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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Hyundai has introduced the new Elantra GT hatchback and Elantra Coupe at the ongoing 2012 Chicago Auto Show, unleashing at the same time a first lot of official images of the two models on the internet. The pair comes with the same 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine that powers the Elantra sedan - delivering 150 hp and 177 Nm of torque - that can be coupled to either a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission.

The Elantra GT weighs only 1,265 kg, a feature that allows it to be quick and responsive even though the engine is not that performing. It comes with 17″ alloys and a sporty set-up that makes it extremely stable. In the cabin we have heated seats, seven air bags, sound system with Bluetooth connectivity and even a cooled glove compartment. For this model the Korean carmaker claims an average fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km in urban traffic and 6.0 l/100km when traveling on motorways.

The Elantra Coupe will be available in two versions: the ‘GS’ and the more well-equipped SE. The main features of the former are a set of 16″ wheels and a quite minimal interior with mp3 player and 6 speakers. The SE instead will roll on standard 17″ rims and an optional sat-nav system with a 7″ touch screen and a rear view camera. The Coupe will come in seven different colors - three of which are available for this model exclusively -and black or gray interior finishing. No word on prices yet.

View the full Hyundai Elantra GT photo gallery
View the full Hyundai Elantra Coupe photo gallery

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Aston Martin has released more official pictures of the definitive version of their V12 Zagato, which is due to enter the market by the end of this year. This new hand-built coupe, which was initially introduced as a concept car at the Concorso d’Eleganza in Villa D’Este, Italy, in May 2011, has already taken part at the Nurburgring 24 hours and will hit the showrooms with a price tag of 405.000 £ (roughly 485.000 €). The actual launch of the production model will be staged next week at the Kuwait’s Concours d’Elegance, while the actual production of the scheduled 150 units will begin in September.

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato was born to celebrate the 50 years of collaboration between Aston Martin and renowned Italian designer Zagato, and is the brainchild of Aston Martin’s main designer Marek Reichmann, who stresses out the fact that the model is pretty different from the other Astons: it has the ‘double hump’ on the roof (one of Zagato’s trademark features) and a convex front grille that - in the words of Mr.Reichmann himself - ‘makes it look like it is wearing a shirt that’s just too tight to hide its muscles‘.

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is powered by the same 5.9-litre V12 engine equipping the V12 Vantage, which is credited with an output of 517 hp and 570 Nm of peak torque at 5,750 rpm. This unit is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox that uses a transaxle configuration to aid weight distribution. The V12 Zagato boasts a 0-100 km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 306 km/h (190 mph). To find out more about the model, you can check the official press release announcing its debut in Kuwait right after the jump.

View the full Aston Martin V12 Zagato photo gallery

via | Autocar

Continue reading: Aston Martin V12 Zagato: more official pictures released

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Here are some spy shots of the much anticipated BMW i8, the hybrid plug-in sportscar which is scheduled to enter the market in 2014. The pictured mule has been spotted while undergoing some cold weather test in snowy Sweden, and doesn’t seem to show any dramatic change in comparison to the concept version we had seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September.

The mildly disguised bodywork of this mule is still very reminiscent of the lines showcased by the concept, with the most notable differences being the design of both front and tail lights and the slightly different doors. This prototype sports a front end that seems to adopt the new BMW design language that started with the new 3-series, while a set of more conventional rims has replaced the futuristic 5-spoke design we had seen on the concept version. However, by the time 2014 will come, they might decide to change some of these features.

The BMW i8 should come with a 2+2 seat configuration and a plug-in hybrid powertrain with the classic engine mounted in the middle and the electric motor on the front axle. Some performance figures are also circulating: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration in less than 5 seconds and an average fuel consumption in the 3 l/100 km area.

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Nissan will introduce a restyled version of its 370Z at the imminent 2012 Chicago Auto Show (February 10-19) and, as the tradition dictates, the carmaker has just released on the web a large photo gallery starring the new car. The model - firstly introduced at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show - receives some small cosmetic upgrade but no relevant changes to its powertrain, which was excellent in the first place anyway.

The ‘cosmetic upgrades’ of this face-lifted version are the new LED stripes integrated in the front bumper, the addition of new 18″ and 19″ alloys to the previous range and some more color option for the livery, that’s it. Just like the model it is about to replace, the restyled 370Z will be available in both coupe and roadster body types, and will come with its signature 3.7-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine credited with an output of 328 hp. This unit can be coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.

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Last month we showed you a bunch of spy shots picturing a mule of the Rolls Royce Phantom sedan, which is currently undergoing its mid-life restyling. Similarly, the coupe version of the famous RR model will is also about to receive some cosmetic change, and here are a few spy shots showing us the relative mule taking on some cold weather testing.

The most visible modifications should be affecting the front end of the car, especially the layout of its head lamps. In fact, just like the aforementioned Phantom sedan mule, this one too sports some smart cammo on the front lights designed to resemble the aesthetics of the current model, making it clear that that is the area where the major changes will happen. As with the sedan version, we suspect that the coupe will feature some minor changes to the interior and infotainment system too, and it is quite likely that some new units with more power and less CO2 emissions will also be added to its engine range.

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The next Geneva Motor Show will see the official unveiling of the new Morgan Aero Coupe, a new two-seater from the British carmaker entirely made of aluminum and hand built. According to Morgan, the new Aero Coupe is inspired by the famous GT3 Aero, a car that enjoyed a number of racing victories in its days.

The model is powered by a 4.8-litre V8 engine courtesy of BMW, which provides the Aero Coupe with 367 hp in its stock version and 390 hp with the package inclusive of sports mufflers. The car comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment, but Morgan also offers an automatic transmission option (supplied once again by German specialist ZF) that will be able to operate in two modes, Auto and Sport, with the latter that switches gears past the 6,500 rpm, allowing for a full exploitation of the power coming from the German engine.

In terms of sheer performance, the Morgan Aero Coupe boasts some quite impressive figures: top speed is rated at 273 km/h (170 mph) while its 0-100 km/h 862 mph) sprint time is just 4.5 seconds. Outstanding performance aside, Morgan did not fail to provide the new model with the level of comfort and usability that one would expect in a gran turismo car of this leverage. Inside we found leather and suede with top notch finishing, while the ash hardwood that surrounds cockpit and doors can be hand polished in a colour chosen by the customer. Check out Morgan Aero Coupe’s specs right after the jump.

Continue reading: Morgan Aero Coupe to be unveiled in Geneva

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Acura introduces the ad that will promote the new NSX during the XLVI SuperBowl, which will see the New York Giants and the New England Patriots battling each other at the Lucas Oil Stadium of Indianapolis, Indiana. The model is basically the long awaited heir of the iconic Honda NSX sportscar of the 90s, but will be marketed in North America with Honda’s luxury brand Acura. The car was unveiled in mid January in Detroit, at the North American International Auto Show, and is powered by a V6 Vtec engine in combination with two electric motors. Its innovative Super Handling All Wheel Drive system makes sure that the ideal torque in any situation gets constantly transferred to all four corners of the car, implying an obvious benefit to its overall performance.

However, the real star of this commercial is Jerry Seinfeld, the famous American comedian that owes his worldwide popularity to the successful “Seinfeld” sit-com of the 90s. Simply put, Seinfeld finds out he is just number two on the customers’ waiting list for the new Acura, and tries to convince the holder of the number one spot to switch places through a number of different odd offers, with no success. Then, as soon as the number one guy gets persuaded, another special guest gets in the way..

The car is frankly a bit neglected in the commercial, but if you want to take a closer look, check out our photo galleries: the official one dispatched by Honda and an exclusive one taken live at the 2011 NAIAS a few weeks back by our colleagues from Autoblog.it.

View Honda/ Acura NSX Concept at the 2012 NAIAS photo gallery
View Honda NSX Concept official photo gallery

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Aston Martin has released new pictures and technical details about the V12 Zagato, the car that is supposed to revive elegance, exclusivity and sporty attitude of the glorious Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, which was unveiled at the 1960 London Motor Show and is now an extremely expensive collector’s item. As the names suggest, both models have been designed by renowned Italian styling house Zagato.

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is meant to be a modern rendition of that masterpiece: it comes with an aluminum body-shell and bodywork panels made of the same material as well as some carbon fiber, all of which hand-crafted. The car measures 4,385 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,250 mm in height, with a wheel base of 2,600 mm, front track of 1,570 mm and rear track of 1,575 mm. The V12 Zagato weighs in at 1,680 kg and uses independent double wishbone suspension on both axles.

Under the bonnet pulses a feisty 6.0-litre V12 engine delivering 517 hp and 570 Nm of peak torque, capable of pushing the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph). The 6-speed manual gearbox is coupled with a limited slip transmission, while average fuel consumption is rated at 24.3 l/100 km in urban traffic and at 16.4 l/100 km on motorways. Braking comes from a couple of 398 mm carbon-ceramic discs at the front and 360 mm discs, mated to 6- and 4-piston calipers respectively.

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In order to figure out the possible new design of the next Porsche Cayman, it would be enough to take a look at the new Boxster and then get carried away by the imagination. These spy shots of the new Cayman show us a mule that is still pretty disguised, but it is not to difficult to spot the similarities between this prototype and the recently unveiled Porsche Boxter. This kinship gets even more evident looking at the interior of the car, which bears some resemblance with other recent models such as the 911 (991 series) and the 918 Spyder. It is fair to assume that the next Cayman, in the comparison with the latest Boxster, will just have a different rear end.

As for the engine range, the new Cayman should make use of the same 2.7 and 3.4 litre units equipping the Boxster, but they’ll probably be a little more powerful than the 265 and 315 hp boasted by Boxster’s engine line-up. Thereby, the new model should turn out to be more performing than its predecessor, also because of its new aluminum bodyshell that is arguably the most significant enhancement over the current version. Other remarkable features will include electronic power steering and torque vectoring system. the new Cayman is expected to make its debut toward the end of the current year.

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