2017 Porsche 911 Carrera – Tenerife First Drives Roundup + Carrera S Sport Exhaust MP3

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  Initial highlights to report from the Tenerife International media drive of the new 911?  The sound is still evocative, throaty and metallic, with some boxer baritone part of the new twin-turbo orchestra.  Check out the Carrera S with sport exhaust MP3 below. Twin pipes in back for the C2S and C4S are a highlight, as is the new LED brake light in the top of the contrast-black air intake on the legendary rump. The carbon-backed sport seats are a divine new selection versus the standard thrones, with cut-outs for a five-point harness but also all-day comfort and electric adjustments …

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Ford SEMA 2015 Custom TRUCKS 11

Ford SEMA 2015 Custom TRUCKS – Galpin F-150 in Gulf Racing Livery Is Best of Group

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Some really cool custom Edges and Explorers join the F-150 wolfpack from Ford for SEMA 2015. Initial favorite is off-roader Explorer or the Galpin Auto Sports F-150. Wearing a widebody and custom PPG paints in Gulf Racing colors… the truck is just a few logos and Raptor badges from being the ultimate in HOT new metal headed out to Vegas. No word on if the custom trucks will include a Pepto and Z-pack for your well-being after a few days in Vegas… =]   Ford SEMA 2015 Custom TRUCKS Edge Two Popular Ford SUVs Storm SEMA with Wild Versions for …

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Ford SEMA 2015 Custom Cars 39

Ford SEMA 2015 Cars Recap – Ice Nine Mustang GT350-EcoBoost Wins Hearts/Minds

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What’s your favorite among this dozen-plus group of Ford SEMA customs? After seeing the finished products, we’d say our favorite is the Ice Nine Mustang widebody. Running a 475-horsepower EcoBoost turbo and GT350 nose pieces, the race-ready fender extensions with exposed rivets are particularly sexy and on-trend for 2016. The Cobra Jet is looking faster and louder than ever in its new-body form, but its skinny front tires make it less of a road-legal dream car than others. PREVIOUS Ford is going even more bananas for SEMA this year than usual!  We have at least two dozen custom Fords headed …

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2016 Chevrolet Camaro – SEMA Concepts Recap + Colors Visualizer

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CamaroSix fever is heating up these chilly Fall days! The car is in full production and first customers may have their new wheels by Thanksgiving, and definitely by Christmas. Quite a special present for one’s self. Here is a look at the four extra concept cars Chevy slid in the back door of the SEMA 2015 show: the Camaro Performance Concept, Camaro Black, Camaro Hyper and Camaro Krypton. These offer a cool look at the potential mods and factory accessories available for the new ponycar, including an LED-edged bowtie emblem for the first time. Other Camaro accessories showcased on these …

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MANSORY Ferrari F12 Revoluzione and Stallone Packs Offer Timely Hypercar Refresh

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The moment a hotter variant of your supercar arrives on sale, a bit of the excitement in the car dims. No matter how stunning and life-changing the ride, once its facelift is on the scene, you might be second best. And so it goes with the new Ferrari F12TdF wearing new panels throughout. There is an upside: it is an opportune time to go wild with aftermarket upgrades. MANSORY does it better than almost anyone, and their F12 packages are suitably unique and gorgeous. Three levels of kit are packaged and branded together, but all the upgrades are available individually, …

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2016 Mazda CX-3 GT Review 3

2016 Mazda CX-3 GT – HD First Drive Video + Photoshoot

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The CX-3 looks incredible in person and drives very nicely as well. The matching LED projectors, DRLs and foglamps are a particular highlight in this compact crossover segment. The cabin, while narrow and slightly tight in back, delivers an excellent drive position and effective Eco/Normal/Sport drive modes. We have major gripes with Mazda USA at the moment, so are holding off recommending the CX-3 beyond this video brief. 2016 Mazda CX-3 GT – HD First Drive Video 2016 Mazda CX-3 GT Review

2015 BMW Motorrad eRR Bike Concept 1

2015 BMW Motorrad Debuts eRR Bike Concept – Supersport Performance, 2WD 199HP Electrics

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  Here is the latest concept from BMW Motorrad: the eRR electric racing bike. Running components from the S 1000 RR supersport bike, the eRR runs an AWD electric drivetrain plus full carbon-fiber for its bodywork and chassis. What the eRR lacks in futuristic design and style it makes up for with its production intent parts and performance. No word yet on range or sprint pace, but the eRR is an exciting snapshot into the R&D of next-gen BMW electric two-wheelers. 2015 BMW Motorrad eRR Bike Concept BMW Motorrad presents the experimental vehicle eRR. Supersport dynamism and zero emission thanks …

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Update1 – VW CO2 Fraud May Split or Sink Firm + Why Latest 2016 Cheaters List Is Devastating

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  Updated 11.14.15 Any press release with bad news is best to send out on a Friday evening. This is generally a way to slide by the major news cycles — hoping to sidestep making the front page of business newspapers. Volkswagen will not be so lucky this time with their deceitfulness: the latest revelation is perhaps the most damning yet. Since the initial TDI NOx emissions scandal was announced by the EPA on September 18th, the Volkswagen Group has been in a panicked paralysis.  The actions of the firm have led to widespread credit rating downgrades, a 5.3-percent drop …

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2016 Lexus RX350 Colors Gallery Inside and Out + 80 New Pics of New Eminent White Pearl Paint

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Best exterior color for the new 2016 Lexus RX?  Eminent White Pearl! Devoted an insane amount of hours today editing just half of the RX photos we have to share — and eager to show off this gorgeous set of the RX350 in new colors inside and out. Eminent White Pearl is the name of this breathtakingly beautiful new white. The semi-gloss finish really brings all the curves and creases of the RX’s new bodywork to life. Inside, this RX350 features the new Noble Brown leather choice, paired with the Grey Sapele woodwork. These are just one choice among the …

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First Drive Review – 2016 Lexus RX350 FWD Luxury Package + Pricing and 100 New Photos

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  The 2016 RX is huge news: an ultra-modern makeover adds style, tech and efficiency to the all-star crossover from Lexus. We had a chance to drive all five trimlines last week, and have some great news to report about the handling crispness, exterior design and cabin comfort. But also some fairly important gripes about the performance and style execution of the new RX — which can leave you slightly confused versus the BMW X5. Let’s start with the highest-volume model: the RX350 front-wheel-drive. As we can see in the pricing charts below, this $42k base price is the most …

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2016 Land Rover LR4 Discovery Scores New Graphite and Landmark Editions

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The Land Rover LR4 might look older than Madonna’s b00bs, but actually drives really nicely. Worth recalling is the air suspension and overall shared platform with the Range Rover Sport’s first-generation truck. The legacy looks do the LR4 Disco no favors moving into 2016, so these two new special editions for the UK are a great stopgap before the next-gen model arrives for the ~2018 modelyear. The Graphite package seems like the sexier, meaner look thanks to its evolved Black Pack detailing, special wheels, and unique trims all around. Landmark is also classy and fresh from the nose thanks to …

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Recaro Edition is New UK Special: Aerokit, Diamond-Cut Alloys + Sport Seats

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Some handy shortcuts in the spec of the 2016 MX-5 in the UK: the Sport Recaro Limited Edition picks the best options from the standard kit, plus adds a gloss-black bodykit and unique diamond-cut alloy wheels. Although just 17-inchers, these really fill out the fenders quite well. The premium paints like this Ceramic Metallic or Soul Red are no-charge for the 25k MX-5 Recaro edition, which is available for order now across Britain.   2016 Mazda MX-5 Recaro Edition   MAZDA REVEALS ALL-NEW MAZDA MX-5 SPORT RECARO LIMITED EDITION 11/11/15 Limited Edition range-topping model joins the all-new Mazda MX-5 line …

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1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2

RM NYC 2015 – 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring – As-New Example for $1M?

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Final RM Sotheby’s preview for now… sorry for the six-pack in a row!  Just really geeking out on these rare icons, incredible photo sets, and vintage perfection. This Carrera RS is breathtaking. It look absolutely brand new. As though it just came from the factory, unloaded at the Port of New Jersey and shipped to a tropical vault. As such, an estimate around $1-million is plausible among Porsche fans — who may not have another chance at such a flawless original for years.   1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring RM Sotheby’s Lot 218 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS …

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RM NYC 2015 - 1986 Ford RS200 - Final Road-Legal Group B Rally Star 21

Group B Debrief – 1986 Ford RS200 – Road-Legal Rally Legend Up For Sale

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Imagine if suddenly all the power-cap rules for a major racing series were abolished overnight. A mad rush of skunkworks projects would be fast-tracked, with racecars zinging out their red-hot turbochargers through the World Rally Championship stages just 18-months later. Porsche, Ferrari, Lancia, Ford, and Audi all dove into the Group B program with both feet. The results on track were mixed for many of these cars: the lack of power cap rules meant that intagibles like chassis control, visibility and reliability were paramount for winning rallies in the short Group B time on the global stage. The excitement of …

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1955 Carlo Mollino Record Car Model by Stola 7

1955 Carlo Mollino Record Car Model by Stola S.p.A., 2006

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Really an exceptional group of vehicles heading to auction at RM Sotheby’s New York event next month. Lots of 1950s icons to share, but this is one of the highlights. A few reasons. First, this exotic streamliner prototype flashes both back and forward in time: these aero ideals applied to vehicles for the first time in the mid-century, when aeronautics took massive leaps forward thanks to the atrocious WWII battle needs. Engineers swapping back to the car business brought their knowledge with them. Wind tunnels were a new piece of tech, yet complex simulations were still decades away from determining …

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1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Barchetta by Scaglietti 12

1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Barchetta by Scaglietti

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They do not come any finer than this. 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Barchetta by Scaglietti New York – Driven By Disruption 10 December 2015 Lot 224 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial by Scaglietti To be auctioned on Thursday, December 10, 2015 $5,000,000 – $6,500,000     *Premium Lot – Bidding via Internet will not be available for this lot. Should you have any questions please contact Client Services. 170 bhp, 1,984 cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine with two Weber 40 DCOA/3 carburetors, five-speed manual transaxle, tubular steel chassis, independent front suspension with transverse leaf springs, De Dion rear axle with parallel …

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1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II 6

RM NYC 2015 – 1959 BMW 507 Roadster Series II May Be Most-Valuable BMW with $3M Highball Estimate

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If this absolutely magnificent BMW 507 clears its pre-sale estimate of between 2.3 and 2.6 million, it will become one of — if not the — most valuable BMW of all time. The top five list from premier auction house RM Sotheby’s is exclusively 507 Roadsters, with the top sale earning $2.42M at Amelia Island 2014. With the presentation and provenance of this rare cabrio, we’d be surprised if the total sale was under $3-million.      Top 5 BMWs of all Time from RM Auctions Lot 152 | 2014 – Amelia Island – The Pray Collection 1958 BMW 507 …

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RM NYC 2015 – 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Sportabteilung Gullwing Seeks $7M

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One of the rarest Gullwings in the world?  One of only four race-prepped W198 300SLs, featuring the upgraded NSL engine with 240HP? A surviving competition car that placed second in the 1956 Tour de France, and driven by Sir Striling Moss? Oh yes. For the first time in more than 25 years, an authentic ‘Sports Department’  Sportabteilung seeks a new home. RM Sotheby’s will sell the special Merc at their December event in Manhattan. No internet bids, riffraff! 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Sportabteilung Gullwing RM Sotheby’s New York – Driven By Disruption 10 December 2015 Lot 223 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL …

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2017 Honda CLARITY FUEL CELL 2

Honda’s New Car Can Power Your House for a Week? Introducing Jamie Hanninen

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Honda has been working on hydrogen-fueled cars for several decades now, but hadn’t settled on a design they felt was worthy of releasing to the public until now. The Clarity Fuel Cell was just unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, and it packs an amazing punch, even though it looks like a standard four-door sedan. It Emits Only Water Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are so clean that the only thing that flows from the tailpipe is water. The cars rely on basic chemistry to convert hydrogen into power. The hydrogen enters the chamber, and is introduced to an anode. Its …

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2017 Cadillac XT5 Tech Specs, Cabin Details Reveal New 8-Speed Auto, Giant Backseat + Turbo for China

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Cadillac Arabia just revealed the XT5 at the Dubai auto show — the region’s first global debut for the expanding marque. The XT5 is fresh for 2017 with a quieter and smoother ride, extremely lavish cabin materials and design, plus a big leap up the roominess charts. This makes sense: the two-row luxury crossover market is all about the kings in the second row. An extra 3.2-inches of legroom are welcome in the new reclining and sliding second row of the XT5. The style of the XT5 outside is both fresh and slightly familiar: the nose and tail look very …

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900HP, 250MPH 2016 W Motors FENYR SuperSport World Debut

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World premiere of a screaming new hypercar: the Fenyr Supersport from W Motors! Following the incredible LYKAN in production form, the new FENYR is more compact, more wicked and even more exotic.   LYKAN Power comes in mid-engine RUF boxer form; the FENYR runs a 900-horsepower, 1100-foot-pound 4.0-liter twin turbo. Porsche basis, but remade by RUF to an extreme degree. That giant-killing motor is mounted inches above the ground in the mid-rear of the full carbon monocoque.  The FENYR drives the rear wheels alone through a new 7-speed PDK. Quoted performance figures so far are 2.7-seconds to 100-kph, plus a …

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985HP MANSORY S63 Black Edition Coupe – Upgrades Detail + 20 New Photos

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MANSORY is getting pumped for its home auto show: the IAA in Frankfurt next week. The big reveal this year will be a Black Edition S63 AMG Coupe. This blacked-out stunner has dramatic exterior and interior changes from every angle. In addition to the expected new bumper and intakes up front, new fender slashes behind the lead axle promise functional cooling benefits as well as the massive style they bring. A full de-chrome for the windowline and glasshouse is dramatic and effective, as are the rear wheel brake cooling ducts. Around back, a dark carbon-fiber finish for the diffuser meets …

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BRABUS Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition 7

BRABUS Rocket 900 Desert Gold is New Bugatti-Fast Dubai Limo

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What to say about this latest BRABUS Rocket 900 that will not be racially or culturally insensitive….. This bespoke color was custom-created for the Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition, which features matching forged wheel accents and cabin detailing. Performance is out of this world — 124-mph from a stop takes just 9.1-seconds! This is unreal pace for a car so plush with room for five wealthy individuals inside: the Veyron delivers the same sprint for just two people in 8.9-seconds. The overall top speed is 217-mph-plus from the bored-out 6.3-liter V12TT, producing 887 horsepower and more than 1100 pound-feet of …

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Standalone GENESIS Luxury Division Is Official! New G90 Sketches Preview 2017 Equus Replacement

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Hyundai confirmed earlier this week that the Genesis luxury car will blossom into a full premium brand, distinct from its origins with Hyundai. Six new models are promised before 2020, with the first look today at the design direction and future name scheme for Genesis. This first look at the G90 shows the way for the next-generation Equus limousine, making its debut in early December 2015 in Seoul. The Equus sedan itself has been a massive hit in its home market, where it is currently named EQ900. The upgrade to a new Genesis brand is aimed as a springboard to …

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2016 McLaren 650S Spider Al Sahara 79 by MSO 10

2016 McLaren 650S Spider Al Sahara 79 by MSO is White Gold Custom for Dubai Auto Show

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McLaren Special Operations does a fantastic job of creating a sense of exclusivity and urgency with their custom models. Unlike the deeply unimpressive special Wraiths or Astons lately, MSO models appear to justify their time, effort and extra expense — to buyers and the wider car world alike.  Even though we know a 675LT Spider is coming next year, this 650S Al Sahara 79 makes clear that it is the hottest sub-P1 model in the lineup for the time being. This may explain the huge take rate for their services — especially in the Middle East. Nearly one in four …

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2015 Audi e-tron quattro concept 5

2015 Audi e-tron Quattro and TT Clubsport Turbo Concepts Grace Future Performance Event

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2015 Audi e-tron Quattro   Audi future performance days – test and concept cars Audi e-tron quattro concept: Electric driving pleasure with no compromises Audi e-tron quattro concept A foretaste of the production version: The electric-powered Audi e-tron quattro concept Range of more than 500 kilometers (310.7 mi) for full everyday usability New concept combines aerodynamics and creative design solutions     Flow-enhanced design with a drag coefficient of 0.25; a powerful, all-electric e-tron quattro drive with up to 370 kW – Audi is presenting the Audi e-tron quattro concept at the International Motor Show (IAA) 2015 in Frankfurt. The …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium AWD

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2015 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium AWD Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Let’s just get this out of the way right at the beginning . . . nobody wants to drive a minivan. There, I said it. No matter what manufacturers do, they are all pretty ugly and ungainly to look at. And they have a stigma attached to it. Either it’s a “Soccer Mom” image, or an old fart image of Grandma and Grampa snowbirds driving it back and forth each winter from cold climates to Florida or Arizona with a cargo full of luggage. Either way, there’s not a …

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Vorsteiner NOVARA Lamborghini HURACAN 1

Vorsteiner Reveals Extreme NOVARA Lamborghini HURACAN Aerokit

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Latest gorgeous upgrades from Vorsteiner take a deep chop to the factory Lamborghini Huracan. Every element of the lower body is redone in motorsport-intense carbon fiber, while other GT3-inspired details shout to the heavens from the main bodywork. New slices in the fenders are beautiful, as is the sharper intake flic on the side pillars behind the glasshouse. In back, we see an alternative to the other Vorsteiner gooseneck wings — with latticework of carbon-fiber for the uprights. The plane of the wing matches each tilt and surface of the main bodywork, just raised nearly a foot off the trunklid …

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Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Mugello - World Debut of F12TdF Special, 488 GT3 + FXX K Sightings 30

Ferrari Finali Mondiali at Mugello – World Debuts of F12 TdF Special, 488 GTE + FXX K Sightings

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Ferrari just wrapped up its weeklong extravaganza for the World Finals of the Ferrari Challenge one-make race series  — and crowned the huge week by debuting the new F12TdF in front of the packed crowd of 50,000-plus tifosi at Mugello circuit. The new F12 Tour de France special model wears new aero, extra power and track-optimized handling settings. This makes running around the ultra-quick circuit with 599XXs, FXX K’s and even F1 cars a natural habit for the limited-run 2016 model — despite the F12 TdF being street-legal worldwide. In real-life photos, the F12TdF is quite striking, with design elements …

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2016 Bentley Continental GT SPEED 16

Watch the 2016 Bentley Continental GT SPEED Prove Its 206MPH Top Speed

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Worth seeing to watch one of the quickest supercars in the world hit top speed in just over a minute. 2016 Bentley Continental GT SPEED BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED: VMAX IN THE OUTBACK Continental GT Speed hits 206 mph (331 km/h) top speed on Stuart Highway, Australia Northern Territory route one of only three derestricted roads in the world Australian racing legend, John Bowe, takes Grand Tourer on extraordinary high-speed run Continental GT Speed combines supercar performance with supreme luxury (Crewe, 04 November 2015) The 16MY Bentley Continental GT Speed has been taken to its top speed of 206 mph …

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RANGE ROVER Evoque Convertible 32

2016 RANGE ROVER Evoque Convertible – World Premiere

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The key question we had about the new Evoque Cabrio is if it would channel the Defender spirit, or be a bit of a Murano CC. The production model is here in official form tonight, and you can judge for yourself. There’s no denying how hot the Evoque Convertible would be on the streets. Somehow that ultra-low roof’s disappearance dramatically ups the sexiness of the box/tub shape. Paired with giant wheels, the Evoque Coonvertible will be like a concept car for the roads. Definitely go for the available black pack!   Black Design Pack   SPECIFICS 20 inch Five Split-Spoke …

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2016 Hyundai Tucson – Animated Colors Visualizer – All 8 Shades From Every Angle

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A brief spin in the loaded Tucson Limited with its all-new turbo and dual-clutch automatic instantly confirms this will be one of the hottest-selling crossovers of 2016. It drives exceptionally well, looks premium and fairly European in its design outside and in, and is priced from just $23k at its cheapest trim. We’ve created an animated colors visualizer to give you a sense of the eight shades available on the 2016 Tucson, plus pricing and photos from the first drive video published yesterday. Style-wise, there are major incentives to move up from the base SE spec: it is the only …

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BMW Launches M2 and M4 Performance Parts – Coming Spring 2016

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  The new BMW M2 is barely on the radar of most supercoupe shoppers just a month after its official reveal, but BMW is not waiting around to juice its new baby with M Performance Parts. The M2 and M4 wearing swish new design upgrades were the centerpieces of the SEMA 2015 show: gloss-black detailing, M color body decals, and even a carbon-fiber spoiler and exhaust system for the M4. The M2’s mods so far are purely aesthetic, and we have not seen the full car yet — just glimpses of its black kidney grilles so far. The M4 Performance …

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2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 3

HD First Drive Video + Photoshoot – 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander 3.0 GT S-AWC

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  The new Outlander is arriving and looks outstanding!  The Mitsubishi seven-seater wears all-new and very premium styling for its loaded 3.0 GT trimline, including some very flashy nose chrome, LED DRLs and even quad-LED low-beam projectors. The contrast versus the fairly humdrum 2015 Outlander is striking in the flesh— particularly from the nose and tail. In profile and from a few quarter angles, the Outlander still shows some massive overhangs and slightly underwhelming design elements. But overall — a massive improvement and one that will help the Outlander to deliver its three-row space to buyers who’d only get two …

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2016 Hyundai TUCSON Limited 1

First Drive Review, Video and Pricing – 2016 Hyundai TUCSON Limited 1.6T AWD DCT

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First spin in the new Tucson and verrrry impressed!  The loaded test car ran a superb turbo 1.6 through a new dual-clutch 7-speed automatic — creating a bit of a GTI in a crossover shell. Granted, as you can see in the pricing by trimline below, the Tucson does get a bet pricey with the upgraded engine and automatic, plus another grand for AWD. Base for the Tucson Limited is $32k. Which would seem crazy for the old Tucson. But this new model is completely redone — now becoming the widest car in its class and one that feels massive …

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Car of the Year Review – 2015 Lexus RC-F

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The RC-F was a true highlight among all the cars tested in 2015. And in the weeks since the Lexus sports flagship spent time in my garage, the deep longing and feelings for the car have not subsided. The first week was deep mourning at its absense, and the other seven stages of grief have passed over the CRD team like the eye of a hurricane. Finally, a bit of a light at the end of this tunnel: we must crown the RC-F the Car of the Year. In doing so, we honor its incredible strengths and the legacy it …

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2016 Hyundai TUCSON by Bisimoto Engineering 10

700HP 2016 Hyundai TUCSON by Bisimoto Engineering

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HYUNDAI PARTNERS WITH BISIMOTO ENGINEERING FOR A FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR TO CREATE 700+ HORSEPOWER 2016 TUCSON Bisimoto Engineering’s First CUV is the Most-Powerful Tucson Ever Hyundai has revealed the most-powerful 2016 Tucson ever created, built by the powertrain gurus at Bisimoto Engineering for 2015 SEMA. Partnering for a fourth straight year, Bisimoto’s “Brute Ute” will be revealed at Hyundai’s SEMA press conference on November 3 at 11:30 a.m. PT, in Las Vegas. Utilizing Hyundai’s 2.4-liter “Theta-II” power plant as the starting point for the build, similar to last year’s 2015 Sonata, Bisimoto mated strengthened internals with fast-burning flex-fuel, a high-boost …

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2016 Hyundai TUCSON by Rockstar Performance Garage 16

2016 Hyundai TUCSON by Rockstar Performance Garage

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    ROCKSTAR PERFORMANCE GARAGE TURNS 2016 TUCSON INTO A TRUE OFF-ROADER The bumper-to-bumper overhaul started with the most important piece of any serious off-roader: the suspension. The Tucson now sits six inches over stock height, riding on massive, 32-in. MTZ P3 tires from Mickey Thompson, and a fully-custom, adjustable shocks and struts system from King Shocks. The vehicle’s wheel wells were reconstructed to create space for the new setup, now able to fit the massive suspension and tire combination. Upgraded turbo piping, a high-flow Magnaflow exhaust and a new K&N intake and intercooler from Mishimoto help the engine breathe …

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

2016 Hyundai TUCSON AdventureMobile by John Pangilinan

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  First of three custom Hyundai Tucsons for SEMA. JOHN PANGILINAN CREATES TUCSON ADVENTUREMOBILE FOR SEMA John Pangilinan, the renowned Southern California tuner known for creating vehicles that blur the lines between lifestyle and automotive, has released details on his 2016 Tucson SEMA build. Dubbed the “Adventuremobile,” the vehicle blends Hyundai’s new crossover platform with a passion for the great outdoors, perfect for the weekend getaway. The car will be revealed at Hyundai’s SEMA press conference on November 3 at 11:30 a.m. PT, in Las Vegas. The “Adventuremobile” is just as at home on the daily commute as it is …

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First Drive Review – 2016 Honda HR-V – Looks Cool, Drives Poorly with Zero Power

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    Really wanted to love the new HR-V as an emblem of new Honda mojo. But after a brief drive, the HR-V is a huge letdown and not in the top five cars in the compact-crossover segment. How to go from excitement to extreme aversion in just an hour on the road? The HR-V is perhaps not as bad as it seems when I end this drive video with “Hate It.” But Honda desperately needs to ace at least four big criteria for its next-gen models, this HR-V and new Civic included: — Design — Drive — Cabin tech …

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Spyder Versus MX-5 Speedster Concepts! Vote Your Pick

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Spyder Mazda Reveals Extreme Lightweight Design Concepts at 2015 SEMA MX-5 Concepts Display Two Different Takes on Staying True to Pure, Lightweight Sports Car Philosophy LAS VEGAS (November 3, 2015) – Mazda revealed two design concepts today at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, based on its all-new 2016 MX-5 Miata—MX-5 Spyder and MX-5 Speedster—demonstrating two vastly different takes on lightweight, open-air performance. Lightweight. Fun-to-drive. Roadster. Those three tenets have served as the foundation for the Mazda MX-5 Miata since its 1989 introduction and continue to serve the new fourth-generation model. Focused, lightweight engineering is a guiding …

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LARTE DESIGN 2016 Infiniti QX80 Missuro Debuts New Dual-Mode Exhaust + Rotora 8-Piston Brakes

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The QX80 has been a favorite of Larte Design (and ours!) for years. LARTE has been designing aero kits for the 400HP supertruck in many forms since 2011 or so. This is their baby. So of course, when the 2015 model debuted in Pebble Beach with a plush QX80 Limited pack and new LED lighting, the LARTE folks were quick to take note. Since those first QX80s started turning heads in Monaco with wild styling mods, Larte has expanded globally — with Cali and German offices doing great tunes on the Lexus LX570, Merc GL, Tesla Model S, QX60, QX70 …

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BTR Veloster Turbo

Blood Type Racing Makes 500HP Hyundai VELOSTER Turbo R-Spec for SEMA 2015

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Blood Type Racing delivered a Best of SEMA concept last year in its 800HP Genesis Coupe (photo gallery below). Stunning ideas and execution made that hemoglobin-hued showcar so special, we’d be scared to drive it on the highway — let alone sideways on a racetrack! BTR earned a pretty high honor for its incredible 2014 efforts: another slot in the Hyundai official SEMA customs roster. This year brought a pretty big challenge, however, for the Blood Type hoons: a Veloster Turbo R-Spec as the starting point. The Veloster is a challenging tuner platform for a variety of reasons, but none …

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Hyundai SEMA 2015 – Genesis Coupes From ARK and TJIN Are 1200HP of Sideways Bliss

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Two Genesis Coupes are among the six-pack of official customs from Hyundai for the 2015 SEMA show. While the results from ARK Performance and TJIN are quite distinct, interesting similarities are present and notable between the two.  Most critically, the standard-equipment 3.8-liter, 350HP V6 is boosted up to quite extreme power levels via supercharged induction. TJIN runs a Vortex V4 supercharger with Bisimoto ECU tune, but few other mechanical mods to the engine internals. A ballpark output from this conversion is around 475 horsepower. Clearly enough to make the Genesis Coupe a powerhouse, of course, and one that looks divine …

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SEMA 2015 - Showfloor Mega Gallery in 288 Photos 186

SEMA 2015 – Showfloor Mega Gallery in 288 Photos

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SEMA is wrapping up today after a wild showcase of the current aftermarket car business.  Highlights are too numerous to mention, but the Ford GT in yellow is my personal favorite sighting. The new MX-5 concepts are pretty fantastic as well.   SEMA 2015 – Showfloor Mega Gallery in 288 Photos

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 vs Cookie Monster: Battle of the NomNomNoms

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The new Mercedes-Benz GL is out — and is packing a powerful suffix for the 2017 model year: S~! The power and lure of the S-Class is certainly notable in its current sexy-Benz styling generation, so the name change does not seem as capricious as Infiniti or Cadillac’s recent and current botching of the name schemes. So atop the GLE and GLC lives this new GLS. The facelift is deeper than some of its recent LED upgrades for 2014 or so, but not exactly radical on the design front. It will take a real socialite to know the new trucks …

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First Drive Videos! 2016 Lexus RX350 and RX450h F Sport

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Huge drive day with the all-new 2016 Lexus RX lineup!  Very, very impressive design upgrades create a sexy and macho look, while the chiseled panels and floating glasshouse make the new RX look dramatically lower and wider than ever before. The new masculinity of the RX outside is reflected inside and on full throttle as well. Huge batch of photos and observations to share in the full reviews — but these three videos and 20 preview images are cool enough to share on the same day!  Near realtime media coverage! =] The drive videos below include a drive of the …

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Meet Gran Turismo SPORT – FIA-Blessed PlayStation Spinoff Starts Private Alpha in Paris

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Here is a brilliant idea that took two decades to achieve! Another Gran Turismo. One of the most potent profit engines in the PlayStation empire, the exclusive console arrangement has been a golden goose for parent Sony. But the development of the game by Polyphony Digital is so exhaustive that a spin-off game was long thought just a drain on resources. Fans were already waiting rabidly for the mid-decade updates of Gran Turismo since its launch, now up to GT6 as the latest and greatest. What started as a vaguely frontier investment in gaming for Sony in the late 1980s …

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Ford SEMA 2015 Custom TRUCKS Preview – Baja F-150 in Gulf Racing Colors Leads Pack

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Some really cool custom Edges and Explorers join the F-150 wolfpack from Ford for SEMA 2015. Initial favorite is off-roader Explorer or the Galpin Auto Sports F-150. Wearing a widebody and custom PPG paints in Gulf Racing colors… the truck is just a few logos and Raptor badges from being the ultimate in HOT new metal headed out to Vegas. No word on if the custom trucks will include a Pepto and Z-pack for your well-being after a few days in Vegas… =]   Ford SEMA 2015 Custom TRUCKS Preview Edge Two Popular Ford SUVs Storm SEMA with Wild Versions …

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Ford SEMA 2015 Custom CARS Preview – Rally Focii, Street Fiestas and 900HP EcoBoost Mustang!?

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  Ford is going even more bananas for SEMA this year than usual!  We have at least two dozen custom Fords headed to the Vegas aftermarket equipment show — and that is just what we know so far. Last year included more than a few surprises closer to the event. Among the eight custom Mustangs headed to the Ford SEMA stand, the BISIMOTO turbo might be the most tempting and body performance upgrade. The EcoBoost in question, by the way, is not the V6TT — but the Mustang EcoBoost’s stock 2.3-liter twin-scroll turbo! A full carbon-fiber exterior looks sweet and …

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2016 Lexus GS350 Facelift Brings GSF and RC-Inspired Nose +4WS and Active Intake

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The revised Lexus 2016 GS350 is offically sexy in this ultra white paintwork and fresh detailing all around. Regardless, we love the results of new-shape LED headlights, LED arrowhead DRLs flush-mounted within the painted bumper, and all-new lower bumper and grille look. This is the GS350 RWD, but an AWD model continues with a $2k bump in price from the $49k base for the GS lineup. We also expect a revised F Sport trim style for both the GS350 and the GS450h for 2016, as well as for the GS200t discussed below. The fresh GS450h was recently seen at the …

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573HP, 191MPH 2017 Acura NSX Tech Specs Are Official!

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A huge leap in NSX production news!  The 2017 supercar’s tech specs are official today, and they are enough to flood your brain’s pleasure centers.  573-horsepower, 9-speed DCT with eAWD, and a top speed of a screaming 191-mph. Power for the gasoline V6TT comes in at 500-horsepower, with a stellar 406-pound-feet of torque from just 2000-rpm. Along with the wide spread of gear ratios in the dual-clutch automatic, the NSX will be an absolute rocketship. Based on the initial buzz about drives at Togichi and Sonoma raceway, the hashtag is #scaryFast. Is this a good thing overall? Abvsolutely!  But with …

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Bentley Continental GTC by PRIOR DESIGN – Aero Kit Delivers Fresh, Sexy New Style

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Wow. Has it really been since 2003 that the world has enjoyed the Continental GT? Indeed!  The original model ran until 2011, replaced a in 2012 with updated details and tech all around. But unless you are in one of the hot recent models, like the GT3 or the SuperSport, your Conti GT might need a bit of updating. This kit appears to fit all generations and models of Continental. Prior Design’s three-piece kit is as effective an update as we have seen, especially for the pricing of the Duraflex pieces — which are a tenth or less than full …

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2015 DATSUN Go-Cross Concept Previews High-Ride, Low-Price Future Crossover

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The Datsun brand’s revival is still at full speed, with a variety of models for sale in launch markets around India and Asia. Now we have a look at the brand’s next stage, a high-riding crossover. This preview shows us two things, both pretty impressive for a design concept: — the Datsun face and overall design style translate well onto an SUV shape — while this Go-Cross is dripping with swanky LEDs and gloss-black detailing, the parts underneath appear production-ready in most places. Datsun will certainly be producing this car, by the way. No coyness about that from the Nissan …

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2016 Renault TALISMAN – Pricing and Trims from €27,900

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Updated 11.1.15 with French prices and new photos.         Welcome to the top of the Renault range: the new Talisman sedan. This fresh D-segment saloon is a larger and more plush big brother to the Laguna — promising world-class comfort, design, luxury and technology. All with a completely fresh design and dimensions to compete with the BMW 5 series. A total length of 4.85-metres is fairly gigantic for a front-drive luxury sedan in France. As the segment’s built-in government and livery driver pool looks to Germany for their fleets, the large car market in France is fairly …

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450HP 2016 Audi A8L 4.0T Sport – S8 Style for $25k Less

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Audi has revealed some stunningly sexy S8 and A8 specials in Europe and the UK, including the Edition 21 and the S8 Plus with its 605-horsepower and 189-mph top speed. The first tweaked model we have — aside from the S8, of course, which is on the US price lists from $115,000 for 2016 — is this new A8 4.0T Sport. This new Sport replaces the old 4.0T model with a bump of 15 horsepower to a round 450, plus an upgraded exterior look that is kissing-close to the S8 from all angles. The most dramatic change, of course, comes …

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HD Track Drive Review – 2016 Cadillac CTS-V is BOSS – PDR + Exhaust Note Videos

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Speechless. Muttering “ermahgerd” over and over as the 2016 CTS-V whipped into the pits of Autobahn Country Club following a five-pack of fast lead-follow laps. Smile plastered on, hands tingling and throttle foot twitching involuntary for more. This is a super-sedan of the absolute first order. M5, E63 and CTS-V are now as closely matched as any three assassins in history. 640HP from the CTS-V comes on strong, of course, but it is how clean and balanced the Cadillac is on power that really sticks with you. The CTS-V’s massive engine upgrade to a supercharged V8 has done nothing to …

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2015 YAMAHA Sports Ride Concept – Deep Dive of Gordon Murray Links, Production Intent

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More info and a huge batch of photos to share of the very-exciting Yamaha Sports Ride concept from Tokyo!  But, frustratingly, no actual engine specs or performance to share. What we know know is definitely enough to wet the lips: a 1500-pound, mid-engine sports coupe embracing motorbike fun as well as mass-production pricing. Sounds promising, yes?  Of course! Likely to be powered by a high-strung four-cylinder engine to back wheels via a paddle-shift automatic transmission, the Sports Ride concept is not just a flight of fancy from Yamaha. Yamaha’s precision engineering skills are well-known globally, with a built-in distribution network …

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2015 Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept, WRX S207 NBR Challenge Join Packed Tokyo Showstand

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Subaru is really growing in leaps and bounds! No better evidence than a frankly packed Tokyo stand from the once-humble maker of AWD mountain cars. Joining the all-new VIZIV Future Concept on the stands is the also-new Impreza 5-Door Concept. While the new WRX still feels very fresh, it is always good to take a sneak peek at the next-gen design vision for the product. Since the WRX and Impreza lineups were formally divorced in this generation in the US, the XV Crosstrek has taken on a bit of an entry-level role in the Subaru range. But this is traditionally …

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Tokyo Auto Show 2015 – Mega Gallery in 230 New Photos

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Some sweet strange at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Show! Fave reveals include the NC2020 in red, plus the Yamaha Sports Ride concept — which is a mini Pagani for all intents and purposes. Of course, the Mazda RX-Vision is also a fantastic indication of future turbo rotaries returning to the Japanese supercar battle of 2018.  Picture it: GT-R vs Supra FT-1 vs NSX vs RX-7 Turbo! On the other side of the power spectrum, the Honda S660 and Daihatsu Copen have potential fresh competition beyond the Yamaha above in a mini Toyota sportscar: the S-FR Concept.  Or the mysterious Kode-9 …

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2015 Nissan IDS Concept is Autopilot EV with Sharply Stylish Aero

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Here is a pretty interesting concept car from Nissan for the Tokyo auto show: the IDS. This rolling showcase shows the latest Nissan vision for a sporty, ultra-efficient battery-electric vehicle of the future. One might think of this as a superLeaf, as well as a look at the tech expected to underpin the redesigned ~2017 Leaf. The major upgrades are everywhere: exterior design is all-new and aggressively sleek in the wind tunnel. The cabin is a future-tech fantasy of touchscreens and AI controls, including a fully autonomous drive mode. Under the actually-pretty-stylish nose and its extreme lower splitter, next-gen LEDs …

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2015 Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo 7

2015 Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo is Yuppy-Chic Hydrogen PHEV

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Tokyo has long been the global auto show to see some weird, wild and wacky stuff. Futuristic dreams on four wheels, usually with brightly lit color-schemes and adaptive video screens to boot. The show this year is still tech-rich, but a bit more somber than previous years. A firm production focus appears to be the concept-car focus so far. But here glides in an unlikely hero for wild and crazy concept cars, none other than Mercedes-Benz!? The Vision Tokyo is a funky style wagon aimed at chic yuppies stuck in traffic. As opposed to chic oldies in the back of …

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2016 Porsche Macan GTS Makes World Debut in Tokyo

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Porsche’s new Macan GTS just made its global debut in Tokyo — with a monochrome lipstick red over black motif a faithful recreation of the truck’s Cayenne GTS big brother. The new Macan GTS packs fresh engine programming to deliver 360-horsepower, up 20 from the the V6TT of the Macan S. Paired with an available Sport Chrono pack, the GTS snarls to 60-mph in just 4.8-seconds before hitting is 159-mph Vmax. Pricing for the new GTS sports model is not yet confirmed, but likely to slide in around $65k to start, which splits the difference between the USA base price …

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2015 Lexus LF-FC Flagship Concept 4

Lexus LF-FC Flagship Concept Teases Next-Gen SuperLimo at Tokyo Auto Show

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Exciting day in Tokyo!  The Lexus LF-FC concept is official, with more than a few surpriss along the way! First off, what are we looking at? Our initial hunch about this previewing the 2017 LS sedan appears wide of the mark: the proportions of this LF-FC are actually very low and sporty, much like a 650 from BMW versus a 750.  Yet another wrinkle in the mystery: the LF-FC is huge with a length of 208-inches. This is up from the 192-inch length of the GS, or 203-in max length for the current LS600hL.  It is also five inches wider …

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2015 Mazda RX-VISION Concept Is All-New SkyActiv-R Super GT

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With a name like RX-Vision, clearly Mazda is sending strong signals about a future RX-7 flagship. This RX concept for the 2015 Tokyo Auto Show is the clearest preview yet of a future supercar in the Mazda lineup. Power is not detailed in output, only in name and philosophy. The name is SkyActiv-R, and the engine layout will be a next-gen Wankel rotary. Possible turbo and hybrid tech may be employed to suite the car’s performance goals, which are clearly aimed squarely at the new Acura NSX and future Toyota Supra Turbo, expected for 2018 with FT-1-inspired proportions. The Toyota …

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2016 Audi R8 V10 in Satin Canyon Copper Wrap by HplusB Design

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This brand-new Audi R8 started life black, but has been reborn in a custom satin color by its new owner. The beauty of the new lines and fender details are really brought to life with this no-sheen Satin Copper Canyon wrap, expertly applied by HplusB Design of Germany.   2016 Audi R8 V10 Copper FULMINANT AUDI R8 by HPLUSB DESIGN In concern with car wrapping with all its aspects, the HplusB Design Company at Monheim on Rhine stands out in the center of attention. All foiled by the team of Michael HIBGEN and Patrick BARTH vehicles are a clear expression …

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2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe – V. Cool, V. FAST! HD Track Drive + 120-Photo Flyaround

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This is one of those cars that absolutely craves abuse!  Absolutely savage is the best way to describe the 464-horsepower V6TT in the new ATS-V coupe. The test car wore a very-subtle Phantom Grey and standard painted alloys — but those Q-car looks hide a beast of an upgrade. The most enticing and perhaps ideal Cadillac V-Series powertrain, optional eight-speed auto, plus the choice of four doors or two!? That hotness shines through even the Armani-style relaxed color outside. Firing the ATS-V around the first few corners is like getting past third base for the first time. It is a …

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RM NY 2015 Preview – 1969 DeTomaso Mangusta by Ghia Is Flawless in Sunburst Orange

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DeTomaso was one of a very talented group of ex-Ferrari men who broke out and founded their own dream supercar companies in the early 1960s. Like ISO, Siata, Bizzarrini and Lamborghini, the mid-1960s were sweet to all these new marques. Export markets to the US and elsewhere were all-new possibilities for the firms, and increases in sales were achieved for almost all the brands. Only a few really made it past the tumult of the early 1970s Arab Oil Embargo and new crash/emissions rules coming into force in America, by now dwarfing Europe in overall sales volumes for supercars. Lamborghini …

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RM NY 2015 Preview – 1956 Ferrari 290MM Racecar Piloted by Fangio and Phil Hill

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Not just a surviving Ferrari racecar from the golden era of the 1950s, but one that looks as fresh today as it did 60 years ago! This Ferrari 290MM is headed for sale at the RM Sotheby’s New York gala on December 10th, where it is expected to be among the high earners in a growing and mighty impressive list of classic-car icons. Ballpark beyond “buku-bucks” for the estimate? Well, let’s assume a bare skeleton of this car after a burnedout wreck would be worth $5-million. Then we have actuality: it is near-perfect  (+$5M) — was driven in numerous famous …

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Petty's Garage Mustang GT King Edition

727HP 2016 Ford Mustang GT KING Edition Headed to Ford Stores w/ Race Parts, Factory Warranty

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Pretty incredible new Mustang heading to Ford showrooms this year! The Petty’s Garage KING Edition is set to be produced and sold with a full warranty, yet wild race parts and custom detailing. The wildly sexy lower-body and flip tail spoiler are offered in matching blue crush of the previous Mecum auction car, donated to the Paralyzed Veterans of America foundation and scoring a major sale haul — in the half-mil range! These new King Editions will go fast, both on the street and on the lot, of course. Standard horsepower for the supercharged base model is 627-ponies, while a …

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2017 MINI RAGTOP Bares All Ahead of March 2016 USA Arrival

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The new MINI ragtop is here and vastly improved!  An all-new and wider platform houses two new engines, an all-new cabin and some sweet new tech and style options. The Cooper and Cooper S both run turbo engines for the next-gen model, with standard six-speed manuals or six-speed automatics available. But there is a big difference for the S in this generation: a whole extra cylinder!  That;s right, the base MINI runs a 1.5-liter triple!  This new modular engine series powers all future BMW’s; the 340i just revealed its 3.0-liter version of the same engine, but as a six-cylinder. A …

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2016 Ford Focus ST Kona Blue ST1 Flyaround in 120 Pics + HD Video

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    Really had a ball flogging the Focus ST on track the other week. GoPro video came back as a photo-set by accident, so left with *just* these gorgeous 120 photos of the new slugger. Kona Blue is the color, with minimal options and an as-tested price very close to the $25k base. Versus the $36k of the RS, the ST really earned its keep out there in the twisties. Strong brakes, awesome front diff grip that felt totally understeer-proof, plus a snorty throttle intake and shouty new exhaust. The stick is as feelsome and snicky as ever — …

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3.1s, 204MPH 2016 McLaren 570S Coupe – Portimao Launch and USA Pricing from $185k

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  The 2016 McLaren 570S is firmly in production and headed to a garage near you! Enjoy these latest press photos from sunny Spain, plus the final tech specs. VERY impressive power and pace: 3.1s is the official 60-mph sprint, on to a screaming 10.9-second quarter mile and up to a 204-mph top speed. Pricing for the 570S is from $185k in the USA, and we highly encourage you to explore the animated buyers guide and color visualizers via the ‘Very Similar’ links below. Especially for the MSO nose and tail in bare carbon.  2016 McLaren 570S Coupe – Portimao …

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2016 Nissan GT-R NISMO N-Attack Package

Nissan GT-R NISMO N Attack Package – Upgrade Details and Pricing

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Not sure how this even-hotter-than-ever NISMO GT-R slid by us when it was announced in August of this year, but we are all over it now! The new N Attack Package is a major overhaul of the factory NISMO GT-R — letting any OEM driver have the exact specification that delivered a Nurburgring production track record earlier in the year. In Japan, the assembly of the N Attack pack is handled in-house by NISMO, but in the USA (and worldwide) the distributor and official installation partner is long-time Nissan guru STILLEN. This upgrade is massively involved. We have the full …

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Design Analysis – 2015 Renault COUPE CORBUSIER Is All-New Flagship Concept

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Shades of brutalism, yet light on the inside and accented with with fantasy curves. The description of the iconic Villa Savoye country house in France neatly applies to almost all Le Corbusier’s creations. The architect is a legend in modernism, a movement that prioritized livable interiors, created with advanced industrial construction methods leaning heavily on steel and concrete. The idea of Villa Savoye being a legendary cabin in France just epitomizes the era of its design. Cold-war emotions were running hot, while WWII and its mass destruction of France inspired a clean break in the national mood.   Villa Savoye, …

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Audi RS 7 Sportback performance

2016 Audi RS6 and RS7 Debut New Performance Spec: +45HP and +45MPH = 190MPH vMax!

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Quickest and fastest Audi’s of all time? Certainly among four-door models! The just-revealed top spec for the already-mighty RS6 and RS7 focuses under the hood, so delivers its S-Model-smacking performance upgrades in fairly subtle fashion. Certainly when static, the RS6 and RS7 performance (low-case P in Performance is on purpose by Audi) just looks like a loaded existing model. One featuring the largest forged alloys available, matte silver detailing and quattro 3D script in the front bumper. Versus even the RS6 Plus from before, however, the V8TT in the new ‘performance’ trims is mighty impressive. Power leaps up to 605-ponies …

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2015 RenaultSport RS01 Blasts Around Jerez Circuit in New Video and Photoset

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Fresh videos and photos of the Renault RS01 racecars blasting around Circuit Jerez this week in Spain! And crucially, a look under the hood of this mid-engine stunner — confirming the well-known rumors that the 3.8-liter engine under that back canopy has GT-R origins. [Actually, Renault confirmed this right from the start: see tech specs included below video.] What a prospect. Imagine not just a true mid-engine racing GT-R, but actually a pure speed-demon with bespoke CF chassis and bodywork, racing suspension and all that power to just the back wheels! Just the thought of such a machine is enough …

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Chevrolet Reveals 2015 SEMA Fleet: 6-Pack of RED LINE Concepts

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Pretty awesome little pack of Chevys heading to SEMA! The concept theme this year is Red Line — which is a light aesthetic upgrade for a variety of models using factory accessories and DIY-style customizations. Dark trims, LED-lit emblems, huge alloys and blacked-out details are a recurring element on the Malibu, Sonic RS, Camaro Red Line, Silverado, Colorado and the Trax! Enjoy this exclusive preview with 100 or so images of the yet-to-be-seen Red Line Series for SEMA 2015.   Chevrolet 2015 SEMA RED LINE Concepts Chevrolet Red Line Concepts Showcase Latest Accessories Themed collection highlights production, concept components   …

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Bentley INSPIRATOR App Is World-First Intelligent Configurator with Facial-Recog Emotion Mapper

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Most automotive preview or promo Apps are pretty lousy. They show a posh experience, videos and photos in a nice branded environment, but generally offer little new info you cannot find on the web. Additionally, they are all just a giant funnel to point you toward your local dealership, or to the OEM’s main website for complex configurations/specs/etc. The new Bentley INSPIRATOR iOS app just launched today with a vastly different approach: a scientific exploration of your moods, preferences and tastes — that requires few of the “next” clicks of a typical configurator. We were heavily skeptical that the app …

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2016 Toyota TACOMA Goes Back to the Future + Previews Diesel Powertrain for USA

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A few cool things going on with this 80s-chic 2016 Tacoma that Toyota created in partnership with Universal Pictures and the Back to the Future crew.  The 2016 update references Marty McFly’s date-night ride from Back to the Future II — with shockingly accurate results. The new Tacoma in custom 1985 flat black plus a variety of off-road goodies? A strong look, even what feels like 100 years on from the original Hilux. Celebrating BTTF day is fun and all, but there is a future-previewing Easter egg in the new Tacoma concept. And it lives in quite an auspicious place: …

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2016 Chevrolet EQUINOX – First Look at New LEDs, Nose and Interior in 50 Photos

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First in-person look at the refreshed 2016 Chevy Equinox — which is an even-more-impressive execution of a large SUV with the pricing of a compact crossover. The 2016 model starts from just $23k in its front-drive 2.4-liter form, where it comes in with an impressive 32-mpg. The uplevel 3.6-liter V6 engine is the real sprint champ, however, with just a 6.7-second official time. Other impressive elements of the Equinox? Inside, the tech and build quality take a huge leap upward. The loaded LTZ model shown here features the new Saddle brown leather for its seats as well as dash wraps. …

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2016 Nissan Patrol NISMO Storms Dubai with 30HP Bump + Bilsteins, Rays 22s and Custom Exterior

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  Here is an exciting truck that is certainly not headed stateside in its current form: the 2016 Nissan Patrol NISMO for the Middle Eastern market. The upgrades are actually pretty awesome, despite just a jump to 428-ponies from the stock 400 even. The 5.6-liter V8 is absolutely a gem in 400HP form, so with freer intakes and exhaust, the engine is eager to deliver even more smiles-per-gallon via this new NISMO tune. Chassis changes are fairly extensive, with a custom handling setup, Bilstein gas shocks and new Rays 22-inch forged alloys on the options list. Custom exterior with all-new …

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2015 Nissan TEATRO for DAYZ 13

2015 Nissan TEATRO for DAYZ Concept is Next-Gen Stoner Streamer

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Some trends have a strong basis in real-life, timeless buyer preferences. Boot-cut jeans fit a huge range of bodytypes in a flattering way. Ugg boots are actually ridiculously comfy and easy to wear all day. Workout clothes are comfiest when you are not working out. Same goes for urban yoofs of the world. Young-person culture adores the idea of a boxy social pod on wheels — as the Scion xD/xB and Nissan Cube took global. The hotness of the box shape never really went out of style in Japan. But is definitely in need of a connected-services and design-ethos refresh. …

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Subaru Tokyo 2015 – All-New VIZIV Future Concept and Impreza 5-Door Concept

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Subaru has a new flagship design concept for the Tokyo Auto Show in early November. And despite its familiar VIZIV name, this masculine and high-tech design theme is very fresh. This third VIZIV Concept Future is an interesting preview of a future LWB Outback with seven seats. The powertrain and seating layout are much more Forester size for this sporty concept car, but the intention is a three-row variant of the large Outback platform, versus the smaller Impreza/Forester footprint.  Or perhaps just a super-lux future Forester. The cabin is shockingly advanced, as is the powertrain. A next-generation hybrid is paired …

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Watch the 3.8s, 650HP AC Schnitzer BMW X6M In Thunderous Launch Start!

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    The X6 M has one big demerit versus its rivals from Porsche and AMG: its very modest exhaust. The Cayenne Turbo and GLE63 AMG are both far more vocal on hard throttle, with that backbellow becoming a really endearing trait of the machine over its lifetime in your garage. The stock exhaust is swapped out in favor of a far more free-breathing and evocative unit in the new AC Schnitzer X6 M upgrades. Paired with turbo tuning module, the ACS truck now boasts 650-horsepower, a leap 75 ponies over the stock truck. We’d estimate the changes are quite …

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2017 Zarooq Sand Racer – a 500HP DAKAR LYKAN?

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A fresh supercar to report today! The 2017 Zarooq Motors Sand Racer — the launch model for an all-new Emirati sportscar venture. Proudly designed and made in the UAE, the Sand Racer hopes to take the bespoke supercar crazy into the dunes. A bespoke racing chassis mounts its 500HP engine in the rear for optimal offroad balance, while the bodywork is exciting and feels like an authentic rally raid prototype from the Dakar series. That bodywork was penned by the lead designer of the W Motors Lykan Hypersport — bringing plenty of local flavor to the military-style bodywork. The project …

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2016 Honda CIVIC Sedan – Full Tech Specs, 160 Photos and Upgraded Features Detail

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The 2016 Honda Civic sedan is absolutely miraculous. We had no idea Honda would go do-or-die on this model redesign, but are thrilled with the results! The new Civic is the biggest compact in its class now by interior room, is more than two inches longer and wider than before, yet chops nearly an inch off the roofline. Available full-LED headlights complement the standard LED brakelights on the sci-fi tail, while the nose sports new LED DRLs for most trims this year. The design is hard to fully comprehend — or was before we had this mega photo set of …

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Supercar FACE-OFF! 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo vs 1991 Ferrari Testarossa

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A bit of a motley and fun collection in the short list of entrants to the RM Sotheby’s Arizona 2016 auction so far. But there is an undeniable charm to the cars offered so far. These two, for example, are separated by 25 years. Yet they feel like kindred spirits all the same. Similarly, they are supercars you could imagine taking to the beach, grocery store and everywhere in between. Though both appear ruthlessly original and OEM inside and out, they could be quickly updated to modern styles via trim and wheel color tweaks.  Painting up the 512 TR’s black …

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1962 APAL-Porsche 1600 GT Coupe – RM Arizona 2016 Preview

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Smooth. Seductive. Tuscan? Look at this stunning 1962 Porsche heading for auction at the RM Arizona 2016 event. Rally-perfect bumper with sunken 901/911 proportions, this machine is a stunning bespoke prototype from APAL studio in 1962. No estimate or description is yet available for the1600 GT Coupe, but it will go without reserve. We’d bring at least $350,000, and perhaps significantly more. 1962 APAL-Porsche 1600 GT Coupe   Photo Credit: David Gooley ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sothebys

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355HP, 4.7s 2016 BMW X4 M40i Brings SuperTruck Style and Pace from $55k

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Catching up here!  The new X4 M40i came out earlier this month, and is heading to USA showrooms in the next few months! Power takes a big leap up to 355-ponies and 343 pound-feet of torque. Through the standard eight-speed auto and new M-calibrated xDrive, the X4 M40i shoots to 60-mph in just 4.7-seconds. That is about a half-second quicker than the existing range-topper, the X4 xDrive35i M Sport with its $50k base price. We expect the M40i X4 to come in around $55k with its light tweaks to the style outside, grey detailing all around, and custom chassis settings. …

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2016 Honda Pilot Elite AWD – Photo Flyaround Shows Classy LEDs, All-New Look

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  Updated 10.18.15 with 37 New Photos The 2016 Pilot is nearly unrecognizable. It is completely new from all sides, with the next-gen Honda face and LEDs brightly glowing front and rear. While the silhouette of the new Pilot’s nose, windshield and glasshouse is extremely rakish now, the dimensions also appear to have grown quite a bit. The second row and rear overhang are particularly jumbo in this new design from the exterior. Inside, of course, you get the benefits of that large and in-charge profile.   The new 2016 Honda Pilot is here! With a striking new design that …

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Cadillac Creates 99-unit Exclusive – V-Series Crystal White Frost Editions of ATS-V and CTS-V

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Very sexy launch rollout for the all-new CTS-V and ATS-V! Crystal White Frost Editions are headed to dealerships by the end of October, aka this week and next. 39 of the ATS-V Coupes are made in this special satin paintwork. Just 31 of the satin matte white ATS-V sedans will be made, matched by even-more-limited 29 units of the CTS-V in white frost. Loaded configurations accompany this special color for both, with pricing from $71k for the ATS and $95k for the CTS-V. Why so few numbers of these hot bodies? The paint is exceptionally expensive — at around a …

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Design Talent Showcase – 2020 Mercedes-Benz SL PURE Concept by Matthias Böttcher

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Emerging designers are fascinating. They provide a relatively uncluttered look at the next generation of automobile design, usually five to ten years away from hitting the streets. Students of industrial design are well-prepped for the world of making dream shapes and sketches come to life — in panels and 4D forms that could, in theory, be produced some day. Their vision and style for final thesis projects, like the SL Pure by Mattias Bottcher of Germany, can be a powerful catalyst. Pulling forward the future with new ideas unfettered by corporate speak, layers of hundreds of other designers, or the …

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All-new BMW X1 and 340i launch drive in Chihuahua, MX

USA-Spec 2016 BMW 340i Stretches Turbo Legs in Copper Canyon

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Copper Canyon, Mexico is exceptionally beautiful — a perfect place for the launch drives of the new X1 and the new 340i M Sport xDrive. Located in northern Mexico’s Chihuahua state but far from the Gulf of California, the mountainous region is a cool 500-miles from the salty blue water and gorgeous beaches that typically draw tourists south of the border. So what is the draw? A thousand-year-old mining trail and original indigenous trade route — one running up from central America and up through similar places in Colorado. Not just copper from these hills, but something much brighter.  Gold! …

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2016 RAM Rebel Silver 17

First Drive – 2016 RAM REBEL – An Air-Ride Raptor?

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The new RAM Rebel is the latest slayer to join the Dodge trucks lineup — this time with its radar locked onto the Ford F-150 Raptor. The Rebel wears unique bodywork for the giant power-dome hood and special, new-shape Rebel grille up front. Most of the numerous other body features are rock-proof black plastic accents — the fender flares, badges and all brightwork is swapped for matte black. This includes the GIANT script on the tailgate. Color options include a few with a black lower body paint look across the doors and bed too, looking hot and functional-yet-macho. Silver is …

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2015 Chevrolet SS Green 1

Track Drive Video – 2015 Chevrolet SS 6-Speed is Rare, Special and Features Dual-Mode Exhaust for 2016

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The Chevy SS is SERIOUSLY rare! This Australian-built performance sedan was always destined to appeal to a slim audience: those seeking Camaro or Corvette powertrains, plus four doors and rear-drive. A stick or automatic is nearly the only spec choice to make for this everything-standard flagship for Chevrolet — and a three-lap blast of the Autobahn  Country Club racetrack showed the purity and fun of driving such a macho-man sedan. This test car seen in the video above is the 2015 model, lacking the (virtually imperceptible) nose/grille revamps for the 2016 model year, as well as the updated infotainment and …

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2016 BMW X1 Alpine White 3

2016 BMW X1 xDrive28i Arrives in November with Pricing from $35k – Colors + Real-Life Photos

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The new X1 is in the wild, but you might not know it from first glance. It is a majorly convincing upgrade from the fairly low-slung and diminutive model. Sure, we loved the way the BMW X1 M Sport handled a track day. But it was quite low-slung and a bit too wagonlike, apparently, for mass consumption. The cab-backward look continues for 2016 in this second-gen model, but the entire visage grows up, out and across. The new X1 will still carve canyon tarmac, but now looks much more comfortable in rusty trails. The new model is basically a super-chunky …

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