After Polestar got their tuning hands on the Volvo C30 a few years back, we knew they were the real deal. Thanks to the firm’s racing know-how, they were able to extract 405HP from the small 2.5-liter T5 engine and send that power through an incredible all-wheel drive system which featured adjustable suspension and Brembo brakes, but unfortunately it never made it to production simply because the exercise was too expensive to make production viable.
However, Polestar hasn’t let that disappointment get the way of its most recent plans to tackle the super-sedan market with a rival for the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and Audi RS5. Swedish automotive magazine, TeknikensVarld started the rumors and they definitely have intrigued us, and will undoubtedly intrigue you also.
The magazine claims that Polestar will tackle the Volvo S60 in order to make an M3-killer, and could implant a 4.4-liter, Yamaha-sourced, V8 engine into it – the same unit as fitted to the XC90 and Noble M600 – be it without the two massive turbo’s found in the Noble.
In naturally aspirated form, this engine is said to deliver in excess of the 311 horsepower found in the M3, and if Polestar had their way with the engine, they could easily pump out 400 or more horses if they wanted to really show its German competitors how to create true performance sedans. The prototype caught testing was powered by a T6 AWD with 304 HP, but the final version will deliver much more.
Additionally, this unconfirmed car could come fitted with a Haldex all-wheel drive system and a sequential gearbox and would obviously feature more aggressive styling over the stock car.
Despite all of this sounding very appealing, we have serious doubts that it’ll ever make it into production, unless Polestar and Volvo can work out a cheap way to develop and produce a true rival to the BMW M3.
Toyota Racing has just announced details on their 2013 Camry that will race the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series where it will have to take on models like the Ford Fusion, Dodge Charger, and the upcoming Chevrolet SS. The racing version is based on the 2013 Camry, but adds a more aggressive exterior design language as well as a new V8 engine to replace the standard V6 engine.
The 2013 Camry NASCAR will be distinguished by a huge front grille-area, new headlight design, body-length character lines, and a huge rear bumper. All these adjustments have been made in order to adjust the car’s aerodynamics.
"We’re extremely proud of the new Camry and the development of the car was truly a unique process," said Lee White, president and general manager of TRD. "NASCAR and all four manufacturers were brought together to guide the direction of the new cars. We all worked together to put the ‘S’ back in NASCAR — we all wanted race cars that look more like our stock, production models – and together we accomplished that. Our new Camry for 2013 is a great looking race car. Everyone at Toyota is eager to have our drivers in a race car that more resembles the street Camry."
It was only yesterday that the new Skoda Rapid was caught testing on the famous Nurburgring track and just 24 hours later, the company whipped out yet another prototype, this time in a red exterior finish. What’s even better is that the interior was readily accessible to our photographers! Unfortunately, there was nothing revolutionary about the Rapid’s insides, but at least it’s another piece of the puzzle clicked into place. It looks like the Rapid will just be another new small family car.
The Skoda Rapid is inspired by the Mission L Concept unveiled at the 2012 Frankfurt Motor Show and will be placed between the Fabia and the Octavia in Skoda’s line-up. It will be built on a standard platform, not the new MQB multi-vehicle platform, and will be offered with the latest engines and transmissions from the Volkswagen Group.
Expect to see the new Skoda Rapid launched in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.
Unlike the One Lap of America race, which recently ended, the Houston Half Mile Shootout is a brand new race for 2012. This year it was run in conjunction with the 4th annual Aeros & Autos event at Ellington Airport in Houston, TX.
This race is much like the Texas Mile, as it is purely a top speed-style of race, where your goal is to reach the highest speed within the half-mile-long track. Simple enough, right? Well, driving in excess of 200 mph is never simple, but rules sure are.
This inaugural run includes cars and motorcycles, both street legal and off-road only, which makes for some really intense speeds, but also some utter disappointment. The biggest disappointment that we see is Mario Williams, an NFL Linebacker, running his Aventador down the half-mile track and only hitting 167 mph in the above video. C’mon, man, open her up a little. That’s just getting that $400,000 supercar warmed up.
On top of that, event organizer John Hennessey shows that he is not a football guy, as he calls Mario Williams an “All Pro defensive player from the Houston Texans,” but Williams signed with the Buffalo Bills in March, oops. We have to give Hennessey a pass though, as the video was taken on March 5th and Williams was still a free agent at the time, but he certainly was not a Texan at the time.
Fortunately that was just a warm-up lap, as we saw much more speed as the event went on.
Click past the jump to read more about the event, cool cars and highlights.
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Cadillac’s recently unveiled XTS Platinum Concept has been made over into a production model revealed at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Cadillac XTS sedan will hit dealer showrooms in 2012 in late spring or early summer as a competitor for models like the Audi A6, the BMW 5-Series, and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The new XTS will be placed above the CTS in the current Cadillac line-up and will deliver "the space, elegance, and dramatic presence that are Cadillac signatures, but with entirely new and technically advanced methods tuned for a new generation of luxury customers."
"The Cadillac XTS represents a new formula for luxury, driven by advanced technology," said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. "XTS showcases the evolution of our Art & Science philosophy, merging the best technical ideas with the continued refinement of Cadillac design."
UPDATE 05/22/2012: We have just added 50 new high res images in the XTS picture gallery, including images of the Platinum Collection. Enjoy!
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When people think about Buicks, words like old, boring, and grandpa come to mind. Very rarely, if ever, does the word sporty get uttered as an accurate description, but get ready for all of that to change. In an effort to change the stigma attached to the brand, Buick is releasing an all new Buick Regal GS which will arrive at dealerships in the fall of 2011. This new vehicle will target models like the Audi A4 and the Acura TSX with its exclusive Ecotec 2.0L direct injected, turbocharged engine that delivers a total of 270 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque.
The last time a GS model was released by Buick, it was 2004. This model was powered by a 3.8 L L67 Series II supercharged V6 that produced 240 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque. Technology, and the constant need to improve fuel economy, has allowed Buick to pump out more horsepower out of a smaller engine, all while providing an estimated fuel economy of 33 MPG.
UPDATE 08/04/2011: Buick has announced that the Regal GS will be put on sale this fall at a starting price of $35,310, which includes a $860 destination charge. Standard features on the GS model include: push-button start; a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel with audio controls; metal sport pedals; and leather-appointed, heated and 12-way adjustable sport seating, a Harman Kardon premium 336-watt, 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound system with nine speakers.
UPDATE 05/22/2012: During a recent test drive at Nevada Open Road Challenge, the 270 Regal GS clocked in an impressive top speed of 162 mph - making it the fastest model Buick ever made. The car was piloted by Rietow and Townsend and the only modifications were limited to safety equipment such as a roll hoop and five-point harness seat belts, as well as data collection computers. Check out the new video to see the test drive!
Hit the jump for more details on the Buick Regal GS.
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Skoda began using the Rapid name back in 1984 when it debuted a coupe based on the brand’s 130 sedan. That model was discontinued in 1990, but the name is headed back to the spotlight, this time on a new small car that will be placed between the light Fabia and the next-generation Octavia. The new Rapid was inspired by the Mission L Concept unveiled at the 2012 Frankfurt Motor Show and will be officially unveiled in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.
The new Skoda Rapide will be built on a standard platform, and not on the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB multi-vehicle platform. This decision was made to keep the car’s price as low as possible. The engines and transmission, however, will still come from the Volkswagen Group.
As for its exterior design, expect to see many elements from the Mission L Concept, combined with the latest expression of Skoda’s design language.
If all of that is not clear enough, check out the latest spy shots of the Skoda Rapid as it takes a test lap on the Nürburgring in Germany.
There have been tons of rumors surrounding the engine choice for the next BMW M3, ranging from a new V6 engine to an inline-six engine with tri-turbo (our favorite rumor), but now, the President of BMW North America, Mr. Ludwig Willisch has finally confirmed that the next M3 will feature an inline 6 layout - the same layout that will be used for the M4.
Willisch also said that, at some point, BMW was indeed considering a V6 engine for the next M3, but in the end, this choice was dropped. What he didn’t specify was whether or not the new inline-6 engine will get bi-turbo or tri-turbo. Regardless of the technology, the future M3 will deliver at least 450 HP.
Ludwig Willisch also confirmed that the next M3 will be lighter, faster, more powerful, and more efficient than the current M3. It will be offered with an optional or standard manual transmission.
Don’t expect to see the new BMW M3 launched until late in 2013 or early 2014.
Misha Design has become synonymous with building some of the most aggressive body kits for German cars. After their ventures with the Porsche 911 and the BMW M3 netted positive results, the tuning firm has now taken another German vehicle under its wing.
This time, it’s the Mercedes CLS-Class four-door coupe. The luxury sports coupe’s aesthetic credentials are already a sight to behold on their own. But when Misha Design decided that a new wide body kit was in order, nobody really voiced their displeasure against it.
The new kit includes a plethora of new components, including a new front bumper, redesigned with bigger intakes, a gloss black chin spoiler, a retouched grille and bumper, new side skirts, new fenders, a rear diffuser, a roof spoiler, and a trunk spoiler.
Should you wish to add a splash of carbon fiber on the accessories, you can do so and Misha Design will be more than happy to oblige.
No powertrain modifications are in order. Nevertheless, expect the car to still a pack a wallop, thanks in large part to its 4.6-liter direct-injection twin-turbo V8 engine that produces an impressive output of 402 horsepower and 443 lb/ft of torque and a fuel economy of 17 city / 26 hwy.
A few days ago, Audi trademarked an impressive amount of names that we hope will join the lineup sooner rather than later. One of the most anticipated names from that list is the S9, which has brought out a new hope that the previously rumored Audi A9 will be launched sometime in the upcoming years. And, of course, whenever there is hope for a production version of a model, we automatically create a rendering that embodies our vision for it.
The Audi A9 has been churning up the rumor mill for a long time, but Audi hasn’t really confirmed or denied anything about it, leaving the general public with an empty feeling in regards to the vehicle. The S9 should evoke better feelings, as long as Audi doesn’t drag its feet through the mud with its details. As for the A9, rumors have lead us to believe that it will be a large sedan to be placed above the current Audi A8, and ready to take on models like the Porsche Panamera Turbo. In its base version. it will get a 3.0 TFSI engine with around 300 HP, while the top version will get a V8 with 500 HP.
The Audi A9 will go on sale around 2015 with a price tag of about $150K.
