Autoblog

Click above for more pics of the Mclaren SLR Speedster.

Following yesterday's revelation that Mercedes and McLaren were preparing to launch a special lightweight version of their SLR supercar, a batch of spy shots plus a spy video have surfaced, giving us a sneak peek at the limited-edition roadster prior to its anticipated unveiling by McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton towards the end of the month.

The images – which appear to have been released by the manufacturer itself – confirm our previous report that the roofless supercar will have little in the way of protection from the elements, with an F1-sized wind deflector screen as the only thing between the driver and the wind rushing by at breakneck speeds. Inspired by the original '50's-era 300 SLR, the new speedster will be faster than any previous SLR and be built in a small serial of 75 examples.

Click on the thumbnail images below to view more, and follow the jump for the spy video.

[Source: PistonHeads, eMercedesBenz]

If you're a Harley-Davidson fan you might be interested in driving...well, riding an actual Harley. But for those who can't (or won't), Ford has been working on a new Harley-Davidson edition of its F-Series Super Duty pickup. While previous versions were based on the smaller, lighter-duty F-150 pickup, these spy shots and accompanying reports indicate that the new version we're looking at is the full-fat, heavy-duty F-450, complete with dually rear axle and quad-cab four-door set-up.

Like the previous set of spy shots that surfaced back in May, these photos of the undisguised test mule show a variety of exterior add-ons, including blue flames extending down the flank of the truck, although the flames are only visible on one side of the spied vehicle, with the Harley badge evident on the other, suggesting these could have been applied to throw us off. (We won't be surprised to see the final version unveiled in either way.) Unique wheels and special lettering along the side of the bed walls also form part of the visual package, while special badging and leather are anticipated to round out the interior. No changes are expected of the 6.4-liter twin-turbo diesel, already capable as it is of towing a couple of hogs on a trailer behind it, but we're expecting a price tag of over $60k for the special-edition truck.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Mothers Against Drunk Driving are not going to like this one. Italian coachbuilder Aznom, which has previously rolled out custom MINIs like this pickup "tender", has now produced a Clubman inspired by a vintage of another sort. The Aznom MINI Chateau is distinguished by a mobile wine cellar installed in the trunk, capable of housing six wine bottles in isolated comfort, along with six wine glasses with which to enjoy them. Aznom's wood veneer finish decorates the exterior and cabin, which also gets a unique leather trim. Riding on 18-inch TSW Pace rims shod with Yokohama rubber, Aznom will only produce 12 examples, each one individually numbered and personalized for their owners. We'll have to wait a few years to see if the Chateau gets better with age like the vino it transports.

Images in the gallery below and press release after the jump. Please enjoy responsibly.

[Source: Aznom via Luxurylaunches.com]

It's been just about a year since we last heard anything about the Gibbs Aquada, which should be coming to American roads and shores near you shortly. Last we heard, Gibbs was looking for an American partner and a place to get some engineering work and production done. At least one of those goals seems to have been met, as reports are now coming in that Saleen, makers of super-fast Mustangs and exotic cars, has been tapped to provide design and engineering work for the U.K. based aquatic vehicle company.

Saleen will be working on the U.S. version of the Aquada, a vehicle which is intended to offer sportscar performance on land and speedboat thrills on the water. Other vehicles from Gibbs include an all-terrain Hummer-style aquatic utility vehicle known as the Humdinga and the Polish Quadski, which combines the capabilities of a four-wheeled ATV and a jet ski.

[Source: WWJ Newsradio]

Click for hi-res gallery of the McMerc SLR Roadster.

Mercedes and McLaren are preparing to head their own separate ways for the next batch of supercars – including the Mercedes SLC, SL65 AMG Black Series and McLaren P11 – but not before one last hurrah. Emerging reports from Germany indicate that the two companies, which are anticipated to continue collaboration on the race track, will soon unveil one last special edition of the SLR before the controversial supercar speeds off towards the horizon and into the setting sun.

The final iteration of the SLR is reported to be a lightweight speedster with neither roof nor windscreen, just a small deflector. Thanks in part to the removal of air conditioning and power windows (neither of which are needed when you don't have a roof anyway), curb weight has been trimmed by about 200 kilos (approximately 440 pounds), and promises to rip your head right off with a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph), some 13 km/h over the previous top-dog SLR 722's maximum velocity. Only 75 examples will be produced, at a price of €450,000. Oh, and Lewis Hamilton is said to have something to do with the project, which is inspired by the legendary 1955 300 SLR Silver Arrows. Stay tuned for more details, with initial images reportedly due to surface tomorrow.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Click above image for a gallery of the Corvette S-Limited

In celebration of GM's 100th Anniversary, GM Asia-Pacific has unveiled the Corvette S-Limited, a 30-car special for the Japanese market. priced at ¥7,980,000. The allotment is split evenly by color -- 15 in Arctic White and 15 in Black. All the cars get the full leather-wrapped interior package; a rear spoiler, mesh grillework , and screened inserts for the side coves and the plate between the exhaust outlets. 'Vettes in Japan are probably scarce enough that they still draw plenty of attention. Hey, in the land where the best-selling car's engine displaces 660cc's, a thundering, 430-horsepower American pushrod that displaces 6.2 liters is always gonna make people look. Appropriately, the Corvette S-Limited officially goes on sale on the Fourth of July.


[Source: GMAP]

Click for hi-res gallery of the Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir

If you're thinking about dropping $1.5 million on a set of wheels, would a special edition really tip the scales one way or another? Well, Bugatti evidently thinks so. After having produced the Pur Sang and the Fbg par Hermès editions, the ultra-premium auto marque revealed the Sang Noir last month.

Now, after disgruntled U.S. buyers lost out on the opportunity to buy the Pur Sang when it sold out to an invited group of European customers in Paris, Bugatti has announced that its American clientele will get first crack at the limited run of 15 Sang Noir Veyrons before they're offered elsewhere in the world. And who said holding American citizenship isn't worth what it used to be?

[Source: Evo]

Click for hi-res gallery of the Ford Fiesta Zetec S Red edition

The Ford Fiesta is one of the best-selling vehicles in the UK. But before it's replaced by the new model, the Blue Oval's British subsidiary isn't about to let it go out without a... well, we'd hardly call it a bang, but at least a last desperate plea for attention before it's retired.

The imaginatively named "Red" edition comes in any color, as long as it's – you guessed it – red. Colorado Red, to be specific, with a black-and-white checker-board roof and black accents on the mirror caps, door handles, moldings and roof spoiler. The special edition is based on the Fiesta Zetec S, powered by a "zesty yet thrifty" 1.6-liter four pushing out 100hp. Leather seats, 16" alloys, air-con and heated electric side-view mirrors round out the package, of which only 400 will be offered at a price of £13,000 to British customers who really should be waiting for the new Fiesta.

[Source: Ford]

Pininfarina is working on a new privately-commissioned one-off based on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Ordered by an as-yet unnamed collector, the vehicle will bear the name Hyperion from ancient Greek mythology and is stylistically inspired by the pre-war Rolls-Royce automobiles.

Coachbuilding for individual clients is becoming an important part of Pininfarina's business, as automakers worldwide are outsourcing to independent carrozzerias less than they used to. Following in the footsteps of Peter Kalikow's lightly modified Ferrari 612 K and Jim Glickenhaus' more radical Enzo-based Ferrari P4/5, the Hyperion is anticipated to debut at Pebble Beach in August.

[Source: Automotive News Europe – subs. req'd]

Click above to view more of the Burberry Quattroporte

Think "Maserati" and "Burberry" and there are so many ways this could have gone classy. But this isn't one of them. Seems some fool with too much oil money and not enough taste has plastered his Quattroporte in what appears to be perforated Burberry-plaid gift-wrap paper. If this were some sort of new camouflage on a test mule for the newly revised Quattroporte, we'd say it was effective (who could focus on the details in between the bouts of vomiting?), but somehow we don't picture the Italians doing anything this horrendously tasteless. In fact, we'd encourage Maserati to track down the owner and repossess the vehicle immediately. Click on the thumbnails below to see more of the Burberry-spangled Maser... if you must.

[Source: CarDomain]