Euro Cars

Vantage GT3_06 - Copy

2015 Aston Martin VANTAGE GT3 Is Most-Extreme V12S With Hardcore Aero Upgrade All Around

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Okay, Aston special edition fatique is definitely setting in pretty hard lately. But this is one special Vantage to really get – and keep – your attention in focus. But there is a big catch. What is special about this Vantage GT3? Based on the Vantage V12 S Coupe, the new GT3 model is 200-pounds lighter and nearly doubles the aerodynamic grip generated at high speeds. How? Through an all-new nose with deep splitter and ductwork, a fresh hood vent design to free any trapped air in this ultra-tight engine bay, and full reprofiled intake and bumper design in carbon-fiber. …

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2016 Range Rover EVOQUE Refreshed With Full-LED Lighting, New Cabin and All-New Infotainment

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Remember how much excitement the Evoque generated just a few short years ago!? Looking like a production Range Stormer Concept, but sized at the affordable side of the Land Rover catalog — the Evoque really packed a wallop in the cool-SUV poker game. But reality is a harsh mistress. The Evoque took almost two years to finally arrive in the USA, by which time most of the excitement had worn off. Still cool, make no mistake. But not gotta-have-it cool. And then you sit inside. It is respectable in the front, but woefully tiny in the rear seat. The low …

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2016 McLaren P1 GTR Yellow 12-vert - Copy

986HP, ~2.2s 2016 McLaren P1 GTR Revealed Before Geneva and Catalunya Track Driver Program

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  The 2016 McLaren P1 GTR is now in full racing mode. Scary-fast and ready to blast out of the pits at the Circuit de Catalunya later this year with the elite crop of owner-drivers who will join the ultimate racing experience. The P1 GTR is significantly stripped and optimized for track duties versus its P1 road-going hypercar base-point, which was no shrinking violet itself when it comes to extreme performance. The P1 GTR is an in-house way for McLaren to bring its racing expertise to regular owners, with full pit-crew support and the chance to touch the P1 GTR’s …

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2016 Lotus Evora 400 3-tile

400HP, 4.1s 2016 Lotus Evora 400 Is Leaner and Meaner 2+2 With Designed-In Downforce

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First look tonight at the new Lotus Evora 400 — a tweaked and updated version of the promising sports-car with mid-mounted V6 power, a supercharger with 50 extra horsepower to deliver 4.1-second sprints to 60-mph, and even an available IPS automatic transmission. The big news of the Evora 400 is its cooler style, better aero slipperiness combined with almost double the downforce of the existing Evora S. Inside, the new Evora 400 is far more advanced with new controls and new tech throughout. The center stack is incredibly modern and delivers Porsche-beating design details for things as everyday as the …

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2016 Skoda Superb 6 copy

2016 Skoda Superb Revealed in Prague With Audi A8-Rivaling Roominess and Superior Design?!

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Skoda is very proud of the Superb, their flagship of the line and packing a gigantic back seat that is in the same league as the standard-wheelbase A8 limousine. How and why is this possible in a car that is priced under the VW Passat? How comes down to the mass-market MQB chassis componentry and lack of an aluminum-spaceframe chassis or alloy bodywork. Front-drive is the name of the game, but this is also a side benefit. The trunk is bigger than any Audi sedan. Why? That is a bit more complicated. Think of the Superb as the Phaeton of …

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2015 KTM X-Bow GTR Is Reskinned and GT4-Ready To Race via Reiter Engineering

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KTM’s branch-out from its motorcycle core with the X-Bow has created a rapid and fierce bunch of loyalists on and off the racetracks of the world. A simple idea of a carbon-fiber tub, mid-engine dynamics and deconstructed and minimalist panels was such a revolution six years ago — yet today is almost the global supercar template. From the X-Bow — pronounced CrossBow — came the X-Bow GT and the latest one-make race series, increases to 400-plus horsepower, and even a windshield for those days when you can drive without a race helmet. The next step for the X-Bow takes the …

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2016 Hyundai Tucson Breaks Cover Ahead of Geneva Show Packing New DCT

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Warning: this is not a concept. This fresh and big-SUV design is in fact the real Euro-spec Hyundai Tucson! This seriously stylish upgrade of the compact Tucson crossover also includes new engines and a brand-new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission on some trim levels. You can really see the Hyundai first-mover advantage coming into play: as this Hyundai crossover looks far more grown-up than the new Chevy Trax or Honda HR-V, but is likely to be priced at similar sub-$20,000 base prices when it arrives stateside this Fall. 2016 Hyundai Tucson   The all-new Tucson All-New Tucson represents significant step forward …

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Wow! 2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept Previews Future Optima Estate in Stellar Fashion

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Darnit! Right when we had almost completely written Kia off as poorly-driving, and poorly-marketed cars aimed at idiots — here comes this stunning SPORTSPACE estate concept for Geneva 2015. Hitting my fast-wagon passion right in the jugular, the bleeding passion down my neck is almost as red as this SPORTSPACE. Long, low and sexy — the SPORTSPACE concept packs a gorgeous new design from double-quad LED light-pods back to its low-roofed tail and slimline glasshouse. Inside, things improve perhaps even further, with a full-length The SPORTSPACE is a strong statement of intent and first glimpse of the new Frankfurt-led design …

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2015 RINSPEED Budii Bringing i3-Based EV Wackiness To Geneva

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  Rinspeed is a reliable Geneva Auto Show attendee – typically with one of the most avant-garde designs on the entire showfloor. This year, the concept is called the BUDII and is based on the BMW i3. A new style and complete infotainment redesign takes the dashboard completely out of the picture, in favor of an adjustable-side steering column. This column on a robotic arm can also fold itself away for automated driving modes. This next skill of the Budii also reveals one of its most interesting aspects: the periscope-style rising sensor pod to allow a birds-eye view of the …

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2016 Toyota Avensis Sedan and Estate Coming to Geneva; Showing New Prius Nose?

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  Toyota’s latest Avensis is coming to the Geneva auto show next month, with a nose that wears a striking new split-arrow LED emerging from the slim upper grille. This nose is the product of the ED2 design studio in France, and may influence the upcoming 2016 Toyota Prius sold globally.   2016 Toyota Avensis Sedan and Estate Posted on 15 February 2015 TOYOTA TO REVEAL NEW AVENSIS AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW Toyota will reveal the new Avensis at the Geneva motor show (3 – 15 March), the latest development of its contender in the European mid-size (D-segment) car …

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2016 Citroen DS5 3a

2016 Citroen DS5 Is Fresh With Upscale Cabin and Ultra-Modern LED Lighting

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The 2016 Citroen DS5 is here and very cool!  Packing a cosmopolitan luxury-wagon style, a premium and laid-back cabin layout — the latest DS model really proves the transformation from basic Citroens up to the premium and swanky DS lineup. 2016 Citroen DS5   NEW DS 5: THE SYMBOL OF THE DS BRAND The New DS 5 is a vehicle of avant-garde styling, allying dynamic behaviour, refinement and attention to detail with a selection of advanced technologies. It embodies all the attributes of present and future DS vehicles. The DS flagship model introduces the brand identity and gains the new …

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1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider by Zagato 6a

RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider by Zagato

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  Meet the most successful Alfa Romeo racecar of all time. This 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider by Zagato is the ultimate evolution on the Alfa Romeo race platform of the day, refined and tweaked with the help of poached Fiat engineering talent. The goal? To win races decisively. And win it did. This tilt-radiator design helped to keep the supercharged engine cool by shifting more air through its vanes, and also creating less aerodynamic drag. A one-two punch. That and the body by Zagato certainly helped the car look cool – both then and now. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C …

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RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra May Top $1-Million In Return to Early-Series Buyer Preference

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The million-dollar pre-sale estimate on this 1963 Shelby Cobra is a testament to three things: — the essential ‘rightness’ of the original concept, design and execution of this Anglo-American mashup — the value of Shelby Cobra’s continuing to rise, with originals like this sure to be among the highest-value models of all — and the fact that all those replicas and rip-offs actually reinforce and strengthen the legacy of the Shelby Cobra, but will never touch its overall collector value 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 Lot 178 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra $950,000 – $1,150,000 …

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1968 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder 1

RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1968 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder

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Imagine a car with the low, wide and long late-60s proportions of the Maserati Ghibli and Ferrari Daytona, but with nose detailing more evocative of the famous Ferrari 250 GTO. Even the chrome wrap-around bumpers set a perfect late-50s mood that was forever lost to history by the introduction of 5-mph safety bumpers and other pesky requirements for US sale. The team behind Intermeccanica certainly could, and this machine has a really timeless and special beauty as a result. Powered by a Ford V8, this Turin-made supercar also lacks the badge appeal of any modern Ferrari or Lamborghini. As such, …

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1955 Jaguar D-Type Twin-Cowl 15

RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1955 Jaguar D-Type Twin-Cowl

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This Jaguar is sure to be both a fan and expert favorite at the RM Auctions event in Amelia Island next month. One of 54 ever made, this privateer racecar is exquisite in its period style, achievements and performance. A surviving race-winner, the twin-cowl cockpit and windshield are particularly delightful, as is the cabin with its myriad aviation-derived instruments. 1955 Jaguar D-Type Twin-Cowl RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 Lot 135 1955 Jaguar D-Type $3,750,000 – $4,250,000 Chassis no. XKD 530 Engine no. E 2044 9 Body no. H 2030 Est. 300 bhp, 3,781 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine …

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Winter Drift Gallery – 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD Slides Sideways Across Canadian Border

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The big news on the very-cool Buick Regal GS this year is the addition of AWD as an option on the automatic transmission, plus a stick-shift choice for the Hy-Per-Strut front-driver. Eager to get sideways, the new Regal GS is at home in the snow like no Buick sports-sedan in decades. Enjoy this photo blast…. just try not to get snow in your eyes! 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD    

2016 Hyundai Veloster RALLY Edition 1

2016 Hyundai Veloster RALLY Edition + New 7-Sp DCT Turbo Lead Updated Range

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The 2016 Veloster is here with some extra-subtle tweaks and a sweet Rally Edition limited to just 1200 units in sexy matte-blue paint over gloss-black Rays alloys. A bit less exciting visually, but far more thrilling on throttle is the Veloster Turbo. This speedy model now features a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to zing through the gears on the way to an estimated 6.8-seconds to 60-mph. 2016 Hyundai Veloster RALLY Edition   2016 HYUNDAI VELOSTER RECEIVES MAJOR PERFORMANCE, DESIGN AND CONNECTIVITY ENHANCEMENTS, PLUS NEW RALLY EDITION 13/02/15 New Rally Edition Model Adds both Dynamic and Aesthetic Upgrades to Turbo R-Spec Model CHICAGO, …

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Nissan GT-R LM NISMO

2015 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo LMP1 Racer Makes Public Debut in Chicago – 40 New Photos!

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 The hot and heavy three-way battle among Porsche, Audi and Toyota in the LeMans Prototype One race class just got a lot steamier. Nissan just pulled back the silk sheets on its contender to World Endurance Championship racing: the 2015 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO. And boy does it go its own way to achieving massive speed and impact, while sticking to the very expansive fuel usage rules of LeMans racing. The biggest shocker is not that it is a hybrid twin-turbo-charged V6 making 1250-horsepower. It shocks with where that engine sits, and where it delivers its power. The engine lives …

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DAF Trucks – Powerful, Efficient and Extra Affordable When Pre-Owned

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  Part 1 of TruckMaster Article Series Powered by TruckLocator.co.uk   DAF Trucks – Dutch Innovation Since 1928 DAF was founded in 1928 by Hubert van Doorne and A.H. Huenges, a local business owner. Huenges’ had used the services of van Doorne on several occasions to fix his car. He was so impressed with his engineering skills he put forward an offer of investment, creating a business which the two of them would run together. From this start-up business grew the Van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek or Van Doorne’s Trailer Factor, more simply known as DAF. By 1936 Huenges had parted …

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INFINITI QX70 Larte LR3 Widebody from AHG-Sports

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Larte Design is making some waves in tuner-loving Germany! The wildest of the three upgrade kits, dubbed LR3, is fitted here to the QX70 by AHG-Sports, who also completes a comprehensive dechroming and black-on-black styling overhaul. The results speak for themselves! INFINITI QX70 Larte LR3 Widebody from AHG-Sports INFINITI QX70 LR3-WIDE BODY from AHG-SPORTS Since five years AHG-Sports has been extremely positively talked about as in-house tuning department of the car dealer Günther, which is represented four times in Hamburg especially with cars of the precious Nissan-offshoot Infiniti. And cooperation agreement recently reached with LARTE Design resulted in additional opportunities …

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2015 nanoFlowcell QUANT F Headed to Geneva With New 1000HP Powertrain

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Quant is back in Geneva this year with a new evolution of the Quant E from 2014 – now packing 500 extra horsepower, a new transmission and drivetrain, a bright red color outside, new LED headlights and fresh wheels. The 2014 nanoFlowcell eSportLimousine prototype was recently approved for road use in Europe, so production reality is coming along nicely for this cool supercar. Imagine a Tesla Model S crossed with a Porsche 918 Spyder, and you have the $350,000 estimated price point of the eventual production model.    2015 nanoFlowcell QUANT F 10.02.2015 nanoFlowcell AG presents new QUANT F in …

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RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster

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How time flies in the hypercar world! Only seven short years ago, this Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster was the absolute hottest, wildest machine on four wheels. With only 156 miles since new, the original owner clearly thought highly of the car and wanted to maximize its collector potential in the future. But again just seven short years later, he or she is making room in the garage. Perhaps for one of the hypercar class of 2015? 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 2008 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640-4 Roadster Chassis no. ZHWBU47S88LA03146

1937 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron 29

RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1937 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron

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Here is a gorgeous classic we are excited to even see in person! A V12 Lincoln cabriolet with four doors!? Yes indeed. 1937 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1937 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Chassis no. K-8128

1968 Toyota 2000GT 8

RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1968 Toyota 2000GT

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The second Japanese car to join RM Auctions Amelia Island 2015 auction? The stunning and very desirable 2000GT from Toyota. 1968 Toyota 2000GT RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1968 Toyota 2000GT Chassis no. MF10L-10189 Engine no. 10225 Body no. 1179

1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432 5

RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432

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It is rare to see Japanese cars in the high-dollar auction world, so this Z-car is extra special in that regard. Additionally, as what appears to be a Japanese Domestic Market model, the vehicle is officially a Nissan versus a Datsun as it was sold stateside. 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432 RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432 Chassis no. PS30-00092

1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster by Reutter 18a

RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster by Reutter

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Any  Porsche 356 in 2015 is almost unbelievably tiny and basic, so the Speedster with its stripped down cabin and tiny glass areas is almost the perfect caricature of a 1950s sports roadster.   1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster by Reutter RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster by Reutter Chassis no. 83814 Engine no. 75350 60 hp, 1,582 cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with dual Zenith carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with laminated torsion bars, parallel trailing arms, and tubular shock absorbers, independent rear swing axles with torsion bars …

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Design Analysis - 2013 Opel-Vauxhall MONZA Is Exotic, Advanced PHEV GT 12

Design Analysis – 2013 Opel-Vauxhall MONZA Is Exotic, Advanced PHEV GT

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This Monza concept feels subtle at first. Its slinky and silky metallic gunmetal finishes are the perfect shade of subtle, and let the wild surfaces and flowing silhouette speak for itself. How to think of this car? A future production model? Not at all. This is perhaps best thought-of as a potential Tesla Model S-fighter, with ambitions to compete with the BMW i8 from a technological perspective. Theoretical pricing would be around $100,000 — so obviously in the fantasy realm for the mid-premium Opel and Vauxhall brands. Let’s do a full design assessment by angle. But first! Here is what …

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Concept Flashback – 2000 Audi Rosemeyer

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Steampunk? Does that apply here? No, none of the original Audi race-cars from the 1930s were powered by steam, but this Rosemeyer concept seems to fit into this new, retro-mechanical style movement. Exposed rivets, pop-up lamp covers, individual headlight pods, massive vents all down the back of the engine compartment — all fantastic and moody. The brushed-aluminum surface takes a big step toward authenticity versus the clean and polished surface of the Avus Quattro concept, while the front vents all feel milled from a solid piece of metal. 2000 Audi Rosemeyer

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RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1934 Alvis Speed 20 SB Two-Door Saloon by Vanden Plas

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If everyone has an era of classic cars to which they naturally gravitate, ours is easily the early 1930s. This Alvis almost perfectly captures the more avant-garde coupe style of the era. Two doors, olive drab paint, ultra-long hood and low roof. A dream-car if there ever was one! The cabin and coachwork by Vanden Plas only sweetens the deal for this dreamer. 1934 Alvis Speed 20 SB Two-Door Saloon by Vanden Plas RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1934 Alvis Speed 20 SB Two-Door Saloon by Vanden Plas Chassis no. 11845

1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring Superleggera 27

RM Auctions Villa Erba Preview – 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring Superleggera

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Three cars so far in the Villa Erba catalog: all Ferrari’s, all exceptional. The 288 GTO shown previously, this stunner, and a yellow Enzo. This 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring might be the most special and collectable of all Ferrari’s — of all time, actually. Sure, it might not have the timeless beauty of the 250 series, but this 212 is far more exclusive as a surviving competition car. This exact 212 Export was the actually the final one made by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. As legend goes, almost all Ferrari race-cars were smelted after their seasons, both …

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RM Auctions Villa Erba Preview - 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO 15

RM Auctions Villa Erba Preview – 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO

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The 288 GTO is a very special, and very important Ferrari. Inspiring the new 488 GTB name for the latest turbo V8 engine, the 288 GTO was easily the highest-performance hypercar of the 1980s. Until…. the F40 of 1987. The F40 completely shaded the 288 GTO’s accomplishments via a simple restyle over largely carry-over engineering from the 288 GTO. Originally envisioned for the Group B racing series known for its ‘no rules’ attitude toward max power outputs, the 288 GTO is definitely a legend for those in the know. Hopefully the cognoscenti are in attendence of the Villa Erba RM …

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2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept 2

2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept Headed for Geneva

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  The newest Infiniti is almost here! The QX30 Concept’s first teaser image is official, and is almost a dead ringer for the Q30 concept seen at Frankfurt 2013. From the back at least, the new QX30 does appeal to be significantly more SUV-ish than the low-riding Q30. This would imply there might be road and trail versions of the model in the cars. This version is also nearly production-ready (tires aside…) and should arrive in global Infiniti showrooms by December, we predict. The premium compact crossover is likely to be an influential design template, later rolling upmarket with a …

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1973 Vauxhall Firenza 25

1973 Vauxhall Firenza Showed Rare Sports-Coupe Elegance and Futuristic Style

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Okay, okay. At first glance, this Vauxhall Firenza looks impossibly dated and recalls a Chevy Chevette for anyone in the USA. But think of the Firenza in the context of the Ford Mustang II, Pacer and Gremlin. The 1970s was a pretty gross period in car design overall. Shrinking engines, sloppy style and floppy suspensions are preeminent themes of the 1970s, from the cheapest cars to the priciest Lamborghini’s. The Firenza was a flagship sports coupe for the Vauxhall brand, introducing aerodynamic shrouds for the headlamps under flat glass, a single-piece nose design with integrated airdamn, and a pointy hood …

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2015 Lexus NX300h 35 - Copy

First Drive Review – 2015 Lexus NX300h Is Swanky, Ultra-Smooth, 35MPG+ SUV!?

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2015 Lexus NX300h Review Is the Lexus NX the most impressive new luxury crossover with a base price under $40,000? After a week with the plucky and quick NX200t F Sport, we whole-heartedly say YES!! But even quick spin in the NX300h shows that the incredible (seriously otherworldly) smoothness and efficiency of the NX300h is not to be dismissed out of hand. With effiiency figures that are up about 10 on the turbo on city and highway to the mid-30s overall, the NX300h is seriously desirable as well. With 200-pounds of battery under the back seat, the NX300h handles with …

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RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1930 Bentley Blue Train Is Reborn!

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Part mystery, part fantasy – but all legend! The Blue Train Bentley is back with this just-finished recreation of one of the most legendary Flying B’s ever made. As the official RM write-up below charts, the car was created the beat one of the quickest trains on a route to France. This might seem easy today, with six-lane motorways throughout the world and pavement allowing high-speed progress for even the most unskilled drivers. But in the 1930s, the idea of averaging more than 90-mph in a car, across long distances, was pure fantasy and hyperbole. Like something right out of …

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2004 Vauxhall VXR220 – A Design Icon and Style Tastemaker

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When the first-gen Elise was sweeping up accolades, the smartest people in the room might have seen three holes in the perfect-handling bliss that was the new Lotus. — The design was odd and the detailing was all-wrong. The bug-eye lamps and curvy shapes recalled a dune buggy more than an exotic supercar — The original engines were low on torque and not globally certified for emissions — Distribution within the tiny Lotus boutique dealer network was extremely limited Vauxhall was able to bring solutions to these three issues in one fell swoop. Huge industrial might behind it, design talent …

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SuperSedan Debrief – 1993 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton

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The Lotus Carlton was not just a hero because of its massive turbocharged engine and rear-drive handling balance. Not just an icon because of its Lotus-honed grip and track prowess. Not just a stylish executive saloon that suddenly competied with Audi and BMW thanks to its sweet wide fenders and aerokit. Not just a British national champion because it was created by Vauxhall and Lotus, and built there too. Little Opel input was needed for asked-for, nor help from General Motors across the Atlantic. Nor simply an extremely-rapid autobahn missile with a Vmax of more than 180-mph. The real reason …

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Corsa VXR Front

2015 Vauxhall Corsa VXR Packs Koni Shocks and Limited-Slip Diff!

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  The hot hatch market in the UK is one of the fiercest and most-competitive anywhere in the world. So to have any street cred selling millions of luke-warm mini-cars, a brand needs to have an aspirational hero at the top of the range. A car that will make Richard Hammond laugh and hoon, you might say. The Corsa VXR is a direct response to the global love-fest that surrounds the Ford Fiesta ST. These two mini-cars are Britain’s top-selling vehicles, so any tweak or change in their style and performance is rapidly noted by all drivers. Especially lead-footed teens! …

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~340HP 2016 Ford Focus RS Runs AWD and DTV! Official Debut + Drift Video

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  The new Ford Focus RS is official, and officially stunning! With a new 2.3-liter turbo engine and an extreme new AWD setup, the wildest part of the new Focus RS might be under the metal. But that metal is also pretty intense: wide-body fenders, a giant splitter up front, deeper sills and a rear end to honor the Ford RS legacy. That means a giant Rallycross wing and huge coffee-can exhausts mounted inboard for max visual and aural impact. Best news of all? This new Focus RS is coming to America! Check out the video below to see and …

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2015 BMW M4 Fire Orange 2

2015 BMW M4 Colors and Wheels Guide – Animated Turntables + Individual Fire Orange

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We were really excited to find this Fire Orange M4 in Houston. We thought it meant that BMW was expanding the very lackluster color range available. But that is not really the case. This Fire Orange is a $5,000 option via BMW Individual. The most fantastic shade on the standard palette is Sakhir Orange, which is a semi-matte finish that is dark and yummy, and very distinctive.   2015 BMW M4 Sakhir Orange Besides those, we’d vote only for Black Sapphire or non-Metallic Alpine White. Bonus for Alpine white? It saves you $2,000. The manual transmission is a good decision, …

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2016 Renault Kadjar 8

2016 Renault Kadjar Is New Mid-Size Crossover With High Style and Available AWD

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 This is the all-new Renault Kadjar! Revealed ahead of its public launch in Geneva next month, the Kadjar is the freshest entry into Renault’s rapidly-growing crossover arsenal. After owning family car transport for the last decade or more with the Espace and Picasso minivans, Renault is changing with the times. Ultra-functional vans are no longer the must-have family accessory. The new must-have for carpools and primary-school dropoffs? Mid-size crossovers. This new Kadjar takes aim squarely at the Honda CR-V and a three dozen other alternatives. The Kadjar promises to be more luxurious and stylish than the Nissan Qashqai, which comes …

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2015 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO 8a

LMP1 3-Way Becomes Fourgy! 2015 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo Revealed With 1250HP, Front-Drive V6TT?!

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 The hot and heavy three-way battle among Porsche, Audi and Toyota in the LeMans Prototype One race class just got a lot steamier. Nissan just pulled back the silk sheets on its contender to World Endurance Championship racing: the 2015 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO. And boy does it go its own way to achieving massive speed and impact, while sticking to the very expansive fuel usage rules of LeMans racing. The biggest shocker is not that it is a hybrid twin-turbo-charged V6 making 1250-horsepower. It shocks with where that engine sits, and where it delivers its power. The engine lives …

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4.0s, 567HP 2015 BMW X6 M In 140 New Photos From Austin COTA

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The X6M is harder, lower, wider and wilder than the new X5M — really cementing its status as one of the quickest SUVs of all time. The design showcases a new rear fender strike and even more chopped-roof design feeling — and sets the right for its massive new power and pace from all sides. The most powerful BMWs ever made have just shattered the glass ceiling of SUV performance. With 567-horsepower through standard xDrive AWD, the new X5 and X6 M have sprint times of just 4.0-seconds along with a devilish M styling overhaul. The grille and front fascia …

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1971 Porsche 911S 4

Updated With New Photos – Mecum Kissimmee 2015 – 1971 Porsche 911S

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Updated 2.1.15 This yummy yellow 911S is still available are a high bid of $180,000 did not meet its reserve. It is quite special in person, with period paint and detailing all totally flawless. 1971 Porsche 911S PREVIOUS Amid the huge onslaught of American musclecars heading to Mecum’s 2015 Florida auctions starting tomorrow, the 16th, through late next week on January 25th, is this subtle but very special Porsche 911S. In its fantastic original color with not a drop of grease or grime in the engine compartment, this is surely a Porsche that has lived its life in very gentle …

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300HP 2017 Toyota Yaris WRC Marks Return to Top-Flight Rally Racing

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 Toyota is coming back to the World Rally Championship is search of even more podium glory!  Over the previous Toyota Team Europe racing campaigns, the big T racked up an extremely impressive 43 victories before bowing out after the 1999 season. For 2017, Toyota is back with a TMG-fettled Yaris hatchback to take on dominant players like Citroen and VW. 2017 Toyota Yaris WRC   World Rally Championship return for Toyota Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) will return to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2017 with a car developed and built entirely at its technical centre in Cologne. Over the …

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Hall of Fame – 2012 Nissan JUKE-R – Branded Marketing Halo Worth Weight in Gold

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The 2012 Nissan Juke-R broke all the rules of concept cars, branding and supercar manufacturing. ‘Broke the rules’ is an absolute marketing cliche in this day and age, with every brand and their mom trying to play the rebel and bad-boy, all in search of that most elusive of demographics: the male 13-34. The reason this freakish creation with a Juke body atop a shortened Nissan GT-R platform was ostensibly just to showcase the GT-R’s amazing skills, perhaps living under the skin of normal and affordable Nissan models. In the JUKE-R’s case, the resemblence was far more that a branding …

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1966 Sunbeam Tiger V8 1

Mecum Florida 2015 – 1966 Sunbeam Tiger 4.7L V8 Signed by Carroll Shelby

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The Sunbeam Tiger was quite a few cars in one. First off, it was the classic transplant of a tiny English roadster now powered by a big American V8. This ethos gave these lightweight and delicate sportscars huge power they were never designed to handle. The result was a playful and wild handling demeanor on the roads, and even more on the track. Secondly, it was the second project of Carroll Shelby after the Cobra. Shelby wanted to build the car in the US, but Sunbeam decided to keep assembly in Blighty. Shelby was incensed, and the Sunbeam Tiger V8 …

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2016 Land Rover Discover Sport HSE 11

2016 Land Rover Discover Sport HSE – Full Design Analysis + Letter Grade Scores

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INTRO: ICELAND IN JANUARY The new Land Rover Discovery Sport just enjoyed its big coming-out party over the weekend in Iceland, with many auto writers enjoying a 1000-mile adventure trying out the new baby Landie across heaps and dales and ice bales. But from our impression back at home, the vast majority of the travel time was not by car, but by plane. Iceland is farrrrr from everywhere in the United States. Far. (Sidebar, would we have gone if invited? YES!) And a general rule of thumb? The more exotic the launch location of a hum-drum car, the worse the …

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Renault ALPINE Vision Gran Turismo 65

Renault ALPINE Vision Gran Turismo Racer on Video and 70 Photos!

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Welcome to the future of racing, courtesy of the racing boffins at Renault ALPINE and Gran Turismo! Sony’s PlayStation GT6 just got a bit more exciting today, with a mid-mounted, 4.5-liter V8 pushing this new prototype to a Vmax of 199-mph. We have two versions of the Alpine Vision GT here, one with the dual boattail venturi tail and one with a LeMans-style rear wing. On both, there is a cool active aero air-brake functionality in the sides of the rear end. These square-shaped flaps snap open to keep the rear end planted under braking, and slow the vehicle by …

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Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites - 1987 Volkswagen SYNCHRO 4x4 TurboDiesel Westfalia 11

Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – 1987 Volkswagen SYNCHRO 4×4 TurboDiesel Westfalia

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A VW Vanagon with, get this: – factory Synchro 4×4 – Westfalia full camper van setup inside – turbodiesel engine from the factory with five-speed manual – and 45k original miles Those four, folks, are a very rare combination in the US market. Any suriviving VW Vanagon — or bus, for stoners — is relatively special these days. But a 4×4 with these cool off-road upgrades like the steel bumpers, rally lights, custom nose detailing and four-pack of round headlamps, plus tinted brake lights!? Very, very cool. For me, the only thing that would make this VW cooler would be …

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Vorsteiner 2015 BMW M4 GTRS4 by ELITE Customs TX 17

Best of Houston Auto Show – Vorsteiner 2015 BMW M4 GTRS4 by ELITE Customs TX

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Let’s say you love the hottest and wildest customs from Germany, like the outrageous GTRS4 by Vorsteiner for the new BMW M4. But you do not live in Germany or near a Vorsteiner installer. What to do? You have to find a local customs shop with major bodywork and custom fabrication expertise. Elite Customs and Collision in China Bay, Texas is a go-to place for flawless execution of a major supercar upgrade like shown here. The parts arrive from Germany unpainted and without full instructions, so you want some proof that a shop can handle a job this big and …

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2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country 16

2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country – Updated With 20 New, Real-Life Photos from Houston

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First details today on the newest Volvo – a US-bound V60 Cross Country! The new V60 XC is a tough and rugged version of the V60 sportwagen, and will ship to the US with standard AWD and the 250-horsepower T5 engine. Some have asked if the V60 Cross Country is necessary, considering the presence of the XC60 SUV in the lineup. There is certainly some overlap, but the V60 XC will appeal to a sportier customer and have pricing a few thousand less than the taller XC60 SUV. More models are a good thing for Volvo in the US – …

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2015 Noble M600 Speedster 12

225MPH 2015 Noble M600 Speedster Beats Hypercar Elite to Open-Air Thrills

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The Noble M600 is a worthy competitor to the latest class of hypercars: the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari. With the latest M600 Speedster, Noble joins an elite set of vehicles that can top 200-mph with the top down. The Koenigsegg Agera and Porsche 918 Spyder are the only other members of the club so far, but Pagani is widely rumored to have a Huayra Spider in the works, as does Ferrari with their top model. So what are the downsides of the M600 Speedster versus the standard car? Virtually nothing. With a carbon-fiber-intensive chassis that is already virtually unbendable, the …

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Concept Flashback – 2012 MINI Rocketman 1 and 2

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  The 2011 and 2012 MINI Rocketman concepts took a look at an even more micro MINI city car. As the new model Hardtop three-door grows far larger and wider than ever, there is a strong desire to return to the car’s barely-there dimensions. This is in sharp contrast to the overall MINI range, which has blown outward in all directions to a total of nine models at this point. Even MINI feels this has gotten out-of-control, with the Paceman (2-door offroader) and Coupe set for the chopping block in the near future. The problem with an even smaller MINI …

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1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS by Bertone 1 - Copy

RM Paris 2015 Preview – 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale by Bertone

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Racing specials with a limited number of road cars made for homologation are some of the coolest machines ever made. This Giulietta SS definitely falls into that category, with an extremely limited number ever made — and even fewer surviving in original, near-perfect condition as this car. 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS by Bertone RM Auctions Paris 4 February 2015 Lot 132 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale by Bertone To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 €90.000 – €120.000 Chassis no. AR101.20 00542 Engine no. AR00120 01061 116 bhp, 1,290 cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine with twin Weber …

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Style Icons – 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider vs 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

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Upon catching the new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider in Giallo yellow for the Detroit auto show, the realization of a modern-day Dino hits you like a ton of bricks. To prove our intuition correct, we’ve lined up the 2015 4C Spider with two exceptional Dino Ferrari’s from RM Auctions — in Paris for the 1970, and Arizona 2015 for the 1974 GTS. We’ve lined up the two side-by-side in numerous angles below. They really are kindred spirits. 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider vs 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS NOSE    FRONT THREE_QUARTER ANGLE PROFILE   REAR THREE_QUARTER ANGLE   …

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1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2

RM Paris 2015 – 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS Touring – Seeks $700k

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The Porsche 911 RS was one of Porsche’s first tries at a truly high-performance 911. They, like most people, were dubious about the super-sports potential of the 911’s rear-engine design. But after re-balancing the company following huge winning streaks at LeMans and the CanAm racing series, Porsche was back to Earth in the early 1970s. The 2.7-liter flat-six was a huge jump in displacement from the original 2.0-liter design — and the 210-horsepower it made was enough to excite even the bravest drivers. This was, after all, a bare-bones and tiny sports-car. To go along with the huge power jump …

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5.9s 2016 Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid Coming Fall 2015

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  The Plug-in Hybrid is really gaining steam with the launch of mainstream models left and right. The combination of EV-mode driving almost forces the full electric integration of the hybrid components. This is especially important for the big German luxury brands, who have so far launched some of the mildest hybrids of all. This new C350 PHEV promises a 20-mile electric cruising range, at speeds up to 80-mph. Performance from the turbo four-cylinder engine combined with a charged batter is actually pretty impressive: 5.9-seconds to 60-mph. Five drive modes and a coasting ‘sail’ mode optimize the regenerative braking functions …

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2015 Peugeot 2008 DKR Rally Racer – Tech Specs and Pre-Dakar Photos

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The Peugeot DKR prototype currently blasting through the Chilean sahara on the 2015 Dakar rally has been a bit of a wallflower before the race. Few official photos of the truck have been seen. The mid-engine, rear-drive off-roader is an evolution of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak car, but raised dramatically for its new Dakar mission. The same team that created the LeMans 908 HDi FAP cars have created both of these latest racing Pugs, and all have shared the primary super-diesel engine power. This 3.0-liter twin turbo-diesel is a total torque monster: it pushes out 590 pound-feet of …

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2015 Dakar Rally – Peugeot 2008 DKR – 100-Photo Action Gallery

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In the previous Dakar article today about the MINI Countryman All4 team, we noted how their action photos from the event took the cake for sharing the race excitement with the rest of us. After a bit of digging, we’ve found a real treasure-trove. Photos and videos so amazing they make MINI’s effort look a little silly and amateurish. Who could deliver this? None other than the racing powerhouse Red Bull. Videos, photos, interviews – all numbering in the hundreds. All with production values that are ready for 4K HDTV. Most of the MINI team is powered by Monster Energy, …

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2015 BMW 1-Series 30

4.5s, 326HP 2015 BMW M135i xDrive Gives Supercar Thrills for VW Golf Bills

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The new BMW 1-Series just came out, and it is a really cool evolution of the rear-drive compact hatch. The premise is the same as before: sports-car thrills, VW Golf bills. The new model range is a three-door and five-door hatch to start, with a future four-door sedan headed to the US market. We are unlikely to see either of the hatchback styles, but the five-door might theoretically be in the cards for the US market as well. Engines start with the 116d, and extend up to the 118, 120, 125 and finally the 135i at the top of the …

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1971 Porsche 911S 12

Mecum Kissimmee Preview – 1971 Porsche 911S

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  Amid the huge onslaught of American musclecars heading to Mecum’s 2015 Florida auctions starting tomorrow, the 16th, through late next week on January 25th, is this subtle but very special Porsche 911S. In its fantastic original color with not a drop of grease or grime in the engine compartment, this is surely a Porsche that has lived its life in very gentle sunlight. FOr true collectors all over the world, Florida is a gem of zero-salt and the perfect environment for pre-galvanized vehicle longevity. This Havana dream can be yours via Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida. Photos by John …

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4.9s, 362HP 2015 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic Sportier, Faster than C400

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The new C450 AMG Mercedes revealed at Detroit this week will be the sixth in the new C-Class range in the USA, and is perhaps the sweet spot of them all: the C63, C63 S-Model, C400, C350 Hybrid and C300 4Matic. With 362-horsepower, the 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 in the C450 makes room for itself in the line as a second line of AMG sports models. With standard 4Matic AWD that is not offered on the V8 C63, the new C450 will also be the go-to choice among people in snowy climates. A sportier setup for the Airmatic suspension, sports exhaust, …

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1971-Mercedes-Benz-300-SEL-6

Mercedes-AMG – Top 10 Greatest Hits

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When you think of the top 10 AMG cars of all time, you might instantly put the red SEL racing sedan first, and we have. As the first AMG on record, it sets the tone for racing Mercedes cars for decades to come. It showed the levels the AMG team would go to upfit a Mercedes luxury sedan for the racetrack, even when far more suitable sports-cars might seem more logical to some as a base point. You might also put the SLS in the second spot. As the first entire car engineered by AMG, it was a milestone for …

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xc90r

2016 Volvo XC90 R-Design Is Damn Sexy Swede

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When the Volvo XC90 debuted earlier this year in Stockholm, we were floored by its super luxurious cabin and extremely smart PHEV powertrains that actually deliver huge horsepower — and mileage. The 400-horsepower T8 is far ahead of any other seven-seat hybrid SUV, and is the world’s first plug-in seven-seater. But to be honest, the style of the normal two XC90’s — one body-colored and one with off-road pieces unpainted — seemed extremely frumpy and dull. The XC90 R-Design helped a great deal in those stakes, but it is always hard to get a sense of a car from renderings, …

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(Jan 2015) Detroit, MI

2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop Priced at $30k – Looks as Exciting as a Warm Nap

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Update: we prepared this whole post just now — before realizing a double deja vu. This car debuted online months ago. Sigh. See below. MINI has a bit of a problem. This hottest-ever JCW hardtop is just not doing it for us today. Aside from the cool new cabin and better LED accents outside, we see zero reason to pick this 2015 model over a pre-owned 2009 model. Trouble ahead for MINI. This big news here is that US pricing is announced with a base of $30,000. 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop MINI BRINGS MOTORSPORTS HERITAGE TO DETROIT FOR …

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2015 Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE

Update2 – 360HP Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Is Sporty PHEV Crossover Concept

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The Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE has arrived today with sporty looks and a five-passenger cabin that is about the size of the BMW X6 inside and out. The concept runs a 3.6-liter V6 plus a large hybrid power unit with EV-driving ability. Its style is an important preview of the production CrossBlue, a Passat-based seven-seater set for assembly in Tennessee beside its sedan cousin. We are likely to see this style replicated near-exactly on the large CrossBlue, but in a larger and blockier roofline layout. This design is production-ready in almost all ways, with the actual Cross Coupe a possibility …

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brabus cls

BRABUS Mercedes-Benz CLS Mega Gallery – Upgrades From Mild to Wild!

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The CLS is ripe for more power and style from the factory, and Brabus is happy to indulge. From wheels and exhausts, to ECU tunes, to full engine upgrades — the CLS catalog is one of the deepest in the Brabus range. Featured here are six of their coolest CLS upgrades, starting with the king of the range: the 850.   BRABUS 850 6.0 Biturbo based on the Mercedes CLS 63 BRABUS 730 B63S NEWS RELEASE World debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show 2013: 730 hp for the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG The BRABUS B63S – 730 with 537 …

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gt86 aero

2015 Toyota GT86 Brings Aero and Giallo Range-Topping Trims

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Toyota GB is eager to keep up the GT86 momentum and magic into the 2015 model-year. The rear-drive sportscar carries a cheaper sticker price on the base Primo trim, with an on-the-road total of £23,000. From £27k, buyers have a choice between the Aero or Giallo manual, with the Aero automatic coming in at £28,500. The difference is really a choice between a loaded exterior on the Aero, and a loaded cabin on the Giallo. The bodykit and Supra-style spoiler of the Aero are very cool upgrades indeed, with the charcoal-metallic multi-spoke alloys also a nice treat. The Giallo is …

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cascada

2016 Buick Cascada Convertible Is Official! 75 Images + Tech Specs

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Buick revealed a surprise production car today ahead of its live debut at the Detroit auto show tomorrow: the very sexy Cascada convertible. The Cascada is a surprise only in part: the car is a clone of its European Vauxhall and Opel Cascada twins, and arrives as a Buick production model to dealers in early in the 2016 calendar year. So while the car might not be a total shock, seeing Buick integrate it into the US lineup is relatively big news. It joins the current Regal as a fully autobahn-ready Buick with premium cabin, performance and handling. This sexy …

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Bugatti-SUV-Grand-Colombier-by-Ondrej-Jirec

Bugatti SUV Design Concept by Ondrej Jirec

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In the original article toward the bottom of this page, we explore an online rendering of a Bugatti Veyron-style SUV, plus created our own janky lift of the official Galibier concept from Bugatti. But neither of the below ideas is really as avant-garde as Bugatti would seek for any Super SUV with its EB logos attached. College of Art Center of Design student Ondrej Jirec has a very cool idea for a Bugatti SUV. Grand style, grand pace, and the name? The Grand Colombier. A nod to the explorer Cristobol Colon — who we Americans know as Christopher Columbus — …

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lister knobbly2

2015 LISTER Jaguar Knobbly 60th Anniversary Edition Revealed at Autosport Intl

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Recreations and replicas of classic racing Jaguars the are all the rage lately, with the Eagle Low Drag GT fetching $700,000 a pop and even Jaguar Special Operations releasing a limited run of racing E-Type coupes. These custom-made vehicles are usually the only option to own one at all. Very few racing prototype Jaguars were ever made in the 1950s and 1960s, and most were ultimately ‘raced to death.’ Pushed to the max, these cars often came back from race weekends with crumpled bodywork, torn mechanicals and need of major TLC. Most were parted-out and the shells retired to the …

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Porsche 911 GT2 by OK-ChipTuning

Porsche 911 GT2 by OK-ChipTuning Adds 150HP in 90 Minutes

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It is raining GT2 Porsche’s today! For any turbo, no mod is more cost and time-efficient than an ECU reflash. Imagine adding at least 50-horsepower in the time it takes to get an oil change. Too good to be true, right? Yes. The best turbo tunes will not just work the electronics: you definitely benefit most from a more open exhaust setup. And to sustain that performance under hard driving, a chipped turbo also demands a bigger intercooler with more capacity. If the turbo is glowing red-hot from hard driving, it will lose progressively more and more power — until …

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wimmer gt2 rs muscleplay

1006HP Porsche 911 GT2 RS MusclePlay by WIMMER Shows Bonkers 242MPH Vmax

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If the racing Wimmer GT2 RS previously shown was track-optimized with a jump in 80-horsepower, this one is simply for the bonkers power-fiend. The twin-turbo Porsche now puts out an astounding 1006-horsepower. The output is so immense that we actually needed to convert the metric PS 1020 measurement to US horsepower. The difference is usually negigible, but when you hit the stratosphere…. obviously what is a rounding error on the Honda becomes a difference of 16 ponies. The indicated V-max of this MusclePlay RS is 242-mph — but it would be a brave soul who explores past 220 or so! …

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Porsche 911 GT2 RS by WIMMER

221MPH, 703HP Porsche 911 GT2 RS by WIMMER

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We car-guys are becoming a bit desensitized to power outputs hitting absolutely huge heights. But any Porsche 911 with a horsepower figure starting in the 700’s is still a shocking thing. This Wimmer GT2 RS was designed to go racing from day one, and the car is a model of brutality and knife-edged speed even more than the stock ‘widow-maker.’ Along with the 83-horsepower increase over the factory model’s 620-horsepower comes an even bigger jump in top speed: to a frankly shocking 221-mph. As Porsche prepares to launch its own RS 911 model soon, it is good to see that …

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gullwings

The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Supercars in 9 Cars Since 1952

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As the SLS AMG bows out to be replaced by the new AMG GT as the Mercedes supercar, many people are unemotional about the change from gullwing to traditional hinged doors. In this regard, the gullwing doors of the SLS are so iconic that they have become a bit passe as a result. But the special magic of twin, central-hinged doors opening upward and meeting mid-roof is truly a cultural touchstone in the car business. Much as Lamborghini defines scissor doors, Mercedes gullwing doors are a huge part of the 300SL legend — and therefore the Mercedes legend — since …

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q7 tech

2016 Audi Q7 Shows New MMI Touch, Audi Connect and MIB Tablet Interfaces by Nvidia

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The new Audi Q7 will debut not just a much lighter chassis and all-new styling outside, but a cabin that is fresh from the carpet upward and absolutely packed with tech goodies. Where to start? The latest Virtual Cockpit design uses a 12.3-inch TFT panel in the main guage cluster, able to show 3D instruments, full Google-Earth navigation and maps, and a dozen other custom displays as needed. These are operated by voice, redundant knobs and buttons on the wheel and dash, or by the new MMI Touch control panel with multi-touch capabilities (ahead of the shifter). On the road, …

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f800

Concept Flashback – 2009 Mercedes-Benz F800

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If you want a solid starting point for the latest sexy Mercedes designs, you might start at the first-gen CLS in 2005. But those proportions needed work, and the surfacing left much to be desired. Between the CLS and this 2009 F800 Style lived the ghastly F700 and the notorious bionic fish van concept. F700 This 2009 F800 Style Research Concept really set the tone for a new Mercedes aesthetic. This slinky design was followed by the Style Coupe concept in 2012 — wearing lines that are even closer to what is now the CLA-Class. 2012 Style Coupe Concept There …

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prologue tech12

Updated with Tech Video – Audi Prologue Hybrid Piloted Drive to Vegas

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We were active haters of the Prologue concept when it was revealed for Los Angeles in late November. The low and clean style of the future A8 this car previews is growing better with time, but still seems a bit dull. The change of color to a dark grey with new five-spoke alloys are a huge improvement. They let the design breathe and feel a bit more interesting, with the lower bodywork and sill extensions coming to life in ways they didn’t in silver. The concave rear glass is still bizarre, and the nose and tail detailing still seem awkward. …

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glk sema

Concept Flashbacks – 2010 SEMA Mercedes-Benz GLK Tuner Cars

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Shocked and appalled by hideous custom Mercedes-Benzes prowling the world’s roads? Wish there were an upgrade kit that fits the refined aesthetic of the Merc brand? If only Mercedes would commission a few tuner custom show cars of its own, it would have control and be able to yay/nay any questionable elements. For the US launch of the GLK in 2010, MB-USA did just that: four custom GLK’s for the SEMA show in Vegas. Unfortunately for those who do not like loud, brash designs…. what resulted are four of the wildest, silliest concept GLK’s ever seen. Removing the constraint of …

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nomad colors

2015 ARIEL Nomad – Exclusive Digital COLORIZER

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This Ariel Nomad is a very cool piece of news – even as CES is in full swing and Detroit is starting to build momentum ahead of press parties starting on Sunday. We’ve spent a bit of time in photoshop to create an exclusive color visualizer for the new Nomad — with our skills obviously best able to create bright, Skittles-style shades. We’ve also lightened and darkened the wheels for a few ideas of what the gloss-black optional rims might look like. This car seems like it is *perfect* for the X-raid class of rallying, and as such there are …

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ariel nomad

3.3s 2015 ARIEL Nomad – Tech Specs, Options and Full-Throttle Testing Video!

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Updated 1.6.2015 If anything, the real-life Ariel Nomad is even cooler than last week’s teaser renders indicated. Power is a stout 235-ponies, the Yokohama 35-inch mud tires are insane, and the options list will make you start drooling onto your touchscreen. Is there any downside to the ultra-light yet super-strong Ariel Atom chassis concept being applied to an off-roader? Not that we can think of. A heated windshield is even offered. The rear-engine playfulness and handling joy seem to apply themselves perfectly to the Nomad’s off-road mission — as well as guaranteeing traction for sprints and heavy braking. The 100-kph …

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VATH SLS AMG Roadster

VATH Blacks-Out SLS AMG Roadster With 700HP Supercharger and Slammed Stance

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VATH SLS AMG Roadster   702 PS SLS ROADSTER by VÄTH Automobiltechnik Since November 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster is the first vehicle independently developed by AMG for sale. In a relatively short time many prospective customers have given in to the magical charm of Swabian sports car, which program is Sport Leicht Super (the short form being SLS). Such a tidbit in the best sense needs no correction, or does it? Increase in efficiency in everything that company works with is one of many special spheres of VÄTH Company in Bavarian Hösbach. As for the here represented SLS Roadster, a …

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e63 wagon

HD Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model

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Updated 1.5.2015 With 63 New Photos   When it comes to the rarest of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars and trucks, the S-Models are the absolute top of the pops. And the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Estate? 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, but even one is a huge blessing.   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. …

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356 zagato

1958 Porsche 356 Carrera Zagato Speedster Is Worlds Only Aluminum-Bodied Example

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Zagato Classic has recreated their first-ever Porsche project here: a 356 Speedster that was lightened and made quicker for a racing customer in Paris. The tailfins are particularly delightful as functional and style-enhancing elements, as is the lower and lighter windshield. If you are thinking: hey, this Zagato 356 Speedster actually looks much more like the 550 Spyder — you are correct. The commission of a new aluminum body for the steel-skinned 356 meant Zagato could make the car as streamlined as Porsche’s most-successful racer ever (at the time): the 550. Shown below on the grass, you can see the …

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dodge razor

Concept Flashback – 2002 Dodge Razor Was Driftable Rear-Drive Plaything

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With a Razor scooter featured alongside the Razor concept, Dodge was feeling very silly and playful with the launch of this remarkably-sexy two-seater. A turbocharger 2.4-liter engine mounted longitudinally under the hood up front with a big K&N cone filter lets you know this was no Neon. Skinny tires front and rear mean the Razor was designed to be as drifty as a roller palette at CostCo. Five-point harnesses and racing seats will keep you in place while seriously sideways, however. We like the design overall, especially the extremely cool windshield wrap-around, near-vertical A-pillars and the chopped trunk and rear …

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2004 Dodge Sling Shot

Concept Flashback – 2004 Dodge Sling Shot Was Rear-Engine Turbo Targa

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More concept Dodges! The 2004 Sling Shot was a styling exercise investigating how a Dodge version of the recently-launched Smart Roadster might look. Production plans were ultimately shelved for both Sling Shot after, it was rumored, not even the Smart version could pass US crash testing rules. The shared platform means a turbo triple lived under the trunk in back.   2004 Dodge Sling Shot  

Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs

Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs

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GSC makes some of the wildest body kits in the world — and almost none is more flashy than their CLS-Class upgrades. What is the name for this shrinking violet of a car? One so shy and demure you would never notice it on the streets? The Stealth…. Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs German Special Customs Mercedes-Benz CLS The world of beautiful and rich people is as fascinating as the popular documentary soap “Die Geissens“ – a reality show aired on television every week. Wherever money rules, it is not unusual to pick cars from the shelf since cars …

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1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6

1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG in 44 High-Res Photos

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For a race car to become an icon, it typically needs to achieve much more on the track than this 1971 300 SEL. A single second-place trophy at Spa racing against Ford Capri’s and Chevy Camaro’s? That is the win that this first-ever AMG model has in its quiver. So disposable that the original car was even sold off – and never to be seen again? It is true. This is the sole Mercedes-Benz replica created in 2005 to celebrate AMG joining the official Daimler Benz family. So what does it represent today, beyond an amazing sample of a Merc …

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1971 Lamborghini Miura SV Jota

RM Arizona 2015 Supercars – 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV Jota

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Sharing this 1971 Miura SV Jota right after the 1962 Iso Grifo to nail home how close these two cars are in design and spirit, if not chassis or engine. The mid-mounted V12 of the Lamborghini is a huge part of why this car propelled Lambo to global heights, while Iso and Bizzarrini was nearly finished by the early 1970s. This car was an SV upgraded by the factory to Jota specification, with the hope of taking the car racing. The later Miura’s like this are far quicker and better handlers, but the nose is less graceful than the original, …

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1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale

RM Paris 2015 Supercars – 1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale in Riveted Green-Apple Bodywork

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  The A3/C Iso Grifo Stradale was such a trend-setting design that it directly inspired the Lamborghini Miura. As one of the lowest front-engine supercars ever built, the A3/C version here was the upgraded Corsa specification with very-rare riveted bodywork. This Stradale variant of the Corsa was the road-legal variant — but still benefitted from all the racing tech of the era to make it fast, stable and reliable at high speeds. 1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale RM Auctions 4 February 2015 Lot 157 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C Stradale To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 €1.000.000 – €1.500.000 …

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ariel nomad

2015 ARIEL Nomad is Off-Roader With ATOMic Lightness and Speed!

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Thrilled to see the latest move from Ariel Motors in the UK: an off-road version of its legendary Atom sports car! This new variant is called the Nomad and is based on the latest Atom 3 running gear — but with a totally new roll-cage/chassis combination, a huge suspension upfit and giant dune-munching tires. A windshield is also in the mix on the teaser shots. This will be helpful for keeping the mud and sand out of your face! 200-horsepower is the output from the rear-engine Nomad, with rear-drive keeping things just a few hundred pounds up on the flyweight …

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Supercars Now and Then – 2010 Zagato TZ3 Corsa vs. 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

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  Celebrating 100 years means looking far back into a company’s roots and foundation. Zagato chose to honor the 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ. This fastback racer homage is built on the chassis of the Alfa 8C, itself a reskinned Maserati GranTurismo. Even as a third-hand rehash of another car — the TZ3 is quite compelling. Most surprising element? There are strong AMG GT flavors in the front three-quarter angle of the TZ3 — a full four years before Mercedes adopted these ultra-flowing and curved panel surfaces. NOSE   PROFILE TAIL     1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ 2010 Zagato …

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RM Paris 2015 Preview – 1969 Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta – Euro-Spec Plexiglass Nose

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It is hard to believe that the austere and perennially grumpy Europe we know today was once the largest market for supercars like this 1969 Daytona. This car may have itself marked a tipping point – when American sales of Ferrari and Lamborghini exotics would overtake the Continent for the first time. There was plenty of cash in American buyer hands, but the distribution of exotic imports was extremely limited until the mid-1960s. Unless you lived in Greenwich, CT or Malibu — there simply was no place to buy and service most European supercars. Rapid distribution expansion by Ferrari followed …

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KTM X-Bow GT By WIMMER Is Nearly Unbeatable With 485HP

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 The KTM X-Bow is easily one of the most interesting and coolest track car designs to appear in the last 15 years. But major critiques of the car have arisen regardless. Its carbon tub and frame make the car’s handling, some say, too benign and its power delivery too inert. For these hardcore drivers, the X-Bow GT and X-Bow RR need a final push to enter the true supercar level of track pace. Enter Germany’s WIMMER RST — a racing company that will also prep you a road car. The X-Bow GT shown here with the new windshield option bumps …

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500 zagato

Concept Flashback – 2011 Fiat 500 Coupé Zagato

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  How would Zagato do with a modern Fiat 500? Regretfully, the Double Bubble Zagato 500 concept from 2011 is remarkably normal and flair-free. The intersecting side and rear glass is present and correct, as is the bubble hardtop. But… somehow we have lost most of the depth in the bubbles seen on the 1958 750GT, as well as missing trunk humps.  The most joyful part of this design is the flip of the ducktail spoiler.   2011 Fiat 500 Coupé Zagato 01 MAR 2011 World Premier: 500 Coupé Zagato   One of the most iconic names in automotive design, …

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750gt

RM Paris 2015 Preview – 1958 Fiat-Abarth 750GT Double Bubble Coupé by Zagato

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Almost all Italian cars from the 1950s are charming — but few are as ridiculously cute and cool as this 750GT Double Bubble. The exaggerated roofline and tail are a delightful design flourish atop the very-familiar Cinquecento hatchback form.   1958 Fiat-Abarth 750GT Double Bubble Coupé by Zagato RM Auctions Paris 4 February 2015 Lot 108 1958 Fiat-Abarth 750 GT ‘Double Bubble’ Coupé by Zagato To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 €70.000 – €90.000 Chassis no. 750.149 430930 Engine no. 400.000 693328 48 hp, 767 cc overhead-valve inline four-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, front and rear independent suspension, …

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maserati zagato 2007

Concept Flashback – 2007 Maserati GS ZAGATO

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Proof of how much easier it is to criticize than to create? The 2007 Maserati GSZ was a bespoke design of a fastback Grand Sport atop the factory Maserati Coupe’s shell. There are a few angles on this GSZ that really work and are elegant, pure and stylish. But Zagato’s trademark double bubble roofline and intersecting rear canopy do not sit very happily on the ultra-short Maserati’s frame. Moreover, the additional rounding of the glass surfaces is less-than-athletic. But compared with the classic A6G Zagato Maserati which inspired the design, the round and overinflated roofline is a good match. From …

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lm55

MAZDA LM55 Vision Gran Turismo Is Latest Race-able Concept for GT6!

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These VGT concepts are an outstanding presence in the automotive world. They push boundaries with a totally blank-slate design remit. Anything is possible, and it is a savory treat for the design and engineering skunkworks in every car company. Mazda’s entry is just-revealed and is called the LM55. This is an LMP1 racer to be played and raced against the absolute quickest cars in the game — and in life. It nods to the 1991 Le Mans LMP1-winning 787B racer — the only Japanese car to ever win the 24-hour race. Interesting themes throughout, and a body that (slightly) recalls …

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