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Audi A8 L Security blends serious protection with luxury and style

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Audi, Luxury

Audi A8 L Security

Audi A8 L Security – Click above for high-res image gallery

Attention wealthy car shoppers looking for mobile security beyond an alarm and LoJack. Your new chariot of protection has arrived and it’s wearing Four Rings in the grille. Audi is preparing to launch a truly battle-ready premium sedan and it’s called the A8 L Security.

Produced in a heavily guarded section of a secure workshop (no cell phones allowed), the A8 L Security is an armor-plated luxury sedan certified by the German government for compliance with the VR 7 ballistic protection standard (2009). Basically, that means this A8 L is capable of taking numerous rifle bullets and small explosive hits such as hand grenades and anti-tank mines.

All of that protection adds weight, and the Audi A8 L Security employs measures to help counter -balance the added heft. Under the hood is a 6.3-liter W12 engine that produces 500 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and both work together to push the heavy four-door from zero-to-60 miles per hour in around seven seconds.

As you may recall, Audi showed off its last generation A8 L Security in 2007, and that car cost $685,000. No word yet on a sticker price for this latest version, but armoring ain’t cheap.

The full list of features on this rolling luxury tank is hugely impressive, and it’s available for you to read in the press-release posted after the jump.

Gallery: Audi A8 L Security

Audi A8 L Security

[Source: Audi]

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Audi A8 L Security blends serious protection with luxury and style originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Barrett-Jackson: Mid-Engined maniacal motoring madness, Corvette style

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, GM

1963 Chevrolet Corvette mid-engine custom

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe at Barrett-Jackson 2011 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car. The split-window coupe is instantly recognizable and serves as one of the symbols of Zora Arkus-Duntov’s legacy with General Motors. Up for auction at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale is a re-imagining of classic Corvette, and it’s been brought to the modern era while keeping its memorable lines.

Described as “the car Duntov would have built to win Le Mans”, this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe has a secret hidden under its bodywork. The engine isn’t in the front but rather it’s been relocated to the middle of the car. Actually, that’s not accurate… the original engine could be on a shelf somewhere because it’s been replaced with a twin-turbo LS V8. This eight-cylinder monster has been tested on the dyno and the numbers are staggering. Producing 1,000 horsepower and 915 pound-feet of torque, this ’63 Vette runs from 0-60 miles per hour in under three seconds and probably goes through tires like fire through paper.

Also, be sure to get a load of those crazy doors, which open kind of like drawers with an ingenious scissor mechanism.

This will be one to watch as it rolls across the stage (you can do so online here) because the crowd is now “properly medicated” and winning bids are climbing. Plus, it’s one of Speed’s highlighted Fantasy Bid auctions, and you can join us in making an estimation on what this custom mid-engine ‘Vette will finally sell for. We know it’ll be triple digits…

Gallery: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette mid-engine Custom Coupe

1963 Chevrolet Corvette mid-engine Custom Coupe

2011 Barrett-Jackson: Mid-Engined maniacal motoring madness, Corvette style originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2011: Mr. Norm’s Cuda Convertible melds classic style with modern metal

Filed under: Convertible, Auctions, Chrysler, Dodge

2009 Cuda Convertible by Mr. Norm’s at Barrett-Jackson – Click above for high-res image gallery

You’ve seen the car featured on Autoblog before… Mr. Norm’s 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible is a modern Dodge Challenger taken to an extreme level. Under the hood sits a 6.1-liter Hemi that pushes out 650 horsepower at the crank. The steel roof has been replaced with a drop-top and the black and yellow paint scheme screams classic muscle. The large “HEMI” graphic on the rear fenders helps a bit too.

The 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible uses actual parts from the classic ‘Cuda. The taillights, rear panel and fender gills are from a 1971 model. Inside, Mr. Norm’s two-door convertible sports all the modern amenities you would expect in a new Challenger, such as Bluetooth connectivity and a Boston Acoustics sound system.

Check out the official listing page for Mr. Norm’s 426 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible and be sure to keep an eye on the live streaming feed at Speed.

Are you playing Speed’s Online Fantasy Bid Game? If not, test your auction pricing mettle by guessing what a series of featured vehicles will end up bringing at the auction block – you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad. Enjoy!

Gallery: 2009 Prototype ‘Cuda Convertible by Mr. Norm’s Garage at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Mr. Norm’s Cuda Convertible melds classic style with modern metal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mommies on Minivans: Practical, but where’s the style?

Filed under: Car Buying, Detroit Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Etc.

2012 Ford C-Max

2012 Ford C-Max – Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota can call the Sienna a swagger wagon all it wants, but the slogan isn’t going to make moms any happier about hopping behind the wheel. According to The Detroit Free Press, most mothers aren’t fooled by gimmicky marketing or the latest attempts to redesign the minivan as a stylish piece of transportation. Reporter Krista Jahnke followed a group of mothers from Detroit.MomsLikeMe.com as they toured the Detroit Auto Show to critique the latest wave of minivans.

What did they think? While the vast majority appreciated the added creature comforts of the newest generation of family haulers, they still seemed to feel that the minivan was always going to be a practical choice first and an aesthetic one dead last.

One woman even admitted that she cried the first time she had to drive a minivan. Admittedly, we feel her pain.

The crew took the time to check out the all-new Ford C-Max, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Dodge Grand Caravan and Volkswagen Routan, and was kind enough share its opinion on each. Despite its significantly smaller size, the C-Max fared well amongst those who know minivans best, while the Grand Caravan was penalized for its cavernous, grime-trapping center console. Head over to The Detroit Free Press to see all of their impressions.

Gallery: 2012 Ford C-Max

2012 Ford C-Max

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Mommies on Minivans: Practical, but where’s the style? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citroën goes for extra style points with DS3 by Orla Kiely Collection

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Citroën, Design/Style

Citroën DS3 by Orla Kiely Collection

Citroën DS3 by Orla Kiely Collection – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s French. It’s compact. It’s stylish. And it’s hard to get more chic than the Citroën DS3. Does it really need an extra touch of style, then, from a fashion designer? Probably not, but that’s never stopped the Parisians before, and it’s not about to now.

And so Citroën has teamed up with Orla Kiely for a limited-edition collection of DS3 hatchbacks. Only 500 examples of the four different models will be offered. Each painted in one of four different colors with four different roof designs that feature Orla Kiely’s signature stem or acorn design – a theme which repeats in the interior and on the rear tailgate. There’s also contrasting door mirror shells and 17-inch alloys in either white or black depending on the design.

Follow the jump for details and browse through the images in the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: Citroen DS3 by Orla Kiely Collection

[Source: Citroën]

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Citroën goes for extra style points with DS3 by Orla Kiely Collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mazda Shinari Concept debuts new face of the brand in style

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Mazda, Design/Style

Mazda Shinari Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

When Mazda invited us to Milan to see its new concept car, we knew it must be something important. Normally concept cars get their 15 minutes of fame at an auto show, and then it’s off to the next press conference to see what the following automaker will introduce. Not so with Mazda’s latest styling endeavor. The Japanese automaker wanted our full and undivided attention, with the center of international design and fashion in Italy as a fitting backdrop.

The Shinari concept, which roughly translates to “resistance to being bent,” will serve as a the basis for Mazda’s new design language, and many of the styling cues will make it to future production vehicles. That means that the Shinari will essentially affect the design of every vehicle coming from the Japanese automaker for the next several years. An important car for Mazda? You bet.

The Shinari was officially unveiled earlier today, and we spent several hours talking with Mazda’s artists about the design and how it will affect the automaker’s forthcoming vehicles. Follow the jump to learn more about the Shinari and what it means for the brand’s future.

Gallery: Mazda Shinari Concept In Detail

Continue reading Mazda Shinari Concept debuts new face of the brand in style

Mazda Shinari Concept debuts new face of the brand in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ford Fiesta takes care of the ‘Honey Do’ list, Ken Block style

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Humor

Ken Block takes out the trash – Click above to watch video after the jump

At some point during the development of the American vernacular, the term “grocery getter” became a term of condescension. Thing is, lugging around a few bags of consumables and clipping apexes don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Ford is hoping the average U.S. car buyer has outgrown the prejudices of his forebearers and is willing to jump into something with a hatchback. To help dispel any lingering thoughts of boredom, the Blue Oval has called on none other than Ken Block to use his guano-crazy Fiesta WRC rally racer to take care of a few household chores. Sideways.

The quick clip after the jump is filled with the kind of car control we’ve come to expect from Block, even with his recent run of bad luck in the WRC. If you like what you see in the video, you can register for a chance to win a 2011 Fiesta worked up to look just like Block’s racer. Something tells us the grand-prize car won’t be all-wheel drive, though. Hit the jump to watch the video, as well as check out the full press release with details on the drawing.

Gallery: Ken Block Gymkhana 3 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Ford Fiesta takes care of the ‘Honey Do’ list, Ken Block style

Video: Ford Fiesta takes care of the ‘Honey Do’ list, Ken Block style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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