Sports Cars

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Fiat 500 electric, decked in orange/white, debuts at LA Auto Show

The Fiat 500e, electric edition of the Italian hatchback first rumored two years ago, will debut November 30 at the Los Angeles Auto Show with a unique orange and white theme. First shown as the Fiat 500 BEV concept at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the zero-emissions Fiat 500 hatchback will go on sale in California in 2013 and other United States markets from 2014. The Fiat 500e is distinguished from its conventional petrol-powered sibling by its white lower front intake panel, unique side skirts, aero-enhancing alloy wheels and low rolling-resistance tires. The orange and white theme is reversed in the car’s interior, with the latter dominating the dashboard, center console, seats and door liners. A push-button gear selector and

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Chevrolet Corvette 2014 set for Detroit debut with global social media

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, which has been described by the manufacturer as “precisely sculpted” will be unveiled January 13, 2013 in Detroit and with a vast social media campaign. Chevrolet has heavily touted the new design and the manufacturer says the car “delivers more than just stunning good looks – every line, vent, inlet and surface has been optimized for performance.” “The all-new Corvette integrates more high-performance aerodynamic features than ever before, many taken directly from Corvette Racing,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “For example, the front grill and radiator flow paths reduce lift, improving vehicle stability at high speeds by keeping the car pressed to the pavement. In addition, functional vents increase track capability by channeling air to

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2013 Infiniti G IPL Coupe: Blast to drive, hefty price to pay

Now in its third year, the Infiniti IPL G for 2013 features only minor tweaks from the 2012 model. It remains the mainstay of the carmaker’s Infiniti Performance Line — a powerful sports car with aggressive styling and keen performance via its 3.7-liter, 24-valve, 348-horsepower V6 engine. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Beyond a sports car’s streamlined looks and performance, its colors add to the total package. In some instances, like the Infiniti G37 IPL’s combination of “gun metal” gray exterior and Monaco Red leather interior, the package is greater than the sum of its parts. As such, the new Infiniti not only powers along a country road or on the freeway with great acceleration and superior handling, it does

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2014 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series: Lightweight, powerful, no price — yet

The 2014 Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series, the fifth edition of the race car-inspired lightweight speedster with a top speed of 196 mph, will go on sale in the summer of 2013. Engineered in line with the AMG Lightweight Performance strategy, the Black Series weighs 3,417 pounds, achieves a power/weight ratio of 5.49 lb/hp and negotiates the 0-60 mph standard acceleration test in 3.5 seconds via its seven-speed sports transmission.“The new SLS AMG Black Series is a perfect study in the one hundred percent transfer of technology and engineering from motorsport to road,” said Ola Kallenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “We have drawn inspiration from the worldwide success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car on both a

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2014 Audi R8: First makeover means lighter, faster, more powerful supercar

The 2014 Audi R8, a refreshed edition for the first time since the mid-engine, two-seat sports car was introduced in 2006, will feature more horsepower and a new, seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic automatic transmission when it debuts next spring in Canada. Optional on R8 V8 and standard on the R8 V10 Coupe and Spyder, the S tronic replaces the agricultural R tronic autobox that originated from the R8’s sister model, the Lamborghini Gallardo. The new Audi RB will also feature new lighter carbon fiber body components, lighter bucket seats and a streamlined interior. New LED headlights and tail lights will now be standard on the eight- and 10-cylinder Coupe and Spyder cloth-top convertible models. Matched with a 4.2-liter eight cylinder

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2013 Scion FR-S: Not so fast, but country's best modestly priced sports car?

When Scion debuted a decade ago, the idea was to attract younger buyers to Toyota with a funky design, a modest price and a hopeful degree of hipness in lieu of acceleration or state-of-the art technology. The 2013 Scion FR-S is the first sports car for the brand, co-developed by Subaru and thus directly and unmistakably related to its close relative, the Subaru BRZ. The Scion FR-S, like its family members, is still value priced. But as a lightweight, low-center-of-gravity, classic-sports-car-steering, sleek-sport-car-designed machine, the Scion FR-S is a modern-day version of Toyota’s original “Z” cars. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It’s never been my favorite color in cars, but few vehicles attract more attention than red sports cars. My Scion

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Jay Leno interviews Lamborghini president, gets tour of sexy concept cars

Breaking the tradition of Jay Leno’s Garage, the comedian, talk show host and car collector recently intervierwed Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann at the Concours d’Elegance during Monterey Auto Week in Pebble Beach, California. Leno and Winklemann walk around the Urus and Sesto Elemento concepts, and discuss the Italian manufacturer’s plans for the marque’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2013. The automotive gala will be a Grand Tour of Italy with more than 300 Lamborghini vehicle invited from around the world. Winkelmann provides details about the Urus concept and and SUV production version. Leno mentions his Lamborghini (of course) and the two automotive icons share a few laughs. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has

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Mini Cooper (John Cooper Works) Coupe, 2012: Fast, handsome, expensive

Introduced to the Mini Cooper lineup in 2009, the John Cooper Works (JCW) model is named after the deceased famous racing car guru who founded the Cooper Car Company in 1946. For 2012, the JCW edition of the Mini, now owned and marketed by BMW, retains its place as a niche compact driving machine. It features a 208-horsepower, turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission with larger, now standard 17-inch wheels. In addition to its more powerful engine (87 more horsepower than the standard Mini), The John Cooper Works includes upgraded Brembo brakes and options such as a leather upholstery package and navigation package. Upgrades for 2012 are minimal, but include an aero kit for JCW versions only and floor mats

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Jaguar XKR-S, 2012: Stylish, fastest model of iconic sports car

The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S is likely the last, extremely fast model that retains much of the automaker’s traditional “E-Type” sports car styling. The sensational race-bred Jaguar E-Type sports car arrived for 1961 with a potent inline six-cylinder engine. It was sold as a coupe or convertible and was known to most Americans as simply the “XK-E.” Many still feel that it’s the most beautiful sports car ever built. But the E-Type began to lose some of its luster when government regulations forced it to detune its engine and add such items as clumsier bumpers and smoothly faired plastic covers over the headlights in 1967. The E-Type went from 1971 through 1975 as a heavier-looking car with a potent, but often

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Hyundai Veloster, 2013: turbocharged, faster, fun

The Hyundai Veloster was new for 2012 and immediately drew attention with its unique three-door design. The new 2013 turbocharged version makes the car much faster and lots more fun. Rivals for the turbocharged front-wheel-drive Veloster include the Volkswagen GTI, Civic Si, Mini Cooper/Clubman S, Beetle Turbo and Fiat 500 Abarth. Hyundai notes the Veloster, with such things as its three doors, is “purposefully differentiated from other core vehicles in Hyundai’s lineup, with unique style and function and advanced technologies.” Hyundai experiment means success Hyundai hasn’t become a major sales success without taking chances. The turbocharger is the big news for the latest version of the Veloster. This turbo has a twin-scroll design for quicker response and more low-end torque.

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Rare Ferrari sells for $35 million, assumes most expensive car record

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO made for race driver Stirling Moss and one of 39 of the rare vehicles manufactured during its three-year run, has become the world’s most expensive car. It sold in a private transaction in May for $35 million. Bloomberg News reports the apple-green Ferrari is listed among May’s high-end sales on the classic car dealers website, anamera.com. The sale was confirmed, according to Bloomberg, by two sources. The car was sold by the Dutch-born businessman Eric Heerema, owner of the Nyetimber vineyard in Sussex, southern England. American collector Craig McCaw is the new owner. Neither seller nor buyer could be reached for comment. The green GTO was acquired by Heerema a decade ago for about $8.5

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Scion FR-S, 2013: Performance-oriented, mean sports car machine

The 2013 Scion FR-S, with its affordable $24,000 base price packed with value, is a true rear-wheel drive sports machine, not some vague imitation with front-wheel drive pretending to be a sports coupe. I test drove the Subaru BRZ and walked away thoroughly impressed. If the FR-S is anything close to performing like its Japanese cousin, we can look forward to seeing a lot them being picked up by the enthusiast crowd. Just the Numbers The FR-S is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder boxer engine that can crank out 200 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,400-6,600 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic, with paddle shifters and Dynamic

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2013 Nissan GTR vs. 2012 Audi R8 vs. 2012 Jaguar XKR-S

By David Colman It isn’t often one has the opportunity to sample three of the fastest sports cars in the world back-to-back on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. But such an opportunity occurred during the recent Western Automotive Journalists’ 20th annual Media Day at Laguna Seca Raceway. The urge to compare the Nissan’s GT-R to Audi’s R8 and Jaguar’s XKR-S proved irresistible. 2013 NISSAN GT-R Even though this supercar has been on the market for a while and is in its second detail revision, I never had a chance to drive it. “That’s why we brought them out” said Nissan PR chief Tim Gallagher, “Because we know many of you haven’t been in one yet.” Gallagher requisitioned two GT-R Black Edition

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Subaru BRZ, 2013: Toyota, Subaru team to offer gifted sports coupe

The 2013 Subaru BRZ is the real deal. After two days of driving the 200 horsepower rear-wheel drive sport coupe on the street and at the race track, there is no doubt Subaru's new sport coupe is gifted with exceptional balance and poise. The BRZ is a rear-wheel drive sports coupe that came about as a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. The manufactuers' design focus was to engineer a sports coupe with a low center of gravity, light weight and precision handling. The results are two affordable sports coupes that attain their design goals and exceed expectations. The BRZ (like the Scion FR-S) is propelled by a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter direct-injected horizontally opposed ('flat') four-cylinder engine, with rear-wheel drive and a

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Dodge Viper, 2013: V10, 640 horsepower and new interior technology (video)

The 2013 Dodge Viper, the third generation of the elusive supercar, is debuting in the New York Auto Show and will be welcomed by power hungy fans of the iconic massive machine. The new Viper, anticipated since the new beast's pending arrival months ago, features its signature long hood, short deck and double-bouble roof as well as twin air extractors, fender vents and side exhausts. The 8.4-liter V10 produces 640 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via its only transmission option, a six-speed manual. The body is made lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum. Chrysler detailed that the Viper's interior features improved materials, an LCD performance monitor, infotainment system and a grab handle. The Viper is returning

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Volkswagen lineup, 2012: sports cars, station wagons and a Bug

By David Colman I have never experienced a press roll out like this in more than 20 years of attending Volkswagen events in the United Sates and Germany, Usually, the occasions focus on one or two new models with long, complex drive routes scheduled to foster a maximum driving experience. This year, there were multiple models available, but in a three-hour window. Here are my brief impressions from either a 15-mile or 25-mile Northern California loop that encompassed flat and hilly driving conditions in the Half Moon Bay and San Mateo areas: 2012 VW GOLF R This baby is a “little bomb.” The Golf R replaces the Golf R32, which has come and gone in several iterations during the past

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