U.S. Premiere for MINI's $52,000 Goodwood Edition and Coupe Model at Pebble Beach

This week's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California is gearing up to be an important event for car enthusiasts as a respectable number of automakers are planning to use the show to unveil their latest products.While the BMW Group's MINI division won't have anything we haven’t seen before, nevertheless, it will use the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to hold the U.S. debut of the "Mini Inspired by Goodwood" and the all-new Coupe.

The special edition "Mini Inspired by Goodwood", which is in fact inspired by Rolls-Royce, will carry a base price of $52,000 (including $700 D&H), when advanced orders begin later this month.

The company said it will be produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, 140 of which will be available to US customers with first deliveries expected in the second quarter of 2012.

Among other features, the special edition Mini sports an exclusive Rolls-Royce Diamond Black metallic finish, which can be replaced by a Reef Blue metallic, and 17-inch light alloy wheels.

Inside, you'll find materials and trims used on Rolls-Royce models such as the Lounge leather seats, Lambswool floor mats, cashmere headliner, fascia and front door grab handles in burr walnut veneer and the sports steering wheel with Walknappa leather and Piano Black controls.

The MINI Inspired by Goodwood is offered exclusively with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 181HP hooked up to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

The second MINI model to make its U.S. premiere is the new Coupe that can be ordered with a choice of three 1.6-liter engines delivering 208HP in the John Cooper Work model, 181HP in the Cooper S and 121HP in the Cooper.

The most potent version, the JCW, is the fastest-accelerating production MINI ever with a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 sec and has the highest top speed at 149 mph.

The strictly two-seater model is available for order in the States now with starting prices ranging from $22,000 to $31,900, based on engine option.

We're Almost There: 2013 Infiniti JX Crossover Teaser No7

Infiniti dropped the seventh and final teaser shot before the official unveiling of its brand-new 2013 JX luxury crossover at this week's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.The best photo of the seven-passenger model to date provides us with a clear view of the vehicle's profile with its concave surface lines.

Following the presentation of the showcar model in California, Infiniti will lift the covers off the final production JX at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new JX will go on sale across the USA in spring of 2012 as a 2013 model year.

Malignant Rumors: Bentley May Build a Super Luxurious SUV

There are some things in the auto industry that one takes for granted: Fiat is best known for its small cars like the Panda and Punto; Land Rover for its ultra-capable 4x4s like the Defender and the Disco and Ferrari for its glorious-sounding supercars.In Bentley's case, it's the hand-crafted luxury coupes and sedans, but change is inevitable (especially if you operate under the umbrella of the VW Group…).

For example, look at the progress companies like Kia and Hyundai have made in recent years, or the fact that Jaguar and Land Rover now belong to Indian automaker Tata Motors.

Still, the concept of a Bentley SUV seems a little tough to swallow. However, that’s exactly what the powers-that-be in the luxury brand are considering according to a report from Bloomberg. We can already hear the outrage of Bentley loyalists who feel that a 92-year glorious history may be tarnished.

Now consider this: if someone told you in the 1990s that Porsche would build an SUV you would probably think that he lost his marbles. Today, Porsche has one SUV – the Cayenne- and has already confirmed development of a second crossover, the Cajun!

Whatever the purists may say, for the financial team it was the right decision as it brought in a lot of cash and ensured the company’s survival. Today, the Cayenne accounts for half of all Porsche’s sales.

Coincidentally (…), Bentley's current CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer was the man who, as Porsche’s head of development, oversaw the creation of the Cayenne. And now he wants Bentley to enter the highly lucrative luxury SUV market.

It’s also a booming market: in 2005 luxury SUVs sold 298,654 units. Last year, that number was 417,000. And research firm HIS estimates that the segment will grow by 15%, to 481,000 vehicles, until 2015.

"The traditional perception of brands - Bentley as the maker of large, luxurious sedans - is open to expansion," said Michael Tyndall, an analyst at Barclays Capital in London, adding that Bentley might be able to fetch a price of more than 120,000 euros for an SUV. "There appears to be customers out there who are willing to spend that much on a luxury SUV."

If the Crew-based luxury carmaker finally gives the green light to an SUV, there are plenty of resources and expertise in the VW Empire that it can utilize.

Bentley spokeswoman Benita von Maltzahn said there are "no concrete plans" for an SUV and VW spokesman Michael Brendel declined to comment. But then again, officials rarely confirm future models, especially in such an early stage.

[The opening photo is a rendering]

Story Source: Blooomberg via SF Gate , Photo Rendering: Xenatec Group

Imperium to Craft One-Off Bentley Continental GT Special

Given the price of a Bentley Continental GT, it should not come to a surprise that some tuners prefer to offer their clients a more personal service when it comes to customizing their cars.UK-based design house Imperium is one such example developing a one-off Continental GT at the request of an unnamed entrepreneur from Britain. Previewed here in a pair of renderings, we see that the tailored made coupe will feature bespoke bodywork with uniquely designed front and rear aprons, carbon exposed side skirts, a subtle boot lip spoiler and rear carbon fibre diffuser.

Other enhancements include the black forged alloy wheels while Imperium will also upgrade the Continental GT's performance credentials with an ECU upgrade, optimized braking system, lowered sport suspension and a custom exhaust system.

As for the interior, Imperium says the British GT will be treated with a fully customized interior sporting select leathers along with tailor made carbon and wood trims.

10 Luxury Cars of the Past You Can Afford to Buy Today

No matter what car you buy, its price will start depreciating from the moment you turn the ignition key and roll out of the showroom. Of course, not all models lose value at the same rate. But there are some cars that stand out more than others and Popular Mechanics has compiled a list with some of the most heavily depreciated vehicles in the luxury car segment.And while this may not be the kind of news a seller wants to hear, it's music to the ears of buyers in the market for snazzy set of wheels. Just remember that regardless if the car is new or used, running costs remain the same, and when it comes to luxury models, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets.

Aston Martin DB7

James Bond is a timeless icon. He looks ultra-cool whether in shorts or a tuxedo, he never cracking under pressure, he has women lining-up for him all over the world, and drives some of the best cars around.

But since chances are you'll never manage to get in her Majesty’s Secret Service or obtain an MI6 license to kill, the next best thing is the car brand identified with the world’s most famous secret agent: Aston Martin.

Pricey classic DB4s and DB5s are out of the question but the mass-produced DB7 from the early ‘90s is an extremely good-looking and cheaper alternative. Never mind that it was based on the Jaguar XK8 platform. – the DB7 is absolutely gorgeous and under the hood you'll find either a supercharged six-cylinder or a V12. Recently, a 2001 top of the line Vantage V12 with just 32,000 miles, sold for $32,000 eBay. Just remember to order your martini shaken, not stirred.





Audi A8

Audi was never really a contender in the luxury-sedan segment until it launched the all-aluminum A8 with its revolutionary ASF spaceframe in 1997. The A8 offered Audi a credible rival to BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

But despite its technological breakthroughs, the A8 depreciates faster than you can say “Audi” due to high repair costs and a lack of its rivals cachet. For example, a 2001 model with 116,000 miles sold for less than ten grand, $9,000 to be exact. Newer models don't fare much better: an $80,000 (when a new) A8 LWB from 2006 commanded just $26,000 on the popular online market site.





Bentley Arnage

If a Maybach is too vulgar for you and a Rolls-Royce Phantomtoo ostentatious, then Bentley is your brand. The four-door Arnage used to be the top model in Bentley’s range and was offered with either a BMW sourced 4.4-liter V8 or the (preferred by traditional customers) long-lived 6.75-liter turbocharged V8 which produced tremendous amounts of torque.

Pricing when new (that is, from 1998 until 2009), started from around $200,000, and skyrocketed when you ticked a few options. Nowadays, you can get your hands on 2000MY Arnage 6.75 V8 for just $40,000. Just bear in mind that, if you have to ask the cost of maintenance, then you probably cannot afford it.





BMW 7-Series

The flagship sedan model of BMW's lineup tends to lose value pretty fast because of its high initial prices and even higher running costs –especially if it has high mileage.

A pre-Bangle era (and in our opinion more beautiful) 2001 740i with 160,964 miles sold for just $4,900 on eBay. The next model fares even worse because of its controversial looks and the fact that it is packed with an array of pricey to fix electronic gizmos. A six-year-old 745i with only 45,429 miles sold for $20,000. That is less than the price of a new Honda Accord.





Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade SUV costs over 60 grand but can be had for a fair price as a used model. Blame its image, the economy, or the increasing fuel prices, but a three year old Escalade costs less than half of its original price.

A 2009 ESV long model with 115,551 miles recently sold on eBay for less than $26,000. Even lower-mileage Escalades can’t escape the huge depreciation, as a 2008 model with only 23,000 miles sold for $22,000.





Jaguar S-Type

We knew it was bound to end in tears from the moment we heard the news. Ford, which in the late ‘90s owned Jaguar, decided to launch a midsize luxury sedan based on the platform of a Lincoln. And that's how the S-Type was born but it never really won the hearts ofJaguar’s clientele.

As a result, its depreciation can only be compared with the brand’s disastrous venture in Formula 1 at the same period.

The truth is, the S-Type wasn’t that bad after all – and much better than the shame called the X-Type. But the Lincoln association hurt its image, and its overtly traditional styling looked out of place next to other premium models. The result is a bargain buy as $1,500 can get you a decent business laptop or a 2000 model year S-Type with 100,000 miles on the odometer.





Maserati Coupe

An Italian supercar is always something to marvel about. Even with less cache than Ferrari, after the disastrous Biturbos of the 1980s, Maserati gained a special appeal thanks to the Coupe that was fitted with a Maranello-sourced 4.2-liter V8 delivering 385-ponies.

Quality and reliability had improved since the 1980s but it still lagged behind German rivals like the Porsche 911. And the styling, while unique, was a bit awkward –especially after they replaced the “boomerang” LED rear lights with something that looked like it came out of Toyota’s parts bin. The Maserati Coupe is an eccentric choice, but for $23,000 for a 2002 model with 43,000 miles on the odometer, it’s quite cheap for Italian style and a Ferrari V8.





Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes’ finest is the blue chip in the luxury sedan segment. It is a cocoon that isolates you from the noise and bumps of the outside world, offering a large range of the latest gizmos. Like the 7-Series, you get things that you’ll see in mainstream models in five or ten years later. Who could ask for more?

Still, it depreciates heavily. A 2002 S600 with a V12 under the hood and a sticker price of $130,000 when new, now costs almost 10% of that original price: just $16,000. We have no explanation for this drop: is it that even the rich start to downsize or perhaps move more upmarket? Is it that Mercedes-Benz'suber-sedan has become the default choice in the segment, and as a result, there are too many around? Whatever the reason, this would be our choice for a limo.





Range Rover

British cars just can’t seem to shake off their bad reputation as far as reliability is concerned. And for good reason: for many-many years, even their most expensive offerings, like Jaguars and Range Rovers, had so many problems that you not only had to be wealthy but really brave, or lonesome enough to appreciate the frequent visits to the service center, to actually buy one.

While modern versions have improved dramatically, the Range Rover, the pinnacle of luxury and off road capabilities, is still very expensive to repair once something goes wrong. So their prices drop like bricks from the top of the Empire State Building after a while: a 2004 HSE with 95,600 miles can be had for only $15,450. That’s small car money. So if you are brave, or very lonely, you may give it a shot.





Volkswagen Phaeton

Ferdinand Piech, apart from being VW’s CEO and major stockholder, as well as a grandson of none other than Ferdinand Porsche himself, is a very ambitious man. But even ambition has its limits. Piech, who rebuild VW Group to today's giant and can flaunt a more than 40-year old resume full of triumphs, from the legendary Porsche 917 Le Mans winner to the record-smashingBugatti Veyron, discovered his limits in 2002.

It had the shape of the Phaeton, VW’s attempt to emulate Toyota’s success with the launch of a new premium brand, Lexus, which beat the 7-Series and S-Class at their own game.

The Phaeton that was named after the son of the Helios in Greek mythology, was fully loaded with the latest technology and boasted V8 and W12 engines. But the sun didn’t shine too bright at VW’s dealerships around the world.

Today, a 2004MY W12 model with under 90,000 miles can be had for $23,000. Perhaps the Phaeton’s future claim to glory will be that it provided the platform for the Bentley Continental GT.

Story source: Popular Mechanics

Germany's Luxury Brands Unaffected by Global Economy Slump

The auto industry hasn’t escaped the drama affecting the stock markets due to the US credit rating downgrade and the problems in the Eurozone. This month has been the worst ever since November 2008 for the Euro Stoxx Automobile and Parts Index as it lost €35 billion ($50 billion) or about 19%, of its value.However, despite the slowing global economy, it is luxury carmakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz andAudi rather than mass-market brands, like Fiat and Renault, that can withstand its effects better.

“German premium auto manufacturers are by far the best bet. BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Porscheare the most stable investment havens” Frankfurt-based SEB Asset Management fund manager Juergen Meyer told Bloomberg news. That’s because even in this climate, wealthy buyers still have more money to spend than middle-class consumers who feel the strain much more.

China also plays a great role in the current situation: BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, the world’s largest luxury automakers, are so far reporting record sales mostly due to the phenomenal rise in demand in the Chinese market.

The drop in share prices presents an opportunity for those that wish to buy. According to Bloomberg, the VW Group, which includes the VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini brands among others, is the most recommended European carmaker by analysts, with 85% rating their stock a “buy”.

Daimler is second with 71%, while only 47% and 44% recommend PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault stocks respectively.

“After the recent slump we are buying VW and Daimler, which is actually our favorite stock in the sector because it has very good margins and a good penetration in emerging markets. We prefer German brands and are skeptical of the French” commented head of investments at Bank Insinger de Beaufort in Rome. “Fiat may also be a good opportunity, as the integration with Chrysler is happening faster than expected”.

Jean’s Back: 2012 Delahaye USA Bella Figura Type 57S Enters Production

It may have taken three years but at lastDelahaye USA’s Bella Figura Type 57S is available for purchase. The Long Valley, NJ based specialist vehicle manufacturer has taken its design inspiration from Jean Bugatti’s legendary Type 57S coupe of the 1930s and ‘40s and modified it to fit a stretched and widened platform.Using cutting edge materials such as carbon fibre and polished aluminium, Delahaye USA’s describes their new offering as, “much more than areplica”.

With air conditioning, power brakes and steering, electric windows and a choice of engine and transmission options, this certainly appears true.

The Bella Figura Type 57S is available in both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive in turnkey complete, turnkey minus (that is, no engine and transmission), roller body (body, chassis and wheels only) and self-assembly kits both in the U.S. and the UK.

Unsurprisingly, prices are on application only though it sure will be nice to see this design classic back on the road and in much larger numbers than before.

By Tristan Hankins

Production VW Up! Ditches Rear-Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive for a Traditional FWD Setup

It won’t be long before we get our first glimpse of the production version of Volkswagen's all-new Up! city car that scheduled to have its official world premiere at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show.But here's a little something we learned. While the three-door hatchback model's looks are very similar to the original Up! Concept car displayed at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show, under the sheetmetal it's a different story as Volkswagenhas ditched the study's unique rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.

Instead, the Up! is based on the German firm's Modularer Querbaukasten or MQB platform using a more traditional front-engine, front-wheel drive setup.

Volkswagen will offer the Lupo's spiritual successor at launch with a choice of small displacement, three-cylinder gasoline engines with plans to add a pure-electric version into the mix at a later date.