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Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is world's first production plug-in hybrid CUV [w/video]

Though Mitsubishi first showed us the form of its 2013 Outlander in Geneva a while back, the company saved its plug-in hybrid crossover for this week's Paris Motor Show soiree.
Mitsubishi is quite proud to offer what it says is the world's first production PHEV utility vehicle, a new model that makes use of established technologies within the company. Learnings from the company's i-MiEV electric car have worked there way into a vehicle that can travel up to 55 kilometers (34 miles) on lithium-ion battery power. Two electric motors independently power the front and rear wheels of the Outlander, while the gasoline-powered engine can be used as a generator for the motors, or to power the vehicle directly. The target combined fuel economy for the Outlander PHEV is 61 km/liter, or roughly 143 miles per gallon.
The Outlander PHEV will be introduced in the Japanese market in the first part of 2013, with European and North American markets to follow on. There is no word about an on-sale date, but while you're pondering the possibilities, check out an official video by scrolling down and peruse our high-res image gallery.

Renault Clio is the bold new face of France's diamond brand

Check out the new Renault Clio, which has just been revealed at the Paris Motor Show. If you like what you see, then chances you are going to like future Renault models. Along with introducing the fourth-generation Clio, Renault also says that this new styling will be the new face of the French automaker's future products.
Once classified as a supermini, the Clio has since grown into a B-segment contender similar to the closely related Nissan Versa. The centerpiece of the new design features a large Renault logo that stands out against a black background in the grille. Like the previous Clio, the new model will be available in both five-door hatchback and estate/station wagon variants, but for now, it doesn't appear a three-door model will make it into the mix.
Make no mistake, the Clio is one of the most important reveals of the entire Paris show. And Renault is treating it as such, with plans to launch it with "no fewer than five" new engines. On top of that, the big Clio hardware news is the addition of stop/start technology and a dual-clutch transmission available on the option list. Renault says that its 90-horsepower 1.5-liter dCi engine will attain fuel consumption figures close to a hybrid-electric vehicle, making it the first car in the B-segment to do so.

Peugeot Onyx Scooter Concept is half motorcycle, half scooter, all kinds of cool

Peugeot is referring to its Onyx Concept Scooter as a two-in-one supertrike. Seems fitting. Not only can this innovative hybrid three-wheeler hit a top speed of 93 miles per hour, its 400cc engine and electric motor combination offers up 60 horsepower (45 kilowatts) and 42 pound-feet of torque, which should be plenty of gumption for quick getaways from traffic.
Handling ought to be a treat on the Onyx Scooter, with a 200/50 R17 rear tire and dual front wheels like the Piaggio MP3. Plus, there are two so-called driving positions: one, called Sport, that puts the rider in a motorcycle-like feet-back position, and another, Urban, with a more scooter-traditional feet-forward stance.
Naturally, everyone is concerned with fuel economy these days, and the Onyx Concept Scooter delivers with a rating of 117.6 miles per gallon on what we assume is the European combined cycle. Running on electricity alone, the Onyx can travel up to 18.6 miles. Using gas, it has a range of 310 miles. For more details, feel free to click below. For a full image gallery of live shots from the Paris Motor Show, see above.

Peugeot RCZ R Concept is an unsubtle hint at performance coupe to come

Say one thing for Peugeot at its home Paris Motor Show this season: the company knows how to run with a theme. Peugeot, some might argue, stole the 2012 show with its Onyx supercar concept; that car has an Onyx Scooter Concept that matches it in livery (if not performance). But, perhaps the most realistic vehicle to wear the matte black and copper attire is this hotted-up RCZ R Concept.
Now, don't let that "Concept" bit on the end of the formal name fool you too much - the company out and out says that the RCZ R will show up as a production model at the end of 2013.
That's great news if you've been considering an RCZ but had hoped for a bit more performance from the fashion-forward coupe. The Peugeot Sport development group plans to fit the production RCZ R with a 260-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, Torsen limited slip differential and revised wheels and suspension. We're guessing that the stealthy black paint and copper roof rails will be for the concept car only - but with the French, you never know...

Peugeot's Onyx hybrid supercar may be the belle of the Parisian ball [w/video]

Though the French automaker is clearly on the top of its game with all of its offerings for the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Peugeot's Onyx concept is its definitive highlight.
A masterpiece in matte black paint, Onyx's most striking features are the two huge swathes of polished copper that adorn both sides. Each side is made from a single piece of copper and, other than extensive polishing, the material is unprotected from the elements. The goal here, says Peugeot, is that the copper panels will change and evolve over time with oxidation.
The lightweight concept car - all of the body panels are made from carbon fiber and the car weighs just 1,100 kilograms (2,425 pounds) - is propelled by an aggressive hybrid powertrain. At the heart of the propulsion is a 3.7-liter V8 that's good for a whopping 600 horsepower, and it's modulated via a six-speed sequential gearbox. The conventional engine is augmented with lithium-ion battery-powered electric system that adds another 80 horses to the mix.

Espera Sbarro Eight Concept is the best student project car in history

Here's a showstopper. Tucked away in a corner of the Fourth Pavilion here at the 2012 Paris Motor Show was this carbon fiber hot rod from the Espera Sbarro Montbéliard School of Design. Known simply as the Eight, cribbed from the Maserati-sourced V8 engine, this machine was reportedly designed and built in just eight weeks. We also hear that it's powered by the impure thoughts of heathens, or maybe just gasoline.
The Sbarro Eight Concept was built to help showcase some of the latest technology available to automakers, including a driver-facing tablet computer that occupies the spot normally housing the dash. Applications such as navigation, internet, and Read & Go for books, Liveradio and Deezer for tunes and Cinéday for movies keep the driver connected while on the go. But hopefully not while actually, you know, driving.
The Eight also features a Parrot Asteroid Smart car radio powered by Android that features a 6.2-inch screen and can connect to the online Asteroid Market, cellular phones via Bluetooth, or display videos through auxilliary inputs. An onboard wireless charger and a mobile stereo system round out the tech package.

Maserati dubs new SUV Levante, new sedan to resurrect Ghibli moniker

Building on the introduction of the GranCabrio MC that debuted at the Paris Motor Show, Maserati is planning three new models over the next couple of year in an attempt to raise sales to 50,000 units annually by 2015. While we think that that is a pretty lofty goal for a boutique automaker, redesigning its flagship sedan and adding two all-new models in popular segments sounds like a great plan of attack
The first new car we'll see from the Italian automaker is the next generation of the Quattroporte which will be a fitting way to celebrate the car's golden anniversary. We've already seen spy pictures of the new Quattroporte testing as well as a series of patent drawings that reportedly show the car's basic lines. Expect the new Quattroporte out sometime next year with a possible launch at the Detroit Auto Show.
Following the new Quattroporte, we'll finally get to climb behind the wheel of a Maserati SUV... just not the Kubang. Maserati confirmed that its new utility vehicle, based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, will in fact be named the Levante. We already knew that Maserati would definitely not be using the odd Kubang name after this year, but if the Levante name sounds familiar, it's because we previously reported that this name would be used on a sedan slotting in below the Quattroporte.

Mitsubishi ASX is French for Outlander Sport

Mitsubishi has revealed the Euro-version of the same Outlander Sport model that debuted with updates earlier this year at the New York Auto Show. No, the French do not call it the Royale Sport (with cheese), but rather the ASX.
The crossover has received a range of aesthetic and engineering tweaks, including revised interior fabrics. Designers have also abandoned the old rotary knob switch for the vehicle's all-wheel-control system in favor of a pushbutton interface, though the largest change to the recipe comes in the form of a reworked multi-link rear suspension. Powertrain options remain unchanged, however, with a total of three engine mills on deck, including a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 115 horsepower mated to a five-speed manual transmission in two-wheel drive configuration.
Those hunting up a little more traction can step up to a 1.8-liter diesel with 147 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque paired with a six-speed manual and the buyer's choice of either a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive system. A low-CO2 1.8 diesel is also available with 114 horsepower. You can check out the full press release below for more information.

Seat Leon shows its angular assets

The third-generation Seat Leon has made its debut in Paris, confirming for the assembled masses that its live form is just as fetching as the studio shots we've already seen.
Seat tipped its hand on the new Leon earlier this summer, so we've already reported on most of the critical details. Two TDI diesels, a 1.6-liter and a 2.0-liter, will make up the engine range at launch, while a total of five powerplants will come online by the first part of 2013.
A familiar overall body shape reflects what we've seen from the new Golf, and follows an exhaustive rework of the Leon, both inside and out. Get a firsthand look at what's been done in our live gallery of images.

2013 Skoda Rapid offers Czech flair in a Volkswagen world

Czech automaker Škoda has splashed down at this week's Paris Motor Show with its new Rapid sedan. The 2013 Rapid may bear a brand-specific front end, but the rest of the car isn't a far leap from its Volkswagen Jetta roots. We think that's a good thing, though perhaps the best instantiation of this corporate model is the new Toledo from Seat? We'll let the Europeans fight that one out.
The Rapid will serve as an entry point into the larger Volkswagen corporate universe for many buyers, offering a value-laden vehicle that is slightly less upscale than its German and Spanish counterparts. The Rapid will be served up with no fewer than five engine choices at launch: a pair of diesels and three different petrol-engined cars will fill out the roster.
Curiously, the Czech automaker already markets a very different model under the Rapid banner, a smaller VW Polo-derived model sold in India.

Smart Forstars Concept is a rolling drive-in movie theater in orange

Smart tells us that its new Forstars Concept is a Sports Utility Coupé. We're pretty sure that's a misnomer. After all, the electric powertrain, while supremely efficient, isn't a powerhouse. Plus, with room for just two occupants and a golf bag plus toiletries, utility doesn't really seem to be its forte either.
So, what is the Smart Forstars good for? Well, judging from our image gallery, it makes an excellent prop for impossibly cute auto show models to lean against. Plus, it's got a completely clear roof, which is how it got its name - you can stare at the stars... get it? Oh, and it also sports an integrated projector on its hood for impromptu drive-in movie nights.
Power comes from a 60-kW electric motor and 17.6-kWh lithium ion battery pack, and Smart claims a top speed of 80 miles per hour.

Opel Adam is the little hatch to begin a big turnaround

Opel's bottom line suffers from a medical condition called "hemorrhaging" and investment bank Morgan Stanley isn't alone in believing that General Motors should let the German brand go. But they haven't seen the Opel Adam. The diminutive hatch that can come off as a little bulbous up front and busy all over depending on the angle of the photo has a welcoming presence in person. Of course, it's too much to ask that this one petite runabout reverse the fortunes of a company on the wrong side of profitability for more than a decade, but to our eyes, it's a great candidate to lead the charge.
Buyers of the Opel/Vauxhall warrior in the premium subcompact segment get a five-speed manual transmission tied to one of three gasoline engines in 69-, 86- and 99-horsepower classifications. Next year will see the introduction of the three-cylinder engines that GM has developed with its Chinese partner SAIC. In the UK, it will start at around £11,000 ($17k USD including Value Added Tax) and will find space in its tiny frame for features like stop/start, ESP, Hill Start Assist, airbags all around and dual-mode power steering.
The Jam, Glam and Slam trim lines will start hitting streets next year. For now there are high-res galleries and a press release below.

Rolls-Royce goes glam, celebrates Art Deco heritage in Paris

Rolls-Royce has used the 2012 Paris Motor Show to pull the covers off its art deco-inspired Phantom saloon, Phantom Drophead Coupé and Ghost models. These three bespoke machines are said to pay homage to the 1925 Paris Exhibition or Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Not coincidentally, the phrase 'art deco' was coined at that very show.
These three models are finished in period-correct color schemes and feature details that include mother of pearl and silver inlays and ornamental glassware. According to Giles Taylor, Design Director Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, "Art Deco was defined by theatre, glamour and a sense of excitement. Working to create contemporary interpretations of these classic themes has been enormously rewarding for everyone in my bespoke design team." But of course.
Feel free to check out our live gallery of high-res images above along with the official shots released by Rolls-Royce below. There's also a press release or two waiting for your prying eyes, if you're so inclined.

Suzuki sallies forth with new C-segment crossover with fishy S-Cross Concept

It's not what we'd call attractive, really, but at least the new S-Cross Concept is something fresh from Suzuki. Introduced to the world at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Suzuki says the pale green machine previews its upcoming production C-segment crossover.
We hope some of its fishier elements - according to Suzie, the specially created Crystal Green Metallic body color evokes "nature in the city and the city in nature", whatever that means - remain in the conceptual pond, but either way, it's good to see that the Japanese automaker hasn't lost its will to compete in a heated segment of the market. In fact, Suzuki promises that the S-Cross "will be the first in an ambitious program of annual European model launches which Suzuki will be starting in 2013. "
What are the chances we'll see a production version of this crossover concept in the U.S.? Your Magic 8 Ball is as good as ours... In any case, feel free to peruse the press release below.

2013 Ram HD and Chassis Cab pickups are ready for work [UPDATE]

Auto enthusiasts often point to the pony car wars as the last bastion of one-upsmanship among Detroit's automakers, but the truth is, the pickup wars are every bit as competitive - if not more so. Auburn Hills keeps a ready eye on what their rivals in Dearborn and Detroit are doing, and vice-versa. Today, that battle is renewed with the introduction of Ram's 2013 Heavy Duty and Chassis Cab lines at the State Fair of Texas. Why a state fair? The Banner State is the perfect battleground for pickup supremacy, as Texas accounts for one of every five pickups sold in the U.S.
Towing and hauling metrics are poised for a substantial improvement. "... and not just by a little bit."
On the HD front, Chrysler is boasting that its brand-new heavies will bring best-in-class towing, torque, payload and Gross Combined Weight Rating, but thus far, it's declining to cite what those figures are. For the moment, though, Fred Diaz, President and CEO of Ram told us at an Auburn Hills background event earlier this month that key towing and hauling metrics are poised for a substantial improvement. "And not just by a little bit. I think we're going to shock the world," said Diaz.

Bentley unveils Continental GT3 racer [w/video]

Ten years after unveiling the concept car that ultimately became the Bentley Continental GT, the iconic British company is back at the Paris Motor Show, with another high-performance "concept" car. The newest member of the Bentley family, this Continental GT3 is a concept in name only, as the company is explicit about the fact that its debut marks a return to motorsports for the brand.
The last time we saw the flying B on a racecar, it was when Bentley was claiming honors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003. The GT3 seeks to take up that mantle, as well as the storied history of road-going Bentleys being transformed into competent racing machines.
Though technical details are nonexistent in the Bentley press release, the company has given us something to work with, in terms of the racecar that will ultimately result from this program. The GT3 will, naturally, build on the very strong performance of the Continental GT Speed, adding a rear-drive chassis, a massive aero package (the wing seen here in no joke) and "state-of-the-art motorsport hardware."

Bentley Continental Flying Spur taking shape

The redesigned Bentley Continental Flying Spur has again been caught undergoing testing, though this time away from public roads while tackling the Nürburgring's 154 turns. The car we see in these new spy shots also reveals more of the Flying Spur's new lines, which we expect to largely mirror the shape already seen on the new Continental GT and GTC models.
Likewise, the new four-door Continental will probably come with the same engine options as the coupe and convertible: the tried and true 6.0-liter W12 making 567 horsepower and the new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 producing 500 hp. Its two stablemates were also updated with an eight-speed transmission for 2012, so expect the Spur to swap that many gears, as well.
Really, the only unknowns left are how Bentley will be handling the four-door specific design elements like the shape of the rear end, which is somewhat obscured by this car's checkerboard camo, as well as when the sedan will debut. We've received no indication thus far that Bentley is planning to use the Paris Motor Show, which happens later this week, for the Flying Spur's unveiling. That leaves a string of upcoming shows where it could happen, including the LA Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show and Geneva Motor Show.

Tesla curbs forecast due to Model S issues, losses total $864.9M

It ain't easy creating a brand-new automaker from scratch. The fact that Elon Musk and Tesla have actually been able to bring not one, but two cars to market is in itself quite impressive. That said, the road has not been without its bumps, and Tesla is feeling some of the setbacks that come with being a fledgling automaker.
To that end, Tesla has revealed that it expects $400 million to $440 million in full-year revenue, or roughly $160 million less than its prior 2012 revenue forecasts. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday, the electric carmaker said "We have methodically increased our Model S production at a slower rate than we had earlier anticipated," leading to the company figuring they'll fall short of the $560 million to $600 million they originally forecasted. Tesla also revealed a net cumulative loss of $864.9 million through June 30 of this year - Tesla has yet to break even as an automaking entity, but it remains something of a startup, so the fact that it has lost money to this point shouldn't be a major surprise - building cars is expensive, and learning how to do so is even more expensive. Following the disclosure, Tesla shares fell about 8.5 percent this morning in trading.
Tesla cites delays in suppliers for its Model S production shortcomings. The California automaker says it is working with suppliers to speed up deliveries and internally, it is adding shifts and automation to its manufacturing processes. With little more than half of the 5,000-vehicle target expected to be built by year's end, Tesla says it is four to five weeks behind its delivery goals.

Ford's J Mays feels vindicated by Fusion reception

It's hard to think back now, but the same man overseeing the design of the 2013 Ford Fusion also presided over a rather lackluster period in Ford design, highlighted by vehicles like the Five Hundred and Freestyle. With the redesigned Fusion receiving high praise, J Mays tells Automotive News that he feels vindicated from criticisms suggesting he's not a daring enough designer.
When Mays took over as lead of design in 1997, he admits to having quite an ego ("My head would barely fit through the door some days. I've long since gotten over myself") and the workload to match. With the Blue Oval's portfolio full of premium brands like Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo at that point, along with the bread-and-butter Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models, Mays certainly had quite the challenge.
It was in the mid-2000s that Mays took over just the premium brands, and took on the new title of Chief Creative Officer. At the time, Mays endured some criticism for looking backwards to retro styling, rather than setting a new standard for American car design - criticism that Mays says he is free from with the all-new Fusion.

Daihatsu D-R concept looks like a Copen successor

Daihatsu, everyone's seventh-favorite Japanese automaker, is making big waves at the Indonesian Motor Show this year. Typically writing a sentence like that one would preclude such news to follow from, well, being newsworthy here in the U.S., but we've always been such fans of Daihatsu's cheeky Copen convertible Kei car that we couldn't resist reporting on the model's spiritual successor.
Called D-R, this sprightly concept droptop is obviously heavily reminiscent of the Copen, though more modern, with an oversized front fascia, Audi-style aluminum windshield frame and a leather-lavished interior that has a zero-percent chance of making it to production. It's also 100-percent more endearing than the similarly sized D-X Concept that was shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
We're told that the D-R showcar has replaceable resin body panels - fit to be switched out when the conceptual owner requires a freshened visage. Inside, a central touchscreen does most of the heavy lifting in terms of driver controls, while an LCD screen has taken the place of a traditional instrument binnacle.

Maserati to show GranCabrio MC in Paris

Maserati sure seems to be milking the GranTurismo franchise for all its worth these days. In addition to plenty of limited editions and sport models for both the coupe and convertible, Maserati recently launched the MC version of the hardtop. Now, ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show, the Modenese automaker has dropped details on its latest iteration of the GT platform, the GranCabrio MC.
Visually, the droptop's most noticeable change is its new face, which has been lifted directly off the MC Stradale coupe. This means the car is a full 48 millimeters longer than the standard and Sport versions of the GranCabrio, but we like the decidedly more aggressive look to that big ol' schnoz. The large rear spoiler has also been reworked for the MC, providing even more downforce to keep that large body firmly glued to the road.
Maserati has not released powertrain details, but we assume that the GranCabrio MC uses the same 4.7-liter Ferrari-sourced V8 as the MC coupe, good for 444 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

GM recalling 426,000 sedans over faulty transmission shift cable

General Motors is recalling some 426,240 sedans that may have a faulty transmission shift cable, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report this morning. The recall concerns a fault within four-speed automatic transmissions equipped on 2007-2010 Saturn Aura models, and 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 models.
The report specifies that tabs on the transmission shift cable may fracture and separate. Such a fault could cause a discrepancy between the actual position of the transmission and the apparent position of the shift lever.
GM is currently working to notify owners of the vehicles in question, and dealers will check and replace shift cables free of charge. Scroll down to read the complete NHTSA report.

Rolls-Royce bringing art deco-inspired cars to Paris, celebrates with posters

Rolls-Royce announced that it will be bringing some "art-deco inspired" cars to the 2012 Paris Motor Show, and while we really have no clue what that means just yet, we're sure the cars are going to be very expensive.
The images show what appears to be a stylized Rolls-Royce Phantom or Ghost in an artistic rendering that would look at home in South Beach. Like the cars, Rolls-Royce is going all out with the launch of these special cars with an invitation-only introduction including a champagne reception.
We only have to wait until next week to see what features and styling changes Rolls-Royce has in store for these new bespoke models, but for now, enjoy this trio of art deco goodness and check out the press release below.

Musk: Tesla Model S production up to 'around 80 cars' per week *UPDATE

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently spoke to Fox Business about the state of Model S production, and to hear the CEO tell it, things are going very well. Assembly line production has been climbing every week; the interview was conducted on September 13, and Musk said when asked how many cars they'd build, "I think it's probably going to be around 80 cars this week." If they hit that number it would represent double the production of the week before.
Tesla's Model S production goal this year is 5,000 units, and the outside estimate is that 400* have been built so far. To make the target in the roughly 14 weeks left in the year, Tesla would need to - as of this week - quadruple last week's production to a little more than 320 units. That's a steep climb, but the numbers so far point to it being still being possible. Musk said that orders continue to come in and the company is working through its backlog, and he expects an annual profit to come in 2013. You'll find both parts of the interview in the videos below.
*UPDATE: Tesla spokeswoman Christina Ra pointed out that the last publicly confirmed number is just 100 Model S units, and that Tesla will "likely make another announcement on that front soon." She added, "400 is really inaccurate."

Smart hopes to jump-start brand by offering cheapest electric car

Bloomberg has reported that Daimler is looking at the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive to recharge the division's relevance and brand perception, and part of how the ForTwo ED will do that is by being the first mass-produced and the least expensive German electric car on the market. Some context: Bloomberg says the brand seeks 10,000 annual sales for its electron-powered runabout, which is just 10 percent of Smart global sales. More important than how many ForTwo EDs are sold, however, would be the fact that by beating the BMW i3 and electric Volkswagen e-Up! to market, it would "re-establish the brand's position as an urban mobility pioneer with the first mass-produced electric auto from a German manufacturer."
At least, that's the plan - one that we're inclined to file under "Things That Make You Go Hmmm...." We enjoyed our time in the ForTwo ED; the electric drivetrain was a perfect fit and remedied what is perhaps the principal gripe with the current car (in the U.S., at least) - its less-than-smooth transmission. Nevertheless, even though people open to electric cars and the premiums that electric and range-extended vehicles command, we have a feeling that Smart's pricing will continue to make it tough for the little guy to compete.
A conventional Smart starts at €10,275 ($13,489 U.S.) in Germany, and a conventional VW Up! is €9,850 ($12,931 U.S.). The ForTwo ED has been priced at €18,910 ($24,824 U.S.) plus €65 ($85.33 U.S.) per month for the battery - and we'd be surprised if VW didn't make sure the larger, plusher e-Up! was right there with it. The Renault Zoe - not German, we know - will be slightly more expensive at €20,600 (around $27k), plus a monthly fee for the battery, but the Zoe is a four-door hatchback the size of a Clio. Pricing for this landmass hasn't been announced, but the electric competition generally hits the mid-$30K mark: the four-door, four-seat Mitsubishi i-MiEV sets the low end at $29,625, the Nissan Leaf at $35,200, the BMW i3 is rumored to come in around $35,000, the Fiat 500E is predicted to be right there, too, and that's supposedly after Fiat swallows a hefty loss on each car. Chevrolet sets the high bar with the range-extended Volt at $39,145.

Gemballa reveals new Porsche 991-based GT convertible

Gemballa went through the ringer last year, but rebounded with products that signal a complete turnaround. The latest is the recently-released Porsche 911 Carrera S with a Gemballa GT aerodynamics and technology package. Aero-wise, it includes carbon fiber additions beginning with a front bumper wearing the classic Gemballa air intake design and a lower, angrier splitter. New side skirts run from wheel to wheel, the final piece being a rear bumper in three sculpted horizontal sections featuring a rear diffuser tucked between six rectangular exhaust tips.
No engine mods have been made, but the technology part of the tune - springs that are 30 millimeters shorter yet still able to work with the PASM system - is claimed to make the car faster. Bringing things to a halt is a new Brembo brake system hiding behind 21-inch GForged wheels that are lighter than Porsche's standard 20-inchers.
The Gemballa GT aero kit runs €19,860 ($26,070 U.S.), which includes paint and installation if you happen to be in Germany, and we're assuming that includes the suspension modification, brakes and sport exhaust. The GForged wheels are another €9,895 ($12,989 U.S.) depending on your choice of tire. Check out the press release below for more info, and the photo gallery above for all the angles.

The Windsor Castle Concours d'Elegance in pictures, courtesy of Bentley

Bentley went to the Windsor Castle Concours of Elegance as the main sponsor and showed off six of its best among the gathering of "60 of the finest motor cars in the world," including the 4¼-liter Bentley 'Embiricos' Special built for a Greek shipping magnate and gentleman racer in the 1930s.
Even better, for us at least, is that when Bentley decided to capture the moment it took pictures of most of the metal on the lawn, not just the Bentleys. Thanks to that, we have a high-res gallery that's home to rarities like the Vauxhall 30-98 Type OE Boattail Wensum Tourer, beauties like the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante, long-tail Ford GT40, Maserati Tipo 60 Birdcage, Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, a sinister Ferrari 250 GTO and the even more sinister Rolls-Royce Phantom Aerodynamic Coupe, among others. All you need to do now is click and enjoy.

Luc Donckerwolke named Director of Design for Bentley

Bentley has announced Luc Donckerwolke will take over as the automaker's Director of Design. Donckerwolke started with Volkswagen in 1992 as a designer for Audi. Since then, he's worked with Škoda, Lamborghini and Seat in various design roles. His resume includes helping sketch out both the Lamborghini Murciélago and Gallardo among other notable models.
The designer steps into the vacancy left by Dirk van Braeckel, who has moved on to work with Volkswagen Group design under Walter de Silva.
As you may recall, van Braeckel is responsible for a number of Bentley's most successful models, including both the Continental GT and the Mulsanne. He joined the ultra luxury automaker in 1999. You can take a look at the official announcement below for more information.

Smart ForStars concept shows up ahead of Paris premiere

Based on its last few concept cars, we can definitely see the styling direction that Daimler's Smart brand is taking. The new Smart ForStars concept, which will debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show later this month, certainly builds on the themes we've seen, as well. While the Smart ForVision concept was a solid indication of the next-generation ForTwo, the ForStars looks like it could be previewing a new Smart model attempting to target buyers of small crossovers.
Smart calls the ForStars concept a "Sports Utility Coupe," and the car's increased ground clearance and cargo space could resonate with buyers looking for a small car this not quite as small as the ForTwo. The overall styling of the ForStars is familiar, with reference from concepts like the ForVision and For-Us. Between the smiley lower fascia with the chubby, dimpled cheeks and the "eyebrows" above the headlights, the new Smart reminds us a bit of an evil version of Speed Buggy. Or a much cooler take on the long-dead Suzuki X-90.
The concept's bubbled roof gives it a look somewhat reminiscent of the Mini Cooper Coupe. Said roof is made from transparent glass panels, giving both occupants a panoramic upward view (it also helps explain the show car's stellar name). The concept car is painted up in a striking Alubeam Rouge exterior color with the matte gray portions of the ForStars showing off the signature Tridion safety cell.

2013 Smart ForTwo gets three bite-size new ads

For such a Lilliputian car, the Smart ForTwo has giant staying power. The hatch that still gets wary glances is not only still kicking here in the U.S., it's done ten-straight months of year-on-year sales increases. That kind of sales trend calls for an ad campaign, and we have it in three new 15-second - bite-sized in Smart-speak - commercials.
Two of them, "Tough" and "Joy Ride" have begun running now, the third, "Custom Made," will start airing later this month. They'll be rolled out absolutely everywhere a commercial can be shown, and they'll be joined by banner ads and Facebook activity. We could tell you what the new Smart ads are about, but remember, they're only bite-sized, and you'll find all three just below.