Hyundai Equus to be offered in bulletproof spec

In political circles, what you drive -- or more accurately, what you're driven in -- matters. For proof, look no further than the custom-built, tank-like Cadillac that President Obama is chauffeured in. Could you imagine the Commander-in-Chief riding around in the back of an automobile carrying a German logo? Unfathomable. But in Korea, its common practice for politicos to be driven in vehicles built abroad since no domestic automakers offer a bulletproof, executive-class vehicle... yet.

Korean President Lee Myung-bak has apparently requested that Hyundai rectify that unfortunate situation by manufacturing a bulletproof sedan for key governmental figures. The new sedan is currently in development and will reportedly be based on the upcoming Equus large car platform. Until this new vehicle is ready, President Myung-bak will make do with his current fleet, which consists of the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard and the BMW Security 760Li.

[Source: Digital Chosun Ilbo]

Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon, convertible coming to Frankfurt

Now that the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan has been unveiled and the E-Class Coupe's debut is scheduled for the rapidly approaching Geneva Motor Show, news has arrived that the model range will be completed with wagon and convertible versions at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Shortly after the show, the wagon should go on sale, with the droptop expected to follow right in time for winter to hit in November.

So far, there's no information on powertrain options, but we'd expect both the practical wagon and the cabriolet to share a similar range of engines as the rest of the lineup – including the frugal turbodiesel four cylinder wearing the CDI BlueEFFICIENCY badge and the big 388-horsepower V8 in the E500.

[Source: Automotive News]

First U.S. Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI sells for about $500,000

The rumormill is floating a big one here. Last night the first Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro that will arrive in the U.S. went to auction at the Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance. Although the exact price cannot be confirmed, it sold for around $500,000.

The R8 V10 will be powered by the same 5.2 liter V10 as the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. The engine is rated at 525 hp, which is 105 more than the V8 version but about 27 less than the Gallardo.

The first 2010 Ferrari California for the U.S. market was also auctioned during this event (the first 2009 car was auctioned in September) , and the combined price of the two cars is rumored to be about $1 million. All proceeds of the event will go to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County, Florida.

We should get final pricing early this week. Once we know more, we’ll pass it along.

Toyota HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle)

Next year, Toyota Australia will begin local production of the Camry Hybrid. To celebrate this (and drum up some PR), Toyota Style Australia has created the HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) for the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show. What is that, exactly? Well, it's essentially the recently-updated 2010 Camry Hybrid, gussied up with a custom white paint color, a modified fascia, some snazzy wheels, blue decals and accents, and leather seats that incorporate the Hybrid Synergy Drive wave logo. Strip away the assorted pieces of flair, and you get the production car that's already been unveiled, only with the steering wheel moved over to the wrong side.

[Source: Toyota Australia]

Mercedes S550 + CL550 = CS500?

Saudi tuner shops get different requests than the mod-masters in the US. While we may ask for bodyside moldings and a little something under the hood, the Saudis are just as likely to electroplate a precious metal onto their luxury rides. Since luxury vehicles seem to grow on trees in the world's oil capitol, tuner MyCar is challenged with differentiating these high-end vehicles to make them stand out in a crowd.

This time, MyCar went as far as creating an all new Mercedes, the CS500. It's basically a gold S550 with the front end of a CL550, but MyCar thought it unique enough to give it its own name; the CS500. As you can see from the photo above, the CS500 looks good enough to trick the untrained eye into believing it's an all-new vehicle.

[Source: Gulf4Cars]

Mazda3 pricing announced (U.S)

Mazda has released pricing info for the all-new 2010 Mazda3. The entry-level car comes with a manual transmission, and will have a price tag of $15,045, up $355 from the current model year. After a destination charge, this price should be more like $15,715. The entry-level engine is still a 2.0 litre DOHC 4 cylinder producing 148bhp. This engine has a 10% increase in fuel economy. However, the new engine is upgraded from a 156bhp 2.3 litre DOHC to the same 2.5 litre MZR. It produces 167bhp and 168 ft-lb of torque. Also getting the 2.0 litre is the Mazda3 i Touring, a sedan with an automatic transmission, stability control, traction control, and Bluetooth. It gets 25 mpg in the city, and 33 mpg highway. Cost of the car, presumably before destination charge, is $18,350.

The Mazda3 S Sport starts at $19,540 with four doors, with the five-door going for $20,030. It gets the bigger engine, automatic transmission, 17-inch alloys, and a "Multi-Information Display." The display is a black and white 4.1-inch screen giving out trip data, maintenance messages, system failure alerts, and even information from your MP3 player. Despite the bigger engine, it still gets the same 22/29 mpg as the current model.

Both Mazda3 S units have access to the Technology package. For $1,195 you get keyless entry, push-button ignition, a full-color screen, XM/Sirius satellite radio with 6 months of service, an alarm, a sunroof, and a six CD changer BOSE audio system.

Base Mazda3 i and s buyers can also buy the Bose CD changer and sunroof, along with Centerpoint 5 channel surround sound, amplifier, noise cancellation, and 10 speakers. The price of the audio/sunroof package is $1,395.

Mazda claims that in the end, a fully loaded 2010 Mazda3 Grand Touring 4 door will actually cost $240 less than it does now.

The Mazda3 i-stop and the Mazda3 MPS will also be on display at the Geneva motorshow in March.

Press Release:

In an economy where value-for-dollar is more important than ever, the all-new 2010 MAZDA3 proves that good things do come in small packages - and can be affordable too. Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced pricing for its much-anticipated sport compact. Starting at just $15,045, the entry-level 2010 MAZDA3, equipped with manual transmission, is priced just $355 more than the outgoing model.

The 2.0 litre MAZDA3 i Touring 4-door with automatic transmission, which is expected to remain the volume-leader model, will be priced at $18,350 and includes key features such as standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS) and Bluetooth® wireless mobile phone and audio capability and hands-free operation. And with fuel economy up to 25/33 mpg (city/highway) - a 10 percent improvement in highway fuel economy - the MAZDA3 i Touring costs less at the pump too.

Starting at just $19,540 for the 4-door and $20,030 for the 5-door, the 2.5 litre MAZDA3 s Sport with automatic transmission adds 17-inch alloy wheels and a Multi-Information Display (MID) with 4.1-inch monochromatic screen that conveys MP3 and i-Pod program information, trip data including fuel economy, plus various maintenance and alert messages. And, like all Mazdas, the new 2.5 litre engine has plenty of Zoom-Zoom - a must for an eco-conscious driving enthusiast. The 2.5 litre engine pushes out 167 horsepower and 168 lb.-ft. of torque - 13 more horsepower and 18 more lb.-ft. of torque than the 2.3 litre it replaces - yet maintains a competitive fuel economy of 22/29 (city/highway).

New packages for the 2010 model include a Technology package and the Moonroof/six CD changer/BOSE ® Audio package.

Available on both s models, the Technology package includes advanced keyless entry, push-button start, a compact full-color navigation system, Sirius satellite radio with six months of free service and a perimeter alarm - all for $1,195.

The Moonroof/six CD changer/ BOSE® Audio package is available on the MAZDA3 i Touring and both s models. In addition to a moonroof and six CD changer, the package adds BOSE® Centerpoint surround sound - a five-channel surround system engineered cooperatively with BOSE® that enhances the listening experience thanks to a digital amplifier, noise cancellation technology and 10, strategically placed, premium speakers. Priced at just $1,395, the Moonroof/six CD changer/ BOSE® Audio package is a must for audiophiles.

Offering more features, functionality, and power than a comparably equipped outgoing 2009 model, when it's all said and done, a fully loaded 2010 MAZDA3 s Grand Touring 4-door is $240 less.

Chevrolet says "no" to RHD Camaros

After Chevrolet announced RHD Camaros back in June 2008, GM has recently announced that the Camaro will only be available in LHD. This was going to be an expansion of the Chevrolet brand in the UK, where Chevy vehicles tend to be budget vehicles.

Chevrolet has abandoned plans to build the new Chevrolet Camaro muscle car in right hand drive and will bring in significantly fewer models than initially thought. Tooling for the right hand drive Chevrolet Camaro was already underway, but will now be cancelled in order to help preserve GM’s cash.

Just 100 Chevrolet Camaros will be imported – 50 coupes and 50 convertibles – in order to keep numbers below the threshold for type-approval regulations.

All UK-bound Chevrolet Camaros will get the 500bhp 6.2 litre V8 Corvette engine; the U.S-market entry-level 296bhp V6 model will not be available.

Despite the small number of imports, Chevrolet believes it will still make a profit thanks to the car’s £35,000 price tag, however, private buyers to are planning to import for the U.S should pay around £30,000. Chevrolet revealed it had received around 12,000 advanced orders for the new Camaro in the U.S with the V6 accounting for most orders. The Camaro will land on UK shores in 2011.

Ireland, UK, India, Pakistan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Southern & South Eastern Africa will all lose out.