Britain gets New Special Edition of 2012 Mitsubishi Shogun SUV

It has only been about two months since Mitsubishi launched the Shogun (known as the Pajero and Montero in other markets) in a mildly tweaked form for the 2012 model year in the UK, but the Japanese carmaker has already announced the presentation of a new special edition model called "Black" with enhanced exterior styling.

The name stems from the color of the styling details rather than the body itself which is available in a choice of five metallic hues including Frost White (solid), Cool Silver (metallic), Diamond Black (pearlescent), Orient Red (metallic) and Granite Brown (metallic).

Based on the current Shogun SG4 LWB that is powered by a 3.2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 197bhp and 441Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque, the Black Editions gains a satin black styling kit which includes black 20-inch alloy wheels, roof, spoiler, wing mirrors, grille and headlamp bezels, fog lamp surrounds, door handles and side steps.

Other standard features include a communication system with satellite navigation, parking camera and iPod connectivity, leather interior and auto lights and wipers.

The new 2012 Shogun Black Edition is available for order now with UK pricing set at £41,999, or £1,000 above the SG4 model.

Citroën Introduces New C3 Picasso Code Special Edition in the UK

British buyers of Citroën vehicles are no strangers to special edition models, which usually come with improved features and unique colors and trims. The same holds true for the new C3 Picasso Code that replaces the previous Blackcherry special edition. The Picasso Code is based on the best-selling model of the range, the diesel-powered HDi 90 manual VTR+ version that returns 61.4mpg UK (51.1mpg US or 4.6 lt/100km) on the combined cycle.
Customers can choose from four body colors: Polar White, Cherry Red, Belle Ile Blue and Thorium Grey.
The Belle Ile Blue and Cherry Red models come with a Polar White finish for the 17-inch wheels, side-rubbing strips and rear number plate surround, while the Polar White and Thorium Grey models swap the Polar White finish for a Cherry Red color.
Regardless of the exterior paint finish, all models get chrome lower bumper inserts, shiny black painted door handles with chrome inserts, Obsidian Black painted bumpers and door mirrors, longitudinal roof bars, shiny black vent surrounds and special carpet mats.
Other standard features include air conditioning, a Connecting Box (Bluetooth system with USB socket), curtain airbags and cruise control with speed limiter.
The C3 Picasso Code special edition carries an on-the-road price of £15,695, which is £300 more than the regular HDi 90 manual VTR+ version.

New Chrysler 200 Super S by Mopar Heads to the Detroit Auto Show

Joining the 2012 Dodge Charger Redline at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week will be a second Mopar creation, this time based on the Chrysler 200 sedan called the Super S.

There are two available kits that improve the Chrysler 200 sedan's looks and handling respectively and which can be ordered together.

"The Super S is Mopar's interpretation of the Chrysler 200," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. "The extensive list of high-quality Mopar parts enhances the performance and appearance of our Chrysler 200."

For Stage One, Mopar's team developed an appearance package that includes a large chin spoiler, satin chrome fog light trim, grille surround and mesh in the upper and lower grilles, new side sills, satin chrome belt moldings, black chrome "200" badges and gray or hyper black 18-inch "S" alloy wheels.

A new trunk lid spoiler along with a satin chrome light bar and a matte black lower diffuser with attached exhaust openings complete the more aggressive look.

While there aren't any upgrades for the engine, Stage Two adds a coil-over suspension that also lowers the ride height, along with a cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust system.

The Super S packages will be available for order in the U.S. this spring.

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2012 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Facelift Breaks Cover in Japan, Previews Global Model

Toyota has officially revealed a refreshed version of its Land Cruiser 200 or V8 (not to be confused with the smaller Land Cruiser / Prado) in its home market of Japan, with most changes expected to pass on the global variant as well. On the outside, the 2012 Land Cruiser 200 gains a boxier front bumper with new foglamps, redesigned headlamps with integrated LED strips on the lower side and a revamped front grille with chrome slats.
The new exterior mirrors with turning signals, along with the different tail lamp graphics and newly designed alloy wheels in sizes 18- and 20-in. complete the look.
Changes to the interior are limited to the graphics of the instrument panel, an improved TFT screen info placed between the two main gauges, and new colors and trim materials for the cabin.
On the technology front, Toyota has updated the Land Cruiser 200's Multi-Terrain Select system, which provides the ability to alter the settings of the traction control and ABS for different driving conditions, as well as the "Craw Control" feature that acts a bit like a cruise control for low-speed off-roading on difficult terrain.
The 2012 Land Cruiser 200 will continue to be offered in Japan with a single engine option, a 4.6-liter V8 delivering 318PS at 5,600 rpm and 460Nm (339.2 lb-ft) of peak torque at 3,400 rpm, linked to an automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
Local prices range from 4,400,000 yen (~US$56,500) for the five-passenger GX model to 6,300,000 yen (~US$80,900) for the top-of-the-line, eight-passenger ZX.
Along with the regular models, Toyota also offers two special packages for the JDM 2012 Land Cruiser 200, named "Luxury SUV" and "Urban Sports", both of which add a number of bespoke styling elements inside and out.
Toyota didn't say when it plans to introduce the facelifted Land Cruiser in other markets around the world, but buyers should expect to see it in dealerships sometime next year.

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Craftsman to Debut Cadillac of Lawn Tractors at Detroit Motor Show, Lutz Not Liking the Idea

Sure it has four wheels and runs on gasoline while also featuring some fancy amenities like cup-holders and power steering, but fact is the new Craftsman CTX lawn tractor series ain't the type of motorized vehicle you expect to see at an event like the 2012 North American International Auto Show [NAIAS] in Detroit.
Nevertheless, Sears Holdings Corp's Craftsman division has somehow convinced the organizers of the Detroit motor show to give them their own booth to debut the new CTX, which is the brand's premium line of lawn tractors with prices ranging from US$3,000 to US$6,500 (~€2,300 to €4,980).
"A lot of people, when they think about mowing, they think about using the tractor as a chore," Craftsman General Manager Kris Malkoski told reporters. "This is a premium tractor -- more of a luxury."
NAIAS spokesperson Joe Rohatynski told Reuters news that the deal with Craftsman is "purely a marketing partnership" and that its presence won't be rivaling the automakers on show with the brand's booth to be located in a concourse with other vendor such as History Channel and Hot Wheels.
However, former General Motors product czar Bob Lutz didn't like the idea of Craftsman gaining access to the show and wasn't afraid to voice his objections:
"It's an automobile show, stupid, not motorcycles or garden implements. What's next? Plumbing and bathroom fixtures? A Toto-toilet stand? An Art Van furniture stand?" Ouch…
Story References: Reuters

2012 Cadillac Escalade gets New Security Features to Prevent Thefts

In late August, General Motors announced that it is preparing a raft of upgrades to improve the security of its Cadillac Escalade for the 2012 model year. Today, GM released full details on the changes it has made and which the company claims will prevent the luxury SUV from a being a "pushover for push-away or towing thieves".
We'll remind you that a recent study from the Highway Loss Data Institute found that the Cadillac Escalade is more than six times as likely to be stolen by thieves compared to the average vehicle not only due to its popularity but also because it was easier to steal than other vehicles.
“The goal is to make the Escalade a very difficult target for thieves without any added inconvenience for customers,” said Bill Biondo, General Motors’ global leader for vehicle theft prevention. “The new systems work in the background and few people realize they are there, but they are strong added protections.”
The key security enhancements for the 2012 Escalade are listed below (from GM press release):

• PASS Key 3+, a sophisticated encryption system for the key, key cylinder and ignition system (Deters: Drive-away thefts)
• A more-robust steering column-lock system that makes it nearly impossible to maneuver the Escalade onto a flatbed. (Deters: “push-away” thefts)
• An available inclination sensor that sets off an alarm when the system senses an unwarranted change of the angle of the vehicle, such as would occur with towing, flat-bedding or lifting the vehicle. (Deters: towing, push-away, and wheel thefts)
• An available shock sensor intended to reduce content theft and push-away theft by sounding the alarm when the vehicle is “shocked,” such as by breaking window glass. (Deters: Property theft)
• An available new wheel lock system to help prevent the theft of Escalade’s wheels and tires.

GM says that along with these improvements, OnStar provides standard additional security with a remote ignition lock that can prevent the vehicle from starting if a break-in is detected, while if a thief manages to steal the SUV, it can remotely slow the vehicle down to help law enforcement in vehicle recovery.
“Combined, these technologies comprise one of the most-extensive sets of theft-deterrent measures available for this type of vehicle and meet or exceed security specifications among global vehicle security analysts,” said Biondo.
The Detroit automaker says that owners should also use some common sense when it comes to their vehicle following some simple rules:

Protecting Yourself Against Grand Theft Auto [From GM Press Release]

• Do not leave valuables unattended in unlocked cars, or in plain sight
• Park vehicles in well-lit areas or inside locked garages
• Don’t leave cars running with the keys in the ignition.
• Do not defeat the ignition/key cylinder immobilizers with aftermarket remote- start systems
• Always lock your vehicle with the key fob, which also sets the alarm system
• Use wheel locks with premium wheels
• Do not leave driver’s license, registration or insurance certificate in your car
• Purchase a vehicle with OnStar or the aftermarket OnStar FMV mirror, which will enable your vehicle to be tracked if stolen.

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2013 BMW M5 F10 with Twin-Turbo V8 Dyno-Tested: Does it Deliver What it Promises?

Manufacturer figures on vehicle performance are not always accurate. That’s why many road test editors prefer to verify the numbers on their own. Some of them even go as far as dyno-testing to see not only if the output figures match those announced by the manufacturer, but also what is the actual power that is transferred to the road and how much is lost on its way from the engine to the wheels.
The first independent dyno test of the brand new 2013 BMW M5 was conducted by PP Performance on a MAHA LPS 3000 dyno and was published by BimmerPost.
Does the twin-turbo V8 powerhouse that nests under the hood of the F10 M5 match the 570HP and 680Nm (502 lb-ft) promised by BMW?
You can check out the video and the full spec sheet after the jump to find out, while we've also added a second clip with said M5 accelerating from 0-300 km/h (0-186 mph).

VIDEO

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