Initially, Dodge will offer the new Scat Package performance upgrade kits for the 2014 Challenger, Charger and Dart beginning from spring next year at a "cost-effective price" – whatever that means.

For the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI-powered Challenger and Charger, there are three kits, with the first one adding an ECU, cold air-intake and cat-back exhaust, the second one pushing the power gains further with a camshaft, and finally, the third one that rounds out the package with performance ported and polished heads and hi-flow headers.

Owners of the 2.4-liter Dart GT will also have three options to choose from. The first stage kit includes a cold-air intake, short throw shifter and brakes with slotted rotors and performance pads. Go for the second stage and you get an ECU tune and a cat-back exhaust, while the third stage kit adds a big brake kit, and a sports suspension with adjustable springs and struts, plus different front and rear sway bars.

If you missed the classic shaker hood on the new Challenger, then there's good news for you with the release of new package sporting a fully functional Shaker hood with Mopar cold-air intake, conical air filter and optimized air box for "improved airflow and performance".

Dodge said that the Challenger R/T V8 Shaker also includes the Super Track Pak, with high-performance steering gear, brake linings and monotube shock absorbers, P245/45R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car three-season tires and three-mode electronic stability control (ESC) that can be fully deactivated for hooning or some tree hugging – Dodge didn't say that, we did.

Available as a $2,500 option on the Challenger R/T Classic, the 2014 Challenger R/T Shaker will land at Dodge dealerships in the first quarter of 2014 with pricing starting at $36,995 (excluding destination and handling), or $37,495 if you choose the custom hood-to-tail stripes.

Revealed next to the Shaker model is the new Mopar 14' Challenger of which only 100 examples will be built, making it the rarest limited production version of the series to date. While the SEMA car is finished in Bright White, the Mopar edition will also be offered with a Gloss Black exterior finish, both with a "Shaker style" stripe in "Mopar Blue" as standard, or optionally, with a choice of two different stripes.

The Mopar 14' comes with the new Shaker hood in a satin black finish sitting on top of the standard 5.7-liter V8 Hemi, while other special extras include the gloss black 20-inch wheels, and gloss black exterior trims and accents. Inside, there's a serialized instrument panel plaque, sport seats in black Nappa leather with blue accent threads, which also make their appearance on the pistol-grip shifter boot and three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Other goodies included in the package are a custom-crafted personalized owner's manual, "Mopar" branded key fobs and Mopar '14 memorabilia. Prices were not announced.

For a visual take on the above models and several other Chrysler Group cars displayed at the SEMA Show, head below the break for the comprehensive gallery.

Michigan-based custom builder Ice 9 Group worked with designers from Ford and Hot Wheels to materialize the concept that's powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder.

The sporty looking van's body has been widened 4 inches in front and 6 inches at the rear while also gaining functional custom exhaust ports on either side, gullwing doors instead of sliding doors, new front fascia and bumpers inspired by Focus RS, and custom two-tone 20-inch wheels.

Plenty of modifications can be found inside as well, not only up front with the Recaro bucket seats from the Focus ST, but especially at the back where there's a secondary floor installed covering a set of drawers for tool storage, a 55-inch television screen positioned behind the front seats, and two 18-inch tablets and installed in the rear door.

"The idea was to create a race-inspired support vehicle for the average guy to spend a weekend at the track testing his Hot Wheels race car," said Felix Holst, vice president of creative for Mattel Wheels Division.

"The Hot Wheels Transit Connect features an entirely custom, euro-look wide body kit, Rotiform ROC wheels, sleeping quarters and tool storage for living the dream that most of us had playing with Hot Wheels as a child," Holst added. "It even has slide-out drawers to keep your favorite Hot Wheels cars with you at all times."

While you won't be able to buy the real-life size Hot Wheels Transit Connect, you will have the chance to acquire a 1:64 die-cast scale model of the concept in fall of 2014.

We just received an intriguing email from one of Dodge's partners informing us about a "big announcement" from the brand at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas today.

Here's what Dodge says: "We'll be holding our SEMA press conference later today at 4:40 p.m. PST (7:40pm EST) and you Dodge fans will be smiling ear-to-ear and clamoring for more details when you hear what our Dodge Brand CEO, Tim Kuniskis, is going to reveal."

To help (…or complicate) things, we also have this picture of the surprise car hidden underneath some black covers at Mopar's stand.

We've heard some people say that your first guess is the most likely to be right one, so here goes: the outline of rear end reminds us of a Dodge Challenger with a big spoiler/wing attached to the boot, so we're going to go with that.

Plus, we have heard that Dodge is actively working on some updates for the Challenger, including the use of a supercharged 6.4-liter HEMI V8 called the "Hellcat" for the SRT8. Could it be this car? Well, we'll soon find out, won't we…

In the meantime, tell us what you think is lurking beneath the black wraps in the comments.

The all-aluminum F-Type Coupe is the production variant of the very well received C-X16 concept and will join the existing Convertible model in Jaguar's range.

The two cars will likely share their engine range that currently comprises a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 in 335HP (340PS) and 375HP (380PS) outputs, and a 488HP (495PS) supercharged V8, all paired to an eight-speed automatic, though, there has been talk about an "R" flavored version with 542hp (550PS) V8 as well.

Jaguar officials have hinted at a more sportier character in terms of handling for the coupe model.

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, commented: "The excitement generated when we revealed the C-X16 concept was terrific; so to now be on the cusp of what I can assure you will be a drama-filled reveal event in Los Angeles for F-TYPE Coupé is a very significant moment.

"We've been overwhelmed by the positive reaction to F-TYPE Convertible, but for me the purity of creating a sports Coupé is a uniquely satisfying process – and I know that both visually and dynamically, F-TYPE Coupé raises the bar yet again."

The Leaf took the number one spot in Norway's passenger car sales chart for the first time in October, regardless of powertrain type or market segment. Nissan Leaf accounted for almost 6 percent of the total passenger vehicle market in Norway last month.

The Leaf is also Norway's fourth best-selling car in 2013 so far, with over 3 percent of the market. "We have had incredibly strong sales this year in Norway and with the introduction of the new Nissan Leaf in the middle of 2013, we have seen that level not just maintained, but exceeded," said Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Nissan Europe Director of Electric Vehicles.

"We continue to be successful in the main Norwegian cities, but the majority of our growth is coming from rural areas, which shows is the breadth of the Nissan LEAF's appeal," he added. Nissan says the new Leaf better suits the Norwegian lifestyle with its increased boot capacity and the Nordic pack that includes a battery heater.

Norway is Europe's most developed market for electric vehicles, thanks to a package of incentives including zero percent VAT and zero road tax for electric vehicles.

By Dan Mihalascu

Now, Polyphony Digital, the developer working on the game for Sony, has released a new trailer, to keep the fans' appetites whetted. It keeps emphasis on the sheer number of cars that players are going to be given the chance to drive, even if not all of them will benefit from the same level of 3D craftsmanship and attention to detail.

It does look like close attention was paid to recreating the Lunar Roving Vehicle LEV-001, made in 1971, though with 1196 other vehicles to choose from, it's not the most exciting new addition. I for one would be much more interested to drive Nissan's narrow DeltaWing racing car, one of the 124 vehicles newly created for , or, say, the very pretty 1957 BMW 507.

Check out the complete list below (along with 53 photos), but be warned because there may be more added as it is "one part of the cars planned for inclusion, and is subject to change".

By Andrei Nedelea

The SUV set the fastest time for a land vehicle crossing of the "Empty Quarter", the largest sand desert in the world and the second largest desert overall after the Sahara.

Land Rover's team completed the journey from Wadi Adda Wasir in Saudi Arabia to the border of the United Arab Emirates in 10 hours and 22 minutes at an average speed of 51.87 mph (81.87 km/h), covering a distance of 849 km (527 miles) on a route dictated by the conditions on the ground.

The record was made with a standard production new Range Rover Sport fitted with a 510PS 5.0-liter supercharged V8 petrol engine, riding on regular tyres. The only modification to the vehicle was the addition of an underbody protection plate.

Behind the wheel was Land Rover driver Moi Torrallardona, a 47 year-old Spanish off-road racer who has competed 10 consecutive years at the Dakar Rally, with a best finish of 6th overall.

"Desert driving requires a unique combination of speed, finesse and technical skill. It is crucial that you tackle the dunes with precision. Knowing the right time to go full throttle and the right time to slow down, takes experience and clear judgement," said Torrallardona.

"This unique way of driving requires a vehicle which has the same skillset - it must be both incredibly fast but also agile, responsive and well planted. The Range Rover Sport is exactly that. It is massively capable and is truly the best tool for conquering the desert," he added.

By Dan Mihalascu

The tank occupies the entire space behind the front seats and was designed by Animal Planet's "Tanked" co-stars Wayde King and Brett Raymer in partnership with Toyota and Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants".

More than 32 species populate the aquarium tank, which features a custom-built, complex filtration system including an overflow system, sterilizer, UV filter, temperature regulator and additional elements.

The SpongeBob theme carries throughout the interior details and the exterior wrap of the vehicle. The unusual Highlander will be featured in March 2014 in an episode of "Tanked" on Animal Planet.

Today, the Japanese brand also announced the winner of the 2013 Toyota Dream Build Challenge, which is the "Let's Go Moto Tundra", designed by Supercross stars Justin Brayton and Josh Grant with the help of Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross. The concept truck features an 8-foot (2,438-mm) rolling "pitlane", complete with TV screens, a power washer, spare parts and tools.

By Dan Mihalascu

Matthews told Al.com that there were some street dancers at the Hyundai dealership for a promotional event when Barzelay told one of the dancers, "Let me show you what I used to do in the day."

"At that point, I pulled out my phone, because I was expecting something bad," Matthews told the news site. "We had no idea he was going to break out and do what he did that day."

As of now, the original video has garnered some 267,000 views, but that number is expected to increase, along with Barzelay's fame, who we wouldn't be surprised if we saw him starring in an official Hyundai television spot in the very near future.

He was born on November 5, in 1893, in Paris, and began his active life in the design field in 1909. Now, 120 years later, Google is celebrating his life and activity with a unique Google Doodle showcasing a stylized interpretation of one of his streamlined steam engine designs.

However, while most know him as having designed Coca-Cola vending machines, the Greyhound bus, Lucky Strike cigarette pack, household appliances like the Sears Coldspot refrigerator and the aforementioned locomotives, he also had quite a lengthy collaboration with Studebaker. His partnership with them began in 1936, and one of the first things he did was to redesign the company logo, which had remained unchanged for the past 24 years.

Moreover, he was responsible (as head of design) for many of Studebaker's models launched immediately after the war, all of which exhibit his trademark style of placing lines together – he was one of the first to do away with bulging fenders, preferring to have them completely flush with the body, an idea which is still in use today.

Check out some of his automotive creations after the virtual jump.

By Andrei Nedelea

The big pictures from the custom lighting specialists at FlyRyde along with the owner's collection of videos that we soon unearthed, leave no doubts that this is the real Godzilla, albeit one with a few more pounds around the waist and more LEDs than a Tokyo billboard.

While many details remain vague, we did learn that the wide-body GT-R nicknamed Radzilla is heading towards the SEMA Show in Las Vegas for its presentation.

We'll try to find out more, but for now, perform the proverbial jump to check out the images and videos.

Photo Credits: FlyRyde and Rad_GT-R/Instagram

Three of the vehicles have been built by Galpin Auto Sports and LUX Motorwerks and feature premium audio components intended for live performance, while the others showcase musical lifestyles and trends. In detail:

Amped Soul
This Kia Soul has been fitted by Popular Mechanics with enormous JBL speakers. The car features JBL Pro Live sound equipment integrated into the rear-hinged doors, LED ambient lighting and four 12-inch Infinity power subwoofers. Design-wise, the Amped Soul features blacked out windows and a custom paint job. It rides on huge 22-inch Forgiato custom three-piece wheels and it has no B-pillar on the passenger side in order to make room for the club-sized stereo.

Vans Warped Tour Soul
The second Soul designed by Popular Mechanics is a tribute to the Vans Warped Tour. Featuring a full custom paint job inspired by the colors of the Vans Warped Tour, the car has custom-built fiberglass body panels replacing the side windows that house eight Infinity 8-inch speakers. There's also a 50-inch flat-panel monitor mounted atop the car with running footage from the tour itself. The Vans Warped Tour Soul also features a slide-out rear barbeque, a specially designed hood ornament, 20-inch wheels and LED ambient lighting.

DJ Booth Soul
As the name suggests, this Soul has been transformed into DJ booth on wheels by RIDES magazine. The car has no roof to give the DJ the ability to rise up and stand on a custom diamond-plated stage (which replaced the rear seats) and start spinning on the pro-grade Pioneer CDJs and mixer. It is painted in purple with turquoise accents, and comes with a lowered suspension while riding on 19-inch Rotiform BRU wheels. The Pioneer audio system includes five amplifiers, three component speakers, two 10-inch and two 12-inch Champion Series subwoofers, and a sound bar housing four coaxial speakers.

Music Memorabilia Soul
This unique Kia Soul is essentially a music museum on wheels created by RIDES magazine. It includes music memorabilia spanning rock, hip-hop and EDM history. Exhibits include a signed guitar from Slash, a G-Unit sneaker signed by 50 Cent, a Jimi Hendrix gold album and a signed John Legend microphone, all displayed in hand-built Plexiglas enclosures in the trunk, rear windows and rear hatch insert. 

The Voice Soul
This particular concept is dedicated to NBC's The Voice show and has been customized by RIDES magazine. It features a bright red airbrushed The Voice logo on the side, incorporating vinyl on the window portion, as well as the inspiring words "I Want You" illuminated in the lower grille, along with the LED puddle projectors. The 20-inch three-piece Niche Scope wheels match the vehicle's color, while the four replicated coaches' chairs are the highlight of the interior that features red leather, black suede and red stitching. It even comes with an iPad Mini connected to a 40-inch LED TV that allows aspiring singers to use the preloaded The Voice app and sing through the wireless microphone, amplified through Rockford Fosgate speakers in their fiberglass custom pods.

Alongside the Soul custom concepts, Kia is also displaying the refreshed 2014 Optima, plus the 2014 Forte Koup and 2014 Forte hatchback fitted with the 201hp four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

By Dan Mihalascu

The most colorful of the three is the ILX Street Performance that's wrapped in matte copper metallic and accented by matte charcoal metallic 3M Scotchprint 1080 film (a common theme among the group's SEMA cars as Honda did the same). It also features an aero kit, 19-inch TSW Max wheels, a lowered suspension and most importantly, a supercharger kit that bumps the 2.4-liter unit's output to 250 wheel-horsepower.

On a more serious note, the RLX Urban Luxury sports some discrete upgrades including a decklid spoiler, Silver 22-inch Niche wheels wrapped in 265/30ZR-22 Nitto Invo tires, and brushed metallic trims from, you guessed it, 3M.

If you're looking for a more louder version of the RLX, Acura has the VIP edition that brings a custom carbon fiber front bumper lip and vents, a modified rear bumper, 21-inch rims wrapped in 245/35ZR-21 rubber, a lowered suspension and fabricated exhaust system with titanium tips. No photos of the interior yet, but Acura said that the cabin is highlighted by "custom neck pillows wrapped in Jordan Brand-inspired elephant print [that] add luxury and style".

2014 Acura RLX VIP Sedan

Powertrain Modifications

• Custom Evasive Motorsports exhaust
  
• Quad titanium exhaust tips

Chassis/Suspension Modifications

• 21 x 9-inch (+35mm offset) AVS Model F15 wheels
  
• 245/35ZR-21 Continental ExtremeContact DW tires
  
• Prototype Tein Street Flex Coilovers
  
• Project Mu 4-piston big brake kit
  
• Project Mu NS400 brake pads
  
• Custom Evasive-spec brake rotors

Exterior Modifications

• Custom carbon fiber front chin spoiler
  
• Custom carbon fiber front bumper vents
  
• Chargespeed carbon fiber side skirts
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories deck lid spoiler
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories splash guard set
  
• Muteki SR48 Lugs
  
• S&A Design vinyl stickers
  
• Nano-Fusion paint protection film

Interior Modifications

• Custom Jordan Brand-inspired elephant print neck pillows

 

2014 Acura RLX Urban Luxury Sedan

Chassis/Suspension Modifications

• 22 x 9-inch Niche Apex-M125 silver & machined wheels
  
• 265/30ZR-22 Nitto Invo luxury sport performance tires
  
• MPG Custom satin black caliper covers

Exterior Modifications

• Acura Genuine Accessories deck lid spoiler.

Interior Modifications

• 3M 1080 Scotchprint wrap film series in brushed metallic - 1080-BR212

 

Acura Street Performance ILX

Powertrain Modifications

• CT Engineering supercharger kit
  
• CT Engineering intake
  
• Hondata FlashPro
  
• Greddy SP Elite prototype exhaust
  
• K&N high performance air filter
  
• AMSOIL Dominator motor oil

Chassis/Suspension Modifications

• 19 x 8.5 TSW Max matte black wheels
  
• 245/35R-19 Nitto NT05 Max tires
  
• Tein Super Street coilovers
  
• Stoptech Big Brake kit
  
• MPG custom satin black caliper covers

Exterior Modifications

• 3M 1080 Scotchprint wrap film: copper metallic 1080-M229 and charcoal metallic 1080-M211 installed by Paradise Moterwerks
  
• PIAA 9006 low beam and 9005 high beam Extreme White headlight bulbs. H11 fog lamps and Terra LED dome light bulbs.
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories front underbody spoiler
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories side underbody spoiler
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories rear underbody spoiler
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories deck lid spoiler
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories body side molding

Interior Modifications

• CT Engineering short-shift kit
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories illuminated door sill
  
• Acura Genuine Accessories trunk tray

These include the 2013 Civic Si Sedan Project with a lowered suspension, satin black racing stripes and 18-inch black alloy wheels, the MAD Industries 2013 Accord Sedan Project wrapped in a matte red metallic 3M Scotchprint 1080 Film and fitted with a number of upgraded components like the 20-inch rims, and the 2014 Civic Coupe EX-L equipped with a Honda Genuine Accessories aero kit and 18-inch wheels.

Also making its appearance on The Strip is the 133 mph Mean Mower developed by Honda UK – if you haven't see it in action, do check out the video from our previous post here.

You'll be able to tell it's the 2014MY from the coupe's re-styled front end featuring a busier grille treatment, new headlights, reworked bumper with different openings, plus new hood and fender designs. Additional changes include the new taillight lenses, redesigned rear bumper, new side mirrors and wheel designs.

The sportier Civic Si Coupe adds some more aggressive styling cues such as a bespoke lower front bumper garnish and apron, larger than before rear decklid spoiler, a different rear bumper with a diffuser, and larger 18-inch wheels.

Honda engineers also retuned the Si Coupe's exhaust system that boosts the 2.4-liter inline four's peak output by 4hp and maximum torque by 4 lb-ft for a total of 205-horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque respectively,

Honda did not mention any changes for the 2014 Civic Coupe's interior and chassis.

Named the 2014 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition, it is described by Toyota as "the toughest and most capable FJ ever". Only 2,500 units will be built at an as of yet, undisclosed price, with sales to start in February next year.

Like the original and iconic Land Cruiser FJ40 of the 1960's that inspired its design, the special edition sports a newly developed "Heritage Blue" paint combined with a unique white front grille surround.

Made for rugged off-roading, the Ultimate Edition comes with a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) off-road suspension that includes Bilstein race shocks with increased damping, articulation and high speed stability. Up front, there are 66mm front shock assemblies with new TRD race coil springs, while at the back, you'll find 50mm shocks equipped with remote reservoirs to decrease damping fade.

Also included in the package are a new front skid plate made from one-quarter-inch thick aluminum, TRD 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires, rock rails and roof rack.

Offered exclusively in 4x4, the Ultimate edition comes standard with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Crawl Control (CRAWL available with automatic transmission only), Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) with off switch and electronically controlled locking rear differential. 

[FROM TOYOTA PR]

FJ CRUISER ULTIMATE EDITION TRAIL TEAMS KEY FEATURES Performance and Exterior Features

• Unique white front grille surround and exclusive Monotone "Heritage Blue" paint
  
• Blacked out bumpers, exterior mirrors and door handles
  
• All-new TRD heavy duty one-quarter-inch thick aluminum front skid plate
  
• Sew Specially-developed off-road tuned TRD Bilstein front suspension and rear Bilstein shocks with remote reservoir
  
• Exterior FJ Trail Teams Badge
  
• Roof rack
  
• Rock rails
  
• TRD 16-inch Gunmetal bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires
  
• Rear wiper

Interior Convenience Features

• Stainless steel FJ Cruiser Ultimate Edition dash plaque
  
• Power outside mirrors with illuminated markers
  
• Privacy glass on rear side, quarter and rear door windows
  
• Cruise Control
  
• Leather-trimmed steering wheel
  
• Floating-ball Multi-information Display with inclinometer, Compass and outside temperature
  
• Remote keyless entry system
  
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated backup camera display
  
• One 115V/400W AC power outlet

"I told my guys, go back to Tesla and look for other opportunities to work together", said Bodo Uebber, Daimler's chief financial officer. "We want to look for more cooperation," he added.

Tesla is currently supplying electric motors and batteries to Daimler for its Smart ForTwo EV and the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive that will go on sale in 2014 in the U.S. and Europe. Uebber said Daimler could use more from Tesla, but didn't provide details. Daimler AG holds a 4.3 percent stake in Tesla, which also supplies EV components to Toyota.

Maybe Mercedes-Benz is feeling the pressure from BMW's new i sub-brand, which has rolled out two new electrified models, the i3 city car and the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

The B-Class Electric Drive is powered by an electric motor generating more than 100 kW (134 HP) and 310 Nm (228.6 lb-ft) of peak torque. It covers the 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in "considerably less than 10 seconds," according to Mercedes-Benz, and has a limited top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). Driving range is estimated at 200 km (115 miles).

The electric B-Class can be recharged at any standard household power socket, with charging time for a range of about 60 miles (96 km) standing at less than 2 hours at 240V/40A in the USA (1.5 hours at 400V in Europe).

By Dan Mihalascu

At a set of lights (about 45 seconds into the video), our energetic rider blasts off with a tail spin, but he didn't actually get away more than a few feet as his bike slipped and fell…on top of him.

In fact, he was trapped under the bike and several motorists had to jump out of their cars and get him out of this embarrassing situation. And no, he didn't learn anything. I think we'll be seeing him in the near future in another video…

For the month of October, they sold 186 percent more cars Stateside than they did last year, and this also helped their year to date figure, which currently stands testament to them having sold 29 percent more cars so far in 2013.

The news was commented on by Maserati North America President and CEO, Bob Graczyk, who stated the following:

"All-Wheel-Drive is a game changer for Maserati. Not only is it welcome in cold weather markets where this feature is appreciated, S Q4 also provides genuine Maserati performance with added excitement in markets where snow and ice are not an issue."

The boost in sales was also made possible by the expansion of their US dealer network, which currently has 77 locations scattered across the country. Moreover, the biggest climb in sales is yet to come, as the cheaper (and we say better looking) Ghibli is set to start arriving in showrooms this month – it too can be had with all-wheel drive, and the reviews have pegged it as being a very competent and fun to drive car. Its V6 engine also sounds very unique too…

By Andrei Nedelea

We discovered this manipulated photo circulating around a number of Japanese forums, which shows Yasuo Kajino, group manager in the Lexus Division Design Center, with a…pinched or as Lexus calls it, "spindle" style mouth-piece.

In an interview about the new ES sedan that was hosted on Lexus' own website and magazine, Kajino was asked what he thought were the most important exterior design changes in the new car, to which he had replied the following:

"One significant change is the adoption of the spindle grille, which was first used on the new GS. This enhances the emotional impact of the face, which is immediately identifiable as a Lexus and helps to strengthen the brand identity."

We have to ask; do you think people are overreacting with Lexus' pinched grille or do you agree with them? Do tell us below.

They feature a low-floor design, aimed at maximizing interior space to the extreme, giving all of the seven theoretical passengers lots of vertical room to… wave their arms around freely.

As you'd expect, the seating arrangement/layout is customizable, and it needs to be, for the kind of role these two vehicles are expected to fulfill.

Moving on to powertrains, Toyota will offer either a 2.0-liter petrol engine, or a hybrid variant that uses a smaller 1.8-liter unit. The latter has had the battery pack placed in such a way so as not to rob the interior of any extra space, even though it is not specifically explained how or where they put it.

If you take even a quick look at the four photos posted below, you will immediately realize that they're basically one and the same vehicle, differentiated by their front fascias, body kits, rims and rear lights.

Japanese buyers can expect to see them in showrooms in the first part of 2014.

By Andrei Nedelea

This the third year that GM is offering the COPO Camaro program and as with the previous two editions, only 69 race cars will be built for NHRA Stock Eliminator and Super Stock competition.

Customers will be able to choose from four different V8 powerplants, including a revised version of the naturally aspirated 427 cubic-inch (7.0-liters) unit, a 350 cubic-inch (5.7-liters) engine with a 2.9L Whipple screw-type supercharger, and the less dramatic, naturally aspirated 350 and 396 cubic-inch (6.5-liters) mills. Those who can afford it can also purchase all four engines, each serialized to match the car.

Besides the new front and rear ends, the 2014 model also includes new racing seats, updated graphics and a new, available wheel design.

All models come fitted with an NHRA-approved roll cage and other safety equipment, along with racing chassis and suspension components such as a unique solid rear axle system in place of a regular-production Camaro's independent rear axle.

"The COPO is helping sportsman racers around the country put the Chevrolet bowtie in the winner's circle and the 2014 cars will be even more competitive with the new engines," said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. "But the only way to get one of the new race cars is get your name on the COPO mailing list at chevroletperformance.com."

We should note that the car pictured here with the serial number 1 is the only 2014 Camaro COPO to be painted in an Ice Blue Metallic shade and it will be auctioned off by Chevrolet Performance at Barrett-Jackson's annual January event in Scottsdale, Arizona, with all proceeds to benefit the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans.

The JPN Taxi Concept measures 4,350 mm (171 inches) in length, 1,695 mm (66.7 inches) in width and 1,700 mm (67 inches) in height and has a wheelbase of 2,750 mm (108.2 inches), offering space for five passengers.

The concept features large electrically operated doors and a low, flat floor that ease access for passengers, particularly for children and seniors. Toyota says the open, roomy interior has been designed "to ensure ease-of-use at all times."

The design of the car features familiar taxi proportions and an electrically operated sliding door on the passenger-seat side. The interior includes a large monitor that provides information to passengers, such as the route to the destination and taxi fares. Air conditioning and lighting have been optimized to enhance the impression of space and comfort.

The JPN Taxi Concept is powered by a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) hybrid system optimized for taxi driving patterns. The vehicle has been developed according to the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's guidelines for taxis tailored to regional needs.

Toyota will also bring the Aqua G Sports concept to Tokyo, which has already been shown at the previous edition of Japan's most important auto show. The study was tuned by Gazoo Racing and previews a production model that will launch on the Japanese market in late November.

By Dan Mihalascu

And if that's not enough, the young woman in this video who was not wearing her seatbelt, was also fooling around with her phone and distracting the driver by taking pictures and placing the device in front of him.

Of course, it didn't take long for something bad to happen when the preoccupied driver veered off his lane / didn't pay attention on the road with a black SUV clipping off his exterior mirror – the couple should be extremely grateful that this was the only part clipped...

Here's hoping that they learned a very valuable lesson. Otherwise, our Russian dash-cam section awaits them…

At the 2013 edition of the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, it will host the Japanese market premiere of the study with a red twist, and by that, we mean the FT-86 Open concept sports a new "Flash Red" body hue borrowed from the coupe, along with a re-colored interior.

Also, unlike the white Geneva concept, it comes in a right-hand drive configuration and with an automatic, instead of a manual transmission.

Again, there's no mention of a production version of the soft-top four-seater, with Toyota reiterating its previous statement that the car was "created to explore future sports car variations".