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USA Debut and $825,000 Auction Grand Slam – 2014 BMW i8 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Edition

In what is certainly a feel-great moment for the BMW as well as the Pebble Beach Foundation charity — the one-off BMW i8 Pebble Beach Concours edition racked up a stunning $825,000 sale price at the Gooding & Co. 2014 auction. The price multiple of 6.11X over the BMW i8’s $135,000 retail total is surely not just from the custom-fitted Louis Vuitton luggage or dark-matte grey paint. It also accounts for instant access to what is easily one of the hottest new cars at any price. In the flesh, the i8 PB Concours Edition is quite magnificent. Its low, lean …

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EXCLUSIVE! 2014 Bugatti Veyron Legend ETTORE BUGATTI in 45 Stunning Photos

Updated 8.27.14 We owe a deep nod of gratitude to Bugatti executive leadership for letting our camera lens into this exclusive Bugatti luncheon at Pebble Beach on Concours day. Like everything in the world of Bugatti – and especially Los Legendes de Bugatti – it is a land of velvet-rope access. Limited availability. Manufactured scarcity. That is part of the Bugatti myth as well as the entire client experience. Mobs of people is not on the agenda. But flashbulbs and press guys? Lucky for us — that is part of the cult of Bugatti. Great to play any part available …

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Updated USA Debut – 2014 BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept – Design Analysis

Updated 8.27.14 The fact that the BMW Vision Future Luxury concept headed to Beijing this Spring instead of to the concurrent New York show says quite a bit about its market-makers. This machine needs to be successful in China. Period. As the biggest growth opportunity, China represents perhaps the only non-American and non-German (domestic) volume market for ultra-luxury sedans in the coming decade. But while the Chinese limo shopper has whole-heartedly adopted the Audi brand, BMW and Mercedes-Benz find themselves playing second fiddle. At the same time, the VFL concept needs to revive the unpopular current 7 series in the …

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Update1 New Photos – 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series Rendered by VirtualModels.org

  Updated 8.27.14   1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC at Pebble Beach 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series This first one is a group effort … with the side profile by Sebastian Motsch and the front three-quarter angle by Car-Revs-Daily.com VirtualModels.org Mercedes-Benz 300S and SLS Bonneville Speed Special 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S (W188) – Style Update Germany’s Sebastian Motsch is a very talented individual – a guy who loves cars so much that he spends some of his free time imagining the impossible cars we all dream about. The quality of his renders puts most magazines or websites to shame. These cars of his …

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2015 INFINITI QX70S Brings New Sport Package With Black Exterior and Cooled Front Seats

Are we spotting some trends here? — Many hot new cars debuted at Pebble Beach this year — White over black is the sexiest style of 2014 and 2015, by far — Infiniti is keeping it fresh with new S packages for the Q60 coupe and QX70 crossovers Trned-spotting this latest convergence of car brand marketing also offers a bit of insight into how quickly car brands can take an idea to market. Lexus with the Crafted Line of five models in white/black definitely shows a rapid-fire way to get sexy machines into showrooms ASAP, while even staid old Lincoln …

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2015 Infiniti Q60S Reveals its Sexy Gloss-Black Accents at Pebble Beach

Updated 8.26.14 The Q60S revealed its gloss-black self at Pebble Beach — and it is definitely a sexy special edition package for this sweet-sounding coupe. 2015 Infiniti Q60S   The hotshot executive sport coupe market is always fun: the Lexus RC F and BMW M4 are already stars of the Detroit show – months and months ahead of their arrival to buyers. The Lexus RC F in production form this week in Detroit ups the ante quite a bit. So what’s missing?   Well, the Cadillac ATS Coupe – which is coming tomorrow – has room under than hood for …

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2015 VOLVO XC90 World Premiere – Pricing from $48,000 – Fabulous Hybrid Tech and Cabin Innovations

The 2015 XC90 is official and it is fantastic! At once both very futuristic and innovative, while also rebuilding on the Volvo luxury and family safety that have been brand pillars for decades. The base price is $48,000 in the US market, where the first trucks will hopefully be arriving before year-end. The two launch packages are likely one of the biggest choices to make when considering the new XC90: — Urban luxury: body-color trims and 21-inch wheels — Rugged luxury: grey body cladding and some very handsome 22-inch wheels 2015 VOLVO XC90 World Premiere   World premiere: the all-new …

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Hero Racecars – 1997 PORSCHE 911 GT1 Marlboro LeMans at The Quail

For fans of anything remotely modern, The Quail Motorsports Gathering is far more enticing than the actual Pebble Beach Concours. Both are filled with wondrous cars that one cannot believe actually exist in the flesh. Cars like this 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 in Le Mans racing specification. So rare is this machine that a google search of its name comes up with far more Tamiya 1:24-scale models than it does actual racecars… This powertrain and design became the GT1 Evo mid-year in 1997, adopting the fried-egg headlamp style of the 996 Porsche 911s. The 911 GT1 is fantastic to experience …

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World Debut: 2.5s, 200+MPH 2014 KEPLER Motion Is All-New, Twin-Turbo Hybrid Hypercar

Hypercar performance for a supercar price? Yes please! What the Kepler Motion lacks in name recognition, it more than makes up for with beautiful proportions and the promise of extreme performance. The car runs a 550-horsepower, 3.5-liter Ford EcoBoost V6 midship and a 250-horsepower electric motor up front. The layout is similar to that employed in the Porsche 918 Spyder and the forthcoming Acura NSX — delivering a crushing 2.5-second sprint to 60-mph and a 200-plus top speed flat out. The power and carbon-fiber construction yields and ultra-stiff machine that is strong enough to make serious progress around any racetrack, …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 – 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy Earns $4.6M

Can a classic Ferrari be enough to restore one’s faith in the world? In the case of this majestic 275 GTB Long-Nose — the answer is a firm Yes. Or, considering its original license plates and title wearing Haiti plates — “We!” Owned by the globally-chic Albert Silvera of Paris, Port-Au-Prince and Miami — this 275 GTB deserved every penny of its sale price. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy     GOODING & Co. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy Coachwork by Scaglietti Estimate: $3,750,000 – $4,250,000 SOLD: $4,620,000 Chassis: 07993   http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1966-ferrari-275-gtb-long-nose-alloy-2 CAR HIGHLIGHTS Quite Possibly …

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2014 McLaren 650S Spider Sends Us Praying in Mantis Green at Pebble Beach

  If there is one color I could get on-board with for a new dream McLaren — beyond my preference for white paint/dark wheels — it would either be McLaren Orange or Talocca Orange, which is a new and slightly lighter shade than the current MO color. But when presented with Mantis Green, who could say no? It is an outlandish color, and one that truly comes alive in the sun. The rest of the options for the McLaren 650S are actually pretty easy – especially versus the Ferrari configurator for the F12, which is a long process of interior …

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Update2 New Photos! 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO Facelift

UPDATE2 – 8.24.14   The lack of LED lighting in the 370Z Nismo really struck me as odd when briefly testing the 2014 model in October of last year. Here is a car that is too-cool-for-school in almost every other way, but still lacking one of the most sought-after pieces of aesthetic technology? That is rectified for 2015, with the new 370Z NISMO not just tacking on some Pep Boys mods: the entire front clip and nose aerodynamics have been redesigned. The red accent on the chin spoiler is sinfully delicious, as are the aforementioned LEDs themselves. 2015 Nissan 370Z …

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TECHART Porsche Panamera Grand GT Program Shows Huge Range of Exterior, Performance and Cabin Upgrades

The TechArt upgrades suite comes in three primary flavors for the outstanding Porsche Panamera: — First-gen Aero kit — Second-gen Aero kit — Grand GT comprehensive upgrades inside and out. As these ten demo machines show below, the depth of the packages are deep in making any Panamera into a widebody, ultra-performance beast! TECHART Porsche Panamera Grand GT Second-Gen (2014 – current)       Welcome to the TECHART Aerokit I for the Porsche Panamera models. Breathtakingly elegant and excitingly sporty. Uncompromising in both, its outer appearance and its inner values. Developed in the wind tunnel, made of quality materials …

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2015 Lamborghini Aventador Shines Hypercar Halo for Huracan Client Event

Like talking smack about a heavyweight titlist — any rumors about the Aventador’s potency these days are sure to be whispered in private. The Aventador is the heir apparent to a huge well of passion around the previous Countach, Diablo and Murcielago flagships. Those are mid-engine exotics that have stayed wild, stayed loud, and stayed around for four decades of shifting hypercar sands. But in 2010 and beyond — the market is becoming extremely crowded. The Aventador somehow is no longer the title-holder of a generation’s car poster pin-ups. It is nowhere near as fast as the Bugatti Veyron or …

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USA Debut of Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection

Updated 8.23.14   Thrilled to meet the Bespoke Rolls-Royce Drophead Waterspeed at the Quail last week. Extra excited to find the latest Rolls-Royce masterclass matches my Bell & Ross watch! Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed   Okay! Before we get too excited about which would be faster today: the Rolls-Royce-powered Bluebird K3 or the new Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed, we must clarify something! The K3 is the Bluebird boat. This is likely very obvious to people in the UK or Speed Record buffs, but the Bluebird’s I know best are the cars.   But this Phantom DHC Waterspeed indeed celebrates …

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Video Ride-Along with Velocity Motorsports AMP Taxi! Lexus IS-F Trio Teaches Track Layout

Just as the Nurburgring has the BMW M5 ‘Ring Taxi’ — the AMP has the Lexus IS-F three-pack from Velocity Motorsports. Atlanta Motorsports Park is a brand-new track about 30 minutes outside of Atlanta. Combining huge elevation change and sharp, Tilke-designed bends — the AMP track is not easy to learn quickly. A four-seat supercar is therefore critical to show rookies the lay of the land — both where to go fast and where to ease up. And where to hit the brakes hard at the end of the zero-visibility straight-away! The Lexus IS-F is obviously a favorite around here, …

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2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport EXCLUSIVE: 8-Speed Auto, AWD, 4WS and Adaptive Suspension!

Updated 8.22.14 The final 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport looks **thisclose** to as sexy and fast as the top-flight RC-F — which is a great thing for buyers and Lexus sales alike. Available AWD is new to the RC350, as is the paddle-shifted automatic with eight gears, the latest adaptive suspension with adjustable settings, and an all-new four-wheel-steering setup. Very promising indeed! The only change visible on this pre-production car is a lack of the LED low and high-beams shown on the final concepts, plus missing parking sensors. These two features are likely to be options on customer cars when …

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2015 Bentley Continental GT V8S Is Stunning in Black Crystal Paintwork

With so much trendy energy in 2014 around white cars for the latest style — what about that other always-fashionable choice? Black Bentley’s will never go out of style. But which of the black tones fits you best? We are fairly confident this car is Black Crystal – but it may be Beluga Black or Onyx Black. The Onyx is least shiny, based on the configurator representations, while the Beluga black is dark is midnight. So color here is so amazingly attractive that one might forget this car lacks the Mulliner and Sport specification packages — and the stunning 21-inch, …

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Updated With 78 Pebble Beach Debut Photos – 2015 McLaren 650S Sprint

Updated 8.22.14 McLaren leverages all of its track-attack knowledge from the P1 GTR onto the 650S for the Sprint model, which is significantly quicker than the stock machine and will be on-par with pure racecars for pace around the world’s racetracks. 2015 McLaren 650S Sprint   PREVIOUS Question: how much revenue will McLaren book directly from Pebble Beach 2014? Answer: We estimate $20-million-plus – in five days. The firm revealed another Pebble Beach debut moments ago: the 2014 McLaren 650S Sprint — track-only model that is mid-way between the 650S and the 650S GT3. Among the other Pebble Beach debuts …

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1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Streamliner is One-Off Coupe With Wrap-Around Glass and Aero-Smooth Design

Mercedes-Benz was coupe-focused at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours – with a number of sexy back catalog models reinforcing the gravitas of the just-launched S-Class Coupe and S63 AMG Coupe’s on display. These can be called “Coupes” but they are fancier and more fun as “Coup-pays” — pronouncing the accent over the “e” like the Europeans do. None drew more stares than this one-off 1938 540K Streamliner, which feels many years younger than its 1938 build date would suggest. The most striking elements of the hyper-flowing panels are: — the sheer scale of the machine from tip to tail, and …

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2014 Lexus IS-F Review – Part Three – 170MPH 4-Door Supercar Is Future Classic: The Ideal Luxury Racecar

2014 IS-F REVIEW – PART THREE of THREE   Simply put: the Lexus IS-F is one of the very best cars this author has ever driven. It is virtually flawless in its performance appeal — and addictive in its power delivery and handling eagerness. When cars like the E63 AMG and BMW M5 are in the competitive set, the IS-F feels every bit as special, and instantly more intoxicating. For drivers who want supercar power with velvet-glove luxury in a four-door, the IS-F will be your favorite car too. A future classic – one that beats its competition today and …

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540HP, 3.7s 2015 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe Available in USA! Quickest BMW Ever Made?

Meet the first (and only) Alpina B6 in the United States at the moment. This blue stunner is, in fact, the quickest BMW ever made. The addition of AWD and a huge jump in twin-turbo V8 power means the Alpina B6 is more rapid to 60-mph than any other BMW. Ever. This includes the M6, 1980 M1, 2015 M5 Jahre 30, i8, M4, M3…. Everything else is slower. THE PRIVATE DEBUT As well as the USA reveal of the Vision Future Luxury concept and M5 30th Anniversary, BMW’s Pebble Beach villa was packed with all the hottest metal in the …

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USA Debut – 2014 JAGUAR F-TYPE Project 7 Speedster! 3.8s to 60MPH, 575HP, 250 Copies Max

Update2 Included here is the final US-specification of the Project 7 from Jaguar. Very, very impressive style in person — with far more visual aggression and intensity than even the F-Type R from all angles. The US car has a slightly taller windshield than the Euro models, but all are sure to cause quite a stir whereever they drive. The latest front bumper design is gorgeous, but the silver-painted grille shroud is very cheesy. We’d recommend the gloss black choice, which nicely blends into the deep carbon sills and the huge diffuser out back. 2014 JAGUAR F-TYPE Project 7   …

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Hypercar Icons – 1969 McLaren M6B GT with 2014 McLaren 650S at The Quail

The McLaren M6B GT is perhaps even more important to the foundation bedrock of McLaren Automotive than the all-conquering F1. In many ways, the latest McLaren Automotive division is the realization of founder Bruce McLaren’s dream of a supercar operation that is enhanced and supported by the racing team. 35 or so years on from the first prototype M6GT, the dream is more than some future longing. It is real and thriving with the latest 650S and P1 cars building a devoted following among hypercar fans all over the world. Even among those who do not follow Formula One closely, …

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World Debut in 55 Photos – 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP 620-2 Super Trofeo

Shortly after the wraps came off this all-new Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo for the first time at The Quail on Friday, we shook hands with the always-handsome CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Mr. Winkelmann was fresh from taking perhaps 20 photos with admiring fans in front of the latest hypercar masterpiece from Sant’Agata when the lightbulb of an idea hit me. I instantly shared the thought with Mr. Winkelmann and earned a rare smile and laugh from the global automotive superstar: “You should release a pop song! A dance mix for the club, with engines revving and all the names of various …

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LARTE Design INFINITI QX70 Is Mad-Fast, Mad-Sexy SUV Upgrade Program

As shown by the extremely yummy LARTE Design Infiniti QX60 and QX80 overhauls, Larte Design has a vision for the ideal muscle truck of the future. And that vision can be applied to any of today’s three largest Infiniti SUVs to create a Porsche Cayenne, Brabus Benz and BMW X5 M chasers from Japan. Perhaps the most striking upgrades of all come to the already-sporty QX70 crossover, which now wears the stance and footwear package of a true autobahn muscle truck. Like the QX80 upgrades, the LARTE Design program for the QX70 comes in three levels of madness: LR1, LR2 …

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Concept Flashback – 2003 RINSPEED Bedouin Explores Feasibility of a Modern, Rear-Engined Porsche Off-Roader

The Rinspeed Bedoiun is interesting for a few reasons nearly 11 years since the concept’s first showing in 2003. At the time, the BMW X5 had just landed in many wealthy driveways and was instantly the biggest hit of any BMW car launch – ever. Porsche was mid-way through development of the first-gen Cayenne and RINSPEED had a few ideas of its own. “Why ditch all the greatness of the 911 in favor of a shared SUV chassis with VW?” one can imagine Rinspeed saying. Why not simply leverage the excellence of a rear-engine hero like the 911 in a …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Acura TLX 2.4L Is Seriously Good Fun: Quick, Lux and Nimble

Just like delivering a compliment is easy and second-nature, writing a good car’s review is remarkably easy and refreshing. It feels great to give praise, and the words come flowing out. Alternatively – delivering bad news tactfully in a car review requires much more graceful delivery. You must plan your points carefully so they are constructive and helpful. The 2015 Acura TLX firmly falls into the easy compliment category. Say what you will — and what I have written — about the Acura nose in the last few years: this 2015 TLX absolutely blew me away with its amazing combination …

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Toyota FT-1 Concept Version Two – World Debut at Pebble Beach in 99 High-Res Photos

UPDATED with 99 high-res, real-life photos 8.17.14 The most striking things about the FT-1 in person are its captivating beauty, extremely long-hooded proportions, and intense aero detailing. The headlight units themselves are exposed LED laser lenses, while the lower radiator fans are event more prominent on version two of the car versus version one. Another striking observation that we missed on the red Detroit debut car? The FT-1 is a 2+2!  There are rear seats and a rear strut-tower brace visible on this Pebble Beach car — which is one of the most popular on the concept lawns that also …

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McLaren P1 Mission Monterey is Million-Dollar, Overnight Hypercar Street Marketing Brilliance

Just parked nicely in a street spot: this McLaren P1 is worth more than a million dollars. During the brief time we spent snapping a few hello photos, more than six other full vehicles full of showgoers stopped, parked, and took similar photos of this rare and all-new hypercar. This is cultivating a legacy for McLaren Automotive. Conspicuously absent altogether from day one of Pebble Beach is Ferrari SpA. Sure, there are old Ferrari’s and many owner cars. But no official representation. A sign of arrogance? Or complete lack of market sizing and sales promotion from Ferrari? This 24-hour McLaren …

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Toyota FT-1 Version Two Brings Sexy Gloss Grey, Aero Tweaks and Near-Production Cabin

Just when the FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo is building buzz – Toyota has doubled down on the future Supra joy with version two of this miraculous concept. The new color makes it much easier to enjoy and appreciate the FT-1;s huge panel swoops and shaping – with extra tweaks to the design from extensive time in the wind tunnels. All this bodes very, very well for the next Supra road car – which is widely believed to be in development with the FT-1 detailing at perhaps 95-percent of the final product. One thing…. ? We can’t help but notice that …

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Updated with 20 Sexy New Photos – Track Test Review – 2015 Subaru WRX STI

Updated 8.13.14 Is this white over black wheels and trim STI the sexiest thing you have ever seen from Subaru since the 555 WR Blue racers from the 1990s? Yes, yes it is. Hopefully this latest vogue style does not become a fad or something that dates all 2014/2015 cars in the future. For now, however, there is nothing hotter on the world’s expressways and racetracks.   LATEST PHOTOS             The 2015 Subaru WRX STI! The time has come for (one of..) the last of my reviews from the amazing sojourn up north to Road …

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2014 JAGUAR Lightweight E-Type Full Details Revealed: 340HP, Removable Alloy Hardtop, Standard Roll Cage

Did you know that Jaguar loves the E-type in their back catalog from more than 50 years ago? Don’t believe it? Yes, they sure do! It is true, we swear! Not a year goes by without romantic E-type navel-gazing from this immensely unprofitable car brand. More of the same in this project. Great nose and shrouded front lighting, but the rump is much frumpier than the smooth fastback profile of the Eagle Low Drag GT. On the plus side for the official Jaguar Special Operations model: the amazing race-car E-Type setup paired with a removable hardtop. Win win! 2014 JAGUAR …

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MANSORY Cyrus is Fascinating Carbon Widebody for Aston Martin DB9 and DBS

Pebble Beach seems like the ideal place to arrive in a Mansory hypercar. While the avant garde style of Mansory upgrades might seem like overkill in any normal city, Monterey during Pebble Beach thrives on what is new, what was great in classic car history, and what is next in supercars. The Mansory Cyrus upgrade pack consists of a a full cabon-fiber overshell for the DBS and DB9 from Aston Martin. The whole effect is actually quite dramatic at channeling the One-77 as well as two other things: — from afar, the Mansory Cyrus might recall a camo’d or wrapped …

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MANSORY Rolls-Royce Phantom Limo and Phantom Drophead Coupe Are 7.5L, V12TT Purebreds

  In honor of the Monterey and Pebble Beach Concours week – here is the first in a series of showcases of Ultra-High-Net-Worth vehicles from which to choose. The MANSORY customization program knows no limits, of course. But how to make a Phantom even more striking? Ditch the trad — and go for the rad. These three examples of Rolls Royce Phantoms by Mansory are sure to be waived right onto the Concours lawns with no questions asked. They are so intimidating, to be honest, that the driver would likely not even have to roll down the window to say …

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Track-Only 2014 McLaren 650S Sprint To Debut at Packed McLaren Pebble Beach Stand

Question: how much revenue will McLaren book directly from Pebble Beach 2014? Answer: We estimate $20-million-plus – in five days. The firm revealed another Pebble Beach debut moments ago: the 2014 McLaren 650S Sprint — track-only model that is mid-way between the 650S and the 650S GT3. Among the other Pebble Beach debuts for McLaren — including the P1 GTR, 650S by McLaren Special Operations and the MSO P1 — the 650S Sprint is one of the most focused models available for regular track fiends. By optimizing the 650S for racing with special aero, grip and suspension changes – the …

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Road Test Review – 2010 Porsche Panamera S is Gorgeous, Potent and Precisely Adjustable German U-boat

A Banker’s Hot Rod. Have you heard this term before? There are a few ways to define this old Buick advertising tagline from the 1950s: — a car for financial gurus at the top of the global banking markets. A commuter special – able to beat many muscle-cars in stoplight drag races, but also able to wow prospective clients on a lunch outing — the other definition? a car for successfully robbing banks. A getaway car that is so fast and so adept at outrunning normal machines that it will easily haul four newly-affluent people far and fast from the …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Honda Civic EX-L Coupe Is Sharp-Looking Two-Door With Great Tech and Handling!

  Racy coupe bodies are about as hot as it gets up and down the automotive spectrum. A two-door tells the world you are unattached – and unburdened by kids or carpools. You are single and ready to mingle! The Honda Civic Coupe is one of the most adored nameplates in the youth car culture scene. Last year’s 2013 Civic Coupe has lost is austere nose from 2013 and come back stronger, better, faster and cooler for 2014. This brings an all-new nose design with some aggressive profiling and chrome-accented foglamps, a dark grille slash in semi-gloss black widening the …

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2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit is Coolest Standard-Issue Highway Patrol Car EVER!

The latest police Charger is here! The Charger Pursuit is only for cool police. This will be the most coveted car in the fleet or any police department — from before day one. Part the nose, the lines of the new 2015 Charger at first appear wholly carry-over versus the previous car. But in fact, only the door-frame shape has be unchanged. The surface treatment is far more moden than the current Charger, with new and modern front fenders, deeper sills and a more organic tail and rear three-quarter angle. The latest LEDS in back are actually the long, low …

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2014 Lexus IS-F Review – Part Two – 416HP 5.0L V8 Is Ferocious, Fast and Fun… Even on Rainy Day!

2014 IS-F REVIEW – PART TWO of THREE     Falling hard and fast for a press loan car is an occupational hazard for car journalists – but that would never happen to me! Ha! Can you imagine? Being so thoroughly obsessed with a machine that I would turn over my personal 2005 Subaru Legacy GT wagon in a hearbeat!? Never going to happen to This Guy! But…  then it did. Like falling in love with a stripper – the end is never easy on a humble John when his time is up. IS-F PRECONCEPTIONS — Never loved the IS-F’s …

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Toyota FT-1 Vision GT is Hardcore Racing Upgrade of Road-Going FT-1 Concept

Art Imitates Life. Life Imitates Art. Such a truism is very valid in the case of the FT-1 – which Toyota has just teased in its next form as a hard-core (virtual) racing special. The FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo differs from the road-going version of the car in many standard race-ready ways. Starting from the front: there is a much deeper aero package and chin spoiler, easy-off hood panels with racing latches, upgrades brakes and tires and huge fender-top slats to reduce any trapped air from the wheels. These slats drastically reduce under-hood temps as well as being a serious …

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FIRST-EVER FERRARI DRIVE. In HD. On RACETRACK – Ferrari F430 Scuderia at Velocity Motorsports Atlanta Track Drive

Absolute heaven for any car guy. First-ever drive in a Ferrari is… where? An all-new, high-speed road course that is known for its huge and very exciting elevation changes: Atlanta Motorsports Park. With only a few short laps, it was hard to press the F430 Scuderia hard – which is obviously the speed the car prefers. Sensory overload – sold daily at Velocity Motorsports in Atlanta! The pricing starts from about $250 with a choice of cars ahead of your visit, and the chance to upgrade to extra laps in the rest of the Velocity Motorsports fleet. First deep throttle …

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TECHART for Boxster and Cayman Deliver A Huge Shot of Adrenaline to Porsche’s Mid-Engine Heartthrobs

You know the adage about Porsche limiting the Boxster and Cayman so the 911 Carrera is protected? That applies in all aspects of the cars, regretfully, even the hottest new GTS models for 2015. The Cayman and Boxster’s mid-engine layout and exotic proportions are just a tweak or two away from drawing huge crowds and stares on the road. From the factory, they are often just a bit too subtle and classy for their own good. So to inject some of the hottest 918 or Carrera GT flair? TECHART to the rescue! A comprehensive set of upgrade options are offered …

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4.2s, 203-MPH 2015 Aston Martin RAPIDE S Also Nabs New Dampers, Torque-Tube and 8-Speed ZF Transaxle

Even more thrilling news from Aston! The technical upgrades to the Vanquish and Vanquish Volante also join the Rapide S saloon-car for 2015. This brings an enormous leap in agility and pace at all times thanks to the latest and greatest ZF Touchtronic III automatic transmission. Mounted in back on the rear axle, this transaxle setup creates an exceptionally balanced sportscar with weight distribution balanced exquisitely. A transaxle layout is the best method for a supercar sedan – as shown by the previous Maserati Qauttroporte and other heroes with four doors over the years. The Rapide S also brings new …

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2015 Hennessey Venom F5 Seeks Real 290MPH VMax Via New V8TT, Active Aero and Low-Drag Design

Exciting time to be in the hypercar business! Here is the first look at Hennessey’s upcoming Venom GT successor. 2015 Hennessey Venom F5   Hennessey ® Venom F5 â„¢ Hennessey Venom F5: The Next Generation With the fury of a Texas tornado, 290 mph is within reach August 4, 2014—For immediate release Sealy, Texas—Here at last, the Venom F5, successor to the Venom GT. If you remember from Meteorology 101, the Fujita scale pegs the strongest tornado as an F5, with winds of 261 to 318 mph, so it’s a fitting name for this next-generation Venom that’s the very definition …

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3.6s 2015 Aston Martin VANQUISH Adds Amazing ZF 8-Speed Auto for 201-MPH Vmax

Thrilling news from Aston Martin today! The 2015 Vanquish brings a hefty set of upgrades and updates – including the best-ever automatic transmission from ZF. Dubbed Touchtronic III in its Aston duty, this amazing box is a wonderful complement to the new 2015 adaptive/adjustable dampers and a new torque tube as well. The eight-speed auto optimizes the 568-hp V12’s power to great effect in all scnearios. This includes the 60-mph sprint, where the 2015 Vanquish nails a 3.6-second pace. This is down more than 0.6-seconds versus the current car. Great stuff! The full details are out – below is nearly …

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2015 Acura TLX Media Launch Brings 100 New Photos, Pricing, Colors and Specs – $31k Base Price

The 2015 TLX is off to a roaring start! Eventually replacing both the current TL and the TSX sedan, the new TLX has three powertrains to entice shoppers away from the Lexus IS, BMW 320i, Mercedes-Benz CLA250 and Audi A3/A4. The base pricing looks extremely reasonably for such a swoopy and aggressive sedan design. From just $31,000 for the front-drive four-cylinder, to $about $35,000 for the front-drive V6, and up to a base of $41,450 for the loaded SH-AWD TLX V6 with its standar Tech package. Style-wise, the four-cylinder and V6 TLX’s both look low and sharp and all-new – …

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Concept Flashback – 2005 Volvo XC70 All Terrain and 2007 XC70 Surf Rescue are California Dreams

Sure, the SEMA show may be physically located in Las Vegas, Nevada. But Volvo certainly had California Dreamin’ on repeat throughout that winter’s day in the Trollhaten design center. The potential of these amazing XC70 lift concepts is two-fold: — shows the potential of the platform to accept a much, much larger suspension, wheel and tire package. Makes Car-Revs-Daily.com Aston ELV8 concept rendering seem almost feasible… 2005 Volvo XC70 All Terrain Concept   2007 Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue Concept  

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3.4s Radical SR3 SL Startup Video and 70 High-Res Photos at Atlanta Motorsports Park

Any Radical in the USA is fantastic to experience up close, especially in its native environment: the racetrack. The Radical SR3 SL here is the only two-seat model in the United States – so it is: a) the quickest car around almost any racetrack — including the Nurburgring, where Radical has long held an unbeat-ably quick pace in the 6.44-second SR8. The SR3 SL is no slouch either: its roughly 7:00-second Nordeshleiffe lap is still in the top 20 for any kind of car, racers included. b) one of the only street-legal track cars of this caliber of performance c) …

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2014 Audi RS5 Cabriolet Buyers Guide – Black Optics vs Matte Aluminum Optics

We discovered yesterday how to make your $55,000 Audi A5 Cabrio look much like the hottest RS5 Cabrio — with the simple click of the $4,000 sport pack to upgrade to dark carbon-blade wheels and a darker, sporter front clip. Is the RS5 also completely transformed and updated with its various add-on packages? Yes and no. There are three exterior themes available for the RS5 — but only the $3,000 Black Optics package is a must-buy. (Well, the Black Ops and the black Sport exhaust, actually.)   But the 2014 RS5 Black Optics package brings some of the most sinfully …

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Charleston Cars and Coffee Mini Gallery – 2011 TESLA Roadster

It is really, really easy to hate Tesla Motors. As a VC-backed startup that has made a successful ‘exit’ into the stock market, they are a hero to many in the Silicon Valley area. They also have a tangible, physical product sold in an established and very competitive industry. But even so, Tesla is immensely irritating to observe. The owner of this Roadster was definitely smelling her own smug farts early and often. Luckily, Tesla’s cars are actually pretty good. Only a handful of photos of this lovely 2011 Tesla Roadster, but it is definitely still a rare machine. And …

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205HP 2014 Honda Civic Si Sedan Is FU-Cool from $23k + Visual Buyers Guide

Ever since the 2002 Subaru WRX and the Lancer Evolution arrived in the US – the Honda Civic has always taken a firm third place in the cool compact ranks. Honda is serious about winning car guys back. The 2014 Honda Civic Si is packing a huge wing, turbo-style polished allous with gloss black accents, and a wing to make the WRX blush. This is a car that is seriously cool. Curb appeal of the 2014 Civic Si now trumps the latest WRX and is up to WRX STI levels of aggression. The powertrain of the Si is still optimized …

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NOVITEC TORADO Lamborghini Aventador Is Hyper Sexy and Hyper Fast!

Despite the brazen execution of many hypercar customs, creating a package for such intense machines must be an intimidating task for many tuners. Not only must all the pieces surpass the amazing quality of the OEM car, but every upgrade must also be perfect, durable and flawless: — up close and in detail: inspection of a hypercar from up close is a huge part of the fun. so all the upgrades need to make you proud – even from two inches away. — at ultra-high-speeds, around racetracks delivering performance gains — on the way back from the track – with …

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2014 Lexus ISF Looking Sublime for Sunset Photo Shoot on the Bayou

Very eager to share my newest supercar crush! If the 1997 Lexus GS400’s ad tagline was ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes,’ then the IS-F’s should be: “Once bitten, forever smitten…” I have been taking photos and video almost all day since the IS-F arrived in the driveway! An instant bond with the Lexus IS-F has lured me out to the driveway thrice to run ‘errands’ over and over. Such is the instant bond with this intense flood of brute Lexus power that we even ventured out to do a risque sunset photo shoot. Nighttime photos are a serious challenge for …

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Beating the Supercar Paradox – 2007 Ferrari F430 at Velocity Motorsports Supercar Track Drive

PART ONE What is the ‘supercar paradox’? The supercar paradox is that ‘newer is always 1000X better.’ But on a sunny day at a gorgeous racetrack, is newer really better, though? For what, exactly? Impressing people? PART TWO The term ‘starfucker’ — or maybe just ‘starstruck’ — really defines how speechless and shy one can become around any seriously exotic supercar. Sure, in the car mags — it is all about the latest and greatest. This month’s hottest cars – with a heavy emphasis on anything new or special. This is the template we know and love in the academic …

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2015 Hyundai Elantra Sedan Brings Classy LED and Tech Updates – Features, Photos and Pricing

Fresh off its JD Power Initial QUality Study victory, the Hyundai Elantra Sedan is updated for 2015 with some refined and classy LED additions front and rear, plus a tech suite upgrade inside. The Elantra’s fluidic sculpture design of the Elantra is still one of the best in the compact segment – along with the Mazda3 and Dodge Dart as perhaps the other two coolest compact sedans available. Making a small sedan sporty, low and wide on the road is not an easy thing. Just take a look at the Ford Focus or Fiesta sedans for evidence of the unpleasant …

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999Motorsports USA SuperSport Mk1 is 400HP Mid-Engine Track Attack Special – Mk2 Available to Order Now!

 999Motorsports USA SuperSport Mk1 is 400HP Mid-Engine Track Attack Special – Mk2 Available to Order Now! Think that the open-cockpit Ariels, Radicals or Caterhams are the best-value, quickest and most-thrilling track day cars on the planet? For serious racers with Porsche 911 Supercups and RSR’s all around – there is one American track special that can beat the legend: the SuperSport999. 999 Motorsports USA is the local development and engineering center for this quick lap demon that has swept Asia and France already since 2012. The 14 cars built so far are absolutely purpose-built racers with a mid-engine layout plus …

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2013 McLaren 12C from Velocity Motorsports in 98 High-Res Exterior, Interior and Track Photos

The McLaren 12C’s design comes alive in person. Instead of overt graphics to the nose and tail, the 12C relies on its supercar proportions to announce your arrival. There is one other big trick up the 12C’s sleeve, however. Or two, to be more precise. The doors are absolutely divine in their swan-like action as well as their ease of use in daily life. Much lighter and more reach-able than the elegant-on-paper the Mercedes-Benz SLS gullwings – and perhaps even a bit more graceful as well. The 12C and its ultra-low and wide dimensions are ice-cold classic supercar from first …

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ASTON MARTIN Lagonda Officially Reborn For Bespoke 2015 Super Saloon

Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. Inspiration for the design is said to tie directly to the 1976 Lagonda saloon below in original and VirtualModels.org’s dragster prototype. Most likely reference points in the bespoke 2015 Lagonda are the D-pillar shape and glasshouse, which is more faithful a revamp than the current Rapide S. A chopped and simplified vertical grille and nose bring the light elements low and part of the front face, versus on the uppermost corner edges. The 2015 Lagonda …

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2015 Toyota Yaris Adds LED Style and Standard Touchscreen Audio!

Big news for these small-car twins! By the looks and extra content of the 2015 three and five-door Yaris line, Toyota must not be pleased to lose an inch of its compact car dominance to upstarts Chevrolet and Hyundai-Kia! Toyota has owned the small car sales charts for two decades with its Corolla and various other models, but the littlest member of the family has sat out many rounds of updates by competing brands. Chevrolet’s Cruze, Sonic and Spark lines are making waves in the segment, while the Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa are also play hardball on price. So …

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JAGUAR Special Ops F-Type Coupe and XFR-S SportBrake for Team Sky Tour de France Cyclists

Say what you might about all other sports physicality, strength and stamina requirements – but know that none is really as grueling a challenge as the Tour de France. A bike race that whittles its winners down to rail-skinny, crying fools. Emotional, physical and spiritual battering come with every stage of the race. Evidence? There are few other athletes who would keep charging forward when their scrotum has been rubbed raw and blood-red by constant seat pressure/chafing. It makes this first-ever bike under the English Channel seem like a cakewalk. But the Tour de France is not just won by …

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Hypercar Heroes – Aston Martin One-77 Mega Gallery + Digital Colorizer and Black Trim Pack

The Aston Martin One-77 is so incredibly sexy and dramatic – as rare as it is special. The typical Aston GT visuals are all stretched, lowered and made more bad-ass in every way. Far down below in this article are 42 high-res photos of the 77-copy hypercar out and about at a few fancy shows in England – looking dapper even in a mature maroon. Directly below is a visual color test, including a virtual ‘black pack’ of tinted glass, dark headlamps and a few shades of darker grille. Still very impressive designs on the One-77 — with the large …

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2015 JAGUAR F-Type Coupe – American Launch at Willow Springs in 85 Sideways Action Shots

The F-Type coupe is officially here! Jaguar’s recent launch events at Willow Springs Raceway and Motorland Aragon demonstrated the F-Type S and F-Type R in some gorgeous corners and straightaways – with gorgeous summer sunlight in both places to accentuate the F-Type Coupe’s gorgeous form.        2015 JAGUAR F-Type Coupe – American Launch at Willow Springs The new F-Type Coupe is hot as the summer sun these days – but which is best? And among the standard, S and R — which fits your budget and performance criteria? Here is a quick walk through the JaguarUSA.com online configurator, …

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Canned Hypercar Debrief – 2010 JAGUAR C-X75 Is Too Sexy For Its Turbines

Too sexy for Milan, New York and Japan? Just kidding. Despite the jokey “I’m too sexy” headline, the Jaguar C-X75 really could do no wrong when it debuted in Paris in 2010. It was a design so captivating that they painted it a dull beige – and people still went absolutely mad for it. As you can see in the difference between the 2010 Paris announcement at the bottom, and the production announcement in 2011 directly below — the car had a rough gestation period. The initial gas turbine hybrid technology was no-where near production feasible, and the truly jet-age …

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DP Motorsports Porsche 964 Classic S and Classic RS are Better-Than-Original Classic 911s

We all know the amazing work from Singer in California – rebuilding old Porsche 911’s with such meticulous care that the cars are absolutely perfect upon delivery to their new owners. A vintage car – perfectly remade and optimized. Sounds divine! The tradeoff for many is the prohibitive cost and level of personalization available when commissioning a custom Singer Porsche. The $500,000 cost is a barrier as well. =] For German and global customers who might want to order a pre-setup classic Porsche 911 that requires about half the cash and half the time spent worrying about the setup? For …

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TECHART MACAN Upgrades for Wheels, Engine, Exhaust, Suspension and Cabin Revealed

The Macan is the hottest thing to hit the Porsche books since the Panamera – and TechArt knows it. Their first set of upgrades is already well under way — with details promised for a styling overhaul in a month or so. Until then, we have the first four wheel styles available for any Macan Porsche, plus the well-regarded Engine and Suspension module upgrades from the TechArt Cayenne. Both of these plug-and-play mods keep all the mechanicals the same, but liberate a huge amount of extra power and earlier torque peaks. High recommended is the new exhaust as well. Stay …

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2015 Chevy Sonic RS Sedan COLORS and Buyers Guide Info

Update1 – With Colors!           The Chevy Sonic RS is by far the coolest and sportiest in the Sonic compact lineup from Chevy. A relatively unexpected hit with buyers, the Sonic line from about $15,000 comes as standard with a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter engine. Uplevel trims bring the much quicker, much more tune-able and slightly more powerful on-paper 1.4-liter Turbocharged engine upgrade. With the RS package, the Sonic Sedan now benefits from the RS Hatchback’s exclusive style, handling and equipment enhancements. All good news – and great to see the sedan benefit from some cool style. This …

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2015 Chevy Sonic RS Sedan and LTZ Dusk Join Cool RS Hatch With Dark Rims, Body Kit and Sporty Handling Tune

The Chevy Sonic RS is by far the coolest and sportiest in the Sonic compact lineup from Chevy. A relatively unexpected hit with buyers, the Sonic line from about $15,000 comes as standard with a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter engine. Uplevel trims bring the much quicker, much more tune-able and slightly more powerful on-paper 1.4-liter Turbocharged engine upgrade. With the RS package, the Sonic Sedan now benefits from the RS Hatchback’s exclusive style, handling and equipment enhancements. All good news – and great to see the sedan benefit from some cool style. This is an area where the Ford Fiesta sedan is …

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BRABUS 800 V12 Roadster for the Mercedes-Benz SL Is a Savage On Throttle, But A Cosy Lover When Cruising

Driving the V12 Mercedes-Benz SL leaves you breathless and at times emotionally battered by the enormous power. Once unleashed, the V12’s genie does not easily go back in the bottle. This applies to both the forward surge like a tsunami wave, as well as the desire to rip to 100-mph plus at every possible opportunity. Stoplights? Sure. Town center? Sure! That is the SL65’s attitude – always ready. So to up the power to a frankly inhuman 800-horsepower makes it all the more addictive in every way. Good thing there is a plush cabin to let you down and back …

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2011 Peugeot EX1 is Part EV Quad-Bike and Part Track-Day Supercar

As part of our continuing delve into the latest Peugeot design renaissance, the EX1 is exciting for a few reasons. It is gorgeous and fresh and extremely interesting from a design perspective, fast as all hell in a straight line with a 62-mph sprint in 3.5-seconds, and also quicker than anything else from France around the Nurburgring. The design itself is perhaps the most critical element for the EX1’s lasting importance: it shows a completely fresh idea on form sculpting, a new nose, and new layered surfacing techniques not seen before from PSA, the parent company. The idea of a …

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Updated with 50 New Photos – 650HP 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible ~3.0s to 60MPH with Manual or 8-Sp Automatic

Okay folks, get ready for the new Z06 Convertible — up close and very personal! Chevrolet commissioned two favorite photographers to handle a moody professional studio shoot for the grey car below. Outstanding details are visible in these high-glam shots, despite the indoor lighting being almost non-existent. The next set is perhaps even more amazing, with complete credit to CorvetteForum.com member Gene Sanchez Leeds. Mr Leeds snapped more than 100 photos of the Z06 twins at the New York show in April. The work is quite breathtaking in its detail and quality, with 25 of the best featured here. NY …

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Supercar Icons – 1992 JAGUAR XJ220 Still Enchants the Eye and Mind, 22 Years Later

Of all the many car models in my collection as a kid, the XJ220 was a real favorite. Hours spent caressing its smooth panels – and visually dissecting it from all sides. Moving it around in my hands, it was forever more captivating than the Diablo or F40 that also sat nearby in the bookcase. While its doors and hood and front trunk all opened, it was the shallow lock of the steering action that really stood out. Was it so unwieldy in real life too? Of the 280 cars made in 1992 and 1993, there are very few available …

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Cut48.de Adds Gloss to McLaren-Mercedes SLR With True Blue Foil Wrap

All these sexy car wraps on amazing German supercars is making me want to wrap my own Subie back home in America! A nice gloss white?! Martini Racing stripes? Stay tuned… Until then, you will not believe how fresh and sexy the McLaren-Mercedes SLR looks with this lovely blue foil wrap from Cut48 Premium Car Wraps. The gloss black wheels and lower trims really make the selected color pop out from the page. Looking at the car as new, its proportions and huge power really are visible once again — after years of silver paint made the SLR curb appeal …

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McChip-DKR Porsche 993 GT2 Mc600 Widebody Is Rear-Drive Twin-Turbo with Racing Upfit

    The much-loved Porsche 911 993 is widely known as the most-desirable of almost any 911 ever made. But for purists, the all-wheel-drive of the Turbo and Turbo S is not thrilling enough. Additionally, AWD cars are in different racing classes almost by default. There was no GT2 version of this generation 911 with the turbo engine and rear-drive. Step in, McChip-DKR. The power-freeing ECU geniuses at McChip really stretch their wings with this build. Literally! The 993 GT2 Mc600 that results from dropping in a twin-turbo engine requires far more grip than available on the OEM rubber setup. …

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TVR Sportscars Brand Chronology 1956-2006 Plus a Roadmap to Global Sales for 2014 and Beyond

TVR is one of the greatest success stories in British sports cars. Not by sales or commercial volume, mind you, but the global popularity of TVR is evidence of: — universal appeal of low-volume sportscars with character — broad appeal of English-language auto journalism with a highly qualitative edge — global appetite for automotive and supercar-themed entertainment content — the power of visceral appeal to an exotic car that is nothing like anything sold locally or by big OEM makes As an American who has lusted after TVR’s since first glimpsing the Tuscan in the pages of BBC’s TopGear magazine …

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4.4s 2015 BMW i8 Glams Up London and English Countryside for UK Sales Launch

Updated 7.17.14 UK Photoshoot             The 2015 BMW i8 is beautiful. Make no mistake about it: this will instantly be the most-exciting car on the roads from the second half of next year. BMW i Visualizer – see this exact i8 and change the colors, wheels, leathers… It is significantly more challenging to grasp the i8’s performance potential in advance, like we can for most new sports cars and even hypercars from the big names. But while the i3 might be a bit funky, the i8 is stunning. Low roof, scorching pace, style for days: …

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Updated with 50 New Photos – 2015 Porsche Macan S and Macan Turbo

A few new pieces of information about the Macan S and Macan Turbo thanks to this latest photo set from Porsche: — The Macan S on its optional 21-inch 911 Turbo wheels looks as good as the Macan Turbo – with both wearing quad pipes in back. Round for S, squared for Turbo. — The Macan is so fast…. that the photographer could not keep up! Many of these photos are out-of-focus. Here are all the latest Macan photos, specs, pricing and details from Porsche — plus a few of the legendary 1978 911 SC Rallye just for fun. MACAN …

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2M Designs Shows Mad Skills Via Mirror Foil Wrap on the Gumpert Apollo S

Wraps are hard to apply flawlessly on a normal car, let alone a hypercar. But a hypercar like the Gumpert Apollo S — with its surfaces bending at wild angles and air vents everywhere? This would be a seriously daunting task for any car customs shop. 2M Designs of Germany really shows its expertise with this project. The results are breathtaking, with a mirror-like finish that almost no paint can achieve. The buyer’s chosen theme was to tie in to the Iron Man movies – but since they are basically unwatchable, I do not know what aspect of the film …

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SRT Hellcat Envy? OCT Tuning Supercharger Conversion Delivers Easy +200 Horsepower in All HEMI V8s

With the recent launch of the SRT Challenger for 2015 with a supercharged engine, owners of an existing Hemi V8 or SRT8 Mopar might be feeling a little down on power. O.CT Tuning of Germany to the rescue! These guys work extensively with the Hemi V8 in its 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4-liter sizes – and have a few Supercharger upgrades in boxes ready to ship out today! The power figures are staggering – and so will the burnt rubber once you have this installed by a local mechanic! Output Data KW HP Nm Original 317 431 570 O.CT 443 602 …

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Sportscar Legacies: Then and Now – 2012 Renault Alpine A110-50 Is A Blend of 1964 M64 and A110 Berlinette

Just a few days after Bastille Day lit up France with fireworks, we honor of the Alpine M64 article yesterday and now the Alpine A110-50 Concept? We, monsieur. This 2012 concept is still on the road to limited production – but Renault will go it alone versus its previous joint-venture with Caterham. It is such a small-volume project that the cars will be largely hand-assembled halo supercars anyway, so the RenaultSport team is more than capable of finalizing it solo. The design of this 2012 concept is a nicely blend of the M64 and the A110, in fact, but is …

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2015 Smart Fortwo and Forfour Bring New Dual-Clutch Automatic + 2 and 4-Door Options

If there is one thing the first generations of Smartcars have needed (besides a lot of extra size), it is a second set of doors and seats. Against all odds, the machine is still on sale in the United States in 2014, which finally makes sense when you see the new models. This pair of cars might actually have a chance in challenging Mini and the Fiat 500, so perhaps it is good that the Smart section of Mercedes-Benz showrooms has been retained in the US. Overall, sales of the car have been strongest in Italy and Germany, where the …

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RENDERED RUMORS: Bugatti Galibier Back in Pipeline – As 2017 Super SUV!

It might make you chuckle on first thought: a Bugatti SUV. But take a step back and think about sales trends and Buagtti’s next steps. Sure, a SUperVeyron is very likely in 2016 or so as the current model finishes production by January 2015. And sure, a limo with a front-engine setup would be a logical next step. But here is the thing with limo’s versus SUVs and supercars: they are a hard sell. The car would have to be something quite spectacular indeed for people to stump up about 5X the $500,000 cost of a new Rolls-Royce Phantom. Similarly, …

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3.9s, 565HP 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster – FULL Debut in 80 Photos, Video + Engine Clips and Builder Details

Small car, huge engine. This has been the most successful formula for making lively sports cars since the AC Cobra and before. To that end, Aston Martin has dropped its latest and greatest 6.0-liter V12 into its smallest roadster: the Vantage. With performance of just 3.9-seconds to 60-mph through the automatic transmission, an exhaust note that gives you goose bumps every time, and personalization options that run to 30-plus colors — this is the pinnacle of Aston Martin in 2014.   SONIC DEBUT VIDEO DEBUT 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster 2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster Full …

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1973 Porsche 911 Lightweight Carbon Widebody by DP Motorsport – 310HP for Only 2,000-lbs!

Designed as (something of a) cross between a 964 911 Turbo and the Porsche 959 Aero prototype – this one-off by DP Motorsports is absolutely exquisite. Called the “Consistent Lightweight,” the car has been completely overhauled into a gorgeous track racer with nearly double its factory power, but hundreds of pounds less weight. Nearly all the steel bodywork of the original car is replaced by carbon-fiber, with mechanical upgrades in the suspension, grip and brake departments to keep the pace with the newly-potent boxer engine in back. From any concours to any pit lane … anywhere on Earth  — this …

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2015 Volkswagen Scirocco R and R-Line – Dynamic Launch Galleries

Sure, the Scirocco is not coming to the United States. So why write about it? Why not? Maybe you would like to see what the new one is like? Maybe you like torturing yourself – or “VW cars we don’t get“‘ is one of your fetishes. That’s fine!  No people judgments here – so your particularly unusual fantasies are safe. We only judge cars. By that measure, the new Scirocco is mighty attractive and desirable. 2015 Volkswagen Scirocco R

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3.3s, 197MPH 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus Still a Top-5 Supercar With 550HP for $180k

Still in the league?! Definitely still in the league. A heavy hitter, this R8 is. As what is likely Audi’s best mid-engine sportscar ever, the R8 V10 brings almost all of the road presence, curb appeal and raw performance as the Ferrari and McLaren supercars. In fact, it is still a very worth competitor to the all-new Huracan from Lamborghini – a car that will heavily incluence the next R8 when it arrives for 2016 or so. Until then, the 2014 model is packing three engine options and an all-new twin-clutch DSG to replace the old sequential-automatic unit. In terms …

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Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo for Blancpain GT3 2015 in New Class Above Gallardo

  The first photo of the forthcoming Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo is here! The first teaser is out, which we have enhanced and annotated below. A rendering from Lamborcars.com looks pretty accurate, except for the Huracan Gt3 Super Trofeo will not have the same huge front air intakes as the road car or the rendering. LamboCars.com Renderings The sides of the bumper are actually smooth bodywork to provide a side blade / downforce spat. Exclsuive enhanced teaser analysis. Press Release  The  new  Lamborghini  Huracán  Super  Trofeo  ready  for shakedown shakedown Sant’Agata  Bolognese,  15  July  2014.  The  new  Lamborghini  Huracán Super  …

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McLaren P1 on GEMBALLA GForged-one Wheels Specially Designed for McLaren 12C, 650S and P1

Upgrading the wheels on a hypercar is a small change that can make a world of difference in the style, handling and tire options available. But choosing an aftermarket wheel that is made to the same standards as the rest of the vehicle? Not easy! That is why Gemballa is stepping up to deliver McLaren P1, 12C and 650S clients the absolute best in German quality with an aftermarket alloy design called the G-Forged-one. These are rims that are designed to balance ultra-light weight, low-drag and high-strength priorities that a supercar demands. Also fitting the Porsche 911 991-series, the wheels …

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Bugatti Veyron Lightning Wrap by CAM SHAFT for Gemballa

Of all the various custom Veyrons – none wear quite as dramatic a shell as this one for Gemballa Racing! While Gemballa is moving forward with a new website and new distribution for its tuning and limited-edition cars, the Gemballa Racing effort itself appears to be shelved at this point in time. No matter – the Veyron in this custom blue lightning foil wrap from CAM SHAFT is still a fine showpiece for the company. And can you blame them for not taking this beauty into a real race? Even a slight bump would be very costly to sort out… …

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4.9s 2015 VW Golf R Officially Coming to USA in January – With At Least 290HP!

How about some good news from Volkswagen on this site lately? We are pretty hard on the old VeeDub over here, which is ironic because my first-ever car was a 1975 SuperBeetle named Walter. This was in 1997, mind you, so he was already old enough to drink when I was 16. After a bump on the nose in 2002. 2015 VW Golf R USA Back to VW USA. Pining and wishing and griping will never make the new Scirocco come to the USA – so let’s celebrate what we are getting: the new GTI and the new Golf R! …

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2015 Dodge Charger R/T With Painted Front Bumper Is Less Terrifying, More Premium and Sporty

Whisper it – but my favorite of the Dodge Charger/Challenger has always been the Charger. Not only do I prefer the name – I just like its style and long/low/wide scale better than the retro two-door. The latest updates for the 2015 model-year look thorough and helpful for improving the current Charger’s weakest link: its cabin. New performance pages from the SRT stable are included in this R/T model – along with a totally redesigned interior with more configurable digital screens in between the main gauges of the instrument cluster. On the outside, the car is still as scary as …

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630HP V12 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe Has Arrived – With New Steering Wheel!

The new S65 AMG is ready to bring the hurt to Rolls-Royce and Bentley – the V12 Coupe is official! But first: why lead off the headline with something about the steering wheel? It is big news because the S63 and S65 AMG sedans have a really silly one at the moment. Thrilled to see the new and handsome element in the S65 AMG Coupe. It is likely this optional sports wheel will roll out across the AMG S-Class range pronto. S65 Coupe S65 Sedan         These first specs and details confirm the big luxury coupe will be quite …

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NOVITEC ROSSO Ferrari FF is First-Ever 2+2 with AWD, Launch Control, Novitech 685HP Tuning

NOVITEC ROSSO is definitely a new favorite tuner – their cars are incredible! This program for the FF brings a few world-first elements together for the first time: a 2+2, AWD Ferrari with the full upgrade package from NOVITEC ROSSO. Why is this relevant? The cars are so violent and scary-fast — that the idea of such speed in a relatively practical shape is astounding. Don’t believe it? Check out this video… from about the half-way mark. Full catalog details and configurator below from NOVITEC ROSSO.   FF PRODUCTS The NOVITEC program for the FF has been developed for maximum …

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White LaFerrari Snapped in Geneva This Week by N-D Photography – High-Res Photos

Is the Ferrari offered in just yellow, black and red as initially shown!? No sir. Any color is possible at this price level – and they are all simply gorgeous so far.   Jay Kay ordered his in a lovely green, but this porcelain white might be my favorite so far. Photo credits and hat tip to N-D Photography, pop him a like below on Flickr and Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/nd.cars.photography https://www.flickr.com/photos/97269477@N08/14431962560/in/photostream/ White LaFerrari Tallpaper White LaFerrari – N-D Photography

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Design Talent Showcase – Jan Rosenthal 2023 Rolls-Royce Concept Wins Official RCA Contest

This is an oldie but a goodie. Not so old – 2012 — and previewing a Rolls-Royce for 2023. So it is a bit of Days of Future Past. Forgiveness Please if you have seen this already! Royal College of Art students submitted ideas for a 2023 Rolls-Royce back in 2012, with the winning design selected by Rolls-Royce executive leadership and designers themselves. The winning study is shown here in all its magnificence. Jan Rosenthal is the artist and elegantly combines many disparate ideas into one glamor-soaked luxury car. It is a four-door coupe with a SUV ride height. Very …

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QOROS Design Analysis – Qoros9 and Flagship Concepts Preview Exciting Future Models

QOROS is the German-led Chinese car firm that could change global perceptions about Chinese vehicles through sheer strength of engineering. The firm aims to deliver the best of European safety, handling, styling and quality standards to an affordable-produced model for the first time. Headed by Gert Hildebrand as design chief, Qoros is on firm footing to bring his MINI Cooper design expertise to all sorts of new segments. Here is Hildebrand with the Qoros Flagship model discussed below. QOROS Design Analysis – Qoros9 and Flagship Concepts Preview Exciting Future Models After many false starts by other brands, the Qoros 3 …

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Hypercar Showcase – 2014 Lamborghini Aventador Trumped Only By Aventador J and Aventador Roadster

As any bull-runner will know: the only thing scarier than one 2,000-pound beast with 18-inch horns on its head is three of them in lockstep sprint. Such is the Roadster, J — for Jota — and standard Aventador. The J is sold-out and no longer available, which is a huge shame for how amazingly cool its design is. No windshield at all on this one. Not passing US crash test/ rollover standards is a big issue toward putting the Jota forward to series production versus small-batch. Because even while the US market is no longer Lamborghini’s only cash cow bull, …

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Gulf Racing Livery by CAM SHAFT for the Porsche 911 Turbo

It is automotive wrap fest today! These two are very eye-popping. They bring some favorite and iconic racing liveries to life on Porsche 911s in a very well-executed way. The funny thing about Gulf colors, in particular, is a joke I heard while visiting the GT40 factory of Superformance Olhoff Racing in April. They quipped, “We have made more Gulf GT40’s than Gulf ever did!” Thanks to the latest tech in wrapping, a two-color paintwork effect is no longer the perview of Wraith of Maybach customers. It was previously so expensive and exclusive because it meant the car had to …

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