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.

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.

Press Release:

Chrysler Group Names Laura Soave to Lead Fiat Brand for North America

Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 10, 2010 – Chrysler Group LLC today appointed Laura J. Soave to serve as the Head of the Fiat Brand for North America.

Soave will lead the reintroduction of the Fiat Brand in North America, beginning with the Fiat 500. She holds full profit and loss responsibility for the Fiat product portfolio in North America. In her position, Soave, who reports to Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group, will work with the brand Presidents and industrial leads to fully integrate Fiat product into the marketing, sales, service and dealer network organizations.

“Laura joins Chrysler with extensive experience in automotive marketing,” said Marchionne. “Her rich background will serve as a springboard for reintroducing the Fiat brand when it takes to U.S. and Canadian roads this December after more than a 25-year absence. This truly iconic car exemplifies Italian style, technology and passion and, offers something more. The 500 heralds a new vision of technology’s role in sustainable mobility.”

Soave joins Chrysler Group from Volkswagen of America where she most recently was the General Manager of Experiential Marketing leading consumer marketing initiatives. While at VW, she also was the head of advertising and communications activities for all large passenger vehicles and SUVs. Prior to that, she worked at Ford Motor Company in a variety of positions including most recently as a Brand DNA Manager where she managed the repositioning of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, Mopar® and Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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.

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.

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.

But 13 years and more than 30 Elise variants in, the company saw the need to move the brand up-market, while at the same time broadening its appeal. Rather than launch a promised replacement for its long-lived supercar, the Esprit, which went out of production in 2003 after 28 years, Lotus radically rethought its plans – following the return of longtime executive Mike Kimberley in 2006 – and instead turned out in an astonishing 27 months the Evora, marking the company’s return to the 2+2 market after a 17-year hiatus. Models like the Elan +2, the Elite, and the Excel comprised 20% of all Lotus sales volume through 1996, and the Evora – expected to sell at the rate of 2000 cars per year, with roughly one-third coming to the U.S. – picks up where they left off. Being a mid-engined four-seater, however, it is currently in a class of one on the world stage.

Upon first glance, you can’t imagine this car being anything other than a 2-seater, but open the door and there they are: rear seats. Also pleasantly surprising are the large door openings that allow you to gracefully slide in and out of the car’s supple Recaro seats. Unlike Lotus’ other hardtop, the Exige, there’s no unnatural bending or twisting involved with getting in and out. Once inside, you’ll find a surprising amount of head and leg room for front-seat passengers. Kimberly, who stands 6-foot-5, supposedly told the project team, ‘If I don’t fit in this car, you won’t fit in my company.’ Effective inspiration indeed.

Toyota’s DOHC 3.5-liter 2GR-FE VVT-I V-6, good for 276 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, marks a step up from the Elise’s VVTL-I four, also supplied by Toyota. It helps this car, which is longer, wider and almost 900 pounds heavier than the hyper-focused Elise, reach 60 mph in just under 5 seconds, and a top speed of 162 mph, while delivering over 30 mpg on the highway. Though six-speed manual transmissions, also sourced from Toyota, are standard, with a sport-ratio option present on the cars we drove, an automatic gearbox will become available with the 2011 model year.

Stepping into the new machine, one is instantly aware that the Spartan aspect of Elise life has been banished. It’s amazing what a little leather and carpet and a modicum of sound-deadening material will do for perception. Along with the cabin’s extra width, which allows one’s shoulders to be on less intimate terms with his front-seat passenger, longer doors mean one no longer require summoning the skills of a contortionist for ingress and egress, instantly making the Evora a car more suitable than the Elise for daily use. The rear seats – marginal, at best – may be deleted for a storage shelf and a 30 pound weight savings, at the customer’s request.

2010 Lotus Evora
List price	est $75,000
Curb weight	3046 lb.
Weight Distribution, f/r	est 40/60
Wheelbase	101.4 in.
Length	170.9 in.
Width	72.8 in.
Height	48.1 in.

ENGINE Type alum. block & heads, dohc V-6 Bore x stroke 94.0 x 83.0 mm Compression ratio 10:1 Horsepower 276 bhp @ 6400 rpm Torque 258 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm Redline 7200 rpm Fuel injection elect. sequential port Recommended fuel premium unleaded

CHASSIS & BODY Layout mid engine/rear drive Body/frame composite/bonded aluminum Brakes, f/r 13.8-in. vented discs/13.1-in. vented discs, vacuum asst, ABS Wheels cast alloy Tires Pirelli P Zero, 225/40ZR-18 f, 255/35ZR19 r Steering rack & pinion, pwr asst Suspension, f/r upper & lower A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar/upper & lower A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar

FUEL ECONOMY Estimated combined 30 mpg

PERFORMANCE 0–60 mph, sec. 4.9 0–100 mph, sec. 12.3 1/4-mile, sec 12.5 sec. Braking, 60–0 mph 110 ft. Top speed 162 mph

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!

He talks about the Grand Sport in the Bugatti wing of his Big Dog Garage. Literally, the Bugatti wing. Jay is also joined by Bugatti’s North American Marketing Manager John Hill as well as Veyron hot shoe and former F1 driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel. Who takes him on a little ride in Burbank.

Jay seems very ecstatic about the ride, check out the video for yourself.

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.

A class action law suit filed against the automaker last November alleges that Toyota has known about this problem for four years and received 2,000 complaints. It also alleges that sticking accelerator pedals have resulted in 16 deaths and 243 injuries.

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:
• 2009-2010 RAV4,
• 2009-2010 Corolla,
• 2009-2010 Matrix,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• 2007-2010 Camry,
• 2010 Highlander,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

Press Release

Toyota Files Voluntary Safety Recall on Select Toyota Division Vehicles for Sticking Accelerator Pedal

• Lexus and Scion Models Not Affected
• Filing Addresses Isolated Customer Complaints
• Separate From On-Going Recall Involving Floor Mat Pedal Entrapment Issue

TORRANCE, Calif., January 21, 2010 — Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, today announced it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models. This action is separate from the on-going recall of approximately 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats. Approximately 1.7 million Toyota Division vehicles are subject to both separate recall actions.
“In recent months, Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats,” said TMS Group Vice President Irv Miller. “Our investigation indicates that there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position. Consistent with our commitment to the safety of our cars and our customers, we have initiated this voluntary recall action.”
Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:
• 2009-2010 RAV4,
• 2009-2010 Corolla,
• 2009-2010 Matrix,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• 2007-2010 Camry,
• 2010 Highlander,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by this recall action. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids.
The condition is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position. Toyota is working quickly to prepare the correction remedy.
In the event that a driver experiences an accelerator pedal that sticks in a partial open throttle position or returns slowly to idle position, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. The brakes should not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure. The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.
Toyota will continue to investigate incidents of unwanted acceleration and take appropriate measures to address any trends that are identified.
Toyota owners who have questions or concerns should contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
###
The latest news about Toyota’s consumer safety advisory for potential floor mat interference with the accelerator pedal in certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles:
Setting the Record Straight (Dec. 23, 2009)
A Healthy Discussion on Safety (Dec. 10, 2009)
Toyota Announces Details of Remedy to Address Potential Accelerator Pedal Entrapment (Nov. 25, 2009)
Unintended Acceleration: Toyota Addresses the Issues (Nov. 6, 2009)
Toyota’s Statement Regarding NHTSA News Release (Nov. 4, 2009)
Toyota USA Update on Safety Advisory – Video (Nov. 2, 2009/Updated Nov. 5, 2009)
Toyota Begins Interim Notification to Owners Regarding Future Voluntary Safety Recall Related to Floor Mats (Nov. 2, 2009)

NHTSA report (Nov. 2, 2009)
Toyota owner letter (Nov. 2, 2009)
Toyota Consumer Safety Advisory: Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota/Carpeted/All-Weather Floor Mat Inspection, Application & Installation Instructions (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota Carpet Floor Mat Application Information Chart (Sept. 29, 2009)
Toyota All-Weather Floor Mat Quick Reference Chart (Sept. 29, 2009)

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.