Why It Matters: McLaren’s first F1 was the car in the ’90s that every kid had a poster of, so any car developed to succeed it is noteworthy, to say the least. The new car will give McLaren a second, more lust-worthy model; the MP4-12C is a hugely competent, yet reserved take on the exotica formula. (It recently won a three-car comparison test with the Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 GT2 RS.) This supercar could be McLaren’s next shot at poster fame, but it will face stiff competition from Ferrari’s equally anticipated Enzo replacement . Keep Reading: 2015 McLaren F1 Replacement Spy Photos – Future Cars Go here to read the rest: 2015 McLaren F1 Replacement Spy Photos: One of the Most Epic Supercars of All Time is Reborn The rest is here:  2015 McLaren F1 Replacement Spy Photos: One of the Most Epic Supercars of All Time is Reborn

Lamborghini has been building the same car for the past four decades. You can read a road test of the Countach and one of the Aventador, and you’ll hear the same things: big, loud, fast, brash. More » See more here: COTD: The Heaviest Burden Of Lamborghini Edition [Commenter Of The Day] See the original post here: COTD: The Heaviest Burden Of Lamborghini Edition [Commenter Of The Day]

We talk about German supersedans as “built for the Autobahn” and other clichés about the country’s sometimes-unrestricted highways, and this 2012 BMW M5 proves it after crashing at 186 mph without killing the driver or passengers. More » See more here: This New BMW M5 Crashed Going 186 MPH On The Autobahn [Car Crashes] Read the original post: This New BMW M5 Crashed Going 186 MPH On The Autobahn [Car Crashes]

We’ve caught a look of the upcoming Mercedes A-class AMG, sporting only light camo obscuring the front and rear lower fascias.  In front, a large, black plastic appendage appears to be hiding a pair of bigger-than-standard air intakes and possibly a thin lower air dam. In the rear, the masking is likely hiding an AMG-specific diffuser. Note the large rectangular cutouts for the exhaust tips; when the A-class debuted in March, it featured more traditional oval units. Logos on the grille and hood are concealed by clumsy chunks of camouflage, the lower piece partially obscuring the blacked-out grille. The wheels here appear to be blackened versions of the same design we’ve seen in official A-class images, and the body has been lowered. Comparison Test: 2012 BMW M3 vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Instrumented Test: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Instrumented Test: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG True to AMG tradition, the engine is rumored to be a monster: in this case, a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 300-plus horsepower funneled through an all-wheel-drive setup . When the littlest AMG Frankenstein is finally revealed, we expect it to be called A45, although A25 is also possible. Compared to the A-class concept that debuted in New York last year, the A-class in both pedestrian and AMG forms appears dramatically less sculpted than the concept; seeing it here on the road, we’re detecting a curious mix of Subaru Impreza and Opel Astra in the rear three-quarter view. Although the five-door hatch won’t make it to the States, we will be getting the so-called “baby CLS”  CLA-class , an A-class-derivative that should easily accommodate any A-class performance mods AMG cooks up. Photography by Chris Doane Original post: 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-class AMG Spy Photos: Turbo Four and All-Wheel Drive Excerpt from:  2013 Mercedes-Benz A-class AMG Spy Photos: Turbo Four and All-Wheel Drive

Earlier this month we asked our commenters to assist the Waynesboro, VA Police Department in catching the driver in a fatal hit-and-run accident by identifying a part that came off the suspect’s car. Within minutes, our amazing commenters identified it as coming from the grille of an early 2000-era Ford F-150 pickup , which was exactly the vehicle police found when they followed a tip yesterday to nearby Rockingham County. More » Excerpt from: Police Arrest Murder Suspects In Truck Identified By Jalopnik Commenters [Car Crime] View post:  Police Arrest Murder Suspects In Truck Identified By Jalopnik Commenters [Car Crime]

There are almost no repair jobs a gearhead with the right tools and instructions can’t do in his or her own garage. Here are Jalopnik readers’ picks for those ten repairs best left to the pros. More » See the original post here: Ten Car Repairs Better Left To Professionals [Answers Of The Day] Read the original here:  Ten Car Repairs Better Left To Professionals [Answers Of The Day]

Breaking from its all-wheel-drive, brand-defining tradition, Subaru has introduced a new, rear-drive sports coupe co-developed with Toyota: the BRZ. We recently borrowed one to get our first impressions at our test track, and as you can see in the video below, our auto engineers came away smiling. Power comes from a 2.0-liter boxer (aka flat) four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower. With a price starting at $25,500 (plus $770 destination), the BRZ comes with a six-speed manual transmission. An automatic is also available. Standard equipment includes navigation system, HID headlights, and Bluetooth connectivity. Bred for enthusiasts, the BRZ does, indeed, have room inside for the driver to wear a helmet—often required for autocross and other motorsports events. In addition, the stability control system can be turned off, enabling tail-out, oversteer hijinks, as demonstrated in the drift-filled video. Based on our initial experience on our track, the BRZ rates off the chart on the fun scale, but we will soon purchase our own, run it through a full battery of more than 50 tests, and determine how it performs in the real world. Continued here:  Video – 2013 Subaru BRZ hangs the tail out at our test track

The critically acclaimed MINI family is expanding again. Hot on the wheels of the stunning Coupé comes the launch of the sixth unique model in the line-up, the eagerly anticipated and all-new MINI Roadster. MINI continues to rewrite the rulebook; this is the first open-topped two-seater in the company’s history. The cutting-edge design is typically MINI – an authentic re-interpretation of a classic motoring concept. This latest model offers the fun of driving a taut-handling roadster, with all the character of MINI. And being built at Plant Oxford means it can justifiably claim to be a spiritual successor to the traditional British roadsters of old. The semi-automatic operation of the tailored soft-top roof means rapid opening and closing, and it doesn’t affect the MINI Roadster’s practicality in any way. This is a versatile two-seater with a stowage area behind the driver and passenger seats, generous 240-litre luggage area and through-loading system. The MINI Roadster is the first premium model of its kind in the small car segment, offering buyers a unique package that will bring the joy of MINI ownership to a passionate and demanding group of new customers. Selling alongside the Hatch, Convertible, Clubman, Countryman and Coupé, the MINI Roadster will arrive in UK showrooms next spring. As with the recently launched MINI Coupé, all variants of the MINI Roadster carry the Cooper name in their model titles. Full details of standard and optional equipment on each will be released nearer the launch. A wide range of accessories and personalisation choices will be available.   Model Price OTR CO2 (g/km) MPG (Combined) Power (hp) Top Speed (mph) Insurance Group MINI Cooper Roadster £18,020 133 49.6 122 124 19E MINI Cooper S Roadster £20,905 139 47.1 184 141 32E MINI Cooper SD Roadster £21,630 118 62.8 143 132 24E MINI John Cooper Works Roadster £24,860 169 38.7 211 147 37E   Unique but familiar styling The MINI Roadster is true to the brand’s existing design language, but sculpted to the classic proportions of a roadster. With an exterior length of 3,734 mm (see panel below for model variations), a width of 1,683 mm and a wheelbase of 2,467 mm, the MINI Roadster’s footprint closely mirrors that of the MINI Convertible. However, the elegant...

The MINI Inspired by Goodwood is the most ambitious and luxurious special edition model the brand has ever launched. To celebrate delivery of the first customer cars, a single example is going on display in prime position at Harrods, the world’s most aspirational shopping destination. The MINI which takes inspiration from the design team at Rolls Royce Motor Cars, forms part of a specially created window display. It is also visible from inside the iconic Knightsbridge store, allowing shoppers, pedestrians and drivers on the busy Brompton Road to see it. The window features a beautiful manor house and gates, providing a quintessentially British backdrop to showcase the MINI. Inside Harrods, display screens provide information about the car, with a selection of swatches and samples of the premium interior trims used in the cabin. A member of staff from MINI’s flagship Park Lane showroom will be on hand so customers can find out more or even place an order. Highlighting the exclusive and limited edition nature of the MINI Inspired by Goodwood, the MINI logo and the words ‘1 of 1000’ will be projected on to the pavement outside the window every night. The scene will be on display for two weeks starting from Easter Sunday, 8 April. Guy Cheston, Harrods Director of Media Sale commented, “Harrods is delighted to be showcasing such an iconic British brand. The store attracts an average of 42,000 visitors every day from over 130 different countries every month. What better place than Harrods to showcase the most luxurious production MINI has ever built to a truly global audience.” The MINI Inspired by Goodwood is a special edition model like no other. Announced at last April’s Shanghai Motor Show, it brings together the unparalleled fun and character of MINI with the outstanding quality of materials and bespoke workmanship that come as standard with any Rolls-Royce Motor Car The dashboard, centre console, air vents, carpets, heated leather seats, roof lining, doors and interior cladding are all finished in the exclusive Rolls-Royce colour Cornsilk. The dashboard and door handle surfaces are of Walnut Burr, a premium wood trim bespoke to Rolls-Royce. No expense or attention to detail has been spared on the car. The roof linings, sun visors and rear storage...

Everyone recognizes the dangers of texting or talking on a cell phone while driving, but results from a new federal safety study finds that teenagers won’t stop others from driving while distracted—even if they’re riding in the car with the distracted driver. According to results from a telephone survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly all (about 90 percent) of the 6,000 drivers polled said distracted driving is very unsafe . But about one-third of the respondents between the ages of 18 to 20 and 21 to 24 would raise a flag while riding in a car with a driver who was talking on a mobile phone. (By comparison, half of the respondents age 65 and up would say something to a distracted driver.) Consumer Reports safety experts have noted that there have been various attempts at combating distracted driving . In addition to smartphone apps to reduce distractions , federal regulators such as the Department of Transportation have proposed guidelines to reduce distracted driving . But while those possible solutions—and more aggressive steps, such as local cell phone bans —are being implemented, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood looks to teens for a greater role as well. “Distracted driving is an epidemic on our roadways,” said LaHood in the recent DOT statement releasing its findings. “We’re encouraging young people across America to commit to distraction-free driving, spread the word to their family and friends, and speak up if the driver in their car is distracted.” As part of the DOT’s campaign against distracted driving , they are challenging teens to develop an online icon to help raise the issue on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and others. For more information, check out Consumer Reports Guide to distracted driving & teen safety . Source: U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Survey Analysis Showing Young People Are Least Likely to Speak Up About Distracted Driving as Passengers [U.S. DOT] Young Drivers Report the Highest Level of Phone Involvement in Crash or Near-Crash Incidences (PDF) [NHTSA] Continued here: Teens unlikely to speak up against distracted drivers

Filed under: Latest News Renault’s eye-catching Twizy electric two-seater is now on sale in the UK, priced from £6,690. If you are wondering how Renault can sell an electric anything for that price, when the Nissan Leaf is £26K, the answer is that buyers also have to lease the batteries for £45 per month over three years.The wacky two seat Twizy (or one seat plus a 50 litre shopping bag) is certainly the most distinctive way of getting around town: even a pink Ferrari is unlikely to get as much attention. However, the Twizy would struggle to keep up with a Ferrari: the top speed is 50 mph, thanks to a 17 bhp electric motor giving a range of 60 miles. The good news is that Renault has transferred its safety technology to the Twizy. It features a driver’s airbag, a three-point seatbelt and with additional strap for the driver, and a three-point safety belt at the rear. There is a deformable structure, while the outboard position of the four wheels and the lateral beams located either side of the chassis provide protection on either side. Renault has also confirmed that it is actively considering bringing a lower powered version, (5 bhp/28 mph) to the UK from January 2013. The Twizy 45 (from its 45 km/h top speed) was not originally planned for the UK, but, recent confirmation that a new category of European licence – AM – for 16 year olds and over will apply in the UK., means it is worth considering. That really would be the ultimate present for any indulged 16 year old.   Here is the original post: Renault Twizy now on sale Originally posted here: Renault Twizy now on sale

Filed under: Latest News Lest you think that timewarp Goodwood has finally achieved actual time-travel, we should point out that this is Jesse G. James, the stunt-driver. However, he is a relative of the legendary Western outlaw and drives cars and trucks in the same spirit as his ancestor rode horses. He first came to Goodwood in 2009, when his Baja desert racing Trophy Truck was seen hooning around the grounds.Jesse G. James is well-known on TV for his programme Monster Garage and Motorcycle Mania and is also CEO of West Coast Choppers. Through his US TV show Jesse James Is A Dead Man, the presenter also holds the world land speed record for a hydrogen powered vehicle, when he hit 199.7 mph at the El Mirage Dry Lake Bed in California. If there is one thing we would rather see than Jesse doing his stuff in the truck, it would be the first meeting between uber-aristocrat Lord March of Goodwood and the larger-than-life American. We think they would probably hit it off, as they are both perfectionists in their respective fields, but it would have been an amazing contrast of styles. To get an idea of the whole “American in Goodwood” experience, the video below shows one of his jumps at Goodwood 2009. Don’t get any ideas though: Lord March is not going to allow anyone else to try this in one of the Goodwood car parks.   More: Jesse James coming to Goodwood Festival Original post:  Jesse James coming to Goodwood Festival

Filed under: Latest News Maserati has announced a plan to increase sales to 50,000 per year, compared to around 6,000 today. Clearly, not even the booming Chinese market is going to absorb tens of thousands of Quattroportes. The plan is to bring Maserati downmarket (comparatively speaking) to compete in higher-volume segments. The first such model will be the Maserati Kubang SUV , aimed at rivals like the Porsche Cayenne. Rather scarily, it is based on a Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, so Maserati is clearly going to have to do a lot of work to make it a credible Porsche and Land Rover rival.It seems that Fiat , Maserati’s owner, has given up on its original plan of making Maserati a less extreme version of Ferrari, selling 10,000 a year. With sales barely more than half of that, the target has been changed to make Maserati more of an upmarket Alfa Romeo. Now, wasn’t the original plan with Alfa Romeo to make it more upmarket? Plans at Fiat tend to be quite elastic, but this is quite a change even for them. Sergio Marchionne, Fiat’s boss is trying to find a logical positioning strategy for all his brands (Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati plus Chrysler/Jeep) but they are a good decade behind VW’s standards of brand management.   More here: Maserati to go large Read more:  Maserati to go large

With a second place GT class finish by the No. 56 BMW Team RLL M3 GT in today’s American Le Mans Series at Long Beach race, BMW is tied for the manufacturer’s point lead. The second podium of the young ALMS season for Joey Hand and Dirk Müller solidifies their lead in the driver’s standings. The defending GT driver co-champions started the race from the class pole with Hand at the wheel of the No. 56 BMW M3 GT. Hand led the race for the opening 16 laps until a prototype ran into him causing a puncture of the right rear tire. Hand pitted for fuel and four new tires, returning to the race in the seventh position. The races only caution period brought him back to the pits on lap 41 where Bobby Rahal made a bold strategic move to not change tires and jump the field in the pits to send the BMW Motorsport driver out in the lead. Müller lost the lead, but drove a strong stint to extend BMW Team RLL’s Long Beach podium streak to four years. Teammates Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller, driving the No. 55 M3 GT, finished out of the points in11th. Müller, making his first start at Long Beach, was the victim of a first lap accident that forced him to the pits for lengthy repairs to replace the radiator. He returned 13 laps down to the leaders, but put his head down, setting some of the fastest laps of that part of the race. He handed off to Auberlen during the race’s only caution period and the Californian, who podiumed here in both 2009 and 2010, did not disappoint his home race fans as he circulated at a very fast pace until the checkered flag. “A great day for Dunlop,” said  Bobby Rahal, Team Principal . “We double-stinted the tires at Sebring and that’s what got us the win. Here we asked for the same thing. There was no question that we had to leap frog the field after being hit and having a flat tire. We didn’t have enough to beat the No. 4 Corvette, but we held everyone else off. We’ll take a well deserved second place.” Joey Hand, driver No. 56 M3 GT – “We won the race at Sebring by double stinting tires and we placed here the same way. It says a lot to have that kind of confidence in a tire that not only has the performance, but it will also go the distance. I know I can’t win the Championship again this year, but I really, really...

We just received this photo of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, apparently driven by a drunk driver, that managed to vault itself over a Mini and into a Maserati GranTurismo and a vintage Porsche 356 just minutes ago. No one was hurt, but there could be damage to $400,000 worth of cars depending on the specifics of the Porsche. More » Read more: Drunk Driver Crashes Jeep Over Maserati And Into $200,000 Porsche [Car Crashes] Original post:  Drunk Driver Crashes Jeep Over Maserati And Into $200,000 Porsche [Car Crashes]