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novelties

The Ten Strangest Special Edition Cars

What do Frank Sinatra, Levi's Jeans and Don Knotts have in common? Special edition cars. When a trend gets too popular and a car company gets too desperate, they find ways to merge the two into a steaming pile of car crap — otherwise known as a trendy special edition. We thought we knew them all, but when we asked you about your favorite trendy special edition car we got quite the mix. Below are the ten weirdest responses we received, complete with a poll so you can help us select the strangest special car of them all. More »

Feature

1:00 PM on Wed Mar 26 2008
By Matt Hardigree
12,306 views, 142 comments

Latest by gurneyflap: How about the Marlboro GMC Syclone, cuz god knows a turbo all-wheel-drive truck and cigarettes go together. more »

south florida international auto show

Ford Follows Fashion: Mercury Launches VOGA Series Cars

As if there was any remaining question Mercury's become Ford's chick brand (Jill Wagner, call the front desk) it's gone the way of the tube dress. That message's been strengthened by the introduction of Mercury's new VOGA-edition vehicles. It's the latest in a long line of Ford's designer-edition models, starting with the Bill Blass, Cartier, Givenchy and Pucci edition Lincolns of the mid-1970s. Like its siblings, the 2008 VOGA edition Mariner is the product of the Italian design house, not representatives of the Planet of Gold from Doctor Who. No, not even close. More »

4:45 PM on Tue Nov 13 2007
By Mike Spinelli
577 views, 17 comments

Latest by UDMan: The VOGA Edition.... I misread it and thought it was the VULGAR edition.... my bad! more »

special editions

Ford Launches Focus Special Edition ST500 in the UK

Playing the grass-is-greener game whenever Ford Europe puts out a new, high-performance variant of the Euro Focus is getting tedious. Perhaps Brits do the same thing when Ford North America sends out yet another Mustang derivative. Ah, screw it; here goes one more. It's the Ford Focus ST500, a spec'd-up Focus to be built in extremely limited number. Pick up your jaw from the floor; the ST500 has not a thing in common with the Mustang GT500, save a set of racing stripes (this, in 1966 LeMans livery of the legendary GT40). It's powered by the same, 225-horsepower 20-valve five banger as in the Focus ST, but comes with an accessory set including scarlet leather Recaro sports seats and matching upholstery, special badging, automatic Xenon headlamps, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and solar-reflect windscreen. It comes complete for 20 British large, which with the falling dollar equals something like $37 billion. More »

8:30 AM on Thu Nov 8 2007
By Mike Spinelli
2,522 views, 25 comments

Latest by the good dr zero: @warpig: The taxes here are what has stopped me from having a car for the last 2 years since I moved to Norway. That and fear of snow and ice having moved here from Australia. I think that the ST sells more »

gadgets

Prancing Geeks: Limited-Edition Ferrari Segway

If you don't mind driving in an upright position, topping out at 12.5 miles per hour and achieving a critical mass of dorkitude, you can have your very own Ferrari. It's the special-edition Ferrari Segway, a tifosi-red version of the famous but slow-selling gyro-stabilized scooter. It costs $12,000 and is no faster than the generic model, so don't expect an owners' racing series to arise anytime soon, except maybe after hours at the Oracle campus. [Gizmodo]

11:41 AM on Mon Oct 22 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,970 views, 33 comments

special editions

Lexus IS F for the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book

If it's October, it must be time to see what automotive finery will grace the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. This year ladies who lunch in West Palm, Dallas and Orange County had better hang on to their cocktail bags — it's the IS F Special Build Sedan. Neiman's $68,000 Lexus "fast" comes with an interior design of black with white accent stitching, a unique steering wheel with white leather accents, front headrests embossed with the F logo, hand-polished finish for the wheels and a sequentially numbered Special Build badge. But wait! There's more! You, or the real-estate developer hubby, also get a personalized half-day of pro-driver training compliments of the Skip Barber Racing School, so winding out the 400-hp, 5.0-liter V8 won't be a matter of downing six dirty martinis before turning donuts in the Breakers parking lot. The special IS F will hit the Neiman phone bank at noon (EDT) on October 18. Start dialing early, because these things are harder to get than a seaweed wrap at the Ritz-Carlton without an appointment. More »

7:13 AM on Wed Oct 3 2007
By Mike Spinelli
2,112 views, 14 comments

Latest by NovaloadMissesPolar: $68k (even x 2) is chump change for the N-M crowd. I don't get it.And is it really, really tall or is that Tom Cruise in the background--not actually leaning against the car but over by the fence? And what more »

hot hatchback

Out of the Park: The 'World Series by Renault' Clio Renault Sport Edition

If ever there was a French specialty in the car market, it's this particular construct of hot hatchback: a taut, track-ready sort with a squat comportment and naturally aspirated four that pulls like a mid-80s Mustang GT. Renault's unveiled yet another version of its rapidly expanding Clio RS line; this one based on its damped-and-tamped Cup chassis. The 'World Series by Renault' Clio Renault Sport Edition small hatchback was officially presented to the public last weekend at France's Magny-Cours track. It's got a 200-horsepower 16-valve four displacing two liters, linked to a TL4 six-speed box — both products of the Renault-Nissan alliance. Top speed is a sprightly 138 miles per hour. Look for it now in a UK forecourt near you. More »

10:45 AM on Mon Oct 1 2007
By Mike Spinelli
519 views, 5 comments

Latest by brandegee: @lascauxcaveman: Whatever. None of these could beat an Accent GT. Except for maybe a Yaris GT-S. more »

frankfurt auto show

Frankfurt Auto Show: Aston Martin, On Its Own, Shows Off

Aston Martin's first show as a non-ford entity showcases a new flagship alongside variants of two established models. The Vanquish-replacing DBS may have debuted in "Casino Royale," and showed up at Pebble Beach this year wearing yellow pants and sipping a G&T, but it had its coming out in Frankfurt. Aston boss Ulrich Bez entoned, "The king is dead. Long live the king," referring to the erstwhile Vanquish, which he called less refined than the DBS, just a paragraph after lavishing praises on Ford for its former supportbux. Perhaps more of a draw for Aston-loving journos were the two special editions, the V8 Vantage N400 and Aston Martin DB9 LM, which celebrate GT racing victory. The special Vantage comes with 400 horsepower (and as a roadster), metallic orange paint and a kiss from the design gods. The DB9 comes only in silver, and only one will be allotted per dealership.

9:32 AM on Tue Sep 11 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,019 views, 9 comments

Latest by FЯeeMan: egad! Gabe Balch's right! It does look like an Eclipse. I think that AM should go to a one color per model scheme so's we can all tell 'em apart. more »

frankfurt auto show

Porsche Cayenne GTS to Premiere in Frankfurt

It may not have the same badging as we'd considered, but the Porsche Cayenne GTS is nonetheless coming to Frankfurt, sporting a few tweaks to position it between the Cayenne S and the Turbo S. It's the first of Porsche's speedy buses to get the same active suspension system as the 911, which subsequently lowers the GTS by 24 mm. It also gets a shorter final-drive ratio than typical (4.1:1 vs. 3.55:1) and more power. That is, 405 hp at 6,500 rpm. A special body treatment and new color choices (GTS Red and Nordic Gold Metallic). No word on a US release, but in the UK it'll start at £54,350 — solidly in early-career footballer range. More »

7:20 AM on Fri Sep 7 2007
By Mike Spinelli
3,339 views, 11 comments

Latest by EMPM, Esq.: One more polished turd I won't be buying, although it does get props for offering a stick. more »

frankfurt auto show

Aston Martin to Debut Special Editions in Frankfurt

Aston Martin has a couple of undercards scheduled for the Frankfurt auto show next week. They're the DB9 LM and the V8 Vantage N400. The two, race-inspired special editions will share podium space with the company's new DBS flagship. The Vantage honors Aston's GT1 win at the ADAC 24-hour race this past June on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, while the DB9 celebrates its GT1 win at Le Mans. Already fitted with the DB9 Sports Pack — sport-tuned suspension and five-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels — the LM gets special Sarthe Silver paint, red brake calipers and other acquirements bespoke black interior and a "Tertre Rouge" front-end treatment. The V8 Vantage N400 gets a power boost to 400 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, along with lightweight aluminum wheels, special paint and other add-ons. That car may just be the same one spotted on the road recently. Prices will be announced in Frankfurt. More »

6:53 AM on Fri Sep 7 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,665 views, 7 comments

Latest by Al Navarro: @Fitty7lax: Yes. more »

new cars

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse SE: But Will It Block Out the Sun?

Will a large airfoil wake up interest in Mitsubishi's Eclipse? Perhaps not as much as would an AWD Evo package producing upward of 400 hp. But that's not in the cards. Not quite in its place is Mitsu's Eclipse SE for 2008. Available in both four- and six-cylinder models the SE package includes a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system, two-tone leather seating and a power moonroof. That's in addition to the wing and special body striping. The V6 SE gets electronic stability control. At a price of $3,800 over the cost of a GS and $5,100 over the GT model, the SE isn't for Eclipse purists. Is that an oxymoron? [via Kicking Tires]

12:15 PM on Wed Sep 5 2007
By Mike Spinelli
5,688 views, 29 comments

Latest by F50F60: I like it. But I would not buy it. Think how much potential it could have had with a RWD setup!!!!! more »

tuners

Vauxhall VXR8, Now in Supercharged

For seven thousand quid over the price of a Vauxhall VXR8 — that's the UK version of the Aussie Holden HSV Clubsport R8 — muscle-headed Britons can get a kit that boosts horsepower from 412 to 540. By kit, we mean a supercharger and other nondisclosed hardware. It means a tarmac-smoking hooligan that can keep up with supercars is available on the isle for under £40,000. Over there, that's a bargain. [Carscoop via Autoblog]

11:15 AM on Tue Sep 4 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,371 views, 14 comments

Latest by LandofMinos and the trials of Judge Muttonchops: @Maymar: IT GIVES ONE TREE TO THE MILE. @TRAMS_AM: TOO BLOODY RIGHT MATE. MUSTANGS ARE RENTAL CARS. EVEN THE OLD SIXTIES MUSTANGS SHIT ME, BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY YUPPIES IN SYDNEY BUYING THEM AND DRIVE AROUND EXPECTING INSTANT RESPECT FROM REVHEADS, more »

audi duty

Audi A4 S-Line

Audi hasn't dropped any images or details on the new S4 yet, but we if we squint real hard at pictures of the company's latest A4 — revealed this week — done up in Audi's S-Line package (and let our eyes unfocus slightly), we might get some idea of what to expect. Either that, or we'll be snowblind inside of 30 seconds. [Thanks to Jeff for the tip.]

4:30 PM on Wed Aug 29 2007
By Mike Spinelli
2,522 views, 10 comments

phat camp

Opel Astra OPC Nürburgring Edition

It's not Space Camp, it's race camp. It's OPC Race Camp, a racing talent casting call, for which Opel provides the cars. Its aim is to assemble a team that will participate in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring in 2008. But first, there's a car to mention. It's the Astra OPC Nürburgring Edition, a limited-run model fitted with a wider track, fat meats and a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine that can propel it to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 152 mph. Inside, there's a trim package of full leather trim, carbon-look fittings and a serial-numbered badge on the glove box. The Nürburgring Edition is the training car for Space Camp the race camp, now in its fourth round. Tom Skerritt, call the front desk. More »

3:59 PM on Tue Aug 28 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,681 views, 10 comments

Latest by Placebo: @M0L0TOV: We agree, and I'd head down to the local Ford store today if that was going to happen in a resonable time period. I was just sayin' that GM seems to take their own sweet time getting the tasty more »

chardonnay for the table

2008 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition

Ladies who lunch, start your mixed green salads. It's the 2008 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition, and it's coming soon to a tennis club in Orange County, California. Considering this is the time of year when car enthusiasts' thoughts turn to all things snooty and julip-soaked, Lexus again will give its aging SC a good tricking out. And as usual, they're whipping out the upmarket-sounding phrase book. Check out the Smoky Granite Mica exterior paint, and the exclusive two-tone Camel and Ecru leather trim interior and Espresso Bird-eye maple wood trim. Also note the white illuminated scuff plates, sleek rear spoiler and 18-inch chrome, six-spoke wheels under a set of run-flats. Excuse us while we put the Chardonnay on ice, draw a bubble bath and get out our secret stash of Criss Angel: Mindfreak DVDs. More »

4:53 PM on Thu Aug 16 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,710 views, 34 comments

Latest by Collins1990: @Richaard: It's an Alan Partridge joke. more »

limited means not too many

Limited! Edition! 2008 Range Rover Sport LE!

For those who want their supercharged SUV with a few tablespoons more luuuuuxury, Range Rover says peep the LE. Only 250 of the tweaked models will make the rounds, each with "flush-fitting front and rear bumpers," an extended rear roof spoiler, body-colored lower side panels, a new rear exhaust treatment, tread strips and 20-inch Stormer wheels. Inside, there's a cold climate option, adaptive front lighting, premium leather, hand-polished oak wooden trim and a center console cooler box. Carpet mats, adaptive cruise control and an AV system for rear-seat passengers are also included. And you thought you had to buy all that stuff in the aftermarket. Psych.
More »

12:30 PM on Mon Aug 13 2007
By Mike Spinelli
3,507 views, 5 comments

Latest by skierpage: 374g/km CO2. FULR! more »

born from 'vettes

GM Introduces Saab 9-7x Aero; Gets Bigger V8, Still Not Swedish

Say what you will about the Saab 9-7X, that it's an upmarket Chevy Trailblazer clone, that it's a cynical product that belies Saab's charter or that it's about as Swedish as In-N-Out Burger. Of course, it has a nice interior, and the ignition key is on the console, so it's not entirely without Saab appeal. But whatever you say about it, it's getting a horsepower infusion. GM's extending Saab's higher-performance Aero designation to include the SUV. No turbos on this Americanized Swede; it gets an upgrade to the same LS2 6.0-liter V8 as in the Trailblazer SS, producing 390 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. That's a 90-horse increase over the currently offered 5.3-liter eight. Zero-to-60 happens in under six seconds, a respectable time for a flying brick. Slightly more swank than the blazer of trails, the 9-7X Aero starts at $45,690, nearly three grand more than the SS. We'll have to wait to see how this plays out. More »

7:10 AM on Fri Aug 3 2007
By Mike Spinelli
1,555 views, 29 comments

Latest by brandegee: @Maymar: They might recycle them for use in an upper-spec Colorado, but most truck buyers want a V8. Beyond that...HHR SS? @nirad: Unfortunately, those don't sell as well as SUVs. I drive a Saab and really like it, but its got more »

one after cinquenta nove

Ferrari Prances Out 612 Scaglietti Sessanta Edition

Ferrari's big 60th is wrapping up, with the company's global relay race sliding into Modena this past weekend. But an anniversary be without an anniversary edition would just be another crap-ass birthday. And it's not like Ferrari needs another occasion to deck out its top-of-mast 612 Scaglietti with special two-tone paint and swank interior appointments. But the 612 Sessanta (60, get it?) also gets an electro-chromic panoramic roof panel with three transparency positions (like the Superamerica), carbon-ceramic brake package, and an electronics package from Bose that includes rear parking camera and TV tuner. Viscounts only, please. – Mike Spinelli More »

7:17 AM on Mon Jun 25 2007
By Mike Spinelli
903 views, 2 comments

Latest by dculberson: Oh man, I wonder how long the electro-chromic roof will hold up, and how much it costs to replace?! It's hard to imagine one in a museum, 50 years from now, with the roof half-dark, half-light. more »

news

New York Auto Show: Superleggera!

Taking an early swing by the Lambo booth yesterday, we caught the Grabber Orange (or thereabout) Superleggera unmolested by the show crowd. It looked quite a bit more amped up than the flat-gray model that starred in Geneva. We took the opportunity (notwithstanding one ill-placed union ladder) to take some triple-x car pr0n. We tried to pick it up, but even with the carbon fiber and lack of a radio, the super-light lambo is still pretty weighty. – Mike Spinelli More »

12:16 PM on Fri Apr 6 2007
By Mike Spinelli
589 views, 4 comments

Latest by FЯeeMan: ahhh teargas you make me cry... :) more »

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