2016

2016 Toyota GAZOO Racecars & Series Preview – New TS050 LMP1 Revamp, WRC Yarii + New C-HR Racing and RC GT3

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  Toyota Motorsport GmbH is now Toyota GAZOO Racing — with the new Euro-based entity bringing much of Toyota and Lexus’ racing efforts under one roof. The 2016 season outline is mindboggling!  Lots of new racecars and globetrotting race series.  We have a look at new rally cars: — Land Cruiser rally truck — Yaris WRC — Yaris GRMN — GT86 And new endurance racers in the form of two upgraded Lexus RC’s, a GT86 and even a new Nurbirgring entry for this year: the C-HR Racing.  No sight of this production version of the concept seen in 2015, nor …

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If NFL Teams Were Cars…? MegaGraphic Nails All 32!

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  We love cars. We love football. So what better way to combine the two than to look at this new infographic from CJ Pony Parts that shows what would happen if you combined the two and gave every NFL team their own car or vehicle. Some are based on team performance, while others on team name or certain players. Some can be pretty painful if you’re a fan of the team (sorry Browns, Jaguars, and Jets fans!). Check it out and be sure to share!   If NFL Teams Were Cars..   Scott Huntington @SMHuntington

Max Verstappen performs during the F1 Showrun at the Hahnenkamm

Got Grip? Red Bull F1 Car On Snowchains Rips Up Tyrol, Austria Ski Slopes

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You really have to stand back and admire Red Bull sometimes. From a category-defining launch product — a carbonated and canned version of a centuries-old Asian ‘shot’ typically slammed ahead of business meetings — the company has become one of the most iconic sports marketing phenomenons in history. These days, you can love Red Bull for its media empire as much as its new sugar-free flavor specials. Every type of sport has a Red Bull tie-in for 2016, but few are as high-profile as the F1 racing team. How to bring some levity and playfulness back to the slightly down-trodden race …

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2017 Audi RS Q3 Performance 15

~4.3s, 367HP 2017 Audi RS Q3 Performance – Latest RS-UV Delivers Stonking Power, Style Upgrades

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Audi’s RS Q3 is now even hotter than ever!  This Euro-only model is now up to 367-horsepower via its turbo five-cylinder engine — and sprint pace to 62-mph is down to an official 4.4-seconds. Both of these are big improvements over the RS Q3 in its previous 310 and 340-pony varieties. Officially, the RS Q3 shot to 62-mph in 5.2-seconds when launched, down to 4.8s for the 340HP 2016 model.  The 4.4-second blast is extremely promising — and might correspond to the shorter 60-mph run as quick as 4.0-seconds dead. This new RS Q3 ‘Performance’ model looks extremely cool on the way to …

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2016 nanoFlowcell QUANTiNO – AWD EV Aims Squarely at BMW i3 via Revolutionary Battery Tech

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NanoFlowcell is the stunning startup trying to make energy from ordinary salt water. A revolutionary new battery chemistry is at the heart of the firm’s products to date.  Cars like the super-exotic Quant F — a four-seater with gorgeous gullwing doors opening the entire bodyside. Looking like a stretched Porsche 918 Spyder, the main quant prototype is still a stunner. But what about production feasibility?  FOr that, the plan has evolved into this slick electric hatchback.  A premium model aimed right at the BMW i3, the QUANTiNO majors on realistic goals.  Four electric motors — one at each corner — …

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2016 Opel GT Concept 9

2016 Opel GT Concept – RWD Turbo Triple Under Sexy, Blown-Glass Exterior Design

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Opel is trying to get its mojo back.   The German firm and its Vauxhall twin have taken a pounding in the last few years in terms of desirability and brand affinity. This Opel GT aims to realign the firm with modern Euro values and driving ideals. Best place to start? A lightweight purist’s special! This Opel GT’s design is what will make a big splash, but we like what is underneath even better. A front-mid mount for the turbo 1.0-liter triple sends power to the back wheels.  Simple pleasures! A six-speed sequential manual and 8.0-second sprint to 60-mph are …

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2016 Lexus IS200t F Sport Review Glassman 6

Road Test Review – 2016 Lexus IS200t F Sport

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2016 Lexus IS200t F Sport Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman The Lexus IS series gets a new engine for 2016, a 2-liter, twin-scroll turbocharged inline 4 cylinder that makes 241-hp @ 5800 rpm, and 258 ft.-lbs. of torque @ 1650 rpm.  It replaces last year’s entry level, small 2.5 liter V-6, that made a meager 204 horsepower and a weak 185 ft.-lbs.  of torque.  This new engine is rated for 22 City and 33 Highway mileage figures. If the 200t moniker sounds familiar, it’s because it the same engine designation from the Lexus NX 200t, their small Sport Ute crossover …

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2017 Audi Q7 Visualizer – Colors, Cabins, Pricing and Options Guide

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The new Q7 is already burning up the sales charts in the Audi USA lineup! Beset as the brand is with many woes at the moment, the SUV lineup is still a shining beacon of hope.   And cash. Lots of cash! The Q7 in its all-new 2017 generation appears completely immune to the dieselgate saga.  After all, the TDI variants were only ever a 9-percent slice of the model’s sales. The new Q7 really leapfrogs its Touareg and Cayenne cousins for this generation.  Where those two are the lightest of light facelifts for 2015’s refresh, the new Q7 is …

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2016 Mercedes-Benz ZETROS – Next-Gen Heavy Hauler Combines 6×6 Grip, 110-Ton Max GVWR

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We love the Special Trucks section of the Mercedes Commercial Vehicle website. Just the name is a bit exciting!  It speaks to their obscene engineering and armageddon-proof construction strength, as well as their purposes for buyers. Few two are exactly alike thanks to MB’s Custom Tailored Truck group — that is able to upfit the three truck bases into virtually anything. Luxury motorhome, fire-fighter, crane/loader, locomotive…. pick your purpose! Unimog, Zetros and Econic are the Special Trucks crew, and each is exceptionally special indeed. We all love the new Unimog — or any ‘mog, actually — with its sleek new …

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2016 Porsche 911 C4S by TopCar 1

2016 Porsche 911 C4S by TopCar Makes Pre-Geneva Debut

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TopCar’s Stinger upgrades have been offered on nearly every 991 variant… except the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S.  The unique body panels of the factory widebody need their own kit. And now we have it!  The TopCar package is definitely a dramatic change of stance and aggression for the C4S.  Exaggerated fender flares have their join point with the body high up in the shoulders of the machine.  It is cleanly integrated into the factory bumper designs– in back especially. The nose is all-new and pretty sexy. Deep rounded intakes line the lower face of the car. A dark carbon …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai GENESIS Ultimate V6 RWD

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Our love affair with the “impossibly good” Hyundai Genesis just got stronger for 2016! Testing out a rear-drive version of the 2016 V6 is a nice counter-point to the V6 AWD we fell so hard for a few months ago as a 2015 model. The 2016 Genesis has a few very notable updates to the V6 model lineup: standard HID headlights and available LED foglamps for the V6 — lamps that were previously a V8 exclusive. And even better, the Genesis now runs its gorgeous — and standard — LED headlamp accents as the main DRLs for normal driving.  This …

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Daytona Icons - Jaegermeister 1979 Porsche 935 K3 Kremer 11

Daytona Icons – Jaegermeister 1979 Porsche 935 K3 Kremer

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  I don’t care how many racecars or exotics you have driven or loved. Nothing in this universe can prepare you for the Kremer 935 K3 Porsche. The fire-spitting widebody raced at the Daytona 24-hour in 1981 after two years of fine-tuning in German race series. There, the original 911 under all the bespoke bodywork became virtually unrecognizable. Drilled lightweighting, massive widebody additions, ground-effect aero, slatted and active aero vents across the entire slantnose.  And that is just the front! Around back, the flared fenders with their integrated winglets on top come into view.  Or the magnesium-alloy BBS wheels with …

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2016 Dodge VIPER ACR - Bondurant Black 4

2016 Dodge VIPER ACR – Bondurant Black Mamba

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Updated 1.31.16 Just drove the 2016 Viper GT on track and am still in V10 nirvana. But there is a new king in the Viper range: the road-legal American Club Racer. Seeing the car in person is a jaw-dropping experience — this exterior is the coolest supercar since the TVR Sagaris! Huge new fender vent slashes, a underbody fully shrouded with air channels, and a nose and tail treatment more aggressive than even the wildest tuners can make real. Let alone make for sale as a $20k option! 2016 Dodge VIPER ACR – Bondurant Black 2016 Dodge VIPER ACR PREVIOUS …

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2016 Lamborghini HURACAN – Squadra Corse Villain Prays on R8 (Video)

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As any Zoobooks will confirm, the female praying mantis murders its mate after conception… This seems relevant to the Lambo vs Audi R8 battle that might rage among shoppers. Yes, the Huracan is far more special and beautiful than the R8.  And yes, it sounds much better at all times too.  Where the Huracan is staccato and bellowy, popping on downshifts with exhaust back-pressure… the R8 sounds much more muffled on launch and deceleration.  Yes, the R8 V10 starts to sing up its rev range…. but not at the start.  Only once past around 5000-rpm does the R8 confirm its …

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2016 Roding Roadster R1 by DAEHLER Competition Line

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  This is a really curious one.  The Roding Roadster is a bespoke carbon-fiber sportscar running a mid-engine BMW M twin-turbo six-cylinder.  Its factory output of about 320 ponies is stocked higher via Daehler Competition.  Output is now up to 450Hp — and put down to the pavement via a tweaked grip and suspension setup. The looks are a bit hit and miss — but are a clear expression of ultra-low-volume carbon fiber production methods. 2016 Roding Roadster R1 by DAEHLER Competition Line PRESS RELEASE January 2016 Roding Roadster R1 as exclusive Daehler competition line     Based upon long …

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2016 KTM X-Bow GT Delivers Helmet-Free Thrills Thanks to WIMMER RST

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Germany’s Wimmer is not just a tuning and car mod company: they also run the KTM automotive sales operation in much of Germany. And they do it very well! The X-Bow GT is the closest this carbon-chassised racecar gets to being usable in daily driving — sans race helmet.  The new safety-glass windshield element features clear heating elements to melt off any ice, as well as wiper/washer functionality like a boring road car. Also nice wrap-around side windows to complete the chic decapotable look. But these features can be sorely missed when absent! The X-Box GT is a rare and …

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2016 PrintTech.de Lamborghini HURACAN TRICOLORE in Brushed Chrome Flames

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The world of wraps is getting very artful!  The hundreds of all-new surface finishes present opportunities to customize your car that were impossible until now.  Or at least cost prohibitive! This Print Tech GmbH creation shows the state of the art: a tricolore flag motif that skins the nose in green, the mid-section in white and the tail in red.  These chrome flame finishes are crowns by a brushed-alloy look as the protective topcoat layer. That’s not all: there are literal brushstrokes visible on these patterns.  The whole effect looks like $75k in customization… but only costs a tenth of …

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3.5s, 200MPH 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR – 60 New Images, Tech Specs + Performance Mods

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  Just when I am grieving the loss of my F-Type R AWD Coupe and its astounding brilliance… along comes an even hotter F-Type! The new SVR range-topper delivers a 25HP bump in horsepower to 575, a new titanium exhaust system drops weight and adds sound, while advanced new aero details grace all sides of this quickest-ever Jaguar supercar.  And short of the XJ220 without its catalytic converters… this new SVR is also the fastest production Jaguar of all time. Bottom line?  JAG is OFF THE CHAIN! Clear the area people, this could get very dangerous!  Do not provoke the …

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231HP, ~6.3s 2016 MINI JCW Convertible – Legacy Looks, Speed Shortage = Wandering Eyes

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Do you remember the will-they/won’t-they drama around the first JCW Convertible?  People wondered if such a hotted-up MINI could handle being roofless.  Would its front-drive chassis just fall apart around corners? That was certainly not the case for the eventual ragtop JCW — but the buzz and enthusiast excitement is relatively interesting.  Why?  It is not present whatsoever for this general of MINI Cooper S JCW. The extreme continuity of the looks for this third-gen new MINI generation are doing the new-gen Coopers no favors.  Despite being an all-new chassis with all-new engines and virtually zero carryover from the second-gen MINIs…. …

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2016 MINI Clubman ALL4 Is New AWD, LWB Cooper S 66

2017 MINI Clubman ALL4 Is New AWD, LWB Cooper S

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MINI’s new Clubman is the most desirable model in the revamped lineup.  Why?  Not just because it is HUGE versus the others, but now for its added capability with its All4 AWD system. The core platform is shared with the MINI Cooper 4-Door, but dramatically wider and longer. How much wider and longer than the 4-Door Hardtop?  About a half foot stretch to the sides, and nearly a fool foot of extra length.  Most of that bounty heads right to the back seats and cargo areas — making the new Clubman All4 a serious rival to the Countryman. But lower …

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Mecum 2016 Favorite – 2012 Factory Five GTM Road Special Is Mid-Engine Vette!

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If you ever wondered why Chevy flirts with a mid-engine Corvette so regularly… here is proof positive. The concept works. The concept works. The sum of stock Corvette parts flipped to mid-engine is a race-winning car right out of the box. Fast barely begins to capture the experience. This 2013 GTM Special is the car we most wanted to rip away from the Mecum auction lineup for 2016! 2012 Factory Five GTM Road Special   Mecum Auctions Lot F276// Kissimmee 2016 // Jan 15-24 2012 Factory Five GTM LS3/480 HP, 5-Speed   Engine LS3/480 HP Trans 5-Speed Color Red Interior …

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1987 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S 6

Updated with Live Photos – 1987 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S

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Updated 1.23.16 Still the best Pantera we have ever seen!  But it could certainly use some love in the paint shop. The contrast between the shimmery gloss black of the bodywork still clashes pretty sharply with the black plastic nose-cone, and flat-black rear bumperlet. ORIGINAL Think what you may about the DeTomaso Pantera from the 1970s. This machine is a totally different beast. Where time and special-edition hell really destroyed the original Countach elegance, the Pantera appears fully revitalized. The car has the presence of a F40, the nose elegance of the Lotus Esprit, yet rear-drive, naturally-aspirated purity to shade …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Toyota Camry XSE

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2016 Toyota Camry XSE Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman For decades now, The Toyota Camry has been one of the best-selling family sedans in America.  It isn’t because it does everything better than the competition, but rather it does everything well, and has built up a reputation for reliability, quality, and value.  For folks who have a hard time making a decision because they’re fearful of making a bad one, the Camry is always going to be a safe choice and one that won’t foster buyer’s remorse. It’s always easy for journalists to forget that the vast majority of the …

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2016 CAMARO by Chevrolet Performance: Brembos, Springs, Cold-Air Intake + Sport Exhausts!

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Great to see the new Camaro out in the wild, even if it is all locked up and can’t be driven. This Camaro SS wears a variety of extra-special goodies outside and under the skin.  The black taillamps, front splitter and color accents are nice to set a high-po mood. A Brembo brake upgrade front and rear, lowering sport springs and upgrades breathing promise more control and even more speed.  The $500 cone air intake will make a huge difference to the sonics of the car, but no more than the HUGE sport exhausts available for both V6 and V8 …

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Own the ONLY 2016 Aston Martin DB10 – SPECTRE Hero, Vulcan, DBX and DP-100 All Slightly Awful, Though

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The DB10 is finally available to buy! But not for you.  =] Just ten of the bespoke 007 rides were created ahead of the film. It was not immediately clear if that ten included the movie stunt cars, or how the ten DB10’s would be sold. We now know.  Eight were used to film the movie, while two stayed in pristine and brand-new condition. Aston is keeping one of the new cars for itself to enjoy.  And that last one? Up for grabs!  Christie’s auction house is selling the DB10 on February 24th to benefit MSF, or Doctors Without Borders …

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1987 Buick GNX by ASC McLaren – Detail Photo Flyaround Inside and Out

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The GNX left a sweet mark on the brand and perhaps the car business in general.  It was the announcement of POWER and speed — rejoining mainstream car lines after more than a decade of downsizing, Cimmarons and K-cars. The heart and soul of the GNX is of course its McLaren-upgraded V6 engine. The 3.8-liter, intercooled turbo was a revolution at the time. Its output bested most V8s and its power delivery was the best part. Through the also-racier standard automatic transmission in the GNX, the giant lump of turbo torque made the most of its lag. Momentary boost-up for …

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1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 in Raven Black 28

Mecum 2016 Florida Favorites – 1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 in Raven Black

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This Mustang Boss 429 was the top ponycar of its year: fast, loud and even slightly luxurious! This example is a four-speed manual (v desirable) with period Magnum 500 wheels.  An alloy intake and rumble hood scoop complete the Boss appeal when static.  When rolling, this thunderclap of a car is happiest on a tire-shredding launch start. The mean style, wide and large new dimensions, plus rear-window louvres and spoiler would set the tone for 70s supercars and even superminis. 1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429

1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera 12

Mecum 2016 – 1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera Customs

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This amazing one-off Bronco has a special ops / Lambo Rambo vibe in all the best ways. That’s no accident: this beaut by Chimera Customs was made to taise money for the Armed Forces FOundation. ANd did it deliver! A cool half-mill bought this desert jackal in 2013. The 2016 estimate is a snip then, at just $125k. Mecum 2016 – 1969 Ford BRONCO by Chimera Customs Lot T205// Kissimmee 2016 // Jan 15-24 1969 Ford Bronco Built by Chimera Customs   Engine 406 CI Trans 5-Speed Color Black Interior Black ESTIMATE: $100,000 – $125,000 Chimera Customs of North Palm …

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2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO Black Out Edition is $35k and Dripping Wet Gloss!

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First time catching the new 2016 Silverado Black Out Edition in the wild! The truck looks so amazing in the flesh.  Every last detail is gloss black — right down to the blackwall tires and black bow-tie badges front and rear.  The big impacts come via the dark grille, headlights and 20-inch five-spoke wheels. The finish?  Gloss black, of course! These photos are with all the lights/LEDs off.  That white glow of the LED DRL is just its white glow shell.  Needless to say: the impact of the sinister 2016 Chevy look is even more striking with them on. Why is that …

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Mecum Florida Faves – 2014 Maserati Quattroporte – Hate at First Drive, or As-New for Half Off?

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How did this new QP end up between a Camaro IROC-Z and a violently impotent custom Wrangler? One of the great parts of the week-long Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is the ‘come-as-you-are’ vibe about the place. They make a carnival atmosphere of these 3000-plus cars finding new homes — and it is truly a fun way to see many curious cars up close and personal.  In fact, they are all unlocked and ready for close-up inspection — so it is a bit like an ‘all-you-can-sit’ sampling of various exotic cars. Wish it were all-you-can-drive… but that’s okay. One very curious find? …

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2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4MATIC

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 – Air-Sprung Crossover In US Dealers Now! $45k Pricing, RWD or 4Matic + 9-Sp Auto

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The new GLC just started arriving to Mercedes dealerships here in the USA — and seems like an outstanding all-new SUV for the brand.  The GLK and its boxy look is exiting the lineup of a half-dozen ‘Benz jeeps’ this year, making room for everything from the baby GLA to this GLC, up through the GLE and GLE Coupe and the top GLS for 2017. The GLC, as its name implies, is aligned in shape and tech with the C-Class. This brings a massive set of benefits for performance drivers — particularly in its standard rear-drive setup. Just one engine and …

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2017 VLF FORCE 1 V10 – FULL Launch Details, Price and Auto Option for 218MPH American Beauty

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A new supercar is always a welcome surprise — and this one is like a gift that keeps on giving! The Force 1 V10 is the second launch model of rapidly-expanding VLF Automotive — a collabo and evolution on the VL Destino plans revealed in 2012. That car is now available for sale to owners as a Fisker Karma with an LS9 V8 engine swap instead of its previous turbo EREV powertrain.  A new nose and tail — now with quad square exhaust pipes — now tops out at 200-mph and delivers a 3.9-second sprint to 60-mph.  The unreal lowness of the four-seat …

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2017 Jaguar XF-S V6 - USA Media Drive 58

5.0s, 380HP 2017 Jaguar XF-S V6 – USA Media Drive Gallery + Visualizer

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Check out this stunning new design via 100 media drive photos from Sedona, Arizona. The best part of the new design?  Bringing the XF-R’s visual heat to all four engines in the US lineup. Yep: two V6 tunes and even a brand-new turbodiesel for 2017. The 2.0-liter turbo four is expected back in the USA offering for 2017, sliding a few grand cheaper than the $52k base of the new 2016 XF V6s. Both the XF 35t with 330HP and the XF-S with 380 are available with rear or AWD.  All scream to 60-mph in 5.2-seconds or quicker, too.  Mighty impressive.  The …

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Part 2 – NAIAS 2016 Showfloor MEGA Gallery – 110 All-New Photos

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Some real hotties in here! The first pics of the all-new VFL Force 1 concept by Henrik Fisker are a highlight. As are the Nissan TITAN Warrior Concept and the Raptor Supercrew in frozen white. Also nice to see more angles of the Acura Precision Concept, a car whose design is really expressive and deep in real-life photos versus the initial renders.  The beak is still rough, but there is promise here. Part 2 – NAIAS 2016 Showfloor MEGA Gallery  

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NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery – Day One in 180 Photos

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Uh oh!  Detroit’s NAIAS is so intense for 2016, we are well past our peak of effective coverage.  What comes next?  Deep hand and forearm soreness from so much typing.  And… alas… into just outright bitchiness about some of the more questionable model reveals.  Cough… Acura, cough-cough… But we will power through!   Resist the snark! Part of that is sharing the latest showfloor photos… en masse. =] Here are 180 images from press preview day one at the Detroit North American International Auto Show.   NAIAS 2016 – Showfloor MEGA Gallery    

Worst of NAIAS - 2016 Acura Precision Concept 3

Update1 – 2016 Acura Precision Concept – Design Reboot Ruined By Another Fugly Nose

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Updated with real-life photos. Good to see more angles of the Acura Precision Concept, a car whose design is really expressive and deep in real-life photos versus the initial renders.  The beak is still rough, but there is promise here. Acura is still having trouble rebuilding its sales since a brief peak in the early 2000s with the TL and MDX. More recently, the sales velocity for the brand is in terminal decline. A big part of the problem has been the dogged persistence with the ‘shield’ grille since at least 2007.  This is a look that no one really likes, …

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KiaTelluride8

2016 Kia TELLURIDE Concept – LWB SUV Brings 7-Seat Chalet Cachet

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The face of this all-new KIA Telluride concept hit me like a sucker punch in thumbnail form.  What is that, a Lada Bentley? But after a closer look, we have nothing but praise the this Telluride’s bluff yet rounded design themes. The core basics are all there: short front overhang, awesome long and level hood, plus a steep windshield rake like a future G-wagen. It all really works for the Telluride, especially in profile. Here the elegant, techy and innovative glasshouse wears a signature brightwork wrap-around.  In the tail, we have more clean lines and vertical forms. Yet all smooth …

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InfinitiG609

~4.8s, 400HP 2017 INFINITI Q60 – 3 Engines and Sexy Design Swagger To Top 435i

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The production Q60 is here and GORGEOUS! A full lineup met the press today at NAIAS, but the one we lust after most is the top 400-horsepower, AWD Q60! Pushing all that power to the back axle at a 0:100 ratio until slip occurs, the Q60 3.0t looks set to be a barnstormer of a two-door — with pace and grace to easily rival the BMW 435i and Cadillac ATS Coupes. That $55k stunner will only make up a part of the new Q60 offering, though. Standard rear-drive and three engine choices also neatly match the new C400 Coupe and …

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Best of NAIAS – 2016 Nissan TITAN Warrior Concept – Nightclub Cool + Baja-Tough Mods for Raptor-Killer

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Update: We’re slightly confused now about the Titan Warrior Concept.  All the below still applies… but the Warrior is so different from the production truck. Much more-so than the Raptor is than the standard F-150.  So perhaps the Warrior is more of a dream-truck than a realistic Raptor hunter/killer.  It is still cool as fahk regardless., though. =] The Ford F-150 Raptor is so hot that no other brand can resist trying to beat its baja chicness on showroom floors. A solid basis for a real Raptor-killer from Nissan?  The 2016 TITAN XD — a full-size pickup so strong that it makes …

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2016 Audi h-Tron Quattro Concept 27

2016 Audi h-Tron Quattro Concept – Hypercomplex Tech Showcase Headed for Sale as $100k Tesla Rival as 2018 Q6

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Audi’s big news for the Detroit show?  The new 2017 A4 and Q7 — which are set for arrivals to US showrooms in the next few months. Alongside those dull-looking production cars come massive cabin tech enhancements, efficiency boosts and all-new powertrains. A bit more exciting on the appearance front?  This new h-Tron Quattro Concept. Roughly previewing the size of an upcoming Q6 crossover, this latest prototype shows a production-intent hydrogen-electric SUV.  And boy is is complex: multiple tanks of hydrogen power advanced electrics for a range of nearly 400 miles, a 0-60-mph sprint under 7-seconds, and AWD grip just …

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2017 Chrysler PACIFICA 23

2017 Chrysler PACIFICA Is All-New Minivan – PHEV Hybrid, Luxury and Tech to Leapfrog Sienna/Odyssey

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Welcome to the next Town & Country: the all-new Pacifica! This name-swap is quite justified when you take a peek at the seriously all-new platform, drivetrain, interior and exterior of the next-gen Chrysler minivan. The impressive details abound from every seat: the seven-seater has a stunningly advanced offering for families from July of this year when the new vans hit showrooms. What is the big deal, beyond a very swish new exterior design? Where to begin!  The biggest news is the first-ever plug-in hybrid offering in the van segment. Dubbed simply the Pacifica Hybrid, the EV tech is quite sophisticated. Not …

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2016 Buick Envision Driving Front

2016 Buick ENVISION Is New 5-Seat Crossover – Standard Turbo to Rival Audi Q5 – Arrives in April

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The 2016 Buick Envision is a pretty huge part of an upcoming Buick product onslaught: the 2017 LaCrosse and Cascada cabrio are the other hotties new to the showroom floor. New to the brand ethos in general? A sexy expectation of future products like an AWD, V6TT variant on the Cadillac ATS Coupe/Chevy Camaro platform like the AVISTA concept. The dreamers among us noted right away: the AVISTA looks like an ideal basis for a next-gen GNX around 2019.  The Envision hopes to make its Chinese-import status an afterthought for US shoppers — through the sheer strength of its luxury …

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2016 Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept – 7-Seat Option + 20 EV Miles for 2017 USA Arrival

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We’ve been exceptionally hard on VW USA over the years, even before the ongoing trainwreck that is their emissions scandal. If there is one glaring hole in the lineup, it is the SUV range. Tiguan and Touareg have been eagerly anticipating a CrossBlue SUV to slide between them. With a Passat basis and seven seats, the CrossBlue (name TBD) is actually firmly on the way. Hiring and Chatanooga production-floor mods are readied for this summer, with production penciled in to start September 2016.  The showroom arrival, as we all know, cannot come soon enough. December of 2016 as a 2017 …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Kia Optima SX Turbo

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2016 Kia Optima SX Turbo Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman Midsize family sedans are a huge segment of the automobile business, and it’s a hotly contested space.  The Kia Optima is a strong player, and getting stronger each year, with improvements and even more standard content.  It has to keep improving in order to compete with the likes of a Toyota Camry & Avalon, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Mazda 6, or Nissan’s Altima. The 2016 Optima has been redesigned inside and out, and the result is an outstanding automobile, that ranks right up there with the best in the class. …

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2017 Chevrolet CRUZE HATCH Reveals Unique 5-Door Design, Massive Trunk Ahead of Fall Arrival

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Here is a nice surprise reveal from Chevy: the upcoming Cruze Hatch. This new bodystyle builds on the massive improvements of the 2016 Cruze sedan with unique styling for the nose and tail, a giant cargo area of 18.5-cubic-feet with the seats up, and wagon-like utility with them folded down.  How big with the seats down? Nearly 50 cubes!  That is SUV-big. It is great to see Chevy offering this variant in the home US market.  Favorite details?  The bumper designs front and rear — with their swirl of painted surface forming claw-like accents to the black lower bumpers. The …

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2017 BMW i8 Spyder Teased Via BMW i Vision Future Interaction + ConnectedRide HUD Cycle Helmets

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  BMW debuted a half-dozen new tech innovations at CES this year, including gesture control and mirror-less exteriors. But the real eye-catcher?  The BMW i Vision Future Interaction — a near-production 2017 BMW i8 Spyder. Sans two critical pieces, of course. Yes, the production car will have doors.  At first we thought the BMW i VFI Concept hid its doors in the side sills, a la the BMW Technik Z1 model sold in Europe briefly in the early 1990s. Alas, the lack of doors is just to give full view of the new cockpit controls and layouts.  This new user …

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OP_ED: Meet the $25B Microbus – 2016 Volkswagen Budd-E – EV Van Concept Begs Sympathy for Poor, Mistreated VW

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Here is the seventh Volkswagen concept trying to re-invent the microbus. The difference?  This microvan may actually be produced for limited sale in EV-heavy markets like the US west coast, Atlanta and Washington DC. Really? Not for profits, but as a knee-jerk reaction to being caught lying/cheating.  So yes, the Budd-E might make it to US showrooms in some decontented form. Perhaps as soon as 2019 for the 2020 model year.  But don’t bet on it. Typically, Volkswagen has claimed a reborn van was a non-starter because it was impossible to make its bluff original face with a front-engine layout.  (They …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Lexus RX350 F Sport AWD

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2016 Lexus RX 350AWD F Sport Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman   Sixteen years ago Lexus introduced us to the RX – a midsize luxury SUV that seated 5 people, had a very usable rear cargo area, and was based on a car chassis, so it drove more like a car than a truck.  It had a pleasant ovoid or jelly bean shape, and was reasonably priced.  It struck a chord with the buying public, and quickly became Lexus’ best-selling vehicle, and it has remains their top selling vehicle as it now launches the fourth generation for 2016.  The RX …

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2016 Faraday Future FFZERO1 Concept 10

2016 Faraday Future FFZERO1 Concept Throws Down Gauntlet – Now or Never, Laggards

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Well, this is it!  Nearly 24 hours after the leaks began, and a full 12 since the press conference in Vegas last night, the Faraday Future concept car for CES is now in clear focus. Before you get too excited about a full reveal — with the normal specs, pricing and a production roadmap —it is best to temper expectations. This fantasy concept from Faraday Future is not headed for the road. Nor is it really headed for any race series. But racetracks? That is another story.  The quad-motor, AWD EV promises 1000+ horsepower and a 200-mph-plus top speed.  The electric motors are …

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2016 Jaguar F-TYPE British Design Edition is UK-Only Sport Special

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  Pretty hot new pack of Jags on the prowl for UK shoppers: the 2016 British Design Edition.  Wearing all the sexiest options and four special colors, the BDE is offered in hard or soft-top form, exclusively in the 380HP AWD with the new eight-speed automatic paddle-shifter.   2016 Jaguar F-TYPE British Design Edition JAGUAR LAUNCHES F-TYPE BRITISH DESIGN EDITION 05/01/16   IN BRIEF Exclusive F-TYPE British Design Edition based on the 380PS V6 S enhances the F-TYPE’s multi award-winning design and features a wealth of additional equipment as standard Coupé and Convertible body styles Available in four colours: Caldera …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 GMC Terrain DENALI AWD V6 – Swanky Refresh for Right-Sized SUV

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GMC’s best-seller has been tearing up the sales rulebooks since its launch in 2009. We’ve admired its huge back seat and very affordable $24k base price from afar, but never from behind the wheel. The GMC Terrain welcomes a light refresh for 2016: new styling outside and new tech in the cabin helps the family favorite be even more competitive in the mid-size SUV class. And while the upgrades outside are fairly light for most trims, the new LED DRLs up front do wonders for the truck’s appeal on the road. The biggest news for the 2016 Terrain is the …

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DAKAR 2016 – Prologue and First Stage Gallery – Red Bull PEUGEOT-TOTAL DKR16

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Dakar got off to a fairly rough start this year: a big crash canceled the timed events of the Trucks class, while a smaller incident saw the four-time defending champion MINI Countryman careen off the course and injure multiple spectators. Reuters and AP report a father and son were seriously hurt and are in serious condition. The MINI driver was the first female driver from China, and she also sustained injuries.  Initial reports are of a hard jump landing and subsequent loss of control of the vehicle. This was always a very, very dangerous race. And at least these traumatic events …

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2016 Porsche Boxster SPYDER Silver 27

2016 Porsche Boxster SPYDER – First USA Photos! 100-Shot Animated Flyaround

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    Incredible intro to the 380HP Porsche Boxster Spyder today!  The car is absolutely gorgeous, with upgrades dripping in aggression and hypercar hints of the top 918 Spyder. The sound on startup is suitably aggressive, with a deep baritone thrummmm after the initial startup bark. Smoked finishes all around and a liquid silver paintjob are only half the battle. The giant double bubble tonneau cover with mid-mounted brake light reminds many of the Carrera GT, or especially the Carrera GT by Zagato. What really makes the Boxster Spyder so impressive in the flesh? It is almost a total redesign.  By our count, …

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1987 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S – Mecum Kissimmee 2016 Preview

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Think what you may about the DeTomaso Pantera from the 1970s. This machine is a totally different beast. Where time and special-edition hell really destroyed the original Countach elegance, the Pantera appears fully reviatlized. The car has the presence of a F40, the nose elegance of the Lotus Esprit, yet rear-drive, naturally-aspirated purity to shade them all. This particular GT5-S Pantera has led a charmed life: just 7k miles and even the original magnesium extra pair of alloys.  Plus a cabin with plush caramel leathers like a bordello! The estimate for this Pantera GT5-S is $250k, which is stellar value. It …

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2017 Lexus RX-L Renderings 2

Exclusive Animated Renderings – 2017 Lexus RX-L Is LWB 7-Seat Variant

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The new Lexus RX is already flying off showroom floors — with its devoted owner-base loving its all-new cabin inside, design outside and eight model variants.  With F Sports and Hybrids all available with or without AWD, the RX350 and RX450h are looking at a huge sales year in 2016. One thing Lexus mentioned at the launch of the new RX is that owners did not want the next-gen model to grow.  To that end, the new RX and its chopped roofline adds second row legroom over the 2015 models (plus powerfold and recline controls).  But the new RX is …

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217MPH, 756HP 2014 VÄTH CLK63 AMG Black Series Is Still Devastatingly Rapid

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    To bump the twin-turbo V6 of the new C63-S up to its max output of 680HP so far, the outlay for buyers is about $10k.  A jump of at least 170 horsepower via only a half-dozen mechanical upgrades, an ECU reflash and big brake kit?  The 2016 makes it look so easy. But the previous-generation CLK63 AMG Black Series?  That machine was already cranked up to race-baiting for its 517 horsepower. Adding a giant supercharger takes the CLK63 Black by VATH up to 756 ponies and a scary-fast Vmax of 217-mph.  Also a scary-spice price of about $70k …

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680HP, 199MPH 2016 VÄTH Mercedes-AMG C63-RS Delivers Massive Performance Gains for Minimal Cash

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VAETH is quickly becoming a favorite among the German customs scene.  Why?  The umlaut dots, of course in the name!  VÄTH = VATH = VAETH, by the way.  All the same powermad crew. For the new C63 AMG sedan and coupe, Vaeth has a $5k stage one mod focused on the engine programming and oil system tweaks. THe result is a bump from the 4.0-liter V6TT’s stock outputs of 477HP and 510HP (for the C63-S) up to a very potent 609 ponies. All to the back wheels via the latest sportshift automatic and active vectoring differential, this will make sideways …

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1963 Buick Riviera 1

RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1963 Buick Riviera

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This Riviera had to be a very curious sight thrumming around France, and its namesake golden coastline. 1963 Buick Riviera   RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1963 Buick Riviera Without Reserve Chassis no. 7J1105700 Engine no. 7J1105700    

1974 Maserati Bora 4

RM Paris 2016 – 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9

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Ahh, the Bora. Giugiaro’s dream wedge was approaching production from various marques by the mid-1970s, and for Maserati, represented a swing for the fences.  Big leagues. Long story short?  It ended badly. But the car?  Still quite a fetching design icon from the past — yet lively today and ready for the future. 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 Chassis no. AM117/49-US 0720 Engine no. 2132 Body no. 300 482 320 bhp, 4,930 cc mid-mounted V-8 engine with four Weber 42 DCNF twin-choke carburettors, five-speed ZF manual transaxle, four-wheel independent suspension with unequal-length …

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RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1997 Ferrari F50

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RM Sotheby’s is on a major roll lately — establishing classic cars as a true luxury auction staple, along with fine art of all kinds. The 2016 calendar is filling up fast. Some very exciting recent additions to the Paris auction on February 3rd, 2016….   1997 Ferrari F50   RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1997 Ferrari F50 Chassis no. ZFFTA46B000106825 Engine no. 45134 Body no. 210 Gearbox no. 380   520 bhp, 4,698 cc V-12 engine with Bosch Motronic 2.7 engine management, six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension with coil springs and unequal-length wishbones, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: …

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RM Paris 2016 Preview – 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster

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RM Sotheby’s is on a major roll lately — establishing classic cars as a true luxury auction staple, along with fine art of all kinds. The 2016 calendar is filling up fast — with some exciting new additions to the Paris auction on February 3rd, 2016. To kick off the preview, let’s feature this stunningly original and fabulous Kaiser-Darrin Roadster. Brave and innovative, the car was a massive super-GT car with power and prestige unlike its contemporaries. 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster RM Sotheby’s Paris 3 February 2016 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster Chassis no. 161-001031 Body no. 161-1031

2016 Chevrolet Trax Midnight Edition is Coolest $500 Style Upgrade … Ever?

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Nobody will preach the virtues of a black pack like ThisGuy! A properly de-chromed and blacked-out look can make even the most awful Jetta SportWagen a little bit stylish… so clearly the potential to improve already-modern and stylish rides? HUGE! And the more popular a car is on the roads, the more appealing it is for some buyers to stand up and stand out from the crowd.  DIY black packs work wonders in photoshop — and real life — on GM models in particular.  We’ve shared many with you here… an ATS black pack coupe dream, CT6 Black Tie limo …

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2016 MINI 4-Door CARBON EDITION 1

2016 MINI 4-Door CARBON EDITION Features New JCW Pro Tuning, Dual-Mode Exhaust!

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Excellent new special MINI for the USA in 2016: the very fresh and flash Carbon Edition of the hardtop 4-door. The upgrades and special tweaks versus the Cooper S basis are visible and very audible!  A new JCW Pro Tuning Kit package bundles in special programming for the intake and a remote-operated sport exhaust. This valve-operated setup will make the Carbon a real screamer! Along with its GTI-large cabin and pace, the MINI 4-Door Carbon is definitely a viable WRX competitor — from 1000-yards!   2016 MINI 4-Door CARBON EDITION   Introducing the MINI Carbon Edition: The fastest, loudest, and …

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Land Rover LR4 HSE Black Pack

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  Wheel time in the 2016 LR4 with its sexy new Black Package has turned my frown upside down.  We really thought the car was outflanked in 2016 by the exploding market for seven seat crossovers, let alone the new three-row varieties of Range Rover Sport and Discovery Sport also in the American lineup. The LR4’s familiar silhouette hides an all-new — and SUPERB — standard powertrain, all-new LEDs all around and even the dripping-wet hotness of dark 20s and a full blackout of every exterior detail.  All this is either new since 2015 or fresh for the new model …

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Road Test Review – 2016 Toyota AVALON Touring

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2016 Toyota Avalon Touring Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman We recently tested a 2015 Toyota Avalon, the first Avalon we had tested in quite a few years.  And the full size car impressed us with its roominess, performance, and its luxury look and feel. But before I had a chance to write the review, the 2016 model became available, so I decided to wait a little bit, and write about that one, to also report on the subtle changes for the 2016 model year. This year, the Avalon’s grill gets a bit larger, and sports a little downturn at the …

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2016 Acura Precision Concept – Teases Next-Gen RLX with Cali-Penned Fastback Coupe

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  Just a single teaser sketch so far of the upcoming Acura Precision Concept, but it is a promising one! The design overtly previews upcoming sports sedan models from the resurgent luxury arm of Honda, with a design direction expected to diverge from the current Acura design direction.  Not much to learn from the teaser image about that look, but we can see impressively enhanced proportions. The long-hood and short front overhang is unlike current RL sedans or even the new TLX, as is the plunging roofline and curt tail — evoking a bit of Audi A7 or BMW 650i …

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2016 W Motors FENYR SuperSport 9

2016 W Motors FENYR SuperSport – Updated w/ Tech Specs, Video and Latest Photos

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

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JOTA is Back in HUNT! 2016 Jaguar XJR Dragraces JetMan Dubai

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  XJ. Not XF or XE. This is the big daddy superlimo, the XJR, in rare form! Jaguar has really upped its content-creation budget, and we are all the beneficiaries! The new XJR driven by F1 legend Martin Brundle races aginst Yves Rossy in a 1.75-mile matchup. The four rockets of the ‘jetman’ are all fired and pushing hard as the new XJR stomps the gas, with the winner declared at a finish line deep in the sandy horizon. The XJR is showcasing its latest rear-drive power and launch traction, courtesy of a new ASPC (all surface progress control) that …

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R-Type Continental Races 2016 GT Speed in Charming Family Reunion

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Bentley is bringing out the big icons in its back catalog recently for side-by-sides with the current 2016 Continental lineup. Last week, we saw the GT3 and GT3-R road models rendezvous with their iconic 1930 forebearer: the Birkin Blower Le Mans racecar. This week, we trot forward in time to the R-Type Continental of 1952 — the closest direct link to the current car in spirit and execution. This fastback stunner is a magnificent machine for defining its buyer wants and needs, and exceeding all expectations with the eventual product. What were these goals? True sit-up luxury and generous space …

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2016 Infiniti QX60

2016 INFINITI QX60 Shows Fresh Style, Retuned Chassis Updates

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Here’s a welcome update on one of the smoothest seven-seaters around: the 2016 QX60! With a new dark mesh grille, defined jawline and sleek new LEDs front and rear, the 2016 QX60 is almost a bit of a looker now!  The larger wheels with dark inner spokes set the tone for upgraded handling, and the new QX60 is said to deliver. A smoother ride but also much more body control around corners. As before, front or AWD is available for both the V6 engine and the Hybrid model. 2016 INFINITI QX60   Infiniti QX60 premium crossover offers enhanced design, dynamics, …

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2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC Reveals Yummy Revamp, New SLC43 AMG

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  We certainly appreciate your confusion if we praise the new SLC’s style, while hating the new SL proper for 2017. But that is how it goes!  The SLC wears familiar proportions but truly light and sporty detailing for the name-change update. The grilles and styles up front are classy and masculine, aggressive but also deeply premium.  We’re seeing the SLC300 Sport here as well as the 367HP SLC43, which tops the line for now. The new SLC is set for a March arrival to first clients, who will love its newly-available AirScarf and Magic Sky roof, much-loved tech from …

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All-New V6TT 2016 INFINITI Q50 Red Sport 400 Tops New Four-Engine Range!

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HUGE news on the Infiniti front today: An all-new pair of twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6s join the new 2.0-liter turbo four and 360HP hybrid. Dubbed the VR-series engines, the top output is the headline 400HP and 350-pound-feet of torque unit. This stump-puller will be offered in rear or AWD, with its torque starting a long plateau from just 1600-rpm. Kicking things off right is a limited-run model with giant alloys and sport cabin under the guise of Red Sport 400. This badge steps in for Eau Rouge nicely! No word on sprint pace, but the time should be comfortably in the …

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2016 RINSPEED Etos Concept – Self-Driving, Drone-Launching Technical Tour de Force

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The RINSPEED concept for 2016 is out, with highly advanced digital-car tech of the future taking a front seat for nearly every technical element of the machine. And if there were a back seat in the Etos, the two occupants could both chill back there while the self-driving tech takes over, sinks the steering wheel into the dashboard, and performs fully autonomous self-driving. A basis on the BMW i8 platform means that style, to some extent, has taken a back seat to tech this year.  This means the BMW kidney grilles are replaced up front by ultralight plastics and 3D-effect …

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2017 Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet 15

630HP, V12TT 2017 Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet Arrives in May – Bentley GTC and RR Dawn Beware

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The new S65 Cabrio is official!  Mercedes-AMG just revealed the top of the S-Class convertible range with this V12TT — with unique styling, ridiculous power levels and a super-plush cabin to take on the Bentley GTC in the $250k price bracket. The big benefit of the S65 is of course prestige, along with outright speed. But with just rear-drive versus the USA-standard 4MATIC AWD on the S63 and S550 ragtops, the S63 will only leave its siblings in the dust from about 50-mph upwards. Before that point, a full-throttle launch will be a smokey festival of wheelspin from out back. …

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1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback in Candyapple Red 1

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Fastback in Candyapple Red

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Update:  Or maybe THIS is the car? This is the car. The one. Perhaps the pinnacle of muscle-car design and culture… a forever car. 1969 BOSS 429.  Candyapple Red.   http://www.nvsaac.com/Details/1969_ford_mustang_paint_colors.htm Get ready for a rapid-fire of awesome musclecars on their way to auction! The Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is billed as the largest in the world — and we believe them wholeheartedly after a visit to the event last year. Wish we could preview them all… But there are just too many special beauties to handle individually. Even so, we pulled out a dozen or so very unique icons …

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Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1969 Ford Mustang BOSS 429 Fastback in Wimbledon White

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This is the car. The one. Perhaps the pinnacle of muscle-car design and culture… a forever car. BOSS 429.   Is it Wimbledon White or Polo White?  The Wimbledon shade was a bit creamier, and we think that is the color code of this rolling erotica. Update: yes, it is Wimbledon White.   Get ready for a rapid-fire of awesome musclecars on their way to auction! The Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is billed as the largest in the world — and we believe them wholeheartedly after a visit to the event last year. Wish we could preview them all… But …

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1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 6

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

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Olds 442 W-30! They might not seem like it, but all were very desirable codes in their day…   Cruise over to Mecum.com for the full auction details, list of lots for sale, and info on how to bid online or in the flesh.   The event is a 9-day extravaganza starting January 15th, 2016. Each of the cars featured has their auction lot numbers in the header section, which may be helpful when tracking them down in advance or on their auction days. Mecum 2016 Auctions Kissimmee, January 15-24, 2016   F156_R235_1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30 Photos by John Hollansworth Jr., …

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1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe 5

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1968 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe

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The L88 Corvette is one of the rarest and meanest supercars ever produced by Detroit. It gives new meaning to the Big Block descriptor, and made all other Camaro’s or Mustang’s into distant specs in your Corvette’s rear-view mirrors.   Even so, we pulled out a dozen or so very unique icons to showcase in a series of posts today.  Forgive the lack of writeups, please, and cruise over to Mecum.com for the full auction details, list of lots for sale, and info on how to bid online or in the flesh.   The event is a 9-day extravaganza starting January …

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1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger RT Convertible 1

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger RT Convertible

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Get ready for a rapid-fire of awesome musclecars on their way to auction! The Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is billed as the largest in the world — and we believe them wholeheartedly after a visit to the event last year. Wish we could preview them all… But there are just too many special beauties to handle individually. Even so, we pulled out a dozen or so very unique icons to showcase in a series of posts today.  Forgive the lack of writeups, please, and cruise over to Mecum.com for the full auction details, list of lots for sale, and info …

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1968 Dodge Hemi Dart LO23 Super Stock 1

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1968 Dodge Hemi Dart LO23 Super Stock

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The Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is billed as the largest in the world — and we believe them wholeheartedly after a visit to the event last year. Wish we could preview them all… But there are just too many special beauties to handle individually. Even so, we pulled out a dozen or so very unique icons to showcase in a series of posts today.  Forgive the lack of writeups, please, and cruise over to Mecum.com for the full auction details, list of lots for sale, and info on how to bid online or in the flesh.   The event is a …

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Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Tanker 10

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Tanker

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1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Tanker Get ready for a rapid-fire of awesome musclecars on their way to auction! The Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is billed as the largest in the world — and we believe them wholeheartedly after a visit to the event last year. Wish we could preview them all… But there are just too many special beauties to handle individually. Even so, we pulled out a dozen or so very unique icons to showcase in a series of posts today.  Forgive the lack of writeups, please, and cruise over to Mecum.com for the full auction details, list of …

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1970 Ford Torino King Cobra 2

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1970 Ford Torino KING COBRA

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1970 Ford Torino KING COBRA Best name on this Torino King Cobra, as well as some of the most advanced aero sleekness for any musclecar of the era.  But wow.  Stings like real snakebite venom when viewed from the front…!   Get ready for a rapid-fire of awesome musclecars on their way to auction! The Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is billed as the largest in the world — and we believe them wholeheartedly after a visit to the event last year. Wish we could preview them all… But there are just too many special beauties to handle individually. Even so, …

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1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 11

Mecum 2016 Musclecars – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

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1969 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Get ready for a rapid-fire of awesome musclecars on their way to auction! The Mecum Kissimmee, Florida auction is billed as the largest in the world — and we believe them wholeheartedly after a visit to the event last year. Wish we could preview them all… But there are just too many special beauties to handle individually. Even so, we pulled out a dozen or so very unique icons to showcase in a series of posts today.  Forgive the lack of writeups, please, and cruise over to Mecum.com for the full auction details, list of lots …

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1961 Chevrolet Corphibian 1

1961 Chevrolet Corphibian – One and Only Original GM Prototype Heading to Mecum Kissimmee 2016

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    “Rare” does not do this Corphibian justice. Never will anyone you encounter on water or land know what they are seeing, nor are they likely to see it again! The Corphibian was the single prototype comissioned by General Motors, based on the Corvair 95 Rampside Pickup truck production model. Along with the Corvair Greenbriar van, these two rounded out a now very expansive family of rear-engined, air-cooled models from GM. These were designed largely in response to the booming success of the very-cheap VW Beetle, introduced to the US officially in the mid 1950s but well-known in engineering …

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Road Test Review – 2015 Lexus NX300h – Future-Proof Cruiser

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By now you have definitely done a double-take on seeing the 2015 Lexus NX on the road. At first, another of the RX cavalry. Then new creases, new LED graphics and a sleek and low roofline make clear this is no RX. With the lean and chic nose look off the RC and IS, the NX is a deeply stylish crossover in all three of its trimlines: NS200t, NX F Sport and the NX300h tested here.  Both the base turbo four and this uplevel Hybrid model share their appearances, with only the F Sport getting the aggressive front chin spoiler, …

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2016 LOTUS ELISE 220 and ELISE SPORT 13

4.2s 2016 Lotus ELISE 220 Is Quickest Ever! USA Arrivals in March; No Fatties T-Shirt Optional

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  Shocking speed from this new Elise 220 from Lotus!  Just 4.2-seconds to 60-mph for its estimated $60k US price makes it one of the most rapid machines for the money. And that is just in a straight line! Put some curves in the road course, and the Elise will walk away from most American metal — regardless of price or power ratings. The new Elise Sport is the base model below the 220, but is down about 80 ponies from the 217 of the top road-legal Elise in 2016.  Even so, the Elise Sport’s 6-second blast to 60-mph will …

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2016 Lotus EXIGE SPORT 350 27

3.7s, 170MPH 2016 Lotus EXIGE SPORT 350 is New Road-Legal Cup Racer

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A two-pack of exciting news from Lotus today: the new Exige Sport 350 drops nearly 100 pounds from the Exige S via an extensive lightweighting program.  Along with its 345-horsepower supercharged 3.5-liter V6, the new Exige Sport 350 is an absolute rocketship! Consider that the total weight of the Exige is barely 2500-pounds, and you can instantly know how fast the car is.  That weight is up just 200 versus the front-engine MX5 for 2016… a car with only 160-ponies in its most potent guise. Interestingly, the new Exige Sport 350 is now even more rapid as a paddle-shifted automatic: …

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2016 Citroen E-MEHARI Is Production-Bound EV Beach Car

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Think of the original 1950-1980s MEHARI Citroen like a French Volkswagen Thing. Mostly open bodywork in corrugated panels increase the monocoque strength dramatically, allowing both cars to haul much more than their car-shaped siblings. Some of the first continental pickup trucks, if you will. The 2016 model shares some of the silly and playful beach spirit of the original MEHARI, but with more focus on stressfree driving than do-it-all utility. The E-MEHARI is not a concept, and is headed for sale in France in Spring 2016. It is a full EV with (we believe) front-drive for its advanced lithium metal …

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F1 NewsBriefs: INFINITI and Red Bull Are Dunzo; Texas 2016 GP On Hold in Contract Dispute

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Update: Reports indicate TAG Heuer and Renault will be the title sponsors of the TAG-Red Bull Racing effort in 2016.   Woooowww…. This is pretty intense news wrapped in mature, civilized corporate speech. Infiniti and Red Bull have broken up their world-beating Formula One partnership — effective immediately. Who ended it? That remains confidential, but it is safe to say both firms were unhappy to have their four-year winning streak so violently nabbed by Mercedes-AMG since 2013. The original INFINITI sponsorship agreement was actually a huge marketing coup at the time. INFINITI was going global and spreading its wings far …

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SRT Tomahawk 2

FCA 2016 #DriveforDesign Contest Seeks Teen Input on 2025 Dodge SRT Hellcat!

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On the heels of Ferrari’s very promising design challenge for 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles just launched its multi-playform FCA Drive for Design contest. The objective for all entries is to envision a 2025 Dodge SRT Hellcat — and is limited to high school students in grades 10-12, sophomores to seniors.  The goal is to see what tomorrow’s design talent would do with the 2025 Hellcat in a no-limits world of the future. Will it be an open-wheeled racecar with tandem double cockpit? Or a mid-engine exotic like the SRT Tomahawk Vision Gran Turismo? 2015 SRT Tomahawk Vision Gran Turismo Or …

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Glassman - 2015 Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack Review 4

Road Test Review – 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack

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2015 Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman The Dodge Challenger RT Scat Pack is an outstanding car. It competes with the Mustang and Camaro in the marketplace, but in my mind, it stands apart on a few points. They’re all retro sport cars, but while the Mustang and Camaro are much porkier than their 60’s and 70’s versions, the Challenger seems to be a much more svelte looking and feeling car. Both the Ford and Chevy cars can be equipped with powerful engines, but the Challenger is a bit more boisterous and raucous. The driver gets …

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2016 McLaren 675LT Spider – Configurator + Clubsport Package Detailed in 88 New Images

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McLaren just set the configurator of the new 675LT Spider live on the web! The builder is tweaked versus previous McLaren visualizers — simplified and tailored for the small batch of 500 LT Spiders to be produced. Six custom configurations of exterior and interior design are grouped into themes for the launch, but eight wheel styles and three dozen other colors are on the list for standard pricing. Favorites do not include the new 675LT Spider exclusive color: Solis.  This is definitely a rich golden metallic in the sun, but seen online and in low light it appears to fade …

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2016 G-Class Adds New Colors, Black Packs and Designo Cabin + We Rename The Colors V Offensively

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After the G-Class Crazy Colors Edition, Mercedes is pulling back a bit and going more tasteful for its latest factory-customized SUV flagships. EVEN among this color-mad photochopper… the G63 Crazy Colors are OTT.  We would need much deeper tints for the windows to venture out in Raspberry Beret Purple or Psychotic Break Green. And it appears buyers are suddenly shy and demure too. Those deep-thinking G-Class fans apparently want to class it up a bit for 2016.  Suggested names for these new colors?  Casket bronze, Arabian Racing Pyrite, Rivercorpse Blue and Dirty Diaper Brown. Just snarking…  The new shades are …

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2016 McLaren 675LT Spider 1

2016 McLaren 675LT Spider Reveal – HOT Special Is Already Sold Out

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The new 675LT is not sold out.  Yet. Let me explain…. The 500-unit 675LT Coupe made fast friends with existing McLaren lovers — to the point where its full run of yearly production was sold out in just a few weeks time.  Pre-sold-out. Sight unseen, of course, for bespoke orders. So for the sake of this article’s online legacy… just assume that the 675LT Spider will be fully spoken-for by January of 2016 at the latest. =] Pricing is pretty steep for this high-ranking model in the McLaren range — pounds 285k is the price at home in England. The …

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