VIDEO: Audi R8 is the chosen chariot for snowy excursions

New York Times and Automobile contributor Ezra Dyer may have found the perfect German exotic for New England winters: the Audi R8. True, the R8 is pretty low to the ground, but it also makes good use of Audi’s superb Quattro all-wheel drive system and thanks to its mid-engine layout much of the weight sits over the rear wheels. But even the best AWD is useless when providing spin for four summer tires, so the snow white model Dyer was piloting around the northeast winter wonderland also had four of the widest winter tires you can find.

Hit the jump to watch Dyer as he plows through his snowy driveway in pursuit of some “important” shopping. We’re pretty impressed with how the four-ringed, mid-engine thoroughbred handled the white stuff even when the pedal hit metal. We’re just wondering what Dyer needed so badly from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Ex-VW exec named head of Fiat North America

She helped put together the 50th Anniversary Barbie New Beetle and is now in charge of reintroducing Fiat to the United States as they make a return after 25 years to the land of the free. Fiat’s return to North America is something several critics question? Do they think that they can do well in the car market that is already pretty saturated? Even though American car companies seem to be dying out, Fiat somehow thinks that they can do well here. I am sure they are not going to be as cheap as our local cars. They don’t seem to have better sales figures in Europe as compared to Toyota and Honda. I guess time will tell how they do in North America.

Soaves’ will have an official title as Head of the Fiat Brand for North America. That puts her in a very “high” position as she will answer directly to Servio Marchionne. Full Press Release below. Read more…

Lamborghini Gallardo Goes Skiing

Forget flying down a ski run, this Lamborghini Gallardo goes up an intermediate blue run, then back down — passing cross country skiers as it goes. Read more…

Automotive Addicts Meet 2/13/10

The first Automotive Addicts Meet at are our new location was a success! We were very fortunate and thankful to have teamed up with Wild Wing Cafe for the new location of our meets. If you are in the Jacksonville, Florida area we welcome you to join us every second Saturday at 9am till noon at the Wild Wing Cafe off of Southside BLVD. for the Automotive Addicts Meet.

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Lotus Evora Unveiling in Jacksonville at World Imports

Company founder Colin Chapman’s apocryphal credo – “simplicate and add lightness” – may have to be amended in honor of Lotus’ new 2+2, the Evora. Of course, “complicate and add relaxation” doesn’t sound as good, but that’s what the new car does, with excellent, possibly even brilliant results that will tempt not just the Lotus faithful, but more than a few Porsche 911 intenders.

Lotus has lived on the razor’s edge most of its 61-year existence but has enjoyed some of its greatest sales since the introduction of the extraordinary Elise in 1995. That car led many Lotus fans’ eyes to tear up, for here again was a revolutionary Lotus – with its rigid, safe and easily configurable aluminum tub chassis – a technological beacon that pointed the way forward for other low-volume manufacturers (notably Aston Martin, which has adopted the concept throughout its lineup) and restored the Norfolk carmaker to its place at the forefront of sports car technology.

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Video: Jay Leno’s Garage welcomes Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

Conan O’Brian’s decided that the best way to get even with NBC for forcing him out of his dream job was to create insanely expensive bits? He dressed a Bugatti Veyron up as a mouse and played some heavily copywritten Rolling Stones. Total purported price tag: $1.5 million dollars. Considering that Conan isn’t a real car guy, Jay Leno decided that there was a much better way, he got his hands on the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport which has a $2.25 million asking price! Read more…

Toyota issues new voluntary recall for sticking accelerator pedals, 2.3 million vehicles affected

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. said today that it would recall 2.3 million vehicles for sticking accelerator pedals, in addition to the 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles already being recalled. This recall is entirely separate from the one Toyota announced last September, its largest ever at approximately 4.2 million vehicles, involving pedal entrapment by floor mats that could cause unintended acceleration. That said, about 1.7 million vehicles out there on the roads are involved in both recalls, though no Lexus or Scion models are involved in the one announced today. Read more…

BREAKING: Mini Countryman official photos leaked [w/video]

Here is your new Mini Countryman, the latest model from the ever expanding Mini range. As you can see, the Countryman (also sometimes called the Mini Crossover) is a bit bigger than other Minis, and sports four doors – five if you count the hatch. You’ll also note the “All4″ badge on the back, indicating that the Countryman is AWD, a first for the brand. Which means it will be great in the snow!

I don’t know about you but I know I am excited for the new mini. It is a little chunkier, it feels like a tiny SUV. There’s definitely a bit of baby Porsche Cayenne going on up front and in the stance, though it’s clearly still a Mini. Read more…