We know there are a lot of you out there who are just like us; itching to get your hands on Gran Turismo 5. Checking the Sunday paper this morning, we ran across ads from Sears (above) and Target (right) that say that the highly anticipated (and eternally delayed) driving sim will hit store shelves this Tuesday (its former “confirmed” release date). Don’t bother getting in line, though.

As has been well documented, the official Playstation Blog is already on record saying, “we can confirm that Gran Turismo 5 will not be available this November 2nd, but the game’s release will be coming this holiday season.”

So what gives? It’s pretty simple. Retailers’ national print ads like these are finalized weeks or even months in advance (you can expect the big Black Friday circulars to start leaking any day now). This is likely just a case of the stores getting burned by Sony’s most recent late-in-the-game GT5 postponement after the weekly sale flyers had already been approved and gone to print.

if you take a look at the Target ad, it includes something very important: an asterisk with the warning, “release date subject to change.” Prescient, given Sony’s history GT5 “release dates.” So, despite what you may see in your Sunday paper’s ad inserts, don’t plan on picking up GT5 this Tuesday. The wait continues…

[Source: Sears | Target]

Whoops: Target, Sears ads say Gran Turismo 5 available Nov. 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On the morning of 30 October 2010, the Malta-flagged MV GO TRADER was reported under attack from one skiff approximately 280 nautical miles (520 kilometres) south east from Salalah, Oman.

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Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Lincoln

This year’s RM Auctions event in Phoenix will feature several classics with serious celebrity provenance. First and foremost is a rare 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder that was alternately owned by Reggie Jackson and Evel Knievel. By itself, the Daytona Spyder is expected to fetch around a million bucks, but that’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Also on the roster is a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Dual Cowl Phaeton used by Elvis Presley in the movie Spinout (also estimated at a million +/-), a 1941 Lincoln Continental Coupe (pictured above) given by Orson Welles to Rita Hayworth (~$175k) and a 1949 Cadillac Series 75 Woodie Limousine with custom bodywork by Schwartz commissioned by MGM studios (~$300k). With nearly three months to go before the auction, you can bet there’ll be plenty more interesting vehicles on their way to Arizona for the event. Hit the jump to read about what’s been consigned so far.

[Source: RM Auctions]

Continue reading Celebrity classics on the docket at RM Auctions in Arizona

Celebrity classics on the docket at RM Auctions in Arizona originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Bentley, Design/Style, Luxury

Order a new Bentley from the factory and you’ll be presented with nearly limitless color and trim choices for your chariot’s interior and exterior. The experience is not unlike ordering a custom suit, made to measure. Now the two processes are coming together in a more direct correlation thanks to a new partnership between Bentley Motors and Astor & Black.

The latter is a custom clothier that might be recognized by some for outfitting one Angel Ramos, named the “best dressed real man” by Esquire magazine. Now they’ve teamed up with Bentley’s North American subsidiary to provide a custom-tailored new suit – along with bespoke shirt and handmade silk tie – to every client that orders a new Bentley. The deal was first announced on orders for the new Mulsanne, but is now being expanded to the entire model range and will be provided free of charge to Crewe’s customers in the United States and Canada. You know, in case you needed another reason to want a new Bentley.

[Source: Astor & Black]

Bentley teams up with Astor & Black to provide custom suit with every new car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Ferrari

Ferrari is as much a lifestyle entity as an auto manufacturer, putting its name on everything from wristwatches to theme parks. Still, not everything imbued with the Cavallino spirit comes out of Maranello’s marketing department. Case in point: the lineup from GTO London. An offshoot of vintage Ferrari specialists GTO Engineering, GTO London offers a range of Ferrari-inspired, if not necessarily licensed, paraphernalia.

The collection includes such items as cufflinks, keychains, tie pins and wallets, all styled along the lines of classic Ferraris and inspired by the marque’s most legendary automobiles. Design flourishes range from steering wheels and shift gates to carb trumpets and connecting rods, realized in leather, silver, gold and “real Ferrari metal” reclaimed from the workshop’s restoration projects. They may not be for everyone, but for the gentleman motorist with a soft sport for Maranello’s finest, they’re sure to make a welcome gift this coming holiday season.

[Source: GTO London]

Continue reading GTO London offers everything but the Prancing Horse

GTO London offers everything but the Prancing Horse originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Suzuki

Suzuki has announced its plans for this week’s 2010 SEMA show. The automaker is bringing three cars out to the Las Vegas convention center: A Kizashi modified by Delta Tech Engineering, an Equator pickup truck customized by ICON Vehicle Dynamics, and the salt flats-blasting, 203-mph Kizashi Bonneville Special.

The Suzuki Kizashi Bonneville Special is a joint effort between American Suzuki Motor Corporation and Road & Track, to capture the blown gas coupe record out at the salt flats. The record did indeed fall when the Kizashi, driven by R&T’s Sam Mitani, hit an average speed of 203.720 mph.

Delta Tech is known for lightening cars, and it did just that to its SEMA-bound sedan by gutting the interior and body shell, then putting it back together with components to keep the weight down. Underhood, interior, and exterior modifications result in a Suzuki Kizashi that’s ready to tackle the track but can still be driven home afterward.

ICON Vehicle Dynamics’ Suzuki Equator pickup features a beefed-up motor, lifted and upgraded suspension, plus added lighting for nighttime trail running. The ICON Equator is a mean off-roader with an aggressive stance and menacing black paint job. We can’t wait to lay eyes on it in person.

[Source: Suzuki]

Continue reading Suzuki details 2010 SEMA plans

Suzuki details 2010 SEMA plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Kia, Earnings/Financials

In spite of a ridiculous 247WallStreet.com article that simply will not die, Kia appears to be doing anything but going out of business. Hyundai‘s “weakest brand,” as it was called, just posted a 66 percent increase in profit for Q3. Kia’s home market sales, in South Korea, rose by 25 percent, while international sales were only a shade off, increasing by 24 percent – in the U.S. specifically, sales were up eight percent.

That has meant 541,884 retail sales, earning net income of 666.6 Korean won ($593 million) and an operating profit of 421 billion won ($375M U.S.). Sales of the new Kia K5/Optima and Sorento have been credited – and we’re sure new Sportage sales haven’t hurt – and record profits are expected again in the fourth quarter.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Kia reports record third-quarter profit originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Sedan, Hyundai, Design/Style, Luxury

Hyundai has already shown us its GoGoGear Racing Genesis Coupe and a Rhys Millen Racing Equus. Now we get two more looks at what they’re bringing to SEMA this week. Hyundai has teamed up with DUB Magazine and Mummbles Marketing on a pair of Equus sedans.

The DUB Equus shows surprising restraint. While it wears 24-inch wheels, they blend in nicely with the body kit. Likewise, the grey-black paint scheme is sinister without being SEMA-shouty. Dare we say it? This is one SEMA ride we wouldn’t mind spending some seat time with.

Mummbles Marketing, a new custom shop of out Harrisburg, PA, has turned the standard Equus into a luxo-custom it calls the “Elegant Equus.” Mummbles didn’t just focus on looks, however; some wrenching was done on the Equus’ V8 engine, too. Thanks to a turbo kit from Legacy Innovations, a nitrous system and a Magnaflow exhaust, the Elegant Equus now produces 450 horsepower. Mummbles also adds an extra iPad (over the stock tablet the Equus comes with) that controls the air suspension, rear curtains, stereo and windows.

Check out all four of Hyundai’s 2010 SEMA vehicles in the gallery below. You can also read more about the DUB Equus and Mummbles Elegant Equus in the press releases posted after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai Equus Mummbles and Dubs its way to SEMA

Hyundai Equus Mummbles and Dubs its way to SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oprah Winfrey has once again contributed to school development in South Africa.

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There have been hundreds of homes built in the West Bank by Israeli settlers since the settlement freeze was lifted.

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