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The eagle-eyed crew over at Auto Express has managed to get its hands on a few photos of what may very well turn out to be a more hardcore version of the mighty Audi R8. Spotted at a gas station near the Nürburgring, the car was wearing a host of mechanical and aesthetic additions borrowed straight from the German manufacturer’s racing program. Along with a set of becoming orange stripes, the mid-engine terror wears a new, more aggressive front splitter up front and massive air intakes on both sides. That hardware should look awfully familiar. The company makes use of similar tech on its R8 LMS racer.

Around back, the hotter R8 uses large, center-up exhaust outlets and a significantly different engine cover. Auto Express seems to feel that those cues may indicate a powerplant with more than 600 horsepower nestled behind the seats. From what we understand, there are massive brakes tucked behind the vehicle’s wheels and gutted cabin in place of the leather-lined interior.

That sounds like our cup of tea, alright, but what does Audi have planned for this thing? Auto Express is already calling the roided-out racer the R8 GT RS, which is as sexy a name as we could conjure. Here’s hoping we hear more about this one soon.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: New top-shelf Audi R8 GT RS spotted?

Mini has shared plans with its Facebook fans (all 370,702 of them, making the automaker even more popular than David Hasselhoff) to bring its latest electric concept to the Paris Motor Show. Sporting the colors and insignia of the all-electric Mini E, a trio of drawings reveal a scooter with a Vespa-esque rear end following up a somewhat less successful fascia. The Mini-style mirrors are a nice touch while the turn signals remind of the BMW Isetta, which almost saves the design from its bland headlight, but its departure still seems significantly superior to its arrival. Perhaps it will look better when we see it in the metal. Maybe even better than its Smart competition.

More interesting than its aesthetics are hints at the mechanicals. It looks like – and feel free to correct us in the comments if you think differently – that both the front and rear wheels contain motors. This arrangement could also foretell some regenerative braking, though the extra engineering might add too significantly to the price tag should the scooter ever make it to a retail outlet near you (we said outlet, get it?). Also of interest is that little box that would be located between your shins if you were astride the little beastie facing what we hope is a Mini-style speedometer. Radio? GPS? Pedestrian warning system? We’ll let you know in a few weeks.

[Source: Mini via Motorcycle.com]

Paris Preview: Mini electric concept drives on two wheels

[Via TKTK]

The Stig, as we’re all now aware, is portrayed by talented wheelman Ben Collins. Stiggie, like the three Top Gear presenters, is beloved by fans around the globe. It’s hard to attend a motorsports event without someone claiming to be a fat relative of the white-suited power lap maestro. What would persuade Mr. Collins to give up his clandestine position behind the visor? According to The Daily Mail, it all comes down to money.

Ben Collins’ company, Collins AutoSport, has reportedly racked up over $1.5 million dollars in losses over the last five years. He has a wife, three young kids and three other business ventures to support. The other members of Top Gear command handsome sums (rightfully so) and perhaps Collins felt he deserved a larger slice of the BBC cash cake. Removing the helmet allows him to cash in on what’s sure to be a substantial number of opportunities. He recently received an advance of close to $400,000 to begin work on his autobiography and there’s already talk of a Ben Collins TV Show.

Is breaking the trust of his Top Gear brethren worth the potential financial windfall? In the eyes of many fans, it might not be, yet we imagine Collins’ autobiography will be a page-turner. To Collins and his family, however, this bold move might be the fast lap to fiscal freedom. Thanks for the tip, stecki!

[Source: The Daily Mail]

Why the Stig outed himself

It was only a matter of time before Brabus got around to turning its attention to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The German tuner has given the Silver Arrow’s newest supercar the once over with a smattering of aesthetic additions both inside and out, as well as a few mechanical tweaks. Things get started with a carbon-fiber spoiler up front, as well as new fender vents made of the same light-weight material. A similar treatment crops up on the rear fascia, along with new titanium exhaust tips. Those tips are part of a full system that Brabus claims weighs a full 40 percent less than the stock pipes. Throw in a set of massive forged wheels (20 inches up front, 21 out back) and you’ve got the full package.

Inside, Brabus will be happy to custom tailor the SLS AMG interior to each customer’s taste. A new ergonomic steering wheel comes along with stainless scuff plates with an illuminated Brabus logo, though beyond that it’s up to the buyer to decide on what type and color leather strikes their fancy. How much will all of this kit set you back? Brabus isn’t saying, but you know what they say about if you have to ask. Hit the jump to take a look at the full press blast.

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Brabus announces tuning program for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Brabus announces tuning program for Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

We have to wonder if we were given an expanse of resources and all the time in the world, if we could actually improve on the driving dynamics of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni. The car was tailored specifically to the tastes of a man who knows more than a little about what the perfect driving car should feel like, so it would seem somewhat arrogant to assume to be able to improve on the recipe. Fortunately, the aftermarket world packs the kind of confidence we can only feign, and Anderson Germany has taken up the challenge of making Balboni’s ride even more lethal.

The company has added a few aesthetic additions to the car, including a set of hefty three-piece, 20-inch wheels and smoked tail lights. Meanwhile, Anderson Germany’s wrenches have managed to bleed an extra 40 horsepower out of the car – bumping the final figure up to 590 ponies. Otherwise, the only changes are a few interior updates. We guess it’s best not to mess with perfection. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Anderson Germany]

Continue reading Anderson Germany tweaks Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni Edition

Anderson Germany tweaks Lamborghini Gallardo Balboni Edition

It’s a rare thing to see a car penned by someone who’s a die-hard fan. More often than not, designers are assigned to vehicles they have little or no emotional attachment to, and as such, the car buying public is regularly supplied with a slurry of bland appliances that do little to acknowledge a car’s model history and next to nothing to advance the vehicle aesthetically.

Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Nissan 370Z. Randy Rodriguez, the guy behind the original design of the 370Z, had owned 10 different Z cars before he sat down to sketch out the latest iteration of Nissan’s low-buck sports machine. Autoblog had the chance to catch up with Rodriguez at the Z’s 40th birthday bash last weekend in Franklin, TN. Hit the jump to read a few excerpts from the conversation, including talk about alternatively powered future Zs and how he drew inspiration for the car’s look from the Discovery Channel.

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

Continue reading Autoblog speaks with Nissan 370Z designer Randy Rodriguez at 23rd annual Z Car Convention

Autoblog speaks with Nissan 370Z designer Randy Rodriguez at 23rd annual Z Car Convention

There’s no better way to get to know a vehicle than washing it yourself. So rather than sending it through the local hand-wash last weekend, I pulled out a bucket and got sudsy for the first time… in a while.

After a run through the Altamont Hills the previous day, our long-term Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition was coated from windshield to air dam with crickets – something that happens in the hills the same time each year. While I expected the massive grille to be covered in the little bastards, what I didn’t expect to find (after I toweled everything down, natch) was hundreds of the buggers wedged in between the lower bumper and the underbody tray. A small gap in between the two panels allowed the loud-legged Gryllidaes to go antenna-first into the slot, requiring a strong hose and a flathead screwdriver to get them out. Messy – but the again, genocide normally is.

Make the jump for the rest.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition: Getting intimate and egged

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition: Getting intimate and egged

As the old saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And while many of us look at a Subaru and describe the brand’s styling as “awkward” or “quirky,” owners of the competent, all-wheel drive conveyances tend to show unconditional love. More recent, Subaru designs like the Legacy or Impreza are less “outside the box” than past efforts, but some hardcore Subaru fanatics look at the change in styling as an aesthetic neutering. Still, sales have improved immensely over the past few years, as Subaru has not only survived the Great Recession, but thrived. So what’s in store for the future of Subaru styling?

In a recent interview with AutoWeek, Subaru’s new design boss Osamu Namba claims that the Japanese automaker is looking to ditch its odd designs once and for all, with cleaner lines that appeal to a wider audience. Namba joined Subaru back in 2008 after spending a decade heading his own design firm, and he’s said to be working on the next-generation Impreza; his first production Subaru. But to see where Subaru’s design direction could go, look no further than the Hybrid Tourer Concept from the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The Namba-designed concept is a totally new look for Subaru, with clean, modern lines and an aesthetic that’s far less challenging than past models.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Subaru design staff is to improve styling without alienating its loyal audience. While some critics may mention that the Hybrid Tourer Concept would rub Subaru owners the wrong way, the Japanese automaker is hoping that those loyal fans will continue to love their products because of their all-wheel drive, boxer engine and entertaining driving characteristics. Head over to AW to read over the interesting article about Namba and the future of Subaru design, and make sure to weigh in on the poll below.

View Poll

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Subaru to dump “quirky” image

Our neighbors to the north may recall the Nissan X-Trail a little better than the rest of us. The Japanese manufacturer recently stopped sale of the SUV in Canada, which a shame considering what’s on offer for 2011. Next year, buyers in other parts of the world will be able to snap up their X-Trail with an efficient clean-diesel engine bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission. Power figures for the engine and auto trans combo are still MIA, but Nissan claims that the mill will be capable of power on par with a 3.5-liter V6.

The rest of the changes to the globe-wandering SUV are mostly aesthetic. Outside, the truck gets a slightly reworked front fascia, including the headlights, bumper and grille, along with LED tail lights. Inside, the driver is treated to larger gauges and a new vehicle information display, while passengers get to play with an all-new heated or cooled glove box. Looks like a little bundle of SUV joy to us. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan X-Trail gets modest refresh, new diesel

Nissan X-Trail gets modest refresh, new diesel

There are a couple of salient points about the new Chevrolet Camaro that are inescapable. First, it has the looks that kill. And whether or not you dig the Camaro’s aesthetics, you can’t deny it stands out from the crowd. Actually, that’s not the right way to put it – a new Camaro in a mall parking lot is like an economists’ convention crashed by Kiss.

However, much like the infamous New York rock band that always looked mean and scary but actually wrote some pretty pop-centric stuff, the Camaro might look like a sports car, but it’s not. Sure, in SS trim you get General Motors’ awesome LS3 6.2-liter V8 and all the power that entails (426 horsepower, 420 lb-ft of torque), but the choppy suspension and near-two-ton bulk drag the Camaro down from the sports car it could be. And if the recently reborn for 2011 Mustang GT is any indication, the sports car it should be.

But what if… What if you could change the suspension, reduce unsprung weight and up the power to deal with the Camaro’s bulk? What would you have then? Could some serious tuning turn the Camaro into a serious sports car? Legendary Corvette tuner Callaway has taken on just that task with their new SC572 (manual) and SC552 (automatic) new age ponies. We drove ‘em both, and the results are… jump.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: Callaway SC572 and SC552 is the Chevrolet Camaro done right

First Drive: Callaway SC572 and SC552 is the Chevrolet Camaro done right

Donald Duck is used to getting caught with his pants down. Probably because he doesn’t wear any pants. But getting busted for driving under the influence is another matter entirely.

Fortunately for our childhood memories (to say nothing of our present sanity), the Donald Duck in question isn’t the actual cartoon character, just some fellow who evidently thought changing his name to that of a Walt Disney character was a good idea. After allegedly toking a joint, downing a couple of drinks and swallowing a few pills, the Duck in question got the munchies – surprise, surprise – and headed for the local Little Caesar’s drive-thru. That’s where he ran into the back of one Margaret Russell’s GMC Safari van – repeatedly – and got picked up by local police for his fifth DUI charge. You can’t make this stuff up. Don’t believe us? Follow the jump to watch the cartoon reel news clip and see for yourself.

[Source: Fox13Now via LeftLane News]

Continue reading Video: Donald Duck gets pinched for DUI

Video: Donald Duck gets pinched for DUI

A Volvo wagon from a tuner can’t help but sound exciting to us. Externally, the Volvo V70 T6 R-Design by Heico Sportiv delivers what you’d expect for an exclusive Euro express, carrying an eye-watering €70,193 price tag (that’s more than $86,000 USD). Metallic sapphire black is the only color available for the limited-edition run of 100 cars. Ride height is lowered by 30 millimeters over attractive five-spoke 19-inch wheels, a sport exhaust system is fitted and there’s an ever-important viking-helmet emblem affixed to the car’s rump. Heico also re-tunes the turbocharged six cylinder engine, which jumps from its standard 304 horsepower to 330.

Volvo’s R-Design dress-up parts are applied liberally, as well. Matte metal accents in and out and sport leather upholstery further set this special wagon apart. The aesthetics are without fault, but then there’s the performance details. Despite increased horsepower and claims of “apparently limitless power reserves,” the resulting numbers aren’t terribly impressive for a car with such sporting overtones and lofty price. 0-62 mph arrives in 5.9 seconds, which is quick, but for about the same money, an Audi S6 Avant packs a 429 pony wallop that reaches 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds, and we’re guessing that it’ll outhandle the Swede as well. BMW’s 535i SE Touring is a veritable bargain, ringing up a €48,000 price tag (just under $59k) and delivering a nearly-identical run 6.0 second run to 100 km/h from its 306 hp engine. On this side of the Atlantic, you could pick up an Ecoboost-powered Ford Flex for $37,000 and get more space and similar pace (Ford’s three-row scorcher ran to 60mph in 6.0 seconds for a Car and Driver shoe).

Despite the number-crunching, there’s little doubt that this Heico-tuned V70 is among the sportiest Volvo wagons extant, but exclusivity and styling will have to sell this car. It’s out-sprinted by a V6 Nissan Altima, and even the Toyota RAV-4 V6 will give it a hard time – not exactly what you’d expect from a “tuner” car.

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Heico Volvo V70 T6 R-Design hauls more than kids, but carries massive pricetag

Perish the thought, haters! The above Lincoln MKT is getting its roof caved in not on aesthetic grounds, but rather to test its ability to survive a rollover accident. If you haven’t guessed by now, the MKT did so well in the roof-crush test that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) handed parent company Ford a much coveted Top Safety Pick award. Actually, the IIHS handed FoMoCo a hefty total of five rollover-related Top Safety Pick awards. However we should note that one of the Ford products earning top marks is in fact the soon to be extinct Mercury Millan, so really Ford only nabbed four – but who’s counting? Other good-to-rollover-in Ford products include the Flex, Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.

Speaking of thick-sculled corporate cousins, Audi and Volkswagen were handed a couple of Top Safety Picks, too. The 2010 Audi A4 and Q5 as well as the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen all earned top marks from the IIHS. As far as the Jetta goes, that’s just one more reason to choose wagon over sedan. Finally, the new 2010 Hyundai Tucson gets the coveted TSP, and having recently driven the overly-stiff compact CUV, we’re not at all surprised that its roof holds up to crushing. To get the dirt on the IIHS’s methodology/read the press release, make the jump.

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading IIHS awards Top Safety Picks to Audi, Ford, Hyundai and VW on strength of roofs

IIHS awards Top Safety Picks to Audi, Ford, Hyundai and VW on strength of roofs

German tuner Cobra Technology and Lifestyle has developed a range of aesthetic and performance parts for the Nissan 370Z coupe and roadster. One of them is an exhaust with a remote-controlled butterfly valve that allows the driver to control how loud it bellows. Delivering the same kind of effect you’d get by revving an Aston above 4,500 rpm, you can buy 120-mm pipes with a flap that ranges from “discrete sportiness to pure racing sound.”

You can check it the sound range in the video after the jump. Even with the flaps open it doesn’t seem bad at all, but it might still come in handy for those hamlets where any kind of loud noise is a no-no.

[Source: Gizmag]

Continue reading Remote-controlled exhaust valves now available for the Nissan 370Z

Remote-controlled exhaust valves now available for the Nissan 370Z

Despite its many functional charms, the U.S. car market has simply never warmed up to the Ford Flex in the two years it has been on sale. Nonetheless, Ford will persevere with the big wagon even after the all-new Explorer goes on sale later this year. The Flex and Explorer will share much of their underpinnings but will be marketed to different audiences.

While the Flex is promoted as a crossover, the Explorer will apparently be targeted at its traditional SUV audience. The styling of the Explorer will be more in keeping with the high-riding SUV aesthetic than the tall station wagon Flex. The Flex may not have the kind of sales volume that Ford had hoped for, but those that are being sold are going at higher transaction prices with lots of options so the automaker is likely making money on the vehicle.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Freep: Ford committed to building Flex, even with new Explorer in the wings

Volkswagen is set to descend on the yearly Audi/Volkswagen meet up in Worthersee, Austria with a pair of reworked GTI hatches. First up is a collaboration with Adidas that features a rash of aesthetic changes, including new wheels and sports seats. You’ll also find the stock headlights and tail lights swapped out in favor of the trick hardware found on the Golf R. VW says that it will push 4,410 examples of the Adidas-branded GTI via European dealers.

Then there’s the Golf Excessive Edition. As far as we can tell, the company hasn’t bothered to breathe on the stock turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Instead, VW has a wider track with bodywork to match. Throw in a reworked set of springs, bigger brakes and a free-breathing exhaust and you’ve got a recipe for getting us all hot and bothered.

VW hasn’t released any photos of the Golf Excessive Edition just yet, so we’ll have to wait until the Worthersee event kicks off next week to lay our eyes on the creation. Stay tuned. In the mean time hop the jump for the translated press release.

[Source: VW]

Continue reading Harder-core Volkswagen GTI, new limited edtion coming to Worthersee

Harder-core Volkswagen GTI, new limited edtion coming to Worthersee

Think the 599 GTO is the fastest Ferrari ever created? Well, it may be the fastest roadcar, but the next project to wear the Prancing Horse promises even more power and that much more blinding acceleration. So much so, in fact, that occupants are provided with protective eyewear to shield against the wind rapidly moving over their faces.

We’re talking about Formula Rossa, the headline attraction at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Set to open later this year, the theme park on the Persian Gulf is set to incorporate 20 main attractions, including two roller coasters. One of them is the F430 Spider-based coaster previewed a couple of months ago, and now Ferrari has announced details on the second.

Formula Rossa is designed to mimic the aesthetics and experience of the Scuderia’s F1 race cars. It’ll be driven by a 20,800-horsepower winch system, accelerating from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in two seconds flat and rocket to its peak height of 52 meters (170 feet) in less than five seconds. The four-car trains will take 16 passengers for the ride along more than two kilometers (1.3 miles) of track, hitting 1.7 Gs of acceleration along the way. Thrilled yet? Follow the link to check out the video and the jump for the details in the press release.

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Formula Rossa hits 60 in 2 seconds at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Formula Rossa hits 60 in 2 seconds at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

We knew we were in for something special when Delahaye USA announced it would be tackling a roadster. The company had already wowed us with its Bella Figura Bugnotti Coupe last year, and taking the top off of a beautiful car has never been a crime in our books. The company dedicated to cranking out modern interpretations of some of the most beautiful cars ever created has impressed us with the newest Bugnotti.

The car was originally penned by none other than Chip Foose himself, and Delahaye did its best to stay true to the design. That includes those enclosed pontoon front fenders. The builder went through plenty of pains to ensure that the front wheels could turn lock-to-lock inside of the bodywork without any interference.

The Bugnotti also features an asymmetrical aesthetic thanks to the hand-worked trim on each side. On the left, the vehicle’s pontoons are bare, while the right-hand side wears chrome-plated aluminum metal work. Not quite our cup of tea, but as builder Terry Cook pointed out, you only see one side of the car at a time.

Under that lengthy hood sits a LS1 V8 from General Motors mated to a 4L60E automatic gearbox. Cook originally wanted a BMW V12 to power the boat tail, but wiring concerns and a short timeline resulted in the all-American powerplant.

Right now, Delahaye isnt’ saying exactly how much a Bugnotti roadster will set you back, but considering that the Bella Figura starts at $250,000, it’s not going to be cheap.

[Source: Delahaye]

Bugnotti Roadster poses for the camera

Most of us weren’t too thrilled when we first saw the BMW X1 last year in Frankfurt. The reasons were many and varied, but they can basically be lumped into one of two camps. First up is the aesthetics camp. Cries of “ugly” cropped up in the comments faster than they would have in a Susan Boyle Playmate layout.

While BMW’s particular brand of crossover design has never been anything but controversial, we think the X1 looks pretty much okay. But the second, and maybe more vocal camp, can best be summed up as, “Why?” As in why would BMW bother? According to Top Gear ace Jeremy Clarkson, they shouldn’t have.

No stranger to stinging reviews, even of BMW products (here’s Jezza calling the 335 a “dog turd“), Jeremy really seems to particularly dislike the new X1. He hates the ride, the interior, the name (sDrive in particular), the diesel motor and the way it drives. Is there anything he likes about the small crossover? In a word, no. Read his scathing Times Online piece for yourself.

[Source: Times Online]

Jeremy Clarkson on BMW’s X1: It isn’t just bad, it’s ‘rubbish’

Oh, to be wealthy. We’re not talking about slightly rich, either. We’re talking about having your own Ferrari racecar with factory support wealthy. Such a program actually exists, known as Corse Clienti (translated from Italian as “Racing Clients”). Imagine showing up to the racetrack with your car already there, which was flown in from the Ferrari factory earlier that week. There’s no need to to get the car prepared, as Ferrari’s very own mechanics are already on the job. Just sit back and relax until it’s your time to get on the track, then hop in and take off.

The Ferrari 599XX, the latest member of the Corse Clienti stable, is brand new for this year and only made its debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway last month. We were eager to see them up close, and the first thing we did upon arriving at Miller Motorsports Park on Saturday morning was to go looking for the Corse Clienti cars. It didn’t take long to find them, as they were all safely stored in the garages along pit row. There were no less than seven 599XXs, plus an additional three FXXs as a bonus.

In person, the 599XX is a sight to behold. It’s not nearly as dramatic looking as the FXX, but that’s a good thing in our opinion. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful modern racecars we’ve ever seen. Unlike the FXX, which seems to be a little rough around the edges, the 599XX has beautifully crafted details both inside and out. For instance, the inside of the door has “599XX” worked into the design of the carbon fiber, and the interior actually seems like a fairly hospitable place to be. The engine bay, like all other Ferraris, is a work of art, and even the functional aspects of the car like the splitters, winglets and diffuser all have an aesthetic appeal.

You can see all of the details of the 599XX, like the largest paddle shifters we’ve ever seen, the F1-like wheel donuts and more in the gallery below along with an additional gallery of the FXX.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: A look inside the Corse Clienti garages