Engined Beasts

Random Pic: Snow Covered GTO

2012-02-10T16:43:00.001+01:00

Photo credits: PW Photography
Poor GTO, left out in the snow. This is not cool!

CLS “Black Bison Edition” by Wald International

2012-02-09T17:30:00.001+01:00

The changes are purely aesthetic but this CLS Black Bison Edition by the the Japanese tuner Wald International looks great!

VIDEO: Drifting in The Snow in a Formula Car with Andreas Gülden

2012-02-09T17:08:00.000+01:00

Andreas Gülden is the chief instructor at the Nürburgring Driving Academy who once offered us one of the greatest driving videos around the green hell. In his first video, the instructor took a Formula car for a frightening lap around a very wet Nordschleife track. It was a great demonstration of his drving skills and we all enjoyed it. Apparently, the wave of cold crossing Europe these last days didn't stop him from doing what he does best. And for that, we are thankful! Because now we have the snow version of his video.

Red Bull's Mysterious Little Air Vent

2012-02-08T14:48:00.002+01:00

The teams seem to be working hard to hide the secret parts of their new F1 cars but that did not stop some curious photographers from getting closer shots of Red Bull's mysterious little air vent. It could be not that mysterious... But our passion for this sport makes us thirsty for details!

Could it be the key element of the new RB8's design? Adrian Newey admitted that last year, they built their car around the exhaust position. This year, with the blown diffuser solution banned, the world champions might want to find another trick that'll make their car the fastest on the grid.

F458 Italia with Vintage F40-like Wheels by HRE

2012-02-08T12:20:00.000+01:00

Photo credits: Jack Darton
Have you ever wondered what a Ferrari 458 Italia will look like with F40 inspired wheels? That's what HRE wheels has to offer for the F458 owners. I might need more real life pictures to get a clearer image. But since i'm in love with everything F40-related, i would go for these wheels if i was a F458 Spider owner. It looks gorgeous. Checkout more vintage wheeled supercars at HRE Wheels' official website.

Williams FW34 revealed: the most Pronounced Stepped Nose yet

2012-02-07T11:47:00.000+01:00

What an exciting season it will be! New technical regulations, new drivers including a returning world champ which makes six world champions on the grid, a new Gran prix in the USA and 26 unbelievably fast ugly F1 cars equipped with KERS, DRS, powered by 750+ Hp V8 engines and weighting less than 650Kg (driver included)!

Now here's Williams' new FW34. After a disastrous 2011 season, Williams switched to engine supplier Renault and hired Bruno Senna to drive alongside team-mate Pastor Maldonado. It's a fresh start for the once successful team. Let's hope they'll do a lot better than last season.

Scuderia Toro Rosso Reveals its STR7

2012-02-06T22:18:00.000+01:00

More teams continue to unveil their new F1 cars and this time it's Toro Rosso's turn to unveil the STR7. The Ferrari powered F1 car follows the trend of the stepped nose with a design slightly similar to that of the new Sauber C31. All the teams (exept Caterham and Mercedes GP) are expected to be at Jerez tomorrow for the first official testing session which marks the official start of the 2012 season.

VIDEO: The RB8 Revealed! (UPDATE)

2012-02-06T14:45:00.000+01:00

I guess we'll have to wait a little bit more to get a clearer view of the RB8. One thing is sure however, the car does feature the same stepped nose solution as the other teams, though it looks to be smoother and more elegant just like they have predicted..

2012 Sauber C31 revealed: The thinnest nose yet

2012-02-06T14:41:00.000+01:00

It's a great day for F1 fans. As the beginning of the season approaches, all the teams have started to take wraps off their 2012 contenders. The first testing session starts tomorrow at Jerez, and all the teams will be there for a first shakedown for their machines. Just like, Ferrari, Lotus, Caterham and Force India, the Sauber C31 has a stepped nose designed to avoid the lowering of the whole front end. This solution allows to avoid reducing the height of the suspension rods which will cause a handicap in handling and also have an impact on the airflow underneath the car's body. There is a particularity with the nose of this C31 however, it is incredibly thin. It'll be interesting to see how these things will behave on a crash...

[Source: Sauber F1]

Sahara Force India VJM05 revealed

2012-02-06T12:02:00.001+01:00

After Caterham and the Scuderia Ferrari, the stepped nose has become something familiar to F1 fans. Now it's Force India's turn to show us its interpretation of the new regulations. One thing is sure, we'll have to get used to the stepped nose as more and more teams are adopting this solution. Another interesting feature is the small winglet at the front end. Let's see if it'll help to improve the air flow..

Lotus F1 E20 Revealed!

2012-02-06T11:54:00.001+01:00

It seems that McLaren is the only team who has resisted the stepped nose temptation so far... Now it's Lotus F1's turn to unveil its 2012 competitor. The former Renault F1 Team has succeeded to attract attention this year by hiring the returning world champion Kimi Raikkönen and let's not forget the historic Black and Gold livery which looks absolutely gorgeous. On paper, this team has everything it needs to be among the front runners this year. Let's hope it live up to the fans' expectations.. There's more to come this afternoon with Red Bull Racing revealing its RB8, so stay tuned!

Ferrari F2012 Unveiled: What a strange nose you Have!

2012-02-04T16:11:00.000+01:00

I'm not an expert in aerodynamics, far from that... But i have always thought that the more angular shapes were less efficient than the smoother ones. That was my first impression when saw the new F2012. I think we all agree, that the stepped nose doesn't have too much appeal. But if Ferrari says it will make their car faster then i believe them. And let's all take note that this modified nose came as result of the new FIA regulations that limits the height of the front nose. As for the overall shape of the car it looks pretty homogeneous. Besides, those side pods and exhausts look to be very optimized. But let's wait and see what Red Bull Racing will come up with... I just have a feeling that it's gonna be something much smoother, if not revolutionary...

[Source: Ferrari]

Pick of The Day: Bingo Sport Black Ferrari F40

2012-02-04T15:57:00.000+01:00

I think i wrote too much about the Ferrari F40 that i can't find the words anymore to express all my love and my passion for this car (besides the fact that i'm not a native english speaker). This gorgeous black machine is Bingo Sport's take on the almighty F40. Exept the black paint job and the black rimsthere's nothing really new because there's actually nothing that needs to be changed about this car... Enjoy the pics!

First Livery of the BMW M3 DTM unveiled

2012-02-02T23:18:00.001+01:00

It's not that easy to make green and blue look together on a race car livery. Of course, the green and blue "psychedelic" livery on the Porsche 917K from 1970 will always be my favourite. But i have to admit that BMW's take on green and blue for its first DTM racer isn't bad either. Unlike the Porsche, the colors on this livery are actually the official colors of the two major sponsors which are Castrol and the ARAL gas stations. The 2012 DTM season kicks off next april. In the meantime, you can check out the official 2012 DTM cars from Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

Top Gear Season 18 Starts Tomorrow

2012-01-28T13:16:00.000+01:00

The new season of Top Gear starts tomorrow, here's what to expect:

[Source: BBC]

VIDEO: Toyota TS030 Onboard Footage

2012-01-25T21:51:00.000+01:00

After revealing the new TS030 Le Mans racer in pictures, Toyota released an onboard footage of its new hybrid race car with Alex Wurz at the wheel. Listen to that sound!

Toyota's new Hybrid LMP1 racer Revealed

2012-01-25T08:38:00.000+01:00

We all loved the Toyota GT-One back in the 1998 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sadly, the Japanese GT1 race car didn't meet the expectations of Toyota and the public. Thirteen years later, Toyota comes back to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Hybrid machine. After the sudden departure of Peugeot from the competition, Toyota will have the German giant Audi (second most successful team in the History of the 24 hours race) to beat. With Porsche (the most successful team in the race's history) joining the race the year after.

Code-named TS030, the race car will be using a 3.4-liter V8 coupled to a two motor electric powertrain. The electric motors will be placed one in the front and one in the rear. However, as the regulations point out, the eletric powertrain is allowed to drive only one set of wheels. Toyota will be entering two TS030's for the 2012 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. More details will emerge in the coming weeks. But for now, enjoy the high res pictures below and tell me your impressions about the retro headlights.

Pick Of the Day: Corvette ZR1 by TIKT

2012-01-21T21:13:00.000+01:00

Photo by Frederic Schlosser
With its 647 Hp and its well balanced body, the Corvette ZR1 is already a beast. It's not only good in the straight line but it also has a very respectable lap time around the Green Hell which is just 5 seconds behind the almighty Nissan GT-R.German tuner TIKT however, thought that there was a way to give it more power and improve its handling. The result is the Corvette ZR1 Triple-X. It has an extra 122 Hp over the original ZR1 which makes a total of 769 Hp. And did i mention the improved aero kit? More high res pictures of the Triple-X in the gallery below!

VIDEO: Flame Spitting Ferrari F40 in Japan

2012-01-21T00:15:00.000+01:00

Watch this Ferrari F40 spitting flames while going through a tunnel in Japan. If you have the adequate equipement, this video is available in HD 1080p and even in 3D. Click past the jump to watch the video. Simply gorgeous.

Bring your Money, this Baby is for Sale!

2012-01-19T23:40:00.001+01:00

This 1,000 Kg 700 Hp very rare Jaguar XJ220S of which only six were ever built will be up for auction very soon. So if you want to have this magnificent piece of engineering in your garage you better hurry up an be at the RM auctions event in Arizona next month. It is worth mentioning that this very particular model has an all new carbon fiber bodywork under the beautiful matte grey finish. Enjoy more pictures of the beast in the gallery below.

VIDEO: McLaren F1 GTR at Le Mans 95'

2012-01-18T14:14:00.001+01:00

Great footage from one of the greatest editions of the 24 hours of le Mans. The crown of the 63rd edition was awarded to the #59 McLaren F1 GTR driven by Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto. Click past the jump to see the video.

[Source: Motormavens]

The Calm Before the Storm

2012-01-13T00:29:00.000+01:00

the calm before the storm from Mark Jardine on Vimeo.

The Nissan Juke R Sprints from Zero To Hundred in 3.7s

2012-01-11T23:00:00.000+01:00

Nissan Juke R
Sorry but i couldn't find an angle from which the Juke R looks good, so i posted a picture of its interior. But it does have GT-R power, so it deserves its own article. Thanks to the 480 Hp V6 coming from the almighty GT-R, the japanese automaker has officially made the world's fastest Crossover with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. The Nissan Juke has a top speed of 257 Km/h (160 mph) which is not bad at all especially for car that doesn't have the most aerodynamic body in the first place. You can find an interesting series of videos covering the development process of the car in its own dedicated Youtube channel.

The Lexus LF-LC looks even Better in the Flesh

2012-01-09T23:56:00.001+01:00

Photo credits: LeftLaneNews

Here it is, the Lexus LF-LC is finally here for your viewing pleasure!

Sadly, they will never build it. So let's hope future Lexus models will be largely inspired by this beauty. End of the story.

This is How you Drift an M5

2012-01-08T00:04:00.000+01:00

Put one very talented driver in one of the most powerful and best balanced four-door sedans in the world and you'll have the best drifitng video of the week. Enjoy one minute of pure drifting skills from the Netherlands. No four-door sedan in the world drifts like an M5, trust me! Click past the jump if you want to see the complete test.

[Source: BMWBlog via DrivingFun]

U.S. Spec Pagani Huayra Pictures

2012-01-06T00:23:00.000+01:00

The Pagani Huayra is outstanding from every point. Whether in terms of design or in terms of performance, the Italian hypercar with a german beating heart is simply a killer. And even if some of you are not big fans of its mouthy front end, i think it had to be like that for a reason. This car is going to be an eternal classic, just like the Zonda already is. For more breath taking pictures of this U.S. spec Huayra, go to Autogespot.

[Source: Autogespot]

Most complete Picture of the Lexus LF-LC yet

2012-01-04T22:48:00.000+01:00

This is the latest picture released by Lexus of its LF-LC concept, just a week ahead of the NAIAS (North American International Autoshow). It makes us want to see the real deal! Stay tuned for more details. In the meanwhile, you can contemplate these high res teasers..

Sareni United Camaro GT

2012-01-03T23:14:00.000+01:00

Sareni United is a new company specialized in preparing race cars. I was founded by Hans Reiter, the same man behind Reiter Engineering, the company that prepares very successful Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 Race Cars. Their very first project is this gorgeous silver Camaro GT3 powered by a 7.9-Liter V8 producing 650 Hp. The car is still under testing but the first results are very promising as it is said that it has already matched the Lambo's pace. Expect to see it in the VLN series. The race car has already been homologated by the FIA and its price starts at €195,000.

Lexus LF-A vs Ferrari 599 GTO

2012-01-02T00:04:00.001+01:00

It's so nice of them to put these two together. The noises are awesome, this is supercar heaven!

Happy New Year from Engined Beasts

2011-12-31T19:17:00.001+01:00

Happy new year to all my readers. Drive safely!

Rendering: 2013 BMW M3

2011-12-31T12:53:00.002+01:00

Great rendering of the BMW F30 M3 Coupe done by the IACOSKI Team. The next M3 will be powered by a turbocharged V6 developing nearly 450 Hp. I know a lot of you are going to miss the naturally aspirated 420 Hp V8 but let's not forget this M3 will be lighter and more powerful. So it can only be faster. Besides, it looks simply stunning!

[Source: IACOSKI via ArabMotors]

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Class: This is It!

2011-12-15T17:30:00.000+01:00

Mercedes has gone lighter with the new SL class. The 2013 SL class weights 140 Kilograms (308 pounds) less than its predecessor. In fact, the new SL class is so fit that it can reach 100 Km/h in 4.5 seconds in its SL550 variant. But a 4.6-Liter V8 producing 429 Hp also helps!

In terms of design, it kind of reminds me the R129 SL Class, which is a good thing if you ask me! Check out the high res gallery below and give it a shot in the comments section below.

Orbit Racing Builds a 911 GT3 RSR for the Street

2011-12-15T11:15:00.000+01:00

A Porsche 911 GT3 RS owner from Florida was able to see his street legal 911 converted into a ferocious 911 GT3 RSR clone while keeping its ability to run on the public roads. This has been achieved thanks to the outstanding work done by Orbit Racing. The converted car benefits from Porsche RSR’s exhaust and a retuned ECU that helps it produce some extra power over the original's 450 Hp. Don't forget to throw an eye on Orbit Racing's site to see the conversion process.

[source: Orbit Racing via MotorAuthority]

2011-12-13T22:38:00.000+01:00

That was BMW's way to wish good luck for the German Athletes.

Schumacher VS Deegan in the KTM X-Bow

2011-12-07T09:24:00.001+01:00

Schumacher vs Deegan at the Race Of Champions both at the wheel of the KTM X-BOW. That was kind of humiliating. But what else can you expect from Schumi!

"Proud of Boxer"

2011-12-06T21:46:00.001+01:00

I like how the Japanese automakers give too much importance to motorsport even if they are in financial trouble. I remember how the Honda HSV started up as a future NSX and ended up as a magnificent race car after the road going version project has been dropped. Things were a little bit different concerning the Subaru BRZ as it has just been unveiled last week at the Tokyo Motor Show (seperated at birth from the Toyota ft-86 and the Scion FR-S or is it?). And now we have the pleasure to see the GT300 version of the little sport car in this short but nice video. I like the mention "Proud of boxer" at the rear. Very good looking race car!

Nice View!

2011-12-05T10:05:00.001+01:00

Sorry for not posting for so long but i had to replace that wrecked F40 in the front page by something nicer...
What about three F40's and an F50 as a bonus? Not so sure what the black F430 is doing in this wonderful shot though...

It's a Sad Day for F40 fans...

2011-11-21T09:19:00.001+01:00

Crashed in the south of Germany by a 80 year old business man. Let's hope it'll find its way back to road soon..

Source: Jalopnik

Godzilla is Back with more Horsepower and a Revised Aero

2011-11-09T09:13:00.000+01:00

Dubbed the 2013 Nissan GT-R, the new Gozilla comes up with a whole new package of uprades that will help it keep up with the best supercars on the market. While it looks pretty much the same from the exterior, changes underneath the bonnet are all but minor. The 3.8 Liter Twin-Turbo V6 now packs out a whopping 542 Hp! The maximum amount of torque (466 ib/ft) will be available from 3,200 to 5,800 rpm. Best of all, the engine is more efficient than the previous version!

Electric cars, They say it's the Future...

2011-10-30T11:14:00.000+01:00

eRuf electric Porsche 911 Concept
Electric motors are a great invention, they are very small comapred to combustion engines, they can produce huge amounts of torque at very low speeds, they aren't so noisy, they made our every day life easier, they are everywhere, from the gigantic power stations to the tiny DVD player in your laptop. They are magic.

Electric cars... they say it's future.. But there is only one problem with them, they need electricity to run. And in order to produce electricity for hundreds of millions of electric vehicles around the planet we need hundreds of huge gas powered turbines or nuclear reactors that cause more harm than good to this planet. To store electricity for hundreds of millions of electric cars we need batteries, very heavy and expensive ones. Batteries that are made from rare earth, they are costly to produce and they last only for one decade or two. They are toxic and you can't throw them anywhere.

Electric cars... they say it's the future... Maybe. But not in the way they are produced today. Let's take this electric Porsche 911 made by RUF as an exemple. Let's start by looking at the full half of the glass. It is powered by a three Phase induction motor that produces 150 Kw (204 hp) and 616 Newton Meters (455 ib/ft) of torque. More importantly, this huge amount of torque is available at unbelievably low speeds. That's exactly where electric motors shine compared to combustion engines. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds and it has a top speed of 160 mph, great! It is also capable of running 200 miles on a single charge! All this without emitting a single gram of CO2 (No, wait...).

Now this all sounds perfect! Once again, we put aside the environmental catastrophy that would be caused by hundreds of millions of people owning a car similar to this electric RUF and think about it from a driver's point of view. While a flat six powered 911 weights 1420 Kg, this baby is nearly 500 Kg heavier, thanks to all the batteries that are placed both at the front and at the rear of the car. To fully charge the batteries, the two ton sports car needs to stay still and pump electricity for 10 hours before it can go again for a 200 miles journey... if you don't drive it like a sports car. All this for a car that costs as much as five Golf GTIs.

Even if the world is not ready for fully electric cars. Cars like the Tesla Roadster and the eRUF are a great beginning. You can see them as moving laboratories, but they are far from being the solution.

BMW M3 DTM Revealed in Official M colors

2011-10-23T10:38:00.000+01:00

Photo credits: BMW Blog
Finally, we get to see the 2012 BMW M3 DTM race car in the official BMW M livery, and it looks absolutely gorgeous! BMW will be competing in the champioship with six cars, two for each of the following teams: BMW Team Schnitzer, BMW Team RBM and BMW Team RMG.

[Source: BMW Blog]

Watch a Lap of Catalunya from an F1 driver's Perspective

2011-10-20T09:24:00.001+01:00

From my little experience with Formula Renault race cars, the wheels seem to be a little bit too far in this on board video compared to real life. But this is the closest view to what a real F1 driver would see thanks to the first eye-level camera in Formula 1 installed in Pirelli's test driver, Luca di Grassi's helmet. If we have some people here who drove F1 cars before, let us know what you think about the video.

The 2012 BMW 3-series is now among us!

2011-10-17T17:52:00.000+01:00

Ladies and gentlemen, the replacement for BMW's best seller is now among us. Maybe the BMW 1 series with its angry bird face made more than one opinion inside Bimmer fans. But with the 3 series, the Bayerisch automaker had to do things right (we're talking about styling here). Now let's face it: BMWs are becoming bigger and bigger, but in this particular case, the new BMW 3-series has also become lighter. So it can only be a good thing, knowing that BMWs will always be terrific to drive.

After seeing the new 3 series, we couldn't be more excited to know what the new M3 will look like. BMW is cooking a very diffrent beast for us, the next gen M3 will be powered by a twin-turbo (possibly triple-turbo) V6. That means it will at least have the same amount of power as the current model but with a lighter body!

Talking about engines, the new 328i now has a twin-turbocharged four cylinder instead of the 3.0-Liter inline-six. BMW says the new engine is more, powerful, more efficient and allows a 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds! As for the 335i, it is powered by a single-turbo inline-six producing 300 Hp.

With the new F80, the customer will have the choice between four styling variants in addition to the standard version: the Modern Line, Luxury Line, Sport Line and the M Sport Package. An active Hybrid version version is coming next fall.

Let's take a loot at the styling elements from each variant:

(From left to right: M Sport, Sport, Luxury, Modern, Standard)

Modern Line

Luxury Line

Sports Line

Active Hybrid

M Sport Package

More high res pictures fo your viewing pleasure!

Random Picture: Naked ///M Power

2011-10-13T11:35:00.000+01:00

This is the BMW X6M's twin-turbo V8 engine completely naked, in all its glory, without the engine block. These M Power blessed elements altogether produce an astonishing 555 Hp. The same engine was used to power the latest BMW M5 F10. That makes it go from 0 to 100 Km/h in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 190 mph. To see what type monster the M5 has become thanks to this beautiful piece of engineering, click past the jump to watch it being driven by Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar.

The V8 Supercars Championship Always Provides Us with The best spectacle

2011-10-12T23:15:00.001+01:00

The last Bathurst 1000 race saw an epic battle in the final laps which led to one of the closest finishes ever. The race lasted 6 hours but that didn't stop rookie Garth Tander and veteran Craig Lowndes from offering us this amazing spectacle. Enjoy ten minutes of pure racing!

Pick of the Day: Mercer-Cobra

2011-10-11T11:31:00.000+01:00

This classy roadster is based on the original Shelby Cobra chassis. It was designed to promote the American Copper Development Association, Virgil Exner. Its name is "Mercer Cobra" and it was built in 1963 by Sibona-Basno in Torino, Italy. This very unique showcar also distinguishes its self by the extensive use of decorative copper which includes the dashboard, center console, door panels, rims, side exhausts, seat backs front grille, and its very particular pop-up headlights. This might not suit everyone's taste but this car has a purpose and it features some very modern design elements compared to its time. Besides it is still powered by the original Cobra's V8. That means it's fast and it makes a good noise too.

Source: supercars.net

Good Morning

2011-10-10T08:56:00.000+01:00

Photo credits: Kevin McCauley
Here's your daily dose of timeless design, thanks to the talents of Kevin McCauley. You might prefer a wide screen version, so you can use it as a desktop wallpaper, but i believe the photographer chose these settings for a very specific reason. I love it!

Man building a 1000-Hp ford GT90 Replica in his Own Garage

2011-10-06T17:38:00.001+01:00

I have a huge respect for this kind of projects because sometimes they give birth to cars that usually never quit the drawing board or get dropped before even making it to production if they were handled by big constructors. Someone was apparently so upset about the Ford GT90 not making it to production that he decided to take things in hand and build his own replica of the supercar... in his own garage. His name is Adam Pintek, he is a conceptual artist working at NVIDIA and he has a big passion for supercars. Keep reading for more details about his creation...

Adam's replica of the GT90 is a lightweight version (only 2800 pounds) powered by a 6.2L twin-turbo V8 producing 1,000hp. If these numbers are correct, that would make a power to weight ratio of 787 Hp per ton! What's more interesting is that this beautiful white body won't be all show no go. In fact it's a very ambitious project as our friend wants to see his supercar outdo cars like the Veyron and the Koenigseggs. It's still an ongoing project but it might be worth your attention as Adam doesn't seem to be doing things by half. Expect him!

You can check out NVIdia's blog to read the original story with Adams own words and stay tuned for more about his ambitious project.

[Source: NVidia Blog]

Recently Auctioned: 1969 Bertone BMW Spicup Concept

2011-10-06T08:36:00.000+01:00

This beautiful one of a kind cooperation between Bertone and BMW goes back to 1969. It's called the Spicup concept car and it's powered by a 2.5-Liter inline-six. Even tough it was a concept car, it was actually driven on a regular basis by its first owner. And very recently, this beautiful green one-off was up for grabs in an auction at the POWER by BMW event and has been sold for nearly $600k. It was opportnity for the public to contemplate the beauty of this very rare machine and you can do the same by checking the beautiful high res gallery below that has been released for the occasion.

VIDEO: the BAC Mono Driven By Autocar

2011-10-05T15:48:00.001+01:00

Photo credits: Autocar

Autocar describes the BAC Mono as the first car they've tested that really produces the single-seater experience on the public road. And i think it's also one of the most beautiful ones. Check ou the video after the jump to see the car being reviewed by Steve Sutcliffe and leave your impressions in the comment section.

Jay Leno Reviews the Lamborghini Aventador

2011-10-02T12:42:00.000+01:00

Original Text:

"Jay visits with President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini Stephan Winkelmann for an up-close look at the world's latest hypercar, featuring a road-shredding 700hp V12 with the highest power-to-weight of its class. Believe it: 0-62 in 2.9! "

[source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Keep It Simple

2011-09-27T16:36:00.000+01:00

Photo credits: sb83
Black NSX with golden wheels. Drop dead, gorgeous.

Just Listen to Those Angry Engines!

2011-09-24T01:38:00.002+01:00

These two Engined Beasts have names: "Hell Raiser" and "Showtime". They are V8 powered four-wheel drive monsters producing 700 Hp. Now there's no doubt about it anymore: anything sitting on four wheels with tubular chassis has to be awesome.

Now turn up your speakers! Grrrrrr!

Random Video: Subaru Impreza WRX with a E60 M5 V10

2011-09-23T19:43:00.001+01:00

The sound of the M5 E60's V10 is clearly recognizable. It's one of the greatest BMW engines of all times in my opinion. Not that i'm not a big fan of the Subaru Boxer engines, but a 5.0-Liter naturally aspirated V10 pumping out 507 Hp of ///M Power will always be better.

Red Carrera GT

2011-09-22T23:49:00.001+01:00

Photo Credits: Philippe Collinet
If you forgot how beautiful the Porsche Carrera GT is, here's a little refreshment.

Is McLaren Trying to set a new Nürburgring Record with the MP4-12C?

2011-09-22T16:52:00.001+01:00

I've spotted this picture a few minutes ago on the Nürburgring Webcam. It seems that the McLaren guys are cooking something for us because they braught an orange McLaren MP4-12C to the Ring. Maybe they are a little bit annoyed by the LFA Nürburgring edition's 7:14 lap time and they think that if an orange machine has to be on top, it must be a McLaren. Stay tuned for more details.

Photo Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia by Cam-shaft

2011-09-22T14:09:00.001+01:00

Cam-Shaft has introduced its slightly modified version of the Ferrari 458 Italia. No big changes on the exterior except the black rims and the tiny bits of chrome accents (front wings, rear diffuser and roof) that make no big harm. Thanks to a modified ECU, the 4.5-Liter V8 now develops an extra 18 Hp over the original amount of 562 Hp. You can observe these changes from every angle on the high res gallery below.

This Custom "built" Ferrari is quite Confusing

2011-09-22T10:00:00.000+01:00

At first glance, it looks like a nice custom built muscle car with a homogenious combination of classic and modern design elements except for the weird quadruple headlights. Then you notice the Ferrari badge and things get complicated. You start wondering what's really hiding under that red skin. Well, wonder no more, the donor body is that of a Ferrari 456 that the author of this car transformed into a sort of hommage to the classic Ferrari 340 Mexico Berlinetta. The design is still made of pixels but there's a good chance it will take shape in real life as a one-off. You may not be convinced by the whole concept but under the bonnet, there is a naturally aspirated Ferrari V12 mounted to a proper 6-speed manual transmission... For me, this custom built Muscle Car would be an exellent creation if it wasn't carrying the prancing horse badge. It may have the soul of a Ferrari but it doesnt' look like a Ferrari enough.

Random video: Making of The RTR-X

2011-09-21T14:27:00.000+01:00

Nice Trio

2011-09-20T16:43:00.000+01:00

Photo Credits: Richebets

Photo shoot: Lamboghini Aventador and Murciélago SV

2011-09-19T17:02:00.000+01:00

Photo Credits: Jordan Shiraki
Even after the Lamborghini Aventador hit the market, the outgoing Murciélago SV hasn't taken one single wrinkle. Sitting next to the 700 Hp beast in this awesome photo shoot by Mr Jordan Shiraki, the Murciélago SV has nothing to envy to its younger sister. You can check by your self in the gallery below featuring the two hottest raging bulls of the moment.

Jay Leno's Garage Welcomes The Pagani Huayra and Its Creator

2011-09-19T15:00:00.003+01:00

If you payed enough attention while watching the Jay Leno's review of the Zonda R you might have noticed the red Pagani Huayra sitting on the other side of the garage. Now click past the jump to have a closer look at the 700 Hp road legal (except for the U.S. because it lacks some airbags) beast with Jay Leno and Horatio Pagani.

[source: Jay Leno's Garage]

Pick of the Day: The new ALPINA D5 Bi-Turbo

2011-09-19T10:29:00.001+01:00

Faithful to its simplistic and pure style, ALPINA has revealed its D5 model based on the BMW 5-series F10 both in sedan and wagon shapes. The BMW Alpina D5 bi-Turbo is powered by a 3.0 liter twin-turbo straight-six diesel engine developping a respectable 345 Hp. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 5.2 seconds and the top speed is 270 Km/h (168 mph). Check out the gallery below for high res pictures of the saloon and wagon ALPINA D5's photo session.

The Pagani Zonda R is Pure Carbon Fiber Perfection

2011-09-18T22:52:00.000+01:00

Click on the picture above for high res.
There are cars that we never, ever get tired of seing, or hearing. And the Pagani Zonda R is definitely one of those. It has a 700 Hp screaming AMG V12 and a splendid carbon fiber body that weights just 1,071 Kg. This time, Jay Leno welcomes the carbon fiber record setting beast in his garage as well as its creator Mr Horatio Pagani himself. Click after the jump to enjoy 4 minutes of symphony making V12.

Source: Jay Leno's Garage

Tough Choice

2011-09-18T18:04:00.000+01:00

Photo Credits: David Kaiser
So what would be your choice? A 1/8 scale carbon fiber model of the Lamborghini Aventador containing 1.8 Billion $ worth of jewelery or ten units of the actual thing?

Mansory Siracusa 458 Italia: love or hate

2011-09-18T16:06:00.000+01:00

Swiss tuner Mansory chose to drop the flexible front lips of the Ferrari 458 Italia in favor of a more Enzo-like front end. The result is quite disturbing but the gain in performance is noticeable. The extensive use of carbon fiber led to a significant weight gain of 70 Kg. The Siracusa develops an extra 20 Hp over the standard 458 Italia which means it can go from naught to 100 Km/h in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 330 Km/h (206 mph).

The New Brabus Rocket 800 is Exactly what its Name Suggests

2011-09-15T22:44:00.001+01:00

Do you remember the Brabus Rocket, the CLS based model from the german tuner? If not, it has been the fastest four door sedan on earth with a top speed of 365 Km/h thanks to a 6.3-Liter V12 developping a scary 730 hp. But with the second generation CLS already on the market for several months, BRABUS decided to introduce a replacement for its Rocket model too. The new Rocket 800, as its name suggests, pump out a whopping 800 Hp thanks to a 6.3-Liter Twin-turbo version of the almighty AMG V12 engine. The new performance numbers are even more astonishing with a 0 to 100 Km/h acceleration in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 370 km/h (230 mph) which has been electronically limited to 350 Km/H (217 mph).

Outside, the 4 door coupe has new wider front and rear wheel arches, side skirts and a slightly modified front facia with additional air vents. Of course the inevitable daytime LEDs made their appearence. The whole package remains attractive nonetheless. You can check by your self in the gallery below.

VIDEO: 2012 Mercedes-Benz DTM Racer revealed

2011-09-15T16:29:00.001+01:00

Yesterday, Michael Schumacher and Nico Roseberg took wraps off Mercedes' new DTM machine at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new racer packs out 500 Hp coming from a naturally aspirated 4.0-Liter AMG V8 unit. It has a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and has a total weight of 1043 Kg (2300 pounds). Competition will be ferocious as the new C class coupe based DTM racer will compete against Audi and BMW which are also entering the series with two brand new racers based on production coupes: The Audi A5 and the BMW M3. And let's not forget that BMW is coming back to the series after an 18 year absence.

BMW 6 Series Cabrio Gains Muscle with the Hamann Treatment

2011-09-14T09:38:00.001+01:00

Based on the 650i model, this BMW 6 series by Hamann now pumps out 510 Hp, 100 Hp more than the standard model. The car features an aggressive bodykit as well as stainless-steel quad exhaust pipes. Of course, the inevitable daylight LEDs made their appearence and the total height of the car is lowered by 30mm (1.18") thanks to a new suspension. The big cabriolet now sits on 21 inch wheels with optional huge 22 inch rims. The whole package remains coherent and faithful to Hamann tradtion. Enjoy the high res gallery below.

The new Audi RS5 Unveiled

2011-09-13T23:16:00.001+01:00

Talking about the Audi A5, here's the new badass version unveiled today at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the RS5 which also based on the facelifted A5 coupe. The new RS5 is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 producing 450 Hp which might be a little bit above the expectations. But it remains a very attractive car and there's no doubt about its performance. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 Km/h (155 mph).

2012 Audi A5 DTM Racer revealed in Frankfurt

2011-09-13T23:08:00.000+01:00

Today, Audi has revealed its new DTM racer which is about to compete with BMW and Mercedes-Benz starting from the next season. And just like Mercedes and BMW's racers are based on production coupes (instead of sedans like it has been the case for several years) Audi's new DTM machine is basedd on the facelifted A5 coupe. It is powered by a naturally aspirated V8 that packs out a total of 460 Hp. Stay tuned for the new DTM season next year as it promises to be very exciting with a new set of regulations as well as the long awated BMW comeback to the series.

Simply Gorgeous

2011-09-11T00:48:00.000+01:00

Wonderful piece of art, just keep it as it is.

Your Daily Dose of Timeless Design

2011-09-09T11:03:00.001+01:00

Click here for the standard 4:3 version
If you've been visiting this blog relularly, you would have noticed my obsession with the F40. So if you want to share my obsession, here's a high res picture of the Italian masterpiece in all its glory.

VIDEO: The Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package's Run of 7:14.6

2011-09-08T08:53:00.000+01:00

Lexus has finally released the video of the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package's run of 7:14.64 around the circuit of the same name. Even if it's not the fastest lap time of the Nordschleife for a production car, it remains an impressive performance which demonstrates the massive capabilities of the car and the driving skills of Lexus test driver Mr Akira Iida. Watch the video after the jump and enjoy the high res gallery below.

Gorgeous: Jaguar C-X16 Concept revealed

2011-09-07T14:14:00.000+01:00

After the C-X75 concept car presented last year which is a top of the range supercar similar in size and shape to our well loved XJ220, Jaguar has been cooking up something nice for us. It's the new C-X16 Concept car which will enter the BMW Z4 and Porsche Cayman's playing field. The new model is an entry level sports car powered by a supercharged 3.0-Liter V6 producing 376 hp. It's already a fair bit of power for a baby Jag, but there's an electric motor mounted to the gear-box that helps the car produce an extra 92 Hp at the push of a button located at the steering wheel.

To provide energy for the electric motor, a 1.6kWh battery pack has been mounted behind the seats for an ideal 50:50 weight distribution. The batteries are charged through a regenerative braking system and the car's performance in full power mode is just astonishing: 0 to 100 Km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, a top speed of 300 Km/h (186 mph) and acceleration from 80 to 120 Km/h (50-75 mph) in 2.1 seconds. As if it wasn't already enough, the car can travel at speeds below 50 mph using nothing but electricity. Stay tuned for the Frankfurt Motor Show next week for more details and enjoy the high res photo gallery below.

The Koenigsegg Agera R officially Brakes Six Land Speed Records

2011-09-06T15:27:00.000+01:00

Koenigsegg, the Swedish dream car maker has claimed that its beautiful Agera R supercar has officially broken not less than six land speed records. So before I post the times for you, here's a short reminder of the car's technical specs: It is powered by a bespoke turbocharged V8 engine tuned to produce 1,115 and 1,200 Nm of torque. All that power is sent to the rear wheels and the total weight of the supercar is just 1330 kg (2932 pounds).

Here's the list of the six new records which are still subject to confirmation by the Guinness Book of Records:

0 to 300 Km/h (0-186 mph) = 14.53 sec (Veyron SS: 16.7 seconds)
0 to 320 Km/h (0-200 mph) = 17.68 sec
300 to 0 Km/h = 6.66 sec
320 to 0 Km/h = 7.28 sec
0- 300-0 Km/h = 21.19 sec
0- 320-0 Km/h = 24.96 sec

The Agera R does the 0 to 100 Km/h sprint in 2,9 seconds so it doesn't go off the line faster than the Veyron SS but it beat it by more than 2 seconds to 300 Km/h (186 mph). With 2,900 pounds It weights 1,000 pounds less than the Veyron SS which promises some much better handling and it has a much more beautiful and a smonther body. You can contemplate the body of the swedish supercar in the gallery below and you can also see it motion in the video after the jump.

For your viewing pleasure, here's a review of the Agera by a Swedish magazine:

The Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package Laps the Ring in 7:14?

2011-09-02T15:13:00.001+01:00

That's the rumor of the day, and apparently it's a matter of time before Lexus officially confirms the record (with video we hope). Seven minutes and fourteen seconds is surely an impressive lap time for a production car especially because it means that the LFA Nürburgring package has beaten the likes of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (7:18) and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (7:19.63). But let's not forget that the Nürburgring package costs an extra 70,000$ to add to an already really high price.

VIDEO: This is the New Lighter, More Powerful, Sexier Porsche 911 in Motion

2011-09-02T09:40:00.000+01:00

While a lot of people won't miss an occasion to point out that the new (type 991) Porsche 911 looks pretty similar to its predecessor, they can not ignore the amount of technical innovations it has come up with. The new model has an all-new lighter body, it's more powerful, more efficient and has better aerodynamics.

Among the main innovations are the use of intelligent aluminium-steel construction for the all-new 911 body which made it 45 Kg lighter compared to the previous generation and let's not forget the seven-speed manual gearbox which allows to the car to be far more efficient.

The base Carrera model which is powered by a 3.4-Liter flat-six engine that produces 350Hp, 5 Hp more that the previous generation. This allows it to accelerate from naught to 100 Km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds. Then comes the Carrera S with a 3.6-Liter flat-six that produces 400 Hp (15 hp more than the 997) which is good for making the 0 to 100 Km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds. The Sport Plus option will allow the two models to shed off two tenths from those times. Prices start at 88,038 euro for the Carrera model and 102,436 euro for Carrera S. Check out the first pictures of the new 911 in the gallery below and you can also watch the first commercial after the jump.

World premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show:

The new Porsche 911 Carrera: Tradition meets modernity

At 48, the Porsche 911 Carrera is younger than ever: The completely redesigned generation of the sports car icon is stepping into the limelight with its flat, stretched silhouette, exciting contours and precisely designed details, yet from the very first glance it remains unmistakably a 911. True to the 911 tradition, the distinctive Porsche design language with its tendons and muscles exudes power and elegance.

The 100 millimetre (~ 3.9 inches) longer wheelbase and reduced height combined with the up to 20-inch wheels underpin the athletic appearance. At the same time, the typical sports car compact exterior dimensions were retained. Seen from the front, the eye is drawn to the 911's trademark wide-arched wings. They emphasise the wider front track, so that the new 911 Carrera models sit even more solidly on the road. The remodelled exterior mirrors are accommodated on the upper edge of the door and not as before on the mirror triangle. Not only is this aerodynamically advantageous, it also emphasises the new design line and visual impression of width.

The all-new, lightweight body is an intelligent aluminium-steel construction. It is responsible for a significant proportion of the weight reduction of up to 45 kilograms. Combined with significantly greater rigidity. Aerodynamic optimisation - including a wider, variably extending rear spoiler - enabled the new 911 Carrera's lift to be reduced yet further while retaining a very good Cd value.

To complement the modern exterior design, the Porsche designers created an interior, the architecture of which takes its cue from the Porsche Carrera GT. The driver is now even more closely integrated with the cockpit thanks to the centre console rising up to the front with the high-mounted shift lever or gear selector located especially close to the steering wheel in typical motorsport fashion. Classic Porsche elements are also to be found inside, as they are on the outside: the instrument cluster with five round instruments - one of them a high resolution multifunction screen, the central rev counter and the ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel.

Setting the standard in its class, as it has for generations, the new 911 Carrera and Carrera S raise the performance and efficiency bar yet another notch. All versions get by with significantly less than ten litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (28 mpg imp.). Fuel consumption and emissions are up to 16 per cent lower compared with its predecessor. Among other things, this is achieved by systems and functions such as auto start/stop, thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world's first seven-speed manual transmission and - in conjunction with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) - sailing as it is called. The new electro-mechanical power steering offers not only Porsche's typical precision and feedback but also helps to increase efficiency and reduce fuel-consumption.

For example, the 911 Carrera with the new 350 hp (~ 257 kW) 3.4-litre boxer engine and optional PDK consumes a mere 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres (~ 34 mpg imp.) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) - 1.6 l/100 km (~ 6 mpg imp.) less than its predecessor. Also, at 194 g/km CO2, it is the first Porsche sports car to make it below the 200 g/km mark. With the 911 Carrera S as well, with its 3.8-litre boxer engine and what is now 400 hp (~ 294 kW), fuel consumption when paired with the optional PDK is reduced by 14 per cent or 1.5 l/100 km (~ 5 mpg imp.) to 8.7 l/100 km (~ 32 mpg imp.) despite 15 hp (~ 11 kW) more power. That equates to CO2 emissions of 205 g/km.

At the same time there are performance improvements in both models. The 911 Carrera S with PDK manages to accelerate from nought to 100 km/h (~ 62 mph) in 4.3 seconds. Pressing the Sport Plus button on the optional Sport Chrono package cuts that to 4.1 seconds. The 911 Carrera with PDK needs only 4.6 seconds (Sport Plus 4.4 seconds) to sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h (~ 62 mph).

The new 911 doesn't just offer better longitudinal dynamics, however, but top performance at an unprecedented level in terms of transverse dynamics as well. In addition to the longer wheelbase, the greater agility, precision and driving stability are based, among other things, on the wider front track, the new rear axle and new electro-mechanical power steering. Depending on the model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available as well that further enhance the driving dynamics. That is especially true for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. For example, the system reduces lateral inclination when cornering, the tyres always being in the optimal position relative to the road surface and able to transmit higher lateral forces. Maximum cornering speeds are increased; even faster lap times on racing circuits are possible.

It has therefore been possible in the new model to extend yet further the span of apparently contradictory attributes such as performance and efficiency, sportiness and everyday practicality that has always typified the Porsche 911. That makes the 911 Carrera more of a 911 than ever. The new Porsche 911 Carrera celebrates its world premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The launch of the new 911 models gets under way on 3 December 2011, the new cars can be orderd from September 1st. Prices in Germany are 88,038 euro for the 911 Carrera and 102,436 euro for the 911 Carrera S, including 19 per cent VAT and market-specific equipment.

7:48 is the New Nürburgring Nordschleife Lap record For an electric Vehicle

2011-08-31T13:04:00.000+01:00

As someone working on an embedded software for future electric vehicles, this video gives more sense to my job. Mainly because it contributes to changing people's opinion about electric vehicles. They are no longer those ugly tiny slow city vehicles. And what's better than setting up a new record around the green hell to demonstrate your new electric prototype's capabilities. That's what Toyota did with its somehow road legal TMG EV P001 prototype (yes it definitely needs another name).

It's still a full minute behind a similar gasoline powered "production" vehicle (radical SR8 LM) but it's one minute and thirteen seconds faster than Peugeot's fresh record of 9:01 with the electric EX1 concept. Does that mean that the electric vehicles war has just started? I can't think of a better battlefied than the Green Hell. Keep the reocrds coming!

You can check out high res pictures of the beast in the gallery below and watch the video of the record setting run. As a bonus, you will find a video of the radical SR8 LM's record setting run of 6:48, just to compensate the lack of noise with the Toyota..

Toyota's TMG EV P001 record:

Radical SR8 LM's record:

The F10 M5 is Moto GP's Latest Safety Car

2011-08-29T23:20:00.000+01:00

Unveiled last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the BMW F10 M5 is Moto GP's new official safety car. It features the same twin turbo V8 from the road going version producing 560 Hp. Just like the previous baby M safety car, the new M5 benefits from an upgraded suspension and titanium exhausts as well as additional front and rear spoilers. Head on to BimmerPost for more pictures and details.

Cadillac Ciel Concept Brings Fresh Design Ideas mixed with Pure Elegance

2011-08-24T15:03:00.000+01:00

Last week Cadillac introduced its new Ciel (like "sky" in french) Concept car at the Monterey Annual classic car meeting. The concept is a four-seat, four-door beautiful convertible powered by a 425-horsepower, twin-turbocharged version of GM's 3.6-liter V6 engine. It features 22 inch rims which might give you an idea about the overall dimensions. The Ciel annouces the future design language of the brand which as you may notice is characterized by some slightly less sharp but very attractive lines nonetheless. However it still have some design cues from the current lineup. Cadillac wanted to give us an idea about the look of its future luxury models and after seeing this, we couldn't be more excited to see what they would come up with in the future. More pictures of the beauty in the gallery below and clic past the jump to see the Ciel concept car in motion.

Unveiled: Ferrari 458 Spider

2011-08-24T09:39:00.000+01:00

Here it is, the long awated Ferrari 458 Spider in all its glory. It features a beautifully engineered folding hard top similar to that of the Superamerica. The clever part is, when the car is running topless, the folding top rests under a beautifully sculpted piece of metal that once was the engine cover. This allows the top to stay perfectly clean while not in use but the bad part is that the 562Hp V8 is no longer visible. Designing a spider version of the Italia requires some chassis thoughening in order to compensate the missing roof but the car kept an overall dryweight of 1430 Kg (3153 pounds with racing seats and forged wheels) which is far above any other convertible from the same category.

When it comes to performance, the 458 Spider packs out the same amount of prancing horses as the coupe with similar performance numbers: 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 320 Km/h (198 mph). Power is sent to rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch F1 transmission. Check out the high res pictures below as well as a short HD video showing the hard top folding mecanism in action.

Pictures of the First Hennessey Venom GT Delivered in the US

2011-08-18T09:27:00.000+01:00

It accelerates from 0 to 100 Km/h (62 mph) in 2.5 seconds with a claimed top speed of 429 Km/h (267 mph)? Power comes from a 1,200 Hp turbocharged Corvette V8 mounted at the center of a Lotus Elise based chassis. Pretty weird combination right? Below you will find high res pictures of the first Venom GT delivered to a customer.

VIDEO: Exciting Ring Run by a Fearless Instructor

2011-08-03T22:54:00.000+01:00

You are about to watch one of the most exciting on board laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife performed by Mr. Andreas Gülden, the chief instructor at the Nürburgring Driving Academy. This lap is not about breaking records, it's about having complete control of a Formula car on a 23 Km long wet, bumpy, narrow track. After watching this, i am really thankful for Mr. Gülden for offering us this demonstratin of his indiscutable talent. Video after the jump. Take your time, it's worth it.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

2011-08-02T12:54:00.000+01:00

Is it a standard M3 or an M3 GTS competitor? Or is it a replacement of the old CLK Black series? Does it really matter? What really matters is, will it be faster? Well there's a big chance since the new C63 AMG Black Series is powered by a 6.2-Liter naturally aspirated V8 pumping out 510 Hp all transferred to rear wheels through seven-speed automatic transmission. That leads to a 0 to 100 Km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.2.. More details about the car will be annouced at its unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. But for now you can contemplate the beast in the gallery below.

Your New Favourite Car: Kelleners KS1-S Based on The Baby ///M

2011-07-14T11:18:00.001+01:00

Kelleners Sport is no stranger to tuning BMW cars and this time they decided to apply their know-how to the very exlusive baby ///M. The result is truly amazing, both in aesthetics and in performance. The car now develops 404 Hp instead of 334 Hp thanks to Kelleners Sport's quad-piped stainless-steel sport exhaust and other unknown modifications. In addition to the outrageous bodykit, the KS1-S features a set of huge 20 inch rims but the package altogheter looks great. No performance figures have been released but it would be interesting to see how it would behave on a track compared to the standard 1M Coupé... More pictures of the beast in the gallery below.

Stunning Incepto GT design study by Samir Sadikhov from Azerbaijan

2011-06-29T15:56:00.000+01:00

As if the original Incepto Concept car wasn't already awesome enough, talented designer Samir Sadikhov from Azerbaijan is offering us a GT version of his magnificent concept for our viewing pleasure. The least you can say about this beast is that it's absolutely beautiful. Are there any chances that it would take shape in real life? Only time will tell.

The rear quarter panels which integrate glass wheel covers were replaced by more conventional body parts that will allow changing the wheels during pit stops. The GT version of the Incepto also features a huge rear spoiler, a rear diffuser and an additional pair of side air intakes. The overall look of the car remains very interesting and very innovative to say the least.

I urge you to visit Samir's blog as you will find lots of awesome stuff there. Great work!

[Source: Samir's Blog]

Subaru establishes Isle of Man record with a Nearly stock WRX STI Sedan

2011-06-10T15:37:00.001+01:00

You might have already seen this picture around the web but i have kind of an attraction towards this type of shots. Thumbs up for the guy who caught this at the very best moment and congratulations to Subaru for making a record breaking machine.

The backstory: it's a scary sub-20 minutes (19:56.7) run on a course made up of 60.8 Km (37.8 miles) of curvy public roads located in the Isle Of Man and closed especially for the event. The average speed achieved during this frightening run is 181 Km/h (113 mph). There's is no doubt that in order to achieve this kind of records, you need a very skilled driver and a reliable rally car like the Impreza STi WRX sedan. I won't call this a stock Impreza but apart from the roll cage and a slightly modified suspension, it's not far from being one. And yes it's still road legal.

[source: Subaru]

Three Motorsport events you wouldn't Want to miss This Month

2011-06-09T11:56:00.001+01:00

The month of june is very special for motorsport fans because it holds three of the most prestigious events of the year: Le mans 24 Hours, 24 Hours of Nürburgring and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Of course there are plenty of other interesting events all over the year but let's just focus on these three. More details after the jump.

Le Mans 24 Hours:

When?
11th and 12th of June

Why should i watch it?
Because it's a 24 hours race that takes place in a 13.629 km (8.469 miles) long circuit in which the average speed can be as high as 250 Km/h (155 mph). It's the most prestigious endurance race of the year. The most successful automaker in the race's history remains porsche with a total of 13 wins, Ferrari and Audi are second with 9 wins. This year might be the opportunity for Audi to score its 10th win at Le Mans and become the second most successful automaker at Le Mans without any competitor.

What to expect?
Audi will be defending its 2010 win with a closed cockpit R18 TDI, Peugeot returns with a revised 908 HDI and will do its best to make last year's catastrophic race with all of its cars out due to mechanical failures, something from the past. Aston Martin is bringing a new gasoline powered competitor while diesel engines has been proved to be the winning formula at Le mans for more than five years.

24 Hours of Nürburgring:

When?
25th and 26th of June

Why should i watch it?
Because it takes place at the green hell, the world's longest, most demanding and most challenging race track. You can follow the race live on your web browser on the official website of the race!

What to expect?
Porsche and BMW, last year's winner with the M3 GT2 will be there as usual. But this year you might want to keep an eye on James Glinkenhaus' Ferrari P4/5 Competizione which is based on a Ferrari F430 Scuderia and developped especially for the event. The Aston Martin V8 Zagato presented at the Concorso D'Elegenza Villa D'este last month will be there too. Last year, the total number of participants was 197. For more information about last year's edition you can chekch this link.

Pikes Peak International Hill climb:

When?
June 26th

Why should i watch it?
This is the second oldest race in America after the Indy 500, it is known as the "race to the clouds". The course is a a 19.98 Km (12.42 miles) long mixture of gravel and pavement with 156 turns. It starts at an elevation of 2 862 m (9,390 ft.) and ends up at 4 300 m (14,110 ft.). Weather conditions are a major factor of this race and they can make the challenge even harder. Check this link for more information about this iconic race.

What to expect?
Rhys millen will be coming back with his updated 700 Hp Hyundai Genesis PM580. Tagima "Monster", last year's winner and record holder with a 10:01 run in 2007 will be there to defend his title and make a sub 10 minutes run, and Paul Dallenbach will be joining the unlimted class too with a 1,307 Hp openwheel beast. It's going to be a very exciting race so make sure not to miss it and if you live somewhere near the Colorado Springs, you don't have an excuse. Just go there and send some nice pictures!

Hope you'll enjoy the races!

Pikes Peak 2011: Another Serious Contender to the Unlimited Class Record. Hint: 1307 hp

2011-06-03T15:23:00.000+01:00

This year's edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb promises to be a very exciting one. After Dacia announced its participation to the "race to clouds" with a 850 Hp Dacia Duster, now Paul Dallenbach who is no stranger to the event, announces his participation with a totally different monster. After participating to the race in the openwheel category last year, he decided to join the elite in the unlimited class with a 1307 Hp and 1633 Nm (1206 lb-ft !) of torque beast based on last year's competitor which already packed out 745 hp from a naturally aspirated engine. The goal is simple: breaking the 10 minutes barrier and entering the history book of the race. Well that's gonna be a scary run for sure..

[source: bankspower.com]

Audi Makes us Dream with its 500 hp A1 Clubsport Show Car

2011-06-02T12:37:00.000+01:00

Okay here's what it is: The Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro is a small hatchback with the same power to weight ratio of a Ferrari 599GTB, a better power to weight ratio than an AMG SLS or even a standard Lamborghini Murciélago. How is that possible!?

The answer: the beast uses the 2.5-liter in-line five from the TT RS that has been tuned to produce 503 hp for a car that weights just 1,390 Kg (3,064 lb). Power is delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. That leads us to some serious performance numbers: 0 to 100 Km/h (62 mph) comes right after 3.7 seconds and 200 Km/h (124 mph) in 10.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 Km/h which is okay since all the fun lies under that bar where the car has rocket like acceleration.

Aesthetically, the car features an aggressive body kit, a carbon fiber roof, side exhaust and 19-inch wheels. At this stage, the A1 Sportback Quattro is just a show car. But a limited production run would be nice especially if those performance figures are concretized. Check out more high res pictures of the beast in the gallery below.

850 Hp GT-R Powered Dacia Duster to compete in Pikes Peak This Month

2011-06-01T15:42:00.002+01:00

As if the Pikes Peak Hill Climb wasn't already exciting enough, this year, besides Rhys Millen and Tagima "Monster" coming back to try to claim the first under 10 minutes time in the unlimited class, Dacia yes Dacia joins the game with a 850 hp monster. Despite its modest look and even if the car carries the Dacia brand name which doesn't really have motorsport heritage, things are much more interesting when it comes to what is lying under its skin.

The unlimited class monster is designed by Tork Engineering under the assistance of Renault Sport Technologies. It sits on a tibular chassis and the really best part: it is powered by an engine based on the 3.8-liter V6 coming from the almighty Nissan GT-R. The V6 now develops nearly 850 Hp which means it is even more powerful than Rhys Millen's unlimited class Genesis PM580 and nearly as powerful as Tagima's Suzuki SX4 rally car. Well that should lead us to a very exciting battle! Don't miss the race to the clouds on June 26th. For more information about this epic race, you should check out this link.

Pick of the Day: FAB Design SLS

2011-05-26T11:09:00.001+01:00

Love it or hate it but you can not ignore it. The FAB design AMG SLS is definitely a head turner with its massive bodykit, additional air vents and LEDs. Whether these modifications are fully aesthetic or performance related remains to be proved. Anyway, if the FAB design SLS suits your taste, you can find more high res pictures of it in the gallery below.

Among the possible power upgrades offered by FAB Design for the SLS is the sport exhaust system that adds an extra 40 Hp to the 6.3-Liter V8 initially rated at 563hp.

One-Off Ferrari Superamerica 45

2011-05-20T10:10:00.002+01:00

Here's a very special way to celebrate 45 years of owning prancing horse models: asking Ferrari to build a one off version of the already gorgeous 599GTB. That's what New York collector Peter Kalikow did. And the result is truly stunning. The one-off model called Superamerica 45 will be publicly unveiled this weekend at the annual Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

The supercar borrows some design elements from the 599GTO like the rear diffuser and the front bumper but it features unique design elements like the double air vents on the front wheel arches, a radically modified rear end with a rotating carbon fiber top featuring a similar mecanism to that of the Ferrari 575 Superamerica and body colored wheels. And in case you were wondering, the cars'color is called Blu Antille, a color used for another bespoke Ferrari model for the same owner.

Delicious!

VIDEO: The Latest Raging bull driven by Autocar

2011-05-10T23:05:00.000+01:00

The latest model to carry the Raging Bull badge named the Aventador LP700-4 is powered by a fire spitting 6.5-litre V12 good for 691 Hp. The symphony making engine allows the Murciélago replacement to reach the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark in less than 3 seconds and have a top speed of 349 km/h (217 mph). This significant increase in performance has been achieved thanks to the intensive wheight reduction that allowed the car to have a dry weight of just 1574 Kg (3,472 lbs) compared to the Murcièlago's 1665 Kg (3,671 lbs). Weight distribution is 43 percent front and 57 rear, which means it's also good at going sideways.

The Aventador's styling is largely inspired by the Sesto Elemento and the Estoque concept cars. You can contemplate the Italian beauty in the gallery below before you watch it going sideways in the hands of Autocar's driver Steve Sutcliffe in the video after the jump.

[Source: Autocar]

VW joining the WRC with Polo R based Rally Car

2011-05-06T12:30:00.000+01:00

It seems like more and more constructors are attracted with the new WRC formula. After BMW joined the championship this year with the mini coutryman WRC edition, now Volkswagen has decided to join the show starting in 2013 with its Polo R based rally car.

The Polo R WRC car will be powered by a 1.6-liter turbo engine rated at about 300 Hp. Volkswagen's latest crowned participation in the world rally championship goes back to the eighties where the german manufacturer won the Group A rally championship in 1986 thanks to talent of swedish driver Kenneth Eriksson at the wheel of a 1.6-Liter Golf GTI. But we have to admit that the group B monsters were drawing all the attention at that time because of this. Anyway, the Polo R WRC looks good and you can find some high res pictures of it in the gallery below.

A Piece of History: Ferrari 350 Can-Am

2011-05-03T15:40:00.000+01:00

Click for high res

Based on the Ferrari 330 P4 le Mans Race car from 1967, the Ferrari 350 Can-Am was not particularly successful in the so named championship. But that doesn't stop the fact that it looks absolutely gorgeous. This beautifuly sculpted prancing horse racer represents the Italian maker's not so successful effort to join the big boys of the Canadian American Championship in the late 60's like the Chevrolet powered McLaren M6A. It's a little bit sad that such a beautiful machine didn't see the days of glory.

Pics: the BMW 1 series M Coupe Safety Car

2011-04-12T17:01:00.000+01:00

What you are seeing above is the BMW 1 series M Coupe official safety car for the current Moto GP season. It might look like a standard 1M with a BMW ///M official colors livery, but the modifications are far from being only aesthetic. The baby ///M safety car features an adjustable rear wing, a lighter bodywork thanks to the use of carbon fiber parts and titanium exhausts. Inside, a roll cage has been installed as well as a pair of racing seats. Further modifications include race ready brakes and suspensions. I found the 1M particularly attractive in this safety car livery but i think the black one (pictured above) still beats them all. What would be your 1M's color?

[source: BMW]

Pick of The Day: BAC Mono

2011-04-09T20:06:00.000+01:00

Another ridiculously expansive race car for the road that everyone wants to have. And in my opinion, this is the sexiest one yet. After the Caparo T1 and the Ariel ATOM, it's the British company BAC's turn to join the show with the Mono.

Let's come to the technical specs: kerb weight is 540kg (1,190 pounds) with a 2% advantage for the rear. The 2.3-Liter (naturally aspirated) 4-cylinder engine develops a healthy 280 Hp which means it has a Zondaesque power to weight ratio of 520 bhp per tonne. This allows the BAC Mono to do the 0 to (98 Km/h) 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and the 0 to 160 km/h (100 mph) sprint in 6.7 seconds. Acceleration won't stop until the beast reaches 273 Km/h (170 mph).

The Mono can be yours for a price tag of nearly 109K $ (75K euros). Check out some high res pictures of the beast in the gallery below.

[source: BAC]

This is the new BMW M5 F10 Concept

2011-04-06T14:20:00.000+01:00

You are looking at the newest M model to roll out from the München factory and it's a matter of months before the word "concept" disappears from its name without causing any damage just like the previous regular M concepts.

The new M5 is powered by the same 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 that develops 555 Hp under the X5 M's bonnet. However, the BMW Motorsports division engineers could have squeezed an extra 30 Hp from the engine. People will need to get used to turbocharged M cars as the M3 E92 is will be the latest naturally aspirated M car.

From an aesthetic point of view, the new M5 is a success. The front and rear bumpers are largely inspired by the E92 M3 and the latest 1M Coupe. The car looks sportier than the standard F10 without being too much aggressive. The new M5 might have grown up in term of proportions but it's still going to be faster than the E60 and for a lot a BMW enthusiasts, it's already better looking.

[source: BMW]