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#NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery – Day Two in 175 Photos!

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175 more photos from the Detroit Auto Show! A few at the beginning from the Industry preview the 14th and 15th, with engineers pouring over the competition in very extreme detail. The Detroit auto show opens to the public on the 17th. This gallery is the new slideshow — so after the new tab opens, the main window is now a slideshow. Next photo: click right-hand side of image. Previous photo; left-hand side. Enjoy!   NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery Two    

2001 gtr

Concept Flashback – 2001 Nissan GT-R Prototype

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People gave Lexus a hard time for spending so many years developing the LF-A, the Honda for the endless parade of concepts leading to the current 2016 NSX just revealed in production form in Detroit. But Nissan was part of this long-running tradition of slow perfectionism when it comes to a brand’s sports-car flagship. The first look at what the R35 Nissan GT-R would become seven years later? The 2001 Tokyo auto show, with this static styling and aero buck. The next concept in 2005, the GT-R Proto, was much closer to the eventual production model — but both were …

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cayenne turbo s

3.8s 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Is Quickest SUV EVER!

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  Here is the scenario: two amazing Porsches. Which to do first? Our first article definitely led with the new Targa GTS — until we looked at the spec sheets. The PDK Targa GTS sprints to 60-mph in a very-respectable 4.1-seconds with the PDK pack. But brace yourself for some real heat with the new Cayenne Turbo S. This $160,000 super-truck is now the quickest SUV of all time: 3.8-seconds to 60-mph. Apologies for the lack of formatting in the specs below. Screenshots of the full specs PDF included, however, as proof of this unbelievably quick new Cayenne Turbo S. …

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2015 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS 12

4.1s 2015 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS – Specs, Prices and 50 Exclusive Photos

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Here is the scenario: two amazing Porsches. Which to do first? Our first article definitely led with the new Targa GTS — until we looked at the spec sheets. The PDK Targa GTS sprints to 60-mph in a very-respectable 4.1-seconds with the PDK pack. But brace yourself for some real heat with the new Cayenne Turbo S. This $160,000 super-truck is now the quickest SUV of all time: 3.8-seconds to 60-mph. Apologies for the lack of formatting in the specs below. Screenshots of the full specs PDF included, however, as proof of this unbelievably quick new Cayenne Turbo S. The …

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ford gt1

Static Homepage Images BETA – Powered by the 2017 Ford GT

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UPDATE Third update.  Still trying to figure this out. Just kidding. For boring technical reasons, the GIFs will be made static just for the main homepage and category pages. Post pages will act as normal. BETA Image UX: Animated GIFs Hey guys, Just a quick note about the user experience (UX) of the website. We’ve heard many times from many people that the animated GIFs were a problem. At minimum, slow-to-load …. and at maximum, an eyesore and turnoff from enjoying the content. Over the last two months, we’ve attempted to make things better with a far more relaxed pace …

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2015 Honda FCV Concept + Year of Honda Turbo VTEC and Turbofan HondaJet Arrival

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Honda is very re-energized lately. It will take time for the actual products to catch up with the mood inside the halls of America Honda these days, but when they arrive, they should be terrific. After years of a relatively glum and forlorn outlook, there is a palpable sense of future potential in Honda today. The FCV concept is still in its production-engineering mode, as Honda is keen to perfect every detail before the global rollout. This sense slightly delayed the new Acura NSX as well, but we now see it was worth the wait. Honda is diving head-first into …

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2016 Cadillac CT6 A No-Show in Detroit, but CTS-V Heals All Wounds

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How excited were we to see the new Cadillac CT6 flagship at the Detroit auto show press conference? *Very* We have been refreshing the Cadillac media website throughout the CTS-V introduction, hoping the new flagship photos would be live momentarily. After all, Cadillac announced months ago that the CT6 would make a Detroit reveal. But all that might have been before new Caddy President Johan de Nysschen (far right in below photo) took the reins of the brand. Our hunch is that he had some last-minute tweaks to the CT6 that are still being implemented. We hope one of them …

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2016 Volvo XC90 R-Design Is Damn Sexy Swede

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When the Volvo XC90 debuted earlier this year in Stockholm, we were floored by its super luxurious cabin and extremely smart PHEV powertrains that actually deliver huge horsepower — and mileage. The 400-horsepower T8 is far ahead of any other seven-seat hybrid SUV, and is the world’s first plug-in seven-seater. But to be honest, the style of the normal two XC90’s — one body-colored and one with off-road pieces unpainted — seemed extremely frumpy and dull. The XC90 R-Design helped a great deal in those stakes, but it is always hard to get a sense of a car from renderings, …

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2016 Lexus GSF – New Super Saloon Is E63-Seeking Missile

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‘Ultrasonic Blue’ F cars take on a new meaning when you think of Lexus chasing — and rapidly catching – BMW M and Mercedes-AMG supercars. Their rapid progress up the performance charts is much like the latest hypersonic cruise missile technology — aimed to strike anywhere in the world in less than an hour of flying time. We’re thrilled with the new hot-rod pace and style of the GSF, and can’t wait to see its performance stats. As a rear-drive model, expecting a 0-60-mph sprint in the 3’s is unrealistic. But in-gear power and thrilling performance are absolutely guaranteed — …

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2016 Lincoln MKX – Will Mini-Bentley Design Appeal to US and Chinese Luxury Crossover Buyers?

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Updated 1.13.2015 Mini-Bentley!? Yes, that is the sense we have when viewing the MKX in some of its profile shots. It is actually a really well-resolved and premium appearance, with great proportions that say Luxury and Big Back Seat loud and clear. This is important, because the MKX is aimed squarely at two markets that value those two things very highly: the USA and China. Lincoln is launching in China with the MKX as one of its star cars. The luxury crossover segment is one of the few segments that is still red-hot in Chinese sales, and Lincoln is well-positioned …

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Update1 #NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery – Day One in 160 Photos!

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Press day one is complete, one more to go! Enjoy this 160-photo mega gallery of the hottest debuts, and watch this space for a full docket of press conferences tomorrow as well. The Detroit auto show opens to the public on the 15th. This gallery is the new slideshow — so after the new tab opens, the main window is now a slideshow. Next photo: click right-hand side of image. Previous photo; left-hand side. Enjoy! #NAIAS 2015 Showfloor Gallery

titan

2016 Nissan TITAN Hopes to Quadruple Sales With HD Style and 5.0L Cummins Diesel

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You know that the Nissan Titan is the sixth-ranked truck in US sales, and has been for years. But we’d wager you did not know exactly how far the Titan lags behind the top-five trucks: the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, RAM 1500, GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra. Per The Wall Street Journal’s report today, the 2014 calendar sales of the Nissan Titan were less than 15,000 units. In total. For the whole year. Versus the Ford F-150’s 750,000 2014 sales, the Titan made up just 2-percent with its paltry 15,000-unit tally. The Titan peaked around 2006 with around 80,000 sales …

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2016 Chevrolet Volt is Quicker, Greener and More Lux + 1000-Mile Tank Range!?

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It is no secret that current Chevy Volt owners are fanatical about how great their car is. Most people, however, have not been easily convinced. The new Volt has an all-new and much sleeker design outside, a vastly more luxurious and comfortable cabin, and the win-win of more speed and more efficiency. Overall, the design is a bit cleaner, and far more modern from all sides. Thankfully, the awkward window-line of black plastic is now banished to history. Notably, the Volt with a charged plug-in battery and full tank of fuel is expected to comfortably cruise 1000 miles before needing …

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gt350r

2016 SHELBY GT350R Is Quickest Factory Mustang Ever Made

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If there are two priorities for an all-star track racer, one column would be labelled ‘Power’ and the other ‘Control.’ This new GT350R majors on control, with huge changes to the aero setup, the suspension and grip package, and the overall handling characteristics. The GT350R is an always-on, flypaper-grippy supercar that hopes to best the Camaro Z/28 in the quickest-lap stakes. This will be the Mustang for laying down the headline Laguna Seca laptimes, with much equipment and luxury tossed aside to slice those last few 10ths from the ultimate speed the GT350R can achieve. This means it will be …

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hyundai santa cruz concept

2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept Explores SUV Pickup Crossover

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  What is this Hyundai Santa Cruz? A pickup/SUV? Think of it like a Honda Ridgeline, but perhaps tilted a bit more toward the SUV side of things versus the pickup truck? The Hyundai Santa Cruz concept revealed minutes ago in Detroit is certainly a headscratcher.Not least because the Honda Ridgeline has been a bit of a dud, despite a new model coming for 2016 for Honda. The best way to think of the concept is a look at Hyundai entering new truck segments in the future, as well as a snapshot of the brand’s latest design ideas in the …

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4c spider

4.1s 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is Modern Dino Ferrari

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 Not sure why it took so long to come to this realization, but better late than never. The best way to think about the new Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is as a modern Dino Ferrari. When the Dino was launched, it was the least-powerful and by far the most affordable Ferrari ever made. It was ostensibly created to give Enzo’s son the joy of mid-engine performance in a package that wouldn’t overwhelm the young driver with too much power. But the Dino was barely slower than many of Ferrari’s finest cars of the 1960s, despite packing half the cylinders of …

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tacoma trd offroad

2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Trim Is Mid-Size Raptor-Hunter

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Lots of action in the new 2016 Tacoma range this year. Along with the leather-seated Limited trim come two new TRD packages, with this TRD Off-Road trim level particularly captivating. Huge 35-inch tires, mud-friendly detailing and the AccessCab shown here are all very new and cool indeed. The lift and suspension tweaks for the special-wheeled TRD Off-Road package make it the only mid-size truck capable of going everywhere a Ford Raptor can on the rough stuff. The sandy Moab color help reinforce the Tacoma TRD’s Moab credibility, as do the fender flares and unique grille versus the Limited. A new …

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tacoma limited

30 New Photos! 2016 Toyota Tacoma Delivers Big Tech Upgrades, LED DRLs + New Limited and TRD Trims

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Updated 1.12.2015 Thrilled to share the full details of the upcoming Toyota Tacoma, which packs all-new engines and transmissions, a full redesign outside and in, and even a new range-topping Limited trim level. The biggest news for the best-selling Tacoma is the addition of six-speed automatics for the base four-cylinder trucks and the top 3.5-liter V6. The new transmission promises a quicker sprint time as well as a near 15-percent jump in fuel economy all by itself. But it is not working solo. The new V6 is very special indeed, with a truck-first combination of direct and port fuel injection …

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Update2 – 550HP+ 2016 Acura NSX World Premiere in 95 Images

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Updated 1.13.2015 With 20 new photos What really strikes you after first viewing the new NSX is how incredibly stylish and lean its design is. At first glance, it seems an exact copy of the concepts we’ve seen over the years. But that is not actually true. The nose is dramatically cleaned-up, with the chrome bar now subtle and mounted right at the hood’s leading edge. Previously, it was below the hood and had black space above it — creating the unpopular beak face many have hated on Acuras recently. Beyond that refinement, there is also a full lower aero …

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2017 Ford Raptor Is EcoBEAST! Cool New Style, Much Quicker and Even More Bad-Ass

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It is very rare to have a truck’s front suspension A-arms be a styling detail that lights up your eyes from the front, but the 2017 Raptor proves the exception. The truck shows off its tough and rough off-road equipment and suspension from all sides, especially dead-on from the nose. Here we see the Raptor’s trademark honeycomb grille and giant FORD letters writ large, paired with the super-cool new LED lighting from the top F-150 Platinum trims. Here the lamps are exposed and free of a clear shell — the better to show off the box-LED style and also to …

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ford gt

Update1 – 2017 Ford GT Supercar Coming NEXT YEAR with ~700HP EcoBoost!

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Holy **** folks, Ford just rocked Detroit with three of the biggest-news cars of the show so far: the new GT350R, 2017 Raptor and this, the stunning new Ford GT supercar. Have you ever seen something so gorgeous, innovative and hypercar-esque out of Dearborn? We have not. LaFerrari and P1-chasing style and tech are firmly in the equation, with the car a showcase for EcoBoost and carbon-fiber innovations in the Ford Motor Company. Watch this space for updated photos and videos shortly. 2016 Ford GT Supercar   Jan 12, 2015 | Detroit Ford Redefines Innovation in Aerodynamics, EcoBoost and Light-Weighting …

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(Jan 2015) Detroit, MI

2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop Priced at $30k – Looks as Exciting as a Warm Nap

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Update: we prepared this whole post just now — before realizing a double deja vu. This car debuted online months ago. Sigh. See below. MINI has a bit of a problem. This hottest-ever JCW hardtop is just not doing it for us today. Aside from the cool new cabin and better LED accents outside, we see zero reason to pick this 2015 model over a pre-owned 2009 model. Trouble ahead for MINI. This big news here is that US pricing is announced with a base of $30,000. 2015 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop MINI BRINGS MOTORSPORTS HERITAGE TO DETROIT FOR …

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chevy bolt

2015 Chevrolet BOLT Concept Previews All-New EV 5-Door Arriving Within a Year

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We are big bears on EV adoption overall, and love seeing Elon Musk squirm. In that regard, the Bolt is a fun new entry to the rapidly-irrelevant EV model niche. The Bolt is a relatively exciting surprise from Chevrolet: the new five-door EV concept that is a lightly-veiled production model arriving within a year to Chevy showrooms. The new Bolt EV concept shows the potential of a utility and family-friendly package with EV underpinnings. No pricing has been quoted, but expect this package to sticker from about $35,000 before tax incentives bring its costs to about $30,000. It is most …

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2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupé S-Model Storms The D With 585HP

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The new GLE63 Coupe is official!  It is the flagship model above the AMG GLE450 Coupe, and packs a huge wallop from its twin-turbo V8: from 557HP in the normal truck to the 585HP in the S-Model. Stunning performance is a sure thing: we could be looking here at the quickest-sprinting SUV of all time via pace of 4.0-seconds to 60-mph.   2016 Mercedes-AMG GLE63 Coupe   The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupé 4MATIC: Driving performance reinterpreted Affalterbach/Detroit Jan 12, 2015   Affalterbach/Detroit.  With the new GLE 63 Coupé, Mercedes-AMG is in highly dynamic mood as it enters the 2015 …

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buick avenir

2015 Buick Avenir Concept Shows Design of Future RWD Flagship Limo

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This is a tricky design to love at first sight. The sketches whisper ‘chic’ the real car’s nose and profile shouts ‘eek.’ Even so, it is a promising look at a future Buick flagship limo.    2015 Buick Avenir Concept         Avenir’s Design-driven Global Collaboration Buick concept developed via collaboration of GM’s Australia, Michigan studios 2015-01-11 DETROIT – The Buick Avenir concept announced today ahead of the North American International Auto Show represents a collaboration of General Motors’ global designers and fabricators, who worked between studios in Australia and the United States to develop the striking design …

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q60 concept

2015 Infiniti Q60 Concept – Private Debut in Detroit Shows Swanky Cabin and ~440HP V6TT

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The 2015 Infiniti Q60 Concept is here! Absolutely miraculous style and luxury shown here, with the power to back it up. The styling concept is said to be 98-percent of the finished product, sans a few of the more extravagant details like the super-lux pearlescent paint, much of the carbon-fiber in the bumpers, and things like the etched fiber-optic amber blinker lights in front. The uncut gemstone lens of the main beam headlights are particularly fascinating in their style appeal, but are also likely to fall by the wayside for production. Even so, the real 2016 Q60 Coupe promises something …

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2015 Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE

Update2 – 360HP Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Is Sporty PHEV Crossover Concept

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The Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE has arrived today with sporty looks and a five-passenger cabin that is about the size of the BMW X6 inside and out. The concept runs a 3.6-liter V6 plus a large hybrid power unit with EV-driving ability. Its style is an important preview of the production CrossBlue, a Passat-based seven-seater set for assembly in Tennessee beside its sedan cousin. We are likely to see this style replicated near-exactly on the large CrossBlue, but in a larger and blockier roofline layout. This design is production-ready in almost all ways, with the actual Cross Coupe a possibility …

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brabus cls

BRABUS Mercedes-Benz CLS Mega Gallery – Upgrades From Mild to Wild!

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The CLS is ripe for more power and style from the factory, and Brabus is happy to indulge. From wheels and exhausts, to ECU tunes, to full engine upgrades — the CLS catalog is one of the deepest in the Brabus range. Featured here are six of their coolest CLS upgrades, starting with the king of the range: the 850.   BRABUS 850 6.0 Biturbo based on the Mercedes CLS 63 BRABUS 730 B63S NEWS RELEASE World debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show 2013: 730 hp for the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG The BRABUS B63S – 730 with 537 …

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gt86 aero

2015 Toyota GT86 Brings Aero and Giallo Range-Topping Trims

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Toyota GB is eager to keep up the GT86 momentum and magic into the 2015 model-year. The rear-drive sportscar carries a cheaper sticker price on the base Primo trim, with an on-the-road total of £23,000. From £27k, buyers have a choice between the Aero or Giallo manual, with the Aero automatic coming in at £28,500. The difference is really a choice between a loaded exterior on the Aero, and a loaded cabin on the Giallo. The bodykit and Supra-style spoiler of the Aero are very cool upgrades indeed, with the charcoal-metallic multi-spoke alloys also a nice treat. The Giallo is …

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lotus c-01

Lotus Motorcycles C-01 Aiming for Late 2015 Production Start

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      Lotus Motorcycles C-01 Lotus Motorcycle C-01 Road Ready Following two years of careful planning and intense development, Kodewa is delighted to announce that the prototype of the world’s first motorcycle to bear the legendary Lotus marque is now road registered and ready for action. Kodewa has been granted a license to produce the motorcycle by Group Lotus plc, the world renowned sportscar manufacturer and engineering consultancy. The C-01 combines ample power via a V-twin engine with a distinctive body designed by Daniel Simon integrating carbon fibre, titanium and aerospace quality steel. The C-01 motorcycle is not designed, …

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Concept Flashback – 2001 Nissan Alpha-T

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Nissan is giving journalists a first look at the 2016 Titan pickup today in Detroit at a football viewing party, and we wish we were there to see it! To set the stage, it seems timely and relevant to share Nissan’s first full-size pickup truck concept: the 2001 Alpha-T. Definitely a product of its moment in time, but also a bit stylish and adventure-bound in its style — even almost 15 years since. 2001 Nissan Alpha-T Jan. 8, 2001 Nissan Explores New Territory with Radical aT Concept – First Foray Into Full-Size Truck Market Makes ‘Big’ Statement     Nissan …

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2016 Buick Cascada Convertible Is Official! 75 Images + Tech Specs

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Buick revealed a surprise production car today ahead of its live debut at the Detroit auto show tomorrow: the very sexy Cascada convertible. The Cascada is a surprise only in part: the car is a clone of its European Vauxhall and Opel Cascada twins, and arrives as a Buick production model to dealers in early in the 2016 calendar year. So while the car might not be a total shock, seeing Buick integrate it into the US lineup is relatively big news. It joins the current Regal as a fully autobahn-ready Buick with premium cabin, performance and handling. This sexy …

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mustang mach 1

Future Car Renderings – 2017 Ford Mustang Mach 1

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  Doing a photochop of the new 2015 Mustang GT might seem almost sacrilegious these days. The car is a huge, huge hit already and is set to be the most popular pony-car in decades. We’ve see dozens of custom Mustangs so far at SEMA and now the Shelby GT350 ups the ante dramatically. But what about a truly futuristic fantasy Mustang? Something almost unreal in its stunning proportions? The ideas shown here follow the original Ford Mach 1 sketches in 1966 — they read almost like an instruction manual for a step-by-step Mustang Mach 1 for 2017. Let’s disregard …

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mustang concepts

Concept Flashbacks – 1966 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Allegro II and Mustang Milano

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When you style and produce a car as successful as the Mustang in 1964, you have to start thinking next steps almost immediately. How to evolve, and how to keep up the excitement of the original, but with the thrill of the new. Ford explored a variety of wild ideas for the future of the Mustang. From the short-wheelbase, to the Ranchero — Ford was open to nearly any and all ideas. But the enthusiast vision shined brightest. How to make the Mustang even cooler, and even more hardcore as a sports-car. In this folder lives the 1966 Mustang Mach …

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mkx

2016 Lincoln MKX in 30 Photos – 2.7L EcoBoost, Open-Pore Wood, 19-Speaker Audio

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The 2016 Lincoln MKX has broken cover, and it is a very impressive next step for the resugent American luxury brand. A step up in size from the MKC, the MKX is larger and more posh, of course, but also a bit more evolved. The MKX images here show sexy new detailing inside and out, with a heavy emphasis on advanced luxury not offered on any Ford at any price. These details include the new twin LED DRL accents in front, a multi-lens HID low and highbeam design, and a full-width LED lightbar in back. The MKX with these modern …

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Bugatti SUV Design Concept by Ondrej Jirec

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In the original article toward the bottom of this page, we explore an online rendering of a Bugatti Veyron-style SUV, plus created our own janky lift of the official Galibier concept from Bugatti. But neither of the below ideas is really as avant-garde as Bugatti would seek for any Super SUV with its EB logos attached. College of Art Center of Design student Ondrej Jirec has a very cool idea for a Bugatti SUV. Grand style, grand pace, and the name? The Grand Colombier. A nod to the explorer Cristobol Colon — who we Americans know as Christopher Columbus — …

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seat leon cupra st

2014 SEAT Leon Cupra Now Offered in Very Cool ST Wagon

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Updated 1.10.2015 The sexy Leon ST wagon is now available in the Cupra trim! This cool dynamic and style upgrade includes the availability of the postent Cupra 280 pack and its huge-boost turbo gasoline engine. Six styling packs are also available on the Leon Cupras — with the Dynamic Grey shown in the press shots an ST Cupra exclusive that is not offered on Leon ST’s with lesser engines. We also anticipate the Sub8 performance packs to be offered on the ST wagon – these trims commemorate that the Leon Cupra is the quickest front-drive car of all time around …

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subaru rally cars 2015

2015 Subaru WRX STi Rally Racecars + Outback SuperGT First Rescue Operation

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Three distinct Subaru’s here: the WRX STi for the Japanese Rally Championship, the WRX STi for Global Rallycross and lastly the custom SuperGT support Outback. The Japanese rally spec appears purest and most like the production car, aside from chassis bracing for the roll cage, a roof vent for the drivers to get some air, and a slightly taller ride height on rally-sped wheels and tires. The Global Rallycross car is interesting: it wears a much wider front-end and bumper that acts as a bit of a flexible splitter. This seems able to take impacts and also be a decent …

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2015 Subaru BRZ GT300 and WRX NBR

2015 Subaru BRZ GT300 and WRX NBR Racers Pack Wild Aero Ugrades

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2015 Subaru BRZ GT300 and WRX NBR When overall power is capped by a racing series of technical limits of the engine, you have a few other routes to more speed. These include a drop in weight and an increase in grip. But what can you do if max weight and tire setups are also regulated by racing rules? The last summit to climb is then aerodynamics and downforce. Subaru has embraced this fourth route to greatness in its two new racers: the BRZ GT300 and WRX STI NBR Challenge. The splitters up front add nearly a foot of extra …

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viper colors2

2015 Dodge Viper in 100 Custom COLORS – 1-of-1 Order Concierge Brings 25-Million Individual Combinations

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Most of the time with these digital colorizer articles, the shades shown are pure fantasy. They cannot be ordered bespoke on anything short of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. The Viper is joining this exclusive club of absolute customization for 2015 — with 8000 color shades available to order, plus dozens of other trim choices. This all expands the range of custom Vipers exponentially: up to 25-million one-of-a-kind selections possible. The 2015 Viper 1-of-1 program might be daunting for shopppers and those ordering a custom Viper. There were already a huge volume of selections to make in the 2014 model, so …

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viper 2015

HD Video – 2015 Dodge Viper – DNA of a Supercar

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  Dodge is thrilled to have the Viper back in the fold for 2015: a price cut of $15,000 for the base trim is only part of the plan to reinvigorate this lethal snake. The second part is to give the Viper some more screen time. Remember the excitement about the 1994 Viper TV series!? We were 12 years old at the time, and crushed when it was not renewed for a second season. But this is 2015. We are all older and more powerful now. The 640-horsepower Viper is packing 8.4-liters in its jeans, with bulges to kill — …

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f015

Mercedes-Benz F015 Concept Hits the Vegas Strip in 55 New Photos

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  Updated 1.9.15 with 55 New Photos Seeing a concept on stage and seeing it in the real world are two totally different scenarios. The F015 on the streets of Vegas drives home just how freskishly advanced and high-tech the concept looks versus today’s latest cars. Most notable in its S-Class-plus scale is the super-long wheelbase. This makes the whole machine feel even lower than its 1-inch-lower stats seem compared with today’s S550. The headlamps and illuminated star badge in white tell us that a human is driving in the photos…. PREVIOUS Here is a truly futuristic look at the …

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legacy b4 blitzen

2015 Subaru Legacy B4 BLITZEN Concept Debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon

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As a current Legacy GT owner, you can bet we were floored to see how sweet this sixth-gen Legacy B4 Blitzen concept looks!  It is a luxury sports styling concept – with the standard 175-horsepower boxer engine. But the all-new front and rear fascias are very convincing, as are the carbon-fiber accents in the sills, wheels and rear spoiler. Favorite details are the gloss-glack mesh grille and the integrated LED styling accents in the outer bumpers. 2015 Subaru Legacy B4 BLITZEN Concept   In third-generation and fourth generation Legacy, has been planned and developed as a special specification car ‘BLITZEN’  …

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lister knobbly2

2015 LISTER Jaguar Knobbly 60th Anniversary Edition Revealed at Autosport Intl

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Recreations and replicas of classic racing Jaguars the are all the rage lately, with the Eagle Low Drag GT fetching $700,000 a pop and even Jaguar Special Operations releasing a limited run of racing E-Type coupes. These custom-made vehicles are usually the only option to own one at all. Very few racing prototype Jaguars were ever made in the 1950s and 1960s, and most were ultimately ‘raced to death.’ Pushed to the max, these cars often came back from race weekends with crumpled bodywork, torn mechanicals and need of major TLC. Most were parted-out and the shells retired to the …

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Porsche 911 GT2 by OK-ChipTuning

Porsche 911 GT2 by OK-ChipTuning Adds 150HP in 90 Minutes

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It is raining GT2 Porsche’s today! For any turbo, no mod is more cost and time-efficient than an ECU reflash. Imagine adding at least 50-horsepower in the time it takes to get an oil change. Too good to be true, right? Yes. The best turbo tunes will not just work the electronics: you definitely benefit most from a more open exhaust setup. And to sustain that performance under hard driving, a chipped turbo also demands a bigger intercooler with more capacity. If the turbo is glowing red-hot from hard driving, it will lose progressively more and more power — until …

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wimmer gt2 rs muscleplay

1006HP Porsche 911 GT2 RS MusclePlay by WIMMER Shows Bonkers 242MPH Vmax

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If the racing Wimmer GT2 RS previously shown was track-optimized with a jump in 80-horsepower, this one is simply for the bonkers power-fiend. The twin-turbo Porsche now puts out an astounding 1006-horsepower. The output is so immense that we actually needed to convert the metric PS 1020 measurement to US horsepower. The difference is usually negigible, but when you hit the stratosphere…. obviously what is a rounding error on the Honda becomes a difference of 16 ponies. The indicated V-max of this MusclePlay RS is 242-mph — but it would be a brave soul who explores past 220 or so! …

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Porsche 911 GT2 RS by WIMMER

221MPH, 703HP Porsche 911 GT2 RS by WIMMER

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We car-guys are becoming a bit desensitized to power outputs hitting absolutely huge heights. But any Porsche 911 with a horsepower figure starting in the 700’s is still a shocking thing. This Wimmer GT2 RS was designed to go racing from day one, and the car is a model of brutality and knife-edged speed even more than the stock ‘widow-maker.’ Along with the 83-horsepower increase over the factory model’s 620-horsepower comes an even bigger jump in top speed: to a frankly shocking 221-mph. As Porsche prepares to launch its own RS 911 model soon, it is good to see that …

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gullwings

The Evolution of Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Supercars in 9 Cars Since 1952

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As the SLS AMG bows out to be replaced by the new AMG GT as the Mercedes supercar, many people are unemotional about the change from gullwing to traditional hinged doors. In this regard, the gullwing doors of the SLS are so iconic that they have become a bit passe as a result. But the special magic of twin, central-hinged doors opening upward and meeting mid-roof is truly a cultural touchstone in the car business. Much as Lamborghini defines scissor doors, Mercedes gullwing doors are a huge part of the 300SL legend — and therefore the Mercedes legend — since …

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71

HD Road Test Review – 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 is 200k-Mile, 2025 TOTY

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Review Spending a week in this Ocean Blue Chevy Silverado is enough to make anyone a truck guy. Effortless capability and strength have always been key elements of the Silverado, and continue for 2015 — even as the rest of the truck becomes far more tech-savvy, comfortable and fun-to-drive. The Z71 LTZ 1500 trim of the test truck brings the best style and equipment to the table, and really helps show the Silverado in its best light. The upgraded cabin for 2015 is packed with cool goodies: some standard like the 4G LTE wi-fi, and …

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q7 tech

2016 Audi Q7 Shows New MMI Touch, Audi Connect and MIB Tablet Interfaces by Nvidia

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The new Audi Q7 will debut not just a much lighter chassis and all-new styling outside, but a cabin that is fresh from the carpet upward and absolutely packed with tech goodies. Where to start? The latest Virtual Cockpit design uses a 12.3-inch TFT panel in the main guage cluster, able to show 3D instruments, full Google-Earth navigation and maps, and a dozen other custom displays as needed. These are operated by voice, redundant knobs and buttons on the wheel and dash, or by the new MMI Touch control panel with multi-touch capabilities (ahead of the shifter). On the road, …

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tacoma

2016 Toyota Tacoma Is Official: Butch New Design + Rugged Capability

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The full batch of 2016 Tacoma images are now all online – with the truck looking fresh and butch up front. A large grille and more deeply-stamped creases and curves give the new Tacoma a bit of the 4Runner’s style kudos, plus new headlights with an LED accent not even the 4Runner enjoys. 2016 Toyota Tacoma    

s60 xc

Volvo S60 XC Marks Return of the SUS!

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The SUS lives! Sport Utility Sedans are a rare breed indeed. Only a few hundred of the original Subaru Outback Sedan were made and sold in core Subie markets like Vermont and Colorado in the late 1990s. Volvo’s new S60 XC entry will head to Detroit and then nationwide as a fun niche model for the brand. The Cross Country style actually looks amazing on the S60 sedan shell – and we’re eager to spot the rare and elusive SUS Volvo in the wild later in 2015…! Volvo S60 XC Volvo takes Cross Country brand into sedan territory Volvo Cars …

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f800

Concept Flashback – 2009 Mercedes-Benz F800

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If you want a solid starting point for the latest sexy Mercedes designs, you might start at the first-gen CLS in 2005. But those proportions needed work, and the surfacing left much to be desired. Between the CLS and this 2009 F800 Style lived the ghastly F700 and the notorious bionic fish van concept. F700 This 2009 F800 Style Research Concept really set the tone for a new Mercedes aesthetic. This slinky design was followed by the Style Coupe concept in 2012 — wearing lines that are even closer to what is now the CLA-Class. 2012 Style Coupe Concept There …

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lr defender2

Land Rover Honors 2015 Defender Retirement with Trio of Special Editions

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  Heading back to the start 65 years ago, Land Rover has created a fantastic Earthen honor to its founding model: the Series I. The legend of this truck actually started in the sand. The salty ocean fringe medium was actually where the first engineering sketches were drawn. Long after the waves washed the shape away, the product of those ideas is now a global icon in off-roading. This brief video shows the latest Defender sand drawing on the English coast – as etched by three new 2015 special-editions in a 1-kilometer-wide shape.     Among the new Heritage, Adventure …

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enzo silver

RM All-Stars – 2003 Ferrari Enzo Earns Double its Sticker Price 10 Years After Built

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Doubling the original sticker price just ten years after a car was made is a solid indication of a car’s all-time greatness and future-icon status. This gorgeous Enzo brought in $1.3-million at RM Auctions 2013 Arizona sale, and is on track to be one of Ferrari’s greatest hits. Including the car today in a post because the RM Auctions photo set of the car in silver is the most gorgeous collection of Enzo pictures we have ever seen. Enjoy.   http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1057513   2003 Ferrari Enzo          

1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi

Iconic Classics – 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi

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If I were any grumpier today, my head would explode.  But this Delahaye by Figoni and Falaschi might help brighten the mood =] Sold by RM Auctions in 2013’s Arizona event for $1.54-million, this Delahaye 135 MS Coupe is the ultimate anti-depressant in creme white. This one-off even flies French-flag colors in the grille and red leather inside for a perfectly Parisian mood. Every inch of the bodywork, the rear-hinged coach doors and slip-stream rear end was all created by master craftsmens’ hands. The result is one of the most beautiful cars of all time.   1938 Delahaye 135 MS …

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ces15

2015 CES Showfloor Best and Worst + 75 High-Res Photos of Automotive Future-Tech

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Wish you were in Vegas this week for endless keynote speeches bags of cool tech swag, product demo’s and a glimpse into the future? We have the next best thing: a full showfloor gallery of the coolest automotive tech displayed. As a reminder, this below gallery (should) be the new lightbox setup. So after a pic opens in a new tab, the original page is now set up as a slideshow. Click the right-hand side of a photo to scroll to next pic, and the left-hand side of a pic to see previous photo. Why a new tab first?  As …

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prologue tech12

Updated with Tech Video – Audi Prologue Hybrid Piloted Drive to Vegas

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We were active haters of the Prologue concept when it was revealed for Los Angeles in late November. The low and clean style of the future A8 this car previews is growing better with time, but still seems a bit dull. The change of color to a dark grey with new five-spoke alloys are a huge improvement. They let the design breathe and feel a bit more interesting, with the lower bodywork and sill extensions coming to life in ways they didn’t in silver. The concave rear glass is still bizarre, and the nose and tail detailing still seem awkward. …

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glk sema

Concept Flashbacks – 2010 SEMA Mercedes-Benz GLK Tuner Cars

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Shocked and appalled by hideous custom Mercedes-Benzes prowling the world’s roads? Wish there were an upgrade kit that fits the refined aesthetic of the Merc brand? If only Mercedes would commission a few tuner custom show cars of its own, it would have control and be able to yay/nay any questionable elements. For the US launch of the GLK in 2010, MB-USA did just that: four custom GLK’s for the SEMA show in Vegas. Unfortunately for those who do not like loud, brash designs…. what resulted are four of the wildest, silliest concept GLK’s ever seen. Removing the constraint of …

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m4 ces

BMW M4 ‘Concept Iconic Lights’ Shines Laser Highbeams + OLED Slice Taillamps

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Amid a dozen i3 and i8 innovations BMW is showing at CES this week is this M4 – dubbed the ‘Iconic Lights Concept.’ We can’t help but add quotes to that concept name, as it does seem a bit …. presumptuous to call a brand-new concept iconic. Even with that bit of skepticism, the new tech shown is pretty cool. For LED aficionados, the new design certainly vaults the current M4 styling into the future quite effectively. A new high-powered laser lighting system is employed up front, with deep crystal lenses forming a larger and more expressive DRL shape. The …

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gsf3

Update1 – 2016 Lexus GS F Revealed! 467HP with Standard Torque-Vectoring Diff

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The new GSF is official! With the powertrain from the incredible RCF pushing out 467-horsepower, the GSF is sure to be a rocketship with sprint times approaching 4.2-seconds to 60-mph. Crucially, the GSF will run the torque-vectoring differential as standard. This bit of kit is available in the RCF’s performance carbon package — and totally transforms the vehicle’s handling attitude. Three switchable settings let you control how aggressively the F manages power entering, around and leaving corners. TVD gives a great feeling of potency and adds liveliness to the rear end of the car while also helping laptimes. This tech …

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nomad colors

2015 ARIEL Nomad – Exclusive Digital COLORIZER

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This Ariel Nomad is a very cool piece of news – even as CES is in full swing and Detroit is starting to build momentum ahead of press parties starting on Sunday. We’ve spent a bit of time in photoshop to create an exclusive color visualizer for the new Nomad — with our skills obviously best able to create bright, Skittles-style shades. We’ve also lightened and darkened the wheels for a few ideas of what the gloss-black optional rims might look like. This car seems like it is *perfect* for the X-raid class of rallying, and as such there are …

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ariel nomad

3.3s 2015 ARIEL Nomad – Tech Specs, Options and Full-Throttle Testing Video!

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Updated 1.6.2015 If anything, the real-life Ariel Nomad is even cooler than last week’s teaser renders indicated. Power is a stout 235-ponies, the Yokohama 35-inch mud tires are insane, and the options list will make you start drooling onto your touchscreen. Is there any downside to the ultra-light yet super-strong Ariel Atom chassis concept being applied to an off-roader? Not that we can think of. A heated windshield is even offered. The rear-engine playfulness and handling joy seem to apply themselves perfectly to the Nomad’s off-road mission — as well as guaranteeing traction for sprints and heavy braking. The 100-kph …

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q60 concept new

Update3 – INFINITI Q60 Concept – 30 Photos

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Updated 1.6.2015 Second update today with 22 more photos. These appear to be some kind of leak. A few more photos of the upcoming Q60 Concept have appeared online, but not officially from Infiniti yet. Usually, with a massive leak like this, a car will then debut online shortly afterward. It hurts a brand to have people deciding on its style merits based on extremely low-quality digital renderings like these. So, is this concept the real-deal 2016 Q60 arriving in late summer 2015? Yes. Excluding a few tiny details like the glass roof and the inner bumper details, this is …

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Mercedes-Benz F 015 Concept

Mercedes-Benz F015 Wows CES in Vegas With Autonomous Limo Concept

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  Here is a truly futuristic look at the world of limousines in the mid-term future: the new Mercedes F015 concept for CES in Vegas. Wider than the S-Class but otherwise very similar in dimensions, the F015 takes a look at what luxury transport will be like within 5 to 10 years. Standard driver-operated modes have the lights outside shining white, and the front seats facing forward with the steering wheel and pedals as normal. Switch to autonomous driving mode, and the lights outside flick to blue, the steering-wheel sinks into the dash, and the four seats become a conversation …

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VATH SLS AMG Roadster

VATH Blacks-Out SLS AMG Roadster With 700HP Supercharger and Slammed Stance

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VATH SLS AMG Roadster   702 PS SLS ROADSTER by VÄTH Automobiltechnik Since November 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS Roadster is the first vehicle independently developed by AMG for sale. In a relatively short time many prospective customers have given in to the magical charm of Swabian sports car, which program is Sport Leicht Super (the short form being SLS). Such a tidbit in the best sense needs no correction, or does it? Increase in efficiency in everything that company works with is one of many special spheres of VÄTH Company in Bavarian Hösbach. As for the here represented SLS Roadster, a …

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c63k wimmer

624HP Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate by WIMMER Rennsporttechnik

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It is only recently that the US market enjoys super-high-performance AMG wagons — our European friends have been loving their AMG Kombi’s and Estates for years now. But even for German domestic-market clients – we do not believe a wagon C63 was ever in the factory catalog. That makes this Wimmer conversion extra special. Bumping the power and style of the C63 is Wimmer RST — a helpful acronym when shortening Rennsporttechnik! Nothing shorthand about the 150-horsepower conversion in power in this yellow C63, nor the slammed stance and custom styling upgrade. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate by WIMMER     …

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2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT

2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT Was Sexy Widebody Hatchback

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It is really difficult to design a hatchback city car with the stance of a rear-drive performance car. The bluff nose and and widebody fenders of a supercar help make this 2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT a memorable design study, with its twisting and rising beltline an ultramodern flourish. The CT’s rounded but bluff and streamlined nose and windshield are relatively simple – and really highlight the cool and low feel of the Concept CT design. 2006 Mitsubishi Concept CT  

highlander hybrid

Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD – By Ken Glassman

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  2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review   By Ken Glassman Last year the Toyota Highlander underwent its third major makeover, and not much has changed for this year. While the Highlander is technically a crossover vehicle, based upon a car platform, it looks and feels very much more truck-like, and seems more akin to the Toyota 4Runner than a Camry. It is a large vehicle, which seats 7 or 8 depending upon the interior choices, and has more cargo space than the last generation. It is also better looking, with a bold front end and brawny, bulging fenders. The base …

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2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited Review

Road Test Review – 2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited – By Ken Glassman

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2015 Hyundai Sonata Limited Review By Ken Glassman The first Hyundai Sonata appeared on the scene way back in 1988. It was a small, homely looking sedan, but a capable, economical car with a lot of content found only on cars costing a few thousand dollars more. And it may be best remembered for having a five year bumper to bumper warranty, and 10 years on the powertrain. Hyundai in those years were trying to impress the buying public that their cars were ready for prime time, and they were willing to back them up with the best warranty in …

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e63 wagon

HD Road Test Review – 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S-Model

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Updated 1.5.2015 With 63 New Photos   When it comes to the rarest of Mercedes-Benz AMG cars and trucks, the S-Models are the absolute top of the pops. And the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic Estate? 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, but even one is a huge blessing.   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. …

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k900 v8

Road Test Review – 2015 Kia K900 V8 – By Ken Glassman

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  2015 Kia K900 Review By Ken Glassman For 2015 Kia has jumped into the high end luxury sedan market with the K900, just as their sister company Hyundai has done with the Equus. In fact, both cars share the same basic platform, and mission statement. That is – to build a high quality automobile, stuff it with a long list of standard safety, and luxury appointments and amenities, and offer it at a price that is thousands of dollars less than similarly equipped German, Japanese, and even American luxury brands. Under the long hood, you’ll find a muscular 5.0 …

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q60 concept

Update1 – INFINITI Q60 Concept Previews Striking New 2016 Sports Coupe

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  Updated 1.5.2015 with second teaser image. When it rains, it pours! Infiniti just teased a gorgeous new Gran Turismo prototype and now is showing some ankle on its new Q60 Coupe. This concept is headed for Detroit and is said to be nearly 98-percent of what the real-life Q60 Coupe will be when introduced in August as a 2016 model. The most action is of course around the doors and glasshouse, where the Q60 has a far more expressive and aggressive roofline and C-pillar treatment versus its sibling, the Q50 sedan. The lower front wheel-arch also shows a dramatic …

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2002 Dodge M80 Concept

2002 Dodge M80 Concept Was Faithful Remake of 1940s Power Wagons

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  Remakes and retro redesigns were all the rage in the early 2000s – and Dodge had a whopper in its back catalog eager for a modern restyle. The Dodge Power Wagons of the 1940s became quite a symbol of American might both domestically and abroad thanks to their plentiful presence in the US Army ranks. This remake is a little less jokey than the Chevrolet HHR or SSR, but still feels relatively more than 12 years after its debut. That is the Catch 22 of retro designs, as any New Beetle owner can explain thoroughly. 2002 Dodge M80 Concept …

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me412

Update1 – 2004 Chrysler ME 4/12 Was Quad-Turbo V12 Hypercar

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Updated 1.5.15 With 30 Extra Photos It is hard to go wrong with mid-engine hypercar concepts, and this one is no exception. There are really interesting and lavish details throughout, the success of which led to the long-running hood strakes in many production Chrysler models. Little else from this quad-turbocharged V12 concept made it to the roads, but the ME Four Twelve concept capped a record number of concept cars for Chrysler under Daimler. The company released at least three wild concepts ever year between 1999 and 2004, but none are as desirable as this car. Or, in fact, the …

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700c

2012 Chrysler 700C Concept Looking Like True Preview of 2016 Town & Country

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When the 2012 700C arrived on the scene for Detroit 2012, it seemed extremely far-fetched. But viewed in the context of the new Chrysler 200, the 700C not only looks possible — it looks extremely likely. The cabin of the 700C in particular shares much of the functional and style moves seen first in the 200, including the rotary-shifter and numerous contrast color elements like the steering wheel. A reveal of the next-gen minivans may take center stage for Chrysler and Dodge next week in Detroit. 2012 Chrysler 700C Concept  

HAMANN Aventador Limited

760HP HAMANN Aventador Limited Scores AutoBild Tuned Supercar Award

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12 parts to greatness? The massive upgrade in aggression in the HAMANN Aventador Limited is thanks to just a dozen well-judged body additions — plus a giant custom exhaust system, of course. Our favorite pieces from the Hamann Aventador catalog are the rear wing and the giant engine scoop – available in a contrast accent color or exposed-weave carbon-fiber in a glossy sheen. HAMANN Aventador Limited     HAMANN Lamborghini Aventador front bumper unit HAMANN Lamborghini Aventador rear wing 4-pcd increase downforce on rear axle in clear-coated Carbon black HAMANN Lamborghini Aventador side skirts 4-pcd including Carbon inserts in clear-coated …

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2008 Dodge ZEO

Concept Flashback – 2008 Dodge ZEO Was EV Tesla-Fighter

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The 2008 Dodge ZEO was conceived in a world of $150-per-barrel oil in 2006 and 2007, when the full electrification of the car seemed inevitable. The freedom to run a flat-pack of Li-Ion batteries in the floor of the vehicle offered Dodge a chance to break out of typical packaging constraints. We see some great elements in the ZEO, including its finished four-seat cabin and spectacular doors. But the design is a bit busier than the Dodge ideal, especially around the nose. Lack of air intakes means the ZEO and its crossbar grille just seem a bit scrunched and silly …

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2007 VADHO BMW by ItalDesign Giugiaro

Concept Flashback – 2007 ItalDesign VADHO Ran BMW Hydrogen V12

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A hydrogen V12? That is not exactly true. The VADHO indeed runs a BMW Hydrogen fuel cell, but this produces power for a hybrid-electric drivetrain — like all hydrogen cars. The V12 is likely to be conventionally-powered. So why the tandem seating arrangement? Ostensibly, this bubble canopy housing a single passenger behind the driver’s seat is to allow for the powertrain’s massive scale and the required gas tank for the Hydrogen powertrain. These tanks generally are only available in one cylindrical shape — and housing a massive one that can avoid exploding in a crash is deeply challenging for car …

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larte rrs

LARTE Design Launches Flashy New Range Rover Sport Upgrades

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There are no shortage of custom upgrades for the new Range Rover Sport, but this latest kit from Larte Design is instantly one of the most distinctive. A gloss black dip for all the trim elements and the new alloys sets the tone, while new bumpers front and rear are fresh and angular like the best supercars.A new pair of white LED DRL’s live in the lower intakes, and an F1-inspired rear central brake light shines bright red from the lower bumper. The new three-pod grille insert is a fresh take on the RRS style – and is one of …

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carrera gtz

Porsche Carrera GTZ by Zagato Wears Much-Sexier Double Bubble Roof

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  Along with recreating this long-lost 356 Carrera Zagato Speedster for the modern era, Zagato highlights their subtle Carrera GTZ mod as well. You will really need a sharp eye to note the difference between the Carrera GTZ and its factory base, the stupendous Carrera GT. But once you note the differences — you will almost-definitely like the Zagato better. It is all about the roof and rear canopy. Where the targa-roofed stock Carrera GT has a sharp drop-off behind the rear glass, the GTZ has smooth double bubbles flowing back in a very artful fashion. The GTZ is much, …

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356 zagato

1958 Porsche 356 Carrera Zagato Speedster Is Worlds Only Aluminum-Bodied Example

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Zagato Classic has recreated their first-ever Porsche project here: a 356 Speedster that was lightened and made quicker for a racing customer in Paris. The tailfins are particularly delightful as functional and style-enhancing elements, as is the lower and lighter windshield. If you are thinking: hey, this Zagato 356 Speedster actually looks much more like the 550 Spyder — you are correct. The commission of a new aluminum body for the steel-skinned 356 meant Zagato could make the car as streamlined as Porsche’s most-successful racer ever (at the time): the 550. Shown below on the grass, you can see the …

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dodge razor

Concept Flashback – 2002 Dodge Razor Was Driftable Rear-Drive Plaything

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With a Razor scooter featured alongside the Razor concept, Dodge was feeling very silly and playful with the launch of this remarkably-sexy two-seater. A turbocharger 2.4-liter engine mounted longitudinally under the hood up front with a big K&N cone filter lets you know this was no Neon. Skinny tires front and rear mean the Razor was designed to be as drifty as a roller palette at CostCo. Five-point harnesses and racing seats will keep you in place while seriously sideways, however. We like the design overall, especially the extremely cool windshield wrap-around, near-vertical A-pillars and the chopped trunk and rear …

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2004 Dodge Sling Shot

Concept Flashback – 2004 Dodge Sling Shot Was Rear-Engine Turbo Targa

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More concept Dodges! The 2004 Sling Shot was a styling exercise investigating how a Dodge version of the recently-launched Smart Roadster might look. Production plans were ultimately shelved for both Sling Shot after, it was rumored, not even the Smart version could pass US crash testing rules. The shared platform means a turbo triple lived under the trunk in back.   2004 Dodge Sling Shot  

jeep renegade

2008 Jeep Renegade Concept Was Off-Road EV Speedster

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The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles concept parade continues unabated! Here we have the 2008 Jeep Renegade concept — which was a brave look at what a wider, lower and EV-powered Wrangler might look like. The exposed doors and organic surfaces, along with integrated fenders, meld well with the chopped windshield glass. Overall, the Renegade concept showed a modern form language whose lighting elements are seen on the upcoming 2015 Renegade small crossover. 2008 Jeep Renegade Concept

lambo perdigon

Design Talent Showcase – 2020 Lamborghini Perdigon by Ondrej Jirec

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The Cadillac Estill design vision from last week is not the only incredible future exotic designed by Ondrej Jirec recently. While in his final years as a student at the Art College of Design in Pasadena, Jirec has also been dreaming of future Lamborghini’s. But his dreams turn out far better than any study-hall doodle we could ever achieve… that is for sure. This Gallardo-sized Lamborghini looks fairly traditional from the nose, but is actually a mean and deconstructed beast with ultra-short overhands, complex leading edges, and a full glass canopy. The first thing that hits your eye is the …

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MUSTANG-COLORS1-GIF

2015 Ford Mustang Colors and Wheel Visualizer

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Updated 1.1.2015 With the four wheel styles. A few months ago we created a digital colorizer for the new Mustang – a car that is so highly anticipated that even Ford teams are clamoring for access. Rendered colorizers are fun, but not really helpful as a shopping tool or a real-life guide. We promised a real factory color guide in that article, and are proud to deliver it today! A few observations after spending much, much time on the Ford.com site and the Ford Media Center this week: — The car looks amazing. Even better than expected in the lighter …

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2003 Dodge Tomahawk V10

2003 Dodge Tomahawk V10 Was Superbike Fantasy Concept

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A concept vehicle should have a big impact, be memorable and help define a brand’s identity. By those metrics, the 2003 Dodge Tomahawk motorcycle is certainly a huge success. Sure, there are practical things to worry about when putting an 8.4-liter V10 onto a motorcycle — but Dodge did not get bogged down with boring details. What the Tomahawk showed was a wild spirit, raw design appeal, and a futuristic fantasy where your brain’s fear center has a lower top-speed than this Dodge.   2003 Dodge Tomahawk V10

Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs

Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs

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GSC makes some of the wildest body kits in the world — and almost none is more flashy than their CLS-Class upgrades. What is the name for this shrinking violet of a car? One so shy and demure you would never notice it on the streets? The Stealth…. Mercedes-Benz CLS by German Special Customs German Special Customs Mercedes-Benz CLS The world of beautiful and rich people is as fascinating as the popular documentary soap “Die Geissens“ – a reality show aired on television every week. Wherever money rules, it is not unusual to pick cars from the shelf since cars …

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1966 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson CRTT 250CC

Mecum 2015 Las Vegas – 1966 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson CRTT 250CC

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When you think of Harley Davidson motorcycles, this streamlined racer is not what first comes to mind. That is because it was extensively upgraded by Aermacchi near Milan for racing on the GP circuits of Europe. This pristine example is a fine combination of American power and Italian beauty. 1966 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson CRTT 250CC     LARGEST MECUM MIDAMERICA MOTORCYCLE AUCTION IN 24-YEAR HISTORY, JAN. 8-10 30/12/14 Event to Host 750 Antique Motorcycles at Las Vegas’ South Point Casino and Exhibit Hall Walworth, Wis. – Dec. 29, 2014 – Mecum Auctions will present MidAmerica’s 24th annual Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction …

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1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6

1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG in 44 High-Res Photos

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For a race car to become an icon, it typically needs to achieve much more on the track than this 1971 300 SEL. A single second-place trophy at Spa racing against Ford Capri’s and Chevy Camaro’s? That is the win that this first-ever AMG model has in its quiver. So disposable that the original car was even sold off – and never to be seen again? It is true. This is the sole Mercedes-Benz replica created in 2005 to celebrate AMG joining the official Daimler Benz family. So what does it represent today, beyond an amazing sample of a Merc …

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atsv

2016 Cadillac ATS-V Latest Photos + Colors and Wheels Preview

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Updated 1.1.2015 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Colors and Wheels Preview A variety of sexy new photos of the 2016 ATS-V Coupe and Sedan via CadillacATS-V.com forums, plus the official GM reveal photos. To cap it off, we have a preliminary colors guide to the six shades, two wheel styles and three cabin colors for this new set of Wonder-Twins. Whenever a fresh pair of high-performance cars’ tech specs can elicit a “holy shit!” from your scribe — sitting solo in the office — you know something amazing is coming. The ATS-V Coupe and Sedan photo and specs caused numerous swear words …

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indian bikes

Mecum 2015 Las Vegas – Previewing Ten 1914-1948 INDIAN Motorcycles

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  The upcoming Mecum MidAmerica auction in Las Vegas is set to be *huge* for anyone who loves motorcycles. More than 750 two-wheelers will cross the block between January 8th and 10th, from 2014 models all the way back more than 100 years. Notable bikes to be sold include the huge number of very rare Indian Motorcycles, which are bound to generate extra interest this year since the brand’s relaunch by parent-company Polaris. Some really special bikes here. Sharing high-res previews here of seven Indian bikes that are for sale next week. Details on the auction location, admission and schedule …

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1968 Dodge Charger III Concept

Concept Flashback – 1968 Dodge Charger III

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  Yes, the 1999 Dodge Charger shown below is amazingly sleek and sexy. But when it comes to its inspirations, the 1968 Charger III is the grand-daddy of all sleek Dodges. This ultra-low and streamlined 1968 concept was a stunning look into the future of musclecars. Some very cool features? A full canopy clamshell is the main door — The steering column lifts to let the driver slide into the ultra-reclined driving positon — Triple rear air brakes were a strong sign of performance tech, and also showed how powerful the engine up front must have been to need them. …

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1999 Dodge Charger Concept

Concept Flashback – 1999 Dodge Charger R/T

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This 1999 Charger concept was the very first thing Dodge created when given access to Mercedes-Benz rear-drive sedan platform. It shows where the brand wanted to go and what it wanted to be, even while the production Dodge car lineup of the time was all front-drive and had been for two decades. This concept is really gorgeous, even today. The nose is a bit unpleasant with that grille and the oversized lamps of the day, but the proportions are to-die-for. Low and lean, in profile it looks like a real coupe on first and second glance. It is only when …

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1971 Lamborghini Miura SV Jota

RM Arizona 2015 Supercars – 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV Jota

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Sharing this 1971 Miura SV Jota right after the 1962 Iso Grifo to nail home how close these two cars are in design and spirit, if not chassis or engine. The mid-mounted V12 of the Lamborghini is a huge part of why this car propelled Lambo to global heights, while Iso and Bizzarrini was nearly finished by the early 1970s. This car was an SV upgraded by the factory to Jota specification, with the hope of taking the car racing. The later Miura’s like this are far quicker and better handlers, but the nose is less graceful than the original, …

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1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale

RM Paris 2015 Supercars – 1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale in Riveted Green-Apple Bodywork

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  The A3/C Iso Grifo Stradale was such a trend-setting design that it directly inspired the Lamborghini Miura. As one of the lowest front-engine supercars ever built, the A3/C version here was the upgraded Corsa specification with very-rare riveted bodywork. This Stradale variant of the Corsa was the road-legal variant — but still benefitted from all the racing tech of the era to make it fast, stable and reliable at high speeds. 1965 Iso Grifo A3C Stradale RM Auctions 4 February 2015 Lot 157 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C Stradale To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 €1.000.000 – €1.500.000 …

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jeep hurricane

Concept Flashback – 2005 Jeep Hurricane Was Twin-HEMI Warthog-Fighter?

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As the Jeep Hurricane started spinning in its own wheelbase length on the stage of the 2005 Detroit show, the crowd nearly forgot all about the truck’s real trump card. Or pair of Kings. A giant HEMI V8 at each end of the Hurricane promised otherworldly off-road power and movement precision. Sure, this vaguely recalls the Peugeot Hoggar from a few years before, but much more closely resembled the HALO video-game machine known as the Warthog. As the Halo game franchise has evolved, the Warthog has too. In 2010, the military machine fantasy even earned a spot in Forza Motorsport …

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