Aston Martin Vantage GT3: Race ready, street legal 2016

Inspired by competition but fully street legal, the 2015 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition debuted in Geneva based on the V12 Vantage S. This hot GT3 benefits from loads of motorsport-derived enhancements that trim weight, tidy up its aerodynamics, sharpen its dynamics and boost the output of its 5.9-liter engine to a projected 592 horsepower. In revealing the car, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer noted: "The Vantage GT3 Special Edition is an uncompromising example of our design and engineering expertise and I'm sure the 100 owners who secure one of these cars will savor every second behind the wheel -- whether on the road or on the track." Sadly, none of those GT3 models are slated for North America

The Vantage GT3 makes extensive use of carbon fiber body bits - including its prominent front splitter, dramatically vented hood, a huge fixed rear wing and optional carbon fiber roof panel -- to help trim nearly 220 pounds, improve its wind cheating abilities and raise top speed. The weight savings also encompasses more subtle tweaks that range from a polycarbonate rear glass and windows to a magnesium torque tube and lightweight lithium-ion battery. Lower and wider than any other Vantage, the GT3 complements its thoroughly reworked tri-mode adjustable suspension with expanded track dimensions and ultra-grippy Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires wrapped around 19-inch center-locking magnesium alloy wheels

In addition to a selection of internal modifications that improve breathing, the 5.9-liter V12 in the GT3 also does its part to shed unwanted mass thanks to redesigned cylinder heads made from magnesium and a new titanium exhaust system. In addition to raising the pony count to 592 from the 565 horses in a Vantage S, the revamp bumps peak torque from 457 to 461 lb-ft, bringing more of it into play across a wider rev range to heighten overall responsiveness

The cabin of the new Vantage GT3 displays its own light-makes-right rework, starting with a full carbon fiber center stack, Alcantara-trimmed carbon fiber racing shell bucket seats and a bespoke touchscreen display. Buyers also will be able to add a host of unique additional touches via Aston Martin's Q personalization wing. Pricing for the 2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is set to open around $390,000 in Europe and the first cars will be delivered during the third quarter of 2015

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Aston Martin Vulcan: 800-hp track-day thriller

Totally outrageous and stunningly bold, the Aston Martin Vulcan makes its debut in Geneva

That prodigious might passes through an Xtrac 6-speed sequential manual transmission and heads to the rear wheels via a Multimatic limited-slip differential. While holding off on citing performance numbers until the car makes its on-track debut later this year, Aston Martin says the Vulcan has a better power-to-weight ratio than current GTE- category racers that compete in the FIA's World Endurance Championship, including the firm's own Vantage GTE

Light makes right

As one might expect, the Vulcan features all carbon composite construction, and Aston said that elements of the car's exterior styling hints at what we'll see in the next generation of its production sports cars. However, those aren't likely to include the Vulcan's ultra-efficient front splitter and rear diffuser nor its massive fixed aft wing. Underneath, this ultra-Aston's racing-derived pushrod-style chassis incorporates fully adjustable dampers, anti-roll bars and traction control as well driver-selectable brake bias on its huge Brembos that feature carbon-ceramic discs

Fitted with two racing-style bucket seats, the Vulcan's competition-spec cabin incorporates an FIA roll cage, a cutaway steering wheel and a digital instrument display. While performance is paramount, Aston says buyers - who'll are expected to be shelling out something beyond $2 million for the right to own one - will be able to have it painted, trimmed and equipped to their specific preferences by the brand's "Q" personalization group when production begins late this year, with deliveries in 2016

Full factory support

Like the track-only McLaren P1 GTR and Ferrari FXX K, acquisition of an Aston Martin Vulcan will be accompanied by a full factory support package. It includes seat time in various Aston Martin models including a V12 Vantage and the exotic One-77 as well as a Vantage GT4 racer -- all with hands-on guidance from Aston Martin's Le Mans-winning driver Darren Turner - to develop a feel for what the Vulcan has to offer as well as the option to book time in one of Turner Base Performance Simulators prior to taking part in a series of organized track events

We have already received strong interest from the customers we have spoken to about Aston Martin Vulcan, noted Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer. The cars will blend our traditional Aston Martin values of Power, Beauty and Soul with an unrivalled ownership experience; a unique combination that will guarantee their place in the brand's rich and charismatic history

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2016 KIA SORENTO

2016 KIA SORENTO

Starting price: $25,795

The Kia Sorento is one of the cheapest cars on the market that look like an exotic car. The auto looks very similar to the BMW X5, except it costs less than half of the overall price that the X5 runs consumers. The car is sold with a four-cylinder stock engine rated at 191 horsepower, and the company provides the ability to upgrade to a turbo-four rated at 240 horsepower or a V-6 rated at 290 horsepower. The V-6 model of the auto also includes a third row of seats, and consumers can choose to upgrade all models from front-wheel to all-wheel drive. The standard transmission on the Sorento is a six-speed automatic, and the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle is rated at 17 MPG (city) and 23 MPG (highway). The pickup of the car is a bit limited; however, compared to other cars of the same class with a zero to 60 MPH time of 7.2 seconds.

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Porsche 911 Carrera 4 goes turbo 2017

 the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S Coupe, receive the same minor visual and infotainment enhancements to their chassis and a new AWD system

Although smaller than the current 3.4-liter naturally aspirated flat-six, the new turbocharged 3.0-liter engine is more potent and efficient. The standard version will make 370 horses and 331 lb-ft of peak torque versus the current 350/287 figures while the S-spec engine ups output to 420 and 368 compared to the 400/325 numbers of the 2016 S models. Despite the extra muscle, the new engines offer better low/mid-range response and are roughly 12 percent less thirsty on the European driving cycle, a factor that bodes well for their still-pending EPA ratings. All versions of the 911 Carrera/Targa 4/4S are marginally quicker than the existing models and can be fitted with a standard 7-speed manual transmission or optional 7-speed PDK twin-clutch transmission

Sharper handling

Culled from the 911 Turbo, the revised electro-hydraulically controlled all-wheel drive system reacts more quickly and precisely to driver inputs. Paired with the lower-riding PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) system standard on all versions of the car, these new all-wheel drive 911s promise to be the most capable ever produced. And significantly enhanced shocks improve both ride compliance and roll control in corners. Like the rear-drive models, the S-spec cars can be upfitted with rear-axle steering, also borrowed from the 911 Turbo and GT3. Cars fitted with the available Sport Chrono Package boast a new 918 Spyder-like rotary control on the steering wheel to quickly dial up one of four driving modes  as well as a Sport Response Button that allows for 20 seconds of sustained full-throttle operation. All versions will offer a splitter-saving front lift system to raise the nose by about 1.5 inches when encountering a steep drive entry or speed bump

On the creature-feature front, these new AWD 911s will come with an all-new and more capable Porsche Communication Management system that features a 7.0-inch multi-touch center display and an integrated navigation system that recognizes typical smartphone-style inputs and better integrates various devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cable. The one-year subscription brings real-time traffic alerts as well as things like Google StreetView and Internet radio

Pricing for the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 will start at $97,295 with the Carrera 4S commencing at $111,295. The 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Targa 4 are set to open at $109,595 while the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet and Targa 4S kick off at $123,595

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1956 FERRARI 860 MONZA

 1956 FERRARI 860 MONZA

Current value: $2.5 million

The 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza is one of the most amazing vintage cars on the road today. During the heyday of the 1950’s racing scene, the Ferrari brand had yet to make a name for itself going against the ‘Big Three’ of car manufacturers at the time to include Jaguar, Maserati, and Aston Martin. The 860 Monza was Ferraris response, and it is powered by the strongest four-cylinder engine to ever be made by the now famous car company. The 3.4 liter engine is rated at 280 horsepower which combined with the larger wheelbase debuted by Ferrari for the 860 Monza gave the car the reliability it needed to win on the track. The company would only go on to produce three models of the 0604M variant, and it is also one of the most valuable vintage cars on the market today as well.

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2015 ALFA ROMEO 4C

2015 ALFA ROMEO 4C

Starting price: $55,495

The 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C is one of the cheapest cars on the market that look like high end exotic cars. With a pending debut in North America, the car has two seats located in front of the mid-mounted engine, and it has the feel of a $300,000 Ferrari. The two-door couple has rear wheel drive and is powered by a turbocharged COHC 16-valve inline-4 rated at 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The transmission on the Romeo 4C is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic with a manual shifting mode. The top speed of the car is 160 MPH, and it can go from zero to 60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds. The fuel economy of the car is also above average with a 24 MPG (city) and 32 MPG (highway) overall rating.

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Mazda MX-5 Miata First Review 2016

Although the 2016 MX-5 Miata isn't expected to hit U.S. showrooms until the third quarter of 2015, Mazda flew us to Barcelona, Spain to get some seat time behind the wheel of a few Japanese-spec prototypes. Aside from right-hand-drive and a 1.5-liter engine in lieu of the U.S. model's 2.0-liter mill, both cars share identical interiors, underpinnings, and feature content. With that out of the way, here's our early impressions of Mazda's forthcoming flagship roadster

Tighter packager, lighter weight

The prevailing development strategy behind the fourth-generation MX-5 came down to trimming excess mass. More extensive use of aluminum combined with tidier exterior dimensions and a wheelbase shorter by just over a half-inch amount to a near-220 lb. decrease in weight over the outgoing car. Combine that with a lower center of gravity and plunging hoodline, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say the MX-5 provides a driving experience akin to an open-wheel racer. Plus, unlike the first-generation NA model, this bite-sized package doesn't yield a claustrophobia-inducing cabin - more on that later

On the dynamics front, Mazda engineers left no stone unturned. Body lean has been reduced drastically without compromising overall ride quality. The responsiveness and feedback of the brakes could paint a Porsche Boxster green with envy. But the main attraction is unquestionably the new 6-speed manual transmission, whose short-yet-precise throws, predictable clutch, and natural ergonomics all but justify the price of admission. If our tester's 1.5-liter 4-cylinder is any indication of what U.S. customers can expect from the new 2.0-liter engine, we're in for a treat. Because where Miatas of yore lacked usable low-end torque and fell flat on top, Mazda's new Skyactiv-G engines produce 90 percent of maximum torque at 2,000 rpm and continue to develop power in a smooth, linear fashion until 7,500 rpm. The only gripe we have with regards to dynamics is the new electromechanical steering. Although we are proponents of electric-assisted steering, Mazda has some work to do in the area of progressive weighting. As the steering angle increased effort remained virtually the same (conventional steering systems require more steering effort as wheel friction rises). On the bright side, Mazda engineers hinted at the fact that production cars would undergo a steering software update to help remedy the issue

Oxymoron no more: A sophisticated Miata

From standard LED headlights and taillights to a cabin laden with French stitching and high-quality materials, the 2016 MX-5 Miata is heads and shoulders above its predecessors when it comes to refinement. Everything placed in front of the driver is laid out symmetrically, including the pedal arrangement. And while the steering wheel doesn't offer a telescoping function, the driving position remains surprisingly neutral, even for taller drivers. The new Miata features just under a half-inch of additional headroom and greater adjustability for the driver's seat, including an adjustable seat bottom

Opening and closing the soft-top is a now an in-car, one-hand operation thanks to a lighter, more rigid structure. Wind control during open-top driving has been addressed as well. By moving the windshield rearward and slimming-down the quarter windows, air is channeled into the cabin through the side of the vehicle rather than over the top and into your face. Lastly - and for the first time ever - the MX-5 Miata can be equipped with an in-car navigation/infotainment system featuring a 7-inch touch-or-remote-controlled display

Break down the weight savings, sharper handling, and superior refinement, and what you're left with is a sportscar destined to reignite the world's love of driving. If that was indeed Mazda's prime objective in developing the fourth-generation MX-5, we say, Mission accomplished

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the beautiful Volvo XC40

The XC40 is a Volvo of many firsts. The first is that this is the first Volvo to be based on the EV-ready modular platform it co-developed with owner Geely. It’s called CMA, and it already sits under the Lynk & Co. 01. Naturally CMA will go on to underpin other “40-series” cars – like the as-yet-unrevealed, unconfirmed V40 to rival the VW Golf.
The XC40 is also Volvo’s very first crack at a small SUV – an Audi Q3, to the XC60’s Q5 and XC90’s Q7. Lots of the tech (and styling) from other new-era Volvos is present and correct, which means much active safety, headlights modelled on the heavy, bashy things in Thor’s toolbox and a big portrait touchscreen inside. Where, incidentally, Volvo boasts of a “radical new approach to storage”, which means inductive charging and a removable waste bin in the centre console.
As for engines, at launch you can have a petrols or diesels with four cylinders (three power outputs for the former, two for the latter), but Volvo’s three-cylinder petrol, a hybrid and full EV will join the range later. Before 2019 we’d guess, by which point Volvo’s pledged all of its new releases will have some form of e-motor.
And the XC40 is the first car to be offered with the ‘Care by Volvo’ subscription service, which gives you the car plus a load of “digital concierge services” like the use of another, different Volvo for up to 14 days a year (need seven seats for the weekend? They’ll let you borrow an XC90). Insurance, tax and maintenance are included in the flat, monthly fee, which we’re told is the same price wherever you live and however old you are. Only a couple of models get it at launch, and it’s £629-per-month for two years.

Mind in Britain, Care by Volvo will only be available within the M25, at least to begin with, and we miss out on a few key benefits. For example, elsewhere in the world customers can have online shopping delivered direct to their cars, or share their car with friends for a couple of hours using an app that doubles as a ‘digital key’. We can’t. Yet.
Volvo says it makes “having” (not owning, note) an XC40 “as hassle-free as having a mobile phone”. Hopefully without the new software updates that invalidate all your old apps and make it unusable for three hours.
Buy the car outright and prices start £27,905. That buys you base petrol power, front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. All-wheel drive and autos are available as you scale the spec tree, which goes beyond £40k for an all-wheel drive T5 ‘First Edition’.
But as even the cheapest XC40s get the big touchscreen, digital dials, LED headlights and dual-zone climate control, you won’t need to spend that much to get a decent one. Orders are being taken now, and deliveries start next year. Interested?

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2019 Cupra Ibiza

On sale summer 2019 estimated

Price from £20,000 estimated

Seat is a brand known for its sporty Cupra cars but it's decided to discard that reputation and rebadge its most powerful cars under the Cupra name.

One of the first will be a high-performance version of the small Ibiza. The standard car is good to drive, thanks to stable and nimble cornering. Combined with a powerful 200hp engine.

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BMW 6 SERIES

Starting price: $76,100

The BMW 6 Series is one of the best German cars sold in the United States today. BWM has made the 6-Series one of the most exclusive car offerings of the company, and it is available with either a 3.0 liter inline six cylinder engine rated at 315 horsepower or a 4.4 liter eight cylinder engine rated at 445 horsepower. Both engine choices come with an eight-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive coming standard on the cars and all-wheel drive available to add to the car when buying it new. The car’s fuel efficiency is rated at 20 MPG (city) and 31 MPG (highway), and the V-6 is rated at 332 lb-ft of torque.

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FORD MUSTANG

Starting price: around $20,400

It comes with a V6 or V8 engine, and it is more powerful than most other cars in its class (by this we mean – affordable nice looking cars). The six-speed transmission in this model can be automatic or manual; both are precise and easy to handle. The interior design could be a little more modern, but it is spacious enough and comfy.

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1964 SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA COUPE

1964 SHELBY COBRA DAYTONA COUPE

Current value: $4.4 million

There were only six Shelby Cobra Dayton Coupes produced between the 1964 and 1965 editions of the auto, and they are some of the most amazing vintage cars ever produced. The Cobra Dayton Coupe was made with the new Ford V-8 289 ci engine at the time, and was the first car to end the Ferrari 250 dominance of the racing circuit at the United States Road Racing Championships shortly after its debut. The cars were retired after 1965 when Ford hired Shelby to help them race the GT40 line. The car engine is rated at 340 ft-lbs of torque and 385 horsepower. When new, the auto could go from zero to 60 MPH in just 4.01 seconds, and zero to 100 MPH in 8.81 seconds.

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Nissan Sway Concept: Stylish subcompact strikes

With the Nissan Sway subcompact, the Japanese automaker is making a statement that small cars need not be boring cars. Positioned as a possible successor to the Micra, a small hatch primarily sold in Europe, the Sway adapts the design language that has been featured on larger Nissan products like the newly redesigned Murano crossover and Maxima sedan

In introducing the Sway, Nissan's chief of design, Shiro Nakamura, said that the vehicle incorporates the V-motion grille theme, floating roof, kicked-up C-pillar treatment and flowing fender lines that have come to characterize the company's styling philosophy. The 4-door hatch uses rear-hinged back doors and no B-pillar to ease cabin access. The coach-style doors give the car the look of a sporty 2-door

A study of contrasts

By using an orange metallic paint on the roof rails and rocker extensions as well as inside the front air intakes to contrast with the bluish gray interior, the contrast highlights the floating roof design and adds a muscular, planted look to the lower body. Another design signature developed for the car was the boomerang shape to the front and rear LED lighting elements

The Sway also features a glass roof, and an interior with a floating wing-design dash inspired by the IDx concept car. The wing shape was adopted for its elegant simplicity. The result is an interior where function takes a priority, and where nothing is used for purely decorative purposes. Structural elements, for example, are shown as structural elements. The door pulls are designed to be integrated as a part of exposed aluminum struts. Even the three-spoke steering wheel has a 'back-to-basics' simplicity, with a squared off bottom section and aluminum spokes

Back to basics

Just two basic instruments face the driver, with all other functions captured on a large trapezoidal tablet in the center of the dashboard visible - and usable - by both driver and front seat passenger. The lightweight seats have an aluminum structure - once again exposed - and are covered in a premium suede-like fabric partially accentuated with pearl-effect material, featuring stitching techniques more usually found on luxury handbags. Color coordination sees the use of strong blue and orange themes inside, complementing the exterior perfectly

"With this new concept car for Geneva, we are experimenting to see how Nissan might be able to bring fresh ideas to the compact hatchback segment," Nakamura said. While this may or may not be the shape of the next Micra, the car's upscale looks in a small package would be a welcome addition to Nissan's U.S. lineup

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CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV

CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV

In the fall of 2009, General Motors announced their latest addition to the police vehicle market with the upcoming Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle). The previous edition of the Caprice targeted to law enforcement was produced between1991-1996. The updated model continues to be sold to law enforcement agencies, and it features the 6.0 L77 AFM V8 that was standard with the cars sold in 2011. Beginning in 2012, the standard 3.6 L LLT SIDI V6 engine was adopted as an optional package for law enforcement agencies who demand greater fuel efficiency from their police cruisers. Both engine models are designed to be compatible with E85 ethanol capable fuel, and the cars feature a wider wheel base than the Caprice models sold to the general American public. The PPV edition of the vehicle also features a dual engine exhaust, console floor shifter, and a touch screen for radio and HVAC controls of the vehicle.

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