16-inch steelies. Non-matching bumpers, door handles and wing mirrors, no AC... I am seriously into this Toyota GT86 RC Spec.
The 86 RC is the least expensive model in the 86 line coming in some 500,000 yen less expensive than the G and aimed at the tuner/racer market. It's got a six-speed manual transmission, the same 200 horsepower flat-four from the normal one and, well, that's about it. The shifter, steering wheel and pedals are plastic. There is no air conditioning or stereo or cup holders. Significant amounts of soundproofing materials have been removed.
This adds up to not only a cheap package, but a light one as well. Curb weight here is 2,623 pounds. Unfortunately, the limited slip also gets removed for this package but that's an easy fix.
Categories: Coupes,Sports Cars,Toyota,Tuners and Modifications
There aren't a lot of new cars at this year's Chicago auto show. Sure, we've got the Acadia and the production ILX, but beyond that, everything here is something you've seen before. Or, in the case of this 1993 Ford SVT Cobra R, WAY before. 1992 before.
Ford debuted the SVT Mustang at Chicago in '92 and brought this museum-quality, 4,100-mile beauty back to coincide with the anniversary. It's one of 107 Cobra Rs produced. The Cobra R differentiated itself from the regular Cobra by a factory rear-seat delete, radio delete, sound-dampening material delete, adjustable Koni shocks, external oil cooler, an aluminum radiator and these neat 17-by-8-inch three-spoke wheels. It was powered by the same 5.0-liter V8 making 235 horsepower -- that was a big number in '93.
The only thing Ford could have done to make this a more special reveal would have been to bring out the F-150 Lightning, which also debuted at Chicago in '92.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Classic Cars,Coupes,Ford,Sports Cars
We could have sworn the V12 Zagato production car had already made its debut, but no, we've only seen the concept plus a couple racecar prototypes that Aston raced in the Nurburgring 24 Hours. Turns out we'll get to see this top car in the Vantage series next month at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, following its official debut this month in Kuwait. We imagine it won't have gotten any cheaper by the time it arrives in Switzerland, but we'll enjoy looking at it all the same. Aston will build 150, and deliveries begin this fall.
Just don't name this one Zig... OK, guys?
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Categories: Aston Martin,Geneva Motor Show,Luxury Cars,Sports Cars
Nissan's contribution to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show was the slightly refreshed 2013 Nissan 370Z. If you've got good eyes and are familiar with the 370Z, you'll notice that this new car -- on sale in June -- has a new front fascia with LED DRLs, new 19s on models with the Sport Pack (new 18s on the rest), red-finished brake calipers, Euro-tuned shocks and a red reflector on the rear fascia where there was previously a black cover. The Z is also now available in Midnight Blue. Apart from the minor appearance differences, this new Z gets two additional speakers with two subwoofers for the Bose Premium pack.
There are no changes to the Z's 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 or the 6MT/7AT.
The Nismo Z doesn't get Midnight blue, the new front/rear fascias or the new shocks.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Coupes,Nissan,Sports Cars
As promised, Ford officially rolled out the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible at the Chicago auto show today. And nothing from yesterday has changed.
The car still has 650 horsepower, still has a lower-than-the-coupe top speed, still is 3 seconds faster than the old coupe around Sebring, still is only available with a manual transmission.
More pictures and a surprise from Ford after the jump.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Ford,Sports Cars
Tomorrow during the first day of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show Ford, celebrating 20 years of SVT, will show off this: the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible.
As you could probably guess, this is the same basic car as the new Shelby GT500 we've been seeing for a few months now. It's got a 5.8-liter supercharged V8 cranking out an unbelievable-in-a-production-Mustang 650 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. (Rollin' in my 5.8 with the ragtop down so my hair can...abate? So much for my 90's rap career.) The
Ford says that the new Mustang is 3.5 seconds faster around Sebring International Raceway than the outgoing car when it is equipped with the Performance Package. The Performance pack includes SVT-designed Bilstein electronically adjustable dampers. A track pack is available on top of this wit an external oil cooler, rear diff cooler and a transmission cooler.
Once we got our heads around 650 horsepower in the GT500 coupe, we were thrown for another loop when Ford said it would do over 200 mph. The convertible won't do over 200; Ford has limited it to "only" 155.
Like the coupe, the only transmission available is a six-speed manual. We'll have more from the show floor tomorrow.
Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Ford,Sports Cars
What better way to promote your latest tuner package for the Corvette ZR1 than to get one of the fastest men (?) in America to drive it with commitment? And so John Hennessey coaxed the American Stig behind the wheel of HPE's ZR750 Corvette, which with a claimed 755 hp, a claimed 728 lb-ft of torque and enough Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber to handle all that, was quick enough to set a new lap record at the Top Gear USA test track.
An extended, higher-production-value cut of this hand-held footage is undoubtedly forthcoming when the new TG season starts back up on the History Channel next week.
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Categories: Celebrities,Chevrolet,Sports Cars,Tuners and Modifications
The 2015 BMW i8 looks as though it's actually moving closer to production. Even more shocking is the fact that it appears as though the i8 will keep the wild styling of the concept.
It might look like a downsized 6 Series from this angle, but the rear end has the same "wings" that gave the concept such an interesting profile. Other details are hard to make out, but it's clear that BMW is taking a much different path when it comes to the styling of its new "i" series of cars. Set to be on the road in 2014, it's still a long way from finished.
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Categories: BMW,Concept Vehicles,Coupes,Hybrids,Sports Cars
Can you see what's different about the 2013 Nissan 370Z? Probably not, so here's some help.
The front fascia got a few tweaks that include removal of the odd-looking "teeth" along with the addition of the all-important vertical LED marker lights. In back, there's...well, not much. What used to be a black patch of nothingness at the center of the rear fascia now has a red reflector.
On the actually noticeable front, there are new wheel designs for the 18-inchers that come on the 370Z coupe as well as the 19s that are included in the optional Sport package. That package also included red brake calipers and "Euro-tuned" shock absorbers. And lastly, the fuel gauge now features darker trim. Seriously.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Coupes,Nissan,Sports Cars
At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti will be showing off an all-new range-extended sports car concept they've now named EMERG-E.
The press release is thin with information saying only, "The INFINITI EMERG-E will be the first car from the brand to have not only a range-extender drivetrain offering vivid performance with zero emissions capability but also one mounted in a mid-ship package for optimal handling."
The market for a mid-engined range-extended Infiniti seems small to me. I could be wrong, but let's just go ahead and assume that the EMERG-E will not make it out of the concept stage. We'll bring you more next month from Geneva.
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Categories: Geneva Motor Show,Hybrids,Infiniti,Sports Cars
The Chicago Auto Show is a special place for Mazda. That is where, in 1989, they first showed off the Mazda Miata. Since then they've gone on to sell some 900,000 of the tiny two-seat roadsters.
And so it should be no surprise that Mazda has chosen Chicago to show off a new special edition Miata. The Mazda MX-5 Miata Special Edition will have a black power retractable hard top (PRHT in Mazda speak), two new exterior colors, black gunmetal alloy wheels, black exterior accents, black heated leather seats and piano black interior finishes. The Premium package and the Suspension package will be standard -- that means sport-tuned Bilsteins, Bluetooth and Sirius. They will be offered with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
450 of the Special Edition Miatas will be produced. Pricing was not announced.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Mazda,Sports Cars
Today Audi released pricing on the limited-edition convertible version of the Audi R8 GT, the Audi R8 GT Spyder. If at any point during the pre-pricing coverage you thought "I'm interested in this car, but I'll have to see the price first," you can't afford it.
For one of the 50 R8 GT Spyders allocated to the US, you'll be spending $211,200 -- before the dealer marks it up.
Like the R8 GT, the Spyder gets a 5.2-liter V10 pumping out 560 horsepower. It's got a top speed of 197 mph, weighs 187.39 pounds less than the R8 Spyder and comes with R8 GT specific sport suspension, carbon fiber matte exterior mirrors, LED tail lights, aluminum door sills, steering wheel, alcantara sport seats, carbon fiber interior inlays and numbered aluminum gear knob. Audi will build 333 total.
Categories: Audi,Convertibles,Sports Cars
The support the launch of the new 991 911, Porsche has launched a new "911 Identity" advertising campaign. This started with a video explaining how Porsche engineers 911-ness into each new generation (we're now on 7) of the world's most famous sports car with the engine in the wrong place. They've now followed that up with a new exhibit at the Porsche museum in Stuttgart.
The display features historic racing cars like the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 "Safari" and Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The display also features cutaways and steering wheels and rims from '63 to present and company documents (DOCUMENTS!) that have never been shown publicly.
For those of us who can't afford the eight euro fee on top of the flight to Germany, hi-res images of the display are available after the jump.
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Categories: Classic Cars,Porsche,Sports Cars
As they promised, the good folks at SRT have released the first teaser image of the SRT Viper on Facebook. That's the good news. The bad news is that this light-drawing is all we're likely to get for a while.
We're not seeing a lot of naked woman lying on the beach here, but we are seeing a whole lot of Dodge Viper which is pretty awesome. We also get a look at the slick new Viper logo, the headlights, the Viper-spec scoop,
We know that the new Viper will have -- for the first time -- traction control (it's the law ya know) and cruise control and may wind up with an 8.7-liter V10.
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Categories: Coupes,Dodge,Future Vehicles,Sports Cars
Noted ultra-rich car guys Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld vie for the first Acura NSX in Acura's first Super Bowl ad, "Transactions."
A few million bucks (plus whatever these two charged Acura) to promote a car that won't exist for two years? Bold.
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Categories: Acura,Future Vehicles,Sports Cars,Videos
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is one of the straight up coolest cars on the road today. Gullwing doors could be stupid, but somehow, Mercedes makes it cool without being pretentious and without coming off as desperate for attention as Lamborghini does. If we have a complaint about it, though, it's the the SLS AMG isn't errs on the side of comfort. Sure, some of us dig that, but a car like this is begging for a more raw version.
For the street, that raw version will come as the SLS AMG Black Series. For the track we get the SLS AMG GT3. It's half-a-million bucks, the body is carbon-fiber, all glass has been replaced by polycarbonate, there's new aero, it's got manual transmission and it weighs 2,976 lbs.
Mercedes has just released Part 1 of a new SLS AMG GT3-themed video series. While this one is about the marriage of the engine/transmission to the chassis, we have to assume that if we stick with them throughout this rollout, we'll get some cool track footage soon.
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Categories: Mercedes-Benz,Motorsports,Sports Cars
There are no two ways about it, Porsche knows turbocharging. They've been playing with that setup since the mid-70s and have a good handle on how to get great power and reliability out of a boosted motor. Consider the current lineup if you will: The 911 Turbo S makes 530 horsepower from a twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat six and they manage 620 horsepower from it in the GT2 RS. Not bad numbers for a car that gets 19 mpg combined (1 better than the Z06) and has a 50,000 mile warranty.
Now, having fully mastered the twin-turbo setup, Porsche is rumored to be following BMW down the tri-turbo path. Earlier this week, BMW officially announced that their line of M performance diesels would be powered by a tri-turbo motor making 376 horsepower and an incredible 545 pound-feet of torque and now Autocar is reporting that Porsche is working on a similar system. The new system is undergoing final testing (see our Spy Video of the 2013 911 Turbo) but they're already predicting power figures of over 525 and increased fuel economy.
While all of this sounds great, there are complexities with a tri-turbo system including that of packaging three turbos and all associated plumbing -- wastegate(s), inter-stage ducts, bypass valves actuators, linkages, oil lines etc into an already cramped space.
(Autocar)
Categories: Future Vehicles,Porsche,Sports Cars
Yesterday DriveSRT (Dodge) updated their Facebook profile to say that if they got 10,000 fans they would release a special teaser of the upcoming 2013 SRT Viper.
SRT has been very protective of the Viper testing models that are heavily camouflaged and running under last-gen Dodge Viper bodies. The closest thing to a leak was when Gilles said the new design was inspired by a naked woman on the beach. Really, though, that's the motivation for most of mankind's great works.
Needless to say that teasing the Viper months before the car's official reveal at the 2012 New York Auto Show worked like gangbusters, they had the 10,000 fans before the end of the day. Keeping their word, SRT has promised to show a teaser (don't you love Facebook teasers?) at 11:59:59 PM Eastern on Monday, January 30. You can see it live on their Facebook here or, if you don't want to fan them, check back to IL that night and we'll have it up.
Categories: Dodge,New York Auto Show,Sports Cars
Britain's CAR magazine has just acquired spy photos of the upcoming McLaren MP4-12C Spyder styling prototype and managed to catch it topless and with the aluminum top up.
The photos show shockingly good access to the car and the fact that they get images of the top up and down indicate that they're supposed to be around. We would think McLaren employee, but we have to assume anyone working at McLaren makes enough money for a cellphone with a camera that doesn't suck this hard.
CAR also reports that the top is a three-piece aluminum and plastic unit developed in part by Lotus and that McLaren has made it so that even in the convertible the engine is visible (are you listening Ferrari?). The top is said to take only 17 seconds to deploy. No changes to the 3.8-liter 592-horsepower twin-turbo V8 are expected.
View more photos at CAR's website.
Categories: Convertibles,Future Vehicles,McLaren,Sports Cars
Near as I can tell, Porsche began offering center-lock wheels as a street option in 2007, beginning with the 911 Turbo. Today that option costs $3,835 on the standard Turbo, but the so-called RS Spyder wheels are standard on the Turbo S. Other 911 variants now offer them, too.
Porsche touts several benefits: they look clean, they're easy to clean, they represent less unsprung mass and, theoretically, at least, they're far less likely to get stolen. This last point boils down to two reasons: 1) the market for these unique wheels is very limited and; 2) with a special socket and 444 lb-ft of tightening torque in play it takes more than a cross wrench to get these babies off.
Beyond all that, center lock wheels come straight out of motorsports, where one central nut makes pit stops incredibly fast if you've got a swarm of crewmen, air jacks and a couple of $3,000 ported and polished air guns to go with them.
We don't possess such an air gun, but we do have a secret weapon of our own. And we needed it in order to photograph the 2011 Porsche 911 GTS suspension walkaround.
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Categories: Coupes,Porsche,Sports Cars,Suspension Walkarounds
