Track Testing

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2016 Toyota Mirai FCV Gets Race-Prepped As Japanese Rally Championship PreRunner

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  The world’s first hydrogen racecar? Not exactly. But certainly one of the first hydrogen rally cars — that is a sure thing. As the course pre-runner for the Japanese Rally Championship in Shinsiro, this TMG-tuned Mirai is a fresh take on the Prius EV and hybrid theme. So, if the Mirai did not actually compete, what is the point? The point is that the Mirai is absolutely ready for primetime. It has been exhaustively crash-tested and this rough-course racing environment is a huge vote of confidence from Toyota in the Mirai FCV’s essential Toyota-ness: the core tenets of Quality, …

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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2016 MazdaSpeed MX-5 Racecar Revealed Ahead of Global Racing Series

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How incredible does the new MX-5 look in a tracksuit?! This car is a precursor to the 2015 MX-5 Cup – a global racing series for the 2015 MX-5 to battle it out for milliseconds on racetracks all over the world. Of course, the new MX-5 racer will be very relevant to current MX-5 owners. The MX-5 is the most-raced car model of all time in SCCA and track day events across the US. 2016 MazdaSpeed MX-5 Racecar   MAZDA WAVES GREEN FLAG ON 2016 GLOBAL MX-5 CUP RACING SERIES 05/11/14 November 4, 2014 (LAS VEGAS) – The Mazda MX-5 …

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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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GEMBALLA GT Spider Is Perfect Update For McLaren 12C Spider

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As exclusive as the high-dollar tuning packages for supercars are, would you actually consider one if you owned the car? They are typically unresolved and will not age with the same grace as an OEM model. But every once and a while, there is one that is astoundingly sexy and premium. Such is the Gemballa GT Spider upgrade — with is a full revamp to the nose and nail of the 12C Spider from McLaren. More painted surfaces along with giant twin ducts in each bumper corner are stellar. Looking outstanding on the Gemballa G-Forged-One wheels, these upgrades are an …

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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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2015 BMW X6 M Is New Podium Race SUV From $103k

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PART TWO: The X6 M The X6M is just a bit harder, a bit wider and even wilder than the new X5M — with the rear fender strike and chopped roof design feeling right for its massive new power and pace. PREVIOUS The most powerful BMWs ever made have just shattered the glass ceiling of SUV performance. WIth 567-horsepower through standard xDrive AWD, the new X5 and X6 M have sprint times of just 4.0-seconds along with a devilish M styling overhaul. The grille and front fascia are all-new designs for the X twins, with twin-chrome vertical accents inside each …

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2015 BMW X5 M Revealed! Cayenne-Beating 4.0s, 567HP Muscle Truck Arriving Spring 2015

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  The most powerful BMWs ever made have just shattered the glass ceiling of SUV performance. WIth 567-horsepower through standard xDrive AWD, the new X5 and X6 M have sprint times of just 4.0-seconds along with a devilish M styling overhaul. The grille and front fascia are all-new designs for the X twins, with twin-chrome vertical accents inside each kidney recalling the M3 and M5. Down below, a new trapezoidal shape forms a spiked area of the bumper, creating an all-new look not seen even from the aftermarket so far. Very menacing and mean styles here, with incredible side-view mirrors …

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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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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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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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Update1 No Crash, But No Speed Either – 2014 Audi RS7 Piloted Concept at Hockenheim

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Updated 10.19.14 No driver, no drama and no crashes from the Audi RS7 around Hockenheim! But also… not as much speed as one might expect. The car was driving at about five tenths, which is disappointing due to the outlined info below. It knew the track and was still pretty wimpy. No doubt Audi being cautious, but still … kindof lame versus seeing a car really driven on its ragged edge. After all, driverless tech will be very helpful in running 24-hour durability tests in the future — once it gets warmed up and will start flooring the throttles!   …

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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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Track Drive Review – 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO RS Manual Is Hard Work, But Good Fun Chasing Supercars

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The Nissan Juke NISMO is one of our favorite small performance cars. It even won the 2013 Best of Award for Turbo Sportscars Under $25,000 here, so we are clearly big fans of its ninja crossover style. After discovering V-spec in the Drive Mode selector, the Juke NISMO opens up its bag of tricks with huge boost and playful AWD handling. And all this praise was heaped on the CVT AWD NISMO Juke, not the more powerful front-drive Juke NISMO RS shown here. To say that it delivers more of a good thing is an understatement. The manual-transmission Juke NISMO …

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INFINITI Q50 Parachutes into 2015 BTCC BAttle! OEM Racing Program To Benefit British Army Paratroopers

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Proof that the Infiniti Q50 is ripe for more performance than even the Eau Rouge concept? The new BTCC Q50! Wearing an awesome widebody with menacing aero vents and scoops, the Infiniti Q50 BTCC entry is low and lean and mean. The program’s headline sponsor is Infiniti itself – with the car wearing a satin grey finish and giant Infiniti logos on both sides. In addition to building brand awareness in the UK, the team will raise money for a newly-formed Paratrooper Regiment charity for the British Army. The new “Support Our Paras” foundation is a combined entity for the …

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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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4K Road Test Review – 2015 Ford Transit 3.5L EcoBoost LWB, Low-Roof Cargo Van

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Breaking News: NASCAR developing 2018 commercial van racing series. The NASVAN Home Depot Cup will feature the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Chevy Express, Nissan NV and the Ram ProMaster. Each van will hit top speeds of more than 199-mph while they trade paint around circuits like the legendary Charlotte and Atlanta Motor Speedways….””” The news above is pretend. There are no current plans for a NASVAN series. But if there were, we could sign up for the new Ford Transit as our ride first time, every time. This rear-drive big van is shockingly good on the road and at the …

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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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Track Test Drive – 2015 Ford Interceptor Utility at Atlanta Motor Speedway

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 2015 Ford Interceptor Utility Review The irony of driving a 2015 Ford Interceptor Utility hard on an autocross track near Atlanta? Someone we know… recently paid a ridiculously high-priced speeding ticket to the City of Atlanta. But was it an Explorer police truck that pulled that person over? Nope. A motorcycle cop. Which is rare in 2014. Ford notes that more than 60-percent of new police vehicles solid this year were Interceptor Utilities. The Explorer Police upfit is simply the most popular cop car around — and this includes the Dodge Charger and even the Charger V8 AWD. The Interceptor …

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Best of Awards – 2015 Ford Transit Connect Cargo 1.6L EcoBoost – 4K Track Test Drive Video

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Proof that a turbo engine can make any car or van a hoot? The Ford Transit Connect Cargo with the optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine! Check out the brief autocross video to see a preview of every busy delivery driver near the end of his shift. The TCC (Transit Connect Cargo) is comfortable and sporty with a low center-of-gravity but an elevated view forward. It is a bit like a tall Focus or a slammed Escape — but hooning a cargo van makes it all the more enjoyable. With the MyFord Touch and Navigation, the TCC makes almost no sacrifices for …

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2015 KTM X-Bow RR Is 400HP of Race-Ready Track Speed

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The HTM X-Bow RR is a custom-created version of the X-Bow GT and X-Bow R designed to beat all others in the one-make ‘Crossbow’ Battle. The one-make racing series puts the KTM dash-board mantra into action — you must be Ready To Race! Sure, the RR is not the best-looking of the X-Bow line. Its extra aero kit and crash structures like roll bars and crash protection is purely functional. This makes sense when you see the list of huge track-attack upgrades that are fitted to this racing special. For buyers outside of Europe, where the X-Bow will be a …

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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: Track Drive Video – 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Is A Racecar With License Plates

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  Nailing apexes in this Camaro Z/28 was the most fun this driver has ever had on a racetrack. The car is absolutely surreal in its power and performance in all dimensions. Brakes and road-holding via those Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires are unreal, while the power delivery from the 7.0-liter, 505HP V8 is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Skip to minute two of the above video to see the Z28 in track bliss with cars like the Hellcat, 2015 Mustang GT, Nissan GT-R, Lexus RCF and BMW M4….! One thought? We would recommend speccing the optional A/C on the …

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Track Drive Video Review – 2015 Ford Mustang GT

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 Track Drive Video Review – 2015 Ford Mustang GT Awww yeah! Track time with the new Mustang GT! It felt so fantastic to fire up this pony-car for the first time. Could not help but smiling even to find the new GT and EcoBoost Mustangs in the parking lot that morning. They look outstanding in the flesh, with the GT adding some additional cooling functions via grille inserts to direct air where it is needed. Out back, the 5.0-liter V8 is announced by its large GT badge where the turbo cars have another pony logo. A 5.0 badge lives in …

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1998 Volkswagen W12 Roadster Is Best-of-Group Hypercar R&D Exercise

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Part three of the VW W12 saga: the W12 Roadster. Gorgeous and finely resolved, the W12 Roadster finally solved the quadry of the ugly rear engine cover and funky side window issues of the coupes. 1998 Volkswagen W12 Roadster   Recapping the VW W12 concept saga has been extremely perplexing, with numerous mistakes and edits in the first article below. In fact, the yellow W12 SYNCHRO was the first of the three W12 concept cars. This example, designed by ItalDesign Giugiaro, is actually far more thoroughly engineered on a production design level than the final W12 NARDO Coupe in orange. …

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2012 Giugiaro BRIVIDO Martini Racing Honors Lancia Beta Montecarlo and 037

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In the world of iconic racing liveries, Martini Racing is right up there with Golf Oil as the most-loved in history. What better way to salute the long collaborative partnership between ItalDesign Giugiaro than to dress their sexy Brivido GT concept in fast red and blue stripes on a white base. In the case of the Brivido Martini Racing, the homage is more than paint-deep. With a semi-exposed rear diffuser and and long, low nose splitter, the Brivido is close in spirit to the legendary 037 and Beta Montecarlo racecars. These wild turbo rally specials were so fast and wild …

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Update1 Racing Heritage: the Silver Arrows from Mercedes-Benz (100+ Rare Photos)

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Imagine a combination of all forms of racing – off-road to high-speed – done by one core chassis design.   During the 1930s, the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows were storming every type of racing one could imagine: both competitively in Formula races and for world record attempts outside the circuit. This sent the Silver Arrows up hillclimb events, on ultimate Vmax runs, and even a few winter setups that included a dually rear wheel and a closed shell cockpit at one point.   All these variants were highly ingenious engineering achievements around one core chassis design. The open-wheel profile of any …

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Toyota FT-1 Vision GT Now Playable in Gran Turismo! 100 New Dynamic Photos

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Updated 9.16.14 Art Imitates Life. Life Imitates Art. Such a truism is very valid in the case of the FT-1 – which Toyota has just teased in its next form as a hard-core (virtual) racing special. The FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo differs from the road-going version of the car in many standard race-ready ways. Starting from the front: there is a much deeper aero package and chin spoiler, easy-off hood panels with racing latches, upgrades brakes and tires and huge fender-top slats to reduce any trapped air from the wheels. These slats drastically reduce under-hood temps as well as being …

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2015 Noble M600 Carbon Sport Takes Supercar Fight to Koenigsegg, Zenvo and Hennessey

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Mid-engine supercars are not just hard to design and manufacture. They are hard every step of the way: sales, marketing, performance, reliability, safety and emissions…. The list goes on. What is humdrum daily life for millions of Toyota Corolla’s is far tougher to achieve in the hypercar realm. This applies to the big names as well as the new-comers like Noble, for whom the M600 is really just their second all-new car. The key difference in how the Noble approaches the Supercar / Hypercar divide is defined in one term: handling balance. Unlike the handful of other rear-drive, ultra-exotic cars …

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777HP, 236MPH 2015 RUF CTR3 Clubsport Is Veyron-Hunting, Twin-Turbo Cayman

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  Is there room in the hypercar market for the RUF CTR3 Clubsport – more than six years since the first-gen CTR3 debuted to rave comparisons with the Carrera GT? Now that Porsche’s top model is the 918 Spider, the RUF CTR3 is looking a little out of date — to say nothing of the ultra-hybrid McLaren P1 and LaFerrari. This is where the new RUF CTR3 Clubsport comes in — more aero, more speed and more drama with optional wide-body fenders and a 200-mph-plus ground-effects package. Merging the front crash structure of the Cayman coupe into this wider, lower, …

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4.4s 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C USA Priced from $54k in 200 New Photos

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UPDATED 9.8.14 With Official USA details and 160 new photos. Who knews when one might need this many amazing photos of the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe — but here they are! The official pricing is mid-way down the photo showcase. 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C       PREVIOUS We’ve been pretty bearish on the Alfa 4C’s prospects in the United States – until seeing one in the flesh this week at Road America. This $66,000 sports coupe is deliciously wide, low and sexy from all sides. New USA features include a refined set of bumpers to fit our license …

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Update1 – 2016 McLaren P1 GTR – Pebble Beach World Debut in 75 High-Res Photos

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Updated 9.5.14   These are the P1 GTR on the concept lawn as well as the official studio photography from McLaren. In person, it is all about that rear end! The huge sewer-drain exhaust pipes are stunning, as is the rear wing emerging up and rear-ward with twin functional vertical planes and a huge high-speed spoiler a foot above and behind the P1’s original tail. The deconstructed look of the rear end makes people think there are no taillights — but we know the truth! 2016 McLaren P1 GTR Pebble Beach 2016 McLaren P1 GTR   McLaren F1 LM GTR …

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Pebble Beach 2014 Reunions – Three 1914 Mercedes-Benz French Grand Prix Cars in 78 Photos

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After falling hard for this machine in Amelia Island,it is great to meet the rest of the crew. This trio of amazing Mercedes-Benz racing machines took a 1-2-3 victory at the 1914 French GP near Lyon. Reuinted 100 years later in Pebble Beach — looking not a day older and perhaps a bit cleaner than the finished the race out front!   1914 Mercedes-Benz French Grand Prix Cars   Mercedes-Benz At The Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance: Coupes From The Past, Present And Future August, 2014 International debut of the 540K Streamliner Coupe 1914 French Grand Prix 1-2-3 racers reunited Concept …

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1910 Fiat S10 Racing Is Highlight In World of Steam Cars and Slow-Coaches

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It is hard to believe that Fiat was racing cars like this when the rest of the world was debating which horse to pull a carriage. In fact, that is far from true. Only the richest of the rich were even considering a car purchase during this time period. So for Fiat to be heavily involved and winning races — is a true testament to the marque’s history and heritage. 1910 Fiat S10 Racing  

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1992 AAR Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP Brings $1M At Gooding Pebble Beach 2014

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In terms of racing successes for Toyota, no single car has delivered more victories than this AAR Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP. The rear wing is interesting versus the TS010 and TS020 racers, which wore a much-mellowed version of this super-Vmax longtail. For Comparison, Toyota TS010 and TS020 1992 AAR Toyota Eagle Mk III GTP       GOODING & Co. PEBBLE BEACH 2014   CAR HIGHLIGHTS Most Dominant Prototype in US Racing History Winner of 14 of 23 Races Entered 1992 and 1993 IMSA GTP Champion with Juan Manuel Fangio II 1992 and 1993 Winner of the 12 Hours …

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This 2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa Is Only Street-Legal MC12 Racer In The World

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The 2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa is a direct evolution of the FIA GT-winning MC12 series that started racing in 2005 — and won the series for five years running until 2009. 12 customer track specials of the GT1 car were produced for high-value Maserati clients — with the $1.7-million machine dubbed the MC12 Corsa. Of the 12 made, none were ever intended to be used anywhere outside of a closed racetrack. But this one, solitary car slipped through the net, snagged New York license plates, and has been “whippin’ on the freeway the NYC way” ever since. We are thrilled …

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1953 Maserati A6GCS MM Alfieri Barchetta by Fantuzzi

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Widely known as one of the most influential racecars of the early 1950s, this delicate little A6GCS influenced future icons like the Jaguar C-Type, Ferrari 250 and the AC Ace — among many others. The straight-size layout delivered just 168-horsepower from its 2.0-liter displacement, but lightweight aircraft aluminum in the chassis and bodyshell delivered some stunning specs all the same. The 60-mph sprint is just 6.3-seconds, while the top speed is a frankly-terrifying 148-mph. The beauty and grace of the design is perhaps this Alfieri GCS MM’s legacy. The A6 in the name stands for Alfieri, by the way, and …

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RenaultSport R.S. 01 Racecar Runs GT-R Engine In Mid-Ship Carbon Chassis

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Created for the brand-new Sport Trophy track racing series, the new RS01 from Renaultsport is set to be track-ready for everything from the WEC Le Mans 24-hour race to Super GT in Japan. A promising start! The tech specs are below, and there is more than a little suspicion that the RS01 is a mid-engine Nissan GT-R. After all, it does run a NISMO 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V6 producing over 500-horsepower. Sharing is no bad thing. In fact, it is an amazing development on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s strengths. Stay tuned for more details as they become available. RenaultSport R.S. 01 Racecar …

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Hero Racecars – 1997 PORSCHE 911 GT1 Marlboro LeMans at The Quail

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For fans of anything remotely modern, The Quail Motorsports Gathering is far more enticing than the actual Pebble Beach Concours. Both are filled with wondrous cars that one cannot believe actually exist in the flesh. Cars like this 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 in Le Mans racing specification. So rare is this machine that a google search of its name comes up with far more Tamiya 1:24-scale models than it does actual racecars… This powertrain and design became the GT1 Evo mid-year in 1997, adopting the fried-egg headlamp style of the 996 Porsche 911s. The 911 GT1 is fantastic to experience …

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World Debut: 2.5s, 200+MPH 2014 KEPLER Motion Is All-New, Twin-Turbo Hybrid Hypercar

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Hypercar performance for a supercar price? Yes please! What the Kepler Motion lacks in name recognition, it more than makes up for with beautiful proportions and the promise of extreme performance. The car runs a 550-horsepower, 3.5-liter Ford EcoBoost V6 midship and a 250-horsepower electric motor up front. The layout is similar to that employed in the Porsche 918 Spyder and the forthcoming Acura NSX — delivering a crushing 2.5-second sprint to 60-mph and a 200-plus top speed flat out. The power and carbon-fiber construction yields and ultra-stiff machine that is strong enough to make serious progress around any racetrack, …

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2014 McLaren 650S Spider Sends Us Praying in Mantis Green at Pebble Beach

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  If there is one color I could get on-board with for a new dream McLaren — beyond my preference for white paint/dark wheels — it would either be McLaren Orange or Talocca Orange, which is a new and slightly lighter shade than the current MO color. But when presented with Mantis Green, who could say no? It is an outlandish color, and one that truly comes alive in the sun. The rest of the options for the McLaren 650S are actually pretty easy – especially versus the Ferrari configurator for the F12, which is a long process of interior …

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Gooding Pebble Beach 2014 Highlights – 1969 Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona Competizione

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When it comes to classic sports cars, any link to Le Mans is generally as good as gold. For this amazing machine, that gold is shiny and pure.  This Daytona Competizione is a factory-prepped race car delivered to Chinetti Motors at Le Mans a week before the 1971 race. The car came in 5th overall and later second in its class in the 1972 Daytona race — proving its worth on nearly every major global circuit. The racing upgrades make the car worth nearly 10X what a Daytona coupe is worth, however, with the estimate topping $5.5-million in pre-sale materials. …

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2015 Hennessey Venom GT – Worlds Fastest Edition in 69 All-New Photos From The Quail

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  The Venom GT is a major success story that keeps building momentum with every aerodynamic tweak and trip to the Kennedy Space Center. If JFK were a Vbox-reading racing driver in 2014, he would certainly approve. This white example is tipped to be the one-off World’s Fastest Edition built to celebrate the record run seen in the below video. It is only the ~14th Venom GT ever made. In fact, Hennessey may have created the first — and perhaps only — great American Hypercar. If not the first American hypercar ever, this is certainly the best there has ever …

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Video Ride-Along with Velocity Motorsports AMP Taxi! Lexus IS-F Trio Teaches Track Layout

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Just as the Nurburgring has the BMW M5 ‘Ring Taxi’ — the AMP has the Lexus IS-F three-pack from Velocity Motorsports. Atlanta Motorsports Park is a brand-new track about 30 minutes outside of Atlanta. Combining huge elevation change and sharp, Tilke-designed bends — the AMP track is not easy to learn quickly. A four-seat supercar is therefore critical to show rookies the lay of the land — both where to go fast and where to ease up. And where to hit the brakes hard at the end of the zero-visibility straight-away! The Lexus IS-F is obviously a favorite around here, …

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Update1 – 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR Makes USA Debut at Pebble Beach and The Quail

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UPDATED 8.23.14   The new SVR Range Rover Sport is a really beautiful machine up close – with its huge wheels and gloss black accents making the car seem quick and special. In honesty, the new color really helps drive home the truck’s performance and exclusivity as much as anything else. Without the color, many would be hard-pressed to know this was the flagship RRS… Even so, the F-Type R seats and powerplant will certainly be appreciated by all buyers, as will the new sport exhaust. 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR What would happen if you brought the best and …

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2015 Bentley Continental GT V8S Is Stunning in Black Crystal Paintwork

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With so much trendy energy in 2014 around white cars for the latest style — what about that other always-fashionable choice? Black Bentley’s will never go out of style. But which of the black tones fits you best? We are fairly confident this car is Black Crystal – but it may be Beluga Black or Onyx Black. The Onyx is least shiny, based on the configurator representations, while the Beluga black is dark is midnight. So color here is so amazingly attractive that one might forget this car lacks the Mulliner and Sport specification packages — and the stunning 21-inch, …

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2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 Racecar in 100-Plus Real-Life Photos + Tech Specs

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Full disclosure: this is the 919 design and aero prototype on loan from the Porsche Museum in Germany, and not one of the team’s actual Le Mans 2014 competitors. Even so, being touchably close to any racecar is enought to get the heart beating faster. In fact, even cropping these photos has made a big thump-thump in my neck! The closer my eye comes to the quad-beam lighting setup, the more exciting the car seems — even a static model.   Despite much respect for the Audi Motorsport team, the Porsche 919 Hybrid was the favorite on this sofa during …

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Updated With 78 Pebble Beach Debut Photos – 2015 McLaren 650S Sprint

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Updated 8.22.14 McLaren leverages all of its track-attack knowledge from the P1 GTR onto the 650S for the Sprint model, which is significantly quicker than the stock machine and will be on-par with pure racecars for pace around the world’s racetracks. 2015 McLaren 650S Sprint   PREVIOUS Question: how much revenue will McLaren book directly from Pebble Beach 2014? Answer: We estimate $20-million-plus – in five days. The firm revealed another Pebble Beach debut moments ago: the 2014 McLaren 650S Sprint — track-only model that is mid-way between the 650S and the 650S GT3. Among the other Pebble Beach debuts …

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INFINITI Q50 Eau Rouge in 40 New Photos From Pebble Beach + Vettel Track Video At Spa

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With a 180-mph speedometer clearly visible on the production-ready cabin of the Q50 Eau Rouge shown at the Quail last week, the hottest-ever Infiniti is almost as fast at the top end as Sebastian Vettel’s F1 car! But Seb has AWD and 560-horsepower from a turbocharged V6 with this concept as he blasts around the Eau Rouge’s namesake corner at Spa Francorchamps…! INFINITI Q50 Eau Rouge  

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USA Debut – 2014 JAGUAR F-TYPE Project 7 Speedster! 3.8s to 60MPH, 575HP, 250 Copies Max

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Update2 Included here is the final US-specification of the Project 7 from Jaguar. Very, very impressive style in person — with far more visual aggression and intensity than even the F-Type R from all angles. The US car has a slightly taller windshield than the Euro models, but all are sure to cause quite a stir whereever they drive. The latest front bumper design is gorgeous, but the silver-painted grille shroud is very cheesy. We’d recommend the gloss black choice, which nicely blends into the deep carbon sills and the huge diffuser out back. 2014 JAGUAR F-TYPE Project 7   …

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2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible Updated with New 8-Speed Automatic + Pacific and Atlantic Packages

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Updated 8.20.14 Chevrolet has just announced an updated powertrain for the 2015 Corvette Convertible: a new eight-speed automatic transmission adds two gears and improves sprint pace for this incredibly impressive drop-top. This is in addition to the new-for-2015 Pacific track pack for the coupe and Atlantic aero pack for the convertible (special package details below). Good additions all around! PACIFIC ATLANTIC 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible   INTRO I am the biggest Corvette Stingray “convert” for this C7 generation – a true believer these days. This is coming from someone who has long scoffed at the Corvette, even as the …

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Hypercar Icons – 1969 McLaren M6B GT with 2014 McLaren 650S at The Quail

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The McLaren M6B GT is perhaps even more important to the foundation bedrock of McLaren Automotive than the all-conquering F1. In many ways, the latest McLaren Automotive division is the realization of founder Bruce McLaren’s dream of a supercar operation that is enhanced and supported by the racing team. 35 or so years on from the first prototype M6GT, the dream is more than some future longing. It is real and thriving with the latest 650S and P1 cars building a devoted following among hypercar fans all over the world. Even among those who do not follow Formula One closely, …

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World Debut in 55 Photos – 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP 620-2 Super Trofeo

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Shortly after the wraps came off this all-new Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo for the first time at The Quail on Friday, we shook hands with the always-handsome CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Mr. Winkelmann was fresh from taking perhaps 20 photos with admiring fans in front of the latest hypercar masterpiece from Sant’Agata when the lightbulb of an idea hit me. I instantly shared the thought with Mr. Winkelmann and earned a rare smile and laugh from the global automotive superstar: “You should release a pop song! A dance mix for the club, with engines revving and all the names of various …

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Toyota FT-1 Concept Version Two – World Debut at Pebble Beach in 99 High-Res Photos

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UPDATED with 99 high-res, real-life photos 8.17.14 The most striking things about the FT-1 in person are its captivating beauty, extremely long-hooded proportions, and intense aero detailing. The headlight units themselves are exposed LED laser lenses, while the lower radiator fans are event more prominent on version two of the car versus version one. Another striking observation that we missed on the red Detroit debut car? The FT-1 is a 2+2!  There are rear seats and a rear strut-tower brace visible on this Pebble Beach car — which is one of the most popular on the concept lawns that also …

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2015 McLaren P1 GTR – Pebble Beach World Debut in 55 High-Res Photos

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2015 McLaren P1 GTR McLaren F1 LM GTR McLAREN AUTOMOTIVE TO BESTOW ICONIC BADGE ON ULTIMATE TRACK-FOCUSED McLAREN P1™ GTR Twenty years on from victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans by the now legendary McLaren F1 GTR, McLaren Automotive will resurrect the iconic name from its history for the track-only edition of the award-winning McLaren P1™. The limited-run model will go into production when the 375th and final example of the road car has been completed, and in homage to its race-winning ancestor, the most powerful McLaren to date will be named the McLaren P1™ GTR. With no …

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Toyota FT-1 Version Two Brings Sexy Gloss Grey, Aero Tweaks and Near-Production Cabin

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Just when the FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo is building buzz – Toyota has doubled down on the future Supra joy with version two of this miraculous concept. The new color makes it much easier to enjoy and appreciate the FT-1;s huge panel swoops and shaping – with extra tweaks to the design from extensive time in the wind tunnels. All this bodes very, very well for the next Supra road car – which is widely believed to be in development with the FT-1 detailing at perhaps 95-percent of the final product. One thing…. ? We can’t help but notice that …

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Updated with 20 Sexy New Photos – Track Test Review – 2015 Subaru WRX STI

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Updated 8.13.14 Is this white over black wheels and trim STI the sexiest thing you have ever seen from Subaru since the 555 WR Blue racers from the 1990s? Yes, yes it is. Hopefully this latest vogue style does not become a fad or something that dates all 2014/2015 cars in the future. For now, however, there is nothing hotter on the world’s expressways and racetracks.   LATEST PHOTOS             The 2015 Subaru WRX STI! The time has come for (one of..) the last of my reviews from the amazing sojourn up north to Road …

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Update1 – The Porsche Story in 99 Rare Photos – A Legacy of Victory

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Porsche is ambitious to a fault. It is a core brand trait to excel in almost every single way – To the point where many thought a win at LeMans this year was almost an inevitability. Preparation, research, expertise and brilliance…. Equals: Porsche Racing. So when the 919 suffered out on the track, it was partial global surprise and partial relief. I mean, if Porsche could come in and snatch the title from Audi after 12 near-consecutive wins for Audi Motorsport — what does that really “say” about Audi? Nothing too flattering. So a bit of a relief, a bit …

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2014 JAGUAR Lightweight E-Type Full Details Revealed: 340HP, Removable Alloy Hardtop, Standard Roll Cage

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Did you know that Jaguar loves the E-type in their back catalog from more than 50 years ago? Don’t believe it? Yes, they sure do! It is true, we swear! Not a year goes by without romantic E-type navel-gazing from this immensely unprofitable car brand. More of the same in this project. Great nose and shrouded front lighting, but the rump is much frumpier than the smooth fastback profile of the Eagle Low Drag GT. On the plus side for the official Jaguar Special Operations model: the amazing race-car E-Type setup paired with a removable hardtop. Win win! 2014 JAGUAR …

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Track-Only 2014 McLaren 650S Sprint To Debut at Packed McLaren Pebble Beach Stand

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Question: how much revenue will McLaren book directly from Pebble Beach 2014? Answer: We estimate $20-million-plus – in five days. The firm revealed another Pebble Beach debut moments ago: the 2014 McLaren 650S Sprint — track-only model that is mid-way between the 650S and the 650S GT3. Among the other Pebble Beach debuts for McLaren — including the P1 GTR, 650S by McLaren Special Operations and the MSO P1 — the 650S Sprint is one of the most focused models available for regular track fiends. By optimizing the 650S for racing with special aero, grip and suspension changes – the …

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4.5s, 162MPH 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR is Officially Quickest, Fastest and Raciest RRS Ever!

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What would happen if you brought the best and wildest performance tech from the F-Type R into the new Range Rover Sport? Three Letters: S V R Most of these debut images are fake city USA (official renderings) — but stay tuned for in-person debut photos later this week! Nurburgring Proving Test – Highlight Video RRS SVR Nring   2015 Range Rover Sport SVR 2015 RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR The 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR will be the first Land Rover vehicle to wear the new high-performance SVR badge The Range Rover Sport SVR is the most dynamically focused Land …

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Toyota FT-1 Vision GT is Hardcore Racing Upgrade of Road-Going FT-1 Concept

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Art Imitates Life. Life Imitates Art. Such a truism is very valid in the case of the FT-1 – which Toyota has just teased in its next form as a hard-core (virtual) racing special. The FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo differs from the road-going version of the car in many standard race-ready ways. Starting from the front: there is a much deeper aero package and chin spoiler, easy-off hood panels with racing latches, upgrades brakes and tires and huge fender-top slats to reduce any trapped air from the wheels. These slats drastically reduce under-hood temps as well as being a serious …

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FIRST-EVER FERRARI DRIVE. In HD. On RACETRACK – Ferrari F430 Scuderia at Velocity Motorsports Atlanta Track Drive

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Absolute heaven for any car guy. First-ever drive in a Ferrari is… where? An all-new, high-speed road course that is known for its huge and very exciting elevation changes: Atlanta Motorsports Park. With only a few short laps, it was hard to press the F430 Scuderia hard – which is obviously the speed the car prefers. Sensory overload – sold daily at Velocity Motorsports in Atlanta! The pricing starts from about $250 with a choice of cars ahead of your visit, and the chance to upgrade to extra laps in the rest of the Velocity Motorsports fleet. First deep throttle …

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TECHART for Boxster and Cayman Deliver A Huge Shot of Adrenaline to Porsche’s Mid-Engine Heartthrobs

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You know the adage about Porsche limiting the Boxster and Cayman so the 911 Carrera is protected? That applies in all aspects of the cars, regretfully, even the hottest new GTS models for 2015. The Cayman and Boxster’s mid-engine layout and exotic proportions are just a tweak or two away from drawing huge crowds and stares on the road. From the factory, they are often just a bit too subtle and classy for their own good. So to inject some of the hottest 918 or Carrera GT flair? TECHART to the rescue! A comprehensive set of upgrade options are offered …

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2015 Hennessey Venom F5 Seeks Real 290MPH VMax Via New V8TT, Active Aero and Low-Drag Design

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Exciting time to be in the hypercar business! Here is the first look at Hennessey’s upcoming Venom GT successor. 2015 Hennessey Venom F5   Hennessey ® Venom F5 ™ Hennessey Venom F5: The Next Generation With the fury of a Texas tornado, 290 mph is within reach August 4, 2014—For immediate release Sealy, Texas—Here at last, the Venom F5, successor to the Venom GT. If you remember from Meteorology 101, the Fujita scale pegs the strongest tornado as an F5, with winds of 261 to 318 mph, so it’s a fitting name for this next-generation Venom that’s the very definition …

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TECHART Launches Race-Ready Centerlock Wheels for Porsche 991 Turbo, Turbo S and GT3

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    Tire changes just became much quicker and cooler for owners of the top-flight Porsche 911 range! TechArt just announced a centerlocking wheel in the Formula IV range – available globally from September 2014. TechArt’s main US dealer is in Irvine, California – but the products can be shipped anywhere with a special set of tires pre-mounted and balanced. TECHART Centerlock  BROCHURE PDF  000991626187C     TECHART Formula IV Race Forged Centerlock Wheel Fighting for tenths of a second on track! From September 2014 TECHART Automobildesign is going to offer a top-class forged centerlock wheel to customers of the …

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3.4s Radical SR3 SL Startup Video and 70 High-Res Photos at Atlanta Motorsports Park

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Any Radical in the USA is fantastic to experience up close, especially in its native environment: the racetrack. The Radical SR3 SL here is the only two-seat model in the United States – so it is: a) the quickest car around almost any racetrack — including the Nurburgring, where Radical has long held an unbeat-ably quick pace in the 6.44-second SR8. The SR3 SL is no slouch either: its roughly 7:00-second Nordeshleiffe lap is still in the top 20 for any kind of car, racers included. b) one of the only street-legal track cars of this caliber of performance c) …

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DIY Porsche 997 Supercup at Atlanta Motorsports Park is Track Boxer Knockout

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Alternative headline? Porsches for Jesus.   This gentleman’s car was outstanding. Everything was carbon and bare and loud and raw. DIY Porsche 997 Supercup at Atlanta Motorsports Park

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NOVITEC TORADO Lamborghini Aventador Is Hyper Sexy and Hyper Fast!

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Despite the brazen execution of many hypercar customs, creating a package for such intense machines must be an intimidating task for many tuners. Not only must all the pieces surpass the amazing quality of the OEM car, but every upgrade must also be perfect, durable and flawless: — up close and in detail: inspection of a hypercar from up close is a huge part of the fun. so all the upgrades need to make you proud – even from two inches away. — at ultra-high-speeds, around racetracks delivering performance gains — on the way back from the track – with …

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RM Monterey Preview – 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff is Ultimate Beach Cabrio

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A charming story with this car, as told below by RM Auctions. 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff           RM Auctions Monterey 15 – 16 August 2014 Lot 115 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio by Gangloff $800,000 – $1,000,000 Chassis no. 57597 Engine no. 82 C 210 bhp, 3,257 cc supercharged DOHC inline eight-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, solid front axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, live rear axle with quarter-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 130 in. Formerly of the Bob Pond Collection Mechanical restoration by the legendary “Bunny” Phillips First in …

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RM Monterey Preview – 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione Will Make You Ferrari Owners Club VIP

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An FXX coming to Pebble Beach is pretty special. It will do exceptionally well among this high-rolling bidder pool. Typically, exotic prototypes are known to seal many orders from Pebble Beach as one of the best concours and car shows on the annual calendar. Therefore, the FXX Evo will be a sort of Top Trumps among ‘who bought what’ recaps. The Ferrari FXX is special for simply being a hardcore Corse Clienti model already – but also upgraded to the latest racing spec. This is quicker than even the Ferrari 458 Evo on the CC circuit this year. It is …

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Beating the Supercar Paradox – 2007 Ferrari F430 at Velocity Motorsports Supercar Track Drive

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PART ONE What is the ‘supercar paradox’? The supercar paradox is that ‘newer is always 1000X better.’ But on a sunny day at a gorgeous racetrack, is newer really better, though? For what, exactly? Impressing people? PART TWO The term ‘starfucker’ — or maybe just ‘starstruck’ — really defines how speechless and shy one can become around any seriously exotic supercar. Sure, in the car mags — it is all about the latest and greatest. This month’s hottest cars – with a heavy emphasis on anything new or special. This is the template we know and love in the academic …

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4.4s 2014 LOTUS Evora and Evora S – USA Buyers Guide – Specs, Colors and Options

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    Calling all USA and global sports-car fans! Lotus is indeed open for business – and it is your time to hop into your very own low-slung supercar. This article started out as a piece about how the Evora was no longer offered for sale in the US – but great news! A quick internet search shows numerous 2014 models available in the US at this very moment, with pricing from about $75,000. The confusion about the current Evora’s on-sale satus perhaps comes from the Sport Racer custom version of the Evora. This black/red model is indeed a European-only …

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999Motorsports USA SuperSport Mk1 is 400HP Mid-Engine Track Attack Special – Mk2 Available to Order Now!

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 999Motorsports USA SuperSport Mk1 is 400HP Mid-Engine Track Attack Special – Mk2 Available to Order Now! Think that the open-cockpit Ariels, Radicals or Caterhams are the best-value, quickest and most-thrilling track day cars on the planet? For serious racers with Porsche 911 Supercups and RSR’s all around – there is one American track special that can beat the legend: the SuperSport999. 999 Motorsports USA is the local development and engineering center for this quick lap demon that has swept Asia and France already since 2012. The 14 cars built so far are absolutely purpose-built racers with a mid-engine layout plus …

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2013 McLaren 12C from Velocity Motorsports in 98 High-Res Exterior, Interior and Track Photos

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The McLaren 12C’s design comes alive in person. Instead of overt graphics to the nose and tail, the 12C relies on its supercar proportions to announce your arrival. There is one other big trick up the 12C’s sleeve, however. Or two, to be more precise. The doors are absolutely divine in their swan-like action as well as their ease of use in daily life. Much lighter and more reach-able than the elegant-on-paper the Mercedes-Benz SLS gullwings – and perhaps even a bit more graceful as well. The 12C and its ultra-low and wide dimensions are ice-cold classic supercar from first …

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Supercar Hall of Fame – 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 BALBONI – 80 High-Res Photos

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Big day today! 1,000 photos on my memory card from a visit to Atlanta Motorsports Park for Velocity Motorsports. Much easier to start with some mega photo galleries of cars I have not driven …yet.   2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni INTERIORS 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni EXTERIORS          

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Canned Hypercar Debrief – 2010 JAGUAR C-X75 Is Too Sexy For Its Turbines

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Too sexy for Milan, New York and Japan? Just kidding. Despite the jokey “I’m too sexy” headline, the Jaguar C-X75 really could do no wrong when it debuted in Paris in 2010. It was a design so captivating that they painted it a dull beige – and people still went absolutely mad for it. As you can see in the difference between the 2010 Paris announcement at the bottom, and the production announcement in 2011 directly below — the car had a rough gestation period. The initial gas turbine hybrid technology was no-where near production feasible, and the truly jet-age …

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2011 Peugeot EX1 is Part EV Quad-Bike and Part Track-Day Supercar

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As part of our continuing delve into the latest Peugeot design renaissance, the EX1 is exciting for a few reasons. It is gorgeous and fresh and extremely interesting from a design perspective, fast as all hell in a straight line with a 62-mph sprint in 3.5-seconds, and also quicker than anything else from France around the Nurburgring. The design itself is perhaps the most critical element for the EX1’s lasting importance: it shows a completely fresh idea on form sculpting, a new nose, and new layered surfacing techniques not seen before from PSA, the parent company. The idea of a …

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Ferrari 458 Competition by RacingOne Is Hardcore GT3 Track Attacker

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So you want to live the glamourous GP life? Racing on the knife’s edge of adrenaline with a high-powered exotic? RacineOne GmbH can get you to the podium safely – whether that is education, street to track-car conversion, or motorsport event servicing. These guys can be your pit garage, tech shop and traveling mechanical experts — all with one phone call. The team’s Ferrari 458 Competition is great evidence of their expertise in designing a racecar from a standard supercar – as these action photos from Spring 2014 can certainly attest. The car goes hard, and the fun never stops. …

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Supercar Icons – 1992 JAGUAR XJ220 Still Enchants the Eye and Mind, 22 Years Later

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Of all the many car models in my collection as a kid, the XJ220 was a real favorite. Hours spent caressing its smooth panels – and visually dissecting it from all sides. Moving it around in my hands, it was forever more captivating than the Diablo or F40 that also sat nearby in the bookcase. While its doors and hood and front trunk all opened, it was the shallow lock of the steering action that really stood out. Was it so unwieldy in real life too? Of the 280 cars made in 1992 and 1993, there are very few available …

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McChip-DKR Porsche 993 GT2 Mc600 Widebody Is Rear-Drive Twin-Turbo with Racing Upfit

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    The much-loved Porsche 911 993 is widely known as the most-desirable of almost any 911 ever made. But for purists, the all-wheel-drive of the Turbo and Turbo S is not thrilling enough. Additionally, AWD cars are in different racing classes almost by default. There was no GT2 version of this generation 911 with the turbo engine and rear-drive. Step in, McChip-DKR. The power-freeing ECU geniuses at McChip really stretch their wings with this build. Literally! The 993 GT2 Mc600 that results from dropping in a twin-turbo engine requires far more grip than available on the OEM rubber setup. …

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2M Designs Shows Mad Skills Via Mirror Foil Wrap on the Gumpert Apollo S

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Wraps are hard to apply flawlessly on a normal car, let alone a hypercar. But a hypercar like the Gumpert Apollo S — with its surfaces bending at wild angles and air vents everywhere? This would be a seriously daunting task for any car customs shop. 2M Designs of Germany really shows its expertise with this project. The results are breathtaking, with a mirror-like finish that almost no paint can achieve. The buyer’s chosen theme was to tie in to the Iron Man movies – but since they are basically unwatchable, I do not know what aspect of the film …

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