Ducati Diavel

The black-and-white Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition is a lump of two-wheeled mean that takes cues from both the bikemaker and tuning house. The five-spoke wheels are derived from AMG, as well the aluminium radiator grilles, exhaust and Alcantara seat. What's more, the Desmodromic cam-timing system is set by hand and signed by the responsible engine technician, just as an AMG engine is built and signed by one man.

During a roundtable discussion, Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio said each bike would be numbered and the model would be a limited edition, but he didn't indicate how limited. It has already been priced in Europe at €26,000 to €27,000. It doesn't have a U.S price yet, but will be presented to dealers in the U.S. later this year and is expected to go on sale in spring of 2012. Even if you can't afford to buy it, you can't certainly afford to ogle it in the gallery of high-res photos.

Lexus vows bolder design

Related Gallery2013 Lexus GS350

   

Lexus design has never been very flashy, and many might say (including us) the automaker's entire current lineup is a bit bland-looking (LFA supercar excepted, natch). But that visual conservatism may be about to change: Automotive News is reporting that the Japanese juggernaut plans to change that by taking more risks and striving for more character.

Toyota Design Chief Tokuo Fukuichi tells AN that the brand will build on the design language first introduced in the HS 250h and refined in the GS, but with more emphasis on the fighter jet-inspired grille. Lexus says the eye-catching grille draws from the hourglass shape of a spindle, but it's more than just an expressive face. Fukuichi adds "The spindle grille is not just a design matter; it also has to have a good functional performance in bringing in air."

In short, Lexus is looking to push itself to create more dynamic new models, even if some models don't exactly come off as focus-group friendly. We're all for a sexier Lexus with a personality implant, but a new grille won't be all that's needed. Only time will tell if Toyota's premium marque can shed its conservative tendencies and come up with something more dynamic that still sells.

Lotus Exige R-GT

Related GalleryLotus Exige R-GT: Frankfurt 2011

   

Lotus has continually stated that it has big plans for the future. One of those being a return to the rallying world, and it will do just that with the all-new Lotus Exige R-GT. Sitting on the Frankfurt floor, the R-GT evokes visions of classic rally cars while also providing a showcase of Lotus' current and future styling.

The car will compete in the FIA R-GT class, and it tips the scales at 2,646 pounds. Some of that weight comes in the form of class-mandated underside and side protection for driver and passenger, as well as the steel rollcage.

The Exige R-GT is powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine, which produces 302 horsepower. That energy is routed to the wheels through a six-speed sequential transmission. The engine is the same as the one found in the standard Exige, however 34-millimeter air restrictors have been put in place to control the power, as is required by the FIA rulebook for R-GT racing.

Lotus will first offer the Exige R-GT to motorsports customers rather than dive into rallying with its own factory team. Either way, we're happy to see the Lotus name once again applied to a rally race car. Feel free to read the complete press release after the break.