The first line in the McLaren MP4-12C press release really gets your attention: “the first in a range of high performance sports cars from the home of the world’s most successful racing car company”, meaning more goodies to come, right? The McLaren MP4-12C has been officially released, along with the McLaren Automotive company, and while it’s the first road car from them, there is plenty of pedigree to draw on.

It’s hard to sum up what the 12C is all about with its stunning combination of McLaren technology and design. It has a carbon MonoCell chassis, for lightweight, compact but high performance driving with one of the best torque-weight ratios around. The whole car weighs in at 1,300kg.

The MP4-12C is equipped with a McLaren ‘M838T’ 3.8 litre, V8 twin-turbo engine with 600 hp and a dual clitch gearbox (Seamless Shift Gearbox or SSG). It has dual variable valve timing and about 600 Nm of torque. The press release below gives you more information than you ever wanted to know, plus a little history lesson to boot. While it’s all quite overwhelming, there are a few key points that we can take away from this display of pride in high quality engineering.

Continue reading: Official McLaren MP4-12C pics and details

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If it’s European expansion is anything to go by, the Dacia brand is enjoying a successful period. As further evidence, the Dacia Sandero range gets a new entry for the French market with the E85, which runs off a combined fuel and bio-ethanol system. The Dacia Sandero E85 is being introduced a few months after the first Dacia ethanol option became available in France, the Logan E85.

The Dacia Sandero E85 is equipped with a 1.6-litre MPI engine with 90 hp which has been modified to accommodate the ethanol fuel. Modifications include changes to the cooling system, cam heads and valves, and obviously the petrol pump and tank. The Dacia Sandero E85 price starts at 10,200 euros in France, and further European exportation depends on the use of ethanol fuels in other markets.

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This video explains how the Ferrari hybrid technology works on the 599 Vettura Laboratorio Hy-Kers. The base model Ferrari is the 599 GTB Fiorano, which now houses both a traditional fuel engine and an electric motor system. The 599 GTB Hybrid will form the basis of all future Ferrari hybrid models.

The Hy-Kers system includes a number of elements which are succinctly displayed in this video. As we already know, the electric motor is placed in the rear of the vehicle and produces 100 hp on its own. Regenerative braking recharges the lithium ion batteries, which are placed in the floor to lower the centre of gravity of the car.

This shows that Ferrari is very conscious about focussing on keeping the weight-power ratio as much to Ferrari performance standards as possible. Another interesting feature is the use of dual-clutch transmission, which means that this Ferrari hybrid technology should easily accommdate a V8 engine option (rather than the current V12), without too much difficulty.

Ferrari says that the hybrid system has been achieved leaving handling and cabin space unaffected; which if proves true, will be essential to winning over traditional Ferrari fans dismayed by the movement away from the excitement of fuel to what is perceived as more tame environmental solutions.

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This new gallery of the BMW 5 Series Touring gives us a closer look at what is indeed a sporty and elegant style. While the video after the jump includes the usual marketing spiel, it certainly shows off some of the aspects of the new 5 Series Touring like the redesigned interior with more boot space and different seating set-up. This is probably about as sexy as a station wagon will ever get, but it certainly wins on the luxury comfort factor. See more in the gallery and video below.

BMW 5 Series touring new pics

Continue reading: BMW 5 Series Touring more pics and video

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The Peugeot RCZ is the first model in a new sub-branding project for Peugeot, which sees the creation of a new premium brand much like Citroen’s DS label. Another two models are set to become part of the hors-série brand: the Peugeot 508 sedan and a third, unknown model to appear in 2012.

In honour of the announcement, we bring you this Peugeot RCZ gallery showing the official pics of the 2+2 coupé which will compete directly with the Audi TT. As we’ve already said, the RCZ didn’t always make a lot of sense to us, but the French coupé could be hit on its home market and in others where customers are looking for a less expensive but equally performance-oriented coupé.

The RCZ is 429 cm long, 185 cm wide and 136 cm tall with a wheel base of 261 cm. You will find that you actually get some significant boot space, with the standard capacity being 384 litres and 760 litres if you drop the back seats down. The RCZ will be available with a 1.6-litre THP engine with 156 hp and 240 Nm of torque, and a 2.0-litre HDi with 163 hp and 340 Nm. They will both be on offer with a six-speed manual transmission.

Other engine options will follow those available at launch, including another 1.6 THP but with 200 hp and 275 Nm, and the 1.6 THP option with 156 hp will also be available in the future with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Other features include front MacPherson suspension, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels and a customisation program with carbonfibre roof and coloured wheel arches.

Continue reading: Peugeot RCZ new pics: new hors-série sub-brand

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The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid get their own video in this “Two concepts, one idea: Efficiency” video from Porsche. Both models’ hybrid systems have been developed through the Porsche Intelligent Performance program. At the 2010 Geneva motor show we also saw the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept which also combines traditional fuel technology with an electric motor. See more of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid models in the video.

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Here’s a look at the new Audi A1 competition kit which has been created in honour of some of the more legendary episodes in Audi racing, for example Walter Rohrl’s Pikes Peak campaign with the Audi Quattro Sport S1. If the A1 competition kit hasn’t already, it should really consider a career in rally car driving, if a hot sports version that goes beyond the level of aesthetic is produced.

The A1 competition kit uses the livery of Audi’s racing days in a complete accessory package which also includes ornamental touches to the air intakes, internal colour trim on the central console, door handles and external rear vision mirrors. Specially branded floor mats and sports steering wheel, gear lever and hand brake in red leather complete the look. To examine this A1 sports model more closely, check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading: Audi A1 competition kit pics and video

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These pics of the new Mercedes E-Class cabriolet version have escaped to the net ten days before the official E-Class debut. As we’ve already seen the new E-Class cabrio will be equipped with the new AirCap and AirScarf system in time for the summer months, although a little trial in early spring on the part of customers may have been nice (just think of that first spring sun, driving around with the top down and your air scarf on).

The AirScarf is ’simply’ a system of warm air flow through the car for the occupants, while the AirCar has both a comfort and driving function. It has specific aerodynamic impact, and being raised, the wind can be deflected a full 20 cm higher for the comfort of all passengers, including those in the back seat.

Plenty of comfort features are included in this luxury cabriolet, in addition to the nifty AirCap micro climate tool. The soft top closes within 20 seconds up to speeds of 40 km/hr and has a thickness of 23.5 mm for both sound and temperature proof protection. This makes the E-Class Cabriolet a good mid-season open top, too. The engine range takes on most of the options available with the E-Class coupe with the E 200 CGI 1.8-litre turbo (184 hp) and the E 250 CGI 5.5-litre V8 (388 hp). The diesel line-up includes three options: 2.1-litre E 220 CDI with 170 hp, the 2.1-litre E 250 CDI with 204 hp, and the 3.0-litre V6 E 350 CDI with 231 hp.

Mercedes E-Class cabriolet new pics

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This Lamborghini Gallardo tuning is called the GT600 and is by Swiss tuners BF Performance. The GT600 is based on the Gallardo LP560-4 in both coupe and spider versions. There is a complete aerodynamic kit made of carbonfibre, which is also used on interior panelling. Other features include vertically opening doors, sports seats with a four seatbelt set-up and the option of fitting a safety roll bar.

The tuning work on this GT600 has shaved 43 kg off the weight of the original Gallardo LP560-4 and the engine has had a few tweaks to improve performance. One option available is to transform this Gallardo from all-wheel to rear-wheel drive, similar to the LP550-2 Balboni model.

BF Performance Lamborghini Gallardo GT600

Continue reading: Lamborghini Gallardo GT600 BF Performance tuning

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In this first video of the Polo GTI we see it take on a snowy landscape and show off its sports driving capabilities. It looks to be every bit as GTI as the Golf, with a 1.4-litre TSI engine with 180 hp and 250 Nm of torque. It has a seven-speed DSG gearbox, top speed of 228 km/hr and can do 0-100 km/hr in just 6.9 seconds. The Polo GTI in the video has the classic white tint and the same roof opening feature as the Volkswagen Scirocco.

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