Arctic Testing: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3, 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe and Cabriolet - Spy Shots

With the seventh generation 911 now launched, Porsche is hard at work preparing the next round of extreme performance variants like the Turbo and GT3. Our spy photographers captured a 911 Turbo and Turbo Cabriolet undergoing winter testing, along with a craftily disguised GT3 spotted at night. Both Turbo models at least have the benefit of standard all-wheel-drive, to cope with those snow-covered roads. On the other hand, the...

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Caught Testing: 2014 BMW M3 - Spy Shots

The 2014 BMW M3 sedan has been spotted undergoing winter testing while wearing only minimal disguise. From these images, the 4-door variant of the next M3 appears ready to adopt a subtler outward persona. Even with the swirly paint hiding some design details, it’s obvious this M3 is not going overboard with huge fender flares or massive air intakes. The quad exhaust and large alloy wheels (19s?) are about as extreme as this prototype gets in the...

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2014 Lotus Esprit - First Look

2014 Lotus Esprit - First Look Powered by a 640-bhp Lotus-built V-8?  Lotus announced that the new Esprit will make its debut at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show and will go on sale in this country in 2014. The experts in chassis design haven’t released much regarding the upcoming Esprit other than the use of aluminum body panels, with higher-end versions receiving more carbon fiber. The surprising news for Lotus came with the...

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The ZR1 is a 600 plus horsepower super Corvette, with production limited to just 2000 units a year. It will likely cost in the neighborhood of $100,000. The car's platform is the already stellar Z06 Corvette that features an aluminum chassis and 505 horsepower from a 7.0-liter small-block V-8. The ZR1 takes the next step and uses forced induction by means of a new Eaton 4-lobe supercharger mounted on a revised 6.2-liter V-8. Horsepower isn't...

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Ferrari FXX

Ferrari has launched a new supercar, along with a novel driving program. The new FXX is a highly-modified Enzo, one featuring an 800-bhp 6.3-liter V-12, larger composite ceramic disc brakes with specially-designed Brembo pads and brake cooling system, and a reworked gearbox that shifts at nearly Formula 1 car-like speed. Reconfigured bodywork produces 40 percent greater downforce. But what really separates the FXX from other exotic machines...

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Mitsubishi Concept-RA

This sporty concept is exactly what we've been waiting for from Mitsubishi: that is, Lancer Evolution performance and technology in an angularly (or is it angrily?) styled coupe. The Concept-RA "shows that thrilling performance and environmental responsibility need not be mutually exclusive concepts," according to Mitsubishi. The Concept-RA blends a "next-generation" version of the Lancer Evolution X's Super-All Wheel Control...

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Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

Mitsubishi's 2009 Lancer Ralliart bridges the gap between the economy-car-like Lancer and the ultra-hyper Lancer Evolution. The Ralliart uses the same 4B11 2.0-liter 16-valve turbocharged 4-cylinder as the Evo, but with a more modest 235 bhp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. And, just like the Evo, the Ralliart will also be fitted with a full-time all-wheel-drive system, employing Mitsubishi's Active Center Differential (ACD) with...

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Exclusive: Lexus LF-LC Concept - Automotive Design

The most difficult part about building a car for the future is not engineering. Given adequate resources and commitment, tackling a car’s performance, quality and reliability issues really boils down to just a mechanical procedure— albeit extensive—where the goals are clearly understood and measured. It is a “hard” science challenge because it can be achieved with meticulous processes, checked off one by one. If a new car doesn’t meet the criteria,...

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