Restoration Of Le Mans-Winning Ford GT40 Mk II Continues: Video

The restoration of the 1966 Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 Mk II P1046 continues with the latest video to come out of RK Motors Charlotte.

If you recall, the first part of the web series was posted last week in which we learned that Rob Kaufman, the owner of RK Motors Charlotte, began an ambitious project to restore the legendary race car back to its championship glory. Together with the help of Rare Drive, Inc., RK Motors Charlotte took the arduous task of bringing P1046 back to the configuration of its history-making achievement, considered by many as the greatest racing moment in Ford history.

Whereas the first video mainly focused on the history of the car, this one gives us a close look on the preparations that have been made and the first task of actually disassembling the race car. As explained by the host, a lot of work was already done on the iconic race car, including the shortening of the tail section, the installation of a large roll cage, and the refitting of the entire interior, which was sadly brushed aside when the car was ignominiously turned into a transmission test mule after its victory in Le Mans.

The entire project is far from complete and more videos are expected to be released in the coming weeks. The plan is for the project to be completed in time for the 24 Hours of Le Mans where it will be participating in the 50th anniversary of Ford’s transcendent victory in the world’s most famous endurance race.

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This documentary on building the Porsche 356 is worth your time

Although the average attention span may not be anywhere near the 40 minutes required to sit through this documentary on the Porsche 356, we highly recommend you grab a cup of coffee and make it part of your morning routine. Maybe do it every morning. The documentary makes liberal use of now-vintage footage showing Porsche's first mass-produced car...

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Hyundai Santa Fe Vs. Honda Pilot: Compare Cars

The Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Pilot are two popular picks that represent the shape of today’s family wagons. Both models work well for four or more, allowing enough flexibility for restocking the pantry, fitting infant seats, cargo-carrying, or even expeditions to a weekend campsite. For the Pilot, everything’s changed this year. The...

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This Week’s Top Photos: The 2016 Beijing Auto Show edition

This past week’s 2016 Beijing Auto Show turned out to be a treat for sports car fans. One of the stars was the new TT RS which is due in showrooms early next year. The car was shown in both coupe and convertible bodystyles and looks especially tasteful in this gray paint. As expected, there's 400 horsepower under the hood. Another attraction...

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Ford Mustang GT by WRAPworks

The Ford Mustang GT is one of those cars that are just ripe for the aftermarket world. Part of that is because the Mustang GT is a muscle car and as such, there’s always a need to improve on the impressive performance numbers that Ford gave it. Hey, I’m not the type to complain about a car that already packs 435 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. But there’s always that question of what more can do the Mustang GT do if it received a hefty engine upgrade. History has shown us that tuners always focus on that when dealing with the Mustang. But there are times that a tuner shows up and focuses on something entirely different.

That’s precisely what WRAPworks did with its own kit for the Mustang GT. As the name implies, WRAPworks specializes on body wraps and that’s exactly what it did to Ford’s pony machine. Now the trick with body wraps is that there’s rarely a consensus reaction to them. Some will love it while others will hate it. That’s just the way our eyes work. But WRAPworks still took up that challenge, convinced that it had a wrap package that could add an extra touch of personality to the Mustang GT. Whether it succeeded or not is entirely up to the pair of eyes that are looking at it.

Unfortunately, the body wrap is largely the extent of what WRAPworks did to the muscle car. Sure, it enlisted the help of Roush Performance – one of the best Mustang tuners in the business – but did Roush do enough to at least complement the crazy work put in by WRAPworks? Or you could ask it like this: did WRAPworks give Roush enough freedom to work on the ‘Stang GT’s 5.0-liter V-8 engine? Read on to find out.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

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BMW M4 GTS DTM Safety Car

Remember how BMW tested the M4 GTS camouflaged as a MotoGP Safety Car before unveiling it in 2015? Well, it turns out that the Germans were just trying to be sneaky. They were working on an actual pace car based on the limited-edition M4. The safety car in question will be used in the 2016 DTM season and was revealed with only a week ahead of the competitions’ debut at the Hockenheimring on May 7.

The specially equipped M4 GTS will pace the DTM field during the entire 2016 season, which includes nine events in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Russia, and Hungary. The GTS replaces the standard BMW M4 Coupe used in 2014 and 2015. The new safety car will be driven by Jurgen Kastenholz, the official DTM pace car driver since 2010.

"The BMW M4 excels through neutral handling, fantastic response and enormous power delivery starting at low engine speeds for optimum acceleration out of tight corners," said the 48-year old. "The new BMW M4 GTS will be even better. So I will have complete trust in the car from the word go – and this is absolutely essential to be able to lead a pack of 24 DTM racing cars quickly around the circuit during the caution periods."

The M4 GTS will lead a pack consisting of race cars based on the Mercedes-AMG C63, Audi RS5, and BMW M4.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M4 GTS Safety Car.

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Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Rumors that Fiat might revive the 124 Spider, a stylish roadster from the 1960s, surfaced in 2014 and were confirmed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, when Fiat came clean and revealed that there was a new roadster underway with Mazda MX-5 underpinnings. Various reports then claimed that Fiat 124 Spider will also be followed by a performance-oriented Abarth version with a more powerful engine and all the goodies that come with the scorpion badge. With the standard roadster unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Show, Fiat took the wraps off the performance-oriented version at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

Not surprisingly, the 124 Abarth was conceived using the same recipe applied to the 500 Abarth. It features a sportier body kit, a mildly revised interior with Abarth trim, and a more powerful version of the engine used in the standard model. On top of that, Fiat sprinkled a bit of its classic Abarth heritage in order to link the modern roadster to the original 124 Rally, a limited-edition homologation special.

Set to arrive in European showrooms for the 2017 model year, the 124 Spider Abarth is an extremely important car for this tight niche. The main reason for that is because Mazda said it won’t develop a high-performance version of the new Miata. So Abarth will exploit the potential of Mazda’s new chassis and give Miata lovers the power that the Japanese roadster has failed to deliver.

While Fiat has yet to confirm or release data about the U.S.-spec version, a similar model is very likely to cross the pond to North America and join the standard model. Until that happens, let’s have a closer look at the European version.

Updated 04/29/2016: FCA dropped prices on the 2018 Spider Abarth. Check the "Prices" section for the full details.

Continue reading to find out more about the 2018 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth.

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2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali – Driven

The Yukon XL name has only been around for a relatively short time, having been introduced in 2000, but the long-wheelbase GMC is tied to one of the longest running nameplates in automotive history – the Suburban. Introduced in 1935, the Chevrolet Suburban has generated generations of fans and loyal customers. Now in the modern era, the Suburban has moved from a workaholic carryall to an upper-class status symbol. The GMC Yukon XL takes this to the next level with a more luxurious appearance and nicer interior trimmings. Then there’s the Denali trim.

The Denali lineup within the GMC brand has exploded in popularity with the rebounding economy. These leather-lined, chrome-clad versions of GMC’s vehicles offer Cadillac-like luxury with less shocking price tags. And that’s exactly how to describe the 2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali. It’s a Cadillac Escalade without the distinctive grille, higher price tag, and social clout that comes with owning a ‘Slade.

Nevertheless, the Yukon XL Denali provides all the right equipment and luxury for those seeking Cadillac comfort without the rock star vibe that follows the Escalade. Recently, I spent a week getting to know the Yukon XL Denali – all 18.6 feet of it. Make no mistake, it’s big; but it’s also powerful thanks to a 6.2-liter V-8 borrowed from the Corvette. Yep, this bad boy rocks the LT1 small block. Curious yet? You should be. Keep on reading to see what life is like with the Yukon XL Denali.

Continue reading for the full driven review.

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Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

Concerned about Ford’s racing program and what it was doing with the Shelby Cobra, Chevrolet’s Zora Duntov launched the Grand Sport program in 1962. The plan was to build lightweight, race car around the second-generation Corvette and use it for international grand touring events. The project was kept secret from GM executives, who thought that Chevy shouldn’t go racing, and was stopped as soon as rumors about Duntov’s brainchild started to spread. Fortunately, Zora managed to complete five cars, giving the world some of the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built. More than five decades have passed since then and the Grand Sport nameplate returns on the seventh-generation Corvette.

Rumored ever since the current Vette was unveiled in 2013, the C7 Grand Sport broke cover at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show. Pretty much a Z06 with a naturally aspirated engine under the hood, the new Grand Sport is aimed at purists that know power isn’t everything. Is it a coincidence that the C7 Grand Sport was revealed at the same event that brought us the Porsche 911 R? Most likely, but this is probably the beginning of a beautiful rivalry that should spawn many battles on the road and at the track.

The C7 Grand Sport is actually the fourth generation to wear the iconic badge. After Duntov’s program was cancelled, the nameplate returned in 1996 as final edition of the C4. The third model arrive in 2010 as an LS3-equipped, C6 Z06 with a steel frame instead of aluminum. Is this new version of the C7 worthy of Grand Sport name? Keep reading to find out.

Updated 04/29/2016: Chevrolet dropped prices for the 2017 Corvette Grand Sport which will be put on sale later this summer. Check the "Prices" section for more details.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport.

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Mini Sedan

Ever since Mini was acquired by BMW, the British motoring icon has struggled to grow. Once known simply as a provider of fun, accessible, small-sized transportation, the brand has made several forays into uncharted territory over the years, some of which have brought success, and others – not so much. Now, however, Mini says it has the right formula. Rather than offering myriad niche variants like it did in the recent past, Mini is looking to trim the fat to just five core model lines. Four of these are already known, including the hardtop, convertible, Countryman subcompact crossover, and Clubman five-door wagon. The final fifth pillar, however, remains a mystery. That said, rumor has it a Mini sedan is heading down the pipeline.

Supporting the speculation is a comment made by Ralph Mahler, vice president for product management at Mini, who dropped a hint at the New York Auto Show while speaking to the U.K. publication Autocar about market trends, saying, “For example, in Asia and the U.S., the sedan segment is very big. This is very interesting to us, of course.”

In many ways, a new Mini sedan makes a lot of sense. The brand has applied its stylish, premium compact paintbrush to a variety of body styles before, but not once has it tried a classic four-door approach. And as Mini looks to expand its presence globally, this possible new segment entry could play well in markets where hatchbacks lose traction, such as the U.S. and China.

So, if the rumors are true, what would a Mini sedan offer? Read on for our speculative review.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Mini sedan.

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Fiat 124 Spider

The Fiat 124 Spider first hit the road in 1966 as a 2+2 roadster based on the 124 Coupe’s platform. The model lived a long life, as it ran all the way through 1982. When Mazda announced that it was creating an all-new 2016 MX-5 Miata, it also let out that it co-developed the roadster’s chassis with FCA. Initially, FCA was going to use the chassis to underpin an Alfa Romeo roadster, but it later chose to use it under a Fiat model. Then, in March 2015 at the Geneva Auto Show, FCA announced that the new Fiat convertible would resurrect the 124 Spider nameplate starting in 2016. The roadster was finally unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Although it shares underpinnings with the new MX-5 Miata, the 124 Spider received an exterior styling of its own, sharing not even a single body panel with its Japanese sibling. The engine is also different, with Fiat opting to use one of its very own turbocharged four-cylinder unit.

If you’re among those who were whining about Mazda not offering a turbo Miata, then the 124 Spider might be what you’re looking for.

While they feature different exteriors and engines, the roadsters share an almost identical interior. That’s not to say Fiat was lazy and didn’t want to give the 124’s cabin an identity of its own. It actually has to do with reducing costs and the fact that the MX-5’s interior is very spacious and comfortable for a small car.

Updated 04/29/2016: FCA dropped prices on the recently launched 124 Spider, and, as expected it was priced pretty much similar to the Mazda MX-5. Check "Prices" section for the full details.

Continue reading to find out more about the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider.

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Is This The Upcoming Ferrari 488 GTB Scuderia?

In 2015, Ferrari replaces the already iconic 458 Italia with the 488 GTB. Although similar in size and design, the 488 is a significant departure from its predecessor due to its turbocharged, 3.9-liter V-8, which replaced the award-winning, naturally aspirated 4.5-liter unit. With the standard coupe and roadster already in dealerships and with two race-spec versions on the race track, Ferrari is expected to launch more derivatives of its entry-level sports car, including a successor to the 458 Speciale. A new variant of the 488 GTB isn’t expected to arrive sooner than 2017, but a test car that was recently spotted at the Fiorano track suggests that Maranello is already working on a beefed-up coupe.

The photos come via Zero2Turbo and show a 488 GTB that’s slightly different than the standard model. Notable changes include a new, more aggressive splitter, revised front bumper center element and intakes, a reworked rear fascia with covered taillight vents, and a reshaped bumper with a larger diffuser. The sports car also rides on different wheels and features an Italian "tricolore" decal on its front hood and roof. Given the racier aero kit and the stripes, which we’ve seen on previous high-performance models such as the 458 Speciale and 360 Challenge Stradale, the Ferrari we’re looking at could very well be the 488 GTB Scuderia.

We speculated on what this version could bring to the table back in 2015, when the standard 488 was launched. On top of the revised aero kit and the upgraded interior, we also expect it to receive an uprated 3.9-liter V-8 that could deliver as much as 700 horsepower, 40 horses more than the regular GTB. The extra oomph should enable it to hit 60 mph from a standing start in around 2.8 seconds and post amazing laps on both the Fiorano test track and the Nurburgring Nordschleife. But is this the sports car that will replace the 458 Speciale or just a bespoke one-off 488 for a wealthy customer?

Continue reading for the full story.

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Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4

All good things must come to an end, so the Gallardo is packing things up and moving out of Lamborghini’s entry-level supercar spot to make room for a brand new baby. Rumors swirled about the name of this new supercar, and the final decision was Huracán LP 610-4 and not "Cabrera," as we initially thought.

The Huracán LP 610-4’s name is derived from a fighting bull from 1879. This Spanish Conte de la Patilla breed of bull was unrelenting and thrust himself into bull-fighting stardom courage and strong sense of attack.

This new new Lamborghini will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014, but it will also have more than 130 private showings that start in January. We expect to see it in dealers starting in mid- to late-2014.

Updated 04/29/2016: According to GTSpirit, the Huracan will be offered with an optional aero kit priced at $22,484. Check the "Exterior" section for more details.

Click past the jump to read all about the Huracán LP 610-4.

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Ford Gives Hints On Plan To Build 200-Mile EV

For all of the advancements that automakers have made in the field of electric vehicles, one company has, somewhat surprisingly, remained in the sidelines. When it comes to electric vehicles, Ford doesn’t exactly call itself a pioneer and no more is that evident than its lineup of all-electric models, which includes plug-in versions of the Fusion and the C-Max and an all-electric version of the Focus. Solid options, sure, but none of them have really set the electric car market on fire.

All that though could change now that Ford appears to be ready to dive into the long-range EV pool. The report comes by way of Automotive News, which quoted Ford CEO Mark Fields saying that a long-range, battery-powered car is something that’s high on the list of priorities for the Blue Oval. Fields didn’t go into the specifics of the automaker’s plans, only adding that the company’s goal is to be “among the leaders or in a leadership position” in the long-range EV market.

Vague as that disclaimer is, there is some evidence that Ford has made preparations for this ideological shift, none more important than its recent announcement that it would be investing $4.5 billion into electrification. That’s a significant amount of money that could be put to good use if Ford decides to develop the technologies required to be in that sought-after “leadership position” on its own and not rely on third-party vendors as it has done in the past.

Clearly, the decision-makers in Dearborn have come around on the potential of long-range electric vehicles. It’s still got a lot of work to do to get to where it needs to be, but if the automaker is as committed as Fields says it is, it should only be a matter of time before the company’s lineup of hybrid, plug-in, and EV models get the jolt it needs to become a major player in the segment.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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Hyundai Elantra Sport

Hyundai has done pretty well for itself in the entry-level compact segment and as a company as a whole. In fact, Hyundai has come a long way from when the South Korean company first came to U.S. shores. Take the Hyundai Elantra (or the Hyundai Avante as it’s known in its home country,) for instance. The first generation was about as ugly as it gets, and the following generation wasn’t much better. Fast forward to 2016 and the Elantra has been redesigned again to usher in the fifth generation. If you were to look at each generational model side-by-side, you would see that it got better with each generation, and the fifth generation has been the sportiest and best-looking Elantra yet.

Now, the Elantra is about to get a little better, as Hyundai is slated to launch a new trim level called the Elantra Sport (or Avante Sport in South Korea.) The Elantra Sport is said to offer the best performance ever for the Elantra from a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. Furthermore, it offers a sportier look up front, and some extra goodies to differentiate it as the range-topping model in the Elantra lineup.

Hyundai’s blog, which is translated from Korean, claims that the Avante Sport is already available in the South Korean market. That means the U.S.-spec Elantra Sport should hit U.S. dealerships by the end of this year and, as the range-topping model, will start out higher than the $22,350 starting price of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited. So, now that we know all of that, let’s take a closer look at the new Elantra Sport and see what makes it worthy of being the range-topping Elantra model.

Continue reading to learn more about the Hyundai Elantra Sport.

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McLaren 570GT

Like the Super Series, which has included the 650S, 650S Spider, 675LT and a few other peripheral variants, McLaren’s entry-level Sports Series is set to expand well beyond the 2016 McLaren 570S and Euro-only 2016 McLaren 540C Coupes. Folding-hardtop Spider versions of both models are pretty much a given, but a more intriguing GT variant with enhanced luggage space was rumored ever since the Sports Series was announced. With the 2016 Geneva Motor Show just around the corner, McLaren decided to put an end to all speculation and unveiled the 570GT.

McLaren pitches its Sports Series vehicles as ultra-fast, daily driver sports cars in vein of the Porsche 911 Turbo — something you’d keep in your garage next to a BMW or Mercedes-Benz and drive to work on Fridays or on weekend back-road blasts. The 570S GT retains those values, but it is better suited for long, continent-crushing drives, thanks to a revised cabin, elongated panoramic roof, and more luggage space behind the seats. The biggest surprise about this car is that it retains the two-seat configuration of the 570S. Initial rumors claimed that the GT will feature a 2+2 seating configuration, but it turns out that McLaren isn’t planning on selling a four-seat sports car yet.

Like the 570S and 540C Coupes, the GT is developed around McLaren’s MonoCell II carbon-fiber tub and uses the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo engine. McLaren confirmed that the 570GT will be sold in the U.S. as well, with deliveries to commence in late 2016. Keep reading for more info.

Updated 04/29/2016: The new McLaren 570GT made its U.K. debut at the 2016 London Motor Show, with which occasion the auto maker also revealed prices for the British market. First deliveries are scheduled for July 2016.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 McLaren 570GT.

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2017 Fiat 124 Spider priced from $25,990

Fiat's revived 124 Spider will hit the market later this year with a sticker price just shy of $26,000, but the Italian automaker plans to offer a wide range of models. That's actually $24,995 plus a mandatory $995 destination charge for the base 124 Spider Classica, which will come with 16-inch alloy wheels and cloth seats. Six color options will...

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2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport priced from $66,445

What's the best Corvette to buy? Well, it looks like it will soon be the Grand Sport. Chevrolet has announced that the 2017 Gran Sport will be priced from $66,445 for the coupe and $70,445 for the convertible when they go on sale this summer. Both prices include the destination charge. The Grand Sport can be thought of as a Z06 without the...

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Meet the man who owns 5,500 Mustangs

We'll spoil this one for you before you even watch this short video: Adelbert Engler doesn't actually have 5,500 full-size Mustangs. He has a bunch of those in his "Garage Mahal," yes, but the subject of this brief film released a while back by Ford's European operations is more about his scale model Mustangs, of which he has nearly 5,500...

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Tragic F-Type, one hot Corvette, spicy meatballs and more: This Week On The Forums

Due to a vacation in beautiful Seattle, last week, this post was written on Tuesday. So we didn't address the untimely death of Prince, who passed at his estate that Thursday. While his public posturing threatened to overshadow his talent, he was irrefutably one of the most gifted musicians, composers, and performers of his generation. This...

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Mitsubishi: U.S. cars not affected by fuel economy scandal

There's good news and bad news for Mitsubishi fans. Since it's Friday, we'll start with the good stuff. Mitsubishi Motors North America has just issued a statement confirming that late-model Mitsubishi vehicles sold in the U.S. do, in fact, comply with testing procedures established by the Environmental Protection Agency. In other words, it...

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2017 Jaguar F-Pace, Porsche 960, Acura Turns 30: The Week In Reverse

We drove the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace crossover SUV; rumors of a new mid-engine Porsche 960 supercar resurfaced; and Acura celebrated its birthday with a new ad. It's the Week in Reverse, right here on Motor Authority. Jaguar's about to launch its first-ever SUV. Hailed as the brand's most practical sports car yet, the F-Pace crossover SUV will square...

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BMW i8 finally sounds mean thanks to Heinz Performance exhaust

Despite what you might think, the BMW i8 is not a vehicle that actually depends solely on electricity for its power. Besides the electric motor there is also a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine, and together they produce 362 horsepower. The car is a plug-in hybrid and it puts its gas-drinking engine to good use. Unfortunately, the...

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McLaren F1 with just 2,800 miles up for sale

McLaren F1s are fetching quite a bit of money these days. The last one we saw for sale went for $13.75 million and even an example that was previously wrecked still managed to sell for $12 million. Of course, the latter did have a single previous owner who just so happened to be Mr. Bean. Now another F1 is up for sale and it may just top the...

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LeEco future plans, Red Bull Aeroscreen, 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport: Today’s Car News

Chinese tech giant LeEco has revealed some details about its future electric car plans. The company, which just this week opened its headquarters for the United States, plans to give away cars for free and make money by offering various services. Formula One team Red Bull Racing has started testing a new cockpit protection system. Called the...

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Rumor: FCA puts the moves on Google

Industries are built on strategic partnerships. The right collaboration can do wonders for a bottom line. The wrong collaboration? Well, remember AOL Time Warner? Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has been searching for the perfect partner for more than a year. He's been shot down by General Motors and by Ford, but now comes word...

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Mitsubishi clears U.S. models from fuel economy scandal

Mitsubishi says the cars, trucks and SUVs it has sold in the United States are not affected by the fuel economy scandal that has rocked its home office in Japan. In a release issued to members of the media, Mitsubishi Motors North America indicated that its American research and development wing conducted a "thorough review" of its 2013 through...

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2017 BMW 7-Series, Apple car rumors, LeEco lands in U.S.: What’s New @ The Car Connection

From The Car Connection: 2017 BMW 7-Series review You can count on the BMW 7-Series to make a technological leap with each of its generations. And with the latest sixth-generation models that made their debut last year, the 7-Series is certainly no exception, as it benefits from some engineering lessons learned, inside and underneath, with the...

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2016 Formula One Russian Grand Prix preview

Round four of the 2016 Formula One World Championship is the Russian Grand Prix which takes place this weekend and held once again at the Sochi Autodrom, located about a thousand miles south of Moscow. The first Russian race was held only two years ago and so far the event's proven a hit with the fans. The Sochi Autodrom, a Herman Tilke-designed...

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201-horsepower Hyundai Elantra Sport revealed

Hyundai’s new Elantra has received a new performance range-topper in the automaker’s home market. The good news is that the car is headed to the United States with a debut expected to take place at the annual SEMA show the first week of November. It will be badged an Elantra Sport and come with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder...

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Watch a wheel hit Red Bull's Aeroscreen cockpit at 140 mph

Red Bull Racing has started testing its proposed race car cockpit protection system known as the Aeroscreen. The Formula One team’s star driver Daniel Ricciardo hopped behind the wheel of a car fitted with the Aeroscreen and successfully completed some laps of the Sochi Autodrom prior to this weekend’s 2016 Formula One Russian Grand...

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LeSee concept heralds new electric car from China's LeEco

While the world debates whether American tech giants Apple and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) are actually developing cars, Chinese rivals have been upfront with their intentions and have already started parading concepts previewing their future plans. One of these is LeEco (formerly Letv), which at this week’s 2016 Beijing Auto...

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Ford confirms 200-mile electric car in the works

Ford Motor Company’s [NYSE:F] Focus Electric will offer a 100-mile range when the 2017 model rolls in later this year, up from 76 miles at present. However, with the similarly priced Chevrolet Bolt EV and Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] Model 3 promising double the range or more, the Focus Electric is thoroughly outmatched by the competition (the...

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VW unveils 1.5-liter engine with variable turbine geometry

Volkswagen used this week’s 2016 Vienna Motor Symposium to present its next-generation 4-cylinder engine. The new engine, dubbed the EA211 TSI evo, is a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit equipped with variable turbine geometry (VTG) like that found on high-performance engines from Porsche. VTG, which first appeared on a gasoline engine in the...

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Mercedes C450 AMG 4MATIC by Vath

For some people, station wagons aren’t the kind of cars that need aftermarket upgrades. While that may be true to some extent, German automakers like Audi and Mercedes have successfully shifted that way of thinking by introducing performance-oriented wagons like the RS3 Sportback and the C450 AMG 4MATIC. The latter, in particular, has been a revelation thanks in large part to its premium looks and the hefty amount of power and torque it has at its disposal.

The C450 AMG 4MATIC has been a pleasant surprise to the extent that Mercedes tuner extraordinaire Vath has taken an interest to the car. You don’t say that too often for wagons other than Audi’s RS3 Sportback, but given what Mercedes was able to do with the C450 AMG, it was really only a matter of time before a tuner like Vath would take a stab at it.

Now that “that time” has arrived, owners of the performance wagon now have the option of taking Vath up on its aftermarket program. The kit itself does very little to the exterior and interior of the C450 AMG, but Vath makes up for it in spades with a significant engine modification that really brings the life out of the wagon. Not that it needs to do that, but there is a significant difference between the standard model and a Vath-tuned version. The latter is faster and more powerful, two things rarely said to describe a wagon. But it’s all there and it’s all because Vath saw the potential in the C450 AMG.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

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Audi R6

Mostly known as a maker of affordable family cars until the early 1990s, Audi made its entrance on the performance market in 1980 with Quattro. The legendary coupe was replaced by the 80-based S2 from 1991 until 1996. Audi didn’t offer another performance coupe until 2007, when the S5 was launched, but 1998 saw the release of the company’s first full-fledged sports car, the TT. The R8 supercar followed in 2006, giving Audi the proper weapon to compete against other high-end sports car manufacturers. With the R8 having been redesigned for 2015, word has it that Audi is now working on a new sports car to slot below the range-topping model and above the smaller TT.

Likely to break cover sometime in 2018, the new sports car will reportedly be called the R6 and will be developed under codename PO455. The news comes from German outlet Autobild, which also claims that the R6 will share underpinnings with the next-generation Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman. Both a coupe and a roadster are on the table, with the latter to sport an R6 Spyder badge. If these rumors prove to be accurate, the R6 will become the second Audi sports car to borrow its platform from other Volkswagen Group products. As you may already know, the R8 rides on the underpinnings Lamborghini developed for the Huracan.

The fact that Audi wants to build a "baby R8" isn’t exactly news. Rumors of a new sports car have been flying around for a quite a few years now, but the fact that the R6 could share underpinnings with the Porsche 718 gives this story more credibility. Unlike other brands from the Volkswagen Group, Porsche uses two unique platforms for the 911 and 718. By sharing the latter, Porsche will reduce development costs while Audi won’t have to spend a fortune to create one from scratch.

Also, the R6 wouldn’t be the first collaboration between Audi and Porsche. In the early 1990s, the two brands designed and built the RS2 Avant, a high-performance version of the Audi 80 wagon. Its 2.2-liter inline-five was heavily modified by Porsche, which also designed the braking and suspension systems.

Although Audi has yet to confirm the R6, we are confident that the German brand will soon launch its third sports car. With that in mind, we created a rendering of the "baby R8" to go with the speculative review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Audi R6.

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