All posts in “Cars”

Say Hello to the Toyota Supra GR’s Interior Before It’s Officially Revealed

It Looks BMW-esque

The Toyota Supra’s reveal at the North American International Auto Show is right around the corner. However, the details keep leaking out. Toyota won’t have much to discuss at the official reveal. Carscoops just showed off the Supra GR’s interior thanks to some new image leaks it got ahold of. 

The interior of the car looks well put together and handsome, but there are some very BMW-looking elements to the interior. This should come as no surprise because the Supra was developed alongside the new BMW Z4.

Two versions of the Supra’s interior leaked. A two-tone, red and black version and an all-black version. The red and black one is the better looking of the two, and Toyota chose its colors and color placement well.

The red and back interior uses black as a base color and red as the accent. The Supra gets red on the steering wheel, lower portions of the door, and the driver’s side of the center console. 

The infotainment system, controls, shifter, and rotary knob for the car’s system all are straight out of BMW’s playbook. If I didn’t see the big Toyota logo on the steering wheel, I would have assumed this was the interior of a BMW car.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. BMW makes fantastic cars with excellent interior design. The Supra can benefit from that. Toyota doesn’t always make the best choices for its cabins, and using one that’s basically a BMW cabin is welcomed. With that said, I’m a little bummed Toyota didn’t really try to make it, its own.

January 14, 2019 / Comments Off on Say Hello to the Toyota Supra GR’s Interior Before It’s Officially Revealed
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Lexus Unveils the 2020 RC F With Track Edition Leading the Way

Now A Serious Contender

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lexus unveiled the 2020 RC F lineup. At the top of the RC F line is the Track Edition Lexus has already teased. 

All versions of the RC F for 2020 feature less weight, stiffer suspension, revised styling, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires designed specifically for the car, and better aerodynamics. The new car gets more power, too. It has the same 5.0-liter V8 but the power is now 472 horsepower and 396 lb-ft of torque. Also, due to stiffer engine mounts more of that power makes its way to the wheels. 

The standard RC F can make a 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds. The RC F Track Edition can do it in a quicker 4 seconds. Both the regular RC F and the Track Edition get electronic Launch Control as standard equipment. 

The RC F Track Edition doesn’t get more horsepower or torque, but it does get larger 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, a lot more carbon fiber throughout the car, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium muffler, new front splitter, and large fixed rear wing. Inside, the Track Edition gets red leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber to sportily spruce up the cabin. 

Lexus managed to remove 176 pounds from the Track Edition version of the car over the previous version of the vehicle. That’s a ton of weight. It should be evident in the turns as well as in straight line performance. 

Lexus will start production of the new RC F models in 2019. Pricing for the cars has not yet been announced. 

January 14, 2019 / Comments Off on Lexus Unveils the 2020 RC F With Track Edition Leading the Way
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Audi Will Build Production Version of PB18 e-tron

An All-Electric, German Supercar

Audi confirmed in a recent interview that it will take the PB18 e-tron concept car that it showed off last year and make a production model. The all-electric supercar is a model that wowed everyone when it appeared at Monterey Car Week.

However, I didn’t expect it to actually become a production car. With that said, Audi is pushing hard for EV development, and this is one way to continue that progress. 

Audi’s Global CEO Bram Schot told Autoweek Netherlands that the company would make 50 of the unique EV supercar. He also said the car would be launched in the next two years. 

Schot didn’t let slip many details about the car. If it has performance specifications close to the actual concept, the vehicle could have 671 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque. Audi claimed the car could go from 0 to 62 mph in just two seconds. I hope the production car will be that powerful and fast or even faster. 

Powering the concept car was a 95-kilowatt-hour battery that provided enough juice for about 310 miles of range. Audi claimed that the 800-volt charger allowed the battery to reach full capacity in about 15 minutes. 

I don’t know if we should expect the production car to have more impressive or less impressive technology than the concept car. My first instinct is to suggest it would be slightly less impressive. However, with the way EV technology is developing, I wouldn’t be surprised if Audi could squeeze a little more performance out of the design by the time the car came to market. 

According to The Supercar Blog, the car will be a precursor to the new Audi R8, which it says will be a 1000 hp all-electric supercar. 

January 13, 2019 / Comments Off on Audi Will Build Production Version of PB18 e-tron
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Another Supra Leak With Images and Possible Price

No Supra Secrets

Toyota will officially debut the Supra at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but there might be nothing left to discuss at that point.

According to new information via SupraMKV, the price of the new Supra will start at $49,990 for the base model. The next trim level up is called Premium, and it will have a price starting at $53,990. The trim level after that is the Launch Edition. It will start at $55,250.

Of course, all of these prices have not been confirmed by Toyota, so there’s a chance that they could be incorrect. SupraMKV also leaked a couple new images of the whole car in all its sporty glory.

Supra leaked image and priceSupra leaked image and price
Image from SupraMKV

All of the trim levels have a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. The Launch Edition is the pre-order version of the car, according to Jalopnik. The site says the model is based on the Premium version of the car with a few additional aesthetic changes. 

The starting price of the Supra sounds very reasonable when you look around the industry at other sporty coupes. If the prices are correct, we could see most potential buyers being pleased with it. 

While it’s nice to keep getting all of these leaks on the Supra, I almost wish people would be able to keep some of it to themselves. There won’t be much for Toyota to reveal in Detroit. With that said, I’m going to keep reporting on the leaks because, well, the Supra is awesome, and I want to know more about it. I’m looking forward to the official reveal. 

January 12, 2019 / Comments Off on Another Supra Leak With Images and Possible Price
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How to Protect Your Exotic Car

Having an exotic car is a big responsibility. You spent a lot of money on this vehicle, and now it’s up to you to keep it running and looking great. The last thing you want is to walk outside one morning to find that your brand new exotic car has a large scratch on it or end up getting into an accident with your car. So, with that in mind, here are a few ways you can better protect your exotic car and keep it in great condition for a long time to come.

A Good Coat of Wax

Let’s start with the basics. A good coat of wax can go a long way towards protecting your car from minor scratches or scrapes. To get a good coat of wax, you won’t want to take your car to the local car wash that promises a free coat of wax. Rather, you’ll either want to buy some high-quality wax and apply it yourself or take your exotic car to a professional detailer. Putting the wax on yourself is a long process, but one that is well worth the effort. You can learn more about how to apply a coat of wax the right way here. If you don’t have the time for something like this, be sure to take your car to a professional.

Protection from Bad Weather Elements

Adding a coat of wax will help to protect your car, but there’s still more you can do. One of the biggest hazards to your exotic car is bad weather. Wind knocks tree branches down, salt on the road wears down the outside of your car, or hail could pelt your vehicle. Any time your car is outside you are providing Mother Nature with a chance to do some damage.

This means you want to limit the amount of time that your car remains outside. This doesn’t mean you need to drive it less – but rather, it means you need to think about where and how you’re storing your car between drives.

For people with a garage, the answer is simple – just park your exotic car inside. But some of us aren’t lucky enough to have a garage that is big enough built into our homes, so we have to find other solutions. One answer is to look at metal carports. Metal carports are structures that you can easily build on your property that will help to protect your car while it’s parked.

If this doesn’t work for you, consider at least getting a cover for your car. Car covers will protect against the more minor weather conditions like rain and snow, along with protecting it from debris in the wind. You’ll still want to be careful about parking underneath trees during bad weather, but a car cover is better than nothing when it comes to protecting your exotic car.

Perform Regular Maintenance

The next thing you should think about is performing regular maintenance on your exotic car. If you spent a lot of money on an exotic car, chances are you’re already concerned about maintenance. Still, it doesn’t hurt to have a reminder. Make sure that everything is running well with your car before you take it out. This will make it less likely that you’ll end up in an accident and cause a large amount of damage to your car. Here are some basic car maintenance tips if you’re unsure of where to start.

Drive Safely

Speaking of avoiding accidents, it’s important to remember that you need to drive safely. It’s tempting to push your limits when you have an exotic car. Being able to go faster is one of the reasons you bought it. But if you end up in an accident that totals your car, you won’t be too happy. So keep your speed under control and always obey the rules of the road.

Get Your Exotic Car Insured

Finally, you need to make sure that your exotic car has insurance. No matter what you do, there is always a chance that some harm could come to your car. When this happens, you’ll want to know that your insurance will cover the costs, rather than having to pay them out of pocket. Getting insurance for your exotic car is a little different than for regular cars, so check out this guide for more information.

Don’t Take Any Chances

You love your exotic car, so don’t let something happen to it because you didn’t take enough precautions. Protect your exotic car from the weather elements, drive safe, and when all else fails, make sure you have insurance. If you can do this, your exotic car will be around for you to enjoy for many years.

January 11, 2019 / Comments Off on How to Protect Your Exotic Car
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Car Health Diagnostic Tools – Do they work for exotic cars?

Owning a luxury and exotic vehicle is a dream for many car enthusiasts. You might have your heart set on racing down the highway in a Lamborghini or pulling up to your house behind the wheel of a Porsche. Ferrari is also a favorite among many car guys and gals. When you own one of these cars though, you should know that you’ll spend more on maintenance than you would on a domestic vehicle. Any auto made overseas will have a higher cost of ownership than a Ford or a Chevy. Not only will you pay more for simple things such as changing your oil, but you’ll also pay more to run performance scans and repair problems.

According to Eric Griffith and Alex Colon of PC Mag, one of the best ways to soup up your car is with a new type of technology such as a car diagnostic tool. If you own a luxury auto, you’ll find that you can use one in your vehicle to run a simple scan. These tools will also work with exotic and foreign vehicles from different manufacturers. You can find out exactly what your car needs before you take a trip to the mechanic and spend hundreds of dollars or more.

  • Porsche
  • Jaguar
  • Ferrari
  • Lamborghini
  • Land Rover
  • Audi
  • Mercedes-Benz

Use a Sensor on Any Vehicle

One of the best reasons to invest in a diagnostic sensor is that you can use it on almost any type of car. These tools will work on vehicles made in the 1990s and later that rely on gas and on newer models that run on diesel fuel. All you need is a vehicle that has an OBD-II port. If you aren’t sure if your car has this feature, you can consult your manual. In his Fixd review, Dan Reisinger claims that this handy tool can turn a dumb car into a smart vehicle. Though designed for use on domestic vehicles, you’ll find tools that work on exotic models too. Porsche, Jaguar, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Volkswagen owners can now diagnose all their car problems at home and on their own.

Top Reasons to Use a Car Diagnostic Tool

One of the top tech tools for checking your engine is one that uses the OBD-II port, according to David Nield of Popular Science.

Before investing in one of these tools though, you may want to know exactly why you should use one. We did research on a few of the top exotic car manufacturers, including Porsche, Jaguar and Ferrari. We found that they all have OBD-II ports, which are compatible with these types of car diagnostic tools. Now, car diagnostic tools were originally used for simpler cars and trucks, but they actually provide even more value with luxury and exotic cars. Why? Because exotic cars often end up unnecessarily at the mechanic far more than normal cars. With a car diagnostic tool, you can often solve diagnose and solve the problem yourself instead of racking up thousands of dollars in mechanic fees for your Porsche.

There are a lot of car diagnostic tools on the market right now, and one named Fixd is getting a lot of attention right now. Do you often find yourself forgetting that you need to change the oil or replace some of your fluids? One of the best benefits of the Fixd device is the creation of maintenance reminders for the future.  These reminders work through the app and can send data right to your phone. The calendar on your phone will pop up alerts the night before the date you set the reminder. You’ll get another reminder the following day.

As a Porsche owner or the owner of another luxury auto, you want to protect your investment. Car diagnostic tools let you know the consequences of your actions. You can get details regarding what might happen to your car if you keep driving after a scan found something wrong with the engine. This detailed Fixd review discussed whether Fixd works for all different types of cars, including luxury models.

The bottom line is that tools like this will help you keep an eye on all your family’s vehicles.

January 11, 2019 / Comments Off on Car Health Diagnostic Tools – Do they work for exotic cars?
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Toyota Mexico Reveals the Supra Ahead of NAIAS Official Debut

Here’s the Full Look

In a whoops moment, Toyota Mexico tweeted a video of the new Supra before its official debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The video was tweeted with the message (translated to English), “Our new #Supra arrived in Japan!, and this is the story that #AkioToyoda tells us about its return,” according to Jalopnik. Toyota Mexico took the tweet down. 

Jalopnik grabbed some screenshots before Toyota removed it. They’re the images shown. Also, it looks like Carscoops somehow has the video up on its YouTube Channel. It’s shown below The screenshots that Jalopnik share seem to coincide with the video. 

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While this video appearing is probably a pretty big nightmare for Toyota, it’s not like we didn’t mostly know what the car looked like. The company has been teasing shots for ages, and camouflaged versions of the car have appeared everywhere. 

With all the spy shots, renderings, and teasers floating around, you have a pretty clear image of what the Supra is going to look like. What’s still under wraps are all the car’s details. The Supra will share many of its parts with the new BMW Z4.

What isn’t known for sure is how much of it will be shared and if the power will be the same for the engines and all the other little things like that. Toyota will reveal that at the auto show in Detroit. Until then, you can gaze at these images and watch the video above. 

January 11, 2019 / Comments Off on Toyota Mexico Reveals the Supra Ahead of NAIAS Official Debut
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Bentley Bentayga Speed to Launch with 650hp W12

Bentley are working on a Bentley Bentayga Speed SUV. To be honest, this news comes as no surprise. The British brand has seen success with its SUV and, as with all of its other models, is looking to produce a range topping performance model. The ‘Speed’ model is the natural top of the tree.

The rumours, which originate from UK magazine Autocar, suggest that we could see the Bentley Bentayga Speed during the first half of this year, possibly during the Geneva Motor Show 2019.

The super-SUV is expected to use the twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine with a range of electronic tweaks. Power output is anticipated at 650 hp with a sub-4 second 100 km/h sprint time and a top speed in the region of 306 km/h. Bentley will also work on the chassis of the Bentayga to ensure that the additional power does not have a negative effect on the chassis.

Expect similar increases in interior luxuries and upholstery as well as a series of updates for the exterior to set it apart from other models. A Bentley Bentayga plug-in hybrid model is also set to join the range in late 2019, offering the first hybrid power SUV in Bentley’s history. Don’t forget too that 2019 is Bentley’s centenary year so expect surprises along the way to celebrate!

January 11, 2019 / Comments Off on Bentley Bentayga Speed to Launch with 650hp W12
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Ceramic Coating. How It Works & Is It Worth It?

My Experience With Ceramic Coating My Car And Whether It Is Worth It

I came across the concept ceramic coating because of my own experience with trying to maintain my own car. About six months ago I bought my first ever Porsche (2015 991.1 911 GTS). It was a dream come true and I wanted to nurse and take care of the car so it looked showroom quality all the time. Turns out between my kids bumping into my car in the garage (often) and a pretty poor washing and care regime on my part, it took all of a few months to start seeing swirl marks in my black paint. 

I decided to do some research. My focus was fixing and then protecting my paint. I read a ton about paint correction and ceramic coating and even watched Youtube videos on how to do it myself. I realized (smartly) that I had no idea what I was doing and that I needed some professional help. A few phone calls later and a friend referred me to Luke Parise and Kyle Sheridan of Padny Detailing. First of all, if you live in Long Island NY and need trustworthy guys to take care of your prized possession, I highly recommend Padny based on my experience (check out their site, email them at [email protected] or call them at 516-732-7467). This is not a promotional post and the guys did not pay me to say nice things. This is just a guy (me) who treasures his car being really happy with the service I received from two young local entrepreneurs who love cars and do awesome work. 

My paint wasn’t bad before but under the lights in Luke’s garage it was clear that it was worse than I thought. The car was going to need paint correction and then Luke recommended a ceramic coating to better protect the car moving forward. He also taught me how to properly wash and care for the car too (thanks Luke). 

So, What is a “Ceramic Coating”?

In the detailing industry nowadays, the term “ceramic coating” is used loosely and sometimes not accurate. A true ceramic is a high solid coating. This means that once it’s applied, it chemically bonds to the surface and increases surface hardness; much like a clear coat from the factory on top of the paint. A simple way to explain how a coating works is to imagine it like this…a coating is a liquid that becomes a solid. This liquid is applied carefully and then bonds to the surface. This creates a strong, protective or sacrificial layer over your vehicle’s paint.

Standard factory-applied clear coat typically ranks around a 3h or 4h on the pencil hardness scale (a basic metric for determining the resistance/hardness of materials). On this same scale, most ceramic coatings rank around a 8h or a 9h, making ceramic about 3 times more durable than regular clear coat alone! Some companies state that your vehicle will never scratch again. This is not entirely true, coatings do provide increased scratch resistance. If it does infract scratch, the coating has done it’s job. It is also important to note the fact that any kind of contact may cause minor surface scratching. With a coating, this scratching concern is greatly reduced but not totally gone. Like anything else, quality care and maintenance is required to keep the coated vehicle pristine.

Many products on the market now claim to have some sort of ceramic base in them. These products typically have a high solvent, low silica base content to them. Silica is one of the main compounds by which ceramic coatings are made of. Products with low content are mostly diluted and are used for quicker, less intensive detailing (much like a spray wax). Often these products are used as a stand-alones. Although they are easy to apply and may show quick and shiny results, they aren’t considered high solids and don’t properly protect the car. A ceramic coating done the right way is often a bit longer and more intricate process; however, doing so ensures the vehicle is protected for years. Most coating companies make maintenance products that are used to help prolong the duration of the coating after it’s applied. Although these products can be used as stand-alones for a quick shine or light protective layer; they are not adequately preserving and protecting your vehicle as well or as long as a fully bonded coating does.

There are a multitude of companies in the industry offering ceramic coating products. This can overwhelm the consumer when choosing which product to use. Many of the coatings on the market are very similar to each other, some unfortunately may be exactly the same but rebranded. This is why it is crucial to choose a reputable brand and certified installers. Some coatings can actually be purchased by consumers; however, we don’t recommend this. Certified installers undergo training by company representatives typically in informative workshops to sharpen their skills with these products. Therefore, when it comes to ceramic coatings, do your research with both products and detailers you choose.

The Process

One of the most important if not THE most important step in the process is the prep work! In my case the guys had to fix the paint situation first. They spent a lot of time improving the condition of the paint on my 911 GTS. 

First up is washing the car, then fully decontaminating it (clay bar etc.). Next up is the paint correction (which took a week). After that they checked over the entire car, getting rid of small imperfections that are often overlooked by the untrained eye. Following this step, the vehicle was washed again and then wiped down with a prep solvent to remove any oils or polish residue that may have been left on the surface. 

Next up is the ceramic coating. Padny uses both IGL Coatings and Ceramic Pro ceramic coatings in their shop. IGL also offers one of the first 10h (pencil hardness scale) coatings on the market, which is what they decided would be best for the Porsche. Due to the 10h hardness, this coating happens to provide some of the strongest and most durable surface protection.

What are the benefits of having your vehicle treated?

  • Multiple years of durability. Each coating varies but most are rated from anywhere from 2-5 years.
  • Stronger surface protection. From washing and maintaining your vehicle to just typical unexpected abuse and environmental elements. The vehicle will not get marred or scratch nearly as easily.
  • Easy maintenance! Washing your vehicle becomes a breeze. Most of the time on vehicles that are ceramic coated we are able to rinse most of the dirt and debris away without any agitation and then air dry the car in minutes.
  • Showroom/concours appearance all of the time. A coated car almost always looks great. Some of our test vehicles that were being washed weekly prior to coating now haven’t been washed in over a month and still look great!
  • Peace of mind, knowing that your prized possession is heavily protected is a huge thing in itself.
  • No more wax. With coatings there is no need for wax. There are certain products however that can be used as toppers to prolong the coating if you’d still like to tinker on the weekends!
  • In the unfortunate event of something coming in contact with the car… you’re protected. The coating acts as a sacrificial layer on top of the paint. If a material that would have marred the paint such as bird poop, berries, sap or even some form of paint hit the surface, they are only hitting the coating and not affecting the paint in anyway.

The Results

I included all the photos I could of the car after the ceramic coating. Thanks to Kyle for taking these pictures, clearly a gifted automotive photographer and detailer too. Check him out on Instagram at Kyle Sheridan Photography.

I didn’t have before pictures to do a true comparison, but I can tell you the car looks awesome now. The black color is deeper and wetter looking than it was when I first got the car. I get people asking me all the time whether it is a custom black paint color which I suspect is a compliment. Washing the car has been much easier because with the foam gun and water, all the crap comes off without me having to use my hands. I dry it with an air blower now and have yet to see a single swirl or imperfections anywhere. 

It has been over 6 weeks since I got the correction and ceramic coating and it looks just as good today as it does in these photos. I will share updated photos and condition over time, but right now I’m a very happy car owner and would recommend it to anybody who is considering it. 

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on Ceramic Coating. How It Works & Is It Worth It?
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Superformance Will Build Production Version of Shelby GR-1 Concept

Dreams Do Come True

The 2004 Ford Shelby GR-1 concept car first made it into the public eye in 2004 at Pebble Beach as a clay model. In 2005 Ford had a full concept car version that it showed at the North American International Auto Show. Despite a lot of enthusiasm, there was no way it would ever become a production car. 

That has changed thanks to Superformance. The Californian company specializes in building complete, rolling chassis replica cars. Most of its cars were vehicles built in the 1960s. Recently, the company announced at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles to the media it would start building the Shelby GR-1 concept car. 

Superformance teamed up with Shelby American. The companies will work together to build both gasoline and electric versions of the car. Details of the model are scarce, but Vince Laviolette, vice president of Shelby American did say the car will be “very fast,” according to Car and Driver. The CEO of Superformance, Lance Stander, said, “We’re shooting for a two-second Shelby.”

I assume that means two seconds to 60 mph. If that’s the case, all I have to say is that I want one. Superformance will build around 200 of the cars thanks to the 2015 Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act.

However, the company has to wait for the government to finalize the laws before it can start building or ever really deciding what powertrain to put in the car. With that said, you won’t need to worry about buying one of these for a couple of years. You should probably start saving your money. It will most likely be a pricey automobile. 

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on Superformance Will Build Production Version of Shelby GR-1 Concept
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Brabham announces return to Le Mans, in its BT62 supercar

Shortly after announcing the BT62 supercar’s new road-legal package, which also adds some driver comforts, Brabham Automotive has announced its racing intentions. The Australian manufacturer will be taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship in 2021-2022, in the GTE class. The GTE car will be based on the BT62 chassis. Stock, the BT62 comes with a 710-horsepower 5.4-liter V8.

There’s an interesting sideline to the news: As the BT62 debuted as a track-day car first and a road car second, early Brabham customers have become part of the BT62’s track testing team. It’s often said that with some cars, customers become sort of beta testers during early production — with Brabham’s supercars, the aspect seems rather more voluntary. In any case, the endurance racing program is “directly linked” to Brabham’s BT62 Driver Development Program, which also gives owners Pro-Am racing opportunities.

Sir Jack Brabham won the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in 1967, so the name has definite history there. David Brabham, the company’s managing director and lead test driver, also won at Le Mans in 2009, with a Peugeot 908, and his brother Geoff took the honors there in 1993 driving a Peugeot 905.

David Brabham says: “Returning the Brabham name to Le Mans is something I have been working on for years, so it’s fantastic to make this announcement today. Brabham Automotive only launched its first car, the BT62, in May 2018, so we have a long road to travel to earn the right to return to compete at Le Mans. That work starts now with a long-term racing commitment. We look forward to developing the BT62 and future products while building a world-class competitive race team around the leading engineering and manufacturing talent we have in the business.” Brabham also stated that the company intends to compete in a lower-level racing series in the future.

Related Video:

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on Brabham announces return to Le Mans, in its BT62 supercar
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Toyota Teases the Supra One Last Time, Maybe

Tease Much, Toyota?

The 2020 Toyota Supra will debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 14 at 9:40 am EST. Toyota couldn’t help itself, though. It had to tease its super hyped up sports car one last time before the official reveal. The company posted the image above to its media site with a short message about the upcoming reveal. 

The company also provided a link where you can watch a live stream of the reveal. This link will allow journalists and other interested parties partake in the debut of the model without actually being at the show. 

Toyota’s new Supra is one of the most hyped up vehicle reveals in a long, long time. The company has just exacerbated the buzz around the car by slowly letting information and teaser shots trickle out. Frankly, it’s been a little ridiculous.

However, it’s nice to see that the company has a sense of humor about its new sports car and all the buzz it has around it. They had a somewhat silly line in their latest teaser that said simply, “We promise, this is the last teaser* … *subject to change.” 

That makes me think Toyota might just do something else one last time. At this point, I’m fine with that. It doesn’t matter what else the company teases or hints at, the Supra is coming on Januar 14, and I’ll be ready to check it out when it comes. 

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on Toyota Teases the Supra One Last Time, Maybe
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Audi R8 Refreshed for 2019

Earlier this quarter, Audi unveiled the 2019 R8 amid reports that the iconic supercar will be discontinued as early 2020.  The upcoming iteration of the second-gen R8 features facelifted versions of both the coupe and spyder, which are expected to go on sale in Europe early next year.

When it comes to aesthetics, ‘facelift’ accurately depicts the extent of the changes, with the new models benefiting from a redesigned, more aggressive front bumper. The new bumper also incorporates a wider grill, new front splitter and more menacing air inlets.

Significant styling changes elsewhere are forgone, although Audi has introduced new optional exterior packages which add “various highlights to the front splitter, the side trims and the diffuser” for a more bespoke touch. Redesigned 20” ultralight milled wheels are available as an option and two new paint colors are also on offer – Kemora Gray and Ascari Blue.

In the cabin, new upholstery options have extended the catalogue and include the likes of “pastel silver with rock gray contrasting stitching, palomino brown with steel gray stitching and black with utopia blue stitching.” The top of the line R8 V10 Performance will also be available with specially designed leather/alcantara upholstery and unique carbon fiber trim pieces.

The refreshed Audi R8 will also feature performance upgrades for both its engine options, with the V10 now producing 562-horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque –  an increase of 29-horsepower and 7 lb-ft of torque over the 2018 engine, respectively. The V10 will do 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 324 km/h.

The V10 Performance engine receives more modest upgrades, now producing 611-horsepower and 427 lb-ft of torque – an increase of 9-horsepower and 14 lb-ft of torque over the 2018 engine, respectively. The V10 Plus will do 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 331 km/h.

With a renewed focus on driving dynamics, Audi has reworked the suspension to provide “even more stability and precision”. The reprogrammed Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) system improves braking distances while the standard power steering and optional dynamic steering systems have also been improved to enhance driver feedback and response.

All the new 2019 Audi R8 models remain naturally aspirated and all-wheel-drive, and there is no word yet on whether Audi will release a ‘RWS’ version of the refreshed car. Pricing has not yet been officially revealed for either the Euro or US-spec R8, with this information likely to be available closer to the release date.

Audi R8 2019 Image Gallery

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on Audi R8 Refreshed for 2019
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2019 Porsche 718 T Cayman & Boxster Revealed

Porsche Reveals 2019 718 Cayman T, 718 Boxster T

With the introduction of the 2019 718 Cayman T and Boxster T, it is clear that Porsche has taken a page out of the 911 playbook – and to great effect. The 911 T, which was released early in 2018, is a no-frills, purists version of the 911. In short, it is a spartan, stripped down version of the base-model Carrera, sparingly equipped with only the equipment necessary to create a completely driver-focused 911.

The warm reception of the aforementioned car has convinced Porsche that they should apply  this philosophy to their 718 lineup as well, also proving that Porsche appreciates and listens to its customers. This is not just good for public relations, but it is also good for business – a touring version of the affordable 718, truly means that this is a Porsche sports car for the masses.

Features and Highlights

Engine and Performance

Both the Cayman T and Boxster T will be equipped with the base-model 718’s mid-mounted 2.0L flat-four turbocharged engine, which produces 300-horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

The 718 T will come standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox, and buyers will also have the option of outfitting the car with a PDK transmission. Respectively, the car will sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds in the manual and 4.5 seconds in the PDK version’s Sport Plus mode, while top speed is 170 mph.

porsche-718-cayman

porsche-718-cayman

Chassis and Handling

As a result if its inherent philosophy, an un-optioned 718 T will weigh in at 1,350 kg, making it the lightest version in the lineup. The chassis is also 20mm lower to the ground than the base-model it has stripped down, and sits on lightweight 20” high-gloss titanium grey wheels.

In continuing to stay true to its word, the 718 T is equipped strictly with features that enhance the driving experience through a purist’s field of view. The 6-speed manual version of either car will come standard with Porsche Torque Vectoring and a mechanical locking rear axle differential.  For the first time, Porsche Active Suspension Management is available (and in this case, also standard) on a 718, with the latest Cayman and Boxster now able to benefit from this state-of-the-art the electronic damping system.

porsche-718-cayman

porsche-718-cayman

Interior and Exterior

Inside the cockpit is a seamless continuation of the no-frills principles of the “T”, with door pull straps replacing the door handles, a leather-wrapped 360-millimeter GT sports steering wheel and two-way adjustable sport seats. My only surprise here is that the seats aren’t cloth, as leather doesn’t seem to buy into the ideals of spartan-ism so much – oh well.

Furthermore, the Porsche Communication Management module isn’t standard and a storage bin takes its spot instead. Adding it back is actually a no charge option, should you feel the need to restore a sense of relative convenience in the car. Other features that come standard are agate grey mirror shells, a shorter-throw gearbox, and Sport Chrono package (with the dashboard-mounted stopwatch included).

The 718 T will be visually differentiated from its stable-mates with retro-style graphics on each side of the car. To truly stand out, in addition to the standard palette, buyers can also opt for special-edition Lava Orange and Miami Blue paint jobs which are exclusive to the 718 T.

porsche-718-cayman

porsche-718-cayman

Verdict

I believe that the Porsche 718 T is a car we can all get excited for – and by all, I really mean everyone. With official pricing expected to start in the $60,000 USD range, the scenario of owning a true sports car – a Porsche sports car – is very attainable. In an age where large SUVs and crossovers address the necessities of today’s society and lifestyles, the 718 T opens the door for the midlife crisis to happen sooner than originally thought.

Similar to the 911 T, the 718 T will not be the fastest, most luxurious or even the cheapest of all the 718 variants. However, the car is a unique combination of features and nuances that add up to more than the sum of its parts. The T-wins are the perfect car for somebody who knows exactly what they want, and wants nothing more than that – the purist’s car.

Kudos to Porsche for continuing to take the words of their customers and fans to heart.

2019 Porsche 718 T Cayman Image Gallery

January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on 2019 Porsche 718 T Cayman & Boxster Revealed
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The 10 Best Car Mods You Can Do Yourself

It’s easy to think that you need a) to be Dominick Torretto from The Fast and the Furious or b) a mechanical engineering degree to work on your own car. That’s not entirely true, though you should have slightly higher than basic mechanical know-how before you unbolt covers and start removing things. Aside from extensive repairs and large-scale modifications, there are a handful of upgrades most anyone can do that will make a big difference. From new tires and spark plugs to installing backup cameras and data monitoring systems, here are a few easy upgrades that’ll breathe life into your old ride.

Performance

Tires

If you want your car to handle better, start with a good set of tires. Power is great and all, but if you don’t have quality rubber to provide grip and translate it to the road, high-output oomph is all for nothing.

Good: Falken Azansis $90+
Better: Bridgestone Potenza $127+
Best: Michelin Pilot Super Sport $161+

Spark Plugs

Better spark plugs are an easy, affordable swap that can make all the difference. The better the quality of the spark, the better the combustion, translating to more power and better fuel economy. (Here’s a complete rundown on how to check yours.)

Good: Bosch Double Iridium Spark Plugs $5+
Better: NGK Iridium IX $7+
Best: Denso Iridium Racing $37+

Engine Control Unit (ECU) Flash

The ECU in your car is set up from the factory to control the fuel-air mixture in the engine, which maximizes efficiency and power. Problem is, manufacturers program the ECU’s parameters well below the engine’s true capability — mostly as a safety net. A quick reprogramming can unlock aaaall sorts of engine performance and, in some instances, even return better gas mileage.

Good: SCT Performance X4 Power Flash Programmer $379+
Better: AEM EMS-4 Universal Engine Management System $578+
Best: APR ECU Flash $600+

Bushings

Replacing bushings is a bit more involved than swapping spark plugs, but you’ll be glad you did it. Between the suspension and frame and the chassis and engine, factory rubber bushings help kill vibrations throughout your car. The problem with rubber bushings is that they wear out and crack over time. Polyurethane bushings not only last longer than their standard rubber counterparts, but also do a better job of quelling vibrations and minimizing weight transfer.

Good: Daystar $134
Better: Energy Suspension $146+
Best: Prothane $192+

Cold-Air Intake

The better your car breathes, the better it runs. A cold-air intake not only frees up the air flow to your engine, it also feeds it cooler, more condensed air, which engines love.

Good: Spectre Performance $155+
Better: K&N $251+
Best: AFE Power $478+

Technology

Infotainment

The age of infotainment systems is relatively new, so it’s understandable if you feel behind with an older car. A new, modern interface and speaker system is an easy way to reenergize your daily commute or weekend drive.

Good: Soundstream VRN-65HB $185
Better: Kenwood DDX24BT$237
Best: Pioneer AVIC-5200NEX $430

Back-Up Camera

Along with infotainment systems, backup cameras only recently became an industry standard. But, once you use a backup camera, going back to parallel parking and reversing in tight spaces without one feels like serious work.

Good: Metra License Plate Back-Up Camera $50
Better: Garmin BC 30 Wireless Backup Camera $133
Best: Boyo VTC700R $239

Data Monitoring

Even if you consider yourself adept and handy under the hood of your car, diagnosing a single specific problem based on the all-encompassing check engine light can be near impossible. Data monitoring systems keep you in-the-know, defining problems in plain English.

Good: Fixd Active Car Health Monitor $60
Better: ScanTool $80
Best: VyncsPro $100

Remote Start

Warming up or cooling down your car before even getting in it is a true luxury. But you don’t need a personal driver on the payroll — all you need is a simple remote starter.

Good: Compustar CS800-S $55
Better: Directed Electronics Inc 4806P Python $164
Best: Viper 5906V $332

Tire Pressure Monitoring

Whether you’re going on a long road trip or making your way through the daily commute, few things can ruin a drive like a flat or slow leak. Keeping the correct PSI in all four corners isn’t just safer, you’ll also extract better, more confident handling and perfromance from your tires when they’re properly inflated.

Good: Favoto TPMS$48
Better: Cacagoo Wireless TPMS $69
Best: Careud TPMS $210
Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
January 10, 2019 / Comments Off on The 10 Best Car Mods You Can Do Yourself
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The 2020 Ford Explorer Is All-New From the Ground Up

Ford unveiled the all-new 2020 Explorer SUV ahead of this year’s North American International Auto Show and while the styling does take a marginal step forward in modernity, don’t let that hide the massive leaps and bounds lurking under the sheet metal. It’s evolution hiding a revolution. And all of that comes with only a $400 jump in price to $32,765.

A complete rework of the Explorer from the ground-up was always in the cards, especially with the announcement of the similarly Lincoln Aviator. Since the Explorer shares Lincoln’s platform that means the three-row Ford is going back to rear-wheel-drive with optional all-wheel-drive. The performance Ford can now tap into is one thing, but the new architecture allows for engineers to lighten up the design of the Explorer’s front-end, but most importantly, it yields more interior space for each of the three rows of seats.

Under the hood, the base, XLT, and Limited Explorer models will get the potent 2.3-liter twin-turbocharged I-4 making its way into all of Ford’s trucks and SUVs and is good for 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Platinum trim level gets the EcoBoost V6 which churns out 365 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque and, with the help of the rear-wheel-drive architecture, the Platinum can tow up to 5,600 lbs. There will also be an ST and Hybrid model, but performance specs for those trims will be announced in Detroit, next week at NAIAS.

Along with the increase in space, the interior gets a few modern touches and influences from the Lincoln side of the family. You can choose to have the second row as a bench seat or two captain’s chairs. The 10.1-inch touch screen infotainment system — while it looks like someone just tacked their iPad to the dash — is pretty intuitive and compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Waze navigation and runs through a 14-speaker B&O premium audio system.

Design-wise, it’s a relief to see Ford make the switch to a rotary-dial gear changer and move away from the traditional clunky automatic levers. The 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster is also a neat little touch. Each of the seven drive modes gets its own animation and mode-specific
dial layout. One thing that lets the interior down is the leather Ford decided to use on the steering wheel and seats. It looks almost identical to the upholstery in the ’94 Explorer my buddy had in High School. Weird ’90s reference, but okay, Ford.

Now that Ford is committing to make 90 percent of its lineup trucks and SUVs, it’s good to see the models they’re putting out are something to be proud of. If the Ford continues to use Lincoln as a foundation for the rest of its products, it’s easy to assume the more affordable brand will see similar success and warm receptions.

January 9, 2019 / Comments Off on The 2020 Ford Explorer Is All-New From the Ground Up
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The North Face Teams Up With BMW to Make an Off-Road Camper

Collaborations between brands in this day and age are wildly commonplace. Many times, when two brands put their heads together they’ll make a unique, desirable product – whether through boundary-pushing designs or smart, limited special-editions. Other times, the result is a useless, heavy-handed thing with multiple brand names slapped all over just for the hell of it. The BMW x The North Face Futurlight Camper Concept, unveiled this week at CES 2019, is most definitely the former.

Any longer, CES is gathering for more than just tech companies; decidedly non-tech companies (at least in the traditional sense) are abundant. Oftentimes, to get space on the trade show floor, brands who wouldn’t usually work together combine talents on a product that attracts crossover customers. Case in point: BMW and The North Face.

The material stretched over the wireframe dome of the Futurlight uses nanotechnology to be both breathable and ventilated, but waterproof at the same time. The camper’s lack of aluminum, let alone solid side panels, drastically lowers the camper’s weight. When you tow the Futurlight behind, say, your BMW X5, you won’t have to worry about your MPG plummeting all that much.

The Futurlight is just a concept, so keep in mind that some of its features and details don’t exactly make sense in the real world. The extra flooring around the outside doesn’t seem all that useful. The wheels, while futuristic-looking, are basically summer slicks fit for a motorcycle — pretty much useless if you’re attempting to summit whatever alpine pass BMW rendered in the above picture.

Outside of the conceptual flair drawn in for drama, the idea of the new, advanced material by The North Face applied to something more than “just” a tent is where the intrigue lies. BMW’s Gina concept from 2008 played a big part in the inspiration for the Futurlight. It could even be that what we’re seeing is the beginning of fabric-based automotive body panels making the first steps towards production.

January 9, 2019 / Comments Off on The North Face Teams Up With BMW to Make an Off-Road Camper
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The Top 5 Cars of 2018 According to Jeremy Clarkson

Jeremy Clarkson’s reviews are legendary for being either violently incendiary or positively glowing and sometimes switch between both from sentence to sentence. Similarly, when Clarkson’s annual top five picks of the (pervious) year surface, some of his choices are complete wild cards while others you could see coming from a mile away. His 2018 favorites are no different — power and speed are definitely a theme, but one or two are a step outside of the norm for the Grand Tour host.

5: Bentley Continental GT

“It’s very safe to say that the new Bentley Continental GT ticks all the boxes a generational progression requires: sharper looks, improved performance, and an overall FOMO-inducing level of refinement.” – Alex Kalogianni

Read Our Review

4: Aston Martin Vantage

“Take one look at its distinctive and futuristic yet heritage-inspired shape and you’re intrigued; hear it start up, and its raucous V8 ignites in you a traditional muscle car lust; drive it and you understand how supportive of your wildest daredevil dreams a car can be.” – Nick Caruso

Read Our Review

3: Alpina B5

Weilding a 600 horsepower V8 and the stylistic and performance upgrades you’d expect from Alpina, it’s no surprise Clarkson calls the B5 “as close to perfect as any car can be.”

Read His Review

2: Porsche 911 GT2 RS

If you’ve ever caught an episode of the old Top Gear, Clarkson makes it known at almost every turn that he’s not a Porsche fan. So when he says he “truly loved it. Everything about it,” you know the Porsche 911 GT2 RS is one hell of a car.

Read His Review

1: Lambroghini Huracan Performante

The general consensus on the Huracan Performante across the industry is it’s one of Lamborghini’s best yet. It would seem Clarkson completely agrees.

Read His Review
January 9, 2019 / Comments Off on The Top 5 Cars of 2018 According to Jeremy Clarkson
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Lexus RC F Track Edition Teased

Something Very Fast This Way Comes

On January 14, Lexus will showcase the new RC F Track Edition at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Today, the company teased an image of the car and a short video on its YouTube channel. It’s going to be a real killer. 

The car should compete better with the BMW M4, Audi RS5, and Mercedes-AMG C63. While all the good specs and information will be held until the official debut, you can get a glimpse of the car and hear its raucous V8 roaring in the video. 

The image teased gives you no real info. It’s just of the rear wing affixed to the trunk lid. It’s a carbon fiber unit with the Lexus F logo on the end. The wing looks great and should give the rear-driven car a bit more downforce when it’s rocketing around a racetrack. 

Little is known about the Lexus RC F Track Edition. It will likely be full of carbon fiber bits. The big V8 may have a tune of some kind, making even more horsepower than the regular RC F. The engine sure sounds good in the video. If Lexus engineers had their way with the V8 it should make more than the 467 hp the current model makes.

I’d expect Lexus also did some fussing with the cooling system, maybe the air intake system, and definitely the exhaust system. You can expect the RC F to be lightweight and wicked fast. 

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January 9, 2019 / Comments Off on Lexus RC F Track Edition Teased
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