This ‘48 Buick Will Eat Porsches for Breakfast

The famous for their restomodding abilities on vintage 4x4s ICON has brought one of their “Derelicts” models to Jay Leno’s Garage in their latest episode.

The concept of the Derelicts is about leaving the exterior unrestored while bringing everything under the skin up to modern standards and then some more. This particular 1948 Buick Super Convertible is rocking a brand-new chassis with a Corvette ZR1 engine bolted on it, producing just under 700hp, according to the CEO of ICON, Jonathan Ward. 

The idea of preserving the patina, to keep the body paint and chrome bits in their respective poor state that is, is certainly charming when everything underneath is modern. It certainly sounds liberating for someone who prefers driving his restored car rather than polishing it. 

This particular Buick with its sub-700hp engine under the hood is just the ultimate sleeper.

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Take a Look behind the Insane Stunts of Furious 7

Each new installment of the Fast & Furious franchise has to one-up the previous one in terms of car-related stunts, explosions and just plain insanity and the producers wanted everyone to know that they outperformed themselves once again. 

Physics play no part in the F&F universe since the first movie came out but this takes nothing away from the sheer entertainment the audience extracts from the franchise. In order to keep that massive audience satisfied the producers have gone to great lengths, adopting the craziest and most over-the-top stunts you’ve seen so far. Cars jumping out of planes, cars being thrown out of cliffs, cars being exploded, cars jumping from one skyscraper to another, you get the idea. 

Jack Gill, Stunt Coordinator of the movie, narrates the following video and says: “It has to be so enormous that we want to wow the audience; that’s part of the driving force behind this team, we know we can do it, we just have to keep working harder.”

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The Story of the Volvo Car Company Told in Inspirational Video

The current image of Volvo, even if it’s now Chinese-owned, is intrinsically linked to its original philosophy. The goal, back in the 1920s when it all started, was to make cars as safe as possible, and that’s still the company’s top priority in 2015.

The Swedish automaker recently released a short but inspirational promo video detailing the (dramatized/romanticized version of) brand’s history.

The need to create safe and durable cars was born out of necessity in Sweden, as it was deemed that imports simply couldn’t handle the treacherous conditions of the northern European nation’s road network and harsh weather combination.

This helped shape the brand into what it is today, according to the video, made in an effort to convince people that Volvo is still Volvo even under the control of Geely.

Interestingly, they don’t mention any of their new cars but the XC90, and that sounds like they’re not that proud of the models they’ve been churning out for the last decade or so. Now, they want to be defined by the XC90and future models along its lines.

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Transporter Refueled Official Trailer with Indestructible Audi S8

Here's one 'Transporter' movie where everyone knows what the deal is with the car, yet nobody has a clue as to who the actual driver is.

Well, here's who Ed Skrein is for those of you who don't recognize him - and we don't blame you. He played the gallant Daario Naharis on the epic Game of Thrones TV Show. Still don't remember him? Long hair, kept trying to get in Khaleesi's robe until she actually gave in.

Yeah, that guy.

Well, since he's so used to playing 2nd fiddle on a show where there are so many other, more important characters, what could be more fun for Ed than taking a "backseat" while sitting in the front seat of a brand newAudi S8?

If all you want to see is mindless "car porn", then this might be a movie worth checking out. However if you're into realism, you better check those expectations at the door way before you step into the theater. From what we can tell, this movie looks more like an Audi S8 commercial, with the car doing superhuman things such as bumping into certain objects and not even having a scratch to show for it.

And of course somehow it's always looking like it's just been washed despite Frank (that's the character's name) driving like a maniac, plus lots of other questionable offenses that we're not even going to get into.

That last scene from the trailer speaks volumes about what type of movie this is. Ridiculous.

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Lexus LFA Looks Like it’s Standing Still in Drag Race Against Porsche 918

The Lexus LFA is what we would have called a proper supercar more than five-six years ago, back when the Bugatti Veyron was still awe-inspiring. Now, it eats hybrid hypercar dust like you wouldn't believe, as you’ll see demonstrated in this video.

The LFA is a very special car, made out of carbon fiber and with an engine that revs faster than analog dials can keep up. However, it’s simply no match for a Porsche 918 Spyder which, in a drag race, almost makes it look like it’s standing still.

The Lexus is still a fast car, sprinting to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 3-ish seconds, but the Porsche’s electric boost helps it maintain high levels of acceleration as speed builds.

Check out the drag racing run in the video posted below courtesy of Shmee150.

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This is the Volvo 240 Boat (video)

How can you possibly make a Volvo 240 Wagon more practical? By making it amphibious, of course.

The folks at Bold Ride have the whole story on the Theonomics EVolvo, but in short, it has a rear-mounted motor to propel itself on the water, and offset the weight at the front so it doesn't fill up with water. 

And it looks like three people fit just fine without sinking it, as the video below proves.

So folks, if you have an old 240 laying around, you can do more than just stick a V8 in the front of it. You can also apparently make it seaworthy.

By Zac Estrada

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VW Golf Mk1 Makes Yamaha R1 Look Painfully Slow

For anyone not in the know, the Yamaha R1 is one helluva fast sports bike, so it would take a very special car to beat it on the road.

While this first generation VW Golf looks fairly normal sans the bigger wheels, the truth couldn't be any more different; it has a highly-modified 2.0-liter turbocharged engine pushing out a mind-numbing 1,056PS (1,042hp) and 1,001Nm (738 lb-ft) of peak torque! 

And if that's not enough, it was also fitted with a VW-sourced 4MOTION all-wheel drive system paired to a special six-speed manual gearbox. 

It truly is a beast and is no match, even for an 182PS (180hp) Yamaha R1, as you will soon discover for yourself in the following video.

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New 240PS VW Passat 2.0 TDI Proves it Packs a Strong Punch

Numbers are rarely impressive in mainstream cars these days, but extracting 240 PS (237 hp) from a two-liter diesel engine is.

It’s a real achievement in the sector, and when powering the new (lighter) VW Passat, it promises a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint time of 6.1 seconds; top speed is 240 km/h (239 149mph).

If you’re wondering what that feels like, the video posted below puts it into perspective. It features acceleration runs of the new Passat powered by both the 150 PS (148 hp) and 240 PS TDI units. The first is fairly brisk, reaching the benchmark sprint speed in 8.2 seconds, besting its claimed time of 8.6 seconds.

The second, shoots off the line (helped by its standard DSG gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive) and even though it was going uphill, it still hits 100 km/h in 7 seconds dead (.9 seconds off what VW claims).

The second car tested is an estate, so the sedan could be a tad quicker. Oh, and do check out the fully-digital dials in action – they look very clear and are easy to read; they’re also very restrained, in typical VW fashion.

Via Autogefühl 

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Lexus RC F Once Again Challenges BMW M4 on the Track (video)

The duel between the Lexus RC F and the BMW M4 has become a sort of a classic one, with Auto Express being the latest media outlet to compare the two sports coupes.

Their comparative review only takes place on the track, and with the Lexus RC F weighing around 200 kg (441 lbs) more than the BMW, it’s not hard to figure out which car is better for a circuit outing.

Still, in a way the Lexus RC F is closer to the previous-generation BMW M3 Coupe than its successor, the M4. It is powered by a naturally aspirated V8, while the M4 has gone the turbocharged route and returned to a straight-six engine. While it is heavier than the M4, the Japanese coupe is more powerful as well, but will that be enough to beat the BMW on the track? Scroll down to find out from the video.

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S65 AMG Sedan vs. Challenger Hellcat (video)

Looking at this video we can't help but to admire these two cars side by side and we're glad the owner decided to share a little muscle car rumbling with us. This is V8 vs. V12 in all its glory!

Of course, the massive V12-powered S65 AMG is a hard car to outshine in any sort of department. It's twin-turbo 6.0 liter engine puts out 621 hp (630 PS) which is terrific except for the fact that its 86 hp less than the Challenger Hellcat.

The Hellcat seems to be the car of the moment on all websites, YouTube channels and social media pages. And now wonder with those 707 hp, straight out of a good ol' American supercharged V8. It's actually faster than the Merc too with a 0-60 mph time in the low 3 second range. And of course it'll go all the way up to 199 mph where the S65 is limited to just 155 mph. But its not like those factory settings can't come off.

Another department where the Dodge takes the cake is pricing. The S65 AMG tips the scale at $222,000, which is over 3 times more expensive than the Hellcat. Overall, it's hard to decide which car sounds better. We're still willing to go with the V12 if we're talking mid to high range action. But at start-up, the Hellcat seems to sound a bit more aggressive.

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2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S

The all-new model comes with an array of new features, including an new all-wheel drive system, active rear axle steering, adaptive aerodynamics, full-LED headlights and a bi-turbo flat-six engine that develops up to 560 PS (552 hp) in the Turbo S variant.

The 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine with direct injection churns out 520 PS (513 hp) in the 911 Turbo. There’s no manual gearbox available, as the engine is linked to a standard seven-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK), fitted with an auto start/stop function. The latter, together with the new thermal management system for the turbo engine and the PDK gearbox bring the 911 Turbo’s fuel efficiency to the remarkable figure of 9.7 l/100 km (24.2 US mpg), 16 percent better than the previous generation (applies to the 911 Turbo S as well).

Naturally, performance is what matters more for a Porsche 911 Turbo owner, and the new model doesn’t disappoint. The 911 Turbo with the optional Sport Chrono Package sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds, one-tenth faster than the previous 911 Turbo S. The new 911 Turbo S is even faster, at 3.1 seconds, while top speed is 318 km/h (197.6 mph).

These figures are made possible also by the new all-wheel drive with electro-hydraulic control, equipped with a new water-cooling function that helps direct more drive torque to the front wheels if necessary. The PDCC active anti-roll system, which is being offered for the first time in 911 Turbo models, also contributes to increasing dynamic performance. The system is standard in the 911 Turbo S, as is the Sport Chrono Package with dynamic engine mounts and PCCB ceramic brakes (all these are optional for the base 911 Turbo model).

Porsche says that with standard production tires, the 911 Turbo S model laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife in well under 7:30 minutes,.

Aesthetically, the new 911 Turbo is even wider than before – 28 mm (1.1 in) wider than the 911 Carrera 4 – with the increase being most visible in the rear body panels which house two generous air intakes. Two-tone 20-inch wheels (fitted with hub wheel locks on the Turbo S), more aggressive bumpers and the carbon fiber roof round out the 911 Turbo’s meaner look.

Handling is improved due to rear axle steering, which steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). At speeds above 80 km/h (50 mph), the system steers the rear wheels parallel to the turned front wheels. The new model also comes with Porsche active aerodynamics (PAA) consisting of a retractable three-stage front spoiler, whose segments can be pneumatically extended, and a deployable rear wing with three adjustable wing positions, ensuring optimal efficiency.

On the inside, the 911 Turbo builds on the classic 911 ambiance, with more space courtesy of the 100-mm (3.94-in) longer wheelbase. The S model offers features such as an exclusive interior in a black/Carrera red color combination and adaptive sport seats plus with 18-way adjustment and memory.

A Bose sound system is installed as standard, with a Burmester system also available as an optional feature. A radar-controlled cruise control system, camera-based road sign recognition and speed limit recognition are other new options being offered.

Both the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S will begin to arrive in European dealerships at the end of September 2013, with prices in Germany starting from €162,055 ($212,750) for the base Turbo model, while the Turbo S starts from €195,256 ($256,350).

In the U.S, the turbocharged models will hit dealers at end of 2013 with the 911 Turbo priced from $148,300, and the 911 Turbo S from $181,100, not including a destination charge of $950.

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2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The May 15 world premiere date for the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is nearing, and the first official photo showing the exterior of the car has broken cover, courtesy of the German firm itself. To explain, Mercedes-Benz uploaded the picture on its mobile consumer website in Austria earlier this morning but has since removed it.
The single picture shows the front-quarter end of Mercedes’ new flagship luxury sedan, which is dominated by a larger grille than on the current model and teardrop-shaped headlights.

We’re not absolutely sure about this, but the model shown here may be the one sporting an AMG package or at least a sportier trim line, as the bumper looks too aggressive with its creases and large air intakes.

Codenamed W222, the all-new S-Class features a similar side profile with the CLA below the waist line, albeit with different proportions, obviously. Compared with the current model, the wheel arches are no longer exaggerated.

Besides this official image, a fan site named "Humster3d" also posted 3D-renderings of the S-Class that you can check out in the gallery and video posted below.

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BMW X4 Concept

The styling of the X4 is the work of BMW head designer Karim Habib and his team, who lifted the template from the X6 and applied the same recipe on the more compact platform of the X3, with the front and rear ends of the crossover drawing inspiration from the latest 3-Series F30 and the upcoming 4-series Coupe.

Like many other concept models from BMW, this one too is well over 90 percent ready for production, as only minor details will change, such as the door mirrors, the trims of the bumpers, and the use of smaller wheels (the study rides on 21-inch rims).

With a body length of 4,648mm (183-inches), a width of 1,915mm (75.4 inches) and a height of 1,622mm (63.9 inches), is very close in dimensions to the X3, with which it shares the same wheelbase length of 2,810mm (110.6-inches).

BMW doesn't show the interior nor does it mention anything about the X4's powertrain lineup, but it's almost guaranteed that both will be sourced from the X3 (the cabin likely with some subtle trim differences).

That said, if you take a look at the more powerful diesel and gasoline engine options available for the X3 in your region then you will have a very good idea of what the X4 will be offered with next year. These will include the 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four for the X4 28i, and the 300-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six for the X4 35i in North America.

BMW has confirmed that the X4 will be built alongside the X3, X5 and X6 at its Spartanburg plant in the USA.

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Aston Martin Rapide S

Instantly recognizable by its single-, instead of two-piece, front-grille, the sportiest four-door ever built by Aston Martin keeps the Rapide’s delicious looks and adds more of everything.

For starters, there's more power as the new model gets 550HP (565PS) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque, up from its predecessor’s 470HP and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) respectively. This increase comes courtesy of a reworked version of the new AM11 6.0-liter V12 that sits 19mm lower in the chassis and boasts dual variable camshaft timing, CNC machined combustion chambers and hollow camshafts after lessons learned by the brand’s motorsport activities.

As a result, the new Rapide S accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 4.7 seconds, or 0.4 seconds faster than the model it replaces, and tops out at 190 mph (305 km/h). At the same time, CO2 emissions have dropped, too, by 7 percent, to 332 g/km.

Like all current Astons (OK, bar the Cygnet), it is based on the VH platform that’s made of extruded aluminum with the body constructed from aluminum, magnesium alloys and composites. Power is directed to the rear 20-inch wheels via the electronically-controlled “Touchtronic 2” six-speed auto transmission with paddle shifts and through a carbon fiber propeller shaft, while a limited-slip diff enhances traction.

The Rapide S also gets a revised version of the electronic stability control and the latest iteration of the Adaptive Damping System (ADS). The latter now has three distinct settings, named Normal, Sport and Track) for the driver to choose from.

The cabin sports a new piano black interior trim and an optional Duotone perforated leather pack. Aston Martin says that the individual rear seats are “capable of accommodating adults in a uniquely sporting fashion” – others have used less flattering terms but at least they fold down at the touch of a button, increasing the luggage space three-fold.

There’s also a Carbon Exterior Pack, consisting of a front splitter, mirror covers and rear diffuser made from carbon fiber, while the “Q by Aston Martin” division will happily oblige and customize the Rapide S to your liking.

“It is a four-door sports car that uniquely combines luxury, style and sporting excitement in Aston Martin’s most flexible and accommodating silhouette”, said company CEO Ulrich Bez. “Purity of proportion and exceptional elegance are mixed with truly sensational dynamic performance – this is the four-door sports car in its most versatile form and I am sure our customers around the world are going to love it!”

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