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jeudi 30 avril 2015
Do You Really Own Your Car? GM, John Deere Say "No"
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Toyota Mirai 'Fueled By BS': Crafty Or Crappy?
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2016 Honda HR-V, 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, 2016 Chevy Camaro: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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McLaren Plans To Stay Independent
Life as a niche automaker is far from easy. Just ask Aston Martin how it managed to stay afloat for all these years and you’ll understand why most companies are now part of bigger corporations. But while the likes of Lamborghini, Bugatti and Ferrari are flourishing under Volkswagen and Fiat, respectively, some carmakers plan to continue independently. McLaren is one of them, and according to executive director of sales and marketing Jolyon Nash, that won’t change anytime soon.
Nash argues that staying independent allows McLaren to develop products that keep up with technology and the latest legislative requirements. Simply put, instead of being forced to play by the parent company’s rules, independent automakers are in charge of their own destinies, choosing whether to shift toward, say, innovation or sustainability. Or both, because McLaren has already proven it can do it without jumping on the SUV bandwagon.
Nash also thinks that not being dependent on a parent company means McLaren can update its products in a more efficient way. "We’re very quick to move. Our product development life cycles are very efficient. In an industry like this, those are great advantages," he said in an interview, according to Automotive News.
Of course, staying independent requires significant profits, which is why McLaren is off to an unprecedented lineup expansion that includes three vehicle tiers and nearly 10 models, both road-legal and track-only, with even more underway.
Continue reading to learn more about how McLaren plans to remain independent.
McLaren Plans To Stay Independent originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 30 April 2015 07:00 EST.
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Lotus Evora 400 Laps Hethel Track In 1:32 Minutes
The 2016 Evora 400 has just become the fastest Lotus on the brand’s Hethel test track, the British company announced today, claiming the new sports car bested the benchmark of its predecessor by no fewer than six seconds. Driven by Gavan Kershaw, technical manager for Lotus Motorsport, the Evora 400 lapped the course in 1:32, compared to the Evora S’ time of 1:38. Lotus says Kershaw used a "standard road specification prototype running on road tires and with standard road suspension." However, the British company doesn’t explain what "prototype" actually means and whether a production unit would be able to obtain the same benchmark.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say Lotus is pulling tricks here, but I’ve seen too many record-setting cars not being able to deliver the same numbers in production-spec form. (I’m looking at you Bugatti Veyron and Nissan GT-R Nismo.)
Anyways, Lotus brags that the six-second improvement is due to the extra 55 horsepower injected into the Evora 400’s engine, the 48.5 pounds shaved off the previous car, and the improved traction from the new limited-slip differential. In all, the six-second lap update seems plausible.
"Internally, we all knew that the Evora 400 would be capable of exceeding expectations. Our initial pre-production tests provided immense confidence and a six seconds lap time advantage at Hethel. Our commitment to reducing weight to create a lightweight and efficient supercar has paid off," said Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales.
Continue reading to learn more about the Lotus Evora 400.
Lotus Evora 400 Laps Hethel Track In 1:32 Minutes originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 30 April 2015 06:00 EST.
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BMW 8 Series By Alpina
The BMW 8 Series was a car that never really achieved its full potential. That wasn’t exactly an uncommon thing for a car born in the 80s, and the 8 Series certainly wasn’t a bad car, but it’s difficult to shake the feeling that a V-12 BMW grand touring car should have been something more. And indeed, there was a way to get more from the car, in the form of the Alpina B12. This was a tuned version of the E31 8 Series, with more power and a more luxurious interior.
The downside is that it’s quite rare, being a tuned version of a car that was never produced in huge numbers in the first place. But one has just turned up for sale in Evans City, Pennsylvania, and according to the ad, it’s one of only two in the US. And this particular 1991 model was imported from Japan. It has been quite well taken care of, with only 28,000 miles on the clock, but it’s a difficult call as to whether it would be worth buying.
Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 8 Series By Alpina.
BMW 8 Series By Alpina originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 20:00 EST.
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Next Generation Volkswagen Golf Could Get A Targa Version
The market for convertibles is definitely in the midst of a major decline, but that isn’t stopping Volkswagen from looking ahead. An unnamed source says that the next-gen Golf could get a partially open-top Targa model that was likely previewed in concept form on the 2014 Volkswagen T-Roc Concept (shown above).
Although that Geneva concept was a high-riding crossover model, it gave us a good look at an innovative Targa roof not unlike what was used on the Honda del Sol, with a removable center roof section that can be stored in the cargo area. The article says that a Golf Targa is “more than just an idea,” but there is no telling if VW actually plans on bringing such a model to fruition. One interesting aspect of this report is that it says a Golf Targa model would be in addition to a next-gen Golf Cabrio.
The seventh-gen Volkswagen Golf just went on sale in the U.S. last year, but it has been in production in other markets for a couple of years now, meaning that a Golf VIII is just around the corner. At this point, though, there’s no telling whether VW has any plans to bring the next-gen Golf Cabrio or this rumored Golf Targa to the U.S.
Continue reading to learn more about the Targa version of the next Volkswagen Golf.
Next Generation Volkswagen Golf Could Get A Targa Version originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 19:00 EST.
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Video: Josh Sheehan Goes Aerial Crazy With Triple Backflip
Josh Sheehan is no stranger to performing incredible stunts on his dirt bike, but even with his bar set incredibly high, Sheehan somehow pulled out the ultimate dirt bike stunt when he successfully did a triple backflip.
Yes, a triple backflip. A triple freakin’ backflip!
Let’s put this in perspective for a moment. Performing a backflip on a bike is commonplace these days, but it’s no less impressive when you see someone do it. A double backflip is even more incredible since not a lot of riders are capable of pulling that off. But a triple backflip? No one’s ever done it, or at least been documented doing it.
That is until Josh Sheehan came into the scene and effortlessly pulled off the stunt in front of a crowd of extreme sports luminaries like Tony Hawk and Travis Pastrana, who, mind you, were all justifiably losing their minds.
Sheehan’s amazing triple backflip looks incredible when you watch it, but if you think he just rolled out of bed and decided to do it, you’d be wrong. He actually trained and prepared for more than a year to get the stunt right. Lord knows how you train for something like that, but I’ll take Sheehan’s word for it, especially after he emphatically slammed his name into the record books.
Care to try a quadruple backflip next time, Josh Sheehan?
Video: Josh Sheehan Goes Aerial Crazy With Triple Backflip originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 18:00 EST.
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Hennessey HPE1000 Camaro Z/28 On Dyno: Video
Hennessey is well know for its power-adding addiction, having thrown superchargers on everything from Corvettes to Tahoes. Not even the nimble, track-boss Camaro Z/28 is immune from the tune.
This brand new Camaro has less than 1,000 miles on the clock, and has undergone the transformation from naturally aspirated to supercharged. The 7.0-liter V-8 that used to produce a “mere” 505 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque now lays down a highly respectable 807 horsepower and 706 pound-feet of torque.
The tune Hennessey installed is its HPE 1000, designed to deliver 1,000 horsepower to the wheels. Then again, calling it a tune is an understatement. The 7.0-liter’s LSX engine block is upgraded with all new internals, including forged aluminum pistons, forged steel rods, a beefier crankshaft, upgraded valvetrain inside the ported cylinder heads, high-flow fuel injectors, and of course, that 2.9-liter supercharger. Hennessey then calibrates the engine’s ECU to run the extra power.
Hennessey says the extra 200 horsepower will be dialed in once the engine has 1,000 miles on the clock, so check back soon for an updated video. It’ll sure be fun watching those 305-series Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires try to keep up with all that power.
Hennessey HPE1000 Camaro Z/28 On Dyno: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 18:00 EST.
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MotorTrend Reviews 2016 Cadillac ATS-V: Video
How do you replace the yardstick? It’s no easy feat, but Cadillac thinks it has the answer. You see, when it comes to sporting luxury sedans and coupes, ze Germans have it pretty much wrapped up with the BMW M3/M4 and Mercedes C63. But these mainstays are now under assault from the dual-purpose 2016 ATS-V, a car that GM claims can be both an easy highway commuter and weekend track hero. But what’s it like to actually drive in these two settings? Motor Trend’s Carlos Lago set out to find the answer in this episode of Ignition.
First up is an appraisal of the car’s luxury offerings while pushing along the curvy two-lane of some forgotten highway. Lago was thrown off at first: “I looked around and all I saw was normal ATS stuff. This doesn’t feel too different than the standard car. It doesn’t seem like you’re getting much, at least on the initial first take. Sure the materials might be different, there’s a couple differences in trim for sure, but there’s not a lot different here.”
However, the cabin of the normal ATS ain’t too shabby, and besides, it’s what’s under the leather and premium infotainment that really matters. Lap times are what truly define this car’s worth, and after a few rounds at the Circuit of the Americas, Lago seems sold. But how does it stack up against the best from Bavaria? “It’s in that realm, certainly. I’m hesitant to say this is without a doubt better, but it certainly should be in the conversation.”
Watch for an upcoming episode of Head 2 Head when MT will seek a somewhat more definitive answer.
MotorTrend Reviews 2016 Cadillac ATS-V: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 17:00 EST.
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Mercedes-AMG GT4
AMG might be responsible for Mercedes’ most-powerful and appealing models, but the high-performance brand has yet to use its full potential as a car manufacturer. Sure, the Affalterbach-based division brought us the awesome SLS AMG, and more recently, the AMG GT, but it hasn’t developed more than one stand-alone vehicle at a time. With rumors that AMG is pondering a sedan that’s not based on an existing Mercedes model, the brand’s current lineup may soon expand to include a second product. Whether AMG will indeed develop such a vehicle is still a mystery. Even though AMG boss Tobias Moers said a four-door GT wouldn’t be feasible, that didn’t stop our rendering artist from creating a virtual version of it.
And it obviously didn’t stop me from speculating on what this still-mystery sedan might be all about.
There are obviously no details at this point, but the first reports about the GT4 and the likelihood of AMG using the recently unveiled GT sports car as a base provide plenty of information as to what the Germans might bring to the market in a few years.
Continue reading to learn more about the future Mercedes-AMG GT4.
Mercedes-AMG GT4 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 16:00 EST.
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Infographic: "10 Greatest Car Movies Ever Made"
In the history of great car movies, it’s not uncommon to see the characters sporting four wheels steal the limelight. Certain films portray vehicles on screen that have an undeniable character, a presence that can rival even the biggest names you see all over the credits. Unfortunately, there’s no Automotive Academy Award, but if there were such a thing, this infographic would list some of its top recipients.
Created by Jennings Motor Group, this infographic seeks to answer the question of which car movie “was the most successful.” Standouts include American Graffiti (1973, Ford Model B ‘Deuce Coupe’), Gone In 60 Seconds (1974, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor), The Italian Job (1969, Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper), Senna (2010, McLaren MP4/4 F1), Bullitt (1968, Ford Mustang GT Fastback), Cars (2006, International Harvester Boom Truck), and The Fast And The Furious (2001, Dodge Charger R/T).
It’s a pretty good list, but I can’t help but think about those unforgettable vehicles that didn’t make the cut because the films in which they appear aren’t necessarily considered “car movies.” For starters, there’s the DeLorean DMC-12 from Back To The Future. While not exactly the fastest two-door in the world, it’s hard to separate the movie and the gull-winged DeLorean.
Another is the 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance from Ghostbusters, aka the Ecto-1. One look at the tall rear fins and roof-mounted gadgets is enough to make any fan reach for his or her proton pack.
Continue reading to learn which were the 10 greatest car movies ever made.
Infographic: "10 Greatest Car Movies Ever Made" originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 15:00 EST.
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Ducati Unveils Troy Bayliss' AMA Flat Track Racing Bike
Ducati has revealed the Scrambler-inspired race bike Troy Bayliss will ride in the 2015 AMA Pro Grand National Series, officially cementing Bayliss’ return to active competition after what could be very well be one of the quickest retirements in motorcycle racing history.
The 46-year old former World Superbike champion will be riding a saucy looking Scrambler prepared by Lloyd Brothers Motorsports in conjunction with Ducati and famed Ducati collector Jim Dillard. The bike itself was specially developed to fit the requirements of the racing series. The frame, for example, was specially built for Flat Track competition while the suspension, the 19-inch wheels, and the absence of a front brake were all added to acquiesce to the regulations set forth by the AMA.
Aesthetically, Bayliss’ new race bike has all the makings of a head-turner. The splashy yellow and black livery is a clear hat tip to the Scrambler Icon, even though the craftsmanship of the bike itself, specifically the wider flat handle and the rising exhausts on the right side of the bike, seems to have been taken from the Full Throttle version.
Either way, the bike looks ready to compete in the 2015 AMA Flat Track Championship. Bayliss even has a matching yellow-and-black racing uniform to complete his gear in time for his season debut in the third round of the series at Springfield Mile on May 24, 2015.
As I’ve mentioned in the past, Bayliss will be competing in five races for Lloyd Brothers Motorsports where he will be joined by teammate Johnny Lewis.
Continue reading to read more about Troy Bayliss’ new AMA Flat Track Championship ride.
Ducati Unveils Troy Bayliss' AMA Flat Track Racing Bike originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 29 April 2015 15:00 EST.
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2016 Honda HR-V First Drive Video
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mercredi 29 avril 2015
Subaru WRX Vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG: Compare Cars
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Waiting For Apple CarPlay And Android Auto? We Hope You Brought A Book
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Audi On Demand, 2015 Toyota Corolla, 2017 Jaguar XE: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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Ford Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Edge, Escape, F-150, Lincoln MKZ Included In Massive Recall
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mardi 28 avril 2015
2016 Acura RLX: Top Crash-Test Ratings In Every Category
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Audi Q5 Vs. Lincoln MKC: Car Compare
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Going 64 MPH In A 50 MPH Zone? That'll be $58,000, Please
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Audi On Demand Puts Audi In The Rental Car Business: R8 Spyder Available For $1285 Per Day
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Cars Made In China, 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2015 Shelby GT350: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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McLaren 675LT Caught Testing At Spa Francorchamps: Video
Have you noticed how McLaren unveiled the 675LT at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, but it has yet to take it out for a spin on public roads? Sure, there is the possibility that car paparazzi might have missed it, but that’s pretty unlikely. Whatever the case, the 675LT was just spied testing on Spa Francorchamps (where else, huh?), a sign that the Woking-based crew is still honing the long-tailed version of the 650S. The vehicle spied up close in the pit lane is wearing McLaren’s familiar black-white camouflage, as well as "prototype vehicle" lettering on the side skirts. Nothing surprising here, as McLaren is known to continue testing months after the cars is publicly introduced.
Unfortunately, the four-minute video doesn’t include too much track footage, but there’s plenty of engine noise and lots of details to gaze at as the 675LT sits quietly in the pits. If you’re like me and simply love the 675LT, than this video will keep you busy for a while.
Testing will likely continue for a couple more months, likely alongside the P1 GTR that was spotted earlier in 2015, which means fresh videos should surface on the Interwebz soon.
Of course, nothing would beat a camouflage-free 675LT driven in anger around Belgium’s iconic Formula One track, but I’m not getting my hopes up. McLaren has yet to announce when the sports car will reach its customers, and I have a hunch it won’t happen until the fourth quarter of 2015. For now, enjoy the video and stay tuned for more details.
McLaren 675LT Caught Testing At Spa Francorchamps: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 28 April 2015 06:00 EST.
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2016 Chevrolet Corvette Gets Updates, New Design Packages
After collecting several industry awards in its first two years on the market, the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette receives an array of appearance and technology upgrades for the 2016 model year. The update also brings three new, color-themed design packages to further help buyers park a customized sports car in their driveways.
Arguably the most important change for 2016 is the availability of Magnetic Ride Control on Stingray models without the Z51 package. The bundle is still compatible, but customers are no longer required to get the Z51 package in order to have GM’s fancy suspension.
Two new exterior colors are also on the table for 2016. Corvette Racing Yellow Tintcoat replaces velocity Yellow, while Long Beach Red Metallic Tintcoat replaces Crystal Red Tintcoat. There’s also a new standard wheel design finished in either silver, black, machined or chrome. The Carbon Flash badge option now deletes the chrome bar on the front grille, while the Carbon Fiber Hood option features a visible weave section.
Inside, the 2016 Corvette is getting a Z06-like, flat-bottom steering wheel and optional two-tone GT seats upholstered in leather or sueded microfiber. Corvettes ordered in 3LT trim and with Jet Black interior now get a red or yellow accent stitching option.
More goodies can be had with the three design packages, available on Stingray 3LT coupe and convertible models, which are detailed below.
Continue reading to learn more about what 2016 brings new on the Corvette Stingray lineup.
2016 Chevrolet Corvette Gets Updates, New Design Packages originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 19:00 EST.
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Ferrari FXX K - On Board At Paul Ricard: Video
What is is like to drive a real Ferrari FXX-K? Everyone knows it can hit 60 mph in 0.52 seconds. It can beat a Veyron to 260 mph in reverse. The FXX K produces so much lateral grip that Ferrari has to use acid-etching paint to keep the red on in corners. The Ferrari FXX-K racing variant can unscrew pickle jars on a slalom course, cause a redshift in sunlight under maximum acceleration, trigger fusion, grant wishes and get your girlfriend to stop stealing the covers at 2 a.m. At least, it can in the imaginations of people who will never see one in action — and Ferrari seems to prefer it that way. (Eds Disclaimer: Richard tends toward hyperbole a bit.)
Enzo himself never made any secret of the fact that he only sold street cars to fund his racing endeavors. But that’s always been part of the Ferrari experience; knowing that you’re not so much buying a car, as you are buying into the team. That’s been the case with every Ferrari ever made, including the LaFerrari.
The FXX-K version of the LaFerrari, much like the FXX version of the Enzo that preceded it, is part of Ferrari’s Corse Clienti customer racing program. Which is another way of saying: "If you already own 10 Ferraris, pay us several million and we’ll let you drive this one around a track from time to time." That’s Ferrari’s way of keeping its F1 technology out of competitors’ hands — and the car out of the hands of auto journalists, who might spoil the fun by callously comparing it to other cars. So, the question now is: Is this new FXX a classic Ferrari fleece job? Is it Maranello offering all carbon-fiber hat and no galloping horse?
Continue reading and see for yourself.
Ferrari FXX K - On Board At Paul Ricard: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 18:00 EST.
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Indian Motorcycles Partner With USO In Support Of US Troops
Indian Motorcycles has partnered with the United Service Organizations (USO) to help provide support to the country’s men and women of the military and their respective families.
The partnership between the American motorcycle company and the non-profit organization is the latest in a long line of partnerships that Indian Motorcycles has had with the US military, dating back to as early as World War I and, subsequently, World War II. It’s only fitting that Indian’s back in league with the military and it’s a beautiful thing.
As part of its partnership with the USO, Indian Motorcycles will be donating $100,000 to the USO in connection with its newly released Mark Wahlberg Collection. The shirts, which retail for $34.99, are a collaboration between the motorcycle company and the famed Hollywood celebrity who counts himself as one of the biggest celebrity fans of the American brand.
In addition, Indian Motorcycle Riders’ Group (IMRG) will count the USO as its official non-profit partner, giving the two sides the platform to engage in various community activities, including rides and joint charitable initiatives.
Finally, Indian Motorcycles will also be offering a $1,000 “Honoring Heroes” bonus on all Indian motorcycles for active or retired military, as well as police officers and fire fighters throughout the US. While the bonus has technically been in place for the past two years, the company announced that the US military can still take advantage of it for at least the remainder of 2015.
Continue reading to read more about Indian Motorcycles’ partnership with the USO.
Indian Motorcycles Partner With USO In Support Of US Troops originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 18:00 EST.
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WRC 2015 – Rally Argentina
The Brits had a fantastic few days in South America over the weekend, with Northern Irishman Kris Meeke taking victory in Rally Argentina, besting his Citroen teammate Mads Osteberg by over 18 seconds. Welshman Elfyn Evans managed to clinch his first WRC podium with a third place finish in his Ford Fiesta.
It was an emotional win for Meeke, as it was the first WRC first-place finish by a Briton since the late Colin McRae took top honors in Kenya some 13 years ago. McRae mentored Meeke early in his career.
“The one guy who did most for me isn’t here to see this. This is for Colin. He helped my career out at the very beginning. He supported me financially through to the world championship. Without his support I wouldn’t be here,” said Meeke after his win.
The victory is Citroen’s first since former world champion Sebastien Loeb won in Argentina two years ago. It’s also a break in Volkswagen’s seven-rally winning streak, with current defending world champ Sebasiten Ogier dropping out of the rally Friday following mechanical issues. Ogier’s teammate, Jari-Matti Latvala, also suffered a breakdown on Sunday, opening up the opportunity for Evans to take third.
"You’re as old as you feel and I feel like I am 21," the 35-year-old Meeke said.
The weekend’s results see Ogier maintain his overall lead in the championship, followed by Ostberg and Andreas Mikkelsen. Evans sits at a close fourth, with Meeke in fifth.
Next month, the WRC is back across the Atlantic for Rally Portugal.
WRC 2015 – Rally Argentina originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 17:00 EST.
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Rev'It Celebrates 20 Years With Special Edition Bike
Motorcycle apparel brand Rev’It is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Like most companies, a 20th anniversary is cause for celebration and that’s exactly what Rev’It plans to do when it rolls out the #95 adventure bike.
If you’re wondering whether Rev’It is already starting to dive into the world of custom motorcycles, don’t get your hopes up. This project has all the makings of a one-off and for the company’s own standards, it’s a pretty ambitious project at that.
The #95 will be the crown jewel of Rev’It’s 20th anniversary celebrations. It’s a designation since the company’s creative director, Gerbrandt Aarts, pulled out all the stops to bring together a team of artists, designers, and engineers to build the bike and bring it to life.
Guys like Gregor Haled, Chris Cosentino, and Scott Kolb, were all asked to be part of the project that will build what Rev’It believes will be the “ultimate” adventure project.
The bike itself is based on a KTM 950 Super Enduro, although you probably wouldn’t recognize the 950 because the design team stripped and reassembled the bike’s configurations so many times until it had a design that imbibed Rev’It’s very own design philosophy.
Apart from its rather disheveled looks, the #95 is defined by a Christini 2WD conversion kit that was slapped into the custom bike, allowing it perform a variety of nifty mechanical functions, including the transfer of power off the countershaft sprocket through a custom-made system of gears and shafts all the way to the headstock where it’s converted create to two counter-rotating drive shafts. The kit allows the bike to deliver power to the front hub and prevent unnecessary torque from having its way with the bike’s steering.
The result is a one-off, custom bike that can squeeze out every last ounce of power it can muster while navigating through rough road conditions, all while looking as spunky as spunky can get.
Continue reading to read more about the Rev’It #95 20th Anniversary Bike.
Rev'It Celebrates 20 Years With Special Edition Bike originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 16:00 EST.
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Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition
The Chevrolet Corvette has a long history with racing, and the latest C7.R racecar has definitely been carrying the torch since its introduction last year. To celebrate the early success that the C7 has already had in racing, Chevrolet has introduced the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition.
First the bad news. This car is little more than a styling package tacked onto the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. So where’s the good news, you ask? That lies in the fact that the C7 Z06 is already enough of a track superstar that all it took to create the Z06 C7.R Edition was a special paint job and all the performance goodies the C7 Z06 offers.
Unlike the racecar used by Corvette Racing teams, the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition will be offered as either a coupe or convertible.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 16:00 EST.
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Bugatti Chiron Rumored To Go From 0 To 60 MPH In 2 Seconds
When the reborn Bugatti brand first brought out the Veyron a decade ago, the performance numbers were astonishing, of a caliber we had never seen before. But that was a long time ago, and those numbers are now no longer so much in a league all their own. So its replacement needs to once again be astonishing, and some new details that have emerged about the upcoming hypercar suggest that it indeed will be. For starters, there is the 1,500 horsepower rating for the W16 engine, which will also feature new electrically actuated turbochargers and direct injection. The engine will also put out 1,106 pound-feet of torque, and the car will reportedly run up to a top speed of 288 mph and get to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds flat.
The new car will be called the Chiron. Like the Veyron, it gets its name from a Bugatti racing driver from the prewar glory days, specifically Louis Chiron. The car will allegedly be even easier to use as a daily driver, should you for some reason be inclined to do something like that. It will even feature cylinder deactivation and boast 14 mpg in fuel economy.
Continue reading to learn more about the future Bugatti Chiron.
Bugatti Chiron Rumored To Go From 0 To 60 MPH In 2 Seconds originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 15:00 EST.
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Shelby Baja 700 Debuts At Texas Raptor Run: Video
You should recall Shelby’s announcement a few weeks ago about its latest offering – the 700-horsepower, off-road-eating, super truck lovingly called the Shelby Baja 700 Raptor. Yes, it’s just what it sounds like – a modified Ford Raptor with enough supercharged horsepower to make any gearhead feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Shelby Baja 700 Debuts At Texas Raptor Run: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 14:30 EST.
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Marc Marquez Injured In Crash; Status For Jerez Still Uncertain
Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has successfully undergone an operation to repair a fractured little finger he sustained a few days ago in a dirt track training crash.
According to Honda, Marquez suffered a displaced fracture of the proximal phalange in the little finger of his left hand after falling off of his bike during a dirt track training run. The 22-year old was immediately taken to the Dexeus Institute in Barcelona where Dr. Xavier Mir, renowned for performing surgeries on MotoGP and WSBK riders, inserted a titanium plate in Marquez’s hand to put the fractured bone back together.
The injury to the champion is another setback in what has already become a challenging year for Repsol Honda. If Marquez can’t go at Jerez, the team would effectively be out of its two regular riders, although there’s a good chance that Dani Pedrosa could return after recovering through his own surgery. To be fair, Honda hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Marquez being back on the saddle, but past history of the injury makes it unlikely that he can fully recover in time for this weekend’s race. The kind of injury Marquez suffered has been described as “potentially the most disabling fracture in the hand” with a recovery time of two to three weeks.
Then again, don’t be surprised if Marquez still suits up and races this weekend.
Fortunately for him and the team, the injury is to his little finger so it’s not as debilitating as, say, the thumb or the index finger. He could probably still race if he really feels the need to do so, especially since he’s already 30 points behind championship leader Valentino Rossi. Missing a race and seeing that lead widen is the last thing he and the team wants to see happen.
So if I was a betting man, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Marquez race at Jerez this weekend. The team’s current circumstances in MotoGP makes missing a race out of the equation at this point.
Continue reading to read more about Marc Marquez’s untimely injury.
Marc Marquez Injured In Crash; Status For Jerez Still Uncertain originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 14:00 EST.
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lundi 27 avril 2015
Jeep Renegade Vs. Jeep Cherokee: How Do They Size Up?
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Will Americans Buy Cars Made In China? Geely Is About To Find Out With The Volvo S60 Inscription
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2016 Acura RLX, 2016 Mazda MX-5, 2016 Cadillac ATS-V: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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Bosch Fuel Pump Recall Expands To Include 2015 Volkswagen Golf, GTI, Audi A3
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Koenigsegg Agera HH Sounds Amazing: Video
How many New Yorkers does it take to put a Koenigsegg on a pedestal? If this video is any indication, the number appears to be four – two to spot, one to drive, and one to point out how the pedestals are so unoriginal. Shot at this year’s NYIAS, this video features probably the slowest-moving Agera you’ve ever seen, but it still sounds fantastic.
With so little ground clearance, it’s obvious these folks need to take their time, moving the high-dollar exotic with exacting precision. After all, it’s a customized one-off, and one of the precious few Ageras in the U.S. The HH in the name alludes to the vehicle’s owner, David Heinemeir Hanson. Hanson created the extremely popular Ruby on Rails programming language, and also owns a custom drop-top Pagani Zonda. The above-featured personalized Agera comes with hollow carbon-fiber wheels, more power, new aero, and an absolutely spectacular Monterey Blue paint job offset by bare carbon fiber.
Making all those lovely burbling noises is a 5.0-liter V-8 boosted by two turbochargers to well over a thousand horsepower, developed in-house by Koenigsegg. The cylinders use nano-surfaced sleeves for higher efficiency, and despite boasting output figures with four digits, it meets all standards for emissions and street legality (this one is apparently registered in Illinois, according to the license plate). It’s one of the fastest cars on the planet, and it looks amazing, even when simply parked on a four-inch riser.
Koenigsegg Agera HH Sounds Amazing: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 07:00 EST.
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BMW M4 Reviewed By The Owner: Video
If you were asked to analyze your own personal car, how would you describe it? Would you recommend it to your friends and family? How about if over a hundred thousand netizens looked to you for guidance? That was the task Nick Murray assigned himself after six months behind the wheel of the venerable BMW M4. Thankfully, Murray covers every facet of the vehicle in this exhaustive 36-minute review, throwing in a bit of RWD sliding in the snow for fun.
Murray starts with this brilliant approximation of the stereotypical M performance nut: “I think some M4/M3 owners might tell you ‘I own and M4 or M3 because it’s a fast executive coupe that can also be used for track days on the weekends.’ Don’t listen to those liars! Every M3 or M4 owner is a nine-year-old trapped in an adult’s body. And what’s a nine-year-old want to do? They want to drag race their friends and beat them, they want to do skids and wheelies, and they want to drift their trikes around corners.” Indeed.
Some highway driving, an explanation of interior functions, a discussion of features, and some viewership Q&A follow the powdery hooliganism. There’s even a blooper reel.
All told, Murray covers every aspect of his M4 in exacting detail. Check it out and let us know if you agree with his opinions.
BMW M4 Reviewed By The Owner: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 27 April 2015 06:00 EST.
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2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo RSPEC For Sale
Relatively speaking, Hyundai hasn’t gotten a lot of love in the tuning community, with far more attention paid to products hailing from Japan rather than Korea. But sprinkled among the high-profile Toyotas, Hondas, and Subarus of sport compact culture, you can still find a few examples of Seoul’s finest. Take the above-featured Genesis Coupe: it’s got tons of tasteful exterior mods, enough in-car entertainment to satisfy the more discerning audiophiles out there, and even a little go to match the show. And now, it’s up for sale for just $32,000.
That might seem like a lot for a 3-year-old two-door, but considering the plethora of high-quality aftermarket parts, show-winning fit and finish, and 850 miles on the odometer, it starts to make sense.
The exterior has been upgraded with components that enhance the natural bodylines, rather than overruling them. In the corners, there are metal fender flares from TS Designs as created by Jon Sibal. There’s also an APR carbon-fiber splitter from APR, carbon-fiber side and rear lip kit from Seibon, custom headlights with V-LEDs, and an Atlantis Blue Metallic paint job by Auto Explosion.
Inside, you’ll find Recaro seats, Katzkin leather and suede upholstery, Takata race harnesses, and a custom harness car. BP Auto Sound did the stereo with Alpine components, including an INE-W927HD head unit, SPR-60C two-way speaker system, and two 10-inch subs. EFX was called upon for wiring.
Upping the performance specs is an AEM CAI and ARK exhaust. Brembo brakes, Whiteline sway bars, and an ARK strut bar. KW coilovers set the stance.
It’s an older car, but practically brand new in terms of mileage, and outfitted with quality parts. What a beautiful rig — a bargain at twice the price!
Continue reading to learn more about the Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo RSPEC.
2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Turbo RSPEC For Sale originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 26 April 2015 23:00 EST.
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Nissan GT-R LM Nismo Getting Ready For Le Mans: Video
Nissan’s announcement that it would return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans took most racing enthusiasts by surprise. Not because it represents Nissan’s comeback to the prototype class after 16 years, but because its vehicle of choice, the GT-R LM Nismo, is unusual in many respects. First, its engine is mounted at the front, which makes the GT-R LM different than any of its competitors. Second, and more important, it’s a front-wheel-drive car. If the GT-R LM competes in this year’s Le Mans, it will become the first front-engined, FWD vehicle to do so in more than eight decades. And I say "if," because the GT-R LM has failed to race at Silverstone and it won’t make it to Spa Francorchamps either.
The obvious explanation for the GT-R LM’s absence is that the car isn’t quite as competitive as Nissan had hoped. As a result, the Japanese decided to focus on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race Nissan says it specifically designed the car for.
With less than three months left until the checkered flag drops on Circuit de la Sarthe, Nissan is elbow deep in getting the car ready for the world’s No. 1 endurance event. It remains to be seen whether the GT-R LM will be ready in time and if it’ll make an impact against the more traditional LMP1s from Audi, Toyota, and Porsche, but, in the meantime, Nismo took great pride in designing this car in the virtual world. More on that in the video above.
Nissan GT-R LM Nismo Getting Ready For Le Mans: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 26 April 2015 18:00 EST.
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Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Concept Will Make It To Production
Mercedes seems to be ramping up its SUV offerings both in China and throughout the rest of the world. Part of this push is with the new GLC Coupe, which debuted in concept form at the Shanghai Motor Show this month. While not quite ready for dealerships, the concept that bowed in Shanghai was “near-production-standard,” according to Thomas Weber, the Daimler AG board member in charge of R&D.
The new GLC is expected to have an available hybrid drivetrain, permanent 4MATIC AWD, and sufficient off-road capabilities. Some of the concept’s features, such as the diagonal double exhaust pipes, will most likely be excluded in the future: “Such details will not make it into production,” said Eberhard Kelz, chief engineer of the new GLC. “But underneath the CFRP body, there already is the real thing.”
Delivery dates are currently unannounced, as Weber stated that “first of all there will be the world premiere for the GLC (in June), followed by the GLS,” as reported by The Detroit Bureau. “The GLE Coupe, that was unveiled in Detroit, will arrive on the market this fall. In China, the year 2015 is the year of the goat, but for us it will be the year of the SUV.”
Weber went on to say that SUVs account for 26 percent of all car sales worldwide, a figure that Mercedes expects to rise in the future. In the meantime, the German automaker is busy solidifying its position in China. Mercedes added 100 new dealerships and sold 270,000 units in 2014, a 28 percent increase over the previous year. This year, Mercedes expects to add an additional 50 dealerships and sell more than 300,000 units.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Concept.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Concept Will Make It To Production originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 26 April 2015 16:00 EST.
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McLaren P1 GTR Makes Some Noise On The Track: Video
For months I’ve been waiting for a proper footage of the McLaren P1 GTR, and my prayers have been finally answered. After countless videos showing the standard P1 on various tracks around the world, including Spa Francorchamps and Laguna Seca, this three-minute flick will most likely quench your thirst for GTR awesomeness. And although I wouldn’t really care which track this British monster was on, I’m proud to inform you the video above was filmed at the Spa Francorchamps. And yes, it shows the P1 GTR going past the iconic Eau Rouge and up the Radillion!
There’s no info as to what this black-painted GTR is doing on Belgium’s famous track, but judging by the fact that it has a laptop connected to it at the pits and an engineer analyzing the data, I’m tempted to believe it’s just a regular test day for McLaren. Choosing the Spa instead of the Nurburgring comes as no surprise either, as the Brits used the Belgian course to test the regular P1 (yeah, I know there’s nothing regular about that supercar) either. Hit play to watch the GTR in action and stay tuned because there’s probably more where this came from.
Oh, and in case you missed it, McLaren is reportedly working on a road-legal version of the P1 GTR. We created a rendering of it and also named it the P1 LM, in a nod to the exclusive F1 LM of the 1990s. Make sure you check it out here.
McLaren P1 GTR Makes Some Noise On The Track: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 26 April 2015 12:00 EST.
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Mitsubishi Evo Coupe Track Car Is Better Than Any Race Car: Video
The Smoking Tire recently made a trip to the beautiful island country of New Zealand to see if they could dig up a bit of car culture for our entertainment. In between cruising the epic scenery and dodging herds of sheep, TST got the chance to pilot some bonafide custom race cars on a rain-soaked track. These cars are hand built and privately run, the very essence of enthusiast weekend warriors. And unfortunately, one of them gets stuffed.
Taking the dubious honor of first crash on film for TST is host Matt Farah in Matt Rule’s EG6 Honda Civic hatchback. The car was made for hill climbs and street sprints, and has a B18C motor transplant, Koni suspension components, and one-off, home-fabricated fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces that keep curb weight down to just 2,161 pounds. Watching Farah accidentaly understeer off-track and into the tire wall is painful, but thankfully, the damage was only cosmetic.
Rattled but still on the clock, Farah’s next assignment was to not crash behind the wheel of an EVO/Mirage Frankenstein. Owned by Daniel Picard, the Mitsubishi coupe started life as a FWD automatic, but received a total track-day transformation over the course of five years. Built in a shed, the car has a complete EVO drivetrain, 355 horsepower, and one badass flat-black paint scheme. The AWD clearly helped in the wet, and luckily, Farah was done with off-track excursions for the day.
Hit play and see a brief slice of the brilliance behind Kiwi-style motorsport passion.
Mitsubishi Evo Coupe Track Car Is Better Than Any Race Car: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 26 April 2015 10:00 EST.
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Porsche 911 Turbo S Driven On The Anglesey Circuit: Video
You would think that with hardcore models like the 918 Spyder, 911 GT3, and more recently the 911 GT3 RS, most Porsche aficionados would have forgotten about what used to be the big dog in the carmaker’s lineup, the 911 Turbo S. But it still is the 911 version with the most horsepower. EVO’s Jethro Bovingdon, who recently took the Turbo S around the scenic Anglesey Circuit in Wales for a couple of hot laps, is certainly more than excited with the model. Did I say "hot laps?" Because they were downright scorching if we take a look at the resulting times.
Consider yourself spoiler-warned, but the completely stock Turbo S is apparently faster on the Anglesey Circuit than the more track-focused Ferrari 458 Speciale, despite delivering 45 horsepower less and carrying around 500 pounds more. It seems that its intelligent all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-steering system, coupled with active engine mounts and a lightning-fast, seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, can work wonders with the porkier and slightly less-powerful Porsche.
Powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter, flat-six, the 911 Turbo S delivers 560 horsepower and up to 553 pound-feet of torque thanks to an overboost function. According to EVO, those numbers translate into a 0-60 mph time of 2.6 seconds and a 0-100 mph time of 6.2 seconds, or enough to keep you pinned into its seats into triple-digit speeds. Jethro concludes that the 911 Turbo S could be "the best all-purpose, all-weather car that’s ever been," and I am more than inclined to agree, at least until the facelifted version arrives.
Porsche 911 Turbo S Driven On The Anglesey Circuit: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 26 April 2015 06:00 EST.
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Furious 8 Will Be Released On April 14, 2017
Furious 7 is still raking in cash hand over fist at the box office, but moviegoers won’t have to wait very long to see the next installment in the ever-popular Fast and Furious franchise. At the annual CinemaCon convention, Vin Diesel announced that Universal Pictures will make an eighth movie – tentatively titled Furious 8 – and it will hit theaters April 14, 2017. The news was quickly confirmed by the studio on Twitter.
Though no other details were revealed about the next movie, this wasn’t unexpected. Previous reports have the Fast and Furious movies stretching out to a total of 10 movies, and that is likely solidified by the strong performance of Furious 7. It took just about two weeks for the movie to gross more than $1 billion, making it the highest-grossing film in Universal Pictures history as well as making it the seventh highest-grossing film of all time, and that number continues to grow.
Continue reading to learn more about the next franchise in the Fast and Furious franchise.
Furious 8 Will Be Released On April 14, 2017 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 25 April 2015 23:00 EST.
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1968 Dodge Charger Showing Off At The Track: Video
When talking about a second-generation Dodge Charger, racing isn’t really the first thing that comes to mind. Sure, Dodge modified the R/T into the 500 for NASCAR racing and later on it slapped a pointy nose and a huge wing to it to create the Daytona, but the Charger didn’t make an impact outside the oval track. I’m not saying the second-gen Charger is a heavy slouch that can’t take turns. Heck, it’s among my favorite classics. It’s just that in order to turn it into a more nimble machine, you’d have to invest a lot of cash and time in aftermarket parts and a restomod-like rebuild.
Or pretty much what the guy who owns the gorgeous blue Charger in this video did.
Although I don’t have access to most of the details about this car, it’s obvious that it sports a more modern drivetrain and suspension, on top of a new set of wheels wrapped in meatier, low-profile tires. According to the owner, the front suspension is adjustable, while stopping power is provided by Brembo/Wilwood brakes. When you have almost 600 horsepower and more than 600 pound-feet of torque at the tend of your gas pedal, solid brakes all around are mandatory. Of course, it still wouldn’t be competitive against full-fledged race cars, but it’s definitely more potent than a stock 1968 Charger.
What I like most about it is that its exterior has been kept stock. It’s both a cool restomod and a sleeper.
1968 Dodge Charger Showing Off At The Track: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 25 April 2015 20:00 EST.
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samedi 25 avril 2015
Transformers 5 Planned for 2017
Get ready for your latest dose of CGI robot aliens and vehicular mayhem, folks. Transformers 5 is on the way. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that the sequel to the series reboot starring Mark Wahlberg will hit theaters in 2017.
The announcement was made by Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner during a meeting about earnings, so it makes sense that the next Transformers movie would come up. The first four movies of the current Transformers series have been blockbusters, including the most recent – 2014’s Transformers: Age of Extinction – which made $1.09 billion in theaters and was the highest-grossing movie ever in China.
Aside from a 2017 big screen debut, Goldner also revealed that Transformers 5 would be written by Akiva Goldsman, who has written I, Robot, The Da Vinci Code and A Beautiful Mind – for which he won an Academy Award. While an official title for the next movie has yet to be revealed, filming is likely to start soon with Wahlberg reprising his role as Cade Yeager. As for the cars, expect the Autobots’ love of GM products to continue, and judging by the last movie, a growing mix of exotic supercars as well.
Transformers 5 Planned for 2017 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 25 April 2015 06:00 EST.
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Lexus RC F GT3 To Race At 24 Hours of Nurburgring
It’s not often that luxury automakers tackle motorsports with factory-built race cars, but it seems more and more brands are joining the fun. Lexus was the latest company to announce such intentions at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, where it unveiled the RC F GT3. As the name suggests, this RC F coupe was built to FIA GT3 specifications for privateers to use in various competitions such as the Blancpain Endurance and Sprint Series. The RC F GT3 is Lexus’ first such project since it shelved the GTE program for the discontinued LFA, and it seems the Japanese are ready to launch a full-scale attack in the VLN series in 2015.
According to Sportscar365, the RC F GT3 will make its European debut later this year, with Farnbacher Racing and Emil Frey Racing as development partners. Driven by Dominik and Mario Farnbacher, making it the first the Farnbacher brother race together in the same car, the first RC F GT3 will debut in the third round of the 2015 VLN season on June 20th, at the Nurburgring track. The second car, run by Emile Frey Racing, will see Lorenz Frey, Markus Oestreich, and Jordan Tresson taking turns behind the wheel.
"Lexus sees the Nurburgring as a perfect testing ground to make the car ready for 2016, which they see as their target year to sell to customers. We plan to do a lot of testing since the car is still under development,” Dominik Farnbacher told Sportscar365.
Continue reading to learn more about the Lexus RC F GT3.
Lexus RC F GT3 To Race At 24 Hours of Nurburgring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 24 April 2015 19:00 EST.
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These Are The Men That Keep The DeLorean DMC 12 Alive: Video
The DeLorean DMC 12 is a different kind of classic car than most. A big part of the reason why is the company that you’ll see in this video from XCar. The original company went under so quickly that its assets were sold off all at once, rather than piecemeal over the years during a slow decline, in the fashion of companies like TVR. So when the current owner got his hands on the remnants of the original factory, he got millions of original but never used spare parts. Since he had already built a business that concentrated exclusively on DeLoreans, this new inventory was the sort of thing that classic car restoration experts dream about.
And on top of all of the parts, the new owner also got the plans for car’s various components, which in recent years has meant that he can now manufacture spare parts himself. The shop is now the closest thing you can get these days to having your DeLorean serviced by an authorized dealership, a luxury that few owners of classic cars from dead companies can even come close to. Soon they’ll even be able to start building “new” DeLoreans out of the stock of old parts. It’s a fairly incredible achievement considering how short the DMC 12’s production run was.
These Are The Men That Keep The DeLorean DMC 12 Alive: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 24 April 2015 18:00 EST.
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Bugatti Chiron Mule Testing At Nurburgring: Video
With the Bugatti Veyron off into the history books after a production cycle that lasted a decade and 450 units built, the Guinness World Record for the fastest production car is now owned by a supercar that can no longer be purchased. Whether other manufacturers will step up to best the Veyron’s benchmark remains to be seen, but we know for a fact that Bugatti wants to improve its own record with a new hypercar. Dubbed the Chiron, the Veyron’s successor is rumored to arrive in 2017, and although that’s still a couple of years away, Bugatti is already testing it. First spotted lapping the Nurburgring disguised as a Veyron in April 2014, the Chiron mule returned to the "Green Hell" recently.
Although it ditched the weird setup atop its engine and regained its conventional hood, the mule is still a Veyron on the outside, and likely on the inside too. That’s not to say Bugatti hasn’t made a decision on the Chiron’s design, it’s just that it isn’t yet willing to let us in on the new styling. Not to mention it makes more sense for Bugatti to be more concerned about the drivetrain than the looks at this point, as the French are gunning for a stunning 1,500-horsepower and 1,100-pound-feet output. Word has it Bugatti wants the Chiron to hit a top speed of 288 mph, a 20-mph improvement over the Veyron.
The mule is rather slow in the ’Ring in this video, but I’m sure things will change soon.
Bugatti Chiron Mule Testing At Nurburgring: Video originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 24 April 2015 17:00 EST.
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BMW Motorrad Japan Showcases Two New "Ignite Straight Six" Projects
BMW Motorrad Japan’s Ignite Straight Six customization project has yielded some pretty incredible work from some of Japan’s best custom builders. Following up on the success of the four R nineT custom projects, Beamer has now unveiled two more custom builds with both being based on the K 1600 GTL.
The pair of highly modified and reinterpreted K 1600 GTL’s are the works of Kenji Nagai of Ken’s Factory and Keiji Kawakita of Hot-Dock Custom-Cycles, to leading Japanese customizers who evidently know their way around the luxurious tourer. Nagai and Kawakita had dramatically different interpretations of what they thought a modified K 1600 GTL should look like.
For his build, Nagai wanted to make the K 1600 GTL more prominent to look at it. So instead of simply turning the tourer into a bagger, which was his original plan, he called an audible and opted to take the digger route, an approach he says would bring out the aggressive and menacing side of the K 1600 GTL. It also seems fitting that Nagai would name his masterpiece “Ken’s Factory Special” because the work he put into infusing his own style and ideas into the bike was evident in its final look.
In some ways, Kawakita had a similar idea in mind. He was looking to showcase the K 1600 GTL as a bike that could be used as a weapon of intimidation, a dark and brooding machine that may lacked in minimalism but more than made up for it with its unapologetic masculinity. Apparently, subtlety isn’t one of Kawakita’s strong suits and that became evident when he unveiled his creation, appropriately called “Juggernaut”.
There’s no denying that both Nagai and Kawakita more than lived up to BMW Motorrad’s expectations. Each builder did such a masterful job on their respective builds that it’s hard to imagine that “Ken’s Factory Special” and “Juggernaut” were once K 1600 GTL models now operating under different and more controversial guises.
Looks like BMW Motorrad Japan enlisted the right people to work on these projects and see them through.
Continue reading to read more about the two heavily modified K 1600 GTL models.
BMW Motorrad Japan Showcases Two New "Ignite Straight Six" Projects originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 24 April 2015 16:00 EST.
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