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It’s official. The Lotus Evora. A ‘grown-up’ Lotus coupe with proper amenities. Say, like an actual interior (see an image of the interior after the jump).

The Evora will be powered by a 276 horsepower Toyota sourced V6 that will propel the 2,976 lb. vehicle with typical Lotus-like fury. Again, the key highlight of the Evora will be its sumptuous, yet sporty, interior, which will sport leather, a navigation system and the ability to get in and out of the car without Crisco and pullies. We’re looking forward to getting behind the wheel of this one. [via press release]

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Suffice it to say, these days aren’t exactly ideal for car ownership. But giving up some of your monthly car payment allowance doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice image, quality or performance (and efficiency). Mazda’s laid a pretty impressive punch to the automarket with its 2009 Mazda6. The Mazda6, aestheticlaly, is the lovechild of a Mercedes S-Class stance, Nissan Maxima profile and an Infinity G37 coupe fascia. Either way, it works well and will satiate the hunger of curb appeal buyers.

Power is served up in either an efficient 2.4 liter four-cylinder plant or a 3.7 liter V6 with 6-speed manual (hoorah) or 5-speed auto (hoorah for urban dwellers) that produces a sizeable 273 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Plenty enough to make that lawyer with the 3-series think twice about taking you on in a stoplight gentleman’s drag peel.

Image of interior after the jump.

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What makes an already incredible sports car an even better one? A touch of eco-ness. Enter, the Lotus Eco Elise. A Lotus Elise made of sustainable materials (hemp hard top, sisal and hand applied water-based paint), flexible solar rooltop panels for the electric systems to reduce drain on engine, and a shift light to advise drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

The net result is a 70 pound reduction in vehicle weight, which you car nuts know is a sizeable achievement.

We endorse green products. We further endorse those that make an otherwise outstanding vehicle that much better. Picture of interior after the jump. [via Autoblog]

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Also See: 2008 Lotus Supercharged Elise SC

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It’s July 4th weekend and that means you car owners will probably carve out an hour or two to clean your pollen laden ride. Upgrade that old clay wax sitting in your garage with Turtle Wax’s ICE, liquid polish. It’s a clear wax formulated with silicone and hydrocarbon polymers.

Turtle Wax ICE can be applied to exterior rubber, plastic and vinyl trim (without that annoying white residue) and best of all, applied with one coat in DIRECT sunglight or hot surface unlike standard waxes. That alone is worth the price of admission. The kit also includes a custom applicator and microfiber towel. [Thanks Anthony!]

Cost: $14 @ Ace Hardware or local car supply shop.

Also See:
The Complete Pirelli Calendar | $54
Kobalt 26-Gallon Compressor with 6-Tool Kit | $299

If there’s a reason to still own an SUV then tailgating is definitely one of them. Proper tailgating can be cumbersome what with all the cans, food, etc.

The Party-A-Cargo tow hitch mounted kegerator will let you carry 160 cans of ice cold beer and a 20 pound bag of ice. It will also let you play 12 hours of music through its self-powered sound system (with subwoofer) for 12 hours. Everything will close up and secure nicely in the locking trailer hitch mounted enclosure. [Thanks Dave!]

Cost: $2,895-$3,795 @ Tailgating Ideas

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A while back Gear Patrol brought you a post on the Maserati GranTurismo S. The coupe is undoubtedly gorgeous, but honestly its four door brother, the new 2009 Quattroporte S has always been dearer to my heart, no less caused by my affinity for over-powered European sport sedans. Well, my vice is your post, so I give you the 2009 Maserati Quattraporte S.

The 4.7 liter 430 horsepower engine will be sourced from the Alfa-Romeo Competizone 8C and for 2009, the Maserati Quattraporte will have a ZF six-speed transmission and revised bodywork that bring an overall tauter look to the sexy sedan. Inside you’ll find tweaks both ergonomically and stylistically alongside the Maserati Multimedia System.

Additional image after the jump.
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Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 15th. Arguably the most important man, nay person, in your life is worthy of some thought and consideration. Whether your father’s the grill maven or a speed demon we’ve got great gift ideas for dad this year.

Either way, we seriously doubt he’ll care for a gift more than he’ll care for some mano-e-mano with the most important person in his life, you.

Read on for the 2008 Gear Patrol Father’s Day Gift Guide.

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The Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG is not Greenpeace approved. The Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG is not economical.

The Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG 507 hp/516 lb-ft of torque will require more trips to Exxon this year than a Ford Focus would require in it’s entire lifespan… make that your lifespan. It may as well cost just as much too as the G55’s MSRP is North of $191,000. For that price your still-military-grade luxo-box will have a hand built AMG engine, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels and more brand cache than any other vehicle at the valet. Of course, a COMAND navigation, DVD changer, AMG sport-exhaust system, AMG styling kit and a bevy of other options are included. The gas mileage, it appears, has been conveniently omitted from press release. [via Mercedes-Benz]

Cost: $191,000+ @ Mercedes-Benz

Slotted somewhere right in between badass and beast resides the SCORE BAJA 1000 Limited Edition Icon. It’s based off of the unique Icon, which itself is based off the original Toyota Land Cruiser design.

Designed by Jonathan Ward, the Score BAJA 1000 Limited Edition Icon features extensive innovative design details like its hand brushed aluminum body with black crocodile powder coated trim. It would take more words than our editor’s will allow me to go through all the equipment and gear the SCORE BAJA 1000 includes, but here’s a brief list: Racing jack, Powertank, ARB air compressor, Warn XP cradle mount winch, IPF HID lighting system, and powerful stereo system. The truck is powered by a 450 horsepower alloy LS6 engine, shift on the fly Atlas II transfer case, one-ton Dynatrac axles, advanced triangulated four link coil suspension with Sway-A-Way Race Runner remote reservoir coilover shocks & nitrogen bump stops, DJ Safety limiter straps and dual sway bars. Yowza.

What this means to you: Assuredly, this guarantees you the single most unique vehicle you or anyone you know will ever own.

Cost: $145,000 @ TLC 4×4

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A car enthusiast worth his weight knows what this means:

One Lap on Nurburgring - 07:59:32

For those of you that don’t, that means the car you see above, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, helmed by John Heinricy, did the infamous Nurburgring auto engineer’s hell in less than eight minutes. The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is a 550 horsepower, 550 lb-ft torque 4 doored monster. Packed with the Corvette ZR1 6.2L V8 it generates more power than any of it’s competitors and most importantly, the BMW M5 which itself is powered by a V10.

Staggered nineteen inch wheels surround the car and Micheln Pilot Sport 2 tires connect it to the road held to the car with Magnetic Ride Control - shocks that automatically adjust in 1ms intervals. Brembo brakes clamping composite rotors the size of the Hindenberg keep you, your three other passengers (seated in 14-way Recaro seats, no less) planted on god’s green earth. Oh, and an bassy exhaust note that will make you cry uncle.

Video of incindiary lap run and interior picture after the jump.

What this means to you: This ain’t no 1989 Sedan De’Ville.

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