Auto-Tech HQ

Motor Trend managed to get two of the great cars Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R to go toe to toe in an epic drag race. And the result?

Well, take a look for yourself!

Here is a nice video of two Lamborghinis, one hard top one convertible, have been shot from the helicopter riding around California.  It’s a nice little video with some background music, but it would have been nice to hear some engine sound from these beautiful cars, that is just overpowered by the background music.  In any case here is the video for your pleasure:

Lotus Evora has been already launched in Europe, and is now in the process to start delivering the new model to U.S.   The production of the US spec cars will starting shortly, and Lotus has finally released an official price , that will start at $73,200.  This prioce will include the 276-hp Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 and a 6-speed transmission.  

this is not your typical Elise or Exige model, the Evora is nicely trimmed in a very fashionable way.  The interior of the car includes hand-stitched leather from Muirhead and exterior aluminum trim.  The car is a little bigger and taller than its smaller cousins, which should make getting in and out of it much easier.  Evora is expected to have at ;east 30 mpg EPA on the highway and for the performance figures, 0-60 time should come in just 4.9 seconds.  Here are some pictures of the car that Lotus released as well as the official press release.

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Last week, BMW released details and photos of the new M3 GTS.  The street legal and track-bred, super-coupe is propelled by the hot 4.4-liter V8 (with slightly increased HP)  and a lightweight body.  We have seen pictures, and read the details, but now lets take a look at the two new videos of this beast ripping through the track.

Finally we get the official introduction to an all new Lexus LFA at the Tokyo Motor Show.  Pictures of Lexus LFA have been leaking for a while, but now we can officially see the true colors and the beauty of this monster of a car.  Take a look at the gallery below to get a close look on exactly what the car will look like once it hits the streets.  Here are the official specs:

• 4.8-liter 72-degree V10 putting out 560 hp at 8,700 RPM (that’s 116.5 hp/liter) and 354 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,800 RPM
• Redline: 9,000 RPM
• Titanium valves, connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, dry sump lubrication and a titanium exhaust manifold
• Six-speed sequential gearbox
• Torsen limited slip differential
• 3,263 pounds with a 48/52 front-to-rear weight distribution
• Power-to-weight ratio of 5.8 pounds/hp
• 65 percent of the body is carbon fiber
• 20-inch BBS wheels wrapped in 265/35 ZR20 Bridgestone tires in front and 305/30 ZR20 in the rear.
• 0-62 MPH (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds
• Top speed of 201.94 MPH
• Production limited to 500 units

The price premium for this car will be $375,000, but I am sure there will not be any problems selling them, due tot he exclusivity of the production run of only 500 units.  We are looking forward to some real road tests soon. 

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PRESS RELEASE:

Introducing the New 2010 Lotus Exige S240

The exciting new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 enters the United States and Canadian markets in the fall of 2009 with new front styling, a new rear wing and the same rare combination of exceptional performance and high efficiency.

The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well earned reputation as the choice for drivers who demand uncompromised performance, both on the road and on the track.

Click here to read more…

Mercedes Benz’s highly anticipated SLS AMG, is set to debut next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  The car has 300SL-inspired “Gullwing” doors that look great,  and even more importantly, powered by 563 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque propelled by the rear wheels from the front to mid-mounted 6.3-liter AMG V8.  Thanks to its lightweight structure that is predominantly made from carbon fiber, the SLS AMG will get to 60 miles per hour in a mere 3.7 seconds and will reach a top speed of 197 mph.

The motor, codenamed M159, is fully restructured when compared to the current M156 currently used in virtually every AMG product. An new intake manifold system, restructured valve gear and camshaft, and a dethrottled exhaust system are all responsible for the 9 percent performance boost.  A dry sump lubrication system also makes it in to the new car.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the engine will also be capable of averaging about 18 mpg. 

The production of the car is planned to for next year and will retail from €177,310 (including VAT) in Europe when it goes on sale, but the pricing for North America has not yet been released.

Source:  Straightline

Meet the new 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260.  This is a faster, stiffer, lighter version of the already very quick, and nimble Exige S introduced in March of this year.

Power is delivered through the same 257 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque supercharged 1.8-liter Toyota engine.  Exige Cup 260 saves more weight by using carbon fiber parts, lightweight battery, wheels, subframe, fly wheel, and rear-window.  They even forgone as far as removing carpets, rearview mirror, and sun visors.  Talk about hard core! 

After adding all this up, the final number is just 1,958 pounds!  it can hit 60 mph in just four seconds flat, thanks to its extremely light weight and a new launch control system.  The handling should be further improved by stiffening the rear-end with two-way adjustable Ohlins dampers.  And now the price, since there is no official price release, rumor has it that it should be about $80K MSRP in US.

Press Release:

The 2010 Model Year Lotus Exige Cup 260 Click here to read more…

A new Porsche GT3 Cup gets revealed.  Some new features include wider body, lower stance for more down force, competition-spec exhaust, racing wheels that sit in a wider wheel wells, and firmer suspension settings.  A new steering wheel comes with mounted controls, full adjustable column, and carbon-ceramic brakes.

The new engine is being brought in from GT3 RS which is a 3.8-liter 450 horsepower flat-six.  you can only order it in white color, and it will set you back 150,000 euros ($215k US).  The new GT3 Cup will debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Show.  

Here is a complete press release:

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As Frankfurt Auto show is up on us, Wiesmann has something new to show us.  A new MF5 Roadster that has taken a lot of good attributes from the MF4 Roadster will packs the 507-hp V10 engine from the BMW M5 and stuffed in to a smaller lighter roadster frame for what is expected to be a very exciting drive.  The expected 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) should come in just 3.9 seconds with a top speed claimed to be 310 km/h (192 mph).

Weismann is expecting to build only 55 samples, and will be sold at a list price of €189,500 (circa $313k USD). 

Here is the official press release:

Click here to read more…