You Won't Believe Where Lamborghini CEO is Banking on For Urus

First things first, Lamborghini is still fully intent on launching a production version of the Urus Concept. It will be the first SUV since the old Rambo Lambo of the 1990s, only it’ll be much more refined. Although it's unlikely to go on sale until 2016 or even 2017, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann just confirmed that "We’re working on it and it will come, which will be good for the brand. We’re going low profile now. I can’t tell you much on details now, but when we get close to the launch, we will have more."                                                                                   
With that in mind, Lamborghini is also currently working on a plan in response to a sales slow-down in China, normally one of its best markets. China is actually Lambo’s second-biggest market after the US. Basically, the Chinese government is reining in on heavy spending due to an economic slowdown. To help make up for this loss, Lamborghini is reportedly looking to expand big time in India where it sees huge potential. And whenever the Urus reaches production, Lamborghini would very much like to have already established itself in another country with rapidly increasing wealth. Remember, the Urus is a pure money-maker for Lambo and its profits will help benefit future supercar development.

                                                                                                   

Porsche Unveils Turbo and Turbo S Cabrios Ahead of LA Debut

Two new range-topping soft-top models are revealed ahead of their public debut in November. Ahead of their public debut at the LA Auto Show in November, Porsche has popped the top of the Cabriolet variants of the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S, which were revealed back in May. Porsche now has four top-of-the-line models on offer, it’s new 911 Turbo generation sitting 1.1 inches wider than the current 911 Carrera 4. That added width is particularly striking with the roof down. When up, the retractable roof with its lightweight magnesium frame preserves the roof’s aerodynamic Coupe-like shape.                                                                  

Like its predecessor, the roof takes 13 seconds to open and close at speeds of up to 30 mph. Power comes from a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six, producing 520 horsepower in the Turbo and 560 hp in the Turbo S. 0-62 mph is a claimed 3.5 and 3.2 seconds respectively, with top speed in both models put at 195 mph. The new 911 Turbo and Turbo S are on sale in Europe now, while US buyers will have to wait a few months to part with $148,300 for the Turbo and $181,100 for the Turbo S. The Cabriolet models will hit the market early next year priced at $160,700 and $193,900 respectively (plus $950 destination).

                                                                                                      

The 90s Was an Awesome Decade for Concepts

And the best part is these concepts were all designed in 'Murrica. Back in the days of baggy pants and flannel shirts, some of the best-looking concepts were designed by America’s Big Three automakers. Some became production cars while others have nearly been forgotten. Compared to what was coming out of Japan and even Europe at the time, American car designers were truly some of the most creative people in the business. If you’re old enough, you may even remember some of these, but for those who aren't, here’s a little visual tutorial of some of the best concept cars of the 1990s.

- See more at: http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/9/22/The-90s-Was-an-Awesome-Decade-for-Concepts-7716250/#sthash.zxZCKodK.dpuf

Inspired By The Pharaohs, Brazilian Weirdo Buries His Bentley

Buries His Bentley" is not a euphemism. It’s difficult to know where to begin with this story, so we’ll start by introducing you to the central character, a wealthy Brazilian businessman who calls himself simply “Count Scarpa”. This sounds a bit weirder than it really is, as he is actually the son of an Italian Count, but that’s the only part of this which isn’t weird. Apparently, the 62-year-old self-made millionaire was inspired by the Egyptian Pharaohs to bury his most prized possession, a Bentley Flying Spur. His explanation for burying the car is that it will allow him to enjoy it in the afterlife, and so far as anyone can tell, he quite genuinely believes this. He was photographed next to the hole he dug in the back yard of his mansion, located in a wealthy Sao Paulo suburb. His pallor suggests that they have already started embalming him in preparation for mummification. And as you might expect, he looks generally as crazy as a shithouse rat. The Daily Mail reports that the car cost him £310,000 ($496,000), quite a bit more than the $200,000 US-market base price. Obviously, price is no object for Count Cuckoo. After all, you can't take it with you to the grave right? Or can you?

source: dailymail.co.uk 

After Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, Say Goodbye to the 5.5-liter Twin-Turbo V8

The next-gen models could be powered by a hybridized 4.0-liter V8. Dubbed the M157, AMG’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 has apparently reached its potential in the recently unveiled S63 AMG. That’s according to AMG boss Tobias Moers who told motoring.com.au the 585 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque it develops cannot be increased without threatening reliability. The AMG variants of the S-Class, due out in the next three years, and refreshed CLS63 and E63 will probably the best last to get the M157, which first appeared back in 2011.                                                                                    
Beyond that, we could see it replaced by a hybrid version of the all-new 4.0-liter V8 that is expected to power the AMG variant of the new C-Class, which arrives next year. Created by forging two of the A45 AMG’s 2.0-liter turbo-four unit, the new V8 will also feature in the new baby-SLS 911 fighter. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG will arrive in U.S. showrooms this November priced from $140,425. -

Video: Lexus LF-A Sounds Great at 124 MPH

Lexus LFA - +200kmh Fly Bys!

While we await seeing the unveiling of the new LF-Lc, the LF-A continues catching our attention whenever the opportunity arises. Like this time when it was filmed testing on a racetrack in Dubai.
The video starts with a few shots of the car, giving us the opportunity to remember what a great design it was and continues to be. Then the video cuts to shots of the LF-A lapping the racetrack. If you ever wondered how LF-A’s V-10 engine sounds at 124 mph (200 km/h), this is your change to find out. We have a little advice for you though: turn up your volume really high so you can really enjoy that incredible music.
As a reminder, the LF-A is powered by a 4.8-liter V-10 that delivers a total of 560 horsepower. This helps sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and up to a top speed of 202 mph.

Read more: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/index2.html#ixzz2fbzxYIqN

Zender Abarth 500 Corsa Stradale Concept has our attention at last

While this writer knows Zender as the maker of (mostly) fine body kits for German marques such as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the company has also been known to make kits for Italian autos. Its latest product, for example, has been applied to the Fiat 500 Abarth, resulting in what it calls the Abarth 500 Corsa Stradale Concept. We're not quite sure how we managed to miss it at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with its bulging fender flares, new front and rear fascias and side skirts, exhaust pipes poking from the bumper/diffuser, 18-inch alloy wheels and huge rear spoiler - but better late than never.

Not only does the kit lend the little Fiat a more aggressive stance, the body pieces also are made of lightweight carbon fiber, which is fitting for a car wearing the Corsa Stradale name (which roughly translates to "Road Race"). Also fitting is the 76-horsepower bump to 236 hp from the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. That substantial power increase comes courtesy of a larger turbocharger, modified pistons and camshafts, revised fuel injection with a bigger fuel pressure regulator, upgraded engine management and a stainless-steel exhaust system. So equipped, Zender claims the Corsa Stradale Concept does 0-62 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds, a 0.7-second improvement over the stock Abarth, and 0-124 mph in 24.7 seconds. It continues past the stock Abarth's 130-mph top speed and is claimed to top out at 144 mph.

A reworked height-adjustable coilover suspension helps keep body motions in check, and Zender has also upgraded the interior slightly, with custom sport seats in two-tone leather and stainless-steel pedals and door-sill garnishes.

Currently there are no plans to make a production version of the concept or offer the kit for sale, but we certainly hope Zender will reconsider.

News Source: Zender via Carscoops

Mercedes-Benz SLS Production Will End in 2014

Mercedes unveiled the current SLS supercar in January 2010, and after just four years of production, its production run will come to an end.
According to Mercedes Benz Passion, Mercedes will stop developing the current SLS in June 2014. The base coupe, roadster and GT versions will go out of production in February 2014, and from that point through its complete eliminate ion June, Mercedes will develop a special-edition SLS based on the current GT version.
The SLC — also known as project C190 series — will have the daunting task of filling the SLS’ huge shoes after its elimination. According to the first details we have on the SLC, it will be lighter and smaller than the current SLS, and will Mercedes plans to put it against the Porsche 911.
The SLC will go into production in 2015.

Solid Gold Lamborghini Can be Yours For Over $7 million

When it comes to the supercars in the Dubai, we have heard just about every crazy story that we can think of. The latest one includes this new record-breaking Lamborghini Aventador, made out of gold and gems.
This shiny Aventador features 55 pounds of gold, and is currently on auction at a price of $7.5 million, with $650,000 of tht money earmarked for charity. With that massive price, this is set to be the most expensive Lamborghini in the world.
We are talking of course about a 1:18 scale model, carved from a 1,100-pound block of solid gold. The model is currently on display in a Dubai showroom, and for security reasons, it is currently just a prototype made from a less-expensive material. The fortunate winner of the bid will have the opportunity to customize the scale model according to his personal desire.
Despite not being a road-ready model, this Aventador is already listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive model car.

Bugatti Veyron Replacement Won’t Arrive for at Least Two Years

A few months ago, it was rumored that Bugatti would come to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show with a successor for the current Veyron. Instead, the company decided to reveal a new special-edition Veyron built as a tribute to Jean Bugatti.
Still, Bugatti is in the works to add a new supercar to its lineup, and Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, president of Bugatti, offered the first details on it. According to him, the new model "will not be a successor of the Veyron because you cannot succeed the Veyron." The new model will be indeed a new "super sports car," but completely different to the Veyron. This basically means that it’ll be a replacement, not a successor...
The new model until Bugatti has finished building the models that it has on order. According to Schreiber, once the last Veyrons are built, which will take about two years, the Veyron’s book is closed and will not open again

Nissan Nismo Concept Watch

. Even though it is just a concept for now, the new watch will connect the driver to his car, and will provide drivers with real-time biometric data.
Thanks to the new watch, the driver will have real data on the car’s average speed and fuel consumption readings, and performance data while on track.
When put into production, the watch will be offered in black, white or the flagship black and red featured on the concept. The watch’s futuristic design was inspired by the Nismo ring, and it features a simple user interface that you can control by two buttons. To make life easier, it is secured onto the driver’s wrist via a simple snap-fit mechanism.

Best in Show from Frankfurt

The United States auto industry continues its strong recovery from the near-fatal recession of 2008/9/10. The European auto industry? Not so much. It continues to struggle. Annual sales are expected to be 13 or so million, down five million from the Continent's 2007 peak.
While all carmakers were present and accounted for in Frankfurt, a grim realism dogged the festivities. The bright side is Europe is still doing better than the Japanese market, and there were bright spots on automakers' show stands in all the halls.
That's the challenge with Frankfurt: There are something like 11 halls and this year they were all worth visiting. Performance cars, the whole reason we flew over there, were seemingly everywhere. From the powerful and aerodynamically efficient Ferrari 458 Speciale to the promising Audi Sport quattro concept and Volkswagen Golf R, there was reason to smile on just about every stand. Here's the cream of the crop.

Most Significant: Jaguar C-X17

Davey G. Johnson / Autoweek
The Jaguar C-X17 concept is expected to be a lot more than just a Jaguar luxury crossover.

The C-X17 is significant on more than one level: It's an SUV from Jaguar (though some would call it a wagon). It's also quite a step up because it sports an aluminum (pronounced al-you-min-ee-um) space frame. That frame may or may not be the first ever in its class, depending on how you define class. But the real news is that the platform on which the concept sits, and much of that space frame, will most likely be used not only in this SUV/wagon but in a new small Jag sedan aimed squarely at the perpetual-performance-target BMW 3-Series, not to mention the Mercedes C class and Audi A4. Look for more developments on this at the Los Angeles and Beijing shows.
Others considered: Mercedes S-class Concept Coupe, Audi Nanuk concept

Best Concept: Volvo Concept

Davey G. Johnson / Autoweek
The Volvo Concept coupe at the Frankfurt motor show.

You had to do double and triple takes of the rounded, low-profile, hunkered-down cruise-missile Volvo Concept coupe to register it in your mind as a Volvo, especially from the rear. Your Uncle Olaf is freaking out. He shouldn't be: Once we noticed the Volvo signature grille and the visual of the P1800 on the wall above it, it all suddenly made sense. It certainly looks more P1800 than Bertone Coupe. And it sure looks better than the four-door Volvo You concept from the 2011 Frankfurt show.
Others considered: Opel Monza, Mercedes S-class Concept Coupe

Most Fun: Golf R

Davey G. Johnson
The VW Golf R is among the Frankfurt motor show debuts we most look forward to driving.

There has always been a cult following for the Golf R and R32 and rightly so. The new R promises to continue the legacy with 296 hp powering all four wheels in the seventh generation Golf chassis, a combination that has to be freakishly good. But the question is always whether more than a few Americans will pay close to $40K for a Golf. Regardless of whether we would buy one, there is no question we look forward to driving it. The Golf R goes on sale in Europe in January and later next year in the U.S., we hope.
Others Considered: Ferrari 458 Speciale, Porsche 911 Turbo S

Best In Show: Audi Sport quattro concept

Davey G. Johnson / Autoweek
It's looking like a go for production of the Audi Sport quattro concept, shown here at Frankfurt.

It was a fairly easy choice to name the Audi Sport quattro concept Best in Show. Why? Because it's the concept with everything: 700-hp, high-tech plug-in hybrid drivertrain, superb heritage, really cool lines and the hope of production. In addition to all those original Coupe Quattros from 1984 on, we got to drive the precursor to this car, the quattro concept of 2010. And while we haven't driven this one yet, we look forward to getting into a production version. When will that be? We're hearing as early as next year, based on an S5 platform but larger, faster and more powerful -- all qualities we admire in a car. In fact, word is it would outpace even the fastest R8. See why it was our favorite?
Others Considered: Mercedes S-class Concept Coupe


Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130913/carnews/130919911#ixzz2etyedbJq
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Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse breaks cover at Frankfurt motor show

Lamborghini revealed the V10-powered Gallardo Squadra Corse at the Frankfurt motor show on Tuesday. The name refers to the recently founded department within the company that manages all motorsport activities, from GT3 to Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo.
Lamborghini says the Squadra Corse is derived directly from the race car version, using the same V10 engine and rear wing. Under the best conditions, it creates three times the downforce of a Gallardo LP 560-4 during high-speed cornering. The Squadra also uses a removable hood with a quick release.
The new bull is made mostly from aluminum and carbon-fiber, leading to a dry weight of 2,954 pounds and a power-to-weight ratio of 5.18 pounds per hp. The sprint to 62 mph takes 3.4 seconds while top speed is rated at 198 mph.
The 5.2-liter V10 makes 570 hp at a screaming 8,000 rpm and peak torque is 398 lb-ft. A six-speed e-gear transmission is operated by paddles on the steering wheel and power is fed to all four wheels.
The Squadra Corse is available in yellow, white, gray and red, though Lambo uses fancy names like Grigio Thalasso. The rear wing gets a matte black finish while the 19-inch wheels get high-gloss black. A red, white and green decal strip runs along the doors. Calipers are offered in red, black and yellow.
Inside the Squadra Corse offers carbon-fiber and Alcantara trim, including the dashboard, central panel of the seat cushion, backrest door panels and several other bits.
Lamborghini says the Squadra Corse will be a limited-production model, and will cost $261,200, including the gas guzzler tax.

About the show

The 2013 Frankfurt motor show will be held Sept. 10-22 in Germany. Premium automakers appear ready to try to outdo each other with eye-catching electric supercars.

A Successor for the 370z ??

You know why we love auto shows? Mainly because of all the new models we get to see, but also because we get to learn a lot about the future of the automotive industry. At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, a Toyota boss confirmed a hybrid GT 86 sports car is under "advanced development," and at the same show, Nissan Development boss Andy Palmer confirmed that the next-generation Z-car will be previewed next month at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The new model will initially be unveiled as a concept car and will be smaller and lighter than the current 370Z. What is really strange is that Palmer said that "the Juke Nismo offers some hints at what Nissan is looking at." So, what do you think this means? Should we expect a new Z-car with styling cues from the Juke? How odd will that look?
There are also some changes to come under the hood, and we expect to see a small-displacement turbocharged engine or even an electric powertrain. A Nismo version will also be offered.
Referring to the new car, Palmer said that the new model won’t be anything like the GT86. Instead it will be "more enjoyable to drive, a real sports car."


From Topspeed

Frankfurt 2013: Mansory F12 La Revoluzione ....

Mansory’s assault on the supercar market continues with another bespoke Ferrari F12 Berlinetta based project on display at IAA Frankfurt Motor Show 2013. One of two world premieres on display at their stand, the Mansory F12 La Revoluzione is an impressive machine. Not content with simply adding pieces to the existing bodywork, the engineers stripped down the bodywork and rebuilt from scratch. The car is a complete assault on the senses, 1,200hp, a value of 1,300,000 euros and a stunning carbon fibre exterior.
The Mansory F12 La Revoluzione is naturally the most exclusive Ferrari F12 Berlinetta on the market. The body panels are constructed from carbon fibre, baked in Mansory’s own autoclaves. Mansory describes the front bumper as being an ‘inverse formula one nose’ with a variety of different vents to increase air flow into the front mounted engine. The F12 La Revoluzione also gets a redesigned rear with a set of quad tail pipes mounted on either side.
The headline figures amount to something quite staggering. The engineering department at Mansory have developed a range of upgrades including new software for the central electronic control unit, a set of larger turbochargers, and a brand new exhaust system designed for minimal back pressure. Together, the upgrade package pushes the 6.3 litre V12 up to a staggering 1,200 hp with a maximum torque of 890 Nm. 0-100km/h takes just 2.9 seconds and the La Revoluzione rockets to a maximum speed of 370 km/h.

The Mansory F12 La Revoluzione features a new wheel design with five triple spokes shod with Pirelli high performance tyres. They measure 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the rear. The wheels hide a set of perforated brake discs measuring 398 mm in diameter on the front and 360 mm at the rear axle.
The colour of the exterior matches the name, Revolution Red. The interior blends this theme with carbon fibre, cowhide leather and Alcantara. Of course, customers who choose to go for the full package will pay the price. For this staggering build, Mansory will charge 1,300,000 euros net of tax. For those that want the absolute pinnacle of tuning. It will seem to be a reasonable price!

458 "Speciale" Unleashed

The Ferrari stand is attracting quite a bit of attention from the crowds at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show 2013. The Ferrari 458 Speciale makes its official debut. While the naming wasn’t quite the surprise we got at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, it is going to take a little getting used to. The
The Ferrari 458 Speciale gets a modified variant of 458’s 4.5-liter V8 engine. In the Speciale it delivers a total of 597hp and 398lb-ft of torque making it the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine ever produced by Ferrari. Weight reduction is a big part of the philosophy, the Speciale loses 195 kg over the standard 458 Italia at 1,290 kg. This is 40 kg heavier than the 430 Scuderia, yet the extra power makes up for it. Ferrari claims a sprint time to 100km/h of just 3 seconds, the Speciale can then hit 200km/h in just 9.1 seconds. From a styling and aerodynamic perspective, the design of the Ferrari 458 Speciale was largely dictated by aerodynamics but Pininfarina was involved in creating the Italian supercar’s completed look. That ‘look’ consists of new front and rear bumpers, new side sills, new rear diffuser and redesigned rear grille as well as dual exhaust pipes rather than the three of the regular Ferrari 458 Italia. The Ferrari 458 Speciale then features a dramatic blue and white stripe stretching down the middle.

Frankfurt Kicks of with "Hamann Nervudo"

The Hamann Nervudo has arrived at IAA Frankfurt Motor Show 2013. Based on the Lamborghini Aventador, the Hamann Nervudo is undoubtedly the biggest attraction over on the Hamann stand. The Nervudo brings Hamann into a competitive market place at the moment, we took a closer look to see what it is all about!
The Hamann Nervudo receives a new two-piece front spoiler constructed from carbon fibre with air ducts to improve cooling of the brakes. The new side skirts contribute to the optimized aerodynamics, stabilising the airflow around the underbody. The inlet covers on the engine compartment supplies air to the engine and the glass panels allows a view inside to the engine. Alternatively, the package can be specified with visible carbon panels instead.
At the rear, the Hamann Nervudo gets a new rear spoiler, a new rear diffuser and a new rear spoiler, all finished in carbon fibre. Hamann has also developed a sports exhaust muffler specifically for the Nervudo with a special race variant which creates a flamethrower effect!
For the wheels, Hamann offer light-weight, multi-part Hamann Professional rims in 9×20 and 13×21 inches. They come fitted with ultra high-performance tyres in 255/30ZR20 size at the front and 355/25/ZR21 at the rear.
Thanks to the complete reworking of the ECU the Hamann Nervudo now features 760 hp instead of the standard 700 hp. Maximum torque is boosted from 690 to 735 Newton metres.

10 Hot Cars For Your Summer Road Trip

The best way to see America isn't stuck inside an airplane peering through a little oval window—and putting up with TSA screenings, baggage claim, and hours-long delays is no way to spend a summer vacation. The road trip is an American family tradition, and these are the 10 rides we'd pick for ours

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel

Few SUVs are as versatile and capable as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This smooth-riding rig is equally at home in Manhattan as it is in Moab. A family of four can easily fit what they need for a nice road trip in the 36.3 cubic-foot cargo hold of the Jeep. But if your clan is smaller, the split folding rear seat can make room for even more stuff. The refreshed 2014 Grand is offered with a diesel V-6 paired to an eight-speed automatic. Need to pass that big rig? There's a solid 420 lb-ft of torque on tap down at 2,000 rpm. Best of all, the Jeep should return close to 30 mpg on the highway (depending on options), enabling over 700 miles between fill-ups. Skip the motel and bring along a camper; the Grand can tow a 7400-pound minimansion on wheels.

 

 

 

2014 Chevy Impala

The new Impala is like a Cadillac XTS Light. Any car that shares its bones with the roomiest Cadillac sedan you can buy should be an outstanding road-trip machine. Indeed, the big Impala offers more than 18 cubic feet of space in the trunk. That's huge. On the open road, the Impala is quick (0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds for the V-6) and easy to drive. The ride is smooth, and the steering system is geared to deliver many, many fatigue-free miles. In fact, the electronic programming is designed to countersteer slightly on a heavily crowned highway—so you don't have to. The eAssist four-cylinder model is the most frugal, delivering 35 mpg highway. That's the same as your neighbor's Honda Fit.

 

 

2013 Jetta Sportwagon TDI

The Jetta Sportwagon TDI could be one of the smartest cars on the road. No, it doesn't pack the edgy tech of many of its German luxury-car cousins. Its brightness comes from efficient use of both space and petroleum. Behind the rear seats is an SUV-like 33 cubic feet of cargo space. Under the hood, the Jetta's turbodiesel sips fuel—42 mpg on the highway. But unlike the Jetta's close competitor, Toyota's Pruis V, the Jetta is a blast to drive, thanks to 236 lb-ft of torque and a snappy dual-clutch transmission. And at right around $26,000, this is the frugal family's best friend for a summer road trip.

 

 

2014 Mazda6

The Mazda6 is two sedans in one. It can play the role of the roomy family sedan, delivering a class-leading 38 mpg highway (even more if you hold out for the diesel, arriving late in the year) and close to 15 cubic feet of space in the boot. But then flap the paddles to downshift for the upcoming corner and plant your right foot and the Mazda's moves are those of a sport sedan. Yes, this is the most entertaining midsize sedan in the class by a wide margin. So if that summer vacation involves some tight and twisty backroad hustling (and it should), the Mazda6 is the perfect companion.

 

 

2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray

A two-seat sports car seems like an odd choice for a summer road trip—unless you only need to carry two people. And Corvettes make great road-trip machines. They are quick, fuel-efficient, and roomy enough for traveling from coast to coast. We did just that back in 2005 in a new Z06. The new C7 promises to be an even better partner. Consider that although the new 460-hp LT1 V8 will rocket the 'Vette to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, it should also return close to 30 mpg on the highway, thanks to a seven-speed manual, cylinder deactivation, and serious aero tuning. It's a mix of speed and efficiency that's unlikely to be matched by any other sports car. The cargo capacity of the C7 is exactly the same as the C6—a solid 22 cu-ft of space. When the 2014 goes on sale this summer it should quickly become the hottest car on America's highways.

 

2014 Honda Crosstour

The Crosstour may not be the most shapely design to come from a Honda designer's sketch pad, but it is an incredibly practical car for a road trip. The Crosstour is basically a tall, all-wheel-drive Honda Accord wagon. And anyone who's driven an Accord over the past three decades knows that Honda bakes serious goodness into the family sedan's driving experience. The Crosstour isn't quite as light on its feel as the 2014 Accord, since it's based on the previous model's mechanicals, but it is a much smoother and more involving drive than many crossovers. And with a 278-hp V-6—it's quick and delivers 31 mpg on the highway. What really makes sense here is that the wagon's ample rear end, which provides almost 26 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats and a hidden utility box beneath the cargo floor. Smart.

 

 

2014 Audi A8 TDI

Okay, let's get this out of the way right now. Yes, this is a very expensive ($82,500) luxury sedan. But if the funds are in the bank, we can't think of a more stately conveyance to cruise the family down the freeway. The A8's 240 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque rocket the 4500-pound full-size leviathan to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds, and yet it returns a compact sedanlike 36 mpg on the highway. Best of all, inside the long-wheelbase A8L there's 42.9 inches of rear-seat legroom—three more than even Chevy's massive new Impala. That means there's plenty of room for back-seat passengers to ride in limolike comfort. Best of all, the A8 is so comfortable, luxurious, and pleasant to drive, you'll be able to drain tankfuls of diesel and arrive at every destination completely refreshed.

 

2014 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT

Technically, it's the plain-vanilla 170-hp Forester 2.5 that would sip fuel (32-mpg highway with the CVT) most frugally on a road trip. But driving the turbocharged 250-hp XT is so much more fun; it would have to be the road-trip machine in our garage. And even though the $28,000 XT has a more potent motor, it still delivers 28 mpg highway. The all-new Forester is roomier in every direction, so rear-seat legroom now measures nearly 42 inches. And behind that seat, the Subaru has 34.4 cubic feet of room for every suitcase in the house. Few other crossovers balance power with compact yet roomy interior dimensions like the new Forester. And since it's a Subaru you'll get the security of a proved all-wheel-drive system. Sure, we'd prefer a six-speed manual with our turbocharged motor—perhaps in the future.

 

 

2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Ford's off-road weapon—the Raptor—might seem like an odd choice for a road trip. That is, unless that adventure included a good portion of dirt-road driving. The SuperCrew Raptor is roomy enough for a family of four to stretch out for hours. And the pickup bed is large enough to pack a week's worth of camping supplies. It's still an F-150, so the Raptor can yank along an 8000-pound trailer too. The 411-hp V-8 isn't the most efficient powerplant in Ford's lineup. And when combined with the Raptor's massive 315/70R17 all-terrain tires, this truck will only return 14 mpg on the highway, less if you're really using those 411 horses. Still, a vacation in a Raptor means you'll be prepared to explore any dirt trail you find. And that can add some serious fun to any family outing.

2014 Toyota 4Runner

The 2014 4Runner might look more butch than the old one, but beneath the metal it's essentially the same rugged machine we've always respected. The 4Runner is part of the Old Guard, an honest SUV that rides like a truck and can handle the work of one too. The 4Runner's got plenty of room in its cargo hold (47 cubic feet) to pack up for a long adventure. Check the right option boxes and the 4Runner becomes an off-road tool capable enough to rival the world's best. And if a week camping at the lake sounds appealing, know that a 5000-pound travel trailer is within its limits. If there's one downside, it's fuel economy. The 4WD models are rated at just 22 mpg highway.