Sunday, July 31, 2016

ABT Audi SQ5 TDI Produces 380 Horsepower

   The Audi Q5 is about to be replaced by an all-new model and so should the SQ5. However, German tuner ABT Sportsline just couldn't help but play with it one more time. The result is 380 PS from the famous 3.0 BiTDI.

If we're honest, you'd have to be crazy to buy an SQ5 today because the replacement is sure to have the electric supercharger from the (continue reading >>)

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Elvis Presley's Restored BMW 507 to Debut at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

   Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel, All Shook Up, Love Me Tender, and the list can go on forever.

Elvis Presley is a juggernaut of popular culture and one of the most established musicians of the 20th century. Roughly 39 years after his death, Elvi... (continue reading >>)

Friday, July 29, 2016

Dodge's New "Domestic. Not Domesticated." Tagline Comes With a Warning

   The automaker from Auburn Hills is keen to bring back the passion people once had for Made in the USA, and we don't mean that in a Donald Trump kind of way. From now on, all their ads will feature the tagline "Domestic. Not Domesticated." tagline and the first two have already been released.

Of course, nothing says 'Merica and muscle car like adding some Metallica Fuel score. James Hetfield's trademark ra... (continue reading >>)

Thursday, July 28, 2016

2017 Polo R WRC Spied Flying Around Finland

   Last week, Volkswagen began testing next year's WRC race car. There might not be a Polo R road car anymore, but this speed machine is something else.

It's been a while since we've seen a prototype making flying seem natural. Looking at the underbody of the car kind of reminds us of those squirrels - they weren't meant to fly but they evolved to do it anyway.

The R WRC has been dominating raci... (continue reading >>)

2017 Infiniti Q60 Sports Coupe US Pricing Announced

   People told us yesterday that the new Audi A5/S5 looks like a mess and that the C-Class Coupe is better. No, it's not, but the Infiniti Q60 has better lines than both of them, and you can now buy one for just under $40,000. (continue reading >>)

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Volkswagen Group Sales Jump 5.1% in June, Backed by Europe and China

   Volkswagen Group posted better-than-expected sales figures for the month o June, finishing the first half of 2016 surprisingly well. High demand for Audis, VWs and Skodas was reported in Central Europe and China.

This is by no means a time to be celebrating, as the paycheck for a $14.7 billion emissions settlement in America is just the first of many things that could hurt them. However, we can't help but be surprised by a sudden inc... (continue reading >>)

Off-Roading Crash Course For Dummies: What you Need to Know Before you go Wheeling

With Off-Roading becoming more and more popular and parts suppliers being readily available "Wheeling" has become a weekend warrior type hobby that you can do with your daily driver. Whether you plan to just go out on the trail to camp for the night or an intensive rock climbing weekend out into the great beyond there's some things you should do to prepare yourself. We decided to put together a small list of things a beginner should consider before hopping the white lines of the road into the rocks and dirt. Check it out below and feel free to comment below if you have some advice for beginners as well!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Here's a Walkaround of the Toyota Tundra That Did a Million Miles

   For me, doing the oil change every year is a big pain in the butt. So imagining that this V8 had 117 oil changes kind of gives me a huge headache.

The story broke in May that somebody had done over a million miles in a Toyota Tundra. I don't know the exact month it was produce... (continue reading >>)

Monday, July 25, 2016

First Tiguan 2.0 BiTurbo 240 HP Acceleration Test Is Here

   If one turbo isn't enough for your 2-liter engine, you can always add another one. That's what Volkswagen did for the Passat last year and now the Tiguan as well. If this doesn't get crossovers taken seriously, nothing ever will.

We still remember the Tiguan motor show r... (continue reading >>)

Audi R8 V10 Nurburgring Inch-Close Near Crash Makes for Brown Trouser Drifting

   Drifting isn't allowed on the Nurburgring, with such shenanigans having the potential to get a driver banned. However, when you're working to save your machine from a crash, you can drift all you want.

Even so, breaking the rules was probably the last thing the guy behind the wheel of the Audi R8 V10 in the v... (continue reading >>)

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Audi S3 and BMW 1er Coupe Nurburgring Crashes Look "Overcooked"

   Do you remember a time when crash videos didn't exist? We don't, since the Nurburgring and the Russians feed us with a daily supply of harsh life lessons. Today, we've lined up two old performance cars with polar-opposite handling characteristics.

It's not as violent as skaters needing spinal surgery, and there are also valuable life lessons here... somewhere. Oddly, it seems to be the same for both these drivers: adju... (continue reading >>)

265 HP MINI Cabrio by AC Schnitzer: Why Are All the JCWs Green?

   I loved the Cooper S, especially as a long-wheelbase 5-door. But I seriously don't understand why everybody wants the JCW model to be this shade of green. Tradition is one thing, but just look at how awesome the Focus RS looks in Smurf blue. Why can't they do that?

Anyway, I digress, as u... (continue reading >>)

Saturday, July 23, 2016

SEAT Altea Freetrack Plays in Mud and Snow, Is as Good as any Crossover

   Everybody thinks the SEAT Ateca is the first SUV in the company's history. But check these daredevils out, as they prove the Altea Freetrack is up for any challenge. We just love people who have the stones for this kind of stuff!

But first, a little confession. I'm quite fond of the (continue reading >>)

Friday, July 22, 2016

Audi R8 e-tron Prototype Spotted in Ingolstadt and Austria

   Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Audi supposed to launch the R8 e-tron already? It's been delayed, canceled and re-designed, but the super-powerful and fast Tesla P90D must have thrown a spanner in the works. Curious to see what was going on, we scoured... (continue reading >>)

Audi SQ7 Is "Something Crazy" in Civic Type R, Old Miata Drag Race

   We know that SUVs can be fast when equipped with large V8 engines, but the Audi SQ7 is the first in many years to perform well using a TDI diesel. Only when you see what it does to the Civic Type R will you start to comprehend what a monster quattro GmbH has developed.

The SQ7 is, in my opinion, the least sporty S car of this generation. By that, I mean that it's designed to set a fast pace, not thrill you with its exceptional handli... (continue reading >>)

Thursday, July 21, 2016

First Video of Manhart's M4-Powered Gold M2 Is Intense

   The M2 is like one of those short but powerful weight lifters. In fact, it comes from a family of cars with dense fibers packed into tiny packages. We've seen plenty of 1M Coupe engine swaps, so why not one that targets 2016's most coveted machine.

Under the hood of Manhart's insane project is the S55, a 3-liter high-revving mill normally found in the (continue reading >>)

Hilarious Cadillac CTS-V vs. Lexus GS F Comparison Says These Are Both Great

   Cadillac doesn't have to make the CTS-V, but we are glad they took a crack at it the third time. With the engine from the Z06, it's like Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction, while the Germans continue to make performance sedans that go straight to DVD.

This week, Motor Trend's Head to Head compares the (continue reading >>)

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Alfa Romeo "Great Wave" by Garage Italia Customs Is a Denim Tsunami

   I have nothing against jeans. In fact, like many of you guys, that's pretty much the only thing I wear (not in a Jay Leno way). However, there hasn't been a moment when I thought "hmmm, that's what I want on the seat of my Alfa Romeo 4C."

I don't have an Alfa Romeo 4C, but that won't stop me from enjoying this cool yet odd project from Garage Italia Customs.

We don'... (continue reading >>)

2018 Audi RS4 Avant Hits 'Ring, Expect Porsche Panamera 2.9L Twin-Turbo V6 Power

   The 2018 Audi RS4 Avant has now hit the Nurburgring. Cool, so what's new since we last saw the uber-quick station wagon? Quite a lot really and it all has to do with Porsche.

While we all know the RS4 is givin up on its naturally aspirated V8 to return to its roots (the original B5 generation packed a twin-turbo V6, remember?), so far we only had rumors suggesting motivation would come from a 2.9-liter mill.
... (continue reading >>)

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Colorful Audi Q2 Configurator Launched in Germany: Only 1.4 TFSI and 1.6 TDI

   Is it just me or is Audi mirroring the way BMW introduces cars? I mean they are becoming available in specific months of the year. Besides the A5, July has brought about the Q2, which can finally be configured and presumably ordered in Germany.

There's an abundance of tech reviews out there. However, most are sugar-coating the fact that this luxury vehicle cuts a few corners. And it needs to, even though the development costs are spr... (continue reading >>)

Guy Builds 3D Printed Subaru EJ20 Boxer Engine That Works

   Whenever we say that somebudy makes an engine from Lego or paper, it's implied that it doesn't use gasoline to run. But in all other regards, it's a working piece of machinery.

Well, it doesn't have spark ignition, compression, ... (continue reading >>)

Monday, July 18, 2016

Toffee Brown Golf GTI Gets a New Set of Lip Concept Vossen Wheels

   Boy, this is a familiar sight, the Toffee Brown GTI owned by the Vossen Wheels creative director. It's had a rough life, getting rear-ended early on, but the 3-door hatch has never looked better, thanks to a new set of Vossen forged alloy wheels.

But first, the old girl is looking dirty, covered in sand and salt. Better give her a through scrub and record the process for posterity.

Vossen wheel design has c... (continue reading >>)

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Eva Longoria Buys Tesla Model X, Is Excited to Try Autopilot

   Just as Tesla's future seems to hang in the balance due to the Autopilot crashes, Eva Longoria takes to Instagram to announce her new ride. Yeah, you guessed it, it's the Tesla Model X.

To be honest, this in interesting on many levels. At the same time as Tesla brought out the Model X, Bentley introduced the Bentayga S... (continue reading >>)

Cadillac CT6 Updated for 2017 MY, Twin-Turbo LT5 V8 Nowhere In Sight

   The order guide for the 2017 Cadillac CT6 is now online, complete with new exterior colors, an updated CUE infotainment system, and many more goodies. Unfortunately, however, the long-due twin-turbo LT5 V8 is nowhere to be found.

Back when the Cadillac CT6 was still in (continue reading >>)

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Jaguar's Considering To Turn Next XJ Into Panamera Rival

   Jaguar's next-generation XJ model is expected to come to market in late 2019 or early 2020. By that time, the company is considering shifting its position in the segment.

According to company insiders who have chosen to remain unnamed, Jaguar is pondering whether to turn the next XJ into a Porsche Panamera competitor. This would mean a shift from its current position, of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival. The difference between the two a... (continue reading >>)

Friday, July 15, 2016

2016 Dacia Logan 0.9 TCe Gets Tuned, Makes 103 HP on LPG

   Tuning a Dacia has always been something impossible to do with style. It turns out ugly or classless, even if you spend twice as much money as it's worth. As for the engines, what can you get from a naturally aspirated 1.6?

Turbocharging eventually arrived, but in the worst way possible. They call it downsizing, but it feels like being punched between the legs or ordering sausages and steak and getting 10 grams in the middle of the p... (continue reading >>)

Suzuki Swift Sport Nurburgring Crash Shows Amazing Lack of Car Control

   Front-wheel-drive cars are safe - this is an unspoke rule that suffers from serious misinterpretation and we're here to get into the details.

We'll start with the part of the rule that's true, namely that most drivers react better to understeer situations than they do in cases that see the rear end stepping out. However, the part that many steering wheel holders need to understand is that FWD machines are magically protecte... (continue reading >>)

Thursday, July 14, 2016

2017 Renault Megane Cabriolet Rendering Helps Us Say Goodbye

   Many don't fully grasp the significance of the recent Megane sedan reveal. It's not just another body style, but the last one. After this, Renault will have to take a breather from developing new cars.

We're positive that... (continue reading >>)

2017 Subaru BRZ Pricing Announced, Limited Model Pushes $30,000

   Subaru has announced pricing for the 2017 model year BRZ coupe, the one with all the mid-life updates. For the regular model, prices have crept upwards by $100, reaching $25,495 in the case of the 2017 BRZ Premium.

However, the big story is the 500-unit Limited Edition Series.Yellow. It starts at $29,695. If you also include the desination and handling charge, you end up with a $30,515, which is almost as much... (continue reading >>)

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Hunting Porsches with a Drone Shows Ultraviolet Blue and Viper Green Macans

   It's only been a few days since people started hunting Pokemons in go-fast machines, with a Porsche 918 Spyder in Beverly Hills and a (continue reading >>)

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Peugeot, Citroen and DS Launch BlueHDI Diesel Models in Japan

   Many European car companies have ventured deeper into Japan over the past couple of years. Some have even called it quits, like Ford. However, almost none of them offer diesel engines, due to the emissions regulations in place there. (continue reading >>)

Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera Sounds Insane in Video Debut

   Thanks to a Nurburgring prototype spotter, we now have the video that matches the spy photos of the all-new Lamborghini Huracan, presumed to be the Superleggera successor.

Automotive Mike... (continue reading >>)

Monday, July 11, 2016

Toyota Celebrates Corolla's 50th Birthday with Limited Edition Axio Sedan

   Toyota's Corolla is probably still the most popular nameplate in the world. It turns out that it's also among the oldest, as Toyota is celebrating its 50th birthday in Japan this year.

Launched in 1966, the Corolla preceded the (continue reading >>)

Check Out the Crimea (Krym) Roadster Made by Russian Students

   From certain angles, it looks like it has an eyesight problem, but considering that it's made by students, we think the Crimea is gosh darn awesome.

As the story goes, this machine was made by students from the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The rolling prototype was presented in October 2015, but now that it's ready, the vehicle was even checked out by the governor of Sevastopol, Sergei Menyailo.
(continue reading >>)

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Teddy Bear Engine Start Button Is Epic and Cute

   You're about to geek out over 11 seconds of footage showing a teddy bear. Yeah, this is still autoevolution, and we haven't started a #justgirlthings section.

We don't know what to make of this contraption. It has a definite Japanese vibe about it, but considering most of the best (continue reading >>)

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Volkswagen's Headquarters Searched For World War II Bombs, Everybody's Safe

   World War II led to the death of millions, but its effects still haunt the people of 2016, seven decades after it ended.

This time, Volkswagen employees and people living near the Wolfsburg facility in Germany were alerted because construction workers discovered some strage ... (continue reading >>)

Friday, July 8, 2016

This Is Lamborghini's Own Aero Package For The Huracan

   Hey mister, want to buy a used Lamborghini supercar? Only 1,010 miles on the clock and some options you can't have at the dealer across the street.

A couple of hours ago, we showed you a $400,000 Huracan with carbon trim and a supercharger (continue reading >>)

Californian Mitsubishi Driver Turns His Crashed Lancer into Jacked-Up Battlecar

   Probably the best way to describe the Mitsubishi Lancer in the images below would be to talk about it as a melange between the "it's feature, not a bug" philosophy and a crash.

This... battlecar used to be a Blue Lancer that got crashed by its driver last year. On his Instagram profile, the Californian owner of the contraption admits he was tailgating when the accident happened.

And, judgi... (continue reading >>)

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Porsche 911 GT3 RS PDK with Akrapovic Exhaust Sings the Song of Rennsport People

   If you happen to pass on the automotive aficionado genes, one of the things you'll have to explain to your children is that a surprising number of the world's 991 Porsche 911 GT3 RS PDKs have been taken down the tuning route.

With a few exceptions, we have to admit these track-savvy Neunelfers use a lightweight customization approach. Let's take the rear-engine coupe in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, for ex... (continue reading >>)

Shocking Orange LaFerrari Shows Up with Purple Carbon and Purple Wheels

   In the world of LaFerraris, visual auras don't get wilder than the one you can see above. The latest Maranello halo car to greet us is the kind that stands out long before its details can be distinguished and it all has to do with its main color.

The hue of Orange covering most of the 950 hp (make that 963 PS, you metric system fans) Fezza's body is nothin... (continue reading >>)

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Hamana Japan Gives Widebody Mercedes-AMG GT Some New Vossen Wheels

   Japanese tuner Hamana seems to like German cars more than anything else. And let's admit it, there's nothing wrong with that, as the Germans are pretty good at making powerful turbocharged engines.

In addition to the Golf R (continue reading >>)

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

2017 Golf Alltrack Gets 5-Star NHTSA Rating as VW Continues to Struggle

   In a way, the Golf Alltrack is the perfect example of what a crossover should be because it mixes elements from regular models and off-roaders. It's never going to be as popular as the Honda CR-V, but the German version of the Subaru Outback is off to a d... (continue reading >>)

Audi R8 V10 Receives Garfield Wrap, Becomes Project Carfield

   The first-generation Audi R8 has entered that sweet spot where its depreciation means it no longer costs as much as a house, and yet the performance it delivers is still top-notch. As a result, more and more enthusiasts use the Ingolstadt machine as a portal taking them into the supercars world.

Then again, given the age of the (continue reading >>)

Ferrari Testarossa Gets Time Attack Aero and Troublesome Wing in Trolling Render

   While many of you have already gotten used to the internet reacting almost instantly (read: within 24 hours) to a new car launch by releasing wild renderings based on the fresh metal, we have now reached that point where certain digital artists deliver wicked mash... (continue reading >>)

2016 Acura NSX Time Attack Monster Rendering Begs For a Non-Hybrid NSX

   The 2016 Acura NSX scored a massive victory for the entire EV and hybrid car scene during this year's Pikes Peak Hillclimb. With three cars entering the race, one of them won the Time Attack 2 class, while the other, an all-electric NSX, took second place in the Electric Modified class.

Now that the dust has settled on the carmaker's Pikes ... (continue reading >>)

Bloodhound SSC Will Attempt to Break the World Land Speed Record in October 2017

   On October 15, 1997, Wing Commander Andy Green and the Thrust SSC set the land speed record in the semi-arid region of Black Rock Desert. 20 years after that seminal moment, the record is slated to be smashed by the Bloodhound SSC. As expected, Andy Green will once again jump in the pilot's seat. (continue reading >>)

Sheep Traffic Jam Traps Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Other Supercars in France

   Most of us have had to go through an unpleasant animal traffic jam in our driving lives, but when a monstrously-sized sheep heard traps a pack of supercars, the stunt climbs to a whole new level.

This is exactly what you can see in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, which comes from last week's Modball Rally Europe. A group of velocity beasts including a (continue reading >>)

Porsche Cayman GT4 Gets Worn-Out Martini Livery, Looks Mind-Blowing

   Remember the worn-out Martini Livery Porsche 911 GT3 RS PDK we showed you earlier this year? Well, a Cayman GT4 has now been gifted with a similar wrap and we're here to talk about the piece of mid-engined eye-candy.

This Zuffenhau... (continue reading >>)

Top Gear Crew Will Fill In Chris Evans' Spot, No New Presenters Planned

   Chris Evans' spot in the Top Gear team will not be filled by a new member. Shortly after his announcement of stepping down fr... (continue reading >>)

Monday, July 4, 2016

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE Spy Shots Also Hide the First Sighting of the New GLS SUV

   Either Mercedes-Benz has managed to pen a very beautifully proportioned GLE, or this car we see here is a completely different model. Something like the GLB crossover, for instance, a car that's supposedly going to use a larger version of the GLA platform and some G-Class inspired design touches.

After careful deliberation, we've concluded that the first of the two situations appears more likely, and so would like to congratulat... (continue reading >>)