512 S MODULO Gif 1

Atlanta Dream Cars Showcase – 1970 Ferrari 512S Modulo by Pininfarina

As wild as Ferrari production cars are – you might notice that the brand releases almost no pure concept cars. Why? Because people want to buy them off the auto show floor! And so Ferrari must be exceptionally careful about what they show the public, especially if the car itself is too wild to ever be sold. One of the great concept Ferrari’s of all time is the 512 S Modulo. It takes the same ultra-aerodynamic goals as the Lancia Stratos HF Zero to an altogether different conclusion. But while the Lancia Stratos HF Zero looked vaguely production-feasible, this 512 …

Keep reading

Lancia Stratos HF Zero Bertone GIF12

Atlanta Dream Cars Showcase – 1970 Lancia Stratos HF ZERO by Bertone

1970 Lancia Stratos HF ZERO by Bertone The Dream Cars exhibit this summer at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta is a thrilling ride through automotive history that every car lover will adore. The collection might be far smaller than most auto shows, but the impact of every car will leave your feet cemented to the floor. And your jaw? It will often be on the floor as well. How to rewrite that introduction? It certainly applies to this next car: the 1970 Lancia Stratos HF by Bertone. Sitting beside the 1970 Ferrari Pininfarina 512 S Modulo, these cars …

Keep reading

E63 AMG GIF Header Estate

Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model Estate is 3.6-Second Wagon!

INTERIOR GoPro Review Info – Part One   When it comes to the rarest of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars and trucks, the S-Models are the absolute top of the pops. But the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Estate? Perhaps the ultimate in rare supercars – the S-Model Estate is certainly up there with the most-exclusive cars available. By our estimates, fewer than 200 total S-Model E63 AMGs will come to the United States per year, which is a crying shame. The E63 Estate is just one click slower to 60-mph than the S-Model sedan. That makes this the 3.6-second wagon king. The …

Keep reading

STI Gif header 20152

Track Test Review – 2015 Subaru WRX STI Is Brilliantly Fast, Grippy and Fun on Autocross

The 2015 Subaru WRX STI! The time has come for (one of..) the last of my reviews from the amazing sojern up north to Road America last month. The STI is certainly in my Greatest Hits column. It feels punchy, fast, vocally boxer and turbocharged, eager to turn in and happy to muscle its way out of any corner. As such, the STI was swamped with wanna-be rally heroes for its big laps of the main Road America circuit. But there was time for some on-camera bonding via the smaller Go-Kart track that we set up as a timed Autocross. …

Keep reading

Car-Revs-Daily

Atlanta Dream Cars Showcase – 1948 TASCO Shows Propeller-Aircraft Influence Zenith

The Dream Cars exhibit this summer at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta is a thrilling ride through automotive history that every car lover will adore. The collection might be far smaller than most auto shows, but the impact of every car will leave your feet cemented to the floor. And your jaw? It will often be on the floor as well. No other recent collection spans the time and space of automotive evolution and design quite as thoroughly. Every car in the collection is marvelous. The TASCO opens the gallery and its design is certainly one that sticks …

Keep reading

Hot Track Lap Review - 2014 BMW M235i Is Most Fun and Best-Sounding Junior Supercar EVER GIF6

Track Drive Review – 2014 BMW M235i Is Best Junior Supercar… EVER!

INTRO Favorite car? Best sports-car? I am running out of superlative awards here – but the points made in the above video are all certainly still felt by me today. The above film is actually pretty watch-able, with some great insights after hopping right in the M235i and doing a lap of Road America right after doing the same in the 2014 M5. Truth be told, for a relative new-comer to the huge-power BMW and sportscar arena, the M235i felt a little more my speed. It was more forgiving on the track, and at the same time friskier and more …

Keep reading

Car-Revs-Daily

Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4Matic Sedan Is Speedboat From Heaven

Have you ever driven a car that was so incredibly outstanding that it made you want to weep? Made you spring out of bed, head into work early — and stay late? Study harder, analyze better, deliver results and achieve excellence among your peers? It is easy to slip into fatalism — saying, “I will never have enough money to own a car like that.” Or, “Without X, Y or Z — owning a car like that is simply an impossible dream, for me.” I am here today with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG to slap your silly face. The …

Keep reading

2015 BMW X650i GIF header

2015 BMW X6 Debuts Tech-tastic 445HP xDrive50i and New Rear-Drive sDrive35i

One issue with BMW’s rapidly-evolving technology suite in all models is that the existing cars can feel a bit left-behind by mid-cycle. Luckily, BMW is also rolling out models far quicker than Mercedes-Benz and especially Audi/VW. While the new GTI has finally – finally! – arrived in US dealerships this week, BMW has made its long-time best market a priority, especially for the Spartnburg-built X5, X4, X3 and X7 models. We truly get them first. The gravy train keeps rolling and even picks up speed today, with the second-gen X6 debuting online ahead of its expected arrival in stores by …

Keep reading

Car-Revs-Daily

Off-Road Test Review – 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid is Surprisingly Silent + Very Capable

As shown by the Toyota 4Runner off-roading article earlier this week, we know I am a total wimp when it comes to off-roading. Despite my grand ambitions to be a Bowler Wildcat-running mudder in my own 2005 Subaru Legacy GT — all efforts to date have seriously damaged the car. I am on my fourth set of wheels, for example. But what would even lead me to take my beloved Subie off-road? One word: grip. The Subaru AWD system is seriously unflappable. In wintertime this year, I was fortunate enough to have a 2WD Chevy Silverado press loaner in my …

Keep reading

Bentley GT W12 Speed GIF header

2014 Bentley GT Speed W12 Easily Wins Fastest, Most-Sideways Award at Road America

How can an all-wheel-drive supercoupe be ‘most sideways,’ you ask? The Conti GT Speed was giving demo rides with none other than Bentley Works GT3 driver Jamie Morrow at the helm. This polite and dapper gentleman turns into a car-hurling beast on the track — with lurid Scandinavian flicks rocking the car off-balance and the huge, huge W12 Speed’s engine power pulling around corners in a perma-drift heaven. It was absolutely magnificent. A man in a Breitling watch and an official Bentley pay stub can certainly push the car he knows so well to the limits — better than a …

Keep reading

MINI 5-Door 2015 Cooper S GIF header

192HP, 6.8-Second 2015 MINI 5-Door Answers the Call of Back-Seaters Everywhere

What is the back-seaters’ call? “Let us out!” ? That is not exactly the MINI Cooper’s fun-loving style! Back-seat whiners have typically just wanted to stretch their legs a little bit, but been stuck until one of the fancy front-seaters will move their tush and let the seat slide up to an open slice of door. The 2015 MINI five-door hatch promises modest solutions to both problems via an extra set of rear doors on the silly-fun urban classic. The latest MINI model is far more approachable in every way, with its turbocharged standard triple delivering more MPG and also …

Keep reading

Car-Revs-Daily

Future SUV Rendering – 2016 GMC Denali VIP Concept – Black Trim, Wheels + Extra LED Lighting

If you read the glowing review of the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali this morning, you know we are big fans of this big truck. It is everything the Tahoe has, and almost everything the Escalade brings to the table — but with extra under-the-radar coolness as standard. The Escalade is a pop-culture phenom at this point – which is great news for resurgent Cadillac. But the Escalade being the ride of choice for young Hollywood does not universally enhance its appeal.What about those seeking ultimate style without the Cadillac badge? Is the Denali the price ceiling for GMC? Our hunch …

Keep reading

macan turbo 111 gif header

2015 Porsche Macan Turbo Is Fast, Athletic and Nimble in 50+ Real-Life Photos

  I’ve been a huge fan of the Macan since first seeing the finished show cars last Fall. With Macan S and Macan Turbo variants in the USA launch line-up — it seems like it is hard to go wrong with this latest — and sportiest-so-far — Porsche crossover. But how does its $49,900 base price feel in real life? Is that a bit steep considering the Cayenne also carries that same base price for 2014? The base pricing, as many Porsche owners know, is really just a starting point. Finding a car without a single option would be like …

Keep reading

Road Test Review – 2015 GMC Yukon Denali Is 6.2-Second, 6.2L V8 Dream SUV

The GMC Yukon Denali has been a pet project of mine since the trio of next-gen GM SUVs debuted in September of 2013. I went from auto writer to fan-boy: creating color turn-tables, pouring over the equipment lists, and generally fawning over the machine. Some seat time only confirmed my strong desire for the Denali as the sweet-spot of the Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade line-up. I deeply enjoyed the Denali’s plush leather and interior mood, while relishing the benefits both the Tahoe and Yukon bring to the table for 2015. Let’s dive in with the usual categories: Exterior, Interior, Driving Experience and Summary. …

Keep reading

1914 MB GP Amelia GIF lawn 2

1914 Mercedes-Benz GranPrix Race Car in 25 Original, High-Res Photos

INTRO: Did I regale you yet with stories of how unbelievably cunty the official Amelia Island Concours people were this year? I was chased off the lawn numerous times during what they claimed were “private” photo shoots. Typically, having three media badges around your neck is enough — unless you are in slummy, run-down Jacksonville, Florida-adjacent. Was mostly a lovely time, but repeatedly ruined by the Ritz-Carlton Residences retirees (volunteers I now dub: the ‘colostomy bag hags’) who were running the show with an entitled arrogance of unbelievable proportion. One such run-in with the old guard was taking some lovely …

Keep reading

Juke NISMO header gif1

2014 Nissan Juke NISMO in 60 High-Res Photos + Video Walk-Around

The 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO is incredible value at just above $25,000 all in, with a choice between a manual transmission and front-drive or a NISMO-tuned CVT auto and AWD with a “V” mode for extra shenanigans. Sunny Day Gallery     Rainy Day Gallery      

EVO autocross GIF

2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR – Video Reviews and High-Res Photo Gallery

One of the downsides of starting a site from scratch is that the formats and the site layouts are bound to change over time. Those changes often are compatible with the old setup, but sometimes are not. So here is a repost of last fall’s dream press loaner: the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR — on video and in numerous high-res photos. VIDEO PART ONE VIDEO PART TWO

2014 McLaren 650S Spider builder GIF1

2014 McLaren 650S Spider – Buyers Guide + Color Visualizer and Build-Out in Mantis Green

EDITOR’S INTRO: This article almost broke the internet. Seriously…   If there is one color I could get on-board with for a new dream McLaren — beyond my preference for white paint/dark wheels — it would either be McLaren Orange or Talocca Orange, which is a new and slightly lighter shade than the current MO color. But when presented with Mantis Green, who could say no? It is an outlandish color, and one that truly comes alive in the sun. The rest of the options for the McLaren 650S are actually pretty easy – especially versus the Ferrari configurator for …

Keep reading

Aston Martin V12 Zagato header GIF spinner3

Aston Martin V12 Zagato – Future Classic Showcase in 5 Flawless Color Turntables

THE WHO Like many small British brands who shall not be named, Aston can feel a victim to its own design success, at times. The DB7 kick-started this modern styling vogue, which led smoothly to the 2000s Vanquish and DB9 and the modern range. But sometimes what is needed is not evolution, but revolution. This latest safe-design kick is the blowback from Aston-Martin’s aggressive design flirtations in the 1970s and 1980s — cars like the Lagonda sedan and the Bulldog wedge concept were so ‘out there’ that they nearly bankrupted the company of customers and ideas. All while making the …

Keep reading

458 Italia white black gold GIF header12

See + Hear My Ideal 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale in All-New Ferrari.com Car Configurator

Car configurators are no silly thing these days: this is serious high-commerce. Not an Amazon.com purchase, either: people are far more demanding of the experience presented to them from before the moment they step into a car showroom these days. For companies like Ferrari and McLaren — the configurator wars are ground zero for a battle to win these high-dollar clients. But isn’t a test drive critical, you might ask? Yes and no. Buyers like this often own a car for such a short period of time that the delivered model must prove itself to earn more than a three-month …

Keep reading

2014 Hyundai Veloster REFLEX GIF header

2014 Hyundai Veloster REFLEX Brings Exclusive White Finish, Turbo LEDs and DCT Auto for $22k

  The special Veloster Hyundai debuted in Chicago has now arrived in dealers nationwide! The Veloster RE:FLEX is a shortcut way to get the hottest-spec and best-equipped Veloster model available — with standard automatic transmission and all the Turbo’s LED style for only $21,650 before delivery charges of about $800. The interior is offered in red or black leather, along with the latest mobile device connectivity and even the giant glass moonroof as standard. The white and chrome finishes are a nice touch to the Veloster RE:FLEX — and are a sure way to have an exclusive and premium-feeling sports …

Keep reading

2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S GIF header2

2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S – Road Test Review of AMG and BMW’s New Daddy

Does anyone else recall the Fox TV network’s endless promo’s many years ago for that crappy show called Wife Swap? “Meet your new mommy!” the announcer crowed over video of the horrified children — shocked that their parents would sign up for this reality-show charade? That is my face now as I say to myself, “Wow, meet the new luxury supercar ‘Daddy.’” The Bentley Continental GT has faced many harsh critiques over the years it has dominated its market segment – criticized even while selling so many that it defined what a modern, successful Bentley Cars Ltd should be in …

Keep reading

Accord Coupe V6 header BRP GIF22

Travel Adventures – 2014 Honda Accord Coupe V6 in the Mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway

  Okay!  Let’s dive in! Part of the delay in writing up this Travel Adventures piece on the Accord Coupe is the surplus of photos. Seriously! We arrived home with 386 photos from various “Parkway” spots along my adventure on some of America’s finest driving roads. But here is the thing: the photos all look identical! =] So to make matters relatively simple, about 200 of them are animated in seven GIFs here – with 70 or so of the best in a gallery at the bottom. Also included here are three videos from the Great Smokey Mountains National Park …

Keep reading

C63 AMG Coupe and Sedan 507 GIF header

2014 C63 AMG Edition 507 Sedan and Coupe Going Out With V8 Flash-Bang!

Extra power and extra menace for the final year on the market before new models arrive? Yes please! The stonking 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine is one of the best powerplants available at any price — even this priced by GE, Westinghouse or the other nuclear turbine providers of the world. This thing is a rip-snorting firework that you set off with your right foot. In the lightweight and compact C-Class sedan and coupe, this translates into some of the most extreme passing speeds of any car, anywhere. That includes Ferrari’s and the like, by the way. Where the current Edition …

Keep reading

C-CLass Estate 2015

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate Ups Wagon Sexiness, Will It Come To USA?

Update1: 5.31.14 Will the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate come to the United States? The answer is most likely a “No.” That is because the Mercedes GLA-Class and GLK SUVs have been doing an admirable job hoovering up crossover demand all by themselves. The recent re-arrival of the E-Class Estate to the US market might point in a new direction for the brand, but we still would give the C400 4Matic Estate only a 50/50 chance of coming over with the rest of the new C-Class range when it arrives in late 2014 to MB dealers nationwide. The good news? Is …

Keep reading

Aston-Martin-DBS-Centennial GIF

Block-Chic Zagato Aston Martin DBS Centennial Hits Concours Circuit at Villa d’Este

The artful styling direction at Zagato typically ebbs and flows between two extremes: curved softness and sharp brutality. Things appear to be swinging back to the sharp side of the ruler lately, with the DBS Centennial by Zagato implementing creases and a blocky nose and rear form that is much more 1980s than we have seen from Aston or anyone else, since that decade, perhaps. The Alfa-Romeo SZ and even many Astons from this era whole-heartedly embraced crisp graphics: just recall the Aston-Martin Lagonda saloon car for reference. Curves and flow are not totally out of the picture for the …

Keep reading

650S header

2014 McLaren 650S Is Devastatingly Gorgeous in 150 New Photos in 4 Colors

This is some rough stuff for those of us without a few hundred grand in our checking accounts. The latest photos of the 2014 McLaren 650S Coupe and Spider… Are. Gorgeous. This is not some flight-of-fancy. Not some floozy in a dim bar. This is sell-your-house beauty. Sell-your-kidneys sex appeal on wheels. Wow. Stunning stuff. Don’t say we didn’t warn you beforehand…! 2014 McLaren 650S – MANTIS GREEN 2014 McLaren 650S Is Devastatingly Gorgeous in 150 New Photos in 4 Colors   2014 McLaren 650S – WHITE 2014 McLaren 650S – ORANGE 2014 McLaren 650S – BLUE

2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6 – Road Test Review of FAST and FUN RWD Sportscar

Does something or someone become more beautiful the more you love it? I think we all know that the answer is: Yes. Such were my feelings after driving the 2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8. Coming home, I find some of the most stunning photos and time-consuming angles of any car in recent memory – and the car is looking stellar. Sporty, lightweight, expensive and fast – but most of all, bright red. Was I so smitten that I kept snapping away long after I had the basics for a road test review? It would clearly seem that way. After all, …

Keep reading

TUNDRA HEADER GIF

MEGA Road Test Review – 2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8 CrewMax Limited

INTRO   Ahh, the joys of moving from a little car to a giant truck. Can they ever truly be overstated? The first few minutes, you are simply in awe at how large a vehicle you are piloting. The steering can feel a bit slow, and the width takes getting used to. But after less than a mile, you start to “get it.” You get the big view forward and to all sides. You get the sense that the roominess of the Tundra’s cabin goes on for miles and miles. And you get the sense, most importantly, that you are …

Keep reading

Fiesta ST gif header

VIDEO: 2014 Ford Fiesta ST is Most Fun at Road America Autocross Track

Do you ever want to reach into TopGear magazine sometimes and shake them by the collar, yelling: “YES, We know the Fiesta ST is fun. Next topic!” Oh, that is just me? Whatever then! I have gotten really fatigued with Fiesta ST rave reviews. It just didn’t seem relevant. Until the first peel-out. On the go-kart-track turned Autocross of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – the Fiesta ST comes alive. I finally get it. Finally. Finally! The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST really is a hoot. It is How Stella Got Her Groove Back. It is the g-spot in Octopussy. …

Keep reading

2015 BRZ Series Blue GIF

2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue Limited-Edition Brings STI Goodies

2015 Subaru BRZ Series Blue …. Also Available in White. No joke. 500 copies of the World Rally Blue color and 500 copies of Crystal White are the only choices for the top-spec Series.Blue limited edition coming this summer to Subaru BRZ fans. A minimal makeover of the 2015 BRZ will kick off the second-generation cars’ market tenure: underbody aero panels smooth the drag coefficient, STI wheels and body accessories add drama outside, while larger exhaust tips and a shark-fin radio antenna also join the fun for 2015. The cars are also likely to include a bit more NVH material …

Keep reading

PANAMERA HYBRID HEADER 2

2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid Review + All Colors and Wheels Visualizer

Panamera desire but also confusion? Such is life in the fast lane. This hugely-successful model has bloomed into an eight-strong fleet this year. What is new? The Turbo S, Panamera LWB, Diesel and even this all-new plug-in e-Hybrid. (Versions outlined and pricing comparisons here in previous article.) The Panamera S e-Hybrid slides in between the Panamera S and the Panamera 4S on price. Surely, luxury limo’s are passe company cars for those with more dollars than actual eco guilt? No longer. The Panamera S e-Hybrid is the first-ever plug-in luxury car in existence. Doubtful? Count them down. 1. Tesla = …

Keep reading

WRX COlors header 2

2015 Subaru WRX Colors – All 7 Shades in Animated Turntables + Track Testing Videos

The 2015 Subaru WRX is really a terrific car: much more rigid chassis, same awesome handling, but now much better-looking and far more liveable on a daily basis. The regular WRX is also darn close to the STI in the official sprint times: 5.2s for the WRX plays about 4.8-seconds for the STI. This test car is the automatic, which is a CVT this year with six-speed or eight-speed paddle-shifter settings available. Unfortunately, the automatic WRX did not feel quite as peppy as the manual cars’ times suggest above: we estimate this automatic WRX to hit 60-mph in about 6.2 …

Keep reading

RM Auctions Monterey 2014 Preview - 1961 Aston-Martin DB4 GIF header

RM Monterey 2014 Preview – 1961 Aston-Martin DB4 Superleggera – Lost by Castrol Ltd, Found By You

This sentence originally closed the article, but must be bumped to the front: This is a Superleggera car — with an alloy bodyshell! HIGHLY DESIRABLE…! Carrozzeria Touring handled these few cars, if we are not mistaken… This DB4 was originally delivered to Castrol in the United Kingdom, forty years before Castrol motor oils officially became part of British Petroleum in the year 2000. For trivia buffs, CC Wakefield and Company became Castrol in 1960, before being purchased by Burmah Oil in 1966. But this has nothing to do with this outstandingly-authentic DB4, which is in true “Barn-Find” condition. Somehow, the …

Keep reading

Volkswagen Vision GTI Roadster for GT6 Scores 4Motion and 500HP Twin-Turbo VR6

The GranTurismo Vision concept series is still in roll-out mode – there are perhaps 20 more special concept cars still to come from all sorts of brands, including Lexus, Subaru Alfa-Romeo and more. Subaru’s looks very tasty – stay tuned for more details on Subie’s fast wagon prototype. For today, however, all eyes are on the VW #VisionGTI – a deliciously chopped-top roadster that is also packing huge four-wheel-drive power. Tallies are nearly 500-horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque to the 4Motion drivetrain. A seven-speed DSG is also in the mix – ensuring this little GTI will be running hot …

Keep reading

2015 GMC Canyon Header GIF1

Updated with Real-Life Photos! 302HP 2015 GMC Canyon Easily Best-Looking Mid-Size Pickup

2015 GMC Canyon All-Terrain – Article Updated 5.27.14 The Canyon All-Terrain took the stage last week with the GMC team at Road America for the Midwest Automotive Media Association’s Spring Rally – and it looks just as good in the flesh as it does in the previews!   The 2015 GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado are shaping up to be huge news in a stagnant segment: mid-size trucks. Compact trucks? Not a “thing” anymore. Everybody who is anybody is going mid-size. As the Toyota Tacoma grew in size markedly to match the (long-gone; not missed) Dodge Dakota in size, others …

Keep reading

Highlander XLE 2014 USS Yorktown GIF1 header

Travel Adventures – 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE Visits USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier

PART TWO OF FOUR: 2014 Toyota Highlander TRAVEL ADVENTURE SERIES We’re still preparing the full review of the outstandingly smooth, easy and relaxing 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE. But there is a slight problem! Far too many great photos! =] Granted, it is a good problem to have. Especially for a new and sleek machine like this Highlander. The 2014 Highlander might be a bread/butter crossover model to many people, but to owners: it is a godsend. Small(ish) on the outside, huge on the inside. The new Highlander is extremely affordable but luxurious – and even really hustles on the roads with the XLE’s standard 270-horsepower …

Keep reading

PART ONE OF FOUR - HIGHLANDER TRAVEL ADVENTURE SERIES - Fenwick Plantation GIF header

Travel Adventures – 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE Visits Old Oaks of Colonial Plantation

PART ONE OF FOUR: 2014 Toyota Highlander TRAVEL ADVENTURE SERIES We’re still preparing the full review of the outstandingly smooth, easy and relaxing 2014 Toyota Highlander XLE. But there is a slight problem! Far too many great photos! =] Granted, it is a good problem to have. Especially for a new and sleek machine like this Highlander. The 2014 Highlander might be a bread/butter crossover model to many people, but to owners: it is a godsend. Small(ish) on the outside, huge on the inside. The new Highlander is extremely affordable but luxurious – and even really hustles on the roads with the XLE’s standard 270-horsepower …

Keep reading

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible GIF header

Track Lap and Road Test Review – 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 3LT Z51

INTRO I am the biggest Corvette Stingray “convert” for this C7 generation – I am a true believer. This is coming from someone who has long scoffed at the Corvette, even as the ZR-1 blazed back to reality in recent years. I just was stuck with the old thoughts of perves driving the 1980s cars, or old fat men driving the 1990s cars. But then I got some time behind the wheel of the coupe in October 2013, and it all changed. I was like a man who had found sportscar God. Eager to tell friends and strangers alike how …

Keep reading

1966 Toyota 2000GT Targa - Bond Movie Car Idea Realized GIF

1966 Toyota 2000GT Targa – Bond Movie Car Idea Realized, But Earned Only $200k in RM Auctions London 2010

In the 1960s, the 2000GT was best known from the line… “Welcome to Japan, Mr. Bond.” In 2014? “Welcome to Monte Carlo, Mr. Toyoda.”   This is the closing of the previous 2000GT article here on Car-Revs-Daily.com — so what is more appropriate than talking about Bond cars in this next article!? After it was discovered that the rather tall Sean Connery did not fit inside the 2000GT hardtop, Toyota was in a pickle. Eager to participate in the film, the company presented two ideas to the Bond producers: a targa or a cabriolet. Both would need to be made in …

Keep reading

M5 header GIF

2014 BMW M5 Track Tested at Road America in 1080P HD Video

Have you ever dreamed about something for so long that you start to lose hope about ever doing it in real life? That is the BMW M5 for me. But I drove this dream. Not just drove it around a parking lot, either: we hit 130-mph at Road America. Afterward, the M5 asked me to remind you…: “Dream Big.” The BMW M5 is the hottest woman, the biggest house, and the best job all rolled into one super saloon car. I have longed for the car – felt the ache in my loins to get behind the wheel every morning …

Keep reading

anigif wraith

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith First Drive – A Fleeting Fantasma

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith First Drive – A Fleeting Fantasma Since being swept away on a huge wave of new-found enthusiasm for the Double-R, Wraith has never been more than a few thoughts away. As fun and posh and unforgettable as the ride in a *brand new* Phantom Series II was – the time spent inside Wraith is most tingly. I should mention this now: the name of the vehicle is simply “Wraith” – without anything in front. It might be a bit formal at first, but if not for a 624-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V-12 coupe.. when? Some of the colors that …

Keep reading

header gif Civic Type R USA

2016 USA Honda Civic Type R Renderings + Strategic Rationale

YAY… HONDA MOJO IS BACK! After guest editor Chris May’s article this week, the Honda sportscar fan owner situation feels very real. His main message was one of frustration and confusion about the lack of a US Type R akin to the outstanding concept and real-life model that is heading to Japan, Europe and the UK within the next year or so as a production car. Spy Shots photo credit: MotorAuthority.com Finally. Finally! A turbo engine in a Honda Civic that is promised to deliver “at least” 280 horsepower. And a lean and mean pocket-rocket bodystyle that packs five doors …

Keep reading

Concept Flashback – 1997 Nissan Trail Runner – Inspired Peugeot’s 2015 DAKAR Entry?

Definitely ahead of its time, this 1997 Trail Runner concept. Nissan was ahead of Jeep and many others who started sensing this small/fast off-roader trend by the early 2000s. Other big guys threw more production muscle to make sketches like this car a real thing, but the results were shockingly-bad from Pontiac and Jeep. Yes, both the Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Compass were, in fact, really cool sketches and designs at first. But they were both D.O.A. in production thanks to tiny tires and no engine power to match the compact off-road racer premise. Time has finally come for these …

Keep reading

2015_nissan_nismo_370z_GIF

2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO Facelift Arrives In July With New LED Nose and New Recaros

The lack of LED lighting in the 370Z Nismo really struck me as odd when briefly testing the 2014 model in October of last year. Here is a car that is too-cool-for-school in almost every other way, but still lacking one of the most sought-after pieces of aesthetic technology? That is rectified for 2015, with the new 370Z NISMO not just tacking on some Pep Boys mods: the entire front clip and nose aerodynamics have been redesigned. The red accent on the chin spoiler is sinfully delicious, as are the aforementioned LEDs themselves. 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO Facelift Other tweaks …

Keep reading

elr header gif

2014 Cadillac ELR – Design Analysis Plus 65 High-Res, Real-Life Photos

One of the flip sides of really excellent CGI renderings is that it can become hard to discern what photos are, in fact, photos. Photos taken on location, even digitally, are really the only way to really see what a car’s styling looks like in motion. So while one step forward, another step to the side in some ways. For designers and buyers, a clearer idea of what the finished car looks like will always be a good thing – especially when that car is years away from hitting the streets. All this is multiplied when a car is really …

Keep reading

959 RM Monaco GIF

RM Monaco 2014 Highlights – 1985 Porsche 959 Prototype in Bright White Earns $653k

The Porsche 959 is my ultimate dream-car, and has been for almost my entire life. This surviving prototype was one of the first cars ever made, and is flawless in its originality. This includes Denloc racing wheels, cloth interior and bright white paint. Dreamy barely does this one justice, even with some panel gap issues in the hood and elsewhere. Re-discovered my RM Auctions media credentials, so here is the 1985 Porsche 959 Prototype in all is mega-high-res glory.   1985 Porsche 959 Prototype To be auctioned on Saturday, May 10, 2014 Sold for €476.000 Chassis no. WPOZZZ93ZFS010067 Code no. …

Keep reading

Miura S Jota GIF header

RM Monaco 2014 Highlights – 1969 Lamborghini Miura S Jota

Flip lamps or flush lamps? The eternal supercar question plays out with this 1969 Lamborghini Miura S, which includes the Jota-specification flush lamps. The overall appearance is far more modern than the original Miura’s oval and black-shrouded flip-up headlights, and likely much sleeker through the air with them on as well. The Miura S models banished much of the front-end lift at high speeds for which the original Miura was criticized, but, we wonder: are those flip-up headlights also a factor? They would act like a wall of air in the nose, causing inevitable weighting onto the back of the …

Keep reading

RM Auctions Monaco 2014 - 1982 Mirage M12 Group C Header GIF2

RM Monaco 2014 Highlights – 1982 Mirage M12 Group C Sports Prototype is Aero GT40

  Official Details from RM Auctions below.   1982 Mirage M12 Group C Sports Prototype To be auctioned on Saturday, May 10, 2014 Sold for €84.000 Chassis no. M12-002   540 bhp, 3,995 cc DOHC Ford-Cosworth DFL V-8 engine, five-speed Hewland VG5 manual transaxle, four-wheel independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,667 mm One of only two Mirage Group C Sports Prototypes Extensively tested by GTC, with Harley Cluxton III behind the wheel Equipped with the fantastic 3.9-litre Ford DFL engine Eligible for Group C historic races; includes FIA paperwork 1982 Mirage …

Keep reading

Alfa Tipo 332 daytona GIF

1968 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/2 Daytona Earns $1.72M at RM Auctions Monaco 2014

The Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 is a profound machine, with previous racing evolution articles (linked below) admiring the huge strides made by this core chassis between 1967 and 1970. There were many flavors of the Tipo 33, but it started off looking swoopy like a 1950s racer, and ended that span of years looking like a serious threat to the Porsche 917. 1697 Alfa-Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale 1968 Alfa-Romeo Tipo 33 Mugello and Daytona http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2013/12/26/iconic-classic-supercars-1967-1969-alfa-romeo-tipo-33-stradale/ 1968 Alfa-Romeo Tipo 33/2 LeMans 1968 Alfa-Romeo Tipo 33/4 Tasman http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2013/12/26/racing-evolution-summed-3-cars-3-years-alfa-t33-t332-t334-tasman/ The Tipo 33/2 is perhaps the most important in this dramatic evolution of the …

Keep reading

SSC Tuatara colors GIF header

100 Color Renders of SSC Tuatara – Paint Test Proves Brilliance of Castriota Design

I really hope the news from this morning about SSC’s Tuatara being delayed indefinitely is not true. I really believe in this car, especially its design. Penned by Jason Castriota, it is simply breathtaking, timeless, unique and inspiring. But is it just that silvery white paint whipping me into a frenzy? Lord knows I love white cars these days. So to find out, we took to the Car-Revs-Daily.com exclusive “Candy Paint Shop” to render the Tuatara in as many lurid hues as possible. The results are below. Yes, it definitely passes the test color of also looking good in color…. …

Keep reading

2017 Maserati MC12 Possibly Based on LaFerrari Aliante Spyder Header GIF

2017 Maserati MC12 ? LaFerrari Aliante Spyder by IED Torino Shows Potential

I love supercars and hypercars almost too much sometimes. I especially love ones that I have never seen or even fathomed before. It is that… “Oh… OH!” moment when you realize something so lovely has never before been seen by your eyes. This idea might be work by students, but the Ferrari Aliante design study is still quite special. In fact, the Turin-based IED student teams are some of the largest feeders to major supercar brands all over the world, but especially within Italy. This car was designed before LaFerrari even had a name, so the LaFerrari homage in the …

Keep reading

2014 JAGUAR XFR -- Driving Review with Full-Throttle Rolling Sprint + Exhaust Bellow 2

2014 Jaguar XFR Video Review – Full-Throttle Sprint + Exhaust Bellow

The XFR was much better to drive and far more rapid than expected. This first video gets really good about 2/3 of the way through — at which point I paddle down to second gear before flipping to first and flooring the throttle. Both of our heads hit headrest with AMG-style torque as 510-horsepower brings its full might to the table. Very entertaining, the XFR is, with barely a whistle of supercharger whine to accompany this massive velvet knockout punch. Here is the exhaust note.  2014 jaguar xfr review

Group Six Waltyer Mitty 2014 GIF header

Mitty 2014 Prototypes Group at Road Atlanta – 2005 Audi R8 LMP1, Porsche 962 and RS Spyder, 2012 Caterham SR300

This is quite a list of entries. The oldest is a 1985 Porsche 962 that was absolutely mauling everything else out there, but there was also the 1988 Jaguar XJ-R GTP and 1988 ChevyFabCar GTP representing the 1980s. The Jaguar was suffering ECU issues but will be back stronger next time! 1990s entries include some Mazda’s, which is great to see on this Mazda-sponsored track! 1990 Intrepid GTP 1999 Riley & Scott MKIII 1990 Mazda Kudzu DG2 1990 Shelby Can-Am 1993 Mazda Kudzu DG3 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is not the only track blessed by Mazda sponsor dollars. A wonderful …

Keep reading

Bluebird V and Bluebird CN7 Reunited and Viewable by Public at Beaulieu National Motor Museum HEADER GIF 222

Bluebird V and Bluebird CN7 Reunited and Viewable by Public at Beaulieu National Motor Museum

    What is all the passion around the Bluebird legacy of World Speed Record achievements? Just take a few long looks as these masterpieces, and you will be moved. They are quite exciting to behold, even in photographs, but now are also together in one place for the public to see their grand scale up close. The Beaulieu National Motor Museum would be one of my first stops when visiting the UK- as it also houses a wide array of fantast car and speed goodies from across the world. The CN7 streamliner is particularly magnificent, and achieved a 403-MPH …

Keep reading

New Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Celebrates Bluebird K3 Record-Breaker HEADERGIF999999

New Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Celebrates Bluebird K3 Record-Breaker

Okay! Before we get too excited about which would be faster today: the Rolls-Royce-powered Bluebird K3 or the new Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed, we must clarify something! The K3 is the Bluebird boat. This is likely very obvious to people in the UK or Speed Record buffs, but the Bluebird’s I know best are the cars.   But this Phantom DHC Waterspeed indeed celebrates the Bluebird K3 speedboat, whose streamlined lower hull design went on to inspire virtually all modern watercraft. No jokes allowed here on this topic, as the Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed will easily top the 137-mph total …

Keep reading

BMW i6 2017 GIF header11

2017 BMW i6 Materializes in Renderings As Huge Carbon-Fiber Plant of Toray Industries Heads to Spartanburg

What is next for the BMW i brand? We have been speculating on that topic for weeks now, but a recent announcement has kicked things into high gear: BMW’s Moses Lake plant in Washington state is tripling production of carbon fiber. Second *strong* indicator? Toray Industries of Japan is a leading carbon-fiber manufacturer globally. It has just announced a 400-acre land purchase in Spartanburg, South Carolina for a gigantic new production facility. This is expected to feed both the Boeing 787 plant in Charleston as well as Spartanburg’s other famous factory resident: BMW. http://www.compositesworld.com/news/toray-plans-us-expansion-for-americas-carbon-precursorfiberprepreg-lines That points to a new BMW …

Keep reading

GTR-Spyder GIF2

WHATIF… There Were a Nissan GT-R Spyder? Speculative Renderings of Godzilla Ragtop

This one is pretty self-explanatory. What if there were a GT-R cabrio? Here are a few renderings exploring the possibility – albeit rare – of there being a cabriolet version of the R35 Nissan GT-R. Car-Revs-Daily.com Renderings – Nissan GT-R Spyder Is this the wildest rendering done from my Autobahn Country Club photos from October 2013? Ummm, not exactly! http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/04/14/nissan-gt-r-dakar-rally-prototype-most-absurd-renderings-ever/

Meet the Extremely Rare, 75-Total Jeep Wrangler Lilly Pulitzer Edition GIF

Meet the Extremely Rare, 75-Total Jeep Wrangler Lilly Pulitzer Edition

Lilly Pulitzer is a brand of fancy ladies apparel for the “resort” crowd — typically summery dresses and clothes with floral prints. But a full special-edition Jeep Wrangler? “Oh yes, we have one of those too. Right outside front, Ma’am…!” This 2008 special was offered to owners of a Lilly Pulitzer boutique, and is certainly as feminine as it gets. In terms of female-oriented special editions, this Lilly Jeep is quite an attention grabber, while declining to be as sexist as some of the others that have come before. This includes the Dodge LaFemme of 1955 and 1956, which was …

Keep reading

Ugur Sahin Design HYPERCAR bugatti possible round vents GIF HEADER

Design Talent Showcase – Ugur Sahin Design Creates First Convincing 250GTO Successor + Delicious LaFerrari Alternative

Are you loving Ugur Sahin’s vision for a modern and flowing hypercar design! And it looks like we’ve not the only ones – his vision for a front-engined GT car called the USD B.V was made into a real-life car by some big fans in Utah. The name is the most awkward part – but even so, this reskinned GT car does not even seem like Sahin’s best work. Most importantly, however, Sahin’s design talent and skill is evolving just as fast as his preference for supercars. This is a designer who has come al ong, long way in skill …

Keep reading

Project F GIF header

Ugur Sahin Designs a Ferrari-badged Concept F Hypercar – But Style Says Koenigsegg To Us

The second Ugur Sahin Designs article today! This one is much more supercar-focused – or maybe hypercar is more like it! While Sahin based this on the Ferrari 458 and includes Ferrari branding, the style of the visor windshield, bubble canopy roof and long rear deck all seem like a far better fit as the next Koenigsegg. Cruise over to Sahin’s website portfolio below to see all his outstanding work… http://www.ugursahindesign.com/ Ugur Sahin Design – Project F

BMW i solar and hydro GIF header3

BMW Debuts Solar Carport and Triples Carbon-Fiber Output at Hydro-Powered Washington Factory

The BMW i strategy is full-steam ahead — literally. Hydroelectric power in Washinton state is making it the global carbo-fiber manufacturing hub for the BMW Group, with an extra $200-million investment announced today. This will double the facility’s output and will help BMW meet strong i3 and i8 demand, as well as support the supply chain for the expected new BMW i models. i5 and i2? i4 and i1? It really could be anything. No announcements or even concepts have indicated which number BMW might be next on the i-Makeovers list — so it really is anyone’s guess. But considering …

Keep reading

AUDI R8 LMX Laser header GIF

2014 Audi R8 LMX to Bring World-First Standard Laser Highbeams Via Shared Tech with R18 LeMans

  Yes, the BMW i8 offers them – but only as a high-priced option. As such, the Audi R8 LMX is set to be the first car to ever include laser highbeams as standard when it arrives this summertime. The highbeam solution is a work-around to make sure that the lighting is still palatable to all world markets – including the United States, we predict. The below information is based on the UK-market R8, but this special edition is almost a sure thing on US roads as well. A redesigned R8 is tipped for Frankfurt – going on sale about …

Keep reading

Ugur-Sahin-Design-Rolls-Royce-Jonckheere-Aerodynamic-Coupe-II-16 copy

$10M Cars? Original 1925/34 Rolls-Royce Round Door Coupe vs Modern Vision by Dutch Designer Ugur Sahin

THE WHAT The thing with one-off cars made by coach-builders is that the bodywork typically has no blueprints. No panel molds or industrial stampings to use thousands of times. There is no way to even think of creating another example of a car like the 1925/24 Rolls-Royce Round Door Coupe – with its panels and every aesthetic piece made on a one-0ff basis, often by hand. And why might anyone try such a daunting task! The original chassis was completed in 1925, but it took another nine years to fabricate and complete the body — hence the 1934 tag that …

Keep reading

Concept Flashback - 2001 Audi Avantissmo is A8 Dreamwagon

Concept Flashback – 2001 Audi Avantissmo is A8 Dreamwagon… Directly Influenced 2015 Bentley Falcon SUV

There are shades of the upcoming Bentley Falcon SUV all over this A8 Avantissmo concept from 2001. That is no bad thing! Enjoy this delightful look at superluxury transport – as envisioned in Audi’s 2001 showcar catalog.

Supercoupe Design Shootout Head GIF99999999

2015 SuperCoupe Design Shootout – Lexus RC F vs. BMW M4 vs. Audi RS5

Executive supercoupes are hot as f*** right now. A duo of new entrants from BMW and Lexus really up the ante on Audi’s 2014 RS5 and the forthcoming C63 AMG Coupe that is expected relatively soon on the horizon. Other competitors are plenty in this segment, including the 2014 CTS-V Coupe from Cadillac, the Infiniti Q60 IPL and even the Camaro ZL1 — but these three are ripe for a design shootout because their performance and target markets are so completely mirrored — even more so than performance, the case may be. The M4 and RC F are not even …

Keep reading

Car-Revs-Daily

Road Test Review w/ Pricing and Specs – 2014 Mazda3 Grand Touring

We were amazed with the all-new 2014 Mazda3 from the moment we laid eyes on it – especially the slinky and low-slung sedan variant that just arrived this Spring to Mazda dealers nationwide. After some joyful driving of the loaded 2014 Mazda3 s Grand Touring model, it is clear that the praise we shared in the “2014’s Smartest Compact” article was not sufficient. This might be the best car on the market in general, with no caveats for size or price. It is that good. I am struggling to convey how outstanding a machine it is in all regards — …

Keep reading

BMW M5 30th Header GIF

Gone in 3.7s – 30th Anniversary BMW M5 Adds 25 Horsepower, New Steering and New Active M Rear Diff

Well this is interesting! The ’30 Jahre M5′ edition is actually a bit more than a run-out special ahead of an expected revamp and the long-rumored addition of xDrive to the next M5. Adding power, a new steering setup and a new controller for the Active M Differential not only improves sprint times down to 3.7-seconds to 60MPH — it is also promised to improve the overall handling balance of the ultimate super saloon car. Worth noting is that the current M5 is not exactly lacking in dynamic poise or power. But the game is moving forward on BMW’s M5 …

Keep reading

BOWLER DEFENDER CHALLENGE GIF2 HEADER2

Defender Challenge Racing Series by Bowler Motorsport Makes YOU the Off-Road Rally Hero

Enticing, is it not? The idea of living the racing driver dream is quite vivid for many of us, but the options to do so bring huge costs of their own. For 2014, Bowler Motorsport is bringing its legendary Dakar rally know-how home to some of the UK’s most entertaining off-road regions – where professionals and beginners alike can feel the muddy rush of speed that can only originate in a professional rally car. Uprated Land Rover Defender 90’s are specially prepared by Bowler Motorsport for the series, with all the support that a professional team would bring as well. …

Keep reading

Venturi header GIF22222

VENTURI Taking its Visionary EV Future-Tech to Bonneville and Formula E Racetracks

PART ONE: INTRO TO BRILLIANT CONCEPTS You cannot fault Venturi Automobiles for their ambition – here is a company with the power to envision and make concept cars that might even fail the Rinspeed or ItalDesign “reality check” test. Wild ideas like a solar streamliner for commuters, the Antarctic shuttle on treads, and the America off-road cabrio concept are certainly enticing for their rarity and bold vision. The Volage concept is perhaps the most feasible as a sale-able vehicle — with unique ideas present even six years since its first look as a concept in 2008.   PART TWO: HARSH …

Keep reading

2014 RS200 Clio GIF header 3

Buyers Guide Info – Building my 2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC Lux

If you were transplanted to another country tomorrow and needed a company car, what would you select? Nothing too garish or expensive, and something that will keep you entertained over the years of living in a new place? My choice would have a few priorities: — something that cannot be bought in America — something that fits the local roads and driving conditions well — chic, fast and low are always my goals I would be leaning toward a few cars, one of which is the new Renault Clio RS 200. Its turbocharged engine is just a few upgrades (intake, …

Keep reading

2014 Renault Captur Helly Hansen Edition – Authentic Brand Equity First, Outdoor Fashion Statement Second

Like most Americans, my coverage of (and interest in) Renault is decidedly spotty. I flit in and out during their press briefings, reading and becoming interested in perhaps one and three that cross this desk. But to see the production Captur Helly Hansen was too much to dismiss! Why? I love Helly Hansen!  It is an awesome brand of outdoor apparel – in America wearing prices 2X the comparable North Face and 3X the Columbia sportswear it competes with in the mass market. As such, it is a bit of a sweet-tooth fashion element for fancy people tired of the …

Keep reading

i4 Animated GIF

Future Car Renderings – 2016 BMW i4 Imagined as Much-Lower, Much-Cooler Machine

Today is the third or fourth time we have tried to get on-board with the BMW i3 via the online builder and the mechanical specifications. The i3 is a fantastically-interesting, futuristic, and brilliant solution to low-emissions motoring: priced from $41,000 as the pure EV model, the premium for the Range-Extender gasoline option up front is just a few thousand extra – well worth it in my opinion. But the style!? Where is the style of the future? In the past? We hope not. But my word – this i3 makes the Prius look sexy and slinky. It is best compared …

Keep reading

???????????????????????????????????????

2015 BMW M3 – Configurator Buyers Guide to Options, Colors, Wheels and Best Equipment

Building a new M3 is remarkably simple – the main choices you need to ponder in advance are: – Manual transmission or M-DCT transmission? – Willing to stump for $8000 carbon brakes? – Willing to upgrade the wheels to the 19-inchers (to avoid looking like a 320i rolling on mini skateboard runners). Besides that, the rest of the options book really writes itself. The level of customization inside with various leather colors really shames the exterior paint finishes available — which seem pretty limited upon first glance. Other options that seem like must-have items? – Adaptive suspension for $1000 – …

Keep reading

Voxan Wattman header gif334

Venturi VOXAN WATTMAN Concept Bike is EV Brutalism on Two Wheels – Colors + Specs

This concept bike from Voxan Motors is the debut model for the brand. An off-shoot of Venturi Automobiles, the bike is called the WATTMAN in a less-than-subtle nod to its electric powertrain. All seems well with the specs – until you get to the weight and performance — which are both pretty abysmal. The other missing element is the price, which is conspicuous in its absence. Even so, as a concept previewing a design vision? Stunning. Desirable. Brutal but delicate details. It is quite lovely. If only it weighed less than 700 pounds and was not projected to carry a …

Keep reading

Car-Revs-Daily

2014 Radical RXC Lands in America! Track Shakedown with WISKO Racing + Mega Gallery Inside/Out

WISKO racing is based in Virginia and is an official Radical distributor in the United States — which is a bit of a relief for me as a car writer. Why? As you may note in the below photos, there is a “For Sale” placard in the windshield, which would be worrying for such a new car in any other circumstances…! But not for this amazing machine, which delivers such LeMans levels of down-force that it becomes nearly unflappable in any track scenario. All the better to put down some race-ready laptimes..! The RXC is priced from just under 100,000 …

Keep reading

Monoposto Classic and Formula GIF

The Mitty 2014 at Road Atlanta – Monoposto Classic – Group 4A and 4B Brabham, Lotus, Lola…

 The Mitty is really a grab-bag of racers in every group, making it hard to know what is even zooming past. That was certainly the case for this group! Here are the cars in Group 4A – The Monoposto Classic 1969 Lotus 61 1969 Bragham BT-29 1970 Chevron B17B 1969 March 693 1972 Crossle 25 1972 Ensign FB 1067 Brabham BT21   Group 4B Monoposto Formula 1975 Lola T332 1976 March 762 F2 1971 McRae GM1 1979 March 79 SV 1973 Lola T330 1980 March 80A 1980 March 80A 1972 GRD 372 1975 March Fm. Atlantic 7      

MINI Paceman Adventure Concept GIF1

MINI Paceman Adventure Concept Leverages DAKAR Winning Streak – Previews Next MINI Paceman Cabrio?

Sometimes reverse psychology is the best way to read quotes written by hardcore commincations professionals – folks like PR teams and diplomats, for example. So when MINI says… “The MINI Paceman Adventure is a true one-off and there are no plans for series production.” The jaded auto journo like me reads this as true, with a big “But…” While the off-road kit outfitted to this Paceman Adventure is surely a fantasy-level that is best fit for a concept, the basic drop-top premise seems much more plausible. This cabrio soft-roader is totally do-able once the concept embellishments like the steel pickup …

Keep reading

CarRevsDaily

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Grows Larger, More Rapid, and More Plush with C300/C400 4Matic

The current C-Class Mercedes-Benz is a consistent seller for the brand, but not quite the desirable and aspirational model that the BMW 3 series is among young executives. Mercedes has taken this to heart, with the American market set to receive two all-new models that are both turbocharged, all-wheel-drive, and much larger inside. Power figures for the C300 4Matic are 235 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of toque via a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the new C400 4Matic brings 329 horsepower and a whopping 354 pound-feet of torque. The C400 is powered by a next-gen turbocharged V6 engine, ensuring efficiency at or …

Keep reading

Bailey P4

VIDEO and Photos – Bailey Ferrari P-4 Replica Running 400i V12 + Flat-6 917 Porsche Replica Too!

A day that fires up with GT40 V8s and ends with Ferrari P4 V12’s? What could be better? Sure, both the cars in question are recreations – replicas of these arch-rival racecars that are remade in 2014 just a bit better (we would argue)  than was possible in the 1960s. But even so, they are a wonderful time-capsules and even time machines for many – these cars were in their racing prime when color photography was rare enough to not know the difference between Rosso Corsa and Gulf Blue. This was racing at modern speeds — with decidedly vintage technology. …

Keep reading

TAHOE GIF HEADER3

Road Test Review – 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ 4WD – 150 Photos and Four 1080P GoPro Videos

“…Come Mister Tallyman, TALLY ME BANANA… Daylight come and me wanna Tahoe…” INTRO: Is this bizarro-world where all is backwards? The 2015 Tahoe is vastly improved over the outgoing trucks in every single meaningful way. These four videos shot near Lake Lanier, Georgia last week are a testament to how smitten I was with the new Tahoe’s handling, chassis rigidity and quietness, interior overhaul and even the exterior style upgrade. But as we will outline below, there is some curious switching in the big SUV game. The Chevy’s interior is vastly superior to the Lexus GX460, but the Lexus costs …

Keep reading

GT40 Header

2014 Superformance GT40 Mark I – MEGA Photo Shoot and Ride-Along Videos

While editing these photos just now, I am trying to think of the right description for the beauty shown by the Superformance GT40 Mark I. (And its humble photographer…!) All I keep thinking is: “These Photos Are Wet-Your-Pants Gorgeous.” The 100-plus photos below hopefully make up for the very disappointing camerawork in my GT40 ride-along. Yes, for most of it, I am narrating into an iPhone that was not actually, ahem, recording… VIDEO PART ONE VIDEO PART TWO Overall, owning a Superformance GT40 is now near the top of my long list of life goals. Enjoy.     OUTDOOR PHOTOS …

Keep reading

Olthoff Tour header GIF2

VIDEO: Touring the Olthoff Racing Dream Factory – Superformance GT40s and Cobras Galore

Tucked beside a country highway in North Carolina, impossible dreams come to life in the form of howling racecar replicas from Superformance. The model year says 2014, but the dream of piloting a Le Mans car on the street generally share a birthday with a 196* starting point. Authorized and licensed by Safir Spares and Shelby American, Superformance is not a fly-by-night organization. Badges and paperwork are a sure thing with every model they sell from the dozen or so assembly and retail outlets like Olthoff Racing all over the world. But the one thing with racecar assembly versus mass-market …

Keep reading

M8K Header GIF

McLaren M8F meets M8B Go-Kart! Seeks Posh New Home; McLaren Owner Strongly Preferred

How awesome is this (homage) McLaren M8B High Wing Go-Kart? The detail-work is remarkably accurate (for a toy…), down to that desirable McLaren Orange paintwork and the white tire stencils to match period racing rubber. The kart is not intended as a racer — which makes sense considering it was created only for kid-sized individuals. It is more of piece of art, a conversation starter, or a piece of wall decor to crave. Originally built for an owner of many, many original McLarens, the M8B (M8K?) kart is now in transition and is for sale to the highest bidder. Located …

Keep reading

Mazda MX-5 Adds 40HP, Drops 800LB: BAUER Catfish Shell Over Flyin Miata Turbo

This is an interesting meeting of the Miata minds. Bauer Limited Production’s Catfish body overhaul for the 1990-2005 Mazda MX-5 with Flyin’ Miata’s turbocharged engine underneath. It is a recipe that delivers surprising style and divine performance, that is for sure! This Flyin’ Miata example is a bit gnarly in the headlight execution and in some tiny spots on the metallic vinyl wrap, but is still quite bewitching in the flesh. The $14,000 Bauer Catfish bodywork is a relatively simple bolt-on, bolt-off design – and also cuts 800 pounds from the cars’ curb weights. Not too shabby, especially considering the …

Keep reading

McLaren Special Ops Reveals Upgrades for 650S via Production-Ready Concept

McLaren Special Ops 650S McLaren Special Operations is fantastic – easily and safely turning any 12C into more graceful beauties via new bumpers, sills, spats and diffusers outside. Inside, your taste and modesty are the only restrictions on colors and customizations. All the MSO upgrades adhere to the same McLaren fanatical obsession with racing performance enhancement at every step – meaning they are far more than just cosmetic. They are also OEM-quality, which is less-than-a-sure-thing for other body kits. Such bodywork flying off the car at McLaren-level speeds would be a concern for me when personalizing my supercar. Bruce McLaren, …

Keep reading

1965 Jaguar Mark 10 HEADER gif

Fatcat Chic – Design Comparison ~1965 JAGUAR Mark 10 vs. 2014 XJL 3.0 AWD

The Jaguar Mark 10, or Mark X in Roman numerals, was such an odd sight that I honestly had no idea what it was until just researching it now. Not only have I not seen one, I have never even read about one. In photos, it might be easy to mistake the Mark 10 car for a 1950s Jaguar saloon car. But not in real life. This Jag is quite enormous – with the upright and tall bodywork of Rolls-Royce and Bentley fame. This (estimated) 1965 car is huge and outrageous in person. It looks like a meld of the …

Keep reading

Car-Revs-Daily

Exclusive World Debut – 2014 Superlite SLC Le Mans Spyder – $70k, 430HP V8, Porsche Trans and 2200 Pounds Total!

Unless I am in Chicago traffic from O’Hare to Wrigleyville, I rarely like to toot my own horn. But the Superlite SLC Le Mans world debut might be a seriously exclusive piece of supercar news – seen only by readers of Car-Revs-Daily.com, so far. Why? The Spyder (or Roadster) SLC Le Mans is absolutely brand new and has never before been shown in public. This is the first complete prototype of the full Le Mans Spyder bodystyle of the Superlite SLC Coupe, an it is magnificent. Completed with a Chevrolet LS3 V8 engine and Porsche transaxle by H Craft Customs …

Keep reading

2015 Ford Mustang header GIF

2015 Ford Mustang Snapped In the Flesh! Turn-Table from 50th Anniversary

Even the best-laid plains can, and often do, fail. Disappointed to find just this solitary 2015 Mustang at the 50th Anniversary celebration, I decided to photograph it from every angle I could secure amid the huge throng of the crowd. 150 photos and a week later, I am home slapping my forehead at the shoddiness of these results. These are not good photos, guys, and I really apologize. Learned a few things: – Messing with DSLR Nikon settings is done at your own risk – Lighting is everything – Reviewing photos in detail is needed while still able to reshoot …

Keep reading

GT350 build gif

1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 Racecar Awaits Engine Buildout at Charlotte Motor Speedway

  A few issues in the video above, namely that when I am in the engine compartment noting the steering components. I refer to the “rack” of the typical modern rack-and-pinion steering setup. The original Mustang ran a worm-gear setup, which goes a long way toward explaining the factory car’s waywardness on the road (versus a modern car.) This recreated and not-original Shelby GT350 racecar build is just about the ideal starting point for most people. Almost any engine, transmission and interior setup are feasible with such a clean example like this. 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 Racecar  

Mustang NASCAR header gif

SHOCK! Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Banned NASCAR Mustang Prototype… Actually Looks Like a Mustang

Confession time: I have not been an active NASCAR fan in more than 20 years. But I am definitely a fan of the cars’ outright speed, power and the bravery needed to take one to victory over near-identical others on the grid. This extremely homogenized approach to racing rules is epitomized outside by what NASCAR calls the “Car of Tomorrow” bodyshell. It makes all the cars the exact same shape, excluding stickers. This seems like a huge error in judgment versus what fans want to see: actual rivalries among not just drivers, but the car manufacturers’ racing technology and expertise. …

Keep reading

CLA250 HEADER GIF

Building My 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 – Buyers Guide to Colors, Wheels and Must-Have Options

If you only read this one sentence– there are only two major CLA250 options you need to check to make your new Merc (said as: ‘Merk’) the coolest kid on the block: — Sport pack: $2,200 – New sills, front and rear bumpers, and overall styling enhancement versus the standard car — Bi-xenon + LED pack: $850 – Halogen headlights? No thanks! These also bring cool LED accents front and back.     The CLA250 is fresh off the boats this year, and looks amazing in the flesh. It really does. With a $29,900 price attached for the base models, …

Keep reading

QX60 Header GIF

2015 INFINITI QX60 Buyers Guide – Pricing, Specs and Features – AWD Hybrid Highly Recommended

There was a time when the Hybrid models in many car ranges were much more of a style and eco-conscience type of choice. The biggest example of this paradox of the Hybrid actually being a far worse machine, but much more successful with consumers, is the Lexus RX350 versus the RX450h. The RX Hybrid is so ubiquitous that it is easy to forget the standard model still exists! But is it a better car? That is very open to debate – as the Lexus system of AWD with electric power to the back axle is less-than-helpful in many slick road …

Keep reading

Lola MkII Can-Am Spyder GIF Header

2014 Superformance LOLA Mk III and MkII Can-Am Spyder at Olthoff Racing – Chevy-Friendly Racing Speedster?

Lola racecars are extremely special for their value-for-money today, racing pedigree, and also their incredibly timeless grace and beauty. This was a racing team directly formed in the late 1950s with one goal: build a car from scratch to win LeMans. The resulting semi-monocoque chassis design – now known as a unibody – was revolutionary at the time of frame-based racers from nearly every other racing company and nearly every single road car. A semi-monocoque? Oh yes. The other part is also pretty advanced for the time: a steel spaceframe for the engine and rear suspension cradle. In fact, the …

Keep reading

1972 Ford Mustang COnvertible Interior GIF header1

Mustang 50th Anniversary Showcase – 1972 Ford Mustang Convertible – Driven 1600 Miles From Colorado!

I have done many, many huge roadtrips in my life – and hope to do many more! (Starting this Thursday, actually… on way to The Mitty vintage race at Road Atlanta…) But overall, I have about a 1200-mile cap before my eyes start bleeding and have to stop driving for a few days. 1,000 miles typically is two 12-hour days behind the wheel. 1,600 miles is more like three 12-hour days – despite the official Google Map estimate that the journey is only 23 hours. This discounts and stops for fuel, restrooms, or tourist attractions – without which most roadtrips …

Keep reading

Mustang 50th Showcase GIF header 1

Race-Prepped 1967 Mustang Hardtop in SB Yellow

Learned a great deal about Mustang culture and Mustangs themselves last week in Charlotte, but the identity and owner of this amazing race-prepped coupe escaped me. I assumed these were Steeda Autosport‘s cars – based on proximity to their giant trailer – until they explained that their cars were elsewhere in the main display areas. But these pit-garage beauties certainly did not go unnoticed by us! The School-Bus Yellow example was an instant favorite. It is intense in the flesh, and based on the less-popular Notchback Coupe versus the fastback that was preferred by Shelby and most other go-fast teams …

Keep reading

Mustang Magic Skyway Car One EXT GIF 1 header1

1964 1/2 Ford Mustang Convertible — NY Worlds Fair Magic Skyway Car Number One

      Ford definitely knew they had a major hit on their hands leading up to the Mustang’s original launch – even before the World’s Fair opened in Queens, New York City on April 17th of 1964. This car, serial #5F08F100004 — the 100004 part is the clue to its early-days provenance — was built as one of the very first pilot cars off the line, before March 5th of that same year. The build dates are a real pride point among Mustang owners of this period – and this 1964 1/2 Convertible was definitely, definitely one of the …

Keep reading

2015 JAGUAR F-TYPE R Coupe -- Lifts Its Bonnet to Show 550HP 5

2015 JAGUAR F-TYPE R Coupe — Lifts Its Bonnet to Show 550HP 5.0-liter V8 — And Even A Deep and Large-Seeming Trunk!

Forget Pippa!  This is 2014’s AotY! (Ass of the Year..) Pippa in an F-TYPE R Coupe? That could be quite the pair of yummy buns! Ever the diplomat who never voices his concerns too bluntly, I am trying to bite my tongue here really hard. But here is the skinny: the F-Type cabrio, at least on first sitting the other month, had a highly compromised driving position and barely any trunk. Those are big issues. Thrilled to see the all-new F-TYPE coupe does not suffer from both these maladies: the trunk is huge! Okay, it is not huge. But we …

Keep reading