Sports Cars

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Jaguar XKR-S, 2012: Powerful speedster named Playboy's Car of the Year

The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S, the 550-horspower speedster with a top speed of 182 mph, was selected from a stellar finalists' field that included Audi to Range Rover and Hyundai to Mercedes-Benz as Playboy Magazine's 2012 Car of the Year. The magazine's choices were selected by Ken Gross, the veteran automotive journalist, author and former auto museum executive director. The Jaguar XKR-S, with a starting price of $132,000 for the coupe and $138,000 for the convertible, is the most-powerful production car Jaguar has built. It has a 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and 0-100 mph in 8.6 seconds. Here's Playboy's 2012 other Car of the Year selections: Fiat 500 Winner of Playboy’s “Coolest Throwback” award,

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Smart car? How about Smart truck? New Daimler concept set for Detroit Auto Show

Pickup trucks are all the rage, with a new offering of alternative fuel selections on the market as well as one of the most unique vehicles, a Smart For-us concept pickup, set to debut at that Detroit Auto Show in January. A Daimler division product, the Smart For-us will be the biggest of the tiny Smart cars, currently represented only the Smart ForTwo The Smart For-us concept is 140 inches long (11 feet, 6 inches), about six feet shorter than a Ford F-150 pickup, the United States' best-selling passenger vehicle "In a tongue-in-cheek manner, the For-us signals that this is the right car for the young-at-heart with active lives who attach importance to low emissions and taking up minimum road

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Lexus will debut concept coupe at Detroit Auto Show

Lexus has already many of its newly designed 2013 lineup, but the Toyota luxury brand has announced plans for another new vehicle — at least as a concept — the LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe. According a Lexus press release, the concept coupe will be unveiled Jan. 9 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.” Conceived as a design exercise to

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Dodge Charger, 2012: Fast, powerful, high-performance bargain

Iconic muscle cars are making a comeback — as much-improved models. The 1960s Dodge Charger with Chrysler’s awesome Hemi V-8 is one of the most legendary muscle cars of the high-octane 1960s. The 2012 Charger SRT8 with a Hemi V-8 is more than comparable to that old Charger. In fact, the new $45,795 Charger SRT8 from Chrysler’s high-performance SRT group is a flat-out high-performance-car bargain that might be considered by some to be too hot for the street with its 6.4-liter Hemi V-8. While well-mannered, unlike the 1960s 425-horsepower Hemi, the new Hemi V-8 provides 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. That gives the car a 0-60 mph time of about 4.5 seconds, although it‘s a big 120-inch-wheelbase sedan

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Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2012: Dyno Test Video

On a chilly December morning in Northern California, I brought a 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 to TPS Motorsports in Campbell, California for a couple of dyno runs on their Dynojet chassis dynometer. Truth was in the numbers as we dyno tested the Chrysler 300 SRT8 that claims 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from Chrysler’s 6.4L HEMI powerplant. Power was measured at the wheels and the numbers were SAE corrected. Video and power output charts below document the results of our dyno test. After two test runs, maximum horsepower measured at the wheels was 411 horsepower. Maximum torque was 400 lb.-ft. with 80 percent of max torque being available at 55 mph. Generally, there is an 18 – 20

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Acura TSX, 2012: slick, quick worthy foe for BMW, Audi

The 2012 Acura TSX is a difficult car to categorize. It's often cited as an entry level luxury sedan. But with its new option, a peppy six-speed manual transmission, and a Special Edition package, it's also a sports car. Luxury sedan and sports car? That's an oxymoron in the automotive industry. But with Special Edition package, even if only offered on the four-cylinder Acura TSX, it's also an ideal description. The base TSX sedan and TSX Sport Wagon feature a long list of standard features: Automatic xenon headlights, 17-inch alloy wheel, foglights, heated outside mirrors, a sunroof, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, an eight-way power driver seat with memory, a four-way power passenger seat, leather

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Bugatti Veyron remains world’s most expensive car in 2012

The Bugatti Veyron Supersport, the exclusive and elusive French-made supercar, remains the world’s most expensive car in 2012, according to the new report on Forbes.com. The mid-engined grand touring car is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed 268 mph. Bugatti is designed and developed by Volkswagen Group (based on the Bentley Hunaudieres concept) and produced by Bugatti Automobiles SAS in Château Saint Jean in Molsheim, France). Here are some facts & figures about the Bugatti Veyron Supersport: Manufacturer: Bugatti Automobiles and Volkswagen Group (parent company); Production: 2010-present (Super Sport); Assembly: Molsheim, France; Body style     Standard: 2-door coupé; Layout: Longitudinal mid-engine,permanent all-wheel drive; Engine: 8-liter, W16 quad-turbocharged, 1,184 horsepower; Transmission: 7-speed DSG sequential; Wheelbase,

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BMW keeps streak, Honda, Ford get 2 spots on Car and Driver's 2012 Best Cars list

The BMW 3-Series extended its streak to 21 consecutive years while Honda and Ford landed two models each on Car and Driver magazine's 30th annual 10 Best Cars List. A total of 68 cars were eligible, all according the publication. For consideration, cars must be new or significantly updated from 2011 available by January 2012 and cost less than $80,000. "As in years past, the cars on this year's list represent the best overall vehicles on the market today," said Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief, Car and Driver. "Out of 68 contenders, these are the ones that consistently perform the best, are a good value and are engaging, fun-to-drive vehicles." Of the BMW 3-Series, Car and Driver commented: "After 21 consecutive years

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Toyota unveils new sports car, no name yet for U.S. version

Toyota and Subaru have jointly debuted a new compact sports coupe with hopes of rekindling sportiness to the manufacturer's maligned reputation in Japan and the United States. The car is called the Hachiroku in Japan, which means 86. However, the name of the car for the United States market, has not been released. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the new car is reminiscent of the Toyota models Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno introduced in 1983. Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru-brand vehicles, hope the four-seat, rear-wheel-drive will attract young customers. The Hachiroku will make its public debut Dec. 3-11 at the Tokyo Motor Show. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for

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Vintage car rarity: How about a 1990 Laforza Laforza?

After several years of arriving at our home in an old sport utility vehicle in various states of disrepair, our handyman arrived recently in a used, bright red Laforza, Laforza. Like other short-lived manufacturers, Laforza has a niche following, particularly since American carmaker was only around from 1985-2003.

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Chevrolet Camaro, 2012: Iconic sports car gets top NHTSA safety honor

The Chevrolet Camaro built its enduring legacy on performance. Now with the debut of 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe, the iconic vehicle has another major attribute — safety leader. The new Camaro is the first vehicle to receive the highest possible five-star score in every individual safety rating segment of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program since the federal testing procedures were revised for 2011.

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BMW M5, 2012: Powerful, quick and on its way (video)

By Derek Mau The fifth generation BMW M5 will soon reach the United States. But until the new 190 mph machine with 0-60 mph speed in 4.4 seconds arrives, a video of the powerful beast will have to suffice. The 2012 BMW M5 features a newly developed direct injection 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo package – consisting of Twin Scroll Twin Turbo technology, cross-bank exhaust manifold, and VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control. At full tilt the 2012 M5 pumps out 560 hp at 6,000 — 7,000 rpm with maximum torque of 502 lb.-ft. from 1,500 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via the 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, where the new Active M Differential ensures an

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Tokyo Auto Show: Suzuki debuting wild concepts, ecocar

With a motto of "small cars for the big future," Suzuki will have unique presence at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, including its share of the auto industry's always interesting concept cars. Suzuki says it cars for today, the near future, and the more distant future will be highlighted by fuel economy, user-friendliness, innovation and brisk performance. The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show is scheduled Dec. 2-11 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center. Th Suzuki presence will include: the Regina, Q-Concept, Swift EV-Hybrid and Swift Sport. According to Suzuki: Regina is a next-generation global compact car with excellent fuel efficiency and low emissions thanks to lightness and superior aerodynamics. It’s as light as a minicar (730kg) thanks to a clear focus

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Ten 2012 Ferrari FFs sell in 50 minutes . . . that's fast

It wasn't the fastest sellout in automotive history, but Ferrari's popularity is still acutely intact after 10 Ferrari FF models recently sold in 50 minutes. The caveat: the 2012 editions were part of the annual Fantasy Gift category in the Neiman Marcus holiday catalog. Despite a $395,000 price tag (about $100,000 more than the cost of the same car at a delearship), the allotment of Ferraris as catalog gifts were purchased quickly because there's more to the story. Since only 10 specialty Ferraris were made, each car's exterior is painted "Grigio Caldo" and will bear a numbered interior plaque. Each of the buyers of a Ferrari from he Neiman Marcus catalog was also given a Ferrari Winter Driving Experience in

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Smallest production car ever made? It’s the real deal Peel

Forget the Smart ForTwo, Fiat 500 and Scion iQ. They’re only small cars. And the Mini? It’s really only small via its name. If you want a small car, how about the smallest car ever made — the Peel? Located on the Isle of Man, Peel primarily made fibreglass boats as well as fairings for motorcycles. But it was also the manufacturer of the Peel Manxcar, Peel P50 and Peel Trident microcars. The original Peel 50, for example, was 54 inches long (less than half the length of the new Scion iQ), 41 inches wide and weighed 130 pounds. And it was legal to drive on roads in Great Britain. The company halted manufacturing in1969, but the three-wheeled Peel P50 is

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Dodge Charger, Aston Martin battle: Best car in a movie

Top-10 convertibles. Top-10 Green Cars. Top-10 sedans, coupes and luxury cars. They're all worthwhile lists and fun to agree with or make fun of as worthless. But for a car list to be pertinent it has to include passion, and thus Edmunds.com, site InsideLine took on the task of creating the most important list of cars — in movies. Cars old and new are in most movies, sometimes witth subtle but important roles like the gangster cars in The Godfather trilogy. And cars are importnat in small films, too, like in the art house film of a few years ago, Frozen River. In reverse order, and subjectively chosen, a 1969 Dodge Charger wins out over a 1963 Aston Martin DB5

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