Bentley is taking a proactive approach to its marketing as part of a battle of the ultra-luxury brands against the Maybach brand. The company is sending out letters to Maybach owners in attempts to take advantage of Maybach withdrawing to try and snatch up some of its clientele.

Famous figures such as Jay-Z, King Juan Carlos and Samuel L. Jackson should all be receiving the luxury notes, soon, as targeted high-profile Maybach owners.

Back in November, Daimler made it clear that it was on a quest to put the Maybach brand out of business. So far, Daimler says its efforts are starting to pay off, with many reaching out to the brand with negative feedback about their Maybach experience.

If Daimler doesn’t end up with the business, Rolls-Royce is certainly in a position to do so, as well. “They wanted something more exclusive than a Mercedes in the first place, so Rolls or Bentley would seem an obvious substitution,” said Michael Tyndall, an auto specialist with Barclays Capital in London.

The $380,000 starting price tag for the Maybach matches that of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, while the Bentley Mulsanne starts at $290,000 with technical extras.

Bentley may be offering up letters, factory tours and the promise of a 2015 SUV model, but Rolls-Royce says that the aggressive approach just doesn’t suit the brand’s style. While they of course welcome anyone seeking to acquire a Rolls or change brands, they don’t plan on following any warm leads anytime soon.

By: Alexandra Koken

Source AutoNews

Last year at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, Bret Michaels auctioned off his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro for a nice $220,000. He will return this year with a collection of three cars from his prized personal collection.

“We welcomed Bret to the Barrett-Jackson last year with the sale of his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We’re honored Bret is returning to the block to sell three more pieces of his personal collection.”

Michaels will be getting rid of his silver 2004 Bentley Continental GT, a 2004 Lincoln Navigator which was features on his VH1 show ‘Rock of Love’ and a 2011 Ford Explorer that was feature on his show “Life as I Know it.”

Michaels will also perform on stage at the prove Barrett-Jackson Opening Gala.

- By: Omar Rana

The Fast & Furious epic of vehicular drama is continuing full throttle with the upcoming sixth and seventh both being filmed at the same time.

Film number six has not even begun filming yet, but with complex story line and a growing cast, screen writer Chris Morgan ended up with a 110 page script that, according to main character Vin Diesel, the studio said simply wasn’t going to work in just one movie.

“With the success of this last one,” Diesel told The Hollywood Reporter during a photo shoot, “and the inclusion of so many characters, and the broadening of scope, when we were sitting down to figure out what would fit into the real estate of number six, we didn’t have enough space.”

After pulling down $626 million worldwide at the box office with number 5, there is no surprise that everyone involved in the project has no problem rushing forward. Both sequels may be filmed simultaneously, keeping director Justin Lin on the project, along with signing all the actors up for both six and seven. This should help keep costs down, and with these high-grossing films continually rolling into theatres, bet on seeing even bigger better action, and hotter cars.

The bonus here is that there are whispers that the Autobahn could be making an appearance in the upcoming films, with shooting in Germany. Expect to see Fast & Furious 6 in theatres by May 2013, and the seventh hitting theatres as soon as 2014.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Famous skateboarder and MTV-reality star Rob Dyrdek is known for doing some pretty crazy things. Adding to his list of crazy stunts, Dyrdek recently kick-flipped the new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic.

A kick flip – a 360-degree rotation in mid-air – is a common stunt on a skateboard – but Dyrdek didn’t want to just leave the stunt there.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Sonic.

“A kick flip with a Chevy Sonic was a no-brainer,” said Dyrdek. “I am a Chevy guy from my ’69 Camaro to the Tahoe I drive every day. The Sonic’s power and sportiness made it the perfect vehicle for this awesome stunt.”

The stunt was performed before spectators at Six Flags Magic Mountain, while MTV filmed the feat for the Season 5 premiere of Fantasy Factory.

Check out our Top 10 things you need to know about the Chevrolet Sonic.

Check out the video after the jump.

Refresher: The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is available in a sedan and hatchback variant. The standard engine on the 2012 Sonic is a 1.8L DOHC inline 4-cylinder unit making 135-hp and 125 lb-ft of torque, while an optional 138-hp 1.4L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder is also available. Prices start at $14,495 for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LS Sedan ($15,395 for the Chevrolet Sonic LS Hatchback), which is powered by a 1.8L Ecotec making 128-hp. Prices top out at $17,295 for the LTZ Sedan and $17,995 for the LTZ Hatchback. Prices start at $14,495.

- By: Omar Rana

Bryan Williams, better known by his stage name Birdman or Baby, is the CEO and co-founder of Cash Money Records. Birdman is know for two things – screaming ‘YMCMB’ and buying very exotic supercars.

Last we heard Birdman had added a nice red Bugatti Veyron to his collection along with an $8 million Maybach Excelro coupe that he apparently didn’t make all the payments for. He also owns a $1.5 million Maybach Landaulet.

Click here for more news on the Lamborghini Aventador.

According to reports, Birdman has just ordered the new 2012 Lamborghini Aventador for $755,000. Why so much? We’re guessing he either wanted it before everyone else or has done some crazy upgrades to the ‘standard’ model.

Either way, Birdman, we hope you complete the payments on this one.

Refresher: The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 will be powered by a 6.5L V12 engine making 690-hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. Mated to the company’s new ISR (Independent Shifting Rod) 7-speed transmission, 0 to 60 mph will come in 2.9 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph. The Aventador is an all-wheel-drive supercar courtesy of Lamborghini’s Haldex 4-wheel drive system. Prices for the Lamborghini Aventador start at $387,000.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Celebrity Cars Blog

On December 21, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol will hit theaters in the United States. BMW will have a range of new vehicles featured throughout the movie including the Vision EfficientDynamics i8 concept and the BMW 6 Series Convertible, which are driven by Tom Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt.

To coincide with the movie, BMW has launched a global Mission: Impossible-themed marketing campaign dubbed ‘Mission to Drive’ leading up to the film’s premiere.

The incentive will offer credit of up to $2,500 on select models at the BMW Mission to Drive Sales Event. The offer will self-destruct January 3, 2012.

Check out more details here.

Hit the jump for a video about the incentive.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: BMW

Steve Jobs, who passed away earlier this month, was a man that loved to live by his rules. Despite his innovative creations at Apple, Jobs liked to leave certain things in his life the way they were – such as his famous black turtleneck, jeans and New Balance sneakers. Apparently, the same went for Jobs’ ride.

Jobs became well know for being seen driving a silver Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG with no license plates. Rumor had it that Jobs didn’t care about paying the fines or had obtained a special permit to drive without displaying a number. But that’s not the case.

A former Apple executive told iTWire.com that Jobs found a loophole in California vehicle law to legally drive without license plates. What loophole? In California, an owner of a vehicle is exempt from displaying a plate during the first six months of ownership.

Jobs struck a deal with a leasing agency and dealer that would allow him to trade in his silver Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG before the deadline, ensuring he wouldn’t break the law. Every 6 months, Jobs would receive an identical new silver SL55 sports car.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: iTWire

Not all producers appreciate their actors. But as Johnny Depp recently finished The Rum Diaries, producer Graham King handed Depp the keys to the red ‘59 Corvette used in the film. This isn’t a form of payment, but rather a token of appreciation given to someone who certainly could afford to purchase several ‘59 Corvettes. King said that Depp was “pretty blown away by it.”

Depp plays a journalist who has escaped New York City for Puerto Rico, attempting journalism in a different climate. Depp can be seen driving the car in the film with actress Amber Heard riding shotgun, as depicted in the film’s trailer.

The Rum Diary opens in theatres October 28 of this year.

Follow the jump for the trailer.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: Corvette Blogger

According to rumors Kim had bought herself a Ferrari as a wedding gift. Now we’re not sure whether Kim bought the car for her new husband Kris Humphries or she purchased it for herself – all we know is she picked up her white Ferrari 458 from Platinum Motorsport last night.

Click here for more news on the Ferrari 458 Italia.

Refresher: Power for the Ferrari 458 Italia comes from a mid-rear mounted 4.5L V8 producing 570-hp at 9,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 398 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm. Mated to a dual-clutch 7-speed F1 gearbox, 0 to 62 mph comes in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of over 202 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Celebrity Cars Blog

Mercedes-Benz has yet to drop pricing on the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster but we expect to be well over $200,000 that of the coupe.

Click here for more news on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Check out the high-res gallery by clicking on the thumbnails above.

Refresher: Power for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster comes from the 6.3L V8 front-mid engine making 563-hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle transmission and a sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones. The Adaptive AMG Sport Suspension with electronically controlled damping is available as an option and allows the damping characteristics to be modified at the touch of a button. Using the AMG DRIVE UNIT, the driver is allowed to pick from three different suspension modes including Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. The fabric soft-top of the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster opens and closes in just 11 seconds and can be operated on the move at speeds of up to 31 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

A so-called media family media watchdog activist group is calling on some action against Chrysler. Apparently one of the Auburn Hills brand’s commercial campaigns have been causing concern because they’re being shown during NBC’s “The Playboy Club.”

“Members are being asked to call, send letters and, in the case of Chrysler/Dodge, make personal visits to dealerships,” the activist group announced today.

On contrary to its name, the new show is limited in its sexual exposure and is more of an attempt to capture a particular interest in the 1960s, something that AMC’s “Mad Men” has seen success from. Either way, because Chrysler advertises cars for families and younger generations like the Dodge Journey, the Fiat 500, and the Chrysler, the activist group found controversial to when the Chrysler ads were airing.

And to make things more interesting, NBC’s Salt Lake City affiliate, which is owned by the Mormon Church, apparently has chosen not to air the show at all. Oh c’mon.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: USAToday

We’re not usually the sort of news outfit that reports on Hollywood. But when cars are involved, we pay some attention. So as for this bit of news, word is from TMZ.com (ugh) is that John Travolta’s Mercedes-Benz was stolen in L.A.

Claiming to cite “law enforcement sources,” Travolta supposedly left his 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL for a few minutes in Santa Monica, California, only to return to it missing.

If this hold to be true, being a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast, I demand justice be upheld!

- By: Chris Chin

Source: USAToday

Drive, a new film featuring a Ryan Gosling as a getaway driver, came in way further down the box office list than the 3-D release of The Lion King this weekend.

While Drive got good reviews from movie goers and many critics like The Hollywood Reporter’s “exhilarating ride” comment, others pointed out some negative spots. The Los Angeles Times‘ Kenneth Turan says Drive “doesn’t spend a lot of time on mayhem, but what does get put on screen is intense, unsettling and increasingly grotesque and graphic.”

The $11 million that Drive made may have been enough to top Sarah Jessica Parker’s latest, I Don’t Know How She Does It, but the film didn’t come close to the $29.3 million The Lion King brought in. Looks like the mixed reviews made it tough for a newcomer to compete with a classic.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: Inside Line

Recently, FIAT announced its latest collaboration with icon Jennifer Lopez. A freshly released music video of Lopez’s “Papi” featuring the 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio marks the first piece of the collaboration.

Commercials will follow, with a clip of the video set to premier during ESPN’s Monday Night Football, with more to follow.

Chrysler’s Chief Marketing Officer Olivier Francois says of the relationship “Like the Fiat consumer, Jennifer Lopez sees the world as her canvas and is not afraid to express herself; she is continuously drawn to projects that are authentic and real. Jennifer fits perfectly with the brand not because of who she is but because of what she is- authentic, passionate, modern and a fighter determined to stand out from the rest. As you look at her career path, she embodies the Fiat philosophy, “Life is Best When Driven.”

The trailer, directed by Paul Hunter, will also be featured on Fiat’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Check it out after the jump.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Next summer, when The Avengers hits theaters, moviegoers will be a seeing a lot of Acuras and that’s because the brand has been in the Marvel Comics Universe films as the official car of the fictional law enforcement agency called S.H.I.E.L.D.

As comic fans very well know, Iron Man Tony Stark is a part of the Avengers and he will indeed be getting rid of his Audi R8 for a new Acura convertible sports car. We’re pretty sure that Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) didn’t want to disappoint one of the sponsors of the S.H.I.E.L.D., in turn making Stark give up his Audi for an Acura.

Our take? The Acura doesn’t look bad at all. In fact it seems to have many touches of the Audi R8 itself with a little bit of Aston Martin One-77 in the back.

Hit the jump for a sneak peek at The Avengers.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GeekRest
Image Source: ComingSoon.net

Interestingly though, the original Blues Brothers cruisers were not Chevrolet products at all. In fact, the first one was a retired Dodge Monaco police cruiser where as the remake in 2000 featured a Ford LTD Crown Victoria.

So unless there’s a new Blues Brothers on the way with the Chevrolet Cruze as being the featured car, it’s hard to see any connection between The Blues Brothers.

“As we celebrate 100 years of Chevrolet, it’s right that we should mark this by celebrating other elements of American culture,” said Chevrolet UK’s Managing Director, Mark Terry. “We’re the only US brand to truly establish a foothold across all segments of the UK and European car market, and much of that is down to the proud heritage and cultural associations that people make with our brand. The Blues Brothers is an all-time American classic, much like Chevrolet itself.”

- By: Chris Chin

Anyone who knows cars and movies is familiar with Steve McQueen and his fascination motorsports with both cars and motorcycles. So it’s no wonder that his personal collection is fetching some big numbers at the auction. And this is the latest one.

Steve McQueen’s 1970 Porsche 911S, that was also featured in his film Le Mans, sold for $1,375,00 at an auction in Monterey, California. That said, McQueen’s Porsche takes the cake as being the most expensive 911 ever solda t an auction.

Aside from being an actual film car, the 911S was also McQueen’s personal ride during the movie’s production.

Other highlights from the same auction include a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta, which sold for $1,485,000 and a 1938 Bugatti Type 57 Stelvio that sold for $693,000.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: Telegraph

Not too long ago in May, musical artist and rapper Birdman told the world via Twitter that he had just purchased the one-off Maybach Excelro coupe for an eye-watering sum of $8 million. After the purchase, he also told the world that he’s going to paint the car with his trademark red color when he gets it in December.

Now though, word is that a representative from Arnaud Massartic, a European entrepreneur, announced that Birdman has yet to pay for the car itself. And this may suggest that the rapper could be facing some financial woes.

Birdman already owns a $1.5 million Maybach Landaulet and a $2 million Bugatti Veyron both are to have said to have outstanding balances on them. Alternatively, some suggestions say that Birdman could be losing taste in the Maybach brand because of Kanye West and Jay-Z’s recent stunt of butchering a Maybach 57 for a film segment.

Either way, until Birdman pays his dues, the Exelero will remain in the hands of Massartic.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: MotorAuthority