Jeepster Reborn as Fiat/Jeep Off Roading SUV

2013 Jeepster heavy duty off roading SUV—OK, this one will probably be controversial as it hits the web, lol. Now that Fiat owns Chrysler, which owns Jeep, rumors have been swirling for months about Fiat-based Jeeps. I've seen countless renderings of the little Fiat Panda with bigger tires and a slapped on Jeep grille touting the new cars. 

I've taken a slightly different tack with mine. I've kept the historic and rugged chassis of the current Jeep Wrangler. Seriously, it's just about the best off roader for consumers built today, so why not use it? I added a modified/stretched Fiat Panda body on top of the Wrangler chassis, utilizing the best part of that Fiat architecture—the modern cabin with all the built-in safety structures and features expected today. I've used many Jeep components—door handles, body clips, thick rubberized cladding, swing out spare tire, etc, to give this newly enclosed little SUV all the tried-and-true ruggedness expected of a vehicle with the name Jeep on it. Entrance/Departure angles remain the same as the Wrangler.

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More Wood! Audi A4 Allroad Black Forest Edition

Audi A4 Allroad Black Forest Walnut edition—Finishing a retro-inspired woody triumvirate with my recent Jeep Wrangler Woodsman and Buick Apollo Estate chops, I've micro-veneered the sides and tailgate of this all-wheel drive German luxury compact wagon with genuine walnut from the Black Forest of southern Germany. I've also gracefully changed the greenhouse and lowered the bodysides a bit for a more sporting profile. High fashion, high quality, sporting luxury woody wagon... what more could the well-to-do successful graphic artist ask for, lol?

The background of this image includes a vignette of sailboats in a harbor photographed by none other than Woody, of Woody's Car Site, a very loyal reader!

• Audi's interesting history via Wiki

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Wrangler 4-Door Woodsman Edition

Jeep Wrangler Woodsman—A new trim series for the venerated Jeep Wrangler, here in recent 4-door form, the Woodsman edition features 3-D American Walnut microveneer side panels. Door hinges are polished aluminum as is the full-sized roof-mounted luggage rack and bright mesh grille-slat inserts. Interior would feature heavy duty leather seating with wood accents on the instrument panel and removable doors. Snap-in Sisal carpeted mats are removable for cleaning. Body color fenders and rear roof section coupled with the full-length wooden paneling combine for a look reminiscent of the now-classic 1984-era Cherokee SUV.

• Image updated from original post. I  had left a badge saying "Call of Duty" on the Jeep's side and was told at the Motor Trend forum that it was a video game. I thought Call of Duty was a Jeep trim level, lol. I deleted the badge for this photo, and was happy to do so, It really cleaned up that front panel! (I've never played a video game in my life, so I really have no idea about these things!)

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New Small Buick Crossover: Apollo Reborn as MPV

Buick Apollo MPV—Since the new Buick Regal and the even newer Buick Verano are based on GM's European Opel division, I looked through their porfolio to see what else might be in the pipeline. Opel markets a very cool "mini people mover" or MPV, called the Zafira. It's a versatile, compact tall wagon, with family features so many Europeans have become enamored with since the first Renault Scenic hit the streets fifteen years ago. I created a Buick version of the Zafira, and reached back into the Buick archives for the Apollo nameplate. The first Buick Apollo, 1973-75, was a hurriedly put together compact based on the Nova platform, and gave Buick a small car to sell after that first gas crisis in 1973. Besides the Buick grille and cues, I gave the D pillar a bit more width for a more cohesive, and American, appearance.

Bonus Chop:

It wouldn't be an "artandcolour" wagon if it didn't come with a Woody package! Optional on my Apollo MPV would be this Estate Wagon option, with walnut microveneers adhered to the four doors and layered under the paint's clearcoats for a maintenance free gloss finish.

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Taurus SHO Coupe: 1960s-Era Galaxie XL Reborn?

For this 2013 Taurus SHO coupe, I gave it the slim, flowing C pillars that Ford's 1960s cars were famous for. First shown on the '63 1/2 Galaxie "slantback" coupe, my mother's bright red 1966 Fairlane 500/XL had a gorgeous roofline, too. While not really needing to modify the roof itself from the production Taurus sedan, I thinned out the C pillar and gave the greenhouse more glass area. Extending the body contour line just below the door handles, all the way to the taillights instead of breaking it for the rear wheelwell, also gives the Taurus a more flowing appearance. Conventional wisdom is that a Taurus coupe would cannibalize sales from the Mustang, but I really don't see why. The Mustang is a performance rear-wheel drive coupe, even in V6 form these days, and the Taurus is a luxury car with front- or all-wheel drive. I really think the two could co-exist in a Ford showroom. 

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A closer look to theTokyo Motor Show

 Passenger Car Test Ride Program by Professionals' Driving

With the assistance of Japan Motorsport Promotion Organization, this test ride program by journalists from the Automotive Journalist Association of Japan (AJAJ) and professional instructors will be held on a closed course within the venue (Outdoor Exhibition Space) in order to enable participants to experience the true performance of the vehicles, and so that this experience is available to as many people as possible.
Reception for this event is offered on the day of the event itself. The event is expected to offer approximately 40 vehicles from 20 brands for test rides.

Outline of program

Dates	Friday, December 2 through Tuesday, December 6
Time	10:00 – 16:30
Venue	Outdoor Exhibition Space
Test-Ride Ticket	Handled by reception on day of event and chosen by lottery
Participating brands	36 vehicles from 20 brands Suzuki, Subaru, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Lexus, Audi, AMG, Citroën, Jaguar, BMW, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Porsche, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Renault, Lotus
Eligibility	General Public
Number of participants	Approx. 1,200 pairs/day

Vehicle list

Brand	Participating vehicle
Suzuki	Swift Sport	Swift Sport
Toyota	Prius α	vitz RS "Gs"
Nissan	Nissan LEAF	Nissan LEAF
Subaru	New Impreza SPORT 1.6i-L (2WD)	New Impreza G4 2.0i EyeSight (AWD)
Honda	Fit Shuttle Hybrid	Fit Shuttle Hybrid
Mitsubishi	i-MiEV	i-MiEV
Lexus	ISF	CT200h "F SPORT"
Audi	Audi A1	Audi A6
AMG	C63 AMG	SLS AMG
Citroën	Citroën C3	Citroën DS3
Jaguar	Jaguar XF
BMW	BMW ActiveHybrid X6
Volkswagen	Golf GTI	Golf Cabriolet
Peugeot	Peugeot 508	Peugeot RCZ
Porsche	Porsche Boxter	Porsche 911 Turbo
MINI	JOHN COOPER WORKS COUPE
Mercedes-Benz	SLK350 BlueEFFICIENCY	CLS350 BlueEFFICIENCY
Land Rover	Land Rover Freelander 2
Renault	Megane Renault Sport	Renault Wind
Lotus	Evora IPS	Elise

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Breitling Bentley ISR Chronograph

Breitling and Bentley have teamed up once again to create a limited edition chronograph that marks Bentley’ recent world-record breaking exploits on the ice. This watch joins the current Supersports "Ice Speed Record" convertible edition that will be limited to only 100 units.

The Breitling Bentley ISR has borrowed many of its design cues from the special edition Bentley Supersports Ice Speed Record Convertible. It gets a carbon fiber fascia with dashboard-style dial, a classically knurled finish on the control buttons, distinctive red dialing, and a carbon fiber presentation box.

Wolfgang Duerheimer, Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, said: "Juha Kankkunen’s drive was a remarkable achievement and worthy of a very special car. The Continental Supersports "Ice Speed Record" is a true driver’s car that captures that unique Bentley spirit. It offers extreme performance, agility and an extrovert personality, while retaining the refinement, handcrafted luxury and comfort our customers expect."

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