Audi Quattro Concept Quick Spin

Blue and red flashing lights filling the mirror after a spirited canyon run are never welcomed. Yet this time, I've fully embraced them. Why?

I'm driving down California's Pacific Coast Highway in Audi's one-of-a-kind Quattro Concept with a full police escort. In front, law enforcement is clearing the road ahead as if sweeping for mines, pushing civilian traffic off to the side. I've got another unit behind me, shooing the restless natives off my flanks. The parade is impressive, but I'm wary of the pageantry. Are the cops there to solely maintain a generous cushion around the multi-million dollar concept, or has Audi paid them to keep me from rocketing off into the sunset off with their turbocharged 190-mph sports coupe?

Paris 2010 - Porsche 911 GT2 RS

It doesn't take much to set up a video like this. After all, why wouldn't you want to see even more footage of the 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS being flogged around a track? It's footage we can't seem to get enough of.

There's nothing like watching a 620-horsepower 911 doing what it does best out on a closed course, and we highly recommend that you take a five-and-a-half-minute break from whatever you're doing to watch the video after the jump.

2010 Lexus GS 350 F-Sport by TRD

This certainly isn't the first time we've heard rumblings about Lexus working on a performance version of its GS sedan. The crew at Road & Track reports that the upcoming GS-F will serve as the range-topping trim in the GS model range, set apart from its siblings with not only a more aggressive appearance, but a serious increase in power, to boot.

Sources within Toyota have told the buff book that the GS-F will be powered by a 5.0-liter V8, just like the smaller IS-F, but that output will be increased to 465 horsepower for the larger sedan. The other key ingredient to making the GS-F a serious performer is a substantial reduction in weight. Through the use of aluminum and carbon fiber components, Toyota aims to have the GS-F weigh in at about 3,700 pounds, meaning it should be capable of ripping off 4.5-second 0-60 times.

Toyota is positioning the GS-F to compete with the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, with prices to start somewhere around the $90,000 to $100,000 range. No official timeframe has been given on when we'll actually see the GS-F, but R&T states that it could show up as early as 2012, after the refreshed GS range debuts.

Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept

According to Peter Lyon, Motor Trend's correspondent abroad, Honda is still hard at work on a successor to the much-loved NSX sports car. If true, we can expect the halo car to be powered again by a six-cylinder engine, this time augmented by a hybrid powertrain.

Up to this point, we're willing to put on our tinfoil NSX fanboy hats to suspend our fleeting grip on reality in hopes of a return to Honda-spec supercardom. However, not even Mulder himself could sell us on what Lyon is suggesting. According to MT's man in Japan, Honda is planning to use a flip-flopped Accord platform as the basis for its super coupe. You read that right.

While we'd love to see a 400-horsepower, all-wheel-drive NSX hit the market in 2014, we're not holding our collective breath... especially for one based on a backwards Accord chassis.

Ford shows Focus race car concept - 2010 LA Auto Show

2010 LA Auto Show also saw the wraps going off to Ford Focus race car concept, which is exclusively built to compete in the global road and touring car racing. The concept is the collaborative effort of Ford and private race teams that have already built and raced Focus race cars wherein Ford’s support comes in the form of data engineering tools, testing facilities and production parts. Ford Focus race will make its first appearance at the 2011 British Touring Car Championship and many road and touring car racing championships thereafter.

The concept is based on the 2012 Focus body, and features a new 2.0 liter Ford EcoBoost turbo engine. The vehicle also features a FIA regulation safety cage, AST performance coil-over adjustable dampers, Ford Racing upgraded sway bars with adjustable end links and front brakes with 320-millimeter two-piece rotors, race pads, Anthracite 18-inch wheels and Hoosier race tires. And, in order to meet the FIA regulations, the Ford Focus concept will be fitted with a new roll cage, Recaro racing seats, AIM MXL Pista data system and AIM SmartyCam.

New Proton Inspira - The Malaysian Lancer Officially Launched

Proton has officially unveiled its Mitsubishi Lancer-derived Inspira mid-sizer, after its soft launch to the public and media in late October. Since then Proton has received over 1,800 bookings from customers around Malaysia in anticipation of its market launch this month.

The new model is the result of an OEM collaboration (the word "rebadge" sounds nastier...) between PROTON and Mitsubishi Japan, the latter providing the mechanical and design basis and the former tweaking the model for the Malaysian market.

Among those changes are the signature Proton grille and -according to the Malaysian company- the incorporation of Lotus DNA in the Inspira's ride and handling.

Dato' Sri Mohd. Nadzmi Mohd, the Chairman of Proton parent corporation Proton Holdings Berhad, explains:

"PROTON is ready to move even further ahead to become a recognised player in the global automotive industry. We have been working and collaborating with Mitsubishi for the last 25 years and its a natural step forward for us to continue to work with them in this project. One of our product strategy is to introduce non-core models through strategic collaborations which provides a more efficient, timely, and cost effective product to the market. The Proton Inspira is an excellent example of this strategic collaboration."

Proton Holdings Berhad's Managing Director Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir is equally enamoured with the new model:

"The enormous level of interest shown since we first announced the introduction of the new model is certainly a big sign of approval from car buyers. PROTON would like to thank all those who have placed a booking for the Inspira and believe me, they will not be disappointed with the new generation of Proton cars coming their way."

The Inspira uses Mitsubishi's existing 1.8 and 2.0 Liter MIVEC engines, the latter of which is only available with the CVT transmission. Scroll down for the image gallery that includes pictures from the official brochure and a video from the presentation.

All Electric Mercedes-Benz EL500 Luxury Sedan

As the electric and fuel efficient cars are replacing their gas guzzling counterparts at an increasing pace, US designer, Nikita Kalinin, envisions an all electric Mercedes-Benz EL500 Luxury Sedan for the future. The emission free Mercedes sedan features a long wheelbase with coupe proportions and its overall size gives a spectacular presence on the road.

The EL500 electric Luxury Sedan concept is equipped with all electric drive twin battery system. It has Li-Ion permanent battery upfront and quick swap cartridge battery at the rear end that power 2 silent high torque motors mated to the corresponding compact CVT transaxles. It’ll come compatible with smart gird and will give 300miles combined battery charge.

Apart from being emission free, EL500 Luxury Sedan blends eco friendliness with luxury. All its aspects are maximized for comfort and relaxation. Its rear single seat zone provides the all the amenities similar to flying in first class. The amenities include bar, internet bed, seat climate and privacy control etc. Also, special attention has been paid to reduce the chassis, suspension and drivetrain noise.

The other prominent features of the vehicle include, large front grill with horizontal slits, rear overhang longer than the front, solid wide stance and dual headlights lenses is the embodiment of Mercedes trait. The rear end design, however is influenced by the interior package as there is only the single seat at the rear so it needs window access, as a result they are pulled closer in, thus creating very strong shoulders in the back.

London's New Double-Decker Bus

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, was on hand at the London Transport Museum today to unveil his city's future of public transportation. A full-size mock-up of the bus was on display and the design is clearly a nod to the past. Modeled after the original Routemaster, this updated double-decker brings the style into the 21st century while keeping touches of the old bus' charm. The new bus, which is being manufactured by Wrightbus, features an open platform in the rear, which marks the return of the traditional hop-on-hop-off service.

Quickly moving from rendering and video to this mock-up, the first Wrightbus prototype is scheduled to be delivered next year. After that, five production buses will enter service in 2012, just in time for the Olypmics. Check it out in the gallery below or watch the video after the jump.

LA 2010 - 2012 Buick Regal GS

Alright, so the 2012 Buick Regal GS isn't the Americanized version of the 325-horsepower, all-wheel-drive Opel Insignia OPC we were once promised. Still, this sports sedan has a turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and has enough visual flare to certainly give the impression of fast. It even sports Buick's trick HiPerStrut front suspension to reduce torque steer through the front wheels.

It might not be exactly the car we were hoping for, but it should still prove to be a welcome addition to the Buick lineup when it goes on sale next year. Pricing has yet to be announced, but considering the Regal itself is priced as an entry-level luxury sedan, we expect the GS model to cost closer to $40,000 than $30,000.

The Regal GS made its official debut today at the LA Auto Show, and we've got a full gallery of high-res shots live from the show floor for you. Curb your disappointment and click through the gallery below.

2014 Lotus Elite Concept

The next-generation Lotus Elite that was unveiled at the 2010 LA Auto Show will be available to the market in spring 2014. The Elite, deemed to offer a glimpse of what to expect from Lotus in the future, is described to be the start of a new era for the British automaker. The Elite boasts of a 2+2 seat configuration, with a front-mid positioned 5.0l V8 engine that generates up to 620 PS. This enables the Elite to go from zero to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.5 to 3.7 seconds. While the 2014 Elite is elegant and compact, Lotus attests that the Elite offers the latest technological innovations that the Company has come up with.

The 2014 Elite has the retractable hard top version and the alternative use of hybrid technology with KERS. The CEO of Group Lotus, Dany Bahar, says the Elite may be “breathtakingly beautiful” but that it “delivers in all other aspects as well.” He adds that, when it comes to performance and styling, no other car comes close to the 2014 Elite.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: “There’s no denying that the Elite is breathtakingly beautiful to look at but it’s so much more than that, it’s a car that over delivers in all other aspects as well. One could say it’s a car of perfect contradictions, it’s compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, lightweight yet still reassuringly solid. It’s a car that we are exceptionally proud of at Lotus and we truly believe that there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of styling and performance."