Now that Volkswagen unveiled both the standard and GTI version of the seventh-generation Golf, the next model we expect is, of course, the R version. We’ve brought you plenty of spy photos of the 2014 Golf R, but this time we present to you a video showing the upcoming Golf R taking a beating on Nürburgring.
The upcoming Golf R will be powered by a revised version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a DSG or a six-speed transmission. The revised engine will deliver 256 horsepower in the U.S. version and 270 horsepower in the European model.
As for aesthetics, the next-gen Golf R will receive the same R treatment as the current model, but it will get the some of the design improvements seen on the other seventh-gen Golf variants, including: revised headlights and taillights; a new grille and front bumper; and a revised backside.
Stay tuned for more information and spy shots on the new Golf R as we slowly approach its debut.
If our love affair with the Ford Raptor isn’t quite clear, please allow us to let you know that we think it is one of the most bad-ass trucks ever built. It not only has a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with a mean 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque that gets it to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, but it is also built to handle some of the meanest terrain you could imagine driving a street-legal truck on.
Well, we apparently aren’t the only ones that fell in love with it, as a one was displayed at the Cipate Police Equipment Exhibition in Beijing, China. And this is no normal Raptor, as Haiqiao Industry removed the bed and put a massive RV-like cab on the backside.
So, why would a police vehicle need a cab? Well, this particular model is designed for long-distance border patrol in China. Inside this massive cab is a bed, so the officer can take a much-needed break after a long shift; a cooking set, so the patrolling officer is properly fed; and a set of red seats for taking a load of comfortably.
This Raptor isn’t all comfort either, as it comes with the standard police equipment, including: search lights, a light bar and a speaker.
What makes this even more interesting is that the Raptor isn’t even available in China. Nope, Haiqiao gets them shipped in on the “grey market” from California and dresses them up for the government. It seems odd for a Government to purchase grey market vehicles, but so be it.
This particular model runs 1.3 million Chinese Yuan ($211,500) and only the Chinese government can purchase them for now, but the company is debating opening up to the civilian market.
Click past the jump to read about the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
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Just recently, we brought you the announcement and video of Revolution Motorstore’s Subaru Impreza STi that it dubbed "Project STi" becoming the fastest Impreza to ever lap Nürburgring. Well, a car like this is never safe from the poking prodding of the folks here at Topspeed. After a quick email exchange, we were able to get the information needed on this super Impreza to pass on to you.
After getting all of the juicy details from the UK, we quickly realized that this is no simple tuner throw-it-together-and-pray-it-works kind of car. Nope, Revolution took to this Suby to task, stripping it of the majority of its tunable parts and either tweaked or outright replaced the ones that were not absolutely perfect for this run around the `Ring.
From the engine all the way to the discrete tailpipes, Revolution’s engineers and builders racked their brains to figure out how to squeeze every bit of power and knock off every ounce of weight while still keeping the car relatively streetable – and we emphasize the word “relatively.”
Click past the jump to read all about this insane build
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The Bloodhound SSC Project has been around for the past couple of years. It goes without saying that the team behind this project has been determined to break the 1,000 mph barrier.
But for the better part of those years, the project has yet to take off. All that, though, appears to be changing now that Rolls Royce has entered the picture.
The British luxury automaker has signed up to support the Bloodhound Project in the latter’s attempt to break the barrier. As part of its involvement, Rolls-Royce will be supplying a modified of its EJ200 engine for the project, which will then be complemented by a Cosworth F1 engine driving the rocket-oxidizer pump. Together, the powertrain can produce up to 135,000 equivalent horsepower, which as you can see, is ridiculously mental.
Ultimately, the Bloodhoud Project aims to achieve its lofty goal and break the existing 763 mph record set by the Thrust SSC in 1997. And break it convincingly, might we add. The team hopes to begin runway testing sometime in 2014 before it heads off to Kaksken Pan, South Africa to set out on its record-breaking attempt.
Click past the jump to read more about the Bloodhound SSC Project
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Everyone expects that once the new BMW 2 Series hits the market, a more powerful M version will be in tow. Our spy photographers have already caught some prototypes testing at Nürburgring and BMW previewed the model with the 1M Coupe and the M135i.
Unfortunately, the M135i never made it to the U.S. and the 1M Coupe was an extremely limited model whose order books closed nearly as quickly as they opened.
The M1 Coupe was a mighty micro-Bimmer, with its twin-boosted 3.0-liter straight-six engine that tortured the concrete with 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. We anticipate that the M235i will use the same powertrain. In fact, with the revisions that BMW is currently undergoing, we may even see a few more horsepower from the six-pot. .
UPDATE 05/07/2013: We have created a rendering of the new M235i coupe to help you get an idea of what to expect.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW M235i Coupe.
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The upcoming SSC Tuatara is the hotly anticipated sophomore album from the Washington-based SSC North America team. SSC has built a name for itself via impressive top-speed-record runs with its existing model, the Diablo-esque SSC Ultimate Aero XT.
The Tuatara’s development continued this spring with engine and gearbox setups being refined since the concept car was revealed in late 2011. The new model builds a stunning exterior and interior atop the brute-force mechanical package from the Ultimate Aero XT. The latest news to emerge from the firm is a 250 pound-feet bump in engine torque following durability testing, and news of a 300 mph speedometer, feeding rumors of a top speed well above the 276 mph initially quoted.
The style and presence of the white concept Tuatara created quite a stir when shown at Pebble Beach in 2011. Designed by the talented-but-bizarre Jason Castriota of SAAB and Fiat fame, the Tuatara most closely resembles the 2006 Maserati Birdcage 75th concept car in its smooth flowing panels and deep, milky-white paint finish. Castriota also worked on the Birdcage, but was not the lead designer. He now runs an independent design consultancy called Castriota Design.
UPDATE 5/1/2013: SSC just completed testing the Tuatara on the dyno and released all of the results. A release date has been officially set too. See more after the jump
Please follow the jump to learn more about the SSC Tuatara ahead of its first customer deliveries in January 2014.
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Once Chevrolet dropped the new-generation Corvette Stingray, it was just a matter of time before the convertible version would hit the market.
Today was the day it happened, as the new Stingray Convertible made its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The convertible version is nearly identical to the coupe version, except of course its three-ply fabric top that opens and closes at speeds up to 30 mph. Next to this innovative concept, the convertible version also features sound-absorbing padding and a glass rear window - all features that contribute to a quieter cabin and a more premium appearance.
The new Stingray Convertible will be put on sale in late 2013.
UPDATE 04/26/13: GM has just released nearly all of the pricing details on the Corvette Stingray Convertible, as well as standard features and options. See the details after the jump.
Click past the jump to read all about the 2014 Stingray Convertible
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Rumors have been swirling since 2011 regarding the Chevrolet SS and we were amongst the first to start discussing it. The rumors cooled off up until a few weeks ago when after 40 years of using the “SS” logo, GM finally decided to trademark it. Later the rumors became even more certain, as OnStar, GM’s in-vehicle communication system, mistakenly put the 2014 model lineup on its site. Within that lineup was a model dubbed the SS Performance.
This all adds up to a solid case that the Chevrolet SS Performance is on its way to the U.S. According to the rumormill, this would also result in the Holden Commodore SS, which was once used as the Pontiac G8, becoming the vehicle that dons the 2014 SS Perfomance badges.
With this release, Chevy would finally have a performance sedan to stack up against the likes of the Charger R/T and the Ford Taurus SHO.
UPDATE 04/23/2013: The 2013 New York International Auto Show closed its doors long time ago, but now Chevrolet decided to drop a new video on its SS sports sedan. The video features John Fitzpatrick, marketing manager for Chevrolet performance cars, giving an official walk around of the 2014 Chevrolet SS. Enjoy!
Click past the jump to read our full review of the anticipated SS Performance and how it stacks up against the competition.
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The current Mercedes SLS line-up is quickly filling up with a Coupe, a Roadster, a GT3 version, and, sometime in the near future, an E-Cell version. However, Mercedes isn’t done yet. As promised yesterday the fifth model in the line-up has been officially announced today: the SLS AMG Black Series.
The new SLS Black Series has borrowed some of the styling cues seen first on the GT3 version and of course combines them with some of the usual Black Series design elements. But first Mercedes worked on reducing the car’s total weight: they added lots of carbon fiber elements, a new titanium-made exhaust system, new wheels and some lightweight sports seats. As a result the new Black Series is about 154 lbs lighter than the current model.
When you add an improved engine under the hood: a 622 HP V8 engine, you will easily notice that the car’s performance numbers have also improved: the 0 to 60 mph sprint time drops 0.2 seconds and top speed is now 195 mph.
Updated 04/23/2012: Mercedes AMG has unveiled a new video on the SLS AMG Black Series. The supercar has been shown in action at the Le Castellet Race Track. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the new Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series.
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BMW recently revealed subtle updates to keep the BMW X6 M competitive in the face of stiff competition across the super performance SUV segment. Since the X6 M’s 2010 launch, the competing Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG are either all new or significantly enhanced to better neutralize the BMW threat.
The X6 M follows the successful mechanical template from the X5 M but enhances its appearance with a fastback coupe profile and a trimmed window line. The stylish X6 M stands out in the BMW showroom when compared with the bread-and-butter models like the 3 Series and 1 Series.
The appeal for these buyers comes from the inherent impracticality of the design’s chopped roof versus the practical X5. It separates the X6 M as a car bought by people for who all-weather performance is king of kings. The X6 M has been a runaway sales success for BMW among these niche audiences – to the point where non-M X6s are the rarity.
Can the X6 M cut with the best competitors four years after its launch? Please follow the jump for details on the 2013 facelift, the mechanical and performance specs, and an image gallery of the new X6 M in action.
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