Main Street in Motion Event gives General Motors a leg up on the competition

As General Motors attempts to come out of its government owned era, it has the massive task of reinvigorating the American buyer. As with most large purchases, the American consumer is also rather uneducated. As we can see by the downfall of the housing market, all too often consumers over extend themselves and make poor decisions. Admittedly, the decline of the real estate market and the downfall of the big three automakers are due to completely separate reasons, but some similarities can be found.

One of the biggest struggles that General Motors will face in the coming years is making people believe that their product is superior to the competition. As emissions laws tighten and consumers become more environmentally conscious the problem for an automaker like GM is extrapolated. GM is a company built around its truck sales and the most environmentally unfriendly thing on the road this side of a Hummer is a heavy duty pickup truck.

However, General Motors has surprised us by coming out of bankruptcy so quickly and with so much vigor. Its new models are impressive and cross every segment that the company operates in. Many may think that this is the same old GM singing a new tune that will fade away soon, but the company has organized several events to educate the consumer and let them know that these changes are here to stay.

This past weekend we attended the Main Street in Motion event in Newport Beach, CA. Several years ago we were at a similar event in Las Vegas, Nevada, but this time things were a little different. General Motors brought their typical heavy hitter models like the Corvette, Camaro, Sierra, and Tahoe. They also included some of the newer, cleaner, and less known models like the Volt, Cruze, Acadia, and Tahoe Hybrid. Those who attended were able to test drive every model and see how each model handled when compared to the competition.

Continental Tire Dream Giveaway offers up a Haywood Porsche GT3 and Cayenne S Hybrid TAX-FREE!

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What could be better than winning a brand new Porsche tax-free? Well, dear sirs, that would be winning two Porsches tax-free. And to make things even more enticing; one of those Porsches is a one-of-a-kind 2011 Hurley Haywood Edition Porsche GT3. Intrigued? Read on.

Continental Tire and GRAND-AM are offering up the 2011 Hurley Haywood Edition Porsche GT3 and a 2011 Porsche Cayenne S. Hybrid as part of the 2011 Continental Tire Dream Giveaway, a fundraising event sponsored by WorldCause Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Camp Boggy Creek, a camp for children - ages 7-16 - who are suffering from chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

The 2011 Hurley Haywood Edition Porsche GT3 is the fastest, most powerful 911 GT3 to date and was named after Motorsports Hall of Famer and GRAND-AM Racing legend, Hurley Haywood. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8 liter six-cylinder boxer engine that produces 435 HP. This output gets the GT3 from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds, and doesn’t stop until it hits 194 mph.

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is the newest version of the popular Porsche SUV. It is powered by a combination of a supercharged V6 engine and a 47 HP electric motor. Total output for the package is 380 HP and 427 lb-ft, allowing the Cayenne to make it to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and giving it a top speed of 150 mph.

So, there you go folks. You have a chance to win a speedy family transporter and a one-of-a-kind rockstar sports car, all for just entering yourself in a drawing and helping some kids. Can’t beat that!

2011 Mercedes SLS AMG RSK8 by Lorinser

Wait, is this yet another tuning package for the Mercedes SLS AMG? Well, color us surprised! This vehicle has seen so many tuning projects, we’re beginning to think people have forgotten what a standard model looks like. But have no fear, this latest package only adds a new set of wheels courtesy of Lorinser and a tweak to improve the Mercedes’ handling.

The Mercedes SLS AMG RSK8 by Lorinser is set apart from its standard brethren with a new set of three-part forged wheels with seven spokes and stainless steel bolts. These light-alloy wheels are offered in 9.5 x 20" for the front axle and 11 x 21" at the back, and should be accompanied by 275/30 and 295/25 tires, respectively.

Since weight for a sports car is always an area that can be improved upon, Lorinser has taken extra care of the SLS AMG by making sure that the new rims are one of the lightest available on the market. This reduction in weight improves the unsprung mass and therefore improves the braking response and the handling of the two-seater. And here we thought they just looked good.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento available for order; only 3 units slated for U.S.

Lamborghini has already confirmed that the Sesto Elemento will indeed be headed to the production line, albeit in a very limited run. With such a minute number being produced, anyone would be hard-pressed to get know when Lamborghini is even actively selling it, let alone be able to grab hold of one of those units. Now that task has gotten even harder as a high-end dealership in La Jolla, just north of San Diego, has confirmed that Lamborghini is now accepting order for the car and that there will only be three units headed over to the United States.

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will be offered at a princely sum of $3.44 million. Rumors suggest that this payment will be taken Reventon-style, which means three equal payments of $300,000 or higher with the remainder being paid at the end of the deal. That kind of price tag will bring its owner a 570 HP V10 engine and a power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per HP. This allows the Sesto Elemento to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a sensational 2.5 seconds, while top speed will be higher than 186 mph.

Anyone willing and able to pay that incredible price tag better have their phone in hand and their bank account numbers handy.

2011 BMW M3 Convertible by Vorsteiner

The BMW M3 Convertible is getting a new carbon fiber aerodynamic dress-up courtesy of US tuner Vorsteiner, proving yet again that when it comes to high-performance BMWs, the US tuning company certainly knows what its doing.

By releasing their new carbon fiber bootlid and making it available for the BMW M3 Convertible, Vorsteiner is giving the high-performance Beamer not only a more aggressive aerodynamic upgrade, but also a performance boost that should give the car an even more powerful bite to go with its imposing bark.

The car’s new carbon fiber "duck bill" bootlid bears some striking similarities to what you can find in the BMW M3 CSL in that it has the "latest pre-preg autoclave construction with a high gloss automotive lacquer". According to Vorsteiner, the material is one of the lightest of its kind among all others available in the market today. Despite the talks surrounding it, the bodywork is still in its final stages, but you can expect it to be available at Vorsteiner dealerships in the coming months.

Chevrolet To Get Holden Based SS Sedan

Americans always says that Canadians are “just like us.” They talk (almost) the same, look slightly paler, and they just happen to use those funny little kilometers per hour instead of the proper miles per hour. After much thought though, it’s the Australians that are most like Americans– especially when it comes down to the shared passion of muscle cars.

The Holden Commodore last made its appearance on our shores in 2009 as the Pontiac G8. It was a big, full-size, four door sedan, complete with an equally big Corvette-sourced V8 engine. What’s not to love about it?

Unfortunately for us, the G8 left our market with the demise of Pontiac in 2010 and we’ve been without our fair share of Australian cars since then. But alas some good news: according to GM Inside News, the Holden Commodore has been confirmed to return to the United States as a 2014 Chevrolet SS Sedan.

Even better news follows. GM Inside News also reports that General Motors is considering bringing the Holden Commodore Ute and Commodore SportWagon to our shores as well, as the Chevy El Camino and SportWagon. If these rumors hold any water, we’d expect to see the El Camino the same time we see the SS Sedan and the Sport Wagon released soon thereafter.

For the record, this isn’t the first time these rumors have popped up. Some of you may even remember that we were supposed to get the Commodore Ute back in 2009 as the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck before the economy tanked and it was cancelled. Also in July of the same year, Bob Lutz said that the G8 would be saved and become the Chevrolet Caprice. That also turned out to be untrue although the Commodore’s big brother, the Statesman went on to become the new Caprice PPV.

While there is hope for these awesome Aussies on our shores, we’ll have to wait to believe it when we see it.

Need For Speed: SHIFT 2 Unleashed

The Need for Speed – Slightly Mad Studios partnership that resulted in the first Need for Speed SHIFT game brought a whole new level of freshness and detail-oriented approach to the fabled racing franchise. Obviously, with the success of the first game, the second installment became a question of ‘when’, not ‘if’.

Anybody that has played the first NFS Shift game will be familiar with the dynamics of the game, especially the prevalent way in which car crashes seem to occur. While the second version is pretty much a refinement of the original, there were a couple of tweaks and modifications done to make a little less crunchy and a lot more dynamic.

Make no mistake; there’s still plenty of carnage to go around and there seems to be some sort of infatuation with wrecked vehicles that it almost feels as if it hurts us to play this game.

But at the end of the day, this is NFS SHIFT 2 Unleashed’s winning-formula and as they say with a good thing, there ain’t no way to fix it. So instead of overhauling the whole game, Slightly Mad went on a slightly conservative approach, giving the game the same overall framework while adding some tweaks and refinements along the way.

2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car

BMW will once again serve as the Safety Car for MotoGP events, but this time, the X6M was shown the door while the new 1-Series M Coupe was dressed up to play the part.

The BMW Safety Car is a one-off model built especially for this race series, with only the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 340 horsepower and drivetrain being kept from the original model. The goal for the transformation of the car was weight loss. The M Coupe Safety Car received a carbon fiber reinforced bonnet with additional large air vents and polycarbonate side and rear windows. A lightweight titanium race exhaust system was also used to reduce the car’s overall weight. On the boot lid, there is an adjustable rear wing to provide the requisite downforce, while the aerodynamically honed front apron features an additional splitter integrated on the underside of the apron.

For the BMW 1-Series M Coupe to fully cope with the track life, it received a high performance suspension system with an adjustable race track set-up, a sport tuned chassis, and special 19" wheels with tires measuring 255/35 at the front and 285/30 at the rear. The original brakes from the 1-Series have also been replaced by a six-piston fixed-caliper racing brake system.

The interior has also been adapted for the race series. A rollover cage was bolted behind the B-pillar and new front racing bucket seats were put in as standard with 6-point safety belts. The M steering wheels has also been modified with Alcantara dressing. Additional weight was shed with the removal of the rear seats.

2011 Jaguar S-Type by Panzani

Jaguar may have replaced the S-type back in 2008 with the XF luxury sedan, but there are tuners out there that have yet to forget the classic executive car and aim to bring it back . One such tuner is Panzani, an Italian tuning firm that has revealed an updated look for the old boy.

Their package is based on the S-Type R version that is powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine with an output of 300 HP. The standard S-Type already has its distinctive features, but Panzani wanted to bring them out into a whole new and modern light. The car’s original sheet metal was used for the body, but the wheels arches were widened to 10 cm on both axles and connected to the new bumper. The front was further refined with two large air intakes that balance the aesthetic look of the Jaguar grille. A pair of LED daytime lights were also integrated into the front bumper to finish off the look. The ultimate treatment was reserved for the body color where a gray/lava intense color was applied in a uniform grain and then treated with a transparent finish. Other less notable new features of the S-Type are the new 20" wheels and the Alcantara and leather elements and carbon fiber elements found in the interior.

A spotter’s guide on the cars running at the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring

Are you ready to have your 2011-racing itch finally scratched? With the 2011 Formula One season getting delayed by political unrest in Bahrain, the racing community turns its attention to the opening of the 2011 American Le Mans racing season this weekend with one of the most iconic endurance races in the world, the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Always one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the year, the 12 Hours of Sebring kicks off the 2011 ALMS season in grand fashion with the reigning champs from Peugeot Sport Total ready to defend their 2010 title against a field of heavyweight contenders, including headlined perennial contender, Audi, and last year’s runner-up, Aston Martin.

This year, Peugeot will be bringing the new Peugeot 908 HDi FAP to compete against the likes of the Audi R15+TDI and the Aston Martin Lola B08.

In addition to the top-of-the-field LMP1 class, the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring will also feature races from a number of different classes, including the new LMPC class, led by PR1 Mathiasen M/Sport’s Oreca FLM09, and the always-competitive GT class, which has a formidable entrant in the form of the recently-revealed Risi Competizione’s new Ferrari 458 GTC.

To keep you updated with all of the cars scheduled to participate in all of the weekend’s races, the folks over at SpotterGuides.com have provided everything you need to know about each and every car that will see the green light this weekend. Keep tabs on some of the favorites and be on the look-out for dark horses, because this weekend’s 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race is expected to be one for the books.

If you’re going to keep tabs on all the action from the confines of your own home, you can watch the race in its entirety online on ESPN3.com, or if you have an Xbox, you can catch the action through live streaming. If you miss out on watching the race live, ABC will have a recap from 12:30 – 2:00 pm EST with ESPN2 airing the same recap show next Tuesday, March 22, 2011.

2011 Range Rover Evoque AR8 City-Roader by Arden

Well that didn’t take too long, did it? The Range Rover Evoque hasn’t been out all that long and it has already received its first tuning package from German tuner, Arden. Guess after the lights fade and the sparkles burn out, even the Ranger Rover Evoque can use a little updating. And we definitely mean a little, as Arden’s package only provides minor updates that were done to make the SUV sportier and stronger, and give it a more urban appearance.

The AR8 City-Roader package takes the 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine found in the Evoque and adds a new handmade stainless steel exhaust system and high performance catalyst. These additions make for a 30 HP increase, from 240 HP to 270 HP. Not much, but enough to make a small difference in the overall output.

The aerodynamic package isn’t all that involved either. A new front and rear apron have been added, as well as new side skirts that can come illuminated as an option. The obligatory new wheels have also been taken car of with a set of ARDEN Dakar II rims. Arden claims that these rims are not only beautiful and very safe, but also allow a very individual and personal grading. Finishing off the package is a stainless steel plaque with personal lettering that can be placed in a specially designated hollow.

1970 Porsche 911 owned by Steve McQueen

Thirty years after his death, Steve McQueen’s name still reverberates within the auto industry. The man known as the “King of Cool” was not only one of his generation’s biggest movie stars, but also made a name for himself for his love of cars, racing, and a combination of the two.

Speaking of cars, McQueen owned a pretty amazing collection of cars back in the day, one of which is this 1970 Porsche 911 that’s headed for the auction block at RM Auctions in Monterey, California this coming August.

According to RM, the car, all 40 years old of it, still "remains in exceptionally original condition". While some people will be skeptical of buying an old Porsche that undoubtedly has had its fair share of work done to it, those who prefer to see the glass as half-full will point out that this particular 911 still stands as one of the most iconic 911 models in history.

Even if it’s gone through a number of owners after the original, you still can’t deny that this particular model’s first owner is no other than the "King of Cool" himself, Steve McQueen.

Audi A9 will first be offered as a coupe and cabrio

It was only a few short months ago that we caught wind of a new Audi getting prepared to take on models such as the Porsche Panamera Turbo. Coming in sometime around 2015, the Audi A9 will be a luxury sedan that will take futuristic design to an attainable level, but not before coupe and cabrio versions of the car show up to steal the spotlight.

The Audi A9 coupe will come with fully retractable side windows, while the cabrio gets a soft top. It is rumored to be offered with a 3.0 TFSI engine producing around 300 HP for the base version and a V8 with 500 HP for the top version. The stylish exterior, luxurious interior, and power options will make the A9 an excellent competitor for models such as the Mercedes CL- and SL-Class.

Pricing for the different versions of the Audi A9 will start at 80,000 euros, or about $110,000 at the current exchange rates, for the Coupe and Cabrio versions compared to the $140,000 price tag on the Sedan.

Of course, these are all just rumors as of right now. With all of the different changes going on in the auto industry, we wouldn’t be surprised if this vehicle underwent many other changes - can we say hybrid? - before Audi finally rolls it out sometime in the next few years.

Wildspeed envisions a more aggressive Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

Strap on your seatbelts and enjoy the ride because Lamborghini’s reveal of the Aventador LP700-4 seems to only be the beginning of a long list of models set to take us by storm in the coming years. We may not have any details on those models just yet, but WildSpeed doesn’t seem to be the patient type.

Taking the Aventador’s aggressive design, sporty look, and incredible presence on the road to the next level, WildSpeed has designed an even more aggressive Aventador with an edgier front fascia, side air inlets, huge rear wing, and air scoop on the roof. As if the Aventador didn’t draw enough attention on its own, WildSpeed has also dressed it up in yellow with a hot set of black wheels.

We don’t know about anyone else out there, but if we were a tuning firm, we would be taking notes right about now.

Best of 2011: Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show is one of the biggest shows of the year and the 2011 event certainly did not disappoint. With over 70 cars lined up and ready to take our breaths away, choosing our favorites between them all was not an easy task.

Sure, there were some easy choices, like the brand spanking new Lamborghini Aventador or the Jaguar XKR-S, or brilliant tuning projects like the ABT R8 GT S. Then there was the job of tossing out the not-so-brilliant vehicles like the Mitsubishi Global Small or the rather useless Rinspeed Bamboo. The 2011 Geneva Motor Show brought out cars from one side of the spectrum to the other, and rifling through them took some time. Some may not agree with our choices and that’s okay. However, everyone can appreciate a beautiful or highly efficient car when they see one, and we’ve gathered some exceptional specimens to share.

Hybrid, Electric, Plug-In; What’s the difference?

Ten years ago there was very little discussion about electric or hybrid vehicles. The technology was far from perfected and no low level consumer was able to purchase it. Throughout this past decade our economy, natural resources, and priorities have shifted towards conserving the environment and our funds. This has helped the renewable and green energy proponents to make large discoveries that are moving the industry forward faster than ever.

Americans tend to be very stubborn and change can rub us the wrong way all too easily. Most of the negative sentiments about electric and hybrid vehicles are based around ignorance. Quite simply, most people could not tell you the difference between a hybrid car and a full electric vehicle. Come to think of it, most people could not tell the difference between a diesel and a petrol engine besides the fact that they would have to use the green pump at the gas station. For the hybrid automakers to start selling these vehicles in larger quantities, the public must be educated about their benefits and potential pitfalls.

Several basic types of low emissions vehicles exist and are currently being marketed by the major auto manufacturers. The biggest seller of these is Toyota with their Prius model, which is a hybrid vehicle. Making distinctions between the different cars available will be helpful to a potential buyer by allowing them to get a vehicle that best suits their respective uses and needs.

2011 BMW Z4 ’White Flame’ by MWDesign

Filed under: BMW | BMW Z4 | sports cars | roadster | car tuning

After their last one-off project - the golf club-inspired BMW Z4 ‘Slingshot’, which received great acclaim - it seemed like it was just a matter of time before the people of MWDesign Technik would return for yet another tasty dishing of a one-off BMW Z4.

Apparently, these guys are true to their word.

Inspired by the work done on the Slingshot Z4, a client of MWDesign requested the tuning firm to work their magic on his brand new BMW Z4. Not one to turn down an opportunity, the boys from MWDesign took the offer and began working their magic.

Just like the “Slingshot” Z4, the BMW Z4 “White Flame” draws inspiration from another golf club, the Taylormade R-11 driver. In designing the car, MW Design made sure that it translated some of the key design cues and coloration of the club into the car. Seeing as the R-11 features a white, red, and gray theme, MWDesign decided to put in the same color scheme in the Z4, albeit in a subtle fashion to maintain the car’s sleek and clean look.

Audi will bringing plenty of diesel engines to US; R8 E-tron headed over in 2013

During its annual press conference, Audi has offered a series of very good news for the US market. Next to the current diesel engines offered for the A3 and the Q7, diesel engines will also be offered for the A6, A8, and Q5. The A4 will get a diesel engine starting 2014-2015 when the next generation will be released. However, the best news is that an R8 E-tron is expected to arrive in America in 2013.

"Revenue for the past year reached around EUR 35.4 billion. It was therefore 18.8 percent up on the 2009 figure. The operating profit was EUR 3.34 billion, an increase of 108 percent. Profit before tax was EUR 3.6 billion, 88.5 percent up on the previous year – a record for our company. And with an operating return on sales of 9.4 percent we are right at the sharp end of the premium segment."

"The economy also performed well in the United States and, despite initially weak consumer and labor market data, gradually returned to the growth path of previous years with a 2.9 percent rise in economic output."

2013 BMW Megacity Vehicle

BMW has made good on their plans for developing an urban vehicle for the metropolitan areas. Today, they unveiled the first sketches and official details on the future Megacity Vehicle due to come to the market in 2013. According to BMW, it will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. The Megacity Vehicle will be built on a new LifeDrive architecture that will help reduce the car’s weight by 250 to 300 kilos.

The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules. The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system, and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Working in conjunction with the Drive module is the Life module which consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. These aspects of car building will lead the way to a whole new process for building cars. A process that will be simpler, more flexible, and use less energy.

"The drive system remains the heartbeat of a car, and that also applies to electric vehicles. Powertrains also remain a core area of expertise of Bayerische Motoren Werke. Electromobility and the hallmark BMW driving pleasure make an excellent match, if you go about things the right way. For this reason we are developing the powertrain for the Megacity Vehicle in-house – that includes the electric motor, the power electronics and the battery system."

The first model that is said to be launched is a five-seat Golf-size family car that is rumored to get 160 miles on a single charge. Aside from that, BMW will also be bringing a Megacity EV sports car that is said to produce 356 hp and a peak torque of 590 lb-ft.

2011 Gemballa Mirage GT Matte Blue Edition

Say what you want about the year Gemballa has had, but you can’t deny that when these guys buckle down and bring their lunch pails to work, they’re one of the best in the business when it comes to tuning high-powered sports cars.

One product line that has been associated with Gemballa has been the Mirage GT, which is based on the Porsche Carrera GT. Over the years, Gemballa has released a number of Mirage models based on the Carrera GT, including the Carbon Edition, the Matte Edition, the Black Edition, and the Gold Edition. Recently, the German tuning company released the latest iteration of the super aggressive Mirage GT, christening it the "Matte Blue Edition".

Similar to its predecessors, the Mirage GT Matte Blue Edition is powered by Gemballa’s own V10 engine that produces 650 horsepower and 464 lb/ft of torque, up from the standard output of 612 horsepower and 435 lb/ft of torque the standard Carrera GT comes in. Those figures translate to a 0-62 mph time of 3.7 seconds (down from the stock version’s 3.9-second time) with a top speed of 208 mph, which in turn is up from the Carrera GT’s 205-mph top speed.

Aerodynamically, the Mirage GT Matte Blue Edition comes with the same aerodynamic kit as all the other special edition models, which is to say that we expect Gemballa’s rather over-the-top aerodynamic package on the front, side, and rear of the car to be highlighted on the Matte Blue Edition. Likewise, this version of the Mirage GT will also carry the same interior treatment, including the carbon seatblends, and the two-tone - in this case, its black and white - leather finish.

Saleen plans to stop building vehicles by end of 2011

Bad news for all Saleen fans out there! Revstone Industries, the company that builds models for Saleen, has announced that by the end of 2011 they will no longer produce vehicles for Saleen. The main reason for their decision is "the confusion and controversy with Steve Saleen’s company, SMS Supercars."

In an official letter sent to dealers, Saleen said: "Over the past several years, we have witnessed a lot of confusion around the Saleen brand, due to a number of financial ups and downs and accompanying changes in ownership. The name itself has become the center of countless conversations and debates, detracting from the cars themselves, and from the culture of performance that they both embody and serve."

"Through our conversations with Ford Motor Company and one another, we have come to feel that those things have become overshadowed by questions surrounding the name. So we want to wipe the slate clean, and usher in a new era of American Muscle. We are confident that, in time, you will agree this was the right decision."

Plan to see the same type of American muscle, but under a different brand that has yet to be determined.

Ugliest Bugatti Veyron competition on Facebook

A while ago Bugatti has launched an online configurator for their Veyron line-up. Nothing unusual for a car-maker, right? But while other makers never had to deal with this kind of stuff, Bugatti has a serious problem with someone that really "loves" Veyron. If you go online on Facebook, you will find a very interesting competition. All you need is to open the online configurator and let your imagination go wild in creating the..... ugliest Veyron ever. Prize? None! Just the pleasure of making fun of one of the fastest car in the world.

Now we know the Veyron is not a piece of art when it comes about the exterior design, but what some people did with that configurator is beyond any imagination. If you don’t believe take a look on Facebook, but let us warn you: your eyes will have a lot to suffer!

The only one to blame in this situation is BUgatti for placing online all those hideous colors!

Ford gives away 2012 Mustang GT

With a starting price of $29,145 and an output of 412 HP, the Ford Mustang GT is not a car that many people can buy due to price or space restrictions. Now getting one as a gift would most certainly be the best present anyone could ever receive, and one lucky person But if you are born under a lucky star then you should keep on reading this news. Otherwise stop here.

So for those of you with tons of luck, Ford Customer Service Division brands Motorcraft, Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center and FordParts.com is offering the possibility to win a 2012 Mustang GT with $5,000 Ford Racing Performance Parts and Custom Accessories combined. Custom Accessories may include wheels, appearance and electronics products.

Student envisions next generation Lamborghini Murcielago

The Lamborghini Murcielago has recently taken a step down in order to make room for the new Aventador LP700-4 that debuted at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, but what would a next generation Murcielago look like if given the chance to shine? IAAD student, Salvatore Simonetti, got to work to give us all an idea of his vision for hat would be the next generation LamborghiniMurcielago.

His concept study is called Lamborghini Murciélago "Next Generation" and is inspired by the past models of the company, mainly the legendary Diablo. The concept’s shape is similar to that of a jet-plane and combines the extreme aggressiveness of the Diablo with an extensive use of carbon fiber and kevlar. The shape of the concept gives off the Lamborghini-esque nature of the vehicle while the Supertrofeo race graphics and the SV letters of the Murcielago Super Veloce add a bit more edge to the already existing style.

This concept study is pretty good in theory, but our biggest problem with it is that we don’t have a full front view of the car. And the graphics are mediocre at best. What’s up with that, Salvatore?

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

As expected, Aston Martin brought its latest iteration of the Vantage to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Aston has been designing rolling works of art for a very long time and has recently retaken a stance as a racing power as well. The company’s GT4 racecar won its class in two of the most important races of the year, Nurburgring 24 and Spa 24 hours, and have begun fusing racecar technology into the road cars with more fervor than ever before. The top-of-the-line V12 Vantage has the motor from the larger DB9 shoehorned into its engine compartment, making it a true hot rod. That formula may work for some, but others were seeing a lapse between the V12 model and the base V8.

At the beginning of Summer 2011, Aston Martin will introduce the V8 Vantage S, hoping to squeeze some more profit out of its best selling model line and please enthusiasts at the same time. Increases in engine performance, transmission, chassis, and aerodynamics will all further the appeal of an iconic sports car.

According to Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, “The Vantage S epitomizes every attribute of the V-8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before.”

2012 Ford Mustang BOSS 302 Laguna Seca

Ford keeps on winning with its Mustang and will be introducing several new models into the lineup. In a way, Ford has been very careful with its brand and taken every precaution before introducing a classic name such as the BOSS 302.

The original Mustangs were available in several different styles throughout their run and some of the most famous are the Shelby, BOSS, and Bullit versions. When Ford introduced this newest Mustang architecture, it too was available in Shelby GT500 spec and commanded quite a bit of respect around a race track. For 2012, Ford has given official details about the BOSS 302 version that will be bringing an even more track-oriented experience to the table.

The original BOSS 302 was built for the Trans-am race series and featured a more stripped down version of the body and a 4.9-liter V8 complete with shaker hood. The new model will use the basic 5.0-liter V8 from the GT model, but has been upgraded significantly to deliver high levels of performance.

2012 McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren is making its way back into the GT sports car racing scene with a limited number of GT3 racing cars based on the MP4-12C sports car. These models will be designed and developed by McLaren and CRS Racing, and should make their first racing debut in the 2012 European FIA GT3 Series.

"The 12C’s architecture and design was always aimed at high-performance and ease of maintenance - two key criteria for potential customers. Combine that with the vast amount of racing experience in our automotive team, and CRS Racing’s specialist development experience, and the 12C GT3 should be an exciting proposition for the top teams planning to race in GT3 from 2012."

McLaren is confident that the MP4-12C’s revolutionary lightweight one-piece moulded carbon chassis, high levels of downforce and aerodynamic performance, and focus on form and function make it an obvious choice to bring back racing success to the McLaren name. The last win McLaren had was in the McLaren F1 GTR when it won the Lemans Series 15 years ago.

UPDATE 03/11/2011: The McLaren MP4-12C GT3 has completed its initial testings at the MIRA and Silverstone in the UK, so new details on the race car are now up for grabs. The MP4-12C GT3 will race in GT3 competitions starting 2012.

First Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport delivered to USA

The first Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sports has landed on our side of the pond with its first delivery to the States, specifically Symbolic Motors, San Diego. Not only has a U.S. citizen purchased the Bugatti, but they were also lucky enough to grab hold of the special World record edition. This special edition is only limited to the first five units of the SS and is priced at $2.7 million. We don’t know who the lucky owner is, but we’d sure want to be his friend!

The Veryon Super Sport is powered by a 16-cylinder engine that deliver a total of 1200 HP. The World Record Edition will be able to hit a top speed of 268 mph, while the other 35 units will be limited to "only" 258 mph. Of course, with the price of gas going up every time someone sneezes, we highly doubt this Bugatti will be pushed to the limit very often. Then again, if the owner just spent $2.7 million on it, they probably aren’t worried too much about gas prices.

2011 Jaguar XK-R

Jaguar first unveiled the XK (or XK8) and XKR models in 1996 as successors for the old XJS models. Ten successful years after that, the second generation was presented at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, with both versions getting facelifts a few years later in 2009. Then and now, the XK and the XKR are two of the most successful Jaguars on the market.

The XKR really deserves the logo of the wild cat. With a 510 HP V8 engine under the hood, it can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. You might say that the XKR is slower than its competitors, but let’s not forget that the XKR is about $20K less than the cheapest competitor and $30K less than the Porsche Turbo.

The model is entering the 2011 model year with the addition of two special editions: the XKR175 Limited Edition, the "XKR Speed Pack," and "XKR Speed and Black Pack".

2011 Singer 911

The Porsche 911 began its sports car reign back in 1963 and has sprouted many different generations with various improvements and advances with each one that passes. As you may know, the first three generations of the 911 used an air cooled engine, ending with the 996 series in 1998. Singer Vehicle Design saw benefits in the use of an air-cooled engine, so much so that they decided to build their own modern interpretation of the early performance-focused 911.

As many enthusiasts and more importantly purists understand about Porsche is the legacy that each car leaves. Recent history has been tough on these people with the introduction of so many new models and new ideas into the company that they love. The 996 model saw the air-cooled Porsche engine disappear in favor of a more conventional unit. This was blasphemy for most die-hard fans and they found it hard to understand why Porsche needed to do such a thing in order to make the 911 better. Sadly, it was not so much about making the car better, the 993 Turbo was amazing, but rather about appealing to a larger crowd so the company could stay solvent and sell more cars.

Singer’s objective was to take fully road legal pre‐1994 Porsche 911 Coupes and strip them clean. After that, engineers spent their time rebuilding the bodywork to make it strong and lightweight by using a ton of carbon fiber. The most important feature, however, is what is found under the hood. This concept shows in an even better way than Porsche’s own designers have been able to convey that the old body lines and style of 911’s still work, but modern technology can be incorporated tastefully to deliver the desired performance levels.

2011 MINI Cooper Mat Edition

Special edition MINIs are nothing new to us, so when word spreads that the brand is going to release a new limited run model, we shrug our shoulders because we pretty much have an idea of what to expect. The only time a special edition MINI catches our attention is when the car looks stunning enough to make us want to actually buy one.

For better or for worse, the Cooper Mat Edition fits that description to a tee. The good news is that we absolutely love it, despite the minimal changes done to it relative to other special edition MINIs. The matte black paint finish usually has something to do with it, but in this case, the overall stealth and sleek look certainly makes it a barn-burning, head-turning, smoke-belching piece of machinery.

The bad news is that it’s going to be run on only 250 units making it a little more difficult to scoop one up. Unfortunately, though, that’s not even the worst part. As if the 250 units isn’t bad enough, the cars are being sold exclusively in France. Yep. France. Land of the Louvre and the Eiffel.

So much for getting our dibs in on this special edition MINI…

2011 MINI Cooper John Cooper Works S2000

Mini and BMW have been up to a lot lately and much of it is coming out this week in Geneva. With an onslaught of new models in recent years, Mini is now a larger brand than ever. They feel it is the perfect time to enter the racing world and the World Rally Car Championship is where they are going to take their chance.

At the show, Mini unveiled the John Cooper Works S2000 which is the predecessor to the WRC car that will come out soon. The main difference between the two cars is that the S2000 will be for private teams to purchase and race while the WRC car will be for the Mini Team. 2011 FIA racing regulations have instated a rule change thus allowing private teams to race head-to-head with the factory teams, hoping to derive more excitement from the sport.

The two cars will have several differences, but the S2000 debut shows the collaboration between Mini and BMW Motorsports. Dr. Wolfgang Armbrecht, Senior Vice President Brand Management MINI said, “When you add the turbocharged MINI engine and the BLW Group’s expertise in the world of motor sport to the mix, you can see we have an exceptional blend of attributes that will take us quickly to the next stage.” Let’s hope it’s extremely quick, because races start at Rally Italy on May 8, 2011.

2011 Chrysler 200 Super S by Mopar

Having an auto show without any Mopar vehicles is like having a sundae without any whipped cream; it may still taste good, but it’s just not the same. Thankfully, we won’t have to experience that because the Detroit Auto Show will be chalk full of "Moparized" models. Among them there will be a Chrysler 200 Super S that has received the full on Mopar treatment.

To get to this final project as seen in the rendering released by Chrysler, Mopar started off with a 2011 Chrysler 200 which they then covered in a Black and Tungsten - which is just a fancy way of saying black and gray - paint scheme. After that, the tuners added a gloss black grille surround, a gloss black mesh grille, recessed wing badge, vented hood, and lower chin spoiler. Other small additions consist of a fog light bezel with light bar and brake induction openings. This rendering doesn’t show the back of the car, but if it did, we’d see a bright exhaust tip and a decklid spoiler. The exterior package is finished off with a new set of 19" wheels.

The interior won’t receive much in the way of anything, but it will get Katzkin leather seats and numerous black elements to go along with the exterior.

The Chrysler 200 Super S doesn’t get anything in the form of an engine modification, so we’re not sure if it can live up to the "Super" name. Guess we’ll have to wait and see just how fitting this name is when the Detroit Motor Show opens its doors next week.

2012 Chrysler 200 Convertible

After the sedan version was unveiled back in September, Chrysler has now decided to reveal the first official images of the future Chrysler 200 Convertible. According to the official statements made at the Detroit Auto Show, the new Chrysler 200 will be sold on the European market as the Lancia Flavia, both sedan and convertible and will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this upcoming March.

The 200 Convertible’s design has been slightly modified in order to accommodate the roof folding mechanism. The engine line-up will also remain unchanged: a 2.4-liter I-4 World Gas Engine mated to either a four- or six-speed automatic transaxle, or the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle. Most likely the European customers will also enjoy some diesel engines in their future Lancia Flavia, but none for the American market.

2009 Dacia Duster Trophée Andros Edition

While some race cars require extensive stretches of salt to get the job done, there are petrol heads that are eager to run flat out on just about any surface, even ice. While the Romanian automaker Dacia revealed the Duster concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the production version of their first ever SUV won’t be unveiled until 2010. However Dacia won’t keep us in the dark for too long because they have just entered the Trophee Andros ice racing series with a Renault Sport Technologies produced competition version of the upcoming Duster and will have none other than Formula One legend and ice racing enthusiast Alain Prost.

Although this is nowhere near the genuine article; it will be a stripped down, tube frame, purpose built, ice racer that is capable of changing direction on a dime on the most slippery surface on the face of the Earth and come with a power to weight ratio that you are unlikely to find in any of Dacia’s road cars. But isn’t that the fun part about race cars? You start off with something that resembles a car you might see on the street and then completely reengineer it to achieve the lowest lap time possible by doing things like putting a 350 HP Renault Sport V6 behind the driver mated to a six speed sequential gearbox and a set of studded tires at all four corners. Just try and imagine how much fun it would be to take that thing out on a snow covered public road.

2011 ABT R8 GT S

What does it take to transform a good looking car into an amazing piece of fiery carbon fiber goodness? Well, for starters, it takes tons of carbon fiber (a given), a red exterior paint job, and an engine update fit for a street king. Potential suitor, meet your mate in the Audi R8 Spyder made over by ABT Sportsline. Their package, called the R8 GT S, made its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and instantly grabbed hold of our hearts.

For this project, ABT took the standard V10 engine and updated its output to an impressive 620 HP, up from the standard 525 HP. The result is a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph. But the most impressive feature for the new R8 GT S is its exterior and interior look. ABT has chosen to dress up the Audi R8 in full carbon fiber garbs, from the bonnet to the rear wing, and then doused it with a sleek red paint finish. The same treatment has also been applied in the interior.

Exterior

We like...no scratch that...We love the Audi R8 Spyder and we’re guessing most people feel the same way. Now add the most impressive tuning package ever offered for the Spyder R8 and it’s an instant match made in heaven. ABT Sportsline uses carbon fiber from the bonnet all the way to the rear wing, including carbon fiber goodness at the front skirt, rear skirt, windscreen frame cover, red air scoops, engine bonnet, and exterior mirrors. The car sits on new light metal alloy ABT BR in 20 or CR Superlight in 19".

Interior

For the interior, the R8 GT S continues the same exterior treatment: the center console, the shifting gate, and parts of the door panels are covered in red carbon, while the remaining parts of the doors and the dashboard were covered with new leather. The sports seats are covered in red and black leather.

Engine

In its standard version, the Audi R8 Spyder is powered by a V10 engine that delivers a total of 525 Hp. Impressive, but it’s just not enough and ABT Sportsline concurs. Their package includes new ABT Power technology and a new exhaust system that increases the total output to 620 HP. As a result, the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 3.6 seconds while top speed goes up to 198 mph.

Prices

The German tuner has yet to provide any details as far as pricing for this perfect vehicular specimen. However, if anyone loves this package for the Audi R8 as much as we do, then its price will not even come close to mattering.

Competition

This isn’t Abt Sportsline’s first trip around the block with the R8 Spyder. Last year, they released a nice little tuning package that increased the total output to 600 HP. Their previous package delivered the same performance numbers as the R8 GT S: 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph, but wasn’t as good looking as the GT S.

However, the most impressive engine update for the R8 Spyder comes from STaSIS Engineering. Their update package delivers an impressive 710 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The added power is downright wonderful, but the look of the ABT GT S is perfect, bar none.

2011 Sportec Porsche Cayenne SP580

It seems as though every tuner and their cousin has gotten their hands on a new generation Porsche Cayenne in order to do some sort of modification to it. Sportec is no different and, alongside their SPR1 FL in Geneva, the Swiss tuner is also displaying the SP580 package for the SUV. Sportec clearly focused on power updates for both vehicles because, other than a few exterior mods, the engines were the only components given impressive updates.

Starting off with the easiest part of the project, Sportec is offering customers a new set of 22-inch Sportec Mono/7 forged wheels in a dark charcoal finish and an electronic suspension control module that can lower the Cayenne by up to 30 mm. That’s all folks.

More time was taken under the hood as the tuner put in a Motronic system that adds an extra 80 HP and a 74 lbs-ft of torque to the standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. For those non-math majors, that takes the Cayenne to 380hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The package also includes a new free-flow stainless steel exhaust system with quad 90 mm tailpipes.

Growler E 2011 by Vizualtech honors Jaguar’s E-Type

In line with Jaguar’s 50th anniversary of their iconic car - the E-Type -, the boys over at Vizualtech have designed the perfect car to honor the E-Type. It’s called the Growler E 2011 and while there’s plenty of room for improvement with the name, overall, the Growler E looks like it can stand out from the rest of the four-wheeled lemmings out there.

The car is powered by the same 5.0-liter V8 engine that currently lies under the hood of some Jaguar models with the only exception being some tuning upgrades that could spike its output from 510 horsepower all the way up 600 horsepower.

Head-scratching name notwithstanding, Vizualtech did a splendid job designing the Growler E 2011. It was able to retain much of the old E-Type’s shapes and curves while also adding a modern touch to it. It’s just too bad that we won’t be seeing this car other than in these pages.

Even if this car is nothing more than just a pipe dream from the imaginations of the people at Vizualtech, it sure wouldn’t hurt to see it prowling out on the streets in the near future. The chances of that happening, though, are remote, so we might as well save ourselves from the disappointment of hoping and dreaming.

In an interview with TopGear, Robert Palm of Swedish design studio, Vizualtech, announced the Growler will go into limited production: "The first car will be ready in the summer of 2012 - if planning goes as expected." Every unit will be hand built and will take up to six months to assemble, which is the reason why the company will only be building four cars simultaneously.

2011 Mansory 458 Italia Siracusa

Typically, a sports car zooming past you in a bumblebee-type yellow attracts more attention than Charlie Sheen at a porn star convention. Now looking at the Ferrari 458 Italia in all of its pure awesomeness, one would think that same idea would apply. However, Mansory has shown us that this indeed isn’t the case with their new 458 Italia tuning package called the Mansory Siracusa, revealed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

In what seems to be an effort to douse the Ferrari in a color that resembles alien vomit, Mansory has chosen a yellow and black color scheme for the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Then the tuner attached an outrageous bodykit turning the beautiful 458 into a reject getaway car for our green, out-of-this-world friends.

One of the few redeeming qualities of the Mansory Siracusa is the insane weight reduction attained thanks to the abundant use of carbon fiber. Each single element of the aerodynamic design is manufactured in perfect surface quality and exactly fitted to the automobile. You can only imagine what that does to the power output. This is the place where the Mansory Siracusa wins us over, albeit with our eyes closed.

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster rendered

The Lamborghini Aventador just made its debut a couple of days ago and already artists are at work rendering a different version of the sports coupe. What we’re looking at is an Aventador roadster version, and we like what we see. Don’t get too excited though; an actual production roadster version isn’t expected until 2014.

The Aventador Roadster will look similar to the coupe version, except that the engine cover and roofline will be adapted to fit the roadster style. This rendering shows it in a silky, pearly bright-white finish with a two-tone black/white leather interior, making it look absolutely stunning.

The Aventador is powered by a new 6.5-liter V12 engine with an AWD layout that produces 700 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque. This engine hits 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds while blasting off a top speed of 217 mph and a redline of 8,250 RPM. With a total weight of 1575 Kg, it will deliver a power to weight ratio of 2.25 Kg/hp.

2011 Armored Maybach Guard

Maybach is all about luxury but now the company has unveiled an armored version for those who want to combine safety and luxury. Called Maybach Guard, the new vehicle is based on the 62 version and features an integrated safety systems by the German engineers in Sindelfingen.

The Maybach Guard has received a special armor made of highly specialized steel and high-tech Kevlar integrated in the body shell. And the good news is that this armor adds only 460 kilos to the car’s total weight, so that no changes have been made to the drive train, suspension or breaking-system.

The new Guard system will not only offer high protection, but it will also be the only armored car in the world able to reach a top speed of 155 mph and with a 0 to 60 sprint time of just 5.7 seconds.

After the integration of the other special protective features, the vehicle moves onto the standard assembly room in the Sindelfingen production plant, where masters of craftsmanship dedicate all their skills to ensure the highest standard in the individualization process.

2011 Audi A1 ’A Force One’ by Pogea Racing

A couple of weeks ago, we caught sight of a nice upgrade Pogea Racing did for the Audi A7 Sportback, which they so affectionately dubbed, ’Seven Sins’. Well from the looks of things, it’s beginning to look like Pogea Racing is trying to run through the whole gamut of Audi models after the tuning firm launched a separate upgrade program for the Audi A1. The name for this program? The ’A Force One’. Catchy.

Aesthetic and aerodynamic upgrades done on the A1 were left at the minimum with Pogea opting to add few items, including a set of ultralight OZ Racing Alleggerita HTL alloy wheels that are wrapped in ET35 Sport Contact 3 Continental tires. Apart from that, Pogea also added a new exhaust system that comes with some fancy 76mm laser engraved tailpipes.

In terms of performance, this is where the tuning company did the brunt of their work. Pogea Racing’s tuning program for the Audi A1 comes in two stages with the first stage increasing the car’s output from the stock 122 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque to an angrier 156 horsepower and 266 Nm of torque. The first stage engine upgrade also bumps the top speed to 152 mph. Meanwhile, the Stage 2 upgrade doesn’t get get any performance enhancements. Instead, Pogew Racing adds additional air cooling and adapted electronics, together with a new coil-over suspension from KW and a set of Brembo brakes with perforated discs.

All told, the ’A Force One’ upgrade on the A1 looks refreshingly off-the-chains. Extra props for the sick rims, too.

2011 AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S

AC Schnitzer has already showed up to the Geneva Motor Show with the Z4 99d, but that’s not the only model the German tuning firm is showcasing. Alongside the Z4 99d, AC Schnitzer will also be displaying the ACS5 Sport S, a model based on the BMW 550i. Looking at their creation, no one would be all that impressed; there aren’t many changes done to the exterior leading people to believe it was just another minor and unimpressive upgrade for yet another BMW model. Then there are those other people that would expect a fantastically upgraded engine to counteract the anticlimactic exterior. The second group of people would be correct in their assumptions.

The ACS5 Sport S takes the standard 4.4L V8 engine found in the BMW 550i and has toyed with it enough to bump the standard 400hp to a phenomenal 540 hp and 750 Nm of torque. With the extra 140 HP, the ACS5 Sport S will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 200mph. Flying through the corners will also be made easy with an added limited slip differential.

2011 Novitec Rosso Ferrari 599 GTO

Novitec Rosso, the same tuning firm that brought us the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Race 606 Carbon Ferrari California, debuted its latest Maranello Monster at the Geneva Auto Show. We’ve been hearing the rumors for a couple of weeks and it’s actually true that they have created a more insane version of the 599 GTO. This car is the ultimate Ferrari of the moment – there is no supercar level (Enzo) model available and if you want the very best that a prancing horse can deliver, then the 599 GTO will have to suffice. Luckily, there are enough crazy rich guys out there for a company like Novitec Rosso to exist and be able to bring us Ferrari GTOs with almost 900hp!

Not much was done to the exterior of the Ferrari in terms of aerodynamics, but the makeover provided for the engine more than makes up for whatever they did do on the outside. Still, Ferrari lore is not lost on the tuners at Novitec Rosso and their paintjob brings back a storied car of Ferrari’s history . The thing that tends to happen with tuning firms is that the original character of the car and the manufacturer are replaced with flashy wheels and oversized wings. Novitec has managed to restrain themselves and respect the 599 for what it is while still getting more power out of the mighty V12. Anything else done to the vehicle is just icing on the cake.

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06R GT3

The last time a Corvette raced in the Super GT no one knew who Justin Bieber was and Jersey Shore was just a geographical location. Yes, it was back in 2008 and A&S Racing was putting the Corvette C06 to the test. Now, after three years, the Corvette will once again enter one of the greatest Japanese competitions. RUNUP Sports has announced their full season participation plan for the GT300 with a Corvette Z06R GT3. The car will be driven by Masahiro Matsunaga, Kazuyoshi Okamura, and Atsushi Tanaka, with car maintenance during the season provided by Tomei sports.

The sports team has yet to announce any official details on the car, but the pictures look extremely promising. Well, as promising as pictures can look when dealing with the amount of power for a racer. The exterior and interior only underwent minor modifications such as installing that huge rear wing and the added roll cage for proper protection during the race. All in all, the car was changed up to be more aerodynamic and win some competitions! That’s all we have as of now, so good luck guys!

UPDATE 03/03/2011: Like unwrapping a present at Christmas, the Corvette GT3 arrived at the DHL compound at the Narita airport ready to get down to business. Thankfully, a tipster was there to take a few photos of the race car. Check out the photos in the gallery provided!

We also heard that the car will be doing its first shake down next week. We’ll keep you posted!