Alternative headline? Porsches for Jesus. This gentleman’s car was outstanding. Everything was carbon and bare and loud and raw. DIY Porsche 997 Supercup at Atlanta Motorsports Park
2015 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible 2014 Chevrolet Camaro RS 2014 Chevrolet Camaro zL1
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 …
Updated 7.29.14 with 188 new images Update info: BMW GLOBAL The BMW 5 series is incredibly trim-sensitive. It can obviously look amazing in full M5 track apparel, but looks very lonesome and humdrum in the low-range 528i and even 535i without the M Sport package. As a strong indication that this four-year-old model range is on the way out next year — there are hardly any new BMW press photos of the car since 2011. So we turned to the BMW.com global site configurators to try and make an amazing-looking 535i or, even better, a 550i. Even *more* recent update! …
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 …
A charming story with this car, as told below by RM Auctions. 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff RM Auctions Monterey 15 – 16 August 2014 Lot 115 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff $800,000 – $1,000,000 Chassis no. 57597 Engine no. 82 C 210 bhp, 3,257 cc supercharged DOHC inline eight-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 130 in. Formerly of the Bob Pond Collection Mechanical restoration by the legendary “Bunny” Phillips First in …
An FXX coming to Pebble Beach is pretty special. It will do exceptionally well among this high-rolling bidder pool. Typically, exotic prototypes are known to seal many orders from Pebble Beach as one of the best concours and car shows on the annual calendar. Therefore, the FXX Evo will be a sort of Top Trumps among ‘who bought what’ recaps. The Ferrari FXX is special for simply being a hardcore Corse Clienti model already – but also upgraded to the latest racing spec. This is quicker than even the Ferrari 458 Evo on the CC circuit this year. It is …
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 …
Sure, the fact that this Japanese-ordered McLaren F1 is the sole example in factory Marlboro White is not the only reason for its $12-million-plus pre-sale estimate. Other key reasons are: This F1 has only 1,000 total miles since new and was fully restored in Woking in 2008. The white paint preference among Japanese car fans is really returning on its investment in 2014 and beyond. White paint has never been so appealing or indicative of modern status. So a great time to sell, with the flat black alloys just extra on-trend style — but ordered like this 20 years ago. …
The 911 Speedster is exceptionally rare and quite a milestone for Porsche. Just as this car was hitting showrooms, the 1994 Porsche Boxster concept drop-kicked the enthusiast world into a hysterical frenzy. Everyone was mad for the chopped-windshield look — but only 409 of the Porsche 964 Speedsters arrived for sale in the United States. Rare and certain to cause a double-take among even hardcore Porsche fans – the Speedster is an amazing vehicle to consider for collectors and sunny-day drivers. Its proportions say classic 911 at first glimpse, but the detailing is 100-percent surprising thanks to the ultra-low windshield, …
For many years, one of the core elements of the Audi A8’s appeal was its refined and ultra-classy ‘outsider’ appeal. Versus the once-staid S-Class and now-staid BMW 7 series, the A8 was a breath of fresh air. For the ultra-luxury limo set of shoppers, the A8 represented a ‘Mac’ type of aesthetic and usability, versus its very PC-type logic and functions of the other big German luxury sedans. The Audi’s shared German engineering, driving feel and performance instantly put the car ahead of the Lexus LS in many enthusiasts’ minds. A refined and measured exterior and interior design seemed as …
Updated 7.28.14 with 74 real-life dynamic photos of the 2015 BMW X4 M Sport. The production BMW X4 was a nice surprise when touring the BMW Spartanburg factory in late March. The car is very attractive in real life – especially in this M Sport trim level! Much better than expected and a solid proposition for all AWD performance sedan shoppers. More thorough articles coming soon, plus all the full details from BMW below. The New BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe A new dimension for the mid-sized premium Sports Activity Vehicle Woodcliff Lake, …
Calling all USA and global sports-car fans! Lotus is indeed open for business – and it is your time to hop into your very own low-slung supercar. This article started out as a piece about how the Evora was no longer offered for sale in the US – but great news! A quick internet search shows numerous 2014 models available in the US at this very moment, with pricing from about $75,000. The confusion about the current Evora’s on-sale satus perhaps comes from the Sport Racer custom version of the Evora. This black/red model is indeed a European-only …
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 …
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 …
SuperTruck? Muscle Truck? SuperSUV? What is the best descriptor for ultra-high-performance crossovers? Still being determined, it seems. But when you see this Cayenne Turbo parked outside the Atlanta Motorsports Park private garages, next to a GT-R and while the guys inside work on their Radical SR3 SL and a few formula racers… you get it. Best of the best only. Porsche GT3 office chairs….!? Yes. The Cayenne Turbo is unlike 99-percent of other SUVs. It will keep up with a GT-R on the track, and make the driver of a base Carrera 911 very nervous about his times. It …
In terms of #ZeroCompetition – The GT-R’s performance really does stack up amazingly well versus almost any other hypercar. This is as true for the revised 2014 models as it is for any R35 generation GT-R – like the ~2011 model shown below. Super Silver Special Metallic might be a hard $3000 option to justify when ordering the GT-R, but the effect in real life is absolutely brilliant. Nothing short of a pure million-dollar concept has the same depth and reflectivity of this gorgeous color on the GT-R. Please enjoy these 60 all-new photos from Atlanta Motorsports Park. 2011 …
We still have yet to drive the Buick Regal, but the car is very handsome for 2014 in both the base eAssist or Turbo trims — and definitely int he sexy GS package. The GS is the OPC/VXR version from across the pond – with everything the European cars have to increase the sportiness of the handling, performance and cabin feel. Our GS trades the twin-turbo V6 of the Euro cars for a turbo four – which is the biggest change overall besides the new Buick badges everywhere. The lighter engine up front actually dramatically enhances road feel and how …
Big day today! 1,000 photos on my memory card from a visit to Atlanta Motorsports Park for Velocity Motorsports. Much easier to start with some mega photo galleries of cars I have not driven …yet. 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni INTERIORS 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni EXTERIORS
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 …
Spent some time today with the latest Regal and Lacrosse sedans from Buick – a surprising leader in the tech segment of the car business. Standard 4G LTE in all 2015 Buicks (except the Enclave, which makes it for 2016) will make the first three months of owning car car true heaven. That is the length of the trial period of in-car 4GLTE services with Onstar. I say this with a bit of a smirk because the sign-up rate will be amazingly high. The pricing, already-installed access and friendliness of the sign-in for up to seven devices is a miracle …
Here is a fun little set of renderings! What initially started as an idea for a new Elite ‘breadvan’ bloomed into two other variants as well: the long-wheelbase sedan and four-door Clubman! But wait, I hear you saying – isn’t this a mid-engine car? Yes, yes it is. But the Evora is also a 2+2, with the engine itself quite compact and only extending about 8 inches ahead of the rear axle centerline. This makes plenty of room for an extra set of doors and bigger seats. The idea with the extra doors is not for limo-like room in the …
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 …
Talk about a huge missed opportunity: Lotus’s 2010 Paris business plan and five-pack of concepts might be arriving for sale about now if the world had be different. The cars are so on-trend and stylish four years later that it is hard to really see them in real-life photos without a deep sense of regret. Only the city car seemed silly then and still does. In the world of car-making and luxury brands, the three hardest and most unattainable pieces of the puzzle are: — great ideas — a fantastic brand name and legacy — global distribution and sales The …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
UPDATED for the ML-Class — and this all certainly applies to the five-seat Benz SUV as much as it does the seven-seater! Who are we to judge a megalux custom SUV? Nobody – that is who. At least, nobody with anywhere near the wealth or status to feel let down by the factory ML-Class AMG from Mercedes-Benz. But in certain worlds, the factory model is just too plain, and too similar, to even find in a Brentwood organic produce parking lot — let alone feel passionate about. BRABUS takes things up a notch in every regard. More premium, much …
These exclusive Car-Revs-Daily.com photos of the Corvette Z06 in Amelia Island in March are still some of the best out there. But Gene Leeds from Leeds.io and CorvetteForum.com certainly has my skills beat when it comes to detail shots from the NY auto show. Leeds captures not only the production Z06 hardtop and convertible in stunning, high-res detail — he also has a look all around the display car’s chassis, suspension and inner workings. A huge thankyou to Gene Leeds for his permission to use these photos. More updates on his new website as it becomes available. Back to 2015 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Who are we to judge a megalux custom SUV? Nobody – that is who. At least, nobody with anywhere near the wealth or status to feel let down by the factory GL63 AMG from Mercedes-Benz. But in certain worlds, the factory model is just too plain, and too similar, to even find in a Brentwood organic produce parking lot — let alone feel passionate about. BRABUS takes things up a notch in every regard. More premium, much faster, more exclusive and *much* more expensive. But these upgrades are so deep and thorough that they have a definite value proposition in …
If the goal of the Z/28 is to get some respect for the Camaro’s performance and track speed, the goal of the ZL1 is to get results out on the street. With 580-horsepower from the supercharged LSA V8, an available automatic with fool-proof launch control, and magnetic shocks as standard — the ZL1 is the easiest performance bargain on the market. Notably, the way the Z/28 has delivered most of its sheer pace is through weight reduction and detail handling tweaks over the ZL1. Dropped luxuries like the optional Kicker audio and ZL1 subwoofer will be missed, along with all …
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 …
A rare car in great condition – seeking a new owner! Of the 2,000 or so imported 190E’s that came to the US market between 1989-1990, there are less than 400 left in this excellent original condition. Interested buyers can email ads (at) car-revs-daily.com to be connected with the seller – who is flexible on price but shooting for $8,900 for this 1989 example. The car was previously owned by the lead mechanic at European Autowerks in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Therefore, it runs flawlessly and comes equipped with a new dashboard, new wheels and pristine service history. 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E …
So you want to live the glamourous GP life? Racing on the knife’s edge of adrenaline with a high-powered exotic? RacineOne GmbH can get you to the podium safely – whether that is education, street to track-car conversion, or motorsport event servicing. These guys can be your pit garage, tech shop and traveling mechanical experts — all with one phone call. The team’s Ferrari 458 Competition is great evidence of their expertise in designing a racecar from a standard supercar – as these action photos from Spring 2014 can certainly attest. The car goes hard, and the fun never stops. …
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 …
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 …
A fantastic car and a great cause – what is not to love? The Ohio Cobra Club and Superformance are still selling raffle tickets to win a stunning Mark III Cobra at the London (Ohio) Cobra Show. Enter now and feel good about supporting medical research, while gaining a chance to have this beauty in your driveway for only $20! Photo Credit: Ted7 Photography http://ted7.smugmug.com/Cars/Professional-Party-Photoshooti/SPF/SPF-20th-anniversary-NO-TAGS/ OCC Meets and Raises Cystic Fibrosis Awareness The Ohio Cobra Club has been fund raising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for over 10 years. Each year they have held an event …
The great irony about the BMW M1 supercar is that it was a huge failure. A re-purposed version of the same design often trotted out by Giugiaro through the mid-1970s, the original Paul Bracq-penned 1972 BMW Turbo concept was very, very dated by its production intro in 1978. (1972 Turbo on the right) The ultra-wedge aesthetic was popular, of course, but was hard to make workable in a sports car. Visibilty was atrocious, making racing especially challenging. In addition, the wedges of the 1973-forward Lamborghini Countach or Lancia Stratos were hard to top. This M1 seemed like a pretender from …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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: …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
When you take your Lamborghini Aventador out on the town, you want to be able to scare pedestrians and tease other car-guys at the tip of a toe. No cars & coffee revving will be more impressive than this shouty pipe set from Capristo for the Lamborghini Aventador! All controlled with a simple remote. It ditches the factory sound-dampeners in favor of a true bellow from the heavens. This handily increases power to 750-hp on the Capristo dyno as well. Scary good fun from about $8,000. More info below from Capristo. The full details link to Capristo Germany, but …
The Mazda2 is one of the best small cars available in the US – or anywhere – with playful dynamics and first-rate quality that shames the Mitsubishi Mirage in many ways. But the current car has largely missed the hot style wave of the latest Lazda6 and Mazda3. That is set to change with the just-revealed 2016 model. It is a sure thing for the US market, but its arrival timetable is not yet known. We would bet on the first few months of 2015 as a 2016 model, but it could be here as soon as this Fall. The …
Is the Lexus IS one of the best-looking, best-made and best-sounding luxury cars on the market? Yes, yes it is. The BMW 320i is competing hard on price with the entry-level IS250 this year, as the Audi A3 is nosing into the fray as well. But none look quite as sexy or dynamic is this rear-drive Lexus. Below are photos from a quick spin in the Fall with the IS350 AWD, plus 60 official press shots — with the car looking outstanding in nearly all of them! Below are the full details on the 2015 update – which does not …
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, …
As we watch the rebirth of Renault-Alpine and the Alpine sportscar legacy over the next few years, it is great to trace the roots of the firm and appreciate some of its greatest-hits. The A110 Berlinette was by far the most iconic machine produced for sale by Alpine, but was it the quickest around a track or the most gorgeous? Despite how cute that A110 looked in Amelia Island earlier this year above… http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/03/10/amelia-parking-lot-finds-1960s-renault-alpine-a110-cali-plates-passenger-seat-full-suitcases/ No sir – those awards go to the long-body M64 racercar version shown here. One of only three ever made, the M64 Alpine won its class …
So many German tuners lately! Ahh!!! In honor of the World Cup, perhaps? Yes, let’s go with that. But you must admit: these German tuner cars are pretty outstanding. Versus the small-time DIY efforts that most local shops in America and elsewhere offer – these are relatively holitics ideas for how to make any car a bad-ass beast on the autobahn. The approach leaves no area unaltered, it can seem sometimes. Wheels, engine, interior, paint wraps, springs, tires, brakes, lights, foil designs…. Seeing a before/after of these cars would be even more shocking than even ProActiv would put in their …
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 …
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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… …
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! …
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 …
These two are both pretty outrageous– but if you had to pick your poison… which would it be? The refinements are actually pretty extensive. The Wraith with a matte-effect silver on the grille and upper body is actually pretty interesing in contrast to the super-metallic sheen of the painted surfaces. But neither will win you many Best Dressed honors in most respectable circles. Mansory Bentley versus Mansory Rolls-Royce
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 …
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 …
Porsche 911 C4S by TECHART TechArt does some bonkers customs. Even by German exotic car pimping standards, theirs are by far some of the wildest out there. Just think of the Magnum Cayenne of Grand GT Panamera to know how extreme these guys can get. For many people who have never customized their exotic car – the super-extreme cars can be a turn-0ff. This is a gorgeous alternative that will still look brilliant in 2024 – and still be totally unique as well. But even with a restrained example like their work on the 991 Carrera 4 — we …
Mitsubishi is doing great on a few fronts, and simply keeping its head above water on other fronts. In the realm of PHEV and battery-electric vehicles, the firm is on a great trajectory. The iMiEV has been a pretty large global seller over the last five years by EV standards, and the new Outlander is fully prepped for a PHEV drivetrain that is already on sale in Japan and the UK, along with a few other markets. The SUV and pickup truck model ranges are still relatively robust sellers, with modern diesel engines and a butch appeal in their style. …
The BMW M235i is easily one of the best, most complete sports-cars in the last decade. So fast, so agile and so fun. There really is not much else with this triple threat of track prowess along with smooth and luxurious commuter capabilities. But what if you want to go even more hardcore? To take this incredible engineering package and light the wick with a blowtorch? To make your own GT-R-killer ready for any performance challenge — and delivering a huge grin all the way there and back — look no further than the below catalog from German car …
So many supercar concepts, so little time! These two really cool ideas that did not get made into production models. The Caimano is based on the small, rear-drive Alfasud platform – but with one key difference: the windshield is part of a one-piece canopy door that hinges upward — just like the coolest concepts seen from Ferrari in the 512 series. The Navajo, on the other hand, is crisp to the extreme. With a huge wing in back that makes it look more like a stunt airplane than a sports car. 1971 Alfa-Romeo Caimano 1976 Alfa-Romeo Navajo …
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
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 …
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, …
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 …
It is automotive wrap fest today! These Cam Shaft customs 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 …
FOSTLA.de Foliation Designs A Wild Mercedes-Benz CLS in Metallic Gold Matte Learned a new word today… foliation Definition: the art of foil wrapping a surface, object or cherished Mercedes-Benz CLS. Etym: new Engdeutsch. The below description and intro for Fostla.de’s Porsche GT3 certainly applies to this incredibly intense CLS. It is on air-ride lowering springs and has a few other customizations noted below — but by far the most mind-warping element is the Bond Gold Matte Metallic wrap by Fostla. This is paired very tastefully with tinted lamps and a red accent bar in the fascias front and rear. The …
In the old days, changing a car’s color was only possible in one method: a full respray. This is not a good route for high-performance and high-dollar luxury machines for many reasons. Most of which comes down to the quality of body-shop paint versus factory paint. We have all seen a sad repainted car a few years last – dull, fading on the roof and hood from the sun, and sometimes even with bits of the original color shining through the poor-quality paintjob. In addition, much of the exterior on the car has to be disassembled to do a paintjob …
The biggest news for the 2015 Challenger is thew engine/powertrain advancement in all trim levels — not least the 707-horsepower SRT Hellcat supercharged. But there are huge, huge benefits inside the cabin to close deals with shoppers. While the exterior is barely-altered in the sheetmetal shapes of the body – the cabin is completely fresh in every way. Big upgrades to drive-ability come with the latest eight-speed ZF automatic up and down the range, which will help with the sometimes-lungy downshift style of the existing model. Perhaps even more notable than the Shaker, 392 and SRT is how great the …
Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo Aston took its future vision and threw it into fast-forward by the mid-1970s and early 1980s. The model range at the time was a mix of the Vantage and the Lagonda sedan – one looking and feeling like it was frozen in 1969, the other, 1999. So one very antiquated, and one ahead of its time. The 1980 Bulldog concept was ostensibly a range-topper; something to leapfrog the competition and bring the Vantage and supercar customer base into a bold and futuristic new decade. Alas, the …
Past and Future Perfect – Rolls-Royce Is Evergreen – 111 RARE Photos Celebrate 111-Year History FUTURE PERFECT? Yes, this tense in language certainly applies to Rolls-Royce in the coming years. Here is (one of) Lutz Valdeig‘s artist renderings of a 2017 Rolls-Royce Alpine SUV – with a name borrowed from RR’s Apline Trial glory. Rolls-Royce is more successful than anyone might have guessed 15 or 30 years ago. At that time, the whisper was that The Best Car in the World might be losing its touch with modern times. BMW’s guiding principles of quality and advanced driving characteristics have …
N Largo? That is the newest and hottest way to describe a widebody custom supercar – in this case the Novitec Rosso F12 Berlinetta. Have you ever seen something so amazingly sexy for the street? This F12 N Largo rivals the previous 599XX for visual and emotional drama. Here is the 599XX from the Corse Clienti program. Just look at it compared with the stock F12. All it is missing are a few number and sponsor stickers… and 100-percent of the world will be sure you just escaped from a GP racetrack…! The only thing missing from this fantasy is …
NOVITEC ROSSO Ferrari 458 Italia and Spyder All the greatest Novitec Ferrari upgrades detailed recently for the 458 Speciale are also offered for the 458 Italia and Spyder – which might be even more reason to think about some custom mods to your world-beating supercar. As one of the most fun and highly-praised sports cars of all time, the 458 Spyder and 458 Italia are technically perfect from the Maranello factory. But when has that ever stopped you before? NOVITEC ROSSO – Ferrari 458 Italia A great way to feel the rush and be just …
As if the world of hypercar manufacturing were not hard enough: try balancing performance, style and delivery deadlines all at the same time! There is one other component of the hypercar that must not be forgotten, yet is undoubtedly the last thing on most startups’ list: the interior. W Motors has overcome this obstacle with flying colors. The finished cabin was shown for the first time recently — and is magnificent. Better than the renderings – which is very, very impressive. Just add that to the tally of home-run hits for the Lykan Hypersport! http://www.wmotors.ae/ 2014 W Motors …
2020 HYUNDAI EXODUS – Designing A Halo Hypercar – Part One – The Nose WHY NOW? Lots of supercars and hypercars this week, which are great fun and very enjoyable to read about. That applies to those in the market for an exotic car as well as those of us who will drive something far more mundane in reality. WHY HYUNDAI? Why try to imagine my own Hyundai hypercar, after spending much time with the new Sonata last week? I realized many things on this trip about how rapidly Hyundai is advancing in the automotive world. (Full Sonata review is …
Q: How color sensitive are the iconic shapes of the Bugatti Aerolithe? A: Very! Something about the wildly flexed panel shapes of the Bugatti’s fenders, combined with the sheer flat surfaces of the body-sides and the edges of the hood, combined with the riveted panels… A trilemma of surfaces for any paint to master! The original pistacchio green is accurate and lovely for the period, but how would the car look in other shades? Would its deep recesses and sunken cab melt away from the eye, or become even more prominent? You can be the judge for yourself… via the …
This Bugatti’s name really rolls off the tongue quite nicely – even without much car for the accents and the pronunciation. Perhaps that is because the principles of speed competitions, swoopy two-doors and lightweight, low-drag machines are so important today. Those last two really nail the brilliance of this one home. Light and smooth was the goal of this shape, in an era when most cars (and drivers!) would be terrified above 30-mph. This car could easily double that, and perhaps go on to about 75-mph before the tires and brakes became a serious liability. My apologies that these photos …
I usually formulate a rough outline of what I want to say about a car while cropping and straightening out the photos beforehand. In the case of this 1951 LeSabre, I wish you could have seen my face recoil in horror at all the tacky, gaudy details on this car up close. Thus, my theory was initially that the LeSabre showed General Motors the good and the bad of design. The good is that it can excite you in ways that will open wallets and checkbooks by the millions. The bad is that certain elements would need to be explained …
Is the F12 your favorite Ferrari? Yep, mine too. Here is a silver example with black wheels at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend. Quick Pics Post – 2014 Ferrari F12 at Goodwood FoS + A Few Classics Too! These next photos are from Goodwood 2013.
NOVITEC ROSSO Ferrari 458 Speciale Adds 40HP and ICONEL Exhaust for Maximum Supercar Thrills/Chills Wow! Did you watch the video above! The first ten seconds will shave you shaking with delight. You might be some of the first people to see this all-new machine from Germany’s Novitec Rosso – the legendary upfitter’s Ferrari division. The video definitely highlights the pings and zings of the titanium-alloy ICONEL exhaust system, and it is truly one of the world’s best. That is why the US Alfa 4C is rumored to have it as standard. But this is no four-banger, and not …
Meet LaMASERATI by Mark Hostler – The Wildest Hypercar Concept Ever Wow. This one really stopped me in my tracks today. Dubbed the LaMaserati concept by professionally-trained industrial designer Mark Hostler, the car is simply miraculous. Free-floating surfaces intersect, overlap and interplay in ways that beg to be touched. The floating wings and side buttress are perhaps the most breathtaking elements – unlike anything that any concept hypercar has ever attempted in real-life. The ultra-low nose is shaped for ground-effect aerodynamics at high speed, while the long-tail LED brake light slash will also reduce any turbulence or backpressure as …
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 in 102 Photos The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is poised to be the absolute hottest sports car for 2014, with pricing just below $70,000, carbon-fiber galore, and even the handy targa roof panel that stows in the trunk. During our chance to test out this incredible car, we were astounded by its amazing chassis rigidity, vastly improved touch points all around, and the easy performance on offer. Even after driving a Viper and a few other tasty machines, the pure joy of hearing the Corvette howl through its vocal range is deeply memorable. Enjoy these photos …
2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Predictions: 4Matic AWD for 500HP Twin-Turbo V8 – Benchmarks Are 911T and GT-R The amount of renderings of the forthcoming AMG GT supercar is staggering. Luckily, none are quite as hack-y as my aborted effort to graft the AMG Vision Gran Turismo’s nose onto the current 2014 SLS! =] What happened to the draft renders posted to facebook.com/carrevsdaily last week? They just… kept getting worse and worse in Photoshop, so I looked to external sources. The best work so far comes from Car and Driver, of all places, with a really detailed and on-target rendering of …
SRT Viper vs. Maserati Alfieri – Friends… Or Family? Overlay Transparency Analysis A possible Alfieri-Viper connection has been nagging me since the similarities first appeared about a week after the Alfieri debuted in Geneva. Why did (and does) it seem so close to the Viper, without sharing almost anything recognizable — anywhere? Something about the overdrawn features and super-curved surfaces just strikes me as very similar between the two. But am I just speculating wildly (again)? Besides that, the rear ends seem quite familiar – with similar venting below each lamp and even a similar hatchback glass liftgate. But every …
As you can see from this first video – taken moments after I first sat down in the Accord Coupe – the car is really fun and fast. That is the key take-away if you read nothing else below! INTRO I thoroughly enjoyed the 2014 Honda Accord V6 Coupe that spent a few weeks here this summer. Two previous articles followed the Accord Coupe’s adventures here in the Carolinas, with… — a mega photo shoot from historic Charleston — as well as the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Blue Ridge Parkway up toward Tennessee. And this really hones in …
Here is a fun one! Back in 2007, this little city run-about might have earned a photo or two in a small concepts section of our car magazines. At least, this is what I tell myself to justify not remembering it at all! The design is actually pretty appealing in its interpretation of a Scion iQ or Smart Fortwo competitor. The best aspect of the squat aesthetic and wide proportions, which become much slimmer moving from the wheel areas and up into the glasshouse. One element slid through to production almost intact on the Nissan Leaf EV — the headlights! …
Written By Special Contributor By Ken Glassman 2014 Lexus IS250C F Sport After suffering through a horrendous winter in Chicago, I was really psyched to get to drive a Lexus IS 250 C convertible for a week this spring. The only thing I enjoy more than cruising down the road in an open air car is doing it on my motorcycle. For 2014, the Lexus IS sedans got a major makeover, but the convertible versions are basically the same as the 2013 models, leaving some to believe that the metal retractable roof model won’t be continued for next year. …
