AUTOCAR

Honda Accord Modified 2007

2011-10-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

Honda accord,These modified versions of Honda Accord sedan have been circulated for some time.

But, it appears again in my Gmail junk today, titled as Jeddah Honda Accord. Though, I’ve no idea about its origin/creator, my best guess is that the owner is a cartoon fan of Transformer and dreamed of riding an Autobot!

Honda Accord 2006

2011-10-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

Car : Honda Accord 2006

Color:White

Modification:wide body,velg 17 rims

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

2011-10-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Chevrolet’s release of the all new Camaro ZL1 at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show allowed them to reignite the muscle car wars that have been burning up the automotive websites for a good and long time. But before Chevrolet can shout out "Checkmate," Ford has answered the ZL1 with an update car of their own: the 2013 Shelby GT500. Recent spy shots have revealed that the company is already testing the 2013MY GT500 and it will be more powerful than ever.

The Camaro ZL1’s LSA 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine producing an estimated 550 HP and 550 lb.-ft. of torque is nothing to shake a stick at, but Ford has one-upped them once again. The Eaton M112 supercharger that is being housed in the current GT500’s V8 engine will be replaced with the more-efficient and quieter TVS unit. The V8 engine found in the 2013 model will also get modified and bumped up to 5.8L, all while producing up to 650HP and making it the most powerful, factory made Mustang ever! The game continues...Your move Chevrolet.

UPDATE 10/06/2011: Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers have confirmed that the 2013 Shelby GT500 will receive a larger 5.8-liter supercharged V8 engine that will deliver somewhere in the 600 HP area. This announcement was made after the Romeo Engine Assembly Plant received a $50 million investment to start producing the engine. (MustangDaily)

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

2011-10-21T18:59:00.000-07:00

Ford has announced details on the 2012 F-150 SVT Raptor, a pick-up that has received a new Torsen front differential system and new patent-pending new front camera system. For 2012, Ford is also offering style upgrades with a new wheel design, unique bodyside graphic, and upgraded optional interior package with aluminum accents.

The new Torsen front differential system increases grip significantly for the front end of the truck and allows it to pull itself over obstacles and up steep grades, while the patent-pending off-road front camera system the the driver a new and unique view of what’s happening in front of their truck.

"A major element of the SVT Raptor program is our work to continuously expand the capabilities it offers to customers. We want to cover all dimensions of off-roading – from desert running to rock climbing," said Raj Sarkar, Ford F-150 Marketing manager. "We always aim to keep the product fresh and exciting, and all of our changes for 2012 reflect that."

Ford Mustang 302 Convertible by SMS Supercars

2011-10-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

Special edition muscle cars are nothing new in today’s world so you can excuse us if some fall between the cracks every now and then. Sooner or later, though, some special edition muscle cars are just to awesome to let slip by and this particular one from SMS Supercars is one such example.

Unveiled recently during SMS Supercars’ Car Show and Open House event, this special edition Mustang 302 Convertible was built to celebrate the tuning company’s partnership with the Sturgis Mustang Rally. So what makes it stand out from the rest of the pack?

To begin with, the topless piece of American muscle was dressed up in an awesome Lizstick Red chrome bodywork that draws inspiration from the legendary colors of the Saleen. On top of that, SMS added a full body kit to go with an upgraded exhaust, a new S4 suspension system, a set of 20" chrome wheels, 14" front brakes with drilled rotors, and a full leather interior complemented with details of Alcantara.

It will stand out from a mile away, and you’ll also be able to hear it. The Mustang 302 was fitted with an Airaid cold air intake and a Boss 302 intake manifold from Ford Racing. With these new items on tow, the car’s 5.0-liter V8 engine saw an increased output of 500 horsepower, a significant upgrade from the standard model’s 440-horsepower output.

Like we said, there’s plenty to love about this SMS Supercars-tuned Mustang 302, wouldn’t you say?

Range Rover Evoque Cabrio

2011-10-19T20:18:00.001-07:00

Now that Land Rover has unveiled a two-door Range Rover Evoque, it was just a matter of time until the company decided to offer a convertible version of the car. The decision has been made taking under consideration the huge success the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is already having on the market. However, the Evoque Convertible will target clientele looking for a more luxury oriented model.

The Evoque Convertible will feature a folding textile roof‎ and will only be offered in a two-door version configuration. Expect to see the same engines as in the fixed roof version under the hood, which means a new 2.0-liter Si4 turbocharged engine that combines direct fuel injection and twin variable valve timing for a total output of 240 HP.

Chances are the new Evoque Cabrio won’t be finding its way to the market until late 2013, or even early 2014, so don’t expect it to get here any sooner. Prices will start from about $50K.

UPDATE 07/28/2011: LandRover is reportedly considering a drop top model of their new jewel and when AutoExpress talked to them about this rumor, they did not deny it.

"A convertible Evoque wouldn’t be the maddest brand extension. It isn’t a totally crazy idea," a spokeperson admitted. “All I can say is watch this space. We’ve got lots of ideas for the Evoque."

Range Rover Hybrid

2011-10-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

Range Rover Sport

Well, it didn’t take long to receive confirmation on the story we brought forth only yesterday. Land Rover confirmed today that the company is indeed preparing a hybrid Range Rover and that it will be unveiled in 2013. The first testings will begin in late 2010.

The Land Rover Range_e features a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain and a new ZF eight-speed automatic that will be used in all of the future models. Land Rover said that the company is also considering adding a petrol-electric hybrid system.

The first model said to be introduced with the hybrid technology will be theRange Rover Sport with the full-sized Range Rover and the Land Rover Discovery not being too far behind. The hybrid version of the Range Rover will be priced at around £10k, but Land Rover is also considering a plug-in hybrid model for 2015. This plug-in hybrid Range Rover is one of the most exciting developments. Chief engineer of hybrids at Jaguar Land Rover, Peter Richings, said: "It means you can drive a Range Rover for at least 20 miles on full electric power around town, emissions of less than 100g/km and speeds of up to 70mph in EV mode."

Range Rover Evoque AR8 City-Roader By Arden

2011-10-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Range Rover Evoque

Well that didn’t take too long, did it? The Range Rover Evoque hasn’t been out all that long and it has already received its first tuning package from German tuner, Arden. Guess after the lights fade and the sparkles burn out, even the Ranger Rover Evoque can use a little updating. And we definitely mean a little, as Arden’s package only provides minor updates that were done to make the SUV sportier and stronger, and give it a more urban appearance.

The AR8 City-Roader package takes the 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine found in the Evoque and adds a new handmade stainless steel exhaust system and high performance catalyst. These additions make for a 30 HP increase, from 240 HP to 270 HP. Not much, but enough to make a small difference in the overall output.

The aerodynamic package isn’t all that involved either. A new front and rear apron have been added, as well as new side skirts that can come illuminated as an option. The obligatory new wheels have also been taken car of with a set of ARDEN Dakar II rims. Arden claims that these rims are not only beautiful and very safe, but also allow a very individual and personal grading. Finishing off the package is a stainless steel plaque with personal lettering that can be placed in a specially designated hollow.

Land Rover DC100 Concept

2011-10-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

At first glance, some of our American readers might take the DC100for a futuristic interpretation of a Ford Bronco, or an International Harvester Scout, but the similarities would only be a coincidence, since the Defender and the original Land Rover Series look like DC100’s grandparents as well.

Unlike the original LR Series or the Defender, the DC100 has a completely new wheelbase, which is also hinted by its name: Defender Concept 100 (inches). Which is pretty much in the middle of the two famous wheelbases the Defender and some of the original Land Rover Series vehicles, Ninety and One Ten.

Still, we’re talking about a rather short three-door SUV that hasn’t completely lost it rugged features, despite the heavy addition of modern and futuristic design cues. Overall, you could say that the DC100 looks like a Defender 90 with body armor, if it had been designed by a Manga fan.

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover was quoted as saying: "Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market.”

Considering the DC100 might also be taken as a modern Bronco or International Harvester Scout, especially from the front, we sure hope the concept following the DC100 will adhere more strictly to the Land Rover design heritage, since design will be the only connection with the past for the next generation of the Defender, slated to appear in 2015.

Interior

The interior, on the other hand, despite the overall quality (it’s a concept car, after all) and the addition of a gargantuan and also removable central display, looks just like the futuristic reiteration of the Defender, crossed with the Land rover Series. Nothing more, nothing less.

For example, the door structure continues with a beam running the entire width of the dash. The absence of a central console design somewhat recreates the Series 1 three-abreast seating layout. All in all, even if you might be somewhat dissapointed by the exterior design, depending on your point of view, naturally, the same simply cannot be said about the DC100’s interior.

Performance

Even though it’s a concept car, we’re still talking about an off-road-ready looking vehicle which is supposed to provide a glimpse into the Land Rover Defender’s future. With that being said, “performance” can only be used in conjunction with all-terrain capabilities, as long as we’re talking about the past, the present or the future of the Defender.

Details like zero to sixty, top speed or Nurburgring times are obviously completely irrelevant in this discussion. Unlike the Defender’s only remaining true competitor, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the DC100 doesn’t adhere to a monstrous supercharged V8, but to a somewhat eco-friendly and torquey two-liter diesel.

To provide a further nail in the Defender’s ruggedness coffin, the four-pot oil-burner is powering just the front wheels. Thanks to a switchable traction system, which physically decouples the rear driveshaft from the center differential, the DC100 apparently achieves potential fuel savings of up to seven per cent. Whoop-dee-doo! Well, at least a version of the acclaimed Terrain Response system also found its place among the many electronic nannies on board Land Rover’s latest concept.

Pricing

Obviously, the fact that we’re talking about a one-off car should prohibit us from making any assumptions about the Land Rover DC100’s price. The actual vehicle present in the Frankfurt Auto Show spotlight might cost a heft five to ten million dollars, as that is the average production cost for almost any one-off concept car made by a known company.

Still, considering the DC100 will eventually spawn a production vehicle, namely the Defender’s 2015 replacement, we speculate it will have a similar price with the current car. Only time will prove us right or wrong, but we’re currently betting on a 30,000 to USD 40,000 price tag.

Competition

As we mentioned before, the only true competitor for the current Defender is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Obviously, at least for the time being, there is no similar G-Class concept car from the Stuttgart carmaker, but the current G-Wagen production is also sporting a 2015 expiration date. Since from that year onwards the pedestrian safety regulations will no longer permit the selling of such an... let’s say obtuse type of off-roader, we can only assume that the G-Class will also spawn a more modern replacement.

Long story short, the 2015 G-Class replacement, along with current retro SUVs like the Toyota FJ Cruiser or the Jeep Wrangler are probably the only competition for this Land Rover. Time will tell if other iconic models will have “children” by the time the DC100 transforms into a production car in about four years.

Range Rover Evoque

2011-10-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

The release of the Range Rover Evoque makes it clear that land Rover is confident enough in the brand to shift their focus from its core values. The explosion of the most recent Range Rover models, including the sport; into mainstream luxury automotive portfolio’s has shown Land Rover that they can compete with the best on every level. No single vehicle matches the current Range Rover in terms of style, capability, and refinement. The major downside to must urban dwellers owning a Range Rover is that they will never fully experience its capabilities as an off-road machine. This is where Land Rover will attempt to fill a need with the Evoque.

Once upon a time someone would mention Land Rover and an image would flash in my mind of a yellow Defender 110 trudging through some African jungle on a Camel Trophy race. Those days may be gone, but Land Rover hopes to enter the forefront of the consumers mind when thinking about mid-size SUV’s full of luxury appointments. The segment is crowded and includes big players from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. It seems that Land Rover has learned a lot from its Ford and BMW days and is poised to release its 3 different versions of the Evoque.

It will be the smallest, lightest, and most fuel efficient Range Rover ever made. The term, “Range Rover” must be taken with a grain of salt, because yes Land Rover is tagging this new model as a Range Rover Evoque instead of simply a new line. Nonetheless, it seems that prices will fall in the $45,000 range depending on which model you choose. Head to Land Rover’s website to use the Evoque configurator and build your own.

Hit the jump for more details on the Range Rover Evoque

UPDATE 04/04/2011: Land Rover UK has announced that the new Evoque model will go on sale with prices ranging from £27,955 ($44,800) for an eD4 Pure 5-door 6 Speed manual 2WD model to £44,320 ($71,000) for the Si4 Dynamic with LUX Pack 6 Speed Automatic 4WD version. The company has also put up an online cofigurator so customers can configure the Evoque of their dreams.

UPDATE 07/01/2011: Land Rover has announced the US prices for the 2012 Evoque SUV scheduled to go on sale this fall. The Evoque will be offered at a starting price of $43,995 for the five-door, and $44,995 for the coupe. It will deliver a fuel economy of 28 mph on the highway and 19 mpg city.

Range Rover Evoque ’T3’ Dakar Rally Racer

2011-10-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

Range Rover Evoques

The world famous Dakar Rally poses the kind of challenges that makes it difficult for just about any professional race driver. As if traveling over 9,000 km in a span of two weeks is tough enough, the fact that you’re going to need to do it in some of the world’s toughest conditions makes it as unforgiving as any race there is in the world.

One team that appears to be up to the challenge of the Dakar Rally is the British Excite Rally Raid Team, which will take part in the world’s ultimate endurance race with three customized Range Rover Evoques commissioned by RaBe Race Cars.

On the surface, the vehicle does look like the Evoque, but pretty much everything about the luxury SUV has been stripped down to accommodate for its run in Dakar, including a different kind of engine that was added to make it rally-spec.

Instead of the typical 240-horsepower, 2.0-liter Si4 turbocharged engine that you can find under the Evoque, these rally-tuned versions carry a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six diesel engine that produces 275 horsepower and 480 lb/ft of torque mated. These engines are mated to a ZF six-speed transmission and equipped with special BF Goodrich desert tires.

The RaBe-commissioned Evoque rally racers will be driven by three British drivers from the British Excite Rally Raid Team, consisting of Martin Rowe, Andrew Coley, and John Hardy.

Land Rover Range Rover Swiss Edition by Kahn Design

2011-10-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Kahn Design has been pretty busy lately releasing at least one tuning package every week, even though most people’s eyes are caught up with the new toys at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This week is no different as Kahn has released a new tuning kit based on the Land Rover Range Rover. It’s called the Swiss edition and, as its name suggests, has been destined for Switzerland for use by patrol police.

This special police car will be painted mostly in black with a white standard hood and Kahn RS 22-inch wheels. A special custom interior will combine style and personality with a stylish police theme. It also seems as though this car will be offered in a different number of colors and designs to suit individual specifications.

We love the fact that Kahn Design has created a killer customized design for the boys in blue, and bad guys certainly won’t stand a chance with the Range Rover’s 5.0 liter supercharged engine and specially crafted stainless steel exhaust.

Range Rover Bali Blue RS450 Vogue by Kahn

2011-10-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

Project Kahn is continuing its work on Land Rover models with the new Bali Blue RS450 Kahn Range Rover Vogue. Priced at £88,875 - or about $136,000 at the current exchange rates - the new Bali Blue RS450 includes an impressive list of exterior and interior modifications and, of course, special blue exterior paint.

Aside from the electric blue finish, the Bali Blue RS450 benefits from a long list of additions including new side skirts, LED daylight running lights, yellow calipers, Kahn illuminated kick plates, and Kahn undercar lighting. The final element of the exterior is a new set of 22-inch RS wheels in matte Pearl Grey combined with Land Rover center caps and a Kahn quad exhaust system. The interior gets Kahn machined aluminum pedals, bespoke door handles, Project Kahn mats, a new rev counter, and a time clock with a Swarovski diamond bezel. Kahn also provides customers with the opportunity to express their individuality with any color or material they desire for their Range Rover.

Lotus Exige R-GT 2012

2011-10-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hiding behind the shadow of the bigger and better 2012 Lotus Exige S at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is Lotus’ brand new Exige R-GT. This new racer marks the brand’s return to the rally world, 30 years after their World Rally Championship victory in the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. The Exige R-GT will participate in the newly formed FIA GT category of the FIA Rally Championship on asphalt in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse, and San Remo.

The new Exige R-GT shares the new Exige S model’s mid-mounted, transverse 3.5 liter DOHC V6 VVI-i engine, but power has been brought down to 300 HP because of the 34mm air restrictor required for racing. The Exige R-GT will also have to pack on ballast weight to meet FIA requirements of 1200 kg (2645 lbs).

"With the new R-GT rules in rally, it’s a very interesting time for us to return to the sport. Naturally our approach this time around will be different to when we won the championship with Talbot three decades ago but I think our philosophy is definitely the same, we want to compete and ultimately we want to win. Our new rally car, the Exige R-GT is a dream come true for those who are passionate about GT racing – this will be their car," said Group Lotus’ Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro.

Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar

2011-10-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Like almost all Lotus built vehicles, the new Evora is going racing. From their initial design stages, the lightweight English automaker intended for the Evora to be competitive on the track as well as a road going super car, so when Lotus released the Evora 124 endurance race car it was only the next logical step for Colin Chapman’s car company. The Endurance racing Evora maintains the same lines and body panels as the road car with the addition of a ground effects kit that gets the Evora to stick to the racing surface.

In order to make the Evora even more competitive, the mid mounted Toyota V6 has been upgraded from the standard 280 HP to a tire shredding 400 HP in unrestricted trim, while the meticulous design team has managed to shed another 400 pounds from the already lightweight sports car. Lotus has also found room for a six speed sequential gearbox for lightning fast shifts, a full roll cage for safety as well as the obligatory fuel cell and fire extinguisher system. Of course what race car would be complete with a GT spec rear wing made from carbon fiber to compliment the ground effects kit made up of the rear diffuser and front splitter.

Keeping the car on track is a set of 18 inch rims wrapped in Pirelli racing slicks and a set of AP Racing 6 piston calipers underneath, while the suspension has been redesigned for increased adjustability. According to Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars Limited, “Motorsport has been in our blood ever since our founder, Colin Chapman, built the first Lotus back in 1948. We are proud of our motorsport history, which includes victories in Formula One, Le Mans, saloon car, rally car and sportscar racing around the world; more recently, we won the British GT3 Championship in 2006 with theLotus Exige. The Lotus Evora Type 124 Endurance Racecar is from the same unique stable and we expect it to be a competitive racecar when we enter various endurance races next year.” You can expect to see the new Lotus Evora 124 competing at 24 hour endurance races at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Silverstone and even in Dubai.

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

2011-10-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

Lotus will unveil a hybrid version for its now famous Evora sports car at the Geneva Motor Show. Called Evora 414E Hybrid, the new version develops a total of 414 hp, makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in in under 4 seconds and has a hybrid range of over 300 miles.

The hybrid drive-train system consist of twin motors each limited to providing 204 hp of power and 400 Nm (295 lbft) of torque to each wheel via independent, single speed, reduction transmissions integrated into a single housing, enabling torque vectoring dynamic control of the vehicle. There is also a Lotus Range Extender engine that 47 hp of power at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator .

The Evora hybrid version is painted in Copper, in both exterior and interior, and is distinguished by circuit inspired graphics.

Updated 03/04/2010: Official images added. Check the gallery to see them all!

Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept

2011-10-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Understandably so, the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show has caught the attention of the entire industry. But for those that really pay attention to the calendar, another major auto event will take place this coming weekend that nobody should be sleeping on.

The 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

One model that’s expected to be in attendance is the new Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept. The car was born out of the Evora GTE race program, the very same people behind the racing pedigree of the mid-engined, 2+2 sports car with races all over the world, including the legendary 24 Hours at Le Mans.

Complete details of the Evora GTE Concept won’t be unveiled until this weekend, but from what this photo is showing us, it looks us it’s been heavily modded with an aggressive front splitter to go with a U-shaped rear spoiler and a set of forged alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires. Meanwhile, the interior is said to carry plenty of leather and carbon fiber trims, as well as composite Recaro racing seats.

As for the engine, the concept car is said to carry a race-tuned 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 420 horsepower and is mated to a sequential transmission.

That’s as much as we have for the Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept. Rest assured, we’ll have more details as soon as the car breaks cover at Pebble Beach later this week.

Lotus Evora Police Car

2011-10-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

On the outside, the Evora police car looks to have retained the same aesthetic dynamics as a stock version of the Evora except for a few obvious additions. Lotus has dressed it up with an unmistakable police livery, standard police badges, and police lights on the roof, the grille, and the interior dashboard.

Interior upgrades on the Evora Police Car have yet to be released although we can only imagine that it’s going to come with some heavy dose of law-enforcement paraphernalia, which would include a radar gun, an on-board computer, gun holsters, and maybe even a container for doughnuts. Okay, that last item is unlikely to make it there, but the rest of the features are most definitely included.

Performance

The Evora police car is being touted as the fastest police car in the UK. With a powertrain that features a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower – the same as the stock version of the2010 Evora - this law-enforcement speedster is capable of hitting ‘north-to-60’ in less than five seconds with a top speed of 168 mph while also running at 30 miles to a gallon.

Suffice to say, this is not the type of police car you would want to see on your rear view mirrors in the foreseeable future.

Pricing

The car is priced at around £50,000, or about $80,000 based on current exchange rates. Don’t expect this car to hit dealerships anytime soon because it’s going to be sold exclusively to police departments in the UK. For now, the Evora is being loaned to the UK police force for a two-week trial run where it is going to be used to patrol an area covering 450 miles in the West Midlands.

Competition

Criminals beware! Though the Evora may not pose the same menacing presence as other police cars, don’t sleep on this little sportster just yet. What it lacks in intimidation, it certainly makes up for in terms of top-notch speed and power, the likes of which have never been seen in the UK police force.

Lotus Esprit 2014

2011-10-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Press release

The most eagerly anticipated Lotus makes its return. Without doubt, this is the car that the true Lotus aficionados have been waiting for: The ultimate Lotus.

The new Esprit represents the very essence of exclusive supercar driving. It picks up and exceeds the legacy of it’s forefathers. Think of it as a statement of superiority. Think of it as Lotus CEO Dany Bahar’s personal statement of intent, his vision for the future of Lotus.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: “The Esprit is the ultimate supercar. In the past when people thought of the Esprit, they thought of the movies, Bond, Pretty Woman,
Basic Instinct but this time around, the car is the star of the show.”

“One has to be very careful when taking on the challenge of reinventing such an iconic classic as the Esprit – everyone has an opinion. There’s a fine balance between acknowledging the greatness of the past whilst at the same time rapidly leaping forward to the future and ensuring that this car not only does the name Esprit justice but also the Lotus brand. I think we’ve managed to find the balance and in doing so created a new icon, a car people will find hard to resist.”

“Not only does the Esprit look incredible but it has the performance to match. We’ve stuck to the Lotus core values of performance through lightweight and teamed them with future technology and exceptional engineering to ensure that the Esprit will be the leader of the pack. The design is aggressive, you have to see it to appreciate how low and wide the proportions are but it still retains a level of dignity, of class and most of all exclusivity. I’m very proud of this car.”

Powered by a 5.0 litre V8 pressure charged engine delivering up to 620 PS, the Esprit retains exceptional performance through it’s unique lightweight design making it the ultimate expression of Lotus supercar ownership. It is the supercar that will redefine ride and handling, performance, comfort and exclusivity.

The styling of the Esprit echoes the performance with strong lines throughout the sleek low body. The symmetry through the mass and proportion of the Esprit give it an intense look, it’s the perfect example of the new Lotus DNA in action.

The Esprit is more than an evolution, it’s a redefinition.

Specifications

Layout 2 seater, mid-engined, rear wheel drive
Engine Petrol, hybrid optional
Hybrid technology Optional KERS
Cylinder V8
Capacity 5.0 litre
Power/Torque 620 PS / 720 Nm
Rev limit 8,500 rpm
0-100 km/h 3.4 seconds
Top speed 330 km/h
CO2 approx (CO2/km) 250 g/km**
Weight 1,450 kg
Seats 2
Transmission 7 Speed DCT
Drive RWD
Start of production End of 2012
Enters the market Spring 2013
Price indication Circa £110,000

Lotus Elise S 2012

2011-10-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Lotus promised a trio of sports cars occupying their space at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and, next to the new generation Exige S and the Exige R-GT, that promise has been delivered with a new addition to the Elise lineup: the Elise S. This new model will replace the existing Elise SC which just displayed its final hoorah with the special edition Elise SC Final Edition.

The Lotus Elise first appeared about 15 years ago and promised the performance of a supercar, but the fuel economy of a city car. That idea is still going on strong today with a new 1.8 liter super charged engine delivering a total of 217 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque. The great thing about the new Elise S is that it has a comparable power output to the Elise SC - it actually has a higher peak torque (184 lb-ft to the SC’s 156 lb-ft) - but it has answered the fuel economy and CO2 emissions issues brought on by the change of regulations.

Lotus Evora S GP Edition

2011-10-19T08:32:00.000-07:00

Lotus has made no bones about its plans to one day tussle with the big boys of the auto industry. One way the company is looking into breaking ground is by promoting its illustrious racing history and inspiring some of their production sports cars with hints and touches of their racing pedigree. One such model is the recently introduced Evora S GP Edition.

Dressed in a black paint scheme with distinctive gold striping, red mirrors, and spanking gold wheels, the Evora S GP Edition is the latest in a slew of special edition Lotus sports cars the company has introduced in the past years. If the colors of the Evora S GP Edition look a little familiar to you, it’s because you’ve seen it in previous Lotus models, most specifically with the Evora Enduro GT Concept earlier this year and the Lotus Renault Formula One race car.

In addition to its striking colors, the Evora S GP Edition also comes equipped with a rearview camera, as well as Lotus’ premium and technology packages.

Under the hood of the Evora S GP Edition, you’ll find a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine that produces 350 horsepower and 295 lb/ft of torque. The performance numbers translate to a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 172 mph.

Only three units of the Evora S GP Edition will be made available, each priced at £69,950, which is $109,155 based on current exchange rates.

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible by Geiger Cars

2011-10-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

The Chevrolet Camaro is so popular that, despite its all-American roots, the muscle car still generates tremendous amounts of interests from tuning companies a continent away.

Geiger Cars is a German-based tuning company of American cars so it was only obvious that they would come out with a ridiculous program for the Camaro Convertible.

And boy, did they ever.

On mere aesthetics alone, the Camaro Convertible looks about as hot as any aftermarket Camaro we’ve seen in a while. It’s dressed in a Black and Orange paint scheme, complete with with a new body kit consisting of a new chin spoiler, a rear diffuser, a boot lid wing, new side skirts, and a set of 22" wheels that, for lack of a better term, are bursting in orange. On top of that, Geiger also added a new adjustable suspension system and a new sports exhaust system to keep the car on its edge.

Despite the rather audacious look of the car, the performance upgrade under its hood is what makes this program a must-have for Camaro owners. Using the same 6.2-liter V8 engine from the muscle car, Geiger Cars added a supercharger system, ratcheting up the car’s output from 430 horsepower and 420 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 568 horsepower and 574 lb/ft of torque.

The whole program looks fantastic from top to bottom. That’s why you’ll need to pay premium prices - €85,000 ($116,000) - for the privilege of owning one.

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible by West Coast Customs

2011-10-19T08:21:00.001-07:00

A lot of cars are being auctioned off these days with the intention of having the proceeds sent to various charities, that much we know. More often than not, these cars are of the special edition variety with the hope that their ’uniqueness’ would attract more bids than just a standard model.

And when you look at this West Coast Customs-tuned Chevrolet Camaro Convertible, ’unique’ is probably too light a word to describe it.

A few days ago, the UCLA Health System announced that a Camaro Convertible was auctioned off for $366,000 at the Mecum Auto Auction in Dallas, Texas. While the Camaro Convertible doesn’t appear to have any performance modifications attached, the people over at West Coast Customs, led by Ryan Friedlinghaus, made sure that the Camaro Convertible would look about as different as any other Camaro in the world.

The special, one-off muscle car was dressed up in a full camouflage motif, representing all the branches of the US military. The rather steep price of $366,000 came as the winning bid of auction host Ben Mecum, who was pleased to raise that much money for charity.

Proceeds from the sale of the one-off Camaro will go to Operation Mend, a joint tie-up between the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the Veterans Affairs–Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. This organization provides specialized medical care to U.S. military personnel who have been wounded and severely disfigured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Check out the $366,000 camouflaged Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and tell us it’s worth the money it fetched in the auction. We can even argue that Mecum got a bargain out of it.

Audi A9 2015

2011-10-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

The current Audi line-up starts with the A1 and goes all the way up to the A8, but things are about to change as Audi is planning on a new luxury four-door sedan to be called the A9. It will be placed above the current A8 and will be the most luxurious and the most expensive model Audi has ever offered.

Next to the sport version of the A1 and the Q1, the luxury sports A9 comes as an attempt to allow Audi to become the "world’s premium brand, number one," as Audi said in a previous statement, and they are barreling forward with the new A9 as they target models like the Porsche Panamera Turbo.

However, with speed comes a high price tag. A car like this starts off at 100,000 euro (around $140,000 at the current exchange rates) so you better be packing some cash to deal with this heat.

Hit the jump to see what makes the Audi A9 so special.

(Picture shown here is of an Audi A9 Concept designed by Spanish designer Daniel Garcia)

Exterior and Interior

The future Audi A9 will be the most luxurious model ever built. It will combine design elements from the latest Audi models, like the A7 Sportback. The 2009 Sportback Concept is, of course, the direction Audi’s design language is headed, but the A9 will take it to a new level.

The biggest surprise will be offered by the interior. Expect to get the highest quality material, leather, wood insertions and Alcantara. Of course all the latest technologies will also find their way in there.

The Engine

For the engine line-up expect to see a 3.0 TFSI engine with around 300 HP for the base version, and a V8 with 500 HP for the top version. The hybrid, which is also a possibility, will combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total of 500 HP.

The future Audi A9 will be built on Volkswagen’s new modular building block (MSB) platform that will be used for different models from Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini. This platform was already successfully used with the new Panamera, so Audi should be able to make a statement with it as well. The platform will give Audi the chance to build both rear-and four-wheel drive models.

The Competition

If Audi wanted to enter the high-end luxury market, the A9 is the model that will do it. Models like the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera Turbo, or even the future Lamborghini sedan will have lots of reasons to worry.

When Can I Buy One?

The Audi A9 will go on sale around 2015 with a price tag of about $140,0000 so be prepared to dole out the cash for this rockstar.

Audi R5 2015

2011-10-18T21:38:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen’s BlueSport concept left zero questions on whether or not it was going to go into production. In fact, Volkswagen announced that it would be available in three different production versions: one for Audi, one for Porsche, and one for Volkswagen, all of them offering different levels of luxury and performance.

Audi’s version will be placed somewhere in the middle, considering both price and performance, and will be aimed at those customers who want more than the TT, but can’t afford an R8. With an exterior design inspired by the recently launched E-tron concept, Audi’s model was rumored to be called the R4. However, new reports suggest that the future sports car will actually be called the R5, taking under consideration the fact that it will use a five-cylinder engine, and not the four pot reserved for the TT.

Audi will offer both coupe and roadster versions, with the roadster being a production version of the E-tron Concept. Expect an official debut sometime in 2014.

UPDATE 05/05/2011: We were all eager to see the future Audi R5, or R4 as it was also rumored to be called, but the German magazine, Auto Motor Und Sport, reports that Audi has dropped plans to build the sports car. The reasoning behind this is that Audi was afraid that it would affect sales for models like the Audi TT and Porsche Cayman. Rumors also state that building the car might have had a very high price and it would have never been a profitable model. Bummer, that design and engine choice would have been awesome.

UPDATE 07/07/2011: New details about the future Audi R5 sports car suggest that the car will also be offered in shooting brake style ’Sportback’ . The new R5 will differ from its Porsche and Volkswagen siblings "by boasting all-wheel drive and the Audi 5-cylinder turbo, which’d position it above the VW and even above the Porsche in pricing." (Fortitude)

Exterior and Interior

When launched, the Audi R5 will offer no surprises. We will basically see the E-tron concept adjusted for street use combined with design elements from models like the Audi R8. Expect Audi’s famous front grille with the four circles in the middle, headlamps with LED light, vertical air scoops on the sides, wide side sills, and different aluminum insertions.

For the interior Audi will offer the highest quality materials, leather sports seats, aluminum pedals, and more sports details.

The Engine

The future Audi R5 is known internally as the 9X1 and will share Volkswagen’s new ’MiMo’ (Mittelmotor) architecture with the other two BlueSport versions. Translated, this means the future sports car will feature a mid-engine configuration.

So, while the E-tron concept was powered by two electric motors, the production version will use a conventional engine. With the E-tron, Audi only wanted to show that they could develop electric cars, not that they wanted to. The only E-tron anyone will be seeing so far will be the R8 E-tron which will go into production next year.

We expect to see the same 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder engine from the TTRS, with output in the 350 HP area. We expect to see a 0 to 60 mph sprint time in around 4.5 seconds, while top speed will be limited to 155 mph (like any other German model).

The Competition

The R5’s main competitors will be the other two BlueSport models set to be released by Audi and Porsche. That makes no sense, but that’s a strategy the Volkswagen Group always applied. Take theQ7-Cayenne-Touareg off-roader trio, for example.

Previous rumors suggest that the R5 will also compete with the future Toyota FT-86. But Toyota wants to keep its model in the $20k area, so this will not happen. However, on the European market, the R5 will also compete with models like the Lotus Exige.

When Can I Buy One?

The Audi R5 will make its world debut in 2014, and customers will receive their first orders in 2015. Being placed between the TT and the R8, we expect to pay somewhere at $50k for the new R5.