It’s no surprise that the updates offered for the GTD version are nearly identical to the ones offered in the standard version and include updates to the exterior and some extra horses under the hood.
Most of the work was made under the hood where the tuner installed its ABT Power kit that increases the four-cylinder’s output up to a total of 210 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque - up from the standard 184 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.
To give the Golf the look to match the added power, ABT Sportsline also offers an aerodynamic kit and a set of aftermarket wheels. Also, for a better engine sound, the rear pipes were replaced with new ones.
Click past the jump to read more about the Volkswagen Golf GTD by ABT Sportsline.
BMW is preparing to recreate its entire X family and the new-generation X5 is only part of the job. The BMW X5 was first launched in 1999, and 13 years later, it’s getting ready to enter its third generation to help keep up with the changing times. The redesigned SUV is rumored to make its world debut in 2014 at the Detroit Auto Show.
BMW will mostly focus on reducing the X5’s total weight and improving the final performance figures for its new generation. It is rumored that BMW plans to reduce the SUV’s total weight by about 330 pounds, but it will still be offered with the latest technologies, like a lane-departure warning and compensation system, night vision, park assist, traffic-sign recognition, surround-view cameras, and active cruise control.
The new X5 will be offered with two new four-cylinder engines and the most powerful version will still get a 4.4-liter V-8 engine with improved power figures and a increased fuel economy. It is also rumored that BMW is planning a plug-in hybrid version.
As for the exterior design, it will be more an evolution of the current car as opposed to a revolution.
Updated 04/25/2013: Another image of the new X5 (above) has surfaced online and this time it looks like more than just a simple rendering. So, if this is really a leaked image of the next X5 it can mean only one thing: the official debut is getting closer. (bp.blogspot)
Updated 5/24/2013: A slick person with an HD camera phone managed to catch the X5 with very little camo to hide its goodies. Thanks to a tip from a reader, we now have this HD video and a few screen shots of all the good stuff after the jump. Things are looking good for the new X5, really good...
In the last episode of Drive’s "Chris Harris on cars," Chris Harris had the opportunity to test-drive the upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder. In the newest episode, he decided to go for something a little more timid and got behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta ST.
Ever since the Fiesta ST was announced, there was a great dispute on which one was the better subcompact pocket rocket: the ST or the Renault Clio RS? So, Harris tries to help you find an answer to this question, as he tested the car on the road and track, and ended up being quite impressed by the petite ST. Of course, the car could use some improvements here and there, but overall, he thinks the ST performs quite well.
The Fiesta ST is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 197 Horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque; all rather impressive stats for a subcompact hatch that tips the scales at only 2,720 pounds and sets you back only about 21k.
These past few days were pretty busy at the Wheelsandmore factory. Along with the MC Stradale "Demonoxious" announced earlier today, Wheelsandmore has also unveiled a nice upgrade for the McLaren MP4-12C Spider. Just like with any other upgrade kit it offers, this one offered for the 12C Spider includes exterior and interior updates to go along with a nice output increase.
In fact, Wheelsandmore’s decision to offer an upgrade for the 12C Spider shouldn’t be such a big surprise, considering last year the tuner unveiled the "Toxique Evil" package based on the 12C Coupe.
Most of the tinkering went on under the hood where the tuner performed an ECU update and installed a new exhaust system with freer catalytic convertors. As a result, the engine’s output was increased to a total of 700 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque from the standard 616 horsepower and 442 pound-feet.
Click past the jump to read more about the McLaren 12C Spider by Wheelsandmore.
Aston Martin just unveiled the CC100 Speedster and it is already dropping a teaser video for a new model it is preparing. The problem is that the video doesn’t reveal much, so we have no clue what it could be. In fact, we don’t even know when it will hit the market because all the video says is that the new model is “Coming soon.”
There is some pretty interesting speculation happening on Aston Martin’s YouTube channel. One user claims it is a final edition of the V12 Vantage – a pretty good guess – and another says it is a special V12 Vantage Centennial Edition, which is yet another good bet. Our favorite guess, however, is a “Toyota Prius, with [an] Aston Martin [badge] on.”
Taking a look into the future, the only model Aston Martin is currently preparing is the 2014 Vanquish Volante, but if you will take a second look to the video you will see the car shown has really doesn’t look the like a Vanquish.
On the other hand, a while ago we reported that the V12 Vantage will be dropped, so we agree with the YouTube user that opined that this is likely the final edition V12 Vantage.
It looks like this past few weeks have been pretty busy around Renault’s design center. First, that strange-looking 2013 Twizy F1 Concept was unveiled at the end of April and today, at the 71st Monaco Grand Prix, the French company unveiled the Twin’Run - a concept that pays tribute to legendary R5 Turbo and Clio V6.
The concept made its first run at the Monaco Grand Prix with Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer, at the wheel. Alongside it was a Clio V6 with F1 star Charles Pic at the wheel and a Maxi 5 Turbo driven by Jean Ragnotti.
While there is no chance for the Twin’Run to enter production, Renault did confirm that it previews the styling of the company’s future city car.
The unveiling of the new Twin’Run concept will be followed by a series of other dynamic demonstrations at various auto-centric events, like July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Updated 05/24/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.
Click past the jump to read more about the Twin’Run Concept.
Last year, it was rumored that Pagani would unveil a special Zonda R Evo at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Still, nothing happened and people pretty much forgot about that model. Now, it comes into focus one more time, as it looks like an official debut is nearing.
Quite a strange move from Pagani, considering that Zonda’s production ended in 2011; but even so, it looks like the company plans to build a total of five Zonda R Evolution models, which will be a faster and more powerful version of the discontinued Zonda R.
Rumors suggest the new Zonda R Evolution will be powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine with a total output of 800 horsepower - a 50 horsepower improvement over the Zonda R. With the extra power, the Evolution will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and up to a top speed in excess of 217 mph.
Of course, exclusivity costs, as the future Zonda R Evolution is rumored to be priced at €2 million ($2.5 million at the current exchange rates).
Updated 03/24/2013: New details on the Pagani Zonda R Evolution have surfaced on the internet, thanks to the folks over GTSpirit and Prototype0.
Click past the jump to read more about the Zonda R.
If you ask us, most of the sports cars coming from Italian makers rarely need many upgrades as they are nearly perfect from the factory, and the Maserati MC Stradale is no exception. After all, it has everything it needs: beauty, power and impressive performance figures.
Still, there are tuners out there that think the MC Stradale can do much better. One of these tuners is Wheelsandmore and today it unveiled the Demonoxious - a specially prepared MC Stradale with an output of no less than 666 horsepower.
From start you have to agree the name is rather strange. It has "Demon" in it - most likely an indication of that 666 output level - but it also has "noxious" which means poison, or "substances that can harm or kill.”
Leaving the name aside, the kit is very cool. Wheelsandmore decided the car looks perfect from factory and decided to leave it that way - thanks for that - and focused only on upgrading its performance figures.
Click past the jump to read more about the Maserati MC Stradale "Demonoxious" by Wheelsandmore.
With the upcoming launch of both the Xbox One and the Playstation 4, a new generation of video games is about to follow. Both Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo have already released previews of the next-gen versions of their video game franchises.
Just like its predecessors, Need For Speed: Rivals takes a different approach to the usual hardcore street racing involved in Forza and Gran Turismo. Instead, its gamers will be given the opportunity to either play the game as a the street racer or the cop, ensuring that they can experience the thrills of being the chaser or the runner, depending on what suits their style better.
Even better, the cars available for Need for Speed: Rivals will be some of the finest you can ever drive, including the Ferrari F12berlinetta, which has found its way into the game as part of a new partnership with the Italian automaker.
Need for Speed: Rivals will hit shelves on November 19, 2013 and will be available for the Xbox 360, the Xbox One, and the PlayStation 4.
Click past the jump to watch the teaser trailer of Need For Speed: Rivals
After much teasing and prodding, Lexus finally unveiled the third-generation IS sedan earlier this year at the Detroit Auto Show.
Well, it looks like the Japanese automaker isn’t done with its IS lineup just yet.
According to What Car, Lexus is expected to launch a coupe version of the IS in 2014, which will be based on the IS sedan.
As far as styling goes, the IS Coupe will take inspiration from the 2012 LF-CC Concept that we first saw at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Should that be the case, you can expect the IS Coupe to carry some of the concept’s design elements, including the large trapezoidal front grille, the contoured and aggressive looking profile, and the expansive use of LED lights.
As far as powertrain is concerned, the thinking within Lexus is to outfit the IS Coupe with the same 2.5-liter hybrid engine, which would only be available in Europe, Japan and other markets, if the coupe model stays consistent with the sedan. In this case, U.S.-bound IS Coupe models would likely arrive with the same 2.5 and 3.5-liter engines as the American sedan, which produce 204 horsepower and 306 horsepower, respectively.
Click past the jump read about the Lexus LF-CC Concept and the upcoming IS Coupe
