TopSpeed Daily Update |  |
- 2012 One Lap America is in the books
- Lincoln MKS
- McLaren MP4-12C Spider will arrive this year; V12 not in the cards
- Mercedes CLS63 AMG Stealth by German Special Customs
- Porsche Backpedaling on the Pajun: Says "Not a Done Deal"
- Audi Q7 V12 TDI by Fostla
- Spy Shots: Porsche 918 Spyder caught testing in Germany
- Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3
- Three die in horrific Singapore crash involving Ferrari 599 GTO
- BMW M5 M Performance Edition
| 2012 One Lap America is in the books Posted: 15 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT
One Lap America actually has roots dating back to the original Cannonball Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, known simply as Cannonball. Many of today's enthusiasts think that Cannonball was simply a movie or plot, but this was actually a real-life cross-country race that included high speeds on U.S. highways. The original Cannonball only lasted five runs until its organizer, Brock Yates, decided he had better quit this no-holds-barred race before the authorities decide to close it down. In 1984, the Cannonball returned, but was not about making it across the country as fast as possible, but about making it through a course that went throughout the lower 48 states and ended up with the amount of miles closest to Brock's estimate. In the modern era of the One Lap America, the race is now about following the rules of the road, as you drive throughout a predetermined course, and between these leisurely drives, you have track events. The scoring of this event is solely based on the track event results, but you and your co-driver(s) must also survive driving 24 hours on end, stopping only to enjoy a "gourmet" gas station hot dog or two along the way. This 19-event, eight-day racing series just wrapped up on Saturday and we have your full list of winners in each class and we have also broken down a list of all of the oddest and most awesome cars to grace the 2012 running. Click past the jump to read about the odd and awesome cars, as well as the winners from each class. 2012 One Lap America is in the books originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 15:00 EST.
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| Posted: 15 May 2012 07:00 AM PDT
Next to the 2013 MKT debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lincoln has also presented the new MKS luxury sedan. For the 2013 model year, the MKS has received better handling, increased power, improved fuel efficiency, additional standard equipment, more refinement, and new technologies. The model has received a contemporary new look that includes a new grille, HID headlamps, front fascia, hood, and front fenders. The rear of the vehicle was updated with a new fascia, LED tail lamps, new exhaust tips, and a new decklid design that improves access to the trunk. The 2013 Lincoln MKS will be offered in three versions: V6 FWD, V6 AWD, and EcoBoost V6 AWD. The first two models are powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that now includes twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and delivers a total of 300 HP (increased from the previous 273 HP). Fuel economy comes in at 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway for the front-wheel drive model and18mpg city/26 mpg highway with the all-wheel-drive model. The more powerful version gets a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers a total of 355 HP. UPDATE 05/15/2012: Lincoln has unveiled a cool commercial for their latest 2013 MKS that takes us back in time and presents the most important moments from the company’s history. Enjoy! Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Lincoln MKS. Lincoln MKS originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 14:00 EST.
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| McLaren MP4-12C Spider will arrive this year; V12 not in the cards Posted: 15 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT
  We already knew that McLaren was planning a roadster version for their new MP4-12C model, but now it has been confirmed: an official debut will be made by the end of 2012. The new MP4-12C Spyder will be identical to its coupe brother, except of course, for its drop top appeal. Just like the coupe version, the future Spyder will be offered with a V8 engine, as will every other model from the British company, because there will be no V12 engine offered in any McLaren models in the near future. This, however, doesn’t mean that the upcoming successor for the legendary F1 will only deliver 593 HP. McLaren said that the V8 engine has been built to be very flexible and can be tuned to any desired level. The next F1 supercar will have conventional side-by-side seating (unlike the 1+2 layout of the original McLaren F1), a V8 engine coupled to a dual-clutch transmission, and plenty of lightweight carbon fiber. It will be unveiled sometime in 2013. McLaren MP4-12C Spider will arrive this year; V12 not in the cards originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 13:00 EST.
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| Mercedes CLS63 AMG Stealth by German Special Customs Posted: 15 May 2012 05:00 AM PDT
The Mercedes CLS 63 AMG has been the subject of many tuning programs from some of the best tuners on the market. Having said that, one lesser known tuning company may have upstaged them all. This is the work of German Special Customs, or GSC for short. It’s called the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Stealth and if looks could really kill, then prepare to start writing the obituaries. The body kit includes a number of new components for the German sports luxury car, including the addition of a new front apron with enormous air intakes. There’s also a new spoiler lip, a blacked out grille, a vented hood, flared wheel arches, aggressive side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a new rear spoiler. Putting on the finishing touches on what has to be one of the most aggressive body kits fitted into a CLS 63 AMG is a stealth matte gray finish that only adds to sports luxury sedan’s insane aggressiveness. We admit that we’re a little disappointed that there doesn’t appear to be any performance modifications on the car. But if you’re a half-glass-full kind-of-guy, then the car’s standard specs - a 5.5-liter biturbo V8 engine that produces 557 horsepower and 517 lb/ft of torque - should be plenty enough to justify its God awesome looks. Mercedes CLS63 AMG Stealth by German Special Customs originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 12:00 EST.
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| Porsche Backpedaling on the Pajun: Says "Not a Done Deal" Posted: 15 May 2012 04:00 AM PDT
 It seems like it was just last week that we were reporting that Porsche was officially announcing the Pajun. Oh, that's because it was just last week, but now Porsche is reneging on its upcoming plans to add in an entry-level performance sedan. In an interview with Stuttgarter Zeitung, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller made it quite clear that the Pajun is not a certainty, yet. Per Automotive News, Mueller stated that the Pajun is in no way a done deal and might arrive in five to six years. The words "might arrive" are dripping with uncertainty and leave all of us pretty much standing around wondering what's going on. Being car folks, we understand that Porsche needs to be very careful with its fan base, so we get it that they are a little secretive at this time. Many enthusiasts did not take to well to the Panamera's release a few years ago and they certainly had their voices heard. Placing a vehicle below it may cause a complete uproar in the Porsche world, so it is best for Mueller to be as indecisive as possible with this potential launch. One car that was undeniably axed in the same interview was a smaller entry-level roadster. This sub-Boxster, or baby Boxster as many were calling it, was completely eliminated, as Mueller stated "We would do no good to the brand if we were to lose traditional Porsche customers" when he was asked by Stuttgarter Zeitung about the baby Boxster project. So for all of you fresh grads dreaming of a smaller and cheaper version of the Boxster as a graduation present, you can forget about it. For those that were hoping for a sports sedan under the Panamera, we'll just have to take the old wait-and-see approach. Porsche Backpedaling on the Pajun: Says "Not a Done Deal" originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 11:00 EST.
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| Posted: 15 May 2012 03:00 AM PDT
The Q7 is one of the most impressive models Audi has ever offered, and the V12 TDI is the most powerful version offered. These two facts about this SUV is why German tuner, Fostla, decided this would be the car to receive one of their tuning kits. Their latest package jumps the Q7’s output to an amazing 600 HP, as well as tweaks its look to match. For 3500 euro ($4,500 at the current rates), Fostla will cover a customer’s Q7 in a cool PWF foil in diamond black matte, tint the front and back lights, and tone the discs to between 55% and 85%. For an extra 6000 euro ($7700 at the current rates), customers will get a new set of 11x23 inch matte powder coated side Mansory C5 wheels with 315/25R23 tires in combination with 15 mm front and 30 mm back track plates. To take care of the Audi Q7’s standard 500 HP, Fostla tricked out the 6.0-liter V12 engine with an ECU upgrade to allow it to push out 600 HP and 737 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph sprint will now be made in 5.5 seconds. This added bonus will set customers back an additional $4,500. Audi Q7 V12 TDI by Fostla originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 10:00 EST.
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| Spy Shots: Porsche 918 Spyder caught testing in Germany Posted: 15 May 2012 02:00 AM PDT
 Porsche has just dropped a series of new official details and images on their upcoming 918 Sypder, and while we were reading the press release, our spy photographers sent us a new set of spy shots of the upcoming supercar. We’re guessing these photos were taken in the same place the "official" spy shots were taken, but our images show the car from a few more angles. The future 918 Spyder is set to be unveiled at the end of September 2013 as planned, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before 2013 is out. It will combine a 4.6 liter V8 of combustion engine and two independent electric motors – one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels - for a total output of more than 770 HP according to Porsche. However, if rumors are true, then this Porsche will be dishing out somewhere in the 800 HP area (570 HP from the V8 engine, 120 HP from the rear electric motor, and 110 HP from the front one). The hybrid supercar will also have an impressive fuel economy of 3 liter per 100 kilometers and Porsche says it will come with "spectacular solutions such as a full carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear-axle steering, and the upward-venting "top pipes" exhaust system. " All of that gets us truly hyped about this hybrid monster, but the Porsche 918 Spyder will be priced in the $850K area and only 918 units will be built, so don’t expect to see it on every street corner. Spy Shots: Porsche 918 Spyder caught testing in Germany originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 09:00 EST.
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| Posted: 14 May 2012 09:00 PM PDT
Aston Martin will be entering the ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours for the seventh successive year. On May 19, 2012, a total of eight Vantage racers will line up for the start, with the most impressive being the V12 powered Vantage GT3. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 will carry the iconic #007 designation, and will be driven by Johannes and Ferdinand Stuck (A) – sons of triple Nürburgring 24 Hour winner Hans-Joachim Stuck – alongside Dennis Rostek (D) and Aston Martin Racing factory driver Darren Turner (GB). According to Aston Martin, the company did everything possible to keep the racing car as close to the production version as possible, except of course for the aerodynamic package needed and a few changes to the technical parts of the vehicle to adapt the car to the circuit. David King, Aston Martin's Head of Motorsport, said: "The Nürburgring 24 Hour race is the most important 24-hour race in the world for GT cars. The quality of the entry in the GT3 class and throughout the field is truly impressive. It is a hugely important step for us to be challenging in the SP9 class, with a top class partner team and a fine driver line up. The V12 Vantage GT3 has a direct line to our V12 Vantage road car, sharing the same chassis and base engine, and I know all the fans will love to see and hear these cars hopefully running near the front of the pack." Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 04:00 EST.
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| Three die in horrific Singapore crash involving Ferrari 599 GTO Posted: 14 May 2012 08:00 PM PDT
Despite their often feather-light bodies and extreme powerful engines, supercars are some of the safest cars on the planet thanks in part to the extensive use of composite materials, such as carbon fiber. However, no amount of safety can save people from recklessness as highlighted in the following crash which occurred recently in Singapore. The Ferrari 599 GTO, which is the fastest car ever produced by Ferrari, was being driven by local businessman Ma Chi when it collided with a taxi after the GTO ran a red light, killing the taxi driver, taxi passenger, and Ma Chi himself. A motorcycle was also involved in the incident with the rider escaping with serious spinal injuries, while the 20-year-old female passenger from the Ferrari suffered head injuries and was treated on the scene. As you would expect, the scene of the crash was littered with debris and the most surprising thing to come out of this crash is that it all seems to have been caught on tape. A GIF image reportedly showing the Ferrari running a red light and hitting the taxi was posted on Twitter and soon converted into a YouTube video which you can see after the jump. It's currently unclear if alcohol was involved in the incident, but whatever caused the crash, three people have died and 2 others have been seriously injured so no amount of inquests or autopsies will ever heal the wounds of those who lost loved ones in this traumatic crash. The moral of this story is extremely clear: Never run red lights and always drive responsibly. Three die in horrific Singapore crash involving Ferrari 599 GTO originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 03:00 EST.
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| Posted: 14 May 2012 07:00 PM PDT
Talk about the ultimate tease, right? Long rumored to be in the pipeline, we finally have our first evidence of the highly anticipated BMW M5 M Performance Edition, albeit one that only lasts 32 seconds. This video, which was released by BMW, is effectively the teaser before the introduction of the M5 M Performance Edition. Not a lot of details were shared about the special edition models, except that we can expect it to come in three distinct color schemes with only 30 available models. Do the math and that should equate to 10 models for each color. The hope is that we find more information about the M5 F10-based M Performance Edition sooner than later. For now, enjoy this 32-second teaser of the special edition BMW model and wish more information to come from BMW as soon as possible. The wait has been long and the anticipation for the M5 M Performance Edition has reached fever pitch. BMW M5 M Performance Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 15 May 2012 02:00 EST.
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