New Top Gear Will Return To BBC On May 8, 2016

If you’re a fan of Top Gear, it was a rather sad day when we found out that the show was shutting down after the altercation between Jeremy Clarkson and the one of the show’s producers. Not everything that came from it was bad, however. Clarkson’s co-presenters, Richard Hammond and James May went on to do live shows in 32 cities and even signed a deal with Amazon to do an exclusive show of their own, but what would happen to Top Gear?

Well according to Top Gear’s new presenter, Chris Evans, our thirst for the British show will finally be eased come May 8th, when the first new episode broadcasts on BBC2. Furthermore, during an interview on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, James Martin said “We’re going to America to make our first intere-continental in January.” So not only will we get to see Top Gear again, but there will be at least one episode recorded here in the States.

We still haven’t received word on who will co-present the show with Chris Evans, but according to Evans, filming has already started and there will be 16 episodes for the first season. So, we won’t be seeing our old friends Clarkson, Hammond, and May on Top Gear, but Top Gear will continue. The only real question is can it really stack up against the Top Gear that we’ve all come to love?

Continue reading for the full story.

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Bugatti Chiron Reveals Its Face

After many months of testing camouflaged prototypes and mules that still had Veyron body panels, Bugatti has finally brought a near-production version of the Chiron on public roads. The proof comes from Instagram’s "max.knz," who posted a photo of a Chiron he stumbled upon on a German highway. The spy shot unveils the supercar’s front fascia and some of its profile, both of which appear to be an evolution of the Veyron’s design language.

Not that we want to brag about it, but it turns out that our most recent rendering of the Chiron looks spot-on, save for a few minor details on the engine hood and the missing orange trim on the horseshoe grille, wheels, side vents, and door trim.

Of course, the car in photo is still a prototype and will see a few changes before it become a production. The hypercar still needs a grille and a proper paint job, and I’m guessing Bugatti is still tuning the drivetrain and suspension system.

Luckily, we’re only three months away from seeing the Chiron in the metal, as the French company just confirmed it will be unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March. The latest rumors suggest that the Veyron’s successor will have an updated version of the quad-turbo, 8.0-liter W-12 generating about 1,500 horsepower and a top speed of 310.7 mph (500 km/h). Also, Bugatti reportedly wants to offer a targa version of the model with a retro-style T-top roof.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Ferrari 365 GT 2+2

In its early days, Ferrari had an interesting take on grand touring cars. Although there were quite a few that had GT in their name, these tended to be essentially just slightly more comfortable versions of Ferrari’s race cars. The exception were the America cars, bigger cars with more comfortable interiors and more luggage space for use, as the name implies, in a country where distances were much greater and road trips lasted much longer. These were built in very small numbers, but by the end of the ’50s, Ferrari had realized that this same idea could work in a mass market car, and the 250 GT/E that followed was such a massive hit as to become the primary reason that Ferrari was able to remain solvent through the ’60s.

So popular was the 250 GT/E that Ferrari followed it up with the 330 GT 2+2. And while more early 330s were nothing more than 250s with bigger engines, the 2+2 was an actual new car, designed to be a comfortable grand tourer. This car was an even bigger hit than the GT/E, and when Ferrari debuted the 365, the 365 GT 2+2 became the most popular of all the 365 body styles.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ferrari 365 GT 2+2.

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Volkswagen Scirocco Black Edition

There is something about the Volkswagen Scirocco that makes it really desirable, especially after the release of the third-generation model. Of course, this desirability doesn’t do much for those of us here in the U.S., as we’re not privileged enough for it to cross the pond – at least not yet. Even with the debut of the new generation happening just last year, Volkswagen felt it was necessary to extend the desirability of the Scirocco even further with the release of two special-edition models.

As the name implies, the Scirocco Black Edition and Scirocco GT Black Edition, both have a focus on black accenting – a feature that really adds to the appeal of the already sporty sports coupe. Exterior features like the headlights and LED taillights from the standard Scirocco models remain, while the interior still benefits from the auxiliary instrument cluster and Composition Media system.

Now that both Black Edition Sciroccos are available for ordering in the U.K., let’s take a deeper look at them and see just what makes them so special.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Scirocco Black Edition.

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Mercedes-Benz SLC

In recent years, Mercedes has been rumored to be using the SLC name on the SLS AMG and later the AMG GT, and while these rumors have proven to be just that, the classic moniker (originally used from 1971 to 1981) will officially make its return to the Mercedes lineup later this year as a renamed and refreshed update of the existing SLK-Class. Mercedes has yet to say when or where the 2017 Mercedes SLC-Class will be revealed, but judging by a recent set of spy shots, it’s very likely we will see a debut in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

It’s obvious that the changes are little more than a mid-cycle update to the current third-gen SLK, which was introduced for the 2012 model year, so it isn’t likely that there will be too many surprises popping up on this SLC-Class. The new name does fit in with Mercedes’ new naming convention that has marked the return of the S-Class Coupe as well as an almost completely renamed SUV lineup.

Updated 11/30/2015: The upcoming Mercedes SLC - aka the facelifted SLK - was caught testing once again, this time on the public roads of Germany. Hit "play" to watch the car in action.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class.

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Lamborghini Trademarks "Egoista"

In 2013, Lamborghini unveiled the Egoista, a concept built to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Described as "a gift from Lamborghini to Lamborghini" which "no one can ever possess," the Egoista features a design inspired by an Apache helicopter, a one-seat interior, and a removable canopy door. Although it said it has no plans to put it in production, Lambo just filed a trademark for the "Egoista" name.

According to Auto Guide, the name was filed under a number of categories, including "vehicles and conveyances," as well as for merchandise such as clothing and toys. There’s no word as to whether the Italians want to turn the concept car into a limited-run production model, but judging by the number of the categories the name was filed under, the Egoista could be used for Lambo’s line of apparel and accessories.

Currently, the Italian brand offers a series of special-edition apparel items and accessories inspired by both the Aventador SV and the Huracan, so new model-specific features aren’t out of the question. There’s also the possibility that Lambo is working on a toned-down, production version of the Egoista, but this scenario isn’t very likely.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Ferrari FF

The Ferrari FF was launched at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show as the company’s first production all-wheel-drive model. Essentially developed as a successor to the 612 Scaglietti, the FF is a rather unusual grand tourer, sporting a shooting-brake-like rear end instead of Ferrari’s traditional coupe styling. Often compared to the 250 GT SWB Breadvan because of its appearance, the FF features foldable rear seats and a trunk capacity of up to 28 cubic feet, a rare feat for both a Ferrari and grand tourer that posts near-supercar performance numbers. The combination of hatchback-like design, a powerful V-12 engine and all-wheel drive made the FF an exotic among exotics.

In its fourth model year as of 2015, the FF is set to receive a much-deserved facelift, with the updated model to hit showrooms for the 2016 model year. The upgrades Ferrari is working on are still a mystery as of February 2015, but the fact that the FF is getting a refresh has become a fact now that our spy photographers spotted a prototype during testing in Europe. Check out the details in my speculative review below.

Updated 11/30/2015: A new report on the next Ferrari FF indicates that the facelift will come with a "surprise" for its fans. Speaking to Indian Autos Blog, Enrico Galliera, Senior Vice-President Commercial & Marketing, Ferrari SpA, said: "we’re working to further innovate the car, it’s too early to say when and how. But our clients will have surprise in the future." While he did not offered any other details, it is believed that the car’s output will be increased to about 700 horsepower, while the 7-speed double-clutch transmission will be replaced by a new 8-speed unit.

Click past the jump to read more about the Ferrari FF.

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Audi R18

Until the 1980s, Audi wasn’t an important name in motorsport, with its most successful race cars having been built in the 1930s when the brand was part of Auto Union. Things changed dramatically when the Quattro was introduced in 1980, spawning models that went on to dominate the rally scene and the Pikes Peak hill climb. After laying low in the 1990s, Ingolstadt decided to tackle prototype racing and created a series of vehicles that went on to dominate the competition, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its most important racer, the R18, hit the motorsport scene in 2011 and went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times in a row before being defeated by the Porsche 919 Hybrid in 2015. For 2016, Audi has redesigned the R18 from the ground up.

Launched at the Audi Sport Finale at the Audi Training Center in Munich, the R18 is a significant departure from its predecessor. The LMP1 prototype features not only new aerodynamics, but a modified hybrid system and an optimized TDI engine as well.

“With our new Audi R18, we’re setting a clear signal: Audi continues to put the pedal to the metal in motorsport, deliberately relying on TDI – the world’s most successful automotive efficiency technology – at Le Mans,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.

Details are still scant as of this writing, but Audi did confirm it will rely on the same driver lineup. The No. 7 car will be driven by Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer, and Marcel Fassler, while the No. 8 race will be driven by Oliver Jarvis, Lucas di Grassi, and Loic Duval. The Germans, however, won’t field a third car at Le Mans in 2016, a decision taken "in the interest of maximum cost efficiency" together with Volkswagen Group sister brand Porsche.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Audi R18.

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Ferrari 375 Plus

Nowadays, when you associate Ferrari and motorsport, your mind immediately skips to Formula 1 – the only championship where the Scuderia runs officially. Little over six decades ago, when Ferrari was still a low-volume manufacturer, the Modena-based team would consistently run in both open-wheel and closed bodywork formulas, and their works drivers split between the chores. One such success story away from the dazzling world of F1 is the Ferrari 375 Plus which built on the lessons learned by the factory during the 1953 race season, hence the Plus in the name.

The car, in spite of its short lease of life in works-supported competition, proved to be a force to be reckoned with, even in the company of the newly-launched Jaguar D-Type that went on to become a true legend while history has been far more harsh on the 375 Plus which wasn’t much less of a car. The facts back this statement, as a Le Mans and Carerra Panamericana-winner cannot be considered a bad contender.

Designed during the big-engine era of the World Sports Car Championship, the 375 Plus proved a bit hefty when compared to its direct competition from Jaguar, Maserati and Lancia. The car was routinely out-handled by Lancia’s D24 as well as the D-Type which was famously equipped with disc brakes. But, the brute from Modena never gave up without a proper fight, bringing to the table its gargantuan amounts of power from the meaty 4.9-liter V12 engine.

Continue reading to learn more about the 1954 Ferrari 375 Plus.

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Chrysler Imperial

Technically speaking, the car you are looking at is not a Chrysler Imperial. It comes from a period in the model’s history when Chrysler was trying to better differentiate its top-end luxury model from the rest of the Chrysler lineup, and Imperial became its own brand, with no Chrysler badging to be found on the car. This met with limited success, with most people still referring to the cars as Chryslers. But, the cars still sold, possibly not in the quantities that they could have, but certainly in a high enough volume to be profitable for Chrysler.

The Imperial nameplate had been around since 1926, and was created in order to compete with Cadillac and Lincoln. It might never have had the 12- and 16-cylinder engines offered in other top tier American luxury cars at the time, but it did a good job of competing with entry level models by being something a bit different from the competition. In 1934, it adopted the aerodynamic bodywork of the Chrysler Airflow, and became the best selling of all the Airflow models. In 1953, the Imperial was the first postwar production car to get air conditioning. But, this still wasn’t enough to set it apart, and the Imperial became its own brand in 1955.

When the second generation of the dedicated Imperial brand was launched in 1957, it set a record for Imperial sales that Chrysler was never able to break. But in 1964, the year of the car you see here, Chrysler came closer than any other year. Exterior styling had a lot to do with this, as it represents a major departure from the styling of the 1963 model. There is a good reason for this too. Chrysler had just hired the designer Elwood Engle away from Ford, the man who had just redesigned the 1961 Lincoln Continental and given a much more modern look. Chrysler wanted to give the Imperial the same kind of update, but it should be noted that the 1964 Imperial is still considered a second generation model, since it was just the bodywork that was changed.

Continue reading to learn more about the Chrysler Imperial.

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Bentley Bentayga

Even though it has a history spanning almost a century, and some of its earlier models were nicknamed by Ettore Bugatti as "the world’s fastest lorries," Bentley has never manufactured an SUV. Its Continental GT lineup is almost exclusively all-wheel-drive, but far from meeting the criteria for being called an SUV. Those three letters have actually given nightmares to traditional Bentley enthusiasts since 2015, when Bentley officially announced that it will launch a full-size SUV called the Bentayga by the end of the year. With the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show just around the corner, the Bentayga is finally here to brag about being the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive SUV in the world.

With the luxury carmaker being all about sales nowadays, and the Bentayga already amassing 4,000 pre-orders, the SUV is bound to be a sales success despite what the old-school Bentley fans want or believe. Based on the same platform as the new 2016 Audi Q7, the model is also set to become the first Bentley powered by a diesel engine and a hybrid drivetrain, but more on that as you read the following review.

Updated 11/30/2015: The first Bentayga SUV left the assembly line at Bentley’s iconic headquarters in Crewe, UK. The model is painted Anthracite and was handcrafted across 130 hours during which period it passed through a new bodystore, a new paint shop and a new assembly line.

Continue Reading to learn more about the Bentley Bentayga

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EVO Drives The 2016 VW Golf GTI Clubsport: Video

2016 is the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI, and in commemoration of that, Volkswagen has built the 2016 Golf GTI Clubsport. The car still isn’t available for sale quite yet, but EVO has managed to get a little bit of time on the track with one of the three pre-production models. As noted in EVO’s video, it’s not as powerful as the Volkswagen Golf R, but it does put out 261 horsepower, with the occasional boost up to 290 horses.

In the video we get to see the car make a lap or two around the track, as it is compared to the standard Golf GTI and the Golf R. The most notable part of the driving experience is that the aerodynamic enhancements (mainly in the rear) actually help make this every-day driver just as comfortable on the track as it is on the road.

So, is the most powerful GTI ever going to be the best? Well I won’t ruin that part for you, but I will say that I wish I could have the opportunity to drive one. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it will ever cross the big drink to the U.S, but if you live over in the U.K. you should be able to snatch one up mid-to-early next year. You might want to hurry though – we have no idea how many will be produced, and it is a special edition, so don’t expect it to be around for long. Enjoy the video!

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Audi Joins VW In Gift Card Goodwill Program, Admits To Illegal Software On 3.0-Liter Diesels

Unless you've paid close attention to the Volkswagen "Dieselgate" headlines, you might've missed the fact that Audi vehicles are also installed with emissions-test-cheating software. The fact that Volkswagen's popular, mass-market brand at the center of the scandal shares a name with its parent company has obscured the fact that other Volkswagen...

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Volkswagen To Begin Diesel Recalls In Germany With Nearly 2.5 Million Vehicles

Last week, news broke that Volkswagen had submitted plans to repair most of its illegally engineered diesels in Europe. Now, reports have emerged that indicate the automaker will begin those repairs on its home turf. Germany's Die Welt says that around 2.5 million vehicles from model years 2009 to 2016 will be recalled across the country. Most of...

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2016 Chevy Volt, 2016 Toyota RAV4, 2016 Bugatti Chiron: What’s New @ The Car Connection

From The Car Connection: 2016 Chevrolet Volt Video Road Test It's only in its second generation, but it's fair to say the Chevy Volt is one of the most important vehicles ever built in America. Now it's time for Volt 2.0, and it's better in every way. Will that be enough to keep eco-friendly drivers steering in the direction of Chevy showrooms?...

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This Gorgeous BMW 2002 Was Built From A Wreck: Video

Buying yourself the car of your dreams can be a complicated matter. Since most of us dream of owning ludicrous machines such as the Ferrari F40, Porsche 959, McLaren P1 or the LaFerrari, getting one is next to impossible unless you’re filthy rich. Or, you could win the lottery.

Very few enthusiasts can actually brag about having built their dream cars on the their front lawns. One such gearhead is Carter Kelly Kramer, who drives a bespoke BMW 2002 he bought when he was only 16 years old.

Kramer purchased the German coupe off eBay only to realize that it was far worse than described. Soon after he took delivery of the car, he crashed it through a fence. Because the insurance company wouldn’t cover the damage, he decided to fix the car himself.

"I had a pair of garden shears, I had a hack saw, I had a crowbar, and a sledgehammer..." Kramer says, adding that he had very little knowledge as to what it takes to repair a 2002. "I slowly learned by taking the car apart how the car goes together."

Although he fixed it, he decided to get rid of the 2002 as he went to college, buying a newer BMW. However, he soon began to suffer from seller’s remorse and got the car back, removed its chrome, repainted it, and tweaked the engine. It’s been four years since he took it apart, and the 2002 is arguably one of the most beautiful restomods out there. Check out the video for the full story and the insane engine note of this classic Bimmer.

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Volvo Launches In-car Delivery Service

With the holiday season just around the corner, Volvo is introducing a new method by which Volvo owners can do their shopping online and have their purchases delivered straight to their cars. The Swedish automaker calls it the world’s first commercially available in-car delivery service, and according to the company, it’s an efficient way of giving time back to the consumers that’s otherwise taken up by having to go to stores and malls and doing the holiday shopping in these places.

The service is officially called the Volvo In-car Delivery and it works by way of a digital key that the delivery service can use to gain one-time access to the vehicle of the shopper. Once that digital key has been used up, it can no longer be used in future transactions.

Think of it like this. You’re doing your online shopping while taking you’re lunch break at work. Instead of having to go to a store and buy the items there, you can order online and have the goods delivered straight to your car. So once you finish up work and head back to your car, the goods would have already been placed inside of the car.

The service is only available at the moment for Volvo owners subscribed to the Volvo On Call service in Gothenburg, Sweden where the company’s administrative headquarters is located. Right now, Volvo has already secured deals with Lekmer.com, a Nordic online toy and baby goods store, and Mat.se, a Swedish online grocery retailer.

The company then hopes to roll out the service in other markets all over the world while also expanding its partnerships with more retail companies down the road.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Ferrari 458 Crashed At 200KM/H In Malaysia

This video come from Malaysia. Its a super Ferrari 458 crashed in the street and it totally destroyed. This car get crashed at 200 km\h in a highway. Fortunately, the owner and the passenger survived with minor injuries in this deadly accident. Video registered after the accident and you can...
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What Does It Take To Pace A Race: Video

Motor racing fans always get caught up in high-action racing and justifiably so. After all, the purpose of watching a motor racing event is to watch the racers. But, what gets lost in the parade of these high-powered racers is the pace car, the one on-track vehicle that’s responsible for restoring order anytime there’s some sort of emergency on the track.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pace car driver Brett Bodine knows how important the pace car is in any racing event. He also knows that it takes a special kind of car to fulfill these duties. You just can’t pluck a regular vehicle from the parking lot and use it as a pace car. According to Bodine, the approval process behind the use of a certain pace car varies from track to track, usually depending on the size of said track. On shorter tracks, Bodine says that pace cars must be able to do 80 mph from turn one to the back straightway to be able to catch the field. But, on bigger tracks, a car must be able to run as fast as 110 mph easily to be considered suitable for pace car duties.

Fortunately for Bodine, the current pace car for NASCAR - a high-powered Ford Mustang GT - checks off a lot of those requirements. It’s got the acceleration. It has the handling. Most importantly, it meets all of the criteria on all of the series’ race tracks, be it on shorter circuits like Bristol all the way to the longer ones in Indianapolis.

So the next time you watch a NASCAR race, be on the lookout for that blue Ford Mustang GT with the red and white racing stripes. You hope it doesn’t have to go out of the track at any point in the race, but in the event it does, check out how fast and powerful it is.

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Evo Reviews The Jaguar Lightweight E-Type: Video

The Back to the Future DeLorean may be the poster child of time-traveling cars, but if there’s one vehicle that can be best described as its real-life equivalent - minus the time-travelling paraphernalia - it has to be the Jaguar Lightweight E-Types. Built initially by Jaguar in 1963, the company’s plan was to release 18 units of the track-purpose vehicle. For one reason or another, the company was only able to build 12, leaving the last six designated chassis numbers in storage for the better part of 50 years. It wasn’t until 2014 when Jaguar dusted off these numbers and built the final six models of the Lightweight E-Type, using period correct building methods mixed in with modern design technology. More importantly, these cars were built to FIA’s homologation requirements for historic racing.

The Lightweight E-Type is as authentic a blast from the past as you can get in the business today. Recently, EVO managed to get its hands on one of the six “old-new” models of the Lightweight E-Type and as you can expect, the car looked absolutely pristine, exuding the classic look of its older brothers while also benefiting from modern-day technology to make it look and run better.

I can’t even begin to tell you how jealous I was watching this video. As awesome as it might be to sit behind the wheel of today’s supercars, I’d gladly give up a chance to drive any of them if it means getting to drive the Lightweight E-Type. Forget about the experience of driving it, I just want to be in its vicinity, soaking up all the stories it has to tell.

Check out the video and tell me you won’t feel the same way after watching it.

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Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Vs. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28: Video

The Chevrolet Camaro. The Ford Mustang. You can put any of the two on the top billing and it still wouldn’t matter. These two pony cars have always been the epitome of American muscle. That’s been the case for generations and, as sure as the sky is blue, that still holds true to this day. Even special variants of the two will always end up being compared to one another. In this case, I’m talking about the Mustang Shelby GT350R and the Camaro Z/28 and it’s only fitting that Motor Trend was able to wrangle up both ponies for its latest episode of “Head 2 Head.”

The 25-minute episode dives deep into the core of both the Mustang Shelby GT350R and the Camaro Z/28. Head 2 Head host Jason Cammisa took up the challenge of putting both muscle cars through a series of challenges to determine which of the two reigns supreme as Detroit’s finest pony. There’s a dyno shoot out between the two. There’s also a drag race because, well, muscle car comps like this wouldn’t be complete without one. Cammissa and race car driver Randy Pobst even found the time to do some hot laps around the Chuckawall Valley Raceway to determine which of the two can post the faster lap time and which handles better around all the challenging twists and turns of the track.

I’m not going to spoil the results because that’s only going to ruin the fun, right? Just know that this is another Mustang vs Camaro challenge. That in itself is reason enough to watch the episode from start to finish.

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Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16V

It looks a little silly at first glance, a compact mid-Eighties Mercedes sedan with fender flares and wings bolted to it. The Cosworth-modified Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v set the template for an entire generation of The Fast and The Furious-inspired cars.

This hot rod sedan may seem a bit out of character for Mercedes, especially in its wildly aggressive final form, but it’s got a very important place in the flow of automotive history: many people agree that this is the car that officially kicked off the German horsepower wars. It’s definitely responsible for the BMW M3, because BMW put that car on the road as a direct response to the 190E 2.3-16v.

As with many car stories, it all begins with racing. Mercedes started out looking for a sensible replacement for the 450SLC that was its entry in international rally racing. Teaming up with Cosworth was a sensible way to go about it, and the W201-chassis 190E underwent a comprehensive makeover in 1984. And then the Audi Quattro happened. The all-wheel drive car took the rally world by storm, so Mercedes changed its focus to the German Touring Car Championship. The 190E was modified and did a successful turn in the series, racking up 42 victories over its life span. As regulations required, the car was also homologated for road use, resulting in the 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth.

And with that, a long-standing competition was born. As BMW developed the M3, the 190E 2.3-16v became more extreme as well. In its final form in 1990 as the 190E 2.5-16v Evo II, it looked and sounded like a DTM car for the street. Though the 190E 2.3-16v was only officially sold in the United States in 1986 and 1987, the hot-rodded 190E models helped to spawn a generation of legendary super-sedans.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16V.

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Ford GT Heritage Edition For Sale At Cats Exotics

The Ford GT may have had a short lifespan - it lasted only two years - but there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the supercar left an indelible mark in the American auto industry. No more is that evident than in the limited edition Ford GT Heritage Edition. Limited to just 343 units, the GT Heritage Edition separated itself from other Ford GTs because of its Gulf livery, the same body finish the Ford GT40 had when it won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1969. These days, the GT Heritage Edition has become increasingly collectible, having sold in auctions in excess of $300,000 in the past. The “sought-after” status attached to the GT Heritage Edition will again be on full display as another example of this prized collectible is currently being sold at Catsexotics at a price of $374,888.

This particular GT Heritage Edition has 7,617 miles on its odometer and carries the VIN number 1FAFP90S36Y400856. It also has all the available options from the factory, including the lightweight aluminum BBS wheels, McIntosh stereo system, and most importantly, the Heritage Gulf paint livery. According to the seller, the car has been involved in an accident in the past, but the damage sustained was limited to the passenger side wheels so the body of the car has never been touched. The wheels were eventually replaced through an insurance claim.

Other than that, everything about the GT Heritage Edition justifies the six-figure price tag attached to it. The body of the supercar also features HID headlights and Eagle F1 Supercar tires that have less than 2,000 miles on them. Likewise, the interior has leather-trimmed carbon fiber seats and standard air conditioning. It also retains the same 5.4-liter, supercharged V-8 engine that produces 550 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.

Those interested in buying a Ford GT Heritage Edition now have a chance to do so. The only question is whether they’re willing to pony up that much money for a car that’s seen its share of adventures.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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BMW 3 Series LCI by AC Schnitzer

The current BMW 3 Series may have evolved drastically from its predecessor, but one thing remains true: it still stands as the heart and soul of BMW’s entire model lineup, appealing to arguably the widest range of markets compared to other BMWs. For the longest time, the 3 Series has more than held its own in a market that dictates that a model should have a nice blend of luxury, sportiness, and performance.

Along those lines, AC Schnitzer has built a great reputation in the aftermarket scene, thanks in large part to embracing those same qualities in its tuning programs. No more is that evident than with its latest offering for the 3 Series.

The kit itself includes everything you’d want for your BMW 3 Series. It has cosmetic upgrades, aero components, interior modifications, and most of all, engine enhancements for close to the entire range of 3 Series models. The lack of any bombastic conversions on the exterior may be a sore spot for some, but by and large, this is as comprehensive a kit as there is for the 3 Series.

It certainly comes as no surprise that AC Schnitzer is involved in it.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 3 Series LCI by AC Schnitzer.

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Chevrolet Camaro SS By Hennessey

Just yesterday, I was driving across the bridge by GM’s Lansing assembly plant. As I looked towards the massive parking lot, I saw hundreds of brand new, 2016 Chevy Camaro’s sitting there, just waiting to be loaded up and shipped off to showrooms across the country. It was at that point that I realized that – outside of Chevy-built concepts like the 2016 Chevy Camaro SS Black Accent concept, Red Accent Concept, and the Performance Concept – we haven’t seen much in terms of modified 2016 Camaros.

I started looking at different tuning firms, and it was no surprise that Hennessey already offers upgrade packages for the 2016 Chevy Camaro SS. Currently there are two packages on the table to choose from, and like most Hennessey upgrades, they offer more in terms of power than they do physical appearance. Of course, you can’t fault Hennessey for that – the firm is about power, plus the Camaro SS is already quite stylish as it is.

The HPE600 upgrade is the lesser of the two upgrades, offering an extra 145 horsepower over the 455 horsepower output by the Camaro SS in stock form. The HPE650 upgrade offers even more, bringing that LT1 up by 195 horsepower. So, with that said, let’s take a deeper look at the Camaro SS by Hennessey.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS By Hennessey.

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Mercedes-AMG Plans More Powerful GT R

As a successor to the SLS AMG, the Mercedes-AMG GT is set to go beyond the current coupe body style and also receive two hotter versions with more powerful drivetrains. But, while one of them has already been confirmed as the GT Black Series, the other one remains a mystery.

According to a report from Motor Trend, AMG plans to roll out a coupe that will make use of the "GT R" badge. The upgraded sports car will reportedly get active aerodynamics, meatier rear tires, and four-wheel steering. Also, the Mercedes-AMG GT R is rumored to become the first production car to use adjustable spool valve shocks.

If we are to believe this report, the GT R will arrive toward the end of 2016, which means it will go on sale long before the Black Series, said to break cover sometime in 2018.

There’s no word as to how powerful the GT R will be, but expect its updated engine to crank out more than the GT S’ 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The extra oomph and the new body kit should reduce the 0-to-60 mph sprint from 3.7 to around 3.4 seconds.

With the GT R, the Mercedes-AMG GT family will expand to four models, joining the base version, the S variant, and the race-spec GT3 model.

Continue reading for the full story.

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McLaren Closes Door On Building Porsche Cayman Rival

McLaren’s product expansion apparently has its limits, so says chief designer Robert Melville. In a conversation with Autocar, Melville effectively ruled out the possibility of seeing a new McLaren model sit below the recently launched 540C and take on other entry level sports cars like Porsche’s Cayman and Boxster duo.

The revelation doesn’t come as a surprise given how dramatic McLaren’s expansion has been. Just this year, the British supercar brand has introduced four new models, including the aforementioned 540C, which currently holds the distinction of being the company’s entry-level machine. That model is already being lined up to take on the Porsche 911 and the Audi R8, which, according to Melville, is as far as the company is going to go in order to retain its exclusive status.

McLaren has, for the longest time, resisted the temptation to go mainstream, opting to continue occupying the space reserved for supercar marques. But, with the sports car/supercar market evolving in recent years, the need to build “every day” supercars became paramount, hence the decision to introduce the 540C and 570S. As Melville points out, however, there’s a limit to this expansion and going down from the 540C is a line that McLaren isn’t going to cross anytime soon.

The introduction of both the 540C and the 570S already opens up McLaren to its intended market, so instead of moving down from these two models, the company is opting to move laterally and develop different variants of both models. Right now, a 570S Spyder is already in the works, as is a 570S GT version that’s going to look a lot different than its standard namesake.

So if anybody was hoping to get a brand-new McLaren that’s in the price range of a Porsche Cayman, don’t expect to see it in the foreseeable future.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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Pagani Restores Zonda "La Nonna" With One Million Kilometers On The Odometer

Pagani’s Zonda Prototype 2 is known by Pagani as "La Nonna," which means "grandmother" in English. It is a fitting name too, when you consider "La Nonna" has been used in the development of all Zonda models (except the R’s) up until Pagani built the 760. When developing new vehicles, "La Nonna" would play grandmother, by taking on new components for testing before they went into production. This included things like drivetrain, interior components and technology.

Once "La Nonna" had been fitted with Pagani’s latest and greatest, it would hit the road for some serious testing of these new components. Over its lifespan, it has been driven more than one million kilometers (more than 620,000 miles.) If grandmother approved of the new components, they were then used to build production models. The car itself has seen more changes than most long-running, mass-produced production vehicles on the road today, but that isn’t the end of its story – Grandmothers should be honored for their wisdom and experience, and that is the exact treatment "La Nonna" has finally received.

The one-million kilometer prototype has been fully restored and placed for viewing inside Pagani’s old factory showroom. As part of the restoration, the car was returned to its original paint scheme, which included a silver exterior and red interior with black accents. There have been some aesthetic upgrades, but nothing major that would take away from honoring this beauty. Once Pagani’s new factory museum is finished, "La Nonna" will be placed on display there where she can be honored for her great service over the years.

Continue reading for the full story.

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