Sports Cars

Acura Reveals Hand Built PMC Edition TLX and MDX Ahead of New York Debut [Video]

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With all the performance infused muscle that will be making their way onto the floor of the 2019 New York Auto Show, Acura did not want to be left out in the spring sunshine, and has revealed that attendees to this year’s show will recieve a unique surprise (two all new special edition models.) Dubbed the PMC edition, Acura claims that the basic framework for these special TLX and MDX models was inspired by the bespoke capabilities of the brand’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, with the TLX PMC driving home this point by being hand assembled at the facility. …

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Refreshed 2020 Audi TT-RS To Debut In New York

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It’s not too often that an automaker is tasked with making changes to arguably an already perfect offering, but the engineers at Audi were assigned with the unenviable challenge of updating what is arguably one of their best performance offerings for the 2020 model year, the TT-RS, and thankfully, they were able to make just enough changes to help it stay fresh, but without tainting the formula that has helped make the TT-RS a compelling buy among well heeled enthusiasts. At first glance, the changes might be hard to spot, with the 2020 TT-RS retaining a lot of the purposeful …

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2019 Ferrari P80/C Is Heavenly One-Off Based on 488 GT3 Car

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Ferrari has done an amazing job over the last five years at creating one-off machines for its most special customers.  From the Sergio to the FXX series and many more, Ferrari has found a way to make bespoke designs feasible for extremely limited production.  The 488 and its mid-engined platform has proven the perfect donor for many of these customs.  Perhaps Ferrari got the idea from the reborn Stratos that also reskinned the entry-level Ferrari? This latest example is a favorite so far. The design is extreme and pushes boundaries that production Ferrari models avoid. The hyper-rounded glasshouse and bubble …

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Dodge Unveils Widebody Charger Concept, Could Tease Production Model

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The fantasy of a Dodge Charger widebody variant has always resonated strongly in the minds of some enthusiasts, especially those that already enjoy the charms and unique curb appeal that defines the Challenger widebody. Dodge officials have listened to these ambitious dreams, and has unveiled a special Charger widebody concept. Unveiled at Spring Fest (an annual gathering for LX platform enthusiasts) Dodge claims that the concept is a near production prototype, which could mean that it could feasibly make its production debut after the 2020 model year. Visually, the concept retains alot of its Charger DNA, with the key change …

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2020 Toyota Supra Color Range Revealed

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With all the buzz and hype surrounding the unveiling of the reborn 2020 Toyota Supra sports car, it’s perhaps fitting that the newest item on Toyota’s news page is Supra related information, this time regarding the full suite of colors that buyers will be able to choose from. In addition to meeting one of the Launch Edition colors at the Supra’s NAIAS debut (Renissance Red,) the company also revealed that the other two launch colors will be Absolute Zero White, and Nocturnal Black with all three gaining red mirror caps and other contrasting accents as part of the Launch Edition …

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2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione – Gooding Amelia Island 2019 Highlight

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It is hard to predict which supercars will really stop you in your tracks when you find one in real life. We’ve certainly seen a few of these 8C’s in the flesh before but on this day the ultra-smooth, curvaceous bodywork seemed simply flawless. Timeless appeal. Even while the logical part of the brain cries out about the Maserati engine and chassis basis. And even while more modern machines beckon with their simmery LEDs and angular lines. Re-discovering the 8C’s design is interesting. It is even possible to trace its front fender shapes onto the 4C Spider.  Both cars are …

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2018 Morgan 3.7 Roadster – Gallery at Amelia Island Concours 2019

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Who knew that gloss black would look as good on some old-school wire wheels as it does on modern five-spoke alloys! This Morgan Roadster at Amelia Concours was a sight to behold – even sitting among its more powerful or more three-wheeled siblings in the Morgan range. Calling this the Morgan Roadster might seem slightly silly: aren’t they all roadsters, you might ask? That is besides the point. This is the V6 Roadster whose 5-second sprint to 60-mph and 140-mph top speed are perhaps the ideal performance levels for most shoppers.  Fast and fun with a 3.7-liter motor making 280HP, …

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2020 Shelby GT500 Embraces The St. Patricks Day Spirit With All New Grabber Lime Hue

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With all the hype and buzz that the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has generated since its debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in January, Ford has just recently begun to unleash some of the finer details that help define the performance oriented mission that is infused into this potent serpent. When we last met the 2020 GT500, it was in a wind tunnel where we had the opportunity to learn about some of the lengths that Ford went to maximize the GT500’s aerodynamic potential. This time however, Ford has a neat surprise that arrives just in …

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3D Printing and Super Computers Transform Mustang Into Slithering Serpent of Speed [Video]

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It’s no secret that the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is going to be the fastest Mustang that Ford has ever built, with the company being very confident in its ability to trounce Camaro ZL1s and Dodge Challenger Redeyes out on the track. But while Ford is still keeping the vaunted horsepower figure for the GT500 a closely guarded secret, the Detroit auto giant has released new details on some of the behind the scenes engineering that took place to help make sure that the GT500 could meet its full potential in hard track driving. Wheras the last generation GT500 …

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Updated – 1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia Island 2019

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Update: This car is still available after not meeting its reserve. A few new photos of the machine from Amelia. It passed the two million mark but not close enough to three, apparently. The car seems to be in a ‘between’ period between campy and classic. 1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia 2019 Check out this beauty!  The wild paintwork and the massive racing aero dwarf the tiny 911 basis for this racecar.  The result is a machine nearly as wide as it is long, and as fire-spitting as any on the world’s racetracks.  Power is estimated at 650HP, which …

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2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera – Startup Video & Gallery – Amelia Concours Highlight

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The DBS Superleggera is hard to preview in photos. We were blase about the machine overall and leaning toward thumbs-down on the design — before seeing one in the flesh at Amelia Concours. Witnessing this machine is enough to bring butterflies — even when parked next to a Countach and new Vantage. Nearby to McLarens galore and even the SCG-003C hypercar.  DBS simply has stage presence and curb appeal that is impossible to quantify. Impossibly cooler than its lightweight clamshell bonnet or wider tracks could imply on paper versus DB11. Of course, the fact that this vehicle has all the …

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Morgan Unveils All New Plus Six Roadster, Debuts New CX Platform

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When we last checked in with our friends at Morgan, they were teasing the future, shelving the V8 powered Aero, and promising a turbocharged future for their future models. With the Geneva Motor Show now upon us, Morgan has formally unveiled the fruits of their labor, with the all new Morgan Plus Six roadster which brings a number of new technologies to the Morgan brand. The exterior styling of the Plus Six may not look like its hiding much at first glance, with the Plus Six embracing the distinctively retro elements that have become an iconic calling card for the …

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2019 Ginetta Akula – Underdog Debut Pips Geneva Hypercar Elite

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We’re fans of underdog supercar maker Ginetta for a few reasons.  First of all is that they are actual racers. Most of the supercars that debut today will not have bona-fide tracktime in their futures, while this Akula certainly does. And secondly, for the functionality of their approach to sports cars. The spirit of the new Akula’s design vaguely recalls TVR from the wild old days.  This is not a machine that went  through dozens of focus groups and design evolutions.  This is a murderous slasher film in CFRP — all vents and intakes and outlets throughout the entire lower …

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2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept + RB-003 = Mid-Engine Mania!

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Aston just whipped the tarps of its fourth mid-engined car in as many years. The Vanquish Vision concept is a fascinating move away from front-engine, rear-drive layouts for the most special of Aston road cars.  Another shift is a new V6 that is set to power this vehicle upon arrival in 2022.  Aston famously ran straight-six motors for most of its glory days in the 1950s and 1960s so there is definitely precedent for a non-V8 or V12. Lightness is the name of the game for next Vanquish — and this Valkyrie junior has bonded aluminum structure and bodywork that …

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2019 Bugatti La Voiture Noire – 39-Photo Geneva Debut & Design Analysis

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Bugatti just revealed their coolest one-off exercise in nearly 80 years: the La Voiture Noire. The Black Car? Yes, but think of it as the Black Car with passion. Black as night, dark as sin. Black in the metaphorical sense. Every detail is dipped in black on this car – with its central single wiperblade and unique perforated striations in the panels. A mean and exotic one-off sports coupe with a fully redesigned and re-imagined take on the Chiron bones.  Bugatti is returning to its roots with one-offs thanks to the freedom from any price constraints and also a full-carbon …

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2019 Lynk & Co 03 Cyan Concept Is Next-Gen WTCR Racer

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Here is a Chinese import that takes Euro localisation seriously!  A C-segment sedan thoroughly upgraded to full race spec. A machine that embraces Euro dimensions and design while also appreciating the massive interest in all forms of racing. Making RenaultSport’s latest machines fast on track becomes a religion in itself for many. So here is a Lynk 03 sedan tuned to the max, and ready to attack! Like the bumper-bashing old Volvo 850R wagons battling Alfa 164’s of the BTCC! This machine is bonkers powerful at 528HP from a 2.0-liter four — all to the front wheels. To say its …

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2019 Toyota 86 GT 2

2019 Toyota 86 GT – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Someone said a bad thing. They said driving is on the way out. That people would rather Uber or Lyft than own a car of their own. That sports cars will be the first to go. Someone has not been in a Toyota 86. The Toyota 86 could be the ambassador for all things that car lovers love. And a little bit of time behind the wheel could convert a lot of skeptics too. Let the propaganda begin! Sports Car Ancestry.com The 86 is beautifully-designed. Time flies in auto-dom. When the 2013 FR-S appeared, it was a sensation – a …

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Road Test Review – 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF – By Carl Malek

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Perfection, how hard is it to indeed update an icon that has been winning over the hearts of enthusiasts for the past several decades? Mazda engineers had the unenviable task of bringing even more magic into the ND platformed MX-5 (aka the Miata,) which already had the formula for fun sports car ownership firmly baked into its DNA when it originally debuted in 2016. But is it really worth it to trade up to a 2019 MX-5 versus its older predecessors? We were keen to find out, and see if this newly refreshed MX-5 does indeed have the tools necessary …

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Volvo Reveals Polestar 2 EV Ahead of Geneva, Boasts 275 Mile Driving Range

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These days, the various claims of companies unveiling “Tesla Killer” entries has become a consistent and borderline repetitive narrative in the automotive industry. But the continued success of the Model 3 sedan, as well as the Model X and S do symbolize the rapid and dominating presence that Tesla has managed to achieve in the marketplace. But that hasn’t stopped Volvo from unveiling its Model 3 competitor, and it appears that at long last, another automaker has managed to create a contender capable of waging war with the Model 3 on equal terms. Dubbed the Polestar 2, the new EV …

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Chinese Sports Car Qiantu K50 Confirmed for New York Auto Show Debut

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In an announcement that was released earlier this week, California based Mullen Technologies and its Chinese partner Qiantu have revealed that the duo’s K50 sports car will be making its debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show in April, with both companies revealing that initial sales of the Qiantu K50 will begin in the U.S. market in 2020. Sports cars have come and gone over the years, so what makes the K50 stand out from the rest of this elite segment? For starters, it is a relatively well proportioned entry, that features an all aluminum body frame, and even …

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1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia Island 2019 Preview

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Check out this beauty!  The wild paintwork and the massive racing aero dwarf the tiny 911 basis for this racecar.  The result is a machine nearly as wide as it is long, and as fire-spitting as any on the world’s racetracks.  Power is estimated at 650HP, which is more than sufficient to scare the bejesus out of any driver! Favorite details include the oversized rear wheels with the magnesium heat shields in a deep dome shape.  And of course the whale tail and slant-nose front aero.  The silhouette is a thing of a million study-hall daydreams — but brought to …

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Gallery – Audi e-tron GT Concept

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The rumor  is that e-tron in French means excrement. If so, it is certainly a very shimmery and metallic form of it! The aggressive shoulders and surfacing ideas are the coolest part of this e-tron GT, a sibling of the Porsche Taycan coming next year with all-electric power.  And Tesla-tastic pricing likely above $100k. The cabin looks slightly tight at that price but who knows. The good news is that this machine appears imminent and the concept is a near-production look.  It is hard to evaluate the busy nose and tail in photos but we’re cautiously optimistic.  Quattro might be …

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Flawless 1994 Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo Targa 6MT – RM Amelia 2019 Preview

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The excitement for this summer’s hottest new sports car is palpable since the Supra bowed in Detroit last month.  Base price from $50k, a turbo straight six and handling that is sure to be a purist’s delight — that is the promise from Toyota for the 2020 Supra.  Even before the forthcoming Gazoo Racing ‘GR’ pack comes along with its stiffer springs and giant wing out back. What better time to appreciate and remember the Supra tha really cemented the badge’s reputation among performance enthusiasts: the Mk 4. This example is the best and most unmolested example we’ve seen in years.   …

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Volkswagen Teases 2020 Jetta GLI Sedan Ahead of Chcago Debut

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Volkswagen is primed and ready to showoff the new generation Jetta GLI at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show later this week, but before the sportiest of al;\l Jettas makes its mark, the German car giant has chosen to release a small teaser of what buyers can expect when the new and improved GLI eventually makes its way to dealerships later this year. Unlike the typical teaser campaign that usually begins with a lone teaser image usually from odd or even unorthodox angles, Volkswagen has chosen to release a small GIF image of the GLI going in and out of focus …

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Toyota/Subaru Refute Reports of Demise of GT86/BRZ, Confirm Next Generation Model Is In The Works

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Following a flurry of reports that suggested both the Toyota GT86 and the Subaru BRZ were not long for this world, representatives from Toyota and Subaru denied reports that both cars would be axed, and also revealed that work on the next generation Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ is already underway. While Toyota’s recent partnership with BMW on the Toyota Supra/BMW Z4 is currently center stage news these days, it can easy to be forget that Toyota also has a partnership with Japanese rival Subaru for production of the budget minded Toyota GT86 (aka the old Scion FR-S) and the …

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Toyota Teases GR Supra Performance Line Concept Ahead of February 9th

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Amid all the Toyota vehicles that will be making there debuts at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show next week, the Japanese auto giant has released a teaser sketch of a concept that will not make its in augural appearance in the Windy City. Dubbed the GR Supra Performance Line concept, it promises to be a compelling showcase of just how far the envelope for Supra performance can be pushed. Admittedly, the teaser sketch is very limited in details, with only the basic outline being apparent. However, some details do manage to poke through to help catch the eye of enthusiasts. …

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NOVITEC Ferrari 812 SuperFast Gets Racy, Liveable Mods

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This stage one mod for the incredible Ferrari SuperFast is a nice balance of personalization and practicality. The big V12 gets a remote-adjustable exhaust note that sounds like it’s right off a racetrack. Giant new grip package goes wider and larger for the wheel/tire package all around — now up to 12.5-inches wide in the back! Factory stock (for comparison) Detail pieces of aero package in the lower bodywork up the factory aggression a tasteful amount – especially in the new dark nose.  The new chin is kept safe by the addition of a power noselift system. This will pop …

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2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia TI Sport AWD – Review By Ben Lewis

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Have you ever been at a get-together, and it’s ok, but kinda snoozy? You know just about everyone; the talk is the same stuff it always is. Then someone new shows up that’s fun, different and interesting, and all of a sudden, you’re glad you were there. Meet the Alfa Romeo Giulia – the life of the party. You may know Alfa Romeo. The last time the brand sold a vehicle here was in 1995. But this is a famous brand with an amazing heritage. Alfa was the first car to win the World Automobile Championship in 1925, and followed …

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~755HP Shelby GT500 Joins Horsepower Wars, Sinks Fangs Into Hellcat and Camaro ZL1

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In the current iteration of the muscle car wars, the extreme end of the segment has lately been dominated by two distinct entries, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the 717 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Both of these models have been slugging it out in sales and on the racetrack for awhile now, but that’s partially due to the absence of a third contender, the Shelby GT500. The GT500 last terrorized the dragstrip in the mid 2000’s before ending production in 2013. Ford has not forgotten the unique allure of the GT500, and has unleashed the latest GT500 to try and reclaim …

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2020 Toyota Supra Officially Breaks Cover, 335 Horsepower and $49k MSRP Are Compelling Combination

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When it comes to the saga surrounding the 2020 Toyota Supra, it was a classic example of what could happen when a company’s attempt at keeping something so valuable and secret under wraps goes so horribly wrong. Quickly becoming the worst kept secret in recent memory, the endless torrent of leaks brought many aspects of the Supra to the masses early (much to the chagrin of Toyota officials.) But at long last, the 2020 Toyota Supra has OFFICIALLY debuted, and as Toyota CEO Akira Toyoda mentioned in his remarks to the assembled media this morning, “Good things come to those …

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Porsche 911 Wide Track Speedster by DP Motorsport

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These German tunes are endlessly interesting, aren’t they? The cars usually have a long provenance before this latest transformation … and this Porsche is definitely no exception.  And with its menacing, machine-grey finishes it is no angel. This beast actually started life as a Targa but new bodywork and a sawzall to the roofline make it a unique basis for a Speedster mod.  The Targa platform would at least be a bit more rigid than most Carrera hardtops. This Speedster captures the ethos of a stealthy throwback supercar that has timeless appeal.  Monochrome paint for the bumpers over flat black …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Mazda 6 Signature – By Carl Malek

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When an automotive enthusiast looks at the 2018 Mazda 6 Signature, quiet and refined may not be the first characteristics that come to mind. This is partially due to prior generation Mazda 6 models, which boasted commendable levels of performance, but with much more noise than many of its rivals. The 2018 Mazda 6 aims to exorcise this image, but without ruining the basic delectable bits that lurked beyond the high decibel levels. But can the 2018 Mazda 6 pull off this trick? Or does it still fall short of being a true disrupter to mid-size sedan icons like the …

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BRABUS 800 Mercedes-AMG E63-S and Widebody AMG GTS in Emerald Green by Fostla.de

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Had to post this beaut because the E63 is one of my all-time favorite cars.  And one cranked up to 800 by Brabus and wrapped in green?  It just pushes all my buttons! As a bonus, also including one of Fostla’s other recent greenies: a widebody AMG GTS!   BRABUS 800 Mercedes-AMG E63-S by Fostla.de A BRABUS 800 IN EMERALD-GREEN-MATTE by FOSTLA.DE Photos: fostla.de concepts  Vehicles from the noble tuner BRABUS – by the way, a neologism from the two founders’ names Klaus Brackmann and Bodo Buschmann – in Bottrop one usually sees in black, and mainly Mercedes-Benz models. Fostla.de …

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Morgan Shelves V8 Engine, Teases The Future In New Teaser Video [Video]

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It is not too often that we hear from our friends at Morgan. The bespoke British sports car maker has won over our hearts with their unique and iconic interpretation of what a proper British sports car should be. However, even Morgan has to occasionally adapt to the ever changing marketplace, and it has done so by ditching the V8 engine for good, and preparing a bold surprise for a future generation of Morgan enthusiasts (this eager author included.) While the outgoing Plus 8 and Aero 8 models are the only two V8 Morgan models in the stable for right …

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2020 Toyota Supra Spied Camo Free And Ready For Detroit

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As mentioned in our prior coverage surrounding the 2020 Toyota Supra, it has become perhaps the worst kept secret in automotive history. A figurative torrent of leaks and spy photos has unleashed various aspects of the upcoming sports car to the masses (much to Toyota’s displeasure.) But amid all of this, the Supra always managed to keep its production sheet metal away from prying eyes, until now, with a lone photo prematurely revealing the final front fascia design of the revamped, and vastly improved Toyota Supra ahead of its Detroit debut in January.   Enthusiasts that were wondering whether the …

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2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 – Road Test Review w/ Performance Drive Video

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Toyota does not shy away from a challenge. In the face of shrinking interest and sales of four-door sedans, Toyota has gone and made the evergreen Camry seriously better.  This new Camry is easily the best ever, and sets a high bar for its cheapie rivals all the way up to cars like the Audi A4. Nobody might have taken a Camry vs A4 battle very seriously until this generation. This is not just hyperbole: we were firmly expecting a lightly re-heated model with updated tech and style for the 2018 redesign. It is only since driving the top Camry …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE 6MT – By Carl Malek

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With the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro currently rolling into showrooms, the 1LE package is expected to play a much more promient role in Chevrolet’s long term sales plans. From the beefy V8 powered 1LE, to the introduction of the all new four cylinder 1LE, track ready performance has never been so readily accessible. But is the 1LE in its basic formula a solid all rounder for eager enthusiasts?

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2018 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 6MT Performance Pack – Road Test Review w/ Video

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The new Mustang GT had a high bar to live up to when it spent a week here.  Why?  We fell absolutely head over heels for the Shelby GT350 last year. The GT350 felt like the 911 GT3 of muscle-cars — totally alive in your hands and violently fast at all times. The GT350 felt like a huge leap into the future of sports-cars. Luckily, when Ford was doing the revamp of the regular Mustang for 2018, their benchmark was none other than our GT350. The changes are visual of course but are much more technical and engineering-driven under the …

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2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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We like cars that fly in the face of convention. Nissan’s Juke, Kia’s Soul, many Minis…all a little off of center, but lovable and fun. And to this list, you have to include the Hyundai Veloster. The quirky, sporty, three-door hatch that some love and has other scratching their heads, has always be an affordable funster. And now we have an all-new 2019 Veloster, and that’s always a crap-shoot. Will it keep the unique vibe, or go more mainstream and lose the plot in the second chapter? Chapter Two Well, the looks have gone from funky to aggressive, but we …

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Toyota Confirms NAIAS Debut For Revived Supra Sports Car

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With arguably the worst kept secret in not only 2018, but also perhaps in automotive history, Toyota revealed that it plans to introduce the production version of the 2020 Supra at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Supra is the long awaited return of an icon which not only served as the pinnacle of the performance rush that fueled the Japanese auto industry in the 1990’s, but also inspired a generation of enthusiasts, thanks in no part to its multiple appearances in the Fast and the Furious movie franchise, as well as numerous Need for Speed video …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Ford Mustang GT Performance Package 2 – By Carl Malek [Video]

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The Rivalry, no we’re not talking about the annual Michigan vs Michigan State football game (a semi-official holiday here in the Metro Detroit office.) Rather, it’s the equally legendary rivalry between the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. Both of these pony cars have been slugging it out with each other since the 1960s, with the duo constantly trying to outdo each other in style, performance and innovation. Recently, we had the opportunity to explore both sides of this rivalry with the Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE (review) and the subject of our attention this week, the 2018 Ford Mustang GT …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Audi TT-RS – By Carl Malek

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It’s not too often that we get the rare and unique opportunity to experience an RS badged Audi. Serving as the penultimate performance model for the bulk of the Audi lineup (R8 excluded,) these special models aim to bring even higher levels of performance, sophistication, and technology to the lucky clientele that are able to add one of these models to their dream garage. One of these offerings is the 2018 Audi TT-RS which brings the RS formula to the brand’s venerable two seat sports coupe. But can this latest chapter of TT-RS finally bring the cohesion and full spectrum …

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2018 Lexus RC350 F Sport – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Bespoke. It’s a nice word, isn’t it? Very upscale, smarmily British. Made to order. Like a custom-fitted suit. And while Lexus would go broke trying to special-build an RC350 for every taker, it feels that way. Shall we try one on? The Amorous Bee The first thing you notice from the pictures of our tester is the color. Called Flare Yellow, it’s a rich metallic yellow that turns orange in certain light. It’s also a new color for 2018, and it gets lots of attention – the RC has been around since 2015, but people where asking about it like …

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Introducing the INFINITI Prototype 10

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Electric cars are quickly becoming the wave of the future, and most car manufacturers are joining in this revolution. The latest car manufacturer to explore introducing an electric car to their ranks is Infiniti.  Let’s take a closer look at the InfinitiPrototype 10 and what it hopes to bring to the table. Introducing the Prototype 10 These sleek little electric cars are designed to mimic single-seat formula one racecars, with a solid frame design and an open-air cockpit. Instead of a passenger seat, the cockpit features a large air vent to cool the electric motor and batteries in the rear …

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2018 BMW X3 M40i – Road Test Review w/ Drive Videos – By Tom Burkart

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We simply cannot let Model-Year 2018 end without a glorious write-up of the charming new X3M40i we tested out on video a few months back. Here is a crossover so much like its X5 big broether on the luxury and refinement charts.  Yet one whose agility and light-feeling moves are joined by massive turbo power and a perma-grippy, rear-biased AWD system. It is a combination your scribe has never found before.  A trucklet that rides like a dream and launches like a pro with big exhaust howls. It is all upside for this X3M40i for 2018. Check out the drive …

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2018 Buick Regal GS – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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We’ve been really impressed by Buick lately. Both the Enclave and Encore crossover/suv’s impressed us, and the word has been getting out – Buick is selling well, and appealing to a new, younger, audience. But the Buick Regal may be the biggest surprise of all. Yes, the Regal. You probably know the name – it started way back in 1973. Along the way it has soldiered on, some models better than others. One of the high points was the Regal Grand National, with a turbo engine that caught the imagination of enthusiasts and brought back some of the luxury/performance sparkle …

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2018 Nissan GTR50 Concept By ItalDesign – Goodwood FoS 2018 Debut

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Very interesting collaboration here where ItalDesign was tasked with a re-skin a Nissan GT-R fully, inside and out, as a celebration of the car’s 50-year legacy. More than a reskin, even. Re-imagining? Reboot? Yes. Possible hints at next-gen model expected for the 2020 model year?  Yes of course.  But mostly this exercise just celebrates the GT-R’s essence and moves the vehicle noticeably upmarket.  Even as a $100k car the GT-R does lack the class and panache of true supercars, in some respects, with the current model’s workmanlike exterior and interior. How to go high-fashion without dulling the GT-R’s ace in …

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2019 Mercedes-AMG GT63S - First Look - 2018 Goodwood FoS 4

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT63S – First Look – 2018 Goodwood FoS

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Talk about a tough car to judge from the renderings! The new AMG GT 4-door is quite polarizing from all sides.  Is it a super-CLS or a proper supercar with four doors? This top 63 S model is certainly the top of the ranks.  Its giant chrome grille bars are flagship Mercedes of the future, while its giant bright tailpipes and huge upright rear wing are quite the statement pieces. Say what you will about its globby surfacing…. this machine looks like an escaped DTM car in motion at Goodwood. Here’s a photo flyaround courtesy of James Crabtree — who …

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2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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I say Miata, you say convertible. Or roadster. Drop top. You get the idea. For most people, a Miata is a 2-seater convertible with a folding fabric (or vinyl) top that lets you take in the sun, the stars, the breeze. But there’s a percentage of people that like a Miata with a hardtop. Those that live in 4 seasons, but want to drive their Mazda year-round. Or those in environments where the added security of hard roof makes you less of target. Racers need them too – look at the prices for a hardtop – sans Miata –on Craigslist …

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2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Redeye Ushers In New Regime of Muscle [Video]

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2019 is shaping to be a big year for Dodge and its growing family of muscle car offerings. The highlight of course is the Dodge Challenger, and the new model year will bring more power and substance to this iconic two door as well as an all new range topper that is eager to carry on where the limited production Dodge Demon left off. The big story here is the all new range topping model the 797 horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. This monster leaps to fill the gap left by the departing limited production Dodge Demon. This sinister vehicle …

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2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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As we write this, it’s the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Perfect time to review a roadster, then. And on such a noteworthy day, the 124 Spider Abarth seems like the ideal car for celebrating. Brio! Translated from Italian, it means vigor, vivacity. And the Fiat serves this up, with a fun to drive personality, stunning looks, and intangibles that just feel so European…which is pretty interesting when you consider, the 124 is mostly Japanese. Underneath the swanky Italian bodywork is a Miata. But before we delve under the body, let’s linger on the handsome suit draping …

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2018 Audi S5 Sportback 3.0T quattro Tiptronic – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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We can thank the SUV/Crossover craze again for this – with buyers so used to the flexibility of the big box, it has raised interest again in wagons and hatchbacks. Interesting, because a few years ago, manufacturers were saying customers didn’t want hatches and wags – but the customer is king! I want my Sportback back, Sportback back, Sportback back… Yes, this does make us hungry for ribs, but let’s go on. When Audi recently introduced their new A5 Coupe – which we tested and loved – they also introduced a 4-door hatchback model they named “Sportback”.  Even more exciting, …

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Road Test Review – 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate – By Carl Malek

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When the first generation Veloster arrived on the scene several years ago, it was a symbol of Hyundai’s early foray into revamping the image of its overall product lineup. While the first generation Veloster did have a few rough edges and flaws underneath its slick skin, it nevertheless served as a compelling “reverse halo” offering that did bring in more young buyers. With the arrival of the second generation Veloster, Hyundai has made the usual assortment of updates and revisions to help the Veloster refine and hone its youthful swagger. Can this updated Veloster stand out in a segment that …

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2018 Nissan 370Z Coupe Heritage Edition – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Once, a long time ago, affordable sports cars roamed the highways and byways of this great land. The dream of a roadster (or coupe) in the garage was well within reach, and shared by many. Wuh happened? Safety regulations, Crossovers, SUV’s, Baby Boomers with bad backs –it seems like they all conspired to do the sports car in. Many manufacturers just walked away from those who love to drive the most. But luckily, some didn’t. The herd has been thinned out, but the ones that remain are pretty darn good. The Miata comes to mind – The Subaru BR-Z/Toyota 86 …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Kia Stinger AWD 2.0T – By Carl Malek

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It’s no secret that Kia has undergone a transformation the past few years. Once known for making products that were cheap and not much else, the Korean car brand has now embraced a fresh new wave of substance, thanks to models such as the Optima, and the flagship K900 sedans. The newest member of the family is the 2018 Kia Stinger, which aims to compete with the best that Europe has to offer. But can the Stinger hold its own against benchmarks like the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes C-Class? or does it lack the venom needed to make a …

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Aston Martin Unveils Limited Edition “V600” Vantage, Model Customer Commissioned Special

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With the all new 2019 Aston Martin Vantage slated to arrive in showrooms around the world in the near future, the long serving and aging previous generation Vantage will eventually be relegated to the pastures of retirement. But some Aston Martin customers were unhappy to hear that the newest Vantage will not feature (at least for now) a V12 engine. This unhappiness prompted Aston to take swift action, and they commissioned a limited run of “V600” variant Vantages to send off the 2018 version with a bang. The “V600” designation is nothing new for Aston, with the moniker first appearing …

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2018 Honda Civic Type R – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Are you an extrovert? Do you like being the center of attention? Do you like answering lots of questions from people you don’t know? Then we have the car for you. The Honda Civic Type R. It’s R turn. While Type R Honda models have been the epitome of performance for the brand elsewhere, Honda and Acura have been extremely stingy bringing any to the U.S. When the new Civic bowed, a promise   that the lineup would include the first ever U.S. Civic Type R got enthusiasts all fizzy with excitement. Sparkling or flat? Not everyone likes bright and bold …

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Dodge Teases 2019 Challenger Hellcat

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The Dodge Challenger Hellcat (and its four door cousin the Charger Hellcat) have been a sales success for Dodge, with the duo finding immense popularity with a new generation of performance enthusiasts (we have lost count of how many we regularly see in Metro Detroit.) Like all good things though, the Challenger is due for a mid-cycle refresh, and Dodge has unveiled the first teaser image hinting at big things for the updated Hellcat. Before we get to the good stuff, one small bit of bad news. The insanely powerful and utterly bonkers Dodge Demon will not be making an …

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2018 BMW M550i xDrive Sedan – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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OK, I’m going to buy a lottery ticket. A fun game we enthusiasts play – win the big Powerball, and what would you drive? An exotic? Classic muscle car? An Opel GT with a 5.0-liter V8 and fuzzy dice hanging from the mirror? The mind boggles. Allow us a recco for a daily driver – the BMW M550i xDrive.  Why? It’s beautiful – in a tasteful way. The 5-series was restyled for the 2017 model year, and the change was evolutionary – not a big surprise for BMW’s popular mid-level executive express. Having sold 7.9 million 5’ers over 6 generations, …

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2019 Chevrolet Camaro Brings New Vigor To Muscle Car Wars, 1LE Four Cylinder Package Debuts

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The current generation Chevrolet Camaro is certainly a distinctive sight out on the open road, and naturally, we here at Car-Revs-Daily worship the ground the ZL1 version treads across. But it was no secret that a refresh was indeed due for this venerable muscle car. Thankfully, Chevrolet has answered the call with the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro which aims to bring some new thrills, and welcome updates to muscle car buyers. The biggest change here will also undoubtedly be the most controversial one of all, the Camaro’s new front fascia. Chevrolet claims that the nose is part of the “performance driven design” …

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Insider: How to Have Fun when Buying a New Car

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If you are looking to buy a new car, it is vital that you get as much fun out of the experience as possible. This is especially important if you are someone with a passion for driving and a deep admiration for all kinds of vehicles. Of course, it is important to make sensible decisions, but this shouldn’t stand in the way of you getting excited about your upcoming purchase. In order to fully appreciate the process, you should take on board the following five tips. Start your saving early on The first step is to start your saving early …

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2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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There’s an interesting phenomenon in auto-dom. Lag time. A manufacturer will gain a certain reputation, and when it ups its game, it seems it takes a while for the buying public to find out about it. Which can be good for buyers (snag a deal0 , but a rough ride for carmakers. Acura is a perfect example of this. What do you think of the brand? Nice stuff. Not too exciting, but solid, well made. Right? WRONG! Acura has quietly been polishing its vehicles into some really exciting numbers, and it seems like the word hasn’t gotten out. We recently …

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Aston Martin Eying Return Of Inline Six, Possibly In 2018 Vantage

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Aston Martin’s revamped Vantage is a stunning preview into the bold moves the British sports car maker has planned for its broader business. These plans could include the return of a classic engine offering according to a recently published report.   According to the fore-mentioned report the company is strongly considering the 3.0 liter Mercedes sourced turbocharged inline six for future models. Matt Becker Aston Martin’s chief engineer revealed he recently drove a Mercedes-AMG model equipped with the new engine in Stuttgart at Benze’s test facility in an interview with Wheels Magazine. Becker claimed he was impressed with the engine, …

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Mitsuoka Motors Unveils MX-5 Based Himiko Roadster

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When it comes to creating weird vehicles that even make vintage Rinspeed vehicles look tame, no company can beat the folks at Mitsuoka Motors. This small Japanese car company has a long history of grafting unique bodywork onto existing models, and it has unveiled its latest creation, the Himiko roadster. Like other Mitsuoka models, the Himiko is based on a current production model, in this case the Mazda MX-5. Unlike the standard MX-5 which looks at home in a Japanese manga series, the Himiko goes for a decidedly more retro presentation, and the end result is a distinctive, albeit love …

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Lotus Says Farewell To 3-Eleven With Wild Limited Edition 3-Eleven 430

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When Lotus first unveiled the 3-Eleven, it was supposed to be the proven sequel to the legendary 2-Eleven which scorched track records and managed to set a pretty unique legacy for Lotus in the process. Lotus did not want buyers to forget how potent the 3-Eleven is, and has unleashed a pretty formidable reminder with the all new limited edition Lotus 3-Eleven 430. The standard 3-Eleven is already a formidable track weapon, and Lotus engineers have unleashed some pretty novel trickery to make it slip through the air as efficiently as possible. The 430 then can be best described as …

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David Brown Automotive Teases Speedback Silverstone Edition

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It has been a while since we last heard from the folks at David Brown Automotive. The upstart British car company is best known for their hand crafted Speedback GT sports car, as well as the distinctively stylish Mini Remastered. The firm recently moved their headquarters to Silverstone, England and has chosen to celebrate the move with an all new limited edition Speedback GT. Dubbed the “Speedback Silverstone Edition” David Brown Automotive claims that this new model will bring higher levels of performance and refinement to the Speedback range. As usual, David Brown reps were vague on the full extent …

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2018 Kia Stinger GT1 RWD V6TT – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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  We’ve been very impressed by Kia lately. It seems every new model is exceptionally good. But now we have something completely different: The Kia Stinger. Offering something you won’t find at any Toyota, Nissan or Honda dealer – a high performance rear-wheel-drive sedan. From the design, you’d think they’re taking on the new Audi A5 Sportback, and the performance the BMW 5-series. So, Kia is clearly targeting the European thoroughbreds. But does the Stinger have the horse-sense to back it up? Ich bin ein Frankfurter… No, not the hot dog. It’s no surprise that Stinger looks so European. Kia …

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2017 Lexus RC-F – Road Test Review – Introducing Jesus R. Garcia

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I’m Thankful for Sports Cars Having a two-door luxury sports coupe for Thanksgiving can give anyone a lot to be thankful for. Especially when the coupe in question is the 2017 Lexus RC F; a V8 powered Japanese GT car with some serious attitude underneath its sleek and professional exterior. I had two weeks to get well acquainted with this car. Compared to the last Lexus vehicle I tested, 2017 Lexus IS 200t, this was the other end of the spectrum. Interior This was the first car I drove that had carbon fiber, suede, and leather surrounding the interior. Thanks …

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2018 Acura TLX A-Spec V6 SH AWD – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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It’s about time Acura got some credit. After all, it was the first Japanese automaker (via parent company Honda) to enter the luxury division that was owned by Europeans. It created a supercar (NSX) that could hang with the world’s best, and still it was as reliable as a Prelude. Somehow along the way, though, the brand earned a reputation as nice, well turned-out cars, but a little bland for the enthusiast. Now if you want to point out the new NSX, that’s fine – but at a starting price of $156,000 it’s more of a dream car for most …

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Ford Brings More Power, Style, To NAIAS With 2019 Bullit Mustang [Video]

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Prior to its unveiling, the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullit had to be one of the worst kept secrets of the 2018 North American International Auto Show. Rumors of its existence wafted throughout the outer reaches of the internet, and it was even spotted out on a photo shoot prior to its big debut in Detroit, but the wait was certainly worth it, with this iteration of Bullit perhaps being the most potent, and distinctively retro looking Mustang offering ever built by Ford. The exterior styling of the Bullit is largely based on the 2018 Ford Mustang with much of that …

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Morgan Confirms Plans For 50th Anniversary Plus 8 [Video]

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With the venerable but aging 4.8 liter BMW sourced V8 reaching the end of the line with the current generation Aero 8, Morgan has revealed that it will be marking the engine’s departure in the Plus 8, with a limited run of 50th Anniversary models. While the Plus 8 has largely existed behind the spotlight shone on the forementioned Aero, this special roadster was actually the first V8 powered model that the niche British sports car maker ever produced. Originally revealed as a running prototype back in 1968, the car featured a Rover sourced V8, and sent power to the …

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2017 Ford Mustang SHELBY GT350 – Review w/ 5 HD Videos

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Why? Because Racecar! Spending a week in the Shelby GT350 is one of the highlights of my life so far.  Nothing else has come close to this level of animal aggression on the road.  The GT350’s $60k pricetag feels like the bargain of the century.  For a Mustang so special that it’s the 911 GT3 RS of muscle-cars. A car this tight and taut feels like it’s doing 170-mph even at idle.  No other Mustang gets anywhere near this power-on brilliance.  High revs, high power peaks and few shifts are the way to rock GT350 around a racetrack fast. This …

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2018 Lexus LC500 – Supercar of the Year – Road Test Review

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No test car here at CRD has created more of a stir than this Lexus LC500. Long-lost pals sought out rides. The Cars ‘n Coffee crowd was enchanted LC even stirred wild thumbs-ups from other drivers on the road. Nobody loved this next-generation Lexus supercar more than its driver, though. This all-new platform started life on a mission to sink the engine lower and much more mid-ship than any Lexus before.  The results not only lighten the handling mood dramatically, but they also sharpen the turn-in radically. A new 10-speed automatic joins the thrilling 5.0-liter V8 from the GS-F and …

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Road Test Review: 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF Club (6MT) – By Carl Malek

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When we last met the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF, we praised the fastback for offering a hardtop alternative to the venerable soft top variant, as well as giving customers better protection from the elements. However, the one thing we missed was the doses of sporty character that other MX-5’s are known for (mainly due to our tester being a luxury oriented Grand Touring model.) To find out if the wait was indeed worth it, we spent some time with the MX-5 Club to see if it could stand out in any discernible way from its slightly more sedate cousin.   …

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Morgan Announces End Of Aero 8 Production, Teases Limited Edition GT Model [Video]

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  It’s not too often we get a new model offering from our friends at Morgan, but the bespoke British automaker has revealed that it is drawing the final curtain on its Aero 8 Roadster, but not before it unleashes one last special edition model for eager Morgan enthusiasts (this author included.) Dubbed the GT, this special model draws a lot of its inspiration from the company’s extensive experience in GT3 racing, and it certainly looks the part, thanks to a number of styling revisions. A key one is new bodywork that is designed to reduce drag, and increase downforce …

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OP_ED: KIA Taking Major Risks with STINGER Launch Rollout

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The 2018 Kia Stinger is amazingly cool in the flesh.  Low, wide and longer than any KIA you’ve ever imagined.  It is shaping up to be a real Audi A7 rival, but with pricing that starts in the low 30s for the cheapest models.  Closer in pricing are the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 series GranCoupe — both of which kick off their pricing near where the Stinger tops out around $50k. We’re all for this new sporty KIA.  The initial drive reviews are coming back amazingly positive, and there is real buzz as the first cars arrive at …

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4.6s 2018 BMW i8 Roadster Is No-Brainer Ragtop

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The i8 is amazing to drive!  In Sport+ this machine opens up its full 374HP and rockets forward with glee.  Triple turbo thrumming behind you and popping out racy noises from the exhausts. But the i8 has a problem.  It is so light because of all that carbon fiber.  Which is expensive. And intrudes on the doorsill in a major way.  This makes i8’s beautiful swan wing doors make sense.  They are very-much needed to help get in and out.  With a low roof on the coupe, this has been a barrier to the car’s wider success. This Roadster hopes …

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2018 DALLARA Stradale Roadster – Make the World Your Racetrack! [99 Photos]

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  This beautiful new supercar starts life with no doors and no windshield or upright cowl whatsoever.  Just a sleek, wide disk shooting around a circuit! A windshield option makes this a Dallara Stradale Roadster, and a bubble glass hardtop makes it into a Dallara Stradale Targa. Loving them all is easy.  A few reasons: — This is a right-now production car.  First delivery happened last week and production is in full swing. — Dallara is a name known on racetracks worldwide.  They make the carbon chassis tubs for everyone.  Seriously. So they have carbon-fiber at scale.  And wind tunnels …

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2018 Aston Martin VANTAGE – Official Configurator GIFs + Q Palette Neons

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Time for a follow–up to the fantasy colorizer.  This launch for Vantage was well planned indeed! The car is showing up in special events across the globe in person – despite just coming online officially days ago.  Fittingly, the cofnigurator is fully live and the Vantage is rumored to be sold out for first year already! Favorites include the Lime Essence launch color, a few of the Aston Designer Pre-Specced models and the new Q Palette.  Shades so wild they need their own brave champion to drive! One of these is Kermit green, which we landed on through the detailed …

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Aston Martin Reinvents Its Sporting Pedigree With 2018 Vantage Coupe

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With a new era being ushered in thanks to a partnership with Mercedes Benz, the newly re-energized Aston Martin is keen on reinventing itself, and has followed up on the recent unveiling of the DB11 with perhaps the most important offering yet, the 2018 Aston Martin Vantage. The previous generation Vantage was a lingering spectre of the old Aston Martin with an aging platform, V8 engine, and a fussy semi-automated manual relegating the otherwise handsome Vantage to the back of the sports car line. In short, it was like a hipster wearing Abercrombie and Fitch in a sea of Ralph …

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2017 INFINITI Q60 Red Sport 400 – Road Test Review + Drive Videos

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Power over everything! There is a specific subset of hot coupe shoppers who place speed at the top of their list. Then there are the people drawn in by the beauty and elegance of a two-door.  Then once on the test drive, they realize what true torque and big turbo boost feels like. For both groups, there is no going back. This is the 400HP threshold we’re talking about.  And for many, it opens a new world of driving pleasure. The first outing with Q60 RS400 was filled with raw shock at its performance capabilities and sensual beauty. Our second …

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Road Test Review – 2018 Lexus LC 500 – By Carl Malek [HD Videos]

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The 2018 Lexus LC 500 has always had a way of allowing people to relive their inner most fantasies. When we last met the LC 500, it allowed fellow Car-Revs-Daily writer Ben Lewis to channel his inner Bond Villain while proving itself as an excellent grand touring coupe. But how does the LC 500 measure up against its elite competition? and is the LC 500 capable of taking its impeccable elegance to other locales? To find out we took the LC 500 to our Metro Detroit outpost to see if a change of scenery allowed it to blossom to its full …

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All Hail The King!!! Chevrolet Revives Corvette ZR1 For 2019 Model Year – By Carl Malek

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After numerous spy shots, months of rampant speculation, as well as a poorly timed leak, Chevrolet has officially unveiled the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 choosing to formally unveil the car at the Dubai Motor Show versus the highly anticipated NAIAS unveiling that was rumored for so long. Looking beyond the unusual location for its debut (Chevrolet said it was a nod to the growing Middle East market, the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 brings newfound muscle, technology, and refinement to the supercar segment. While this iteration of the ZR1 does share alot of its underlying construction with the Z06, Chevrolet engineers …

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2017 Dodge Challenger T/A – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Some cars just take you back. And the 2017 Dodge Challenger is one of them. Sure, it’s loaded with modern technology and conveniences, but once you fire up that awesome Hemi V8, and just listen to it whump, whump, whump – it becomes a time machine that transports you back to when driving was almost everything you could think about. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s positively bad-ass. What’s not to love? The design is familiar, the Challenger hasn’t changed much since it was re-introduced 2008. And they were smart – the proportions, the stance, the swagger – it’s all true …

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2018 BMW M550i – HD Road Test Review

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What if one of the most comfortable cars you’ve ever driven … is also one of the fastest? A big sedan that pivots like a track star? How has BMW defied physics?  Yes. The M550i is a revelation on the road.  After a week of flogging this beauty for kicks – and the cameras – we came away absolutely in love with BMW’s fastest ever 5 series. The 3.9s sprints to 60-mph from the almost-violent launch control are enough to make up for its lack of M5 sounds from the V8TT.  The hyper-adaptive suspension and standard xDrive turn a soft car …

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2017 Mazda VISION COUPE and KAI Concepts Bow in Tokyo

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You know I really wanted this scoop because all these came from Mazda’s Japanese media site! The new Vision Coupe is a breathtaking, cab-backward look at a future Mazda sedan.  Its sharky nose and pert tail are almost like an MX-5 saloon car!  In the best ways. The KAI is a look at the upcoming Mazda3 refresh.  It takes sleek, slinky curves to a new level.  A fully shrink-wrapped package with sport stance like a Golf R.  But with half the roof. Both stunning.  Watch this space for updates and real photos once the cars debut on stage at the …

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2018 Lexus LC500 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Most times, I’m an auto journalist. Testing and writing about the latest and greatest from manufacturers, and hoping to give you the info you need to know. But today, I’m a Bond villain. Well at least I feel that way. I’m in the new Lexus LC500, and it makes such a definitive statement, and takes the brand in a bold new direction. And it does make you feel evil. In a good way. For your eyes, only…. Let’s start with the looks. While James Bond started with Astons, got sidetracked with Lotus and BMW’s along the way (and the occasional …

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2018 Genesis G80 Sport AWD – HD Road Test Review

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Imagine you really love a new luxury sedan for its stellar platform, proportions and sporting potential.   This car is genuinely large versus its mid-size rivals in the $40k-60k segment. But you have specific high-performance needs for every inch of the vehicle. Your rocket-limo must be blacked-out and badass from all angles. Especially the driver’s seat. Genesis G80 is that luxury car, and the G80 Sport is the performance special of our dreams. This machine is a thorough answer to a wishlist we had for more power and glamour from Genesis. G80 Sport proved its awesomeness in a week of THRUSTING …

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2018 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 7 A/T – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Although summer is a memory in the rearview mirror for most of us, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy a roadster – in fact, cooler weather and leaves changing color make fall one of the joys of owning a drop top. And if you’re looking for joy in a roadster, look here. The 370Z is getting to be a senior citizen in the sports car world. The coupe appearing in 2009, the roadster in 2010. Mind you, there have been updates, including a facelift – but the basic vehicle is pretty much the same, even as its approaching it’s …

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2017 Toyota GR HV SPORTS Concept Bows in Tokyo

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Toyota is eager to transition its hybrid tech into fun-to-drive machines.  Of course, the CVT automatic is a big buzzkill.  As is the front-drive layout of any Prius variant. SO how about making a rear-drive, part-manual hybrid sports car!? Seems genius, and here we are.  The GR HV Sports is Gazoo Racing (the inhouse Toyota race team)’s take on a next-gen sport Hybrid Vehicle. To up the fun quotient, the autobox can be truly shifted like an auto-stick.  It has a standard PRND button setup on the dash – But pop the M button on dash from Drive to manual.  …

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Road Test Review – 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti (RWD) – By Carl Malek

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Alfa Romeo has seen its fair share of ups and downs since it made its most recent effort at returning to the U.S. luxury car market. For starters, instead of choosing to start its new-found U.S. adventure with a mass market oriented model, the proudly Italian sports car maker chose to unleash two borderline supercars on the market. The first was the limited production Alfa Romeo 8C which featured a delightfully good Ferrari sourced V8, stylish bodywork, and a six figure price tag. Next was the Alfa Romeo 4C an equally stylish four cylinder two seat sports car that helped …

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2017 VW Golf R w/ DCC & Nav – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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Most car makers have “halo” cars.  You know, special products (usually at nosebleed prices) to show off the best of what they can do, and to make you feel better about the garden-variety products that most of us end up buying. Think Nissan GT-R, Corvette Z06, Acura NSX. VW has a halo vehicle, too. And while the family parts bin of Audi goodness could probably have given them some ridiculous $80,000 über Passat or something, they did something very cool. They made a VW Golf their showpiece. So, is the VW Golf R a hatch that super-enthusiasts can really get …

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2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 – HD Road Test Review

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The Dodge Charger has always made big, loud speed its reason for being.  Even the simple R/T V8 runs a shouty HEMI and gets close to 5 seconds on the 60-mph sprint.  Simply heroic thrust on the road.  All with pricing that is a damn bargain versus any hot Camaro or Mustang, let alone anything else with a V8 and four doors.  (Rare breed indeed, lately). So now we have this Daytona edition with its Hellcat-alike bodywork and sexy black details.  Atop the Daytona kit you can add a three-number code that shouts POWERRR from the heavens:  the 392. Now …

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174MPH 2018 Audi RS4 Avant Is Frankfurts Designated Badass Wagon

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Audi has long preferred to put their highest-performing RS handiwork into wagons.  The RS6 and now this RS4 can reach such high speeds, the thought is, that the longer roof aids their overall stability and aero. Whatever gets more people to buy wagons, right? This new RS4 Avant promises a giant upgrade in thrust thanks to a V6TT making 125 pound-feet of torque more than the previous model.  This means the 100-kph sprint time of 4.1 seconds really is just amuse bouche.   This RS4 is all about spine-shredding G-force around corners and through its eight-speed tiptronic’s gears.  The bodywork …

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2019 Bentley Continental GT Flaunts Stunning New Stance, Cabin at IAA

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The new Continental is a smash hit.  The live debut in Frankfurt shows a car even more stunning than the photos suggested.  Slinky lowness for the hood and a chopped overhang blend flawlessly with butched-up fenders and squatter rear end.  The whole machine seems just compressed downward — in the best ways.  The cabin is also shockingly sexy and opulent. [Updated 9.13.17 with 14 new photos] This is it ladies and gentleman! The big one! Bentley’s all-new Conti GT platform is ready for primetime and will make its first appearance in a few weeks at the Frankfurt IAA.  This is …

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Situation Analysis: Can 2017 i Vision Dynamics Concept Save BMW?

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Sometimes I just want to shake BMW like a British nanny. What are you thinking, bad BMW baby!!!!? The X7 Concept, Z4 Concept and 8 Series concepts are all fairly new design ideas for the IAA BMW stand in Frankfurt this year.  A new M5 and X3 are the production cars with some fresh excitement around them.  A new BMW i3S looks slightly less hideous from the front and will be quicker than the base model.  None of these models is the silver bullet BMW needs to get back to brand health.  And sales growth. The X7’s design is shockingly …

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2017 Bugatti CHIRON Breaks Records – 0-250MPH-0 In 42 Seconds + Under 2 Miles

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400kph is a messianic number for auto engineers.  It is a point few road cars can even contemplate, let alone attempt in a hot blast of full throttle then full braking. The Chiron just set the world record for this insane benchmark of a test.  42 seconds and just 1.92 miles are all that Chiron needed to make auto history forever. Among the rare few other cars that could even attempt this test, Chiron proves how fearsome its total power package really is.  Yes, Pagani and Koenigsegg are faster than ever these days.  But they are not — as of …

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2018 TVR Griffith – Gordon Murray Carbon Supercar Is REAL!

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The moment is here.  Rebirth of the famous Blackpool fiberglass wizards TVR. The brand lives on even if the old steel chassis designs and all legacy engines are dropped.  Production takes a massive leap into the future with Gordon Murray’s iStream process for fast and affordable carbon fiber.  Murrary’s GMD company has shopped this tech for a few years now so it is a double thrill for it to make its debut alongside the Griffith. The roster of other UK supercar suppliers continues to Cosworth for the 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 sending power exclusively to the back wheels.  0-60 is promised …

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