Month: February 2016

HD Road Test Review – 2016 Audi A6 2.0T Quattro – 5.8s, 550-Mile Time-Traveler

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No scoffing at my 2.0T badge! It only takes a block of driving to know: this Audi is a time machine. It takes us into a future of downsized, forced-induction engines that hold their own beside V8s.   And cruise onward while others take the exit ramp to refuel. Power, speed, efficiency and value come standard on the 2016 A6 2.0T.  There are a few option boxes omitted on the test car that we think you will enjoy, however. And one bombshell performance secret to why the 32-MPG A6 quattro is a *must* over the 35-MPG A6 2.0T in its $46k, front-drive guise. The …

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Road Test Review - 2016 Subaru Legacy 3

Road Test Review – 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited

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2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited Review By Ken “Hawkeye” Glassman   In the late 60’s Subaru came to the United States.  Like other Japanese brands at the time, Subaru’s were small, oddly styled, and considered quirky, compared to US autos.  In the early 1970’s Subaru chose to set themselves apart by introducing all-wheel-drive.  And while they didn’t invent AWD, but at that time, if a customer wanted a vehicle with all-wheel-drive, they were pretty much limited to Jeep products, or truck models.   By offering all-wheel-drive and introducing economical, small displacement boxer-style engines, Subaru cars appealed to an audience interested in …

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Top 10 SUPRA-Tastic Design Details – Toyota FT-1 Concept + 88 NEW Photos

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NEW FT-1 photos?  Yes ALL NEW…? Sortof. We posted these originally on laptop in Santa Cruz, and the results were iffy.  So we went back to the originals, starting again and bringing the FT-1’s details to high-res glory! The most striking things about the FT-1 in person are its captivating beauty, extremely long-hooded proportions, and intense aero detailing. A stunning car. Let’s appreciate its top 10 design details from up close. The design of the FT-1 is visibly alive.  Functional ventwort in a dozen places around all side brings the wild, swooping fenders and hood into sharp relief.  The aero cuts and ground-effect details make …

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2016 McLaren 650S GT3 SWEEPS Bathhurst Debut! But Race Photos Are 70s Sepia Hell

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    Always great to launch an updated racecar with a first-place finish in its debut! That’s the story with the new 650S GT3, which just won the Bathhurst 12 Hour. And not just won: the car destroyed its rivals.  McLaren sums it up well… “650S GT3 claimed the clean sweep over the course of the weekend with pole position, fastest lap, overall race win and a new lap record.” Hard to beat that concise summary of the new 650S GT3’s debut glories.  Almost as hard as it will be for its GT3 rivals.  ONE PROBLEM: McLaren GT’s Over-processed Photos …

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rELAX yOUR jAW! DS VIRGIN Scores First SeXY ePRIX Win! Formula E Action GIFs + Private Track Practice Video

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You got dreams? We got dreams. You got big budget, and passion too? How big? Yes indeed. To both.   Welcome to DS Virgin Racing!     The crew at DS Virgin racing are popping bottles tonight down in Buenos Aires.  Bottles of Dom as well as Deep Woods! Thrilled to welcome Virgin into the racer’s winner’s circle. Upon a scratch to the surface of the new Citroen DS Automobiles racing venture, your scribe found a virtual fountain of youth.  Everything one could ever dream of is available for media-digitization. Hence, the three=hour love affair that is leaving my two …

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2016 McLaren 650S GT3 – Geneva Prelaunch + Photo Comparo Insights vs. 2015 Racecar

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GT3 is the closest thing we have to an authentic battle-of-the-supercars — and demands a great amount of manufacturer attention.  The learnings on track with these cars are some of the quickest tech intros to road cars.  Advancements in aero and drivetrain behaviour on track actually translate directly to a street superstar — without just the lip service most race series pay to this tech transfer. And best of all, it is a two-way street.  Better turbo and cooling settings on the road for the 675LT have fed directly into the updated 2016 racecar from McLaren GT. McLaren below confirms …

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

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

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

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

2017 FORD F-150 RAPTOR – 2016 Event Schedule + 33 New Race-Spec GIFs!

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Check out the 10-speed turbonator in ‘factory stock’ race spec! You can here, and see it do its debut jumps at the below race dates.  Check out the latest 60 pics of the production 2017 Raptor in the lower gallery too. First deliveries?  By December first is the rumor…. =] Dates and locations to catch F-150 Raptor racing events this year are as follows: Parker 425, Parker, Arizona, Feb. 4-7           Mint 400, Las Vegas, March 10-14 Laughlin Desert Classic, Laughlin, Nevada, May 5 Vegas to Reno, Nevada, Aug. 17-20 Bluewater Challenge, Parker, Arizona, Sept. 10-Oct. 6 Pahrump Nugget 250, Pahrump, …

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2016 Chrysler 300S and 200S Alloy Editions – Sport Chassis Tunes Now Featuring Titanium and Dark Bronze Finishes

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  The main Chrysler trim letter to lust after?  C, right? For 2016-and-beyond style, the coolest Chryslers are now definitely wearing the S! Bold pronouncement, perhaps, but over the last few years the 200C and 300C have become the lux and powerful versions of the standard models.  The S twins, however, are the badass ones with mean night styling and performance-tuned handling — regardless of engine. To drive that point home even more explicitly, Chrysler just pre-launched its coolest S models yet: the 300S and 200S Alloy Editions. They are gorgeous and easily the most SRT-infused cars in the Chrysler …

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Max Verstappen performs during the F1 Showrun at the Hahnenkamm

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

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

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2017 Audi RS Q3 Performance 15

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

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

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2016-Renault-Sport-Formula-One-Team-1fsdc

RENAULT SPORT Signs INFINITI and Bell & Ross for 2016 F1 Reboot

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This one is a triple play! Renault Sport just outlined its new F1 effort: with the backing of two inhouse favorites: Infiniti and Bell & Ross watches. Infiniti is transitioning from its previous title sponsorship of the Red Bull Racing crew over to Renault, which recently focused on making and selling F1 engines only.  This engine-only focus tossed out many years of Renault-branded F1 cars from the 1970s through the 1990s. Renault Sport is now fielding their own Formula One team proper, and is leaning on Infiniti for help with their hybridization efforts. This comes down to the ERS (energy recovery …

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

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

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2016 Opel GT Concept 9

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

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

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2016 Lexus IS200t F Sport Review Glassman 6

Road Test Review – 2016 Lexus IS200t F Sport

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

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HAMANN Lamborghini Aventador Roadster 8

HAMANN Lamborghini Aventador Roadster – Exotic Aerokit Banishes SV Envy

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If your Aventador is the crown jewel in your fleet, you may be experiencing some dissonance at the moment. Your Lambo is no longer the coolest and newest variant. The SuperVeloce coupe and roadster are now the hottest on the block. But is the SV set of tweaks from Lambo really worth getting an entirely new machine?  What about the $500k you spent in 2013? HAMANN to the rescue! There are dozens of ways to soup up your Lamborghini, but this eight-piece kit is one of the most effective for SV-besting looks. It is quite exotic, and the bodywork changes help to …

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

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

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

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

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2016 Mercedes-Maybach PULLMAN Limo 2

2016 Mercedes-Maybach PULLMAN Limo – Noblesse Oblige

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Updated 2.2.16 with 30 new photos from Dubai  Royals have it so tough. Every step?  An exhausting endeavor. Even waving to their subjects when en route between photo-ops can be emotionally and physically draining for this sensitive group. They are constantly pulled one way or another, with no time to just relax and mellow out. I mean, it is Gstaad skiing this week and then RIGHT to St. Barts for some beach thing. No break. Double vacations can be so tiring, right? Just getting from private chalet to private jet can be a taxing experience. These poor, pampered beings are never …

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2016 Porsche 911 C4S by TopCar 1

2016 Porsche 911 C4S by TopCar Makes Pre-Geneva Debut

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

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HD Road Test Review – 2016 Hyundai GENESIS Ultimate V6 RWD

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

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