Teased: 2013 Ford Escape configurator powers up, prices subject to change

Filed under: Car Buying , Crossover , Ford The configurator for the 2013 Ford Escape is live – or rather, a survey masquerading as a configurator. On the introductory page of small print, there are three crucial bits Ford wants you to know: that “the information on this site is for survey purposes only,” that “features and prices for the final 2013 Ford Escape will only become available when the vehicle goes on sale in 2012 and are subject to change,” and that “information on this site may change frequently, so don’t be surprised if things look different next time you visit.” Once you get past all that you can do a little bit of configurating, from the $22,470* base Escape to the $32,120* Titanium Escape with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost and all-wheel drive. Checking all five options boxes, the biggest price tag we could come up with was $36,595*, which got us treats like a full-leather interior, navigation and Class II trailer tow. Many have made comments on the styling of the new Escape, but we won’t be surprised if we see quite a few of these on the road.

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Teased: 2013 Ford Escape configurator powers up, prices subject to change

Video: Audi teases next Super Bowl spot

Filed under: Etc. , Marketing/Advertising , Videos , Audi We’ve entered a new age of advertising , friends. One where manufacturers gleefully shill for their own ads instead of actual products. We’ve seen it with the teaser as for the Volkswagen Super Bowl spot, and now Audi has jumped into the game

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Video: Audi teases next Super Bowl spot

Deep Dive: Mini’s Big Plans

Deep Dive: Mini’s Big Plans The third-generation Mini will spawn four new models. In early 2013, the Mini Paceman crossover coupe — the seventh and final body style of the current Mini — will arrive. Just six months later, the third-generation new Mini is set to debut.

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Deep Dive: Mini’s Big Plans

Report: Car and Driver Lightning Lap is back, throws two trucks into the mix [w/video]

Filed under: Videos , Comparisons Car and Driver is back with its annual Lightning Lap roundup for a sixth year, with 20 of the world’s best vehicles taking to Virginia International Raceway to lay down the quickest time around VIR’s 4.1-mile Grand West Course. Included in this year’s running is a suitably diverse spread of sports cars and sedans, ranging from the lowly Volkswagen Jetta GLI to the formidable Porsche Panamera Turbo S – a difference of 350 horsepower and over $168,000. And, just to add a bit more spice to the festivities, C/D introduced a new class (LLT) to include two trucks in the running: the BMW X5 M and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 . But what C/D gives, it taketh away.

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Report: Car and Driver Lightning Lap is back, throws two trucks into the mix [w/video]

Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 revealed

Nissan has released the first details about their upcoming GT-R NISMO GT3. It features a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine with at least 530 PS (390 kW / 523 hp).

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Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 revealed

Auctions: Barrett-Jackson 2012: Lockheed Lakester Custom Roadster

Filed under: Classics , Auctions In the sea of muscle cars and hot rods here at Barrett-Jackson , this streamlined chrome roadster really stood out as being truly unique. Constructed from the wing tip tank of a Lockheed Super Constellation airplane, the “Lockheed Lakester” is built to resemble a vintage salt flat racer and features a variety of aviation-sourced parts including gunner seats in the cockpit, a vintage airplane steering wheel and an air speed indicator instead of a speedometer. Powering the roadster is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder mated to a 5-speed manual. We had no idea what this type of car is worth given that there’s nothing really to compare it with, but there was plenty of interest in the vehicle and bidding quickly rose past the six figure mark, eventually resting at $170,000

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Auctions: Barrett-Jackson 2012: Lockheed Lakester Custom Roadster