Friday, March 15, 2013

Lexus IS F Will Likely to Get Axed

Lexus IS F Will Likely to Get Axed
One of the legendary japanese luxury+performance cars, the Lexus IS F, could be discontinued from next year.

Being powered by a 416 hp 5.0-liter V8 bolted to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the luxury performance sedan is a good alternative to the Mercedes C63 AMG or the BMW M3. Unfortunately, it looks like the customers are not that impressed with Lexus trying to reshape its image as a sportier brand, as only 486 units have been sold in US last year.

As a result, Lexus will discontinue the IS F starting from next year. According to a recent rumor, the Japanese carmaker is working on another sport variant derived from the IS, maybe something with less than four doors, that could be better in helping Lexus reshape it’s image.

The Lexus IS F’s fans still have time to buy one until the end of 2013.

 News Source: MotorAuthority

Thursday, March 14, 2013

[Official] Tanner Foust gets eponymous hotted-up Ford Focus ST from Cobb Tuning


[Official] Tanner Foust gets eponymous hotted-up Ford Focus ST from Cobb Tuning
Racer and Top Gear USA host Tanner Foust has partnered up with Cobb Tuning to create a special-edition Ford Focus ST. The limited-edition hatches will come packing a reflashed ECU, special intercooler, tweaked intake and freer-flowing exhaust for up to 20 percent more power than the stock creation. Cobb says that the changes should push the final dyno figure to above 300 horsepower. Buyers can also expect to find special carbon fiber aerodynamic bits on board along with a new grille, graphics and wheels. Cobb hasn't released pricing on this Tanner Foust Edition Ford Focus ST as of yet, but you can bet the whole kit won't be cheap.

[Video] Lamborghini Gallardo Turned Into Rally Car


[Video] Lamborghini Gallardo Turned Into Rally Car

About a month ago we, we're showing you this nut job taking a rare Ferrari Enzo out for a dirt road spin, basically using the supercar as a WRC rally car.

While the clip has a high degree of awesome to it, such crazy driving could do a lot of damage to a track, purpose-built car worth at least $1.5 million. We never found out more about that, but it appears that if a Ferrari Enzo can handle a rough ride, so should a car made by rivals Lamborghini.

Putting a raging bull at work on a muddy road is not that easy, but the fellow in the clip below managed to put on quite a show, although he forest drifting scene looks a bit painful for the Gallardo.

Apparently, this won't be the only dirt rally video the car has starred in, as the the Youtube user that posted it promises two more "stages" really soon.

Guess it's about time WRC creates an upper supercar category for some Koenigsegg CCX and Bugatti Veyron action?

Renault Announces UK Pricing for New Clio RS EDC

Renault Announces UK Pricing for New Clio RS EDC
If you're reading this story, it probably means you already know a whole lot about the new uber hot hatching from Renault. The French have made the Clio RS all techy and have added a turbo, a twin-clutch gearbox and trick screens and computers everywhere.

 Fortunately, that hasn't made the car much more expensive. Renault UK has announced pricing for the much anticipated Clio 200 EDC, which starts at £18,995, only "£100 more than the three-door, manual Peugeot 208 GTi and £1,055 less than the lower-powered, DSG-equipped five-door Volkswagen Polo GTI."

The Cup model actually costs more because it's not as stripped down as it used to be. For £450, it offers a 3mm lowered ride height, 15% stiffer chassis and quicker steering rack, red brake callipers and gloss black 18-inch Renaultsport wheels shod with Dunlop Sport Maxx TT tyres.

We'd stick with the more comfortable normal chassis and buy some of the many options available, like 18” alloy wheels (£185), rear parking sensors (£315). heated front seats (£250), metallic paint (£495 (Renault i.d. Liquid Yellow £1,300 or Flame Red £595)) and dark carbon full leather upholstery (£1,000).

Orders will be open on April 8th, with deliveries taking place in June.

Almost X6M Falcon Spotted in South Africa


Almost X6M Falcon Spotted in South Africa
AC Schnitzer stepped up shortly after BMW launched it's furious X6M and created a complete package for the Sports Activity Coupe from the Bavarian manufacturer.

As usual ACS created a completely reworked version of the X6M and also gave it a name: the X6 M Falcon. The new, wider body kit consists of front and rear bumpers, a bonnet, a carbon rear wing, side sills and twin sports rear silencer with chromed tail trims.

Volvo Updates V40 With Cleaner D2, New T2


Volvo Updates V40 With Cleaner D2, New T2
Volvo has introduced a number of changes for the V40 available in Europe. The car is still brand new to most people, but the Swedes have found ways to make it a bit better and attractive to customers.

The first big change is to the efficiency of the D2 engine, which is now available with an automatic gearbox and returns combined fuel economy of 3.9lt/100km (72.4mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 102 grams per kilometer. The manual gearbox model is even more efficient. Before, this 1.6-litered turbo put out 94 grams of CO2 through the exhaust, but now it only emits 88 grams per kilometer and has much improved efficiency: 3.4 l/100km on average.

BMWs That Will Be Missed: BMW 502


BMWs That Will Be Missed: BMW 502
BMW started developing its first post-war car, the 502, at a time when the whole world was still recovering from the disaster, in 1951. The first 502 prototype had a barely adequate engine and Chief Engineer of BMW at the time, Alfred Böning, decided to create a brand new engine in order to make the car more enjoyable.

This is how the first post-war V8 powered BMW came to see the light of day. However, this wasn't a monster engine, as we're used to these days. The 8-cylinder engine had a displacement of only 2.6-liters and a power output of 100 HP due to a two-barrel Solex carburetor.

Volkswagen's All-Electric e-Up Revealed


Volkswagen's All-Electric e-Up Revealed

Volkswagen's boxy four-seater Up! has been revealed in all-electric form ahead of the vehicle's debut at the 2013 Annual Press and Investors Conference.

The e-Up!, which is the German automaker's first all-electric car, is reportedly writing a new chapter in mobility with "nearly zero noise" and an "impressive driving range" of 150 kilometers (93 miles).

2013 MotoGP: Honda Fan-Pack for Circuit of the Americas Race Available


2013 MotoGP: Honda Fan-Pack for Circuit of the Americas Race Available

We reported earlier that Honda is planning a special offer for the second round of the 2013 MotoGP season which will be hosted by the Circuit of the Americas, and now we've got both prices and how to get yours, too.

The 3-day ticket is $215 (€166) and the MotoGP enthusiasts can choose between the available seats or the limited number of places in Honda's special grandstand at Turn 15 (see map after the jump).

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Porsche Boxster Gets OZ Wheels from SR Auto

Porsche Boxster Gets OZ Wheels from SR Auto
Of course, the 2013 Porsche Boxster 981 is a helluva good roadster, but this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your second generation Boxster anymore.

You can upgrade it’s looks a little bit and use it as a fun track-day car for example. To help you in this matter, German tuner TechArt came up with a nice visual kit for the old Boxi. The kit includes a stylized front bumper, new grille, side skirts, revised rear bumper and spoiler and a set of 19-inch Ultraleggera HLT rims painted in matte black.