2013 Toyota Auris Hatchback

In Japan, the Auris is available with a choice of two four-cylinder petrol engines. The base 1.5-liter unit produces 107hp (109PS) in the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and 103hp (105PS) when opted with AWD. This engine is linked exclusively to Toyota's Super CVT-i (Super Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent) and can be optionally combined with a fuel-saving Start/Stop system.

The larger 1.8-liter unit is available only with FWD and generates 140hp (143PS) in all trims expect the RS Grade that gets a sports exhaust system to lift output to 143hp (144PS). Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual and the Super CVT-i.

Those looking for a sportier appearance can opt for the Modellista variants that are fitted with a grounds effect kit and larger alloy wheels or choose from a selection of accessories from the firm's TRD shop.

Toyota said it has set a monthly sales target for Japan of 2,000 units with prices ranging from 1,710,000 Yen to 2,250,000 Yen (US$21,600-28,400 / €17,300-22,800).

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1960 Ferrari California 250 LWB Spider Competizione

The Ferrari California Spider alone is one of the most desirable Ferraris and sports cars in the world. This 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione, which belonged to the late Sherman Wolf, is an even more desirable model, as it is one of nine examples that boast an all-alloy body and a long wheelbase. That rarity is something that will drive this car to between the $7 and $9 million mark.

This sample was actually the first Ferrari that the famed collector owned, and made its way to Wolf after first being owned by George Reed. Wolf also ran this Ferrari in the first ever Colorado Grand, just adding more to its storied history.

On the mechanical side, this 1960 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione boasts full competition specifications. It has an outside plug motor that has TR heads resting on top of it, 4-wheel disc brakes, velocity stacks, and a ribbed gearbox to help keep it cool. The engine is a 2,953 cc V-12 with three Weber carbs mounted atop it and a 9.8-to-1 compression ratio. It punches out 280 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm.

The body is draped in a medium shade of red and was fully restored by Ferrari specialist, David Carte. The wheels are the factory-style wires and the headlights boast the full-racing covers to help add to the car’s aerodynamic look.

This 1960 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione is being offered up at the Pebble Beach Auction on August 18th and 19th, 2012 by Gooding & Company. It is one of four Ferraris owned by the Wolf estate that are up for auction in Pebble Beach.

UPDATE 08/20/2012: The Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione has just set a record at Monterey for all-time high price. The classic, drop-top sports car was auctioned off for a whopping $11,275,000! Someone really wanted that car!

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2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra with 850HP

To honor the man that gave his name to some of the most well known cars in the American industry, Ford Motor Company, Shelby American, Ford Racing and many others came together under the umbrella of "Friends of Carroll Shelby" to create a one-of-a-kind 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Cobra.

"Even at 89 years of age, Carroll was an inspiration to us all," says Ford’s group vice president for sales and marketing Jim Farley. "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original Shelby Cobra. The one-off car we have created represents the very idea he had about making the 2013 Shelby GT500 into a true Cobra."

The bespoke tribute car was unveiled today at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion where Cobra is the marque of show for 2012.

The team from "Friends of Carroll Shelby" used the standard 662-horsepower 2013 Shelby GT500 as a foundation with the improvements starting from under the hood and specifically through the use of a Ford Racing 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger that lifts output to a whopping 850-horses.

Other modifications and upgrades include the widened rear fenders housing 13-inch-wide wheels wrapped in 345-section high-performance tires, a specially designed hood, Shelby Wilwood brakes, and a Guardsman Blue finish for the body with Wimbledon White stripes.

During the reveal of the car in California, Ford announced that it is renaming a road at its Product Development Center in Dearborn, Michigan to "Carroll Shelby Way".

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BMW Zagato Roadster Concept

The BMW Zagato Roadster, which was constructed in just six weeks, certainly looks a lot like its fixed-roof sibling.

But that's not a bad thing as the aggressive, “three dimensional” (in Zagato talk) front end with the large air intakes, contoured hood with integral air scoops, the black A-pillars, the sculpted sides and the overall solid stance and minimal overhangs of the concept make for a muscular look.

"Our success in finishing the car in such a short space of time shows what is possible when two successful companies pool their resources," says Andrea Zagato.

"BMW is a high-achieving carmaker boasting a vast well of knowledge and technical capability in this area. When you combine that with our expertise in the creation of micro-series, everything is in place to produce a beautiful model like the BMW Zagato Roadster in double-quick time," he added.

Compared to the Coupe, the Roadster features a lower-slung rear end and an additional line which, BMW says, “forges a visual connection” between the sill and the rear apron and sets of the car’s rear-end nicely.

Of course, there is the issue of the roof – or more accurately, its absence. Instead of a folding hard top, like the standard Z4, BMW and Zagato have opted for a soft top. Mind you, despite being a roadster, it doesn't fail to incorporate the “doppia gobba” or twin roof domes that are a Zagato signature mark in the roof cover panel.

This being an open-top car, Zagato has designed a pair of roll bars for additional protection. “The low, dynamic roll-bars, inspired by an airplane wing, are an eye-catcher that makes the BMW Zagato Roadster recognizable from a distance”, says Zagato’s head of design, Norihiko Harada.

According to BMW, the grey paintwork makes the Roadster’s body look like it is wrapped in a cloak of liquid metal, as it changes from dark grey to light silver, depending on how it is lighted.

Unsurprisingly, the cabin is identical to the Coupe’s. The main difference is that instead of the fixed-roof version’s all-black interior, in the Roadster there’s a lot of brown leather starting from the door sills and extending to the top of the dashboard and behind the seats, including the roll-over bars.

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2013 Ford Mustang GT "Red Tail"

 2013 Ford Mustang Gt Coupe, the styling of which was inspired by World War II squadron of African American P-51 Mustang fighter airplanes.

The one-off creation will go under the hammer at the Gathering of Eagles charity auction on July 26 during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2012.

Ford said all proceeds will donated to the EAA Young Eagles program, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.6 million young participants since 1992.

The "Red Tails" 2013 Mustang GT is finished in unique polished aluminum nonproduction paint, accented with Race Red and School Bus Yellow, a theme which is consistent with the P-51 fighter plane’s red tail cues and the logos and markings of the United States Army Air Corps, 332nd Fighter Group and Squadrons.

The car rides on a black set of 20-inch alloy wheels with a silver rim wrapped in extra chunky rubber, while other highlights include the quad side exhaust pipes (in addition to the quad tailpipes from SVT at the back), the rear wing and a rear diffuser.

Inside, unique details include a modified navigation screen, instrument cluster, a pair Recaro seats with an embroidered “Red Tails” logo, the removal of the rear seat bench, floor mats embroidered with the 332nd Fighter Group moniker, and illuminated sill plates and puddle lamps that project “Red Tails” imagery when the doors open.

Under the sheetmetal, the Blue Oval upgraded the V8 with a Ford Racing 2.3-liter twin-screw Whipple supercharger, while also adding a handling pack and GT500 Brembo brakes.

"With this year’s beautiful ‘Red Tails’ edition Mustang, we’ve captured the recognizable symbols in honor of their important role in our history, and paired it with the innovation our Ford design and engineering teams build into all of our products," said Edsel B. Ford II, the great-grandson of Henry Ford and member of the FoMoCo board.

"Through this project," Ford added, "we take great pride in continuing our support for EAA and the Young Eagles organization."

The "Red Tails" edition of the 2013 Mustang GT joins four other one-of-a-kind Mustangs created by the Ford design and engineering teams for the EAA Young Eagles Auction over the past few years, including the 2008 Mustang AV8R inspired by the F-22 Raptor, the 2009 AV-X10 “Dearborn Doll”, the 2010 SR-71 “Blackbird” Mustang and last year’s 'Blue Angels' Mustang.

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