manual transmission Topic Hub

2016 Porsche CAYMAN GT4 – Latest 30 Action Shots from Algarve Impress, But Car Is Poor Value

Reviewing the latest photos and video of the Cayman GT4 is quite perplexing. Who is this $84k machine aimed at?> Perhaps 911 GT3 aspirers, but for half the cash? The 4.2-second sprint to 60, intensely upgraded aero all around, sport exhaust and slammed ride height all point firmly toward the racetrack. But even Porsche knows it has a problem: there is no Cayman badge on the back of the car. Just Porsche and GT4 letters to mark out the model. And that is the crux of it: this is a halo Cayman that hopes to ramp up excitement around the …

Feb 09, 2016 Read more

2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Refreshed With New LEDs, Fascias and Adjustable Drive Modes

Mercedes-Benz revealed the fresh A-Class this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — showing off the new AMG A45 among its brothers like the new G500 4×4-squared and the AMG GT-S. This refresh for the A-Class updates the nose and tail designs with fresh fascias and LEDs. It is particularly convincing from the back — where even the entry-level A180 and A250 have a much sleeker appearance. The look blends the best of hot-hatch proportions with the fast and low-roof wagon style we always love. A big mechanical change for the nw A-Class are adaptive and adjustable dampers, controlled …

Jun 29, 2015 Read more

SMMT Test Days 2015 – Millbrook Off-Road Course Mega Gallery

PART THREE – The Millbrook Off-Road Course The dirtiest truck in the lot at the end of the day? Not the Unimog or Defender… but the lowly Dacia Duster! Makes sense – off-roading can be perilous. Second dirtiest? A mud-spattered Skoda Outdoor Estate. Definitely looks like a fun day of testing. Beautiful weather for the SMMT Test Days auto journalist event this year, with nearly 100 of the hottest new cars put to the test around numerous tracks and test scenarios. The choice machines we have our eyes on? The new Audi TT-S, new Porsche GTS range, a …

Jun 08, 2015 Read more

SMMT Test Days 2015 – Millbrook Alpine Course – Dynamic Photos Mega Gallery

Beautiful weather for the SMMT Test Days auto journalist event this year, with nearly 100 of the hottest new cars put to the test around numerous tracks and test scenarios. The choice machines we have our eyes on? The new Audi TT-S, new Porsche GTS range, a few AMG GT’s, the SL65 World Championship Edition, the latest F-Type S AWD and manual-transmission, Clio RS, Audi RS7 and RS6, BMW X5M, RCF Carbon Pack…. the list goes on and on! Seeing the vehicles at speed around Millbrook’s challenging alpine hill course gives a great view into the dynamics of these new …

Jun 08, 2015 Read more

Updated With 25 New Photos – 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 Is Rock-Hard Cockster!

Reviewing the latest photos and video of the Cayman GT4 is quite perplexing. Who is this $84k machine aimed at?> Perhaps 911 GT3 aspirers, but for half the cash? The 4.2-second sprint to 60, intensely upgraded aero all around, sport exhaust and slammed ride height all point firmly toward the racetrack. But even Porsche knows it has a problem: there is no Cayman badge on the back of the car. Just Porsche and GT4 letters to mark out the model. And that is the crux of it: this is a halo Cayman that hopes to ramp up excitement around the …

Mar 03, 2015 Read more

380HP 2015 Porsche Cayman GT4 Is Hardcore, Track-Attack Cockster!

The new Cayman GT4 is a huge bit of news! An ultra-hardcore model with 380-horsepower and a chassis overhaul complete with 911 GT3 tech bits throughout, this sweet new Cayman flagship will make many Porsche Club members thrilled. The GT4 is not just the huge wing and aerokit all around. It also crosses a threshold Porsche has so far been reluctant about: a pricing overlap with the base 911. The base 911 Carrera 2 is a cruiser at heart, though, and will not really compete directly with this new $85,000 Cayman GT4. Overlap is good. Let the Cayman GT4 have …

Feb 03, 2015 Read more

2016 JAGUAR F-Type AWD and Manual-Transmission Choices + R Cabriolet

The Jaguar F-Type is becoming a legendary machine for the black cat brand! The 2016 range will extend to 14 models, not including the just-launched F-Type R Cabrio! This is big news, and largely comes from two new powertrain options: AWD and stick-shifts. Until now, all F-Types have been auto-shifted via the exceptional eight-speed ZF box with paddle controls. This will stay the transmission of choice for the AWD models, which include the S Coupe and Cabrio with the 380-horsepower V6 engine, along with a new AWD option for the top R trims. At the other side of the …

Nov 21, 2014 Read more

98 New Photos – 2015 BMW M4 Convertible – Pricing, Colors, Options and Specs

Updated 8.31.14 Pricing from $72,500 climbs a $10,000 with the quicker-to-60-mph M-DCT automatic and carbon-ceramix brakes, but besides that the M4 is absolutely perfect right out of the box. Especially if a stick-shift and regular M Brakes will be fine! In that case, the only upgrades you need are the 19-inch black-accent wheels, upgraded audio for $875. This leaves change to add a special M Performance exhaust and a few other goodies. The top-down audio is one of the new M4 Cabrio’s highlights with the new turbo inline-six ripping to redline. Hundreds of new real-life photos of the M4 …

Aug 31, 2014 Read more

2014 Nissan Juke NISMO in 60 High-Res Photos + Video Walk-Around

The 2014 Nissan Juke NISMO is incredible value at just above $25,000 all in, with a choice between a manual transmission and front-drive or a NISMO-tuned CVT auto and AWD with a “V” mode for extra shenanigans. Sunny Day Gallery Rainy Day Gallery

Jun 03, 2014 Read more

RM Monaco 2014 Highlights – 1985 Porsche 959 Prototype in Bright White Earns $653k

The Porsche 959 is my ultimate dream-car, and has been for almost my entire life. This surviving prototype was one of the first cars ever made, and is flawless in its originality. This includes Denloc racing wheels, cloth interior and bright white paint. Dreamy barely does this one justice, even with some panel gap issues in the hood and elsewhere. Re-discovered my RM Auctions media credentials, so here is the 1985 Porsche 959 Prototype in all is mega-high-res glory. 1985 Porsche 959 Prototype To be auctioned on Saturday, May 10, 2014 Sold for €476.000 Chassis no. WPOZZZ93ZFS010067 Code no. …

May 16, 2014 Read more

RM Monaco 2014 Highlights – 1969 Lamborghini Miura S Jota

Flip lamps or flush lamps? The eternal supercar question plays out with this 1969 Lamborghini Miura S, which includes the Jota-specification flush lamps. The overall appearance is far more modern than the original Miura’s oval and black-shrouded flip-up headlights, and likely much sleeker through the air with them on as well. The Miura S models banished much of the front-end lift at high speeds for which the original Miura was criticized, but, we wonder: are those flip-up headlights also a factor? They would act like a wall of air in the nose, causing inevitable weighting onto the back of the …

May 16, 2014 Read more

4.2s, 425HP 2015 BMW M4 Convertible! Full Details + 39 Photos of Wide-Track Menace — Arrival to US Buyers by Late August 2014

Sierra Denali HD? Acura NSX Goodwood 2014 debut? Both articles bumped. Dinner skipped. The 2015 BMW M4 Convertible has arrived. Looking amazingly athletic and aggressive from every angle, the 2015 BMW M4 Convertible just popped up in our inbox ahead of its first public outing at the New York Auto Show in just two weeks time. First stats are remarkably impressive: — manual six-speed or seven-speed M-DCT transmissions, with 4.4-second and 4.2-second sprint times, respectively — Bigger trunk than before, new three-piece folding hardtop that drops cruising cabin noise levels by 2-decibels — Incredible agility and a characterful howl from …

Apr 03, 2014 Read more

3.8s 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible — MEGA Buyers Guide — Pricing, Specs, Equipment, Interiors, Colors, Wheels and Options

INTRO: You do not see 150-image buyers guides in any car magazine or magazine iPad app, that is for sure! Why? It takes sooooo, soooo loooong to put something like this together. I hope it is helpful and entertaining to those with — or without — a Stingray ragtop in their future! There is fresh content all the way down to the bottom of this page. =] A few insights after a very deep dive into the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible’s specs, pricing and configuration options. — In my opinion, the drop-top looks even better than the hardtop…. but, the …

Apr 02, 2014 Read more

Okay Now! European JUKE Nismo RS Features Matching LEDs Above and Below The New Round HID Lamps

The recent European Nissan JUKE article spent a faintly absurd amount of words and on the color choice of the show car, as well as the LED lighting functionality of the JUKE Nismo. Hiding on my desktop is another Geneva debut I have yet to cover: The JUKE Nismo RS with the solution to both the LED and icky color problems! This photo of the JUKE Nismo RS for Europe confirms: all three lighting elements can now be used simultaneously. Perhaps a trivial distinction, but one that American JUKE Nismo owners will understand. The JUKE Nismo RS in …

Apr 01, 2014 Read more

Latest 28 Photos and 28 Tech Facts About Camaro Z/28 Will Make Your Knees Weak + Z/28.R Preview

Amazing tidbit: the Chevrolet bow-tie on this Z/28 is just a clear outline. Saves weight, helps aero — no doubt. The Camaro Z/28 is setting an immensely high bar for any 2015 Mustang to match. In fact, the full adamantium rigidity and weight-loss program of the Z/28 seems likely to make this 505-horsepower screamer a very brutal BMW M4 track benchmark as well. Chevy just released a fresh batch of mouth-watering facts and images of the Z/28 in white and super duper red. All over gloss black for the street-racer performance mods all around. This is a close match for …

Feb 23, 2014 Read more

RM Auctions Lands 1971 Maserati Ghibli Spyder for Amelia 2014

The Pray collection is a big part of the upcoming 2014 Amelia Island Concours at RM Auctions. It looks like the RM drinks social is at the Ritz. I am nervous already. The Ghibli Spyder was so immensely-popular when revealed that it also created an entire cottage industry of custom conversions. This really makes sense. The shark-like bit of the Ghibli’s styling was dramatically weighed down by the huge fastback coupe style. The rear canopy is large enough to overwhelm the delicate front shapes in total. Therefore, seeing any out and about is a good thing. One offered for sale? …

Feb 21, 2014 Read more

2014 Nissan Juke NISMO in 57 High-Res Photos

2014 Nissan Juke NISMO in 57 High-Res Photos The Juke Nismo is incredible value at just below $25,000 all in, with a choice between a manual transmission and front-drive or a NISMO-tuned CVT auto and AWD with a “V” mode for extra shenanigans. Sunny Day Gallery Rainy Day Gallery

Nov 11, 2013 Read more