SUPERCARS

Supercars and Track Testing News

Mclaren GT By MSO Turns Up The Opulence For McLaren Buyers

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McLaren made waves recently when it unveiled the 2020 McLaren GT, which aimed to breathe new focus and direction into McLaren’s ambitions of being a proper GT car. However, while the GT is a very compelling offering in its own right, it’s also an open canvas that is welcome to new ideas and custom interpretations. McLaren’s in house tuning firm MSO has taken a crack at the GT, and has formally revealed its version of the two door grand tourer ahead of its formal debut at Monterey Car Week on August 28th. Known as the McLaren GT by MSO, the …

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Auto Industry Insider: Dealing with the Stress of Classic Car Ownership

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Owning a classic car is a dream come true for many. Whether you grew up watching Starsky and Hutch on TV, or you have fond memories of the Dukes of Hazzard, we all have a classic car-shaped hole in our heart. All you have to do is to figure out which vehicle fills the void in your automotive love story. However, owning a vintage car doesn’t come without stress. After all, when you drive a vehicle that left the manufacturer several decades ago, it’s only natural to worry about performance, breakdowns and overall costs. Hopefully, this short list of fears …

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Tracking the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

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Automotive executives and brand managers are always keenly aware of slicing the product offering in a variety of ways the results of which can not only be confusing but lead to actual sales losses amongst the offerings. One only has to look at the current numerous and future-slightly-LESS-numerous cars from the likes of BMW and Mercedes. Business school might call this classic cannibalization. But this week I experienced a new use of the term, maybe call it predatory cannibalization. Nothing faulty with the positioning of cars by planners at all. No, this new type of cannibalization is surely more along …

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Zora’s Dream Fulfilled, Chevrolet Unveils 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray, Mid-Engine Power And Technology Revamp Iconic Nameplate For New Generation Of Sports Car Buyers [ Videos]

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When Zora Duntov first thought of the idea for a radical mid-engine Corvette on 1959, the car purely existed in concept form (CERV 1,) with the idea being way ahead of what the 1950s could offer in terms of technology. Despite this, the core conscience of this idea never went away, with the 1960s 70, 80s and  even the 1990s all featuring a mid-engine equipped Vette concept in some shape or form (including CERV II and CERV III) But like before, the idea was too revolutionary for its time, and as the 1990’s came and went, economic feasibility became more …

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Ford Unveils Next Chapter Of GT Performance With Track Only 2020 GT MK II [Videos]

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When we last checked in on Ford’s upcoming variant of its GT supercar, it was via a shadowy teaser image that gave few answers, and left us asking a lot of questions on what exactly Ford was up to? Fast forward to today’s unveiling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the blue oval has unveiled the next evolution of GT performance which it calls “the ultimate GT” offering. Dubbed the GT Mk II, it embraces this fresh start in earnest by throwing out any intent of being a road legal offering (though we suspect that won’t stop some of …

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2019 Toyota Camry XSE V6 – Drive Review with Performance Video

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What a difference a year can make! For the shockingly designed Camry that was so polarizing in 2018, 2019 has mellowed the reaction to its looks and let us really focus on what a terrific upgrade it is. Both versus previous-gen Camrys and its most of its mid-size rivals, for that matter. For your scribe, a year of driving his personal ‘beach car’ (CX-9) during in a press-car drought meant that getting in Camry V6 is nothing short of a revolution!  So fast! So quiet and such sophisticated electronics!  I had a thought the day before Toyota announced there will …

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Pure McLaren

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Track experiences for driver betterment In our daily lives, all of us relate to cars in some way. For most, they represent the most basic of needs in today’s busy life. Commuting to work, running errands, as well as journeys with family and friends. They are times overlooked in what we ask them to do for us. For most people, they can only get noticed when they break.  It’s that familiarity, though, that basic understanding of what a car is at its core that enables all of us drivers to build upon and break out of ignoring the common car. …

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Ford Teases Hardcore Version Of GT Ahead of Goodwood

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We like a good surprise here at the office, and after Ford finally revealed the official performance numbers for the 2020 GT500 Shelby Mustang (our jaws still have not left the ground.) The Blue Oval has revealed the ultimate party favor for those still wanting a bit more from Ford Performance, a compelling tease of an all new variant of its seductively potent GT supercar.   Exactly what it brings to the table is still a mystery, but it’s obvious that this is not just another limited edition model with a snazzy paint job. The shadowy teaser image Ford released …

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Insider: From One Generation of Drivers to the Next

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You remember your younger days, where you were just so excited to start driving. You’d be walking around, perhaps driving around with your parents, and calculating how many years and days you had left until it would finally be you behind the wheel. The idea of it just seemed to cool and appealing, and it definitely wasn’t all it lived up to be. When you think about driving, you think about road trips with friends, fast cars, smooth drives, and just an easy driving life. But the harsh reality of it is, you spend most of your time running to …

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Aston Martin Confirms Valhalla Moniker For AM-RB 003, Will Build Only 500 Examples

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With Aston Martin‘s recent obsession with Norse mythology, the British supercar maker has confirmed that its second all new offering will continue this trend and adopt a Norse inspired name. With the Valkyrie leading the way, it’s only fitting that the next model would be inspired by the ultimate destination for Norse warriors that were slain in combat, Valhalla.   It is certainly an improvement over its development name the AM-RB 003 which was a bit too wordy for our tastes, and it also serves as a figurative glimpse into the sheer levels of performance and driving pleasure that the …

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Scalpel or Hammer?

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2019 Acura NSX vs 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye If you’re like me, you might be anticipating a major life phase change. And as a car person, likely the next thing on your mind will be how this might positively affect your future stable. My current phase is one of “peak college”, let’s call it. Come autumn, three of my offspring will be chasing higher education. The title of this post does not represent which of my kids are shooting to become a doctor and which are aiming for trade school. But, instead, which car might anyone in anticipating that …

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Scale Models: The Unsung Hero of Car Design – A Student’s Perspective 

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To use a sports analogy, the physical property development of a project is like rounding third base and heading for home plate.  Except its not a regular season game and you didn’t just knock it out of the park. Far from it.  You’ve got the outfielder with an amazing arm launching the ball towards the catcher as you sprint with all you’ve got to slide into home. It’s stressful, but exhilarating. At the Art Center, there is tried and true methodology to getting the absolute best and most out of a transportation design student as we go from sketch to …

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Design Talent Showcase – 2025 McLaren Monaco – Front-Engine GT By Nathan Malinick

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On the eve of McLaren’s latest road car reveal at Villa d’Este tomorrow — here is a masters-thesis design project from a rising star of the car business. Its premise? A front-engine GT car from McLaren.  Named the Monaco, nearby where Macca will unveil their cushiest road car yet. But this concept is no strategic counterpoint. This design was finalized last year so it is just a delightful convergence of ideas in the motor universe.  From the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, to Woking, and back. “I finished this project before the release of the McLaren Speedtail last fall …

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Track Test Review – 2019 Acura NSX – By Carl Malek

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When the Acura NSX originally made its debut back in 2016, Acura was keen on reestablishing itself as a technological leader, while also breathing new life into arguably one of its most iconic nameplates. The reborn NSX proved to be a spirited offering, and smashed any doubts that were cast on it with its impressive performance numbers, smooth hybrid technology, and being a futuristic shot of adrenaline for buyers looking for something different from the usual Porsche and even Ferrari powered tonics that were out in the marketplace at the time. But like all good things, even the NSX can …

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McLaren Unveils All New 2020 GT, Rewrites The Rules For Grand Touring Car Segment [Video]

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When we last met McLaren’s prior attempt at creating a proper GT car, it was in 2017 when we reviewed the 570GT. The 570GT had cushy carpet, supple leather seats, and a set of novel luggage for its trunk. But it was no secret that this particular model was still a track focused offering, and as a result, it flunked some basic GT car ettiquete to achieve that track oriented balance. McLaren was eager to right this wrong, and has unveiled its second attempt at the GT segment, the 2020 McLaren GT. McLaren claims that the GT (despite its rather …

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

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

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How to Know When It’s Time to Change Your Brake Pads

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Have you ever heard a car stopping, while making an unbearable metal on metal shrieking sound? If so, you know how horrible that sound can be and one of the ways to determine when it’s time for a new set of pads. However, there are a few more warning signs that are not quite as obvious that you need to be on the lookout for. Below we will look at the top 3 signs that it is time to change your brake pads today. When you are certain it is time, taking a little time to research the best rated …

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

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

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Updated – 1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia Island 2019

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

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1987 Kremer Porsche 962C – Gooding Amelia 2019 Highlights

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It is very easy to see why this Porsche 962 earned over a million bucks at the Gooding Amelia 2019 auctions. Not only is the livery gorgeous but the condition of the vehicle is all original, and truly exceptional for a car that did LeMans for two years in the 1980s. A race that usually only the winners leave intact…! Those hubs in a rusty gold are not in fact rusty but are made of NASA-spec magnesium/titanium alloy, which is naturally that color. Was surprised to see Yokohama tires on the 750HP racer… until noticing they were an official sponsor …

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

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

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1998 Nissan R390 GT1 – Amelia Concours 2019 Highlight

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This one-of-a-kind machine is the only road-going variant of the Nissan R390 LeMans racecar series. It usually lives locked away in the Nissan’s Zama museum in Japan so we were very fortunate to have it attend the Amelia Island Concours 2019. Every vehicle ever looks stunning on bright green grass under Florida sun. The design is a thing of great beauty, even if the nose detailing is dull and this road variant lacks the giant rear wing of the racecars. The 3.5-liter V8 shoots 550 fiery horsepower out the rear bumper edges on command from inside the leather-wrapped cabin. We …

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2019 McLaren SENNA – Design Walkaround Gallery & Video – Amelia Concours Highlight

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There are so many wild design elements in the McLaren Senna that we discovered four or five never-before-seen details hidden in this track-attack aero design. The most notable design theme and element is the flow-through of air. The fenders front and rear feature massive venturi tunnels and air channels aimed at maximizing grip through downforce. Everywhere you look you find more slices in the design aimed at pulling or pushing air and heat away from the heart of the beast. This livery of owner Paul Orwicz pays homage to Ayrton Senna’s Brazilian heritage with yellow and green details over lacquered …

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

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

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Ferrari F8 Tributo 3

2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo Shows Sharp Aero Brutalism is Back

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There are a hell of a lot of very soft and rounded corners on the new F8 Tributo to call it a sharp or brutal design. But that is what it is — the first appearance of flat-plane angles and crisp aero detailing since perhaps the F40.  Slices of horizontal white LEDs for main lighting are intense and so serious it hurts. A jutting chin-piece cuts the air up even before it reaches the sharky hood edge. Swirls of intake shaping like a waterslide shove air into lower edge intakes to feed additional radiators and supply the brakes with cold …

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

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

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

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

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2019 Unimog U128 – Extreme Terrain Driving Experience Gallery

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The annual press conference for Daimler Trucks occurred recently and they let the execs and shareholders loose to test the impossibly cool 2019 Unimog.  In a wild simulation of the roughest terrain it might find it is wild life. This off-road course is no joke, with wild inclinations and turf rougher than double-black-diamond ski moguls! The Zetros is thumping through all the obstacles too – but looks slightly more like a locomotive that’s jumped its tracks.  The Unimog in this crew-cab pickup trim is best able to use its inherent suspension skills and power — without the weight of a …

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TechRules Turbine EV Racecar Shows Its Glowing Heart

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Some interesting news from TechRules today — a closer look at the mini-turbine that will recharge future EVs on the go.  This is a series hybrid like an Abrams tank or certain military ships, where the power created from the gas turbines is directly applied to the electric motors which do the actual propulsion. What makes this new design so fascinating and potentially game-changing is the micro nature of the turbine that TechRules has created. A new air-bearing appears to solve a frequent wear-out item in turbines and should make the system an interesting long-term/long-range electric. One that you can …

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1979 Porsche 935 – Gooding Amelia Island 2019 Preview

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

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1984 Porsche 911 SC/RS – Factory Rothmans Rally Car – Gooding Amelia 2019

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There are a few very tasty 911s in the Gooding Amelia Island 2019 lineup — but this one jumped off the page and right into my heart. Imagine jamming this 280HP, lifted and skid-plated hero across some loose surfaces!  Second to the Dakar 959, we can hardly think of a more iconic off-road 911.  This is the livery of a thousand fakes — but here in all its authentic glory.  This SC/RS was one of 20 produced for FIA homologation rules.  It has had a wild life of racing to win numerous races in 1984 and 1985 before living in …

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550HP 1969 Ford Bronco Supercharged by Velocity Restorations

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On the long list of incredible big-boy (or girl!) toys to get once you make it big, a classic Ford Bronco is definitely up there near the top for many of us. A perfectly resto-modded example makes driving it a pleasure from day one, and also reduces the years-long headaches most DIYers would encounter trying to restore one themselves. Velocity Restorations specializes in Broncos and has a few turn-key examples ready for delivery. This latest example might be my favorite — its glossy wet-look black paint, beefy stance and gorgeous cabin make quite an impression even while parked. Favorite details …

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class INFERNO by TopCar Design

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We were famously unimpressed by the new G-wagen’s lack of visual impact when it was first released.  The new panels all around barely made a dent in updating the machine! Time was warmed our impression of the redesign — which was more focused on interior and performance upgrades, while deliberately keeping the exterior style almost frozen in 1979. TopCar Design to the rescue! The new aftermarket options for the latest G-Class generation are quite comprehensive, functional and visually exciting on such a big beast of a truck.  There are dozens of aero tweaks and detail modifications in carbon-fiber throughout the …

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Subtlest RUF Ever? 1990 Porsche RUF BTR Carrera 4 Turbo – RM Amelia 2019 Preview

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Who says RUF can’t make some refined and restrained posh models along with their wild bodykits and slantnoses of the same era. This 1990 model was a classy AF upgrade in its day.  So much so that the inhouse name for the 425HP stunner was The Ultimate. This beauty’s condition today more than two decades later is nearly as good — and surely a drive feel that is a lot more rare. 1990 Porsche RUF BTR Carrera 4 Turbo     RM | Sotheby’s – AMELIA ISLAND 2019   Full RUF BTR conversion with 425 hp; dubbed the “Ultimate” Built at …

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NOVITEC Ferrari 812 SuperFast Gets Racy, Liveable Mods

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

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

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

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Porsche 911 Wide Track Speedster by DP Motorsport 19

Porsche 911 Wide Track Speedster by DP Motorsport

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

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2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Expected to Earn $8 Mil at RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2019

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1500 miles and the value of this machine has more than doubled since originally delivered less than two years ago.   It’s as if the universe is paying you to own and drive these hypercars, and not the other way around! The Aperta is clearly the LaFerrari to own.  Its electronic roof panel flips and tucks so discreetly that there would be no reason now to even go for the coupe.  That is perhaps a slight down-side to the Aperta versus other ultra-exotics that have popped their tops — notably any from Pagani — and have a totally different style and appeal …

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

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

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2019 Mercedes-AMG GLS63 – Road Test Review – By Matt Barnes

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With a $125,000 base price, the Mercedes GLS 63 AMG is out of range for many people. For those who have the wherewithal and need to haul six people, it is an excellent — and perhaps only — choice. Featuring a hand assembled AMG 5.5 liter twin turbo (Mercedes calls it a biturbo) V8 with 577 horsepower and 561 torque, the GLS AMG has only one three-row performance competitor: the 475 horsepower Dodge Durango SRT 392.  [Audi is not bringing the diesel SQ7 to the USA.] When it comes to luxury, the Mercedes is at the top in this class. …

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Insider: Tips on Choosing Your Dream Car

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Cars are without a doubt one of the most aspirational purchases you can make in your life. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, or somewhere in between, driving a better car is something most people yearn to do. The problem is that better cars cost more money, and as you need the best, most reliable car possible for general use, that often doesn’t leave any funds for a dream car. Unfortunately, most dream cars aren’t the types of vehicles you want to use as everyday run-around or to commute to work in. That means you’ll need at least …

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2018 Lexus LS500h – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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What does it feel like to drive $104,000 of prime quality Lexus beef on the hoof? It’s actually kind of unnerving. We’ve occasionally driven cars that cost even more, but the mission of the LS500h is daily luxury. Superb and supremely comfortable luxury, but daily nonetheless. And this one’s a hybrid. We tested the 416 horse, twin-turbo V6 LS500 sedan a while ago, and loved it. And a part of that love came from the big sedan’s ability to lift up its figurative skirt and haul like a bat out of hell when it needed to. But does a fuel-saving …

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2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392 – MEGA Photo Gallery – By Matt Barnes

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Check out the rave review of this muscle-truck over here too!   2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392 – Road Test Review + GIFs – By Matt Barnes     2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392 – Road Test Review + GIFs – By Matt Barnes    

2018 Dodge Durango SRT 392 – Road Test Review + GIFs – By Matt Barnes

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The SRT 392 Durango is by far the best-looking Durango produced to date. The SRT package takes the Durango from mundane to monstrous. As we spent more time with it, the Durango just kept growing on us to the point that we didn’t want to return it. Exterior It’s nice to know that the hood vents and scoop are real and have an actual purpose, something not seen on many vehicles today, performance or otherwise. The SRT 392 sits lower than the standard Durango and has a more aggressive stance with wider tires. The black dual racing stripes that run …

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2018 SALAFF C2 Supercar Concept – Best of Pebble Beach – 30-Photo Gallery

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Very rare double best-of winner for the Concept Lawn of 2018 Pebble Beach Concours! The Salaff C2 wins most arresting face by a mile, and also scores wildest concept tail! Very fantastic design ideas virtually pouring from all the C2’s aggressive cutlines. Carlos Salaff is already a favorite designer for many car buffs.  He is the man behind the ill-fated Mazda Furai concept, which was a 450HP rotary LMP2 racecar as well as 2040 design preview. This latest exercise is a grass-roots, hand-crafted effort from the artist’s base in Italy.  Humble-ish underpinnings from a Gallardo do nothing to tamp my …

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2018 Nissan GTR50 Concept By ItalDesign – Goodwood FoS 2018 Debut

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

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2019 McLaren SENNA GTR – Best of Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018

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The McLaren Senna is already such an insanely aggressive and unique new hypercar.  Its looks instantly make the entire Lambo and Ferrari lineups seem hopelessly dated. The raw energy from these sliced and diced panels hardly needed a racing upfit.  But here we are. This Senna GTR is absolutely shocking in its design brutality. The functional nature of the aero additions are makes them even more interesting and beautiful to the eye. Check out this nose — not just the usual surfboard chin splitter here, oh no. What they’ve done is remove any air-blocking flat surfaces from the nose.  What …

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Design Analysis – 2018 BMW M8 Concept GranCoupe – Goodwood FoS 2018

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BMW needs some new halo vehicles at the top of its lineup.  Both to compete with the rockstar AMG GT as well as subdue all the M-car loyalists who despise the i8. The new 8 series serves that purpose nicely. And before it has even arrived — we have a new variant with totally unique styling and details. Oh, and two extra doors.  The M8 GranCoupe concept tries to keep the Mustang-like raciness of the 850’s roofline while squeezing in two seats back there.  Headroom!?  Who cares! How is this different than the current M6 GC, you ask? Scale. This …

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

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

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

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Road Test Review – 2018 Rolls Royce Wraith Black Badge – By Carl Malek

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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 …

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Aston Martin Unveils Sleek 2019 DBS Superleggera

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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 …

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

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

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

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

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Road Test Review – 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe RST – By Carl Malek

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Remember when sport SUVS once ruled the automotive landscape? Indeed in the 90’s and early 2000’s there was a period in time when these muscle bound behemoths were the proverbial jewels in the pocket books of the Detroit Big Three. But once gas prices rose, and the economic recession took hold, the segment went out with a whimper, and nearly disappeared. With a new era of cheap oil and a revived interest in SUVs, the segment has bounced back, and has produced a new crop of entries. One of these is the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe RST, but can this new …

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

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

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Insider: Japanese Legends Still Turning Heads in 2018

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Around twenty years ago, the likes of the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution were reaching the height of their desirability. Many would say they were also at their design peak as well, and cars of that era are still considered by many to be the most stylish of all the models produced. Both these cars are still being sold across the States, and have earned a very loyal following from their fans. Those who drive and keep these cars form a deep attachment to them, feelings that many will cheerfully confess could be described as love; but what is …

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2019 Aston Martin VANTAGE – Photo Flyaround w/ LEDs Lit

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  The shockingly sexy new V8 Vantage was easily one of the stand-out stars at the Amelia Island 2018 Concours. This gorgeous new nose, sweeping panel surfaces and taut, tight tail end.  Wisps of a bent LED lightbar in back will make grown men weak in the knees.  The tail is even more impressive beside the brand-new DB11 Volante parked nearby.  This is future-sexy and Vantage has it nailed. 2019 Aston Martin VANTAGE

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2018 Mercedes-AMG Project ONE – Amelia Island Concours 2018 Photoset

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The AMG Project ONE has an undeniable magic in the flesh that is absent in most photography. The slinky, almost formless nature of the bodywork is actually a pure, emotive skin wrapped tight around each wheelhouse like cheekbones.  A supermodel of a machine if there ever was one. The dimensions alone are damn near Chiron large, for one, but the cabin tucked inboard radically too.  A lower than low roof and snorkel intake up top are almost casual in their hardcore obviousness. Watching the car arrive silently was quite a spectacle indeed.  Project ONE is a star! Even with its …

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Best of Amelia Island – 2018 Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003S Stradale – Photos & Videos

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An absolutely phenomenal car is what it takes to win the real Concours trophies. In our book, a hypercar like no other is enough. SCG003S is exquisite in person.  The details for its transformation to “luxury” version of the SCG003 LMP car are slight outside. Full CHMSL and side idicator lights have a very NHTSA feel.  A backup lamp and rear fog are included along with taillights.  And a plate. This is a road car.  Fully legal in every state via a new low-volume manufacturer US certification. $2.4 mil is the cost and six are spoken for.  20 more on …

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

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

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

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

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Insider: Five Ideas for Racing-Themed Vacations

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Do you arrange your weekends around every televised NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One or FIA World Endurance Championship race? Is your idea of a fun day out obsessing over every car at the car show or heading out to your local track to watch the drag races? If you live and breathe cars and racing, then it should also be a no-brainer to theme your next vacation around your passion. Here are five ideas for planning an amazing racing-themed getaway. 1. Get in on the Action Why watch from the sidelines when you can jump into the fray? Many drag tracks …

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2018 Genesis G80 Sport RWD – Road Test Review

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G80 Sport has the dark, sporty and sinister makeover of our dreams.  This luxury sport sedan has been a popular favorite among CRD writers around the country in the last few years. We’ve watched the brand go from a fledgling offshoot to a stand-alone division whose products threaten Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and BMW ownership of the luxury sedan marketplace. Is it weird to be proud of how far Genesis has come?  Perhaps. 2018 is a big year for the big G.  The model range has the traditional G80 from about $40k, G80 Sport and a new-for-2017 G90 flagship limo.  Soon a …

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2.7s, 249MPH 2018 W Motors FENYR SuperSport – Private Unveiling Party

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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 …

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

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

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2019 Lamborghini URUS – World Premiere of SSUV – Son of a Rambo Lambo

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The idea of a supercar Lambo SUV is not that far-fetched.  The firm is at pains to show its provenance in this arena by dusting off its LM002 Lambo Rambo from the storage vault.  Even the LM002 Cheetah variant is joining the URUS debut party! LM002 and LM002 Cheetah variant While the first Lambo SUV was a giant bruiser that crushed scales at above 5000 pounds, this new ~650HP URUS is actually pretty tiny.  Its four doors and extremely racy roofline actually wrap a Macan or Q5 sized platform.  But this time with absolutely gigantic rubber and AWD system almost right …

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2017 Shelby 427 DAYTONA Secret Weapon COUPE CSX2605 [70 Photos!]

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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 …

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OP_ED: KIA Taking Major Risks with STINGER Launch Rollout

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

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RM Paris 2018 – 2005 Maserati MC12

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The MC12 is such a special hypercar that it rarely hangs out with mere supercars. This example is flawlessly original and expects to collect at least two million Euros when sold by RM Sotheby’s Paris auction in early 2018. The MC12 was not originally intended as a road car at all.  This is what let Maserati get away with such wild wings and bodywork atop a humble Enzo Ferrari basis. MC12 took a different, high-speed aero approach to the longtail design of a midengine exotic, with less drag than the Enzo.  A bit less downforce as well, in theory, and a …

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215MPH, 2.2s 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Steals LA Auto Show

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Performance on the ZR1 is so insane that not even Chevy knows how fast it is yet.  210MPH+ is all they will say on record.  755HP makes this ZR1 earn its racing spats, sills and wings. Is it angel or demon in the US car business these days!? Check out the latest photos of the Convertible, which will carry a $124k sticker that’s about five grand more than the hardtop.  Both have the giant wing and Sebring Orange designer package available! More details to follow.  Gallery and official tech specs below. 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 GM-EST. FUEL ECONOMY City 15 …

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2018 Bugatti CHIRON Headlines RM Sotheby’s 2017 New York Icons [33 Photos]

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Imagine having a Chiron. Not in 18 months.  Or even three months. Now.  This week! That is how the new owner of this never-register Bugatti Chiron will feel in NYC at Rm Sotheby’s 2017 Icons auction. No word on who this original orderer was.  The Chiron’s exact color shades are not shared, but it is black on black with red accents.  The red stripe wraps the C-shaped door intake and then sweeps around the nose. The vehicle comes with an extra rear bumper in crate that meets US road specs.  Fitted is the slightly slimmer world-export-spec rear bumper. Pricing is …

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

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

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

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

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Aston Martin Reinvents Its Sporting Pedigree With 2018 Vantage Coupe

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

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2018 Aston Martin VANTAGE – Fantasy Colorizer in 50 Candy Paints

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One of 2018’s sexiest new cars has landed.  The new Aston Martin Vantage takes a quantum explosion into the future.  V8TT, tight and lithe chassis, and sparing design that relishes drama.  Here is a shark on the autobahn.  An MX-5 GT500 some might joke. But here this Vantage is so, so painfully beautiful that it makes the 911 seem trad and old.  Onward to the future of Aston. The reveal Vantage wears a very familiar Lime Essence paintwork that does what I always do.  Try to find that elusive perfect yellow-green. As Vantage strides into the future, we take a …

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SPOFEC OVERDOSE for the Rolls-Royce Dawn – 700HP Widebody Ragtop

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How do you turn an ultimate luxury cabriolet into a bad-ass gangster musclecar? Enlist the experts at SPOFEC by Novitec. Extra boost for the V12TT joins a widebody makeover with ground-effect aero and a grip package of your dreams.  Electronically dropping the suspension and electronic flaps for the big new exhaust complete the makeover nicely. Only the hood, doors and trunklid escape a full redesign.  One of the nicest details of the SPOFEC Overdose is how seamless the aero package is.  No tacky shutlines and panel gaps here! All naughty for this new Dawn Overdose, though, make no mistake!   …

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

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

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Design Talent Showcase – P1 Phenom Hybrid – Le Mans WingTire Concept

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  Here is an eye-popper of a design concept!  The racecar of the future packing micro turbojet engines on each side.  And tires made of carbon-fiber turbine wing blades.  Packaging of the driver within a central translucent pod / teardrop is almost the most subtle piece of this beauty. P1 Phenom Hybrid is imagined in partnership with Michelin and Embraer — tire and aircraft experts.  P1 Phenom is best in exploring how racing will look with jet propulsion: beyond axles and contact patches for traction. Cheers Carlos Carvalho! Follow him over on Behance here. https://www.behance.net/gallery/41172119/P1-Phenom-Hybrid-Le-Mans-(Michelin-top10) P1 Phenom Hybrid – Le …

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Update1 – 2017 Lamborghini Terzo Millennio

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Updated with high-res photos. Lambo just whipped the wraps off the newest, hottest Lambo yet: the Terzo Millennio.  This third wave hypercar aims to make electric exotic.  And make it sexy. Tough ask! The new Lambo TM aims to revolutionize materials and packaging to go even more mid-engined than Aventador or Centenario.  Cab farther forward.  More extreme rakes to all glass.  And extreme aero taking more precedence than beauty.  We see Lambo’s wild pipedream of what their flagship might be in 2025. Only fairly lousy images and no tech specs available yet.  Watch this space for better materials when available. …

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Designer Showcase – Changha Lee – Peugeot Lumie LMP1 Concept

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Changha Lee has created quite a storm with this molten bullet of a racecar.  Insanely long and nearly melted in its surfaces.  But full of strategic aero and functional slashwork where needed.  It is quite a fetching design story as well.  From initial ideation to engineering skematics.  Then onto photoreal renders and even a scale model. THe Lumie Peugeot design is so charming in its simplicity.  No doors with just a hinged canopy windshield to let the central driver get in position.  The flexing, superheated flow of the design extends far over the rear axle.  A super longtail with carved …

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2018 BMW M550i – HD Road Test Review

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

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Update1 – 1600HP, 301MPH 2018 Hennessey Venom F5 Revealed

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Hennessey has been in a two-pony race with Bugatti for the world’s fastest production car for about a decade now.  Their Venom GT easily smashed 270MPH at the NASA runway a few years ago — so we know more pace is certain for the GT’s successor. That car arrived today with a huge gasp at SEMA 2017.  The Venom F5 is fully redesigned with lighter, sleeker and stronger carbon-fiber bodywork.  It promises even less overall drag while also providing race levels of downforce. The quoted figures for power and performance are nothing short of amazing, if they are proven in …

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2018 Ferrari FXX-K Evo – 1035HP Special with Track Attack Aero

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The hottest ever Ferrari just tripled its downforce and slashed its drag.  The full makeover outside brings new ductwork and streamlining — best seen from its giant real wing and central spine.  Three massive uprights are actually horizontal stabilizers for its Corso Clienti gentleman racers.  The outermost corners of the car are intense: like a shark fin slicing through the air! It is safe to assume all the aero learnings of this FXX-K Evo will go right into the next-gen LaFerrari.  For now, we can just marvel at its skills on track — there is no road version. This new …

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Designer Showcase – N.01 Autonomous Race Car Concept By Fernando Pastre Fertonani

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Gorgeous new designs out of Brazil this week from Fernando Fertonani! This fresh Masters in Transportation Design SPD Milan grad has penned out a look a driverless endurance racecar of the future. Imagine this as an LMP1 competitor and its rigid bodysides, shrouded front axle and massive wings make beautiful sense.  The open rear tires with central drive system appear to be designed for cooling – wrapped in blocky linear wings that form bodywork and tail stabilizers.  Massive electric motors inside each wheel hub reinforce the thrust this is designed to handle. Instead of a tall cockpit area and mid-mounted …

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Worst of Tokyo – 2017 ZAGATO IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo Sport

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Not one to brag about my automotive skills, mostly.  But I can see a Corvette reskin from about five miles away.  And I certainly know what cutting-edge design does and does not look like. Zagato’s New IsoRevolta IsoRivolta Vision Gran Turismo is fairly hideous on first inspection.  It is a dated example of surfacing with little to no aerodynamic engineering to justify its many wings. The carved bodywork and pseudo floating fenders are interesting.  How could a giant Chevy V8 fit under a hood even lower than the stock Corvette?! This VGT Sport concept is ostensibly available to buy.  Not sure who would want …

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860HP RXR One is AMG GT-S by IMSA GmbH

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How furious would you be this year if you bought an AMG GT last year??  Same goes for the 675LT McLaren they are still trying to sell next to the new-face 720S. The new AMG GT-R is a hard upgrade of the original. RXR One is IMSA of Germany’s take on upgrading the softer GT and GT-S cars to track-attack road spec. The result is unique, aggressive and clearly brings huge amounts of racing knowledge to bear on the GT’s design.  Loving its widebody bumper intakes and outlets.   Centerlock alloys and red-striped Pirellis complete a solid racecar look.   RXR …

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2017 TOKYO Motor Show LIVE – Top Ten Sexiest Debuts

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Tokyo is full of EVs and stand-tall vans per usual.  But this year the eco flavor has a lot more speed and outdoorsiness.  Cars like the Nissan IMx — a preview of a Juke replacement running 400+ electric ponies.  Taller ride height and gravel-busting looks are part of the Subaru VISIV concept’s rallytough looks. We even love the new Mitsubishi Mazda is on a roll with its gorgeous Vision Coupe concept — a light teaser of where the humble Mazda6 is going in the future.  Same for the sexy shrink-wrapped KAI Concept for its 2019 Mazda3 flavors. Cars like the …

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2018 Apollo INTENSA EMOZIONE – Shockingly Cut Hypercar is Chiron Killer

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Here is a hypercar that makes the McLaren 720S look like a Geo Metro. The Lykan Hypersport is a Kia Sephia beside this new Apollo. The new Apollo Intensa Emozione is the most breathtakingly fresh design of the decade. Hypercar hyperbole? Tell that to the carved, deconstructed bodywork.  The razor-sharp slices of carbon fiber on the slashed flanks.  A place where LaFerrari and Regera are just blobs of metal (*carbon). This new Apollo IE honestly makes this author weak in the knees.  Even its naked tub chassis. Brilliant for the ultra-low-volume Apollo (in its new gen of management) to leverage …

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220mph Breadvan! NOVITEC Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

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The breadvan spettacolare! This most-practical Ferrari can still be as boss as the rest. This comprehensive upgrade from Novitec includes the bodywork accents on all sides, Novitec NF4 custom 21/22-inch wheels, lowering springs and a shouty variety of Iconel exhaust choices.  The plug-n-play ECU mod adds a cool 99HP electronically and can return the car to stock as needed. The pack looks sexy and subtle — ready for a roof rack and some Vmax adventures! Top end for the stock model is 208 and we’d be surprised if 220-mph was as high as this beauty will go.   NOVITEC Ferrari GTC4Lusso NOVITEC …

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2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster – Japan 50th Anniversary Specials

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The idea of Lambos in congested Japanese city centers seems awful!  But then recall that this mountainous country has some of the most demanding roads in the world.  All flawlessly smooth tarmac, of course, but with wicked elevation changes, wild cambers and snakey ess curves. To celebrate 50 years of Lamborghini in Japan, the marque will sell five customized Japan 50th Anniversary specials.  Each is to have its own livery — with a Captain Planet theme of fire, wind, water.. and other forces at the core of the themes. This blue to black transition-painted model is the Water theme.  Its …

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2018 Lexus LC500 – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

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

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Design Talent Showcase – The Most Expensive Cars: Budget Edition – By Aksyonov Nikita

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Oh the joys of steelies!~ Stamped steel wheels were the lifeblood of the car business for its first century.  They were cheap to produce, cheap to fix and stronger than most potholes.  Sure, they weighed a metric tonne each.  And this made handling bouncy or soggy in feel for drivers. What is today’s most expensive rides swapped their magnesium, titanium-alloy, carbon-fiber or forged aluminum for steel wheels? No hubcaps allowed, but we’ll maintain the 20-inch sizes on many of these OEM exotics.  Chiron, Regera, Superfast and more — all rolling on iron steamrollers. What else is Nikita up to? Vulcan …

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2018 Genesis G80 Sport AWD – HD Road Test Review

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

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2018 Rezvani TANK – 500HP Designer Assassin – 15 New Pics

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You’d be shocked how fast you can throw $50k at a custom Jeep.  And probably shocked that you can actually spend $50k on a stock, factory Wrangler right from a dealership floor. When you add those two totals, you’re already past $100k without even a toe in the sand. Rezvani has made it easier to have the ULTIMATE off-road supercar right from the start.  No fiddling with settings, stance and lifts.  The Dodge 392 6.4-liter V8 upgrade alone is worth about $30k on a factory machine. Rezvani has gone far, far beyond an engine swap and customized bodywork, though.  The …

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What Do We Know About the Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One Hypercar? – Scott Huntington

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Mercedes has a long history of motorsports success. Lest you should you forget that this is a marque with the pedigree to win Formula One races and produce feats of engineering like the CLK-GTR, here’s a reminder. It’s called the Project One. It has been compared to Mercedes’ Vision Gran Tourismo concept, but unlike that car, the Project One is very real. In building it, Mercedes has delivered on their promise to create a new competitor for the “holy trinity,” of P1, 918, and LaFerrari. For $2.7 million, frankly, it had better. A Racecar for the Road Media fanboys kick …

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2017 Peugeot L750 R Hybrid Joins Vision Gran Turismo Sport

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Second VGT Sport concept is live and trackable right now! This new Peugeot L750 R Hybrid is about 300-pounds lighter than the first0-gen Pug racer prototype — and delivers seriously scorching performance.  2.4-seconds to 60mph and a V-max kissing close to 250-mph. 580HP from the gas engine and 170 ponies from a liquid-cooled Li-ion hybrid battery pack equals some ferocious speed.  But this wont be GTR-easy to control at max attack: the L750 R is rear-drive only. Extreme aero and lightweighting make this L750 R a fun new way to explore the all-new GT Sport game title.   2017 Peugeot …

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2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 – HD Road Test Review

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

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2017 McLaren Ultimate Vision GT for PS4 Gran Turismo Sport is GO

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Always exciting to see a Vision Gran Turismo concept car come to life!  This one is official and is McLaren’s first virtual racer.  It enters the GT Sport universe as a ferocious AWD hybrid hypercar. V8TT to the back wheels and in-hub electric motors at the front channel a max of 1150HP and 1275 pound-feet of torque.  The trick power delivery and aero were specifically designed to ace a set of racing physics parameters — and will make this a hero car for those who race it in the game. The McLaren Ultimate VGT has a few unique design elements …

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