cars,Mercedes-Benz
Sign us up for this one right now.
The Maybach brand never really took off for a number of reasons; value (not price mind you) and appearance were certainly the highest. It looked like a stretched S Class and cost as much as a house in the suburbs. It didn't own the road in the way a Rolls does and it didn't exude luxury in the way a Rolls or Bentley does.
Let's ignore that last one for a minute and instead focus on that whole road-owning facet of the super luxury sedan segment. This rendering from Autobild the S 600 Pullman -- a clear nod to the 1963 600 Pullman -- would fit right in with the big, bold faces of the others in this segment.
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Categories: Future Vehicles,Luxury Cars,Mercedes-Benz
Haven't the 1% suffered enough? First they have to endure the constant annoyance of campers clogging up their parks and city halls, and now they're being asked to give up on V12s? For shame. For shame.
Sure, this new (optional) V8 will be cheaper than the V12, lighter, more fuel efficient and, if this clip is to be believed, will sound better, too. But at what cost? Last time we tested a 2012 Bentley Continental GT it ran to 60 in 4.7 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds at 109.8 mph with only 567 horsepower from the 6.0-liter V12. Not bad for a 5,159-pound luxury car.
For the record, Bentley doesn't admit this is the V8 sound, they cryptically say, "Welcome to the new sound of Bentley. Stirring and thunderous, it is the prelude to a potent new Bentley driving experience that begins in 2012." Right. V8. Got it.
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Categories: Bentley,Luxury Cars,Videos
Nothing says you're history like a lovely spot in the corner. That's what Maybach got at the Mercedes-Benz stand here in Tokyo. It's not only buried in the corner, it's even on the backside of the show stand. It's as if even Mercedes can't even bear to look anymore.
In case you haven't heard, the super luxury brand is scheduled to go away as of 2013, so Mercedes won't have to haul around the extra baggage for long.
Categories: Luxury Cars,Maybach,Mercedes-Benz,Tokyo Motor Show
According to a report in Autoweek, Mercedes is planning to kill its underperforming Maybach brand in 2013.
This comes as no surprise to anyone who was following the situation as Maybach has been fighting slow sales for years now. With almost no talk of a revitalized product line it was just a matter of time before Mercedes decided to pull the plug.
In place of the ultra expensive sedans, Mercedes is said to be planning several variations of its top-of-the-line S600 sedan, including one that would use the Pullman name.
Autoweek
Categories: Luxury Cars,Mercedes-Benz,Sedans
How hard-core is the convertible version the Jaguar XKR-S? Hard-core enough that Jaguar has released video of a prototype testing on the Nurburgring.
This 2-minute movie is heavily edited, though, with music to boot. Now kill the music, we say, and show us that full, claimed sub-8-second lap via an on-board camera.
2011 L.A. Auto Show: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible
First Drive: 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Coupe
(Jaguar UK YouTube via Autoblog)
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Categories: Convertibles,Jaguar,Luxury Cars
Following the L.A. Auto Show yesterday, Singer Vehicle Design held a little soiree to introduce its newest creation -- the latest revamped 911.
Sound familiar? This one's different.
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Categories: Car Tech,Classic Cars,Coupes,LA Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Porsche,Sports Cars,Tuners and Modifications
Not every sports car looks good in red. The Mercedes SL is a good example. I didn't expect the LFA to look very good either, but when I saw this I was impressed. Not bad, not bad at all.
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Categories: LA Auto Show,Lexus,Luxury Cars,Sports Cars
Is this the new face of Lincoln? Well, for now at least. Debuting today on the 2013 Lincoln MKS, the revised front end styling is now more waterfall-y than ever. Actually, the whole front end from the A-pillars forward is new, according to designer Max Wolff. The rear end gets a new fascia as well, along with new LED lights and different exhaust tips.
There are mechanical changes. too. The base 3.7-liter V6 is now rated at an even 300 horsepower while highway mileage is up 3 mpg. Chassis upgrades include larger brakes, torque vectoring and new lane control alert systems that do everything short of pouring caffeine down the driver's throat.
Mr. Wolff, the man who has been charged with reinventing Lincoln's design philosophy, said there's more news to come in Detroit. More pics of today's news after the jump.
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Categories: LA Auto Show,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,Sedans
Hit the jump to see the new 2013 Cadillac XTS Sedan debut at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show.
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Categories: Cadillac,LA Auto Show,Luxury Cars,Sedans
Hey, remember that $395,000 Ferrari FF painted in limited "Grigio Caldo" paint and offered only through the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book? Of course you do. With a stunning photo like that ^ how could you forget?
Right, well, anyway, it sold out. It took the department store just under an hour -- 50 minutes -- to sell all 10 cars. This is about 17 times as long as it took them to sell all 100 copies of the $75,000 Camaro they offered last year.
Purchasing decisions are easier for the 1%.
Categories: Ferrari,Hatchbacks,Luxury Cars
