TopSpeed Daily Update |  |
- Audi S5 Coupe by Eibach
- Red Bull Kart Fighter
- Toyota GT 86 Sport FR Concept by Gazoo Racing
- Next generation Subaru WRX will be inspired by Advanced Tourer Concept
- Plymouth GTX Hemi 4 Speed Convertible
- Too much Skin: Beijing Auto Show Organizers Reprimanded for Scantily Clad Models
- BMW M6 Coupe MotoGP Safety Car
- Official: Chevrolet Confirms its Worst Kept Secret, the SS
- Tony Hawk jumps yellow Lexus LFA on skateboard
- Lamborghini Gallardo driver shows us how not to drive
| Posted: 18 May 2012 08:00 AM PDT
When Audi’s 2012 lineup was revealed, there were very little changes made to the car’s overall look. Aside from a few tweaks here and there, Audi’s main concern for the new model year S5 was the downsizing of the engine, from an eight cylinder to a 333 HP 3.0-liter V6 TFSI powerplant that produces less horsepower than its predecessor. German tuner, Eibach, didn’t have a problem with that as the V6 provided equal performance numbers to the 2011 model while also improving the car's efficiency rating. What they did have a problem with, however, was the car’s handling, so they decided to generate more power with an optimum suspension set-up themed "Inspired by motorsport – Performance for the road." This new suspension system is composed of Pro-Kit Performance Springs and specially adapted mono-tube gas pressure shock absorbers from Bilstein. The best part of this new system is that it offers a slightly lowered center of gravity that makes the car look even more like the Audi A5 DTM version. The "Inspired by motorsport – Performance for the road" theme is extended to the exterior of the vehicle with a cool white finish combined with red graphics. Eibach also provided three different wheel options: Show & Shine for representative purposes, Performance for everyday use, and High Performance for the racetrack. Audi S5 Coupe by Eibach originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 15:00 EST.
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| Posted: 18 May 2012 07:11 AM PDT | ||
| Toyota GT 86 Sport FR Concept by Gazoo Racing Posted: 18 May 2012 07:00 AM PDT
Noted Toyota tuner Gazoo Racing has come out with their latest tuning program for the Toyota GT 86 sports coupe. And no, we’re not all that surprised. The concept racing sports coupe is called the Sport FR Concept. True to the Japanese tuning firm’s racing intentions, they set up the sports coupe with a slew of racing modifications, highlighted by a GRMN twin charger - it serves as a turbocharger and supercharger in one - that produces 320 horsepower and 310 lb/ft of torque. In addition to the modified engine, the Sport FR Concept also features a new front and rear fender, a racing rear spoiler, a new GRMN dual exhaust, GRMN brake calipers and brake rotors, and a new set of alloy wheels and tires. For the interior, Gazoo Racing dressed the sports car with a back skin tone interior while also adding a new bucket seats, a four-point seat belt, a roll cage, and additional meters. Talk about a car that’s itching for some track action, the Toyota GT 86 Sport FR Concept is primed and ready to burn some rubber. Toyota GT 86 Sport FR Concept by Gazoo Racing originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 14:00 EST.
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| Next generation Subaru WRX will be inspired by Advanced Tourer Concept Posted: 18 May 2012 06:00 AM PDT
When Subaru unveiled the Advanced Tourer Concept at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show, not many people paid much attention to it. After all, it was sitting next to the brand new Subaru BRZ, which pretty much stole the show in the Subaru booth. Now, in a twisted turn of events, MotorTrend is reporting that the Advanced Tourer was a preview version of the next generation Subaru WRX set to be unveiled sometime in 2013. According to the magazine, a Subaru insider revealed that the next WRX will get the headlights, air dam, grille, and front brake ducts from the Tourer Concept. The overall side profile will also resemble the Tourer, but the front design will be even more aggressive and so will the rear wheel arches and fenders. The future WRX will be built on a modified version of the current Impreza platform and as previously reported, will drop the Impreza from its nomenclature. While the engine to be placed under the hood is still a subject for speculation, Motor Trend suggests that Subaru is currently testing a new FA series of 1.6- and 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged boxer fours and a hybrid version of the 1.6-liter turbo. One of these three versions will definitely find its way under the hood of the next WRX, maybe even the 2.0 version. Next generation Subaru WRX will be inspired by Advanced Tourer Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 13:00 EST.
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| Plymouth GTX Hemi 4 Speed Convertible Posted: 18 May 2012 05:00 AM PDT
The 1967 model year was the debut year for the Plymouth Belvedere GTX, which most enthusiasts simply know as the Plymouth GTX. The GTX was always one of the top performers in the 1960s, but was also a refined muscle car, receiving the nickname "The Gentleman's Muscle Car" in its early years. Unfortunately, the GTX was a late arrival to the muscle car area and only lasted five model years. In its debut year, there were 12,115 models built, which makes it a rather rare car in itself. Options were not scarce for the 1967 GTX, as it had two engines available, a 425-horsepower, 426 cubic-inch V-8 Hemi or a 375-horsepower, 440 cubic-inch V-8. It also had two transmission options, a three-speed automatic and a four-speed manual. In addition to the engine and transmission options, there was also coupe or convertible options available. One would assume that the convertible four-speed manual option with a Hemi would be a popular option combination, due to its raw power and ability to shift with the wind in you hair, but that's not the case. Only seven of these convertible models with four-speeds and a Hemi engine rolled off of the assembly line in the 1967 model year. That makes this one of the rarest vehicles on the planet, let alone one of the rarest muscle cars ever built. To boot, it is a natural rarity, as opposed to a planned one, like a special edition. It just so happened that dealers ordered so few of this option combination that the factory only produced a few. If you want to own one of the most rare mass produced automobiles on the planet, now is your chance, as RK Motors Charlotte has just placed a convertible 1967 GTX with a Hemi and a four-speed up for auction on Ebay. Now we know that it’s rare, but how has this vehicle held up over the course of the past 45 years? Click past the jump to read our full review on this rare vehicle. Plymouth GTX Hemi 4 Speed Convertible originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 12:00 EST.
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| Too much Skin: Beijing Auto Show Organizers Reprimanded for Scantily Clad Models Posted: 18 May 2012 04:00 AM PDT
There are two things that are a part of nearly every auto show: sexy cars and equally appealing women. With the latter often comes clothing that leaves very little to the imagination. Well apparently, the Capital Ethics Development Office of China – the morality police, per se – decided that it wanted none of it, as they reprimanded the Beijing Auto Show officials for such scantily clad women, per a report from Bloomberg. From what we saw of the Beijing Auto Show, the number of skin-flaunting women wasn't nearly as high as we are used to, so we are left wondering what exactly the Chinese government wants. There were, of course, the obligatory more-skin-than-clothes models, but for the most part the women were dressed pretty moderately for an auto show, and the video from Bloomberg (above) shows them. We totally understand that the Chinese government is more reserved than most, but c'mon, it's an auto show. Who is mostly drawn to auto shows? The answer is, primarily men in their 30s and 40s. What do most men in their 30s and 40s like just about as much as cars? Well, we think you can figure it out… We guess we'll just have to see what happens next year at the Beijing Auto Show. We certainly hope the women aren't prancing around in pant suits – eek. If so, we will all use a lot less space on our digital cameras. Too much Skin: Beijing Auto Show Organizers Reprimanded for Scantily Clad Models originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 11:00 EST.
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| BMW M6 Coupe MotoGP Safety Car Posted: 18 May 2012 03:00 AM PDT
In 2006, BMW’s M division formed a partnership to provide the official safety cars for the MotoGP championship. Last year, a BMW 1-Series M Coupe was the official safety car at the Indianapolis MotoGP, but this year this role will be reserved for the brand new BMW M6 Coupe. The new BMW M6 Safety Car will make its first public debut during this weekend’s (May 19-20, 2012) Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race in Germany, a warm up for the upcoming M Festival’s M Corso event. BMW hasn’t revealed any details on their brand new M6 Coupe Safety Car, but we believe it will get the same treatment as all the previous safety models. This treatment will include plenty of carbon fiber elements to make it lighter, an adjustable rear wing for improved downforce, a rollover cage, and new front racing bucket seats. There will also be a special exterior finish and lots of LED lights. More details about the new M6 Coupe MotoGP Safety Car will be revealed during the weekend. Stay tuned! BMW M6 Coupe MotoGP Safety Car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 10:00 EST.
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| Official: Chevrolet Confirms its Worst Kept Secret, the SS Posted: 18 May 2012 02:00 AM PDT
  It's not too often that us auto industry buffs get a chance to toot our own horns by calling our shots and being right. To be honest, most of the time we end up being wrong when we start calling our shots. But when we do smack that nail right on the head, we like to let you know about it ASAP… On that note, remember the long trail of breadcrumbs that we have been following since 2011? If you don't, allow us to refresh your memory: May 29, 2011: TopSpeed reports, via GM Inside News, that GM will start importing the Holden Commodore to the U.S. for the first time since the G8 was discontinued. April 20, 2012: TopSpeed reports that the "SS" moniker was officially trademarked by GM, after 51 years of using it on various models. Some other experts claim this was just to protect the "SS" trim levels, but we knew better. April 26, 2012: TopSpeed digs up a report about OnStar botching a test run of their site and mistakenly displaying the 2014 SS Performance and Cadillac ELR. Now we have real-life news on the Chevrolet SS front, as GM has officially released, FINALLY, something that we have all pretty much known for at least a few months. For the 2014 model year, Chevrolet will import the Holden Commodore and badge it as the Chevrolet SS – no "Performance" after it. Chevy will have the SS on showroom floors starting in late-2013. Not only is the SS coming to showrooms, it will also run in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Its debut will occur at the 2013 Daytona 500 race. Finally, we can put to bed the ongoing mystery of Chevy's odd breadcrumb trail and start focusing on the next in line, the yet-to-be-announced Cadillac ELR. Click past the jump to read GM's official press release on the Chevy SS. Official: Chevrolet Confirms its Worst Kept Secret, the SS originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 09:00 EST.
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| Tony Hawk jumps yellow Lexus LFA on skateboard Posted: 17 May 2012 09:00 PM PDT
Few sportsmen are known across the world as much as Tony Hawk. He is one of the true pioneers of skateboarding, even being the very first man to pull off a 900 degree spin during competition in 1999. With all this fame comes an equally impressive bank account, and where else could that money take you but to the most expensive car Lexus ever produced? Well in his latest stunt, Hawk splashed a bit of cash by renting a bright-yellow Lexus LFA before jumping it on his skateboard with the help of a small skate-ramp, showing that even though he's retired from competition, he still has skills which would put all novice skaters to shame. The interesting thing about this story is that the video was not shot for advertising purposes on behalf of Lexus to help drum up sales for its $375,000 supercar, and it seems it was just shot for recreational purposes. As mentioned, the particular LFA in question was a rental car, although we're not sure why Hawk wouldn't just splash the cash and purchase one as he unquestionably has the money to do so. Additionally, Hawk is also an avid Lexus-lover, currently owning a SC 430 and LS600h. As a reminder, the Lexus LFA features a 4.8-liter V10 engine pumping out a Lamborghini Gallardo-rivalling 552 horsepower at a screaming 8,700rpm and 354 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm. Not only does the LFA has one of the most distinct and pleasant exhaust notes out there, it's actually quite the performance car with the Nurburgring edition lapping the Nordschleife last year in 7:14.64. Tony Hawk jumps yellow Lexus LFA on skateboard originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 04:00 EST.
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| Lamborghini Gallardo driver shows us how not to drive Posted: 17 May 2012 07:00 PM PDT
We all love viral videos. Sure, half of them are completely irrelevant to everyday life, but we can always find time to watch them. The following video is no exception, with it raking up in almost 2 million views in a couple of days, and it's not surprising why. A trio of citizens from Chicago in the U.S. managed to film a $225,000 Lamborghini Gallardo crashing into oncoming traffic and swiftly bursting out laughing, just like we did, even though thousands of dollars of damage was inevitably caused. After all, it's always fun watching videos of supercar drivers who have no clue in how to control their mighty, Italian machines. One of the most ironic things about the video is that the man filming picked that the Lamborghini owner was going to pin the throttle through the turn and then just seconds later, it all started to unfold. Whilst getting off the line quite slowly, the owner began to increase their speed through the corner (just like any other good driver does) but before straightening out, the throttle was floored and a split-second later, the tail begins to slide wide sending the Italian supercar into two stationary cars on the opposing side of the road. All we can say is that we'd hate to see the driver controlling a rear-wheel drive car, as that obviously wouldn't end well. Check it out! Lamborghini Gallardo driver shows us how not to drive originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 18 May 2012 02:00 EST.
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