Ford is updating its 2013 Flex model with a new nose design, updated power and improved technology. The three-row, seven-passenger model features a restyled front fascia with a nose that is sleeker, sophisticated and more robotic. Apart from the addition of paint colour and wheel choices, no other design elements have been modified.

Flex receives a powertrain update with a base 3.5-litre V6 that now packs 20 more horsepower – 285 versus 265. Customers will still have the option of fitting the Flex with Ford’s 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, which carries over unchanged.

As with all other upcoming 2013 Ford models the Flex will receive the updated version of the MyFord Touch technology incorporated into the dashboard that is simpler in layout and display and ultimately more user friendly. Other interior improvements include pushbutton start, rain sensing wipers and the addition of more safety features including optional rear inflatable seatbelts and a host of collision-avoidance technologies.

Mark Fields, President of the Americas states that ”Flex appeals to people who want to stand out from the crowd and has the highest retention rate of any vehicle in the Ford lineup. With technologies not found in other full-size utilities, even better fuel economy and a more modern, sophisticated look we’re offering people even more reasons to choose Flex with the new model.”

source: autoblog

The vehicle will be offered in three trim levels. But they will be incorporated with the good features such as power windows or locks, keyless ignition as well as air conditioning. The options offered include leather seats, GPS navigation, cruise control, and a rear view camera as well.

Under the hood, it is likely to feature an exclusive turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that churns out160 PS (118 kW / 158 hp). MG 6 will go sale in coming April. The manufacturer also has plans to launch a 1.9-liter diesel model in the coming year.

The Cruiserio features a 6.0-liter V12 engine with 603 hp (450 kW / 612 PS) and 738 lb-ft (1,000) Nm of torque. This enables the coupe to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in five seconds, before hitting a top speed of 275 km/h (171 mph).

The car can return an average fuel consumption of 16.4 lt/100km or 14.2 mpg US. The Maybach-endorsed conversion was designed by Burch Fred Hardt. The model is all of 5.7-meters in length. The track has been widened and the roof also sports certain enhancement.

The company’s external dealer other than AutoKingdom is AmorTech group from Russia. The starting price is fixed at €675,000 that is $892,455 or £577,940. The first  unit will go for €715,000.  However, the production is limited to 100 units.

But the question is, is Audi really making the right decision by letting go of the new RS4 idea? After all the RS4 is one model that scored the greatest success out of all the cars in the series.

Audi ought to learn a lesson or two from BMW who had their famous M3 not just as a four-door sedan but also as a two door coupe.

Officials at Renault have stated that there are technological innovations and that the competition is completely open.

The new formula is aimed at bringing car manufactures back into the F1 field, and the sources have said that they have been mindful that there are precise rules for the costs, the materials, the number of engines per season and the speed limit.

Renault has officially withdrawn from the position of being team owner of the Renault team, based in Enstone, but has affirmed that they will continue to supply engines for the coming three years.

During this period, the V8 engine formula will be transcended and the new four-cylinder turbos will debut in 2013.

Although the new formula was aimed at enticing car manufacturers back into the racing game, BMW will not be joining soon, and Volkswagen is not committed either.

Sources say that that Japanese have been expressing interest in the F1, and that Honda is seriously considering making a comeback.

The handiwork of Swiss auto designer Ueli Anliker, the car also has 600 rubies on it as part of the “tuning” job, some of which measure 35 mm in diameter. Anliker has been specializing in this technique of adding jewelry onto cars for 35 years now.

According to the insurers, the vehicle has been valued at 5 million Swiss Francs (€3.7 million/$5.2 million), which is solely based on the physical cost of the car. Adding greatly to its value are the man hours that have been put into creating it – which Anliker says is approximately 30,000 hours.

(Via WCF)

The Black Pack will also be endowing the XF model with a gloss black grill and black window surrounds, and gives options in the color palette including a paint finish in Polaris White, Ultimate Black, Spectrum Blue, Stratus Gray, Lunar Gray, Liquid Silver and the Kyanite Blue and Salsa Red from the XFR palette.

According to information from the company, the Black Pack for the Jaguar XF is available on the Diesel S, the XFR and the naturally aspirated 5.0 liter variants. Customers who want the Black Pack will have to shell out upwards of £950 (€1,084).

The vehicles are unique police cars that can give 447 kw worth of turbocharged power and also speed up to 100 km/hr in a mere 3.5 seconds.

This new Terminator is 200 kg lighter than the models available in the showrooms and is sure to foil many quick getaways that criminal minds may have in mind.

A group of specially trained officers will be driving these mean patrol machines – and will be totally equipped to chase down and apprehend the best of the speed breakers, regardless of what vehicle they may be chasing.

Specially designed by engineers at Nissan Motorsport, these vehicles possess interiors that have been redesigned to the advantage of the modern police force.

The doors are swing-open Kevlar reinforced; there are exra cup holders in place for those endless cups of coffee, special quick-release gun holsters and the center console can carry handcuffs.

Word is that these machines are already out in the streets of Johannesburg and Tshwane, helping to terminate crime.

Details on the body are that it has a Toyota grill, front skirt and rear spoiler; and the nose, tail, fender flares and side skirts are RKC.

The vehicle has a coilover suspension with single adjustable shocks that lie within the modified MacPherson system for the front; the rear has a multi-link independent set up separately. The interior has a leather and suede finish featuring TRD logos; and a 4-point roll cage.

The RKC Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition was created by Rob Kauffman, who was the founder of RKC, for Toyota Racing Development (TRD). He is also co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, a NASCAR team.

The device is claimed to be powered with the capacity to block the dangerous UV and Infrared rays. The switch located on the overhead console allows the chromic glass roof to darken within seconds and this block the harmful rays from penetrating to the interiors.

The car was tested repeatedly by the company and sp cams have spotted the car at the Death Valley. Engineers are making it ready for a perfect launch, scheduled for 2011. The launch may likely occur in Detroit or Geneva and the company has given great expectations for the auto lovers around the globe although they are still to come out with the authentic tech-specs of the vehicle.