SEMA: Five-Axis' Stealthy Lexus GS 460

Lexus GS 460 Five Axis SEMA 2008After the sinister-looking Project IS F that made quite a splash at last year's SEMA show, Troy Sumitomo and his Five Axis automotive returned to Sin City with a fresh take on the Lexus GS 460. Sporting a titanium matte paint finish, a widebody conversion with concept-like styled bumpers and black-colored 20-inch alloy wheels in 245/30 ZR20 rubber up front and 295/25ZR20 at the rear, Five Axis' GS 460 is a stealthy proposal for those that like their cars shaken, not stirred.

Lexus GS 460 Five Axis SEMA 2008
Lexus GS 460 Five Axis SEMA 2008
Lexus GS 460 Five Axis SEMA 2008
Lexus GS 460 Five Axis SEMA 2008

Chrysler Wraps Headquarters in Honor of 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee


As part of its ongoing marketing campaign for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that is scheduled to arrive in dealerships later this month, Chrysler put up a dedicated 103 feet long and 52 feet tall building wrap at its headquarters in Auburn Hills.

The canvas wrap features the new Jeep model and the company's new tagline, "The things we make, make us", which made its screen debut in the very first TV spot for the 2011 Grand Cherokee (watch it here).

Minor Upgrades for 2011 Toyota Tacoma, Priced from $16,365


The Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is entering the new model year with additional features and a revised lineup. For the 2011MY, the Japanese automaker discontinued three manual transmission models and added five four-cylinder, four-speed automatic models including the Access Cab 4x2 PreRunner, Double Cab 4x2, Double Cab 4x2 PreRunner, Regular Cab 4x4, and Access Cab 4x4.

Added features for the 2011MY Tacoma include a newly designed grille on all Base, SR5, TRD Off-Road, TRD Sport and X-Runner models. Regular Cab models now come with standard air conditioning while the 4x2 versions also gain standard 15-inch steel wheels.

2011 Honda CR-Z on Sale August 24, Priced from $19,950 [Plus 65 New Photos]


Honda announced on Tuesday that its all-new 2011 CR-Z sport hybrid coupe will hit U.S. showrooms on August 24, 2010, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price starting at $19,250 plus a destination and handling charge of $750 for a total of $19,950 or about €16,275.

The CR-Z is offered exclusively with a mild-hybrid drivetrain comprising of a 102HP 1.5-liter iVTEC 4-cylinder engine and a 20HP electric motor that deliver a combined output of 122HP and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm with the standard six-speed manual gearbox and 123 lb-ft with the optional CVT that costs $650 and includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Fashion Designers Makeover MINI Models for 'Life Ball' Event


Francisco Costa from Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg and Kenneth Cole will create three special Minis to raffle off at this year's edition of "Life Ball", the biggest HIV/AIDS charity event in Europe that will take place in Vienna on 17th July 2010.

On behalf of Calvin Klein, US fashion house's creative director Francisco Costa will be designing the new Mini Countryman crossover. US fashion designer with Belgian roots Diane von Furstenberg, will artistically enhance the MINI Hatch, while New York's Kenneth Cole apply his style on a Mini Convertible.

Fiat 500 Limited Edition 'Rosso Corsa': Only for Germany


A new special edition version of the Fiat 500 finished in the traditional color of Italian race cars has been unveiled. Called the 500 Limited Edition " Rosso Corsa", it will be produced exclusively for the German market in a limited series of 250 examples.

In addition to the unique red finish that's not available on other variants of the Fiat 500, the special edition mini also gets a leather interior, 16-inch alloy wheels with red accents, Bi-Xenon headlamps, a higher-grade audio system and red painted brake calipers.

2011 BMW 5-Series M Sport Package Catalogue Leaked


A gallery of scanned photos from a leaked brochure gives us our first glimpse of the M Sport Package for the 2011 BMW 5-Series, which is expected to be available for order this fall. Even though the pictures show an M Sports-dressed Touring model [F11], understandably, the same parts will be offered on the sedan version [F10] of the new 5-Series.

The color-coded aero kit includes a newly designed, chunkier front bumper with larger air ducts, side skirts and a revamped rear bumper with an integrated diffuser finished in a dark shade and chrome tail pipes.