HPE650 Supercharged Camaro : Hennessey announces

HPE is turning 20 this month, giving the Texas-based tuner the perfect excuse to build a celebratory Camaro. The company blog tells us the 20th Anniversary Edition HPE650 Camaro will be limited to 20 black over black examples, and yes, that "650" in the model name is an indication of horsepower. The lofty number is achieved by fitting a supercharger, new heads, a new cam, headers, and intake and exhaust upgrades. HPE says their mods are good for 655 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, which is enough to push the Camaro to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Other upgrades include custom wheels, front splitter and side skirts, embroidered headrests, and a coilover suspension system. Of course, floor mats and the obligatory numbered dash plaque are yours as well, so long as you're willing to pay the $79,500 asking price for a coupe, or $84,500 for a convertible.

Flagship hybrid models

Flagship hybrid models
But that's not the only news from Cadillac. The company has also made it clear that buyers can expect to be able to snap up a range of hybrid vehicles from the luxury automaker. While that includes efforts like the upcoming Volt-based ELR, the brand intends to flex its tech muscles with multiple hybrid technologies in the near future. The Detroit Bureau hypothesizes that Cadillac may dabble in incredibly efficient vehicles as well as high-performance hybrids similar to what Porsche is currently producing.

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

We're all anxiously waiting to see what Hyundai has up its sleeves for the updated Genesis Coupe, and it looks like we may have a better idea of what's coming down the line. Gencoupe.com forum member shcboyzone managed to lay hands on a few grainy photos of what's appears to be the 2013 Genesis Coupe. Is this the real deal? Hard telling. If it is, the sports car will rock styling that's very similar to what we've seen from the Hyundai Accent and Veloster. With a more upright fascia, hexagonal grille and sculpted lights, the similarities are unmistakable.

It looks like the vehicle will also feature unique hood louvers, though it's unclear from the photos whether or not the pieces are actually functional. Around back, Hyundai has graced the coupe with a set of LED tail lamps as well. While this design seems to dovetail fairly closely with the heavily camouflaged mules we've seen in testing, we won't know for sure whether or not this is the real deal until we get closer to the vehicle's unveil at the next Detroit Auto Show. Head over to the Gencoupe.com forums for a closer look at the car.

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Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition

Another day in Monterey, another debut from Lotus. Yesterday evening, the British sports car maker unveiled the stunning Evora GTE Road Car Concept, and earlier today pulled the wraps off the Exige Matte Black Final Edition, a special model reserved exclusively for the North American market.

This isn't the first time that Lotus has introduced a market-specific Exige with a sinister paint scheme. Back in 2009, the company released the Exige Stealth for Japanese buyers and Exige Scura for European customers. While those cars had track-ready features like launch control and variable-slip traction control, the U.S. version is mostly an appearance package with the addition of black Alcantara seats and a slightly upgraded motor on top of the matte finish. Lotus collectors might be interested in the exclusiveness of the car, though, with just 25 slated for production.

You can view our live photos of the Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition in the high-res gallery above.

Lotus Exige Matte Black Final Edition

Best of 'Top Gear' Car Tests

(L-R) Presenterts Jeremy Clarkson and James May attend the Top Gear Live photo call ahead of the start of the Acer Arena live show tomorrow night, at Campbell's Cove on February 10, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images)more pics »

We can all agree that Top Gear is one of the most thrilling and brutally honest car shows on the planet. Their "tests" of vehicles are more or less a savage thrashing of the cars they somehow convince manufacturers to lend them. Below are some of the highlights of those tests. Enjoy!

Nissan GT-R Switzer R850 lines up against Suzuki GSX1300R

 

We're not touching the car vs. bike argument this time around. Instead, we're just going to sit back, relax, and be glad people had their video cameras pointed in the general direction of the Suzuki GSX1300R (known better as the Hayabusa) and the Nissan GT-R Switzer R850 as they lined up against each other in a mile-long drag race.

According to the video, the Hayabusa in question belts out 198 horsepower. That's a heck of a lot of power strapped between two wheels, but it pales in comparison to the 850 claimed ponies routed to all four tires of the modified GT-R.

So... what does that mean in terms of a drag race? We suggest you watch the clip after the break to find out for yourself.

Ferrari crowns winners in World Design Contest

The models have been made. The designs have been scrutinized. The talents have been exhibited, the ballots have been cast, and the prizes have been awarded for the 2011 Ferrari World Design Contest.

The competition attracted entries from 50 design schools and universities around the world, all vying for the eye of decision makers from both Ferrari and Pininfarina. In the end, the top prize went to a team from Korea for their innovative Eternità concept, pictured in the foreground above.

Second prize went to Samir Sadikhov from the Turin campus of the IED for his Xezri, and third place to the team from London's Royal College of Arts for the Cavallo Bianco.

Additional prizes were awarded based on proficiency with Autodesk design software (also taken by the winning Korean team from Hongik) and for the Most Unexpected Technological Solution (won by Jiangnan University). These prizes were awarded by Autodesk VP Brenda Discher and Ferrari CO Amedeo Felisa, while the top three were decorated by Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, chief designer Flavio Manzoni and Paulo Pininfarina.

1957 Ferrari 250 TR prototype expected to break records at Gooding's Pebble Beach auction

The last several years have seen classic Ferraris sell at auction for record-breaking prices including a 1961 Ferrari California Spyder that sold for over $10 million in 2008 and a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR that fetched more than $12 million in 2009. While those numbers seem astounding, they could be surpassed next month with auction house Gooding & Company offering up one of the most significant Ferrari race cars of all time, the 1957 250 TR prototype.

One of just 22 pontoon-fendered 250 TR race cars, the prototype has an extensive, although somewhat unsuccessful, racing history, with no less than three appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as showings at Sebring, the Nurburgring and at the Targa Florio. The car also has an impressive show history, attending the Pebble Beach Concours four times (winning its class twice), and regularly garnering accolades at events like the Cavallino Classic and the Rodeo Drive Concours. It has also appeared several times at the Monterey Historics, most recently in 2008 where it narrowly avoided an accident after spinning at the corkscrew.

The car's current owner and caretaker, just the second in a span of more than forty years, recently restored the 250 TR prototype back to its 1958 Le Mans configuration, installing the original engine, correcting bodywork and applying its 1958 racing livery.

Gooding fully expects this special Ferrari to break the overall sales record for a car sold at auction, and we wouldn't be surprised if they achieved the feat. We'll bring you the news come August 21st, along with the rest of our live coverage from Monterey next month. Until then, check out our gallery of the 1957 Ferrari 250 TR prototype or read more about the car and the auction in the press release after the jump.

2012 Volkswagen Beetle pricing at a glimpse

Those of you who read our First Drive of the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo already know that the highest-performing version of the iconic Bug will require you to write a check for $23,395*. Step up to the well-received six-speed DSG transmission and you'll be looking at a $24,495 window sticker.

Not interested in the tire-squealing performance promised by a turbocharged engine? Base model Beetles, equipped with the 170-horsepower 2.5-liter MPI inline five-cylinder engine, start at $18,995 with VW's age-old five-speed manual gearbox. Step up to the Tiptronic six-speed auto for $20,895.

There will be three versions of the Beetle, whether it's equipped with the base engine or the turbo: Base, Sunroof and Sunroof, Sound and Navi. A top-shelf 2.0T with the panoramic sunroof, Fender hi-fi sound system and navigation will start at $27,995 with the manual gearbox or $29,095 with DSG.

At some unannounced point in 2012, Volkswagen will begin offering the Beetle with its 2.0-liter TDI engine with 140 horses and 236 lb-ft of torque. VW estimates that it will be the most efficient Beetle ever, scoring 40 miles per gallon highway, 29 mpg city, and 33 mpg combined.

Want a full rundown of all the prices and option packages? Find it in the press release pasted after the break.

(*All prices exclude $770 for destination)

"The Bull of Edan" craze that Kian

Mad Mike, drift champion Red Bull World Drift Championship 2008 from Auckland, New Zealand, decided to redo his Mazda RX7. Two-door sports sedan called "Madbull" (Crazy Bull) is also now have a "horn".

Want to "butting" competitors. So about the reasons why he made ​​some changes to this RX7. "Horn" protruding from the hood are two large-sized air suction cavity which has a filter. Through it, the air will enter the quad rotor 26B engine.

The interface is made more "magic" with an increasingly wide tires and upholstery accented soldiers attached to the body.

The crazy, Mike was cutting the front and back of the car. "The body is cut. Front-rear. I (only) pair behind the main body bracket. After the main bracket mounted on the front, then the pair stayed an additional bracket to hold the open-close RX7 lights, oil cooler from Redline Performance, and patrol lights to stylish , "explained Mad Mike.

The back is also trimmed and fitted with a bracket to hold the body. After that, the position of the gas tank reorganized. In this way, the car becomes much lighter, so Mad Mike was free-lintir twist on the track and hope to make new time record. (Dimas)

Sport Toyota FT-86 appear in IIMs

Toyota Indonesia kicked off the annual feast of automotive "Indonesia International Motor Show" (IIMS) 2011, July 22 to 31, in JIExpo, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, by bringing four future concept vehicles and hybrid electric technology. In accordance with a theme that carried "Journey of Innovation", PT Toyota Astra Motor want to show to visitors of innovation that has made ​​Toyota.

The four vehicles on display are the FT-86 hybrid Sport, 1 / X weighs 500 kg lighter plug in hybrid technology, the A-BAT (hybrid pickup) and electric-powered vehicles Whee unique individuals in Japan known as the Winglet.

TAM Communications Department Manager Jimmy Anton said, years ago the area that Toyota uses in IIMs only 1,600 square feet, is now expanded to be 2,000 square meters. In addition, Toyota also had a booth showing off the outdoor area of 500 square meters to display the Dyna.

"Related to the theme Journey of Innovation we also display the first generation and the generation of Kijang Buaya Corolla AE 86 which is also legendary," said Anton, yesterday (13 / 7).

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Man creates world's only turbine-powered Batmobile

Turbine-powered Batmobile

Having a real-life Batmobile in your driveway sounds like a fun idea. Upon closer inspection, however, it's not going to be that exciting. Most often, Batmobile replicas are powered by something like a junkyard-salvaged General Motors 350, featuring an interior reminiscent of a hastily cobbled together 24 Hours of LeMons racer. A man by the name of Casey Putsch decided he wanted a Batmobile to call his own, but he wasn't ready to settle for second-rate.

This particular Putsch is the same man behind Putsch Racing, an outfit that restores, designs and appraises all manner of items automotive. When we said that Casey Putsch wasn't going to settle for a low-rent Batmobile, we meant it. Instead, Putsch has assembled what he says is the only turbine-powered Batmobile in the world.

Under the long hood of Putsch's Batmobile sits a Boeing turboshaft engine plucked from a naval drone helicopter. The power output is rated at 385 horses, which is good for a vehicle that weighs around 2,800 pounds.

Besides the engine upgrade, this Batmobile has an interior that would make Bruce Wayne nod approvingly. That's all you can hope for really, since it's impossible to make Mr. Wayne jealous. Putsch strapped an Apple iPad into the center stack of his super(hero)car, which then acts as his avionics system and also supplies GPS information.

We have footage of Casey Putsch driving his creation available for you after the jump, which is worth it for the sound alone. We also have a handful of photos in the gallery below. Be sure to check out Todd Cooperider's website for more information on this mad machine.

New flagship Cadillac sedan given green light

Cadillac XTS Platinum concept

Recent spy photos show us that the all-new Cadillac XTS is already well on its way. But while the XTS will be the biggest Cadillac sedan in years, it won't be the top dog in the Wreath and Crest lineup for long.

GM Inside News reports that sources familiar with General Motors' product plans claim that a rear-drive flagship Cadillac has been approved for production. The green-lighted rear-wheel-drive platform has reportedly been given the internal name "Omega," playing off of the "Alpha" designation for the smaller rear-drive platform set to underpin the ATS and the next-gen CTS. The top-dog Caddy, which we've heard about plenty of times over the years, will reportedly receive plenty of Zeta bits, while at the same time using plenty of lightweight materials like aluminum. GMI also speculates that the fifth generation small-block V8 could find its way underhood, though we think powertrain speculation is a bit premature at this time.

The next generation Caddy flagship will reportedly see the light of day between 2015 and 2017, and GMI claims that the model may replace the forthcoming (front-drive based) all-wheel drive XTS. GMI says that its sources claim that current management isn't all that thrilled with how the XTS is shaping up, though we should point out that we haven't heard anything along those lines.

A big, luxurious rear-drive Cadillac sounds plenty good to us, but 2015 is a long way away...

Gallery: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept

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Audi A8 to star in new Transporter TV series

2011 Audi A8

The Transporter film series is taking a detour from the silver-screen to arrive in TV land. Called – crazily enough – Transporter, the new Cinemax series stars a man who is not Jason Statham quite good at ... transporting. Lead actor Chris Vance's preferred method of transportation will reportedly be the redesigned Audi A8, which we think should fit the bill quite nicely. After all, a 372-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 paired with Quattro all-wheel-drive, excellent seats and a 1,400-watt B&O sound system should be enough to keep driver, passengers and cargo moving along quickly and comfortably.

Of course, were we the appropriately named Transporter in question, we might wait for Audi to hand over the next S8. How about you – What would be your preferred tool for the Transporter gig? Have your say in Comments.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A8: Review

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Stirling Moss gets an Aston Martin Cygnet for his birthday

An Aston Martin Cygnet for Stirling Moss

Wrapping your head around the cars that Sir Stirling Moss has driven over the course of the many decades in which he drove competitively would be a mind-boggling task. Regarded as the greatest Formula One driver never to win a World Championship, Moss won 212 out of the 529 races he entered, including 16 grands prix. He also competed in sports cars, including countless Maserati, Ferrari and Aston Martin racers.

Oh, the Astons he must have driven over the course of his career. As part of the factory works team, Sir Stirling piloted the likes of the DB3S and DBR1 to championship titles and race wins. But the latest is undoubtedly the most timid.

In celebration of his 82nd birthday at the Royal Automobile Club's "Palace on Pall Mall" in London, Lady Moss and Aston Martin presented Sir Stirling with one of the first Cygnet city cars to be delivered. Readied by its oldest dealership – HWM Aston Martin, which actually prepared Stirling's first grand prix cars – the unique city car is decked out in Aston's trademark shade of green with a black interior and silver top stitching.

It's probably just what Stirling might need to get around London now that he's retired from racing for good, but we can't help but have a little trouble with the notion of one of the world's greatest racing drivers puttering about in reheated Toyota iQ. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: An Aston Martin Cygnet for Stirling Moss

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Spada unveils Codatronca Monza roadster in all its glory

Spada Codatronca Monza

The father-son design team of Ercole and Paolo Spada made a real splash a few years back when they unveiled the Codatronca. Inspired by the Kamm-tailed Alfas Ercole designed back in the day for Zagato, the Codatronca looked something like a cross between a Chevrolet Corvette, a Lamborghini and Darth Vader's helmet.

Radical as the design was, however, it wasn't quite extreme enough for Aznom. So the Italian coachbuilder and aftermarket firm commissioned Spada to build the car you see here: the Codatronca Monza.

Initially unveiled at the Top Marques Monaco a couple of months ago, Spada has only now revealed the details in full. The roadster packs the same 710-horspower twin-supercharged 7.0-liter V8 (presumably based on the Z06's LS7), but in an open-roof bodystyle named after the legendary Italian racing circuit. Weighing in at only 2,600 lbs, the show car features a stripped-out cockpit with Sabelt buckets and full data acquisition system centered around the F1-style steering wheel. It rides on a fully adjustable suspension with OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Pirelli PZero Corsa tires and Brembo brakes with the same ABS system employed in the FIA GT3 series. The Spada boys say these factors add up to a 0-62 mph time of three seconds flat and a face-shredding 208 mph top end.

The Monza was commissioned by Aznom as a demonstration vehicle, but Spada says it would built more to order, and will develop and additional Barchetta derivative that will presumably offer a little more in the way of creature comforts at the expense of the Monza's extremity. In the meantime you can check out the full high-res image mega gallery along with the press release and video after the jump for a closer look.

Gallery: Spada Codatronca Monza

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