We got our first glimpse at what the 2014 Toyota Avalon may look like thanks to a an artists rendering that appears to take some creative license. The teaser really only shows us that Toyota wasn’t kidding when it said it was taking the Avalon upscale, with a dramatic, sloping roof line that conjures thoughts of the Audi A7. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Mercedes-Benz G-Class to get twin-turbo V12 AMG version?
If you think the Porsche 911 is the champ at incremental revisions through successive generations, then you should have a look at the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen, whose features change on a scale of geologic, not automotive time. We’ve had a peek at the 2013 G-Class and its new LEDs and mirrors, and at a camouflaged AMG version on test. That AMG, however, will be getting more than new trimmings when it arrives later this year: the twin turbo, 6.0-liter V12 from the SL65 AMG will be tucked under its bonnet. It’s the first time the G-Class has gone with a dozen cylinders. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works GP spotted testing
It looks as if the rumors swirling around the supposed resurrection of the limited-edition Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP have some substance. Our spy photographers caught this creation out and about for a little testing just a short hop away from the Nürburgring recently. From the looks of things, this could be our first glimpse at a new version of the JCW GP. New aero work, including a new front splitter and more aggressive rear spoiler, help set the model apart from its more pedestrian siblings. It looks as if the vehicle will also boast a set of revised rockers with what functional air inlets for cooling off the rear brakes. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: 2013 Ford Explorer Sport brings SHO-like performance to big CUV
The last time we remember talking about a high-performance Ford Explorer was 2007 when a rare Saleen Explorer XP8 popped up on eBay Motors. For the 2013 model year, however, Ford will start producing high performance Explorers right at the factory. Dubbed the Explorer Sport, this new addition to the Explorer lineup sports the same twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the Taurus SHO, Flex, F-150 and Lincoln MKS and MKT. It produces the least amount of power in this application – 350 horsepower – and while Ford doesn’t mention torque figures in the press release below, we can assume somewhere around 350 lb-ft. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Lotus ramps up partnership with Mansory
Under its current management, Lotus has proven nothing if not ambitious. Lotus can’t achieve its goals without help from the outside, however, and thus has has teamed up with established racing teams to field cars under the Lotus name in countless motorsport series, hunted for new capital from external investors and collaborated with Mansory to customize its vehicles. It’s that last joint venture that the British automaker is now preparing to expand. Funk Flex
