The next year and a half will be an interesting period for Nissan. The automaker has announced that it will launch five new models over the course of 15 months, starting with the 2013 Altima that made its debut at the New York Auto Show last week. What’s next? Take a close look at the image above and those mysterious shapes under the white sheets aren’t exactly tough to decipher. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: 2013 Lexus GS earns IIHS Top Safety Pick
The 2013 GS is the new face of the Lexus brand, and as it turns out, that spindle-grilled mug can take a serious punch. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the GS a Top Safety Pick after the reshaped Lexus sedan held strong in front, side and rollover crash testing. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Toyota retools development process with goal of creating more exciting cars
These days, most Toyota models are about as likely to get your pulse up as the latest hardware from Frigidaire. But it wasn’t always so. There was a time when Toyota counted itself among the world’s sports car manufacturers with vehicles like the Supra, Celica All Trac and MR-2. Those two-doors helped forge generations of enthusiasts before the company shuttered its go-fast ambitions, a door that is only now starting to open again thanks to the new GT 86/Scion FR-S codeveloped with Subaru. Now, according to Automotive News, the company has unveiled a new development and manufacturing framework designed to aid in producing more exciting vehicles. According to CEO Akio Toyoda, the revamped system will allow the company to design multiple models at the same time to reduce costs. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Ferrari uses new color, dragons on special edition 458 Italia for China
Buyers in China have been snapping up Ferrari models for 20 years now, and the Italian automaker is marking the anniversary with the introduction of a special-edition 458 Italia. Dipped in a new Marco Polo red and swaddled in a “dragon-horse” livery with gold imagery and black stripes, the vehicle is supposed to pay homage to Chinese culture. Buyers will also enjoy unique gold wheels and a cabin fitted with gold embroidery to match. A start button with 20 stars and a unique dash plaque are also part of the package. So far, there’s no word on how much the machine will cost. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Ford Racing reveals its latest Mustang project
It’s always interesting to see what the guys who make and sell speed parts will build to show off their wares. Heck, that’s the appeal of the SEMA show in a nutshell. So we’re intrigued by this new 2013 Mustang project from Ford Racing, despite its unfortunate color, “Gotta Have It Green,” a hue that doesn’t exist in the natural world. (Outside of 1980’s album covers, that is.) Funk Flex
Auto Talk: SR Auto’s Scion iQ looks like it swallowed a Mitsubishi Evo… and an Angry Birds pig
Canada’s SR Auto Group likes to take a car, any car, and make it wilder. The Audi S4 they did looks intriguingly evil. The wheels they’ve created for the Lamborghini Reventon are amazing. Funk Flex
