autospotters.com

Since 1989, Novitec has been modifying premier Italian sports cars – sometimes tastefully and sometimes too far over the top.  It is our opinion that subtle appearance changes and modest horsepower increase make this 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia spider one of the most tasteful creations to roll-out of the Stetten, Germany based tuner shop.

Read the full Novitec Press Release & see more photos: Read more »

autospotters.com

The G-wagon has always been a love it or hate it box on wheels.  We have always loved it and are sure that a 544 horsepower, 560 pound-feet of torque, 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine stuffed in the box will sway a few to the love it side.

For those still focused on its shipping container looks, perhaps the G65 version with 612 horsepower, 737 pound-feet of torque, being produced by a twin-turbo 6.0 liter V12, will help you see it our way.  Supercar numbers, like those, have a way of improving the looks of almost anything.

See more photos & read the full Press Release: Read more »

autospotters.com

Thanks to the new 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 stuffed under the traditional latch style hood of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, horsepower and torque have jumped from an embarrassing 202-hp / 237 lb-ft, found in the previous model, to a respectable 285-hp / 260 lb-ft.  Gear selections can be made for you, through an optional 5-speed automatic transmission or the standard equipment 6-speed manual.  Our tester came with the stick shift, which we believe is the only proper way for a Wrangler to be equipped.

Read more »

autospotters.com

662 horsepower is impressive, and even more impressive when you take note of the cars it has more power than: 2013 SRT Viper: 640 hp, Corvette ZR1: 638 hp, Ferrari Enzo: 660 hp, Porsche Carrera GT: 605 hp, Porsche 911 997 Turbo S: 540 hp, Lamborghini Gallardo: 562 hp, McLaren MPC-12C: 592 hp, and just about anything else you can think of.

• The 5.8-liter supercharged V8 in the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 is SAE certified at 662 horsepower and 631 lb.-ft. of torque

• The world’s most powerful production V8 is backed up by chassis, aerodynamic and braking performance that makes the GT500 an outstanding all-around sports car

• Even with 112 horsepower more than the 2012 GT500, fuel economy is increased by 1 mpg both city and highway, 5 mpg better than Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Read more »

autospotters.com

In an effort to attract and retain younger buyers, Lexus has wisely opted for more style, more sport and more performance.  The 2013 GS was the vehicle chosen by Lexus to headline the new direction of the brand.  The unique styling of the 2013 GS nose is part of the new Lexus signature design – expect to see a similar look show up on every vehicle in their lineup over the next few years.

The leading and trailing end of the GS 350 AWD has unique, aggressive angles and lines, LED running lights, a rear diffuser and molded-in dual exhaust tips.  It was pointed out by one observer that the design budget must have been completely consumed by the front and rear fascia redesigns because, by comparison, a direct side view of the 2013 GS 350 reveals very conservative lines. Read more »

autospotters.com

Our friends over at AutoWeek have counted 70 cars that are currently for sale in the United States that have 500+ horsepower.  Even 10 years ago it would have been practically impossible to imagine such an impressive list would include the Ford Mustang, a Cadillac, 4 Jaguars and even two Range Rovers.  The following is a partial list of the 500+ hp club.

autospotters.com

Finally!  The Viper is back and it is better than ever.

Read the SRT Press Release and see more pictures: Read more »

autospotters.com

According to the Los Angeles Times, 16 high-end vehicles have been recovered in shipping containers, ready for export, at the Port of Los Angeles.   According to authorities, the shipping manifests show the vehicles were destined for Hong Kong and Vietnam. Read more »

autospotters.com

The 2013 SRT Viper will be revealed at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, but ahead of that debut, Inside Line managed to acquire these images.  These poor quality images appear to be photos of screenshots from a video game – possibly Forza 4. Read more »

autospotters.com

Ford recently announced they plan to drop their twin-turbo 350 horsepower EcoBoost V6 into the Explorer.  While it is no SRT8 Jeep Grand Cherokee fighter, we suspect that with a simple ECU upgrade its output could be in the low to mid 400’s.

Read the full Ford Explorer Sport press release: Read more »