Scion invited us to its art gallery in Culver City, California last night, for a chance to preview part of the lineup it's bringing to SEMA this year. Parked out front was an xB that was transformed into a limo by Cartel Customs. The concept of a Scion xB limo sounds ridiculous, but in person it's ridiculously awesome. Rear suicide doors open to a comfortable environment outfitted with a large television, bar and wrap-around sofa. It's far cooler than your run-of-the-mill Town Car. The limo was just the beginning, though, because inside four more vehicles were waiting.

A Scion xB-turned-mobile DJ booth, which we had seen a year earlier at the 2009 SEMA show, was the perfect custom vehicle to see of the mood inside the Scion Gallery. Two sporty 2011 tCs were parked near each other, one by GReddy and the other by Crawford Performance, while another xB was parked across the room. This Scion xB is called the Salty Dog and it was customized by the U.S. Navy, as part of Scion's Battle of the Builds. The Marines, Army and Navy all put together cars and the winner will be crowned in Vegas.

This collection represents just a portion of what Scion has in store for us at SEMA. We have information on the entire product lineup they will be showcasing, as well as shots from the event and a gallery of all the cars for you after the jump.



Live photos copyright ©2010 Jeff Glucker / AOL
[Source: Scion]

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One of our favorite automotive-themed toys from our days as auto-obsessed ankle biters was the slot car track. It wasn't that watching scale-replicas of our favorite cars going around and around in circles was all that entertaining. Nor was it the skill required to keep your racer wheels-down for more than one lap. We just liked imagining what it would be like to drive a car at break-neck speeds held to the ground via the magic of magnets. It looks like we weren't the only ones with that fantasy.

Disney has released a video showing exactly what we can expect from the new Radiator Springs Racer attraction at its California Adventure theme park. That smiling car we saw earlier will dart around a life-size track, complete with high-banked turns and plenty of elevation changes. Even better, the video shows the ride building some pretty good speed, too. Disney says that the attraction is built on the same architecture as the Test Track ride at Epcot in Florida.

So, it may not be Cedar Point-rivaling speed or acceleration, let alone the 150-mile-per-hour Formula Rossa at Ferrari World. Still, sounds like fun to us. Hit the jump to see the video for yourself.

[Source: Motor World Hype]

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If you live in India, your list of available supercars to purchase just grew by one very fast model. Bugatti has announced it will begin selling its Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport there. Undeterred by the nation's 110-percent import tax, Bugatti is taking orders for the topless two-door, which will cost about 160 million rupees or $3.6 million USD. For reference, the same model would cost you about $2.24 million here in the United States or €1.6 million in places dealing with Euros. After receiving the orders, the cars will take six to eight months to be delivered

India is a blooming market for luxury goods manufacturers, and Ferrari plans to follow Bugatti by shipping over its California hardtop convertible sportscar. Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Land Rover are already selling in India... and selling quite well, as the number of Indian millionaires continues to grow.

If you do live in India, are in fact a multi-millionaire and are on the fence as to whether a Veyron belongs in your garage, we think you should re-read our First Drive of the Grand Sport. Case closed.



[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req'd]

A Stig who's identity isn't a secret? Why, that just won't do, will it? As you might expect, then, Top Gear presenters Clarkson, Hammond and May are hot on the trail of a replacement Stig, and they've apparently found just the place: a farm. And not just any farm... a farm where Stigs are cultivated, no less.

Clarkson has reportedly found a perfect candidate who will be unveiled at the Top Gear Live event at Earl's Court in London next week. It's not known whether this new Stiggy will be the final model used for the next series of episodes, leaving only one real question left that still needs answering: What color will the next Stig be?

We vote pink. Sabine, anyone?

[Source: The Sun via Jalopnik]

That was quick. Ford has issued a recall for a whopping 71 2011 Lincoln MKX and 2011 Ford Edge models due to rear latches that are unable to be locked. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the locks weren't programmed properly from the factory, and as such, the rear gate can't be locked by any of the buttons inside of the vehicle or even the key fob.

NHTSA says that the problem violates the agency's motor vehicle safety standard number 206 pertaining to locks and door retention components.

Ford will reprogram the locks free of charge, and the recall is set to get under way starting on November 1. Owners can contact Ford or the NHTSA to learn more about having their vehicles repaired.




Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright ©2010 AOL.
[Sources: NHTSA, Family Car Guide]

Lexus is descending on Las Vegas with a host of custom-built show cars just for SEMA. A total of six models will be on hand for the aftermarket shindig, including an F Sport version of the all-new CT200h. The hybrid rolls on 18x8-inch wheels and sports a high-performance big-brake kit straight from the company's go-fast catalog.

But the CT200h isn't the only hybrid Lexus will be bringing to the party. In fact, all of the customized rides that the company plans to display rock a battery pack and an electric motor. VIP Auto Salon worked up an HS250h with custom wheel, exhaust and interior work as well as a trick LS600h L, and 0-60 Magazine spun a few wrenches on a GS450h. That particular sedan rocks one of the wildest carbon-fiber body kits we've ever laid eyes on, as you can see above.

Meanwhile, Lexus set Fox Marketing loose on another LS600h L, resulting in a slightly more subdued vehicle with custom paint and a unique bumper. Finally, Paul Tolson of EST will be bringing along an RX450h with a full wide-body treatment. Hit the jump for the full press release and check out all the vehicles in high-res glory below.



[Source: Lexus]

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After showing off the Tacoma RTR Concept, we didn't think Toyota could find another way to toy with our emotions. We were wrong. Rob Kauffman, the owner of RK Collection and co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, has teamed up with Toyota Racing development to produce a street-legal, NASCAR-inspired high-performance Camry.

Those words don't seem like they should go together, but the parts list for the RK Collection Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition reads like the shopping list for a potential dream car. The most important piece of that list sits under the hood: a 358 cubic inch TRD NASCAR V8 engine producing 680 horsepower, which is paired with a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission.

It's as if Rob Kauffman was reading our dreams and then built the most exciting Camry on the planet. The RK Collection Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition will be waiting for our cameras (and our hearts) at the rapidly approaching SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Hit the jump for the press release.



[Source: Toyota]

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Suzuki has recalled almost 70,000 SX4 models, including a handful built in 2007 as well as those constructed between 2008 and 2010. The recall centers around faulty screws that are used to attach the vehicles' side view mirrors. Over time, vibrations can cause the screws to loosen and the mirror may fall off. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, if that happens, a lack of visibility may lead to an accident.

While Suzuki has not yet come up with a repair schedule for the issue, the company says that replacement screws are being shipped to dealers right now, and that the problem will be taken care of free of charge. Owners can contact their local Suzuki dealer for more information. Hit the jump for the company's statement on the recall.



Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright ©2010 AOL.
[Sources: NHTSA, Suzuki]

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We love it when automakers go through the trouble of releasing their own spy shots. Our spy photographer friends, however, could easily see this as their own hard work being done for them. In any case, what we have here is a brand new set of photos of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK testing in the Death Valley heat, prepping for its debut in 2011 (Geneva Motor Show, perhaps?).

One of the new features that Mercedes-Benz will debut on the 2012 SLK is its Magic Sky Control roof. This glass-paneled hardtop contraption can automatically be tinted to control how much light shines through the roof in an effort to keep the interior cooler on bright, sunny days when the top isn't down. We'd expect this sort of technology to make its way onto the Big Daddy SL roadster after the SLK's launch, and could even be used on side windows for the rest of Merc's product line.

Scroll through our image gallery below to see high-res shots of the SLK testing in Death Valley. Mercedes-Benz's prolific press release is available after the jump, as well.



[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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