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How Plucky Visual Humor and Lavish Color Saved the VW Beetle in America (100+ Images)

I’ve been really hard on VW lately, and passed up an opportunity to test drive the 2014 Beetle GSR this summer – which I strongly regret! A few background items: — My first car was a 1975 SuperBeetle, which was the final and best evolution of the design with a curved windshield, hand-crank sunroof, L-Jetronic Fuel Injection and a new MacPherson strut front suspension design. I drove Walter, as he was named before joining our garage, throughout high school until year 2000, and for much of college until 2005. I miss him on winter days like this. — Silverado out …

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2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport from $19,470! Interior Updates, Galleries and Models

Mitsubishi’s biggest seller brings a number of updates for 2014 to increase refinement, style and interior technology.   2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – New or Updated Features —  Audio system head unit (ES model) —  Engine balancer shaft (all models) —  Newly designed steering wheel with audio controls (all models) —  Improved sound insulation (all models) —  HD Radio (SE model) —  6.1-in. touchscreen display audio system with rearview camera (SE model) —  MMCS navigation system with 7-in. high definition touch panel, voice command, 3D mapping, point-of-interest information, real-time traffic and Mapcare (with SE Touring Package) —  Black leather seating …

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CarRevsDaily

Audi LeMans R18: Laser Light = Smoke and Mirrors? 2014 e-tron quattro Actually Hiding Big Changes in Back

Guess who really likes winning Le Mans? Everyone! Every single person who has ever competed there cherishes a single win with the passion of an Oscar winner. But guess who has really, really developed a taste for winning Le Mans, after more than a decade as the front-runner? The serious gentlemen over at Audi Motorsport. Is this an odd introduction for an article about new laser lighting shown at CES this week? The new “laser” lighting joins a long list of other Audi names for its headlights, including Matrix and Swarm. AUTO LIGHTING TECH – 2014 and Beyond But why …

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2014 CLS45 AMG

Race Start Video: 2014 CLA45 AMG Shows Impressive Launch Drama + 4.5s to 60mph

Mercedes-Benz is evolving its marketing and product positioning drastically. Executive rumblings from a few years ago indicated the brand was making serious changes to lower its perceived demographic – but it all just seemed like lip service at the time. Well, the arrival of the CLA-Class surely confirms that they were very serious. Serious… about getting playful. The CLA is launching in the American market as the front-drive CLA250 and the all-wheel-drive CLA45 AMG. Both run a highly advanced new platform, engine, transmission and electronic architecture. What perhaps previously took 0.002 milliseconds to transfer info from rear ABS sensors on …

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Lincoln Black Label: Modern Heritage

2014 Lincoln MKZ 3.7 AWD Shows Very Handsome Kamm Tail

This is less of an article as a galleries post. You can take in the latest Lincoln MKZ images for yourself. I enjoy its looks, especially versus any other Lincoln. The single LED bar is really good in real life – but looks bad in these photos. The tail spoiler is appealing. But the nose is not pleasant. Exterior Gallery – 2014 Lincoln MKZ Black Label and MKZ Hybrid Interior Gallery – 2014 Lincoln MKZ Black Label and MKZ Hybrid The car shares steering wheel and dash with Fords; making the MKZ less than enticing, despite new-looking seats.  

CarRevsDaily

New Supercar or Vintage Racecar: The Case for Recreations + Quiz: Which is the Fake?

Here is the case for exotic, hand-crafted replica vintage racecars: They Exist. They did not hit the walls, or churn tires through bodywork, or reek of urine. They start the first time, and can be titled and driven on the roads. At Motor Classic & Competition in Westchester County, New York — the all-time best hero racecars come back to life, rumble onto 2014 streets, and perhaps even find a home in your garage. Most race-winning examples of anything need to be treasured and preserved; maintained and respected. To put it in plain language: the GT40s in this article are …

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2013 GLK350 4MATIC

GLK250 Diesel Joins GLK350 from $37,000 – Buyers Guide to AMG Sport trims

The Mercedes-Benz GLK350 is a cool little truck. The really great thing about this package versus other crossovers is how agile and fun it is to toss around. The low proportions and general handling excellence really shame the Acura RDX and even the Range Rover Evoque. The GLK makes no apologies for its macho lines, and really looks exclusive on city streets. The GLK is rear-drive as standard, making this one of the most balanced in its segment for fast drivers. That segment is growing fast, with the GLA250 also joining the U.S. price books for 2014, and the BMW …

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CarRevsDaily

Update1 – Teaser Images Only – KIA GT4 Stinger Coupe to Pack 315HP Turbo

Update1: This article has been updated to remove some amateur renderings of the rear-drive coupe ahead of its show debut today. The real thing looks AMAZING! Kia is building buzz around the debut of its first RWD performance coupe with a new teaser image and an official name: the GT4 Stinger. That is an aggressive badge, and one that leaves room for this car to compete with the Ford Mustang or Subaru BRZ at one end, or perhaps even the BMW M6 on the top end. The Stinger GT4 is more likely to hit the market with a $32,000 price …

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CarRevsDaily

Update1 – Teaser Images Only – KIA GT4 Stinger Coupe to Pack 315HP Turbo

Update1: This article has been updated to remove some amateur renderings of the rear-drive coupe ahead of its show debut today. The real thing looks AMAZING! Kia is building buzz around the debut of its first RWD performance coupe with a new teaser image and an official name: the GT4 Stinger. That is an aggressive badge, and one that leaves room for this car to compete with the Ford Mustang or Subaru BRZ at one end, or perhaps even the BMW M6 on the top end. The Stinger GT4 is more likely to hit the market with a $32,000 price …

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Caterham Coming to America!  620R to be sold by Superformance (Without An Engine

Caterham Coming to America! 620R to be sold by Superformance (Without An Engine…)

Caterham just announced a U.S. distribution deal for its track-only car line via Irvine-based Superformance. Superformance is best known for its amazing Le Mans GT40 re-creations and other exotic sports cars, so the Caterham deal seems like a good fit to add some lightweight track racers to its customer brochures. The sales of rolling Seven 480 and 620R models will not include an engine, but Superformance retailers or their teams are likely to complete most assemblies for customers after the car is sold and titled. How great would a small-block Chevy V8 be in this tiny machine!  A Shelby Cobra …

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Voracious 12C Spider Demand Propels McLaren to Add 5 New Dealerships

Updates for the 2014 McLaren 12C Spider include a wider variety of Special Ops customization choices, a new Android operating system for infotainment, and dealerships a bit closer to home. McLaren is hot on the heels of Ferrari in the battle to monetize their racing pedigree with high-dollar sports car purchases. This track battle is much less about lap times – and more about huge cash flow. McLaren recently announced the addition of five more official retailers, taking the total to 20 dealers across Canada and the U.S. by mid 2014. This is still much less than Ferrari’s 49 total …

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Color Visualizer for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali - Summit White 4

Color Visualizer for the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali – Summit White and Onyx Black

This really goes into the “be careful what you wish for” files. While preparing a roundup of the latest 2015 GMC Yukon photos, I discovered a wonderful visualizer at GMC.com. But one or two photos of the color choices is not my style.  And not GMC’s either! These need to be spread into multiple articles due to file size. Here’s the first, Summit White.  Looking very dapper.  

CarRevsDaily-Snowy-Test-Pho

HD Videos – Blizzard Testing a 4×2 Pickup Truck! 2014 Chevrolet Silverado LT All Star Edition

Testing a truck during a Chicago blizzard on New Year’s Day seems about right: Chevy Silverado pickups will face some of the hardest living conditions of any new vehicle sold. They will get filthy, they will be a little less shiny than this new All Star Edition LT Double Cab 1500 V6 – but the Chevy truck core has always been extreme durability in harsh conditions. Today certainly qualifies! After about 10 inches of snow so far in Lake in the Hills outside Chicago, even walking up my driveway is a challenge – let alone reversing out in a 2WD …

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CarRevsDaily-Snowy-Test-Pho

HD Videos – Blizzard Testing a 4×2 Pickup Truck! 2014 Chevrolet Silverado LT All Star Edition

Testing a truck during a Chicago blizzard on New Year’s Day seems about right: Chevy Silverado pickups will face some of the hardest living conditions of any new vehicle sold. They will get filthy, they will be a little less shiny than this new All Star Edition LT Double Cab 1500 V6 – but the Chevy truck core has always been extreme durability in harsh conditions. Today certainly qualifies! After about 10 inches of snow so far in Lake in the Hills outside Chicago, even walking up my driveway is a challenge – let alone reversing out in a 2WD …

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Update1 – MINI Takes DAKAR Three-Peat with All4 Countryman Squad

Update 1 June 17, 2014 Okay, so this race was in January 2014. Which makes this is bit of a late update. But here is the short version: MINI dominated the 2014 Dakar Rally, winning its third title in three years. I’d be willing to wager that when the MINI crossover was born and christened a few years ago, it thought the Countryman name meant things like hiking, biking, rafting or just being near the woods. But now: Countryman has become “What Country Are We In?” via the long-range Dakar rally in South America starting January 5th, 2014. This is …

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KAMAZ 4911 ANimated GIF- CarRevsDaily

Update1 – KAMAZ 4911 Dominates 2014 DAKAR Rally For 12th Truck Class Win

So you like the Ford Raptor and that feeling of being unstoppable on any terrain? Try the Kamaz-4911 on for size: – 17.2-liter, mid-mounted TD V8 engine – 730 horsepower @ 2500 rpm – 1991 pound-feet of torque @ 1300 rpm – Maximum Speed – 102.5 MPH Trust me, I had to check those numbers thrice myself. A 17-liter V8 is cool, but only the start of the fun for this multi-purpose truck platform. Initially designed with six and eight-wheel options and variants, the Kamaz 4911 basically runs the engine from a tank, but in a (relatively) lightweight racing chassis. …

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Best of Awards – 2013 Cadillac Elmiraj – Most Provocative Concept

What else to say about the Elmiraj? It speaks for itself.   In my opinion, the real achievement of the Elmiraj is how faithfully its wild design is brought to the road. Anything can be rendered on CAD-CAM screens, but rarely does the finished product surpass the original idea. In this case, Cadillac has aced the test. Full house. Even if this exact car does not appear, the techniques on the interior, and especially the exterior style, surely sees the road right now as the stunning Cadillac CTS4.   Interior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Exterior Gallery – Cadillac Elmiraj …

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BBM 330D and BMW M135i by Tuningwerk GIF2

180MPH? Custom Wagons – BBM 330d Touring and BMW M135i by Tuningwerk

The M135i two-door will soon be coming to America as the 228i and 235i, but this body style is really the epitome of fast wagon stance. A power jump is only half the results achieved here by both fast wagons from the local speed shops: Tuningwerk and BBM. The BBM 330d Touring shows what can be done with careful ECU boost enhancement – but this car also wears a one-off reflective matte red exterior that is very unique. BMW M135i by Tuningwerk BMW 330d Touring by BBM  

CarRevsDaily---Nissan-2014-Sports-Car-Concept-Previews-2015-MAXIMA-114

New Maxima 4DSC Heading to Detroit as GT-R-Style Concept Sports Sedan

Exciting news from Nissan today: the announcement of a new Concept Sports Sedan for the Detroit NAIAS from mid-January. The teaser concept is widely believed to be the next Maxima. The dark red/auburn colored image is the only official teaser from the Nissan – all others are speculative renders exclusive to CarRevsDaily.com Nissan has avoided a nameplate for the concept car, but this shape is likely to be in stores by Summer 2014 – perhaps even with a NISMO model alongside at launch. Nissan does reference the recent IDx and IDx NISMO concepts in this teaser release – which shows …

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2014 Infiniti Q50S

2014 Infiniti Q50S Fantastic in Real Life + Very Fast: 4.9s to 60mph for RWD or AWD Hybrids

Perhaps it was just me: but the Infiniti Q50’s design was not a real favorite since it debuted earlier this year. There seemed to be too much light swirling and photo magic to even see what the car really looked like. I am thrilled to report that this Q50’s style really works in the real world: a low nose and that cat’s-eye of LED lighting in the corner of the lamps is quite fresh, looks expensive, and shows class. Other elements of the Q50 Sport Hybrid’s breauty really come to light in the latest real-life photos of the car, taken …

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2014 Honda Civic Si Coupe

2014 Civic Si Coupe – First Night Sighting: Great-Looking LEDs

Spotted my first white 2014 Honda Civic Si Coupe on the road tonight near Chicago, and it looked really confident and sporty. While we sliced and diced in traffic, it was almost as if the Civic knew the horrible things I have written (and printed) about the Honda Civic … in the past. Ahh!    While Honda and I do not always agree, we have a few important things in common. Honda also loves my fair Sweet Home Chicago, with the night-time visualizer on Honda.com showing the world-famous Wacker Drive on that rare, blissfully-traffic-free time of night. The 360-degree visualizer …

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Auto Landmark: Chicago Motor Club – Vacant Art Deco Highrise

  How sad is this title? 17 stories of glory, with car elevators and a full drive-up garage system, on prime real estate of Wacker Drive in Chicago?     Last we checked, 68 South Water Street was owned by a consortium of flustered real estate investors. Hotel conversion plans have backfired, and there are rumblings that the building … may not be inhabitable. Too bad. Look at this penthouse sun room. Vacant for the last 30 years, at least. Built over 80 years ago, bringing this masterclass in Art Deco architecture up to code seems to be prohibitively expensive …

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Toyota Venza Animated GIF1

2014 Toyota Venza Limited Is Like An Allroad Avalon Limousine

For shoppers with back-seat room and all-weather traction top-of-mind, the Toyota Venza is a compelling luxury sedan alternative. With dimensions that make this much like an ‘all-road’ Avalon, the Venza is able to maintain a truly hushed cabin for five. Roominess in back is even better than the Avalon, courtesy of extra recline angle in the back seat and a higher seat base. Overall access is far easier in a car like the Venza, which is unique in delivering an ultra-low floor and step-in height versus many other crossovers. The huge doors make ingress much easier than even the longer …

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CarRevsDaily Best Wheels - A Kahn Design - Cosworth Wheels 47

Best of Awards – Luxury Wheels – Kahn Design RS600, RS and Cosworth Alloys

Wheels are the only aftermarket upgrade that can improve a car’s style, handling, and resale value in one fell swoop.   The reasons for upgrading are therefore clear: a much cooler and more unique appearance for any car, at any price. New wheels will almost always look amazing, especially in a +1 or +2 jump in diameter. Here are a few quick facts to consider about new wheels: — OEM wheels are significantly stronger than most aftermarket products – in terms of long-term pothole resistance as well as the paint finish, etc. — Much slimmer tire sizes, especially on luxury …

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GSC - G-Class 33

G-Class Widebody Options by GSC Look Ready For Terminator 5

As if the G-Class needed any more curb appeal. This is an amazing truck – capable of far more than its most-photographed duties: grocery shopping in Brentwood. German Special Customs agrees – and has a variety of wide-body conversions of the G-Class in their fleet. Yes, taste is subjective —  but all are sure to scare just about anyone out of the fast lane in front of you. Gold – Mercedes-Benz G-Class by GSC Silver – Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG by GSC Red – Mercedes-Benz G-Class by GSC  

2015 Audi A8 - High-Res Images 3

2015 Audi A8 Looks Same, But Adds FWD Hybrid and TDI Flavors

An early debut of the 2015 A8 would seem to jeopardize sales of the current 2014 A8 and S8 – but the changes are mostly tech and powertrain-based. A very evolutionary styling A8 makeover on the 2015 models will go unnoticed by most observers, keeping the 2014 cars relevant. Here are the image galleries of the 2015 Audi A8 TDI, TFSI, Hybrid and W12 LWB models. See if you can tell them apart!  (Hint: it is not easy, but the grilles and tailpipes are the best clues.) 2015 Audi A8 – LEDetails 2015 Audi A8L W12 2015 Audi A8 Hybrid …

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Iconic Classic – 1925/34 Rolls-Royce Phantom I – Round Door Aero Coupe

This Phantom Series I Rolls-Royce V12 rumbled out the factory doors in 1925, but did not add these gorgeous stream-liner panels until its coachwork was complete in 1934. There is much to learn from this Jonkheere Aerodynamique Coupe – even today. The grille treatment is remarkably swept-back, but maintains the classic proportions very artfully. It is very hard to imagine these designs being fabricated by hand, but that was the only way to achieve results like this in the early 1930s. CAD-CAM has come a long way since the Round Door Coupe – but very few of this car’s contemporaries …

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Best of Awards – Zero to Hero in the 2014 Chevrolet Impala

The 2014 Impala looks amazing in the flesh and on the streets. One might even say it is… “really, really, really ridiculously good-looking.” Even its base trims are very cool and dark up front, with a really solid appearance that is unique and very attractive. Yes, on a Chevy Impala!   The 2014 Impala comes in three engine options, from the eAssist 2.4-liter up to the 3.6-liter V6 that should be a must for anyone reading this. The headlights are even quite interesting, which is special at this price point. HID bi-xenons are optional, with LEDs ringing the main beams …

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New Unimog U5023 - Review CarRevsDaily

Most Popular Articles Ranked – Honda Vezel Hybrid vs New Unimog vs Lykan HyperSport in Photo Finish

A quick status update on CarRevsDaily’s launch so far, from November 1 through yesterday. Traffic Stats: — 481,000 pageviews — 91,000 Visits Content Stats: — Articles published: 235 — Media/Image Items Total: 9,781 — Photos per post average: 41.6 It is nearly impossible to know in advance which articles will be the most popular. I would not have come close t accurately knowing which topics are most popular — without website analytics. So here it is!  A mini ranker of CarRevsDaily.com’s most popular content, so far…: # Results 1 – 20 of 749  – DATE RANGE 11-01-2013 – 12-26-2013 # …

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Nissan NV Spy vs Spy

Best of Awards – Spy Van – Nissan NV Cargo Van – 2500 HD High Roof in Super Black

Imagine two identical Nissan NV Cargo work vans.   One is white, with normal windows that show a hard-working, bearded and husky guy in a tan Carthartt jacket. If we had X-ray vision, we might see a cargo area loaded with miter saws, ladders, plywood, and other tools of his trade. The other Nissan NV is black. This one has a high roof, a 5.6-liter V8 engine, and a dark tint to the front windows. Two clean-shaven and physically fit young men pilot this van, with two more guys working in the back. With X-ray vision, inside the black van …

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2014 Audi Q7 TDI S-line Plus – Buyers Guide with Galleries, Specs and Pricing

The 2014 Q7 TDI is a very compelling option versus the other supercharged V6 gasoline engine options available on this luxury seven-seater in American Audi dealers. There basically are no downsides – only benefits – to choosing this Clean Diesel engine. – Huge torque advantage, 406 pound-feet from from just 1750 rpm. – Big efficiency advantages on paper and in real life. – Just as quick as 3.0T models at 7.7-seconds to 60-mph. —- (But down 1.0 seconds versus the 3.0TFSI S-Line with 333 horsepower versus 280 for 3.0T) – Optional air suspension a TDI and TFSI exclusive option, not …

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Hero Racecars - 1970 Alfa-Romeo Tipo 33-4 TASMAN 15

Racing Evolution 1968-1970 – Alfa Romeo T33 Mugello, T33/2 LeMans + T33/4 Tasman

This is part two of the Alfa Romeo endurance racer showcase. These long-tail machinesdirectly evolved from the original Tipo 33 Periscopo and Stradale prototypes – but made huge changes. Far less glass lowers the center of mass, while aerodynamic ground effects became a critical part of racing. This put an end to the smooth flowing surfaces of the curvy 1967 T33 Stradale and its siblings. The Tipo 33 series diverged in 1969 in anticipation of rule changes in the 1970s that would prefer an open cockpit layout. Yes, for trivia buffs, Le Mans has alternated between open and closed cars …

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Hero Racecars – 1967-1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale

Okay, the Tipo 33 Stradale is not quite a street-legal supercar: this is a racing prototype that competed in some of the fiercest LeMans racing battles ever seen. Among its six-plus variants in body style, length, and mechanical package: the Tipo 33 was considered to be among the top three contenders for the late-60’s golden age of endurance racing. Ultimately: the Tipo 33 proved slower than Ford and Porsche, but ahead of McLaren, Ferrari, and the numerous other LMP1 teams. Was the Tipo 33 not a race-winner? Does being spanked by Ford every year it competed mean it is a …

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PDTM headline graphic

Watch Sharks From Your 50th-Floor Balcony Pool – Porsche Design Tower Miami

There are hundreds of exquisite elements of this fantasy high-rise from Porsche Design, including its marquee feature: car elevators that bring residents up to their floor in the car. Car elevators are actually nothing new – but this system of laser-guided wheel holders ensures everything is safe before heading upwards to your floor. Upon arrival at your unit, the system will know to put the car in nose-first or tail-first. It is deposited onto the floor on the in-unit garages, and completes the lift. Quick Specs: Porsche Design Tower Miami. Total height: 650 feet (198 metres) Total diameter: 131 feet …

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CarRevsDaily

Time To Start Playing Grand Theft Auto 5?

The video game business is evolving much more rapidly than many movie studios in terms of their broad reach and level of interactivity with the players who devote hours to winning the race, collecting a mad fleet of exotic cars, or even doing the most efficient kill shots on robo retro future zombies. Or something. The automotive genre of the car business is quite a unique subset. Guys and gals who have never enjoyed most console games with first-person-shooters, RPGs and other fantasy wizard content can somehow really love car games. Gran Turismo is obviously the mack daddy franchise, but …

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Exclusive Scion xB and xD Roof-Chop Renderings –> Gangster Look

Here is the fruit of a few hours in PhotoChop. Would such small windows ever offer enough outward vision? Perhaps – with camera assistance and active safety systems. CarRevsDaily.com – Exclusive – Chopped Roof CarRevsDaily.com – Exclusive – Chopped Roof BONUS: this one did not turn out very well, but shows a speculative preview of Kia’s upcoming 2+2 sports car via a chopped and re-imagined Forte Koup. The concept is set to debut at Detroit in January, and promises genuine driver thrills.

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2014 Kia Forte Koup Spooling Up! New Turbo Power for Slinky 2-Door

The bright red Kia Forte Koup is new for 2014 – and just started arriving in dealers this week. What is so new about this Forte? Well, it now brings all the latest style and tech from its Forte5 and Forte sedan siblings – just in a far cooler profile. Along with its standard LED accents up front, the $2,000 turbo SX trim option brings LED lights for the lower fogs and brake lights as well. The opening price for the Forte Koup is $18,600 with a six-speed manual and the base 2.4-liter engine making 173 horsepower. From $20,600, the …

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TITAN

2014 Nissan Titan Packs Standard 5.6L V8 for $29,000 in Big FU to F150

6.8-seconds to 60MPH, 317 horsepower, chain-driven DOHC… Everyone loves a bargain, and Nissan’s 2014 Titan pricing is still $5,000 under the F-150 at all EcoBoost Fords. Will it get muddy and carry the dogs? The PRO-4X definitely looks like it is having fun ‘muddin’ out there in Beaumont, Texas. Reviewing the specs and photos – I have to say I am almost giddy with delight. Did you know the 2014 Titan was so powerful? I assumed at least one level of V6 engine was in the lineup. Nope – this is the same Q45-derived, IndyCar-powering, Smooth and Huge engine from …

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HYUNDAI-R-Spec-nurburgring_nordschleife

Hyundai Veloster R-Spec New for 2014 with Nurburgring Chassis Tech

Hyundai just announced its new Veloster Turbo R-Spec for 2014, which will become the most affordable Veloster Turbo model with prices just above $22,000. The turbocharged engine’s output stays at 201 horsepower, but the steering, suspension and handling are all much firmer and more precise. This previews the next wave of hardcore, “N Spec” Hyundai models in the future. The N, by the way, is for Nordschleife. Great news for sports car shoppers on a budget, as the Veloster is still a trendy and innovative shape on the roads. More color helps liven the package, but the best news will …

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Hyundai Veloster R-Spec New for 2014 with Nurburgring Chassis Tech

Hyundai just announced its new Veloster Turbo R-Spec for 2014, which will become the most affordable Veloster Turbo model with prices just above $22,000. The turbocharged engine’s output stays at 201 horsepower, but the steering, suspension and handling are all much firmer and more precise. This previews the next wave of hardcore, “N Spec” Hyundai models in the future. The N, by the way, is for Nordschleife. Great news for sports car shoppers on a budget, as the Veloster is still a trendy and innovative shape on the roads. More color helps liven the package, but the best news will …

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Shock! Toyota Corolla Looking Pretty Good – But Where Is The Power?

  That is not nice, but the Corolla S has never before looked this confident. Will it look good in a few years? Who knows. But I’ll be thrilled to never suffer the previous Corolla S model’s hideous body kit. Onto the good news: the new Corolla brings better style, standard LED lighting,and a bit more knee room in back than before. No, it is not huge suddenly – something seems wrong with Toyota’s measurements. The Corolla claims better legroom in back versus the Dart, but the Dart packs 10 extra inches of rear hip room. Something perhaps not realistic …

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Update1 – 2014 Dodge Dart is Low and Wide + Engines Eager for Better HP Via Tuning – SCAT Pack Concept Shows How

Update1: A pretty glaring fact error in this article, but kindly pointed out by a loyal reader. The error surrounds the Tigershark engines versus the MultiAir engines – only the smallest 1.4-liter is a turbocharged unit. The larger 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter Tigershark engines are naturally aspirated – meaning any horsepower gains will be more than just an ECU re-flash away. Even so, a cold-air intake and a less-restrictive exhaust setup are sure to liberate an extra 15 ponies each – along with this engine’s true shriek! Orig Published Dec 23, 2013 @ 13:04 The Dodge Dart GT is the sportiest …

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2014 Challenger Shaker Header Graphic

2014 Challenger SHAKER Lets Hemi V8 Rumble, Snort and Howl

The 2014 Challenger is only lightly refreshed versus its Charger sedan sibling, but even so: this big bruiser is not going quietly into the dark night. As the first rear-drive premium coupe made by Dodge in more than three decades, the Challenger has all the right stuff to burn rubber and have fun. The latest 300-horsepower V6 is a welcome addition to this big machine’s base configuration, while the SXT models will even offer a 100th Anniversary Edition with unique crimson paints and detailing. The real rubber-cooker is the R/T package and its 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 375 horsepower and …

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2014 4Runner Offers Third Row and Very Cool SR5 and Limited Styles 45

2014 4Runner Offers Third Row + Very Cool SR5 and Limited Styles

The 2014 4Runner is all-new from Toyota, bringing a comprehensive restyle outside and a tech overhaul inside. The best parts of the 4Runner package remain: hardy suspension and locking diff options, off-road prowess that goes beyond electronic settings, and of course that roll-down back glass. In place of the old tailgate bench is a new slide-out parcel floor that can hold serious weight. Most critically: a third row of seating is a $1,400 option – and money well spent. It folds out of the way when not needed, but will come in handy eventually. The crimson Trail Premium 4Runner’s photos …

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2014 4Runner Offers Third Row and Very Cool SR5 and Limited Styles 45

2014 4Runner Offers Third Row + Very Cool SR5 and Limited Styles

The 2014 4Runner is all-new from Toyota, bringing a comprehensive restyle outside and a tech overhaul inside. The best parts of the 4Runner package remain: hardy suspension and locking diff options, off-road prowess that goes beyond electronic settings, and of course that roll-down back glass. In place of the old tailgate bench is a new slide-out parcel floor that can hold serious weight. Most critically: a third row of seating is a $1,400 option – and money well spent. It folds out of the way when not needed, but will come in handy eventually. The crimson Trail Premium 4Runner’s photos …

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Financial Windfall? Dow 16,000 Car Shopping? Porsche 911 Carrera C4S

What a year! As the world turns, 2013 has been a doozy on almost all counts. In any other market, bonuses doled out in early January would be modest at best. Typical golden handcuffs of some kind… like future equity, etc. But not this year. Not with a stock market more bullish than — cue the announcer voice-over and drumroll — Your Very Own, ChicagoBULLS! So in this year, hopefully your numbers are moving in the right direction. 2014 is set to be a major global comeback period, with big bets already placed. Who are we betting in? The last …

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New Kia Soul LED Coolness Hookah Bar  32

New Kia Soul Scores on LED Coolness – A Hookah Bar on Wheels!

The 2014 Kia Soul is hugely revised for 2014, with helpful updates throughout to enhance comfort and style. Many people do not understand these boxy compacts. Allow me to illustrate the ideal target market: teens whose nights out might include much more “cruising around” than actual destinations. For these aimless but high-mile young drivers: an upright seating position, thumping audio, and fresh style are the key buying metrics. Pace? Not really mandatory. A multi-hose hookah pipe might be a popular option, if offered, however… or would have been with my pals back in the day. With pricing from just $15,000, …

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Car Shopping: 2014.5 Toyota Camry SE Updates Styling With Dark Rotor Wheels

The 2014.5 Camry is subtly revised versus the 2014 models, with largely tech upgrades and enhanced features and packages across the line.   As the long-running sales champ, the Camry is not quite a “stop and stare” type of car to see on the street. This continues for 2014.5 for all the LE and XLE trims from about $23,000 and up.   The SE model is by far the best-looking of the bunch, with a far better style all around. Most notably – up front, where the SE Camry uses a new grille style, lower air dam with central painted …

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Scion vs Scion

A Tale of Two Scions: Why Is Factory Scion FR-S So Lame?

This is a tough opinion to voice, but one that might resonate with some readers who share this frustration. Here are the key points: — The Scion FR-S arguably looks better than the Subaru BRZ inside and out. — Even more, it is almost shockingly gorgeous with a 3D Carbon body kit and some aftermarket wheels — Scion is a bit cheaper, far easier to find and buy (and service) than the Subaru — But where are all the factory mods the Scion supposedly “stands for” ? — A purchase and re-badge would be my plan due to lack of …

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2014 Scion iQ Glams Up With Two-Tone Styles. But Base Looks Best

The Scion iQ is still not a frequent sight in urban centers, two years since its arrival for American buyers. Why is this? For the new year, all iQ’s bring toughscreen controls for the center console. Overall, the iQ at $15,000 new is still a very ingenious package versus the much pricier, worse-driving and far less fashionable Smart Fortwo. The key difference for the iQ is width: this is as wide as any normal Corolla on the roads – which does wonders for driver confidence even on the U.S. highways. The 2014 iQ gets a tasty new grey paint finish …

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Group B Forever! Peugeot 208 T16 and 205 T16 in 108 Photos

What a premise for a world-beating rally car: your LeMans-winning prototypes are gathering dust, while the motorsport engineers see all their hard work tossed aside. Powertrain? An Audi-beating, red-glowing turbocharger, and all the right stuff to put the power down. Wheelbase? Chopped nearly in half versus the endurance HDI FAP cars. Enjoy this showcase of the Pikes Peak-conquerer: The Peugeot T16, then and now.   2013 208 T16 – Prototype Spec 2013 208 T16 – Pikes Peak 2013 208 T16 – GT 1985 205 T16 Images credits for 1985 205 T16 c/o AllRacingCars.com Awesome site, with a great collection of …

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Concept Flashback – 2012 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

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

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Rogue 2014 de Nissan

Best of Awards: 2014 Nissan Rogue Seats 7, Looks Cool, Gets There First

The all-new Rogue is a huge hit so far: with seven seats and pricing from about $24,000 — this compact crossover nails a huge swath of buyer priorities. Its new LED lighting up front sets the tone, while the Nissan V-bar grille is just foreshadowing. Enjoy this early reveal of the Nissan Rogue in “Full-Throttle Action.” My favorite part? Seeing our pilot’s high-heel shoe mash the throttle to the floor before she uses an on-ramp to jump onto a train’s roof. All in a day’s work for the on-trend and stylish Rogue. This Nissan commercial seems to channel Sri Lankan …

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Update1 – LAMBO Rides Eye of the Storm: All-New HURACAN in 144 Photos, Specs, Colors

It is official!  The Lamborghini Gallardo’s replacement debuted this morning with an all-new V10 engine, a 3.2-second sprint to 60 mph, and styling that closely replicates the Aventador.   Scissor doors are about the only missing element versus the V12-powered older brother of the Lamborghini range. The Huracan brings huge intake ductwork all over the body sides, promising aero excellence without the use of a large spoiler or other gimmicks. The Huracan’s styling outside is extremely clean and aerodynamically streamlined. In fact, this nose looks so low — it might be able to ace Sweden’s Elk test… by sliding under …

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Buyers Guide to Audi RS5 Cabriolet for 2014 12

Buyers Guide: 2014 Audi RS5 Cabrio Sets Phasers to SUN!

Joining the R8 and the new RS7, the RS5 Cabriolet brings enough horsepower and visual aggression to break glass with just one stare. The metallic honeycomb grille is gigantic and looks capable of deflecting a whole family of birds at its 174 mph top speed. The atmospheric V-8 produces 450 horsepower via an optional sports exhaust and Black Optics package hiding the twin coffee-can oval exhaust outlets under the diffuser panel.These cans are so large that they define the lower rear graphic of the RS5, and look really incredible with the sharp bumper corners up top. Dark wheels bring standard …

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Buyers Guide to Audi RS5 Cabriolet for 2014 12

Buyers Guide: 2014 Audi RS5 Cabrio Sets Phasers to SUN!

Joining the R8 and the new RS7, the RS5 Cabriolet brings enough horsepower and visual aggression to break glass with just one stare. The metallic honeycomb grille is gigantic and looks capable of deflecting a whole family of birds at its 174 mph top speed. The atmospheric V-8 produces 450 horsepower via an optional sports exhaust and Black Optics package hiding the twin coffee-can oval exhaust outlets under the diffuser panel.These cans are so large that they define the lower rear graphic of the RS5, and look really incredible with the sharp bumper corners up top. Dark wheels bring standard …

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2014 Fiat 500L

Phew! Latest Real-Life Photos Show a Much Cuter 2014 Fiat 500L

The all-new 2014 Fiat 500L is exploring its new home in America! A cute couple guides us on this scenic photo shoot through seaport towns, cities, and the countryside. It is a relief to see the 500L looking cute – because that is a critical part of its selling proposition. Hip moms, cool dads, and bright colors are all in the 500L playbook. But even parents have a sense of style! And the first few sets of digital renderings really made the 500L look strange. Yes, it is still the same design – but now it is an adorable odd …

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Best of Awards – Coolest SUV Stance – Dodge Durango Rallye and Blacktop

The new Durango is a completely different machine from the first two generations of large SUVs from Dodge. Where those rigs really drove like trucks, with graunchy diffs and a stiff ride, the new Durango feels just as butch – but now far more nimble and polite in town. There is no harshness whatsoever from the RWD or optional AWD setups, and this is still one of the only rear-drive-based, seven seat crossovers on the market. Yes, there is the Tahoe, but that really moves the trucks up a size (and garage) class too far, for some. Tow ratings and …

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The FIAT brand partners with Condé Nast for the limited-edition Fiat 500c GQ Edition

Best of Awards – Most Playful Sport Compact – Fiat 500C Abarth

Hey, can you pop that top off? Ahh, being yelled at in Italiano. Is there anything sexier? Charming and sexy, a fast-talker who never breaks eye contact. If that seductress with the Abarth Scorpion tattoo does not prove it conclusively: this car is a little slice of Italy. Sweet and nice, but ready to give some kiss bites. And like most hot Italian romances, all this might happen in public! Whatever happens, the Abarth 500C is always packing a body by Speedo, and ready for a dip to cool off. Oops, you forgot your bathing suit? That’s okay.   2014 …

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2014 X5 with and without M Performance Parts

2014 BMW X5 – Before and After M Performance Upgrades

The BMW X5 is hotter than ever before. In December 3rd’s WSJ, BMW even cites huge international X5 demand as one of the reasons BMW may lose the number one U.S. luxury sales rank to Mercedes-Benz for 2013. Fun fact: the BMW Spartanburg plant is the largest exporter of American-made cars. In the whole country. Beating all the U.S. brands!  (These are official BMW cargo ships, by the way, not grey-market exports.) It seems this America-focused truck is far hotter than BMW ever expected in even its most traditional markets. The draw of seven seats and the latest BMW  style …

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1961 MINI Drops 54 Years in 60 Seconds

Timelapse Video: 1961 MINI Drops 54 Years at Past/Future Dutch MINI Factory

A charming, *exclusive* time-lapse of a 1961 model’s rebirth from MINI, just as the firm debuts its hottest 2014 JCW Concept and the all-new Hardtops are officially official. Long pre-amble: Short video. Enjoy this ’61 Mini’s rebirth. This 1961 Austin Seven was originally built in the Netherlands after Mini fever swept Britain and wider Europe by storm. Similar tides these days, as Mini has signed up to build cars again in the Netherlands starting in Summer 2014. While this is not a fully Mini plant, the Dutch crew is giving it all of their love. A team of – no …

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Best of 2013 Awards – Tail-Out, Balls-Out Supercar – $70,000 Lotus Exige S

What a pivot for Lotus Cars in 2013. While still reeling from ownership changes and a variety of management re-alignments, Lotus Cars shines its green and gold flags through any fog. This is a racing company at its core, and the Exige S arrives to American buyers with all the power, prestige and class of true exotic cars. While sharing a vaguely familiar silhouette with the Elise and previous-gen Exige, the looks are very modern and fresh up close. All the race-ready Exige S styling elements really work together with its ultra-low, ultra-wide footprint.     Where the previous Exige …

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2014 Ford Transit Connect – Hot Wheels Concept Shows Widebody Style, Cool New Nose

The SEMA show is not my favorite. In a bit of an rough mood this morning, and not holding back much. Imagine walking around a normal auto show, like Chicago or Detroit, but instead of perhaps 70 brand displays, there are 70,000. Such is SEMA. You might like a car, never know what it was or where it came from, and never see it again. So many tuners and OEMs descend on the Vegas strip every November — it can be hard to keep track, let alone care. But then there is that one… The 2014 Ford Transit Connect is …

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2015 Kia K900 Revealed in RWD V6 and V8 Options, But Looks Dreadful Inside and Out

Kia has been signalling its upmarket intentions for years now, and is really acting on that ambition in a pretty remarkable way. The upcoming flagship Kia K900 is not priced yet, but is set to arrive in spring 2014 across the U.S. with rear-drive and the choice between a 310-horsepower V6 engine or the 5.0-liter V8 from the Hyundai Genesis R-Spec. But what is Kia’s real ambition in the executive limo market? The company is realistic about the challenges in luring conquest sales from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Lexus. The K900 is a long-term vision for the company, asserted with …

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Latest Toyota FCV Concept Shows Design of Future SuperPrius

The Toyota FCV runs on Hydrogen-powered batteries, but looks like it could also convert squirrels or road debris into energy via its lower air scoops… This car has some really, really awkward angles. Even as a concept only, the FCV’s styling and design leaves much to be desired. From the initial sketches, this car loses the plot completely – with another tall roof and seriously unattractive nose. Perhaps for aerodynamic reasons, the fender tops do not quite reach the hood of the FCV. For style, aero, or cooling? It is believable that the latest water-operated fuel cell design could have …

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2014 Bentley GTC V8 S – The Best-Handling, Best-Looking Flying B?

Bentley is currently enduring a bit of ‘blowback’ response from auto critics regarding its new styling direction. The new Bentley look is growing on me, however. Even the new Conti GT models look wider than the gulf between rich and poor between those huge tail-lamps, while the Flying Spur looks simply gigantic.   Sales are still excellent across the board, but the Conti GT is not quite the ‘coolest car on Wall Street’ that it once was. Comprehensive updates now offer the coupe and cabrio in four trims: V8, V8 S, W12, and GT Speed. Shock of shocks, when preparing …

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2015 MINI Cooper JCW Concept Brushed-Alloy Paints Hot Bod 12

MINI Cooper JCW Concept Debuts Brushed-Alloy Paints on Hot New Bod

The all-new MINI John Cooper Works is taking shape! After the recent debut of the all-new 2014 Mini Cooper and Cooper S, the hottest member of the MINI clan is closing fast in the rear-view mirror.   Even as a concept, the huge body revisions are visible from almost every angle versus its 2014 MINI siblings. Up front, the JCW brings nearly double the square footage of air intakes, and a far more menacing lower chin style. Expected to run a turbocharged four-cylinder versus the top Cooper S model’s turbo triple, the JCW will be able to really push the …

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Concept Flashback - 2006 BMW Mille Miglia 9

Concept Flashback – 2006 BMW Mille Miglia

New cars can be tiring to write about. These concepts are my diversion before the real work begins. Many concepts these days roll onto the stage with tight-lipped executives – who will say it only points toward a potential future design, etc. If the exec in question is standing in front of a mono-pod spaceport of some kind, it is easy to trust him. But more than ever before, concept cars are a lightly veiled launch platform for the real-deal production car about 8 months later. Cynical? Me? Never. Some concepts have barely a chance in hell of seeing volume …

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Update1 Racing Heritage: the Silver Arrows from Mercedes-Benz (100+ Rare Photos)

Imagine a combination of all forms of racing – off-road to high-speed – done by one core chassis design.   During the 1930s, the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows were storming every type of racing one could imagine: both competitively in Formula races and for world record attempts outside the circuit. This sent the Silver Arrows up hillclimb events, on ultimate Vmax runs, and even a few winter setups that included a dually rear wheel and a closed shell cockpit at one point.   All these variants were highly ingenious engineering achievements around one core chassis design. The open-wheel profile of any …

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CarRevsDaily - 2014 Chevy Malibu Turbo First Test 15

First Drive Videos: 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo – 5.9s to 60 mph!?

It has been a few years since my last seat time in a Chevy Malibu, and I was expecting the worst. What I found in the Malibu Turbo is an eager plaything with gobs of power all over the rev range and a firm feel from the ‘Bu’s latest leather-wrapped steering wheel. Pls note: Mis-Adventures in video camera tech continue. The audio of these videos is really, really bad, and makes the Malibu seem much louder than it is. A brief presentation today with Chevy offered some insights into the three areas of dramatic overhaul for the 2014 Malibu, which …

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Snapper Showcase: ItzKirb Captures the Wild Graphics of this Porsche 911 GT3 RS

ItzKirb Photography strikes again! These GT3 RS photos are dazzling, and will warm the hearts of car lovers everywhere on this chilly Monday morning. Be sure to check out ItzKirb’s Facebook page for all his latest exotic cars and exotic babes – of which he seems to have an endless supply of both! https://www.facebook.com/itzkirb There is even on of the artist himself, pondering his subject. Thanks Kirby! Tallpapers

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Tempted? Superformance 1966 Ford GT40's Are Virtually Flawless

These two devils play a wicked trick on the brain at first sight. Their unique blend of original and modern Ford GT cues really sets them apart on the roads – even when that giant V8 is not howling away. Priced from $150,000 each, these are recreations of Ford GT40 LeMans-winners. But these cars have a few aces up their sleeve to make up for their lack of pure vintage credibility: speed, presence, and ease of use. They are also easier to drive on the street, with updated emissions and other helpful concessions to road use. The sense of occasion …

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Own This Authentic 1969 McLaren M10-A To Be A Racing Hero

One thing I love about the English car mag culture is their enthusiasm for track days – and track day cars. I hope this catches on here, and am doing my part with a few ‘first-times’ under my Dunlop belt.   But one thing that will always beat an Exige S or other time-attack miracles? A real, fire-breathing race car. Nothing will bring all those study hall sketches to life like this 1969 McLaren M10A currently for sale by FantasyJunction in Emeryville, California. Priced at $160,000, this car comes with a drooling list of included equipment, and stretch-folders full of …

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ItzKirb Photographs the Lexus LFA 18

Supercar Showcase: ItzKirb Photographs the 2011 Lexus LFA

ItzKirb Photography is a fancy name for one brilliant artist. A man whose camera lenses really bring supercars to life on film. And to do that, he gets to prowl around his favorite locations driving multi-million-dollar exotics – which is a great reason to wake up for work! ItzKirb  also has a fine eye for beauty in women, boats, and other fast-moving objects. He brings his best lighting and magic eye to all topics. The 2011 Lexus LFA is quite beautiful from where he stands, I think you will agree.   Please cruise over to Like ItzKirb’s Facebook page, which …

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The Most Stylish 4-Door Never Made? 1980 Ferrari Pinin Still Brilliant

The 1980 Ferrari Pinin concept shares much of the low-slung beauty of the 400i models, but none of their affordability. This one-off concept is being sold by Museo Ferrari for $1.2 million. Before you write off this design and its gob-smaking egg-crate grille, take a few minutes to twirl it around with 30 years perspective since its debut. Yes, the nose is messy, and the clamshell hood shows some panel fit issues in some of the photos.   But Enzo Ferrari himself is also sitting in the car for some of the photos, evaluating it around Fiorano on a nice …

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CarRevsDaily-Chic-Supercars-Ferrari-400i-and-412i-37

Classic Supercars: Ultra-Chic Ferrari 400i and 412i

Classic car shopping is often like staring over a city from high atop a mountain. Once your eye sees one thing it likes, there are ten more within the same focal point. Such is Hemming’s Classifieds section. This site allows is a much broader type of browsing and car shopping, with long distance delivery of anything bought online. Generally, private sellers online come in two flavors: – extreme obsessives who are forced to part with a car they have cherished – extremely careless people charged with liquidating an asset You can guess which one you want to buy from to …

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McLaren Turbo – Secrets of Black Air – 1987 Buick GNX Story

Let’s start at the beginning, my personal vantage on the Buick GNX – before and after watching Black Air: The Buick Grand National Story. Here are three things you may not know about the 1987 Buick Grand National: Engine came first, car second. What sporty body could fit this 500HP boost-monster? Housing the huge McLaren turbocharger and intercooler hardware of the 3.8-liter V6 was the hardest part. It was a very sentimental project for the company, allowing unbridled execution of the super-car engine and total styling black-out. That high-gloss, rich paint was pure fantasy at the time. The GNX was the …

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Best of 2013 Awards – New Exotic Car – W Motors Lykan HyperSport

W Motors is such an exciting success story – it must win the Best of 2013 Award for these  achievements. From the outside world, a new hypercar from a country without automotive expertise is laughable. Even coming close to the levels set by Pagani, Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren is virtually impossible for any new company. At the very least: most of the promises from any new exotic car brand are (very) exaggerated. This spirals development costs out of control, leading to: – insolvency from lack of capital to invest – at the very least, huge delays and unhappy deposit-makers   …

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Speculative Rendering – 2015 Volkswagen Passat R

  Some big changes at Volkswagen of America this week, with executive leadership heads rolling to account for the current VW sales slump and steep down-trend. This is unfortunate, but just a cost of doing business. The previous acting chief doubled sales in 24 months, which is pretty astounding until you realize how low VW of America’s sales actually were. But what is the root cause? They are many and varied – but it comes down to the dated, extremely boring and overpriced US product portfolio. As many of you may know, I like to play with car configurators online. …

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Concept Flashback: 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger – Speedster Prototype

Can you guess who hates Camaro and Mustang news? Dodge. This one-off concept’s HEMI engine gurgles and rocks the car as it revs with indignity at the 2.3-liter turbo four heading to the 2015 Mustang. No cubes = no pubes, the Hemi Charger growls to itself. Packing a 7.0-liter V8 engine with a quoted 600 horsepower, the Hemi Charger concept is part Batmobile part race-car and part street fantasy The proportions of this machine are hilariously retro. Clearly converted from a much longer sedan platform, the back deck of the Hemi Charger is a few feet longer than even the …

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CarRevsDaily - Supercar Showcase - Hennessey VENOM GT 18

Best of 2013 Awards: 265MPH Hennessey Venom GT is Reigning Supercar King

If there is one Yankee hypercar that can really run with the bulls from Europe, it is the Hennessey Venom GT. WHat the Texas-based crew from Hennssey has proven since 2010 is nothing short of remarkable. In fact, this is the ultimate American exotic. The real thing. Refined and fine-tuned over the last seven years, the Venom GT is nothing short of: The Fastest Car in the World. Forget the NARDO for ultimate Vmax runs in the next generation of hypercars. Too bumpy. (Porsche may be working on this issue, but a resurfacing project visible from space should give advance …

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Ferrari 599XX Heading to Paris for RM Auctions in Feb 2014

Buckle up. Tighten belts. Hang on! It looks like the day has finally come: one of Ferrari’s ultra-exclusive Corse Clienti XX models is set for public sale by RM Auctions this February in Paris. Widely believed to be pushing out nearly 800 horsepower through its Enzo-plus V12 engine, all of the typical street weight is stripped out. A full carbon-fiber aero redesign nearly doubles downforce (and grip) versus the 599 road cars, and weight is a very private figure – assumed to be at least 800 pounds lighter than anything with a license plate. Type approvals and imports will be …

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CarRevsDaily 2010 Caparo T1 Showcase 13

What Happened to Caparo? Brilliant T1 Seemingly Doomed from the Start

You remember Caparo. Their breakout T1 model from 2008 was huge news for any car lover. It takes the track-attack ethos of similar English charms like the Lotus 2-Eleven, Ariel Atom and others, then fast-forwards the technology by 100 years. While the legendary 1950s-designed Lotus Seven continues forward with even more new Caterham models for 2014, it seems that the actual future of these race cars is in a rut. A deep rut, followed by a speedbump in the road. Too low to pass over it, the Caparo T1 now appears to be stuck. Here is a mini timeline of …

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CarRevsDaily - 2014 Porsche Panamera Buyers Guide - Exteriors 50

2014 Porsche Panamera Buyers Guide – Facelift + Three New LWB Models

The Porsche Panamera is a revelation. This is a car that draws in comments from strangers on a daily basis. And when the strangers are not approaching you to fawn over the Porsche, they are watching the car’s every detail as it rockets down the roads and highways of the world. The Panamera is, perhaps, the coolest sedan every made. Yes, yes – I am a big Porsche fan and have been for most of my life. But even so, Porsche’s brilliant execution of the Panamera really makes this a 928S — updated for 2020 and beyond. Among the eleven …

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Standaufnahme    Farbe: Misanorot

2015 Audi A3 e-tron Brings Plug-in Hybrid 1.4TFSI to Sportback Wagon

Think you know hybrids? Wait until you get a brainfull of the infographics accompanying the 2015 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron. This is a plug-in hybrid that primarily runs on gasoline via the handy 1.4-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine. Combined power is quoted at 201 horsepower, but the battery size and efficiency for the plug-in components is not yet available. What is clear is this: the e-tron configuration will come initially in the Sportback body style only. This is news versus the executive compact sedan A3/S3 twins, as well as the two-door cabrio. Full LED lighting will be a feature on the …

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Standaufnahme    Farbe: Misanorot

2015 Audi A3 e-tron Brings Plug-in Hybrid 1.4TFSI to Sportback Wagon

Think you know hybrids? Wait until you get a brainfull of the infographics accompanying the 2015 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron. This is a plug-in hybrid that primarily runs on gasoline via the handy 1.4-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine. Combined power is quoted at 201 horsepower, but the battery size and efficiency for the plug-in components is not yet available. What is clear is this: the e-tron configuration will come initially in the Sportback body style only. This is news versus the executive compact sedan A3/S3 twins, as well as the two-door cabrio. Full LED lighting will be a feature on the …

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Concept Flashback: 2007 BMW CS

This design is still really stunning. Much of the purity from this nose, in particular, seems long gone from the latest 6-series and 7-series. Then again, many great ideas were instantly frozen between 2007 and the present, so these themes may crop up again in the future. At least one aspect of this design seems to have been embraced by many non-BMW brands: the rear arch strike line. In various forms, it populates many other cars after six years since this concept’s debut. None bring quite the elegance and relaxed attitude of this show car, however, to these eyes.

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2015 Toyota Supra Turbo: Hiding in Plain Sight? Evolution + Renderings

Has the upcoming 2015 Toyota Supra Turbo been hiding in plain sight this whole time? In the decade since the last Supra, the speculation has never stopped. The latest buzz indicates Toyota may be bringing a near-production example of the Supra to the Detroit show next month. This is exciting – even if the name starts with FT — Toyota-speak for wild concepts. Over the past few years, dozens of speculative renderings have appeared all across the car guys universe. All of these are hopelessly dated, however, and do not seem like a Future Toyota – to us at least. …

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186mph BMW M4 Screams into Focus – Colors, Technical Video + 75 Photos

What to do in a time like this? One of the most exciting cars of 2014 sneaks onto the web, without BMW’s official blessings. The best thing we know is to add value to the news, and cite the source. BimmerBoost.com is sure to have its biggest traffic, ever, this week! WHile the images in all their glory are astounding, there is far more to the M4’s turbocharged howl than just this new yellow paint color. Yellow? It is called Austin Yellow Metallic, in case you wondered, and is a dead ringer for the prismatic paint used on the recent …

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New BMW M3 Packing 430HP Through Manual or Dual-Clutch Boxes

BimmerBoost  has uncovered some very exciting news today. The BMW owners site just posted the official 2014 M3 launch images and ordering guide.   The early release also includes details on the two-door M4; stay tuned for an upcoming article. For the sedan, BMW chose its most lively blue paint and dark wheels for the press shots. As always, something about a track-honed car with four doors — this M3 looks better than the M4, in my opinion. Enjoy these high-resolution images ahead of the 2014 BMW M3 ahead of its official debut in Detroit next month. Also included below …

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2014 Volvo XC60 Buyer's Guide 56

Volvo XC60 Buyer's Guide Info, Galleries and Videos

It is just a Volvo kind of morning here in Chicago. Snow has been falling for two days, and the temps are extremely frigid. My Subaru had major struggles getting up and out of the steep driveway, thanks to my amazing decision not to shovel. My poor Subaru Legacy GT. What a hard, battered life it leads. Most of the damage sustained by the car has been off the pavement. Something about huge, huge turbo power and AWD has led me — time and time again — to take the low-slung LGT off-roading. Much as I love the Q-car appeal …

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New Volvo XC Coupe Concept Previews Stunning 2015 XC904

New Volvo XC Coupe Concept Previews Stunning 2015 XC90

Volvo is heating up! Literally – warming themselves in the cold winters up north with visions of how pretty the 2015 XC90 needs to be. The Swedish team has developed some scientific assessments of car styling that use heat maps to identify viewer emotions. As the viewer’s eye circles the car, tracking software is able to learn and highlight the areas of the car design they like best. Sounds completely absurd, like something from science fiction? Nope. The Swedes know many things about cold versus hot temperatures. As shown in the below graphics, the Best of 2013 Award-winning Concept Coupe’s …

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Killer RS7 Coming to America for 2014 with GT-R Pace, Huge Trunk

The Audi A7 has always made a compelling case for itself: from just $70,000, the A7 now brings five-plus trim levels and a variety of new engines. The S7 and RS7 are absolutely mind-bendingly-fast: twin turbo’s blow full boost launches away in less than 4.0 seconds, and still pulling like a fighter jet well past 100 mph. Air suspensions keeps things calm and flat – even when pulling 1.5G in all directions. The one thing all A7 variants share is their low-slung, slinky appearance on the roads. This is a stunning silhouette, and still far more lean and lithe than …

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Car Junk? LED Emblems Arriving from Major OEMs – not just Ebay

I love buying ridiculous things for my car. As long as it can theoretically be removed *when* it breaks, and costs less than $20: I am usually ready with a Visa in hand. What do I mean? I buy really trashy stuff. In upcoming articles, I am trying to think of a way to write about fake Brembo caliper covers ($4.00/set), and also this trippy LED stick-on banner equalizer that dances to music. Yes, it sticks on your back windshield, and matches the rythym of whatever is on your stereo. This is not some “Ha ha look at them” article. …

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Loving the Bentley Mulsanne - Mega Galleries 76

Mega Galleries + Future Renderings – Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner Spec

The Bentley Mulsanne lives a charmed life. It its glamour photos, the Mulsanne whooshes around between palaces, castles and state capitols. This is a car that lives the globe-trotting life we all dream about. It will hit 180-plus-mph between the safety chicanes that break up its namesake straight-away at LeMans. Everything is supremely luxurious, well-executed, and most of all: memorably fun to drive. This big bruiser has 10 VW’s worth of power under that massive hood, and rear-drive dynamics ensure old-school Bentley Boys thrills around any damp corner. But there is a wide-eyed elephant in the room. The Mulsanne is …

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The All-New Ford Mustang GT

2015 Ford Mustang GT in Silver – Nearly 50 All-New Images

Ford’s debut of the 2015 Mustang GT is still picking up steam. After some personal confusion about Ford’s decision to release only 10 barely-real-life images of the new Mustang in red last week, the good stuff is starting to trickle out from Dearborn about this exciting new pony car. Enjoy these all-new images of the 2015 Mustang GT in Silver. The car is expected to be in dealers nationwide by April. New Silver Images – 2015 Ford Mustang GT   2015 Ford Mustang GT – New Interior Images 2015 Mustang GT in Red  

2014_Toyota_Tundra_SR5_007

Mega Galleries: Big and Tough 2014 Toyota Tundra Outside and In – from SR5 to Platinum and 1794

With all this love and attention lavished upon the GMC Sierra at Spaceport America, the seven available styles of 22-inch rims for the Silverado High Country, and some Super Duty love — it is time for the Toyota Tundra in all its glory. This is only a truck that can be jabbed at from afar. Up close, the width and height of this machine immediately shuts your mouth. Enjoy these mega galleries, with particular attention to my favorite: the Tundra Limited with the dark wheels! 2014 Toyota Tundra – Exterior Galleries 2014 Toyota Tundra – Interior Galleries