Spy Shots: Take a glimpse at the Porsche Macan’s interior

In the past few weeks, Porsche has been busy developing both the 918 Spyder and the upcoming Cayenne Junior - aka Macan. Today, our spy photographers have caught the car testing one more time, and luckily, they have also managed to take the first shots of the interior.

The interior images aren’t as clear as all of us would like them to be, but they are still enough to see that the next Macan will be stuffed with all of the latest technology. Some of these elements may even be borrowed from the new Boxster’s interior, including the information on the on-board computer, communication, audio settings, and the navigation system being displayed on a high-resolution TFT color screen. Other elements include a 3-spoke sports steering wheel and all kinds of leather goodness.

As for the engines to be used in the next Macan, Porsche has already confirmed that the SUV will get a 370 HP 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine for the Turbo version, as well as a new four-cylinder engine with an output of about 220 HP. There will also be a diesel version for markets like Europe, and a hybrid version that could combine a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an electric motor.

The new Porsche Macan will go into production in 2013, so we should get tons more information before that time comes. Stay tuned!

Read More

2012 Porsche Panamera White Snow by Anderson Germany

German tuner Anderson Germany hasn’t been in the news lately, but for better or worse, when they do have a program, it makes headlines. Their latest project for the Porsche Panamera is called the White Snow and as its name suggests, it’s really powdery white. Maybe even a little too powdery.

Along with the White Snow finish, Anderson Germany gave the Panamera a comprehensive bodykit that includes a wider bumper spoiler, new air intakes, and two new ribs taking the place of where the bay fog was. We’re not exactly big fans of this, if we’re being honest.

From there, the German tuner also built borders surrounding the headlights, fitted a new set of 22" wheels, and added a lightweight spoiler, a rounded rear bumper with unique designs of their own, and a new dual-pipe exhaust system.

Inside, Anderson Germany dressed up the Porsche Panamera with a unique combination of carbon fiber, beige leather, Alcantara, and suede. Combine all of that with the "White Snow" exterior, and you have a German luxury sports saloon that doesn’t strike us the way Anderson Germany normally does. We just needed more of a fiery tuning program in the middle of the Summer.

Read More

2014 Rolls Royce Corniche Coupe

After debuting the Series II for both the Phantom and Phantom Coupe models, Rolls Royce engineers are now busy testing their latest creation: the 2014 Rolls Royce Corniche Coupe.

Our spy photographers managed to catch the first prototypes as they were taken out for some testing, and even though Rolls Royce engineers tried to camouflage the true shape of this Corniche prototype, it’s not very hard to see that the roof-line slopes much more at the rear than the Rolls Royce Ghost sedan. These prototypes were also sporting fake door handles, in order to pretend that the Coupe will get conventional doors, but don’t be fooled, the Corniche will get the same type of suicide doors as the bigger Phantom Coupe and it won’t be offered with four doors.

The future Corniche Coupe will be built on the same platform as the Ghost sedan and will most likely feature the same 6.6 liter twin-turbo V12 pumping out 563 HP.

Expect to see the new Rolls Royce Corniche Coupe debut sometime in 2013, more than likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

UPDATE 08/01/2012: British magazine Autocar is reporting that the future Coupe will be powered by a turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine ready to deliver a total of 600 HP. This amazing output will make the Corniche the fastest Rolls Royce ever! It will be capable of hitting a top speed of 155 mph, while the 0 to 60 mph sprint is expected to be considerably lower than on the Ghost which makes it in 4.7 seconds!

Read More

2012 Chevrolet Camaro "King Camaro" by 813 Customs

Actually, "excessive" even feels like an understatement, especially when you’ve had the time to process exactly what you’re looking at.

In this case, what you’re looking at is supposed to be a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible SS. It still looks like a Camaro SS, at least for the most part, but what we can’t wrap our heads around is just how far 813 Customs took to giving this muscle car one of the most insane programs we’ve ever seen. For starters, the chrome wrap isn’t all that bad, as is the custom front grille, the red racing stripes, the LED strips on the hood opening, and the red headlights. We can live with those components and actually like them to a certain extent. But after that, things get a little hairy.

The standard-sized wheels have been taken off in favor of a new set of 32" versions. 32 inches, people. From there, the interior of the Camaro was dressed in a combination of red leather, red chrome, and other red what-have-yous to create a visual eyesore. Then, there are the speakers, which all look like planted mushrooms on a small field and probably have enough bass to make your ears bleed even if the volume’s at mute.

The finishing touch for this true one-of-a-kind Camaro? A double-sided LCD flat screen whose purpose in this whole cacophony of absurdity we still can’t seem to understand.

Read More

2013 Subaru BRZ "Zero" Rally Race Car

So, Toyota is ready to present their GT-86 endurance race car? Subaru isn’t sweating that one out because they themselves have a racer up their sleeves.

The Subaru BRZ, the GT 86’s sister from another mister, is getting a race-spec version, except that instead of it hitting the endurance block, it’s being primed for the rally scene.

The car, which is being called the BRZ "Zero Car" or "Opening Car," actually made its debut at the 2012 Japan Rally Championship on July 28th and 29th as a race-livered sports car that has been customized for rally use. It has a number of new features, including a front chin spoiler and a rear wing, as well as a new set of white-finished alloy wheels.

Further details about the car are expected to be revealed by the Japanese automaker in the coming days. What we do know is that, judging by the photo Subaru dropped on us over the weekend, the BRZ "Zero" is looking like it has a future in the rally scene, not just in Japan, but everywhere else as well.

Read More

2014 Porsche 911 Targa may not happen after all

A few months ago, there was a Porsche prototype caught testing that looked to be a Targa model disguised by a convertible top. At that point, we all though that Porsche was bringing back the famous fixed Targa roof option for the new generation 911. However, according to Autoevolution, this may not be the case after all. They are quoting a Porsche insider saying that "the car maker is considering selling the new glass roof model as a special Carrera rather than a Targa."

More than likely, Porsche took the public’s level of interest into account and decided that the Targa would be better off as an option as opposed to a full blown model. That would mean that this version would still get both rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations and the engines from both standard 911 Carrera and Carrera S models.

Previous rumors suggested that the 991 generation Targa would arrive in 2013 as a 2014 model, so we expect the new Targa option to have the same timeline.

Read More

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec

Hyundai’s sporty little coupe - the Veloster - was an ace in the hole in terms of design, but its power left much to be desired, so the South Korean manufacturer took it a step further by offering the new Veloster Turbo. The new Turbo comes with a 201 HP 1.6-liter turbocharged-gasoline direct injection engine, but this may only be a starting point for future power boosts.

According to MotorAuthority, a Hyundai insider revealed that the company is considering an even more powerful Veloster. This future model will feature a stiffer chassis and a revised suspension with mechanically adjustable dampers, components that many thought would have been added to the Veloster Turbo. The insider let it be known that the lack of changes to the chassis and suspension for the Turbo model were a part of a grand scheme to offer up a more powerful Veloster variant. If produced, this hotter Veloster will more than likely end up with an updated version of the current 1.6-liter turbo.

There is not an official name for the future Veloster as of right now, but taking inspiration from its bigger brother - the Hyundai Coupe - it is believed that the new model will be named the Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec.

Read More