Home / Posts tagged 'Exotics|Supercars'

• 918 and Life: Chris Harris Tests the New Porsche Supercar [Video]

  In Fast Forward / By Tom Anderson / 17 May 2013

  

  Not even 24 hours ago we brought you the skinny on the production version of the Porsche 918 Spyder, Stuttgart’s shapely plug-in hybrid hellraiser. It looks wicked cool (particularly with the flashback-fabulous Weissach Package), and puts up staggering performance and economy numbers, but how does it look (and, more importantly, sound) when in motion? The one and only Chris Harris RSVP’d to the car’s launch at Porsche’s Leipzig test track (which is adjacent to the Cayenne and Panamera factory) to find out.

  It’s safe to say that Chris finds himself quite smitten with the driving experience, but he’d really love to see a lightweight, non-hybrid version. Frankly, we’d be curious to see how such a creation would perform, too, but we realize that, like the McLaren P1 and the LaFerrari, the 918 was designed around a hybrid powertrain and thus plays the role of technological showcase and assuager of greenie anger toward its maker. Besides, it’s damn fast and sounds like Wagner’s subconscious, and by Georg, that’s good enough for us.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Porsche 918 Spyder Production Model Revealed in Full

  In Auto News / By Tom Anderson / 16 May 2013

  

  In 2010, Porsche stunned the automotive world by revealing the 918 Spyder Concept, a plug-in hybrid supercar. Not long after the concept completed its tour of the auto show circuit, Porsche announced it would be putting the 918 Spyder into production, with assembly of the first car set to begin on September 18 (9-18…get it?) of this year. Granted, Ferrari and McLaren beat Porsche to the punch by premiering their hybrid hypercars at Geneva in March, but there’s still anticipation aplenty surrounding the 918.

  Now Porsche has pulled back the curtain on the production 918 Spyder’s shape, as well as its technical details. And even though it’s the last of the big-name green supercars to go public, we don’t think that has even a slight chance of hurting its chances for success.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Feeling Board: Downhill Skateboarder Kevin Reimer and His Nissan Skyline GT-R [Video]

  In Fast Forward / By Tom Anderson / 13 May 2013

  

  It is often assumed that because athletes are able to get their adrenaline fixes when in competition, their lives off the field or course are pretty chill. For example: Downhill skateboarder Kevin Reimer probably drives some milquetoast, beige (in spirit, if not color) transportation appliance when he’s not using gravity to get around/risk severe bodily harm, right? Well, not quite: Mr. Reimer’s motorized vehicle of choice is actually an R32-chassis Nissan Skyline GT-R.

  But lest you assume this Canadian (Hence why he was able to import it, thanks to the Great White North’s far more sensible laws regarding four-wheeled forbidden fruit.) extreme sports star hitched his wagon to the ur-Godzilla by accident, know that Kevin and this classic Nissan super coupe have both won races on Australia’s Mount Panorama, home to the Bathurst 1000. Some things are just meant to be.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Revozport Gives the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta Some Carbon Fiber Jewelry

  In Tuning / By Tom Anderson / 8 May 2013

  

  The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is just the latest in a long, proud line of front-engine, two-seat V12 grand tourers. It belongs to the same bloodline that such classics as the 275 GTB/4 and 365 GTB/4 Daytona and late-model masterworks like the 550 Maranello and 599 GTB Fiorano do. Of course, none of those can deliver the kind of eye-popping performance that the F12 can; a 730hp 6.3L V12 and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission will do that, you know…

  So Ferrari’s latest autostrada eater is quite desirable. But is it possible to make it even more desirable? Some tuners have certainly tried, but what if all you want is a set of subtle upgrades that only the most perky-peepered Prancing Horse pedants will perceive? Well Revozport offers a possible solution.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S Bring High Tech and High Velocity [w/ Video]

  In Auto News / By Tom Anderson / 3 May 2013

  

  When Porsche introduced the first production 911 Turbo (codenamed 930) in 1974, it instantly expanded the definition of the term supercar. And in typical Porsche fashion, the company has made it significantly better with each successive generation, making it more powerful, better handling, and altogether more civilized. In fact, if you take a drive in the most recent 997-series Turbo, you’d never believe it evolved from the 930 which, thanks to the unfortunate combination of huge turbo lag and a comparatively Paleozoic rear suspension design, was oversteer incarnate.

  So if the previous evolutions of one Turbo to the next are any indication, the new 991-based 911 Turbo should be the best one yet by a wide margin. Is that the case? Judging by the newly released specs (and photos and a video), it certainly seems to be.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50° Anniversario is a Golden Rocket

  In Auto News / By Tom Anderson / 22 April 2013

  

  When Ferruccio Lamborghini built his first sports car in 1963 as an f-you to Enzo Ferrari after the latter rebuked the criticisms the former leveled at the latter’s cars, he probably didn’t expect the firm he started to still be building sports cars a half-century later. He also probably didn’t expect it to be owned by Volkswagen, but we doubt even the world’s preeminent psychic in 1963 would have predicted that. Yet even after decades of ups and downs, Automobili Lamborghini has reached the big 5-0, and it’s in the best shape it has ever been.

  So how is this storied brand supporting such a milestone birthday? Well, the most notable way it’s marking the occasion is the Veneno, Aventador-based, Le Mans Prototype-inspired super-dupercar. Unfortunately, only three diehard Lambo fans were able to add Venenos to their collections. But rather than telling the remainder of its most loyal customers “tough merda,” the company has come up with a cheaper (but less-exclusive) way for them to get in on the golden jubilee action.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Beast in the East: A Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Tackles Fuji Speedway [Video]

  In Fast Forward / By Tom Anderson / 17 April 2013

  

  The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is the fastest, most powerful and, naturally, most expensive convertible you can buy new. But compared to the coupe, its chassis is jigglier, the suspension is softer, and its waistline is a bit farther out, right? Well yeah, to a certain extent, but none of those attribute downgrades are significant enough to notice, especially when you’re driving one on a track.

  And speaking of driving a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport on a track, that’s exactly what former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Seiji Ara does at Fuji Speedway in this video. There’s snow on the ground at the historic Japanese circuit, but native son Seiji doesn’t mind; not when he’s driving something with AWD (not to mention about 1,000hp). We just hope the makers of this vid release footage of a full on-board lap soon.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Puts the Brand Back in the Record Books

  In Auto News / By Tom Anderson / 11 April 2013

  

  On top of being stupendously rare, stupendously expensive and stupendously powerful, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is the fastest production car ever made. Well, it was until this week. No, something faster hasn’t been built; instead, the folks at Guinness World Records have stripped the most batstuff Bugatti of its title. As the story goes, John Hennessey made the claim that his company’s Venom GT is the true fastest production car following a yet-to-be-Guinness-verified run of 265.7 mph due to the fact that the Veyron Super Sport posted its 267.8 mph mark with an altered speed limiter chip (Super Sports sold to customers were restricted to 258 mph.). The boffins at Guinness World Records apparently agreed, though we have to wonder what took them so long, as the production car’s 258 mph governor was public knowledge when the Super Sport was introduced (Maybe they were too busy shouting “BRILLIANT!” at each other repeatedly?).

  So is Bugatti mad about this development? Oh, no doubt. But the company isn’t taking its ball and going home. Instead, it’s doubled down on getting back in the record books. And it has used the Super Sport’s convertible brother to do it.

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Electric Sliding: Chris Harris Hoons the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive [Video]

  In Fast Forward / By Tom Anderson / 11 April 2013

  

  A few weeks ago we brought you a video from the Drive channel in which Chris Harris wrung out the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series during its press launch event at France’s Circuit Paul Ricard. What you might not have known is that Mercedes and AMG used the very same event to debut the SLS AMG Electric Drive, the gas-free Gullwing we first came to know as the SLS E-Cell. So naturally, even though he loves loud, petrol-chugging conventional cars, he took the opportunity to sample this most powerful AMG production car ever.

  Needless to say, after watching the video, you get the feeling that Chris came away rather impressed with the SLS AMG Electric Drive. Of course, with 750hp at his right foot’s disposal, how could he not? But it seems like he was even more in awe of the car’s torque vectoring capabilities, and to be honest, so are we. Amazing what powering each wheel independently can do, huh?

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>

   

• Black Diamond Banzai: McLaren MP4-12C Spider Hits the Slopes

  In Fast Forward / By Tom Anderson / 1 April 2013

  

  The McLaren MP4-12C is one of the sweetest – if not the sweetest – mid-engine convertibles ever created. The twin-turbo 3.8L V8 is powerful yet economical, the carbon fiber passenger compartment (a.k.a. tub) is light but rigid, and the power folding hardtop makes it a true four-season super roadster. Don’t believe that last claim? Check out the video above.

  Professional hoon Rhys Millen pairs up with former Winter X-Games snowboarding medalist (and serious cutie) Chanelle Sladics for a friendly race down Colorado’s harrowing Loveland Pass. As it turns out, a 616hp McLaren is more than a match for gravity. Who says there’s nothing educational on YouTube?

  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE >>