Euro Cars

smart fortwo cabrio 2015

2017 Smart ForTwo Cabrio Revealed Ahead of US Arrival In Summer 2016

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The 2017 Smart Cabrio is official ahead of its public debut in Frankfurt next month, with the first confirmed timeframe for its US arrival. The overall rollout has been extremely slow so far, but US Smart showrooms are finally close to clearing their inventory of the existing — and deeply unpopular — model. Why bother bringing Smart back at all ?  And why start with this cabrio? Smart is coming back mainly thanks to a new four-door variant of the rear-engine city car. The larger model is expected to eventually compete with the Fiat 500 and base MINI Coopers, in …

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Spec Secret + Prices, Colors and Options Guide

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The new MX-5 is in your area!  The launch is in full swing – so a perfect time to explore the trims, prices, colors and options! The configurator is almost a two-click affair. Just a few key choices to make it yours from $25k: transmission, trim and cabin color. (All these prices include the $820 delivery charge, by the way.) Sport kicks things off, followed by Club, and up to the top-line GT. With an automatic and every option checked, the new MX-5 GT is almost $33,000 exactly. A Club with the Brembo/BBS pack is within a few hundred bucks, …

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2017 Jaguar F-PACE Preview: F-Type Chassis + AWD SUV Stance = Ruthless Macan-Hunter

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Grace, space and pace is the promise of the new Jaguar F-PACE SUV. The 2017 model will go on sale in 2016, per JLR below, after its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in a few weeks. The truck is looking better and better to our eyes. A slinky and slim glasshouse marries a swoopy SUV shape to the long-hood, chopped-tail appearance of the F-Type two-seater. The combo sounds weird but looks incredible — even covered in various climate testing camo. Most crucially for a Jaguar that seems back in its styling rut with the firm’s three new sedans, the …

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2017 KIA Sportage 1

2017 KIA Sportage First Look: GT Line Quad LEDs + Euro Handling Focus

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KIA’s push to excel globally is ramping up nicely. Frankfurt, California and Korea-based teams are now aligned to make the most of each area’s strengths. Korea as the lead manufacturing hub/supplier base, Cali as a tech and design center of excellence, and the European R&D division taking a much bigger role in vehicle development. It is a smart foundation for KIA’s move to become Hyundai’s sportier cousin. As it stands, the Kia range is broad but lacks a cohesive, defining nature. The firm has their eyes on BMW. If they can engineer cars to be sold world-wide in one chassis …

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2016 Renault Talisman Estate Runs New Tech and Style To Battle Euro Wagon All-Stars

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The full-size car market in Europe is one of the lifebloods of the industry. Renault cites sales of D-segment cars totaling more than a million units annually. Of that, wagons make up 54-percent! That is a shocking total, but it makes great sense. Room for families, dogs, skis, bikes and everything else… but the handling and luxury ride of a posh limo? That is the fast-wagon promise. The new Talisman will deliver thanks to a giant new trunk and even a big bump in rear headroom. Just seating for five and front-drive would limit the Talisman’s potential if sold off …

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Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG in Satin Red Chrome Wrap by FOLIEN EXPERTE 6

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG in Satin Red Chrome Wrap by FOLIEN EXPERTE

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  WOOOWWW! This is one of the best-looking wraps we have seen in years. What started as a semi-DIY matte black wrapping trend has evolved rapidly in the last decade. The latest wraps use super sophisticated, multi-later materials to create a satin, shimmery effect that is virtually impossible to do with paint. For the rich, lustrous red to pop so well on the A45 AMG is testament to the new materails scientists at 3M, but also to the skilled industry wrapping has spawned. Where the original wraps were tough to apply with flawless, OEM-level production values — the technique could …

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2011 BMW 1M Coupe by OK-Chiptuning

2011 BMW 1M Coupe Adds 111HP Via OK-Chiptuning.de Re-Flash + Racing Intake, Intercooler, Downpipe and Exhaust

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  Upon first glance at these photos, we were fairly sure that this German rocket wore a custom widebody. But no! Just lowering springs, a new wheel/tire setup and a giant dragon of a turbo under the hood. From the stock 340HP, the OK-Chiptuning crew has liberated a full 111 more ponies for a 451 count. A gigantic torque plateau hits like a sledge hammer from just 2500 rpm— making this short-wheelbase 1M into the M1 it always dreamed of…! The N54 engine series was a fairly short run for BMW. It proved to be a bit delicate and trouble-prone …

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Revised Peugeot DKR 2015+ Battle-Testing New Engine/Suspension Setups Ahead of Dakar 2016

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No person (or rally race) should be treated like ‘a means to an end.’ But when that ultimate goal looms larger than anything else in sight, you tend to focus on the main event. All others are just prep work. And so it is for the refreshed Peugeot 2008 DKR 2015+ racecar. That 2015+ coding is the internal tag for the heavy upgrade work done by the racing boffins at Peugeot Sport. The DKR was our clear favorite to win the Dakar rally in 2015, but lost out to the brutally fast MINI Countryman race squad, who are shooting for …

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Renault Emblem Evolution – 117 Years Crowned with Fresh 2015 Motif

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  The evolution of a brand’s logo can be fascinating, especially when you see that the icons we all know by heart are actually fairly new creations. The Renault diamond logo is certainly one of the most long-running in history, even though it did not make an appearance on a Renault until 25 years after the company began operations in 1898. The diamond badge replaced a short-lived round emblem from 1923 onward — with its sharper angles better suited to the sharp nose creases of the era’s cars. While not quite as zany as the round badge (that was actually …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Nissan JUKE Nismo RS Manual

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Imagine a core group of Nissan GT-R engineers, drivers and designers set loose on the Nissan Juke NISMO. Task? Take the quickest and most performance-focused crossover, and make it truly track-tight in every way. That is how the Juke Nismo RS came into this world — with astounding results. The speed, style and drive experience of the Nismo RS is absolutely incredible versus its $28k competitors — and even versus pricier cars like the AMG GLA45, WRX or Mustang EcoBoost. The Juke Nismo RS is incredibly focused from first sitting in its racing Recaro hard-back bucket seats. A pair of …

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2015 Lexus IS250 76

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus IS250 Nails Apex-Carver Fundamentals

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  The 2015 Lexus IS250 nails the sport-sedan fundamentals so hard, you forget all about mainstream mid-size cars after a block in the driver’s seat. That is a fact. A pure-cornering, rev-loving fact. Drive position in the Daytona GTB/4-style tan seats is instantly flawless, as are the major pedal anc control inputs. Crank up the SXM, rotate to sport mode…. and never look back. 4K Drive Video – 2015 Lexus IS250 Review INTRO The 2015 IS250 is such a fantastic sports sedan that we wanted to drive a 320i right afterward to confirm the RWD love for this Lexus was …

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2016 Mercedes-AMG C63-S Coupe 12

2017 Mercedes-AMG C63-S Coupe Revealed! 510HP Widebody V8TT With RWD LSD

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The new Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupes just debuted online — and have rocketed from the bottom of the AMG desirability charts to bang near the top. The very ancient-feeling CLK has been run into the hills; the villagers are too distracted by its icky design to appreciate even the Clarkson-approved Black Series lately. Even the CLK name betrayed its old-Merc place in the product lineup. So the biggest new update is a full name change: Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG becomes the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe. And that just starts a massive mudslide of changes for the all-new platform, powertrain and tech suite. The …

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2016 BAC Mono 2

2016 BAC Mono Scores Prime Placement on Concept Lawn + Configurator

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  Updated with Pebble Beach 2015 Photos The BAC Mono had prime placement on the Concept Lawn of Pebble Beach!  The corner spot is cherished thanks to the resort walkway layout. On concours sunday, tens of thousands will see the BAC Mono’s stealthy racecar stance!  Ready to pounce… Same deal for its showing at the Quail. Just a few new photos to share, but worthwhile to see the new 2016 any way possible. Also pumped to share the actual BAC Mono configurator link. After a rendered color post… good to see that wild greens and yellows can be made real. …

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2016 Ford Focus RS

2016 Ford Focus RS Pricing Leaked – Here’s What You Need To Know

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    2016 Ford Focus RS Pricing — Here’s What You Need to Know The Internet is a great place for car lovers. Not only do we get seemingly up-to-the-minute, behind-the-scenes updates about cars that are coming down the pipeline — it seems like we get leaked prices, too. It took Ford long enough to reveal the specs of the upcoming 2016 Focus RS. As such, it seemed like it was going to take forever for the American carmaker to unveil the new model’s pricing. But thanks to a digital mishap, the pricing for the new car leaked online late …

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2016 JAGUAR XE USA Launch Details: XE35t Making 340HP or XE20d Ingenium Diesel

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  The XE is looking very sharp in the latest photos from Spain. But when is it coming to America, and which will we get? Jaguar USA has the details for us down toward the bottom of this massive configurator demo post…. But here is the skinny: US launch cars will arrive in Spring 2016 as the XE 20d or the XE 35t with the 340HP V6 from the F-Type. The other engine is set to be a diesel! Fantastic news. We we’re sure if JLR would bring it over in a Jag as well as the new Land Rovers …

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BMW X4 by LIGHTWEIGHT Performance 21

BMW X4 by LIGHTWEIGHT Performance Is Shockingly Sexy Custom Crossover

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Here is a striking look at how sexy the new BMW X4 can be! With a suspension drop, full frozen grey wrap and 21-inch alloys… this X4 is clearly one bada** mo-fo. The engine featured here is the xDrive35i bumped up to 365 ponies via an ECU module and free-flowing quad pipes in back. The results speak for themselves, and make it clear that an M variant of the X4 is sorely missed from the BMW range. BMW X4 by LIGHTWEIGHT Performance BMW X4 BY LIGHTWEIGHT This time, the subject is X4, BMW crossover-SUV. The LIGHTWEIGHT-team under the lead management …

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2016 Jaguar XF R-Sport and 380HP XF-S: Prices, Options, Colors and Wheels

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The 2016 range will be Jaguar USA’s freshest ever! The all-new XE, fresh XF and tweaked XJ will finally align nicely against BMW. The XE is certainly an exciting contender, and XJ LED updates more than welcome. Atop all that slinky style and hotness? The 2017 F-PACE crossover that should arrive mid-year for autumn 2016! The real volume player, we predict, will continue to be the XF. And this vehicle is massively new for 2016. There’s barely a part carried over, despite the familiar look. Headlining the changes is a partial swap to aluminum for key underbody sections, with a …

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2016 Lotus Exige 360 Cup 10

2016 Lotus EXIGE 360 Cup Packs Upgraded Race Tech, Sport Exhaust and Lightweight Louvered Hoods

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Louvered hoods! And not the stick-on kind, either. We are using that hoods term as broadly as possible… for the new matte-black front end, roof, and rear engine cover might all be technically called hoods. These aluminum upgrades help the new Exige 360 Cup stand proud among even its V6 Cup siblings… despite the 360 packing just an extra 10 ponies over the standard Exige V6 Cup. Those extra horses are present thanks to a shouty new sports exhaust with a freer flow than before. The bellow is getting more soulful every iteration for Lotus and their crate motor from …

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2015 BMW M4 GTS Concept 5

~540HP 2016 BMW M4 GTS Concept Is Real-Deal Production Car with Innovative Hydro Turbo Boost Chiller

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Here is a confusing ‘concept’ production car… the Concept M4 GTS is actually well on its way to first US owners next Springtime. The big tech change beside lightweighting and aero upgrades is a new water-cooled turbo system. Shared with the M4 MotoGP car, this feature is an innovative way to make huge boost that can sustain hours of track abuse without losing power. The cooled charge is very different from a more basic intercooler spray. Where a spray is helpful, the cooling all happens outside the closed boost and turbo system. BMW’s charge cooler actually atomizes water into the …

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2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe Revealed – Arrives Stateside in March 2016 With High-Fashion Style

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It is an exciting time to be a two-door in the Mercedes range. After years of CLK and CL doldrums, the new S-Class Coupe now has an equally stylish kid brother. The new C300 and C300 4Matic are just the start for this C-Class Coupe: a C450 AMG and C63 AMG are also virtually guaranteed shortly after the main models roll out next Spring. A cabrio variant is also en route for 2018. The design is actually remarkably appealing, considering it is almost a direct mashup of the new C-Class and the S-Class Coupe. The proportions really work — even …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD

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Hot Buicks are some of the most adored American cars of all time. So when Buick decided to bring over the European Opel/Vauxhall Insignia to the US market for the first time, the excitement over receiving their OPC/VXR performance variant was palpable. Confirmation that the big brushed-alloy fangs would make it across the pond to US buyers for the first time brought many GNX rumbles to the surface. Would this hot Buick be able to inherit the Banker’s Hotrod legacy? A turbo engine and all the autobahn-ready handling seemed like a perfect statement of intent for Buick at the time. …

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2016 Donkervoort D8 GTO Bare Naked Carbon Edition 13

2.6s 2016 Donkervoort D8 GTO Bare Naked Carbon Edition Cuts 200Lbs from Chop-Top Track Rocket

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Imagine a supercar with the fundamental proportions and track manners of a Lotus Seven, but thoroughly updated in every way except altering that wild wheelbase. Yes, keep the twin bucket seats virtually atop the back axle, and keep the mid-mounted engine behind the front axle as far as possible. But swap the floppy frame rails for a lightwieght and super strong chromoly racing frame. And lose those steel panels and retro lighting completely. While we’re at it, add a 380-hp Audi 2.5-liter turbo Ur-Quattro engine descendent. A full exterior redesign and gangster stance thanks to a big jump in width …

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2016 BAC Mono – Digital Color Visualizer + TallPapers

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  2016 BAC Mono – Digital Color Visualizer + TallPapers Ahh, our English sports-car chums have it so good. Yes, you can buy the monoposto 2016 BAC Mono from anywhere in the world. But it is a rare place that will slap license plates on both ends and let you play F1 hero on public roads. The 2016 model year brings big changes for the stunning Mono, showcased in a fiery new red paintwork at Goodwood 2015. Along with some super-sticky Kumho tires, the new 305-horsepower drivetrain delivered big-time at the rolling motor show. 2.5-liter Mountune Ford power with drive-by-wire …

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2016 BAC Mono 23

305HP 2016 BAC Mono – Watch New Turbo Powertrain Nail 2nd-Quickest Goodwood Hillclimb!

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    Ahh, our English sports-car chums have it so good. Yes, you can buy the monoposto 2016 BAC Mono from anywhere in the world. But it is a rare place that will slap license plates on both ends and let you play F1 hero on public roads. The 2016 model year brings big changes for the stunning Mono, showcased in a fiery new red paintwork at Goodwood 2015. Along with some super-sticky Kumho tires, the new 305-horsepower drivetrain delivered big-time at the rolling motor show. 2.5-liter Mountune Ford power with drive-by-wire throttle replaces the previous 2.3-liter unit. The bump …

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1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato 1

RM London 2015 – 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato is Foxy/Boxy Icon

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  We’re pretty bummed not to be attending Pebble Beach this year. But still paying for last year’s $5k work trip at 14-percent interest… so will be sitting this one out. Even so, the classic car auctions of rare and classic vehicles come fast and furious year-round. Next month, this Alfa RZ Zagato will cross the block in London. A perfect embodiment of the late 1980s/early 1990s in high fashion, the RZ will be a foxy/boxy icon for decades to come. 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato RM London 7 September 2015 1993 Alfa Romeo RZ by Zagato Without Reserve …

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©2015 Sam Cobb

2001 BMW M3 GTR Race and Road Cars Attending Autobahn Concours in Monterey

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BMW is mining some fairly recent greatest hits for the Autobahn Concours in Monterey this week. As you probably know, Pebble Beach Concours often dominates the headlines of the Monterey Bay’s automotive week, but it is just one of more than a dozen locales and events throughout Carmel and the town of Monterey itself. The M3 GTR racecar in stars and stripes livery has just completed a wheels-up restoration, and is a proud member of the BMW racing legacy. The road variant of this killer racecar will also be in attendance. What might these cars signal for the future BMW …

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2016 Scion iM 105

HD Road Test Review – 2016 Scion iM Is Sporty and Uber-Practical New Focus-Fighter

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The all-new 2016 Scion iM is part of a big new-product push from Scion: the iM hatchback and much smaller iA sedan replace the boxy xD and xB. Why so normal and conventional from Toyota’s youth brand this year? Following buyer trends, of course!  Extensive research on how to resonate with today’s 35-and-under car shoppers shows a big shift in preferences. Perhaps feeling the crunch of a slower global economy on their hipster jeans, first-time new car buyers want a car with more evergreen appeal than the once-trendy Scion box cars. The iM hopes to ace the 2016 buyer mood …

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Quickest-Ever 2016 Audi S8 Plus Hits 62 in 3.8s With Vmax of 189MPH – Calls Out Haters

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Audi just revealed its saloon-car flagship for 2016: the S8 Plus. Not exactly sure when it happened, but we hate the Audi A8 lately. Despite this (clearly super-influential:) opinion, the A8 is actually performing exceptionally well in the sales charts. Only the S-Class beats it for American-market full-size luxury sedan market share. As if sensing our disdain from afar, this superlimo wants to re-earn some of the cool points of the Ronin or Transporter S8 years. Then, the blacked-out S8 variant of all-aluminum flagship was a quirky but rapid AWD alternative to the big dogs from BMW and AMG. That …

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2015 Mercedes-AMG GT S Models LOMA GT1 Superlight Forged Alloys

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The new AMG GT-S is so sexy, so new and so desirable… we get a little giddy every time a new photoshoot goes online. Uniquely versus the stale look of the SLS, the GT S is quite a chameleon so far. A unique color combination and wheel design goes a long way to making the GT S even more special than it is from the AMG laboratories. The latest GT S lookbook is thanks toa custom-created set of LOMA GT1 Superlight forged alloys, in 20 and 21-inch sizes front to rear. The wheels are a concave dish design with dual …

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2016 Scion iA Review – Best Compact Sedan… Ever? 55 Pics + HD Drive Video

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Quick: what are the biggest issues with compact cars? — They are typically a total snooze outside — And alarmingly depressing to drive Is that just an unbreakable curse, or can Scion engineer and design its way to greatness on its first attempt? INTRO Scion has a double threat of new compacts for 2016: the all-new iA sedan and iM hatchback take over for the discontinued iQ, xD and xB. After years of wild niche models, Scion is refocusing its mission to speak to 2015 buyer wants and needs via far more traditional body styles. The iM is a tC-based …

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1971 Abarth Scorpione Prototipo 5

1971 ABARTH Scorpione Prototipo is Rear-Engine Rallycar for RM London 2015

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    Abarth built a series of fascinating race concepts between the 1950s and the mid 1970s, usually somehow based on a Fiat 500 but often completely redesigned. This Scorpione Prototipo was a very contemporary take on a quasi-factory rally car. The glasshouse and overall proportions of the vehicle are far more advanced than any Cinquecento, with a complete repackaging into a two-seat GT car with its engine in the trunk. Theoretical competition in racing would come from cars like the Alpine A110 or the Lancia Fulvia. The Abarth 1300 badge in back next to the circular punch-drilled ventwork is …

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New ŠKODA Octavia Scout

Top 5 UK Family Cars of All Time! Sam Dickson and Tilsun Group Rank Their Faves

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Guest Post By Sam Dickson   Top 5 Family Cars When it comes to buying a family car, there are certain factors that need to be considered: Will it be big enough? What are the safety features? Will the car be suitable for my children when they reach their teenage years? With questions like this and much more, it’s hugely important to do some thorough research to ensure you choose the perfect car for you and your family. As a vastly competitive market in the car world, you’ll come across a large range of family cars that showcase features designed …

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2015 Mazda LM55 Vision GT Tops Goodwood With 787B LeMans Legend + GT6 Updates

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  Twin glory spires at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year are capped by the LeMans-winning Mazda 787B and the 2015 Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo — two kindred spirits together in the metal publicly for the first time. This is a huge year for Mazda. The lineup is stronger than ever, while the new MX-5 and all-new CX-3 compact SUV are creating more buzz than ever for the Japanese sportscar brand. The Central Sculpture and OEM title sponsorship for Mazda at Goodwood is a big vote of confidence in their growth strategy. Typically this high-dollar placement has gone …

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1952 Jaguar XK120 SuperSonic by Ghia 33-horz

Jet-Age 1952 Jaguar XK120 SuperSonic by Ghia to Cross Block at RM Monterey 2015

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Here is a vehicle that would have fit right in to the Atlanta High Museum of Art’s ‘Dream Cars’ exhibit along with the Stratos HF Lancia, Ferrari 512 Modulo, GM rocket cars, and nearly a dozen others. The XK120 SuperSonic was Ghia’s special application of their design aesthetic atop a Jaguar. Freed from the limits of mass production, the panels of the SuperSonic could be as wild as imaginable. Just three were ever completed — and helped inform the eventual look of the E-Type by the end of the 1950s — where they apply some of these ideas in a …

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2016 Renault Talisman 14

2016 Renault TALISMAN Is All-New French Flagship Saloon

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Welcome to the top of the Renault range: the new Talisman sedan. This fresh D-segment saloon is a larger and more plush big brother to the awkward Laguna — promising world-class comfort, design, luxury and technology. All with a completely fresh design and dimensions to compete with the BMW 5 series. A total length of 4.85-metres is fairly gigantic for a front-drive luxury sedan in France. As the segment’s built-in government and livery driver pool looks to Germany for their fleets, the large car market in France is fairly depressed and likely to continue deteriorating. As the Citroen C6 and …

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Atelier Vitesse AuDessus Bespoke Carbon Fiber 7

Atelier Vitesse Launches AuDessus Bespoke Carbon-ization Services From New DC HQ

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An American startup challenging the likes of the world’s top tuners and car customizers!? Joining this Euro-heavy crowd of allstars like Brabus, KAHN, TopCar, Mansory and many more — Atelier Vitesse is breaking conventional rules right off the bat. And its not s bunt: this new dream-factory is not even in California — but based in Bethesda, Maryland outside DC. Proximity to the huge loot up and down the east coast will be an asset for the firm, but their services are not a volume play. The firm will makes its way by creating and embodying the wildest custom supercars. …

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2016 Chevrolet CRUZE RS Premier 14

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Is All-New With Standard Turbo, 2.5in Length Stretch and 80-Lb Weight Loss

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Wowwwww!! Now this is an extremely promising new Chevrolet. Since the hits started coming with the new Impala and 2016 Malibu, Chevrolet is going from strength to strength. Nowhere is Chevy’s new skill more apparent than in compact cars. The Cruze, Sonic and Spark take the highest market share for any one manufacturer across their segments — which is a huge achievement for a relatively new player in supermini’s and subcompacts. This new Cruze may look slightly familiar — as it shares many key design elements with the 2016 Volt. Where the Volt features a solid shield grille and chrome …

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The Nissan JUKE-R gets an exciting upgrade: Introducing the JUKE-R 2

2015 Nissan JUKE-R 2.0 Updated to GT-R NISMO Mechanicals + New Style for Goodwood

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Two must-watch videos to show off the incredible, gravity-defying performance of the 2015 Juke-R 2.0! The upper video embed is the Juke-R 2.0 flying up Goodwood hill, while the below video is the Juke-R flat-out around the fabled TopGear test track. The Juke-R sequel doubles the airflow to the GT-R NISMO’s 600HP engine up front via an all-new carbon-fiber bumper, widebody fenders, and diffuser element out back. Still utterly sideways on command, the Juke-R 2.0 also shows off the latest 2015 model-year Juke nose, lighting and panels.  JUKE-R 2.0 Dunsfold Track Testing Video 2015 Nissan JUKE-R 2.0 THE NISSAN JUKE-R …

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Road Test Review – 2015 BMW 228i Convertible with Ken Glassman

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  2015 BMW 228i Convertible Review By Ken Glassman The 2015 BMW 228i convertible replaces the 1-Series as the company’s entry level rag top. This version has a 1.2-inch-longer wheelbase, has 2.5 inches of additional length, and extra inch of width. And that helps to make it less stubby looking than the 1-Series cars. The better proportions, along with sharp character lines along the sides, and sleek front end, means that this 2-Series is a great looking car. It is also a really fun car to drive. The 228i is powered by a 2-liter, TwinPower Turbo inline 4, direct fuel …

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Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse (W 176) 2015

2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Refreshed With New LEDs, Fascias and Adjustable Drive Modes

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Mercedes-Benz revealed the fresh A-Class this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — showing off the new AMG A45 among its brothers like the new G500 4×4-squared and the AMG GT-S. This refresh for the A-Class updates the nose and tail designs with fresh fascias and LEDs. It is particularly convincing from the back — where even the entry-level A180 and A250 have a much sleeker appearance. The look blends the best of hot-hatch proportions with the fast and low-roof wagon style we always love. A big mechanical change for the nw A-Class are adaptive and adjustable dampers, controlled …

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2016 Audi A4 37

2016 Audi A4 Redesign Majors on Engines, Efficiency and Cabin Tech

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This, ladies and gentleman, is the long-anticipated 2016 Audi A4. You are forgiven for the totally understandable surprise/horror at the lack of a new design. We have been muttering the same thing to ourselves prepping this article’s images. THIS!? Is It? Apparently. A hyper-subtle exterior makeover is all we will receive, despite the new A4 being all-new in every way. An all-new multi-material platform is lighter, the 2.0T engine is all-new, while the cabin is finally up to date on tech. The new A4’s design outside does have scientific merit, if not sex appeal. How? Just a 0.23 drag coefficient …

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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2015 – DAY TWO Gallery + Action GIFS

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Updated 6.28.15 — Now With More Action GIFS! Weekend complete for Goodwood Festival of Speed 2015! A huge swath of OEM, race team and collector passion for the moving motor show icon this year — with stunning cars bellowing skyward as they race up Lord March’s driveway at Goodwood House. And even if you missed it… we have a delicious treat to share!  600 all-new, high-res photos of the latest exotic and sports cars, modern racers, vintage racecars and classic icons. Splitting the photo megaload into three posts so we do not destroy web-manity with a single obese web page. …

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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2015 – New Cars Mega Gallery in 188 Pics

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Day one complete at a glorious and very sunny 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed! A huge swath of OEM, race team and collector passion for the moving motor show icon this year — with stunning cars bellowing skyward as they race up Lord March’s driveway at Goodwood House. And even if you missed it… we have a delicious treat to share!  600 all-new, high-res photos of the latest exotic and sports cars, modern racers, vintage racecars and classic icons. Splitting the photo megaload into three posts so we do not destroy web-manity with a single obese web page. Leading off? …

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Maserati 975 Ernesto Concept by Maurice Maschmeyer 2

Design Talent Showcase – 2019 Maserati 975 Ernesto Concept by Maurice Maschmeyer

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Pasadena College of Art and Design is just the finishing touch on a thorough artist’s education for this month’s student designer, Maurice Maschmeyer Maschmeyer is a native German speaker fluent in English and French as well. An recent Italian immersion will make him a quadruple threat linguistically. In terms of automotive and industrial design vision, Maschmeyer has an interesting eye for beauty and a sweeping, holistic aesthetic that previews next-gen hypercar styles. Graduating in 2017, Maschmeyer will leave California to take his aesthetic and automotive design skills into a major OEM, and onto a street near you a year or …

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Update1 – 3.9s, 510HP 2016 Alfa Romeo GIULIA Quadrifoglio Sounds Sublime On Track!

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Update1 – Rendered Color TestWOW! First look at the new Alfa Giulia today leaves us floored! On-Stage Debut Romeo & Juliet appear to be in fine form these days — running sideways around 90-mph corners at the fantasy Verona racetrack! The numbers and initial details for this production-spec GIULIA (proniunced ‘Julia’) Qaudrifoglio are mouth-watering. 510 horsepower via a twin-turbocharged V6. Rear or AWD. Torque vectoring and active aero. Style to make you weak in the knees from up front. Fresh LED designs and a wide V have a sporty feel that vaguely recalls the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept, but …

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Next-Generation NSX: The 93rd Pikes Peak International Hill Clim

2015 Acura NSX Pikes Peak Pacecar Headlines Dozen Honda Cloud-Chasers!

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Honda and Acura have continued their title sponsorship of the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in 2015 with a variety of cool tech innovations on and off the 14,000-foot mountain of a racetrack. Climbing 1000 feet a minute while hitting 180-degree corners every few hundred yards is no small achievement for any car — and Pikes Peak in recent years has become true global racing highlight for many brands. Knocking seconds off the climb times is increasingly challenging and requires ultra-high-performance machinery to achieve. Peugeot nailed a track record last year, and Honda was aiming for quickest-ever glory in 2015 with its …

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2016 Lotus 3-Eleven 3

2.8s, 450HP 2016 Lotus 3-Eleven Is Gorgeous New Track-Attack Flagship

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  Lotus founder Colin Chapman always preached about the benefits of ‘adding lightness’ to achieve the quickest possible laptimes. But what if you could add lightness actively and passively. Passively, you could strip away the entire windshield and roof of an Exige V6. ‘Active lightness’ is a fairly new idea for Lotus track cars, but one that will make this new 3-Eleven the quickest production model ever to leave Hethel. The stripped-down track focus for the 3-Eleven is paired with a 450-horsepower supercharged V6 and wild, expressive concept-car slashes in the all-new profile and tail designs. But the power will …

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2015 Honda Civic Type R European Dynamic Launch 12

2015 Honda Civic Type R – European Launch Gallery in 104 Gorgeous Photos

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  Are you sitting down? Get ready to be absolutely floored with adrenaline via the all-new 2015 Honda Civic Type R’s intense design and visual fury at speed. On sale now in European markets, this is not a total ****tease for US and global Honda fans. The turbocharged engine under the hood of this Euro-exclusive Civic Type R is just the first salvo for Honda’s resurgent performance. Honda of America is visibly excited about turbo power energizing its upcoming range. Davis Adams of Honda PR is freshly home from the Slovakia track launch of the 2015 Euro Type R, and …

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Morgan EV 3 Wheeler 12

2017 Morgan EV3 – Electric 3 Wheeler Is Streamliner Heaven

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Exciting first look full reveal from Morgan today ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed: the iconic Three-Wheeler in electric form! Dubbed the EV3, this prototype is on the way to production with a weight loss of nearly 200-pounds versus the gasoline model, plus a much sportier handling balance. Why such a change in dynamics versus the normal 3 Wheeler? That model’s highly unusual engine placement ahead of the front axle creates some quite extreme forces on the chassis in hard driving. That huge polar movement around bends is part of what makes the 3 Wheeler such a joy to …

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2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 90

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC Revealed as $50k Macan-Fighter With Air Suspension and Fab Cabin

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  The Mercedes-Benz SUV blitz is in full swing — after the GLE and GLE Coupe twins, the latest family member has finally broken cover: the 2016 GLC. Renamed to align with the E-Class and C-Class in overall size and tech, the latest Merc SUV range is now far broader and able to scoop up sales that might have been lost to the BMW X3, Porsche Macan and Land Rover Discovery Sport. The GLC is a drastic departure from the boxy and off-road-oriented design of the GLK. This new truck focuses on practical and aesthetic improvements across the board. Added …

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2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept 18

2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept – Mid-Engine 2016 TT-Fighter in HD LeMans Lap

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Surprise reveal for the next chapter in Alpine sportscars! This 2015 ALPINE Celebration Concept is a mid-engine prototype that represents the first look at the brand’s move to a stand-alone marque in the RenaultSport fleet. Initiated as a collaboration with Caterham a few years ago, the plan was to acquire a low-cost and proven sports-car chassis from the English. Custom bodywork and RenaultSport engines would provide authentic French zing for the machine – which would become a halo sportscar for the entire Renault/Dacia lineup — worldwide. HD Le Mans Lap Renault ran into major troubles synchronizing its big-company safety, reliability …

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2015 Torino Design WildTwelve Concept

SHOCK! 2017 Ford GT Will Race LeMans 2016 – HD Track Test Video + 75 Photos

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Alternative headline grabbers?   FTW! New Vmax Bomber! Shock & Awesome! Stormin’ Normandy! Ford Libs LeMans for 6th Time in 2016? Now on to this heartwarming news: the 2017 Ford GT supercar will race in Le Mans next year, the 50th anniversary of the Ford GT’s first win in 1966. Since 1944, we add 1967, 68 and 69 to reach five overall American trips to Le Mans, France. Le Sarthe for Ford means nothing less than agony, ecstasy and a lasting legacy. The 2016 24-hour race one year from tomorrow will mark a high water mark in Ford Performance’s return …

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1976 Porsche 930 Turbo Steve McQueen 73

1976 Porsche 930 Turbo – Steve McQueen Special on Video + 150 Photos

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    Here is a fantastic way to kick off LeMans weekend: with a fabulous inside look at Steve McQueen’s last special-order Porsche. This 1976 930 Turbo was one of the very first forced-air 911 Carrera’s ever made — and was at least partially put into series production at the urging of the acting and racing badboy. Like McQueen himself, the 911 Turbo would become far more than just a badge or a nameplate. It has come to represent the ultimate in man over nature; speed against all odds, and the joys of being a badass. How badass? McQueen had …

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2016 Mazda CX-5 – Colors Guide – All 8 Shades From Every Angle!

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  2016 Mazda CX-5 Colors   Crystal White   Titanium Flash Soul Red Jet Black Meteor Grey Blue Reflex Crystal Blue Sonic Silver        

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LeMans 2015 Spotters Guide to All Racecars c/o Nissan GT-R LM Nismo – Truly Innovative Excitement?

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Innovation That Excites. Sound familiar? Of course it does. This Nissan tagline raises half an eyebrow when attached to cars like the Altima or Versa. Arguably neither innovative nor exciting, it is almost like calling Taco Bell haute cuisine. It just is not in any way. Categorical denial of tagline principles! But the new 2015 LMP1 car from Nissan is actually hugely innovative and hugely exciting. It is the newest entrant in the top class to compete with the Ultra-boring Audi Sport R19s, Porsche 919 and somewhat dull Toyota Gazoo TS040. The GT-R LM NISMO is also a total wildcard …

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2015 W Motors Lykan Hypersport – Animated Turntables Gallery

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  Longtime readers know we adore the W Motors Lykan HyperSport. We created some super-cool and exclusive animated turntables of the four official rendered colors — and are still patting ourselves on the back for their mezmerizing beauty! But after hundreds of rounds of image optimizations and uploads, many of these prized GIFs became de-animated. Static panda! Some great news, sad pandas: just re-uploaded the color spinners in all their moving glory. I think the timing varies among these, but we’ll see together momentarily. And if you think the 3MB-per-file is a big large, just know that these are drastically …

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Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Alltrack In 30 New Photos

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 Updated 6.11.15 With 30 New Photos This Alltrack Golf SportWagen makes so much sense, it is hard to believe it took this long tomake real. Subaru is still riding the giant wave of Outback sales that started with its lifted, AWD wagons in 1995. The Alltrack is set to arrive in the US in 2016, and VW seems eager to follow up on the demand for its Golf SportWagen TDI and TSI. If you wish hard enough, we might even see the bad-ass older brother of the VW wagon family: the Golf R SportWagen. Or at least a GTI Variant! …

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2016 BMW 7 Series – Limo Revolution With Carbonium Chassis And FutureTech Galore

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Updated 6.11.15 The new 7 Series is here! This is a major update — firmly on the ‘revolution’ side of the typical BMW model evolution. Not a piece of exterior shared with the current range, this new 750 headlines with 250-pounds of weight loss via the new carbon/steel/aluminum platform. Is this new ‘carbonium’ a woven mix of aluminum and carbon-fiber? Something out of CyberDyne Systems? Almost. This new carbon-fiber is industrially-produced using large-scale methods of the BMW i3 and i8, Boeing tech partnership and Toray Industries materials expertise. The passenger cell sides and doorframes appear to be the primary recipients …

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2016 BMW Z4 M Sport Estoril Blue 38

2016 BMW Z4 Adds Sexy Estoril Blue to Three-Model Range From $50k

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The Z4 vs. Boxster battle was won by Porsche decisively in the early 2000s — with the Porsche feeling sportier and more special with only a five-percent price premium. But as the Z4 retreated from Spartanburg to be made back in Germany, a unique turnabout has taken place. The Boxster is slow and boring in 2015, with its dull and ubiquitous design inspiring not one ounce of excitement. The Z4’s sales today are a tenth of what they were at the model’s peak — while the design is now fabulously wide, low and eye-catching out in the wild. Trust me: …

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2016 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring FWD 63

Best of Awards – 2016 Mazda CX-5 GT Is Real-Deal BMW X1 and Audi Q3 Competitor

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Love at first drive … in the Mazda CX-5! First things first: what are the Best of Awards? That is our highlight for cars and trucks of the year – but given out as-needed whenever we get behind the wheel of a truly fantastic new vehicle. The Mazda3 won this acclaim last year, and the 2016 Mazda6 is on track to nab one as well. In order to rise up to the title, a car needs to be so excellent that it really knocks your socks off outside, inside and on the road. But mostly on the road, at full …

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SMMT Test Days 2015 – Millbrook Off-Road Course Mega Gallery

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PART THREE – The Millbrook Off-Road Course The dirtiest truck in the lot at the end of the day? Not the Unimog or Defender… but the lowly Dacia Duster! Makes sense – off-roading can be perilous. Second dirtiest? A mud-spattered Skoda Outdoor Estate. Definitely looks like a fun day of testing.     Beautiful weather for the SMMT Test Days auto journalist event this year, with nearly 100 of the hottest new cars put to the test around numerous tracks and test scenarios. The choice machines we have our eyes on? The new Audi TT-S, new Porsche GTS range, a …

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SMMT Test Days 2015 – Millbrook High-Speed Bowl – Mega Photo Gallery

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PART TWO: Intro and High-Speed Bowl Beautiful weather for the SMMT Test Days auto journalist event this year, with nearly 100 of the hottest new cars put to the test around numerous tracks and test scenarios. The choice machines we have our eyes on? The new Audi TT-S, new Porsche Cayenne GTS, AMG GT’s and SL65 World Championship Edition, the latest F-Type S AWD and manual-transmission, Clio RS, Audi RS7 and RS6, BMW X5M, RCF Carbon Pack…. the list goes on and on! Seeing the vehicles at speed around Millbrook’s challenging alpine hill course gives a great view into the …

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SMMT Test Days 2015 Alpine Hill Course 178

SMMT Test Days 2015 – Millbrook Alpine Course – Dynamic Photos Mega Gallery

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Beautiful weather for the SMMT Test Days auto journalist event this year, with nearly 100 of the hottest new cars put to the test around numerous tracks and test scenarios. The choice machines we have our eyes on? The new Audi TT-S, new Porsche GTS range, a few AMG GT’s, the SL65 World Championship Edition, the latest F-Type S AWD and manual-transmission, Clio RS, Audi RS7 and RS6, BMW X5M, RCF Carbon Pack…. the list goes on and on! Seeing the vehicles at speed around Millbrook’s challenging alpine hill course gives a great view into the dynamics of these new …

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HD First Drive Review – 2015 VW Golf SportWagen TDI SE 6-Speed Manual

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Listen to that TDI growl through the gears!   A first drive of VW’s new Golf Sportwagen TDI shows that this new vehicle brings all the Euro manners you could imagine — all at a great price. What? About a Volkswagen!? Yes, the VW Golf range is all pretty fantastic, but pricing can feel ambitious on the GTI and Golf R. At first sight, we worried the Golf Sportwagen would kill its appeal with a $38,000 price. Nope. $28k base with $1000 lighting pack and $700 driver assist pack takes us to just $30,505. True value-oriented pricing on the six-speed …

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TVR Inks New Sportscar Deal with Gordon Murray and Cosworth – 2018 Launch Possible!

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If there are two better names than Gordon Murray and Cosworth to attach to the TVR rebirth, we cannot imagine them. All are icons of English performance — and together promise great things. A new sportscar announcement today includes no new sketches or even outlines of the upcoming new TVR, but it does signal work behind the scenes. The car will be designed and produced using iStream from GMD and engine mechanicals via Cosworth. iStream is intended to be a highly robotized assembly system using the latest in 3D printing and materials to give low-weight and high-strength components. The iStream …

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VAETH V50RS MB E-Class 5

VAETH V50RS Makes MB E-Class V8 into Hidden Hammer

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  There are plenty of tuners willing to go completely bonkers on any Mercedes model. Brabus comes to mind with its ultra-fast model range that wears its aggression for all to see. There are more subtle ways to up the performance of an E-Class, however. VAETH tuning of Germany has a new kit called the V50RS based on the E500/E550 that is intensely focused under the metal. Power jumps from 408PS to 550PS via new ECU programming, a new intercooler and fresh exhaust system (behind the back axle.) A big brake kit, giant wheels and a new AirMatic module drop …

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World Endurance Championship

LeMans 2015 – Toyota TS040 Hybrid Gets New Nose, More Power and New Suspension Setup

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  What the TS040 lacks in outright drama, it clearly makes up for with outstanding engineering and bulletproof reliability. Le Mans 2014 was one of the three World Endurance Championship races that the TS040 Hybrid did not win — but the team cleaned up by going 5 in 8 overall during the 2014 season. This dominance was enough to score Toyota the World Championship titles for the car as well as its drivers — which is certainly an impressive feat. The newly-renamed Toyota Gazoo Racing team wants to keep the winning glory in this 2015 season with the ultimate crowning …

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Refreshed 2015 BMW 6 Series – USA Pricing for All 16 Models + 150 New Photos

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The new BMW 6 series is official! The full range is now priced and build-able for USA shoppers — who can choose among 13 unique models of coupes, cabrios and Gran Coupes. Up that total to 16 if you include the M6 in each bodystyle. Overall, the M Sport package is the must-have choice, but there is a Black Pack for the regular trimlines this year. This flips the chrome C-shapes in the bumpers and on other trims to gloss black, as shown in the below UK image of red cabrio nose. As before, the four-doors are the sweet spot …

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New LED Foglamps for 2015 Berlinetta Lusso by Touring SuperLeggera 8

New LED Foglamps for 2015 Berlinetta Lusso by Touring SuperLeggera

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Updated 5.23.15 The Berlinetta Lusso made its concours debut this weekend at Villa d’Este sporting a new grille design integrating twin round LED foglamps. These are a triple LED setup, and look stunning lit with the headlamp’s white DRL accent. Touring Superleggera has pulled back the silk on its latest masterpiece: the Berlinetta Lusso. The Lusso is a full redesign of the Ferrari F12’s exterior, adding a level of timeless sophistication to go with the mechanical brutality of the F12 on full throttle. You may have noted that the latest Ferrari range lacks a super-lux flagship: the place of the …

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Quattroroute 2015 Zagato Mostro photos 10

2015 ZAGATO Mostro Is Custom Carbon Supercar Aimed at GT3 Drivers

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  A very exciting reveal this weekend in Lake Cuomo! Zagato has graced the Villa d’Este COncours with their latest creation: the Mostro powered by Maserati. Honoring ten decades of Maserati Zagato specials and the 1957 ‘Monster’ in particular, this exotic supercar design is being produced and sold to five pre-selected customers. The car is built on a carbon tub with a front-mounted Maserati V8 engine, believed to be the 4.7-liter, dry-sumped screamer from the GranTurismo lineup. Power is sent to the back wheels via a rear-mounted six-speed transaxle. Double wishbones and 19-inch wheels round out the simplistic and race-car-like …

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Shock M6 Concept! 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage – Design Analysis + Rendered Colorizer

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  Brace yourself! BMW’s new concept is going to knock you off your feet. This 2015 BMW CSL Hommage takes the incredible aggression and aero add-on feel of the classic BMW racecars, then integrates much of the layered and detailed look via its swirling CFRP panels. The Hommage is a simply stunning look at the future of BMW’s large coupe — with the track embellishments and GT-R-style machoness almost dripping off the Golf Yellow paintwork. No powertrain details are given, as the focus is really on design for the Concours.   Design Analysis NOSE The nose will dominate many conversations …

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VOS Tuning for Lamborghini Huracan Brings New Carbon Aero + Shouty Akrapovic Exhaust

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  The main critique people have of the new Lamborghini Huracan is that it is (a bit) boring. Not boring like a normal hatchback, mind you. This is still an explosive supercar with performance to shade the hottest Gallardo. But boring to look at, not very interesting to hear and certainly not terrifying enough to live up to its Lambo roots. Is the Huracan’s maturity just progress at making objectively better cars? Or subjectivity clouding the skies of the new Lambo in the face of new competition from McLaren and others? We cannot be certain. Luckily for all, there is …

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2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI S Review 3

Road Test Review – 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI S with Ken Glassman

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2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI S Review By Ken Glassman   Set your way-back machine to 1983. Volkswagen introduces a new car that is designed for “drivers”, not just people who drive cars. The Golf GTI was meant to be a small, stylish (which was debatable) car that had good power, combined with excellent handling, a slick gearbox, basic interior appointments, and would still get excellent gas mileage. It had to fit four people (albeit a bit tight) and have the flexibility of a hatchback, which has always been popular in Europe. But built into everyone was the most important feature: …

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ALPINA X3 – Gorgeous M Sport Styling and Performance Tweaks

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PART FOUR of FOUR The Alpina X3 My favorite Alpina upgrade of this four-pack? Easily this aggressive X3 makeover. Versus the stock X3, the Alpina is virtually unrecognizable. Granted, comparing the Alpina X3 to the base model is not a fair comparo. This Alpina truck started as the X3 M Sport, which is already a little-known way to make the humdrum design really pop with some M style.   The fact that there is no X version of the X3 (yet) helps to make this Alpina SUV ultra unique and exclusive. 2015 BMW X3 xLine 2015 BMW X3 M Sport …

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ALPINA B3 Wheel Colorizer 18

2015 ALPINA B3 – Digital Wheel Colorizer and USA 3 series Upgrade Showcase

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PART THREE of FOUR The Alpina 3 series Now on to the ever-popular 3 series: a sedan so incredibly fun to drive, you are shocked when people buy anything else! The 3 series is arguably the most improved by the ALPINA style. Even outside the core design tweaks and green/blue paint colors, the Alpina 3 series is *thisclose* to its M3 and M5 siblings on overall stance, traction and visual aggressiveness. ORIGINAL: The import and BMW distribution of the ALPINA B6 and B7 to the US is big news. They are all extremely rare and extremely cool, especially the new …

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BMW ALPINA B4 BITURBO

ALPINA B4 Mods Available for USA BMW 4 series Owners

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PART TWO of FOUR The Alpina 4 series The import and BMW distribution of the ALPINA B6 and B7 to the US is big news. They are all extremely rare and extremely cool, especially the new ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe. These ALPINA specials are a fantastic M car alternative, with more engines, xDrive and even diesel engines able to Alpina-fied. But the great thing about the ALPINA upgrade catalog is that all the parts that make these complete models are also available indivudally. There is a slight benefit to this for current BMW owners: you can target specific upgrades and …

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ALPINA B5 Mods Available for USA BMW 5 series Owners

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PART ONE of FOUR The import and BMW distribution of the ALPINA B6 and B7 to the US is big news. They are all extremely rare and extremely cool, especially the new ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe. These ALPINA specials are a fantastic M car alternative, with more engines, xDrive and even diesel engines able to Alpina-fied. But the great thing about the ALPINA upgrade catalog is that all the parts that make these complete models are also available indivudally. There is a slight benefit to this for current BMW owners: you can target specific upgrades and install them over time. …

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2015 IVECO Vision Concept Van 6

2015 IVECO Vision PHEV Concept Shows Futuristic Design + Cabin Tech Innovations

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Your packages have never traveled in such comfort and style! The 2015 IVECO Vision Concept finally brings a cool sci-fi, Hollywood-ready look to a full-size van. Its surfacing and proportions take a bold look into the future of IVECO van designs — pairing brutal and aggressive lighting and nose to friendly, flowing forms to van roof-lines that are usually far boxier. But before we look at the cool design and tech of the IVECO Vision, there is one thing to note first thing: the IVECO Vision is absolutely gigantic. From some angles, the concept appears to be only slightly larger …

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1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SuperSport Teardrop Coupe 20

1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SuperSport Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi

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Most people will instantly think of the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantique or (Aerolithe) when asked about a gorgeous, art-deck teardrop coupe. But this Talbot-Lago is arguably far more beautiful than even that legendary Bugatti. Named the T150 Competition SuperSport, the car is clearly more than a static showpiece. Eleven of this “New York” body were hand-made by legendary coachbuilders and designers Figoni and Falaschi. So, is it the sexiest Teardrop Coupe ever made? We say yes. Three key reasons for the Talbot-Lago’s lasting and sumptuous beauty topping the Bugatti: — that last, artful bit of finesse in body shaping of …

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2009 PAGANI Zonda R 62 copy

Hypercar Heroes – 750HP, 2.7s 2010 PAGANI Zonda R is 7 Minutes in Heaven

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No study of hypercar heroes would be complete without the phenomenal Pagani Zonda R from 2009 to 2010. Just 15 examples of this hardcore track machine were produced, with pricing of around $2.5-million each. With typical Pagani thoroughness, the Zonda R’s creation is far more that a set of slick tires and lightweight carpet. As you can see from almost every angle, the Zonda R employs an all-new aerodynamic setup. Giant lower intake scoops and splitter could cut off a pedestrian at the ankles, with the sharp wedge of a carbon-fiber nose an effective cleaver to finish that dark job. …

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2015 VW Golf GTE Sport Concept 2

2015 VW Golf GTE Sport Concept + 2016 GTI Clubsport Production Reveal at Worthersee

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Volkswagen has delivered a half-dozen Golf and GTI concepts in the last 12 months — so you are forgiven for thinking that the GTE looks too familiar to be all-new. With the Design Vision GTI, the GTI SuperSport and GTI speedster (both for Gran Turismo), the GTI thinktank is in full swing in Wolfsburg. This new GTE concept takes much of the intensely aggressive and dominating style of the SuperSport and adds a production-feasible e-AWD system. This li-ion PHEV setup adds a giant wallop of on-demand torque to the rear axle for nearly 400-hp in total. We have an all-new …

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2005 Pagani Zonda S Roadster 1

Hypercar Heroes – 2005 Pagani Zonda S Roadster

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Name a car from 2005 that is more desirable today than this Pagani Roadster! This car is one of 25 Zonda Roadsters ever produced, and features a sweet combination: the ultra-rare manual gearbox option and the updated and quicker-revving 7.3-liter V12. Packing more displacement but a lighter weight than the original 7.0-liter AMG units, the Zonda F is still an icon of performance, design and artful beauty ten years after it was first sold. This very car earned about $750,000 when last sold by RM Auctions in London in 2010, but we suspect it might even go for more than …

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Porsche 991 Stinger by TopCar Now Available for All 911 Carrera Models and Bodystyles 73 copy copy

Porsche 991 Stinger by TopCar Now Available for All 911 Carrera Models and Bodystyles

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A stock supercar is quickly becoming passe in many circles. To really draw admiring stares among the exotic-car cognoscenti, you need to step up to make your car one-of-a-kind.  There are many ways to approach customizing your machine — but typically, this is the road map of tuning steps we would follow: — rolling stock enhancements via wheels/tires — power tweaks via ECU reflashes or engine upgrades — exhaust harmonic changes — a dramatic exterior makeover via custom aero pieces — every angle should show unique aggression versus factory models — stance enhancements via track extension with hub spacers — …

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Standaufnahme

2015 Audi TT Clubsport Turbo – Sounds Freaky as Electric Boost Spools Up to Ultra-High RPM

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2015 Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Sound Updated 5.13.15 With 20 New Photos and 2 Videos Despite the outrageous and super-cool exterior and interior overhaul of this TT Clubsport concept, it is really all about the engine. This is some revolutionary innovation that, if proven successful, could revolutionize forced induction. What is going on under that hood? As detailed below, a 48-volt electrical system spins up an e-compressor on this five-cylinder beast to help the main turbo deliver 600-hp overall. What does it sound like on e-boost? That is the million-dollar question. In theory, the e-boost can be preemptive and avoid …

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2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB 5

Road Test Review – 2015 RANGE ROVER Supercharged LWB – Royal Plush on HD Video + 75 Photos

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2015 Range Rover Supercharged LWB Review       As we discuss in the video above, there is a grand tradition in long-wheelbase Range Rovers making the shorties obsolete. Once the first-gen Range Rover Vogue LWB was included in the US lineup for 1993, it was quickly curtains for the standard-length ‘County’ models. The big jump in length on that first-gen truck helped balance the looks nicely, with almost no downsides to the performance or price of the truck. In fact, there was only upside to be had. More rear legroom, a less pinched ingress and egress process, and an …

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AC Schnitzer BMW i8 8

AC Schnitzer Transforms BMW i8 into Supercar M8 of Your Dreams!

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  Sure, the BMW i8 may have a highly advanced and unconventional powertrain, but this is a pure supercar through and through. In the flesh, the i8 is almost unbelievably unique and special. Its low roof and CFRP bodywork offer bodywork swirls and layers unlike any other supercar — at any price. But the i8 is crying out for an M-style makeover. For corporate political reasons, a proper M8 from BMW is not likely any time soon. Similarly, the i8 has been deeply underserved by the aftermarket community so far, but thanks to AC Schnitzer, this dream M8 can now …

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2016 Aston Martin VULCAN in 40 New Photos from Dubai and Manhattan

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Updated 5.10.15 The 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan has been a real showstopper since its surprise reveal in Geneva. Replacing the One-77 as the ultra-fast brand flagship, the Vulcan will be a track-only wonder when it arrives to its 25 ultra-wealthy owners. But boy is this car hard to photograph in auto show environments! Its gloss-black lower aero treatment is delicious and highly advanced, but washes out in most indoor light. So in-person viewing will be extra important to clinch prized deposits. To that end, the Vulcan swooped into Dubai recently to be the local showroom’s electro-magnet… drawing in the great …

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1968 Alfa Romeo T33-2 Daytona 17

Racing Icons Series – 1968 Alfa Romeo T33/2 Daytona Is Legendary Bubble-Top Targa

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Part Five of Six – Alfa Romeo Racing Icons Series Welcome to one of the most beautiful racecars of all time: the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Daytona. Wearing the fabulous bubble glass windshield of the Periscopo T33, but a long-tail aero treatment and even a targa top — the Daytona is like a dream come true for vintage racecar aficionados. One interesting T33 detail is that the car has none of the imposing and heavy-roof feel of the Porsche 917 or Ford GT40. Where those cars are all giant A-pillars and letterbox visibility, the Alfa is chopped like a speedster …

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1970 Alfa Romeo TT3 Spider 9

Racing Icons Series – 1970 Alfa Romeo TT3 Spider Was Lightweight Short-Tail Special

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Part Three of Six – Alfa Romeo Racing Icons Series   1970 saw the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 Spider evolve into a much shorter and much more brutal track attacker. Switchable noses include the lamp-free style shown here. A fairly brutal and chopped style appears at the front and rear of this Alfa racecar, with less of the glamourous design of the Sports Racer 33 that came before it. The changes worked on the racing circuit – with this Spider earning numerous race wins and ranking between Porsche and Ferrari in the top three points for the Le Mans season. …

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2016 Volvo XC90R 8

Volvo Announces $500M Factory in Charleston, South Carolina – First USA-Made Volvo Cars in 2018

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Volvo made its big factory announcement this morning — right in my backyard!  Yes, Volvo is coming to Charleston to be closer to car-revs-daily!? Just kidding. Volvo chose this Southeastern Atlantic state for a number of reasons — all related to the firm’s ambitious goal of making up to 200,000 cars a year here by around 2020. The first Volvo plant anywhere in North America, Volvo is clearly seeking the strategic and financial advantages that come with building its cars close to their intended market. Why South Carolina? Every state is willing to kick big tax incentives to manufacturers these …

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2015 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E 5

Road Test Review – 2015 Volvo S60 T6 Drive-E With Ken Glassman

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2015 Volvo S60 T6 Review By Ken Glassman A Hooligan Volvo Sedan? Yes, but . . . Ever since the 1960’s Volvo’s built their reputation by being a boxy (homely?) vehicle that was reliable, fuel efficient, roomy, and most of all . . . a very safe vehicle. It sold safety, when American cars were selling big engines and style, and Japan was selling cheap cost. College professors, wearing tweed sport coats with patches on the elbows, and young conservative families interested in safety seemed like the average buyers. But in the last 20 years or so, all car companies …

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4.6s 2016 BMW 340i xDrive and new Plug-in 330e Lead Refreshed Range

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A big round of updates for the BMW 3 series range! The changes bring new LED lighting front and rear, a PHEV model called 330e, and the new 340i badge to replace the 335i. This update reflects an all-new turbo engine up front. The 3.0-liter inline-six is now dubbed B58 versus the previous N55. The new engine has a just of 20 horsepower up to 320, with a torque mountain of 330-pound-feet coming on from just 1350 RPM. That is one eager motor! The US range includes a 320, 328i or 328d and new 330e featuring plug-in hybrid technology. A …

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600HP, 3.6s 2015 Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Concept Runs 48V E-Compressor

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Here is a fantastic new concept from Audi ahead of the annual Wörthersee Festival! A racing widebody and extreme aero kit are needed thanks to the five-cylinder engine’s massive dual-compressor technology. A standard exhaust-gas turbocharger is joined by an all-new electric turbocharger– promising a huge rush of instant-on torque at any throttle shove. This latest turbo tech innovation is tough to introduce. BMW has also been researching electrically-spun turbo’s, but this Audi is the first to take it near production feasibility. Think of the tech like a super-Dyson blower inside the intake tract of the car. Typically, the limit has …

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875HP, 1.7s 2015 Peugeot Vision Gran Turismo Is LMP1 Contender With Hypercar Beauty

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As you already know if you have played Gran Turismo, the most intense parts of the game have to be earned. You have to build your skills and trade up from little nothing-powered Miata’s up the power and speed ladder. Toward the top of the performance spectrum, you are racing in LMP1 cars and beyond. The vast majority of concepts seen so far in the Vision GT collection fall into two categories: a racing-upfit version of a normal production car (ie the VW GTI SS) and a pure fantasy take on future racing (ie Chevrolet 2X Chaparral VGT). The latest …

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Concept Flashback – 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight in 88 Photos!

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Racers worldwide have made lightening Mazda MX-5’s more than an art or craft: there is a science to shedding grams and gaining pace. This 2009 concept from Mazda’s European R&D center is a serious and comprehensive speedster conversion and custom strip-out. Once totally bare, the full MX-5 Superlight was resprayed in a Japanese Racing white pearl. The color and the contrast details for the hood and double bubble rollbars make the MX-5 Superlight’s proportions even more intensely rear-drive. A favorite detail is the brake light LED lining those integrated roll hoops. 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept …

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1947 Cisitalia 202 SMM Nuvolari Spyder 2

1947 Cisitalia 202 SMM Nuvolari Spyder Was Racing Streamliner with Tailfins!

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A surviving 1947 Mille Miglia racecar, one of three works vehicles raced that season? Yep. One of less than ten cars in the MOMA New York permanent collection? Yessir. Tail-fins more than a decade before this look would sweep automobile-dom? Mhmm. Stunning. 28 total Nuvolari Spyders are thought to have been produced, so collecting any at less than half a million is a shrewd move. 1947 Cisitalia 202 SMM Nuvolari Spyder   Villa Erba 25 May 2013 Lot 110 1947 Cisitalia 202 SMM ‘Nuvolari’ Spyder by Carrozzeria Garella To be auctioned on Saturday, May 25, 2013 Sold for €425.600 Chassis …

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Fast Wagons! 2009 Maserati Bellagio Fastback by Touring Superleggera

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The fast wagon is the ultimate in car-guy and car-girl coolness. A low and sleek wagon silhouette is instantly cooler than any SUV, yet still looks the part in the mountains with skis on the roof. As part of a series of articles, we’ll highlight all the coolest estate cars at the train station. Call them what you want. Tourers, Estates, Fastbacks or Station Wagons — they are the ultimate Q-cars. This Maserati Quattroporte was reborn as a wagon via Touring Superleggera in Milan. Four total vehicles were produced, with this one including a special interior with twin adjustable seats, …

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2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door 65

2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door – HD First Drive Video + 150 Photos

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With a base price of $25,000, the 2015 MINI Cooper S 4-Door Hardtop overlaps closely with an unlikely competitor: the new Focus ST. Both are fun-running favorites with a cultlike following, and both achieve 60-mph in the low 6.0-second range through six-speed manuals. Though the Cooper S is down 65 horsepower versus the Focus ST, the MINI’s Cooper S upgrade is more important than ever for 2015. As with the MINI hardtop, the base Cooper runs a three-cylinder to the Cooper S’s turbo four. Power is up from 134 horsepower in the Cooper to 184 in the Cooper S, a …

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