High-End

It would seem that the most important goals for any manufacturer today are continuity and clarity. If you do cheap cars, do only them. If you do sports cars, focus only on them. If you are premium, adapt to what the people think is premium and push.

Alfa Romeo had a problem with its mission, vision, and continuity. Since the Eighties, it seems to have shifted its vision two or three times basically confusing buyers when it comes to what the brand truly represents. Now, it is eager to find its footing with what it should have done all along - sports character, upscale styling, and premium nature.

At a press conference held earlier this year Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Maserati and Alfa Romeo said: “We know our future depends on staying true to our sports car roots. We have learned that when we stay true to Alfa DNA, we can stand out in any segment.”

Thankfully, the brand seems to have found what it wants to be the best at. To communicate this noble vision to the automotive lunatics and solidify brand recognition, Alfa Romeo has to do some extraordinary things. Having the Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio was only a start. Now, the company needs to go further, and that further comes in the shape of the 8C.

Recently, the late Sergio Marchionne hinted at the new 8C only months before his death. Moreover, the plan FCA displayed in June clearly showcases a planned super sports car called the 8C, and it will appear in the next three or four years.

Patent filings are flying all over the place as automakers rush to protect their home-grown inventions. The latest company to do so is General Motors, which has secured patents for a number of active aerodynamic components that could soon find their way to the Chevrolet Corvette. All in all, GM was recently awarded three new patents involving adaptive aero technologies, specifically Active Side-Skirts, Active Spoilers, and Downforce Generating Ducts..

Rumors about an SUV larger than the X7 have been flying around for several years now. In 2014, BMW confirmed the X7 and the big hauler is set to break cover by the end of 2018. Naturally, we can’t help but wonder whether an M version is underway. Does it makes it sense, should BMW build one?

The large SUV market is pretty big in the U.S., where BMW is building the X7, but neither the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator are powerful enough to create demand for an M version. However, Mercedes-Benz is making an AMG version of the GLS, which is taking all market share in the performance department. The AMG-prepped GLS alone is a reason good enough for BMW to roll out an X7 M, but it should also be part of the company’s plans to expand the nameplate now that all crossovers are set to gain M versions. Let’s find out what it may bring to the table in the speculative review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming BMW X7 M.

The fourth-generation Cadillac Escalade went into production in early 2014, and while it’s not exactly old, it’s a bit dated compared to the more modern Lincoln Navigator. But Cadillac is looking to fix that with a new-generation model that’s rumored to arrive in 2019.

The new Escalade was initially scheduled to arrive early next year, but development was slowed down by a late decision to ditch the solid rear axle in favor of an independent suspension. It seems that Cadillac finally decided to give the Escalade, its most profitable model, a proper makeover.

Unfortunately, the SUV will continue to share underpinnings with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, meaning that it will still use a truck platform. The good news is that GM is also preparing massive upgrades for its next-gen pickups, so the Escalade will be less of truck and more of an SUV. Most details are still under wraps, but let’s discuss what we already know about it, the latest rumors, as well as the rendering that our very own artist created.

The Lexus LF A was an Oddity in the supercar world but an absolute gem at the same time. When it was released in 2011, it came complete with a 4.8-liter V-10 that delivered a cold-hearted (especially for a Lexus) 560 horsepower. Just a year later, Lexus decided to get a little more exclusive and created the LF-A Nurburgring Edition – a car that was destined to conquer the infamous track and set a new record lap time. And, it did, running the track in just 7 minutes and 14 seconds, enough to beat out the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Corvette ZR1, and the Dodge Viper ACR at the time. Lexus only created 50 examples of the LF A Nurburgring edition, all of where were either black, white, or orange. Since it’s been nearly seven years since the LF A’s conquering of the Nurburgring, we’ve decided to show it a little love and make it our wallpaper of the day. Go ahead and download our hand-picked favorite or choose something else you might like from the gallery at the bottom of the page.

We previously knew it as the Thunder, but British sports car company Lister is renaming its Jaguar F-Type-based supercar with a somewhat more appropriate name that reflects its capabilities. So instead of the Lister Thunder, we’re going to have to get used to calling this beast the LFT-666. The model isn’t entirely new; in fact, we’ve discussed it a few times the past, most recently in June 2018. But, apparently, a lot has changed since June 2018. The Lister Thunder now goes by a different and far more fitting name.

The current Nissan GT-R has been around for quite some time now, and it’s in dire need of replacement. Just like the current generation, a concept of the next-gen will arrive before the actual production car. However, the new car won’t borrow styling cues from the Italdesign’s GT-R50 show car. Now, that’s a surprising move!

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G65 is so fast that the company has recalled all the 20 copies sold in the U.S. to electronically limit it. Shocking? Well, it’s too fast when going backward. The German SUV is so powerful that the speed limitation of the reverse gear might fail, and allow the car to speed away in the excess of 16 mph. If any abrupt changes are made while steering, “the vehicle could become unstable which could lead to a vehicle rollover, increasing the risk of injury to the vehicle’s occupants.”

Twenty-seven years ago, in 1991, John Hennessey began modifying cars with the goal of maximizing their potential well beyond what automakers were able to, or wanted to do. Since then, Hennessey has become a household name in the auto world, and to celebrate the company’s 10,000th tuning creation, Hennessey is rolling out 19 units of the Ford Mustang Hennessey Heritage Edition.

As far as Mercedes-AMG GT goes, the S version may be the optimal one. Its power level doesn’t start with the number four, but with five, and it does come with a bit more gear from the get-go compared to the entry-level AMG GT. No wonder, then, that it is one of the most popular options for tuning companies. Creative Bespoke from the U.S. included. They revealed their own tuning take on the Mercedes-AMG GT S, and it is rad, mad, and powerful.

The next-generation Porsche 911 is still a few months away from its global debut, but we can already have a good look at its design thanks to a new batch of photos that show the car with absolutely zero camo!

Having revived the 8 Series after two decades, BMW is also planning to build a Gran Coupe version of the two-door. A concept car was shown at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, where it was confirmed that the 8 Series Gran Coupe "will take over as the new flagship model" for the brand. Come July 2018, and the production model was spotted on the road.

Much like the coupe, the production car will share many features with the concept. However, this test vehicle has a milder appearance, as it appears to be a standard model and not the M version we saw in Geneva. Our paparazzi actually spotted two cars. There’s a regular 8 Series on a trailer and a sportier version with the M Sport package stretching its wheels on the road. The final product could break cover by the end of 2018 and join a niche that already includes the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

Lexus’ F line of performance vehicles is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and to commemorate the occasion, the Japanese automaker is rolling out a one-off LFA Art Car that was designed by Portuguese Pedro Henrique. The LFA Art Car will be in attendance at the 24 Hours of Spa where it will feature in the on-track parade on Saturday, July 28, before the start of the 24-hour race.

Porsche has been going around the world, breaking lap records one after the other with the new 911 GT2 RS. This time, however, it sets a new record instead of breaking one. The virgin racetrack in Australia gets smoked by the 911 GT2 RS, and we are quite positive this record will stay for a long time.

The Chevrolet Yenko Camaro holds a special place in the heart of drag-strip fanatics from the 1960s, in part because of Yenko Chevrolet, the Pennsylvania-based dealership owned by racer Don Yenko that turned production Camaros into go-faster track-spec monsters. Fast forward to this year, though, and the Yenko nameplate is being revived on another performance-focused Chevrolet by New Jersey-based Specialty Vehicle Engineering. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Chevrolet Yenko Corvette.

Just like the Bugatti Veyron, the Lexus LFA isn’t a standard production car. And just like the Veyron, the LFA’s maintenance doesn’t fall under traditional service requirements. The Japanese automaker revealed as much, saying that servicing an LFA is more like servicing a race car than a standard production model.

The second-generation Audi R8 is about to receive its mid-cycle facelift. We’ve already seen prototypes on public roads, and it seems that the Germans have prepared big changes for the facelift. It also seems that Audi is working on a higher performance version of the R8, possibly a successor to the GT model.

Although it has yet to confirm such a model, a new R8 GT makes sense given the fact that the second-gen supercar has yet to spawn any special editions yet. The original GT was discontinued back in 2013, while the LMX was produced in 2014 only. It’s been four years since Audi offered anything above the R8 Plus, so it’s about time the German brand gave the supercar a performance bump. A beefed-up R8 could arrive in 2019, but until we find out more about that, let’s take a closer look at what upgrades it may get.

Continue reading to learn more about the Audi R8 GT.

Designed by Pininfarina, the Maserati GranTurismo is one gorgeous looking car, even if it has been on the market for a decade now. It has a timeless design, though, and while it may be time for it to be replaced, the car will remain relevant for years to come, eventually becoming a collectible. After all, it was the first grand tourer that was developed under Ferrari ownership. It’s powered by a Ferrari-designed 4.7-liter V-8 that’s good for some 454 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Channeled through a ZF, six-speed automatic, it’s good enough to get the GT up to 60mph in 4.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 185 mph. Given the fact that its time is drawing short on the market, we decided to honor it a bit and make it our wallpaper of the day. We’ve picked our favorite and thrown in a gallery so you can do the same. Enjoy!

Like a shot of the good juice on a clear morning, the BMW M8 was spotted at the Nurburgring doing some good ‘ol fashion testing. The long-bodied beauty was dressed in heavy camouflage, but the coupe’s unmistakable look can still be gleaned underneath all that wrapping.

The next-generation Porsche 911, called the 992, has been caught testing numerous times in recent months. The sports car has lost most of the camo on the way, but some areas are still hidden from sight. But the new 911 is slowly revealing itself, and our paparazzi just spotted a car with no camo on its rear end.

Revealed at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Maserati Levante GTS showed that Maser knows a thing or two about making really fast luxurious cars. SUVs or not. It does not matter to them. The new car features a Ferrari-built 3.8-liter, turbocharged, V-8 with 542 horsepower, can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, and it can hit a top speed of 181 mph. It is the supercar of SUVs. Or as Maserati would put it, the new Levante GTS is the Maserati of SUVs. I like this one better.

While this sounds really impressive, this is not the first time that Maserati smashed a Ferrari V-8 into the Levante. Only a few months ago, the Italian company revealed the Maserati Levante Trofeo with the same V-8 only tuned up to 590 horsepower. That one is a tad faster, a tad meaner, and $50,000 more expensive. Why in hell is the Levante Trofeo so much more expensive than the Levante GTS that is priced at $120,000?

While it failed as a brand as soon as it launched the H3, Hummer became an iconic brand with the H1. Produced by AM General from 1992 until 2006, the H1 is still regarded as one of the best off-road, military-based civilian vehicles ever built. 12 years have passed since it was discontinued, and the H1 returns as a restomod vehicle by Mil-Spec.

The second-generation Audi R8 was launched in 2015 and, despite rumors that it may be discontinued, the supercar will live on for at least a few more years. The facelifted version of the R8 coupe was spotted on public roads back in March, and now the Spyder model surfaced with similar updates.

While notable changes make sense for a mid-cycle refresh, word has it that the Spyder in out latest shots could be more than just a facelift. Audi may be working on a beefed-up version of the supercar that could carry an "RS" or "GT" badge. With the nameplate likely to go into the history books in a few years, the Germans might be looking to give it a proper send-off with a more aerodynamic and powerful version. Unfortunately, Audi is still mum on the details, so we won’t know for sure until the company spills the beans or the camo comes off. Meanwhile, let’s have a closer look at what the updated R8 Spyder might bring to the table.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Audi R8 Spyder.