An industry outsider with a somewhat combative personality, many were doubtful PayPal co-founder Elon Musk would succeed with his all-electric automotive venture, Tesla Motors. Fought against with controversies, litigation, and financial maladies during the company’s early years, Musk, nevertheless, proved Tesla Motors to be more than just a billionaire’s pet project, but instead a viable auto company with the new Tesla Model S.

Unlike its Roadster model, which was roughly based on the Lotus Elise, the Model S is a completely original design by Tesla. A full-sized sedan with seats for five, the all-electric vehicle will only cost about half the price of the Tesla Roadster as well, coming in at around $49,900 US (with government tax credit). There will be three editions to select from, the first of which is the basic with a 40 kWh battery, 19-inch wheels, and a Universal Mobile Connector, which enables you to charge the Model S with a 240-volt outlet, a 120-volt outlet in most homes, or a public charging station. On top of this, there is the breathtaking 17-inch LCD touchscreen on the central console, a media-infotainment hub with controls for music, navigation, air conditioning, interior lights, even Internet connectivity. There will also be a model with a 60 kWh battery and one with an 85 kWh battery, priced at $59,900 US and $69,900 US.

For those looking for more “oomph” out of their Tesla, there is the Model S Performance with an 85 kWh battery, exterior carbon fiber design cues, Nappa perforated leather interior, and performance-grade wheels, tires, and traction control–a car that boasts a 0 to 60 mph acceleration at around 4.4 seconds only, all for the cost of $79,900 US. Want something more exclusive? The first 1,000 vehicle deliveries will carry the Model S Signature designations with several options not available in vehicles afterwards. Deliveries to come Summer 2012.

Lazareth is a French company that designs and builds custom vehicles on two, three and four wheels. Their creations exhibit a flair for the dramatic, like their special one-off Wazuma V8F, which is essentially a quad bike with a Ferrari engine. Dramatic? Some might say ludicrous. The V8F is in reality more trike than quad, thanks to its narrow rear wheel placement. Either way, the feature that will grab most people’s attention is the 3.0-liter Ferrari V8 (likely taken from a Ferrari 308) delivering 250 horsepower and mated to a BMW M3 sequential gearbox. Two fuel injection systems from Yamaha sport motorcycles and a set of 12.8-inch Brembo brakes later, and you have the recipe for a very unique thrill ride on four wheels — and possible grave bodily injury. With a price tag at more than a quarter-million dollars, this kind of insanity is the sole province of the insanely wealthy. via: Autoblog

Lexus was hoping to keep much of its new LF-LC concept under wraps until the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, but after a pair of official teaser photos dropped, the excitement couldn’t be contained leading to a leaked photo of its profile. Created in Lexus’ California design studio, the new LF-LC looks to have a targa top rather than a fully retractable hard-top and, unlike its predecessor, designers slipped in a second row of seats. The LF-LC’s smooth lines and aggressively styled grille have also been paired with Lexus’ hybrid technology (notice the label near its rear wheel), meaning the LF-LC looks to be Lexus’ take on the future of high-end luxury coupes.

There are still a lot of questions left unanswered about the Lexus LF-LC that will have to wait until for its official unveiling in Detroit on January 9, but you can still get a good look at it after the jump.

KIA would like to introduce you to the Ray EV, their new front-wheel-drive long range vehicle. Limited initially to only 2,500 units, the new KIA Ray is powered by a 50kW electric motor that is paired with a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, which is safely concealed under the rear seat. Capable of pumping out 67-hp and an impressive 123 lb-ft of torque (which is actually more than its gas-guzzling version) with zero emissions, the Ray can be charged in either a standard 6-hour setting or a 25-minute fast-charge mode using a regular household plug. The interior, which can easily fit four, is fitted with a first-ever EV-specific navigation system that is pre-programmed to help drivers find charging stations located throughout Korea.

Click past the jump to see more detailed photos of the KIA Ray EV.

Faralli & Mazzanti may sound like a neighborhood pasta restaurant, but the little known Italian automaker is cooking up something with more flavor than the zestiest pesto. Originally called the Mugello and now known as the Evantra (the abrupt name change may have something to do with the ownership of the Italian Mugello race track, aka Ferrari), F&M’s first production vehicle features an impressively sleek design and equally impressive specs. With production numbers limited to a stingy five examples, customers have the option to customize key features: they can choose between a naturally aspirated or twin-turbo 3.5-liter flat six engine good for 400 and 600 horsepower, as well as a composite or all aluminum body. With the latter, the car is hand-crafted and allows for a bespoke model personalized by the client. The Evantra can potentially weight as little as 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs) and go from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Check out more looks of this limited-edition supercar after the click. via: Autoblog

Italian coachbuilder Zagato is famous for building bodies for competition cars and special one-offs, though it made an exception for the vehicle pictured above. In 2005, noted Japanese car collector Yushiyuki Hayashi commissioned Zagato to create a modern day version of the Ferrari 250 GTZ in honor of the vehicle’s 50th anniversary. Ferrari gave its blessing to allow the automaker’s official badges and logos to be used in the car design based on the 575M Maranello, but only under one condition: as Ferrari was unveiling its 599 GTB Fiorano at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, Zagato would have to wait two months to unveil the all new Ferrari 575 GTZ at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Public reaction to the 575 GTZ was strong enough that Zagato ended up building another five models, with the first two going to Mr. Hayashi. One of those cars has made its way to Symbolic Motor Car Company in La Jolla, California, with mileage clocked at just 2,800. Featuring an all aluminum body in black and a unique green interior, the car lacks a listed asking price, which no doubt means it’s far beyond the reach of us 99 percenters. Check out more looks after the click. via: Autoblog

Yes, its deja vu all over again, just on a smaller scale this time around. From the creative mind that brought you large horticulture puppy and ballon animals in aluminum, artist Jeff Koons partners with BMW this holiday season for a gift idea suitable for car fans of all ages. Introducing the limited edition BMW M3 GT2, in every exact detail as the BMW Art Car by Jeff Koons, which entered the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, except just in a 1:18 scale. A removable hood allows you to view the engine compartment while the trunk can be opened as well. There is even a steerable front axle which will delight any toy enthusiasts. In fact, with exception to its size, this reproduction is just like its larger cousin. Comes with its own display case, only 5,000 of these will be available now through your local BMW dealers.

Little details are known about this Lexus LF-Lc concept car, however we have some sneak preview of the slick sports car. The aggressive face shows a resemblance to the LFA and the Lexus GS, sleek triangular headlights are paired on the side of a large hour glass shaped front grille. Elongated, aerodynamic hood draws a line straight out to the cabin of the coupe, then widening out at the rear. Huge five spoke rims wear wide, low profile tires and these would serve to help translate the power onto the ground. If this concept design is anything to go by, Lexus is well on its way to making jaws drop at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. via: autoblog

Rounding out an already perfect year, Audi presents the A1 Quattro, the most powerful edition in its A1 subcompact class. Armed with a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, the same 252 horsepower powerplant found on the Audi S3, the A1 Quattro is capable of dashing across the 62 mph marker from a standing start in just 5.7 seconds. Yet, much considerations were on efficiency as well, with an average of 27.67 miles per gallon in fuel consumption. Permanent all-wheel drive functions perfectly in sync with its six-speed manual transmission via a highly intelligent electronic control.

But the most notable aspect of this special edition is its appearance. A near identical throwback to the Audi Quattro of the 1980s, the car features a Glacier White paint scheme, high-gloss black roof, and red accents. The design cues are even noticeable on the 17-inch wheels, in a turbine fan silhouette. The same sport seats found on Audi’s S performance series, designers lavished the interior’s A1 Quattro in Silk Nappa leather with contrast seams in red. The same theme continues onto the floor mats and other parts. Finally, door sills feature the A1 Quattro designation.

Set to launch on later half of 2012, Audi will also offers a number of accessories and options to go along with the new vehicle. Though there is one drawback, the automaker will only produce 333 units, which will make the A1 Quattro one of the most prized subcompact of 2012.

MTV star and professional skateboarder, Rob Dyrdek, did what no man has done before: kick flipped a new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic over a gigantic skateboard. Launching off of the ramp at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, Dydrek strapped himself into the minimally-modified Sonic (the only tweaks were installing a roll cage, racing seats and seatbelt, moving the battery and upgrading the shocks) and successfully completed the 360-degree rotation landing safely back on all four wheels after traveling more than 60 feet.

The stunt was performed as part of a Chevrolet ad campaign that was also taped for an upcoming episode of MTV’s Fantasy Factory. If that wasn’t enough, the skateboard was also recorded to be the world’s largest. Check out the video and pictures after the jump to see Dyrdek in action. via: WCF

The near angelic vision of art and technology you see before you is neither a figment of your imagination nor a cleverly done computer rendering. Its actually an existing super car by Aston Martin and goes by the designation One-77.  Its also one of the rarest, with only 10 made thus far. Part of the reason is because of its price at about £ 1,120,000 UK, or about $1,750,000 US, give and take a few thousand.  Making it not only the most expensive Aston Martin but one of the costliest vehicle in the world, next to Koenigsegg and Bugatti.  One other reason is because the attention to details.  To be as impeccable as possible, Aston Martin will fly its employee to clients in order to finalize settings on the One-77 suspension, or finish the interior accents in gold, ruthenium, and other rare metals, all to keep the new owner satisfy. The company even customized a special unveiling expierence at the hand off, filled with specifically composed music, light show, and other dramatic display.

Quipped with a 7.2-liter V12 by engine specialist Cosworth, the Aston Martin One-77 isn’t the fastest super car out of the market today.  But its sensual lines, both inside and out, should make it one of the prettiest. via: Wired

Photos:Nick Dimbleby & Basem Wasef