Photo courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini

Lamborghini has embraced new social distancing norms and debuted their newest model via augmented reality. The Lamborghini Huracán EVO Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder has premiered, bringing with it all the power of the Huracán EVO RWD with the lightweight soft top.

Lamborghini has engineered the car with hybrid aluminum and carbon fiber chassis. On top of that sits an aluminum and thermoplastic resin body. Dry, the car has a weight of 1,509 kg. Its front-rear weight distribution is 40/60.

The equipment list includes a double wishbone suspension with overlapped quadrilaterals, passive shock absorbers, ventilated and cross-drilled steel brakes that fit up to 19-inch Kari rims, specially-developed Pirelli P Zero tires. Twenty-inch rims, paired with carbon ceramic brakes, are available.

2021 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder

Photo courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini


The model gets its power from a V10 engine that delivers 610 horsepower and 560 Nm of torque, the same as the hardtop model. It gets from zero to 100 kMh in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 201 mph.

Lamborghini promises the car delivers the same driving dynamics whether or not the roof is down thanks in no small part to its specially tuned Performance Traction Control System. By hitting the model's Anima button on the steering wheel, drivers gain control of a variety of drive models to customize their experience. In Sport mode, drifting is possible while the Corsa mode optimizes the car's underpinnings for traction and agility while maximizing speed.

There are some differences between the Spyder and Huracán EVO RWD models. The cabriolet gets a new front splitter and vertical fins with larger, framed front air intakes. The car's rear bumper is a high gloss black and it has a unique diffuser.

Lamborghini has engineered the car's soft top roof to stow in 17 seconds under the rear while driving up to 31 mph. The top, like the auto itself, is available in a variety of colors.

According to the automaker, "with soft top both up and down the driver can also electronically open the rear window, which functions as a windshield when up and highlights the V10 engine's unique sound when down. Two removable lateral wind shields dampen lateral aerodynamic noise in the cabin, permitting conversations even at high speeds."

At the center of the dashboard is an 8.4-inch infotainment touch screen that controls the audio system, internet connectivity, and phone call capability. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay.

The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Huracán EVO RWD Spyder in summer 2020 with a suggested retail price, taxes excluded, of £151,100.

Lamborghini Hurac\u00e1n EVO Rear-Wheel Drive SpyderInstead of going to a showroom, potential buyers can use augmented reality to see the car via their Apple device.Photo courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini

Brand enthusiasts are invited to take their own tour of the model via their iPhone or iPad. To do so, pull up Lamborghini.com in the browser then tap "See in AR" on the car's page. The virtual experience enables the viewer to rotate and expand the size of the vehicle, including on a 1:1 scale, looking closely at both its exterior and interior details and taking pictures of the new car with a high level of photorealism.

Lamborghini will soon roll out this functionality to all models on the site. There is no charge just to browse.

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

Lexus LC sheds weight, gets transmission adjustment and Android Auto for 2021

New Model News

The Lexus LC is good looking from almost every angle. It's no surprise that the car's mid-cycle refresh comes with equipment and features upgrades instead of the traditional fascia changes.

The sports coupe has lost 22 pounds for the new model year and gotten suspension updates designed to deliver a smoother and softer ride. This was achieved by adjusting electric absorber controls, and optimizing the rigidity of the bound stopper and rear stabilizer. Active Cornering Assist has been added.

2021 Lexus LCLexus says that they have upgraded the car's handling for the new model year.Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

The LC 500, the gasoline-powered model, has had its 10-speed automatic transmission timing and logic changed. The LC 500h, the hybrid model, has had its multi-stage hybrid system shift timing updated. Power plants remain the same in both cars.

Lexus is adding Cadmium Orange and Nori Green Pearl to the paint job options list for buyers joining Caviar, Obsidian, Smoky Granite Mica, Atomic Silver, Liquid Platinum, Ultra White, Infrared, Nightfall Mica, and Flare Yellow.

The car's 20-inch forged allow wheels with Dark Graphite finish have been refreshed.

2021 Lexus LCToasted Caramel leather remains as an interior option for the new model year.Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

Inside, the Rioja Red interior color has been replaced by a Flare Red leather upholstery option. Black leather and Toasted Caramel leather remain available. Bespoke White leather has been discontinued. All models retain Satin Metallic ornamentation.

The car's 10.3-inch high-resolution split-screen multimedia display has been updated and Lexus has added Android Auto to the system, which already featured Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa integration.

The 2021 Lexus LC is expected to go on sale later this year and be priced similarly to the 2020 model, which started at $92,950.

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley's new video conference backgrounds give your WFH situation a touch of class

Work From Home

You've always had intentions of sprucing up your home office. Now, you don't have to lift more than a few fingers to get a virtual conferencing background that will remove any trace of the early 2000s from your home workspace. Bentley's new, free backgrounds give a peek at their product line and will have you dreaming about international travel once again.

You can right-click (or press and hold, depending on the device) below to save the images to your phone, tablet, or computer to use.

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Bentley Zoom Skype Microsoft Teams Snapchat background

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce introduces a new Dawn with a historic name

Design

The sleek silver large-body convertible is a bit of a relic of a bygone era. No, further back than the days of the Toyota Solara and Chrysler Sebring. The trend that started near the last bit of the Roaring 20s and continued in its prime until the late 60s.

The Jazz Age decadence and free spirit of the early part of the 20th Century is embodied in the latest model from Rolls-Royce, the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection. The new vehicle is the first Rolls-Royce Collection Car of the new decade.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver BulletThe car features a unique silver paint job.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Its name comes from the company's storied past, which includes cars named the Silver Dawn, Silver King, Silver Silence and Silver Spectre.

This particular model features an ultra-metallic silver paint finish. Its aero cowling moves the car from brute to glamorous speedster. It features a rakish silver centre spine brings the bodywork into the cabin. A vapour-blasted titanium finisher completes the aero cowling windbreak and proudly displays the Silver Bullet name and silhouette.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver BulletArtisan design touches fill the car with bespoke elements.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The Dawn Silver Bullet Collection features dark exterior detailing; dark headlights and a new dark front bumper finisher, providing a dominant and determined expression in heighted contrast to the silver hue. The part-polished wheels offer a translucent shadow finish with a single silver pinstripe.

Inside, the Dawn Silver Bullet Collection has a unique open-pore carbon fibre fascia and a quilted transmission tunnel with design cues taken from a leather jacket.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver BulletDesigners sketched out the car's design well in advance of one reaching production. Here is one of the sketches showing the transmission tunnel design.Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Just 50 of these models will be made. Pricing is likely in "if you need to ask, you can't afford it" territory.

The company will be be curating a special series of "Silver Bullet Drives" featuring epic road trip suggestions for Rolls-Royce owners in its Whispers app.

Photo courtesy of FCA US LLC

Maserati commits to electrified future - starting with next-gen Ghibli, details new models

New Model Nenws

With performance and sleek styling in focus, Maserati has announced that all their new models will be electrified, adopting either hybrid or battery electric power. This begins with the redesigned Maserati Ghibli, which is set to debut this year.

The company is also committing to the vehicles being 100 percent developed, engineered, and built in Italy. This is an especially important commitment as Maserati's parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is in the process of merging with PSA Group.

Throughout 2020, Maserati is expected to strengthen its position in the luxury electric vehicles market as it works to allocate more of its production space to electrified cars.

Maserati has confirmed that the Ghibli will be a hybrid. The Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabriolet will begin production in 2021 as the automaker's first all-electric cars. The next-gen GranTurismo and GranCabrio will be built at the Mirafiori production hub.

Maserati's Modena facility is in the process of a remodel, which will allow it to be modified enough to begin producing what the company is calling a "super sports car" in 2020.

A forthcoming Maserati utility vehicle is set to be built at Cassino in 2021. The automaker is already teasing the model saying that it is, "intended to play a leading role for the brand, thanks to its innovative technologies." Technological innovation is not something Maserati has been known for lately so this could be a welcome change.

Maserati intends to reveal more plans in May.

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

These are the most intricate bespoke cars Rolls-Royce created in 2019

Luxury Lifestyle

Nearly every aesthetic aspect of a Rolls-Royce can be customized. From traditional leather choices to intricate inlays, vapor blasted titanium, and million-stitch embroidery, the options for owners from the Bespoke side of the brand are nearly endless.

"I am proud to say that the craftsmen and women of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have surpassed themselves once again in creating an array of extraordinary motor cars, tailored to the requirements of some of the most influential and discerning individuals in the world," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "These motor cars become unique works of art and it is an extraordinary feat when you consider that each and every single one of these unique commissions has been created on one production line at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex – the skills of these individuals knows no bounds."

Here, AutomotiveMap takes a closer look at some of the most intricate designs that the luxury automaker crafted in 2019.

Click here to see the most intricate bespoke cars Rolls-Royce created in 2020.

The Arabian Gulf Phantom

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Phantom │Medium: Embroidery, Paint, Mother of Pearl, Sculpted Silk Appliqué
The Arabian Gulf Phantom features the rich colors of the Middle East. The Phantom's Turchese paint job is evocative of vibrant water, while the Andalusian White upper two-tone recalls the purity of natural pearls. The car's Arctic White coachline features a hand-painted Nautilus shell motif.

A sculpted silk appliqué Gallery by British Artist Helen Amy Murray takes centre stage across the motor car's fascia. Reminiscent of swelling oceans, the Turchese Gallery is punctuated by a Mother of Pearl clock.

A take on the Nautilus shell that is on the exterior is embroidered on Phantom's rear doors, The motif is executed in Mother of Pearl marquetry on the picnic tables' fascia. Once deployed, the picnic tables present a complex piece of marquetry, incorporating Mother of Pearl to the picnic table-top.

Wraith Eagle VIII Collection

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Wraith │Medium: Gold Vacuum Metalized Wood with Silver and Copper Inlays
Rolls-Royce created 50 unique Wraith Eagle VII Collection models to commemorate the anniversary of the first non-stop transatlantic flight by Alcock and Brown in June 1919. To complete the flight, the pilots were propelled by Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines.

The new models feature a unique starlight headliner with 1,183 fiber-optic lights were designed to be reminiscent of the nighttime sky at the time of the historic flight. The flight path and constellations are embroidered with the brass thread. The exact moment the duo left the clouds is marked by a red light.

The brass speaker covers are engraved with Winston Churchill's quote commending the pair's achievement on the driver's door.

It also features smoked eucalyptus fascia, vacuum metalized in gold and inlaid with silver and copper, depicting a birds-eye view of the Earth at night, showing a light map of roads and homes glittering below.

​The Million Stitch Rolls-Royce

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Phantom │Medium: Embroidery
The Million Stitch Rolls-Royce Phantom features flowered embroidery that is made with a million stitches. The starting point of the stitching is a rose bred exclusively for Rolls-Royce by Harkness Roses. The Rolls-Royce headquarters in Goodwood, England, is the only place in the work where the rose is grown. Read more about the model here.

Ghost Zenith Collection

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars


Canvas: Ghost │Medium: Engraving, Commemoriate Ignot, Perforated Leather, Embroidery
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marked the close of a decade of the current generation of Ghost by creating the limited edition Zenith Collection. Just 50 Ghosts were part of the collection, which featured the highest level of bespoke available in a Ghost Collection.

The Ghost Zenith references the 200EX, an experimental car that introduced the contemporary expression of the Ghost nameplate in 2009. This design was immortalized in a blueprint-inspired artwork, divided into 50 distinct parts, and engraved on the centre console of Ghost Zenith.

A commemorative ingot, made from the original Spirit of Ecstasy of 200EX, was set into the centre console of each of the cars. Each Ghost Zenith Collection model's Spirit of Ecstasy and clock are engraved with the Zenith name.

Inside, ambient lighting shines through perforated leather and the rear seats feature embroidery inspired by the seat details of the 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Standard wheelbase models feature a starlight headliner with a unique Shooting Star configuration. Light trails fire at random across the cabin roof, which consists of over 1,340 individual, hand-finished fibre-optic lights.

Bayside Dawn Aero Cowling

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Dawn │Medium: Aero Cowling
Following the arrival of the Dawn Aero Cowling in 2018, a customer in Yokohama, Japan wanted to pay tribute to the sea with the Bayside Dawn Aero Cowling as part of their maritime-themed Bespoke motor car.

This one-off model drew inspiration from yachts and speedboats, and featured a combination of technical and natural materials including open-pore teak Canadel panelling that is reminiscent of a yacht's deck and technical fiber. The leather interior evokes the imagery of blue seas and white sails, two of the hallmarks of Yokohama Bay.

Digital Soul Phantom

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Phantom │Medium: Additive Manufacturing, Gold Plating, Gold Inlays
Rolls-Royce describes the Digital Soul Phantom as, "a study in contemporary artisanship; a fusion of human endeavour and computer-generated design." The sedan features a Carrara White with Smokey Quartz two-tone paint job. The model goes beyond common customization.

The buyer's characteristics have been interpreted by an algorithm which translates the data into a swath of 3D-printed stainless steel. This has been hand-polished and plated in 24-carat gold. Additional gold detailing embellishes the interior of the motor car, with gold inlays set by hand in smoked eucalyptus wood and gold-plated speaker grilles.

Horology Phantom

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Phantom │Medium: Stainless Steel and Gold Inlay, Coachline
This unique Phantom was inspired by a meeting between a Rolls-Royce designer and master horologists from La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. They had met to explore the complexities and exotic movements of luxury timepieces.

The model has a two-tone gunmetal and black paint job, and features a gold and silver hand-painted twin coachline with a design that was inspired by a watch. The Spirit of Ecstasy is cloaked in 24-carat gold. Its fascia features the largest stainless steel and gold inlay ever made for Phantom.

Positioned below a multiple layered stainless-steel Gallery, the inlay depicts an abstract schematic of a watch movement. The Rolls-Royce clock, housed in the Gallery, is set in a solid silver, guilloché case.

Pebble Beach Pastel Collection

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Ghost, Dawn, Wraith │Medium: Paint, Technical Fiber
The Pastel Collection was showcased at Pebble Beach and featured colors drawn from the wildflower super-bloom in California. They're three Black Badge commissions feature new colors for the Rolls-Royce palette.

The Ghost Black Badge in this collection features a Light Green Solid finish, black leather interior with a Serenity Green splash that highlights the technical fibre of the fascia.

The Dawn Black Badge, in Coral Solid, carries seven coats of paint and took more than nine hours of hand-polishing in the Surface Finish Centre at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood to get to the finish line. The Coral colour carries over to the Aero Cowling, while the interior is finished in Artic White and Sunset.

The new Wraith Black Badge is featured in Semaphore Yellow, a bright and sunny finish with a complementary Selby Grey and Lemon interior.

Falcon Wraith

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Wraith │Medium: Embroidery, Paint
The Falcon Wraith takes inspiration form the world's fastest bird, the Peregrine Falcon. Its interior features nearly 250,000 stitches. Read more about the Falcon Wraith here.

Tranquility Collection

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Phantom │Medium: Meteorite, Space Grade Aluminum, Gold Plate
This vehicle truly pushes the envelope on Earthly delights. According to the automaker, "Tranquillity's Gallery is inspired by the X-Ray coded aperture masks used on the British Skylark space rocket. The Gallery is made from stainless steel, 24-carat gold plating and space grade aluminum."

This vehicle marks the first time in Rolls-Royce history that a meteorite has been incorporated into a car interior. Shavings of the Muonionalusta meteorite, which fell to earth in Kiruna, Sweden in 1906, adorn the Volume Controller, with a detailed engraving of the location and date of its discovery.

Inspired by the light and dark sides of the Moon, The interior's Arctic White or Selby Grey leather is inspired by the light and dark sides of the moon and combines with the veneer combinations of gloss and satin. Bespoke Audio speaker frets are finished in yellow gold, complementing the additional gold elements throughout the car.

A Bespoke 'Technical' yellow gold, vapor blasted and engraved titanium clock and engineered titanium Spirit of Ecstasy complete the aesthetic.

Cullinan in Fux Orange

Photo courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Canvas: Cullinan │Medium: Paint
At Pebble Beach last year, alongside the Pastel Collection, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars debuted the colourful 'Cullinan in Fux Orange'. Mr. Fux, a prolific car collector, commissioned the model and worked with the Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex to create the custom model.

According to a release, "Fux, challenged designers to match the exterior colour to vibrant orange shawl that had caught his eye in South Florida. The shawl was delivered to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars where a colour-matching process began. Working together for nearly a year, the teams created a seven-layer surface, polished by hand for many hours in the Surface Finish Centre."

Rolls-Royce equipped the interior of the model with hand-crafted Arctic White leather with contrast Orange stitching and Orange Rolls-Royce 'RR' headrest monograms. Arctic White is carried over to the box-grain leather fascia, steering-wheel control stems, and carpets. There's also 'Fux Orange' fascia veneer, rear-view mirror and lambswool floor mats.

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Automotive Map is moving to Your Test Driver

New website

Big news! Automotive Map has moved to a new site and has changed its name to Your Test Driver. You'll notice the same format, writing style, and content on the new site. That's because Your Test Driver is run by Chris Teague, the former editor of Automotive Map. We hope to see you there for continued coverage of news, reviews, and features from around the automotive industry.

2023 Nissan Leaf pricing announced

Updated EV

Nissan is nearing the release of the Ariya, its first new EV in several years. Even so, the brand hasn't forgotten about its first mass-market EV, the Leaf. It was an early entrant in the space, and has been an efficient, affordable, commuter car for over a decade. The car got a mild facelift for 2023, with updated wheels and exterior styling accents. Today, Nissan announced pricing for the Leaf, which starts at just under $29,000.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf feels lively, despite middling power numbers.Nissan

The base Leaf comes with a 40-kWh battery capable of delivering a 149-mile range. Its 110-kW electric motor produces 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The Leaf SV Plus features a 60-kWh battery for a range of 212 miles. It comes with a 160-kW motor that makes 214 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Nissan backs all Leaf models with an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.

ProPilot Assist comes standard for the Leaf SV Plus, and brings a full suite of advanced driver aids that include adaptive cruise control, driver alertness features, and a surround-view monitor. All Leaf models get Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking.

2023 Nissan LeafThe Leaf SV Plus offers up to 212 miles of range.Nissan

The new Leaf starts at $28,895, which includes a $1,095 destination charge. The Leaf SV Plus starts at $36,895. The 2023 Nissan Leaf is on sale now, and may be eligible for federal tax credits of up to $7,500. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to receive a state tax credit or other incentives.

2022 Nissan Altima: Three things to know

Comfortable midsize sedan

The Nissan Altima may not get the attention or the praise that the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord get, but it's a solid entry in an ultra-competitive segment. It's also one of few options in its class with available all-wheel drive. We spent a week with the 2022 Nissan Altima SR Midnight Edition with AWD and came away from the experience impressed. Here are three things to know about the car.

The 2022 Nissan Altima is a Good Value

With a starting price in the mid-$20,000 range and available all-wheel drive, it's hard to complain about value here. The Altima is still reasonably priced at the top end, where it maxes out at around $35,000 before options and fees. That's a great value for a spacious, comfortable car like the Altima, and with all-wheel drive it's a great all-weather commuter.

2022 Nissan AltimaNissan offers the Altima in several configurations.Nissan

2022 Altima Interior Space and Comfort are Generous

It's easy to ignore Nissan's Zero Gravity seats as another marketing buzzword, but they are legitimately comfortable and supportive in a way that not many others are. Available leather upholstery and contrast stitching give the interior an upscale feel, but even lower trims' cloth upholstery feels nice and works well from a visual standpoint. Up front, there's room for both passengers to stretch out, and the driver won't feel cramped on leg or headroom. Back-seat passengers get a similar treatment, as there's plenty of space for adults and kids. Parents will find an easy time loading and unloading car seats as well.

2023 Nissan AltimaThe Altima gets an update for 2023 with fresh styling and more tech.Nissan

The 2023 Nissan Altima Gets an Update

Nissan is refreshing the Altima for 2023 with a facelift, new tech, and better safety features. The new car will go on sale in the fall of 2022 and will come in several trims, including one with Nissan's truck VC-Turbo engine. The Altima's most noticeable update will be its front fascia, which is all-new for 2023. Nissan gives the car a fresh grille design that varies depending on the trim, and LED headlights will be standard. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard, and the Altima is available with all-wheel drive, ProPilot Assist, and more.