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Almost exactly a year ago, we brought you the news about Porsche's beautiful new museum, which absolutely needs to be on the "must see" list of every car enthusiast in the world. As part of its marketing efforts to invite visitors, Porsche has just released this evocative little video (below) that hints at why the marque is so special. In their own words:

We never forget where we come from. Our tradition and our history are part of our DNA. And we are aware that our heritage is both - an honor and an obligation.

This is why we have ...

Although we have scant information, we can confirm that these are the first pictures of the all-new Mini Countryman, the all-wheel drive, four-door Mini "SUV".

With its gruff-looking headlights and aggressive grill, the Countryman is the third variation in the Mini family. We will bring you more details as soon as we have them. In the meantime, try and make sense of the official - yes, official - video of the Countryman released by Mini.

Which one of these fabulously capable cars would you think is the fastest around the track? The Audi is the most powerful but is slowed down by an old-fashioned manual gearbox. The new Porsche 911 Turbo now features a super-fast dual-clutch transmission and is only slightly less powerful than the uber-Audi. The Nissan is the heaviest and least powerful by at least 100 hp, but is blessed with incredible traction.

We won't spoil the fun. Just watch Autocar editor Steve Sutcliffe take the cars around for a timed lap to find out.

[Source: Autocar]

You may have already seen pictures of the all-new Audi A8 revealed to the world last week. However, we have a bit of a special belated post on Audi's flagship. You see, tucked away in the Neckarsulm division of Audi, where the "S" cars are created, sits a 6'6" Viking engineer whose job, among other things, is to fine tune A8 engines using simulation software. Not only can the horsepower and torque figures be predicted with amazing accuracy, but the engine note can also be analyzed and 'designed' as well. That A8 engineer just happens to be one ...

After a short break, we're back with more automotive goodness. To make up for a slow week last week, let's start with a supercar video.

By now, you have started learning more about the new AMG SLS "Gullwing." International journalists and lucky Mercedes-benz owners were recently introduced to the car at Laguna Seca. The video here is from UK's Autocar and gives us a good idea of what the car is actually like to drive.

Based on what Matt Prior has to say, this is a focused, serious Mercedes that fits somewhere between the Aston Martin Vantage ...

BMW has officially introduced the all-new 2010 BMW 5 Series. Historically the second best-selling BMW line after the 3 Series, the new 5, codenamed F10, replaces a dramatically-styled car (the E60) that courted controversy its whole life as part of the “Bangle BMWs.” Taking styling cues from the new 7 Series, the 2010 5 Series appears more conventional and restrained compared to its predecessor. While the rear three-quarters view is reminiscent of the current BMW 3 Series, the overall shape dispenses with the angularity that marked the outgoing model in favor of a more rounded look.

The new car is ...

Is this why the Finns are so good at rallying, driving on the edge of insanity until what you see in the below video happens? Probably. You know who else is crazy? Those spectators who always happen to be just a few inches from the road and who come rushing to help the drivers.
 
We will assume that no humans were hurt during the filming of these videos so that we can enjoy these ...

We have posted many a Nurburgring video here before and probably will keep doing so as long as gasoline floweth in our veins. However, this video is a little different. Unlike the usual driver’s view, silent-but-for-engine-noise clips, this one is narrated by Ring expert Dirk Schoysman who has put in over 14,000 laps around the famed track (equivalent to driving around the world seven times). He explains how different areas of the track test the various components of a test car as Chris R from Pistonheads goes along for the ride.

As an interesting addendum, Dirk switches places ...

By now, any TopGear fan is used to Jeremy Clarkson’s superlatives every time he drives a “sensational” car with its “astonishing” engine. But the man HAS driven just about every great car made over the past few decades, and then some.

So when Jezza calls a car “the best car I’ve ever driven,” you take notice. What is the object of his ultimate lust? None other than the V10 Audi R8 5.2. Watch the video to hear the words from the horse’s mouth. Before you do, here is a refresher of the vital stats:

Engine: 5 ...

Ever wonder how you would get out of your $200,000 SLS Gullwing Benz should you roll it over and come to a rest on its roof? Worry no more, as undramatically illustrated in this video of an SLS crash test.

In order to comply with regulations that stipulate rescue teams needs to be able to open a car’s doors in the event of an accident, Mercedes-Benz has engineered explosive charges in the door hinges of the SLS that will release the doors in case a rollover takes place.

Beyond this point in the video, you will also see ...

Yes, we have complained about this before, but VW seriously needs to rethink its decision not to sell the great-looking Scirocco hatch in the US. True, Americans do not have a great track record in buying hatchbacks, but the company’s GTI was just named Automobile Magazine’s Car of the Year, so perhaps the time has come.

Watch this Autocar video to see how the 261 hp Scirocco R, blessed also with a healthy 258 lb-ft, compares with the hot-hatch reference point thus far, the Ford Focus RS.

[Source: Autocar]

The introduction of any new Ferrari is a momentous occasion, and we all took notice when the 458 Italia was introduced a few months ago. The Italia replaces a massively popular car, the 430, meaning that it had to take a huge leap forward in performance and technology.

On that front, Ferrari does not disappoint. The 4.5L, direct-injected V8 produces 392 lb-ft of torque and 562 hp, a whopping 70 hp more than the 430. The transmission is a 7-speed dual clutch unit and sadly, no manual transmission, with that lovely, traditional Ferrari gated shifter will be available. Alas ...

We freely admit, we will post anything pertaining to Ken Block on this blog. The guy is creative, crazy, cool and talented. Case in point, the Subaru Trax STi, being promoted by DC Shoes and Ken Block of course.

As you would expect, the Trax is nothing more than an experimental vehicle. However, it can already claim the title of the world's fastest cat track operation automobile. The Trax STi starts life with Ken Block's competition-ready Subaru WRX STI, gets rid of the tires, adds snow cat tracks, and gets suspension upgrades to be able to pull off ...

Well, we (car blogs) all guessed wrong when we reported that the arrival of a BMW M3 CSL was imminent. But we were not too far off, as BMW has in fact unveiled a hardcore version of the M3. It is called the GTS and while it is road-legal, it is really a weekend clubsport racer.

The car comes replete with loud "look at how fast I am" bits like the front splitter and a massive, fixed rear wing, but according to the BMW M-Power site spotlighting the car, the real delight is the engine. The 4.4L V8 is ...

The ghost of James Dean must want one of these. Porsche has just released pictures and details of a successor the iconic 550 Spyder of 1953 that was made immortal by the Hollywood heartthrob.

Externally, the differences between the Spyder and its sister Boxsters is abundantly clear. The most striking change is the double-bubble rear deck featuring a larger diffuser. Of course, the canvas roof gives the car a dramatic yesteryear look, while the old-school Porsche door decals harken back to a more classic era. Up front, daylight running lights are gone in order to make room for reshaped air ...

Renaultsport Megane 250 v Ford Focus RS: that is a comparison test you will not find in the pages of any American car magazine. These two hot-hatches are great European products that we cannot buy in the US. That, however, does not prevent us from enjoying a quick skirmish between the two on a wonderful Spanish mountain road.

The Ford Focus RS has already been praised by European motoring journalists for its mix of fun handling, performance and affordability. These days, it is THE benchmark hatchback fun mobile in the European market. Renault, which is mostly well-known for making fogettable ...

In a rare, deep glimpse into the engineering thought-process behind one of the most capable cars in the world, PistonHeads has interviewed Kazutoshi Mizuno, program manager and chief engineer of the Nissan GT-R. Be warned that these videos are for the hardest of hard-core gearheads, as Mr. Mizuno delves into such things as optimum weight targets per wheel, effects on tire patch, engine and transaxel packaging, and torque curves. Mizuno makes an interesting and debatable case against low weight in car design.

After designing the Nissan Primera, Mr. Mizuno spent many years leading Nissan's racing efforts, and as he ...

Car recently sat down with McLaren Automotive Chairman Ron Dennis to discuss the recently-launched McLaren MP4-12C supercar, the future of the company, and even cows. Included below is a portion of the interview on video, with Dennis talking about the MP4-12C and what it represents for McLaren Automotive. The interview excerpts are reproduced here as found on car.com.

Ron Dennis on… why build the MP4-12C
‘It’s understandable why people ask the question “why now”, but the answer to that question lies in the statistics of F1. When I first entered F1 in 1966, there was only one other ...

"Yawn, another iteration of the 911" you might be saying. Love it or hate it, Porsche is unrivaled in extracting over 40 years of product from one single model so successfully. Every time you think they have made some subtle changes to the 911 formula, you realize that unbelievably, the engineers have made deep changes to each subsequent model in the 911 range and made it better (and sometimes, prettier).

Right now, it's the 911 Turbo's turn to shine. The accessible, every day supercar that can do battle with cars far more expensive and exclusive. The newest Turbo ...

The third of four National Geographic shows in the Ultimate Factories series, Ultimate Factories Porsche, will air tonight, October 22 at 8PM ET/PT. As with the past two episodes, we can give you a sneak preview before you watch the full version tonight. Below is an overview by National Geographic.

Rolling of the assembly line and taking the world by storm in 1964, the Porsche 911 is now one of the worlds iconic sports cars. Still produced on the same grounds that gave birth to the first 911, this car has grown to 14 variations. From the modest 911 ...

With the official launch of the hotly-anticipated Lexus LF-A supercar at the Tokyo Motor Show hours away, the blogosphere has been set alit with pictures, details and video of the car. Here are the latest details, including the first pictures of the exquisitely-detailed interior.

- 4.8-liter 72-degree V10
- 560 hp at 8,700 RPM (116.5 hp/liter)
- Redline: 9,000 rpm
- 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm
- Titanium valves, connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, dry sump lubrication and a titanium exhaust manifold
- Six-speed sequential gearbox
- Torsen limited slip differential
- 3,263 lbs. curb weight
- 48/52 front ...

Even though BMW has denied it, the video below seems to confirm that the Bavarians are readying an ultimate, lightweight version of the venerable M3. Perhaps its the imminent release of the ultra-powerful Audi RS5, or just clamoring by hardcore enthusiasts. Regardless, the fixed wing and apparent weight savings hinted to by things like the carbon-fiber front splitter make this a plausible expectation. In addition, the car caught testing at - you guessed it - the Nurburgring, appears to have a wider track to accommodate fatter, racing slicks.

Rumors already have the car outputting 470 hp thanks to a better breathing system ...

Two weeks ago, you saw the first pictures of the Toyota FT-86, which will also spawn a Subaru twin. This exercise in badge engineering gives hope to car enthusiasts who want a new, fun-to-drive Japanese car they can afford, unlike the Lexus LF-A about to be unleashed into the exotic car market.

In the below video, you will see a heavily-disguised prototype of the car being tested at the Nürburgring. The fact that the car is being put through its paces there bodes well, indicating serious sporting aspirations on the part of Toyota and Subaru.

Watch this space for ...

Well, you know it's a concept, so the bizarre shape only a mother could love should not be a surprise. However, this concept is significant in that BMW has undertaken a serious commitment to launching a line of green cars, dubbed Project I, in the very near term. The Simple concept featured here was built to test technologies that might find their way into the new line of electric BMWs before long.

BMW's advanced Technik team created the tandem Simple in order to achieve a 120 mpg fuel consumption target.

“It’s the only way to get such ...

Why should you even care about what Renault is up to? After all, the French company has not made big product waves in a long time and does not even sell cars here in the US.

The answer lies in Japan, and takes the form of Nissan. Nissan is is a big player in our market and will be selling the all-electric Leaf starting next year. As you know, Nissan and Renault form a uniquely successful alliance and share technology back and forth. Further, Renault is building the commoditized cars that Better Place will use on its grandiose mission to ...

The third episode in the Ultimate Factories series will air tonight, October 15 at 8PM ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel. This time, the focus is the Chevrolet Camaro factory, a massive plant that produces of of GM's hottest-selling cars in a long time.

Overview

After nearly a decade off the factory line, Chevy is reintroducing the 2010 Camaro SS. NGC visits the 10-million-square-foot factory, one of the largest auto plants in the world.

The Camaro may have a new look, but it maintains the signature design features that make it a classic.

It isn’t a Camaro ...

Tuesday dragging on a bit? rightpedal to the rescue, via Saint Jeremy Clarkson of TopGear fame. Here is 80 minutes of unadulterated car pornography to make your week a bit more pleasant, although you may hate us for:

a) rendering the rest of your day unproductive
b) raising your envy level to hot green

Go ahead, try NOT to watch the whole thing in one sitting!

You're welcome,
rightpedal

[Source: Youtube]

This teutonic battle is as close as it can get: two 3.0L, force induction-propelled German sports sedans battling for the title of class benchmark. For years, that benchmark has been the BMW 3-Series, a car that wins critics' hearts through its perfect balance of all the elements necessary to make a sporty, practical every day car.

Enjoying the lofty position atop the list of sports sedans has its dangers: it inspires rivals to mark you as the bulls eye as they try and better you. Audi in particular has seemingly made a laser-like focus on BMW its raison-d'etre ...

We recently reported that the next generation BMW M5, due in 2011, will lose its fantastic, free-revving V10 in favor of a twin-turbo V8. Gone will be that signature V10 howl, to be replaced by the unmistakable turbo whistle that you will be able to hear in this spy video if you listen carefully.

As we mentioned before, the twin-turbo powerplant promises more power than the outgoing V10's 500 hp and undoubtedly, much more torque. So while we will miss the aural beauty of the current M5, we are looking forward to the performance figures of its more beefy ...

Although the current Nissan GT-R does not make use of the storied 'Skyline' moniker, it is very much related to that line of cars that has become the stuff of legend. Many iterations of the Skyline led up to the current Godzilla, but it was the late, great R-34 that was most responsible for launching the car onto the international stage.

Officially, the R-34 had only 276 hp, but everyone knew that Nissan did not really abide by that Japanese manufacturers' gentlemen's agreement. The bullet-proof R-34 inline 6 engine was supposedly good for 330 hp out of the factory ...

Lexus, to be precise, but you get the point. These iPhone videos give you a glimpse of a production-ready Lexus LF-A supercar and better yet, a quick sense of just how great it will sound!

Details are still very sketchy - come on Lexus, put the car on the market already - but the rumor mill pegs the horsepower at around 550 and the price around $200,000.

UPDATE: we found a video of a journalist who has driven the car. We will let his gushing review in the second video below speak for itself.

[Source: Youtube]

The new SLS AMG Gullwing is already being called one of the finest cars Mercedes-Benz has ever built. In this video, you will see how the company put a shiny Gullwing on top of its futuristic-looking museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

We brought you a whole collection of pictures of this new Silber Pfeile when the car was introduced, and we can now complement them with a video of the car.

In case you don't remember, here are the numbers:

Engine: 6.3L AMG V8
Horsepower: 563 hp
Torque: 480 lb-ft
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch transmission
0-60 mph: 3.7 ...

Following on the heels of our Ultimate Factories Lamborghini post, we are bringing you a couple of snippets of the next installment, the Rolls-Royce factory. This episode aired on October 8 at 8PM ET/PT on the National Geographic channel.

Here is an overview of the Rolls-Royce program by National Geographic:

The Phantom is the first Rolls-Royce motorcar to be introduced since the company was acquired by BMW in 1998. Each Phantom is a unique combination of state-of-the-art technology and old-world craftsmanship, constructed with meticulous attention to detail.

Manufacture of the Phantom begins in Unterhallerau, Germany, where its strong, stiff ...

If you love cars, you surely consider the actual production a special process. Things get even more special when the object of production is an exotic car, say a Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV.

The National Geographic channel has just started airing its new series of Ultimate Factories, kicking things off by following the production of a Lamborghini Murcielago SV. We have the videos for you below.

The Lamborghini special will be followed tomorrow by a by Rolls-Royce episode, with Camaro and Porsche episodes coming soon:

ULTIMATE FACTORIES: ROLLS-ROYCE
Thursday, October 8 at 8PM ET/PT

ULTIMATE FACTORIES: CAMARO ...

Do you like Aston Martins? So do we, what a coincidence! So then, here is a gratuitous development video of the four-door Rapide that will eventually find its way to the market.

Of course, beauty is subjective, but if we really had to buy a four-door version of a true sports car, the Rapide would win the day on just looks alone (no Panamera, we don't care how capable you are).

Check out this link for a previous development video we posted.

[Source: Aston Martin via Worldcarfans]

The 4Runner has been a Toyota mainstay for years. Its distinctively tall profile and relatively-high chassis clearing always signaled that this was a real SUV, with an emphasis on Utility.

As the years have gone by, the 4Runner has gone more upmarket, getting slightly bloated in the meantime. However, for 2010, Toyota has paired things back a bit, most notably getting rid of the 4.7L V8 that used to reside in the previous car, opting for a V6 as the range topper. With obvious design influences from the popular FJ Cruiser, the 4Runner tries a more modern look inside ...

What do you get when you remove the seats from a Honda Civic hatchback, tweak the suspension, and push its i-VTEC engine to pump out 237 hp at 8,500 rpm? Well, you get the Honda Civic Type R Mugen.

We brought you pictures of this Mugen rocket back in June, and it seems like the car is still being called a "concept". Considering the Mugen website's English section is still 'under construction', it is highly unlikely that Mugen will ever cross over to our market, making this and other Mugen products exotic, unattainable novelties.

[Source: Autocar]

The guys at MotorTrend recently gathered 10 fantastic cars in their first ever Best Driver's Car competition. Rather than focus on track performance numbers as a ranking mechanism, MotorTrend has focused their test on discovering which car offers the most accessible performance, day in, day out.

The cars in the lineup are all very talented machines, so even die-hard car nuts should theoretically have a hard time guessing which one comes out on top.

The contenders are:

- Audi R8
- BMW 135i
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Chevrolet Camaro SS
- Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
- Ford Shelby GT500
- Jaguar XFR
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Nissan Nismo ...

This news is fresh from the horse's mouth, the horse being GT-R project chief Kazutoshi Mizuno. According to Mizuno, the next GT-R will receive the following upgrades:

- rear diffuser from the Spec V to improve air flow (watch the Spec V review below)
- side NACA ducts to improve brake cooling
- NISMO data-logging system (allows drivers to download data with a USB stick and compare results)
- stiffer front spring and damper rates
- stiffer bushing for rear torsion control arms

The aim of all these upgrades is "to make the driver's buttocks feel even closer to the rear wheels during ...

This is a great video of the upcoming BMW X1 being built at BMW's ultra-futuristic, Zaha Hadid-designed plant in Leipzig, Germany. Below are a few more pictures of the plant as well. Heck, I'd be happy bolting cars together if this were my workplace!

[Source (video): Worldcarfans via Youtube]

Ummm.....no comment.

How much justice does the first 5-cylinder Audi in a very long time do to the legacy of the defining Audi sports car, the legendary Quattro of the eighties? Autocar attempts to find in this video.

The TT RS (pardon the lack of video, Fifth Gear has removed it from YouTube), of course, is one of those cars Audi denies us here in America. Quite simply, there would not be enough sales volume for this special TT to warrant Audi bringing it here. Therefore, we will just have to enjoy it from afar. To refresh your memory, here are the ...

Following the official world debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Ferrari continues to produce more mouth-watering content featuring its newest model, the 458 Italia.

As anyone with a beating heart knows, at least half of the magic of Ferrris is due to their engines, be they mostrous V12s or screaming V8s. The 458, with its spine-tingling engine note, does not disappoint, as you can attest to yourselves after watching the below video.

Just make sure your volume is turned all the way up and that no one is around to witness you weeping like a baby.

Vital statistics:

Engine: 4 ...

In order to celebrate its 50th anniversary and its contributions to automotive safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crashed a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air head-on against a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu with dramatic results. IIHS devised this crash in order to demonstrate the advances in crash-worthiness that have taken place since it began independently testing cars fifty years ago.

As you can see in this graphic and eye-opening video, the '59 Bel Air is decimated by the modern Malibu. IIHS engineers overseeing the crash reported that the Malibu's driver would have sustained minor knee injuries, while the ...

It has been a busy week for BMW at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Not only the Munich manufacturer officially unveil the BMW X1, 5-Series GT and the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept, it produced another first by introducing the cars on a circuit built inside its corner of the exhibit grounds.

Here, you will find three videos: BMW's opening ceremony, a review of the highlights, and a fun video of stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer riding his BMW F800R on top of the four-cylinder BMW tower!

[Source: BMW TV]

There has been much talk about a four-door Bugatti and finally, Bugatti has revealed it. Behold the Bugatti Galibier sedan concept, replete with an outlandish, two-tone body that does indeed shout "I cost a lot".

Reports indicate that the Galibier is made entirely of carbon fiber. Somehow though, the car apparently manages to weigh 4200 lbs. To move all that heft, Bugatti will rely on a front-mounted, 8L W16 engine that we already know from the Veyron. While we do not know how much horsepower the Galibier version of the massive engine will produce, it will generate enough oomph to ...

Jay Leno was recently granted a tour of the McLaren factory, where he was one of the first to get a glimpse of the recently introduced McLaren MP-4 12C supercar. It is not every day that we can see the interior of the fabulous, Norman Foster-designed McLaren headquarters, so enjoy this rare look inside one of the most special car factories on earth.

[Souece: JayLenosGarage]

There is quite nothing like a bit of exquisite irrelevance to jolt the senses from time to time. Courtesy of Rolls Royce, we can bring you just such a jolt with these pictures of the discreetly handsome, all-new 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost. The 'baby Rolls" will be shown to the public at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week, giving birth to an entry-level Rolls Royce.

The Ghost stays true to the 200EX concept car shown earlier this year, and as you can see here, is opulently appointed as you would expect. Motive power comes courtesy of a BMW's 6 ...

Earlier in the week, we brought you the first pictures and video of the exciting, ground-breaking BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. As mentioned in the post, BMW has built the Vision as a rolling representation of technologies it will adopt in the immediate future.

BMW has now released a second official video that sheds light on the design process of the Vision. Design geeks, rejoice!

[Source: BMW]

What's a Friday without some fun? We have your car fun fix here, with a new TopGear behind the scenes outtakes video. Nuff said, happy Friday to you all.

[Source: TopGear]

Did you know that kissing for 10 minutes generates enough power to run a TV for one hour? This, along with several funny videos (see one below), is one of the many electricity-related fun facts you can find on Audi's new viral minisite, electricityuntamed.com. The site is dedicated to Audi's plans for electric vehicles. Strong rumors insist that on September 15, Audi will reveal an electric R8 at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

The idea is not so far-fetched, what with Audi's German rivals having already announced their electric performance car plans. BMW recently revealed its Vision ...

This is the new, hard-top convertible Volvo C70, a car that embodies Volvo's new 'design language.' Taking its cues from the S60 concept unveiled earlier this year, the new C70 has a more aggressive front end that adds more emotion to generally-staid Volvo designs. The rear of car also gets a complete overhaul, replete with LED lights. Volvo claims that the interior of the car benefits from higher quality materials that create a more luxurious feel.

The T5 tops the range with a turbocharged 2.3L five-cylinder engine producing 220 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. These figures give ...

A few days ago, we brought you the STP-sponsored documentary series Crowning Achievement, which chronicles the story of NASCAR legend Richard Petty's 200th win. The second installment delves a bit deeper into the nail-biting finish that almost wasn't. Oh, and Ronald Reagan makes an appearance as the first (and only?) president to attend a NASCAR race. To see episode 1, click here.

If you thought Germany was the only country home to mad tuning houses, think again. The folks at Sarasota, FL-based Heffner Performance are certified, which is the best compliment a car guy can pay another group of car nuts. What you see here is a twin-turbo, 100 hp Lamborghini Murcielago created by Heffner.

One of the most amazing details of the car is that the monstrous amount of horsepower is put down via only the rear wheels, even though Lamborghini insists on four-wheel drive for most Murcielagos.

You can hear the car’s astounding engine sounds in the first video ...

No one can rival Porsche in creating desirable derivatives from just one car model. Case in point is the new Porsche 911 Classic Sport, which is yet another new offering in what has been a very busy year for the company. As any Porschephile will have already guessed from the pictures, the limited-edition Sport Classic is a nod to Porsche's much loved 1972 Carrera RS 2.7.

Starting with the Carrera S, the Sport Classic recreates the classic image with its permanent ducktail spoiler and gorgeous black Fuchs wheels. If you look closely, you will notice that the car ...

Anyone who read our blog knows we, like most other car nuts out there, go weak in the knees when it comes to the Nissan GT-R. The car has already become somewhat of an instant classic, a performance benchmark of sorts against which even companies like Porsche measure themselves. This is why we take note when someone thinks there is more performance to be extracted from this accessible supercar.

Stillen, the aftermarket specialist founded by race legend Steve Millen, has always had a cozy relationship with Nissan, so it is no surprise that it has been working on its own ...

STP, the famous manufacturer of fuel and oil additives known particularly well in racing circles, has sponsored a three-part series documenting the career of NASCAR legend Richard Lee Petty, better known as The King. Over the next few days, we will be brining you the series right here on rightpedal.

The King, who still radiates old-school racing cool, has the most remarkable record in NASCAR racing history. He won the championship seven times, a feat only matched by the late Dale Earnhardt. Petty won a record 200 times, including seven Daytona 500 wins and an astounding 27-winning streak during the ...

After much anticipation, wrong guesses by the media, and a few teaser pictures, BMW has revealed what it imagines the future of its performance cars as being. Have no doubt that this highly-complex, advanced concept car is a very significant statement by BMW, signaling the company’s technological direction in the upcoming years. If you are a fan of automotive technology, read carefully what is surely the most technically dense report ever posted on rightpedal. Quite frankly, your writer’s head is still spinning from trying to absorb the details of all the marvelous technology introduced in the BMW Vision ...

As we await Alfa Romeo’s return to the US market, we have to resort to ogling over one of their models currently being sold in Europe, the 8C and the 8C Spider. Sometimes, a car is so beautiful that it hurts to look at it. Well, the 8C and 8C Spider fall into that category. In fact, some believe the 8C is the most beautoful car ever made, which goes a long way toward forgiving its sub-par handling characteristics.

In this video, Autocar is lucky enough to spend some time behind the wheel of the newer model, the Spider ...

A couple of days ago, my Nissan GT-R video post started a heated bench-racing discussion between me and two loyal rightpedal readers. The discussion centered around how the Lexus LF-A would stack up against the Nissan GT-R when it finally makes it through its long gestation period and onto the market.

Nissan and Toyota could not have adopted more different approaches: twin-turbo 480 hp V6 for the Nissan in a body built with fairly conventional materials, versus a 550 hp naturally-aspirated V10 built placed in an aluminum/carbon fiber-heavy body for the Lexus. One of the readers insisted that the ...

In the pure interest of science, the selfless blokes at TopGear undertook an exercise last season that is worth showing again. They set out to see which supercar among five – Lamborghini Muercielago, Aston Martin DBS, McLaren SLR, Audi R8, and Ferrari 599 – would go farthest on just one gallon of fuel while racing around a track.

Lest they be accused of elitism, they did not stop there. In the second half of the video, they decide to see how a BMW M3 sedan fares against a Toyota Prius in a fuel-efficiency test conducted at the Prius’ top speed. Think you ...

Admittedly, I tend to get obsessive about certain things in life. It was an obsession with cars that led me to get out of pre-med studies in order to become an automotive engineer, and it was that same obsession that led me to start rightpedal.

Of late, I have had another obsession: the Nissan GT-R. Ever since seeing one at a Cars & Coffee event in Las Vegas two months ago, I have wanted one so badly it hurts. In fact, I took a picture of said GT-R on my iPhone and unbeknownst to the owner, the dude’s car now ...

Would you drive down the world’s best, most dramatic road, the famous Stelvio Pass,  without headlights at night? Well, to showcase the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class’ Night View Assist Plus Technology, MotorTrend did just that.

Of course, you never want to do something this mad under normal circumstances. The Night View Assist is designed to highlight children and animals that may suddenly jump out in front of you in the dark. However, as you can see in the video, the infrared technology works well enough to guide the MotorTrend editor safely down the treacherous pass.

[Source: MotorTrend via Youtube]

Are you a lucky owner of an epic Nissan GT-R but think that 485 stock horsepower is just not enough? If so, you could contact Ohio-based tuner Switzer Performance who might just have the cure for you.

In response to a customer request, Switzer was able to generate an astounding, Bugatti Veyron-baiting 850 hp and 820 lb-ft of torque out of the GT-R’s twin-turbo V6 using high-octane race fuel. This all for a car that can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and reach 193 mph, straight out of the factory!

Watch the Nissan rev up on the ...

America’s favorite truck, the F-150, now has a mean brother: the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. And no, this is not some badge-engineered marketing exercise on the part of Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. The Raptor is a serious off-roader certified for road use.

Powered by Ford’s venerable workhorse, the 310 hp, 5.4L V8, the Raptor rides on 35-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires wrapped around menacing black wheels. Ford has struck a partnership with California-based Fox Racing Shox, which manufactures dampers for motocross bikes, off-road racing vehicles and military vehicles. Fox supplied the specially-designed shock system for the Raptor ...

If you can get past its $405,000 price tag, which is a bit absurd, this unique car is truly something to behold. The Veritas RS3 is handmade in Germany using Kevlar and carbon fiber body parts and is powered by a 473 hp version of the BMW M3’s V8 (it can also be ordered with the M5’s V10). The name is drawn from a 1930s racing team that raced BMW-based cars.

The RS3 has no ABS, traction control, or even wind screen. The tradeoff, however, is a weight of just over 2200 lb, which only means the ...

Behold the truest expression of the 911 formula: the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. A hardcore interpretation of the already hard 911 GT3, the new RS is designed for those who want the most bare-knuckle 911 experience possible short of owning a race-prepared car. Mind you, even the regular GT3 is good enough to go racing in, let alone the RS. The RS, in fact, will in fact be the basis for homologating the race version of the 911 GT3.
 
The new car now features a 3.8L flat-six that delivers an astounding 450 hp at a screaming 8500 rpm ...

To pair up with the video of the four-door Aston Martin Rapide that we posted yesterday, we have for you a test drive of its close rival, the Porsche Panamera. This review by Autocar editor Steve Sutcliffe is part of the magazine test of the UK’s Best Driver’s Car, which the Lotus Evora won.

As one journalist recently wrote in one of the car magazines, Porsche really needs to liberate itself from the 911 look. The company can almost never make a bad car, but it seems that of late, no matter how good the car is, people ...

We are getting closer to a world debut of a unique Aston Martin, the four-door Rapide. If it looks like a stretched DB9, that is because it is. The Rapide features a DB9 engine and gearbox and a differential from the DBS, which means it will have a power output of 470 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.

In this video, Simon Barnes, Aston Martin project manager, goes into quite some detail about the car as he tests its air conditioning system in the oppressive, 120 F heat of the Kuwaiti desert.

Contrast this car's shape to that of ...

Porsche has built some terrifyingly fast and dominant race cars in its illustrious history. One such car was the Porsche 962, a car based on the Porsche 956 racer designed to comply with IMSA’s GTP regulations. The 956 was deemed illegal because the driver’s feet were ahead of the front axle and it featured twin turbochargers. Therefore, Porsche dutifully extended its wheelbase, replaced the 956’s twin-turbo system with a single Kühnle, Kopp und Kausch unit, and the 962 was born. This iconic race car terrorized the opposition for many years, racking up win after win. As ...

It doesn't matter if you don't understand Finnish because you will understand the ecstasy that is rally driving. This is the onboard footage of the last stage of the WRC's Rally Finland 2009, which the driver in this video, Mikko Hirvonen won in his Ford Focus RS. That win has put Hirvonen in the number one position in the WRC points standings, three points ahead of 5-time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb.

Everyone knows that Finland produces some of the world's finest racing drivers, especially, of course rally drivers. It's all because they grow up learning ...

We just brought you the news of Bruno Senna, nephew of the great Ayrton Senna, potentially racing in F1 next year. Funny thing is, yesterday, as I contemplated buying a Nissan GT-R, I came across this fantastic video of Bruno Senna comparing the gifted Japanese supercar to its main rival, the 911 Turbo. I just had to post it for all of you to enjoy in case you have not yet come across it.

Besides enjoying watching Bruno's considerable skill behind the wheel, I was very interested in his commentary and expectations of the GT-R versus what he calls ...

One of my friends recently traded in his Honda Civic for a Mazda Mazdaspeed 3, a car known widely as one of the most fun, affordable hot hatches on the market. A few weeks ago, we brought you a post on the new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart, a new, Euro body style for the Lancer here in the US.

In this video, Edmunds editors pit the Lancer against the Subaru WRX and the Mazda Mazdaspeed 3. Can you guess which one comes out on top as the driver's pick before watching the video? All we can say is, good ...

As Nissan and GM have a go at each other over whose yet-to-be-sold electric vehicles will be more efficient, Honda is throwing its weight behind Hydrogen fuel cells as the alternative technology of the future.

“Fuel-cell cars will become necessary,” said Takashi Moriya, head of Honda’s group developing the technology. “We’re positioning it as the ultimate zero-emission car.”

Honda, the first company to introduce hybrids to the US market with the original Insight, is also the first company to put fuel cell cars on the market here. 200 Honda Clarity FCX, built at a dedicated plant in Tochigi ...

A month before officially unveiling the new 'baby Rolls", the Ghost, at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Rolls Royce has released a promotional portable moving picture showing said motorcar in motion. Although the commentary emanates from the Ghost's Product Manager, Dan Balmer, we believe his assertions on the Ghost's brisk acceleration.

060 mph in 4.7 seconds, 575 lb-ft of torque and 563 hp thanks to a new BMW V12 engine are not exactly figures to excite the green crowd, but then again, Rolls Royces have never been about conforming to the commoners' way of life. I do declare ...

A couple of weeks ago, British magazine Autocar posted a mystery video showing a Corvette ZR-1 chasing an obviously fast car. Autocar editors wanted to know whether car fans could guess what car the Vette was following.

Now you can see for yourself: the ZR-1 tries to keep up with the latest, greatest, last iteration of the Lamborghini Murciélago, the LP 670-4 SV. Two completely different cars, fairly evenly matched. Enjoy the little game between a true supercar and one of the best bang-for-the-buck cars on earth.

[Source: Autocar]

While you have to have a discerning eye to tell the difference, this is the face-lifted, 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo Cabriolet. The exterior tweaks are only part of the story. With rivals Ferrari, Lamborghini and most interestingly, Nissan of late snapping at its reign atop the world of sensible supercars, the Stuttgart maker has given a  boost to the venerable Turbo's firepower. The former 3.6L engine has given way to a direct-injected 3.8L unit borrowed from from the Carrera S.

Revised twin-turbochargers, an upgraded intercooler and a new fuel system combine to add 20 hp ...

In what has quickly become an infamous clip among car fans, TopGear ended its 13th season on an unusual, ominous and pessimistic note. As you will see, Jeremy Clarkson mourns what he think is the end of the road for old-school performance cars.

In the strongly-worded blog post I originally wrote for the Columbia Business School website, A Requiem for the Supercar, I defended the importance of supercars and made the case that losing them would be detrimental to the auto industry. It is tough to be, as I am, a huge gear head while believing that humans are indeed ...

You all know about Felipe Massa's horrible freak accident during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite a fractured skull, a concussion and an injured eye, Massa is thankfully out of the ICU now and on the path to recovery.

In this video, you will see the poly-lingual F1 drivers expressing genuine get-well wishes to Felipe. It is a refreshing view of the brutally competitive, intense world of F1 that has been through more than its fair share of intrigue, political battles and bad news this year.

We too wish Massa all the best. As excited as we are ...

The Mercedes-McLaren SLR Stirling Moss edition is the last iteration of the exotic joint venture between the German giant and the racing powerhouse. After this, McLaren will build its own cars independently while Mercedes-Benz will imminently unveil its new supercar, the SLS Gullwing.

In the meantime, you can enjoy watching the Stirling Moss edition being driven around a test track by Mercedes-Benz DTM driver Bruno Spengler. Needless to say, this car celebrates the legendary 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Mille Miglia race car in which Stirling Moss set his still-unbroken record (historic video below). Only 75 of these $1.01M, 650 ...

This one is for the NASCAR fans among our readers. Armor All has sponsored a  behind-the-scenes series that take you inside the life of NASCAR driver/team owner Tony Stewart.

Stewart currently drives the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice/Burger King Chevrolet Impala SS for his own team, Stewart Haas Racing.

The embedded video here is set to run through the current videos automatically, allowing you to get behind the wheel with Tony, tour his property, check out his cars, and get to know the real man.

New videos will be added on a regular basis so be sure to ...

Last week, we brought you this amazing, high-definition video of rally star Marcus Gronholm's Pikes Peak attempt. That video was shot like a film, a work of art celebrating the mountain, speed and driving.

In stark contrast to the Gronholm video, we bring you this raw and visceral coverage of Rhys Millen's record-smashing run driving a modified Hyundai Genesis Coupe. So sit back and go along for this hairy ride.

[Source: InsideLineVideo]

You might already know that Ford attempt to set a new record at Pikes Peak ended with driver Andrea Eriksson crashing his car during practice (the videos are included below). But now you can watch former WRC champion Marcus Gronholm complete the climb aboard a mad, 800 hp version of the very car we reviewed a few months ago.

Make sure to watch the video in its full high-definition splendor here - Thanks to Yaroukh for the link!

By the way, if the above video reminds you of something, you might be thinking of the unequalled original Pike Peak film Climb ...

Am I teasing you? I suppose the answer is yes, because you cannot buy this best-of-breed Audi TT RS in the US. Perhaps that will change in the future if you lobby Audi USA hard enough, but in the meantime, watch this video of host Jason Plato driving the TT RS through four European countries in a timed sprint copied straight from TopGear. Plato states that the TT RS is better than a Porsche Cayman - huge praise indeed!

Engine: 2.5L turbocharged inline-5
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Horsepower: 340 hp
Torque: 332 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
Price: equivalent to ...

To recover from my last depressing post, here is an antidote for myself and a peace-offering of sorts to you for bringing you the sad news. Automobile Magazine was given a ride around the hills of Modena in the Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider 16M and the newly updated 599 GTB HGTE. The video is shot poorly, but who cares! Just listen to those wailing engines and you will see why I hate even the mention of three-cylinders!

We brought you an amazing video of the 16M previously, so let us focus on the latter car in this post. The initials ...

This is the new VW Golf flagship, the R20, lapping the famed German race track. The R20 will replace the R32 and will have 260 to 270-hp from a turbocharged four-cylinder, as opposed to the R32's 350-hp VR6.

As you can see, gone is the Audi-like gaping front grill in favor of a two-piece front that emphasizes width. All in all, the new Golf's exterior does not look like a revolutionary departure from the current model's look, which is to be expected for a bread-and-butter model.

[Source: InsideLineVideo]

My previous post on the all-new Jaguar XJ sparked spirited debate between me and my friends on whether the new car was good-looking or not. Opinion seems to be divided around the world, which Jaguar probably likes as much as BMW did the conversations when it released the first Bangle-butt car, the 2002 7-Series. You see, the XJ is now a design talking point, free publicity that Jaguar does not have to subsidize.

To follow up on the last post, here is a better video edited by the guys over at worldcarfans.com, with great shots of the interior as ...

Those of you who would like to experience what it is like when Detroit makes a genuine world-class car should take a look at the Cadillac CTS-V. The 556-hp CTS-V is taking the fight to rivals like the 500-hp BMW M5 and Jaguar's superb new 510-hp XFR.

Do not forget that this Cadillac has already passed the hardest of all tests: the CTS-V can boast about being the fastest V8 production sedan in the world, holding the category lap record around the Nürburgring.

In these videos, you will see how the CTS-V stacks up against its competition from ...

The announcement just came in from Ed Peper, US VP for Chevrolet. The site, called ChevroletVoltage, is 'a place for you to share your thoughts and opinions on the electrification of the automobile', according to Peper. He continues:

'The vision for this site is twofold: to inform and engage concerned individuals about the movement toward alternative transportation energy sources and to provide a behind-the-scenes view of how one manufacturer, Chevrolet, is working to bring its advanced extended range electric vehicle to life.'

If you are interested in the Chevy Volt or are curious about the topic of automotive electrification, log ...

What, ANOTHER review of the last Murciélago? We featured the TopGear video of the 670 hp monster last week. However, I am so saddened by the imminent retirement of this beast that I am scouring the intertubes for any video of it I can get my eyeballs on.

In case you do not know, the engine in the Murciélago is related to the very first V12 Lambo used in the iconic Miura back in the 60's, but it is almost certain that with the departure of the Murciélago, this historic engine block will die too, to ...

OK, so admittedly, this is not the most technical of tests. The British TV show Fifth Gear sets out to figure out whether the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a clear choice over the now-aging BMW 5-Series.

The new Mercedes is packed with technologies such as a driver alert system and a hood that pops up in a pedestrian crash in order to reduce injury. In fact, Mercedes-Benz calls the E-Class the most advanced car they have built.

A new BMW 5-Series is not that far off. For now though, this is how two comparable models of the two cars stack ...

Drift racer Rhys Millen, nephew of famed racing driver Steve Millen, has modified the Hyundai Genesis Coupe with parts from his eponymous tuning company. Millen is well-connected to Hyundai, having served as the driver in the Genesis Coupe launch commercials as well as the Red Bull Drift Team's Hyundai Drift Genesis.

It is hard to decide whether all the modifications to the Millen Hyundai are worth the additional cost, considering the fact that raw performance is hardly improved. However, as Edmunds reports, this tuned Hyundai does change the base Genesis's driving characteristics to a perceptible degree.

[Source: Edmunds ...

You will recall the pictures of the outlandish GTbyCitroën supercar that we brought you several weeks ago. Since then, Citroën has announced that it will build a limited number of the car. Since the company does not have any supercar-worthy engines in its arsenal, it will have to borrow one from someone else, and the rumor mill suggests the engine will be an American V8.

In this video, you will hear the engine at near-idle speeds. It does indeed sound like an old-school American V8 and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. If ...

You are doubtless among the literally millions of people who have watched Ken Block's ungodly gymkhana videos (click here and here for a refresher).

Thanks to naughty car fans, we bring you this clip from a recent TopGear video in which James May, aka, Captain Slow, jumps into Block's passenger seat. Words are not enough, so we'll let you watch now.

[Source: YouTube]

If you read car magazines and blogs regularly, you will know that Nissan and Porsche are locked in a bitter feud over whose flagship sports car is faster around the Nürburgring: the Nissan GTR or the Porsche 911 GT2? Porsche unbelievably accuses Nissan of making times up, but Nissan keeps going back with an updated GTR to set new times. So far, the fastest GT-R time is 7:26:70, while the fastest GT2 time is 7:32.02 set by none other than rally legend Walter Röhrl.

Here is the latest GTR video in the hands of ...

Those of you interested in good bang-for-the-buck sporty sedans should like this one. In this technical, no-BS video, Edmunds pitches the Ford Taurus SHO against the Infiniti G37 sedan. As you will see, the two cars are pretty evenly matched, but we will let you discover which one consistently beats the other one in every category despite being cheaper.

Infiniti G37:
Engine: 3.7L V6
Horsepower: 328 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque: 269 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
Price: starting at $33,250

Ford Taurus SHO:
Engine: 3.5L V6 Ecoboost
Horsepower: 365 hp@ 5550 ...

British magazine Autocar has heroically set out to determine whether the Corvette ZR-1 can beat its German rival the Porsche GT2 in a drag race. The Porsche has that characteristic traction advantage derived from its rear-engine placement, which means the engine weight literally pushes the tires into the asphalt. However, the ZR-1 has a much larger engine and more than 100 lb-ft of extra torque on its side. The results, well, speak for themselves.

[Source: Autocar via YouTube]

A few weeks ago, we showed you renderings of the hotly-anticipated Jaguar XJ. Today, Jaguar launched the car in London amidst much fanfare and we can now say that the renderings were pretty dead on.

As is immediately visible, the new XJ resembles a combination of its siblings the XF and the XK up front, but it is at the rear that things get, well, strange. I personally cannot stop thinking about the Lancia Thesis when I see the rear lights and find the overall design to be a little incongruous, but I will reserve final judgement until I have ...

It has been a long time coming, but Lotus has finally brought a brilliant new car to the market. The famed English company, known for making some of the best-handling cars in the world, relied too heavily on its Elise and Elise-derived Exige models over the last 15 years. Those cars have been extremely popular with hard-core drivers but were never the most comfortable and practical rides around.

Enter the Lotus Evora, a Toyota Camry engine-powered 2+2 machine that in my opinion will propel Lotus to new heights in this market....unless the $85,000 price tag turns people ...

The Ferrari Scuderia is already in the history books as one of the most savage, capable cars of all time. Recently, Ferrari chopped off its roof to create the Scuderia Spider 16M - the 16 being a nod to Ferrari's amazing 16 Formula 1 constructor's championships.

As you know, the Goodwood Festival of Speed was held last weekend and in this video of the event, you see the Spider 16M complete the famous hillclimb in under one minute - an astonishing feat! While no one knows who the driver was, we would be willing to bet it was none other ...

We all know that of late, Mercedes-Benz has been very good at creating obscenely powerful engines that outdo its own....obscenely powerful engines. However, more power and torque do not always translate to superior performance.

Every once in a while, Mercedes seems to get it right, as is the case with the C63 AMG. However, as Jeremy Clarkson finds out in this review of the ultra-rare Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series, the Stuttgart giant has a long way to go to learn about finesse when it comes to ueber-performance cars. However, if you still want one, you will be ...

A good automotive brain teaser for you to start your Fourth of July weekend: can you guess what this car is? We don't yet know either but have been googling car interiors to figure it out. Share your guesses with us below.

[Source: Autocar via Youtube]

This headline should read 'video of Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV makes grown man weep from envy.' The grown man would be, well, me. And the video would be by none other than those damn lucky Brits at the BBC.

I serve at your pleasure, so far be it from me not to shamelessly share with you another pirated clip of TopGear that had my heart racing earlier today. Watch Hammond wring out the last in line of the glorious Murciélago line that will be replaced by what is surely to be a capable, modern but less outrageous ...

On the latest installment of every car fan's favorite show, TopGear, Hammond and the Stig finally enacted what may be the greatest production car drag race of all time: the iconic McLaren F1 and the Bugatti Veyron. Yes, the long-standing fastest car in the world against the car that dethroned it.

Warning: do not watch if you have a heart condition as your pulse is bound to shoot up!

[Source: YouTube]

To close the week out, we have a behind-the-scenes walkaround of BMW Group's Southern Calfornia design studio, Designworks. While the studio is famously responsible for the first X5 SAV, it is a full-service agency that serves non-automotive clients. Designworks president Verena Kloos introduces you to a few such examples.

You can see more of the tour here.

[Source: BMW and motorauthority]

This is a simple, crude but intoxicating video of the most extreme Pagani Zonda, the Zonda R, being driven on the public streets outside the factory.

The main figures:
Engine:            6.0L V12 (Mercedes-Benz AMG)
Horsepower:    750 at 8,000 rpm
Torque:           524 lb-ft of torque
0-60:               3.2 seconds
Top speed:      248.54 mph

[Source: Evo via YouTube]

This is the first video of the highly-anticipated Chevrolet Volt in motion. An animated and visibly excited Andrew Farah, the Volt vehicle Chief Engineer talks about the chronology of Volt prototypes leading to this pre-production vehicle. He also talks about the next steps necessary to bring the Volt to the market.

As you will hear in the video, the car is so far ahead of schedule, one bit of good news for the heavily battered Detroit giant.

[Source: GM Fast Lane]

English magazine Autocar has put one of its editors behind the wheel of a Porsche Panamera Turbo. Driving around on the smooth roads of southern Germany, the Panamera does what a Porsche should do: impress.

For more information on the Panamera, visit our last post on the four-door Porsche.

[Source: Autocar via YouTube]

WATCH BEFORE THE BBC REMOVES THESE FROM YOUTUBE!

A few of you ardent fans know that TopGear inspired me to start rightpedal. You only need to watch this video of the super rare Ferrari FXX, an experimental testbed of Ferrari's technology pushed to extremes, smashing the TopGear lap record.

That's not all. The famous incognito test driver, The Stig, is finally revealed tonight....or is he? Watch the next two videos, which along with the above, are from Season 13 of TopGear.

By the way, here are the astounding numbers on the FXX you need to know about ...

Put this in the 'oldie but goodie' category on this relatively slow car news day. If you have not yet clicked on the video above (unlikely), which car do you think would win a drag race between a Corvette ZR-1, a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, a Porsche GT2 and a Nissan GT-R? That is quite a list, the best of the US, Italy, Germany and Japan going at it.

Too bad all we see is a drag race because around a track, the outcome would be quite different.

[Source: MotorTrend via YouTube]

Yes, another car we will not get here in the US: the Audi A5 Sportback. Audi showed off the concept at the Detroit Auto Show this year and has now released this teaser picture of the car's rear corner. Thanks Audi, show us just your shoulder and then tell us we can't have it!

Regardless, watch this neat little video of Head of Audi Group Design, Wolfgang Egger sketching the Sportback and describing the design language.

[Source: Audi]

These are the latest official teaser and spy pictures of the BMW X1, accompanied by a video of a prototype undergoing testing in Mallorca, Spain. This new, all-wheel-drive crossover vehicle, to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, is based on the 1-Series platform and is designed to fit in below the BMW X3. The X1 is similar in size to the X3 but rides significantly lower. The next generation X3 will, in turn, grow larger in order to leave a bigger gap between itself and the X1

In Europe, the X1 will come to the market in ...

The English TV show Fifth Gear has recently driven the V10 version of the Audi R8, the 5.2 FSI. You know that the V8 version has already been hailed as one of the best cars of all time; the 525hp 5.2L V10 engine that is very similar to the one found in the Lamborghini Gallardo just moves the game further along in the 5.2 FSI.

The big question will be: is another 105hp enough to justify the significant price increase? We don't know what the price for the 5.2 will be, but expext something around ...

Mercedes-Benz the brand has always been synonymous with safety. The company is in fact responsible for many safety breakthroughs including front and rear crumple zones, anti-lock braking (ABS) and traction control. Within this context, the S400 Hybrid called the Experimental Safety Vehicle (ESF in German), a rolling demonstrator of the company's safety technology, is right at home.

The novel technologies being shown in this demo car include the braking bag, a panel that juts out underneath the car in the case of emergency stops and reduces speed through the creation of additional drag. The system also prevents the car ...

It is always a sad day when a beloved car industry figure passes away. Peter Wheeler, a former chemical engineer who owned British sports car maker TVR for 23 years before selling it to the young Russian tycoon Nikolai Smolenski, has left behind a legacy of passionately built, often-flawed but always deeply exciting cars such as the TVR Cerbera, Tuscan and the mad Sagaris.

Read Colin Goodwin's insightful tribute to the man here and watch TopGear's review of the Sagaris to get an idea why TVRs were so special.

[Source: Autocar]

I still clearly remember being shaken to my adolescent core the day my brother gave me a copy of MotorTrend with the Ferrari F40 on the cover. It was then, as it is now, one of the most purely beautiful machines ever built, a raw Ferrari response to the ueber-Porsche 959.

In this video, Autocar compares the F40 to the thoroughly modern and capable Ferrari 430 Scuderia, asking the question: is the Scuderia the rightful heir to the F40 legend? Watch to find out.

[Source: Autocar via YouTube]

You have already seen pictures of the 2011 Tesla Model S sedan here, and in fact, voiced your opinions on whether Tesla will be able to bring this car to the market at the announced price of $49,000 after tax credits.

Regardless, Tesla continues to ramp up the marketing of this new model. In this video, Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen, who has an impressive list of cars to his credit (Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Mazda Kabura concept), talks about the exciting opportinity of designing a car around an electric architecture.

[Source: OnCars via YouTube]

I have not yet had a chance to drive the Jaguar XFR, but from what I have read, it is supposed to be the 'bee's knees', as they say in its home country. For now, we have to defer to the British magazine Autocar, who recently tested the car on the famed Milbrook test track in the UK to see what this cat is really made of.

I think the results are pretty clear. If Jaguar keeps up this sort of form, its future is much brighter than one would have predicted only two or three years ago.

2010 ...

As promised, here is part 2 of DC Shoes co-founder Ken Block's follow-up to his immensely popular gymkhana obstacle driving video. For part deux, Block drives a 566hp Impreza prepared by Crawford Performance.

The filming is beautiful, and the driving.....well.....leaves us speechless.

[Source: YouTube]

In this final episode of Inside Project M, which followed the story of the Bertone Mantide supercar, you can see how this striking automobile was built - literally. Also, you will, for the first time, see the car in motion. Yes, this is a REAL car, not some auto show mockup.

We have certainly enjoyed getting this rare look into the world of car design, especially one inhabited by the truly talented Jason Castriota. The greatest thing is, he is just warming up.

[Source: InsideProjectM via YouTube]

We are inching toward the end of this supercar chronicle. Hopefully, you have been following the story of the Bertone Mantide, a supercar based on the Corvette ZR-1. If not , you can catch up by watching the previous episodes here.

In this installment, Jason Castriota gives a detailed technical explanation of how Bertone improved the performance of the base donor conor as it was transformed into the Mantide.

[Source: YouTube]

I was just reading a Wired magazine article that argues Detroit's salvation lies in allowing independent talent to contribute to the car development process. Right after finishing the article, I saw a posting on Autoblog about Swedish game designer Lars Martensson's suggestion for what the next Subaru Impreza should look like. Even though it is a 3D rendering, Martensson's creation looks so feasible that it makes you wonder whether Subaru has already building it.

Well, they should. Perhaps delete the rear wing for the road version, but this is a stunning, muscular and modern shape. Do you ...

At the time of posting, this video has been viewed 5,338,556 times. That should be enough of a context, just watch it! Trust me.

The driver in this Gymkhana video is Ken Block, co-founder of DC Shoes.  Due to the overwhelming popularity of this first video, Block is set to introduce a follow-up in a new car on June 1. He has set the bar quite high for himself, so we cannot wait to see part 2.

[Source: Autoblog]

Besides GM teetering closer to bankruptcy, it is a relatively slow car news day. Therefore, we have to resort to serving up an oldie-but-goodie: a TopGear video. Watch Jeremy Clarkson come to terms with the dual nature of the BMW M5, a car whose engine - and this is from personal experience at the BMW M School in South Carolina - makes you weep with joy when it comes on song.

The Jaguar XK-120 is one of the most 'classic' classic cars of all time, and always included on the list of the world's most beautiful cars. The last thing you would expect is for someone to convert one into a hot-rod. But that is exactly what Jason Len of XK's Unlimited has done to a 1951 XK. Taking 3.8L engine from another classic, the Jaguar E-Type, Len has injected 300 hp into his XK's custom-made and lightened body.

Yes, yes, Jay Leno again....he gets all the cool cars to play with. Here he is again ...

Last week, we introduced you to the 2009 Ford Fiesta in part 1 of our two-part review. This week, we bring you my reaction from behind the wheel as I drove Jill Hanner's Fiesta around the streets of Brooklyn and on the BQE freeway. My time with the car on camera was limited, so I will elaborate on what I thought of the car here. For those of you who are watching our reviews for the first time, we have included the rightpedal rating scale below as a reference.

Having read about the Fiesta before I drove it, I ...

This is the first time we have covered the Aptera 2e here in the pages of rightpedal. This is partly because we have not quite known what to think of the three-wheeled lovechild of a small airplane and a motorcycle.

Thanks to Jay Leno, we now have a better idea of the Aptera is all about. In fact, as you will hear in the video, the airplane connection is not so far-fetched: at a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.15. the Aptera is significantly more slippery through the wind than even the most sleek car from a major manufacturer. The ...

Replete with Star Wars-like theme music, Porsche has released a video of its first sedan, the Panamera. Journalists who have already driven the car report that it is a phenomenal car, a step above its supposed rivals like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 7-Series (the Aston Martin Rapide will the closest true competitor, but it is not yet on the market).

The styling continues to be a controversial talking point, but then again, the Cayenne sold well, and it was no Miss Universe. Porsche will offer the three following models in the US:

Panamera Turbo
          o MSRP $ 132,600.00 ...

We present to you the hottest Ford you cannot yet buy: the 2009 Ford Fiesta. If you read car blogs, you will know that Ford is preparing to import this heretofore European model to the US in 2010 as a 2011 car.

In what has justifiably been called a great exercise in social marketing, Ford is preparing our market through the Fiesta Movement program. The idea is simple: lend a Fiesta to 100 leading influential bloggers around the US for six months and ask them to share their experiences with the car.

Our friend Jill Hanner was kind enough to ...

Lest you think Henrik Fisker was kidding when he essentially told us in this interview that he wants to make hybrid cars exciting, take a look at this video to see that the upcoming Fisker Karma’s performance will likely match its exotic looks.

[Source: YouTube]

It’s Monday and we at rightpedal feel obligated to brighten your day with a totally random video.  We love the sight of BMW test engineers putting the high-performance X5 and X6 M through their winter-traction paces, even if summer is nearly upon us. Start planning for your next winter ride early!

[Source: YouTube]

Everyone already knows that Jay Leno is a consummate - and very lucky - car guy, so it is no surprise that GM dropped off a brand new Camaro at Jay's garage to see what he thinks.

Jay has the luxury of driving the world's greatest supercars, so his praise for the Camaro is certainly noteworthy. I think the new Camaro looks just right and cannot wait to drive one, especially after watching Mr. Leno's delicious burnouts!

We are working on getting a Camaro for a rightpedal episode, but if you know anyone who can lend us a V6 ...

Of all the attempts to electrify the world of cars, Better Place, the brainchild of Israeli entrepreneur Shai Agassi, seems to be most complete approach. Better Place's strategy is applying the cell phone and minutes model to the automotive industry. In other words, the car is the commodity, you pay for energy consumed.

Part of the Better Place strategy is to build an infrastructure of “battery stations”, akin to gas stations, where cars can have their batteries swapped out in a matter of minutes. This video shows this very procedure, which can surely be streamlined even more as the ...

You be the judge, but this must be one of the strangest car commercials in recent history, if not ever. My first reaction after watching it was, "huh?" We get, but...dude, stay off the 'shrooms!

[Source: YouTube via Autoblog]

Here is a close look a the newly-launched 2009 BMW Z4 in motion. Unlike the original Z4, this one has a folding hard-top roof and in general, has gone a bit more upmarket.

An interesting note: the exterior and interior were designed by two women who beat out the internal competition at BMW. Perhaps this is a good omen for BMW's marketing team, because the company has stated that it is targeting women with the new model.

We would love to know what you think of the new design, especially our female readers! Please leave your comments below.

In ...

For your daily automotive video fix, we have a closer look at the Corvette ZR-1-based Bertone Mantide. Here, you can see the Chinese ogling over it at the recent Shanghai Auto Show.

If you have not been following this story, click here to see the previous episodes.

[Source: Inside Project M]

We are a few weeks out from the end of the 2009 NY Auto Show, but we saved an in-depth, uninterrupted interview for those of you who think about the state of the US car industry night and day.  We caught up with Todd Lassa, Detroit Editor for MotorTrend, a dear friend to rightpedal, and one of the most respected automotive journalists in the country in order to discuss the state in which Detroit finds itself.

While so many profess to know what Detroit’s problems have been, few have the breadth of insight that Todd brings to the discussion ...

As promised, we are bringing you our full interview with Henrik Fisker at the 2009 NY Auto Show. The discussion is wide-ranging, from a brief overview of Fisker’s previous automotive creations and sexy “”green” cars to why he based Fisker Automotive in the United States.

Click here for our previous posts on Fisker Automotive.

Below are pictures of a few cars he designed before going on to launch his own car company.

BMW E1

BMW Z8

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Alas, all good things must come to an end. In the final portion of our coverage of the 2009 NY Auto Show, we get up close and personal with the Ford Taurus SHO, about which we wrote here, wonder aloud about what the Chevy Volt means to GM, and give you our impressions of the general scene at the show against the backdrop of the current state of the US car industry.

Over the next several days, we plan to bring you full-length versions of a few of the interviews interspersed among our four-part series. So stay tuned!

We are inching closer to the unveiling of Bertone's new supercar, designed under the direction of Jason Castriota. In this episode (see previous segments here), we learn that this one-off supercar is based on the running chassis of a Corvette ZR-1, itself a bargain supercar.

Here's a video of the ZR-1 being put through its paces on the autobahn, appropriately driven by a prototypical German test engineer.

The Bertone interpretation of the ZR-1 wil be revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show today. We can't wait to see it.

[Source: YouTube]

In part 3 our look at the 2009 New York International Auto Show, we took a look at the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the GM Segway (officially called the Segway P.U.M.A.), the Bentley Continental Supersports, and the Nissan 370Z NISMO.

Bentley Continental Supersports
We pretty much said it all in the video: most powerful, fastest and greenest Bentley of all time! Have your stupendous power and be kind to the planet at the same time, courtesy of the engine’s flexibility to run on ethanol.  The Supersports is some 200lb lighter than the regular Conti, in part due ...

In this segment of our coverage, we briefly talk about the new Honda Insight (sorry, we just could not get too much more excited about it), the new generation of iDrive in the new BMW 7 series (dubbed 'Version 4.0', it will make its way across the entire BMW model lineup), and the remarkable story of the Alfa Romeo BAT 11.

This last story needs some more context. Dr. Gary Kaberle of Traverse City, Michigan owned the rare Alfa Romeo BAT9d for over 30 years before selling it in order to finance his late wife Deb’s breast cancer ...

We are excited to bring you part 1 of our coverage of this year's New York Auto Show.

In this segment, we show you a self-braking Volvo (seriously, it works, and it's freakishly good!), talk to Henrik Fisker about his hybrid beauty, the Fisker Karma, and finally set eyes on the long-awaited Chevy Camaro.

We will have more for you throughout this week.

Here is episode 4 in the Inside Project M documentary on Bertone’s one-off supercar being designed under the direction of Jason Castriota. Reminder: the car will be unveiled at the Shnghai Auto Show on April 20.

[Source: YouTube]

Episode 3 of Inside Project M takes us a bit closer to the supercar being designed by Jason Castriota at Stile Bertone. Watch to hear just how outlandish the designers involved are promising the car to be.

[Source: InsideProjectM via YouTube]

This is the second installment in a documentary covering the genesis of a new supercar being designed by Jason Castriota, Design Director at Stile Bertone. Click here to see the first episode.

The staff at rightpedal is growing more and more impatient for the 2009 Formula 1 season to begin, which means we are spending lots of time digging up F1-related videos on YouTube. We are now seven days and five hours from the start of what is certain to be a massively entertaining season. If you thought the new rules which call for, among other things, the return of slick tires, the new rule that the championship will go to the driver with most wins is bound to lead to pretty aggressive driving from the title contenders.

What makes things even ...

How about a little Friday entertainment? This is a video of World Champion F1 driver Lewis Hamilton driving his full-scale McLaren race car using a cell phone as a remote control. It screams of a massive fake viral commercial for McLaren’s main sponsor Vodafone, but it sure is a well-executed stunt. Enjoy!

At rightpedal, we are a big fan of Jason Castriota’s. The young Italian-American born right here in New York state has left an indelible mark on the design world with such unforgettable beauties as the Maserati Birdcage 75 concept car, the one-off Ferrari P4/5, the Maserati Gran Tourismo and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

Castriota, who previously worked at Pininfarina, was recently named the Design Director at Stile Bertone, another legendary Italian design firm responsible for historic cars such as the Lamborghinis Miura and Countach. The video here is part one of a documentary series called Inside Project ...

The above documentary is part of a series of Honda documentaries by director Derek Cianfrance called Dream the Impossible. Let us make it clear that these are long-form commercials Honda has produced in order to reach consumers, but the message in this particular piece is a good one regardless of context. At rightpedal, we have always thought Honda is an interesting company, so we are fine with showcasing a bit of their corporate communication here.

[Source: M80 Services]

The below is a video of the Hennessey-modified Corvette ZR-1 being through its paces at MSR Houston. The onboard video does a good job of capturing of that oh-so-sweet V8 growl. Enjoy!

[Source: Youtube via Autoblog]

Italian director Michele D’Auria has made a beautiful animated short film honoring the founder of Honda, the amazing Soichiro Honda. Go here and click on 'shortfilm' to see the full film.

[Source: Honda Twitter feed]

While you await the arrival of the new flagship of the Audi R8 lineup, the R8 V10, on our shores, enjoy the unabashed throttle-mashing in this video. Car nuts will have a sense of deja-vu, noticing the similarity of the glorious sound to that of the Lamborghini Gallardo. No surprise there, as the R8's V10 also does corporate horsepower duty in the Italian marque's stable as well.

Until the BBC police comes along and removes it, see the below Gallardo video (direct link here) from TopGear to compare engine sounds.

[Source: worldcarfans via YouTube]

Real car nuts love to argue over just about any automotive topic: would you buy an Audi A4 or a BMW 3-Series? What is the best-looking car on the market today? You get the idea. However, some cars demand respect from all. These cars, when mentioned, make a room go momentarily silent out of respect. They are almost religiously good cars.

The Porsche 911 GT3 has always been such a car. It is the precision instrument within the 911 arsenal; not so much brute force as it is finesse. This week, Porsche released details ...

Take a look at a sneak-peak of the commercial Audi has planned for the Superbowl, starring the decidedly typecast but badass Jason Statham. While others backed out of this most-coveted airtime, Audi is stepping in, just like it did at the Detroit Auto Show, to continue nurturing its seemingly unstoppable brand awareness campaign.

[Source: worldcarfans via youtube]

Our Cayman S post sent us digging in YouTube for videos of Porsches we mentioned in that story. Enjoy at your own risk!

I saw the new FIAT 500 in the flesh when it was introduced last year, and I have to say, it was very well-executed. Would you buy one if FIAT started selling them here? Leave your comments below. Our commenting system is easy, no login required.