Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini has always been known for building hairy-chest-pounding, unapologetic supercars. The kind of cars that make enthusiasts tingle and environmentalists draw on posterboard with big black markers. It was a bit of a shock when Lamborghini recently announced an initiative to increase the efficiency of its Raging Bulls, and fans of Sant' Agata's creations cringed at the thought of smaller, less-powerful cars. Well, they can put their fears to rest, because the new Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador is as monstrous as any Lambo in history -- and it's more efficient to boot.
The Aventador follows the traditions of the Countach, first produced in 1974. The body is sculpted around the passenger compartment, with the longitudinally mounted 6.5-liter 690-horsepower naturally aspirated V-12 situated in the middle. The look is modern and aerodynamic, but still purely Lamborghini. Driver and passenger enter through scissor doors and the optional clear engine cover allows owners to show off the heart of the beast. The roofline is sculpted to allow for maximum headroom for passengers while tying in the character lines on the hood and minimizing the aerodynamic frontal area. Mechanically operated side intakes are carried over from the Murcielago, allowing air flow to be adjusted based on the engine's current needs.
6.5-Liter 12-Piston Heart
The clean sheet, aluminum block V-12 features direct injection, variable valve timing, four individual throttle bodies, dry sump lubrication, and an 11.8:1 compression ratio. The big engine has a screaming high 8250 RPM redline accomplished using lightweight internal components and a high bore-to-stroke ratio of 95mm and 76.4mm respectively. Maximum piston speeds have been reduced from almost 24 m/s at 8000 RPM, the Murcielago's redline, compared to 21 m/s at 8250 RPM at the Aventador's redline, resulting in fewer frictional losses. It also uses a new dry sump lubrication system that requires less power, provides better oil scavenging under high cornering loads, and decreases the size of the oil pan. The new system also allows the 518-pound engine to sit 2.36 inches lower in the car, reducing the center of gravity height.

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lamborghini LP700-4 Aventador

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

After months of testing spy shots, teaser images, and a full-blown official Web release, we finally bring you live shots of the limited run Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package. And, oh yeah, it is coming to the US.
According to Lexus, no fewer than 15 units will arrive on American shores. Considering there will only be 50 units available in the world (out of 500 total LFAs), that’s a significant chunk headed to US dealers. Production of the Nurburgring package LFAs begins in 2012.
The edition is aimed at very well heeled buyers wanting an aggressive factory tuned and warranted, track-capable LFA. Or if said buyer just has enough dough and doesn’t really care for track prowess, it’s the edition that looks cooler, is ultra-rare, and is guaranteed to make your equally wealthy neighbor extremely jealous.
Slapping a Nurburgring label onto the LFA means that it gets a number of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) parts, including revised front splitter and canards, sculpted side sills, and a fixed rear wing. Ride height drops by 0.4-inches for a better center of gravity. Mesh forged magnesium BBS wheels wrapped in stickier Bridgestone rubber provide a Gorilla Glue grip on tarmac.
To compensate for the newfound downforce (which bumps up drag and cuts speed), engineers squeezed 10 more horses from the Formula 1-derived 4.8-liter V-10 engine. All 562 horsepower is routed through a six-speed auto-clutch manual transmission that now blips off shifts in 0.15-seconds.
Like the car itself, exterior paint options are quite limited; only matte black, black, white, and orange can be had, while inside, buyers can choose between black/red, black/purple, or black/black themes. Unfortunately for Yankee buyers, only European and Japanese-spec rides will get a carbon fiber center console, door panels, and a pair of Recaro buckets wrapped in plush Alcantara.

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

2011 Jaguar XKR-S

2011 Jaguar XKR-S

2011 Jaguar XKR-S

Three years after Jaguar launched a performance-tuned XKR-S model at the Geneva Motor Show, the automaker revealed it will be bringing an all-new, more powerful XKR-S to this year's Geneva extravaganza. Deja vu? Perhaps, but the latest XKR-S promises to be a much more intimidating cat than the last.
If nothing else, the new XKR-S certainly looks the part. Designers have added a number of bespoke touches from head to toe, including an aggressive front fascia with a large lower air intake, sweeping air scoops on the front corners, and small, slender air ducts just beneath the hood's lower edge. XKR-S models eschew the XK's vertical fender vent in favor of a horizontal port. Flared side sills are much smoother than those used on both the XKR Speed Pack and the previous XKR-S. A flared rear valence, similar to that used on the Speed Pack, provides room for four exhaust tips, while a wild wing spoiler rests atop the decklid.
Unlike the previous XKR-S, however, the new model receives some additional go along with all this show. The supercharged, direct-injection 5.0-liter V-8 is boosted to roughly 542 horsepower and 501 pound-feet of torque, a gain of 32 horsepower and 40 pound-feet of torque. Jaguar says the power allows the new XKR-S to sprint from 0-60 in a blistering 4.2 seconds, run from 0-100 mph in 8.6 seconds, and hit a top speed of 186 mph. That's plenty quick, but the automaker says the XKR-S is the "fastest Jaguar ever" -- perhaps, unless you consider the XJ220...
Jaguar is keeping a number of the other XKR-S details under wraps until the car's official unveiling next week, but does note the car will receive unique suspension modifications at both ends, and a recalibrated stability system, which potentially allows drivers to push the envelope a little further.
We wouldn't be surprised if Jaguar again decides to limit production of the XKR-S (the previous iteration was restricted to 200 examples), but we do hope the company finds a way of importing the model to North America this time around.

2011 Jaguar XKR-S

2011 Jaguar XKR-S

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

Few would dare to suggest the new Range Rover Autobiography Edition isn't a luxurious vehicle, but those seeking further amenities may prefer the new 2011 Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition.
Although based upon the current Autobiography trim level, Ultimate Edition models differ significantly aft of the B-pillars. A pair of adjustable bucket seats and a center console replace the standard three-passenger bench seat, while the console itself houses a drink cooler and a laptop table crafted from machined aluminum and Kalahari wood. The latter feature is perfect for holding a Bluetooth wireless keyboard, which can network with the Apple iPads embedded into the back of the front seats. If that isn't enough, the entire cargo area is finished with teak wood decking.
Like other Autobiography models, Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition models cosset passengers with semi-aniline leather seating, while Oxford leather adorns the door panels, dashboard, and steering wheel. Buyers can choose from either dark cherry or Arabica leathers, which are paired with machined aluminum and Kalahari wood trim accents.
When it comes to the exterior, the accoutrements are much less extensive. Buyers can choose from unique Roussilion Red, Otago Stone, or -- in select markets -- Santorini Black paint hues. Other touches include unique 20-inch diamond-turned aluminum wheels, a dark grille insert, and dark fender vents.
Abroad, the model will be available in gas- and diesel-powered forms, but Ultimate Edition models destined for North America will only be fitted with a 510-horsepower, supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Only 500 examples will be built, and Land Rover plans on selling them across 20 different markets, including the U.S.

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition

2012 Fiat Freemont

2012 Fiat Freemont

2012 Fiat Freemont

Plenty has been written about Fiat's technologies, platforms, and vehicles making their way into Chrysler's future portfolio, but the American automaker is also expected to contribute to Fiat's European offerings. Perhaps the first instance of this transfusion lies with the new 2012 Fiat Freemont -- a seven-seat crossover that's little more than a badge-engineered Dodge Journey.
From the outside, the Freemont is pretty close to a carbon copy of its North American sibling, although minor styling revisions do help set it apart from the Journey. A new grille insert (which incorporates a large Fiat badge) and a rounded, lowered front fascia help lend the crossover a slightly sportier look. In back, cosmetic revisions are relegated to a new taillamp design, along with a sleeker bumper fascia with integrated fog taillamps.
Changes beneath the sheetmetal, however, will be harder to spot. From what we've seen, the new Freemont will share its cabin with the updated 2011 Journey, and incorporate the same 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment display on most -- if not all -- trim levels.
When it comes to engine selections, however, the Freemont's offerings will be quite a bit different than the U.S. market Journey. Base front wheel-drive Freemont models receive a Fiat-sourced, 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 mated to a five-speed manual transmission. A 170-horsepower version of the same engine is optional, but those seeking all-wheel-drive are apparently forced into gasoline engines. A 170-horsepower, 2.0-liter I-4 is standard on Freemont AWD models, while Chrysler's 276-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is optional. Fiat also promises the suspension tuning has been recalibrated to suit European tastes, but only time -- and a crack behind the wheel -- will verify that claim.
Why a Fiat-badged Journey? Product planners believe there's still an opportunity for a seven-seat crossover to succeed in Europe, and since the Dodge brand is no longer sold in European markets, the Fiat brand was chosen for the job. After the Freemont's debut at the Geneva show, production is expected to begin at Chrysler's plant in Toluca, Mexico, later this summer.

2012 Fiat Freemont

2012 Fiat Freemont