BMW Reveals the 2012 M5

BMW has finally taken the wraps off the upcoming M5 super sedan after some photos leaked onto the web last night.  What they have come up with is pretty potent.  The new M5 ditches the 500HP V10 of the previous model and makes due with the company's 4.4L direct injected, twin turbo V8 which in the M5 will produce a massive 560HP/502TQ.  All that power is routed to the rear wheels via a 7 speed dual-clutch transmission and an electronic Active M limited slip differential.

Performance wise, the M5 will be able to hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds on it's way to an electronically limited 155 mph top speed.  Those who opt for the M Driver's Package will have that artificial limit removed and can take the car up to it's actual top speed of 190 mph.

Of course the M5 get special exterior enhancements to differentiate it from the regular "run-of-the-mill" 5 series running around.

No pricing info has been released but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it ain't gonna be cheap.

2012 Corvette ZR1 - 6 Seconds faster on Nurburgring

GM has posted a new video of the 2012 Corvette ZR1 testing on the Nurburgring.  With improvements being made to the 2012 model which include new tires and traction control system, Corvette engineer Jim Mero ripped off a lap time of 7:19.63.  That's 6 seconds faster than the 2008 ZR1 that was tested on the Ring and faster than the Viper ACR, Nissan GTR, Ferrari Enzo, and Pagani Zonda F Clubsport.

Check out the video:

2011 Porsche GT3 RS 4.0

Just when you thought Porsche couldn't squeeze any more power out of the naturally aspirated GT3 line they go ahead an shoehorn in the largest displacement motor ever in a production 911, a monster 4.0L flat 6 cylinder derived from the racing 911 GT3 RSR.  That beast of a motor features forged pistons, titanium rods, and the same crank as the racecar.  All that adds up to a crazy 500HP and 339TQ naturally aspirated!

With the help of carbon fiber, the car weighs just 2,998lbs and can scoot to 60mph in just 3.8 seconds on it's way to a top speed of 193mph.  The only transmission available will be a 6 speed manual and just 600 examples of the RS 4.0 will be built at a cost of $185,000.

Pagani Huayra Revealed

Pagani's Zonda replacement had been code named C9 until a few weeks ago when the name Huayra surfaced.  At that time there were still just photos of disguised test mules running around but now the official images and specs of this amazing car have been revealed.

Sporting a set of gullwing doors, the Huayra looks to be about the same dimensions as the Zonda it replaces but with much different bodywork sporting aerodynamic and cooling doodads everywhere.  Power will come from a twin-turbocharged 6.0L Mercedes AMG V12 producing over 700 horsepower and 740 pound feet of torque.  That should be enough to propel the under 3,000 pound Huayra to a projected top speed of close to 230MPH.  All that power will get to the rear wheels via a new seven speed dual clutch gearbox.

Inside, the level of craftsmanship and luxury Pagani has been noted for continues with lots of leather, aluminum and carbon fiber.  A new instrument cluster with blue gauges and a multi function display that controls audio, nav, and communications sit ready for the pilot of this land missile.

No word on pricing but expect it to be way up there.

More pictures can be found at the Pagani website - http://www.paganiautomobili.it/huayra/default.aspx

Here is a video from EVO Magazine.

What Would You Buy If You Won The Lottery?

With all the talk of the recent huge Mega Millions Lottery drawing ($355 Million), I’ve been fantasizing about what cars I’d actually buy if I won such a huge amount of money.  I figured I’d try to come up with a list.

Now, I’m a pretty stingy (aka cheap) person normally and I don’t really think that would change much particularly when it comes to cars.  Sure, I’d buy a nice house, or two, and take awesome vacations and maybe buy a boat, but when it comes to cars, I’d probably avoid buying new for a number of reasons.  First, many of the cars I really want aren’t in production anymore so I’d have no choice.  Second, I just can’t see spending $250,000 - $300,000 for a new Ferrari 458 or Lamborghini Gallardo even if I have all that money in the bank.  I could settle for a nice Ferrari 360 or 430 and save a ton of money.  Heck, I call build a pretty nice collection of several cars for $300,000 total.  Third, let someone else take the depreciation hit.  Finally, I want to drive the cars, not be afraid to move them out of the garage because a bird may take a crap on them and ruin my investment.

With that said, here is my list of some of the cars that I would look to buy if I won a huge amount of money.

1)      Ferrari 355 GTS – My favorite V8 Ferrari of all time.  Last Ferrari I really loved.

2)      Porsche 964 Turbo – Preferably the 1994 3.6 Turbo.  Last single turbo 911T, last rwd only 911T and very few made.

3)      Porsche 993 Turbo – The best generation 911 ever.  Last of the air cooled wonders.

4)      Lamborghini Gallardo – Early Gallardos, 2004 – 2005, can be had for under $100K

5)      Acura NSX – Truly amazing car.  Always had a soft spot for them with or without the pop up headlights.

6)      Ferrari 550/575 – Sweet V12 Ferrari goodness.  550s can be had for under $80K.

7)      Ferrari 512 TR – More sweet V12 Ferrari goodness.  Evolution of the Testarossa with better styling and more power.  Channel my inner Sonny Crockett.

8)      BMW E46 M3 – Last great M3.  Last one I have any interest in.  Good for a daily driver.

9)      Porsche 996 C4S – Porsche purists show no love for the 996 but that just makes them more affordable.  Another daily driver possibility.

10)  Lotus Elise/Exige – Need a track car.

11)  Mazda Miata V8 – Love the Miata.  Would find a nice one and send it to Flyin Miata for a V8 conversion.  Brand new GM LS3, T56, and Getrag rear.  Turnkey and ready to roll for about $40K.  Modern Shelby Cobra.

12)  Factory 5 Cobra – Speaking of Cobras, I really like these kits.

I’m sure I can think of more but that’s a good start.  Best of all, with some smart shopping, that list above can be had for well under $1million.  Would you rather have all that sweet variety above, or one Veyron?  You know my answer.

What would your list look like?  Feel free to let me know.

Car and Driver Supercar Battle Royal

I've said it before and I'll say it again, auto journalists have the greatest job in the world.  Another example is Car and Driver's latest mega supercar showdown.  They pitted the 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 2010 Audi R8 V10, 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia, 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG,  and 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S against one another on the track and the street to pick the best.  The winner was a bit of a surprise.

Check out the article here - 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage vs. 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10, 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia, 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Motor Trend Test - 2011 Corvette ZR1 vs 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

I just finished up reading Motor Trend's latest comparo test between the 2011 Corvette ZR1 and the 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo.  Their results were interesting to say the least.  As they point out, the Corvette has traditionally been the faster of the two in a straight line and the Porsche has always been better on the track in past comparisons.  That apparently has changed as the Porsche is now the faster car 0-60 clocking in at 3.0 seconds and in the 1/4 mile at 11.2 seconds with the traditional 6speed manual.  The Vette will do 3.5 seconds to 60 and 11.5 in the 1/4 so neither is slow.

On the track, the tables are turned as the Corvette, in the hands of racer Justin Bell, ripped off a best lap time of 1:29.69 at Willow Springs while he only managed to get the Porsche around the track in 1:33.31.  That's over 3.5 seconds behind the ZR1.  Times have changed.

In the end, they pick the Corvette ZR1 as the winner of the comparison due to it's performance and the excitement it brings.  They felt the Porsche was a little dull......as dull as a 500HP AWD Twin Turbo 0-60 in 3.0 seconds car can be.

Check out the whole article here - Motor Trend 2011 Corvette ZR1 vs 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo.

Bonus video - Motor Trend Comparo ZR1 vs 911 Turbo Drag Race

2012 Dodge Viper teased.

On Tuesday, Chrysler held a conference for it’s dealers to show off any new or updated models coming down the pipe soon.  As the conference was ending with Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne on stage he concluded his speech with “oh….one more thing” and out rolled a 2012 Viper for the audience to gawk at.  Unfortunately, not one picture has emerged from that conference of the updated car, they must have confiscated phones and cameras at the door.  I did manage to find the attached rendering from Road & Track but I have no idea if it is accurate.

Still, this is great news and shows that they are already hard at work on the next gen Viper which should be out late next year if it is to be sold as a 2012 model.

Ferrari 512BB Spotted On Google Street View

Google Street View is an amazing piece of technology.  Especially useful for wasting big chunks of time.  That's just what I was doing when I came across the picture you see here.  See, I was tracing the route of my fantasy road trip through Europe that starts with me picking up a new Porsche 911 or Audi R8 at the factory and driving the Autobahn and the Nurburgring before heading to places like Amsterdam, London, Paris, Monaco and Italy.  By the way, I will do that some day, once I win the lottery.  It's just a matter of time.


Anyway, what you see here is a street view picture taken at the intersection of Avenue des Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde in Paris.  In the pic is one of my all time favorite Ferraris, a beautiful Ferrari 512BB, just driving along minding it's own business.  I wonder what else I'll find.


If you want to check it out for yourself, the Google Street View and map can be seen here.

Motor Trend Makes Sexy Time With Three Sweet Exotics In Vegas

What's that saying?......what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  Well, not this time.  Motor trend decided to take the Mercedes SLS, Audi R8 V10, and Porsche 911 Turbo out to the desert for some testing and to pretend to be important on the Vegas Strip.

The article can be found here, but I'm more interested in the video which is below.

Do these guys have the best jobs in the world or what?

Enjoy.