Built by Washington-based SpeedFactory Racing, this highly tuned Honda Civic boasts a 2.0-L inline 4-cylinder fitted with an enormous 86mm Precision Turbo turbocharger, a custom body kit, gutted interior with a roll cage, big drag radials up front, and of course a parachute just in case things get a bit too crazy. This 2,000 hp racing Civic managed to complete the quarter-mile in 7.47 seconds at 215.48 mph, which is currently the world’s fastest for a front-wheel drive car. Read more for the video and additional information.
Just like the coupe, the 2019 McLaren 720s Spider boasts the Monocage II-S carbon tub for the torsional rigidity, but adds a power-operated retractable hardtop that adds just 108-pounds. It’s still powered by the very impressive twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 generating 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 7-speed sequential shift transmission which enables the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in a blistering 2.8 seconds and 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) in just 7.9 seconds. If there’s enough road, it can hit a maximum speed of 212 mph with the roof up and 202 mph, when lowered. Read more for another video, additional pictures and information.
The Rinspeed microSNAP concept has leaked ahead of CES 2019 next month, and it’s essentially an autonomous electric vehicle designed purely for transporting goods and people. It rides on a skateboard chassis that holds the vehicle’s powertrain as we ll as autonomous driving system, and when the need arises, you’ll be able to easily swap different pods, whether it be for transportation or hauling materials. Read more for additional pictures and information.
The Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro is a limited edition model developed as an extension of the brand’s GT3 / GT4 racing technology, for the racetrack. To start things off, it sports a modified 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, enabling it to hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, while topping out at 198 mph. Suspension wise, there’s a mechanically adjustable coil-over setup, front carbon fiber torsion bar, uniball spherical bearings, ceramic composite brakes, and a carbon fiber rear stiffening structure. Read more to see its Nurburgring run, and for additional pictures as well as information.
The all-new Nissan LEAF NISMO RC is what an electric race car should look like, and it comes with more than double the maximum power / torque output of its predecessor. Featuring dual electric motors, all-wheel drive and an aggressive, restyled body shape, this purpose-built car demonstrates how the automaker’s electric vehicle technology can deliver aggressive, yet quiet, zero-emission power. It’s equipped with advanced battery technology and drivetrain components from the Nissan LEAF, with two electric motors at opposite ends of the chassis producing 240 kilowatts combined (120 kW each) and an astounding 640 Nm of instant torque to the wheels. Read more for an additional video, pictures and information.
There’s a new heavy-duty pick-up truck ready to take the US market by storm – the Jeep Gladiator. Based on the Wrangler, the Gladiator uses a similar four-door design, but is 787mm longer than its stablemate. In addition to its off-roading capabilities, thanks to an 11.1″ ground clearance, heavy-duty Dana axles, and a FOX suspension, it can traverse waters up to 30″ deep. However, it’s not just a fun recreation vehicle, as it can also haul up to 1,600 pounds, tow up to 7,650 pounds, and is loaded with modern technology inside the cabin. At launch, the base model will come equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine producing 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. Read more for another video, additional pictures and information.
Photo credit: Car Scoops
Sure, Christmas is still a few weeks away, but automakers are already getting in the spirit, with Dodge making the first splash at this year’s LA Auto Show. They have revealed a 797-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Santa Claus sleigh. Power comes from a 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V-8 from the Hellcat Redeye, and it features dual exhaust tips, along with seven-passenger seating. This isn’t a fiberglass shell, but rather a Dodge Challenger widebody that has been modified and turned into a sleigh, complete with a start button for the engine. Read more for another video and additional information.
Electric-car startup Rivian is making a big splash at the 2018 LA Auto Show, starting with the R1T and now, the R1S all-electric SUV. Buyers will be able to choose from three battery-pack sizes: 180 kilowatt hours, 135 kWh, and 105 kWh. The largest of which offers 400 miles of range, while the 135 kWh and 105 kWh packs are powerful enough for 310 miles and 240 miles, respectively. The 180 kWh model boasts 700 horsepower and 826 pound-feet of torque, thanks to four electric motors located in each wheel, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds (3.2 seconds and 4.9 seconds for the 180 kWh and 105 kWh models), with all models electronically limited to a top speed of 125 mph. Read more for another video, additional pictures and information.
The BMW Vision iNEXT, first revealed earlier this year, provides an insight into the future of personal mobility, and it just made its world premiere at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. This all-electric SUV encompasses the automaker’s strategic innovation fields – Autonomous driving, Connectivity, Electrification and Services (ACES) – into a single vehicle, while its design lends them visual expression (D+ACES) and offers a glimpse into the future face of driving pleasure. Power comes from front- and rear-mounted motors, paired with a battery tray under the floor, that enable it to accelerate from 0-62mph sprint in approximately four seconds, while offering a driving range of 380 miles on a single charge. Read more for a making of video, additional pictures and information.
Audi‘s new e-tron GT Concept has been officially unveiled at the LA Auto Show, and is a collaboration project between Audi Sport and Porsche. It’s based on the Porsche Taycan platform, has a 248-mile range on a single charge, and can be charged to 80% of its capacity in 20 minutes via its 800-volt system. The combined power output figure of 590hp enables the GT Vision to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in around 3.5 seconds, while topping out at an electronically limited 149 mph for EV range purposes. Read more for another video, additional pictures and information.