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Updated With 50 New Photos – 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and CLS63 AMG Refreshed With Standard 4Matic

Updated 10.19.14           Well, would you look what we have here! See, it really does pay to crop photos extra tight (sometimes). You never really know what you will find. Such was my excitement to see the facelifted 2015 CLS63 AMG in the second Mercedes-Benz release about the new 24-LED-per-side MultiBeam headlights. These replace the previous block/bar of lighting in the CLS, which was unique but not exactly welcoming, warm or desirable. The new layout is much like the E63 AMG, but with only a single LED band up the top of the lamp shape. Of …

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

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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Updated with 55 New Photos – 2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed in Paris + Colorizer

Updated 10.16.14 The Mulsanne Speed is clearly the best-looking flagship in the Bentley sedans range. Surprising how nicely the dark trims and giant five-spoke wheels clean up the appearance so dramatically. Bentley even suggests a few very bright colors in the visualizer — things like Apple Green are just one of the hundreds of standard and custom shades available.   Check out the visualizer here. http://visualiser.bentleymotors.com/bm/en/831-speed    PREVIOUS Holy flagship, Batman! The Bentley Mulsanne Speed tops the Bentley line for 2015, with sexy exterior trim tweaks and a huge jump in power from the gutsy 6.75-liter V8 engine up front. …

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

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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Chevrolet SEMA Cars Lineup Includes Blacked-Out Impala, SS, Cruze and Sonic Sedans

Okay now! After being seriously unimpressed by the SEMA Colorado and Silverado concepts from Chevy, we are pleased to share a better sedans lineup. Everything from the SS to the Impala to the Cruze and Sonic benefits from a cool personalization. The performance of the cars will stay the same, but the desirability and ‘want’ factor is clearly increased dramatically on all four cars. The lack of a Malibu here hints that a Malibu performance concept may still be forthcoming from Chevy before SEMA next month. Our favorite among this group is the Impala Blackout — which is likely to …

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510HP, 3.9s 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Makes Paris Debut With Red-Lipped Styling Accents

The new C63 is here! In UK  trim at first, but with key details now clear ahead of the US announcement. In an unusual move, Mercedes-Benz is now Mercedes-AMG for the hottest models in its range. This slight name change drops the Benz and moves the AMG portion ahead of the model nomenclature. Aside from the detail OEM change, the rest of the car is far more exciting. Huge power from the 476-horsepower engine is also available in an XXL power guise: the S Model simply becomes the C63 S. One distinct piece for the C63 versus the E63 and …

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

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

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Update2 – 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda Production Debut – Exclusively Available in Middle East

Updated 10.5.14 New photos and production details of the new Lagonda limo — including a cabin that is breathtakingly posh. Regretfully for some, the Lagonda will only be available to buyers in the Middle East. As a low-volume model like the One-77, the Lagonda is sure to be one of the rarest of all luxury four-doors. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda             PREVIOUS Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda     Inspiration for …

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Updated With 42 New Photos – INFINITI Q80 Inspiration Concept Flagship

Updated 10.2.14 One popular design cliche is to describe the panel shapes of a model as ‘like flowing silk.’ The idea is to be lighter than air, and always in motion with ripples and elegant movement at all times. Far beyond cliche, the new Q80 Inspiration makes the idea real.A rare achievement, to be sure, and very exciting. Freeze that wind-swept silk in time, and it carries the beauty of motion even as a static piece. That is how we would describe the latest panel shaping theme shown in the new Q80 Inspiration, which is officially set to become a …

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Hyundai SEMA Showstopper: ARK Performance AR550 Genesis Is E63-Hunter With Supercharged 5.0L V8!

What the what! Looking for specs on the 2015 Tucson on Hyundai Media, and what is staring me in the face on the homepage but an extremely tuned Genesis! Have you ever seen a SEMA concept so well-executed and well-timed? The new Genesis is absolutely killing it on the sales charts: the combination of 7 series proportions and 3 series pricing is really a huge, huge hit with shoppers. But how to convince the skeptical? How about a performance upgrade to shade even the M5 and E63? Enter, Ark Performance and the AR550 Genesis. Damn. Sexy. Hyundai?     ARK …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Lincoln MKZ 3.7 AWD Is Stylish, Sporty and Futuristic!

The Lincoln MKZ is easily the best Lincoln this author has ever driven. Outstanding design and technology features make the MKZ stand apart from anything else coming out of Detroit this decade, and getting to know the new Lincoln over a week was endlessly surprising. This car handles with a fantastic AWD balance of my personal Subaru Legacy GT, carries a charming and unique design that is cutting-edge and futuristic unlike anything else on the road. Dozens of preconceptions went out the ultra-sleek moonroof as we cruised to Atlanta with the Active Cruise engaged, the massage seats on full blast, …

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510HP, 3.9s 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Joins New C63 – Without the Benz Name!

The new C63 is here! In UK  trim at first, but with key details now clear ahead of the US announcement. In an unusual move, Mercedes-Benz is now Mercedes-AMG for the hottest models in its range. This slight name change drops the Benz and moves the AMG portion ahead of the model nomenclature. Aside from the detail OEM change, the rest of the car is far more exciting. Huge power from the 476-horsepower engine is also available in an XXL power guise: the S Model simply becomes the C63 S. One distinct piece for the C63 versus the E63 and …

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INFINITI Q80 Inspiration Previews Gorgeous and Fascinating S-Class Competitor

One popular design cliche is to describe the panel shapes of a model as ‘like flowing silk.’ The idea is to be lighter than air, and always in motion with ripples and elegant movement at all times. Far beyond cliche, the new Q80 Inspiration makes the idea real.A rare achievement, to be sure, and very exciting. Freeze that wind-swept silk in time, and it carries the beauty of motion even as a static piece. That is how we would describe the latest panel shaping theme shown in the new Q80 Inspiration, which is officially set to become a production model …

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2012 Giugiaro BRIVIDO Martini Racing Honors Lancia Beta Montecarlo and 037

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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Introducing Novitec SPOFEC for the Rolls-Royce Ghost: More Style and Power + Lower Ride and Dual-Mode Exhaust!

SPOFEC!? That is short for SPirit OF ECstacy. Get it? It is like a super-acronym. Using a similar strategy of unique branding by marque, the Novitec Group is rolling out hits left and right these days. Just a few weeks since the debut of the Novitec Torado (Lamborghini) and Novitec Tridente (Maserati) specials, here we have a SPOFEC Ghost that has everything hip buyers might want. This includes 22-inch wheels, a new controller module for the air-ride suspension to lower the car at speed or on demand, a dual-model exhaust to hear the V12 sing, an aero upgrade kit and …

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Concept Flashback – 1985 Nissan Cue-X Inspired Original Infiniti Q45 Flagship and Future Q80

  As we prepare for the upcoming Infiniti Q80 Inspiration concept’s debut in Paris, how about a look back at the springboard ideas that led to the first flagship, the Q45 of 1990. The 1985 Cue-X concept from Nissan shares clear details with what became the Q45 from all angles, but especially in profile. This low and lean shape was far less formal than the competition from Lexus in the LS400, as well as the established players like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. It is fascinating to see the inspiration for the original Q, and the low and flowing style shown by …

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2008 Mitsubishi Concept RA Previewed a 5th-Gen Eclipse GSR with Evo AWD and Turbo Tech

In July, we expressed pure horror at Mitsubishi’s latest design direction, as shown by the alarmingly-hideous trio of Genever 2014 concepts at the bottom of this page. So when did it all go so strange in the Mitsubishi design department? We are afraid that the amazing 2008 Concept RA is another casualty from the global economic crisis between 2008 and 2013. One of many great ideas put of hold indefinitely, the Concept Ra was widely believed to be a preview of the fifth-generation Eclipse sportscar. No longer sharing a god-awful chassis with Chrysler, the Eclipse was set to return to …

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Bentley Mulsanne Speed is New for 2015 With 811-Pound-Feet of Turbo Torque!

Holy flagship, Batman! The Bentley Mulsanne Speed tops the Bentley line for 2015, with sexy exterior trim tweaks and a huge jump in power from the gutsy 6.75-liter V8 engine up front. Max speed is up to 190-mph, while the 60-mph sprint is now down to just 4.8-seconds — which is a huge bit of speed for such a large barge of a car. Dark tints are added to the nose and tail detailing, with the headlamps now standard-fit in this more subtle design. 2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed   BENTLEY ANNOUNCES NEW MULSANNE SPEED – THE WORLD’S FASTEST ULTRA-LUXURY DRIVING …

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2015 Aston Martin Lagonda in 27 New Hot Weather Testing Photos

Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda   Aston   Inspiration for the design is said to tie directly to the 1976 Lagonda saloon below in original and VirtualModels.org’s dragster prototype. Most likely reference points in the bespoke 2015 Lagonda are the D-pillar shape and glasshouse, which is more faithful a revamp than the current Rapide S. A chopped and simplified vertical grille and nose bring the light elements low and part of the front face, versus on …

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2016 Audi RS7 Makes Moscow Debut With Updated LEDs, Extra Power and New Tech

No news from Audi USA on when this refreshed model will take over for the current 2015 RS7 we just landed in the USA. But it is likely to be one of the first updates in calendar 2015 cars, with a Spring arrival most likely on the street.   2016 Audi RS7         SEARING PERFORMANCE AND EVEN SHARPER STYLE: THE NEW GENERATION AUDI RS 7 SPORTBACK   Mighty twin-turbo V8 engine retains its rightful place at the heart of the new-look RS 7 Sportback but is now even more efficient  New headlights and design details for a …

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NOVITEC TRIDENTE Maserati Quattroporte Is Quicker and Far Sexier Than Ever!

While writing the big 2014 Quattroporte buyers guide the other day, we regretted how few cool wheel and performance options are available on the Maserati flagship lately.   Novitec Tridente, the trident branch of Novitec Rosso and Torado, has come to the rescue with sets of gorgeous wheels in four finishes, ECU upgrades to the twin-turbocharged engines, and a delicious exterior upgrades menu. The matte-effect paint protection wrap and black-tinted elements for all the factory brightwork are amazing, but even the subtle trunk spoiler and lower aero kit work wonders. A fantastic machine made even more exciting with these brand-new …

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Updated USA Debut – 2014 BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept – Design Analysis

Updated 8.27.14 The fact that the BMW Vision Future Luxury concept headed to Beijing this Spring instead of to the concurrent New York show says quite a bit about its market-makers. This machine needs to be successful in China. Period. As the biggest growth opportunity, China represents perhaps the only non-American and non-German (domestic) volume market for ultra-luxury sedans in the coming decade. But while the Chinese limo shopper has whole-heartedly adopted the Audi brand, BMW and Mercedes-Benz find themselves playing second fiddle. At the same time, the VFL concept needs to revive the unpopular current 7 series in the …

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Update1 New Photos – 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series Rendered by VirtualModels.org

  Updated 8.27.14   1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC at Pebble Beach 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SC Black Series This first one is a group effort … with the side profile by Sebastian Motsch and the front three-quarter angle by Car-Revs-Daily.com VirtualModels.org Mercedes-Benz 300S and SLS Bonneville Speed Special 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S (W188) – Style Update Germany’s Sebastian Motsch is a very talented individual – a guy who loves cars so much that he spends some of his free time imagining the impossible cars we all dream about. The quality of his renders puts most magazines or websites to shame. These cars of his …

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TECHART Porsche Panamera Grand GT Program Shows Huge Range of Exterior, Performance and Cabin Upgrades

The TechArt upgrades suite comes in three primary flavors for the outstanding Porsche Panamera: — First-gen Aero kit — Second-gen Aero kit — Grand GT comprehensive upgrades inside and out. As these ten demo machines show below, the depth of the packages are deep in making any Panamera into a widebody, ultra-performance beast! TECHART Porsche Panamera Grand GT Second-Gen (2014 – current)       Welcome to the TECHART Aerokit I for the Porsche Panamera models. Breathtakingly elegant and excitingly sporty. Uncompromising in both, its outer appearance and its inner values. Developed in the wind tunnel, made of quality materials …

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

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

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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2015 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Extended Wheelbase in White at The Quail Lodge

How to make a millionaire weep? Two ways: — remind him of your personal, daily EBITA salary (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization) — take him for a ride in your Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II limousine Sure, we can all measure ourselves by income or banked wealth. But what life really means seems to become vastly different as one crosses the $100-million mark. For cars, it certainly seems to become less about pace — and much more about grace and space. For the ultimate journey and arrival, nothing on four wheels beats the Phantom II. The Limo model with its …

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2014 Lexus IS-F Review – Part Three – 170MPH 4-Door Supercar Is Future Classic: The Ideal Luxury Racecar

2014 IS-F REVIEW – PART THREE of THREE   Simply put: the Lexus IS-F is one of the very best cars this author has ever driven. It is virtually flawless in its performance appeal — and addictive in its power delivery and handling eagerness. When cars like the E63 AMG and BMW M5 are in the competitive set, the IS-F feels every bit as special, and instantly more intoxicating. For drivers who want supercar power with velvet-glove luxury in a four-door, the IS-F will be your favorite car too. A future classic – one that beats its competition today and …

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540HP, 3.7s 2015 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe Available in USA! Quickest BMW Ever Made?

Meet the first (and only) Alpina B6 in the United States at the moment. This blue stunner is, in fact, the quickest BMW ever made. The addition of AWD and a huge jump in twin-turbo V8 power means the Alpina B6 is more rapid to 60-mph than any other BMW. Ever. This includes the M6, 1980 M1, 2015 M5 Jahre 30, i8, M4, M3…. Everything else is slower. THE PRIVATE DEBUT As well as the USA reveal of the Vision Future Luxury concept and M5 30th Anniversary, BMW’s Pebble Beach villa was packed with all the hottest metal in the …

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204-MPH, 707HP 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Makes Online Debut - Est $60k Base Pricing From January Gif

204-MPH, 707HP 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Makes Online Debut – Est $60k Base Pricing From January

When in doubt: do a mile-long burnout! The 2015 Charger SRT Hellcat made its online debut this week. Thrilling pace and performance are guaranteed. No word yet on pricing or arrival time frames – but the 2015 SRT Hellcat Charger pricing is likely to mirror the $61,000 base prices of the Challenger Hellcat, with out estimated arrival time from in Q1 2015.     2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat NEW 2015 DODGE CHARGER SRT HELLCAT IS THE QUICKEST, FASTEST AND MOST POWERFUL SEDAN IN THE WORLD 13/08/14 With 707 horsepower, an NHRA-certified quarter mile elapsed time of 11.0 seconds on …

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

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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712HP MAYBACH 57S by Knight Luxury is Conspicuously Awesome Carbon LImousine

Sure, the Maybach brand might be as likeable as Kim and Kayne West. Sure, Kimye even pronounce the name wrong. [It is said “My-bach” not “May-bach”] With all this trashy celeb baggage and S-Class-alike profiles, do Maybach limos have the stop/stare factor of the MANSORY Rolls shown in the previous article? EVEN considering all that: the Knight Luxury 57S custom upgrade shown here is certainly still a breathtaking custom upgrade. Based on the sportiest 57S model, not a panel or corner is left untouched in this super-lux upgrade program from Knight Luxury. IT is certainly effective at giving the Maybach …

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MANSORY Rolls-Royce Phantom Limo and Phantom Drophead Coupe Are 7.5L, V12TT Purebreds

  In honor of the Monterey and Pebble Beach Concours week – here is the first in a series of showcases of Ultra-High-Net-Worth vehicles from which to choose. The MANSORY customization program knows no limits, of course. But how to make a Phantom even more striking? Ditch the trad — and go for the rad. These three examples of Rolls Royce Phantoms by Mansory are sure to be waived right onto the Concours lawns with no questions asked. They are so intimidating, to be honest, that the driver would likely not even have to roll down the window to say …

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Road Test Review – 2010 Porsche Panamera S is Gorgeous, Potent and Precisely Adjustable German U-boat

A Banker’s Hot Rod. Have you heard this term before? There are a few ways to define this old Buick advertising tagline from the 1950s: — a car for financial gurus at the top of the global banking markets. A commuter special – able to beat many muscle-cars in stoplight drag races, but also able to wow prospective clients on a lunch outing — the other definition? a car for successfully robbing banks. A getaway car that is so fast and so adept at outrunning normal machines that it will easily haul four newly-affluent people far and fast from the …

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2014 Lexus IS-F Review – Part Two – 416HP 5.0L V8 Is Ferocious, Fast and Fun… Even on Rainy Day!

2014 IS-F REVIEW – PART TWO of THREE     Falling hard and fast for a press loan car is an occupational hazard for car journalists – but that would never happen to me! Ha! Can you imagine? Being so thoroughly obsessed with a machine that I would turn over my personal 2005 Subaru Legacy GT wagon in a hearbeat!? Never going to happen to This Guy! But…  then it did. Like falling in love with a stripper – the end is never easy on a humble John when his time is up. IS-F PRECONCEPTIONS — Never loved the IS-F’s …

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RM Auctions 2014 Monterey Preview – 1911 Mercer Type 35R Raceabout

If the official name of Raceabout is not confirmation enough! This Mercer 1911 Type 35R Raceabout is perhaps the worlds first rally sportscar. Outstanding. 1911 Mercer Type 35R RaceAbout Monterey 15 – 16 August 2014 Lot 235 1911 Mercer Type 35R Raceabout $2,500,000 – $3,500,000 Chassis no. 35-R-354 Engine no. 35-R-137 Contact Us View Lots An institution for over 25 years, the historic Monterey auction is held at the Portola Hotel & Spa, steps away from downtown Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf. The spacious plaza, ballroom, and lobby at the Portola present ample room and comfort to preview the diverse offering …

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Updated With 188 New Images – Road Test Review – 2013 BMW 535i M Sport – Animated Visual Buyers Guide

Updated 7.29.14 with 188 new images Update info: BMW GLOBAL The BMW 5 series is incredibly trim-sensitive. It can obviously look amazing in full M5 track apparel, but looks very lonesome and humdrum in the low-range 528i and even 535i without the M Sport package. As a strong indication that this four-year-old model range is on the way out next year — there are hardly any new BMW press photos of the car since 2011. So we turned to the BMW.com global site configurators to try and make an amazing-looking 535i or, even better, a 550i. Even *more* recent update! …

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2014 Lexus ISF Looking Sublime for Sunset Photo Shoot on the Bayou

Very eager to share my newest supercar crush! If the 1997 Lexus GS400’s ad tagline was ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes,’ then the IS-F’s should be: “Once bitten, forever smitten…” I have been taking photos and video almost all day since the IS-F arrived in the driveway! An instant bond with the Lexus IS-F has lured me out to the driveway thrice to run ‘errands’ over and over. Such is the instant bond with this intense flood of brute Lexus power that we even ventured out to do a risque sunset photo shoot. Nighttime photos are a serious challenge for …

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2015 Audi S8 with 520HP and 3.9s to 60MPH Is The Quickest and Definitely The Coolest A8

For many years, one of the core elements of the Audi A8’s appeal was its refined and ultra-classy ‘outsider’ appeal. Versus the once-staid S-Class and now-staid BMW 7 series, the A8 was a breath of fresh air. For the ultra-luxury limo set of shoppers, the A8 represented a ‘Mac’ type of aesthetic and usability, versus its very PC-type logic and functions of the other big German luxury sedans. The Audi’s shared German engineering, driving feel and performance instantly put the car ahead of the Lexus LS in many enthusiasts’ minds. A refined and measured exterior and interior design seemed as …

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ASTON MARTIN Lagonda Officially Reborn For Bespoke 2015 Super Saloon

Lagonda lives! Breaking news with a confirmation from Aston-Martin on the 2015 Bespoke Super Saloon project – which is officially the new Lagonda saloon car. Inspiration for the design is said to tie directly to the 1976 Lagonda saloon below in original and VirtualModels.org’s dragster prototype. Most likely reference points in the bespoke 2015 Lagonda are the D-pillar shape and glasshouse, which is more faithful a revamp than the current Rapide S. A chopped and simplified vertical grille and nose bring the light elements low and part of the front face, versus on the uppermost corner edges. The 2015 Lagonda …

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JAGUAR Special Ops F-Type Coupe and XFR-S SportBrake for Team Sky Tour de France Cyclists

Say what you might about all other sports physicality, strength and stamina requirements – but know that none is really as grueling a challenge as the Tour de France. A bike race that whittles its winners down to rail-skinny, crying fools. Emotional, physical and spiritual battering come with every stage of the race. Evidence? There are few other athletes who would keep charging forward when their scrotum has been rubbed raw and blood-red by constant seat pressure/chafing. It makes this first-ever bike under the English Channel seem like a cakewalk. But the Tour de France is not just won by …

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LOTUS Esprit, Elan, Elite, and Eterne Have The Vision, But Missing The Investor Millions

Talk about a huge missed opportunity: Lotus’s 2010 Paris business plan and five-pack of concepts might be arriving for sale about now if the world had be different. The cars are so on-trend and stylish four years later that it is hard to really see them in real-life photos without a deep sense of regret. Only the city car seemed silly then and still does. In the world of car-making and luxury brands, the three hardest and most unattainable pieces of the puzzle are: — great ideas — a fantastic brand name and legacy — global distribution and sales The …

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Charleston Cars and Coffee Gallery – 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth is For Sale!

A rare car in great condition – seeking a new owner! Of the 2,000 or so imported 190E’s that came to the US market between 1989-1990, there are less than 400 left in this excellent original condition. Interested buyers can email ads (at) car-revs-daily.com to be connected with the seller – who is flexible on price but shooting for $8,900 for this 1989 example. The car was previously owned by the lead mechanic at European Autowerks in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Therefore, it runs flawlessly and comes equipped with a new dashboard, new wheels and pristine service history. 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E …

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SRT Hellcat Envy? OCT Tuning Supercharger Conversion Delivers Easy +200 Horsepower in All HEMI V8s

With the recent launch of the SRT Challenger for 2015 with a supercharged engine, owners of an existing Hemi V8 or SRT8 Mopar might be feeling a little down on power. O.CT Tuning of Germany to the rescue! These guys work extensively with the Hemi V8 in its 5.7, 6.1 and 6.4-liter sizes – and have a few Supercharger upgrades in boxes ready to ship out today! The power figures are staggering – and so will the burnt rubber once you have this installed by a local mechanic! Output Data KW HP Nm Original 317 431 570 O.CT 443 602 …

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2015 Lexus IS250 and IS350 Still Gorgeous – Now With LED Foglamps and Heated Steering Wheel for AWD Models

Is the Lexus IS one of the best-looking, best-made and best-sounding luxury cars on the market? Yes, yes it is. The BMW 320i is competing hard on price with the entry-level IS250 this year, as the Audi A3 is nosing into the fray as well. But none look quite as sexy or dynamic is this rear-drive Lexus. Below are photos from a quick spin in the Fall with the IS350 AWD, plus 60 official press shots — with the car looking outstanding in nearly all of them! Below are the full details on the 2015 update – which does not …

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Car-Revs-Daily

RENDERED RUMORS: Bugatti Galibier Back in Pipeline – As 2017 Super SUV!

It might make you chuckle on first thought: a Bugatti SUV. But take a step back and think about sales trends and Buagtti’s next steps. Sure, a SUperVeyron is very likely in 2016 or so as the current model finishes production by January 2015. And sure, a limo with a front-engine setup would be a logical next step. But here is the thing with limo’s versus SUVs and supercars: they are a hard sell. The car would have to be something quite spectacular indeed for people to stump up about 5X the $500,000 cost of a new Rolls-Royce Phantom. Similarly, …

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1940 Packard Custom Super Eight Convertible Sedan by Darrin

Here is a gorgeous car with a unique back-story ahead of the RM Auctions Motor City event on July 26th in Plymouth, Michigan. After working as a master apprentice with French coachbuilders for more than a decade, Dutch Darrin returned to America to set up his own shop. The French coach-built car industry from the 1920s to the 1930s was the absolute best in the world – delivering wild one-off creations to buyers around the world. Cars like the Delehaye 139, the Hispano-Suiza Xenia or the Rolls-Royce Round Door Coupe all came from this small piece of land around and …

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JAGUAR XF by 2M Designs Shows How To Personalize a Jag With Class

So many German tuners lately! Ahh!!! In honor of the World Cup, perhaps? Yes, let’s go with that. But you must admit: these German tuner cars are pretty outstanding. Versus the small-time DIY efforts that most local shops in America and elsewhere offer – these are relatively holitics ideas for how to make any car a bad-ass beast on the autobahn. The approach leaves no area unaltered, it can seem sometimes. Wheels, engine, interior, paint wraps, springs, tires, brakes, lights, foil designs…. Seeing a before/after of these cars would be even more shocking than even ProActiv would put in their …

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2015 Dodge Charger R/T With Painted Front Bumper Is Less Terrifying, More Premium and Sporty

Whisper it – but my favorite of the Dodge Charger/Challenger has always been the Charger. Not only do I prefer the name – I just like its style and long/low/wide scale better than the retro two-door. The latest updates for the 2015 model-year look thorough and helpful for improving the current Charger’s weakest link: its cabin. New performance pages from the SRT stable are included in this R/T model – along with a totally redesigned interior with more configurable digital screens in between the main gauges of the instrument cluster. On the outside, the car is still as scary as …

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630HP V12 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe Has Arrived – With New Steering Wheel!

The new S65 AMG is ready to bring the hurt to Rolls-Royce and Bentley – the V12 Coupe is official! But first: why lead off the headline with something about the steering wheel? It is big news because the S63 and S65 AMG sedans have a really silly one at the moment. Thrilled to see the new and handsome element in the S65 AMG Coupe. It is likely this optional sports wheel will roll out across the AMG S-Class range pronto. S65 Coupe S65 Sedan         These first specs and details confirm the big luxury coupe will be quite …

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NOVITEC ROSSO Ferrari FF is First-Ever 2+2 with AWD, Launch Control, Novitech 685HP Tuning

NOVITEC ROSSO is definitely a new favorite tuner – their cars are incredible! This program for the FF brings a few world-first elements together for the first time: a 2+2, AWD Ferrari with the full upgrade package from NOVITEC ROSSO. Why is this relevant? The cars are so violent and scary-fast — that the idea of such speed in a relatively practical shape is astounding. Don’t believe it? Check out this video… from about the half-way mark. Full catalog details and configurator below from NOVITEC ROSSO.   FF PRODUCTS The NOVITEC program for the FF has been developed for maximum …

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OP_ED: Latest Mitsubishi Exterior Designs Are Bizarre and Alarming

Mitsubishi is doing great on a few fronts, and simply keeping its head above water on other fronts. In the realm of PHEV and battery-electric vehicles, the firm is on a great trajectory. The iMiEV has been a pretty large global seller over the last five years by EV standards, and the new Outlander is fully prepped for a PHEV drivetrain that is already on sale in Japan and the UK, along with a few other markets. The SUV and pickup truck model ranges are still relatively robust sellers, with modern diesel engines and a butch appeal in their style. …

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BMW M235i RS by TUNINGWERK Making 400+ HP – Performance Mod Items Available for USA and Global Buyers

The BMW M235i is easily one of the best, most complete sports-cars in the last decade. So fast, so agile and so fun. There really is not much else with this triple threat of track prowess along with smooth and luxurious commuter capabilities. But what if you want to go even more hardcore? To take this incredible engineering package and light the wick with a blowtorch?   To make your own GT-R-killer ready for any performance challenge — and delivering a huge grin all the way there and back — look no further than the below catalog from German car …

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Design Talent Showcase – Jan Rosenthal 2023 Rolls-Royce Concept Wins Official RCA Contest

This is an oldie but a goodie. Not so old – 2012 — and previewing a Rolls-Royce for 2023. So it is a bit of Days of Future Past. Forgiveness Please if you have seen this already! Royal College of Art students submitted ideas for a 2023 Rolls-Royce back in 2012, with the winning design selected by Rolls-Royce executive leadership and designers themselves. The winning study is shown here in all its magnificence. Jan Rosenthal is the artist and elegantly combines many disparate ideas into one glamor-soaked luxury car. It is a four-door coupe with a SUV ride height. Very …

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QOROS Design Analysis – Qoros9 and Flagship Concepts Preview Exciting Future Models

QOROS is the German-led Chinese car firm that could change global perceptions about Chinese vehicles through sheer strength of engineering. The firm aims to deliver the best of European safety, handling, styling and quality standards to an affordable-produced model for the first time. Headed by Gert Hildebrand as design chief, Qoros is on firm footing to bring his MINI Cooper design expertise to all sorts of new segments. Here is Hildebrand with the Qoros Flagship model discussed below. QOROS Design Analysis – Qoros9 and Flagship Concepts Preview Exciting Future Models After many false starts by other brands, the Qoros 3 …

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Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo

Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo Aston took its future vision and threw it into fast-forward by the mid-1970s and early 1980s. The model range at the time was a mix of the Vantage and the Lagonda sedan – one looking and feeling like it was frozen in 1969, the other, 1999. So one very antiquated, and one ahead of its time. The 1980 Bulldog concept was ostensibly a range-topper; something to leapfrog the competition and bring the Vantage and supercar customer base into a bold and futuristic new decade. Alas, the …

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Past and Future Perfect – Rolls-Royce Is Evergreen in 111 RARE Photos + 2017 RR ALPINE RENDERING

Past and Future Perfect – Rolls-Royce Is Evergreen – 111 RARE Photos Celebrate 111-Year History FUTURE PERFECT? Yes, this tense in language certainly applies to Rolls-Royce in the coming years. Here is (one of) Lutz Valdeig‘s artist renderings of a 2017 Rolls-Royce Alpine SUV – with a name borrowed from RR’s Apline Trial glory.   Rolls-Royce is more successful than anyone might have guessed 15 or 30 years ago. At that time, the whisper was that The Best Car in the World might be losing its touch with modern times. BMW’s guiding principles of quality and advanced driving characteristics have …

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El-Tony

Design Talent Showcase – ElTony Brings Sensual, Elemental Fire and Water to YOUR Car Wallpapers

Design Talent Showcase – El-Tony.com Wallpapers Few things on Earth are as powerful as Fire and Water. Together with Earth and Wind — they can even combine forces to make…. Captain Planet! But back down in the real world, El-Tony.com brings the heat and the rain the virtually any image. His designs are somewhat tribal, somewhat fantasy, and something geometric all in one. By adding these amazing graphics, Tony Kokhan‘s art can make any photo or image explode off your wall – and into your dreams. Cars are any easy and pleasurable bit of eye-candy, but anything is possible for …

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Concept Flashback – 2008 Lamborghini Estoque – Binned In Favor of SUV, But Design Influences Huracan Dramatically

The Lamborghini Estoque from Paris 2008 created a flurry of media attention and even compelled some eager buyers to put down deposits on the car during the great auto show. Over the next year and a half, Lamborghini evaluated the concept’s production feasibility in detail – bouncing volume and pricing business plans back and forth to the Volkswagen Group board, exploring Panamera collaborations for the platform, and even building out a long-term front-engine GT car plan to accompany this gorgeous four-door to Lamborghini dealerships. This last bit – with a front-engine coupe and cabrio joining the business plan – made …

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KAHN Design Upgrades – 2010-2014 Porsche Panamera Super Sport Wide Track

Kahn Design shows great initiative in cosmetic and aesthetic upgrades for dozens of models – but does its most swift business in Land Rover and Range Rover parts. By showcasing these full car upgrades, Kahn offers owners of the respective model almost a full catalog to browse. Every piece shown on these full cars is sold individually as well, making for quite the compelling rolling demo. The Porsche Panamera is on the dock this week, looking stellar with a Kahn  Design Super Sport Wide Track styling overhaul. The super sedan was once a rare sight on US roads, but is …

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Goodwood 2014 Galleries – PORSCHE Macan Turbo, Panamera S E-Hybrid, RS Spyder, 962 and 917

My huge crush on the Macan is an open secret. Great to see how wonderful it looks being pushed to the edge up the hill! Also including a cool photo I found recently of the 917 doing a jump test, plus that monster 16-cylinder 917 prototype from last week… 917 MACAN TURBO PANAMERA S E-HYBRID RS SPYDER GT1 LM Check out the tarts in the right of this photo testing the Lola Aston Martin… 962 and 935

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Goodwood 2014 – Renault 5 Maxi, 1926 40CV Type NM, 1965 Alpine M65, 2014 Megane RS + Clio RS

Renault… has been making cars for a long time. Very unique cars! I usually crop off the UK press release info from photos,  but will leave it on for a few of these for information purposes. The 1926 40CV Type NM de recordes is a speed racer, believe it or not. Looks like the steering wheel is about 40-inches across – helping leverage when steering the very heavy-looking nose of this machine. So cool. The Alpine M65 is simply amazing.   This Renault 5 is definitely not being pushed by someone… despite what it looks like here…. The new Megane …

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RM Monterey 2014 Preview – 1972 Nissan Skyline H/T 2000 GT-R Hakosuka

All I could think as I came across this 1972 Skyline GT-R in the 2014 RM Auctions Monterey preview was…. “Awww yeahhh!!”   It seems, dear friends, that our day has finally come! Skyline GT-Rs in Monterey, rubbing shoulders with some of the most prestigious vehicles ever created. As the boomer generation starts to finally take a back seat to guys under 65 years old, the auction world changes with them. It is a huge relief to see less emphasis on Packard’s and other brands we have never come across in our lives – in favor of car with modern-day …

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HOT DAMN! 707HP 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Power Figures Are INCREDIBLE

600-horsepower from the new Challenger SRT’s supercharged Hellcat engine — all fired up and ready to roar into the record books with deliveries starting in late Summer 2014! Scratch that. The official tally is an incredible 707 horsepower from the 2015 SRT Challenger! Full details updated below from Dodge, as well as 98 new photos of the 2015 SRT Hellcat. ENGINE START-UP AND REVS VIDEO The coolest aspects of the new Challenger SRT are the Viper-inspired hood with extra breathing and venting ports, plus the hollow driver-side highbeam lamp – which delivers air right into the airbox of the Hellcat. …

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Car-Revs-Daily

Rally Legends – 1983 Lancia Beta Montecarlo and 1982 Lancia 037 at Goodwood 2014

These Lancia rally cars from 1983 and 1984 really defined and propelled Group B’s creation – and perhaps the unlimited performance class’s ultimate demise. They were rally cars only in tire and suspension settings. For all other intents and purposes, these were the hardest-core sports racers in decades. They leveraged new innovations in tech heavily – things like electronic fuel injection, carbon-fiber chassis construction, and turbocharging – to wild effect. The Martin colors are just icing on the cake, really. But while Group B might have taken these cars with them to history, the legacy lives on proudly today in …

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2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante In the Flesh! ThisClose To Test Drive, But…

Thinking and writing about Aston Martin makes me kick myself in the tits again today for missing a chance to drive the 2014 Vanquish Volante last month at Road America. Alas, it was late in the day and the Vanquish had been very occupied by the 100 other journalists on hand. There was only one test drive left, and another hack got his paws on it first. Maybe next year…. Is what I have been saying since I saw my first DB7 at a resort in Michigan in 1995. I will get behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. Not …

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Aston Martin Zings Up Goodwood Hill (to its AMG Future) in Vantage S, Rapide S and Vanquish

Aston Martin is on firm footing for the first time in over a decade: with the Mercedes-Benz AMG partnership signed and sealed, the company is poised for an exciting next chapter. We are thrilled to see the resulting sportscars – they will bring the best of both worlds to Aston showrooms very soon indeed. It is a mutually-beneficial gig all around – this is no charity write-off for Mercedes-Benz. First and foremost, it will allow Daimler to increase its average transaction price overnight – which is a somewhat silly metric for success that is nonetheless highly considered by the influential …

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VirtualModels.org Before/After Mercedes-Benz 300S and SLS Bonneville Speed Special

This first one is a group effort … with the side profile by Sebastian Motsch and the front three-quarter angle by Car-Revs-Daily.com VirtualModels.org Mercedes-Benz 300S and SLS Bonneville Speed Special 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300S (W188) – Style Update Germany’s Sebastian Motsch is a very talented individual – a guy who loves cars so much that he spends some of his free time imagining the impossible cars we all dream about. The quality of his renders puts most magazines or websites to shame. These cars of his look like OEM vehicles that could be for sale tomorrow in dealer forecourts. All the …

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VirtualModels.org Makes Ferrari 412i Shooting Brake and Ferrari Pinin Concept Wagon!

Germany’s Sebastian Motsch is a very talented individual – a guy who loves cars so much that he spends some of his free time imagining the impossible cars we all dream about. The quality of his renders puts most magazines or websites to shame. These cars of his look like OEM vehicles that could be for sale tomorrow in dealer forecourts. All the photoshop conversions on his site, VirtualModels.org, take a basic car design and rev it to 10,000-rpm. Citroën CX Shooting Break Gullwing He likes off-roaders, streamliners, custom racers… you name it. There is even a Plymouth Voyager custom …

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Creating The Porsche Sedan – 1988 Porsche 989 Panamera, 1991 Porsche 932, 1987 928 Studie and 1968 911 4-Door

Did the Panamera just pop out of thin air? Far from it. Porsche has been flirting with a four-door sedan for ages — going back to the first Auto Union P52 designs by Ferdinand Porsche, in fact, that had a central driving position and twin seats beside him. In later studies, the rear-engine design would be the biggest difficulty in bringing a four-door sedan to market. So when the 928 and its front-engine setup was present, the idea seemed like a natural fit. In fact, the 1988 Panamera concept that came a year later was a strong hint at future …

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2015 Subaru WRX STI in Full-Length FLAT OUT Isle of Man TT Record Run

Some feats of bravery are almost as scary to watch from afar as they are up close. Subaru’s new-record run of the Isle of Man TT course in the all-new WRX STI is definitely one where the viewer can get a little shakey watching the speeds of the rally road car. Imagine piloting your car through a mountain town at 150-mph?! Any blink or twitch would be game over. Car in wall, you on stretcher. So a big part of the WRX STI’s achievement here is instilling so much driver confidence that he feels close to comfortable attempting what you …

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Iconic Classic – 1959 JAGUAR Mark IX Is Blue-Blood Royalty With Most Lux Cabin of the 1950s

A lofty statement? The best cabin in all the 1950s?  Really? Perhaps this Jaguar Mark IX would be outdone by a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley from that wonderful decade – but we highly doubt it. Of course, the modern gauges and CD player spoil the period mood – but only slightly. This car has AC, after all, which is a mod worth adding! This Jaguar Mark IX preceded the 1965 Jaguar Mark X featured in a previous ‘Fatcat Chic’ article, comparing it with today’s XJL in matching photo angles. http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/04/27/1965-jaguar-mark-10-and-e-type-coupe/ 1965 JAGUAR Mark X   All three cars are flagship …

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100 New Photos – 2015 BMW 428i and 435i Gran Coupes Are Segment-Busting AWD 4-Doors – M Sport vs Luxury Trim Lines

Update1 New Photos – 6.22.14 These segment-busting coupes arrive in July or August to US dealers, with pricing from $43,000 as the 428i sDrive. The M Sport pack adds about $4,000 to the total – but is well worthwhile. In the M Sport versus Luxury trim battle, M Sport wins the day for me – hands-down. It offers a far crisper exterior aesthetic, as well as better seats and generally a sportier steering wheel and better handling. It also ditches some of the standard wood trims for a more modern feel. Win, Win, Win. 2015 BMW 428i and 435i Gran …

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2017 Aston Martin ELV8 Crossover, SUV and AWD Sedan Renderings

 2017 Aston Martin ELV8 Crossover, SUV and AWD Sedan Renderings SUV adaptions by Car-Revs-Daily.com staff Original Artwork by Lutz Valdeig – Atelier Valdeig PART TWO: ASTON GOES AWD All the previous article applies to this SUV idea even more. Aston Martin could sell alot of SUVs or crossovers with access to the 4Matic-ready platforms of Mercedes-Benz. 2017 Aston Martin CROSSOVER RENDERING 2017 Aston Martin SUV 4×4 RENDERING   2017 Aston Martin AWD SEDAN RENDERING ASTON MARTIN REACHES INFLECTION POINT   Big changes at Aston Martin – 2013 and 2014 have finally seen the big apex point in the company’s resurgent …

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Exclusive! Future Car Rendering – 2016 Aston Martin LV8 – Lagonda Vignale by Lutz Valdeig

Original Artwork by Lutz Valdeig Atelier Valdeig ASTON MARTIN REACHES INFLECTION POINT Big changes at Aston Martin – 2013 and 2014 have finally seen the big apex point in the company’s resurgent modern history. Ulrich Bez has stepped aside from some of his all-controlling ways, huge chunks of equity have been sold to investment firms, and a broad partnership with Daimler Benz means Aston finally has some big-company resources to utilize once again. For as much-maligned as Ford was during their stewardship of the brand, Ford was a wonderfully generous partner to Aston-Martin during the many, many years that it …

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BMW Motorsport GmbH – The M Division History in 150 Iconic Photos

      BMW Motorsport GmbH – The M Division History in 150 Iconic Photos  

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Concept Flashback – 2012 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

The Panamera Sport Turismo Concept is still quite miraculous, even more than a year since its initial debut. Widely believed to preview the 2014 Panamera facelift, the Sport Turismo has had an even larger impact on a different model altogether: the Macan. Much of the creamy and smooth surfacing, huge rear arch bulges, and the nose treatment all directly previewed the handsome new Macan S and Macan Turbo models. From the start of the Sport Turismo’s media tour, Porsche insisted that this model could appear as a new body style for the second-gen Panamera. It was hard to believe at …

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2014 BMW M235i Wearing Art Car Warpaint for Upcoming Nurburgring 24H Race

Art Car Warpaint? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Perhaps. But the Art Cars all had a purpose to their wacky designs – many of which were colored and imagined to enhance the sense of speed, cause envy in pedestrians, or generally dazzle the eye. The M235i certainly brings all three of those Art Car themes to the track this weekend – with a new livery that is quite astounding, very unique, and visually jarring at first. Most of the BMW Art Cars were racers themselves, with a few exceptions toward the late 80s and early 1990s, when production models became the …

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2014 CLS63 AMG

Update1 – 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shows Revamped Nose + Adds Standard 4Matic for USA

Well, would you look what we have here! See, it really does pay to crop photos extra tight (sometimes). You never really know what you will find. Such was my excitement to see the facelifted 2015 CLS63 AMG in the second Mercedes-Benz release about the new 24-LED-per-side MultiBeam headlights. These replace the previous block/bar of lighting in the CLS, which was unique but not exactly welcoming, warm or desirable. The new layout is much like the E63 AMG, but with only a single LED band up the top of the lamp shape. Of course, the blue “Hello You” lighting is …

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Update1 New Photos – 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Facelift Brings New Grille, Bumpers and LED Headlights

Official: New generation CLS with the future’s high-resolution precision LED technology: Leading the way with better light Stuttgart Jun 16, 2014   Stuttgart – In the new generation of the CLS-Class, Mercedes-Benz is using the new technology of MULTIBEAM LED headlamps for the first time. High-resolution precision LED modules, each with 24 individually controlled high-performance LEDs, automatically illuminate the road with a hitherto unsurpassed, precision-controlled distribution of exceptionally bright light – without dazzling other road users. A camera positioned behind the windscreen delivers the information with which four control units the ideal light pattern 100 times per second. The anticipatory …

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Updated with 37 High-Res Photos – Track Review – 2015 Subaru WRX Automatic

Updated with 37 High-Res Photos – Track Review – 2015 Subaru WRX Automatic The 2015 Subaru WRX is really a terrific car: much more rigid chassis, same awesome handling, but now much better-looking and far more liveable on a daily basis. The regular WRX is also darn close to the STI in the official sprint times: 5.2s for the WRX plays about 4.8-seconds for the STI. This test car is the automatic, which is a CVT this year with six-speed or eight-speed paddle-shifter settings available. Unfortunately, the automatic WRX did not feel quite as peppy as the manual cars’ times …

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Maria Sharapova Rocking Gorgeous White 2014 Porsche Panamera GTS

The tennis star is quite glamorous off the courts! Maria Sharapova’s latest Porsche Panamera GTS shows she is a keen driver with great taste in cars. Maria Sharapova Porsche Panamera GTS   She definitely picked some of the coolest wheels in the broad Panamera catalog. Maria Sharapova Rocking Gorgeous White 2014 Porsche Panamera GTS

Car-Revs-Daily

Concept Flashback – 2013 Audi Fleet Shuttle Quattro

How did this one slide past me? Not only do I not really recall seeing this October 2013 concept, but I have not even heard of the movie in which it was featured! Ender’s Game is the title – came out on November 1, 2013?? It may be a German-language film, which would make sense as to why Americans might not have been the target market for the film, or the concept car. So what is this thing? It is a low and long sedan, much in the same style as the A7 Sportback. Does it matter? Yes. Maybe. Yes, …

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Future Car Rendering – 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet Ready for A1A and Ocean Drive

Remember the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive Concept? It was a lightly-veiled look at the S-Class refresh for the following year, but there were serious rumblings that Mercedes loved the buyer response. So much that they started suggesting a four-door cabrio S-Class might be possible in the future. But those clever executives. They knew the S-Class Coupe would be replacing the bulbous CL-Class as the top of the Mercedes-Benz luxury line — so their hints about Ocean Drive now make much more sense. Why not a four-seat cabrio? Two words: rigidity and safety. A four-door drop-top is almost never produced because …

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2014 Lexus GS350 vs F Sport vs GS450h – Buyers Guide Info and Model Comparisons

Something about the GS is quite special on the roads. This car looks wide, brand-new, and clearly a flagship Lexus. But it is not immediately clear which: none look this good, this rear-drive and wide. Relatively clutter-free taillamps help plant the GS from the back, where this base-model GS350 looks more than worth the price. But how to tell them apart! GS350 versus the GS350 F Sport versus GS450h? Very subtle differences to the untrained eye, but the F Sport adds some intrigue to the nose and grille that is only clear up close. In addition to the wind slashes, …

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Nissan and GranTurismo Evolution Detailed – 150+ Nissans Drive-able in GT6

Did you see the teaser photo Nissan just released of the NC2020 GT1?! I will include it here… due to the huge excitement I feel at this moment! You are surely wondering: is this the next GT-R? The answer is likely a “No, but….” No, this Vision GT6 concept is not the real thing coming as the R36 generation of the legendary GT-R Nissan. But it will influence the real thing – particularly with what looks like some kind of e-Boost or hybrid technology in the powertrain package. We are just speculating based on the appearance of the wheels in …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model Estate is 3.6-Second Wagon!

INTERIOR GoPro Review Info – Part One   When it comes to the rarest of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars and trucks, the S-Models are the absolute top of the pops. But the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Estate? Perhaps the ultimate in rare supercars – the S-Model Estate is certainly up there with the most-exclusive cars available. By our estimates, fewer than 200 total S-Model E63 AMGs will come to the United States per year, which is a crying shame. The E63 Estate is just one click slower to 60-mph than the S-Model sedan. That makes this the 3.6-second wagon king. The …

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Track Test Review – 2015 Subaru WRX STI Is Brilliantly Fast, Grippy and Fun on Autocross

The 2015 Subaru WRX STI! The time has come for (one of..) the last of my reviews from the amazing sojern up north to Road America last month. The STI is certainly in my Greatest Hits column. It feels punchy, fast, vocally boxer and turbocharged, eager to turn in and happy to muscle its way out of any corner. As such, the STI was swamped with wanna-be rally heroes for its big laps of the main Road America circuit. But there was time for some on-camera bonding via the smaller Go-Kart track that we set up as a timed Autocross. …

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Track Drive Review – 2014 BMW M235i Is Best Junior Supercar… EVER!

INTRO Favorite car? Best sports-car? I am running out of superlative awards here – but the points made in the above video are all certainly still felt by me today. The above film is actually pretty watch-able, with some great insights after hopping right in the M235i and doing a lap of Road America right after doing the same in the 2014 M5. Truth be told, for a relative new-comer to the huge-power BMW and sportscar arena, the M235i felt a little more my speed. It was more forgiving on the track, and at the same time friskier and more …

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Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4Matic Sedan Is Speedboat From Heaven

Have you ever driven a car that was so incredibly outstanding that it made you want to weep? Made you spring out of bed, head into work early — and stay late? Study harder, analyze better, deliver results and achieve excellence among your peers? It is easy to slip into fatalism — saying, “I will never have enough money to own a car like that.” Or, “Without X, Y or Z — owning a car like that is simply an impossible dream, for me.” I am here today with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG to slap your silly face. The …

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Track Drive Review – 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG at Road America

Hmmm, despite my grand ambitions to film every car I had the chance to drive at the MAMA Spring Rally this year for auto journalists – the exterior videos are pretty dull. Without the time and motivation to cut the interior and exterior videos together, the exteriors are best with the camera near th exhaust pipe — so there is at least some exhaust noise drama to make things watch-able. The CLA45 AMG is certainly not short of exhaust noise drama! While it never quite sounds as good as you might think and AMG should, it does have character versus …

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2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR – Video Reviews and High-Res Photo Gallery

One of the downsides of starting a site from scratch is that the formats and the site layouts are bound to change over time. Those changes often are compatible with the old setup, but sometimes are not. So here is a repost of last fall’s dream press loaner: the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR — on video and in numerous high-res photos. VIDEO PART ONE VIDEO PART TWO

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2014 Bentley Continental GT V8 S – Road Test Review of AMG and BMW’s New Daddy

Does anyone else recall the Fox TV network’s endless promo’s many years ago for that crappy show called Wife Swap? “Meet your new mommy!” the announcer crowed over video of the horrified children — shocked that their parents would sign up for this reality-show charade? That is my face now as I say to myself, “Wow, meet the new luxury supercar ‘Daddy.’” The Bentley Continental GT has faced many harsh critiques over the years it has dominated its market segment – criticized even while selling so many that it defined what a modern, successful Bentley Cars Ltd should be in …

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2014 C63 AMG Edition 507 Sedan and Coupe Going Out With V8 Flash-Bang!

Extra power and extra menace for the final year on the market before new models arrive? Yes please! The stonking 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine is one of the best powerplants available at any price — even this priced by GE, Westinghouse or the other nuclear turbine providers of the world. This thing is a rip-snorting firework that you set off with your right foot. In the lightweight and compact C-Class sedan and coupe, this translates into some of the most extreme passing speeds of any car, anywhere. That includes Ferrari’s and the like, by the way. Where the current Edition …

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2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid Review + All Colors and Wheels Visualizer

Panamera desire but also confusion? Such is life in the fast lane. This hugely-successful model has bloomed into an eight-strong fleet this year. What is new? The Turbo S, Panamera LWB, Diesel and even this all-new plug-in e-Hybrid. (Versions outlined and pricing comparisons here in previous article.) The Panamera S e-Hybrid slides in between the Panamera S and the Panamera 4S on price. Surely, luxury limo’s are passe company cars for those with more dollars than actual eco guilt? No longer. The Panamera S e-Hybrid is the first-ever plug-in luxury car in existence. Doubtful? Count them down. 1. Tesla = …

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2015 Subaru WRX Colors – All 7 Shades in Animated Turntables + Track Testing Videos

The 2015 Subaru WRX is really a terrific car: much more rigid chassis, same awesome handling, but now much better-looking and far more liveable on a daily basis. The regular WRX is also darn close to the STI in the official sprint times: 5.2s for the WRX plays about 4.8-seconds for the STI. This test car is the automatic, which is a CVT this year with six-speed or eight-speed paddle-shifter settings available. Unfortunately, the automatic WRX did not feel quite as peppy as the manual cars’ times suggest above: we estimate this automatic WRX to hit 60-mph in about 6.2 …

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2015 Kia K900 Potential Revealed in Flesh: LED Low, High and Brake Lighting Photos

2015 Kia K900 LED Lighting Photos   We are in major fence-mending mode at the moment with Kia after learning the extremely displeased reaction the company has had to some of the previus coverage written on this keyboard. A thoughtful and well-prepared brief on the K900 luxury sedan accompanied part of last week’s big rally at Road America – and it does make one believe that there is a market for this car, albeit small. The K900 will appeal to self-made men and women of all stripes. They will be successful and define success based on their own metrics, less …

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2015 Audi A7 and S7 Refresh Brings New LEDs, Detail Tweaks and New Wheels

The Audi A7 and S7 are clear winners – they are so attractive and so fast that they make a strong case for themselves versus everything from the BMW 5 and 6 series all the way to the S-Class and even the Audi A8. The biggest competition for the glamourous Audi A7, S7 and RS7 really comes from the Porsche Panamera, in my opinion. So the keep the trendiest and most fashionable clients in the business happy, the A7 and S7 gain new LED lighting solutions front and rear for 2015. These images show the UK spec cars, with no …

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