Mazda just released new pics of their updated RX-8 RS edition. This car has been designed for the customer with “sportier tastes.” The RX-8 is a very popular car amongst hard core tuner and enthusiasts, and offers and excellent ready to go setup for the track. The Mazda RX-8 RS is sure to thrill all the weekend warrior out there. Read the rest of this entry »

Autocar just posted their video comparison of the three most desirable sports cars of 2008. The Nissan GT-R, All new BMW M3 and the ultimate purists performance car, the 911 GT3. No big surprises here, we’ve all seen the test and Nurburgring lap times; the GT-R is the new bench mark in production car performance. It’s bigger, it’s heavier, it’s higher off the ground, but boy oh boy does this thing handle! We can’t wait to get our hands on the car ourselves. Alas, the comparison…

Looks like the 1 series has outmatched it’s Porsche rival and at a discount of over $5000. Just how long can Porsche continue to mark up their prices for their premium badging? Who knows, but we know one thing, the 1 Series is coming. And it’s going to be an Icon. Jeremy Clarkson recently reviewed that car and concluded his article with this quote:

” The fact of the matter is this. The 135 coupé is the best car BMW makes. I have no hesitation at all, then, in giving this long-awaited return to form the rare accolade of five stars.”

Here’s the first comparo done by
Fifth Gear…

While browsing one of my favorite forums, TheCarLounge.com, I came across a post that almost made me cover my mouth and run to the nearest bathroom. Unfortunately, some nit-wit in Spain decided that it would be a good idea to fuse the old Audi Quattro Rally car and a perfectly good A6. And as you can see, the result is an absolute nightmare.

No word on how much crack he smoked before attempting this project, but apparently it was a LOT!

This is an interview with Alex Roy, the man responsible for driving the fastest recorded time from NY to LA. He doesn’t know why he had to do it, but he got it done in 31 hours and 4 minutes, a full hour ahead of the previous record set in 1983.As you’ll see in the video, the car of choice is a BMW M5 which has been outfitted with a variety of bells and whistles. We’d even consider taking this ride over the new Nightrider car that’s premiering on the 17th. For more on this story and the movie that’s coming out, check out the website 32hours7minutes.com.

In an interview with Car Magazine in January, Nissan’s design guru Shiro Nakamura mentioned that their is a possibility that Nissan will design a GT-R based Infiniti model. If so, you’ll not only make it to your dinner party on time, but you’ll do so in style.

We’ve seen the GT-R in person and the interior of the vehicle is a bit minimal, which  leaves some room for an upgrade. We’re anxious to see if they’re going to explore an Infiniti redesigned GT-R. If so, the M6’s and CL63’s of the world are up against some stiff competition.

Quote:

Source: CAR Magazine

“Back in April ‘06, we reported on the disappointment expressed by Infiniti dealers over the decision to make the new GT-R exclusively a Nissan. But retailers of the company’s premium brand, now branching out of North America and into markets in Asia and Europe, may have their prayers answered as Nissan considers creating an Infiniti derivative of the supercar.

The report comes from an interview with Nissan’s design guru Shiro Nakamura in the January issue of Britain’s Car magazine. “We have developed the platform and the transaxle powertrain – an Infiniti version is a future possibility,” says Nakamura. “I have not done a study yet, but we are thinking about it.” Promising words, though hardly the kind of confirmation dealers can bank on at this point, especially ones in the U.S. But with Infiniti dealers worldwide split over the direction of a potential new Q sedan, a GT-R derivative could do wonders as the brand’s new flagship model, positioned above the G37 coupe, which is sold in Japan as the Nissan Skyline.”

iMagicLab, a customer relationship management software company, has announced plans to open a virtual car dealership in Second Life. The Automobile Dealer Relations Center will be located on the company’s “AutoLand” island. Within this site, users can visit a multi-brand showroom, customize a vehicle, and chat with up to 50 car dealers about pricing, availability and service issues. “AutoLand” is scheduled to open March 1.

We’re not really sure if a virtual test drive is going to make anyone more likely or less likely to buy a car. At the very least though, this will create some exposure

Source: Edmunds.com

Whelp, it looks like Edmunds Inside Line got the first video test of the Nissan GT-R, but they cheated! They flew to Japan and found some poor guy that was willing to let them bang the shit out of his new GT-R. They were very impressed with the car, as i’m sure we will be when we get our press vehicle.

The most impressive part of the test was the 3.3 second zero to 60 time that they achieved with the GT-R’s super cool launch control feature. Apparently, to activate the Nissan GT-R’s Launch Control, you have to configure the transmision by setting the damping switches to R mode and flipping the VDC switch to off, by holding the VDC-R button down for a few seconds. Then you just hold the brake down with your left foot while laying on the throttle a bit with your right, similar to the way that your old 65 mustang.
The effect in the GT-R is quite different though compared to a regular car. Once you’ve activated this launch control the computer holds the engine at 4,500 rpm and waits for you to lift your foot off the brake pedal. And when you do lift off the brake, the GT-R launches faster than any other production car in the world. So hold on tight and keep your head back against the headrest, because this thing will break your neck. No not really, but you get the drift. The car is capable of an 11.6 second quarter mile at 120.9 mph. Making this car faster than the Dodge Viper, Porsche GT3 and the once unrivaled Corvette ZO6.

Cheers to Nissan! We can’t wait to get our hands on this beast.

Click to see the video: First GT-R Test Video

As if the GT-R needed a tune up to become a race car, the new GT-R race car has been announced. This car will be competing in the 2008 SUPER GT series and you can bet that it’s going to be a major contender. Our guess is that it blows away the competition like the New England Patriots. Read the rest of this entry »

Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a world where you could rent a helicopter to film you driving around your Subaru STi in your backyard snowboard park? Well for Ken Block, the owner of D.C. Shoes, this isn’t a dream, it’s a reality.

We’re not sure how he got any liability waivers for these stunts, or if they even exist. After all it’s filmed at the DC Shoes Mountain Lab in Utah, which is Ken Blocks backyard. Yeah… and i was stoked just to have a hill i could sled on behind my house. Well, this is proof that some dreams come true. We’re hoping that this new mountain autocross adventure makes its way into the X Games. Cause this shit is dope!