Well Done, Aston Martin!

2011 Aston Martin Rapide

As 2010 comes to a close, I've been roaming the internet looking at what cars made the top lists of 2010. I'm startled to say that out of most of the lists I've seen, the Aston Martin Rapide made the top on almost every list. Well done, Aston Martin! You've created a rather brilliant grand-tourer.

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Girls Love Vespas!

Vespa 60th Anniversary (Courtesy of AutoBlog)

I don't know what you guys hear about girls choosing fancy sports cars over these small scooters called Vespas. But, as it turns out, most girls love Vespas. To honor its 60th Anniversary, Vespa had some girls model for their scooters. And we're talking sexy ones, too. Not those cheap ones that just do it to get paid. Vespas have always attracted women from its birth. Take a look at the video below to see the Women of Vespa.



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One Seriously Mad Merc

2011 Mercedes-Benz B55 Prototype

What happens when put 12 young Mercedes-Benz trainees in a room with a small B-Class Diesel? If I were you, I would've taken 20 steps back to the moment of fleeing the room because they just went crazy! What these trainees have done was exchange the 2.0-liter diesel engine for a 5.5-liter 383 horsepower V8 engine. The also managed to modify the body, lower the suspension, and add bigger, fatter tires for grip. Their end product: a compact German hot rod. They call it the B55 and it's the craziest Merc I've ever seen in my life. Imagine driving to work in Germany blowing the doors off a 4-cylinder Mini Cooper with your V8 B-Class. Unfortunately, this was just a mere prototype and Mercedes-Benz has no intentions of selling it. They did a good job with it though. Here's a video of it doing what it does best: a burnout.



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Ferrari One-Off Special

2000 Enzo Ferrari Prototype

Now this car may look like an old Ferrari 348 TS, but in retrospect this is an old prototype version of the Enzo Ferrari. And, to make things a lot better, it's on sale! According to the description of the car, this was the only working prototype of the Enzo to have left the Assembly Line in the Ferrari Factory in Modena. Under the hood is a 6.0-liter Ferrari V12 engine which produces 670 horsepower, almost 20 horsepower more than the actual car. It's been authenticated as well with the papers and official certification found inside the car.

Certificate of Authentication

The price of this special prototype hasn't been announced yet, but expect it to be very, very high.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sport Review

2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sport

With the economic crisis hurdling down on us, its hard for most of us to achieve our dream and buy that fancy luxury you've wanted since you were a kid. However, Mercedes-Benz, which is always two steps ahead of everything, came to the rescue with this rather peppy luxury-sports sedan. From the face of it, the C-Class does look rather pretty. It has some facial features similar to that of the S-Class. It might not have as much features as the S-Class, but you can have its face and a lot of other things for a whole lot less.

City Cruising

First off, there's the engine, which is 3.0-liter V6 producing 228 horsepower. It doesn't sound like much, but it means something to this car. You can get the engine connected to a 6-speed manual transmission (Standard) or a 7-speed automatic transmission (Available on rear-wheel drive models, standard on 4Matic models) which will get the car from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 6 seconds. That's pretty quick for quite a small luxury car. It weighs just 1.5 tons so it should feel light when driving it. And thanks to its lightness and non-powerful engine, the car will do an EPA estimated 22 MPG, which makes it very good when saving money on fuel.

Red Hot!

As a city cruiser, the ride is very comfortable and rather cozy for a cheap luxury car. In comfort mode, the suspension is softened up and helps remove all the nasty bumps and jolts that you might come across if you're strolling a place like Manhattan. I tested out its suspension in a very bumpy place in New Jersey known as Plainfield. It was surprisingly soft, although it isn't recommended that you drive one like an idiot, which I saw one person do the other day. I don't have a picture to show you what he did to his C-Class, but let's just say don't think you're car is invincible, because it isn't. Anyway, the ride is very comfortable on very harsh roads, and that includes snowy roads like the ones we've received a few days ago.

Speedy Getaway

As for handling, that was very surprising as well. Since this car is very light and has the power directed to all four wheels, expect to make turns on a dime. Truthfully speaking, this car has the ability of out-gripping a BMW 328i X-Drive, which is also very good. In sport mode, the suspension is stiffer and throttle responses are sharper if you want to do some sporty driving. I tested this mode out on some very windy roads in Franklin (yes, there are some windy roads there). The car feels very light and in the same way, very composed. I was making sharp turns at 60 MPH; no understeer or oversteer at all. It's so fast and so grippy, it literally made me sick. My stomach was doing well. I was rushed to the hospital. My leg still hurts from fainting. That's how sick this car is. It wasn't a pleasant sick, but it was a good sick.

Picturesque Moment

So, price-wise, this is car is 70% affordable. You can get the new C-Class now with 4Matic All-Wheel Drive, Satellite Navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, COMAND System, iPod Integration, 6GB Hard Drive, Enhanced Voice Control, Heated Front Seats, and over 100 more features for just $42,600. Now, that does sound like a lot, but compared to its rival, the BMW 328i X-Drive M Sport, you can get all of this for $47,650, more than $5,000 more than this one. So, price-wise, the new C-Class is the perfect buy in this economic crisis. You'll be able to feel luxurious and somewhat sick at the same time.

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News Flash: Hidden Porsche Coming to Detroit

2010 Porsche 918 Spyder Concept Study (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)

There has been some recent speculation on Porsche unveiling a very secret model at the NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) in Detroit next month. Some say it will be the production model of the 918 Spyder. Others say it will be another Porsche hybrid. Now, those speculations can be put to rest, because Porsche has officially announced that a racing version of the 918 Spyder is coming to Detroit, and it may look something like this...

2011 Porsche 918 Coupe GT Race Car (Rendered) (Courtesy of WorldCarFans)

This picture was rendered by a young 13-year old designer from WorldCarFans usernamed porschecarreragtmay6. Now, it might not look like this entirely, but this just gives us an idea of what the production version could look like. This young kid did a good job rendering it. Be on the lookout for this new Porsche next month in Detroit.

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Super Jag

2011 Jaguar XJ Sentinel

It seems that rich people are turning to armored cars for protection from thugs or terrorists. Luckily, Jaguar has joined the fray with their new XJ. They call it the Sentinel and even though it looks like a regular XJ, it has put on a lot of weight. It now weighs 7,275 lbs. That's over 3,000 lbs. more than its original weight. You won't be going very fast either. The original XJ with its 385 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine hit 60 from 0 in 5.4 seconds. The Sentinel does it in 9.7 seconds. It will still reach its top speed which is 121 MPH, but it will take a while to get there. Speed won't be important anyway. What is important is if this car can withstand anything the bad guys throw at it, and it can. Thanks to all that discreet Armor Plating, the XJ Sentinel can withstand 15kg of TNT explosives, B7 level explosives, and under floor grenade explosives. The windows are bulletproof so it can withstand machine-gun fire. The wheels are 19-inch Aleutian Alloy wheels which are much stronger than regular alloys. The car also features high-performance brakes, run-flat tires, full-restraint system, dual-stage driver and passenger front and side thoracic airbags, and side curtain airbags. So basically, what Jaguar has done is they've created a Tank with Luxury and Prestige. Prices start at over $100,000, making it available to very reach people or very important diplomats.

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DC Rapid Fire!

Ken Block with Gymkhana Fiesta

Life does get rough if you're the Owner, CEO, and Official Rally Driver of a shoe company. Luckily, if you're Ken Block, things tend to get easy as life goes by. Just recently, Mr. Block was in France giving rides to popular extreme surfers and BMX bikers involving him doing what he does best, Gymkhana. He did give a girl a ride, although she did scream the whole time. Ken doesn't mind giving demos to people. He did the same thing for James May when he had the old Subaru Impreza. Anyway, check out the video below to see what madness Ken Block with French people.



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Happy 50!

2011 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Not this year, but in 2013, rumor has it that Lamborghini is planning something special for its 50th Anniversary. Who knows? It might be the return of the mighty Murcielago. Maybe a special edition of the upcoming Aventador LP700-4 or the production version of this Sesto Elemento that you see above you. The only way to find out is to wait for two years. Sounds tiring, huh?

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New Year = Year of Firsts

2012 Ferrari 612 Replacement (Courtesy of MotorAuthority)

Remember the Ferrari California? That was a big "first" car in the Ferrari Showcase. It was the first Ferrari with a 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission. It was the first Ferrari convertible with a metal-folding roof and two extra seats. It was the first Ferrari with a V8 engine in the front of the car instead of the middle. This car really changed Ferrari's outlook. Now, for 2011, Ferrari's bringing out another "first" car. This time, it will be the first Ferrari ever in its history with and I quote "All-Wheel Drive". This new Prancing Horse will replace the current grand-touring 612 Scaglietti. No word on if this car will still have 4 seats like the 612 does, but it will be pretty fast. It will use the same 6.3-liter 670 horsepower V12 engine the 599 GTO uses. But, instead of being connected to a 6-speed F1 transmission, it will be connected to a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission similar to that of the 458 Italia. That means 0 to 60 will be reached in about 3.7 seconds and its top speed will be 208 MPH. If this new Prancing Horse does have 4 seats, it could be the fastest grand-tourer in the world. Let's hope it does. Be on the lookout for this new Prancing Horse in March at the Geneva Motor Show. Here's a video of Ferrari prepping the 612 Replacement.



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It Can Wait

AT&T TXTing & Driving: It Can Wait

I have to get serious here because this issue has been popping up all over the USA. Never text while driving! I know there are a lot of teenagers reading this thinking doing this isn't dangerous at all. Well, let me tell you a story and give some known facts. There once was a young woman on the verge of graduating from high school. She was invited to see a softball game with a boy. While driving, the boy texted here, "Where you at?" For one measly second, she looked at her phone and texted back to him. Before she could even press send, she clipped a median, went on the wrong side of the road, and crashed head on into oncoming traffic. She was then rushed to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead. There's my story. Now, let me give you some facts about this dangerous habit. Did you know that Texting while Driving is and I quote 6x more dangerous than drunk driving. Let that sink in: 6x more dangerous than drunk driving. What this means is that if you text while you drive, there's an 90% chance you'll end up in a ditch, spin your car out, or worse, die. I personally don't do this while driving. I think it's stupid and pointless. Just set your car up with bluetooth and call the person. That way, your hands are still on the wheel, you're still focused on the road, and you are more likely to make it home safely. If my story and facts aren't as convincing, then take a look at this documentary produced by AT&T and see if that changes your mind.



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Maybach Coupe?

2011 Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio Coupe

Some of you may have heard or seen the Maybach Excelero. It was the only 2-door coupe Maybach had ever produced. Only one was made and sold for about $8 Million. Well, today it seems that the idea of a Maybach coupe did not die. The designer of the Excelero, Fredrik Burchhardt, was commissioned once again by Maybach to design a 2-door version of the popular 57 S Limo. The results: a coupe with a 57 S face, shorter body, two longer doors, more LED lights, and Mercedes CL-Class design. The first model ever produced is still at the Daimler showroom in Stuttgart, Germany. However, a Saudi Arabian Automotive Company known as AutoKingdom found interest in the new 57 S Coupe and decided to invest in it for $93 Million. So now, you can have your own Maybach Coupe with all the luxury and design of the limo, just shortened into a coupe, for about $894,000. Better hurry though. Xenatec are only turning 100 57 S Limos into coupes.

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The Veyron before the Super Sport

2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)

We all know that the fastest car in the world right now is the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport with a top speed of 268 MPH. Ever since it was built, the Veyron's main purpose was to be the best of the the best, and this car clearly lives up to its goal: 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds, all-wheel drive, carbon fiber body, 1200 horsepower. This truly is a masterpiece. The last bit of information I mentioned there, the power of the car, is true, but truthfully speaking, it isn't the most powerful car out there. There is one production car from France with 150 more horses than this car and it's not entirely what you think it is.

2009 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Centenaire

It's this: the Bugatti Veyron Centenaire. Now you may be a bit confused, but let me explain. This isn't the Bleu Centenaire, celebrating 100 years of Bugatti success that's covered in blue. This is the Centenaire, a secret celebratory car for Bugatti's success. This highly exclusive Veyron made its appearance at the Geneva Motor Show this year. Under the hood is a tuned version of the regular Veyron's Quad-Turbocharged 8.0-liter W16. Instead of having 1001 horsepower, this Veyron has 1350 horsepower. That's more than you get in the Super Sport. Unfortunately, this car isn't faster than the Super Sport because its top speed is 261 MPH, 7 MPH slower than the Super Sport. Why? Bugatti only customized the engine. They never lightened the body. They only made it prettier to look at. Only a limited amount were sold, each costing over $2.2 Million. But, it doesn't matter, because it's not the fastest car in the world.




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The Camaro Line Continues

2012 Chevy Camaro Z-28 (Courtesy of LeftLaneNews)

What you are looking at is the combination of hardcore muscle and European engineering. This is a rendered shot of the upcoming 2012 Chevy Camaro Z-28, done by Jon Sibal. Now, it may not look like this, but trust me when I say that it will look this aggressive. Under the hood will be the same engine used in the fastest production sedan in the world, the Cadillac CTS-V: a 6.2-liter Supercharged LSA V8 producing 556 horsepower. Chevy is determined that this Camaro will do 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds and hit over 200 MPH. Let's see if they can achieve that. Look for this car in the showrooms next year.

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Luxury + Sport = Bentley

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)

Bentley is a very interesting car company. What they do is prove that old people still have the ability to be agile. Why do I say this? Unless you're Mark Zuckerberg, Ryan Seacrest, Rick Ross, or Wiz Khalifa, Bentleys are best owned by the rich, and most rich people are over 50 years of age. If you're in that age range, you may find some Bentleys rather favorable.

2010 Bentley Brooklands

Take the Bentley Brooklands for example. It might have ended its run a few months ago (limited to 550 units), but there are some used models still around with prices starting at $209,995 (based off of duPont REGISTRY). So, if you have that much money, love British luxury, are a successful businessman, and you're old, this car is for you. It contains all the luxury and detail that you can get in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, which is about $300,000 more than this. The seats are like the leather ones taken from the Queen of England's Bedroom. The center console is filled with gadgets and gizmos, but is easily understandable by anyone. The finish is done in walnut with some chrome attachments. So, this car is a Rolls-Royce Phantom with two less doors. However, the most interesting part about this Bentley, which is what makes this car rather ridiculous, is that it has a sport button. Why on earth would it have a sport button? I guess Bentley put it in to make old people excited again when they use it. And it's not like they're not going to use it. This car has a 6.7-liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine producing 530 horsepower. 0 to 60 is reached in 5.3 seconds, but this car will reach a top speed of 184 MPH. That's insanely fast for a car that weighs just about 3 tons (5853 lbs.), almost as much as my Range Rover. If they do use the sport button in this car, they're gonna have to be careful though. There is a slight chance they will shred their rear tires, like Jeremy Clarkson does in this video. 

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)

How about the Continental Supersports? It's much sportier and smaller than the Brooklands. It has all-wheel drive so it's much more composed in sport mode than the Brooklands. It has loads of more power (627 horsepower) than the Brooklands so it's faster (204 MPH). Isn't this car better? Yes and no. What this car is is Bentley's attempt to create a Porsche 911 GT3 RS; a purebred track day racer. They did manage to pull it off, but a track racer needs to be lightweight so that it can handle corners at high speeds and take turns on a dime. This car weighs 2.5 tons and feels very heavy to drive. They did manage to take out the rear seats, but they still left the luxury of a Bentley. The seats are leather ones similar to that of the Duke of Westminster's Smoking Jacket. The center console is carbon fiber, but with some chrome finishes in between them. So, this really isn't a track-ready race car. It's more of a track-ready ocean-liner. You can try to go drifting with it, but it's all-wheel drive and traction control systems won't help the drifting that much. If you do drift though, be careful. Like the Brooklands, you could shred the rear tires, as Jeremy, once again, does in this video.



So, in conclusion, Bentley has tried to liven up old souls with their luxurious big cars. But honestly, coming from me, some of them are just bonkers.

Step Aside, Zonda!

2010 Pagani Zonda R (Gran Turismo 5)

For the past year, Pagani have been working on the Zonda's replacement codenamed the C9. The Zonda R was actually a race-ready prototype of the upcoming supercar.

2011 Pagani C9 Prototype (Courtesy of WorldCarFans)

We've seen pictures of the car in the works and were given specs of what engine the car will have: a 6.0-liter 690 horsepower AMG V12 engine with 738 lb.-ft. of torque. Besides that, we haven't received anything else. However, now, Pagani have released a teaser clip of the supercar. It features Pagani CEO, Horatio Pagani, sipping a cup of coffee at his home. Right beside the cup is a small 1:43 scale model of the actual car. We might not see the actual car, but we can see that it still keeps Zonda tradition with the centrally-mounted exhaust system. The C9 is expected to make its worldwide debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 (Hands On): Vehicle Info

2010 Ferrari California (Test Drive Unlimited 2)

Test Drive Unlimited is back with more islands, more houses, more online madness, and, most importantly, more cars. Here's one of them: the 2010 Ferrari California. This is a truly brilliant grand touring exotic. This is a car that you would take to on a grand tour of Europe or even Miami Beach. You might have driven this car in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, but in this game, it's way better. You still get Ferrari's 453 horsepower 4.3 liter V8 under the hood. It will still reach 0-60 in just 4.0 seconds with Ferrari's first 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It still has that same top speed of 193 mph, but now that the attention has shifted from circuit racing to island cruising, there's so much more you can do. Now, you can get chased by the Ibiza Police Department, race friends on the scenic Ibiza Highway, and even retract Ferrari's first metal-folding roof for a pleasant drive around the island. These are just some of the many things you can do with this awesome grand tourer. Take a look at the short video below to see this car in action.

A New Era of AMG

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG  (Courtesy of EVOCARS)

Say hello to the all new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. It now has a new face with new bumpers and a new interior. LED lights now come standard in the front and rear lights. It now looks more aggressive than it did before, and it should since it will be powered by an old heart. Instead of using AMG's all new 5.5-liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine, the C63 will get an upgraded version of its old 6.2-liter Naturally Aspirated V8. Lets hope it really is more powerful than it was before or it won't make a lot of sense. The Twin-Turbo V8 engine, Mercedes says, will instead be put on the C63 AMG Coupe coming in the fall of next year. Anyway or another, this is one serious Mad Merc.

Sunday Drivers

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI 4Matic Estate

Ever wonder what would happen when you mix this all new E-class wagon with a slow Sunday Driver? Only Mercedes-Benz have the answer to that. Formula One racing legen Mika Häkkinen was seen driving this E-class in the snow trying to overtake an old SL roadster driven by none other than his Schumacherness, Michael Schumacher. He ends up overtaking him. So, that's it right? He's overtaken him proving that 4Matic technology is great on the snow. Show's over, right? Wrong! You'd be surprised who takes him from behind. Watch the video to find out who.

Reasonably Priced Makeover

2011 Kia Pro_Cee'd

Top Gear's current Reasonably Priced Car, the Kia Cee'd (or Cee apostrophe D), is getting a makeover for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The car now features more power (128 horsepower), a new bumper, fog lights, a more aggressive grille, better brakes, and a new name: Pro_Cee'd. Kia also suggest there being a possible diesel engine under the bonnet. Look for the new Pro_Cee'd at the Geneva Motor Show in the upcoming weeks. The Kia Cee'd has been the Top Gear Reasonably Priced Car since the beginning of Series 15. It's been proven to be a much faster car than their previos RPC, the Chevrolet Lacetti. A few noteworthy stars have driven it including Rupert Grint, Andy Garcia, Jeff Goldblum, and Danny Boyle. But, the two stars that manage to use this car's full potential are Knight & Day actors Cameron Diaz & Tom Cruise. Here's a video of what I'm talking about. It's backwards, but don't worry about it. Take a look at Tom's lap in the Cee'd and see just how good a driver this man is.

So Much to Do, So Much to See

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

For those of you who have Gran Turismo 5 and this rather stunning Prancing Horse, I hope you're having fun tuning it. Wouldn't it be cool if you could personalize it in real life? Guess What? Now, you can! Ferrari has launched a configuration page for the 458 Italia giving you the ability to customize the look and features of your future Ferrari. You can change lots of things such as the exterior color, two-tone color, brake caliper colors, Interior leather, parking sensors with camera, and so much more. To get started, head here. Or you can watch this video of how you'll be able to do it.

WOW! 200 posts already?!

Real Racing 2 Shenanigans

2010 BMW M3 GTS (Real Racing 2)

I never knew iPhone racing games could be this fun, especially this one. 29 beautifully designed cars, 15 gorgeous tracks, millions of racers around the world, tons of stuff to share with your friends; that's Real Racing 2. I recently had some fun in a very peppy M3 with a roll cage and a rear wing. This special track-ready M3 is only available in Europe in the real world and costs over $100,000. It's much lighter (3,300 lbs.), much faster (187 MPH), and much more powerful (450 horsepower). Luckily you can drive one of these in this portable racing game. I was able to. Check out the pictures below.

NFS World Shenanigans Part 3

2009 Audi R8 4.2 FSI Quattro

A while back, Black Box unlocked more areas in the world of Need For Speed including downtown Rockport City, Fortuna, and Kempton. These are ideal areas with great roads and a long stretch of highway in between them. In order to experience these roads properly, you'll need a fast, powerful exotic that takes the corners nice and easy. In short, the Audi R8 will help you experience these new landmarks. Its 420 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 FSI engine is placed in the middle of the car for great balance when cornering at high speed. With a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, this car will hit a top speed of 187 MPH. Also, to help with traction, Audi gave it Quattro all-wheel drive. This should help tremendously in the corners. This is a brilliant car that looks absolutely gorgeous. After I went cruising through the new areas, I had some fun with this car. Check the video below to see what I did.

V12 Symphony

2010 Aston Martin V12 Vantage (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)

Aston Martin has been known for building cars with a presence, preferably ones with 12 cylinders. Their latest and greatest creation, the V12 Vantage, emulates that presence thanks to its custom rear exhaust pipes and 6.0-liter 510 horsepower V12 engine. That engine has been around the company for centuries. The DB9, DBS, and Rapide have used it as well. It's even softened the hearts of racing fans when they hear it coming from a race car like this...

2010 Lola-Aston Martin Gulf LMP1

Aston's V12 racing machine uses the same 6.0-liter V12 engine that the V12 Vantage uses, but only for racing purposes. Due to FIA regulations, the engine had to be a little bit more powerful than the original. So, instead of producing 510 horsepower, it produces 650 horsepower. That is impressive though because Aston Martin doesn't believe in turbochargers or superchargers any more. This engine is purely natural. And because it's lightweight (only 900kg), it's very fast. It was able to show Audi up at a couple of 24-hour races. So what happens when you combine a V12 exotic with a V12 racer? Only Aston Martin knows, which is why they posted a video of what would happen. Check it out.

Convertible Comeback

2011 Maserati GranCabrio

Since the economic crisis, Maserati hasn't been doing so well. The sales for the GranTurismo coupe and the Quattroporte sedan haven't been as high as they would've expected. But, Maserati has a new hero that has bounced the brand back up out of the hole: the GranCabrio. It's been hailed as one of the best grand-touring convertibles ever produced. In fact, this car is so good, it's currently sold out in the U.S. and the waiting list for one is quite long. So there you are; if you're looking for the perfect luxurious grand-tourer, the GranCabrio is your best bet. Hopefully more will come and Maserati will finally rise to be one of the best luxury brands in America.

Rover from the Kahn Dynasty

2011 Project Kahn Range Rover RS500 Cosworth

It looks like tuning companies are now tuning diesel cars trying to make them more powerful, and Project Khan and Cosworth have joined the Fray. Now there aren't many tuning companies that can perfect the Range Rover, but these two combined managed to pull it off. The regular Range Rover Vogue TDV8 has a 4.4-liter Turbodiesel V8 einge producing 313 horsepower with a whopping 516 lb.-ft. of torque. Cosworth thought they could do better. So, behind closed doors, they managed to bump the power up by 187 to produce an incredible 500 horsepower Turbodiesel V8 engine. As for the torque, they've decided to keep that hidden, but because this is a Turbodiesel, expect it to be very, very high. Project Kahn helped with the styling and design of the new Range Rover giving it an aggressive bodykit, new 22-inch alloys, and new leather stitched interior, steering wheel, center console, and dashboard. Look for this aggressive Range Rover in the UK only next year.

If James Bond Ever Did Le Mans

2011 Aston Martin Le Mans Racer #007

What you are looking at is the future of Le Mans racing for Aston Martin. Before, they had a hardtop racer. But now, they've gone open-top. Well, this is just a sketch of what the car is supposed to look like, but expect it to look similarly like this in real life. No stats on the car have come out yet, but expect it to have an Aston Martin V12 engine placed inside it. A name for this car hasn't been revealed either, but Aston Martin is giving you the chance to name the all new Le Mans Racer. The person who gives the best name will be part of the company's history and win some hot Aston Martin swag. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up here.

Nor' Easter All Over Again

My Snowy Range Rover

This is what happens when the wind and snow just go at it in the Northeast. Apparently, over here in New Jersey, we're having about 10-inches of snow combined with 30 MPH wind gusts blowing snow all around. The roads are terrible whether they've been plowed or not. Cars have been slipping and sliding into other cars or ditches on the highway. Large 18-wheelers have Jackknifed leaving a mess a miles of traffic. What to do, what to do, what to do? There's a lot that you can do or should have done when faced with these snowy situations. You could have read my blog and saw the list of cars capable of taking on the snow, of which you can still read here. You could've also had a simpler approach when searching for a cheap all-wheel drive car. For example, the Subaru Impreza Outback or the Suzuki SX4 are two cheap all-wheel drive cars that work great in the snow. But, if these options don't work and you're stuck with your front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive car, the best thing you can do is drive slowly and carefully. Don't drive like an idiot. Yesterday, I went to visit my relatives in Pennsylvania and left there at about 8:00 P.M. While driving back, there was this one teenage idiot in a Chevy S10. This truck was modded out with big off-road tires and everything, but what he failed to address was the drivetrain of his vehicle. Off-road tires work best on a car or truck with four-wheel drive. His truck only had two-wheel drive and managed to block off a road causing more commotion for drivers. He eventually got arrested for causing a disruption. Luckily, I got home safely thanks to my mighty Range Rover. So, a word of advice: pick your car well and drive carefully. Do that and you'll be fine during this harsh winter.

Boxing Day Present

Top Gear in the Middle East

I hope you guys had a great Christmas and got everything on your list from Santa. Now it might be over, but the holidays aren't over yet. Today's Boxing Day in the UK making it the perfect day to watch an all new episode of Top Gear UK. In this episode, Jezz, Dick, and Jim journey to Iraq and act as the three wise men following a star in the sky looking for Baby Jesus. This time, however, the producers had an idea of having the wise men go modern and drive three cabriolets from Fiat, Mazda, and BMW from Iraq to Bethlehem to meet Jesus. Do you think these three are up to the challenge? Let's find out. The episode airs tonight in the UK, but it will be available on YouTube later today.

Edit: It's on YouTube right now!! Here's the video

Gran Turismo For Your iPhone

Real Racing 2

I recently bought Real Racing 2 for my iPhone to see if it was really as good as most reviewers have said. To my surprise, it wasn't. It's AMAZING!! The graphics are inch-perfect; they're almost as good as the stuff you get on a PSP. The physics have gotten better from their last installment. The races are immense and challenging. There's a lot to say about this game, but let me sum it up with one simple word: AWESOME. If you've got money and an iPhone or an iPod Touch, head over to the App Store and buy this App. It's literally like having Gran Turismo on your iPhone. What's also surprising about the realism in this game: it all started with a Golf. The game also features this awesome YouTube upload feature where you can upload replays onto YouTube so other racers can see. Here's my first upload.

Carlsson Tunage

2012 Carlsson CLS350 CDI (Courtesy of Carlsson)

German Mercedes-Benz tuning company Carlsson have already got their hands on the new CLS Diesel and have given it a slight tune up with a new aerodynamic kit and other such luxurious things. It now has a 320 horsepower in its 3.0-liter Turbodiesel V6 engine. Carlsson also upgraded the petrol CLS350 with 330 horsepower in its 3.5-liter V6 engine. Whichever engine you choose, they both will do 0 to 60 MPH in 5.9 seconds. That's about as fast as my mom's old E500 which makes it pretty impressive. The tune-up will be available as soon as the new CLS is released.

American Voltage

2011 Chevy Volt

What's with this car? Ever since its release, it's been receiving all sorts of praise. It's the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year for bringing the future of motoring to our doorstep. Automobile Magazine have also named this car their Car of the Year for being a car that is unlike any vehicle they have ever driven. It's the Green Journal Green Car of the Year for being one of the first affordable electric vehicles. It's on the Car and Driver 10Best list for being futuristic; that's the first time C&D ever put an electric car on their 10Best list. It just so happens that this car is in the running for North American Car of the Year against the Nissan Leaf, another electric car, and the Hyundai Sonata. This is truly amazing because this car made it out of a list of really good cars like the Infiniti M, the Audi A8, and even the noble Jaguar XJ! I think I'll have to drive this car for myself to see just what makes it so applaudable. But anyway, Chevy has come a very long way to make it back on the top as one of the best automotive companies on earth. If the Volt wins the North American Car of the Year, it will definitely change the future of motoring.

New Year = New Cars

2011

Well, Christmas is here and the new year is upon us, which means it's time to make changes with our lives and the world. Out with the old, in with the new, and in this case, new cars. 2011 is coming and it's bringing an array of fancy new wheels with it. Here are some of them.

2011 McLaren MP4-12C

1. 2011 McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren is back after it's hiatus with the F1. Now, they're releasing this swoopy, Twin-Turbocharged 600 horsepower V8 supercar aiming for Ferrari and Lamborghini. McLaren are already certain that this car will go over 200 MPH. It's already received praise from Jay Leno and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. I like it, too because it looks as good as it handles. Let's see how well it will do next year.

2011 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible

2. 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible

After months of anticipation, the Camaro finally takes its top off. New for 2011, the Camaro Convertible comes with all the perks of the regular hardtop coupe, but with no top. You still get the same engines, including the new 312 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 base engine. Prices start at $29,150, but if I were you, I'd pay extra to hear a growling 426 horsepower V8 under the hood.

2012 Nissan GT-R

3. 2012 Nissan GT-R

Next summer, Godzilla returns with more power and more insanity. It's all new 523 horsepower Twin-Turbocharged 3.7-liter V6 engine gets the monster from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds. With that much power and acceleration, who knows? The GT-R could just about pass the 200 MPH mark. This is one crazy Japanese import!

2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible

4. 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible

This luxurious and sporty convertible returns with sexier looks and bigger engine. It now uses the same Twin-Turbocharged 400 horsepower V8 that you get in the 750i sedan. You will feel this power as you accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds. Another fast thing about this car is its folding roof which opens in 19 seconds and closes in just 24 seconds. Look for this car next summer with a big price tag and its top down.

2012 VW Golf R

5. 2012 VW Golf R

Finally! This turbo-nutting Golf is making its way to our shores WITH its 270 horsepower 2.0-liter Turbocharged Inline-4. Accompanied with all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual or DSG transmission, this Golf will accelerate from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 155 MPH. It will be available in 3-door or 5-door variants. Any way or another, this is one cool Golf.

2012 Ford Mustang BOSS 302 Laguna Seca

6. 2012 Ford Mustang

Since 2010, the Mustang has gotten better, adding more power, better styling, and better performance. New 2012, the mighty Mustang GT gets a new lower price tag of just under $30,000 to make room for this massive muscle: the BOSS 302. Coming next Spring, it will be available in regular or Laguna Seca variants starting at $44,000. This is definitely ideal money because this car was able to beat a top Laguna Seca lap time held by the BMW M3 E92.

2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster (Courtesy of Road & Track)

7. 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

We've seen the SLS reveal itself earlier this year. Now it's time for it to take the top down for next summer. The car will still feature its 6.2-liter 563 horsepower V8 engine from the regular coupe, but since most convertibles are heavier than the regular coupe models, it might reach 60 MPH from 0 in a slower time. No matter. Convertibles are always more sexier than coupes.

2012 Ferrari 458 Spider (Courtesy of teamspeed.com)

8. 2012 Ferrari 458 Spider

This might just be a rendering, but rest assured Ferrari does plan to release a top-down version of their sexiest Ferrari, the 458, next summer. It might be slightly heavier than the original, but it will still feature its 562 horsepower Ferrari V8 engine so you can hear the harmonious engine more clearly.

2012 Ford Focus ST

9. 2012 Ford Focus ST

Since its birth, the Focus ST has always been in Europe. Now, Ford has come to its senses and have planned to bring the Turbo-hatch over to our shores. The new Focus ST will feature a 2.0-liter Turbocharged Inline-4 engine connected to a 6-speed manual transmission. 247 horsepower will power the front wheels of this car. This is just a first move of the many changes Ford has planned for the company. What's next? A Focus RS?

2011 Dodge Durango

10. 2011 Dodge Durango

The Durango is back and better than ever. Based off the platform of the all new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the all new Durango features better styling and more sportier looks. It looks more like sporty wagon than an SUV if you ask me. Under the hood is the traditional 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 370 horsepower making it very powerful for a very heavy SUV. Look for this SUV in the showrooms in a couple months.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

11. 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

In 2005, Mercedes-Benz invented the 4-door coupe by bringing in the CLS. Now, for 2011, it's back with more power, sexier looks, and more technology. Its all new 5.5-liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine producing 402 horsepower projects the car from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds making it very fast. When it comes out, it will be the first car ever made to offer full LED lighting for all of its dynamic lighting functions. In fact, there's 71 LED lights all around the car making it very energy saving. Not mention, it looks much sexier now than it did before. Look for this coupe next summer.

So, there's your list of cars coming out next year. Let's start the waiting...NOW!