Monday, June 27, 2011

VIDEO: Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Edition Laps the Nordschleife in 7:22.85


A Carscoop reader from Japan tipped us off about this video showing the new Lexus LF-A Nurburgring Edition (or at least that’s what the Youtube poster claims we’re seeing here) lapping the famous Nordschleife circuit in 7 minutes and 22.85 seconds. The poster videotaped the run from a video screen set beside the LF-A Nurburgring Edition.

According to the person who shot the clip, Lexus raced the car just before this past weekend’s 24-hour Nurburgring endurance race kicked off.

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Subaru in the Midst of Saudi Women Driving Uproar


Last month, a 32-year old woman named Manal al-Sharif was arrested in Saudi Arabia for committing the crimes of… driving and posting a video on Youtube urging other women to drive too.

This is strictly forbidden by the Wahhabi sect of Suni Islam which is Saudi Arabia’s religion, as women are not allowed to apply for a driver’s license or mix with men (e.g. in service or gas stations) or even leave the home without male company.

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Lexus Calls UK Buyers to Enjoy the Summer with Limited Edition IS 250C


While Britain may not be the ideal place to enjoy an open top model, Lexus is calling UK buyers to take a look at its new limited edition version of the IS 250C coupe-convertible. Exclusivity for the IS 250C Limited Edition comes in the form of a distinctive black and red semi-aniline leather interior along with a numbered badge fixed inside the glove-box. Read more »

Top Gear Season 17 Episode 1 Starts with a Blast: Forget about the Hummer, Meet the Marauder [Video]



Yesterday we brought you news about the first episode of the seventh season of BBC’s Top Gear TV series which aired last night featuring the Paramount Group’s Marauder. The South African-built armored vehicle was driven by TG presenter Richard Hammond in its native country.

However, “driven” is an understatement, since Hammond made the Marauder flatten cars, smash through walls and defy lion attacks. He also took a bright red one for a drive around Johannesburg, creating quite a fuss.

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Nissan Announces New Midterm Business Plan, will Introduce a New Vehicle Every Six Weeks for Six Years


Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co. revealed on Monday its new midterm business plan dubbed “Power 88”, with which it aims to boost both its global market share and profit margin to 8 percent within six years – hence the “88” reference in the name. Last year, Nissan, which is 44.3 percent owned by French partner Renault, had a 5.8 percent global market share.

The new plan calls for the introduction of 52 new cars for fiscal years 2011 to 2016, or about one new vehicle every six weeks.

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“Yes we Cannes”:Chrysler’s Super Bowl ad Wins 5 Awards at French Festival


Chrysler’s TV commercial “Born of Fire”, which aired during the 2011 Super Bowl, won five awards at the 58th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, where over 24,000 entries from all over the world were competing.

The commercial for the 2011 200 sedan was created by Chrysler together with advertising company Wideden+Kennedy of Portland, Oregon, and took home four “Gold Lions”, for Best Direction, Best Script, Best Use of Music, Best Automotive Commercial and Best Editing, as well as a “Bronze Lion” awarded to the brand for Best Editing.

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New Transformers Movie Spawns 2012 Chevy Camaro Special Edition


General Motors is trying to squeeze every ounce of publicity out its association with the makers of the third Transformers movie, called Dark of the Moon, which opens exclusively in 3D Tuesday and worldwide Wednesday.

Aside from having an army of cars featured in the film, the Detroit automaker is also launching yet another limited edition Camaro model based on the Autobot “Bumblebee” character.

The 2012 Camaro Transformers Special Edition will be offered as a $3,000 package on 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupes with Rally Yellow paint. Along with the content provided in the RS package, the Transformers edition adds bespoke black rally stripes that cover the hood, roof, decklid and the unique rear spoiler.

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