2015

2015 Toyota Camry NASCAR Dollar General 21

DAYTONA – Meeting the 199MPH 2015 Toyota Camry NASCAR of Matt Kenseth #20 Dollar General

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Thrilling week in Daytona Beach so far! An incredible day of meeting Toyota NASCAR drivers, crew chiefs and even the president of TRD USA, the overall lead in the Toyota Racing effort in American events. Meeting the 2015 Camry racer up close then seeing it in what felt like an HD action movie of the race Duels later? YES! So much fun to see the Daytona Speedweek leadup to the Daytona 500 tomorrow, Sunday the 22nd of February. The car-guy part of NASCAR culture makes tech and equipment off-track and in the pits every bit as serious as a wild …

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2015 KTM X-Bow GTR Is Reskinned and GT4-Ready To Race via Reiter Engineering

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KTM’s branch-out from its motorcycle core with the X-Bow has created a rapid and fierce bunch of loyalists on and off the racetracks of the world. A simple idea of a carbon-fiber tub, mid-engine dynamics and deconstructed and minimalist panels was such a revolution six years ago — yet today is almost the global supercar template. From the X-Bow — pronounced CrossBow — came the X-Bow GT and the latest one-make race series, increases to 400-plus horsepower, and even a windshield for those days when you can drive without a race helmet. The next step for the X-Bow takes the …

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Wow! 2015 Kia SPORTSPACE Concept Previews Future Optima Estate in Stellar Fashion

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Darnit! Right when we had almost completely written Kia off as poorly-driving, and poorly-marketed cars aimed at idiots — here comes this stunning SPORTSPACE estate concept for Geneva 2015. Hitting my fast-wagon passion right in the jugular, the bleeding passion down my neck is almost as red as this SPORTSPACE. Long, low and sexy — the SPORTSPACE concept packs a gorgeous new design from double-quad LED light-pods back to its low-roofed tail and slimline glasshouse. Inside, things improve perhaps even further, with a full-length The SPORTSPACE is a strong statement of intent and first glimpse of the new Frankfurt-led design …

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2015 RINSPEED Budii Bringing i3-Based EV Wackiness To Geneva

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  Rinspeed is a reliable Geneva Auto Show attendee – typically with one of the most avant-garde designs on the entire showfloor. This year, the concept is called the BUDII and is based on the BMW i3. A new style and complete infotainment redesign takes the dashboard completely out of the picture, in favor of an adjustable-side steering column. This column on a robotic arm can also fold itself away for automated driving modes. This next skill of the Budii also reveals one of its most interesting aspects: the periscope-style rising sensor pod to allow a birds-eye view of the …

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1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider by Zagato 6a

RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider by Zagato

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  Meet the most successful Alfa Romeo racecar of all time. This 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider by Zagato is the ultimate evolution on the Alfa Romeo race platform of the day, refined and tweaked with the help of poached Fiat engineering talent. The goal? To win races decisively. And win it did. This tilt-radiator design helped to keep the supercharged engine cool by shifting more air through its vanes, and also creating less aerodynamic drag. A one-two punch. That and the body by Zagato certainly helped the car look cool – both then and now. 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C …

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RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra May Top $1-Million In Return to Early-Series Buyer Preference

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The million-dollar pre-sale estimate on this 1963 Shelby Cobra is a testament to three things: — the essential ‘rightness’ of the original concept, design and execution of this Anglo-American mashup — the value of Shelby Cobra’s continuing to rise, with originals like this sure to be among the highest-value models of all — and the fact that all those replicas and rip-offs actually reinforce and strengthen the legacy of the Shelby Cobra, but will never touch its overall collector value 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 Lot 178 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra $950,000 – $1,150,000 …

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1968 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder 1

RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1968 Intermeccanica Italia Spyder

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Imagine a car with the low, wide and long late-60s proportions of the Maserati Ghibli and Ferrari Daytona, but with nose detailing more evocative of the famous Ferrari 250 GTO. Even the chrome wrap-around bumpers set a perfect late-50s mood that was forever lost to history by the introduction of 5-mph safety bumpers and other pesky requirements for US sale. The team behind Intermeccanica certainly could, and this machine has a really timeless and special beauty as a result. Powered by a Ford V8, this Turin-made supercar also lacks the badge appeal of any modern Ferrari or Lamborghini. As such, …

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RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1955 Jaguar D-Type Twin-Cowl

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This Jaguar is sure to be both a fan and expert favorite at the RM Auctions event in Amelia Island next month. One of 54 ever made, this privateer racecar is exquisite in its period style, achievements and performance. A surviving race-winner, the twin-cowl cockpit and windshield are particularly delightful, as is the cabin with its myriad aviation-derived instruments. 1955 Jaguar D-Type Twin-Cowl RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 Lot 135 1955 Jaguar D-Type $3,750,000 – $4,250,000 Chassis no. XKD 530 Engine no. E 2044 9 Body no. H 2030 Est. 300 bhp, 3,781 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine …

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Winter Drift Gallery – 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD Slides Sideways Across Canadian Border

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The big news on the very-cool Buick Regal GS this year is the addition of AWD as an option on the automatic transmission, plus a stick-shift choice for the Hy-Per-Strut front-driver. Eager to get sideways, the new Regal GS is at home in the snow like no Buick sports-sedan in decades. Enjoy this photo blast…. just try not to get snow in your eyes! 2015 Buick Regal GS AWD    

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2015 Chicago Auto Show MEGA Gallery in 151 Photos + Best and Worst in Show

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Many reveals of all-new cars and trucks at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, and perhaps  all-time great lineups of performance and luxury cars – both in terms of quality and quantity of cool cars offered. For us, the highlight is the Alfa Romeo stand with its incredible legacy models alongside the new 4C and 4C Spider. The 1967 33 Stradale is extra special, but the pre-war racers are pretty hot too. Worst would have to be the very, very odd Dodge Viper. This showcar advertises the new Viper’s 1 of 1 personalization program wherein a buyer can choose any of …

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2015 Lincoln MKS 8

2015 Lincoln MKS Wears Secret Trim Updates for Houston Auto Show

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It took a few minutes to realize what exactly was new about the 2015 MKS versus the previous refresh – introduced in the 2012 model-year. But are any of these changes outlined below in the press release, per usual? Not exactly. As far as Lincoln Media and Lincoln.com are concerned, the 2015 MKS does not exist yet. Even so, here is a slightly updated model in Houston last month. The key detail change? New LINCOLN badging across the trunk-lid, right above a new chrome handle hiding the backup camera lens. 2014 MKS 2015 MKS Is that it? Well, we also …

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First Drive Review - 2015 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid 42

First Drive Review – 2015 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid

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After driving the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, we have finally realized where this fast and ultra-efficient plug-in fits in the Panamera lineup. It might not have the extra roominess of the Executive long-wheelbase Turbo and Turbo S, but the secret sauce of the E-Hybrid is its total smoothness and relaxing driving mood. This is in contrast to the drive mood of even the base V6 Panamera. All other Panamera models are designed to thrill, and they are mechanical, heavy-feeling and serious. The PDK seven-speed automatic is swapped in the S E-Hybrid for an eight-speed automatic. This torque-converter unit totally changes …

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2015 BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car - New Hydro-Cooled Boost Vaporization 72

2015 BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car – New Water-Cooled Boost Vaporization – Coming to 2016 M4 GTS?

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This new M4 MotoGP Safety Car is a beaut in its matte-black finish and artful M-color racing stripes and huge fixed wing atop the trunk. But there are two pieces of big news hiding under that pace-car livery: a new water-cooled turbo vaporization technology and the possibility of these upgrades hitting an M4 GTS production model in the next year or so with up to 100 extra horsepower. First off, the water cooled turbo system. First off, to clarify. Most intercoolers or charge cooler systems actually spray water to the outside of the intercooler itself. Spraying water atop the cooling …

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2015 Volkswagen Tanner Foust Racing ENEOS RWB Beetle 992

2015 Volkswagen Beetle Rear-Drive Widebody by Tanner Foust Racing

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What is the best way to make the VW Beetle a credible sports-car? Make it rear-drive! But a race-prep overhaul and a widebody package from famous Japanese Porsche tuner RAUH-Welt Begriff on top of that? Yes yes yes! 2015 Volkswagen Beetle Rear-Drive Widebody by Tanner Foust Racing   2015 Volkswagen Tanner Foust Racing ENEOS RWB Beetle ft. RAUH-Welt Begriff Widebody This Volkswagen Beetle that represents a collaboration between Volkswagen rallycross driver Tanner Foust and famed Porsche tuners RAUH-Welt Begriff is set to be unveiled this week at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The Tanner Foust Racing ENEOS RWB Beetle …

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Nissan GT-R LM NISMO

2015 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo LMP1 Racer Makes Public Debut in Chicago – 40 New Photos!

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 The hot and heavy three-way battle among Porsche, Audi and Toyota in the LeMans Prototype One race class just got a lot steamier. Nissan just pulled back the silk sheets on its contender to World Endurance Championship racing: the 2015 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO. And boy does it go its own way to achieving massive speed and impact, while sticking to the very expansive fuel usage rules of LeMans racing. The biggest shocker is not that it is a hybrid twin-turbo-charged V6 making 1250-horsepower. It shocks with where that engine sits, and where it delivers its power. The engine lives …

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2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S and Cigarette Racing Concepts Outrun ‘Las Tres Letras’ for Miami Boat Show

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  If there are two lifestyle accessories you musthave to live the life of a Miami kingpin, they are a supercar and a speedboat. The ultimate incarnation of the speedboat is the Cigarette Racing style: ultra-long hulls deliver insane speeds of more than 135-mph.   Huge double motors roaring at full chat will drown out even the loudest wind noise, water slaps and the DHS, DEA, Coast Guard and Border Patrol helicopters and drones above. Anything to escape the dreaded ‘tres letras’ — or three-letter goons. They might even struggle to catch you in the latest Mercedes-AMG concept boat: the …

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2015 Mitsubishi GC-PHEV – 40 Photos and 4 Reasons This Concept Previews USA-Bound 2017 Montero Full-Size SUV

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  Okay, okay. We can certainly echo your initial thoughts on this design. First reaction at this desk was a blasphemous exclamation. “Sweet Jesus.” Second reaction after thinking we might see a production-spec Montero reborn. But ended up with this? “Holy Mary, mother of God…. what is this evil monstrosity?” But step back a minute. Appreciate its creamy and sily surfaces atop this unapologetically blocky shape. Functional, futuristic, and certainly eye-catching. The nose and tail are absolutely ghastly, but then, the 2016 Outlander shows how cool and chic production-spec nose like could look. With some tweaks, the overall scale of …

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Update1 – 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept Could Be Yours….!

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  This 370Z NISMO is remarkably sexy, considering we have already seen the latest 370Z NISMO as well as the standard 370Z Roadster. Combine those two, however, and real sparks fly. The gorgeous snowflake white metallic paint with NISMO red accents in the lower aero pieces are fantastic, and the car wears a sexy single-piece spoiler that totally changes the 370Z Roadster’s silhouette. Overall, a striking vision indeed. This NISMO Roadster runs an automatic, which is also different from the manual-only helm of the NISMO 370Z hardtop. So what is the catch?! When will it arrive? Perhaps by August of …

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2015 KIA Trail’Ster Concept Previews Upcoming Soul Refresh + All-New Interior

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The Kia Soul is easily our favorite model in the Kia range – with actual sportiness in the handling and impressive power, there is no other car on the market with such a flexible crossover package. Best of all? The Soul is priced like an economy car, and has almost double the power of the Scion xD and xB. But how to make it a real SUV instead of just a fun and light-hearted crossover? For that, you need all-wheel-drive. KIA has gone theRX450h route here — powering the rear axle with hybrid electric motors. Efficient, compact, and lacking any …

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2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen 14

2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Replaces Dog-Shit Jetta Wagon With $2k Price Drop

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The new Golf SportWagen replaces the hideous Jetta SportWagen with better tech, performance, style and – gasp – even pricing. The TSi is $700 cheaper, while the TDI is a cool $2,000 less than before. Good. These are like-for-like comparisons, however. The nasty current Jetta SportWagen is listed at $21k on VWusa.com, leading to some head scratching overall. No word in the below release on when the new Golf SportWagen’s will become available in the US. Probably before 2018, presumably.   2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen VOLKSWAGEN ANNOUNCES PRICING OF 2015 GOLF SPORTWAGEN Feb 11, 2015 Pricing starts at $21,395 for …

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2015 Chevrolet Colorado GearOn Special Edition Packs Anything Via Cargo Management System

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With a name like Colorado, you would definitely expect the vehicle to excel there. And as the fittest state in the nation, Colorado folks love to get outdoors and live the active lifestyle that most people just see in glossy magazine or TV ads. This means skiing, camping, kayaking, biking, hiking and boating.   The new Colorado GearOn Special Edition is a handy way to have a truck that is ready to haul anything right from the factory. Unique style like the gloss-black running boards, gloss-black wheels and body-color grille are a cool look, but the real action for the …

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2015 nanoFlowcell QUANT F Headed to Geneva With New 1000HP Powertrain

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Quant is back in Geneva this year with a new evolution of the Quant E from 2014 – now packing 500 extra horsepower, a new transmission and drivetrain, a bright red color outside, new LED headlights and fresh wheels. The 2014 nanoFlowcell eSportLimousine prototype was recently approved for road use in Europe, so production reality is coming along nicely for this cool supercar. Imagine a Tesla Model S crossed with a Porsche 918 Spyder, and you have the $350,000 estimated price point of the eventual production model.    2015 nanoFlowcell QUANT F 10.02.2015 nanoFlowcell AG presents new QUANT F in …

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RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1937 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron

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Here is a gorgeous classic we are excited to even see in person! A V12 Lincoln cabriolet with four doors!? Yes indeed. 1937 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1937 Lincoln Model K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Chassis no. K-8128

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RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster by Reutter

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Any  Porsche 356 in 2015 is almost unbelievably tiny and basic, so the Speedster with its stripped down cabin and tiny glass areas is almost the perfect caricature of a 1950s sports roadster.   1958 Porsche 356A 1600 Speedster by Reutter RM Auctions Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster by Reutter Chassis no. 83814 Engine no. 75350 60 hp, 1,582 cc OHV air-cooled horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine with dual Zenith carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with laminated torsion bars, parallel trailing arms, and tubular shock absorbers, independent rear swing axles with torsion bars …

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2015 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid Review 16

MEGA Road Test Review – 2015 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid

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2015 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid Review At the new Camry’s launch event in Florida last Fall, we were very surprised to hear the best-seller’s recent powertrain sales mix. With such a gem of a 3.5-liter V6 available and pushing sprint times to the low 6’s, that would be our choice Monday through Sunday. And such a smooth and effortless hybrid available too, with almost no downsides except a very-slightly smaller trunk? These two premium powertrains have recently each pulled just 10-percent of overall sales each, with the base four-cylinder hoovering up 80-percent of the overall mix. Surprising to us as …

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RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1956 Arnolt-Bristol Deluxe Roadster by Bertone

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As ever, these high-dollar auctions are a rare chance to see priceless classics out and about in the real world. This Arnolt-Bristol by Bertone certainly applies — a run of 143 total rebodies of the Bristol 404 completed to order by Bertone in Italy. The design shows how an odd chassis package can actually inspire fantastic design solutions. The donor Bristol had a particularly tall engine, which needed to be shrouded in perhaps the Arnolt-Bristol’s most characteristic style: an almost cartoonishly-swoopy panel form. Disguised by the hood scoop, this tall hood profile makes the subtle nose and bulging rear fenders …

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2015 Ford Edge 4

2015 Ford Edge Pricing and Powertrains Revealed

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The 2015 Ford Edge pricing is out! Base sticker price is from $28,100, while the Edge Sport comes in from $38,000. This Edge Sport packs a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 making 315-horsepower and 350-pound-feet of torque. Check out all the Edge colors in animated turntables over at the below link, or see the new info from Ford down below. http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/06/26/2015-ford-edge-visualizer-10-colors-every-angle-animated-turntables/ 2015 Ford Edge Feb 6, 2015 | DEARBORN, Mich. Performance and Power: 2015 Ford Edge Sport Certified as Highest-Performing Edge Yet 2015 Ford Edge Sport is the most powerful Edge yet, thanks to a 2.7-liter EcoBoost® V6 making 315 horsepower …

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RM Amelia 2015 Preview – 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet

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This Ferrari 400 SuperAmerica is absolutely unbelievable – it looks like it just came in from Modena this morning. Stellar. 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet   Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1960 Ferrari 400 Superamerica SWB Cabriolet by Pinin Farina Chassis no. 1945 SA Engine no. 1945 SA

2016 Mazda CX-5 8

Update1 – 2016 Mazda CX-5 Goes From Good To Great

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The Mazda CX-5 just went from one of the best crossovers available to perhaps the single best under $30,000. The changes for 2016 include a freshened exterior via a more premium dark-grey grille in a smaller shape, dark-accented wheels and more body-colored accents. Stylish new LED lighting in a cool and expressive design are standard front and rear, plus LED main beam headlamps for the first time. These Adaptive LED Headlights are part of a suite of new safety tech for the CX-5 and a redesigned cabin infotainment setup. Mazda MZD, this new tech package has a larger screen and …

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2015 Ducati 1299 Panigale – Worlds Wildest Superbike in 300 Photos!

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When it comes to luxury products worldwide, there are two king countries: France and Italy. But in the world of mechanical perfection, thrilling speed and racing glory, Italy obviously trumps France in almost every realm. Small volumes, extreme passion, engineering focus all help to deliver a quicker pulse, guaranteed. Ducati is the latest masterpiece to wear this two-wheeled-Ferrari crown thanks to the race-fast 1299 Panigale, plus its two bad-ass siblings, the 899 Panigale and 1299 Panigale S. With pricing from $25,000 for the Panigale S, there is no better way to enter the Italian mechanical exotica club than this new …

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RM Auctions Amelia Island 2015 – 1927 Miller 91 Boyle Valve Special

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  Harry Miller was a Wisconsin-born racecar designer and engineer who innovated new engine designs and tested them on the world’s fastest racetrack: the oval of the Indianapolis 500. Legend says that 80-plus-percent of the Indy cars fielded in the 1920s were Miller designs, with at least a dozen race-winners from 1911 to 1933 when his business folded. Harry Miller’s race team would go on after being purchased by his shop foreman and chief machinist Fred Offenhauser, who would continue the race team until the 1980s. This 1927 Boyle Valve Special did not win the race, disappointing Miller considering he …

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RM Amelia Island 2015 Preview – 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500-540K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen

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The Blue Train Bentley heading to RM Auctions Amelia Island event is enough to put anyone in a 1930s supercar mood. This black 540K Cabriolet certainly qualifies in this low-roof, huge-length archetype of luxury cruisers able to hit massive speed. And bonus? This Merc is even a ragtop. 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Amelia Island 14 March 2015 1935 Mercedes-Benz 500/540K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis no. 105384 Engine no. 105384 Body no. 817605 Kommission no. 12847

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2015 Ferrari F12 Tour de France 64 Is Latest from Ferrari Tailor Made

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Tailor Made Ferrari’s are all about details: and this latest homage to the 250 GTO Tour de France racer has some stunning tweaks. A matching yellow stripe across the hood of this front-engine supercar perfectly matches the style shown 50 years ago on the Tour de France-winning 250 GTO. The other incredible detail that is a surprise and delight? F40-matching blue ‘superfabric’ seats! This shows how a few tweaks in the build process in Modena can make a future concours-winner out of any 2015 Ferrari. 2015 Ferrari F12 Tour de France 64   The F12berlinetta Tour de France 64 revealed …

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2015 F1 Cars Comparo – Infiniti RB11 vs McLaren-Honda MP4-30 vs AMG W06 vs Ferrari SF15T

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Formula One is back soon for one of the most exciting seasons in years: with grudges galore, tech battles, pitlane drama and gossip flowing like champagne. A shuffle of drivers sends Vettel to Ferrari, Alonso to McLaren and even a few new boys in the mix. The big four contenders have all revealed their cars for 2015, and while visual judgment of the machines is not a determining factor in their racing success, it is still interesting to see them all side-by-side from various angles. The latest look ditches the old dong-nose style of 2014, thank goodness, and aerodynamics are …

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2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept 2

2015 Infiniti QX30 Concept Headed for Geneva

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  The newest Infiniti is almost here! The QX30 Concept’s first teaser image is official, and is almost a dead ringer for the Q30 concept seen at Frankfurt 2013. From the back at least, the new QX30 does appeal to be significantly more SUV-ish than the low-riding Q30. This would imply there might be road and trail versions of the model in the cars. This version is also nearly production-ready (tires aside…) and should arrive in global Infiniti showrooms by December, we predict. The premium compact crossover is likely to be an influential design template, later rolling upmarket with a …

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First Drive Review – 2015 Lexus NX300h Is Swanky, Ultra-Smooth, 35MPG+ SUV!?

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2015 Lexus NX300h Review Is the Lexus NX the most impressive new luxury crossover with a base price under $40,000? After a week with the plucky and quick NX200t F Sport, we whole-heartedly say YES!! But even quick spin in the NX300h shows that the incredible (seriously otherworldly) smoothness and efficiency of the NX300h is not to be dismissed out of hand. With effiiency figures that are up about 10 on the turbo on city and highway to the mid-30s overall, the NX300h is seriously desirable as well. With 200-pounds of battery under the back seat, the NX300h handles with …

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2015 Toyota Camry and Corolla Special Editions + Revised Avalon Set For Chicago Launch

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Toyota is really on the pulse of culture and style like never before: the best-selling Camry and Corolla have been tweaked for added coolness just ahead of the Chicago Auto Show. There is also a revised 2016 Avalon on the agenda: with tweaked LED designs, updated chassis tuning and a bit of cabin sprucing all likely. Sporty and enthusiast preferences are reflected in the new Camry and Corolla Special Editions – creating the trendy and chic style that guys and gals like us have used to aftermarket to achieve. But as ever, buying a Camry or Corolla can be done …

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Corsa VXR Front

2015 Vauxhall Corsa VXR Packs Koni Shocks and Limited-Slip Diff!

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  The hot hatch market in the UK is one of the fiercest and most-competitive anywhere in the world. So to have any street cred selling millions of luke-warm mini-cars, a brand needs to have an aspirational hero at the top of the range. A car that will make Richard Hammond laugh and hoon, you might say. The Corsa VXR is a direct response to the global love-fest that surrounds the Ford Fiesta ST. These two mini-cars are Britain’s top-selling vehicles, so any tweak or change in their style and performance is rapidly noted by all drivers. Especially lead-footed teens! …

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2015 Ford F-150 King Ranch STRIKES GOLD! Leads HUGE 54k January 2015 Sales, Up 17% YoY

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The accolades have showered the new Ford F-150 from every direction over the previous few months. Expectations are high, and demand is even higher. Now that shoppers are trying this revolutionary new truck, they are pulling the Buy trigger faster than ever. The new F-150 really is that good. It lives up to and beyond the hype. It is a new era in pickup trucks: tough but light, sporty but comfortable. Luxurious, but hard-working. The King Ranch trim level shares top billing with the Platinum in the new F-150 lineup. These are the boss’s trucks. If the King Ranch lives …

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2015 Chrysler 300C – Houston Auto Show Gallery – Space, Grace and Pace To Chomp A Jag

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The new 300C is now the luxury flagship of the Chrysler brand – both objectively as the largest and most powerful, and subjectively as a conscious luxury crusier. The entry of the 300S makes room for the 300C to focus on rear-drive American luxury at its finest: roomy, zoomy and full of …… you-my? Overall, the new 300C makes the existing package 3X as good, especially in the base V6 version. Yes, the AWD models still ride pretty high off the ground, and the leathers are cheap. Yes, the new LED styles up front look the same at first, but …

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Houston Tuner Showcase - 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class by MODESTA Glass Coatings Ft

Houston Tuner Showcase – 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class by MODESTA Glass Coatings Ft. Prior Design Bodykit

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Prior Design, Featuring Modesta Advanced Liquid Glass Coatings? What is this, a rap battle downloaded from your dorm-neighbor via 2001’s Napster?! No, no it is not. These Modesta coatings are the highlight here. The Prior Design bodykits are just stage dressing. Despite the oddly OOF photos, the glass coatings in the paint are truly seductive and special. They make any paintwork feel three-feet-deep. 2015 Mercedes S-Class by MODESTA Glass Coatings Ft. Prior Design

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2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat – Side Exhaust Mystery + 150 New Photos

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The 2015 Challenger Hellcat is currently on track to be one of the most popular SRT upgrades ever. And little wonder. What other musclecar has ever achieved 707-horsepower!? Two in-person sightings of the Hellcat since its static debut at Elkhart Lake last summer: first at the Houston Auto Show, where we find an unusual side-exhaust ahead of the passenger wheel….. and next at the Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, Florida last week. Based on the anoraks at Hellcat.org forums, we believe the side exhaust is just a prototype testing detail, and not on the production cars. We have a few zoomed …

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2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 9

380HP 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 Is Hardcore, Track-Attack Cockster!

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The new Cayman GT4 is a huge bit of news! An ultra-hardcore model with 380-horsepower and a chassis overhaul complete with 911 GT3 tech bits throughout, this sweet new Cayman flagship will make many Porsche Club members thrilled. The GT4 is not just the huge wing and aerokit all around. It also crosses a threshold Porsche has so far been reluctant about: a pricing overlap with the base 911. The base 911 Carrera 2 is a cruiser at heart, though, and will not really compete directly with this new $85,000 Cayman GT4. Overlap is good. Let the Cayman GT4 have …

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2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Digital Colorizer

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Let’s take a look at the latest Ferrari in 30 other colors! 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Digital Colorizer   The next chapter of mid-engine Ferrari V8 has arrived! Named the 488 GTB, this twin-turbo 3.9-liter is an absolute beast in the power and torque department. 660-horsepower pairs with 560-pound-feet of torque for a 60-mph sprint as quick as 2.8-seconds to 60-mph. Top speed is quoted as in excess of 330-kph, or about 205-mph. But based on the new ultra-slippery style, we expect a Vmax in ideal conditions of about 212-mph. The design outside is a from step forward from the …

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660HP, 212MPH 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Goes Turbo With Wild New Intake Styles!

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  The next chapter of mid-engine Ferrari V8 has arrived! Named the 488 GTB, this twin-turbo 3.9-liter is an absolute beast in the power and torque department. 660-horsepower pairs with 560-pound-feet of torque for a 60-mph sprint as quick as 2.8-seconds to 60-mph. Top speed is quoted as in excess of 330-kph, or about 205-mph. But based on the new ultra-slippery style, we expect a Vmax in ideal conditions of about 212-mph. The design outside is a from step forward from the 458, with a meaner and wider-feeling nose that evokes LaFerrari themes, while the side intakes are now twice …

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Hypercar Heroes! 2015 Pagani Huayra Up Close and Personal 10

Hypercar Heroes! 2015 Pagani Huayra Up Close and Personal

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  In the hypercar class of 2015, the Pagani Huayra is one for true drivers. Brutal power plus exquisite beauty. The Huayra is so rare that Ferrari and McLaren will have made 10X the number of LaFerrari’s and P1’s by the end of 2015. Among the five total dealerships in the United States, we’re thrilled that Pagani of Dallas brought two cars to the recent Houston Auto Show. One customer car shown in blue and yellow for the show itself, and the bare-carbon demo car for display outside one of Houston’s glitziest hotels. The Huayra is easy to fall in …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Volkswagen Touareg TDI Feels Light, Quick and Lux

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 Video First Drive Review: 2015 VW Touareg TDI Clean Diesel INTRO Few people have been more scathing in their assessment of the new Touareg’s extremely light exterior refresh than us. But think about it: when a person gets a facelift, they do not want to be some shocking cat-lady whose new face is shocking from 100 yards away. You want it to be exceptionally subtle. You want to look 2X as fresh and young and modern, but without causing too much attention or interest in exactly how you achieved this fountain of youth. So goes the new Touareg’s refresh for …

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2015 BMW M4 Colors and Wheels Guide – Animated Turntables + Individual Fire Orange

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We were really excited to find this Fire Orange M4 in Houston. We thought it meant that BMW was expanding the very lackluster color range available. But that is not really the case. This Fire Orange is a $5,000 option via BMW Individual. The most fantastic shade on the standard palette is Sakhir Orange, which is a semi-matte finish that is dark and yummy, and very distinctive.   2015 BMW M4 Sakhir Orange Besides those, we’d vote only for Black Sapphire or non-Metallic Alpine White. Bonus for Alpine white? It saves you $2,000. The manual transmission is a good decision, …

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2015 Nissan Juke NISMO RSnow Trax Concept Reignites Juke-R Halo Effect

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We recently gave the Juke-R concept from 2012 a hall of fame write-up – extolling the incredible global awareness the GT-R/Juke hybrid created. The next step? A new Juke RSnow Trax – highlighting the new Juke LED boomerang lamps and new projector-beam lights up front, which are fresh for the 2015 model-year. This machine was created as a support car for an ice-driving school, with the tires replaced by individual tank-like treads. The rubber and steel-spiked treads spin in sync with the new hubs up top, controlling a contact patch that is 50X larger than four tires. This upgrade can …

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2016 Renault Kadjar Is New Mid-Size Crossover With High Style and Available AWD

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 This is the all-new Renault Kadjar! Revealed ahead of its public launch in Geneva next month, the Kadjar is the freshest entry into Renault’s rapidly-growing crossover arsenal. After owning family car transport for the last decade or more with the Espace and Picasso minivans, Renault is changing with the times. Ultra-functional vans are no longer the must-have family accessory. The new must-have for carpools and primary-school dropoffs? Mid-size crossovers. This new Kadjar takes aim squarely at the Honda CR-V and a three dozen other alternatives. The Kadjar promises to be more luxurious and stylish than the Nissan Qashqai, which comes …

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LMP1 3-Way Becomes Fourgy! 2015 Nissan GT-R LM Nismo Revealed With 1250HP, Front-Drive V6TT?!

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 The hot and heavy three-way battle among Porsche, Audi and Toyota in the LeMans Prototype One race class just got a lot steamier. Nissan just pulled back the silk sheets on its contender to World Endurance Championship racing: the 2015 Nissan GT-R LM NISMO. And boy does it go its own way to achieving massive speed and impact, while sticking to the very expansive fuel usage rules of LeMans racing. The biggest shocker is not that it is a hybrid twin-turbo-charged V6 making 1250-horsepower. It shocks with where that engine sits, and where it delivers its power. The engine lives …

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Mecum Auctions – Kissimmee 2015 – Auction Block Mega Gallery

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The Mecum Auctions event in Kissimmee, Florida this year was a massive success. An event so huge, you would need to block off ten days of vacation to take in all the amazing classic-car action. These 57 photos from the official Mecum snappers do a good job of capturing the mood of the event: one of excitement and shared passion for every machine and man that rumbled through. Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. Mecum Auctions – Kissimmee 2015

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BMW M Performance Parts for 2015 X5M and X6M Include Tri-Color Racing Stripes!

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  INTRO: Exciting discovery: these images allow a near-perfect animated comparison showing the different X6 vs X5 rooflines.   It might seem silly to buy a brand-new BMW X5 or X6 M and go shopping right away to upgrade it. But it is actually more normal than you might think. These factory upgrades are often things BMW would like to include on the factory trucks, but can’t because they are too polarizing (the M-color graphics…) or the M Performance exhaust (for legal reasons…). You have to imagine BMW ships these cars around the world in a universally appealing specification, but …

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4.0s, 567HP 2015 BMW X6 M In 140 New Photos From Austin COTA

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The X6M is harder, lower, wider and wilder than the new X5M — really cementing its status as one of the quickest SUVs of all time. The design showcases a new rear fender strike and even more chopped-roof design feeling — and sets the right for its massive new power and pace from all sides. The most powerful BMWs ever made have just shattered the glass ceiling of SUV performance. With 567-horsepower through standard xDrive AWD, the new X5 and X6 M have sprint times of just 4.0-seconds along with a devilish M styling overhaul. The grille and front fascia …

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Mecum Florida 2015 Curio – 1964 Amphicar 770 Was First Car-Boat Hybrid

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What classic 1960s American car was half boat, half convertible and cost as much as one of each? Which was a devastating turd of slowness on both pavement and lake-water? That would be the 1964 Amphicar!  And while the critiques of this 43-horsepower hum-bug are all too real, there is a special charm about the machine. It did actually operate as a slow-moving vehicle suitable for both land and water. With a bit of refinement on the theme, it is easy to envision this as the first of many far more sophisticated dual-purpose machines. In reality, it was only a …

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HD Video Walkarounds + Gallery – Wellborn Musclecar Collection at Mecum Florida 2015 Auctions

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  We chatted our way past the nylon ropes to secure some up-close and person looks at the headliners of the recent Mecum 2015 Auctions in Florida. These pristine MOPAR muslcecars are some of the finest in the world, and the Chevelle SS, Buick GSX, Mustang Boss 429 and Pontiac Firebirds are a welcome bit of nostalgia as well. Also included below are 60 new photos of these cars in person. Enjoy!     Wellborn Musclecar Collection at Mecum Florida 2015 Auctions     1970 Mustang Boss 429 Fastback – $425,000 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona – $900,000    

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Mecum Florida 2015 – 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback Is #5 Top Earner at $425k

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  $425,000 is a fantastic total for any American car — ever — so definitely no poo-pooing here. But wouldn’t it be nice if it had rung in a solid $429k!? Even so, this Wellborn Musclecar Museum Boss 429 Fastback is a real hero in the flesh. Larger and meaner than the first few years of pony-cars, this beast looks hungry for blood. Its fantastic blue paintwork surely helps seal the period mood: this Mustang is a forever icon of its era. A squealing-tire time-capsule. 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback Lot R223// Kissimmee 2015 //Jan 16-25 1970 Ford Mustang …

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2015 Lexus LF-LC GT Vision Gran Turismo Is Race-Ready With Fantasy Gound-Effect Aero

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  There are obviously a few routes a brand cane take with their Vision Gran Turismo prototype racers, and this makes sense. When you play GT6 (or any GT) the cars are classified by power to weight ratio, drivetrain layouts, and myriad other classifications. So it is not as if all these VGT cars just end up on a track together. With that in mind, the new Lexus LF-LC GT falls into a much more practical category that hyper-futuristic ideas like the Chevrolet Chaparral or the most recent Renault Alpine. This LF-LC GT is a down-to-earth look that is very, …

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Mecum 2015 Florida Faves – 1962 Willys JEEP Utility Wagon

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  Despite being painted like the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, this Willys Utility Wagon is actually really cool and special. This machine, of course, was a Willys and not a Jeep by name. But in spirit, it shows what Jeep could be as a commercial and civilian machine in a post-war world. In terms of charm, the wood paneling outside is real, and also lines the roof of the cargo bay. Very cool.   1962 Willys JEEP Utility Wagon       1962 Willys Utility Wagon Lot L215// Mecum Auctions Kissimmee 2015 // Jan 16-25 High Bid: $21,000 1962 Willys Utility …

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 Dodge Charger R/T vs Charger SXT

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The 2015 Dodge Charger is really growing on me. After scoffing at its pretty basic exterior facelift when revealed last spring, we now really admire its slinky LED signature up front and unmistakeable ‘racetrack’ of LEDs in back. The real achievement in design of the new Charger is that all trim levels look good. As anyone knows, a BMW M3 is going to look nearly 10X as cool as a base 320i. The base-effect applies for nearly all cars and SUV types. The coolest models, of course, are at the top of the price chart. At times, you would not …

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2015 Ford Mustang Convertible Sweeps Muscle Beach! MEGA 140-Photo Gallery

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400 photos on a sunny beach in the middle of January? With one of the hottest new cars of 2015? And not just a muscle-car icon reborn for its 50th birthday, but the all-new ragtop version? Yes, yes yes!! It was a heavenly few days in the new 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible – capped by a trip to the beach for a photo shoot that: — delivered some amazing shots of the car right on the Gulf of Mexico, steps from the salty ocean — not getting the car stuck or damaged by sand driving (!) We absolutely adored the …

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2015 Hyundai Equus on Hyperdrive Evolution in Chase for S-Class Clients

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Any student of Darwin, or perhaps Pavlov, will know that the secret to exceptionally rapid evolution is simple: short generation gaps. As the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has evolved since 1910, Hyundai had serious ground to make up with the Equus in 2009 or whenever it launched in the US. This type of goverment limo has always been popular domestically in Asian markets — but bringing the Equus abroad was always going to be big news for Hyundai. This Equus for 2015 is perhaps the fourth or fifth generation of updates since the basic bones launches on the previous Genesis chassis a …

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2015 Hyundai Azera – LEDetails Front and Rear + Cabin Feels Very Lux!?

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Hyundai is really learning the luxury ropes very, very convincingly. The speed of the Hyundai Evolution is so quick that this new Azera totally shames the flagship Equus in classiness of design, materials and touchability. Outside, the style is still pretty blah, but the LEDs are extremely striking. Not quite sure if the impact the nose delivers is a good thing or a bad thing for the retiree target clientele — but we love the gatling-gun look on any headlamp. Complementing these striking LED lights up top as DRLs are the primary HID projector low-beams and halogen reflector high-beams. The …

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2016 Land Rover Discover Sport HSE – Full Design Analysis + Letter Grade Scores

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INTRO: ICELAND IN JANUARY The new Land Rover Discovery Sport just enjoyed its big coming-out party over the weekend in Iceland, with many auto writers enjoying a 1000-mile adventure trying out the new baby Landie across heaps and dales and ice bales. But from our impression back at home, the vast majority of the travel time was not by car, but by plane. Iceland is farrrrr from everywhere in the United States. Far. (Sidebar, would we have gone if invited? YES!) And a general rule of thumb? The more exotic the launch location of a hum-drum car, the worse the …

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Mecom Florida 2015 Favorites – 1948 GMC Half-Ton Pickup Truck

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You can tell how hard this 1948 GMC Pickup was ready to work in the profile shot. It is all nose. With an empty bed or now trailer, the truck looks like it might tip upward onto its nose. And that would be a shame. What a nose this was!  With a stamped steel shape so deep, modern industrial presses would be jealous! Melting down over the tall OHV and intake mechanicals, this amazing flow of metal is pure smooth bliss. It was also a functional feature: dropping each side of the hood let you have a much clearer view …

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2015 Chevrolet Silverado Rally Sport and Custom Sport Trucks + New Midnight Edition Preview

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The 2015 Silverado packs four special editions for 2015: the Texas Edition, upcoming Midnight Edition and the just-launched Rally Sport and Custom Sport Trucks. The Midnight Edition will bow in Chicago next week, while the Texas Edition has been on sale for a month or so already. In between are the new RS and Custom Editions — which we caught up with in Houston. They look good and are a cool way to have a distinctive and customized rig – right from the factory with warranty intact and lifetime durability for the paintwork and finishes.     2015 Silverado Midnight …

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Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – 1970 Ford Bronco V8 Pickup

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What is it about these 1970s Ford Bronco’s? There is just something so crisp and charming about their utilitarian design. Along with nearly no front and rear overhangs, a short wheelbase and heavy off-road hardware — the Bronco was just totally overprepared and over-strong for most road duties. It was like a heavy-duty, 2500-payload beast trapped in the dimensions of one of today’s mini crossovers. This red pickup hardtop with roll bars and a 302-cubic-inch V8 was fully restored with a body-off upgrade to new diffs, plus new air conditioning. 1970 Ford Bronco V8 Pickup      

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Renault ALPINE Vision Gran Turismo Racer on Video and 70 Photos!

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Welcome to the future of racing, courtesy of the racing boffins at Renault ALPINE and Gran Turismo! Sony’s PlayStation GT6 just got a bit more exciting today, with a mid-mounted, 4.5-liter V8 pushing this new prototype to a Vmax of 199-mph. We have two versions of the Alpine Vision GT here, one with the dual boattail venturi tail and one with a LeMans-style rear wing. On both, there is a cool active aero air-brake functionality in the sides of the rear end. These square-shaped flaps snap open to keep the rear end planted under braking, and slow the vehicle by …

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Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – 1986 Ferrari 512 TestaRossa

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The Ferrari 512TR was the ultimate supercar icon for many people in the 1980s and through the 1990s. No other car so firmly established side slat intakes as a must-have style feature, and the 512TR even seemed restrained and practical next to the Countach from Lamborghini. Even as the F40 lapped up the praise and kudos from 1987, the 512TR will always have a special place in the ultimate hypercar registries of the world. This black single-mirror model was a no-sale at $77,000 with a freshly-restored interior and yummy tan leathers that are all fresh and pristine. 1986 Ferrari 512 …

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2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition in 20 New Photos + Freedom Edition Preview

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The new Willys Edition Jeep Wrangler looks very, very cool and desirable with its gloss-black grille and wheels. The Freedom Edition with a dark grey grille and military star is pretty cool too, mind you. That being said, Jeep Wranglers have never struggled to be ‘cool.’ They have always been cool as hell. But these minor factory customizations just might spark a must-have sentiment in shoppers. Even after deciding on a Freedom or Willys Edition, the doors and roof options are still plentiful!   2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition      

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 BMW X5 M Looks Mean, But Logos Nearly Invisible

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Perhaps this is the new BMW M strategy for M trucks – small badges. Whatever the case, it is increasingly difficult to know which car is the X5 M and which is the X5 xDrive50i M Sport. Even so, the performance is the main selling point of this hot new muscle-truck. The giant footwear and unique chinstrap bumper design are the clearest signs that this is the X5 M versus an M Sport X5. That and the ridiculous pace, of course. 2015 BMW X5 M        

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 BMW 228i xDrive Convertible in Luxury Trim

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The new 228i Convertible joins the 235i in the BMW range as the smallest and most affordable ragtop BMWs since the first-gen Z3 of the 1990s. We’re excited to report that the style of the new 2 series convertible really looks fantastic. The car’s distinctive nose and new kidney design is ultra subtle, but very new actually versus cars like the current 5 series. As evidence of BMW’s utter brilliance in product variations: this new ragtop even offers xDrive AWD. No demerits in ride height, either. Clever stuff — and the xDrive 228i has an extra 60 pound-feet of torque …

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 BMW X6 xDrive50i – LEDetails Front and Rear in 50 New Photos

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The first-gen BMW X6 seemed like a huge joke, if we’re honest. All the impracticality of a tiny rear seat, plus barely half the total luggage volume of the X5. But the new X6 really does make a convincing style argument for itself versus the very-practical new X5 shape. The X6 also wears the new wide-spaced LED headlamp signature only visible on the X5M. The base X5’s have an indicator in the corner of the lamps, and tighter and smaller angel eyes inside. The M Sport model shown here does a very impressive M truck impression, despite being just the …

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2015 Scion tC Release Series 9

Updated With Real-Life Photos! 2015 Scion tC RS9 – Showcar Style In Showrooms From $24k

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Updated 1.27.15 with 18 New Photos Scion’s Release Series cars are convincing upgrades to standard models – showing what is possible in a full stage one makeover outside and in. The FR-S RS1 and this new tC RS9 stand out as some of the best factory customs on the market – and certainly in this price range. 2000 copies of this lowered and blacked-out Scion tC will reach showrooms around February of 2015 — with cool accents like black wheels, lowering springs and even a milled central exhaust outlet. Very cool upgrades all around from Cartel Customs. 2015 Scion tC …

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 MINI 4-Door Hardtop Inside and Out in 25 New Photos

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The new MINI does look pretty fresh in person, despite the extremely subtle workover for this full redesign. Considering that the car has an all-new, BMW-designed chassis and all-new engines — you might expect the design to be a lot fresher than it is. The three-door without these cool puppy-eyed LED rings (which are optional) is a pretty familiar sight indeed. It looks just a bit freakier and more bizarre in its details, like the oversized rear lamps that are comically huge. But the game must move on, and car companies need new models to keep the sales engine chugging. …

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Mecum Florida 2015 – 1973 Ford Bronco 302ci V8 Custom Off-Roader

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Editing these photos, we just saw the $24,000 sticker on the windshield and kept thinking what a great buy this was. All these off-road parts would tally about $20,000 even in crates off the truck. A rusty original Bronco might be worth $24,000 by itself…. so obviously to get both in perfect, restored and custom condition would be quite a steal. Alas, $24k was the high bid — and did not meet the reserve. The one good thing!? That means this very cool truck is still available for sale.   1973 Ford Bronco            

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Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – 1987 Volkswagen SYNCHRO 4×4 TurboDiesel Westfalia

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A VW Vanagon with, get this: – factory Synchro 4×4 – Westfalia full camper van setup inside – turbodiesel engine from the factory with five-speed manual – and 45k original miles Those four, folks, are a very rare combination in the US market. Any suriviving VW Vanagon — or bus, for stoners — is relatively special these days. But a 4×4 with these cool off-road upgrades like the steel bumpers, rally lights, custom nose detailing and four-pack of round headlamps, plus tinted brake lights!? Very, very cool. For me, the only thing that would make this VW cooler would be …

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Mecum Florida 2015 Favorites – Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser With Matching Trolley!

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We’re back from some epic adventures last week, and eager to share the wealth of 3000-plus photos taken along the way. We counted at least four FJ40 Land Cruisers at the Mecum 2015 Auctions in Kissimmee Florida, but this sunkissed red example with knobby off-road tires and matching trailer stole our vote. It sold for $35,000. It is interesting to note that the new TRD Pro Tundra echoes this Toyota grille script almost exactly for 2015. Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser  

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Updated with 36 New Photos – Mecum Kissimmee 2015 – 1966 Ford CS500 Shelby Racing Transporter

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This Shelby-upgraded Ford Super Duty truck was a real sentimental favorite ahead of the Mecum auctions. In person, the truck is just as sweet and lovable. It sold for more than $50,000 – proving our affection for the big brute was not a one-off feeling.   PREVIOUS Sure, this Shelby transporter from 1966 might not be as glamorous as the classic Mercedes, Porsche or Ferrari transports — but it does have one huge factor in its favor. Authenticity. This truck is the real deal and in original, unrestored condition. That alone will make it quite a special find for Shelby …

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Mecum 2015 Supercars – Saleen S7 Wows With 220-MPH Proportions and Hypercar Impact

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Even those approaching the S7 without knowing what it was knew one thing: it is very special. What the Saleen S7 lacks in name and style recognition, it more than makes up for in brute width and hip-hugging overall height. The pop-up doors show just how light all the S7’s carbon-fiber bodywork is, while the piping for the twin-turbo engine is extremely visible under the rear canopy. Saleen itself as a company is in dire straights financially at the moment, so this rare beast might go down as one of the all-American hypercar greats. Saleen S7  

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Houston Tuner Highlights – 2015 BMW M4 by IKON Wraps

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It is not so much the color of this yummy M4 wrap, but the quality of the execution and how nicely this satin wrap brings the M4 design to life. Surprisingly, the M4’s color options are actually a serious, serious weak point of the vehicle. A total of seven shades are offered, and a few are simply grotesque. Step in, Austin Yellow Metallic! When Dodge can paint a Ram 56 shades, and a Viper 8000 colors — BMW has a major competitive weakness with the lame and hideous colors offered on the new M4 and M3. So while this Easter-egg …

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2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Black Pack 5

Houston Auto Show Debuts – 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Black Pack

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The new Camaro Z/28 is one of the most intense and accomplished musclecars of all time. On a three-lap track blast in October, we fell hard for its deep lungs and unstoppable grip. But this Houston Camaro is something else entirely — taking all the Z/28’s incredible aero tweaks and spoilers and dipping them all in a sexy black paintwork. The only pieces of this car that are not jet-black are the slight fender extension pieces and the carbon-fiber reverse scoops in the hood. Ducktail and front splitter?! Black as night. In 50 years time, this Camaro Z/28 will be …

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Best of Houston Auto Show – Vorsteiner 2015 BMW M4 GTRS4 by ELITE Customs TX

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Let’s say you love the hottest and wildest customs from Germany, like the outrageous GTRS4 by Vorsteiner for the new BMW M4. But you do not live in Germany or near a Vorsteiner installer. What to do? You have to find a local customs shop with major bodywork and custom fabrication expertise. Elite Customs and Collision in China Bay, Texas is a go-to place for flawless execution of a major supercar upgrade like shown here. The parts arrive from Germany unpainted and without full instructions, so you want some proof that a shop can handle a job this big and …

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition in 20 New Photos + Pricing From $35k

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  Updated 1.23.15 With Pricing and 20 New Photos The Sierra Elevation Edition is one cool black 1500 on the Houston Auto Show floor! Just as we snapped these 35 new photos, GMC revealed the pricing of this new factory custom– with an enticing $34,865 base for the rear-drive V6. It is great to see the double-decker LED lights as standard on the Sierra Elevation, despite them not being lit in these photos. 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition Pricing: 4.3L 2WD: $34,865 4.3L 4WD: $38,795 5.3L 2WD: $35,960 5.3L 4WD: $39,890   2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition     PREVIOUS …

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Houston Auto Show Debuts – 2015 Mazda3 Ti Edition Rocks Gloss-Black Body Styling

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The new Mazda3 Ti Edition joins a revised Mazda6 and CX-5 on Mazda showroom floors early this year, but had an advanced outing at the Houston Auto Show. This fall, the Mazda range gets really thrilling: the new 2016 MX-5 and hot CX-3 will join in the Zoom-Zoom fun. Production-ready with a window sticker, this new Mazda3 Ti Edition jazzes up the exceptional Mazda3 with some really cool style additions: titanium metallic wheels are joined by a sweet body kit all around in contrast gloss-black. The lower splitter, side sills and rear diffuser are all a pure and silky dark …

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2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country – Updated With 20 New, Real-Life Photos from Houston

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First details today on the newest Volvo – a US-bound V60 Cross Country! The new V60 XC is a tough and rugged version of the V60 sportwagen, and will ship to the US with standard AWD and the 250-horsepower T5 engine. Some have asked if the V60 Cross Country is necessary, considering the presence of the XC60 SUV in the lineup. There is certainly some overlap, but the V60 XC will appeal to a sportier customer and have pricing a few thousand less than the taller XC60 SUV. More models are a good thing for Volvo in the US – …

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Houston Auto Show – 2015 Chrysler 300S Reveal + LED Detail Shots Front and Rear

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The new Chrysler 300S is the real pick of the range. With V6 and Hemi V8 power offered, the 300S is sporty in all ways: suspension tuning and handling feel, but also exterior style and cabin ambiance. The most impressive part of the 300S is plain to see: stunning gloss-black details and a full de-chrome of the exterior. The 2015 Chrysler 300 feels familiar, but updated and very nicely refined in all ways. We love the cool technical detailing of the 300S grilles up front, the flush-mounted exhaust finishers in back, and the subtle but convincing rear end with pert …

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Houston Aftermarket Highlights – 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Package with XPEL Paint Protection

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The Houston Auto Show has a tuner and aftermarket section to melt even the coldest hearts: exotica galore and customs as wide as a Texas Mile. This Porsche 918 Spyder looks amazing in yellow with the optional Weissach Package – consisting of the huge fixed-wing rear spoiler, gloss-black side spats and other delicious detailing. To keep all this pricey paintwork safe from stones and chips, this car features XPEL Paint Protection film – a self-healing wrap that is completely transparent. The XPEL wrap over yellow here creates a really stunning and deep finish for the paintwork. It all comes together …

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Houston Auto Show - 2015 Scion FR-S RS1 Is Damn Sexy In Real-Life 3

Houston Auto Show – 2015 Scion FR-S RS1 Is Damn Sexy In Real Life!

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The Scion FR-S Release Series 1.0 is almost a direct production version of the TRD project car shown this Spring with the Lexus LFA around Scion’s Epic marketing campaign events. The prototype TRD Project Car and the production model are almost exactly the same outside, but the TRD project car wears wider rubber on different wheels, has a front-mounted intercooler of some kind, and a racing-prepped cabin.   2015 Scion FR-S RS1 TRD Project Car The production RS1 looks just as good, and is amazing news for buyers looking for a showroom racer – modded and looking mean right from …

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2015 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 May Signal Global Racing Ambitions for the Raging Bull

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   The new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 takes the LP620-2 Super Trofeo car above and beyond all previous Lambo track performance. The new rear spoiler, larger splitters and green-accented details hide big upgrades inside to the overall safety spec: a new FIA-regulated seat, fire extinguisher and roof hatch make the Huracan GT3 even safer at flat out in the Blancpain GT3 series. They may also be a precursor to runs in the Nurburgring 24-hour race and other WEC racing competitions — which would be big news for largely street-supercar Lamborghini. As quick and wild as all Lambo’s are, the firm’s racing …

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2015 Porsche 911 GTS Club Coupe 10

2015 Porsche 911 GTS Club Coupe Scores Widebody + SportDesign Package

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The risk with so many special editions of one car is major buyer and auto journalist fatigue. See Aston Martin for a prime example. But Porsche seems to really excel when it comes to special editions that actually do feel special. This latest 911 GTS Club Coupe celebrates 60 years of the Porsche Club of America — and builds in C4S styling and wide hips, the SportDesign ducktail spoiler, and a handful of other goodies as standard. 60 cars will be made, with a base price of $136,000. 2015 Porsche 911 GTS Club Coupe GTS CLUB COUPE REVEALED IN THE …

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2015 Noble M600 Speedster 12

225MPH 2015 Noble M600 Speedster Beats Hypercar Elite to Open-Air Thrills

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The Noble M600 is a worthy competitor to the latest class of hypercars: the McLaren P1 and LaFerrari. With the latest M600 Speedster, Noble joins an elite set of vehicles that can top 200-mph with the top down. The Koenigsegg Agera and Porsche 918 Spyder are the only other members of the club so far, but Pagani is widely rumored to have a Huayra Spider in the works, as does Ferrari with their top model. So what are the downsides of the M600 Speedster versus the standard car? Virtually nothing. With a carbon-fiber-intensive chassis that is already virtually unbendable, the …

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2015 vs 2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid - LMP1 Racers Compared 5

2015 vs 2014 Porsche 919 Hybrid – LMP1 Racers Compared

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Porsche just rolled out its 2015 model-year LeMans P1 car for initial track testing at Yas Marina today, and we see a continuation on most aspects of the 2014 racer. Porsche is characteristically tight-lipped about what has changed since last year, but has confirmed that the turbo V4 powertrain will continue, along with three electric boosters. But while the 2015 car looks very similar to the 2014 contender, you can be sure that there have been extensive studies and engineering under the skin. It takes more than a quick look to find any clear changes outside, but we have identified …

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1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS by Bertone 1 - Copy

RM Paris 2015 Preview – 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale by Bertone

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Racing specials with a limited number of road cars made for homologation are some of the coolest machines ever made. This Giulietta SS definitely falls into that category, with an extremely limited number ever made — and even fewer surviving in original, near-perfect condition as this car. 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SS by Bertone RM Auctions Paris 4 February 2015 Lot 132 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale by Bertone To be auctioned on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 €90.000 – €120.000 Chassis no. AR101.20 00542 Engine no. AR00120 01061 116 bhp, 1,290 cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine with twin Weber …

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Style Icons – 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider vs 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS

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Upon catching the new 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider in Giallo yellow for the Detroit auto show, the realization of a modern-day Dino hits you like a ton of bricks. To prove our intuition correct, we’ve lined up the 2015 4C Spider with two exceptional Dino Ferrari’s from RM Auctions — in Paris for the 1970, and Arizona 2015 for the 1974 GTS. We’ve lined up the two side-by-side in numerous angles below. They really are kindred spirits. 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider vs 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS NOSE    FRONT THREE_QUARTER ANGLE PROFILE   REAR THREE_QUARTER ANGLE   …

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1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT L-Series 10

RM Paris 2015 – 1970 Ferrari Dino 246GT L-Series

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After starting life as an afterthought for Ferrari cognoscenti, the Dino really evolved into quite an excellent sports-car. The style and chassis template the 246GT brought to market evolved into the mid-engine supercar Ferrari’s we know and love today. The 458 and all its predecessors, for that matter, have also been the cheapest models in the range. This exceptional 1970 example shows the Dino in a fantastic light. 1970 Ferrari Dino 246GT L-Series RM Auctions Paris 4 February 2015 Lot 167 1970 Ferrari Dino 246 GT ‘L-Series’ €320.000 – €380.000 Chassis no. 01040 Engine no. 000.5882 195 bhp, 2,418 cc …

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1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2

RM Paris 2015 – 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS Touring – Seeks $700k

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The Porsche 911 RS was one of Porsche’s first tries at a truly high-performance 911. They, like most people, were dubious about the super-sports potential of the 911’s rear-engine design. But after re-balancing the company following huge winning streaks at LeMans and the CanAm racing series, Porsche was back to Earth in the early 1970s. The 2.7-liter flat-six was a huge jump in displacement from the original 2.0-liter design — and the 210-horsepower it made was enough to excite even the bravest drivers. This was, after all, a bare-bones and tiny sports-car. To go along with the huge power jump …

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2015 Peugeot 2008 DKR Rally Racer – Tech Specs and Pre-Dakar Photos

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The Peugeot DKR prototype currently blasting through the Chilean sahara on the 2015 Dakar rally has been a bit of a wallflower before the race. Few official photos of the truck have been seen. The mid-engine, rear-drive off-roader is an evolution of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak car, but raised dramatically for its new Dakar mission. The same team that created the LeMans 908 HDi FAP cars have created both of these latest racing Pugs, and all have shared the primary super-diesel engine power. This 3.0-liter twin turbo-diesel is a total torque monster: it pushes out 590 pound-feet of …

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Ford GT Colors 12

2017 Ford GT – Digital Colorizer in 22 Shades

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Instead of the hundreds of custom shades and multiple angles, we only have a handful of digitally-rendered color options for the exciting Ford GT supercar. Why? It has been a long week of many frantic Detroit reveals, and Photoshop prefers to crash right when you are in the middle of something great. =] We are still trying to perfect a color—> black or color —> white transformation, but it is not easy to accomplish with respectable results. But was it a total loss? Not at all! Many of the new colors are very bold and shimmery; slinky and sexy. And …

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