Mitsubishi XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo concept unveiled [video]

Sadly, its only a concept

Mitsubishi has introduced the Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo.

Following in the footsteps of the XR-PHEV concept, the XR-PHEV Evolution is a high performance model that features a carbon fiber reinforced plastic body and a massive rear wing. The car also has an aggressive front fascia, aerodynamic side skirts and 20-inch aluminum wheels.

Mitsubishi declined to release performance specifications but the car has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is connected to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. It sends power to the ground via an all-wheel drive system that promises to deliver unparalleled handling characteristics.

The Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo is available exclusively in Gran Turismo 6 and can be obtained by either completing a lap in a new Seasonal Event or purchasing it from the "Cars" section of the game.

Nissan 240SX driver foregoes victory to help opponent [video]

A bad hit for a good car

A black hot rod crashed into the wall last weekend during the Street Legal Spectator Drags at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway near Portland, USA.

The driver of a competing white custom Nissan 240SX stopped to check if everything with the other driver is okay, thus actually not winning the race. The guy was highly applauded by the crowd for his nice gesture.

Chrysler 200 Convertible

Posted on 07.27.2013 23:00 by Kirby Garlitos

Times have changed in America, that much we can tell you.

Remember the day when mid-sized convertibles were as trendy as the mullet hairstyle? Those days are long gone, which is why it's a little surprising that automakers are still producing these vehicles.

Consumers still love convertibles, but these days, it has to be of the sporty variety. The 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible is not a sports car, but it does come with the capability of being a convertible. So you can say that the vehicle offers the best of both worlds, right? The sporty performance of a coupe and the open-air freedom of a convertible all wrapped in a midsized vehicle's body.

To be fair, there are a number of positive attributes with the 200 Convertible. It's been completely refreshed to make Chrysler forget about the forsaken Sebring. It also has an impressive powertrain configuration that does justice to its looks.

So there's still hope for the 200 Convertible. But hope is fleeting, especially in the auto industry and ultimately, the midsized convertible is a dying breed.

Chrysler may have something with the 200 Convertible but for the most part, it's going to take a lot of convincing to get people interested in this kind of car these days.

Click past the jump to read about the 2013 Chrysler 200 Convertible

Chrysler 200 Convertible originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 27 July 2013 23:00 EST.

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Kymco New Sento 110i

Posted on 07.28.2013 00:15 by Sulthoni , Serafim

The Kymco new Sento 110i is a basic scooter created for those who want a simple, efficient and practical solution for dealing with the congested city streets. Its retro style combines classic lines with modern accents giving the scooter a pretty interesting flair.

However despite its basic style, the Kymco New Sento 110i offers a decent level of comfort thanks to its long textured seat, the compact handlebar and spacious footrests. You also get a lot of storage compartments, a modern dash and folding passenger footrests.

Other features worthy of being mentioned include, LED turn signals, central LED lights for added visibility and a large 5.5 liters fuel tank.

Power comes from an air-cooled, single cylinder, 4 stroke, 111,7 cc engine which is paired with an automatic CVT transmission.

The 2013 Kymco New Sento 110i is offered with a starting price of $2,995.

Hit the jump for more information on the Kymco New Sento 110i.

Kymco New Sento 110i originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 28 July 2013 00:15 EST.

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Video: Hear the New Lamborghini 5-95 by Zagato

width="460" height="370" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Z89iGjI1d58" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

The virtual ink of our review of Zagato's Lamborghini 5-95 hasn't even dried yet and auto-razzi extraordinaire Marchettino already has a video of the supercar getting the superstar treatment at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. That didn't take long, did it?

It's hard to argue with those people craning their necks to get a good glimpse at the 5-95. The Zagato-built supercar is just that awesome. It has a drastically different design than the Lamborghini Gallardo the car that it was based on.

But the biggest thrill of Marchettino's video was hearing the 5-95 bust out its throaty roar. Sure, it carries the same 5.2-liter, V-10 engine of the Gallardo LP570-4 that produces 570 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. But the sound from its exhaust was not like that of the Gallardo. That's the sound of a true one-off exotic, the kind that only a refined design house like Zagato can build.

Video: Hear the New Lamborghini 5-95 by Zagato originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 28 May 2014 17:00 EST.

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Euro-Spec 2015 Ford Mustang Gets 500 Orders in 30 Seconds

The 2015 Ford Mustang is arguably one of the most anticipated vehicles to go on sale this year, and with the pony reaching Europe on a legal basis for the very first time, Mustang fans living across the Old Continent are more than excited to jump in its brand-new cabin.

They're so anxious to get behind that stallion-badged steering wheel that the first 500 units scheduled to reach European shores have been reserved in just 30 seconds. It all happened during Saturday's UEFA Champions League final, when more than 9,000 people battled online to reserve a pony.

The 500 Mustangs will go to 20 different countries, but only after the owners complete their orders at a Ford dealership later this year. Although the first 500 models are limited to Race Red fastbacks and Magnetic Silver convertibles, customers are allowed to choose between 2.3-liter EcoBoost and the 5.0-liter, V-8 engines. We're no fortune tellers, but we have a feeling most buyers will go for the EcoBoost option.

Each of these vehicles will be equipped with SYNC 2 connectivity and navigation, Park Assist, heated and ventilated seats, black leather trim, and 19-inch alloy wheels, all part of a special package offered on the preliminary batch.

Unlike the U.S. version, the Euro-spec 2015 Mustang will get a stiffer suspension, specifically tuned for European roads. Also, the pony won't feature the entry-level 3.7-liter, V-6 engine, which will remain as a base offering only in the United States.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Ford Mustang.

Euro-Spec 2015 Ford Mustang Gets 500 Orders in 30 Seconds originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 28 May 2014 18:00 EST.

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FERRARI CAR MODELS

2014 Yorkville Exotic Car Show Toronto

The Yorkville Exotic Car Show Official show car is now out and about in the city of Toronto! With Father's day (June 15th) less than 3 weeks away remember to Save the Date!

You can now text "Prostate" to 41010 to donate $5 to Prostate Cancer Canada. Standard text messaging rates will apply. Donors will see the $5 charge on their next mobile phone bill.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST Photo 1002

http://carszz.com/10-sport-cars-2014-review.html/2014-ford-fiesta-st-european-model. 2014 Ford Fiesta ST Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap

The post 2014 Ford Fiesta ST Photo 1002 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST Photo 1003

http://greatcars2014.com/2014-ford-fiesta-st-review/. 2014 Ford Fiesta ST Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap

The post 2014 Ford Fiesta ST Photo 1003 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.

Alfa Romeo 4C Photo 1005

http://bonjourlife.com/2013-alfa-romeo-4c/. Alfa Romeo 4C Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap

The post Alfa Romeo 4C Photo 1005 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.

Maserati Kuba SUV Photo 1001

http://www.carthrottle.com/maserati-kuba-suv-design-study/. Maserati Kuba SUV Specification Launched Price Deals Cheap

The post Maserati Kuba SUV Photo 1001 appeared first on Cars Review and Auto Pictures.

2004 Ford Fiesta JWRC Wide Arched Bodykit

Ford announces £14,499 starting price for the 2015 Mustang

Ford's base price for its new 300hp 3.7-litre V6 Mustang will include the destination and delivery charges. Two other engines will also be available; a turbocharged 2.3-litre 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which delivers 305 horse power as well as 407Nm of torque. The final will be the Mustang GT, which has a 5.0-litre V8 engine with...

Squeaky Clean: Pär Edqvist’s Modified 1997 Mitsubishi 3000 GT Twin Turbo

Sweden is known for its vast under-populated and idyllic landscapes; it is clean, peaceful and incredibly environmental. Together with the high standard of living and the beautiful women, these are all very good reasons to live in Sweden. However if you are a modified car enthusiast then the outlook is not so rosy. You can...

Let’s roll: SR Auto couldn’t wait to get some PUR wheels and a lowering kit on the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

If you want a large car with all the trimmings and a585-hp 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 to boot then the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG should definitely be on your radar. SR Autos can take this dream one step further with some killer21-inch PUR 1NE alloys finished in Lumiere Grey. The tuner has also added a lowering system...

Alonso not considering Ferrari exit - spokesman

Fernando Alonso (ESP), 22.05.2014, Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo / XPB

Fernando Alonso will be "involved in future projects" at Ferrari.

That is the claim of a Ferrari spokesman, amid swirling rumours in the Monaco paddock that the Spaniard's patience with the Maranello team is finally at an end.

Alonso hinted strongly at his unhappiness on Wednesday, when he welcomed the praise of Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and said it was "curious" those closer to him do not make similar declarations.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo reacted swiftly, describing the 32-year-old as "the best driver in the world" and denying the existence of a "polemical situation".

Nonetheless, there are those who continue to doubt that Alonso will still be wearing red in 2015.

Some think he could move to Mercedes or return to McLaren, and the latter British team's supremo Ron Dennis on Thursday reportedly said the door to Woking remains open, so long as the team can build a fully competitive car.

"With the 2015 Honda car we hope to have just that," Dennis told the Italian press.

But a Ferrari spokesman told Spain's sports newspaper Marca that Alonso remains committed.

"He is commited to being involved in future projects, rebuilding the team to a winning one. He (Alonso) is not someone who is thinking about leaving," he said.

Many believe that Alonso would be appeased if Ferrari is successful in luring Adrian Newey from Red Bull.

Red Bull has tried to stop those rumours, issuing a statement quoting Newey as committing to the reigning world champions for "the foreseeable future".

And new Ferrari team boss Marco Mattiacci issued a simple "no" on Thursday when asked if he has invited Newey to Maranello.

"We are working a lot with (technical director James) Allison, someone extremely competent who has a future at Ferrari," Mattiacci told Italian television Sky in Monaco.

He also hailed Alonso's contribution.

"Fernando Alonso is a great champion and I am absolutely delighted to have him on our team," said Mattiacci.

"I like people who are fighters and are always pushing for better," he added.

Third generation Skoda Fabia spied near the Nurburgring

2015 Skoda Fabia spy photo / Automedia

Debuts at Paris Motor Show

The third generation of the Skoda Fabia supermini has been caught on camera once again, this time on the public roads near the Nürburgring circuit in Germany.

The outgoing Fabia has aged quite well but time has arrived for a new generation to replace the seven-year-old model. Spotted here is the hatchback but the Czech marque has already confirmed plans for a wagon version and they are also considering bringing back the sedan body style which was available for the first-gen model but frankly it looked quite awkward.

It won't ride on Volkswagen's MQB platform due to development costs while the design will closely echo the Rapid small sedan. Engine lineup will be largely taken over from the facelifted Polo but the RS version has been axed due to slow sales.

The 2015 Skoda Fabia will be introduced in October at the Paris Motor Show and will go on sale shortly thereafter.

FISKER CAR MODELS

GEMBALLA CAR MODELS

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

The wait if finally over, ladies and gentlemen! Dodge has unleashed its most powerful Challenger ever - the Hellcat. Rumored since early last year and initially expected to show up at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, the monstrous muscle car raised from the dark pits of Hell with a huge, supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 mill under the hood and an appearance that will make the Shelby GT500 tremble in fear.

Needless to say, the Challenger Hellcat is the first product of the newly consolidated Dodge and SRT brands, a range-topping model that will sit above the already beefed-up 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker that we've seen during the New York Auto Show last month.

"The new 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is the ultimate performance muscle car," said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge president and CEO, naming it "a true GT car with an all-new driver-focused interior." The beastly coupe will be built at Chrysler's Brampton Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada, but production won't begin until the third quarter of 2014.

If you're as excited as we are, waiting that much to see and drive the most powerful Challenger ever made will be painful to say the least. However, that gives us more than enough time to go through all the details and find out what the Hellcat is made of. Aside from the supercharged, V-8 HEMI we're already drooling over...

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 20 May 2014 16:30 EST.

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Lexus IS 350 F Sport & a NASCAR Roadtrip

There are few things in this country more American than a NASCAR race. Sure, apple pie and baseball might outrank it, but neither of those can compete with stock cars thundering around a track at 200 mph while continually riding on the brink of catastrophe as they race just inches away from a concrete wall and other drivers gunning to win. So when the opportunity arose to become deeply immersed in the culture during the recent All-Star race, I jumped at the chance.

It all started a few months ago with an email invite from Toyota. It read something along the lines of, "how about joining us at the NASCAR All-Star race and tours of the Joe Gibbs Racing Center and NASCAR Hall of Fame?" My reply went something like, "Heck yeah, I'll be there!"

I decided to skip the crowded airports for a 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport and a seven-hour drive through the heart of the eastern seaboard. I viewed this almost like a pilgrimage; setting out on a roadtrip for a destination of racing importance located in the rolling hills of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Once on the road, my choice of chariot was immediately affirmed. Unlike my last Lexus experience, the front seat was perfectly molded, padded, and bolstered. The more I drove, the more the car seemed to shrink around me, making tight maneuvering a thing of ease. The stout 3.5-liter V-6 offered plenty of grunt while the tight steering and sport-tuned suspension made each corner a memorable event.

Click past the jump for the full review of the 2014 Lexus IS350 F Sport and about my time spent at Joe Gibbs Racing Center

Lexus IS 350 F Sport & a NASCAR Roadtrip originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 20 May 2014 17:00 EST.

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GMC CAR MODELS | Car picturesShow |

KOENIGSEGG CAR MODELS

KTM CAR MODELS

ACURA RSX-A Spec Concept pictures

ACURA RDX Concept pictures

2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid Crew Cab car pictures show

Koenigsegg CCX or Ferrari Enzo – Watch who wins in this video

At a recent Vmax event a Koenigsegg CCX was raced against Ferrari Enzo in a 200mph+ drag race. See who won in this video:

SUV by Rolls-Royce coming in 2017

Rolls-Royce's SUV project is reportedly underway and the finished article is anticipated in 2017. The SUV, which is described as a rival for a Mercedes GLK but with many more extras and will arrive on the market soon after the new Bentley SUV. Rolls-Royce's SUV is expected to have a new architecture made of steel,...

BMW Vision Gran Turismo revealed for GT6 [videos]

Envisioned by BMW Group Design

BMW has virtually unveiled the Vision Gran Turismo created exclusively for the Play Station 3-only Gran Turismo 6 video game.

It was developed by the BMW Group Design team who obviously got its inspiration from the real track-only M235i Racing but with a few modifications such as the front and rear spoilers reshaped to provide an optimal level of downforce. The virtual racer also boasts carbon fiber air conduction elements which not only reduce drag but also help lower the car's weight to only 1,180 kg (2,601 lbs) distributed in an even 50:50 front/rear ratio.

Its beating heart is an inline-six 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo engine outputting 549 PS (404 kW) between 6,200 rpm and 7,300 rpm and a peak torque of 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) achieved at just 1,900 rpm. Output is transferred to the rear axle through a six-speed sequential gearbox featuring steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Some elements of the bodywork could find their way in the BMW M2 rumored to come out late next year.

Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S Cabriolet modified by Cam Shaft and PP-Performance

Porsche 997 Cabriolet by Cam Shaft & PP-Performance

Power bumped to

Cam Shaft and PP-Performance have teamed up to customize a previous generation Porsche 911 Cabriolet (997).

Cam Shaft was in charge of covering the convertible's body with a sapphirine foil wrap with shiny gold accents. The next step was to remove stock wheels and replace them with gold-colored 20-inch OZ Ultraleggera wrapped around in 235/25 ZR20 front and 305/20 ZR20 rear tires. This particular 997 Cabrio was also fitted with a Bilstein B16 adjustable kit, a 911 GT3-sourced front apron while the side skirts are the work of TechArt.

PP-Performance handled the power upgrade by increasing output of the six-cylinder 3.8-liter from 355 PS (261 kW) to 380 PS (279 kW) courtesy of a stage 2 kit bringing various tweaks to the exhaust system.

In terms of pricing, the body wrap costs 2,100 EUR but without the stripes on the hood and sides which are an extra 780 EUR. For an additional 720 EUR the client can also have the visible door edges and side sills painted in any desired color.

BMW & Lexus working on a new LFA - report

2010 Lexus LFA

Could borrow technology from the BMW i8

According to reports out of Japan, BMW and Lexus are working on a new LFA.

Reportedly separate from the previously announced BMW-Toyota sports car, the next-generation LFA is rumored to be a plug-in hybrid that borrows technology from the BMW i8. That's not much to go on but the model is slated to feature a powerful petrol engine and an electric motor.

There's no word on specifications but the car is rumored to be more powerful the previous LFA which featured a 4.8-liter V10 engine that developed 560 PS (412 kW) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. It enabled the coupe to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

There's no word on when the LFA will be launched but we're taking everything with a grain of salt as the BMW-Toyota rumor mill has been working overtime ever since the partnership was announced.

Cartoon review: What it's like to own a Tesla Model S?

What it is like to own a Tesla Model S drawing

Biggest complaint - the name

If you ask any competent auto site, blog, newspaper or magazine what the Tesla Model S is, you will probably be told this is an all-electric high-performance luxury sedan from the USA.

But if you ask The Oatmeal, you will be told “it is not a hybrid – you don’t put gasoline in this thing” and “the only liquid that occasionally needs to be topped off is the windshield wiper fluid”.

Matthew Inman, the man behind the entertaining site, recently presented a series of hilarious drawings, which reviews a 7-month-long life with a Tesla Model S with 4,000 miles (6340 km) clocked.

Audi RS7 Dynamic Edition 2015

The Audi exclusive RS 7 dynamic edition made its debut at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 and will begin arriving at dealerships in early summer. Highlights include such elements as Crimson Red safety belts and stitching throughout the interior. Tornado Red brake calipers, Carbon fiber elements, DRC suspension and sport exhaust. MSRP including destination and delivery is $146,045.

Citroen DS 5LS R Concept 2014

Citroen unveiled the DS 5LS R - a luxury concept car based on the DS 5LS at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show. The 2014 Citroen DS 5LS R Concept is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine which delivers 300 hp of max power and 400 Nm of max torque.

2010 GMC Terrain car pictures download

KTM X-Bow Race pictures

KTM X-Bow car pictures (1)

KTM X-Bow car pictures (2)

MASERATI CAR MODELS

The Next Audi S3 creates great competition to BMW M135i

BMW's latest M135i hatchback is about to get some hot competition with the upcoming release of the Audi S3.

Audi's newest edition to the S models is reported to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 5-cylinder engine, and is rumored to produce 276-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. This will the replacement for the last S3's ten-year old 'EA113' motor, and will be the first model to be powered by the updated 'EA888' engine. It will feature a freshly engineered turbo, Audi Valve Lift system to improve low-end response, and an estimated improvement of 15 hp and 22 lb-ft of torque.

In addition to the added power, the S3 will get larger by 22mm in length, 201 mm in width and 21mm in height. Still, the car will weigh roughly 176 lbs. less than its predecessor's weight with the use of aluminum for select parts.

Reports suggest that the 2.0l-liter five-cylinder will be mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, with a seven-speed transmission dubbed DQ500 as an option.

Audi is anticipating a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds, which shaves 0.2 seconds off the previous generation's time. Top speeds will be governed at 155mph.

More Pictures of The Next Audi S3 creates great competition to BMW M135i

The New 2013 Honda Accord Sedan

While many think the Honda Accord has lost its way since the 1990s, the car continues to sell very well, finding a sweet spot of style, performance, and function for many drivers. The 2013 model looks to update the car with a fresher, more dramatic take on the Accord's proportions and theme.

Previewed by the Accord Coupe Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, the new car looks rather similar to the current Accord, but at the same time, blends its elements more harmoniously, presenting a more refined, modern look.

The spy shots show a car that's still heavily clad in camouflage, however, keeping the changes from the Accord Coupe Concept to the production sedan from our view. Given Honda's affinity for showing barely-disguised production models as concepts, however, we have every reason to think that what's under the covers will closely resemble the Detroit concept.

Information on what sort of interior design changes, technology upgrades, or powertrain improvements might be in order remains closely held, however.

The 2013 Honda Accord is expected to arrive in dealer lots later this year, with the sedan preceding the coupe by several months to a year.

More Pictures of 2013 Honda Accord Sedan

The Vencer Sarthe Holland new Supercar

Following in the trail blazed by the likes of the Savage Rivale GTS and the Spyker C12 Zagato comes another super car bearing the proud colors of the Oranje.

This new piece of four-wheeled exoticness goes by the name of Vencer Sarthe, a hand-built model by the fine folks of Vencer, who apparently want to break into the growing super car market of the European country.

Despite looking a little bland for a super car - the rear end looks like a boring mess of blah - the Sarthe boasts of the finest materials that are "supercar worthy." For example, the entire body is made out of carbon fiber - always a good thing - while also carrying a space frame chassis that's been built of steel and chrome-moly tubing. It rides on a new set of either 19 or 20 alloy wheels. Again, that's cool to know.

More than that, the Sarthe's calling card - as with any other exotic for that matter - is its power train. Packing a mid-mounted V8 engine, the Dutch super car is capable of producing 503 horsepower and 480 lb/ft of torque while mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Those figures translate to a 0-62 mph time of just 3.8 seconds with an impressive top speed of 202 mph.

As with most niche super car models, don't expect a mass produced Sarthe anytime soon. Vencer has already said that production will be very limited and we're not about to start questioning that decision.

After all, for a company that's still looking to break into an extremely competitive industry, testing out the waters sounds like a pretty good idea.

More Pictures of Vencer Sarthe

Worst husband… in the world? That we couldn’t verify but allegedly Jeremy Clarkson is in line for divorce for a second time!

In personal terms it hasn't been a great couple of years for Top Gear legend, Jeremy Clarkson. First there were all the smears of infidelity, then there were the allegations of racism and now it has been reported that his current wife will be filing for divorce. According to stories in the national press today,...

Protected species: In the car world the Mercedes SLS Black Series is extremely rare and even more so if you have a McChip-DKR version

McChip-DKR is currently offering to tune the ECU on your Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series. Their stage 1 software upgrade will allow for an extra 23hp and 15Nm of torque which brings the total to 645hp and 649Nm. The tuner also promises that fuel economy will not be affected.

McLaren P13 render shows possible look

McLaren P13 render / X-Tomi Design

Will cost around 200,000 USD

X-Tomi Design has speculatively rendered the upcoming entry-level McLaren internally known as the "P13."

After replacing the 12C lineup with the 650S Coupe and Spider, McLaren is now focusing on developing a more affordable entry-level model which will be unveiled next March at the Geneva Motor Show. Seen here is X-Tomi Design's styling proposal which adopts a different profile with a bit of Italian influences. The front fascia is typical McLaren business but the silhouette shows a differently proportioned car compared to the 650S & P1 duo.

So far we have only seen test mules of the P13 so there's not a lot we can say about the design but hopefully McLaren will differentiate it from its two more expensive models. After all, the 650S was heavily criticized for simply mixing the P1's front with the 12C's rear.

The baby Mac will carry a starting price of around 120,000 GBP according to company CEO Mike Flewitt who recently acknowledged McLaren actually purchased a Porsche 911 GT3 for evaluation purposes since the P13 will go up against with the Stuttgart offering.

From what we know so far, power will come from the same twin-turbo V8 3.8-liter but detuned to somewhere in the region of 500 bhp (373 kW). It will work with a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox allowing the entry-level McLaren reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than four seconds on its way to an estimated top speed of 185 mph (298 km/h).

Following the coupe's launch, McLaren will introduce a Spider derivative as well as a more hardcore, stripped-out version to better tackle the 911 GT3.

Smart teases 2015 ForTwo and ForFour [video]

Arriving later this year

Smart has released a teaser video for the upcoming all-new ForTwo and ForFour set to see the light of day in the second half of the year.

The footage was recorded in Sweden where Smart conducted some last-minute testing with camouflaged prototypes of the ForTwo and ForFour. The company's chief engineer Markus Riedel says work on both models has been completed and the cars are ready to be launched and will be fun to drive. Despite the very compact dimensions, the ForFour promises to offer enough room for four people while retaining the characteristics which made Smart popular.

The vehicles will borrow 70 percent of components from the third generation Renault Twingo and will retain the rear-wheel drive layout. The ForTwo is expected to be 2629mm long whereas the ForFour is going to have a 3505mm length. Power will come from the Twingo's 90 PS 0.9-liter turbocharged and 70 PS 1.0-liter naturally-aspirated engines.

Both cars will probably be revealed online in the months to come prior to a public debut in October at the Paris Motor Show. Sales are likely to kick off before the end of the year and will be followed by an EV ForTwo next year or in 2016. United States will only receive the ForTwo and it's slated to hit dealerships in August 2015.

Ram Dakota successor nowhere in sight, Ram 1500 to receive two facelifts by 2018

Ram five year plan

Failure by omission

Ram has been on a tear lately so it's disappointing to learn the long-rumored Dakota successor is nowhere on the company's five year business plan.

Putting that aside, the plan calls for the brand to increase their sales by approximately 160,000 units by 2018. This could prove challenging as the company's future lineup with mostly consist of facelifted models.

Speaking of which, the Ram 1500 will be given a minor facelift in 2015. A year later, the heavy duty Rams will be given a minor makeover which will likely echo the standard model.

Bigger changes will occur in 2017 as the Ram 1500 is set to receive a "major update." That's pretty vague but the heavy duty Rams will also have a major update in 2018.

BMW M5 "30 Jahre M5" special edition officially revealed with 600 PS

BMW M5 30 Jahre M5 special edition

Limited to 300 units

BMW has fully revealed the M5 "30 Jahre M5" special edition, following a leak posted earlier this week.

The Bavarian marque is celebrating the M5's 30^th anniversary through a limited model that will be built in only 300 examples and all units will wear an Individual Frozen Dark Silver paint with dark chrome accents. It will be visually distinguished by its bi-color 20-inch alloys wrapped around in 265/35 ZR20 front and 295/30 ZR20 rear tires. Other goodies include an interior cabin covered in a combination of Merino leather and Alcantara with special badging and aluminum inserts.

The BMW M5 30 Jahre M5 comes fitted with the Competition Package which is optional on the regular M5 and encompasses -10mm lowered suspension, reprogrammed M Dynamic Mode, stiffer anti-sway bars and on this special M5 the V8 twin-turbo 4.4-liter engine has received a new management system as well as an increased charge pressure.

The engineers were able to lift output by 40 PS (29 kW) and 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) for a grand total of 600 PS (441 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft), all wrapped around in a car that weighs 1,870 kg (4,123 lbs). The extra power helps the M5 hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds with the standard dual-clutch seven-speed DCT, thus making it 0.4 seconds quicker than the regular M5. Top speed is limited as standard to 155 mph (250 km/h) but with the optional M Driver's Package the electronic limiter is raised to 190 mph (305 km/h).

Jeep Cherokee Urbane Concept 2014

The new Jeep Cherokee Urbane design concept couples the night life of a modern megacity with glamour and elegance. The Urbane features a sleek, Maximum Steel metallic exterior with Hyper Black accents on the roof rack, door mirror caps, grille collars, front and rear fascias, wheel finishings, vehicle badging and antenna.

The cabin of the Urbane embraces the Chinese spirit, colors and patterns. Chinese calligraphy is referenced through the use of bold brush stroke patterns in the decorative door applique accentuating the predominantly Piano Black interior. The seats are finished in dark red Nappa leather with bright red accent stitching. The floor mats feature a unique decorative pattern inspired by traditional Chinese windows.

In China, the all-new Jeep Cherokee is equipped with the 3.2-liter V-6 Pentastar and the 2.4-liter MultiAir petrol engines coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Nissan Lannia Concept 2014

Nissan premiered the Lannia Concept at Auto China 2014 in Beijing, its latest sedan concept geared towards China's rising Post-80s generation, the balinghou. The concept is the second model to be borne from Nissan's design center in China, which opened the new studio in 2013.

Video: History Of Lexus

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The Lexus brand has an interesting history that begins a rather short time ago in the mid 1980s. Built to take on the American luxury market, Toyota chose to construct a car that competed head to head with the Germans and blow the then-current slew of American luxury cars out of the water. Seen in the XCAR video above, the young brand has certainly achieved an unmatched level of success in a very short amount of time.

Launched at the 1989 LA Auto Show, the new brand and its LS400 sedan set out to conquer the States in a sort of David and Goliath story.

Toyota's new division had a few hurdles to jump before creating a car for the U.S. market. The car had to weight less than 4,145 pounds to avoid the U.S. luxury car tax and achieve at least 25 mpg to avoid the gas guzzler tax. The company was able to achieve this with a sedan the size of a Mercedes S-Class, while being powered by a 4.0-liter V-8. No doubt impressive.

A short 11 years later in 1999, Lexus had risen ranks to become the best selling luxury brand in the U.S. The company also jumped into motorsports and launched the IS family of sedans. The brand continued to improve as sales grew even further. In 2006, Lexus received Toyota's hybrid drive system, helping boost mpg numbers throughout the Lexus lineup.

Then in 2010, the LFA supercar changed the game again. It challenged longtime rivals BMW and Mercedes - along with new foes Ferrari and Lamborghini. It was totally new ground for Toyota's luxury division.

Today as the LFA has faded into the history books, the brand still carries the presence of luxurious and sporty speed in nearly ever model it makes. It's been a long time coming for Lexus, though in reality, it's all happened in the blink of an eye.

Video: History Of Lexus originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 2 May 2014 17:00 EST.

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