The Cars Connection: 2011-06-19

Last Bugatti Veyron Sold - But Cabrio Is Still there…

Millionaires (or, rather, billionaires) around the world have just seen their list of “cars to buy” shrink by one model, as Bugatti announced the sale of the final Veyron 16.4, thus ending the astonishing hypercar’s production.
The lucky buyer who scooped up the last Veyron is an unnamed “European customer” who, nevertheless, will have to wait until next fall for his $1.7 million supercar to be delivered.
The Veyron was built, over its seven-year production run, in just 300 examples, among them various limited editions (Hermes or Pur Sang, anyone?). Regardless of taste, the Veyron redefined the term “performance” even amongst the most capable of supercars.
It accelerated from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.3 seconds and its top speed exceeded 400 km/h (250 mph) - courtesy of the 8.0-litre W16 engine with no less than four turbochargers which directed 1.001-horses to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. And then there was of course the Super Sport, with its 1,200 hp and 415 km/h (258 mph)…
If it’s any consolation, the open-top Veyron Grand Sport is still on sale, costing just $285,000more than the coupe –no big deal if you can afford to pay $20,000 for its annual service or $35,000 for a set of Michelin tires every 10,000 miles (16,000 km).
So, if you can write a cheque just short of $2 million ($1.99 million to be exact), your friendly Bugatti dealer will be more than happy to oblige.

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Ford Gives Japan Special Edition Mustang V6 Sport

America’s second favorite muscle car after the Camaro (in terms of 2011 sales as Chevy’s model has outsold Ford’s pony car by around 33 percent through May, according to the latest data), is being offered in Japan in a limited edition version called the “Mustang V6 Sport Appearance”.
More often than not, the words “Mustang” and “Special” usually point to a different paint job and added extras, and sure enough, that’s the case with the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) version of Ford’s Mustang V6 Sport Appearance.
On the outside, Japanese buyers can choose between two colors, “Performance White” or the 70’s style “Grabber Blue”, both of which come with special pin stripes on the sides and the bonnet bump.
There’s also a rear boot lid spoiler and 18-inch chromed alloy wheels wrapped around chunky 235/50 R18 tires, while inside, we can see that Ford added leather seats
The package is available on both the coupe and convertible models with the 3.7-liter V6 engine, which is rated in Japan at 309-horses and 378Nm (278.8 lb-ft) of peak torque.
Production is limited to 25 pieces for each body style with prices set at a hefty 4.35 million Yen for the Coupe and 5.05 million Yen for the soft-top Convertible (equal to US$54,250 and US$63,000 respectively at the current exchange rates).

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ASTON MARTIN V10

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AMV12: Sabino Leerentveld’s V12-Engined Aston Martin Concept Hyper car

Take these three cars: the Jaguar XJ220, the Aston Martin DBR9 and ItalDesign’s BMW Nazca M12 Concept and amalgamate them into an Aston Martin Bulldog for the 21st century and there’s a good chance you’ll have Dutch designer Sabino Leerentveld’s AMV12 design study.
Taut, masculine lines blend seamlessly with Aston Martin’s signature styling to create something truly unique. Presumably fitted with a V12 engine, this front / mid-engined (I honestly can’t tell) design study proposes a model that would theoretically sit above the limited edition Aston Martin One-77.
Check out Leerentveld's AMV12 Concept as well as his older AMV10 study in the gallery below and tell us what you think in the comments area.

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Honda Announces All-New 2012 CR-V on its U.S. Website

Honda is trying to build some suspense around its forthcoming, brand-new 2012 CR-V crossover by making an announcement on its U.S. market website. All we get for now is a picture of a tunnel and a press blurb that doesn’t really say much other than that Honda will be revealing the successor to the current CR-V bit by bit in the next few months.
If you don’t feel like visiting Honda’s site, here’s what it says:

“With a new design—both inside and out, new features and new possibilities, the 2012 CR-V will set a new standard for the class. As a top-selling crossover for over five years, expectations for the 2012 CR-V are high and we're confident they will not only be met, but exceeded. Much more will be revealed over the next several months so be sure to sign up on this page to receive updates.”

The next iteration of the CR-V is expected to feature an uprated four-cylinder engine with a little more power and improved fuel efficiency over the current 2.4-liter lump, while the European version of the crossover will also be offered with a diesel unit. We’ve also heard rumors about the availability of a third-row of seats, but this has not been confirmed by Honda officials.
More to come in the next few weeks.

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New Cadillac ATS Small Sports Sedan

A bare-shell of an unidentified model shown in a introduction video on GM’s corporate site caught the attention of a forum member ofGMInsidenews. The team over the website believes that this could be an early prototype of the upcoming 2014 Cadillac ATS sports sedan, with which GM wants to compete against the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloons.
The test vehicle’s compact dimensions and more importantly, the short front overhangs, and the distance between the front axle and the passenger cabin suggest that they could be on to something, but we wouldn’t bet the farm on it, at least not just yet and without any more proof.
The new ATS is expected to arrive in the market in 2013 and it will sit right under the CTS as Cadillac’s new entry-level model. Powertrain options are believed to include both four-cylinder turbo engines and larger displacement V6 units.

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Dancing with the Bikes: The Most Twisted Video You’ll See

What you’re about to see in the following video is one of the weirdest motorcycle accidents ever with an unexpected -yet admittedly, highly enjoyable-twist.
It features two racing motorcycles and their respective drivers during a round of the promosport Championship at the Magny Cours track in France. The incident began when the first motorcyclist slips before a turn sending his bike sliding on the tarmac, and eventually hit a rider in front knocking him down from his bike.
Up until this point, there is nothing out of the ordinary about the incident. But as the two bikers get up and try to lift their motorcycles, ithappens… See for yourself in the video after the jump.

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Bentley Launches Mulliner Styling Pack for The Continental GT

Bentley’s new Continental GT is, without question, a coupe with imposing road presence. But the British firm wishes to offer its customers the opportunity to make their cars even more unique by launching a range of styling options named Mulliner Styling Specification Classic Pack.
This styling package consists of a front splitter, strakes integrated in the front intake grilles, side extension blades and a rear diffuser, all made from glossy black carbon-fibre.
If you think these are not enough, Bentley also offers more options such as a carbon-fibre rear spoiler and mirror covers, as well as dark mesh front wing vents and black 21-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels.
According to Bentley’s head of exterior design, Raul Pires, the Mulliner Styling Specification Classic Pack “with its sharper lines and darker, lower appearance underlines the iconic form of Bentley’s new GT, underscores its extrovert, flamboyant nature and delivers a more personalized, sportive interpretation of a luxurious and refined GT”.
The Classic Pack is already available to order, while the optional features will be available from the following autumn.

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BMW’s Decision to Replace 65 Union Employees with Cheaper Workforce in California

Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat who is also the Ethics Committee chairwoman, has joined forces with Teamsters President James P. Hoffa, in an attempt to persuade BMW North America to reconsider its stance on a local labor dispute over 65 jobs.
The German automaker has said it will not renew its contract with Teamsters Union Local 495 that expires on Aug. 31 and will instead hire an outside company to run its parts distribution center, located in Ontario, California.
In a letter sent to BMW North America CEO Jim O'Donnell, the California Senator said that the Bavarian company should rethink its decision and take into consideration the fact that it received $3.6 billion in low-interest loans during the 2008-2009 taxpayer bailout.
“During the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, BMW received $3.6 billion in taxpayer assistance from the United States Federal Reserve when private capital was frozen,” Boxer wrote in the letter.
"As the economic recovery continues, it is deeply disappointing that these loyal employees would be penalized at a time when your company recently reported 2011 first quarter earnings of $1.78 billion -- triple that of first quarter earnings in 2010 -- and first quarter sales 21 percent greater than last year," she added.
Joe Baca, the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district, also jumped into the dispute and sent a letter to BMW North America’s boss saying more or less the same as Boxer.
"[This] will needlessly layoff workers in a region experiencing the highest rates of unemployment in the country,” said Baca. “Replacing those positions with a low wage workforce is an injustice and a blow to our local economy."
Teamsters Local 495 Secretary-Treasurer Bob Lennox, believes that BMW is abusing the American system.
"BMW would never be allowed to get away with this in Germany -- they wouldn't dare try it," said Lennox. "They think they can take an American taxpayer bailout and then treat their American workers in a way they would never treat their German employees."