Mini Rocky IV - watch more funny videos

The video is the latest in a ten-day back-and-forth between MINI USA President Jim McDowell, a former Porsche executive, and Porsche North America President and CEO Detlev Von Platen.  It began with MINI placing a full-page ad in the New York Times challenging Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta, near Porsche NA headquarters.  Porsche politely declined, saying that they are in motorsports to challenge themselves, not for publicity stunts.  MINI fired back twice, first by flying a banner over Porsche NA that simply read, "Dear Porsche, Bring it!  Love, MINI."  The second is this video.

Will Porsche accept the challenge, in the spirit of Rocky v. Drago, Seabiscuit v. War Admiral, and Daniel v. Cobra Kai?  Stay tuned!

At what point does a conspicuous display of wealth become obscene?

Well, a solid gold, diamond-encrusted model of a Bugatti Veyron, if it doesn't cross the line, certain comes close.

It is called, officially, the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Limited Edition and it's a scaled replica of a true Veyron (1:18) in solid 24-carat gold, platinum and adorned with 7.2 carat single cut flawless diamonds.

The model is a creation of Munich-based Robert Gulpen and Stuart Hughes from Liverpool (UK), both known and respected figures in the world of bespoke luxury design.

The doors and hoods are functional, meaning they open and close, and the steering works too.

Only 3 will be made.

Cost/Value? £2 million (€2.4 million).

Aznom and Romeo Ferraris have teamed up to create a modified Land Rover Defender.

Despite looking rather conservative, Aznom equipped the SUV with carbon fiber bumpers, a two-tone matte paint job, red accents, and black wheels with Kumho Road Venture tires. Inside, the cabin boasts alcantara upholstery, a carbon fiber steering wheel, Sparco sport seats, and carbon fiber trim.

Under the hood, Romeo Ferraris tweaked the 2.4-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine to produce 152 hp (113 kW / 154 PS) - an increase of 30 hp (22 kW / 30 PS). While no performance data was released, the upgrade should help to move the Defender with a little extra oomph.

British tuning firm Oakley Design has just released a new package of upgrades for the Ferrari 458 Italia. Limited to a small series of 5 individually-numbered units, the tuned vehicle sees aerodynamic changes, a few cosmetic changes, and a remapped engine computer.

The ECU may be the most minor of otherwise significant alterations.Power is boosted by 10% from 570 PS (419 kW / 562 bhp) to 627 PS (461 kW / 618 bhp), while torque is bumped up 5% from 540 Nm to 567 Nm.

When combined with the other modifications, the engine computer's upgrade is a robust revision.  A larger carbon-fibre air intake box, larger ram air feeds and larger diameter white silicon pipes with Oakley Design logos connecting the air boxes to the intake all contribute to improved throttle response and increased output as described by the ECU upgrade.

Aerodynamics are improved with a front spoiler that "adds 45kg of downforce" to the front end at speeds of 150 mph (241 km/h).  25kg of downforce is added at the back, and at the same speed, thanks to the added rear spoiler with a Gurney flap.  At the same time, airflow is improved with the central radiator vent, radiator exhausts next to the headlights, stylized side sills, and new rear and underbody diffuser.

New 9.0Jx20-inch front, 11.0Jx20-inch rear OZ Racing wheels with Pirelli Trofeo tires have also been installed.  Combined with a 65kg weight reduction thanks to the carbon fiber mods, which includes a new roof panel, the car is capable of faster sprints and better top speed.

The Oakley Design Ferrari 458 Italia reaches 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, a 0.4-second improvement.The car tops out higher than 330 km/h.  Those wanting the Oakley Design tuning kit, but not able to get one of the 5 limited edition models, can purchase parts individually from the firm.

Fisker Automotive Inc., the California electric-car start-up, will be building 100 units of its Karma plug-in hybrid model this year to be used for testing, according to an investor in the firm.

The company has contracted Finnish manufacturer Valmet Automotive to build the Karma at its plant in Finland where Valmet also builds the Porsche Boxster and Cayman models, and the electric City car for Think, the Norwegian automaker. According to investor Ray Lane, production will be ramped up next year to a volume of 15,000 units annually.

Lane is a managing partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm which has previously invested in successes such as Google and Amazon.com.

"These will be tested internally, crash tested and used for other testing purposes," said Lane. Some units will be delivered to customers for real-world testing too.

The Karma is a premium 4-door sport-sedan coupe and plug-in hybrid model with two electric motors producing a total of 300 kW (402 bhp / 408 PS) and 1,300 Nm (959 lb/ft) of torque. It has a range of around 50 miles/80 km running on electric-current alone. In hybrid mode, with an internal-combustion engine charging the 200kW lithium-ion battery pack, its range is extended to 300 miles/482 km. The drive wheels are solely powered by the electric motors.

Novitec Rosso has announced new accessories, wheels and an ECU upgrade for the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

Consisting of a revised ECU and a stainless steel exhaust system, the package increases the output of the 5.7-liter V12 from 540 PS (400 kW / 530 bhp) and 588 Nm (434 lb-ft) to 565 PS (416 kW / 558 bhp) and 609 Nm (449 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the Scaglietti to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, before topping out at more than 325 km/h (202 mph).

In terms of styling, the company offers darkened lighting units (taillights, reflectors and side markers) and three-piece NF3 alloy wheels which measure 9Jx20 front and 12.5Jx21 rear. Inside, customers can order a sport steering wheel, special leather upholstery, and custom seats.