Mercedes celebrates the 60th birthday of its iconic SL roadster with the release of a short clip that chronicles the whole evolution of the model, from 1952’s 300SL all the way up to the recently unveiled R231 version, with its new aluminum bodyshell (a first in Mercedes-Benz’s history).

Just as a quick reminder, the new Mercedes SL comes with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 306 hp and 370 Nm of peak torque (for the SL350 version) and a 4.7-litre V8 unit producing 435 hp and 700 Nm (for the SL500). Both engines use a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission.

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The new Audi TT RS Plus has finally arrived. the German carmaker has just released the first official info and a massive photo gallery of the new model, that will be made available in both coupe and roadster configurations. The car is powered by the well-known 2.5-litre 5-cylider TSFI engine with direct injection equipping the ‘regular’ TT RS, but its delivery has been boosted to 360 hp and 465 Nm of peak torque, marking a +20 hp and a +15 Nm over the output of its ‘plus-less” counterpart. This unit, in combination with its S-Tronic ‘dual clutch’ transmission, allows the car to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in just 4.1 seconds (4.2 seconds for the roadster), with a limited top speed of 280 km/h (173 mph). A 6-speed manual transmission option is also available, but with this gearbox the TT RS Plus loses a little in terms of performance as the 100 km/h mark is reached in 4.3 seconds by the coupe and 4.4 seconds by the roadster.

The model obviously uses an all wheel drive powertrain and boasts an average fuel consumption of 8.5 l/100 km for its coupe variant and 8.6 for the convertible. Thanks to its light bodyshell, 2/3 of which is made of aluminum, the Coupe version with manual gearbox weighs only 1,450 kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 4.0 kg/hp (4.2 for the Roadster). The Audi TT RS Plus rolls on exclusive 19″ burnished alloys with contrasting red outline, fitted with 255/35 tyres and coupled to 4-piston calipers on the front axle. “Magnetic Ride” suspension are also available as an optional extra.

Aesthetically, the Audi TT RS Plus distinguishes itself from the “regular” TT RS by its glossy single-frame grill, the wing mirror shells made of CFRP, the matt aluminum outline of its diffuser, the front lip spoiler and its burnished oval-shaped mufflers. By the way, the ’sound’ of the car can be adjusted by acting on the flaps integrated in the exhaust system. To find out more about the model, please check the official Press Release right after the jump.

View the full Audi TT RS Plus photo gallery

Continue reading: Audi TT RS Plus: official pictures and info released

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When we first saw the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Concept (pictured) at the Worthersee Tour last summer, we thought that - giant rims aside - the model had little or nothing to do with what a concept car is supposed to be. It was pretty clear that that car could have been turned into a production-ready model with just a handful of mild corrections and, according to Auto Express, this is exactly what is about to happen. Apparently, the definitive VW Golf GTI Cabriolet will be premiered at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18) and will be basically identical to the ‘regular’ model it is based upon, with the obvious exception of the chopped off roof. This means that the model will make use of the same 211 hp 2.0-litre TFSI engine 211 CV and DSG dual clutch transmission of the current VW Golf GTI.

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BMW has released more official images of the new Mini Roadster, which was unveiled a few weeks ago at the 2012 NAIAS of Detroit. The model will be marketed in the usual Mini configurations: Cooper (122 hp and 160 Nm of torque), Cooper S (184 hp and 240 Nm), Cooper SD (143 hp and 305 Nm) and John Cooper Works (211 hp and 260 Nm). This JCW is the one sitting at the top of the Roadster range, credited with a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 6,5 seconds and a top speed of 237 km/h (137 mph).

The Mini Roadster comes with a manually operated fabric soft top, stainless steel roll-over bars and an active rear spoiler that automatically pops up when cruising speed crosses the 80 km/h (50 mph) threshold, just like the Coupe. As usual, Mini offers plenty of options for the customization of the car, including seven different types of alloys, three kinds of seats and a variety of colors for the exterior, namely Pepper White, Chili Red, White Silver, Lightning Blue, Midnight Black, British Racing Green, Spice Orange and Eclipse Grey. Besides, longitudinal sporty stripes can also be placed on the bonnet.

The overlong list of optional extras for the Mini Roadster also includes a 6 speed automatic transmission, bi-xenon head lights, leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon hi-fi loudspeaker system with USB audio interface, wind protection insert between the roll-over bars and then some.

View the full Mini Roadster new official pictures photo gallery

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The partnership between Mercedes AMG and Ducati is going full speed ahead. After the Ducati Diavel AMG Special Edition and the SLK 55 AMG in Ducati Streefighter Yellow, this is latest advert gives us a behind the scenes look of another of their commercials featuring once again the C63 AMG Coupe and the Ducati 848 Evo: two blinding white hot machines that compliment one another and the same two sexy models: what more could one ask for in a commercial?

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Mini releases more official pictures starring the recently unveiled Mini Roadster. The model will come with three petrol and one diesel options: the same 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine is available in three different versions for the Cooper (producing 122 hp and 160 Nm of torque), the Cooper S (184 hp and 240 Nm) and the John Cooper Works (211 hp and 260 Nm), while the SD Roadster is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0 diesel unit delivering 143 hp and 305 Nm of maximum torque. In terms of performance, the Cooper goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.2 seconds with 199 km/h (124 mph) of top speed, the Cooper S gets to the 100 km/h mark in 7.0 seconds with 227 km/h (141 mph) of top speed and the JCW burns the 0-100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, with 237 km/h (147 mph) of maximum speed. The Cooper SD instead has a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.1 seconds, redlining at 212 km/h (132 mph).

Average fuel consumption for the Mini Roadster ranges between the 5.7 litres/100 km of the Cooper Roadster and the 7.3 l/100km of the JCW, while CO2 emission are between the 133 g/km of the former and the 169 g/km of the latter. The Cooper SD Roadster boasts a good fuel efficiency too, with average consumption rated at 4.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions at 118 g/km.

View the full Mini Roadster new pics photo gallery

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Chevrolet releases a new official photo gallery picturing the new Camaro ZL1 in both coupe and convertible body types. The car is pushed by a 6.2-litre V8 engine delivering 580 hp and 754 Nm (556 lb-ft) of peak torque and coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox with dual clutch, but an automatic transmission option will also be made available. The model goes from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and reaches 296 km/h (184 mph) of top speed.

The new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is equipped with the Performance Traction Management, a new traction and stability system borrowed from Corvette ZR1 that includes launch control and allows drivers to tailor a range of electronic management systems, from traction to stability to steering. The model made the headlines just a few months ago when it recorded a staggering 7′:41″.27 lap time at the Nurburgring, leaving the likes of the likes of Porsche 911 GT3, Corvette ZR1 and Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV behind.

The coupe version of the Camaro ZL1 will enter the US market this coming Spring with a price-tag of 54.995 $ (approximately 43,000 € / 35,700 £), while its convertible counterpart will become available in the Summer with a price in the 60,000 $ area (47,000 € / 39,000 £).

View the full Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 photo gallery

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A never-seen-before Lexus LFA roadster just made a surprise appearance at a drifting side-event just outside the venue hosting the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon, currently ongoing in the Japanese capital. At the moment there are no info about this model, but there’s a chance it is just an aftermarket conversion of a regular LFA coupe. In any case, it looks stunning and sounds just as great, and the video surely makes for a nice Sunday watch.

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Porsche released an official video and more pictures of the new Boxster, called 981. The new model comes 7 years after the previous 987 version got launched, while its very first incarnation, the 986, appeared for the first time in 1996.

The new Boxster will be available in two variants: the ‘normal’ Porsche Boxster will come with a 265 hp 2.7-litre engine capable of pushing the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds, whereas the Porsche Boxster ‘S’ will be powered by a 315 hp 3.4-litre unit providing it with a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5 seconds flat. Even though sheer perfomance is better, the new engines also boast improved fuel efficiency over the previous range, with a claimed average consumption of 7.7 l/100km for the 2.7 unit and 8 l/100km for the 3.4. Both engines will be available with the classic 6-speed manual gearbox or the more modern and performing 7-speed PDK dual clutch automatic transmission.

The new Porsche Boxster 981 is expected to make its official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18) and then enter the worldwide market in the Summer.

View the full 2013 Porsche Boxster 981 photo gallery

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GM will begin the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of its Chevrolet Corvette with a special edition 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible, equipped with the monstrous 7.0-litre LS7 V8 engine of the Corvette Z06, and here are the first pictures of the model with a special cameo from one of its illustrious ancestors. During the transplant, the unit did not lose any of its 513 hp and 637 Nm of torque as the 6-speed manual gearbox of the Z06 as well as its Magnetic Ride Control suspension have been transferred to the Corvette 427 Convertible too. The combination of low mass and high output will make the 427 Convertible one of the fastest convertibles in the world, with a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of more than 190 mph (306 km/h).

The model uses 19″ wheels on the front and 20″s at the back, all of which fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres. Bonnet and fenders are made of carbon fibre, a material that has been used to build many other components of the vehicle, resulting in an overall weight of 1,525 kg (3,361 lb).

The new Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible can also be customized with the “60th Anniversary Package” - which will be made available for all other Corvette models in 2012 - which include a white-blue paint job (with the signature two blue stripes stitched on the fabric of the roof as well) and blue leather upholstery for the interior. The very first model will be auctioned off for charity at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson classic car auction. to find out more about the new Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible, check out the official press release after the jump.

View Corvette 427 Convertible official images

Continue reading: Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible

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