Ford’s Lincoln division has been suffering in the last few years. They haven’t been making bad cars… just uninspiring ones. With the new 2013 MKZ, Lincoln is clearly trying to turn that around. Without a doubt, this is the hottest looking Lincoln since the 1993 Mark VIII. Available with the 2.0 EcoBoost 4 cylinder, 3.7 liter 6 cylinder, or the Hybrid powerplant, The MKZ will offer a well rounded option list. The interior is just as good looking as the exterior and features a 10.1 inch (that’s not a typo) LCD screen in the dash! Though the MKZ will still share the basic chassis and engine options with the Fusion (also updated for 2013), there’s enough style and option differences to make this new MKZ stand on it’s own.

This is our first look at BMW’s new ‘cute ute’, the X1. Based on the 1 Series sedan’s chassis, the entry level SUV will have 2 engine choices for the U.S. Market including a turbo 2.0 liter four with 240 horsepower and the tried and true 3.0 turbo 6, good for an even 300. Both powertrains should move the small X1 down the road with enthusiasm, while an extremely long options list should satisfy those looking for ‘all the bells & whistles.’ Completely optioned out, the X1 will push the $50K mark, but the starting price for a base model 2.0 is a more agreeable $31,545.

If I were 11 years old again, I’d be squealing like a little girl right now. Instead, I’m 34 – I’m squealing like a BIG girl. Here we have a video that takes two of the most famous on-screen cars of all time and lines em’ up for a “super” race. It’s the 1966 Batmobile from the original TV series and the 1989 Batmobile from the “Batman” film starring Michael Keaton. I actually got to see both of these cars at car shows back in the 80′s. The 66 is based on the Lincoln Futura concept car. It weighs in at a whopping 5,500 lbs. and has an old school 390 under the hood. The 89 model, though most thought it was a stretched out Corvette, is actually built on a Chevy Impala chassis and gets it’s motivation from a pumped up small-block 350. Check out the video below… I suggest skipping to about the 7:45 mark where the race starts. AND… I suggest sticking around for the hot bikini car wash afterwards. (no, really!)

This, my friends, is the Rolls Royce Phantom B12 Hearse from Biemme Special Cars. It’s a 1 of 1 concept that measures over 23 feet in length. (“that’s what she said”… sorry) I suppose, if you’re planning your own funeral and want to let your family members know that wasting money on riding like P. Diddy is more important than their inheritance, this would be the hearse for you. I’ve got to question Biemme’s decision on the rear doors, though; “suicide” doors on a hearse!??? Bad taste, guys… but funny.

Without moving up to the BMW/Mercedes/Porsche level, there hasn’t been any real competition for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 performance SUV… until now. Ford is teasing a new ‘performance’ version of the newly designed Explorer. Rumors suggest that the Explorer will be close to the performance of the Jeep, while beating the SRT’s $60,000 price tag and combined 14 mpg rating. Check out the teaser video…