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Spy Shots: 2015 Lexus GS F is camo-free and frisky

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus GS F Spy shots

Other than some missing badges and (hopefully) a not-yet-finished rear fascia, what you see here is an undisguised look at the long-awaited Lexus GS F high-performance sedan. Lexus’ answer to the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, the GS F has been spotted again.

Unlike our previous spy shots, though, this time around, the sporty Lexus has been caught testing on the Nürburgring, so our spy shooters have managed to get a look at the car from all angles. Building on the aggressive styling of the GS F-Sport, the GS F gets bigger air intakes and a lower chin spoiler up front. Like before, we see the signature stacked exhaust outlets, but they still seemed roughed into rear fascia, which gets an aero-aiding diffuser.

We still only have guesses as to what will be under the hood, but a 465-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 sounds good to us. Expect to see the production GS F on the road by 2015.

2015 Lexus GS F is camo-free and frisky originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2015 Lexus GS F is camo-free and frisky

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus GS F Spy shots

We still only have guesses as to what will be under the hood, but a 465-horsepower, 5.0-liter V8 sounds good to us. Expect to see the production GS F on the road by 2015.

2015 Lexus GS F is camo-free and frisky originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Toyota gives a free RAV4 to 50-millionth customer [w/video]

Filed under: Car Buying, Videos, Crossover, Toyota

50-millionth Toyota giveaway

Not surprisingly, the 50-millionth Toyota product sold in the US was a Camry, but Toyota had a big surprise in store for Michael Dee, the buyer of said milestone vehicle. Toyota group vice president Bill Fay showed up at Dee’s house to not only personally thank him for the purchase, but also completely paid off that brand new Camry, presenting the owner with a clear title.

But that wasn’t all. As you can tell from the image above, Fay had one more trick up his sleeve. The group VP brought along a brand new 2013 Toyota RAV4, which was also presented to Dee in appreciation. The best part is that Dee’s genuine amazement was all caught on video, which is posted below.

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Toyota gives a free RAV4 to 50-millionth customer [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Aug 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Ford Focus ST, Fiesta ST buyers to get free Octane Academy driving school

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Ford

The Ford Focus ST and Fiesta ST have created plenty of excitement in the sport compact segment, and Ford is looking to make sure that owners are driving and enjoying their cars to the best of their abilities. As an added bonus for buying one of these sporty hatchbacks, Ford will provide a complimentary ST Octane Academy session to be held at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

Attendees will be responsible for travel and lodging, but Ford will provide the driving school free of charge. Included in this two-day trip, ST owners will get class instruction and driving instruction in prepped Focus ST and Fiesta ST models on the track and autocross course. Some karting action will also be involved as will a tour of Ken Block’s Hoonigan Racing headquarters located nearby. If this doesn’t sound like enough fun, there is also an optional day of activities that includes some more track time in a Mustang GT and off-road instruction in an F-150 SVT Raptor.

Ford told us that those who have already purchased a Focus ST or Fiesta ST will still be able to attend the performance driving school, but the press release, which is posted below, makes it sound like it applies to original owners only. Ford has yet to announce its schedule for the ST Octane Academy or prices for additional activities or guests.

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Ford Focus ST, Fiesta ST buyers to get free Octane Academy driving school originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Aug 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Read This: US and EU negotiating free trade pact to unify global auto safety regulations

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Read This

Safety and emissions regulations have long been touchy subjects in the auto industry, because they can dictate the legality of automobiles and are not the same from country to country. Fragmented regulations add costs to vehicle sales, and they inhibit the ability of automakers to offer the same products around the globe.

The US and EU are attempting to improve the situation with Free Trade Agreement negotiations that started this month in Washington, D.C., Wards Auto reports, which are expected to result in a deal that pushes the global auto industry toward a world vehicle-regulatory system, with an emphasis on safety requirements.

Thoughts of mandatory sealed-beam headlights and 100+pound impact bumpers – both of which were products of fragmented global vehicle-regulatory systems – still give us headaches decades later, so here’s to hoping the FTA negotiations help unify safety regulations to some degree.

Be sure to read the article for all the details on the trade negotiations, and feel free to comment below.

US and EU negotiating free trade pact to unify global auto safety regulations originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jul 2013 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota offers free badge of honor to Prius owners

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Toyota

To commemorate the epic milestone of one million Prius hybrids sold in the United States, Toyota is literally giving away “Prius Goes Platinum” badges to more than 11,000 current Prius owners.

If you own a Prius, don’t delay. Starting today, only the first 1,000 Prius owners who sign up at ToyotaPriusProjects.com will get their hands on a free custom-molded, adhesive-backed vehicle badge. The next 10,000 takers get their badges in sticker form, while everyone else gets their badges digitally. The auto-generated badge reflects, in an artistic sort of way, the CO2 emissions saved by each individual Prius.

Attention Prius owners: Click here to claim your one-of-a-kind “Prius Goes Platinum” badge.

Toyota offers free badge of honor to Prius owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi

Audi S4

2010 Audi S4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ordering a special edition luxury vehicle from Germany can take some time. The plant needs to put you in the production queue with the rest of the orders, shipping across the Atlantic can eat up weeks and parts availability can also throw off timing. Such a protracted timeline played out for Audi forum member Datz as he waited for his brand new S4, except three months became five months and then his December order led to a July delivery.

Instead of sitting back and listening to excuse after excuse from the dealership, Datz reportedly took to the Internets in search of justice. The expectant owner even sent a note out to Audi U.S.A. chief Johan de Nysschen, and he says he focused his vitriol on Audi’s goal to be the global leader in luxury autos instead of complaining about his plight at the dealership.

Instead of ignoring the email, de Nysschen took action, calling the disgruntled buyer to see how he could hep. The Audi boss apologized for the delays, telling him that his $2,500 Daytona Gray paint job and trunk component delays were the issue, though he reportedly added that those issues are Audi’s, not his.

Calling the customer was a very cool thing for de Nysschen to do, but he went a monumental leap forward by providing a 2010 S4 loaner to use while he waited for his new vehicle. He also called the plant and had production moved up to April, with a June delivery date. Nicely done Audi, and way to use the Internet to your advantage, Datz! Now you can beat the snot out of the loaner to get it out of your system before you get your own S4 to coddle.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4

[Source: Audizine.com via Quattro World via Motor Authority]

Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Test Drive Unlimited 2 offering free downloadable content to make up for buggy launch

Filed under: Toys/Games

test drive unlimited 2

Test Drive Unlimited 2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you jumped right into the Test Drive Unlimited 2 world, you may have been disappointed to find a slew of bugs and server issues. Atari and Eden Games have been working hard to rectify that situation. A new update has been made available and it includes a variety of fixes, as well as a thank-you bonus item. The first batch of downloadable content for TDU2 thrown in the mix for free.

Called the Exploration DLC Pack, the downloadable add-on features new wrecks to find. The two new wrecks, once found, will put a rally-version Lancia Stratos and 1969 Dodge Charger in your garage (or garages, if you are progressing through game more quickly).

In addition to the extra vehicles, this update addresses the following issues:

Casino performance has been improved
Log-in time has been improved
Game is more stable across the board
Saved games are no longer corrupted
Friend lists are now populated
Invites work correctly
Clubs are now online

It’s clear that Eden Games and Atari have been listening to the masses, and are working hard to provide an enjoyable gaming experience. The update is being provided to PC users first, then it will filter over for console gamers.

Gallery: Test Drive Unlimited 2

[Source: Joystiq, Test Drive Unlimited 2 Forums]

Test Drive Unlimited 2 offering free downloadable content to make up for buggy launch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man tattooes ‘Mini’ on his penis to win free Cooper

Filed under: Etc., Mini, Humor

2011 Mini Cooper

2011 Mini Cooper – Click above for high-res image gallery

Think about the craziest thing you would do to win a free car. Andreas Muller of Germany has you beat. Muller really – really – wanted to win the Mini Cooper being given away by his local radio station, and in order to do so, he had the word “MINI” tattoed on his mini, err… penis.

Organizers of the stunt received a long list of crazy ideas, yet Muller’s stood out for the sheer ballsiness (pun intended). His screams of pain were broadcast over the air as the tattoo was applied to his now-sponsored manhood.

There’s plenty that we’d do to win a free Mini, but this one reaches far beyond the realm of consideration. Thanks for the tip, Steve!

Gallery: 2011 Mini Cooper: First Drive

2011 Mini Cooper

[Source: Metro via BarStoolSports]

Man tattooes ‘Mini’ on his penis to win free Cooper originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OnStar offering free services to Super Bowl attendees

Filed under: Technology, GM

OnStar

Thousands of football fans will soon converge on Arlington, Texas for Super Bowl XLV. Those visitors will fill area hotel rooms and jam eateries and pubs. That’s good news for local businesses, but thanks to impossible traffic it’s a bum deal for anyone who travels through town. And since the Super Bowl also brings massively increased security, many streets will be closed so police and private security details have fewer avenues to inspect. Thank goodness for GPS, right? Not so much.

Super Bowl organizers have asked that game attendees skip the GPS in favor of the directions printed on their parking passes. That’s an awfully analog process for our digital world, but owners of OnStar-equipped General Motors vehicles can still receive turn-by-turn directions. Subscribers will be have “special access” to routes and road closures relayed by specially trained OnStar advisers during the event. You won’t need to have the turn-by-turn subscription package to receive this service, either; GM is providing it free of charge just for the big game. Hit the jump to peruse the official OnStar press release.

[Source: OnStar]

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OnStar offering free services to Super Bowl attendees originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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