Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 "spied" in the swirly en route to Geneva

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Typically, when an automaker is preparing to unveil a new car, we get a look at the styling and then the technical details. But Lamborghini is used to doing things backwards. It was, after all, one of the first automakers to build a mid-engine sportscar, and was also the one that got its start reverse-engineering Ferraris with tractor parts. And the backwards tradition continues with the highly anticipated Murciélago successor.

Though Sant'Agata has been gradually releasing details of the supercar's mechanicals – including the pushrod suspension, 6.5-liter V12 and ISR transmission – glimpses at the car's design have been few and far between. This swirly job "spy shot", ostensibly leaked from the factory, has been circulating the internet like a viral video, and gives us one of our best looks yet at the car's shape.

Though the camouflage does a good job of breaking up the body's lines, you can still discern a healthy dose of Reventón-like fighter jet-inspired design cues in the beast expected to be called the Aventador LP700-4. With less than a month to go before it makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, there'll undoubtedly be more to come soon, so watch this space.

[Source: Autoblog ]

Ford opens its archive of images to the world

The Ford GT-40

The year 2011 marks Ford's 108th year in business. Over the course of its long history, the automaker has collected millions of images. Most of these images are stored in boxes, away from prying eyes... but that is about to change. Ford is launching a brand new site that will give users access to thousands of these archival images.

FordImages.com currently has over 5,000 images available to be licensed. The site adds hundreds more every week and is shooting to have 10,000 available by January of 2012. The seemingly endless galleries of images cover everything from key products and personnel to historic motorsports shots and all Ford vehicles through the ages.

The site offers more than just images, however, with a wide range of signs and artwork also offered. Limited-edition photos of cars like the Ford GT and Shelby GT500 are available and signed by Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby respectively.

If you're a Blue Oval fan, this may become your new favorite web site. There's enough material here to decorate your office, home and garage. All those boxes of stored photos mean there's plenty more where these came from.

[Source: Autoblog]

Chevy Volt vs Nissan Leaf - January Numbers

So, how are the first two mainstream plug-in vehicles in the U.S. selling? Both the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf had their first deliveries in December, which means January of 2011 was the first full month of sales for each. Without further ado, the numbers are:

• Volt: 321 (plus 326 in December, for a total of 647)
• Leaf: 87 (plus 19 in December, 106 total)

While some reports are saying that the issue is mainly a supply related one, I personally think it really comes down to the fact that the Volt has an on-board generator to increase it's range beyond the 73miles of the Leaf.  Still, in order to do this, the generator requires premium gasoline. Maybe scientists should be looking at a synthetic gasoline instead of alternate forms of energy.


[Source: Green Car Reports via Autoblog]