Sedans/Saloons auto news

UK police replace Imprezas with Lexus IS-F cruisers

Objects you do not want to see in your rear-view mirror: Hungry dinosaurs, pissed-off exes holding rifles, mushroom clouds and this guy. Indeed, you're looking at a Lexus IS-Force, an IS-F that's been converted to a cruiser for police duty in the English county of Humberside, which includes the notoriously criminally minded port city of Hull. For the past few years, Humberside bobbies have been chasing baddies in Subaru Imprezas, but the AWD cars just weren't up to the task at hand. What to replace 'em with? Here's what the cops were thinking, according to Sergeant Mike Peck:

"The Lexus was tested during a 12-month period along with similar vehicles and proved itself to be ideally suited in providing a dynamically safe high performance chassis along with an electronically stable platform for the computer equipment. In the past this equipment has placed huge demands on vehicles but the Lexus IS-F easily met with our requirements. The final product provides a most formidable package and is undoubtedly one of the most advanced police vehicles in the world which in turn enables my officers to deal with the criminals who use the roads for serious and organized crime."

We're actually a little weak-kneed at the very thought of the IS-Force's existence. 416-horsepower 5.0-liter V8s with the power to yank your license tend to have that effect. Even on crooks.

Gallery: Lexus IS-F Cop Car

Comic-Con 2009: The Green Hornet's Black Beauty looks ready to roll

The Green Hornet's Black Beauty - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Frankly, we're a little concerned about whether funnyman Seth Rogen will be able to pull off the action-star thing when he takes the lead role in next year's big-screen adaptation of The Green Hornet . Then again, we remember thinking Michael Keaton would utterly tank as Batman in 1989, but that experiment in casting against type wound up working extremely well, so we'll sit back and hope for the best. As with Tim Burton's Batman, a car will feature prominently in The Green Hornet, and in this regard, things are looking very good indeed.

As reported earlier this week, Comic-Con served as the backdrop for the unveiling of the film's Black Beauty -- the Hornet's signature ride -- and now we have a new set of photos from our resident camera Jedi, Drew Phillips. As with the original TV car, the silver screen variant appears to be based on a 1966 Imperial Crown 4-door hardtop (there's a distinct '65 flavor to those headlamp surrounds, however, so we might be wrong on that).

In addition to the grille- and bumper-mounted weapons and gadgets of the original, Rogen's Green Hornet will also have a pair of hood-mounted gatling guns at his disposal. Neat detail alert: check out the hornet center caps on the Beauty's Torq-Thrust-style wheels. Regardless of how the movie winds up being, one thing's indisputable: The Black Beauty is way badass. That Rogen and co. went with another Imperial in the 21st-century update is a testament to just how great-looking those old cars were... and still are.

Gallery: Comic-Con 2009: The Green Hornet's Black Beauty

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

BMW 760li to start at $136,600?

If we told you about a new vehicle powered by an all-aluminum twin-turbo V12 putting out 544 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, you'd assume it's a high-dollar supercar. However, we're not talking about some sleek, sexy Italian -- it's the extra-large and in charge 2010 BMW 760li.

BMW Blog reports the new 760li is ready for dealer order, and sources indicate the price tag will start at $136,600. That's $50,000 more than the 750li, but it's over $10,000 less than a comparably equipped Mercedes S600.

The site also reports that the 760li will carry an achingly long list of standard features including an eight-speed automatic transmission, 19-inch wheels, active steering, blind spot detection and fancy ceramic controls -- a lot of Bimmer for a lot of cash. Pricing and info for the 760li haven't been released on the BMW USA website yet, but expect all the details to hit in a few days.

Gallery: 2010 BMW 760Li

Badge-engineering at its finest? Rolls-Royce Phantom spotted in Manhattan with GM hybrid emblems

If there is any car that seems to be well suited to either hybridization or outright electrification, the Rolls-Royce Phantom would seem to be logical candidate. Many of them are used transporting the wealthy around the world's great cities like Paris, London and Manhattan in trips that are not necessarily that long. It's also not unheard for a manufacturer to provide vehicles to customers for field testing, just as BMW is doing right now with the electric Mini E. However, aside from the highly publicized Mini E project, these sorts of initiatives are typically done on the down-low.

So when we heard that someone had spotted an extended-wheelbase Phantom prowling the streets of New York with an extra badge on each of its fenders, we were naturally a bit suspect. The car that was photographed wears hybrid badges of the same type used on all of General Motors' gas-electric vehicles. The driver claims that car was loaned to a VIP client for evaluation by Rolls-Royce. Remember, friends, that Rolls-Royce is owned by BMW - a company that has a partnership with GM, Daimler and Chrysler to develop a two-mode hybrid system. It is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that BMW might want to evaluate or even build a two-mode hybrid Phantom. However, it is almost inconceivable that any such vehicle would be clad in GM badges.

Adding further cold water to this story is the report earlier this week that BMW and Daimler are looking at dissolving the two-mode partnership and going in a different direction with their hybrid efforts. Our guess is that the owner of this particular Roller simply had a guilty environmental conscience (or a sense of humor) but couldn't bring himself to be seen in anything as pedestrian as a Toyota Prius. We're still waiting for a comment from Rolls-Royce.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Hybrid?

Noticing Anything New? Autoblog 4.0 is Here

As you all must have noticed by now, Autoblog 4.0 is here. It's the fourth revision of the site since it launched in July 2004 and offers more features for finding the content you want without compromising the flow of posts you need to get through the day.

Since this project was like stuffing a supercharged V8 where a turbo four-cylinder once resided, there are bound to be issues with the site for the some people, and we're working hard to correct them as quickly as possible. As for the commenting system that didn't get attention this time around, we have people hard at work developing a new system that will debut in the near future.

In the meantime, the short fix that corrects most issues is performing a hard refresh of your browser. Simply hold down your Shift key and click Refresh on your browser to reset the site. If that doesn't do the trick, send us a note at feedback@autoblog.com and explain your issue, let us know what browser and version you're using, and include a screen shot of the issue if possible. You can also take a tour of all the new features by clicking here. Thanks for the great response so far, and we've got more big news coming next week!

REPORT: We may not see the Bugatti Bordeaux at Frankfurt show after all

Following the release of a couple of teaser images showing what was tipped as an upcoming new model from Bugatti, the automotive press has been all up in a frenzy speculating over the form that the highly anticipated new car will take. But while the conclusion was that the car would be unveiled to the public at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show, new reports suggest otherwise.

According to sources inside the company, Bugatti will indeed be showing a new concept in Frankfurt - but only to a select group of customers to gauge reactions among its exclusive clientele. And while it may seem like a waste to bring a concept car to the show only to keep it hidden, it may be indicative that the car itself won't be ready for a full public unveiling, for which we'll apparently have to wait a little longer. In the meantime, Bugatti will reportedly be back up to its old tricks with - yep, you guessed it - yet another special edition Veyron at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where sister company Bentley will be unveiling its own new super-luxe saloon. Stay tuned for more.

Seth Rogen reveals new Black Beauty from The Green Hornet

The world's fanboys and girls have descended on San Diego for the 40th annual Comic-Con where Seth Rogen, most recently of Pineapple Express fame, unveiled the '66 Imperial due to serve as the Green Hornet's ride in next year's live-action flick.

Rogen, who's writing and starring in the film alongside Cameron Diaz and Nicolas Cage, took the wraps off the Black Beauty, complete with hood- and door-mounted machine guns, missile launchers, smokescreen and bullet-proof sheet metal and glass.

Rogen said that the producers tapped several automakers to create a modern interpretation of the Black Beauty, but in the end, "it was important that it seemed like a guy could actually build this car. This looks like something you could actually use on the streets... and I think it's going to be incredibly badass to see it in action."

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry has replaced Hong Kong comedian Stephen Chow, who was also tapped to play the Hornet's sidekick, Kato. The movie is set to be released on July 7, 2010. Make the jump to check out a video of the unveiling.

Gallery: Green Hornet's Black Beauty at Comic-Con

Continue reading Seth Rogen reveals new Black Beauty from The Green Hornet

Infiniti to virtually preview next-generation M sedan at Pebble Beach

2008 Infiniti M - Click above for high-res image gallery

Used to be if an automaker wanted to unveil a new product, the car in question had to, you know... actually be there. But Infiniti will take advantage of new technologies to bridge the gap between virtual and reality at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it intends to give the public a preview of its next-generation M sedan.

Rather than rolling in the car itself, Infiniti will use "virtual video mapping" to project the car's details onto a clay model that will give the effect of seeing the car in the flesh in advance of the production model's anticipated debut in December. The public will be able to watch the event from home as well thanks to a a webcast on Infiniti's website, giving Nissan's luxury division all the exposure without the frantic preparation. Think it'll work out? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

VIDEO: Seth Rogen reveals new Black Beauty from The Green Hornet

The world's fanboys and girls have descended on San Diego for the 40th annual Comic-Con where Seth Rogen, most recently of Pineapple Express fame, unveiled the '66 Imperial due to serve as the Green Hornet's ride in next year's live-action flick.

Rogen, who's writing and starring in the film alongside Cameron Diaz and Nicolas Cage, took the wraps off the Black Beauty, complete with hood- and door-mounted machine guns, missile launchers, smokescreen and bullet-proof sheet metal and glass.

Rogen said that the producers tapped several automakers to create a modern interpretation of the Black Beauty, but in the end, "it was important that it seemed like a guy could actually build this car. This looks like something you could actually use on the streets... and I think it's going to be incredibly badass to see it in action."

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry has replaced Hong Kong comedian Stephen Chow, who was also tapped to play the Hornet's sidekick, Kato. The movie is set to be released on July 7, 2010. Make the jump to check out a video of the unveiling.

Gallery: Green Hornet's Black Beauty at Comic-Con

Continue reading VIDEO: Seth Rogen reveals new Black Beauty from The Green Hornet

Honda fast-tracking updates to improve Insight?

It looks like Honda may be responding quickly to early criticism of its new Insight hybrid. Recent reviews of the Insight have been particularly harsh, especially when compared to the new Prius. Despite Honda's claims that the Insight is not a direct competitor to the Prius, AutoCar claims Honda engineers are working hard to get closer to the Toyota's mileage. It's not clear how close they can get without some significant changes to the powertrain -- something that could take considerable time and expenditure.

While Toyota clearly has bragging rights in terms of efficiency, one of the primary criticisms of the Honda has been its ride and handling. The Insight works well enough on smooth roads, but is less behaved over rougher pavement. Changes to the suspension could be accomplished pretty quickly and even rolled out as a running change.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Honda Insight EX

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.