2014 Volkswagen Phaeton

WHAT IT IS: The follow-up to the spectacularly slow-selling Phaeton. It will continue to be assembled at a lavish factory in Dresden, Germany, and once again will share powertrains and technology with high-end Audis and the Bentley Continental range.

WHY IT MATTERS: The Phaeton represents the VW brand’s highest aspirations. As before, the Phaeton will attempt to move VW upmarket into the BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes sphere. 

PLATFORM: Architecture usually reserved for Audis (dubbed MLB) will undergird the Phaeton.  A longitudinally mounted engine and all-wheel drive are its hallmarks, as is the extensive use of aluminum. 

POWERTRAIN: A new, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 with 345 horses will power base versions. A few will come with the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that is shared with the Continental range and the Audi S8. Even fewer will come with a W-12. 

COMPETITION: Audi A8, BMW 7-series, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-class. 

WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG: Perched way above the rest of the VW lineup, the new Phaeton may continue to confuse shoppers. 

ESTIMATED ARRIVAL AND PRICE: Anticipated in late 2013, starting at about $65,000. 

The Footman James Classic Motor Show was enormous but enjoyable

CLASSIC cars in industrial quantities. That's what you would have got if you'd joined me and thousands of others at the NEC last weekend.

Anyone familiar with the Footman James Classic Motor Show will know it's a big deal - it is, arguably, the only show that caters for fans of all things a bit old and oily on a national scale - but this year the organisers, freed from the constraints of having to share a gig with Top Gear Live, really pulled out the stops to make it bigger and bolder than ever before. It was massive.

Simply getting in is quite unlike any other show I've been to. You park up and get on a bus, which takes you to an elevator, followed by a Heathrow Airport-style moving walkway that seems to go on forever, which leads on to a labyrinth of corridors which in turn brings you to the back of the queue for tickets. This, I think, is deliberate; it's to prepare you for the sheer amount of walking the show itself involves.

Last weekend was a giddying array of just about every vaguely old vehicle ever made - yes, there were Hillman Imps and Ford Anglias at one end and Astons and Ferraris at the other, but if you're the sort of person who lies awake at night dreaming of owning a Vauxhall Nova then you were well catered for too. But our party must have walked miles checking out the seemingly endless sea of classic cars. If anything, it was slightly overwhelming. I stopped taking photos after the 175th click out of sympathy for my camera, but one classic car buff I spoke to had taken hundreds of shots.

I emerged seven hours later with cream-crackered feet and weighed down with bags of freebies, and with the prospect of the long drive back from Birmingham to look forward to. If I'd known just how big it was going to be I would've made a weekend of it - one day for the cars, another for the autojumble - because just the one day is nowhere near enough to take it all in.

It's great to think that even in an age when Britain's turned its back on national motorshows, with the motor makers favouring Frankfurt and Geneva instead, we can still put on an automotive extravaganza on this sort of scale. I'll just make sure I bring comfier shoes next time.

Is this the best looking saloon on sale today?

IN THE classic gangster film Get Carter, the villains drove a Jag MK2. In The Long Good Friday, the vehicle of choice was an XJ6.

This automotive star of this year's gangster film - The Sweeney - was a Jaguar XF. Having clocked one parked up in a Southport side street today, it's not hard to see why.

I've already driven the 2.2 diesel version of the Brit saloon and can tell you that from a driver's perspective it's excellent; one of the best new cars I've tried this year, in fact. But what I could see from the Stratus Grey example I saw, with its understated alloys and meshed grille, was that it looked the part too. In cinematic terms, it's exactly the sort of quietly menacing motor an assasin would drive.

Until this year I would've argued the best looking Jag is in fact the big XJ - there's something about the challenging styling, which stands out next to all the other luxobarges, that I love - but now I reckon the smaller XF's caught up with it. After being wowed by the stunning C-XF concept car of all those years ago, I know I wasn't the only one to be a bit dissapointed with the production version that followed - far too much in the way of gloopy headlights and not enough in the way of visual treats.

The facelifted version, though? That really is a treat for the eyes.

In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's the best looking saloon on sale today. Better than a Maserati Quattroporte or a Merc CLS? I'd reckon so...

Toyota GT-86 Sports Line 2013

Wald International Closure package prepared for the Toyota GT 86 and our shows. It costs 2,090 euros and has called Sports Line consists of a new front bumper, inflated fenders, new side spoiler, vented hood, spoiler, diffuser and quad exhaust tailpipes.

The Most Expensive Car Ever Insured Pictures

It may be hard to define what amount of a car maybe insured for.

More expensive cars will cost more to replace, and so the insurance will cost you more too.Naturally, there are always limited edition cars that would have to be insured for a lot of money, because there are limited cars that might be when equated with them.Cars that are regularly parked at the roadside are at a higher risk of being stolen or involved in collisions, and so will be more expensive to insure.

This is a kind of car that recorded the most expensive car ever insured:

Rolls Royce Silver Ghost
has been insured for $50,000,000.

Ferrari GTO
$28,500,000

Bugatti Type 41 Royale
$12,000,000.

Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR
$2,000,000.

Bugatti Veyron
This is easily about the most costly cars in the world, and it is only logical that it is also one of themost expensive cars insured too. Insurance companies would need to consider the rarity and the repair costs of these vehicles.

McLaren F1
$1,000,000

Ferrari Enzo
Limited edition of this vehicle was sold for $1,000,000.

Koenigsseg CCX
$700,000.

Porsche Carrera GT
$440,000.

Pagani Zonda C12
$428,000.

Rolls Royce Silver Ghost

Rolls Royce Silver Ghost

Ferrari GTO

Ferrari GTO

Car Accessories

Anywhere in the world!
Generally, there are two major categories of car accessories namely Interior Auto accessories and Exterior car accessories.Among various safety car accessories...

Interior Auto Accessories:
Air freshener, carpets, floor mats, seat covers, television, stereo system and DVD system, air bags, rear view mirror etc are all Interior Auto accessories.

Exterior Car Accessories:
License plate, side bars, body panels, light covers, exterior lights, wheel covers, windshield wiper blades etc are all Exterior Car Accessories.

How to Pimp Your Ride?
No matter what auto accessories you choose for your car, you must make sure that you buy the ones that you needs most, and furthermore, should always buy the best possible quality product as well.You should make a list of all the car accessories that you like to have in your car. After that you can prioritize the car accessories which you need to install first in case you have a limited budget.You can find a design that suits your personality and tastes perfectly.To make your car appear classy you should think about something budget friendly, easy to place yourself and available at many shops, the decorative pillar posts.

One additional car accessory you should install in your car is some sort of GPS navigation.The next cool and affordable car accessory we recommend are Bluetooth speakerphones,rearview cameras.There are many hidden dangers and spots that are hard to see behind you.Another upgrade you should consider are high performance headlights.The good news is that these add on features can make your driving experience safer.After you install various car accessories, you should also consider the following three things specifically scent,music,and upkeep.This will make your car is always convenient.Choose a scent you really enjoy to freshen up the atmosphere in your car,a good sound system can make a three hour drive seem like it's passed in moments.
Some examples of car accessories that you can apply in your vehicle: 

Car Accessories Wheel

Car Accessories Multimedia

Car Accessories Stereo System and DVD System

Car Accessories GPS

Car Accessories Seat Covers

Car Accessories Exterior Lights

Car Accessories

Car Accessories Droid-X

Car Accessories Full Manufacturers

Car Accessories Exterior Lights

MINI

MINI is geared up for 2013 in seriously sporty mood and with further additions to its model range. The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2013 in Detroit hosts the world premiere of the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman. The three-door model is the latest offering from the John Cooper Works sub-brand and, with its race-bred powertrain and chassis technology, brings the promise of a high-octane race feeling to the streets of the urban jungle: extreme driving fun meets the extrovert looks of the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé in the compact segment.

From 19 – 27 January 2013, at the first major international car show of the year, MINI will present visitors with the most diverse model range in the history of the British premium brand. A line-up of seven MINI models and seven top-class sporting variants bearing the John Cooper Works logo represents the latest state of play in a rigorously pursued growth strategy. And visitors to the Detroit show will also see a focused sporting machine from the very top drawer take to the stage. Developed on the race track, the MINI John Cooper Works GP will be produced in a limited run of 2,000 units, giving it enviable exclusivity to go with its exceptional turn of pace. 

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster

Following the successful launch of the coupe version of the Aventador in Summer last year,  Lamborghini is offering the Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster. The convertible version can immediately be recognized by the unique profile of its upper area, which extends along newly designed geometric lines from the removable roof to the engine hood.

This open-top luxury super sports car is powered by a 700-horsepower, 6.5 liter V-12 engine and mated to a ISR seven-speed transmission. The car goes from 0 to 62 mph in only 3 seconds. It is said to have a top speed of 217mph.

Subaru XV named ‘SUV of the Year’

The Subaru XV has been named ‘SUV of the Year’ by 4x4 Magazine ahead of rivals from Audi, Kia, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen.

Judges were impressed by the compact crossover's fuel economy, enjoyable driving characteristics and ground clearance.

Subaru’s customer service package called Everything Taken Care of (ETCo), apparently helped tip the balance in the Subaru’s favour.

Commenting on the XV’s victory, Nigel Fryatt, Editor, 4x4 Magazine, said: “The SUV class in 4x4 Magazine’s 4x4 of the Year test is one of the most competitive. The Subaru XV was an interesting new arrival in that class, which did much to impress judges.

The Subaru XV range is available in 1.6 petrol manual or CVT, 2.0 petrol manual or CVT and 2.0D manual options

Toyota Pays NHTSA Record $17.35 Million for Delaying Lexus RX Recall on Pedal Entrapment Issue

For the fourth time since 2010, Toyota has been fined the maximum penalty for delaying recalls.

On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it has slapped Toyota with a record $17.35 million (€13.15 million at today's exchange rates) fine for failing to report a safety defect to address floor mat pedal entrapment in the 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h in a timely manner.

In May this year, NHTSA contacted Toyota regarding a trend in floor mats trapping the gas pedal on said models, but it took the Japanese carmaker a month to tell the safety agency that it was aware of 63 alleged incidents. In June, Toyota went ahead and recalled around 154,000 examples of its RX models to fix the problem.

The fine is the maximum allowed by law and largest single of its kind ever to be imposed against an automaker for a safety defect.