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Sing-song Status — Geeeen-ee-vahh Is the Place To Be… 2015 Focus + MINI Clubman Join A-list Cast

As you may note, I am getting really stir crazy in my new digs down in South Carolina.   Even while I lived in the suburbs for the last six months of my time Chicago from 2005 to 2013 — I am really a pretty urban person. I moved from Wrigleyville to suburbs to be closer to the auto fleet offices. So, I just moved again!  To Charleston!  What is up with that? My family is here. Car-Revs-Daily.com is way ahead of schedule in terms of the broad launch flowcharts detailed December (post-kickstarter-flop). So. Big changes in my home office …

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2014 LeMans Engine Showcase Series — Nissan ZEOD RC a hybrid… with a 400HP 1.5-liter Turbo Triple!

It is no coincidence that the Nissan ZEOD RC’s engine is a 1.5-liter turbo triple. This is for at least three reasons:   — The 1.5-liter Turbo V6 is Formula One’s new engine size — Halve that engine at the crankshaft, and you have this tall drink of 88-pound engine, making 400 horsepower to supplement the electrics on-board the ZEOD RC. Nissan Motorsport’s guys explain it a bit better here.  The exciting thing about the LeMans experimental Garage56 program is that there… are almost no constricting rules. In theory, the Porsche 911 GTR R Hybrid from a few years ago …

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Top 10 Tips for Track-Day Newcomers — Plus! The Ideal Track ‘n Back Wagon: 186MPH, 550HP Jaguar XFR-S SportBrake

By Special Contributor Chris May. So: you have made the decision to take the plunge in to the world of HPDE (High Performance Driver Education). You have forked over a good chunk of cash and fueled up your 2015 XFR-S Sportbrake  JAGUAR for her maiden journey into stardom and instant racing hero status. Before you have dreams of becoming the next Lewis Hamilton or Randy Pobst here are some tips that will hopefully keep you: — out of trouble — hooked on track events like a fish to water. Seriously, where can you drive at the limits or performance, safety, …

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Edited for Content: Bentley Changes Tack As World’s Oligarchs Go Into Hiding — 2015 Conti GT Speed Updated and Flying Spur V8 Launched

Oh, you are a comically-inept and hopelessly-corrupt politician? Riding high as some kind of monarchy cousin? News Flash: your constituents are tired of seeing your multiple Bentley’s running others off the road all over the world. Your stage winks last for 15 seconds of awkwardness as the kickback cashier’s check peeks from under your lapel? #Byezees. As Ukraine’s people write the blueprint for taking down these fat-cats — the rest of the world’s hate-regimes best take note: your time is rapidly running out. Very aware of the times, Bentley has updated two of its most important models in hopes of …

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Ferrari Goes Turbo! 2015 California T Cabrio Packing 577Lb-Ft of Hissing Boost

Yes! the Scuderia is back on boost. As the F40’s twin-turbocharged V8 still proudly displays to anyone with the balls and cash — Maranello has always loved forced induction. Time to lower the fences – these stallions want to run wild! 2015 Ferrari California T       The 458 Speciale also debuted in Sepang this weekend.   A few more of the Seabrook stallions.  

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The Bruce McLaren Origin Story: How A Brilliant Visionary Still Inspires the Auto World

Orig Published on: Dec 30, 2013 @ 10:50 Really understanding McLaren today requires more information on the firm’s dynamic founding individual: Bruce. A face to go with the myth is helpful, but just a face is no justice to the legacy of Bruce McLaren. Bruce McLaren’s influence continues today, with those who knew him able to recall this man as all things to all men: engineer, a racing driver, a great friend and teacher, businessman, and, ultimately, hero. From his arrival in Europe in 1958: The Auckland-born Bruce McLaren’s skilled feet, eyes and arms took the racing world by storm. …

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Latest 28 Photos and 28 Tech Facts About Camaro Z/28 Will Make Your Knees Weak + Z/28.R Preview

Amazing tidbit: the Chevrolet bow-tie on this Z/28 is just a clear outline. Saves weight, helps aero — no doubt. The Camaro Z/28 is setting an immensely high bar for any 2015 Mustang to match. In fact, the full adamantium rigidity and weight-loss program of the Z/28 seems likely to make this 505-horsepower screamer a very brutal BMW M4 track benchmark as well. Chevy just released a fresh batch of mouth-watering facts and images of the Z/28 in white and super duper red. All over gloss black for the street-racer performance mods all around. This is a close match for …

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W Motors Lykan HyperSport in 4 Color Turntables + Interior and Mechanical Detail Photos

  W Motors Lykan HyperSport Hopefully the animations are a helpful and fun part of CarRevsDaily. I love them because they are auto-play, relatively small download-able GIF files, and cross-platform friendly. They are new. I have not seen anything like what CarRevsDaily offers – outside this site that is. There is a real art to creating — often from lousy images — flawless spinning turntables, dynamic motion simulations and all the others. It is really difficult, and a matter of major trial/error over a years-long learning process. Sometimes, though… when the moon is just right…   There is some real …

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New-for-2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S — Tops 8-Strong Cayenne Lineup in U.S. — Pricing and Style Comparisons by Trim

The current Cayenne series has been on U.S. streets since 2011, but it sure does not feel like it. These trucks all still really deliver a massive visual punch versus standard cars or SUVs. A second magic thing for the Cayenne gen2? There really is not a bad-looking one in the bunch. Some may recall the first cars looking amazing in full Turbo kit, and slowly becoming less and less macho with every tiny new engine introduced. That is really no longer the case. The below cars are the Turbo, the GTS and the Cayenne S in descending order. All …

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RM Auctions Lands 1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder for Amelia 2014

The Pray collection is a big part of the upcoming 2014 Amelia Island Concours at RM Auctions. It looks like the RM drinks social is at the Ritz. I am nervous already. The Ghibli Spyder was so immensely-popular when revealed that it also created an entire cottage industry of custom conversions. This really makes sense. The shark-like bit of the Ghibli’s styling was dramatically weighed down by the huge fastback coupe style. The rear canopy is large enough to overwhelm the delicate front shapes in total. Therefore, seeing any out and about is a good thing. One offered for sale? …

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Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Gunning for BMW M5 — High-Res Glory + Geneva Video Teases GT-R-like Engine Howl

The prospect of the Eau Rouge Infiniti Q50 just became much, much more tantalizing.  @TheRealAutoblog has discovered a brilliant tidbit of information: this car sounds turbocharged. This is news because no Q50 sedans are currently turbocharged. In fact, I do not think Infiniti has ever implemented turbo engines (so far). Aside from the Q45 and its well-known 278-horsepower V8, the first 1990-92 M30’s were V6-powered, as was 1993-1998 J30… and so on. The Q50 Eau Rouge does not just sound turbocharged. It sounds GT-R turbocharged. The GT-R has a particularly gruff but high-strung appeal to its engine and exhaust harmonies. …

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18 Sublime Retro BMWs to Brighten Your Day -- Gooding & Co

19 Sublime Retro BMWs to Brighten Your Day — Gooding & Co. Amelia Island 2014 Preview

Something to warm even the coldest hearts, fingers and toes today. 19 retro BMWs from the Gooding and Co. Amelia Island events in early March. (Most are 2014 entries, but a handful appear to be from 2012 or 2013.) Presented here in chronological model-year order, from the 1957 503 Coupe through the M1 and the M6 of the 1980s. They are all simply delightful to behold. Favorites? The 1960 BMW 700 is cuter than cute can be in M racing colors. Or the white M1 is still a big hero of mine. Many more articles on the Amelia Island, Florida …

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CarRevsDaily - Porsche CAYMAN Buyers Buide Photos 58

2014 Porsche Cayman / Cayman S – Colors, Specs and 88 Photos

Orig Published on: Dec 31, 2013 @ 15:24 Is the 2014 Cayman the most rewarding sports car in the world? The never-ending debate among shoppers remains strong with a new 911 Carrera and Cayman on the market in the same year. Which is right for you? What are the benefits of each? From an on-paper standpoint, the Cayman: – Brings much of the 911’s new cabin luxury and tech – Is extremely fast as a base or S model, with six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK choices   – Sharper turn-in and (arguably) more track confidence in Cayman than the 911 …

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Aston Feeling Dark /Sexy /Moody for 2014! New DB9 Carbon — Huge Ducktail Spoiler — Vanquish Tech

Codename 001 — DB9 Carbon White These new Carbon DB9’s are really the cream of the crop. While still wearing the DB9 tag, this car is almost totally new versus any pre-2012 cars.   The Carbon DB9’s 0-62MPH time is quoted below at 4.6-seconds with the latest Speedshift II torque-converter automatic and launch control, which almost ensures a 4.5s or below time for the slightly shorter 60-mph sprint run. That torque converter note is not a jab. A smooth and relaxed auto is an asset for this car in 99% of real-life driving. The beauty of being a small, high-glam …

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2015 Ford Mustang GT -- Mean, Lean and Ready To Brawl in Latest Real-Life Photos -- Yellow GT 18

2015 Ford Mustang GT in Triple Yellow — Mean, Lean and Ready To Brawl in 50 Real-Life Photos

As you may start to notice: I am not a fan of auto show photos. The lighting is usually all wrong, the cars mobbed with other snappers, and the resulting images typically a delete-tastic disaster. Even as a kid roaming Chicago’s McCormick Place every winter, filling my promo bags with three copies of every brochure book — I realized very quickly that taking my own camera was a total waste of effort. The lighting and layout equivalent would be like taking your glossy wedding photos in a thumping 4AM nightclub. I bet you’d look a little rougher than you did …

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All-New 2015 Audi TT Set for Geneva Debut — Design Sketches Show Evolutionary Approach + Butch Stance

  The latest Audi concepts are a bit dazzling — but often for all the wrong reasons. But even while the Sport Quattro loses appeal on its exterior, the interiors of this next-gen set of Audi sports cars might be the real news. A totally clean-sheet layout revamp brings an ultra-low and minimal front dashboard that is simply divine. Allroad Shooting Brake – 2014 Concept Interior: CES 2014 – SQ Concept Interior Will the TT be able to proudly join the Audi sports car family in this generation? Despite is alloy-intensive construction in the current generation of TT and TTS …

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My Car In Detailed Turntable Animations + 30 Photos -- 2006 Subaru Legacy GT Limited  31

My Car In Detailed Turntable Animations + 30 Photos — 2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited

One would assume that after working for some big tech names like Pandora.com and Starcom Worldwide that I would be able to master aspect ratios. Yet that silly Kodak-style 4×6, 5×7 etc layout glitch often keeps my swanky animations from playing on the homepage. Probably for the best — the site is slugggg-ish today, and those Aston Martin N430 Spinners topped 8MB in some configurations. Each! So, not exactly a low-bandwidth type of mind on thisguy. Sidebar: all the GIFs are download-able on purpose =] Regardless, I saw another very pretty car today that might make for an attractive animated …

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Corvette Museum — The Racecars! 58 High-Res Photos — Plus NCM Motorsports Park A High-Speed Dream

There are more than a few hundred stop-and-stare Chevrolets at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.   But isn’t the NCM all closed up following a natural disaster the other week? No sir. The museum itself consists of six or seven distinct buildings, 90% of which are still open to the public. Every day, all year long. Business as usual for this all-star local attraction. This is a big summer for NCM already: the 20th anniversary celebrations fill the summer calendar here. This article focuses on two things: — introducing the soon-completed NCM Motorsports park directly across the …

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2014 Aston-Martin N430 Vantage — Specs and Five Liveries Detailed in 150+ Images

Intro/Summary Points: Wow. Aston really wants to sell these cars. Today. The N430 upgrade comes in five flavors that are all very modern, exciting and enticing. The N430 is also visualized and configurable on a this very dashing new website .   I personally really admire the volume and quality of new images, which are far more extensive than Aston has typically provided to the press ahead of special edition models. Without these angles, none of my turntables are possible.(The 5MS table above is comprised of 90 images, for example.) Big hat tip for this and the RT from @AstonMartin …

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2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track Pack — Looking Great in Latest Real Life Photos!

The driving characteristics of the Genesis coupe remain unknown to this author. I tried to go spend some time reviewing sporty Hyundai or Kia models since making some bold critiques of the Sorento’s variable electric steering last fall. I was not eager to report how atrocious the Sorento’s steering was in all three settings — but honesty and authenticity are sorely lacking from most auto mags these days. How unhelpful is that for shoppers? As you may know by now, we are not into dancing around the truth until the page runs out. Alas, no test drive (or even interior …

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New McLaren 650S Bridges $700,000 Price/Tech Gap Between 12C and P1 — First Orders Arrive Spring 2014

Surprising news from Woking today! It seems the more troubles the F1 team endures, the better the road cars get? No, just kidding. It is not nearly that simple. But while the McLaren F1 team has not won a race championship in too-many years — the supercar range from McLaren is better every day. The 650S surprised me because I thought the next car in line for McLaren was the P11, which is widely believed to be a bit cheaper and more accessible than the 12C. That is not this car. The 650S slots in above the 12C coupe and …

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188HP Turbo Standard — 2014 Nissan JUKE Midnight Edition — 6-Sp Manual FWD From $19,000 — AWD Auto from $21,000

The Juke S is the most affordable spec in the trim lines that also include SL, SV, Nismo and the new-for-2014 Nismo RS model. While loving the 2013 Nissan Juke NISMO recently, and giving it the Best Turbo Sports Car, Under $25,000 Best Of Award here on CarRevsDaily, we realized something else. What was that discovery? In the latest new-for2014 paint colors like this triple black: this is a car that looks and feels like it is worth at least $10,000 more than its $24,000 total price. The NISMO is $24,000, but honestly represents such good value for this style …

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2014 Maserati Ghibli Q4 -- Interior Feels Luxe and High-Quality, But Back Seat A Bit Tight 16

4.7s, 175-mph Ghibli S Q4 Also Debuts All-New Maserati Online Configurator — Colors, Wheels and Leathers Built-Out

The new Maserati configurator is really excellent — with far more choices for the exterior and interior than anticipated. Over a dozen exterior colors, six wheel choices, four brake caliper colors and a sport pack are available outside. Wheels   Brake Calipers Indoors — the Italian craftsmanship idea really blossoms. Six leathers are available for the seats, five themes for the dashboard, four accent materials like wood or carbon-fiber, and even special carpet and headliner colors. Is this information overload for an executive sports car? For many BMW shoppers with silver exterior/black interior preferences — perhaps. But the Italian nature …

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2014 Maserati Ghibli Looking, Sounding Marvelous -- 40+ All-New, High-Res Photos -- Available Now from $67k 33

2014 Maserati Ghibli — First Cabin Impressions — Interior Feels Luxe and High-Quality, But Back Seat A Bit Tight

Lots of recent coverage of the Ghibli here lately. Why? 175MPH top speed, 4.7-seconds to 60MPH in awd S Q4 format — or just 4.9 for the rear-drive Ghibli S. Sonorous and Ferrari-evoking exhaust note, handling purity and exclusivity. First cabin impressions: great seats, four front cupholders, sporty steering wheel and large infotainment touchscreen. The 8.4-inch Maserati Tough Control (MTC) screen also includes side-mounted analog knobs for rapid adjustments, and the panel is both near-vertical to avoid glare and pretty closeup for easy tap-ability without leaning or stretching. The trunk even seemed pretty generous. But the rub? The back seat …

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AMG Miami Boat Shows Long Dongs — Mercedes-Benz Extenzzzes Vision GranTurismo Ethos to New 50-ft Racing Boat

Whip ’em out! Just kidding. Please do not. There is something inherently phallic about cigarette boats, named for their extreme length but thin berth on the water. These are the vessels you need to outrun any other sea-faring vessel that might give chase. In fact, with the big AMG engines rumbling at peak power levels — this AMG Vision GT boat is likely to outrun most helicopters as well. How would it look in Coast Guard orange? Or air-force white? The U.S. Navy has a new squid-like camo sheath that literally makes anything in water disappear from physical and sonar …

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2014 Jaguar F-type S Cabrio - LED Lighting Demo and 60 High-Res Photos2

2014 Jaguar F-type S Cabrio – LED Lighting Demo and 60 High-Res Photos

Initial thoughts from first in-person sighting of an F-type? It looks stellar.   The lights look great. Crisp LEDs front and back. The lower indicators do not disable the DRLs in a switchback fashion, which is great news. Switchback LED lighting is not very appealing and can be visually jarring to other road users.

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1963 Corvette GS Chaparral by Dick Coup at National Corvette Museum

The Corvette Museum faced a big setback this week: a giant sinkhole under the museum’s grand pavilion caved in, taking eight Corvettes into the deep soil underneath in the process. Bowling Green is quite nearby to Mammoth Cave, and the geology of the region is tricky to build on. So, is it curtains for this Bowling Green landmark just before the huge 20th-anniversary celebration this fall? Absolutely not. First off, the Corvette Museum owns hundreds of acres of land. The new motorsports park across the road has plenty of room for a ne location, or the current spot could simply …

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Koenigsegg One:1 Still Vmax King, But Under Threat by Huayra, Venom GT, McLaren P1 and LaFerrari

When it comes to hypercars, buyers have a variety of distinct priorities for their new baby. Subjective appeal is the name of the game– even while the power and performance stats from all the big-league hypercars are far into the stratosphere. But are there any universal qualities a hypercar must embody? Yes, I’m glad you asked. A handful of these are below: — extremely violent speed and track pace — exclusivity and image — curb appeal — sex appeal — daily drive-ability via street-legal emissions and safety — performance kudos and/or racing pedigree The Koenigsegg Agera s and Agera R …

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Update2 — RM Auctions Paris Gala Brings Out the Global Jet Set… But Also High Reserves

RM is a real class act. This Blenheim, Ontario-based automotive specialist auction house took the best possible route to the European collector’s market via a glittering February 5th, 2014 Gala in Paris. For a relative new-comer in the seven-figure classic car world, RM is making all the right moves. Did they arrive in Paris with a variety of old Mustangs and Corvettes? Nope — not a single yank tank is in the top-thirty list from this event. The hand-crafted list of cars includes a number of unique and special pieces with extra relevance to France and European racing history. Names …

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Swoopy 1955 D-type JAGUAR Tops All Comers with $5M Total in Fabulous RM Auctions Paris Gala 3

Swoopy 1955 D-type JAGUAR Tops All Comers with $5M Total in Fabulous RM Auctions Paris Gala

Both my gorgeous French Racing Blue favorites could not approach the total earned by this BRG stunner from Jaguar the other week in Paris. RM Auctions delivered a possible world-record Jaguar total with the sale of this flawless 1955 D-type for just over $5 million on February 5th, 2014. Stay tuned for more details in the next few minutes via an upcoming article. But wanted to highlight the exceptional nature of this D-type Jaguar. Well bought and well sold — a rare combination. Photos courtesy of RM Auctions. Thankyou!

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~2.9s to 60MPH Lamborghini Huracan — Exclusive Videos, Colorizer and Options — Inside and Out + Tech Specs

Shock! Our DIY Colorizer of the Lamborghini Huracan from December was a bit wilder than the actual palette of colors offered from Lamborghini this time around. Yes, there is Mantis Green and a few yellows and even a Creamsicle orange shade. The 90-second video below is a must-watch drift and burnout feat. It is part of the Hexagon Project web series for the Huracan’s launch — which basically sends two Brits to Italy on a mission to hoon the newest, hottest Lambo in the world.   All-new double-clutch box, 3.2-seconds to 62-mph, and a much more pronounced rear torque bias …

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Update1 – 2015 Lamborghini Huracan – Exclusive Color Visualizer + Latest Close-up, High-Res Images

[Orig Published on: Dec 25, 2013 @ 20:32] One of the best parts of owning and cherishing a Lamborghini is a custom color and style. The options are almost limitless in terms of color and flamboyance – the Huracan is one of a small group of hypercars that is even cooler when painted a shocking orange, bright green, or Lamborghini yellow. Much as Lamborghini knows flawless custom colors and mods for customer cars – the initial images from the launch last week show a bizarre dark yellow that is popular in Europe at the moment (see recent mega galleries Huracan …

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Car-Revs-Daily Recommends: Black Magic Tire Foam — DIY Touchless Shine + Cuts Brake Dust/Wheel Grease

Tires are by far the dirtiest and most soiled part of any car. This makes sense — they touch all the ickiest parts of the road and rubber traps dirt far more deeply than painted finishes of any kind. Black Magic Tire Wet Foam is my preferred option for a touchless shine on any tire. Note: the tires can be wet or dry when you apply, but generally this should go on after a car wash has cleaned the tires as best it can. No endless pumping of a washer handle is needed with this aerosol, nor is there any …

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American Daredevils premiered this week on History Channel courtesy of a very nice lead-in from the all-star Top Gear USA. Sharing audiences between these two show makes really good sense, and American Daredevils had us hooked after just the first 40 minutes. The premise of the show is this: crews follow the career and life struggles of three stunt teams, weaving intricate plots and story details that dove-tail with the explosive stunts. The best comparison we can think of for American Daredevils is between Shipping Wars and the previous stunt episodes from Fifth Gear. Where the Fifth Gear team would consult mathematicians and physicists over a month or more lead-up to a big stunt (like the car loop special), American Daredevils is more along

Awesome Car TV Show: American Daredevils on History Channel

Awesome New Car TV Show: American Daredevils on History Channel Some new television pilots seem so perfect that it is hard to believe it took so long to execute the idea. History Channel’s all-new series American Daredevils is one of those ‘just right’ cocktail of car-guy mechanical passion, reality and character-driven plots, and a DVR-full of demo derby style stunts that often have a jarring finish. American Daredevils premiered this week on History Channel courtesy of a very nice lead-in from the all-star Top Gear USA. Sharing audiences between these two show makes really good sense, and American Daredevils had …

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Supercar Icons – 1969 McLaren M6GT vs. F1 vs. P1 – Style and Specs Compared

[Orig Published on: Dec 30, 2013 @ 19:14 Only one of these LT1-powered road cars was officially made by McLaren. At the time, “by McLaren” literally meant that Bruce’s racing crew had created a road car for the boss. The saying goes that the original M6GT was his daily driver: attending events and developing the production plans of this racing prototype for the road. His plan was for a run of 250 cars, but only three more were created by Trojan, a fellow racing shop with the ability to complete the street-legal fiberglass bodywork, doors, and all the other trimmings …

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1968 Corvette ASTRO and ASTRO II Concepts at the National Corvette Museum + Ferrari and Bugatti-style Concepts 8

1968 Corvette ASTRO and ASTRO II Concepts at the National Corvette Museum

The Corvette Museum is fantastic. So much so that reviewing my visit’s 350+ photos is a bit mind-boggling. Organizing the coverage into topic chunks seems most logical versus one massive article. The below video highlights these Astro concepts briefly… before my iPhone conked out of battery life mid-filming. Good times. Let’s dive in to these exceptional concept Corvettes in the Engineering and Prototype room. The Astro and Astro II are both from 1968, and show the deep divide over where to take the Corvette C3 in its 1970’s iteration. They show a wild expression of streamlined principles across the board, …

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Video: 2014 Corvette Stingray IVERS Prototype at Nat’l Corvette Museum is Rare Snapshot of C7 Pre-Production Engineering

The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky was a brilliant way to spend a Friday morning last week. This museum is huge and stocked with some of the most unique Corvettes ever made. But more likely — not ever made. America’s Sports Car has undergone seven drastic re-births in its 61-year lifespan. In order to ensure the next-gen Corvette’s success through the years, hundreds (if not thousands) of one-off prototypes and concepts were crafted to evaluate big ideas before series production. The museum charmingly covers the entire Corvette story since 1951 or so when Zora sent his famous letter …

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2014 Maserati Ghibli Looking, Sounding Marvelous -- 40+ All-New, High-Res Photos -- Available Now from $67k 4

2014 Maserati Ghibli Looking, Sounding Marvelous — 40+ All-New, High-Res Photos — Available Now from $67k

Took a bit of time to meet the all-new, 410-horsepower Maserati Ghibli S Q4 in person today in Charleston, South Carolina.   I’m pretty smitten with this sexy twin-turbocharged sports sedan — even more so after some time up close! The excellent Maserati Super Bowl commercial sets the tone for this bellowing Italian stallion. The Ghibli is available in two trims: standard from about $67,000 and the Ghibli S Q4, which carried a sticker of $94,000. Please enjoy these images ahead of a more thorough test-drive video in the coming weeks – and this quick slideshow featuring the Ghibli’s rich …

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Polestar Brings BTCC 850R Style to America! 2014 Volvo S60 and V60 Wagon — Chicago Debut — 4.7s to 60MPH — Summer Arrival

The Volvo renaissance just hit max boost before squealing all four tires on its full-throttle launch back to greatness. The Volvo racing legend grows for 2014 with the American debut of the S60 and V60 Polestar today in Chicago.   As with many blue-sky dream sessions among Volvo R wagon lovers, the enhancements to the S60 and V60 are deceptively simple. Huge boost via giant new turbocharger, new high-capacity boost cooler Styling overhaul outside and in 3.5-inch exhaust drums in back Brembo brakes large enough to stop a Bentley in heat and Ohlins dampers all around The stats are very …

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The Curious Case of the BMW Z4’s 90% Sales Drop Since 2003 – Near $70k Pricing and German Assembly Both Big Factors

The BMW Z4. Yesterday we explored the Zagato restyles of the 2012 Z4 Roadster and Zagato Coupe – which are not exactly gorgeous and arguably look much worse than even the OEM BMW Z4. This is a major problem for the Z4 when its new prices, positioning and German assembly are taken into account. In the 10 years between 2003 and 2013, sales in the U.S. and Canadian markets for the Z4 have logged a calamitous 90-plus percent drop. The Z4’s sales stats from GoodCar-BadCar.net paint the picture very clearly. We prepared the above chart based on the GoodCar-BadCar data …

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2014 Mazda MX-5 Club Brings New Colors, Dark Wheels, Gloss Black Accents and Power Hardtop Option from $26,000

The next MX-5 is in the home stretch of development in Japan ahead of an expected debut some time in 2014 or early 2015, with deliveries to America set to start shortly afterward. The next MX-5 will spawn an Alfa Romeo Spider twin, with both built to quality standards Fiat could not dream of achieving without Mazda’s Hiroshima-based talent. Development of the MX-5 is the cornerstone of Mazda’s sports car teams these days – and for good reason! The MX-5 is the ultimate track-day thriller: with enough power to feel the rush but also enough playfulness to really test your …

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My Car In Detailed Turntable Animations + 30 Photos -- 2006 Subaru Legacy GT Limited  3

Found! The Lowest-Grip Surface on Planet Earth – Wet and Frozen Tennessee Red Clay

Second to the military’s new anti-traction gel: the red clay of the Tennessee Valley must be the slickest surface known to man. Red clay soil has a variety of strange properties depending on its temperature and internal water content. In the middle of winter just between Douglas Lake and the big highway, off CR 411: I found my bliss. The roads nearby are also pretty thrilling to drive for someone with too much city traffic experience. My back-seat companions Drake and Tank also liked this rest stop: check out little Tank sprinting his heart out to catch up with his …

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Concept Flashback: Zagato Draws A Blank Trying to Make 2012 BMW Z4 Roadster and Z4 Coupes Sexy Again

The 2012 BMW Z4 faced a real crisis of confidence. While overall roadster sales have fallen off a cliff since 2009, the Z4’s problems are even more severe.  From an all-star BMW style icon … into a niche-within-a-niche model that tallies sales in the hundreds per year? But was the styling of the fourth-gen car partly to blame? The original Z3 was such a smash hit – I can clearly recall being smitten with this humdrum four-banger roadster. Even on steel wheels, it look fantastic. Even with just a 20-second James Bond Goldeneye cameo its only claim to fame at …

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2015 BMW 428i and 435i Gran Coupes Bring Wide, Low Style + xDrive, 4 Doors and Huge Trunks – Arriving Summer 2014 From $43,000

The BMW Gran Coupe and Gran Turismo strategy is finally starting to make sense. It really comes down to sporty proportions in the GC’s versus the taller and more limo-like roominess of the GT’s. There is still some inevitable overlap in the model lines – most notably with the 3GT versus this 4GC – but generally this idea lets all buyers have the best of all worlds. Wearing the aggressive, low and wide styling of the new 435i and 428i two-doors, the Gran Coupes offer a huge wheelbase stretch for limo-like rear legroom and that huge top-hinged tailgate. Overall, the …

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#ZeroCompetition True for 2014 Nissan GT-R: Bentley GT Too Big, Porsche 911 Turbo Too $$, But Lambo Huracan Gunning for R35

In terms of #ZeroCompetition – The GT-R’s performance really does stack up amazingly well versus almost any other hypercar. To have an Audi R8 that can really compete takes the V10 Plus S-tronic AWD – and a $180k price. Similar story with the Porsche 911 Turbo – which bases for around $150,000, but is easy to spec up to $180k once all is said and done. The only surprise listing? The Jaguar F-Type V8 S – which is quoted by ChromeData as delivering a cool 495-horsepower in U.S. spec. This bodes well for a 600HP R-S eventually from Jag! Amazing. …

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2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 – Red Interior / White Exterior Showcase

The Ghibli has a rich history, with great appreciation here for the interior leathers, high-speed pace and exterior style of the original 71 SS models, in particular. That is, to say nothing of the quite rare Spyder, of which only 20 were produced for sale. It is with this great history and cache that the Ghibli name is reborn. It is pronounced “Ghheee Bhhleeee” or thereabouts. WIth a gelato in one hand and una Bella in the other, the name sounds and feels right. Enjoy these images of the 2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4, and cruise over to ghibli.maserati.com for …

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2015 FELINO cB7 Official Debut - High-Res Images 13

All-New $100k Supercar – 2015 FELINO cB7 Looks Delicate, Actually Feral: 2500Lbs + 525HP 6.2L V8!

This track-attack two-seater might look like a teardrop, but it is ready with explosive V8 power at the flick of a claw. First things first, however: this prototype is wearing composite glass — a testament to the racing pedigree of A.Bessette, the founding gent. That is why the mounting and glare characteristics are like a race car. But if ever in a hard crunch, plexi is always safer. And much lighter. The prototype FELINO has a top-hinged windshield. Founding spirit, I tell you! Alfresco options too… but I digress. FELINO is living the dream. When this FELINO initially came across …

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Angelo Grenato - Delta Concept 12

Future Design Talent Showcase: Angelo Granata and His Lancia Delta Integrale Concept

It will take some stunning design ideas to shock Lancia back to fighting form of the 037 and Delta HF days. So here they are. And from an Italian local, no less! Sometimes passion for a brand gets so brittle that designers have no option but to try and DIY it. Angelo Granata‘s Delta Integrale is very promising, because it appears to crack a design riddle that still flummoxes Fiat and Alfa-Romeo. What is the Fiat design issue? Execution. They need Angelo Granata‘s help. Beautiful concepts, hideous production cars. Chopped front overhangs grow and grow like Pinocchio’s nose during crash …

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M Performance Catalog Offers Hundreds of Ways to Up the Drama and Road Presence of 335i, 535i, M3 and even the X5 and X6 50

X5 and X6 M Become Dreamy Racing SUVs with BMW M Performance Makeovers

How great do these M Performance cars look in Alpine white? The color contrast with dark carbon-fiber pieces is very intense and serious. But the best news of all? Any carbon-fiber exterior pieces will not need to be paint-matched on the car. This saves time and serious money for owners seeking M Performance style. The X5 M and X6 M are already very tough trucks, and fast enough to dust off most sports cars in stoplight drag-races. The snappy BMW automatic and turbo power feel unstoppable on full throttle. Like a runaway train coming down a mountain! But the X5 …

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M Performance Doubles the Drama and Road Presence of 335i, 535i and M3 With Huge Upgrades List

BMW’s M Performance team definitely has a style all its own. Centered around dark-grey carbon-fiber racing enhancements – the upgrades go all the way under the hood, in the cabin and even out back with the performance exhausts heard below. This is a comparison between the standard 535i exhaust note, versus the M Performance 535i’s exhaust note. Very convincing evidence, I must say. Hopefully the file plays for you.   Here’s a showcase of some of the parts available from M Performance. Despite the emphasis on the 335i and only the M versions of the SUVs —- the vast majority …

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Jaguar Makes a WINNER!  2015 F-type Coupe Debuts Three Gorgeous Flavors, Pricing, Up to 550 HP!4

Update: Jaguar F-TYPE – British Villains – #GoodToBeBad Super Bowl Commercial – World Debut

I love this new #GoodToBeBad campaign. It allows Jag to vamp up its image in full 1080P glory, but closes with a relatively lighthearted ‘flip.’ The creative insight of trusty — slash —evil Englishmen is right on the mark. My only thought: beware of Vampire creativity along with the new dark-themed shots. The Super Bowl ad environment is *very* fast, so perhaps more car time? Who knows. Every creative shop is scrambling to debate re-edits. But Jaguar, if this “ISCI” code and traffic instructions are already sent — well done. [tv jargon=] Final well-wishes: This campaign seems right on the …

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Powerkit for Porsche 911 Carrera S

Powerkit for Porsche 911 Carrera S – Sport Classic Engine Upgrades Bring Rumble Exhaust

For many Porsche 911 owners, the rumble from out back becomes one of the car’s most loved and central features. Far more than a gimmick, the 911 breathes directly from the wind ‘backflow’ at the rear of the car at high speeds.   Ideally, the Carrera S Powerkit will sound much like the Sport Classic below: Like it’s own pressure chamber, the spoiler’s effectiveness is required to channel that cold air directly into this once-air-cooled engine setup. 430HP is on tap, a jump from 400. Classic 911 RS Wind tunnel Image credit: Stuttcars.com Sidebar: found this on Pinterest yesterday via …

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2014 Porsche 911 Targa4 and Targa4S - Roof Animations of 400HP Surf 'n Turf Supercar 3

2014 Porsche 911 Targa4 and Targa4S – Roof Animations of 400HP Surf ‘n Turf Supercar

Any readers recall the flip-book from Mitsubishi when launching the 3000GT Spyder in 1995? Such a simple idea: 100 pages of roof in sequence while retracting. But that little red flipbook made the 3000GT Spyder the star of the year’s auto shows. If there were ever a car whose features would benefit from a CarRevsDaily animation, it must be the new 911 Targa. The 911 Targa and Porsche’s 360-degree spinners are perfect inspirations for a modern-day “moving picture” of the Targa’s showpiece. Far more than just the elaborate moonroof of the most recent previous-gen Targa models — this is a …

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RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part3 – 1936 Delahaye Type 135S 17

RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part3 – 1936 Delahaye Type 135S

Despite being the third entry in this series of articles, the 1936 Delahaye 135S is my sentimental favorite ahead of RM Auctions Paris Gala on February 5th. Online bidding is available – with full details near bottom of this article. French Racing Blue might be the subliminal theme of the auction, which also includes 50-plus legendary racecars and priceless classics. You can sense the excitement in the preview program for this Delahaye in particular. Another close favorite in this genre is the Gordini 53S – featured in a previous article here. The video of the Gordini at full throttle is …

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2014 BMW 228i and M235i 42

2014 BMW 228i and M235i Herald New Dawn of 5-second RWD Coupes from $33k

If there is one downside of the new 428i’s butch stance and wide proportions, it might be the price that comes along with it. Not sure if you’ve been keeping track, but it is extremely easy to spend $60,000 on a loaded 3 or 4 series BMW these days. So what if legroom in back could be sacrificed in a big wheelbase chop, along with fewer pounds from these tight new overhangs? You will would land on the all-new 228i and M235i. The 228i starts just below $33,000 in its sport line trim. The 228i’s official sprint time is 5.5 …

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Best Day Ever -  BMW X1 M Sport - 77 Action Photos 29

With Deepest Apologies to BMW – My Best Day Ever – 2013 X1 M Sport Video + 77 Action Photos

While I am on the naughty list in general – I cannot help but share this amazing video. Previously unpublished due to stern language – read too late – on the pressie loan. As many readers will know, the videos of me so far are only “okay.”  They desperately need editing and better production values — but I am only one man. My best video so far was from the 2013 BMW X1 sDrive28i M Sport loaner from July 2013. I was in such a panic after spending perhaps 100 hours editing this video. Videos are hard to shoot, let …

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RM Auctions Paris Feb 2014 - 1982 Porsche 956 Group C Sports-Prototype 13

RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part2 – 1982 Porsche 956-004 Group C

What would happen if the long-body racers from the late 1960s could be made stronger, lighter and 3X as quick around corners? Turbocharging and advanced aerodynamics in this 956 Group C racer were paramount to winning championships – as were high-speed pace and near-unbreakable reliability. It added up to a world-beating racing program for much of the 1980s for Porsche. The dream is very much alive today – with 620-horsepower and fantasy track thrills – and will be auctioned on February 5, 2014 in Paris by RM Auctions. 1982 Porsche 956 Group C Sports-Prototype – To be auctioned on Wednesday, …

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RM Auctions - Paris 2014 Previews - 1969 Lola T70 Mk IIIb by Sbarro20

RM Auctions – Paris 2014 Preview Series, Part1 – 1969 Lola T70 Mk IIIb by Sbarro

Wow. RM Auctions had a record year in 2013, with a top-five list so classy there are barely any non-Duesenbergs. But things are even brighter so far in 2014. The Porsche below is one example. 1961 Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder – Sold for $2,750,000 on Thursday, January 16, 2014   Chassis no. 718-066 Engine no. P90316 This is part one in a series of articles highlighting a handful of favorites ahead of the Place Vauban on February 5th from 5pm. A selection of the 50-plus cars being sold that night will be on display February 4th, after the International …

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2014 Audi SQ5 Brings 350-plus HP - Buyers Guide Colors - Q-car Appeal 2

2014 Audi SQ5 – The Best of All Worlds? Big Power, Lux Cab, High Fashion

The Audi Q5 is heating up! Since its light refresh last year, this capable, superfast and classy crossover is passing many established players on the sales charts. This is no fluke: the Q5 is perhaps the ultimate all-season, all-cargo sports car these days. Imagine the pace and cabin of the RS7 — but in a deceptively stylish crossover shell. The SQ5 might not have that last 10-percent of track-day flair versus its upcoming Macan sibling, but Audi is competing to win. Even within the Volkswagen Group, where the teams genuinely respect and collaborate across brands and specialties, competitiveness is only …

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2014 Audi Q5 Hybrid Shows Guts of 2.0-liter TFSI: 245HP and 354 Lb-Ft … Without The Electrics!

The Audi Q5 is really becoming a huge, huge success for Audi in America. Unlike many markets, there really is no volume ceiling in the premium mid-size SUV segment.   Without stats on hand: the Q5 in any flavor and any color is definitely one of the fastest cars out the door of Audi dealers nationwide. The Flavors include the below options, with a Hybrid snuck in at the buzzer. Pricing for the Hybrid Prestige matches the SQ5 with a base price in the $52,000 range. What seems most exciting about the Hybrid is that its wick is cranked far …

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2015 WRX STI Even Quicker and More Playful – Buyers Guide, Trims, Specs

Quicker and more playful!? Yes sir – the new STI also looks far better equipped than ever before. The 2015 WRX STI debuted yesterday in Detroit – wearing a cool new style and packing benefits under every body panel. The key highlights are listed below from Subaru, but really come down to three items: — All-new engine with more eager power delivery, 305 HP, and more SI-Drive modes — ‘Remastered’ suspension tuning, 41-percent-stiffer chassis, and a much quicker steering rack — Interior worthy of $35,000 performance car – with luxury features and tech that are all new to the STI …

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Acura TLX Prototype Is Actually Quite Handsome + New 8-Speed and 9-Speed Transmissions

The 2015 TLX concepts from the Detroit show are packing huge advancements under that newly-stylish profile. In fact, this front or AWD sedan is on the bleeding edge of technology across all Honda and Acura models. How? —  New eight-speed twin-clutch automatic for the 2.4-liter —  New nine-speed torque converter auto for the 3.6-liter V6 Certainly raised my eyebrows, in a good way! As does the styling. Despite sharing many family traits with terminal RLX sedan, the TLX prototype is really quite handsome. The once-controversial grille has even evolved into a much more cohesive and attractive shape. Organic flow replaces …

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CarRevsDaily

KIA GT4 STINGER Concept — Track Thrills — RWD Layout — 315HP Turbo — Lightweight Aero Shell

This KIA GT4 Stinger Concept headline took many tries to get right! Here are the key details: – Superlightweight and low proportions – Rear-drive, 315-horsepower turbo 2.0-liter – Sleek shape with black-frame glasshouse and very sexy nose – Concept. – Subaru BR-Z dynamics we all want – But far more speed: 115 extra horsepower versus 2.0-liter atmospheric boxer in BR-Z I like the styling from most angles, and think it will be extremely cool in black. THe rear end seems a bit too streamlined for my tastes, but does have a big hatchback cargo area versus the BRZ’s tiny, tiny …

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Toyota Pacific Design CALTY teams 1978 and 2014 GIF

Toyota CALTY Design Teams – Then with 1978 Celica and Now with 2014 FT1 Concept

I was going to add these charming images from Toyota to the FT1 article from earlier today – but decided to feature this talented team in a stand-alone article.   The below image shows the CALTY team with one of their first full projects, the hugely-successful 1978 Celica. This Celica eventually became the Celica Supra, and then the Supra we all know and love.   The Celica was a surprise global hit outside its core US market, providing Toyota the platform to affordable high-performance sports cars. The 2000GT, for all its brilliant alloy panels and optional automatic gearbox – was …

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Surprise! Drop-Dead Sexy Toyota Supercar Playable in GT6 and Previewing SUPRA 5

Surprise! Drop-Dead Sexy Toyota FT-1 Supra Joins Greatest Car Show on Earth

When any Toyota bumps the Porsche 911 Targa down a notch in my cue, you know it must be something amazing.   The new Supra. This concept is tagged the FT-1, and billed as the ultimate two-seat racing coupe. The FT1 is simply breathtaking. Wow. All those renderings look like absolute childs play compared with the final vision from Toyota.     Huge swooping panels almost recall the TVR Tuscan in their flowing symmetry. A ducktail forms part of a thin top trunk outline in a gorgeous way that also helps aero. An active spoiler is featured as well. The …

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2015 Z06 – Official Debut in 40 Super High Resolution Images + Tech Specs: 8-sp Manual or Optional Auto

Holy NAIAS, Batman – look at the production 2015 Corvette Z06! Last week, we highlighted a number of details from the Gran Turismo 6 Corvette concept that seemed to show the way forward for the Z06.       The best part for me was that the GT6 concept sat in the PlayStation section of CES, with barely a second glance given to it by passers-by. The GT6 concept now appears to have been a “work in progress” — because the real-life Z06 is far more hardcore in almost every way. One fantasy element has made it to the Z06 …

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Cadillac ATS 2.0T Looks Beautiful in Latest Night Photos in Bonn, Germany

There is news rumbling about the future of the Cadillac ATS – and all signs point to huge, twin-turbo power and perhaps even a coupe shell. The name so far is as expected: ATS Coupe. Other rumors? New Caddy crest emblem – without the wreath. This will be one seriously fast machine with 400-plus horsepower. Rear-drive and manual transmission seem like the initial configuration preference for the V series Cadillac, but AWD and a snappy new auto could be in the cards as well. Worth noting is that the ATS is a bit smaller and nimbler than the new RC …

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2014 Q60 IPL Convertible

2014 Infiniti Q60 IPL Coupe and Cabrio – Specs, Pricing and Trim Details

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 some huge power, as well as a rear-drive platform that is already very performance-focused.   What else? The Infiniti Q60 IPL is absolutely worth considering when in the $40,000-plus …

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Standaufnahme    Farbe: Plasmarot

Audi Sport Quattro – Design Analysis – Deconstructed Headlight Styles

Audi’s latest concepts might feel familiar, but actually bring a slew of new ideas to maintain sales momentum as the firm enters more new segments than ever. New shapes of crossovers and hybrids are critical to maintain momentum for the company, which achieved a best-ever 1,455,123 units sold globally in calendar 2013. Also impressive: Audi is active in 100-plus countries – which is about double the footprint of most luxury brands. While many tout the success of Lexus and other luxury new-comers, Audi is really the comeback king. There were years in the late 1980s when Audi of America could …

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Audi RS5 Taming U.S. Racetracks with New Colors and Black Ops from $70k

The Audi RS5 is a truly astounding car. With so much atmospheric power from this racing V8 and the Audi’s class-best dynamics in the wet: the RS5 even seems like a supercoupe that could be driven hard in bad weather. Not something most summer-tired supercars would attempt. Dan Neil noted some traction issues when reviewing the twin-turbo RS7 last month in his Wall Street Journal column – which might be related to RS7’s big-boost layout versus the RS5’s naturally-aspirated engine. For the time being, the Lexus RC F and BMW M4 appear to keep their rear-drive layouts. But AWD is …

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Boom! Lexus RC F Goes Supersonic in 41 Images – LEDs, Interior, Air Scoops, Active Aero…

The hottest Lexus since the LFA has just landed in America: the RC F coupe takes all the race-ready V8 power and rear-drive performance from the previous IS F, and absolutely cranks the knob off. We’re preparing an article on the Lexus RC F’s styling versus its two key rivals: the BMW M4 and Audi RS5. In doing so, we’ve gathered a number of additional screenshots from Lexus’s B-roll video in order to show the coolest unseen parts of the RC F: the sports coupe’s brand-new LED lighting, hood venting, and active rear spoiler! This car looks intense from almost …

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Lexus RC F GIF

Boom! Lexus RC F Goes Supersonic in 41 Images – LEDs, Interior, Air Scoops, Active Aero…

The hottest Lexus since the LFA has just landed in America: the RC F coupe takes all the race-ready V8 power and rear-drive performance from the previous IS F, and absolutely cranks the knob off. We’re preparing an article on the Lexus RC F’s styling versus its two key rivals: the BMW M4 and Audi RS5. In doing so, we’ve gathered a number of additional screenshots from Lexus’s B-roll video in order to show the coolest unseen parts of the RC F: the sports coupe’s brand-new LED lighting, hood venting, and active rear spoiler! This car looks intense from almost …

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2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Spec Adds Power + Dark Glamour to SWB and LWB 4-Doors 3

2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Spec Adds Power + Dark Glamour to SWB and LWB 4-Doors

There almost are no words to properly convey the quality and luxury of every single detail in the 2014 Rolls-Royce model lineup versus normal cars. Speed and handling during my Wraith press drive in November was very, very impressive – this platform has fantastic poise, but enough movement and sway when being pushed hard to remind you about the speedometer. Wraith’s fun-to-flog nature is important because Many of the fastback’s sportier elements are introduced for the first time on Ghost V-Spec cars.   I am smiling at my desk as I type. While many fast cars make it seem “easy” …

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CarRevsDaily

BMW 328d and 328i Wagons Back in U.S. for 2014 – Buyers Guide

Fast wagons are cooler than ever in 2014. Even a lowly Jetta Sportwagen on dark steel winter wheels can cause a double-take. They are rare, and achieve a low-roof profile that all the sportiest SUVs envy. Even better? Sweeping on-ramps and highway curves can be confidently driven fast, on throttle, with family and kids in the back. Try the same thing in many SUVs, and there will be much more body roll and potential life partner jabs to ribs. Slow down!     But the low, low center of gravity is like a gift that keeps on giving with the …

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MY2015 GLA45 AMG

Production-Spec 2015 GLA45 AMG Looking Gorgeous Without Concept Stickers

When it rains, it pours! And when it pours, rear-drive sports cars must crawl along the highway at anything above 70 or 80 mph. Sure, you can go fast in the rain in your high-power, rear-drive machine — but any wheel slip can become a serious problem. That is the key reason the new generations of AMG Mercedes-Benz models will be optimized for rear-drive hoon-ability, but standard 4Matic AWD for high-speed, all-weather confidence. The GLA45 is the perfect example of this new breed of sub-Macan-Turbo sporting models from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The X1 M Sport xDrive35i is about as …

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CarRevsDaily

2014 Porsche 911 Racers Compared: 991 RSR vs 991 GT3 Cup vs 997 GT3 R

The latest 2014 Porsche 911 RSR looks quite different from its most recent relatives in the 911 racing side of the Porsche family tree. This roundup shows three of the most hardcore 911 racers that will contest the 2014 seasons across various series around the world. Yes, the rules from all these racing groups will be very different in how much enhancement is allowed: from the road-car side of the spectrum in the 991 GT3 Cup, all the way to the pure prototype RSR model. The RSR is a seriously hardcore racing machine that will howl its boxer six bellow …

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Corvette GT6 markup

2014 Corvette C7.R and Z06 – Stingray Gran Turismo Concept Offers Best Clues Yet

The Corvette C7.R and the new Z06 will make their debuts together next week at the first press conference of the first press day in Detroit. 2014 C7.R Monterey Rollout – (Pebble Beach, August 2013) Chevy is in just about the finest pre-show condition it has been in years: the model lines are almost all fresh or forthcoming, and the new arrivals to Chevy dealers in calendar year 2014 mean this Detroit show needs to do its job. Forecast calls for massive press blitz for all the latest new models from General Motors: – 2015 Suburban/Yukon/Escalade – 2015 Silverado and …

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2014 Camaro Z/28

2014 Camaro Z/28 Engineering Upgrades and Specs Detailed

If the old BMW adage was “one bratwurst, three lengths…” — the new Camaro is selling Nurburgring stamina by the pound like ground chuck. As the aero animation above shows, this was a global project on a huge, long-term scale. Aero studies like these are mesmerizing to behold – but are only the beginning of the Z/28 Camaro story. The Z/28 is a really stunning piece of machinery. It follows all paths toward achieving its 7:37.447 lap time – in the rain – in October 2013.   Italian Trofeo R tires are a Camaro first, as are Brembo carbon brakes …

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RM Auctions Paris 2014 - 1953 Gordini 24S GIF1

HD Video – 1953 Gordini 24S Blasts Around Its Favorite Tracks Before RM Auctions Paris Sale

 This car defies logic. On one hand, it looks adorable and cute. So narrow and low, with the blue bodywork peeled back around the exhaust manifold and the straight-cut pipes. Watch the below… The Gordini starts to howl at about the half-way mark of this video preview. Kudos to its bold driver, who is not shy with the loud pedal. Firing up the 24S takes a prod onto an organ-stop switch – included as the fuel cutoff for racing. This very car won the Tour de France (a car race at the time…) and also traded paint with Porsche and …

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Iconic Classic Supercars: 1965 Bizzarrini Strada Alloy 5300GT One of Most Influential Cars, Ever

Ever the tornado of creativity and speed, Ferrari was quite volatile in the early 1960s. For every race they won, it seems like a failed buyout from Ford and the epic ‘palace revolution’resulted in a big brain drain for Maranello. Competing hot-shot engineers would form nearly a dozen competing supercar marques, including Lamborghini, De Tomaso, Iso, ATS, ASA and Bizzarrini. Each led by a mastermind engineer, stylist, machinist or visionary, only Lamborghini’s brand was strong enough to make it to the 1970s and beyond. The Ferrari exodus left all these talented men with huge ideas, but less of a real …

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CarRevsDaily

Future VW SuperBeetle Options May Finally Entice More Dudes

A fifth and sixth Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily today? The 2012 SEMA SuperBeetle Concept, and the 2013 Beetle R Concept. 2012 SEMA – VWVortex.com SuperBeetle Concept 2013 Beetle R Concept A seventh Beetle featured on CarRevsDaily? Yes, the seventh is an extremely tough Dude Beetle, if there ever was one:the ABT Sportsline. 2011-2014 Volkswagen Beetle by ABT Sportsline – Exterior Upgrades —  ABT BEETLE: FRONT SPOILER —  ABT BEETLE: HEADLIGHT COVERS —  ABT BEETLE: REAR SKIRT SET —  ABT BEETLE: LICENCE PLATE INSERT —  ABT BEETLE: TAIL LIGHT COVERS —  ABT BEETLE: VALVE CAPS —  ABT BEETLE: SUSPENSION SPRINGS   …

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2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport from $19,470! Interior Updates, Galleries and Models

Mitsubishi’s biggest seller brings a number of updates for 2014 to increase refinement, style and interior technology.   2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – New or Updated Features —  Audio system head unit (ES model) —  Engine balancer shaft (all models) —  Newly designed steering wheel with audio controls (all models) —  Improved sound insulation (all models) —  HD Radio (SE model) —  6.1-in. touchscreen display audio system with rearview camera (SE model) —  MMCS navigation system with 7-in. high definition touch panel, voice command, 3D mapping, point-of-interest information, real-time traffic and Mapcare (with SE Touring Package) —  Black leather seating …

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2014 CLS45 AMG

Race Start Video: 2014 CLA45 AMG Shows Impressive Launch Drama + 4.5s to 60mph

Mercedes-Benz is evolving its marketing and product positioning drastically. Executive rumblings from a few years ago indicated the brand was making serious changes to lower its perceived demographic – but it all just seemed like lip service at the time. Well, the arrival of the CLA-Class surely confirms that they were very serious. Serious… about getting playful. The CLA is launching in the American market as the front-drive CLA250 and the all-wheel-drive CLA45 AMG. Both run a highly advanced new platform, engine, transmission and electronic architecture. What perhaps previously took 0.002 milliseconds to transfer info from rear ABS sensors on …

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CarRevsDaily

New Supercar or Vintage Racecar: The Case for Recreations + Quiz: Which is the Fake?

Here is the case for exotic, hand-crafted replica vintage racecars: They Exist. They did not hit the walls, or churn tires through bodywork, or reek of urine. They start the first time, and can be titled and driven on the roads. At Motor Classic & Competition in Westchester County, New York — the all-time best hero racecars come back to life, rumble onto 2014 streets, and perhaps even find a home in your garage. Most race-winning examples of anything need to be treasured and preserved; maintained and respected. To put it in plain language: the GT40s in this article are …

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CarRevsDaily

Update1 – Teaser Images Only – KIA GT4 Stinger Coupe to Pack 315HP Turbo

Update1: This article has been updated to remove some amateur renderings of the rear-drive coupe ahead of its show debut today. The real thing looks AMAZING! Kia is building buzz around the debut of its first RWD performance coupe with a new teaser image and an official name: the GT4 Stinger. That is an aggressive badge, and one that leaves room for this car to compete with the Ford Mustang or Subaru BRZ at one end, or perhaps even the BMW M6 on the top end. The Stinger GT4 is more likely to hit the market with a $32,000 price …

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CarRevsDaily

Update1 – Teaser Images Only – KIA GT4 Stinger Coupe to Pack 315HP Turbo

Update1: This article has been updated to remove some amateur renderings of the rear-drive coupe ahead of its show debut today. The real thing looks AMAZING! Kia is building buzz around the debut of its first RWD performance coupe with a new teaser image and an official name: the GT4 Stinger. That is an aggressive badge, and one that leaves room for this car to compete with the Ford Mustang or Subaru BRZ at one end, or perhaps even the BMW M6 on the top end. The Stinger GT4 is more likely to hit the market with a $32,000 price …

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Caterham Coming to America!  620R to be sold by Superformance (Without An Engine

Caterham Coming to America! 620R to be sold by Superformance (Without An Engine…)

Caterham just announced a U.S. distribution deal for its track-only car line via Irvine-based Superformance. Superformance is best known for its amazing Le Mans GT40 re-creations and other exotic sports cars, so the Caterham deal seems like a good fit to add some lightweight track racers to its customer brochures. The sales of rolling Seven 480 and 620R models will not include an engine, but Superformance retailers or their teams are likely to complete most assemblies for customers after the car is sold and titled. How great would a small-block Chevy V8 be in this tiny machine!  A Shelby Cobra …

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Voracious 12C Spider Demand Propels McLaren to Add 5 New Dealerships

Updates for the 2014 McLaren 12C Spider include a wider variety of Special Ops customization choices, a new Android operating system for infotainment, and dealerships a bit closer to home. McLaren is hot on the heels of Ferrari in the battle to monetize their racing pedigree with high-dollar sports car purchases. This track battle is much less about lap times – and more about huge cash flow. McLaren recently announced the addition of five more official retailers, taking the total to 20 dealers across Canada and the U.S. by mid 2014. This is still much less than Ferrari’s 49 total …

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Update1 – MINI Takes DAKAR Three-Peat with All4 Countryman Squad

Update 1 June 17, 2014 Okay, so this race was in January 2014. Which makes this is bit of a late update. But here is the short version: MINI dominated the 2014 Dakar Rally, winning its third title in three years. I’d be willing to wager that when the MINI crossover was born and christened a few years ago, it thought the Countryman name meant things like hiking, biking, rafting or just being near the woods. But now: Countryman has become “What Country Are We In?” via the long-range Dakar rally in South America starting January 5th, 2014. This is …

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Best of Awards – 2013 Cadillac Elmiraj – Most Provocative Concept

What else to say about the Elmiraj? It speaks for itself.   In my opinion, the real achievement of the Elmiraj is how faithfully its wild design is brought to the road. Anything can be rendered on CAD-CAM screens, but rarely does the finished product surpass the original idea. In this case, Cadillac has aced the test. Full house. Even if this exact car does not appear, the techniques on the interior, and especially the exterior style, surely sees the road right now as the stunning Cadillac CTS4.   Interior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Exterior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj …

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