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?
Sports Coupes
Aston Martin Vantage AMR Brings Manual Transmission, Lighter Weight To Buyers
Aston Martin’s AMR sub-brand has produced an impressive list of hits during its relatively short time of being a production grade option for Aston Martin buyers. However, while the DB11 and the other big Astons have benefitted from this upgrade, the 2018 Vantage was forced to sit on the sidelines. That changes with the unveiling of the all new limited edition Vantage AMR. A key rule that defined older Vantage ownership (and arguably the best way to fully enjoy the car) was to avoid the single clutch automated manual, and go for the more analog. but purist preferred manual …
Insider: 3 Tips for Avoiding Hefty Car Repair Bills
What with the cost of your insurance premium, the gas that you have to shell out for, and the tax that you have to pay, your car drains enough of your finances as it is. Throw in hefty repair bills every so often, and everything gets a lot more expensive. The fact of the matter is, however, that if you take care of your car in the present, you will avoid having to pay out for repairs on it in the future. It is crucial that you take the following advice, and that you treat your care with the utmost …
Ford Pays Homage To SVO With All New Mustang High Performance Package
With the soon to be launched 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 primed to re-establish itself at the top of the pecking order in Ford’s stable, Dearborn has turned its attention downmarket, and focused on addressing a noticeable void between the base EcoBoost four cylinder and the V8 powered GT models. Channeling some 80’s inspired magic into its creation, the company has unveiled the final result, the 2020 Ford Mustang High Performance Package. Paying tribute to the long gone SVO model which appeared during the decade that featured the rise of Madonna and the Nintendo Entertainment System (but sadly not reviving …
Caterham Sevens: The Official Story of a Unique British Sportscar From Conception to CSR Book Review
(Editor’s Note:) At Car-Revs-Daily.com, we enjoy having the chance to not only help contributors of all types have the opportunity to showcase their work on a unique and growing platform, but to also occasionally help their respective websites as well. In this regard, we recently collaborated with Emily Blakowski (an aspiring book reviewer when she is not assisting the Detroit office with audiophile things) and challenged her to review a selection from the Car-Revs-Daily Metro Detroit archives (which can be seen below.) Please enjoy, and let us know if you want to see more – Regards Carl Malek Ever …
Refreshed 2020 Audi TT-RS To Debut In New York
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 …
2019 Ferrari P80/C Is Heavenly One-Off Based on 488 GT3 Car
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 …
2020 Toyota Supra Color Range Revealed
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 …
2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione – Gooding Amelia Island 2019 Highlight
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 …
2020 Shelby GT500 Embraces The St. Patricks Day Spirit With All New Grabber Lime Hue
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 …
3D Printing and Super Computers Transform Mustang Into Slithering Serpent of Speed [Video]
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 …
2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera – Startup Video & Gallery – Amelia Concours Highlight
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 …
2019 Ginetta Akula – Underdog Debut Pips Geneva Hypercar Elite
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 …
2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept + RB-003 = Mid-Engine Mania!
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 …
2019 Toyota 86 GT – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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 …
Road Test Review – 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF – By Carl Malek
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 …
Chinese Sports Car Qiantu K50 Confirmed for New York Auto Show Debut
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 …
1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham – Meet the Original 4-Door Coupe
Is this my favorite Cadillac of all time? YES! I love the Eldorado Brougham for all its quirks, but most of all for its incredible design and packaging. Here is a fairly compact — for the era — machine with low-slung lines and width to take up an entire freeway lane. Hidden rear suicide doors are truly invisible until you know where to look. Then once these all open you discover a pillarless layout! That makes it unlike nearly all other coach-door classic cars and quite special in my book. The other really coupe-like element that ties the design togehter …
Flawless 1994 Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo Targa 6MT – RM Amelia 2019 Preview
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. …
Toyota/Subaru Refute Reports of Demise of GT86/BRZ, Confirm Next Generation Model Is In The Works
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 …
Toyota Teases GR Supra Performance Line Concept Ahead of February 9th
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. …
NOVITEC Ferrari 812 SuperFast Gets Racy, Liveable Mods
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 …
~755HP Shelby GT500 Joins Horsepower Wars, Sinks Fangs Into Hellcat and Camaro ZL1
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 …
2020 Toyota Supra Officially Breaks Cover, 335 Horsepower and $49k MSRP Are Compelling Combination
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 …
Lexus Showcases 2020 RC F & Limited Production RC F Track Edition Ahead of NAIAS
In a world where it seems SUVs are out to take over everything that the automobile stands for, Lexus has decided to buck the trend for NAIAS 2019, and instead has chosen Detroit to debut a trio of new cars. In addition to the fore-mentioned LC Convertible concept, Lexus is also debuting much needed updates to the 2020 Lexus RC F, as well as the limited edition RC F Track Edition in an attempt to make the RC F a true contender to some of the best that Germany and Italy have to offer. 2020 Lexus RC F: Before …
BRABUS 800 Mercedes-AMG E63-S and Widebody AMG GTS in Emerald Green by Fostla.de
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 …
2020 Toyota Supra Spied Camo Free And Ready For Detroit
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 …
Lexus Teases Hotter RC F Track Edition Ahead of NAIAS
Toyota and Lexus are pulling out all the stops when it comes to performance vehicles at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. In addtion to the worst kept secret in the industry today (the revived Toyota Supra,) Lexus has teased its own performance king, the 2020 RC F Track Edition ahead of the glitz and glamor that will descend on the Motor City in 2019. Unlike the Supra, the upcoming RC F Track Edition has done a much better job eluding detection, thus fine details surrounding the bulk of its exterior styling are still unknown. What we do …
2018 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 6MT Performance Pack – Road Test Review w/ Video
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 …
2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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 …
Toyota Confirms NAIAS Debut For Revived Supra Sports Car
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 …
Road Test Review – 2018 Ford Mustang GT Performance Package 2 – By Carl Malek [Video]
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 …
Road Test Review – 2018 Audi TT-RS – By Carl Malek
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 …
2018 Lexus RC350 F Sport – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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 …
2018 Nissan GTR50 Concept By ItalDesign – Goodwood FoS 2018 Debut
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 …
2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Grand Touring – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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 …
Road Test Review – 2018 Rolls Royce Wraith Black Badge – By Carl Malek
When it comes to ultra British luxury cars only one brand has managed to generate a unique appeal and a sense of grandeur that has come to define its iconic history. That brand of course, is none other than Rolls Royce, which has always managed to steal the show in its own unique way. It’s most recent attention grabbing feat was a few years ago in 2016 when the brand unleashed a Rolls Royce Wraith Black Badge on the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed. Placing sixth in the Supercar Run portion of the event, the Black Badge was a glimpse …
2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Redeye Ushers In New Regime of Muscle [Video]
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 …
Aston Martin Unveils Sleek 2019 DBS Superleggera
When it comes to defining the ultimate production Aston Martin, the DBS nameplate has always played a key role in distinguishing these special cars from the rest of the fold. The DBS moniker also means more performance, which is whats exactly in store for the newest chapter of DBS. Dubbed the DBS Superleggera, this DB11 based monster replaces the old Vanquish S and also resurrects the “Superleggera” moniker which has not been seen on a production Aston Martin for several decades. Aston Martin stylists added a larger hexagonal shaped front grille, as well as a tweaked lower bumper which is …
2018 Audi S5 Sportback 3.0T quattro Tiptronic – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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, …
2018 Nissan 370Z Coupe Heritage Edition – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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 …
Aston Martin Unveils Limited Edition “V600” Vantage, Model Customer Commissioned Special
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 …
2019 Chevrolet Camaro Brings New Vigor To Muscle Car Wars, 1LE Four Cylinder Package Debuts
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” …
Insider: How to Have Fun when Buying a New Car
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 …
Aston Martin Eying Return Of Inline Six, Possibly In 2018 Vantage
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, …
David Brown Automotive Teases Speedback Silverstone Edition
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 …
Road Test Review – 2017 Lexus RC 350 F-Sport (RWD) – By Carl Malek
When we last had a chance to sample Lexus’s two door stable in our Northern outpost, it was behind the wheel of the brand’s most opulent offering, the V8 powered 2018 LC 500. The LC is proof that Lexus can build sporty coupes, but does this magic transfer over to the more mainstream RC lineup? Or does the RC lack the sizzle that has defined Lexus’s past coupe efforts? When you look at the RC 350 from various angles, it’s obvious that the RC is an intriguing canvas. The spindle grille for example is a love it or hate …
2017 Lexus RC-F – Road Test Review – Introducing Jesus R. Garcia
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 …
Ford Brings More Power, Style, To NAIAS With 2019 Bullit Mustang [Video]
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 …
2017 Ford Mustang SHELBY GT350 – Review w/ 5 HD Videos
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 …
2.7s, 249MPH 2018 W Motors FENYR SuperSport – Private Unveiling Party
Dubai is now home to another glittering palace! W Motors and ICONIQ just ripped the silk sheets off their latest masterpieces: the production 2018 Fenyr SuperSport and a flagship Dubai showroom. The years-long gestation of the W Motors FENYR SuperSport actually inspires confidence. This is the all-important sophomore album. One that is make or break for the future of the business. For a startup exotic car-maker, the debut of the Fenyr is everything that you might have loved about the Lykan hypercar. But in a cheaper, friendlier package. The fact that it took a very-normal three years to make this …
2018 Lexus LC500 – Supercar of the Year – Road Test Review
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 …
Road Test Review: 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF Club (6MT) – By Carl Malek
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. …
Morgan Announces End Of Aero 8 Production, Teases Limited Edition GT Model [Video]
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 …
2017 Shelby 427 DAYTONA Secret Weapon COUPE CSX2605 [70 Photos!]
A big block motor was a highly experimental concept in 1964 and Carroll Shelby kept it in his back pocket. The lengthened, re-engined monster was Shelby’s Secret Weapon for the 1964 LeMans 24 Hours. “”..it could have topped 200 miles per hour at Le Mans. Weighing about 2,200 pounds with world class aerodynamics and the power of a big block, the car had tremendous performance potential. However, destiny intervened. The truck carrying CSX2286 to Le Mans was involved in an accident that damaged the Shelby too much to be repaired in time for the race. It never ran a lap …
2018 Aston Martin VANTAGE – Official Configurator GIFs + Q Palette Neons
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 …
Aston Martin Reinvents Its Sporting Pedigree With 2018 Vantage Coupe
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 …
2017 INFINITI Q60 Red Sport 400 – Road Test Review + Drive Videos
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 …
Road Test Review – 2018 Lexus LC 500 – By Carl Malek [HD Videos]
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 …
All Hail The King!!! Chevrolet Revives Corvette ZR1 For 2019 Model Year – By Carl Malek
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 …
2017 Dodge Challenger T/A – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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 …
2018 Lexus LC500 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
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 …
2017 Bugatti CHIRON Breaks Records – 0-250MPH-0 In 42 Seconds + Under 2 Miles
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 …
2018 Audi A5 Coupe 2.0T Quattro S Tronic – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
If we’ve learned anything from Hollywood, it’s that the sequel is treacherous territory. While famous follow-ups like Godfather 2 and even Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, come to mind, the 2.0 movie has a bad reputation – and it boils down to where do we go from here? And if you look at the first-run Audi A5 Coupe, (some say coo-pay) you’ve got to feel for the folks at Audi. Penned by famed designer Walter de Silva, he called it “the most beautiful car I have ever built”. And you can see his point. It was stunning – and …
In Pictures – 2018 Ferrari PORTOFINO Society Debut
From Ferrari’s lavish Portofino gala featuring Giancarlo Fisichella, Piero Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Marchionne. 2018 Ferrari PORTOFINO
2018 TVR Griffith – Gordon Murray Carbon Supercar Is REAL!
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 …
Concept Debrief – 2011 SAAB PhoeniX was Dead on Arrival
The only thing we really recalled about the final SAAB concept car was its tail. With backlit red lighting through a screen mesh, the PhoeniX reminded us of a nasty reborn Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. Cheap body cladding and all, unfortunately. Reviewing the PhoeniX design today four years later, the look of this sports coupe is no more appealing. Put simply, this car would have flopped like a pancake on the market. Imagine comparing this with a $50k BMW 435i? It is not just the detailing that is overwrought, but all the surfaces and even the proportions. This thing is …
1986 GEMBALLA Slantnose 911 Twins Join RM London 2017
What becomes of high-dollar custom exotics 30 years after they meet the world? Most are not in nearly the flawless, as-new condition as these two. That is a sure thing. Nor are there many box-fresh 911s of any kind from that era. Let alone with completely outrageous bodywork and spoilers? These two are almost twins – the white Avalanche a hardtop and the red Cyrrus a ragtop. Although they are twins in many ways, they each actually wear totally unique executions for their nose and whale tail designs. The straked intakes along the doors and into the rear axle were …
Concept Flashback – 2006 RINSPEED ZaZen is Bubble Hard 911
This concept from RINSPEED in 2006 is actually quite magnificent. A clear polycarbonate hardtop and a variety of innovative supplier solutions round out what is a very intriguing concept car from RINSPEED. The rear fenders and nose treatment with Ferrari 612 lighting elements are very interesting, but the RINSPEED ZaZen is absolutely hideous from the pure nose and tail angles. An unusual and sloppy mess of amateurish block shapes. Other lighting by the huge list of experimental parts suppliers are more special. Diamond-cut glass for the brake lights is intricate, beautiful and very special. The LED laserlight CHMSL is notably …
2017 Guntherwerks 400R is Pro-Tuned 993 for 25-Unit 2018 Production Run
The last air-cooled 911 is going down in history as the most-desirable, collectable and unattainable of all the rear-engined Porsches of modern times. What if Porsche kept working on the 993 without the concerns about noise, emissions or safety? That pocket-rocket size machine before it grew new crash structures, heavier chassis details and feel-dulling insulation throughout? The result might be something like the new Guntherwerks 400R. This concept debuted at the Quail to raves among the most hardcore car enthusiasts in the world. Guys who have a half-dozen supercars in their collections at any one time. They absolutely love it. …
Werkswagen! 2.8s, 205MPH 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series [28 Photos]
The dawn of the $260k 911 is here and glorious. All the performance. All the luxury. All the power! The works. Or Werks? 607 ponies to be exact. This shade is Golden Yellow Metallic and is one of just three on the Exclusive Series Turbo S for 2018. Favorite detail photo photographer James Crabtree? The carbon front fender slices! [Whoops, those are GT2RS] In fact, all the air vents and addenda on this beauty are bare carbon to contrast the paintwork. But no front fender slashes here. The engine cover with CF intake snorkel is a delightfully exclusive touch indeed …
2017 Jannarelly Design-1 Heads to First Owners!
A great startup launch story for Jannarelly Automotive this year. From prototype to production in just a matter of months is a huge achievement. The first ever JD1 is now in its happy owners hands in France, but the second is headed to NY! The US distributor Vandouble is handling orders for the machines stateside, with around a six-month delivery timeframe. Production is sold out until February 2018, Jannarelly tells us, so get your order in soon to be among the first owners. As a recap, we have a mid-mounted V6 driving the back wheels and flyweight carbon construction to make the …
2017 Lexus RC350 RWD – Road Test Review – By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman
I’ve driven a fair amount of Lexus sedans and SUV’s recently. I have enjoyed all of them as far as luxury cars are concerned. Quiet, sedate, upscale interiors, enough power, and almost everything a luxury buyer could desire. What they all lacked, however, was some driving excitement. While I pointed that out in the reviews, I didn’t give those cars demerits on that point. The reason is because they weren’t designed to be thrilling driving machines. They were designed for luxury and comfort, and they checked most of the boxes for that mission statement. But things are somewhat different when …
Road Test Review – 2017 Dodge Challenger GT – By Carl Malek
A revolution is in the air in the muscle car segment. Ever since one can remember, a typical American muscle car was generally known for having a big V8 engine and, more importantly, rear-wheel drive. Even 10 years ago, the very idea of an all-wheel drive muscle coupe was seen as an alien concept to the big three domestic automakers (GM Ford and FCA.) The folks at Dodge are eager to overthrow the established order with the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT, but can this pioneering model bring true four season performance to a traditionally two season vehicle segment? or is …
3.7s 2017 Lotus Evora GT430 Scores 6MT, Track Aero and LSD
Here is the kind of facelift that really brings an existing car to life. Big boost in power, new bodywork on all sides and increased performance all around? What is not to love? The style of the hottest Evora ever is certainly noteworthy. Its air-channeled front and rear bumpers are brand new and track-ready. The front splitter is even more intense than ever. And of course, a tall rear wing really means business. The louvered hood and carved front sill also speak to functional performance upgrades. A new exhaust, stick-only configuration and a limited-slip differential make this Evora the most …
Road Test Review – 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF Grand Touring (6MT) + 2 videos – By Carl Malek
It’s no secret that the Mazda MX-5 is always a welcome visitor in the Car-Revs-Daily offices. We have sampled the roadster in many locales, and even had seat time behind the wheel of its Italian cousin the Fiat 124 Spider. In short, the MX-5 (in either guise) has become an iconic example in how to make a proper two seat roadster. However, we also like the idea of adding something new to this proven recipe, and we were quite excited when Mazda unveiled the RF version. But does the addition of a folding hardtop roof add a bit more pep …
1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Coupé by Figoni et Falaschi – RM Villa Erba Highlight
Here is a stunning example of peak car design. Timeless and enchanting lines from every angle. Unbelievable finesse and shape to every panel — courtesy of the era’s best coachwork masters. But special even before that point. This short-wheelbase, competition model has the lightweight sports-racing chassis and race engine. It is also one of only two worldwide with fully enclosed front fenders. These were a difficult feat then and are similarly hard to achieve now. Certainly they are impossible for any volume-produced machine. The idea that they would help with aerodynamics is charming considering the top speeds of this car …
First Drive – 2018 Audi A5 2.0T S-Line Quattro Coupe
Is Audi doing a greatest-hits album? You might have asked yourself that upon seeing the new A4/Q5 generations. In the presale renders, the new cars barely look new. Then you land them in the flesh. Deep chisel for the bathtub beltline? Integrated shut/cut lines and sharper edges all around? Sharky hoodline and wide, low singleframe. Even visible open aero channels in the bumper edges. Yep. This exec coupe looks hot. And looks the business for taking on 430i and new Q60. This test A5 wears the incredibly helpful S-line package with unique bumpers, sills, wheels, cabin and suspension. This …
Porsche 911 RS 3.5 Red Evolution by DP-Motorsport
What has this blog devolved into? Just a fantasy wetdream of the cars we’d love to own? YES! That is mostly what it has been all along. This 911 Red Evolution by DP-Motorsport.de out of Deutschland is something exceptionally unique and special. One to be cherished, raced, and cherished further. And perhaps snuck onto the streets to catch the world’s rapt attention? Perhaps! A racer for the road, with an aircooled and barely muffled race engine to boot. Details of this very special 911 are included below the gallery. Favorite details have to be the seamless widebody, insane grip and …
2017 Nissan GT-R Premium – First Drive Review w/ Video + 77 Photos
Let me invite you behind the scenes for a moment. Reviewing the photos that come back from my Nikon is an exercise in Deletion. Usually every third photo will be wonky. Either out of focus, framed wrong or perhaps with just one LED lit. Taking 100 photos then leaves us with about 60. Not so with this Nissan GT-R. We’re finding focus and beauty in almost every frame! A lot like the drive, in fact. This car in a downpour outside Road America racetrack in Wisconsin was 40 minutes in heaven. The roads were slick, wound through the woods …
2018 Lexus LC500 Performance Pack – First Photos
We’ve seen it static. We’ve seen it dynamic. And we’ve heard it from 200-yards away beside the racetrack. The momentum is building. Crescendo soon! Visually, the LC500 actually becomes even more beautiful in motion. Its delicate proportions and lithe elegance are LF-A reborn. Build yours in this Nightfall Mica over here. 2018 Lexus LC500 – Performance Pack Nightfall Mica
2017 NOVITEC N-Largo Ferrari 488 Widebody
If you ever email us here at CRD and really want your message read… here is a shortcut and sure-fire way to make it happen. Include the phrase N-LARGO somewhere in the subject header! I would spit out my coffee and run to a desktop to see the latest Novitec widebody in highres detail. This latest example based on the Ferrari 488 and 488 Spider is certainly no exception. This new 488 N Largo is a full 5.5 inches wider than the stock 488 at the back fenders. Slightly less extreme up front — but still shockingly different in appearance …
2018 Dodge DEMON and SRT Durango – Startup, Revs and Exhaust Note VIDEOS
Dodge brought out the big guns for the recent Midwest Auto Media event at Road America racetrack. Their two new sluggers left the crowd in awe! The SRT Durango was a surprising arrival — considering it has never been seen in real life to date. The huge news with this monster-V8 SUV is that its tires are simply massive. Taller than you might expect and wider than most true performance cars — these Pirellis are critical for putting so much power to the ground. Dodge promises performance to wallop the Yukon Denali and even out-handle the SRT Grand Cherokee. But the …
2017 Mercedes-AMG C63-S Coupe – Edition One – USA Photoset
What supercoupe has the curb appeal of a true racecar? That would have to be this new C63 S in its Edition One livery. These launch specials all share their frozen grey over bright yellow paintwork. The effect in person is polarizing, sure. And will this be a gracefully maturing look in ten years? Who cares! For now, this is the best — and only? — way to enjoy the hottest AMG V8TT in a rear-drive layout. Well, aside from the C-Class sedan and SLC. And SL proper, actually. As great and still-awesome as the 4Matic cars are… nothing can …
2017 INFINITI Q60 3.0t Premium – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis
The all-new Infiniti Q60 has a heck of a fight on its hands, and we don’t envy it. The premium coupe segment is where manufacturers like to work your endorphins to peak frenzy to get you to buy, buy, buy their latest sweethearts. And they have been offering up some tasty temptations. Tempting to swoon the 2-door dollars out of your wallet are the handsome and proven BMW 4-series, surprisingly good upstart Cadillac ATS, stunning Lexus RC, Mercedes’ rounded C-Class coupe, and just-introduced Audi A5. And if that’s not enough to get your head spinning, just about every manufacturer now offers …
2017 BMW M4 CS Special Edition Bows in Shanghai
BMW just rolled out a middle ground between the M4 competition package and the top-flight GTS road racer. It is called the ClubSport and this CS nomenclature will serve on future hardcore M models as well. Atop the CS badge is a CS Special Edition, the most limited-release specials with all the performance goodies standard. Performance will be incredible, for what its worth. 460HP is the stat, which does seem low for a $120k price estimate in the USA, but its delivery will be the event. The car has standard sport exhaust and nearly all the GTS upgrades, like CFRP …
540HP BMW M2 ClubSport by Dähler Brings S55 M4 Engine Swap
The main gripe that purists have with the M2 is that its engine is not, technically, a BMW Motorsport spec engine. It still makes monster power but is less able to cope with sustained high G forces than the M4’s S55-series motor. Daehler (or Dahler) of Switzerland now has a three-pack of custom M2s as showcases of their tuning skills. The standard coupe, an M2 Convertible (!) and now this M2 Clubsport. With the S55, it is the “CS competitionline.” Parts can be shipped worldwide for local installation, or they will happily sell you a complete vehicle as well. That might …
2017 W Motors FENYR SuperSport In Near-Production Form for Shanghai
W Motors sophomore supercar is almost on the road! This Fenyr SuperSport is a more attainable, yet still hyper-exotic, followup to the legendary Lykan Hypersport. The Fenyr will be W Motors big break – its chance to leverage its stunning launch success with the Lykan into commercial success. Scale, in this sense, is relative. Anything more than the dozen or so HyperSports made will be an increase for W Motors. The team hopes to sell around 200 of these Fenyr SuperSports per year, with production eventually localized to the Dubai HQ. At this time, the W Motors lineup is still …
2018 Nissan 370Z Heritage Special Bows in NYC, In Dealers By May
The Z-car is an engineering showpiece that has always had radical updates between model generations. Big changes are on the horizon for the 370Z for 2019, we expect, so this new Heritage Edition is a crown on the generation in total. For those who demand naturally aspirated, high-rev power and the current steering/transmission setup? Now is the time to pounce. The 370Z Heritage comes in yellow or black with yellow accents. Black wheels and black stripe graphics set it apart on the road… but the yellow model does risk risk Bumble-Z nicknames. 2018 Nissan 370Z Heritage Special 2018 …
3.7s, 450HP 2018 Audi RS5 Scores Snarling New V6TT, Tech and Style
The 2018 RS5 is official and packs a huge wallop of visual impact in person. In photos, it looks like a forgettable facelift of a car that’s been on the roads since 2010. But it really evolves in the flesh into a stellar supercoupe. Design analysis quicktake? This new nose does rely on a lot of misdirection, however, to keep you interested. It is a buffet of intake scoops, layered spoilers, contrasting trim finishes and embossed branding/badges. We count 1) bodycolor 2) gloss black 3) brushed alloy and 4)carbon-fiber, to name four such finishes. (Look for black pack on blue …
2017 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring Marketplace Comparison – By Carl Malek
With the first flowers of spring now out in abundance, it also means that many summer cars are slowly emerging from their winter long hibernation deep in the confines of the garage. But what if your a first time buyer that’s looking for a fun car that can also deliver a good value? In this installment of Marketplace Comparisons, we aimed to answer that question, and reunited with the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring roadster to see how it measures up against two of its budget enthusiast rivals. We also threw the recently launched Mazda MX-5 RF into the fray, …
Gallery: 2017 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso T in 33 Gorgeous Photos
The fastest breadvan ever created! Hard to get a sense of the car’s beauty from up front, even in these Tuscan landscapes. The tail is a much bigger hit. Its individual LED lightpods are deeply 3D and stylish, hidden under a strong tail spoiler crease. The profile is hot for all wagon and shooting brake fans. Would love to see it with tinted windows! 2017 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso T
2018 Nissan GT-R Track Edition Adds Nismo Grip, Widebody Fenders and Racier Cabin
What is the most unforgettable supercar you’ve ever driven, Tom? Certainly the Nissan GT-R. Every Altima review we write has a glimmer of GT-R excitement behind it. Maybe if I am just clever enough with words or camera… one will come my way for a week!? It has not happened yet. Our only experience with the GT-R was the previous-gen Track pack back in 2013. We spent 30 boneriffic minutes behind the wheel and will never forget it. So much power, so much sheer violence in its delivery! The only car you can four-wheel drift around a simple turn! So …
2017 Renault-Sport R.S.01 GT3 by Gtronix McChip-DKR
One of our favorite engine tuners from Germany is heading out onto the racetrack! Big news for the growing McChip-DKR best known for making unstoppable turbos! The 2017 RenaultSport RS01 GT3 looks like it might not need much extra boost — but the track will be the judge. 2017 Renault-Sport R.S.01 GT3 by Gtronix McChip-DKR MCCHIP-DKR made A STUNNING ANNOUNCEMENT Secrets are made in order to be disclosed in a well timed manner. Mcchip-dkr in Mechernich recently revealed a big surprise with regards to the upcoming racing season 2017: A team named Gtronix-mcchip-dkr will be launched in the …
1965 Prince INFINITI R380 – First-Ever USA Show for Porsche-Beating Racer [50 Photos]
Infiniti has adopted the design and sports credentials of the Prince marque from its glory days of the 1950s and 1960s. The firm is best known for creating the Skyline and was acquired by Nissan in 1966 — the same year a pair of these stunning, magnificent beasts took one-two in the Japanese Grand Prix. It was a pride match for the locals in Japan. Porsche 904s and 906s beating Skyline front-engine racers on Japanese tracks that inspired the entire vehicle. Mid-engine endurance racer. With a 1964 Brabham spaceframe to start from, the company crafted its ultra-shrieking straight six making 200 …
2017 Porsche 718 Cayman S – Autocross Drive Video
The new 718 Cayman and Cayman S certainly are not baby Porsches any more! These are proper track stars in any configuration. The price gap between the Cayman and 911 is now pretty wide — about $75k ($54k base) plays about $90k and up for the big brother. As ever, most of the goodies you will really want are optional and can take the price of the 911 in particular easily into the 130s for a Carrera 2S. So Cayman seems like a viable, smart choice. Power from the new 718 Cayman S comes from a turbo four for the …
2017 Porsche 911 GT3RS – 180MPH Ride Along
Hearing and feeling the 911 GT3 RS pull a smooth-yet-violent launch start followed by savage fullthrottle all the way to 180-mph was a life highlight we got to enjoy this weekend. Granted, the queasy stomach feeling from all the launch and acceleration G-force did ruin me for mere mortal vehicles. Even Focus RS felt a but slow getting out of this Porsche. The other most memorable element? The ring in your ears from the boxer six at full chat. Not sure if it is the fuel pumps or the simple engine harmonics — but this is a heavenly sound …
2018 Lexus LC500h at Amelia Island Concours [44 Photos]
Kicking off the slew of posts we have to write from the always-fun Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Amelia Island’s tight layout in the Ritz Carlton hotel in northeast Florida makes for a thrilling sensory overload. Every step means a one-off car you’ve never seen, never imagined. Needless to say, you can’t believe your eyes — so much HOT metal! Amelia excels in new-car promotions as well as the pre-war etc Concours categories. After all, 10k rabid car fans in one place? Oh, and they are wealthy!? Let’s do a ride-and-drive! Alfa, Rolls, McLaren, Porsche, Infiniti and Jaguar were the stands. …