offering Archives | Page 2 of 2

Resinating the Essential: Infiniti offering limited-edition sculpture with Louis Vuitton case

Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Infiniti, Design/Style

Infiniti Essence sculpture – Click above for high-res images

Rolling sculpture is how you might describe the Infiniti Essence show car. When it was unveiled in Geneva last year it stole the show, and now the Japanese luxury marque is following up with a limited-edition sculpture of the car itself.

Crafted from resin by the same creative minds behind the Essence concept, the Essence sculpture will only be produced in a limited run of 300 examples, each fetching $300. The sculpture is transported and presented in a special case hand-crafted by Louis Vuitton, the luxury goods workshop that made the custom-fitted luggage for the concept car.

The sculpture will debut at the upcoming LA Auto Show before going on sale at infinitilifestyle.com in December, but you can get a closer look now by clicking the thumbnails below and following the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence sculpture

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Resinating the Essential: Infiniti offering limited-edition sculpture with Louis Vuitton case

Resinating the Essential: Infiniti offering limited-edition sculpture with Louis Vuitton case originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Resinating the Essential: Infiniti offering limited-edition sculpture with Louis Vuitton case”

Ford offering sport packages for 2012 Focus SE, Titanium

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford Focus – Click above for high-res image gallery

The forthcoming 2012 Focus ST is indeed something for hot hatch enthusiasts to look forward to, but buyers shopping the naturally aspirated volume models will be able to spec a bit of sport on their Focuses, as well. When the new Focus goes on sale in early 2011, Ford will offer sport packages for both the mid-grade SE and top-end Titanium models, adding things like a more aggressively tuned suspension, larger wheels, better brakes and a host of interior upgrades.

Available on both the sedan and hatchback, the SE Sport Package adds four-wheel disc brakes, sport suspension, 16-inch aluminum wheels (with an available set of 17s), piano black grille, sport seats, metallic interior trim accents, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a five-speed manual transmission. On top of that, the Focus SE Sport gets a rear spoiler and is available in the automaker’s Yellow Blaze Metallic paint color.

For the top-shelf Titanium model, which already comes standard with Ford’s sport-tuned spension, the Titanium Handling Package adds optimized suspension components for an even better driving feel and special 18-inch alloys wrapped in summer performance tires.

Pricing for these option packages is not available as of this writing, but Ford says it will be launching its online configurator for the 2012 Focus near the end of October. Follow the jump for the official details in the automaker’s press blast.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford Focus hatchback

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford offering sport packages for 2012 Focus SE, Titanium

Ford offering sport packages for 2012 Focus SE, Titanium originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ford offering sport packages for 2012 Focus SE, Titanium”

Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Technology, Porsche, Design/Style

What if you could update your classic car with modern tech, without losing the style that you’ve come to love? Porsche now has a solution for owners of old 911s. Starting in October 2010, owners will be able to retrofit their cars with the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System (Part # 911 645 910 00), which packages a display screen fitted into a form factor that is an exact fit for the original factory radio’s location. Round knobs keep appearances in line with that classic Porsche aesthetic, but the technology is purely 21st century.

The unit will retail for €595,00 plus VAT (around $776 USD before taxes at current exchange rates). Considering what Porsche gets for some of the options on its modern cars, the neo-retro nav unit’s price seems pretty good. We understand a desire for modern conveniences in older cars, and the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System may be an answer to the prayers of some 911 enthusiasts since it obviates the need for a less desirable aftermarket solution. (Of cource, one could always just stick a portable GPS unit on the windshield…)

According to MotoBullet, the Classic Radio Navigation System is designed to fit Porsche 911s from from model years 1963 to 1977 (it might also fit the Porsche 914). They go on to suggest that this nav unit may also work with firstgeneration Porsche 912s, but those guys are already going too slow to care where they’re heading. (We kid, we kid… out of jealousy.)

[Source: Porsche via MotoBullet]

Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Porsche offering modern nav system to replace classic radios”

Audi UK offering upgraded 4.2L V8 for R8 Spyder

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Audi, UK, Luxury

Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8

Audi R8 4.2 Spyder – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Euro-spec Audi R8 Spyder will soon be available with a more powerful version of the automaker’s 4.2-liter V8 engine. The EU5-approved FSI unit gets ten more horses, going from 420 to 430 horsepower. It also gets an energy recuperation system that comes into effect during coasting and braking. The run from zero to 62 miles per hour takes 4.8 seconds, and a 186-mph top speed is possible “in the appropriate circumstances” (i.e., out on the Autobahn).

For the six-speed manual you’ll need £95,545 ($147,759 USD based on current exchange rates), while the not-so-great R-Tronic will require £100,855 ($155,966 USD). The hardtop R8 will also be getting this upgraded engine, and both will be available in January of next year. Don’t worry – the new engine will be coming to the U.S., as well. The press release on Audi UK’s new V8 is after the jump, and high-res photos are in the gallery below.

Gallery: More powerful UK Audi R8 4.2

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi UK offering upgraded 4.2L V8 for R8 Spyder

Audi UK offering upgraded 4.2L V8 for R8 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Audi UK offering upgraded 4.2L V8 for R8 Spyder”

Ford now offering custom graphics for Mustang, Taurus is next

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Performance, Ford, Design/Style

2011 Mustang 5.0 convertible with 'clear hood' graphic applique

Ford graphics package for the 2011 Mustang – Click above for high-res image gallery

Heads up, pony fans; Ford has just released the details on its new graphic program for the 2011 Mustang. Just like with the pint-sized Fiesta, the company will let you slather the muscle car in any number of graphics packages to suit your tastes. The designs vary from tasteful stripes and accents to some cringetastic pieces like the “clear hood” 5.0 shown above and various tribal decals. Jersey Shore, here we come.

Ford has priced the most of the vinyl packages at $299, though prices vary depending on how complicated the design is and how much vinyl is used in the process. Near as we can tell, the priciest of the lot are the reverse stripes that cover the majority of the top of the car in the sticky stuf. That package will set you back close to $1,000.

You can even pick from a number of colors to suit your vehicle, including a carbon-fiber look material. Please, for the love of the ponies, stay away from that one. You can play around with the configurator yourself at the Ford site. Word has it that the next vehicle to get the vinyl treatment will be the Taurus starting next month. Stay tuned.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Mustang Graphics

[Source: Ford]

Ford now offering custom graphics for Mustang, Taurus is next originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ford now offering custom graphics for Mustang, Taurus is next”

Report: Whitacre says GM anticipates offering entire company in IPO

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

At this point, the only thing we know for sure about the General Motors initial public offering is that it will happen… eventually. With the United States government holding a 61-percent equity stake in the automaker, the political pressure is huge to make a stock sale occur sooner rather than later.

However, until GM CEO Ed Whitacre spoke at the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI this week, the presumption was that only about one-third of the company’s stock would be offered up in the IPO. Whitacre, however, seems to be indicating that the entire company would be offered up in a single sale. The rationale for doing the stock sale in stages would be to maximize the return on the government’s investment. A single sale might result in a lower per-share price and lower overall return. By selling a smaller stake and then timing further sales with a hopefully rising stock price, the return could be improved.

Following Whitacre’s comments, other GM representatives told CNBC that the final decision would be made by the current shareholders, the U.S. and Canadian governments, the UAW health care trust and former bondholders.

[Source: CNBC]

Report: Whitacre says GM anticipates offering entire company in IPO originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Whitacre says GM anticipates offering entire company in IPO”