It would seem that the vitriol between the trio of presenters on Top Gear and Ben Collins, the man behind the Stig's helmet, isn't just for show. During a recent charity event, Jeremy Clarkson, arguably the leader of the TG three amigos, made it clear just how he feels about Collins' unmasking of himself by calling the former tame racing driver "The Greedy Tw*t." That's certainly one way to put it.

Rumors began dusting up over whether or not Ben Collins was the racer in white after it was widely publicized that Collins was seeking to publish a book on his life as the White Stig. The BBC attempted to file an injunction stopping the publisher from moving forward, but a judge found that there was no reason to stop Collins from moving forward.

The BBC reacted to Collins' actions by putting the driver out of a job. Or at least out of a job in show business. Overall, fans have been less than thrilled with the debacle, with most saying that the driver has gone a long way toward ruining a good thing for everyone.

Even so, we're guessing the Collins memoir will have no problem finding a global audience. After all's said and done, will you read it?

[Source: The Herald Sun | Image: Ferdaus Shamim/WireImage.com]

This all seems a bit backwards. Chrysler has yet to release the official details and images about the 2011 Dodge Charger, but we already have the skinny on the Charger Pursuit, Dodge's work-ready police car set to hit the streets in just a few months. And while only one official image of the Charger cop car has been revealed, a new video gives us a walk-around of Chrysler's latest pursuit vehicle.

Recorded at what appears to be some sort of police fleet convention, this poorly-lit amateur video gives us a nearly complete view of what the 2011 Charger's exterior will look like when gussied up for police duty. Furthermore, it shows off the new lines of the Charger sedan, including that Challenger-inspired rear end.

Can't wait for Chrysler to unload a high-res image gallery of 2011 Charger photos? Feed your impatience by watching the video after the jump. Hat tips to Edgardo and Dave W!

[Source: YouTube]

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Earlier this year, Shelby announced it would focus less on building complete cars and more on selling parts, and that transition began when the company brought much of its manufacturing in-house and created a new speed shop to customize Mustangs at its Las Vegas facility.

Looking to the future, Shelby has now posted a query online asking its customers what they want to see from the company, and in the process it's proposed four Mustang aftermarket packages ranging from a V6 model to a twin-turbo Shelby GT500.

While probably the least likely to appeal to the everyday Mustang enthusiast because of its cost ($100,000 not including the car), the twin-turbo GT500 obviously caught our attention. The concept, codenamed 2010-04a, would be based off the 2007-2009 GT500 and would feature a twin-turbo system with variable boost good for 1000+ horsepower at the rear wheels in addition to an adjustable suspension, widebody kit, 10-point roll cage and more.

On the other end of the spectrum, Shelby is considering offering a package for 2010+ V6 models carrying the Shelby GTS moniker. This seems more likely to make it to production, especially since Shelby has already produced a working prototype. The GTS would feature various visual and performance upgrades and the package would retail for somewhere between $9,000 to $12,000. Finally, the last two concepts are based on the new 2011 Mustang GT and would feature the same styling upgrades as the V6 version. Follow the jump for a full list of proposed features for both the twin-turbo GT500 and the GTS model, and let us know which packages you think Shelby should offer.



[Source: Shelby American]

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Even with the new model around the corner, Pagani has no problem putting out special editions of the current Zonda faster than Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's. The latest came in the form of the Zonda HH, a one-off blending the best bits from the Zonda Cinque edition and the Zonda F Roadster in a delicious blue package that looks about as drool-worthy as they come.

The big question on enthusiasts' minds, though, was just who commissioned the latest unique Zonda. Initial speculation based on the name had it that Hugh Heffner had ordered the special supercar, but those rumors can now be put to rest as the real buyer has been revealed as David Heinemeier Hansson.

The 30-year-old software guru is the brains behind such programs as the Ruby on Rails web-dev platform and the 37signals software firm. Heinemeier Hansson is based in Chicago, but since the Zonda was never homologated to U.S. specifications, reports indicate that the owner bought a vacation home in Italy just so he could drive the thing. Now that's dedication.



[Source: SecretEntourage.com via WCF]

When Dani Pedrosa left Indianapolis Motor Speedway last week, there's little doubt he was the envy of his fellow MotoGP contenders. The Spaniard clinched victory, proving that he possessed not only the speed, but also the fortitude to truly challenge Jorge Lorenzo. The question on everyone's mind was this: Could Pedrosa and Repsol Honda really mount a solid comeback? Make the jump to find out.

[Source: MotoGP.com | Image: Mirco Lazzari GP/Getty Images]

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For 2011, the Lexus IS sport sedan is getting a mild exterior styling update. Up front, the grille and bumper are all new, while a new taillamp cover and tailpipe design update the posterior. Not one to be left out of a trend, the Lexus IS is also adding HID headlamps paired with LED daytime running lights. The upgraded lights are standard on the 2011 IS350 and are an option on the IS250. New color choices and wheel styles round out the exterior changes, but the most interesting update happens under the skin with the availability of all-wheel drive on the IS350. Thirty percent of customers opt for the all-wheel drive IS250, but now they can get the added traction along with an extra 102 horsepower.

Enthused about the updates, Lexus created a video of the IS sport sedan performing... a drum solo? In an apparent bid to highlight the precision handling of their IS sedan, fitted with F-sport parts, they pulled together a team which includes composers, a mathematician and a stunt driver. Music and driving go hand in hand and the beat this Ultrasonic Blue Lexus IS lays down is surprisingly good. See (and hear) for yourself after the jump.

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Gleagle, short for Global Eagle, is the automakers global brand, while Emgrand offers luxury options. The Englon division is responsible for the London Taxi-esqu TXN and TX4. The existing Geely Freedom Ship and Yuan Jing are going to be turned into Gleagles while the King Kong and Golden Eagle models will become Englons. If this all sounds terribly confusing to you, don't be alarmed this just means you're normal.

As the Geely brand dissolves, the company will focus on assisting their existing dealerships achieve greater levels of profitability and service. Also, they will begin to increase the number of Emgrand dealerships from 200 up to 250.




[Source: China Car Times]

Don't call it the Spec M. According to Autocar, the suits at Nissan have decided to sail a new luxury version of the mighty GT-R under the Egoist banner. The car will supposedly wear a completely new front fascia, and will debut alongside the facelifted version of the GT-R later this year. Other changes include a pair of special Recaro thrones, massive front brakes and unique 10-spoke wheels. All of that kit will set you back a lofty $166,740 at current conversion rates, but so far, it's unclear whether the Egoist will make its way to the States or whether it will be a JDM-only (and possibly Euro-only) piece.

Autocar is also serving up a few details on the plain Jane 2011 GT-R. If the report has hit its mark, we can look forward to a significant weight reduction along with a few mechanical tweaks that should up the horsepower. A new oil cooler, exhaust system and slightly larger turbos should help the car churn out a grand total of 506 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers are awfully specific without any official word from Nissan, but right now, this estimate is as good as anyone's.



Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright ©2009 AOL
[Source: Autocar]

As excitement and anticipation mount for the arrival of a new "entry-level" sedan from Maserati, so do the rumors. The new model, expected to slot in below the current Quattroporte, has been the subject of much conjecture and speculation, but the latest hits a little closer to home.

According to reports, the junior QP could share its underpinnings with the next Chrysler 300C. This in contrast with previous reports that the Trident marque was looking to develop a new platform for the model, a move that would be decidedly more expensive for a Fiat/Chrysler empire already spread too thin. (Closer collaboration is expected between the Chrysler and Lancia divisions, which could also lead to a next-gen 300-based successor to the discontinued Lancia Thesis.)

As sources point out, this wouldn't be the first time that Maserati and Chrysler have gotten into bed with each other. Close ties between onetime Chrysler chief Lee Iacocca and Alejandro de Tomaso (of the eponymous sportscar company that once owned Maserati) led to the disastrous badge-whoring exercise known as the Chrysler TC by Maserati (pictured above). If the latest reports come to fruition, we'd certainly hope the outcome would be in a different league altogether.

[Source: autoblog.it via PistonHeads]