Sports Coupes

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Concept Debrief – 2010 Citroen SURVOLT – Design Analysis in 110 Electrifying Photos

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What makes the 2010 Citroen Survolt such an achievement in sports-car design? Consider that its proportions almost perfectly mirror those of the Lotus Exige — but the curb appeal of the vehicle tells the brain to expect pricing in the $200,000 ballpark versus the Lotus at $75,000. In terms of the Survolt’s mission as a concept car, we can think of the car in the same league as the Ranult DeZir. Part tech showcase and EV R&D tool, part brand roadmap and design superstar. The Survolt found a joyous receptionin 2010 – and four years have done nothing to dull …

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Audi Shits Bed in LA? Second Take on 2014 Audi Prologue Concept + 50 New Photos

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Updated 11.23.14     Audi Shits The Bed. ? What kind of headline is that? Despite being so brash — it seems a bit nicer than the original, which was: Audi Prologue is Worst LA Debut. We have to be honest, the latest press photos of the Prologue look better than the car does in real-life photos — which is rare. Usually any ultra-lux concept will look far more interesting in the real world. The Audi Prologue is a nightmare scenario for Audi’s supposed design resurgence for more than a few reasons. The lack of real-life impact is just the …

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2014 Scion iM Concept Heading for US Showrooms in 2015 to Battle GTI and Focus ST

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Scion is looking to expand its model range in calendar 2015 with two new models: one based on the Mazda2 sedan, and the other being this remarkably cool 5-door hatch shown in LA as the iM concept. You might be asking yourself if the production iM, set to be revealed in NY in April 2015, overlaps with the xB and xD. We certainly were. But we believe the answer is that the iM production car will be more advanced in the chassis department and more powerful than Scion’s box-car twins. This means a more-modern automatic transmission than the four-speeds in …

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2015 Cadillac ATS-V.R Is FIA GT3 Racecar Writ Large – In Cursive!

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  “…. If your hood scoop is deeper than the nearest well……. you might be a Cadillac racecar.”   “…If your rear wing is wider than your mattress…. you might be a Cadillac racing prototype.”   “…And if your headlamps are mostly stickers — you are definitely in the cutting-edge of FIA GT3 racecar technology…”   Rejected joke… “…If you can’t read ‘good’ but can write the Cadillac script logo in your sleep — you might be dreaming of the ATS-V.R! “   =] Cadillac itself describes the ATS-V.R as a rolling, screaming and screeching testament to the ATS Coupe’s …

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Porsche GTS Crew Lands Lufthansa Red-Eye To LA – Cayenne, Cayman, Boxster and 911 GTS LA Photos

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Frankfurt to Los Angeles — direct — is a long, long flight. 11-hours and 10-minutes, to be precise. The list price for a human is $4,000 on Lufthansa, and 10X that for a vehicle. Equipment? 777ER. Or more likely, the trusty 747-400. The trip feels especially lengthy when you are in the chilly cargo bay of a jumbo jet — which often has precious cargo in its below bay. Lufthansa is one of the only world airlines that flies cargo and humans on the same flights, at the same time. But the humans are kept warmer. At 35,000 feet over …

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2016 JAGUAR F-Type AWD and Manual-Transmission Choices + R Cabriolet

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  The Jaguar F-Type is becoming a legendary machine for the black cat brand! The 2016 range will extend to 14 models, not including the just-launched F-Type R Cabrio! This is big news, and largely comes from two new powertrain options: AWD and stick-shifts. Until now, all F-Types have been auto-shifted via the exceptional eight-speed ZF box with paddle controls. This will stay the transmission of choice for the AWD models, which include the S Coupe and Cabrio with the 380-horsepower V6 engine, along with a new AWD option for the top R trims. At the other side of the …

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2015 Fisker Rocket Is Shockingly Sexy Mustang via Galpin Auto Sports

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Henrik Fisker’s design talent has never been in question. To see his ideas for a hot Mustang meet reality via Galpin Auto Sports is very gratifying — because the result is gorgeous! Most special elements outside the stunning widebody front and rear fenders? The new nose is a very appealing take on the 2015 Mustang’s design, and the rear end with giant Rocket badging is nothing short of breathtaking. 2015 Fisker Rocket Mustang The 2015 Ford Mustang ‘Rocket’ is Here! “When Henrik Fisker showed me his ideas, I got chills – it’s literally the most beautiful Mustang I have ever …

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2015 Koenigsegg Agera One:1 Back in USA Via Manhattan Motorcars

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Great to see the Koenigsegg crew expanding the reach of their incredible hypercar brand – both with the new One:1 and the latest distribution deal with Manhattan Motorcars. The biggest updates to the One:1 are a huge leap in power — up to more than 1350 pound-feet of torque from the twin-turbo, 5.0-liter V8 at 6000 rpm — and the incredible new downforce package. This comes from a race-ready splitter and active aero front and rear. The new rear wing is one of the most beautiful on any car of all time – with two gorgeous flying buttresses straking back …

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Update2 – Best of Awards – Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo

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  We did not know what to think of the first teaser images of the Chevy Chaparral Gran Turismo prototype. Sure, the idea of leveraging Chaparral’s Chevy engines connection was fascinating, but would the vision of GM Design really capture the innovative spirit of these amazing namesakes? After the official reveal in LA last night – we can only say Yes. In many ways, the Chevrolet Chaparral Vision Gran Turismo is the best-yet of the 20-strong fleet of racing prototypes developed for the legendary GT6 racing game. It is one of the only to actually throw out all conventional limitations …

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Update1 – 2014 Lexus LFC2 Concept Cabrio Is Truly Miraculous – A Design So Beautiful It Makes Audi Weep

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 A design to make Audi weep? Yes indeed. The Lexus LFC2 made a huge splash today in LA as a highly stylized and clever look at a future RC convertible. But while the main proportions and packaging say RC very clearly, the detailing is divine and clever and fresh from all sides. Let’s break out nsome favorite elements, starting at the nose. Here, we have a very cool and chic interpretation of the RC’s singleframe grille — but this time with elegant waterfall elements flowing cleanly into the F Sport style of zig-zag lines in the lower portion. It is …

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3.9s, 455HP 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe and Sedan Are Twin-Turbo, eLSD RocketShips!

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Whenever a fresh pair of high-performance cars’ tech specs can elicit a “holy shit!” from your scribe — sitting solo in the office — you know something amazing is coming. The ATS-V Coupe and Sedan photo and specs caused numerous swear words in excitement, raised eyebrows at the amazing ducktail rear spoiler, smiles about the cool blacked-out grille treatment shown on the ATS-V Coupe, and impressed with the meaty rubber shown on the back wheels of the ATS-V Sedan. The final bit of major icing on the cake for these new executive supercars?  455-horsepower to really put the smack onto …

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Update1 – 2014 Audi Prologue Concept – World Debut and Design Analysis

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  There has been much speculation about what Audi was teasing for LA – and the wait is now over. The concept is called the Prologue and is a giant A9-sized two-door coupe. This much we knew – but few expected the car to be an actual two door, but rather a four-door coupe as is in vogue. Overall, however, when asked about what the Prologue previews — Audi is keen to say “Everything.” Even the name points to the pre-read status of this car for all future Audi designs – from the 2016 A8 to the 2016 A4, all …

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Toyota Rally Racing Hall of Fame – 101 AMAZING and RARE Photos!

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Of all the any forms of motor racing, rallying has been Toyota’s true center of excellence. This hall of fame showcase extends back to the 1957 Toyopet Crown in the Australian Rally – when is a deep set of roots. From there, the Celica, Supra and Celica GT-Four have all been world-beating rally cars in their decades. By the late 1990s, Toyota’s Corolla GT-4 rally machines were so dominant that they ran Mitsubishi and later even Subaru out of the World Rally Championship. Rallying in this sense has a broad definition, one that definitely includes the Paris-Dakar and dozens of …

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Best of SEMA 2014 – FORGIATO Wheels + Now Selling 3 Corvette C7 Widebody Demo Cars!

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Forgiato was a real stand-out at SEMA 2014 — and that is hard to do in an endless product and customization expo. Many of the coolest cars (and trucks) there were running Forgiato wheels – even far away from the actual booth of this custom wheel expert. After spending some time on Forgiato.com — we came away shocked and floored at how customized you can be with the wheel builder and the 1000-car visualizer. Very cool stuff for those seeking the absolute end-all in huge wheel style. Some of the wheels are so gigantic from Forgiato that they look best …

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2015 Toyota GT86 CS-R3 Rally Car in 1080P Video + 80 Photos

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   You have the hear this amazing works-prepped racer at full chat!  Click the above video to HD for maximum effect…. How ironic — or at least mildly amusing — that Toyota would take the GT86 rallying before Subaru and its BRZ. But then you realize: Subaru has their all-star WRX rally hero already in place. For Toyota, the GT86 and Scion FR-S program is not just an amazing rear-drive sportscar for a new generation of drivers. It is a platform for all aspects of fun and racing, including Rallye Deutschland. Prepared by TMG and available for sale to other …

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Hero Racecars – 2001 Bentley Speed 8 LMP1 Winner Laid Bedrock for Modern Flying B

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  You have to hand it to the Volkswagen Group for their skillful rebirth of the Bentley brand in the early 2000s. Long mired in Rolls-Royce’s shadow with shakey engineering expertise and wobblier cars, Bentley sought greatness by going back to its roots in grand style. This meant competing in LeMans – where Bentley had dominated for a few years in the 1920s with its supercharged Speed 8 models — innovative technology that delivered crushing pace when the blowers were attached to such enormous engines. Specific output in this era was barely 10-percent of what it is today; with a …

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2016 SHELBY GT350 Mustang Makes REAL-LIFE Debut! 180 New Images + 3 New Videos

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The good folks at Mustang6g.com attended a live GT350 reveal today and scored some amazing new photos of the hottest Mustang yet — plus three videos you have to see the believe! Or in the case of this first video — hear to believe. The flat-crank V8 engine sounds heavenly in this latest track driving video. A deep bellow becomes a staccato bark at high revs — promising huge aural drama along with that huge lump of horsepower. Other news? The Mustang GT350 will employ magneto-rheological suspension tech that crosstown supplier Delphi has until-recently withheld from GM competitors… As well …

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Concept Flashback – 2010 Renault DeZir Was Anti-Furai With Lusty, Sexualized Curves

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  Designers are like all other artists: their work evolves but also can take sweeping and abrupt changes. A designer’s cars might take unique shapes in certain years, only to go wild in the other direction right afterwards. Such is the 2010 Renault DeZir concept — designed when Laurens van den Acker was freshly recruited away from Mazda. Van den Acker’s ‘Nagare’ themes at Mazda were all about sharp creases formed out of a wind-swept surface. He designed a half-dozen Mazda’s with this theme intact – and it is perhaps epitomized best in the Furai concept hypercar. If the Furai …

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Update1 – 220 High-Res Photos – SEMA 2014 – CARS Gallery

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Updated 11.17.14 with 120 New Photos SEMA 2014 – CARS Gallery    

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2016 SHELBY GT350 Mustang in 33-Photo OFFICIAL DEBUT + Startup VIDEO

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  Thrilling times for the Ford Mustang!  The 2016 Shelby GT350 just made its online debut with a screaming 500+ horsepower via a flat-plane-crank V8 engine that screams like a LeMans racecar. This naturally-aspirated engine is set to take the track fight directly to the door of the 505HP Camaro Z/28 and its 7.0-liter V8 — but with handling and aero tweaks that the Ford Mustang crew hopes will make the Mustang first to the checkered flags. The new GT350 wears a huge widebody to house its massive new rubber and largest-ever brakes — with Brembo calipers clamping nearly 15-inch …

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2014 Scion iM Concept Car Takes Shape as WRX-ified 5-Door Hatch!?

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Updated 11.16.14   Something about the fat rear tires and floating wide-body fenders of this Scion iM concept just screams WRX, does it not? In all likelihood, this is just a sportified version of a future Scion xD — reborn from the bones of the Toyota Matrix. But how sweet would a Scion WRX hatchback be…..! We thought it was a tC previously… so why not go for being wrong twice =]   2014 Scion iM Concept PREVIOUS First look this morning at the very promising Scion iM concept car for Los Angeles! The ‘iM’ name of this hot new …

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Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo Is Exciting Next-Chapter Concept Racer

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  Thrilling news from Chevrolet! The GM Design entry to the Vision Gran Turismo series will be a Chaparral-inspired racer called the 2X VGT. Set to debut in LA on Wednesday of this week — we are thrilled to see how Chevy has evolved the Chaparral racers’ world-beating aerodynamics for the 21st century! Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo Previews CHEVROLET TO SHOW CHAPARRAL VISION GRAN TURISMO CONCEPT 13/11/14 Boundary-pushing, Chevy-powered race cars changed motorsports design DETROIT – When racers Jim Hall and Hap Sharp founded Chaparral Cars in 1962, few could have guessed how they would shake up the …

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Track Car Showcase – E90 BMW RS-M3 by RS Racing Team

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Now here is a team after our own heart — photos in an Air Force and NASA museum!? Yessir.   BMW RS-M3 by RS Racing Team UNCOMPROMISING BMW RS-M3 from RS-RACINGTEAM The in-house sport model of the 3-series, named M3, offers BMW since 1986 now. Developed and also originally produced (E 30 and E36 M3) by BMW-subsidiary BMW M GmbH, the variants of the 3-series model leaves the assembly lines of the parent company again. Their proverbial power creates everywhere a furore. On the flags of RS-RACINGTEAM Company, based in Viernheim, in southern Hessen (near Mannheim) the conspicuous letters stand: …

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Tuner Showcase – SLS AMG Black Series By McChip DKR

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Tuner Showcase – SLS AMG Black Series By McChip DKR     SLS 6.3 AMG – „SPICED UP“ by MCCHIP-DKR   The fact that mcchip-dkr stands for high developed made in Germany chip tuning, for ECO-optimizations coming from its own development center or for the combination of both has become famous largely beyond the city limits of the German town of Mechernich. The performances of these software experts are accompanied by a more of power, less of consumption, engine protection with a more of driving fun. By the way, the activities of this company are not only restricted on passenger …

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Tuner Showcase – SLS AMG Stage 2 Mc700 By McChip DKR

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CODENAME „MC700“: SLS POWERED by mcchip-dkr.com Up to 706 HP and 793 Nm are possible! The wish „to give a further boost” for Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 AMG almost seems to be lese majesty. Thankfully, there are still always bright heads, which are able to persuade experts, such as current top dog of the Mercedes-Benz-portfolio, namely the noble SLS 63 AMG. This car is considered to be THE undisputed synonym for luxurious sportiness. Thus, the MCCHIP-DKR team in Mechernich-Obergartzem, under the proven supervision of Danny KUBASIK, has once again succeeded in making red applications to perfectly fit at this matt grey …

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Holy Wow! Lexus LF-C2 Teasing RC350 Convertible Ahead of LA Show

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  On first glance at this exciting teaser image – we thought for a moment this might be a drop-top LF-A like seen below in the previous Concept Flashback article. But on further analysis, we have a strong hunch that this is the new Lexus RC in convertible form. Very exciting – stay tuned for the full details. What do we know so far from transparency analysis? It is definitely an RC. But it is not the RC-F based on the nose, which does not show the larger hood bulge of the RC-F. The Lexus RC350 Convertible and even an …

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Concept Flashback – 2013 VW Design Vision GTI Wants To Eat Your Babies

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This is the meanest-looking Golf GTI… ever.   Wow. Very impressive design ideas inside and out. Design Vision Volkswagen GTI Concept – Exterior Gallery Design Vision Volkswagen GTI Concept – Interior Gallery Design Vision Volkswagen GTI Concept – Animated Gallery

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What To Watch: NISMO GT Academy Is High-Quality, Big-Budget Reality Competition!

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Updated 11.10.14 The new season of GT Academy is online and watchable via the below YouTube embed! To celebrate, we’ve paired the episode with some of the coolest NISMO cars from SEMA 2014. Mostly, relaxing for me is commercial-free online television of some kind. Just stumbled upon the latest for GT Academy, and feel compelled to share this exciting series. Imagine a mix of a few shows like Toughest Soldier Challenge, TopGear, … and … America’s Next Top Model…. and you will get an idea of what GT Academy offers viewers. Instead of shooting or pouting, these guys train to …

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2015 Lexus NX200t F Sport and RC350 Chrome Wrap by 360 Elite Motorworks

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How amazing is this NX200t from 360 Elite Motorworks for SEMA? Perhaps the best aspects are the custom bodywork elements – with the rear diffuser particularly cool. Overall the upgrade shows the huge style potential in the NX crossover’s design — which is unique and original from the factory but not nearly as bad-ass and cool as this one.  360 Elite was introduced to the Lexus world this summer with a gorgeous chrome-wrapped RC350 F Sport for NY fashion week — but this NX200t shows what the team can do with more time and budget flexibility!     2015 Lexus …

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InstaBuilt 2015 Lexus RC F by VIP Auto Salon: Coolest Wheels, Worst Photos

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  Sometimes we really do not understand the tuner world. Here is a car created with Lexus and crowd suggestions across the last month and a half — but now that the vehicle is finished, there are exactly zero real, high-res photos of the car. Anywhere. The Lexus media site has photos that are such unbelievably poor-quality video stills that we are reluctant to post them. Pretty embarrassing – because the car is really cool and the Vossen wheels are stunning. Oh, the kicker? @LexusUSA on Instagram shot a stop-motion video of the Seafoam green exterior wrap process. So where …

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2014 PAGANI Huayra Carbon Edition in 200 Amazing Photos

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How is Pagani’s sales team performing in the face of the all-new P1 and LaFerrari? So well!  They are in heaven right now after the US import process finally approved the Huayra after about four years of effort — and more than one real-life crash test. Wrecking a million dollars on purpose!? The US market really is worth it for Pagani — and we are thrilled to have them. Pagani’s huge rise to greatness has avoided the key pitfall of many hypercar brands: unsustainable growth. Luckily, the hand-crafted carbon-fiber chassis and bodywork of the Huayra makes any kind of volume …

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AC Schnitzer BMW 128i and 135i Upgrades Gallery – E82 Coupe and E88 Cabrio

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The BMW 128i and 135i are rare and amazing gems – and now are some of the most affordable performance bargains on the market. In the US from 2009 to 2013, the 128i and 135i are eager for more of a performance stance and focus — and AC Schnitzer is happy to oblige. AC Schnitzer BMW 128i and 135i E82 Coupe AC Schnitzer BMW 135i E82 M Coupe AC Schnitzer BMW 128i and 135i E88 Cabrio

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AC Schnitzer BMW 228i and 235i Parts Now Available For Global Shipping!

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Engine power kits, exhaust systems, strings, body kits and interior goodies are all part of the AC Schnitzer BMW 2 series upgrade catalog — but the lowering springs really make the most visual difference in the overall stance of this awesome sports coupe. For performance and intensity on throttle, the new ACS exhaust sounds outstanding too.   AC Schnitzer BMW 2 series F22 Wheels (18″ to 20″ available)   AC Schnitzer BMW 228i and 235i   http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/bmw-cars/products-models/2-series/f22-coupe-since-2014/engineering/

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Tuner All-Stars – BRABUS AMG SLS Widestar + Full SLS Upgrades Catalog

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So you have an SLS and you love it. You are waiting for delivery of a new AMG GT in Summer 2015. How to spice up your still-awesome supercar so that it feels fresh, even faster, and is more distinctive in the valet lot? Brabus. The name in Mercedes tuning means the car will hold its value, and hold your heart for years to come. Check out the full Brabus SLS catalog below and we guarantee something will catch your eye. Perhaps time to cancel that AMG GT? BRABUS AMG SLS         BRABUS AMG SLS Roadster   …

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Hypercar Heroes – 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Brings $1.5M at Gooding Pebble Beach 2014

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The 959 is just coming out of a bit of limbo period – too young to be a true classic, but too old to have appeal among the trendiest supercar owners. But the 959 appears to have firmly graduated to greatness and rapidly appreciating values. This 959 Komfort with tastefully updated dark alloys and tinted windows brought in $1,45-million at Gooding and Company’s Pebble Beach 2014 auction — well above its $900,000 – $1,100,000 pre-sale estimate. It is easy to see why — the car is stunning and flawless. 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort   Gooding & Co. Lot 35 Pebble …

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Iconic Classics – 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham 4-Door Coupe

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This four-door coupe is truly a style and design icon. The Brougham is one of Cadillac’s most-valuable cars of all time — and this one in the Cadillac pavilion of Pebble Beach 2014 was a lovely find. From most angles, the Eldorado Brougham is simply a stylish and sexy coupe with some of the largest tail-fins you have ever seen. But from the rear three-quarter angle, we see the stunning contrast-alloy roof and a hidden pair of rear doors — making this one of the first of the modern ‘4-door’ coupes.   1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham    

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Concept Flashback – 2004 Hyundai HCD-8 Sports Tourer Concept

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Looking back through the Hyundai concept car archive is pretty shocking. The strides Hyundai has made in overall design and aesthetic appeal in the last decade are simply remarkable. Evidence? This HCD-8 Sports Tourer Concept — a grand GT coupe with luxurious rear-drive proportions, but serious failings in sexiness. (In fact, this coupe is front-drive.) What the HCD-8 does prove is how much design skill it takes to go from the Hyundai concepts from before this car and onto big hits like the 2011 Sonata and current Elantra. The concepts before this HCD-8 are far, far stranger and less appealing …

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Photo Poll! SCION Tuner Challenge 2014 Picks Speedhunters FR-S Widebody As Best, Do You Agree?

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Which is your favorite among these three awesome custom FR-S Scions? The Speedhunters is in white, with GT Channel in grey and Super Street in yellow. We especially love the winning white FR-S for a few of its really subtle but very cool details — things like the vintage JDM mirrors far up the hood, and the paintwork that recalls the legendary MCI sponsor livery of many old Toyota Baja trucks. The colors have outlasted MCI as a company and are now firmly a part of the Toyota Racing Development lore and culture. Great to see them applied here.   …

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JAGUAR Confirms AWD F-Type + New Bloodhound SSC Partnership

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  We *love* the F-Type R Coupe after some time at the wheel last month — and are happy to share that this range-topper will now offer AWD traction. Truly a stunning machine with the best soundtrack since………  Top Gun? I dont know about that, but Jaguar also announced a partnership with the very-boring-indeed Bloodhound SSC world record project that has not delivered a single actual run in seven years. We are so sick of reading about Bloodhound that we even tweeted to the SSC crew that it was starting to seem like vaporware. But things are progressing, and the …

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2015 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5 Widebody Joins ‘Ready to Rock’ Custom Fords Catalog

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These RTR Mustangs seem a bit out of nowhere — but are quickly taking the attention of enthusiasts and fighting for street-cred dominance with the Roush RS2 Mustang, Hennessey HPE700 and even Ford’s King Cobra with Ford Racing parts. Around since 2009, RTR stands for Ready to Rock — and these ponies certainly are. Overwhelmingly a style kit, the RTR upgrade does employ the familiar supercharger route to deliver huge horsepower gains to the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter V8. The RTR kit is available for the EcoBoost and V6 cars as well. Not exactly click-to-buy like the Roush parts, nor sold …

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Best of SEMA 2014 – 825HP 1965 Ford Mustang HOONICORN By RTR and Autosport Dynamics

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Who would argue against this beast winning a Best of Award! This drift special shows amazing workmanship and bonkers performance focus. 1965 Ford Mustang HOONICORN By RTR and Autosport Dynamics   Ken Block’s Hoonicorn RTR (4 photos) Mustang RTR and Vaughn Gittin Jr. teamed up with Ken Block and Hoonigan to create a completely unique, one-off, world’s first performance all-wheel drive 1965 Ford Mustang notchback. The retro-modern AWD “Hoonicorn RTR”, was revealed for the first time publicly in the Ford Motor Company booth at SEMA This jaw-dropping vehicle shares the spotlight with Block in his upcoming Gymkhana SEVEN video project. …

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RM Monterey 2014 – 1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti Brings $11.5M

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When SEMA becomes too much to handle, where to we turn for comfort and a little much-needed class? This 1964 Ferrari 250 Le Mans — one of the first mid-engine Ferrari’s ever made. Despite bringing more than $11-million this August in California, the only way is up for a car as special as this. 1964 Ferrari 250 LM   RM Auctions Monterey 15 – 16 August 2014 1964 Ferrari 250 LM by Scaglietti To be auctioned on Friday, August 15, 2014 Sold for $11,550,000 Chassis no. 6045 Engine no. 6045 320 hp, 3,286 aluminum-block V-12 engine with six Weber 38 …

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RM London 2014 Highlights – 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione Tour de France by Scaglietti

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  With many high-dollar supercars that are sold at auction, the outside world might have a hard time appreciating their finer detail. What makes one model worth exponentially more than another? But to those in the know, the “old masters” of the (post-war) car world are racing Ferrari 250GT’s. Any 250GT, really. A 250GT with racing influences in their design/construction or track time under their belts will always bring huge money. FOr this 1956 250GT Tour de France, anyone can appreciate the glamor and beauty and iconic design from all angles. This is one that takes no concours experience to …

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RM London 2014 Highlights – 1982 Ferrari 400i Earns $58k In Great Condition

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The Ferrari 400i is one of our all-time favorite Italians — one that seems timeless in its design appeal and practical enough to drive every day. This car is in fantastic condition but has one big demerit (or advantage, depending on your perspective…). What is this thing? The three-speed automatic versus a manual transmission is a let-down, even if it barely stunts the performance from the 4.8-liter V12 engine’s 310-horsepower. 1982 Ferrari 400i London 8 September 2014 Lot 167 1982 Ferrari 400i Automatic To be auctioned on Monday, September 8, 2014 Sold for £36,400 Chassis no. 38627 Engine no. 00523 …

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Best of SEMA 2014 – 800HP Hyundai Genesis Coupe by BloodType Racing in 35 High-Res Photos

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It is easy to drum up excitement around a new model like the Ford Mustang or the Lexus RC — but bringing an existing vehicle to the top echelons of tuner vehicles takes much more work, creativity and quality execution. A fantastic example of a long-term plan to make a Supra and NSX-stalking night racer is this Genesis Coupe from Blood Type Racing. An amazing widebody, front and rear wings larger than surfboards, and even custom LED lighting comes together to make the Genesis Coupe a star of SEMA 2014. The performance upgrade is far deeper than this candy red …

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2015 Ford Mustang KING COBRA Is 625HP Factory-Parts Cobra Jet Upgrade List!

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Exciting news from Ford today — a special set of factory upgrades to make any Mustang GT into the ultimate sprint car. The early quarter-mile time Ford recorded with the all three KC packs? 10.97-seconds — a blistering pace. There are three varieties of King Cobra upgrade packages: the Drag Pack, Handling Pack and Super Pack — with the Super pack housing the giant supercharger upgrade to create a venomous dragstrip king. To get you in the mood for Mustang Cobra excellence, we’ve included a 1979 Mustang Cobra, a 2004 and a 2012 Cobra Jet down below the 2015 Ford …

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SEMA 2014: Corvette Team Launches Z06 Concept Performance Parts Line for Stingray Owners

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Chevy today launches a new parts and factory accessories line called “Z06 Concept.” This a great idea, and can be thought of as similar the BMW M Performance. They are factory parts for cars already in your driveway. There has already been clamoring in the Corvette community for the spoiler and rear lights of the Z06 among Stingray owners.  Chevy answers the call! Also included here are photos of the Camaro Commemorative Edition at SEMA this week and in showrooms this Spring. Camaro owners also have a route to 1LE and ZL1 performance parts — featured soon in a separate …

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2015 BMW M4 – HD Track Drive Review + 150 New Photos in 5 Colors

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 Updated 11.4.14    It takes more time than we had to fall in love with the BMW M4. Too perfect? That seemed to be my impression after hopping from the GT-R to the RC-F to the M4 and others within minutes of one another. Time was so tight at Autobahn Country Club that we came home without a single snap of this stunning new BMW. Why? The car was swamped with people trying to drive it. Perhaps only the Challenger Hellcat or the BMW i8 were more in-demand that day. And as these reviews show — there were some stunning …

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2015 BMW M4 Safety Car in 30 High-Res Photos + Now Raceable in GT6!

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Is there anything cooler than flying M colors on the 2015 M4? Racing it in Gran Turismo 6!  Track tires, M Performance parts and a weight-stripped cabin setup will make this one of the quickest BMW’s in the game, and a fun way to sample the new M4’s return to straight-six glory. With turbochargers and blacked-out trims this time… thanks to M Performance.       2015 BMW M4 Safety Car       BMW M4 SAFETY CAR LAUNCHED FOR PLAYSTATION’S GRAN TURISMO®6   Woodcliff Lake, N.J. November 4th, 2014 09:00am Pacific / 12:00pm Eastern… BMW of North America and …

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Mercedes-Benz G-Code Concept Is China-Penned GLB Design Study

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  At the opening of its new Beijing R&D Center today, Mercedes revealed a very tasty new concept car to the world: the G-Code SUV concept. G-Code? Mercedes calls this hot new concept an SUC — which seems like an acronym too far! Let’s just say it is a very sporty crossover coupe. A Super-Sport Utility Vehicle? Regardless, the themes shown here are very interesting and fresh versus previous Mercedes SUV ideas and concepts. The flowing and ultra-sensual forms of the body are an extreme interpretation of Mercedes’ latest California-originating design themes — with the sheetmetal appearing like a taught …

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717HP, 3.6s 2015 Hennessey HPE700 Is Quickest Custom Mustang Yet~!

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Limited to 500 copies each – the new Hennessy HPE600 and HPE 700 Mustang upgrades are the hottest so far out the gate for this sweet new musclecar. The upgrade is centered on the powertrain to deliver those headline numbers, but the Hennessey Mustang is also seriously sexy outside with its deep racing splitter and aero treatment all around. This package, like the Roush options, can be ordered from Ford dealerships as well as via Hennessey directly. Difference? The Hennessey upgrade is seriously pricey – with our estimate being +$15,000 for the HPE600 and +$20,000 for the HPE700. Ordering details …

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2015 ROUSH Mustang Supercharger Kit Delivers 600+ Horsepower – Available From Ford Stores!

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The latest Mustang custom kit is here from Roush in the form of a mean Mustang supercharger kit! Sold through Ford dealerships as well as directly from Roush, the bolt-on upgrade costs about $5000 and is good for an easy extra 200-horsepower from the Mustang’s 5.0-liter V8. Roush has three upgrade packages for the 2015 Mustang ready to go: the RS, Stage 1 and Stage 2 — with focus given to styling and performance bumps for the EcoBoost and 3.7-liter base V6 as well as the big V8. 2015 Roush Mustang Roush RS Mustang   Core Components Front Fascia with …

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1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Is Most-Valuable Post-War Pug?

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$251,000 for the Peugeot from the 1980s? A sale price in this realm is by far the most for any post-war Peugeot that was not a LeMans prototype. This result shows the immense passion behind this legendary vehicle – which was hand-assembled and carries the same tubular steel monocoque as the T16 rally cars. The primary difference is in engine power, with this Turbo 16 putting out a relatively paltry 196-horsepower. But at the time, in the mid-1980s, power outputs like that in a mid-engine subcompact was still enough to provide a shocking level of thrust.   1984 Peugeot 205 …

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Best of SEMA – 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport Rocketbunny Widebody

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Could the Lexus RC be any hotter? We absolutely love the new RC Coupe – and this RC350 wearing a Rocketbunny widebody custom body and Greddy performance parts is sure to be a hero in Vegas this week. We are not personally a huge fan of air-ride and super-low machines with such stance as this example, but it is certainly visually arresting. Favorite detail? The long-tail spoiler. Awesome. 2015 Lexus RC350 F Sport Rocketbunny Widebody   2015 RC 350 F SPORT by Gordon Ting/Beyond Marketing Display Location: Lexus, 21601, Central Hall Description This RC 350 F SPORT hops low with …

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Best of SEMA – 2015 Lexus RC F by Gordon Ting in 27 High-Res Photos!

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Dear all other carmakers: this is how you launch a SEMA concept. Upgrade specs and 20-plus gorgeous photos! This year’s SEMA concept crop has been mostly awful renderings… which are barely credible versus a gorgeous photo set like this! 2015 Lexus RC F by Gordon Ting 2014 SEMA: 2015 Lexus RC F by Gordon Ting/ Beyond Marketing Fact Sheet   November 03, 2014 BODY: Custom Evasive Motorsports carbon fiber front lip and splitter and side diffusers WHEELS/TIRES: Yokohama Advan Wheels, AVS F50 Yokohama Advan Sport Front 255/30-20 Rear 285/30-20 BRAKES: Brembo Performance Front 6 piston monoblock calipers with 2-piece 405 …

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2010 GEMBALLA MIG-U1 Is Easily Most-Outrageous Enzo Ferrari Custom EVER!

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A blast from the past on this one – the 2010 Gemballa MIG U1. Even with the latest LaFerrari hogging the Enzo’s limelight, the MIG U1 is a terrifying level of customization and deeply enchanting levels of race-ready aerodynamics. This is still a very special car – and its Dubai plates show that Gemballa is still starring in these ultra-hot hypercar enclaves like Dubai, Singapore, Miami and Hong Kong.   2010 GEMBALLA MIG-U1     PRESS RELEASE      January 2010   GEMBALLA MIG-U1 – The super sports car in a unique overall concept   In the last 27 years, Uwe Gemballa …

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RM Dallas Preview – 600HP V12 1939 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe

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The upcoming Sam Pack collection sale from RM Auctions in Dallas is shaping up to be a big mover and shaker in the world of American classics. As a follow-up to the cool Lincoln concept cars article, here is perhaps the most stunning Lincoln in years: a 1939 custom Zephyr Coupe. The waterfall grille design shown here is perhaps the best-known Lincoln design theme aside from the 1961 Lincoln Continental of JFK fame. The fact that modern Lincolns wear this aesthetic is no coincidence.     A ground-up restoration and customization sees the original engine replaced by a 6.0-liter V12 …

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Hypercar Hall of Shame – 2005 MAYBACH Exelero

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Hall of shame is right! A car so hideous that it shamed Mercedes-Benz into a full McLaren partnership to make the SLR? Perhaps too harsh? We were unsure how to position this article until catching the face of the woman in the background of the photo below. Yep, that about sums up the Exelero. There are a few nice elements of the Exelero, including is huge proportions and length versus such a low height, the sinking glasshouse and arced windows, and the elegant twisted-beam in the side shaping. This spiral form was/is all the rage in architecture, and was fresh …

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Hypercar Halloween! 202MPH 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Pack in 110 Scary-Sexy Wallpapers

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Trick or treat! Criteria for being a Halloween Hypercar? Amazing performance, stunning design, delicious details and exclusivity for the ages. What meets these criteria in spades? The 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package — an orange stunner with V10 legs for miles and a bite to sate even the sweetest tooth. Enjoy these photos – we have never seen many of them published in their full glory, and they are worth considering in detail. Interspersed are the LFA’s official specs from Lexus.com. Overall, the Nurburgring pack brought a fixed rear wing, an extra 10-horsepower, firmer and remapped suspension and transmission, and …

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SCION Thrills With Concept FR-S TARGA TURBO + xB Camper Conversion

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  Great ideas from Scion for SEMA! In a huge Vegas pavilion filled with unreal concepts and one-offs that you might (or might not…) even want to own, here comes Scion. The Cartel Customs Targa FR-S is brilliant and seems feasible both for current owners to pursue as well as for the company itself. The convertible FT86 Open concept looks to have been shelved for now, so why not the next best way to get wind in your hair? The xB conversion camper is also deeply charming throughout. Check out the cabin details and those plush leather seats!  Reminds us …

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Future Classic Feature – 1999 Saab 9-3 VIGGEN Is Thunderbolt Legend – And This One Is For Sale!

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The SAAB 9-3 Viggen is a legend of a car. Named after the Thunderbolt fighter jet, the Viggen celebrated all that made the Saab 9-3 the firm’s most-successful model throughout the marque’s storied history. Front-drive, mad power and turbo antics were all paramount with the Viggen — but in typical Saab fashion, this was not a badge and stickers job. The upgrades list over the standard 9-3 Aero is absolutely huge — with what amounts to an all-new, direct-injected engine just the start of the custom elements in the Viggen.   EXHAUST NOTE VIDEO INTRO The 225-horsepower and 258-pound-feet of …

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Pristine Porsche 924 Martini Rally Car Up For Grabs In New UK Sweepstakes!

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  Imagine driving not just a rally car every day, but a Martini Racing rally car from the heyday of high-speed gravel pace. Not just a Martini Racing rally car… but a Porsche too! The dream is real with a new sweeps from UK firm Classic Car Win. Entries are via text for about $7 each — with details below. http://www.classiccarwin.co.uk/ For those outside the UK, the photos are still a visual feast. This 924 is flawless. Porsche 924 Martini Rally Car     CLASSIC CAR WIN LAUNCHES ITS FIRST COMPETITION WITH A PORSCHE! 29/10/14 CLASSIC CAR WIN is giving …

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2015 Scion tC Release Series 9.0 Brings Showcar Style To Showrooms From $24k

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Scion’s Release Series cars are convincing upgrades to standard models – showing what is possible in a full stage one makeover outside and in. The FR-S RS1 and this new tC RS9 stand out as some of the best factory customs on the market – and certainly in this price range. 2000 copies of this lowered and blacked-out Scion tC will reach showrooms around February of 2015 — with cool accents like black wheels, lowering springs and even a milled central exhaust outlet. Very cool upgrades all around from Cartel Customs. 2015 Scion tC Release Series 9.0 Scion tC Release …

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First 2015 NISMO GT-R Delivered To Winston-Salem NC; Witch Trial Soon?

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Is the NISMO GT-R a witch? How else could the car be so insanely fast in a straight line or around any racetrack? It must be witchcraft. Winston-Salem, North Carolina residents are seeking justice today after the first-ever US customer received his dream GT-R this week, rendering all other supercars obsolete. After all, if it can’t be explained… it must be witchcraft! Sure, Salem Massachusetts is where the original witch trials were held … but the NISMO GT-R has sought a change of venue to secure an unbiased jury. Until a verdict is reached, sales of the 2015 GT-R NISMO …

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Concept To Reality – Part Two – 2007 Lexus LF-A Roadster

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PART TWO: THE ROADSTER Why show a nearly-identical roadster version of the LF-A Concept for the 2007 show season? Mainly, to show the potential of the front-engine supercar design, as well as to prove that the idea was still progressing nicely on the road to production. In lipstick red, the LF-A Roadster certainly got hearts racing. People we palpably excited for the car at this point — but would have to wait another two years for the production coupe to drop its silk robes. 2007 Lexus LF-A Roadster   PREVIOUS How time flies! Versus the 2010 Lexus LFA production supercar, …

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Concept To Reality – Part One – 2005 Lexus LF-A Coupe In 31 High-Res Photos

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How time flies! Versus the 2010 Lexus LFA production supercar, the 2005 Lexus LF-A Coupe is fairly shocking. Why? Not just its hyphen versus the hyphen-free production car? Yes, but there is more =] First of all, the production car is far more attractive.This is a rarity across almost every concept to reality series before, and shows how quickly the Lexus supercar idea was evolving alongside Lexus’s overall design aesthetic. And secondly, that this LFA concept seems so unbelievably early in the car’s evolution. Detail elements that are typically finished in most Toyota and Lexus concepts are very raw and …

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3.2s, 199MPH 2015 Audi R8 Competition Edition Revealed Ahead of LA Show

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  Audi just released the details of its 60-copy 2015 R8 Competition — a harder, faster and stronger version of the ultimate four-ringed supercar. Based on the R8 V10 Plus, the Competition Edition runs a 570-horsepower version of the 5.2-liter V10 engine from the Plus with a racing-tuned S-tronic DSG gearbox. The extra power and pace is announced by the R8 Competition’s unique matte carbon styling accents throughout, along with a more soulful engine note and gloss-black detail elements. 2015 Audi R8 Competition   Oct 28, 2014 , HERNDON, Va. Limited-edition Audi R8 competition to debut at Los Angeles Auto Show …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Is Powerful But Huge And Floaty

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Updated 10.28.14 With Track Drive Video We were thrilled to get in the new Challenger for some hot laps around Autobahn Country Club — and extra happy it was a V8! But despite being near the top of the range of many Challengers for 2015, this R/T automatic was greatly outclassed by serious sports cars. The R/T felt fast, but also enormously floaty and very heavy around all corners. There was an odd sense of height in the car at all times – like it was riding too high and had a lofty center of gravity as well. In corners, …

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Concept Flashback – Lexus LF-LC in 77 High-Res Photos – Future LF-C?

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When looking closely at the 2011 and 2012 Lexus LF-LC concepts, you see clear influences all around toward the latest RC. You also see the design from these advanced studies throughout the Lexus line for 2015 – with everything from the GX to the ES and LS wearing a giant spindle frame grille and arrowhead lighting elements. There is more to these beauties than just the nose, however: they share the exact proportions and hard-points with the vaunted LF-A supercar. Are these designs intended as a second-generation LF-A? Something like an LF-C with hybrid power from the Toyota TS040 LeMans …

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2015 Exige S Automatic Is Quickest LOTUS Streetcar EVER! 3.8s 60mph Sprint, Race Modes and Coming to USA

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Lotus has just announced details on the quickest production car ever — the new Exige S Automatic. We cannot think of another street-ready and USA-legal Lotus that has ever been so quick — with nearly all of Lotus’s hottest technology, biggest powerplant and raciest equipment, all on the most-hardcore and lightest model. The latest Exige S is really a king-maker on any racetrack, but also a delight on the roads there and back. It is 50-state legal and priced from about $75,000. In terms of thrills per buck, the Exige S will make a Porsche 911 look like a giant …

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Bugatti GS Vitesse 1 of 1 Edition Celebrates Type 41 Royale In Bespoke Yellow / Black

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When spending more than $2-million on a single car, every one is inherently special. The Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse falls into this league of ultra-customized purchases – where an extra few hundred thousand dollars in special add-ons in the new normal. Such is the case of this Vitesse One of One edition, delivered in secret last month at Pebble Beach in a private gala. Aside from the gorgeous fly yellow into obsidian exterior, there are unique touches on all sides. The grille is quite special – as the first-ever Veyron to have the normal mesh replaced by a laser-cut PL, …

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RM Monterey 2014 Highlights – 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S Earns $1.2M

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  After being declined an RM Auctions press pass for this year’s Monterey (Pebble Beach) auction, we froze RM coverage for a few months to focus on Gooding and Bonhams. But this stunning Lamborghini has brought us back into the fold. A combination of the right spec and the right colors makes it one of the hottest classic supercars in the world in 2014. Originally yellow, this early P400S runs an original engine and shows just 30,000 miles under its Carrara White exterior. We have learned a bit about the Carrara White color recently – being named after the Carrara …

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HD Road Test Review – 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI Is Sophisticated But Trumped By New WRX

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The GTI seems like a city car for people who actually want a BMW. The tricky thing about the latest GTI is that it overlaps with the base BMW 228 and even the $33,000 320i sedan. This is a big problem for Volkswagen — but it is not the worst problem. The competitiveness of the 2015 WRX is definitely causing wrinkled foreheads in Wolfsburg. The Subaru is now as refined as the GTI when cruising, but far more fun and much quicker at all times. Bright red seems to be the GTI’s signature color. After driving the new GTI a …

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LA Teasers! Scion iM Concept Car Previews New tC + 2016 Acura ILX + Prius V Facelifts

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First look this morning at the very promising Scion iM concept car for Los Angeles! The ‘iM’ name of this hot new Scion prototupe is a reference to the brand’s new Driven campaign, with fans and Scion drivers encouraged to tweet with the #iMdriven hashtag to show some love. (Not to be confused with Range Rover’s #IamDriven contest .. which we did not win. A skydiver from ‘ellay’ won the trip to Carmel.) So what is this Scion iM concept? It appears to be a hotter and more-aggressive sports car. The deep scoops and lighting elements are heavily FR-S-influenced, as …

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2016 McLaren P1 GTR Sexts Out 10 Salacious Cockpit Snaps! Uncensored, NSFW Photos Inside

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  The P1 GTR is having its full goodies exposed now – in what we are calling the pappening! It started with upskirt photos in Pebble Beach, and has now led to this spread-eagle display of its most private areas for the world to see. The giant exhaust cans and rear spoiler are visibly erect at all times – definitely prepared for racing scenarios lasting more than four hours. Thoughts on the latest skin pics from between the P1 GTR’s legs – aka, the cockpit? It is remarkably bare down there. There is not a scrap of Alcantara comfort fuzz …

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Best of Awards – 2015 Lexus RC-F Review in 3 Videos, 170 Photos and 467 Reasons It Beats BMW M4

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TRACK DRIVE VIDEO     The downside of being the first guy in the seat of the amazing Lexus RC-F last month at a big track drive event in Chicago? We were part of the first laps around the track – barely scratching the surface of the RC-F’s abilities. But the upside? Driving one of the hottest and most-anticipated supercoupes in years. We absolutely love the RC-F and find it is a huge leap from the IS-F before in almost every way. Included here are: track drive video, pit lane intro video, an exhaust/startup video 30 all-new photos from Autobahn …

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Updated With 80 Gorgeous Photos! 2015 Ford Mustang GT Review

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Updated 10.20.14 We have a confession to make: while downloading and editing these 80 new photos of the Mustang media drive in LA, we took a break and sent off a few emails to Ford contacts. Why? The Mustang is so gorgeous in these photos that we are trying to charm our way into an upcoming east coast media drive event. The 30-min track lap above was not enough time. Fingers crossed we can make it work to get up close with the EcoBoost as well as the GT. Take a look at all the new photos from Ford below …

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2012 Cadillac CTS-V with Satin White Wrap by CAMSHAFT vs 2015 CTS-V Coupe Midnight

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Tastes are changing fast. In the latest Corvette C7 sales breakout for 2014, gloss black wheels took nearly half of the sales on the top Z51 trim level. Old staples like silver and chrome are now battling for the remainder of sales. This makes sense. Supercars and hypercars as far back as 2005 and 2006 started to appear with black wheels. This is a great top-down was to make a trend go mainstream. Similarly, brightwork is out. Chrome trims on the windows have long been ditched on M Sport BMWs, but it takes a custom touch to update your own …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Mazda3 S Grand Touring 5-Door Drives Like BMW!

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By Special Contributor Ken Glassman Mazda has been making some great cars for a long time. And Mazda has been setting themselves apart from the crowd by dialing in more driving excitement. You can always count on a Mazda to offer outstanding handling and excellent performance into all their models. And the 3 series Grand Touring is no exception.  EXTERIOR The styling of this 5-door hatchback is slick and unique. Hatchbacks are not nearly as popular in the US as they are everywhere else in the world, but this one may change how Americans look at a hatchback, and see …

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Update1 – Road Test Review – 2015 Ford Fiesta ST Is Freaky Fast, Freaky Good

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 Updated 10.18.14 With New Videos Performance Specials. They are the cream of the crop. They are the CTS-V’s of the world, the M5s and the Lancer Evo’s. They are freaky specials that are the product of pure driving joy, allowed to slip into showrooms every now and then. For car guys, they are the holy grail. Rare. Special. Excellent. From the moment you sit in the Ford Fiesta ST, you know that it is going to be a hugely fun drive. The seats are packed with support bolsters and the engine start button kicks the Fiesta into life with a …

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Spec Rendering – 2016 Subaru WRX STi RS500 Coupe

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Just a bit of fun for this Friday afternoon – a potential WRX STi Coupe. We have called it the RS500 in a nod to the previous Impreza RS Coupe of the 1990s, with the 500 a power ooutput of this rally-prepped turbo engine. The exterior changes are extensive, but we aimed for production feasibility over other-worldly style. To this end, the windshield rake stays almost exactly the same, as do the front doors and other hard points up front. Obviously cut out the rear doors, and shortened the wheelbase by five inches to make the RS500 Coupe pivot a …

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2015 Audi Sport TT Cup Is Customer Racing Series Alongside DTM – Now Taking 18 Driver Applications!

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12 races over the 2015 DTM season will see dozens of normal guys train with Audi Sport and head out for intense 30-minute TT Cup races with a truly world-class engineering and racing support team at their disposal. The Audi Sport TT Cup is a customer racing program that will run these 30-minute races of 24 cars each before six major DTM races in the 2015 season. The price is sure to be high for those who want to join, but the rewards will be high too. This is a fully race-prepped TT with 310-horsepower, roll cage, lightweighting and flypaper …

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1250HP, 2.6s MANSORY Carbonado GT and Apertos Roadster Are Eye-Popping Lamborghini Aventador Makeovers

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You think the Novitec Torado Aventador Roadster is lavish and unbelievable? Check out these three from Mansory – the King tuner of the automotive world. Not just for the comprehensive overhauls and the princely pricing. Mansory literally has around a dozen monarchs on its (very private) client list. Real-life Kings. For these types of shoppers, nothing standard or factory-made will suffice. Step in, the Carbonado GT and Roadster – of which only three will be made. They build on the first-gen Carbonado ‘Black Diamond’ ideas, but now with more power and more lavish design upgrades. The Carbonado name is the …

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Update1 – Superlux Style VOTE! Mansory Bentley Flying Spur vs. Mansory Rolls-Royce Wraith

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These two are both pretty outrageous expressions of UHNWI style and personalization. The colors and trims shown here are not the ‘limit’ of Mansory’s abilities. Moreover, they are the opening salvo. You can have anything your mind can dream up on a Mansory custom. The refinements are pretty extensive outside, inside and under the skins of this Wraith and Flying Spur. The Wraith with a matte-effect silver on the grille and upper body is actually pretty interesting in contrast to the super-metallic sheen of the painted surfaces. The interior of the Flying Spur is remarkably glamorous – and shows the …

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Update1 With 50 New Photos – 2014 Renault Eolab Concept PHEV Is Not Ebola-Proof

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  The Renault Ebola Eolab concept PHEV is back with 50 new photos! Renault reads the newspaper, right? How could they let a name so close to the deadliest disease known to man be attached to the back of a damn-sexy concept car previewing a PHEV Megane? We especially like the orange-red accent color that appears to be bleeding out the Eolab’s grille and under its floating A-pillars. Classy. Eolab. Ebola. Pretty close. We are excited for the upcoming Chevrolet Cancer and Vauxhall SIDS. Or how about the new Volkswagen HIV? Mazda Malaria? Opel Polio?     PREVIOUS Ahh! What …

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2014 Alfieri Maserati Underwhelms In Person With Bloated Surfaces and Mildewing Cabin

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  Updated 10.11.14 Forgot we have photos of the Alfieri Maserati from the Pebble Beach concepts lawn! The car is not that great in real life. Its nose is by far the best feature. Overall, it looks too stubby and odd around the mid-section, where its wheelbase appears too short to balance its giant bulging real end. Another oddity? The jackasses who were minding the car would not shut its doors and windows. When asked for third time, he slowly dipped down the back glass but wouldn’t latch it for photos. I mean, seriously? I thought he was just a …

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Best of Awards – 2015 Nissan GT-R Premium in 4K Track Drive Reviews

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 TRACK DRIVE VIDEO – 4K Quality The Midwest Auto Media Association’s Fall Rally in 2013 was my first-ever taste of the mighty Nissan GT-R. Last year, the Nissan USA guys brought a seriously menacing Track Edition model for quick laps around the Autobahn Country Club racetrack. We arrived on the scene in a press loan Nissan JUKE Nismo so it was a love-fest overall for the Nissan performance lineup. But a late arrival meant we skipped the track in 2013 in favor of mild street drives instead. Or so we thought. In Race/Race/Race settings, the GT-R threw my iPhone camera …

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Gen-6 Toyota Camry NASCAR Revealed Ahead of 2015 Season

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The NASCAR ‘Car of Tomorrow’ is now in its sixth generation after barely as many years roaring round the nation’s speedways. Luckily, this latest design rulebook allows the cars to look much less generic, and more like their actual namesake road car models. The first out of the gates for the 2015 season of the Sprint Cup and 2015 Xfinity (formerly Nationwide) racing series is the new Camry. It really does look like the production car! ANIMATED OVERLAY ANALYSIS: Camry v ‘NASCamry’ In this transparency of the production Camry XSE versus the NASCAR Camry, we can see how similar these …

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MANSORY Customs for McLaren 12C Up the Bling Quotient of First-Gen Supercar Dramatically

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Bling? Does anyone say that anymore?  Probably not – but the sentiment definitely holds for anything that comes out of the Mansory dream factory. Three years since the release of the MP4-12C — pre-name-change, and before McLaren Special Operations started doing factory customs — there are a large amount of second-hand supercars on the market. All they truly need to have the presence and curb appeal of the latest 650S is a little pizzazz outside and in! For cities like Miami, Monte Carlo or Macau – a factory supercar is a dime a dozen. Being unique is all about expressing …

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2015 Mercedes-AMG GT Edition 1 Packs Dark Style and Huge Rear Wing + 60 New Photos

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Updated 10.10.14   The wraps have come off the AMG GT’s Edition 1 package! 2015 Mercedes-AMG GT Edition 1     PREVIOUS The relationship between PlayStation and Mercedes-Benz has been very strong since the AMG SLS was the cover car for GranTurismo 5. That relationship is a three-way affair: among AMG, Polyphony Digital as the GT game developers, and Sony itself in extending the reach of PS4. The new DRIVECLUB game seeks to be a new type of social racing experience — where friends battle one another for track glory both in real-time and as part of championship leagues. Sony …

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First Drive Review – 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe 3.6 AWD Drives Well, But Lacks Sex Appeal at $55,000 Price

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            The new ATS Coupe from Cadillac would appear to have all the right stuff – on paper. But as we griped in an Op-Ed article this summer, the results in the real world are less than thrilling. http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/07/03/op_ed-2015-cadillac-ats-coupe-is-boring/ How can a new executive coupe be so terminally dull? Ultimately, we struggle greatly about what benefits the Coupe has over the better-looking sedan. As noted in the video above, the ATS Coupe is theoretically stiffer in the chassis department — and perhaps a bit sportier in its handling tune. 2014 Cadillac ATS Sedan But it …

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Updated with 80 New Photos – 585HP, 3.9s 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 and S65 AMG Coupe

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Updated 10.9.14 with 80 New Photos A handful of photos of the forthcoming S65 AMG Coupe from Pebble Beach, along with a big set of new photos showing the UK model of the S63 two-door. The design is wholly transformative versus any CL-Class that has come before it. But is it unique enough versus the S550 Coupe? But first, a charmer of a 300SL. 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe   PREVIOUS The S63 AMG Coupe builds on the hottest new Mercedes-Benz strategies of supercar pace/luxury-car comfort — and keeps building, and building, and building!   A true skyscraper of a …

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Meet BharatBenz – India’s Locally-Made Trucks Seeing Huge Growth Via Combo of Low-Cost + High-Quality

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  Familiar with the American FUBU apparel line? The name stands for ‘For Us, By Us.’ Think of BharatBenz as the ‘FIBI’ of big trucks. For India, By India. Heavy trucks may not be huge business by volume, but for Daimler, they are some of the most profitable. Among the truck lines owned by Mercedes’ parent company are big names like Mitsubishi Fuso, Wester Star, Thomas Bus Lines, Freightliner and Setra. The newest kid on the block? BharatBenz — a locally-made and locally-tailored line of trucks both from and for India. Mercedes engineering and safety foundations are a great shared …

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2015 Porsche 911 GTS Is Quickest Route to Big Speed on Atmospheric 911 Models

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  The Porsche 911 GTS is back for 2015 in the coupe and Cabriolet body styles! It is a pretty light upgrade and equipment package – comprised of standard PASM, Sport Exhaust, Powerkit and Sport Chrono packs. Even so, the performance is mighty impressive: as quick as 3.8-seconds to 60-mph with the PDK and a Vmax of 190-mph.  Both are slightly better than the Carrera S, and far easier to order! Aesthetically, the GTS models ride lower and pack a black rear intake accent versus body-color on the standard 911 models.   2015 Porsche 911 GTS   ENHANCED POWER AND …

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#NameThatCamaro! 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS Emerald Green SEMA Special Needs A Name

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  Well here is something interestin: A Chevy #NameThatCamaro challenge ahead of the SEMA show! We can’t help but feel slightly honored, as this crowd-sourced contest shares some similarities with out long-running #NameThatCar and #NameThatConcept postings on  the Car Revs Daily  Facebook page. But hey, Camaro fans might all think alike =] The special edition SS will be on sale soon after the SEMA show under the working name of Spring Special Edition (new name is TBD of course), so get those name ideas tagged and tweeted before November! NameThatCamaro 2015 Chevrolet Camaro SS         Make History …

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2015 BMW LW M4 by LightWeight Performance Packs 520HP and GTS-Previewing Chassis and Aero

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The 2015 BMW M4 is stunning and packs 425-horsepower from the factory. But is there room for a more track-focused version? BMW M certainly thinks so — the upcoming M4 GTS model is nearly complete after running extensive testing around the Nurburgring. Lightweight Performance of Germany has beat them to the punch, however, with its new LW M4 upgrade. This includes nearly the whole catalog of LW upgrades, including engine tuning, wheels/tires, suspension mods and exhaust changes. The combination results in 520-horsepower and a far more focused look on the outside. Aero upgrades are comprehsive and include a racing-spec rear …

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Best of Awards – Most Fun SuperCoupe Street Racer – 2015 JAGUAR F-Type R Coupe

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UPDATED 10.4.14 With Two 4K Drive Videos and 30 High-Res Photos   Our solid and bankable reco if you can afford it? The R! 2015 JAGUAR F-Type R Coupe   PREVIOUS The new F-Type Coupe is hot as the summer sun these days – but which is best? And among the standard, S and R — which fits your budget and performance criteria? Here is a quick walk through the JaguarUSA.com online configurator, where I built a $77,000 F-Type S Coupe and racked up a $92,000 total in the process. There are many tempting options, including the poshest 20-inch wheels …

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Design Talent Showcase – 2020 Lamborghini Minotauro by Andrei Avarvarii

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This Lamborghini Minotauro can really catch your eye in all the right ways. Designed as part of a student portfolio by Andrei Avarvarii of Spain, this is not merely a Photochop like many of the renderings seen online. Avarvarii designed out the electric EV prototype five phases, with detailed planning for the interior and exterior volumes, with a level of mechanical engineering thoroughness built in as well. The prototype is was set to explore a softer, rounder Lamborghini for the 2020 model year.   In-wheel motor/generators allow an unusual amount of freedom in the proportions of the Minotauro,and the car …

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