coloring car: 2012

Shadows...

It sure was a sad February day three years ago, when Oliver North Boy Choir decided to part ways. Due to various things the break-up was inevitable and after all we did get Tempomatador and The Boombox Hearts instead to sort of weaken the blow. But as great as those new projects are (and they are – I’m not being nice), they have never really reached the glorious heights of ONBC, so when late last year I was told the secret…a secret so secret that I couldn’t pass it on…that the band had reunited and started recording I was pretty excited, to say the least. Then nearly half a year ago I was mailed a copy of first new recording Shadows and got even more excited, as not in my wildest dreams had I imagined that they would be able to come up with anything this stunning; a sheer pop song, so haunting and catchy that it will be stuck in your head for hours and days once you’ve listened to it for 30 seconds. And trust me – I know! So I’ve spent the past six months humming it, badly wanting to share it and writing mails asking when (WHEN) will you guys release it, so I can finally be relieved of this secret. But now it’s finally here…stream it below, find it on Spotify, buy it on iTunes and check back tomorrow (hopefully) for the video!

Ghost...

Danish duo Bodebrixen has been signed by Playground Music and earlier this week the lads published first single Ghost from their forthcoming album Out of Options. The track has an appealing summer-pop-feel-good sound to it, but the lyrics (“you’re a living ghost…hiding in your basement”) are surprisingly darker when compared to the almost uplifting sound. Promises well for the album!

Ghost by Bodebrixen

The love letter...

Stream the new single Kærestebrevet ("The Lover Letter") by Danish duo Stoffer & Maskinen. Getting the impression that the duo (on this recording at least) has decided to make a "conversion" from electronic rock to a more mainstream electronic pop sound. Which definitely isn't meant as a complaint, because the end result is brilliant; stunningly brilliant!

Kærestebrevet by Stoffer & Maskinen

Crybaby...

Here's a really lovely one posted by Torr on Facebook... the melancholic and beautiful I Cherish The Heartbreak More Than The Love That I Lost is the debut single from Crybaby and sounds exactly like something that will immediately appeal to all fans of Richard Hawley.

Crybaby - I Cherish The Heartbreak More Than The Love Lost by The Vinyl District

Temperance...

From what I often refer to as ”the department of good news” comes word that young Danish trio Tetris=Therapy will release a new EP entitled The Temperance EP on April 23. Track list, art work, stories behind the songs etc. have all been revealed, but since no track has been made available for streaming (at least not yet), I (or anyone else for the matter) haven’t got the faintest idea if the EP will be anywhere as terrific as the debut album Acquaintances. Or even in the same genre! Who knows? Perhaps they’ve come to the conclusion that hip-hop or disco is the fast track to prominence? Time will tell of course, but if the Jesper Lundager remix of Seasick, which has been labeled an advance bonus track from the EP, is any indication, I really don’t think we should expect or fear any major changes or experiments...
+ Seasick (Jesper Lundager Remix)
+ Seasick (album version)

Are we ok...?

Stream two new tracks from the forthcoming From Sarah debut album Are We OK? that will be out on March 26. Still think the band sounds an awful lot like Kashmir (it's tedious I know that I keep stating this again and again, but simply impossible to ignore when listening), but since they write some really fine songs, I guess I can live with that!

Fake a Smile by From Sarah

Are We OK by From Sarah

The finger in the strawberry park...

Has to be match-up post title of the year? Anyway...three real interesting albums (one of them as a CD, which is pretty rare these days) arrived in the mailbox this weekend and it's my intention to spend some time (a lot of time actually) today, and probably tomorrow as well, giving them quite a few listens. I sort of expect all three of them to be worth the time and effort. In case you're wondering or interested these are the albums (will add some thoughts on each album during the day):

Emerald Park - Absolute Zero
They still write some pretty damn fine pop songs. But the sound is a little more "indie" and less "polished" than on the debut. I like that!

The Finger - I Don't Believe My Eyes
Expecting an album worth of energetic pop songs...this band reminds me a lot of Garbage...in a real positive way!

Strawberry Whiplash - Hits In The Car
Been told that I should prepare myself for "treat". Will be interesting!

"Appetizers":

Emerald Park - Things by afmusic

I Don't Believe My Eyes by the finger

Another April by Strawberry Whiplash

SXSW vs. Rome...

Not exactly breaking news that I won't be going to SXSW this year...either! I really wish I was (like I always do), because that way the hundreds of emails coming my way promotion various showcases at said festival could perhaps be of some use. Instead I've spent the past 6 months preparing for a Marathon, so on Friday March 16 I'll be flying to Rome (that's the capital of Italy, if you somehow ignorantly thought I was thinking of any of the American equivalents) instead of Austin, where we on Sunday March 18 will run the 42.195 kms (or 26 miles 385 yards) in hopefully less than 4 hours. As stupid as you may think I am, I actually prefer the Marathon to the SXSW, as it's probably better for your general health with far less junkfood and beers being consumed. But if (and that's quite a big IF to be honest) I was going to the festival, I would probably try to catch shows by these artists (or at least by some of them)...

+ Bear in Heaven - The Reflection Of You
+ The Drums - Money
+ I Got You On Tape - Chuch of the Real

People will probably have a ball no matter what, but so far I'm slightly underwhelmed by the line-up/schedule...will give it another look!

+ A Classic Education - Baby, It's Fine

...

Shorts...

Just a couple of quick ones...

Check the line-up for this year's NYC Popfest and start drooling...looks pretty good don't you think!?

The new Sleep Party People track Chin is doing terribly on the Hypem Popular chart. Go heart it please! Musically I think they've move on quite a bit since the debut (A Dark Good Heart was a nice first step), but the (trademark?) vocals make the band very recognizable...perhaps a little too recognizable?

Sleep Party People - Chin

The new Blue Foundation single Lost is pretty nice, though it does sound as if they are returning to their trip-hop roots. Not exactly a fan of that!

Blue Foundation - Lost F. Sara Savery (Prefix Premiere)

Into My Mind, the debut single from Death Valley Sleepers is now available through iTunes! Not sure if this ended up being the final version (anyone?)...

Death Valley Sleepers - Into My Mind

Le Clé...

Currently listening a great deal to young Danish trio (a quartet when playing live) Le Clé. The 4 track debut EP is free to download from the band's webpage in return for a Facebook post (though I couldn't make it work) and three of the tracks on it are the charming energetic indie pop party type of songs that probably will make quite a few people think of Ginger Ninja. They'll be at Rust tomorrow where they'll be joined by blog favorite (hero) Michael Møller. Check out the video for Green Gold below (or just stream the track)...bet they had a good time shooting it!

Le Clé - Green Gold from Kristoffer Engholm Aabo on Vimeo.

Green Gold by Le Clé

Hits in the car - part two...

Seems like I beat the promo mail by a few hours, as later yesterday Matinée Recordings mailed out a few more details (including the sleeve) about that highly anticipated Strawberry Whiplash debut Hits In The Car; with the best part being that the super lovely Now I Know It's You has been made available as a free download!
+ Now I Know It's You

Hits in the car...

On March 27 the debut album from noise pop (or so they are labeled) Scottish act Strawberry Whiplash is finally being released by Matinée Recordings, but preorders are already gladly accepted via the Matinée Shop. As mentioned in a few older posts, the album will be entitled Hits In The Car, thus now and forever securing that it will top the list of “the best album titles ever”! New track Now I Know It’s You was uploaded for streaming yesterday and sounds absolutely sweet; not very noisy, just wonderfully sweet. And so does first single Stop, Look and Listen, so odds seem pretty good that this will be more (a lot more) than just a great titled album!

Now I Know It's You by Strawberry Whiplash

Stop, Look And Listen by Strawberry Whiplash

+ Stop, Look and Listen

Time...

Stream/download new track Time by Danish indie pop/Sarah Records inspired one man project Athletes...totally brilliant stuff!

Time by Athletes

Fjendemin...

Watch the video for first single Fjendemin from the forthcoming Jonas Breum solo album. The song is brilliant; the video is...don't really know what it is...

Consistency...

Here’s one of those little gems I always dream of finding every time I optimistically begin scrolling through the pile of promo mails. Rarely happens, but it sure makes my day when it does! Debut(?) track Consistency by US duo Stagnant Pools is energetic, pounding, noisy (not too noisy) and catchy, which I personally believe are some of the essential ingredients needed to make great songs!

Consistency by Stagnant Pools

REM...

J.A. recommends the new single REM by Sweden's The Pale Corners (no clue if the song title has anything to do with a certain band?)...and it is a very nice pop song indeed, though perhaps not quite as catchy as previous single Fireflies...what do you think?

The Pale Corners - REM by Since Records

The Pale Corners - Fireflies by Since Records

C.P.H.L. ...

Stream rough mix of new track C.P.H.L (what the abbreviation stands for seems to be a secret) by The Boombox Hearts. Will be the opening track of the band's forthcoming album (when, where, how etc. are still secrets I believe) and is "distilled sadness and hate mixed with noise, lo-fi, spacepop and a beat"...whatever that means exactly, except perhaps that sadness can sound incredibly cool? The rest of the album promises to "include sadness...and a few (slightly) happy pop songs". Should be interesting and am very much looking forward to it...despite all sadness...

C.P.H.L. by The Boombox Hearts

Blue Foundation...

Via Facebook comes news that Blue Foundation will release a new album on May 22. If there is such a thing as good news...this definitely IS good news!

Blue Foundation - New Album Out May 22nd 2012! from DPC on Vimeo.

+ Enemy

I never wanted you...

Busy as hell these days...so while I'm working; please check out this beautiful and dreamy cover by Mint Julep of Headphones' I Never Wanted You...

Mint Julep - I Never Wanted You (Headphones Cover) by Anorak London

Possibly the First 2012 Porsche 911 Crash

Unlike other more exotic and therefore rarer sports cars, due to the number of Porsche 911s sold around the world, there's not as much interest when one of them crashes. Unless of course, it's the first or one of the first of a new series like the 991.

The owner of this brand-new 2012 Porsche 911 coupe had the unfortunate experience of being the first we've heard of to be involved in an accident when he met a Volvo V50 in the Netherlands.

If you're interested, you'll find more pictures in the video that follows below the break.

Sources Say GM wants to Acquire 5 Percent Stake in PSA Peugeot-Citroën as Alliance Talks Progress

A merger, a tie-up, an alliance or a collaboration, whatever you call it, at the end of the day, it all boils down to one thing: how well two automakers can work together in order to minimize costs and maximize profits.

As previously reported, General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen are discussing a “strategic alliance” in Europe that could prove beneficial for both companies.

GM would find a way to cut costs in its Opel and Vauxhall brands, which are bleeding cash for what seems like forever, while Peugeot and Citroen would use GM as a means to increase their volume and lessen their dependence on the troubled European market by expanding elsewhere.

SPIED: New Kia Cee'd Spawns an MPV to Take on the Citroen C4 Picasso and Ford C-MAX

The upcoming 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon will host the world premiere of the new generation Cee'd, which is Kia's entry in the oh-so popular European C-segment with competitors like the VW Golf and Toyota Auris.

However, the South Korean automaker's plans don't stop with the hatchback model as Kia has already begun testing a minivan version that will fight against the likes of the Renault Scenic.

Italdesign Giugiaro Video Teases New Prototype for the Geneva Motor Show

Italdesign-Giugiaro will join several other Italian design houses at the Geneva Motor Show including Bertone and Pininfarina with its own special concept model.

The famed Italian company, which last year ended up in the loving (?) arms of the almighty Volkswagen Group, hasn't really revealed much on the prototype vehicle it has in store for us.

"This is one of the most technologically advanced cars for human-machine interface and unique style," said Italdesign-Giugiaro in a short statement.

Acura Announces Prices for V6-powered 2013 RDX, Starts from $34,320*

The more mature 2013 Acura RDX crossover that was revealed alongside the new ILX compact sedan at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month will go on sale in the U.S. this spring with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $34,320, which does not include a destination charge of $885 (*) that puts the total to $35,205. Read more »

Um, You Dropped Something on the Road - Like a Couple of Kids...

Driving a minivan with passengers stowed in the cargo area is a stupid move in itself but doing it with the tailgate open is just criminal as you're asking for trouble.

And trouble is what these feloniously mindless parents got when two of the kids in the boot area…fell out of the Citroen Berlingo! Luckily, the van wasn't speeding and there was no vehicle following on from behind, so the two youngsters got up by themselves. Evidently shaken but not seriously hurt.

Feel free to check out the video after the jump.

China and U.S.A. are Key to Bentley’s Plan to Double its Sales

Despite the global crisis, last year Bentley increased its sales by 30 percent compared to 2010, yet the VW Group-owned luxury carmaker has even grander plans for the next five years.

While he is satisfied with the results so far, Bentley’s CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer wants his company to more than double its annual sales from today’s 7,000 units to 15,000 in 2017. Duerheimer told Automotive News Europe that he counts on China and the recovering U.S. market to contribute a lot in that increase.

“We are currently experiencing a boom in China, where our sales almost doubled to 1,839 vehicles in 2011”, said Duerheimer. “That made China Bentley’s second-largest single market. It will likely advance into the number one spot this year”, he added.

Subaru Refines 2012 Legacy Tourer in the UK, gets More Fuel Efficient Boxer Diesel

Subaru has launched an updated version of its load lugging Legacy Tourer in the United Kingdom. The 2012 model has received a number of technical enhancements highlighted by the presentation of a revised diesel engine and select equipment upgrades.

The most important change for 2012 is of course the fitment of a tweaked 2.0-liter flat-four turbo diesel engine, which is Euro 5-compliant and features a more efficient turbocharger, and new exhaust-camshaft timing and lighter connecting rods. It also gets a new oxidation catalytic converters and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

Chinese Government Scraps All Foreign Brands from its New Car Buying List

It's customary for state officials of a car-producing nation to prefer local manufacturers for their transportation needs.

For example, German dignitaries will mostly be seen on TV stepping out of a Mercedes, BMW or Audi; their British counterparts choose brands like Jaguar, the French, large Peugeots or Renaults and so on.

It's also natural to promote their domestic products, though we haven't heard of any law specifically prohibiting the purchase of certain brands for all government agencies. Until now, that is.

Surprise! New Kia K9 RWD Flagship Sedan Filmed Completely Uncovered

The brass over at Kia Motors was only ready for us to see a handful of teaser sketches of its soon-to-be released, rear-wheel drive flagship sedan codenamed "KH", which most of you may know as the K9.

Of course, our spies were also able to snag some shots of a camouflaged prototype, but now, we have two videos of the actual production model without a hint of disguise, spotted on the road.

The two clips, which were probably filmed in South Korea (maybe our readers can help out here), reveal the K9 in all its glory - albeit in low-quality footage.

Kia hasn't published a lot of details yet, but it is reasonable to believe that the KH will share its platform architecture and mechanical hardware with the Hyundai Genesis. This means it could be offered with the same 3.8-liter V6, and 4.6-liter and 5.0-liter V8 engines as its Hyundai counterpart.

Another Live Photo of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept

Carscoop reader Richard G. just dropped this picture of Land Rover's Range Rover Evoque Convertible into our mailbox.

This is the first time we see the British firm's study with its fabric top in the up position as both Land Rover's official images as well as the single photo of the car spotted by a Twitter user on the streets of London over the weekend, depicted the Evoque Convertible with its roof open.

New Volvo V40 Five-Door Hatch gets its Video Debut as Well

The news on Volvo's fresh entry in the premium compact hatchback segment just keeps dropping in.

After a boatload of photos were spilled onto the internet this weekend, we now have the first official promo video of the new V40, which will make its world premiere at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

You can watch the short clip in the video right after the break.

Nissan Reveals New Almera Sedan for Russia, goes on Sale Next Year

The Almera nameplate is set to make a return to Nissan's lineup as a compact-sized sedan model, which the company says has been developed exclusively for Russia and will be manufactured locally in Togliatti on an all-new production line starting from early next year.

According to the Japanese automaker, Nissan engineering teams in Japan, the UK and Russia developed the new Almera.

However, the single photo released by Nissan, suggests otherwise as the new Almera appears to be based on the second generation of the Japanese market Bluebird Sylphy that uses Nissan's B-platform and which was introduced in the country back in 2005.

Tesla Fails Again in its Libel Suit Against Top Gear for Roadster Test

Back in December of 2008, Top Gear tested the Tesla Roadster. The Elise-based electric sports car was panned on almost every respect, from its abysmal range and overheating engine to the failed brakes.

Last March, Tesla filed a libel suit against BBC’s TV car show, claiming that the whole test was “staged” and demanded that the channel stop airing the episode while also asking for a compensation for damages.

After its first court case was dismissed in October of 2011, Tesla modified its lawsuit and gave it another shot. Unfortunately for Tesla, the lawsuit was dismissed by Mr Justice Tugendhat.

Our Spies Capture a Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster Prototype

It's no secret that the next step for Lamborghini is the presentation of a roadster version of its new Aventador LP700-4 supercar and our scoop photographers have just landed the first shots of a camouflaged prototype testing in northern Sweden.

The said test car was fitted with fake roof parts to conceal the fact that it is the roadster model, but a close look at the pictures reveals that there's something different about the top of this Aventador.

Our spies tell us that the removable top looked like it was made out of carbon fiber instead of the cloth top found on the Murcielago Roadster.

The Roadster version of the Aventador LP700-4 is expected to be slightly heavier than the coupe iteration due to the necessary strengthening of the chassis to compensate for the loss of the roof.

Nissan to Tease Next Generation X-Trail with Hi-Cross Concept at the Geneva Motor Show

As the auto industry gears up for the rapidly approaching 82nd Geneva International Auto Show, Nissan released a single teaser photo and video footage of a new concept model called the Hi-Cross.

For now, the Japanese company is only willing to tell us that the Hi-Cross demonstrates how it is "exploring ideas to expand" its crossover lineup.

However, sources state that the Hi-Cross is a concept model for a new D-segment crossover that will replace the more rugged X-Trail SUV, following in the footsteps of the B-segment Juke and C-segment Qashqai, both of which have proved to be a success for Nissan.

Pininfarina Cambiano Concept is a Classic GT Coupe on One Side, a Saloon on the Other

The first official photos of Pininfarina's Cambiano concept car are out in the open ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show thanks to the folks over at Italian car magazine Quattroruote.

When Pininfarina first announced the Cambiano, it made word of a sedan model but the teaser pictures that followed clearly showed a two-door coupe. As it turns out, the Cambiano study is both a coupe and a sports sedan.

To elaborate, on the driver's side, the concept has one large door while on the passenger's side Pininfarina opted for a suicide door solution and also eliminated the center pillar to afford better entry and exit to all seating positions.

Watch More than 40 Nissan GT-Rs Roam the Streets of Singapore

If you like the hissing and grunting sounds of a Nissan GT-R's 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6, then we're pretty sure that you are going to love these two videos from Singapore showing a convoy consisting of more than 40 (!) Godzillas traveling together on the road.

The drivers are members of the Nissan GTR Owner's clubs in Singapore and Malaysia and they were heading up from the Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore to Dempsey Hill for a special meeting.

Drive through the break to watch both videos.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept Caught on the Road

Land Rover only just released official images of its conceptual Range Rover Evoque Convertible on Friday, but we already have the first sighting of the drop-top crossover on the road, courtesy of Twitter user Simon Truscott who captured the car on the streets of London yesterday morning.

The British company said it would display the Range Rover Evoque study at the Geneva Auto Salon in March to explore the potential for a production version, which if approved, wouldn't take too long to develop and reach showrooms.

Audi Quattro Action Team helps Bulgarian Drivers in the Snow

As we've seen in the past, there are many non-traditional ways to promote your brand or a product.

Audi Bulgaria and local advertising agency "Noble Graphics Creative Studio" came up with an idea to promote the brand's quattro all-wheel drive system by lending a helping hand to those in need during the heavy snowfalls experienced in the country this winter.

The company sent out the "Audi quattro Action" team comprising four men to assist any Bulgarian drivers that were stuck in the snow. You can watch the short clip in the video after the break.

New Photos of 2013 Volvo V40 Hit the Web, Including First Shots of the Interior

There's no end to the flow of official images of the new Volvo V40 hatchback. Following on from a pair of pictures we shared with you last Wednesday, we now have a new set with 16 high-resolution shots affording us the most comprehensive look at the V40 to date.

On the outside, as we noted before, the new five-door compact model adopts the Swedish firm's design DNA with a shape that brings to mind Volvo's crossover models like the XC60 and XC90.

The latest batch of images includes the very first pictures of the new V40's interior. While you still get the feeling that it's a Volvo from details like the shape of the center console and the air-conditioning and audio system controls, the Swedish brand's designers added a rather futuristic looking instrument panel into the mix.

Spy Shots: BMW's Answer to the Audi A5 Sportback is the 3-Series Gran Turismo

You just got to hand it to die Deutschen for their imagination and über clever marketing tactics.

What Japanese carmakers simply called liftbacks and the French didn't even bother naming differently as most of their family cars featured a sloping tailgate anyway (Citroen BX, Renault 25 etc.), the Germans came up with all sorts of fancy names.

For example, Audi calls its five-door vehicles with a top-hinged liftgate "Sportback" while BMW went one-step further baptizing its own lineup with the sporty sounding "Gran Turismo" moniker, which is a smart move if you think about it. I mean, would you be interested in a car called the 3-Series Liftback GLi?

Porsche 911 GT3 RS Door Bursts Out Flying During Race

We're not saying it doesn't happen, but it's not that often you see a door coming off a car during a race without the vehicle coming in contact with another racer.

One such incident took place at last weekend's Losail International Race Days in Doha, which is Qatar's largest city, when race driver Rob Frijns bid farewell to the door of his Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

It looks amusing until the video switches to the dash-cam view of the driver following behind. As you can see, this could have easily turned very ugly…

Infiniti's Sexy-Looking Emerg-E Supercar Breaks Cover, See the First Official Photos

If you weren't content with the patent images of Infiniti's new supercar concept that we showed you earlier this month, you'll be happy to know that the first official pictures of the study…emerged on the internet today, less than two weeks before its public debut at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon.

We will admit that we weren't exactly wowed by the patent renderings, but our opinion change after we laid eyes on the real photos of Infiniti Emerg-E concept.

The Japanese premium brand's study is an impressive looking supercar with what we could even dare to describe as an Italian finesse in its styling. Of course, you'll find Infiniti's latest styling cues such as the pinched rear quarter window and the bulbous front grille, but it all works out nicely.

Infiniti has said that the Emerg-E will be propelled by a mid-mounted range-extender drivetrain comprising an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.

Cold embrace...

Just heard the new/recent single Tæt På En Kold Favn by Lise Westzynthius on the radio. Wow. Just wow! Sad, dreamy and beautiful. What an incredibly cool way to start the weekend!

TÆT PÅ EN KOLD FAVN by Lise Westzynthius

18-wheeler Flips Over and Squashes Chevy Cruze, Driver Makes it Out Injured but Alive

A male driver of a rental Chevrolet Cruze was involved in what can only be described as a nightmare scenario for any road user when an 18-wheeler truck loaded with cardboard boxes flipped on its side and landed on top of the compact sedan.

The accident took place in the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway in Texas in the late morning hours of Thursday.

The large rig also knocked over the concrete center barrier and hit another vehicle, a black Volkswagen Touareg, hurling it over the median and onto the other side of the road.

HKS Dyno-Tests Toyota 86 Drift Racer, Prepares New Tuning Lineup that Includes a Supercharger

Famed aftermarket and motorsport specialist HKS has released a new video of the Toyota 86 race car it is working on to participate in the 2012 season of Japan's D1 Grand Prix production car drifting competition. The new clip shows the 86 being tested on the dyno.

As well as the motorsports version of the 86, which you should know by now is a sister model to the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive coupes, the Japanese company is also preparing a raft of tuning parts for the production model.

Melkus Presents New RS2000 Black Edition, Priced at a Hefty €149,900

If you've never heard the name Melkus before, we won't blame you. The German company founded by race driver Heinz Melkus started building racing and sports cars in the mid-1950s before closing shop in 1986 only to reopen again in the 1990s by Heinz's son Peter.

Currently, the company's sole model is the RS2000, the range of which is being expanded with the addition of the new Black Edition variant.

There's no prize for guessing where it's name comes from. We'll just note that according to Melkus, this is no ordinary black paint job but a special black lacquer finish that requires six layers with each layer being sanded separately. The exterior upgrades also include a carbon-fiber bodykit.

Marchionne Says Fiat May Close Two Italian Plants if U.S. Export Plans Fail

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne may have succeeded in signing a deal with the Italian worker unions, yet decreasing demand in the struggling European market may still force him to take extreme measures.

And while Marchionne does not expect the situation in Europe to improve “at least until 2014", on the other side of the pond, he said that Chrysler's plants are already at full capacity, necessitating imports from the group’s factories in Canada, Mexico or Europe to satisfy a third of U.S. demand.

Therefore, as he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, it’s a perfect opportunity for Fiat’s Italian plants to increase their production and make up for the drop in local demand by exporting models to the States.

How to Turn a Beaten up Chevrolet Chevelle into a Respectable Ride in Less than Six Hours

Granted, no one is expecting miracles in less than six hours when you're working on a beater 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle you just picked up from Craigslist, but Doug Glad and the Car Craft crew proved that that it is possible to turn it into what they describe as a "respectable street machine" in this new episode of Hot Road Unlimited.

You can watch the video for yourself right after the break.

Mazda3 Facelift on Sale in the UK with Prices Starting from £13,495

Mazda has released UK pricing for its updated compact hatchback that's available for orders now. The 2012 Mazda3 starts from £13,495 for the 1.6 TS model, however, the price includes a special £2,300 saving that ends on March 31. The regular OTR price will then be £14,795.

The revised five-door Mazda3 has improved aerodynamics (Cd 0.29) and is distinguished on the outside by the tweaked front fascia, new rear bumper and twist-spoke alloy wheels.

F1-Inspired Lotus Evora GTE Special Edition Scooped Ahead of Geneva?

This past Wednesday, Lotus sent us an invitation to take part in the world premiere of a "special edition of a special edition" Evora at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The company's invitation noted that the car would be an F1-inspired version of the limited-edition Lotus Evora GTE first shown at the Frankfurt auto show last year. This

"We're launching a special edition of a special edition, and to make things extra special our Lotus F1 Team driver Kimi Raikkonen will be there to field questions. Now, it doesn’t get more special than that…," read the British automaker's invitation.

Lotus did not release any photos of the car leaving us more or less in the dark, but today, Patrick Garcia from French auto site Caradisiac, sent us these photos of an F1-themed Evora that he discovered at a parking lot during a trip to Jerez to cover the F1 pre-season testing earlier this month.

Tango for Two on Ice with Miss Subaru Impreza and Mr. UAZ Patriot

Classy but at the same time dramatic and seductive, the tango is an impressive dance that was born in the 19th century along the shores of the Rio de la Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, but has since spread throughout the world.

Nice, but what has the tango got to do with the automotive world, we hear you ask?

Well, not much, unless you have an extremely talented pair of drivers that can successfully recreate the dance steps using an older generation Subaru Impreza hatchback and a UAZ Patriot SUV as their partners. See how it turned in the video that follows.