What is up with Lexus lately? The company is indicating a new focus on performance and engaging driving characteristics. The GS is supposed to be one of the first fruits of that effort. Emblematic of a change in focus is the recent news that LFA Nurburgring Edition took the record for best time at the track by a production car. It was set by a factory driver from Lexus, and it stands at 7:14.64, an impressive figure by any right.

Lexus is using experience from creating the LFA and putting it into its performance lineup that as-of-yet only includes the IS-F. That car will soon be joined by the V-8 powered GS-F, a car many of us are looking forward to.

While the idea has been thrown around by Hirokazu Koga, general manager of the Lexus Development Center, the LS is a vehicle you might never expect to wear the F badge. It seems antithetical to its nature, but stranger things have happened.

Via Autoblog, an LS was spotted testing at the ‘Ring, and not just any LS, mind you – one looking much more sporty than we’ve ever seen it. The LS being tested has a full body kit with side skirts, a beefier front fascia, and an altered hood and grille. First thought would be that its an aftermarket company, but Autoblog says that it isn’t the case.

What exactly is going on isn’t clear though; it could be Lexus testing for the GS-F’s engine, or a one-off concept at an upcoming autoshow to gauge reaction. Or, it could be that it is indeed an LS F in the works. That would be pretty dramatic; even BMW doesn’t offer an M version of the 7-Series. Currently, Mercedes-Benz has the market for mainstream super sedans all to itself with the S63. Let us know what you think, and head over to Autoblog to check out the spy shots gallery.

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I was just reading a rather interesting, yet still speculative article about what new rides Ferrari would be letting lose on the streets of the world from their Maranello factory, and then these spy shots hit the web today. In some ways, Ferrari’s 599 GTB Fiorano is the longest in the tooth, and, therefore, the one most in need of replacement. But how can you begin to replace a car that is already so potent that it is still one of the world’s benchmarks?

Well, there’s no easy answer to that, other than the mysterious mention of ” … sporting a 700-plus-horsepower 6.3-liter V12 backed by a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox … [and] direct injection … ”

Sure, more displacement and more power can answer a lot of questions, and it’s pretty obvious that of a car of this caliber (remember, the jaw dropping performance of Ferrari’s 458 Italia is for the entry model car), Ferrari is not going to put in a plant that cranks out less … but what else is going on here. Or at least, what else can we determine from the photos? A lot of things. Since this is a test mule undergoing a mechanical shakedown, a lot of the body mods are there to both throw off in the incautious, and simply to cover up what might be going on underneath the composite skin.

For starters, you can see from closer inspection that a lot of these body parts are from the 599 GTO. The hood, for example, has those big breather gills from the 4th Gen GTO. This could have been done only as a ruse, but, as is more likely, it was done to expel the heat emanating from beneath the bonnet. 700-plus-horsepower coming from a 6.3-liter V12 means, more than anything else, heat, and a lot of it. So, under testing, who cares, just get the thermal loading out from under the hood. Most likely though, there will have to be some sort of provisions similar to this on the future Ferrari 599.

Curiously you can see that the front vents on the trailing edges of the upper front fenders have been reduced in size, if not blanked out altogether. You would think that the opposite would be true, but for whatever reason, Ferrari are not doing it this time around.

Something that I would personally speculate is that Ferrari will also do is some sort of combined headlight and aerodynamic treatment as they have done on the 458. You can’t see that here, meaning that it is most likely still in development (i.e. figuring how much bypass air to route over the tops of the fenders to cut lift) which is why the headlights seem to be attached with gaffers tape.

The same goes for the radiator and brake openings as well as that totally kluged strip of pop-riveted metal just below the front of the hood. All of that area will have to be carefully sculpted in one of Ferrari’s three in-house wind tunnels to make the car serve the multiple masters of thermal loading, aero balance and aesthetics.

Towards the back, it seems that they haven’t done anything at all different with this test rig (other than go with the GTO bits). The brake inlet is there ahead of the rear wheels as is the massive outlet just aft of the rear tires. The huge GTO diffuser is still in place too, so it looks like they aren’t even interested in tackling the rear end aero just yet.

My best guess: Engine, cooling and interim drivability testing.

Ferrari is looking to get the big bugs of the plant worked out with this guy, and then they’ll start futzing around with the rest.

Source: Autoblog

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Masked ahead of Halloween, the upcoming Mercedes-Benz SLK spent part of its preproduction testing in one of the hottest locales in the United States, a region between California and Nevada called Death Valley.

With introduction of the next-generation SLK expected in 2011 for the 2012 model year, the German roadster has never yet to be seen outside without being draped by heavy camouflage. Most recent images have began to show more of the actual sheetmetal to the future SLK. Some design elements peaking through the disguised Mercedes-Benz appears to cast the next SLK will more edgier than the current roadster. By looking at the front grille we could notice the bullet-shaped, Formula 1 car inspired center feature will be dropped on the 2012 SLK roadster. Providing little advance details on the interior and exterior design, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled one unique feature for the upcoming SLK guaranteed to supply a new twist to brightening lives of occupants.

Within Death Valley, the new Mercedes-Benz SLK is being tested with a special glass roof panel which can actually transition in transparency depending on outside conditions. Called the Magic Sky Control panoramic vario-roof, the special glass panel contains particles that can be manipulated by electrical current. This same technology is currently being used in high-end specialty windows for homes and buildings but this application by Mercedes-Benz will be the first for an automotive glass roof.

Operated through an overhead control panel, the driver can adjust the Magic Sky Control system to provide relief within seconds from blistering summer sunlight but allows maximum cabin brightness during other moments. This glass roof is also being advertised as requiring less work for the climate control system for regulate the cabin temperature. The Magic Sky Control is also configured to automatically darkens the glass roof of the Mercedes-Benz SLK preventing the interior to bake on hotter days.

Using a series of sensors, Mercedes-Benz was able to measure the difference with the Magic Sky Control panoramic vario-roof. Accounting for the rays of the sun in Watts per square meter, the measurement equipment recorded the exact numbers Mercedes-Benz engineers were hoping to uncover. When the SLK top is down in Death Valley, up to 1,100 W per square meter was detected inside the cabin. As the top was closed and sun was allowed to pass through the glass roof, measurements dropped to 200 W. Finally, when the Magic Sky Control panoramic vario-roof is set to its darkened setting, less than 50 W is allowed to pass through the glass onto the interior.

When the new Mercedes-Benz goes on sale, the Magic Sky Control panoramic vario-roof will be an option priced at under 2,000 euros (under $2,800 American).

Information and photo source: Mercedes-Benz

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Through the 1990s, Chrysler had a flair for new product introductions. One of those more memorable roll-out occurred in the 1991 Detroit Auto Show when they sent their Jeep Grand Cherokee (significantly their first new SUV designed under Chrysler’s guidance) through a wall of glass. Equally as important during this era of flash were the vehicles introduced through what was Chrysler Corporation’s last, great renaissance. As Chrysler struggles to rebuild from their major restructuring, the auto company is working diligently to promote themselves among the living.

Chrysler’s Dodge division has shown some real life recently staging the unveiling of the revitalization of the 2011 Dodge Durango. Expressing a desire to wet vehicle buyers’ appetites to the new Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), Dodge has been strategically feeding snippets of the upcoming Durango. Starting this past Sunday, the release of web video gave the first peek to Dodge’s new truck-like product. Showing only an isolated set of design features belonging to the 2011 SUV, some still images were released a few days later providing little more than to decrypt the appearance.

Assembling the provided still and motion images as an unfinished puzzle, we’ll see the 2011 Dodge Durango wearing a more mature look. Cleat lens front headlamps and a large chrome grille are styled to resemble the Ram pickup line even featuring the distinct hood lip overhang. Obtaining its platform from the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the new Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, we should expect the latest Durango to supply a considerably refined ride. Unlike the Grand Cherokee, the 2011 Dodge Durango will feature third row seating allowing a larger family to take stock in the comfortable stride on and off-road.

As many of us would know, Dodge’s popularly on Youtube has reached a fever pitch recently. Dodge removed a trained chimpanzee from their latest sales advertisement on the protest of PETA. Replacing Suzie the chimpanzee with a so-called ‘invisible monkey’, the original ad is still present on the video posting website with over 200,000 views. Being Sensitive to animal rights groups and the claims of abuse against trained monkeys, Dodge released release Tuesday saying in part “Dodge is firmly committed to never using great apes in our advertisements again”. Dodge also added “We released a new commercial. The footage is identical, only this time you won’t see Suzie. There’s a twist you won’t miss. Make no mistake – we’re not making light of the issue.”

Dodge plans to continue this media taste-testing session through the next few weeks until the complete 2011 Dodge Durango is finally pieced together.

Information and Photo Source: Chrysler Group

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The high-performance pony car rekindling of energy into the second decade of the 21st century shows how motorists are not ready to abandon high-performance V-8s for plug-in electric hybrids just yet. More than a year since the relaunch of the Chevrolet Camaro, it’s safe to say General Motors’ newest incarnation of the pony car was a runaway success. Selling 98,872 units in a 12-month period between May 2009 to May 2010, the Camaro stands as the golden boy of the American automotive company’s rebound.

Earning a power boost for 2011 models, the future of the Camaro looks forward to an old friend rejoining the performance band. Beyond the base Camaro and the high-powered SS model, Bowtie watchers were eagerly awaiting the return of the Camaro Z-28. Thanks to spy shot images featured on the website camaro5.com, the existence of the Z-28 is confirmed.

According the camaro5.com, rumours have Chevrolet fitting the supercharged 6.2 liter V-8 powerplant. Even though the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 employs the LS9 engine meeting the criteria for being a 6.2 liter supercharged unit, the chances of Chevy throwing a 638 horsepower powerplant into a Camaro Z-28 is near zero. A more rational choice for the division would be the LSA V-8 engine which is currently found inside the Cadillac CTS-V cars. With indications that the Camaro Z-28 tester was equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission (the same gearbox choice routing horsepower on the mid-sized Cadillac), it seems to add credence to the LSA engine being chosen for production. Possessing a smaller blower than the LS9 powerplant, the LSA V-8 is pumping a still pavement-peeling 556 horsepower.

Wrapped around the probable Z-28 engine, the Camaro test car covers the powerplant with a prominent hood bulge with a larger cowling. Wearing Goodyear Eagle F1 tires around 20 inch wheels which do not appear to be of factory origin, the lack of apparent exterior styling changes on Z-28 Camaro might be a street sleeper. There is also a chance that the car itself is simply what is known as a test mule (a mundane vehicle with no design enhancements built to develop drivetrain and other hidden components).

Originating as an equipment package designed to enhance handling of the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro for SCCA Trans-Am racing, the Z-28 name was not immediately associated as a high-output machine. Meeting Trans-Am specifications for limited engine size, the smaller displacement 302 cubic inch V-8 engine which was design-suited to racing. The Chevrolet Camaro would not identify the Z-28 as the high-performing engine choice until 1973 after the Camaro SS was phased out due to emissions choking horsepower. While the SS version was reintroduced into the late 1990s, the Camaro Z-28 was favoured long afterward as the V-8 muscle up until the time Chevrolet pulled the plug on the pony car. Fixing one mistake, Chevy’s commitment to bring back the Z-28 is certainly righting another wrong.

Still tight-lipped on their Z-28 version of the Chevy Camaro, General Motors has also offered no official clue on when production start is expected for the supercharged pony car. In earlier speculation, GM executives stated the new Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 as a 2012 model year with availability set for late 2011.

Photo and Information Source: Chevrolet, Camaro5.com

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Ah yes, we’ve been waiting on this car for a while now, and we’re finally seeing some spy shots of it on the streets – the BMW M1 – a high-performance version of BMW’s 1-Series coupe. The current high-end 1-Series in the BMW line is the 135i – a surprisingly punchy little turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 producing 300 horsepower. Although nothing has been officially announced about the M1, rumor has it that it’s going to feature a twin-turbo version of the current 3.0-liter I6 (N55.)

A cabrio version will likely be announced at a later date, and sales in he US are expected to start mid-2011.

In addition to the more powerful engine, which is a given, you can expect wider fenders, a trunk spoiler, upgraded M wheels, and larger brakes, all of which you can see above. It will also have other cosmetic changes (never enough to make up for its puppy-dog face though,) performance enhancements and a personalization program. Expect to hear official word on the M1 by the end of the year. In the mean time, keep checking back because we’re bound to get more spy shots of the car driving around as it comes closer to production.

Check out more info and pictures at 1addicts.com

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One of our faithful readers spotted a couple Lotus Evoras while on a ski trip in Chamonix in the French Alps last week (lucky!) It was obviously being shot for a movie, but she couldn’t figure out for what movie! Could it be the new James Bond? Here’s what she had to say:

I’m just on a skiing holiday now in Chamonix in the French Alps and have seen loads of commotion around a film set. I watched an action stunt scene being filmed with tons of crews and paparazzi swarming! I especially noticed a flashy new Lotus Evora being used in the filming.

Click on the thumbnails below for high-res images she sent, along with the video below that.

What movie do you think this is from?

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We finally have the first spy shots of the long-awaited successor to the Lamborghini Murcielago. We knew that the Lamborghini was putting an end to the flagship car when they released the mind-blowingly excellent Murcielago LP670-4 SV, but other than rumors, we didn’t have any information, pictures, nothing.

Now though, some lucky spy photographers caught the successor, which we think will be called the Jota, on a snow-covered test track making its rounds.

As you may have noticed, the bodywork seems to be a Gallardo/Murcielago/Reventon combination, with a few odd vents and lines thrown in. The Lamborghini Jota is expected to use an all-new V12 engine developed just for this car that would put out more than 700 horsepower and use a revised all-wheel-drive powertrain.

We really don’t have any more information on the car, so head over to LamboCars.com for more pictures and analysis.

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I just can’t seem to stay away from these God-awful “four-door coupes” recently. Thanks to RideLust and a quick-thinking photographer in San Francisco, we have some good clear shots of the new (and fugly) Porsche Panamera:

Check out RideLust.com for some more pictures.

In the mean time, please write Porsche angry letters for making such a hideous vehicle. Ok, it’s not that bad, it’s just that this whole four-door sports car thing is getting out of hand. Aston Martin with the Rapide, the embarrassing Lamborghini Estoque Concept, and of course the Porsche Panamera here. It’s not that they’re bad-looking cars, but they’re out of character for the carmaker; particularly the Lambo.

Will wrote an article about this four-door coupe craze, you should check it out.

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While these spy shots don’t show much of an improvement aside from very minor aero improvements and a Challenge grill (see pic below,) the car is expected to push around 520 horsepower via a more powerful version of the current 4.3L V8.

Other performance enhancements include a modified exhaust system with tailpipes placed higher in the rear, larger disc brakes and calipers, a modified ECU, and new tires. The performance modifications will be assisted with a 200 lb lighter body by the use of lighter wheels, and carbon fiber for the door panels and rear grill.

This is a very welcome improvement to the already amazing F430, but it certainly doesn’t compare to the 360 Modena vs 360 CS, at least in the terms of styling and overall “upgrade-ness” (I like making up new words.)

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Pricing is expected to be in the range of $70,000 and will be released in America shortly after the Japanese launch. I often hear comments such as “why would someone spend $70,000 on a Nissan?” Well, I suppose for the same reason that people spend $80,000 on a Dodge (Viper,) $70,000 on a Chevy (Corvette Z06,) or $80,000 on an Acura (NSX.) For some reason those cars seem to slip people’s minds. Chevy and Dodge are not premium brands, and people still buy their $80,000 cars. Gallery after the jump.

The only question to ask myslef now: Is it this or the Infiniti Coupe Concept?

Gallery:

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Great chop job, though, it looks really clean. Anyway, “Car Top” says the car will be powered by a 5.0L V8 pushing 420 hp and 405 ft-lbs of torque. Hopefully it will have better transmission choices. I haven’t driven the current IS line but I hear the “manumatic” tranny is terrible. I’m sure this will have a version of it, but the response time and other complaints of the current system should be fixed. I really like the style of the new IS line, and the fender flares and subtle rear lip spoiler look great.

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A while back in June, I showed you the original spy shots and specifications of the 2008 McLaren-Tuned Dodge Viper, and later explained in an update that “the 2007 model year will be skipped, and it will return in 2008; starting production in January 2007. The Viper will have an exterior facelift and contain a McLaren tuned 8.4L V10 shown in the ASC Diamondback Viper. We can expect it to output anywhere from 600 to 650 hp, hopefully more, and run 0-60 in about 3.5 seconds.”

Spy photographer Brenda Priddy shows us a video on the site StreetFire.net of the 2008 Viper being tested. Sadly, they don’t do anything cool with it. No burnout, not even hard acceleration. Plus, it dies on them and they have to push it. Funny stuff. Anyway, I guess there still isn’t very much more information regarding it, other than what I previously reported. Check out the video here:

Click to see Video

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From Winding Road:

Behold the first images of a 2008 Dodge Viper development muel. Our source tells us that there wasn’t just one powertrain prototype here – there were at least four of these red-hot Vipers with a vinyl-covered camouflage hood and various wires and test gauges – but nothing could hide the huge vents on the hood.

Sources are telling us NOT to expect a 2007 Viper – that model-year will be “skippedâ€? and the ‘08 models will make an early appearance within the first quarter of 2007. And we do know that Dodge wants to expand the horsepower in the Vipers, but the “whatâ€? and “howâ€? are currently just rumors. One rumor floating around is that McLaren is involved and has been breathing on DCX’s V-10 engine to get it somewhere near 600-650 horsepower.

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