We're still expecting the limited edition BMW M3 GTS to come in at around $150K. For all those greenbacks M buyers will get a more extreme, track-ready M3 sans stereo and A/C with a new body kit and power boosted to 470 HP. More details as we get them. [BMW Blog]

Holden Special Vehicles, the performance unit from GM's Australian-owned subsidiary Holden, has officially unveiled its E-Series 2 lineup, showcasing its first major mechanical and styling update for the VE Commodore-based range of sports sedans. Recognize that twin-nostriled bonnet? You should. It's borrowed directly from the Pontiac G8. Basically, this lineup is what a performance lineup for GM's recently-killed Pontiac brand could have looked like.

Given our love of what could have been real "driving excitement," we've taken four of the new models and put together what could have been a real performance-based Pontiac brand for GM here in the United States. Welcome to the Cars of Future Past.

NAME: HSV Clubsport R8
FEATURES:
• All new front and rear design encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme.
• 317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC
• Extended Cruise Control
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Four piston front and rear brakes.
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels
• Sports cloth seating as standard.
• SV Enhanced options include Performance suspension, bi-modal exhaust,
• Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: An up-powered, Corvette-engined Pontiac G8 GT

NAME: HSV GTS
FEATURES:
• All new front and rear appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme.
• Upgraded 325kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Hi-flow intermediate exhaust with bi-modal mufflers.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) Performance suspension, stiffer and recalibrated.
• Four piston front and rear brakes. All new E2 Performance 20 inch wheels.
• Performance leather seats.
• SV Enhanced options include six-piston front brake callipers, finished in SV Enhance yellow with black HSV insignia and four-piston rears with unique wheel accenting.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: Pontiac G8 GXP

NAME: HSV Clubsport R8 Tourer
FEATURES:
• All new front appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme
• 317kW LS3 V8 engine
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Four piston front and rear brakes.
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels.
• Sports cloth seats as standard.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust, Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: Pontiac G8 GT Wagon

NAME: HSV Maloo R8
FEATURES:
• All new front appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave' inspired theme.
317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels.
• Sports cloth seats as standard.
• Driver & passenger front airbags now include front, seat side & curtain side airbags.
• Addition of dual 8" subwoofers located in the rear cabin quarter trims. Audio output 170W.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust, Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.
WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN: Pontiac G8 "El Camino" ST

The bizarre panel hinging from the rear 3/4 panel appears to be a door, rather than a roof support, so we're not sure what the roof looks like, but since we've always hankered after a 205 MPH, four-door convertible Corvette that handles like a boat, we'll let that one slide.

Press release:

The Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS is the only 4 door "topless on demand" supercar in the world.

The experience of driving with the wind rushing over, the engine roaring and the glass top, dropping within 20 seconds.

With its yacht-inspired interior wrapped around the brutal V8 pulling you from 0-300 kph (0-186 mph) in less than 35 seconds.

The Savage is a celebration to design. The design is derived from driving a car as an emotional sensation.

It includes the signatures of two revolutionaries. A conflicting and revolutionary balanced design emphasizes the "bad boy" character.

The aggressive cut front shows its primeval powers. The wide muscular rear end shows inviolable trust and leaves everyone behind.

A very high standard of finishing with exaggerated details shows its a true superlative.

[via Carscoop]

The Porsche Cayenne GTS Design Edition 3 comes matched with a powerful 405 horsepower 4.8-liter V8 paired to a six-speed Tiptronic S transmission, helping to launch the sporty SUV to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 156 MPH. To help fly under the radar the Cayenne has been dipped in a satin-like finish called Lava Grey Metallic, adorned with triple racing stripes down the center, a matching door stripe on the side with Porsche Design script and 21-inch SportPlus color-matched wheels. This Cayenne definitely looks the part.

As with past Porsche Design models, Porsche is offering a special, limited edition Type P'6612 chronograph watch and a matching set of luggage. Following the Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 and the Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2, the Cayenne GTS Porsche Design Edition 3 will be limited to 1000 units worldwide and will be available for order in May for roughly $94,694.

[via Porsche]

THREE PORSCHE FIRSTS TO BE SHOWN AT THE GREATER NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

World's first 300+hp Boxster, world's first 400+hp naturally aspirated Cayenne, world's first 500+hp 911: all in the Porsche stand at the Javits Center

New York, March 17, 2008 - In 2003, many pundits speculated that Porsche's move into the Sport Utility field would herald the end of the brand and the sports cars with which its name is synonymous. This year's press day's display at the 2008 Greater New York International Auto Show proves once and for all that every drop of that sports car DNA flows strong through the veins of every vehicle Porsche makes, today and in the future.

In 1960, Porsche earned its special place in motorsports history when the relatively small displacement Type 718 RS 60 Spyder took Porsche's very first International endurance win at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Overnight, Porsche became "The Giant Killer" having knocked off its bigger-bore, higher horsepower competition, including several factory Ferrari, Maserati.

To pay homage to that "Giant Killer," Porsche will introduce the Limited Edition Boxster RS60. With over 300 horsepower and a number of special "Boxster RS60" features, this commemorative sports car promises to capture the legacy of its forefathers in a package you can drive everyday.

Since the first Cayenne was introduced in 2003, Porsche has worked tirelessly to improve the breed. The latest of the new generation Cayennes is the 405 hp GTS. This vehicle proves that once again, Porsche has elevated the standard by which all other SUVs will be be judged. The Porsche Cayenne GTS, which has been called "the best handling SUV in the world," will be on display with its Porsche siblings.

For those who continue to insist in the face of overwhelming facts that Porsche has lost its focus on its core business, sports cars, Porsche will be displaying the ultimate 911 - the 530 horsepower, 505 lb. ft. of torque, 200+ mph Porsche 911 GT2. The GT2 demonstrates how Porsche is continuing to refine, improve and invest in its core sports car business.

In 2007, the Porsche RS Spyder proved once again that Porsche's heritage as a giant killer is alive and well. The Penske Team went to battle against the previously all-dominating Audi LMP1s with a lighter, more nimble, more fuel efficient, smaller displacement LMP2 car. The results will stand as one of the most spectacular seasons of racing seen in North America in decades. Taking 11 of 12 class victories and a stunning eight overall victories, Porsche once again demonstrated its technological prowess and reinforced its reputation for winning.

Last weekend, the RS Spyder once again proved the name "giant killer" remains appropriate by not only winning its class at Sebring, but winning the overall victory over more powerful competition in America's most famous sports car race. The 2008 Porsche RS Spyder will be on display at the Porsche booth for the duration of the Greater New York International Auto Show.

The Limited Edition Boxster RS 60, Cayenne GTS, 911 GT2 and the RS Spyder are currently on sale in the United States with a base price of $64,900, $69,300, $191,700 and $1,500,000 respectively.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc., based in Atlanta, GA, and, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., based in Mississauga, Ontario, are the two importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada respectively. Each is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. Combined, these two subsidiaries employ approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for 200 U.S. and 12 Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

Maserati presents the GranTurismo S

Modena - February 26th, 2008. A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the GranTurismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé's sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment.

Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 HP V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the Transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.

The GranTurismo S makes use of the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology - a dual casting of cast iron and aluminum, paired with aluminum mono-bloc 6-piston brake calipers, ensuring optimized braking performance.

On the exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina.

The interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara reflects the sporty flair of the Maserati GranTurismo S; the figure-hugging front and rear seats are distinguished by their new dynamic design with horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks

Decal emblems? Plastic crypto-racy side trim? Paint the color of Cyndi Lauper's lipstick? Welcome to the 80s!


I spotted this car on the same East End block as the '82 Mercedes-Benz 380SL and a couple of DOTS cars I haven't posted yet, so we're talking about a DOTS gold mine second only to the block with the Morris Minor convertible, '69 Cutlass convertible, '47 Plymouth, and '54 Ford.


I've always thought this vent/window arrangement looked like something from a building rather than a vehicle. Which, of course, is cool.

2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS PHOTO, PRICING REVEALED

ATLANTA, January 29, 2008 - Porsche will add some spice to the 100th anniversary of the Chicago Auto Show by unveiling the Cayenne GTS to the American public. Already known for exceptional on and off-road prowess, the GTS has been formulated, tested and tweaked to offer the best on-road characteristics of any Cayenne Porsche has ever produced.

The Cayenne GTS features a 405hp 4.8 liter V-8 engine. Based on the same V8 found in the Cayenne S, this more robust powerplant can be coupled either with an automatic Tiptronic S or, for the first time in a Cayenne V8, a six-speed manual transmission for those who want to take full advantage of this new power and suspension package. The GTS gets its cornering prowess from standard 21-inch alloy rims equipped with 295/35 R21 tires and air suspension that features Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

The Cayenne GTS front end is reminiscent of the Cayenne Turbo while the body has a lower stance and a striking new wheel-arch design that complements the new 21-inch rims. The interior boasts redesigned front and rear seats that offer a sportier look and feel with Alcantara to hold both driver and passenger in place during spirited driving.

The 2008 Cayenne GTS goes on sale in February and pricing for this new model is US $69,300.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 212 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

[Source: Porsche NA]

As we all know, it's pretty tough to find a Toyota that's really suitable for this series. They're just too reliable and the parts are too easy to find, so the Hell component is weaker than we like. Still, the mid-80s Toyota Corolla GT-S does qualify, and not just because you know that every single one has had the absolute crap beat out of it by generations of lead-footed hoons. The real reason the flames grow higher as soon as you pick up an AE86, however, is that every single component of every single car has been thoroughly molested by clueless 19-year-olds with a $19.95 set of sockets and dreams of being the Drift King of the parking lots of (insert name of suburban shopping mall here). The surprises will never stop coming, no matter how long you work on it! Such is the likely case with this '86 Corolla GT-S coupe (go here if the ad disappears), which can be had for only two grand in American dollars. The car runs, but it "has low compression in the third and fourth cylinders" (probable translation: lean condition during application of HELLA NOSSSSSS has added speed holes to pistons and/or repeated overheating has blown the head gasket). There's the telltale litany of buzzwords (JDM, HKS, carbon fiber) that indicate both hoonage and tons of drifto-centric mods applied by a series of 19-year-old owners dating back to the early 90s. But... if you could clean up the mess and add engine sap via properly-done modifications, you'd be doing the 80s right- "Loopzilla" instead of "White Wedding."

The AE86 is a pretty cool car, of course, but these days it's akin to what the '69 Camaro was to my generation: just about the only old car that every high-school kid can identify. What if you want a hot Eighties Japanese machine without having to listen to 16-year-olds tell you all about it? And you want a car that's already set up for turbocharging, because you have a (probably unfounded) belief that you'll thereby be able to stuff more boost into it? In that case, this 1988 Mitsubishi Starion (go here if the ad disappears) is the correct infernal choice for you! Actually, this car might be a Dodge Conquest, as the seller doesn't quite make the make 100% clear in the listing. What is clear, however, is that this Mitsu has had the hood and headlight panel painted "SUNBURST ORANGE, 07 CORVETTE/HHR OTHER KNOWN AS MANDARIN ORANGE METALIC IT WILL LOOK REALLY NICE ONCE FINISHED." The turquoise air dam is a nice touch, too. The car doesn't quite, you know, run at the moment, but when you "spray starter fluid into the intake it runs and idles really nice it might have a bad pump and relay or something." Yeah, a turbocharged Astron motor, with its funky injector setup- you have to figure the problem is just a relay. No sweat! Nervous Nellies might shy away from statements such as "it would be a waste to just let it go to crap with the rebuilt motor by previous guy," but everyone knows that engine rebuilds done by the "previous guy" are always up to manufacturers' specs. Don't worry about those minor details, though; you need to picture yourself behind the wheel of this Starion with a nice paint job and 450 turbocharged Astron ponies under the hood.

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Press Release:
We are delighted to announce the exciting arrival of the new, all British Farbio GTS.

Now in production at our factory near Bath, the stunning Sports Car has a full carbon fibre body, space framed chassis, complete flat underfloor (incorporating a rear diffuser), giving the GTS an exceptional aerodynamic grip level. It has exquisite, flowing lines and an understated elegance combined with style, giving a truly refined sports car with outstanding performance.

Base price is £59,925 for the normally aspirated model and £71,675 for the Supercharged version.

The car is mid-engine ranging from a 262bhp normally aspirated model with 0 - 60mph in 4.8 seconds (est), up to 384bhp for the Rotrex Supercharged version with 0 - 60mph in 3.9 seconds (est).

The Farbio GTS has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 360bhp per ton (250bhp per ton for the normally aspirated car). It is lightweight, weighing in at a nimble 1066kgs for the Supercharged model and 1048kgs for the normally aspirated version.

Brakes are AP Racing with Four Pot Callipers, 350mm vented front discs and 328mm rear, giving immense braking capabilities.

Suspension is fully adjustable dampers with Eibach coil-over springs to give the car an exciting, precise driving experience - a feature omitted from many modern day sports cars.

GTS customers will be able to tour in comfort with the spacious, ergonomic interior, with fully adjustable Sparco reclining seats allowing for a 6'6" driver. The controls have an easy accessibility with the touch-screen featuring satellite navigation, air conditioning and sound system as standard.

Long distance touring is made easier due to the 76 litre fuel tank and 220 litre boot capacity, which can incorporate a full size set of golf clubs or luggage.

Farbio Sports Cars has the benefit of an £11million order book for the next three years with customers from the UK, USA, Scandinavia and Thailand. Our UK waiting list is currently 8 months at the time of going to press.

Press Release:

Cayenne SUV Gets Sports Car Upgrades

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 213 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

We love it when old Jezza starts talking cock-o-meter. We believe he first used the analogy in his (404 page missing) review of the Saab 9-3 Sport Wagon. The metaphor goes as such: Based on the car you are driving, your threads and your haircut, the cock-o-meter tells you how much of a cock you look like. All BMW drivers score a 5 (highest score). Saab drivers on the other hand? We forget exactly, but it was pretty low. Here's how JC explains it this time:

I even have a name for such a device: a cock-o-meter. The idea being that it would process an image of your face, your hair and your clothes, and marry this information to the sort of car you're driving. You'd then be given a score out of 10.

BMW M3s driven by people with shaved heads would get 10. Saabs driven by people in linen jackets would get maybe one or two.

Ferrari 275 GTS (1964) [Times Online]

Related:
James May's First Ferrari; Top Gear of the Pops!; Dickens is Overrated, Let's Read Clarkson! [Internal]