Maserati GranCabrio Politie Edition 2016

Want to soak up the sunshine while catching baddies on the run? Well, that’s a privilege that the Dutch Police might soon enjoy.

What we have got here is a 4.2L Ferrari V8 powered Maserati GranCabrio wrapped in a local Dutch Police livery that is bound to be one of the few show-stoppers at the annual 112 open day. This is an event organized by the local Police Force, Fire Department, and the Municipal Health near The Hague, Netherlands.

The idea was brought to the table by Maserati dealers, Louwman Exclusive in collaboration with the local Netherlands Police Force. It’s basically a white 2012 Maserati GranCabrio with the Police livery and black rims that give the whole car a bad-cop stance. But what’s a police car without the eye-piercing emergency lights on the roof? Maybe they thought the livery and the V8 noise alone could intimidate the law breakers on the streets.

Unfortunately, this is just a one-off for now. Don’t think that the Dutch Police have exchanged their trusty fleet of VW Golfs for high-maintenance and fuel- chugging Maseratis!

Modifying sports cars for police isn’t something new in the automobile industry. In Dubai, a small fleet ofNissan GT-Rs wrapped in local Police livery are currently on active duty and dispatched in the event of an high-speed pursuit. Then, there’s the famous 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560-4 Polizia, that is enough to intimidate even Al Capone, when sighted in the rear view mirror.

Production NSX to Debut In Detroit

We saw the Acura NSX Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and we were all pretty much amazed by it. Unfortunately, at that time, Honda had no concrete idea of when the NSX would see production, and left us hanging by telling us that it would be in showrooms within three years. Since then, we have speculated about just as far as we can.

Well, according to Auto Express, that speculation may be over sooner than we expected, as it is reporting that a Honda rep said that the production NSX would debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Oddly enough, this is the same exact show that the 2014 Corvette will debut at. Looks as if we are in for a new-sports-car showdown to launch 2013.

The exact details of the NSX are really unknown, but according to Auto Express’s report, the production NSX will be “identical” to the concept model we saw this past January. Additionally, the Acura NSX will wear a “Honda” badge in the UK, as is standard for many UK-sold Acuras. In the U.S., however, we expect it to retain the Acura name.

We’ll keep an eye out for more information on the upcoming NSX and we’ll watch out for any confirmation from Honda regarding this rumored unveiling.

Audi F12 E Performance Prototype 2016

Audi has been developing the R8 E-tron in order to revolutionize the electric sports car market and now they are moving on the next phase of development by teaming up with Bosch and several institutes at the RWTH Aachen University. Together, they have developed a technology platform that is a major advance for electric mobility.

The first prototype developed on this platform is the F12 e performance - a car that looks exactly like anR8 on the outside, but is purely powered by electricity. The research car is powered by three electric motors that can be controlled separately: one located at the front axle for slow driving and two at the rear axle for higher speeds. The three electric motors develop a total of 204 HP and 405 lb-ft. of torque.

The electric motors take their power from a switchable high-voltage electrical system made from two batteries, one with 144 volts and the other with 216 volts. The voltage is provided by a DC/DC converter: 200 volts for part load and 440 volts for increased power demand.

The prototype offers four basic drive functions – Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive - all of which can be controlled via a tablet computer that can be removed from the center console.

Audi is focused on revolutionizing the electric segment and we wouldn’t doubt if their hard work eventually pays off with a solid R8 featuring the best of electric mobility technology. As of right now, the F12 is just a research vehicle, but Audi’s electric future is a definite highlight in the industry.

Porsche 911 GT3 GTurbo by 9ff 2016

Who would have ever thought of extracting 1200hp from a 3.8L F6 powered Porsche 911 GT3? Well, now we know that thought has crossed the minds of known German tuners 9ff. Recently, 9ff announced the GTurbo (Goosebumps), a Porsche 911/997 GT3 with 1200hp and 1,150Nm (848 lb-ft) of torque, easily making it one of most powerful Porsches ever built.

Want to know what the stratospheric upgrade can do? It can warp you from 0-60mph in only 3.2sec and flat-out, it can do 250mph. That’s mind-boggling for a Porsche 911 or, as Jeremy Clarkson would call it, a Beetle!

All this unnecessary power comes from a 3.8L flat six that has been up-sized to 3.9L. To increase the oomph, 9ff installed a Garrett GT1200R turbocharger with ball bearings and water-cooling. The operation of the turbocharger can be controlled from the steering wheel, where the driver has the option to select from 0.8 bar, 1.2 bar and 1.6 bar, hence adjusting the power output from 600 horsepower to a maximum 1200 horsepower. Good to know that the monster is, in a way, leashed.

The power is sent to rear wheels via a standard 997 GT3 6-speed manual tranny with reinforced gears, so that it doesn’t snap while transferring the extra power. Handling is improved with the installation of a limited slip differential and an adjustable 9ff / Bilstein suspension system with aluminum shocks, 60mm race springs, rigid aluminum top mounts front, reinforced wishbone suspension, lighter hydraulic power steering, and an adjustable stabilizer for the front and rear axles.

With the race-level spec sheet, you might all classify it as race-legal only. Surprisingly, the GTurbo is a street-legal car with an asking price of $455,000.

So would you dream of owning a GTurbo 1200 or think it’s too crazy and impractical to drive one? Let us know in the comments section below.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS by Wimmer Rennsporttechnik 2016

With only 500 units built and a total of 620 HP under the hood, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS is a car that many auto enthusiasts dream about. This is evident in the fact that, although it is priced at €237,578 (about $310,000 at the current exchange rates), the GT2 RS sold out almost instantly. Lucky for us, Wimmer Racing Technology grabbed on to one of the units and then updated it "a little bit."

Since the 911 GT2 RS is such an impressive car, Wimmer opted to leave the exterior as is and focused on the engine instead. Two optimized Wimmer turbochargers were added, as was an optimization of the air induction, sports camshafts and crankshaft, timing chains, machined cylinder heads, pistons and connecting rods, a fuel pump unit, two manifolds with bypass, and two 200 cell sport catalysts. As a result, the six-cylinder boxer engine now delivers an amazing 1,020 HP and 817 lb-ft of torque. With the extra 400 HP, the GT2 RS will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, to 124 mph in 8.7 seconds, and hit a top speed of 180 mph (however, the top speed indicator shows an amazing 241 mph).

In order to handle the extra power, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS has been equipped with a new set of custom-designed 19" wheels in combination with a 3-way adjustable Competition-suspension from KW.

Subaru BRZ STI 2016

Ever since Subaru dropped the new BRZ onto the market, we knew that an even hotter STI version was sure to follow. Now, British magazine AutoExpress is offering a few details on this new model, set to arrive sometime next year.

The future BRZ STI will feature a more powerful version of the current 2.0-liter flat-four cylinder ’boxer’ engine. The output will be raised up to somewhere in the 250 HP area (an addition of about 50 HP) thanks to the modifications made to the engine’s variable valve control system. That will also allow for an even higher rev limit of around 7,500rpm with the help of a new freer-flowing exhaust.

Next to the extra power, the new STI will also be even lighter than the standard BRZ. It will also be distinguished by a dramatic bodykit, a stiffened and lowered suspension, lighter but larger 18-inch alloy wheels, and upgraded brakes.

One downside to the BRZ STI is that there will be no turbocharged version offered. Subaru says there is no space for it in the engine bay and they are reserving these version for models like the WRX STI.

When the BRZ STI does debut, Subaru would have taken the next step in their playful game of one-ups-man-ship. What say you, Toyota?

UPDATE 10/23/2012: Just a few days ago, Subaru unveiled a Subaru BRZ equipped with STI upgrades at the 2012 Australian Motor Show in Sydney. We knew this wasn’t this wasn’t the real Subaru BRZ STI deal, but it confirmed the fact that great things were going to be coming from Subaru in the near future.

Now we hear that Subaru is preparing a turbocharged direct-injection version of the horizontally opposed, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine used in the standard BRZ. This engine will feature a single twin-scroll turbocharger and straight direct-injection developed in-house and not the DI/port-injection system developed in cooperation with Toyota.

This engine could deliver up to 280 HP and 250 lbs-ft of torque, transforming the upcoming BRZ STI into a real competitor in the sports car market. (AutoNews)

Porsche Boxster S "SP81-R" by SpeedART 2016

With so many Porsche programs being released recently, German tuner SpeedArt isn’t keeping quiet because, lo and behold, they have their own newly revealed package for the mighty little rocket of the Porsche line-up, the Boxster S.

The program is actually a new take on the tuner’s SP81-R program and it comes with a comprehensive aerodynamic package. There’s a new lower front spoiler that makes the Boxster’s front profile look like it’s ready to eat you alive. A diffuser section for the rear bumper has also been added, as was an elevated wing that attaches itself to the stock wing fitted on the Boxster. There are also new clear-coated carbon fiber side sections for the doors and air intakes and finally, a new set of 20" or 21" Multi-piece Light Spoker Competition forged alloy wheels to round out the exterior modifications. Inside, SpeedArt kept the upgrades in check, opting only to finish the carbon with healthy doses of fine leather and Alcantara.

Then there’s the power upgrade, which, if you think about it, isn’t much. The addition of a performance exhaust system with manifolds, sports catalysts and silencer with twin 100 mm tailpipes, and an optional damper system nets the Boxster S an increased output of just 20 horsepower and 14 lb/ft of torque. All told, the SpeedArt SP81-R program provides the Porsche roadster with 335 horsepower and 280 lb/ft of torque, an increase from the 315 horsepower and 266 lb/ft of torque output of the stock Boxster S model.

Hyundai Veloster "KX 1 Concept" by Katzkin 2016

Katzkin - the global leader in vehicle interior transformation - will be celebrating its 30th anniversary by unveiling a series of 100 vehicles with updated interiors. One of them will be based on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo which will include both exterior and interior updates.

The new Veloster "KX 1 Concept" will feature two Katzkin leather front seats, and an updated dashboard and center console. The interior also looks highly modified with a very cool paint scheme that coincides with the grey exterior paint finish and orange racing stripes.

Katzkin will also be unveiling the company’s latest VIS 2.0 (Vehicle Interior Selector) configurator that allows customers to design the interior of their vehicles in whichever way they desire. This new program will allow customers to better select premium, custom, and limited edition interior designs. The VIS 2.0 system will be integrated into the dashboard for guests to experience the new and easier navigational “How to Buy” features.

Hyundai Veloster Street Concept 2016

Last we checked, the SEMA Auto Show was in Las Vegas, right?

Apparently, a few cars slipped through the cracks and found themselves in other auto shows. Take thisHyundai Veloster Turbo for example.

Called the Veloster Street Concept, the car made its debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Not exactly the first place you’d think of to see a debut like this. Having said that, the SEMA-like custom tuned car comes by way of Hyundai and local tuning company Concord Customs and to their credit, they modified the hilt out of this sports hatchback.

The first order of business was to dress up the body, and Hyundai and Concord Customs gave it a matte grey body finish to go with orange accents on the front spoiler, the side skirts, and rear diffuser. To give the car a little bit of added shine, the car also received a new set of 18" Tenso R V1 wheels wrapped in 215/40/18 tires. Other touches on the exterior include illuminated splitters on the front, side, and rear. There’s also a matte black roof spoiler and turbo-back twin exhausts to finish off the exterior mods.

Inside, the concept received the same color-matched details to go with new leather finishes all throughout the cabin. LED lighting is also prominently visible, as is a ridiculous high-end audio system with some serious digs in the form of fully integrated custom subwoofers and amplifiers providing an insane 8,650 watts of sound.

Beyond the cosmetics, the Veloster was also given a custom aluminum front-mounted intercooler, a Monza dual-port blow off valve, a sports air filter, and a new exhaust. There’s sure to be an improved output in there although Hyundai kept that number under wraps - for now.

Talking about the concept, Hyundai Australia Marketing Director Oliver Mann said: "Street Concept is an excellent example of the versatility of the brand and the potential for Hyundai to reach a broader audience."

McLaren MP4-12C One-Off Volcano Orange 2016

McLaren announced the launch of their Special Operations bespoke division in 2011, which provides their customers with any and all possibilities of customizing the MP4-12C of their dreams. Now the company is using their Middle East division to unveil a one-off MP4-12C Volcano Orange Edition that previews some of the updates offered for the 2016 MP4-12C and the recently launched 12C Spider.

This one-off MP4-12C is painted in a hot Volcano Orange with contrasting carbon fiber highlights. Carbon fiber was used for the restyled bumpers, the tailor-made bonnet, the air vents, and the rear deck, while the GT3-style rear bumper is painted in gloss black.

For the interior, McLaren has opted for Alcantara with contrasting Volcano Orange stitching, and nickel plated interior switches and steering wheel spokes. Carbon fiber was used for the gear shift paddles, center console, and air conditioning control console, as well as on the center logo of the steering wheel.

McLaren Special Operations Head of Sales, Marcus Korbach commented: "The response to our personalization services from Middle East customers has been incredibly exciting. Customers who fit bespoke content to their cars in the Middle East region are spending on average three times more than customers in other regions around the world in which McLaren Automotive operates, this gives us the opportunity to really demonstrate the capabilities of McLaren Special Operations."

Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept 1967

GM and Hot Wheels go together a little bit like succotash and steak, so it is no surprise to see them joining up in several ways as we enter into SEMA. First, we caught a glimpse of the beautiful package the two put together that you can actually buy, the 2013 Camaro Hot Wheels Edition, and now we get to see a one-off collaboration between the two.

Back when Hot Wheels first came out, one of its first cars was a 1967 “Custom Camaro” and that actually remains one of the most sought after Hot Wheels models to date. In fact, this 1:64 scale model of the Camaro goes for as much as $1,250 in its white enamel paint job. Now Chevy is prepared to pay tribute to the die-cast model by releasing a full-size variant.

GM, of course, could not make the life-sized model look identical to the die-cast Hot Wheels car, as the proportions were not accurate and the overall styling would be really silly. So we’ll chock this up as a close rendition that pays tribute to the legendary kid’s toy.

Click past the jump to read all about the 1967 Camaro Hot Wheels Concept.

Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible by Guy Fieri 2016

TV personality Guy Fieri first burst into mainstream consciousness when he won "The Next Food Network Star" reality show back in 2006. Since then, Fieri has become a successful restaurateur, author, television personality, and game show host.

Lost in all that though is the fact that Fieri is also a bonafide car nut with an affinity for Chevroletconvertibles. Well, the spiky-haired Fieri was put to the task by the fine folks at Chevy to design his very own Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition, which will be on hand at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show.

True to his flamboyant personality, Fieri’s influence can be easily seen on the limited edition Corvettesports car. The body color is dominantly black with custom yellow stripes, a reversal play on the company’s trademark yellow-and-black color scheme. In addition, the Fieri-designed 427 Corvette received embroidered seat headrests, as well as fender badges, which both prominently display the man’s personal charity, the Guy Fieri Foundation.

Adding the final touches to the limited run sports car are a new set of 19" black Cup wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 tires.

The 427 Corvette also boasts of power never before seen in a convertible in the Corvette’s history. It carries a 7.0-liter LS7 engine from the Z06 that produces 505 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque, making it the most powerful engine ever put into a production Corvette convertible.

From a man who knows a thing or two about grabbing attention, Guy Fieri’s 427 Corvette Convertible will likely do the same when it debuts at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show.

Scion FR-S "minty FReSh" by Chris Basselgia 2016

The second entry in Scion’s FR-S tuner competition, which competitors have $15K to build the most bad-ass FR-S for a change to win $10K, is Chris Basselgia’s entrant “minty FReSh” – you see what he did there? This custom FR-S creation, much like the “Carbon Stealth” before it, takes a much calmer approach to tuning.

Much like his competitor, John Toca, Basselgia left off all of the gaudy bodywork and focused mainly on a clean design. That’s not to say that his “minty FReSh” concept is free of any additions to the body, he was simply more careful and calculated with where he placed them. This ultimately brings the focus to the performance interior styling and sound system in the “minty Fresh” FR-S.

So, is Chris’ “minty Fresh” Scion FR-S up to the challenge of beating out its other two competitors and taking home the top prize of $10K?

Click past the jump to read our full review and find out.

Ford Mustang Mach40 by Eckert Rod Shop 2016

Ford has a stacked line-up for the upcoming 2012 SEMA Show, but they are not the only ones introducing packages for their vehicles. The Ford Mustang is also getting a ton of attention from tuners everywhere, from the Mustang "Boy Racer" by 3dCarbon to the Ford Mustang by M2-Motoring, and now from the guys at the Eckert Rod Shop. These fine folks will be presenting an amazing Mach40 pack that combines a 1969 Mach 1 with a 2006 GT40 for an amazing 850 HP muscle car.

Based on the Mach1 platform, the Mach40 was designed as a one-off supercar that will make any car enthusiast turn their head and take notice. It’s the perfect blend of both vehicles’ designs, but has the GT40’s superior 5.4 liter dual overhead cam GT super car motor upgraded with a Wipple 4 liter supercharger along with drive by wire throttle. In addition, the motor was converted to a flex-fuel system. The result is an impressive increase from 600 to 850 HP.

That’s all we have on the Ford Mustang Mach40 by Eckert Rod Shop so far, but more details about the Mach40 will be unveiled during the 2012 SEMA Show, so stay tuned!

Scion FR-S Evasive Motorsports 2016

US tuner Evasive Motorsports has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic auto tuners in the country and they’ve accomplished that by doing things their way. Whereas other tuners prefer the tried-and-tested method of slapping as much horsepower in a car as it can take, Evasive has adhered to the Japanese way of aftermarket customization, one where overall balance is the most important thing.

We bring this up because Evasive Motorsports is coming to the 2012 SEMA Auto Show with a custom-tuned version of the Scion FR-S and it looks deliriously stunning.

So stunning, in fact, that it hurts to think that we probably wouldn’t see this car outside SEMA. We could be wrong, and we certainly hope we are, but for now, we’re going to enjoy this finely-tuned FR-S at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show. If there’s one thing this race-spec sports car has shown us, it’s that Scion and Evasive Motorsports make for a pretty darn good team.

Find out more about the Scion FR-S by Evasive Motorsports after the jump.

Lotus Evora S 2016

Lotus may be struggling, but it certainly hasn’t given up on producing high-level sports cars in an attempt to regain the edge it once held in that realm. With much of the dead weight cut from the company, Lotus is ready to move forward and we certainly hope to see big things from it, whether it be under the control of DRB-Hicom and Proton or some other company altogether.

The last new models to successfully reach production phase under the Bahar reign were the Evora and Evora S, which debuted for the 2010 model year. Last year, the models were expanded to include an all-new automatic transmission that could be shifted from auto to manual almost instantaneously. For the 2013 model year, Lotus is expanding the lineup again by including this transmission as an option on the Evora S.

Now that it is four years into its production life, is the Evora S still up to the task of taking on some of the best sports cars the world has to offer?

Click past the jump to read all about the 2013 Evora S and find out if it is on the decline or positioned to spearhead a revival of the Lotus brand.

Mercedes SL63 AMG "Seven-11" by Wheelsandmore 2016

If the name "Seven-11" sounds familiar, it’s only because the guys over at Wheelsandmore had another tuning kit bearing the same name, but it was based on a Mercedes CLS63 AMG. The second package announced is even more impressive and it is based on the SL63 AMG.

Wheelsandmore’s new SL63 AMG Seven-11 is painted in "Armageddon-Matte-Gray" then combined with traditional Wheelsandmore race-stripes. There is also a new set of 20" 6Sporz forged wheels offered as standard, or an optional set of 20/21 inch staggered combination.

The most impressive modification done for the SL63 AMG can be found under the hood. The standard SL63 AMG delivers a total of 537 HP, but the guys at Wheelsandmore added new sport catalysts, a flap-controlled exhaust system, an optimized air induction, and remapped software to the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine. As a result, the V8 engine now delivers an impressive 700 HP and 811 lbs-ft of torque.

The Mercedes was also equipped with a newly developed LowMaXX electronic lowering module which automatically switches off at 43 mph in order to provide comfort and safety reserves.

Scion ready to drop the boom at SEMA with sick FR-S Tuner Challenge models

Before the FR-S sports car burst into the auto scene in late 2011, Scion didn’t have a whole lot of street cred when it came to the aftermarket world. Sure, the iQ has been the subject of some projects in the past, but it didn’t really capture the imagination of a lot of people, particularly because the iQ is still a compact hatchback that offered little in the way of performance.

But with the FR-S, Scion has definitely turned the tables on the industry, earning itself the kind of swag befitting of the quarterback at a high school party.

Well, the aftermarket party that is the 2012 SEMA Auto Show will be the site of the FR-S Tuner Challenge and the Toyota-owned brand is ready to drop three custom-built FR-S models, at least based on the teasers that have just been released, that will make you drop your pants on the floor.

Not much was given in the way of details regarding the three custom-built FRS models, except that all three look about as stunning as any tuned FRS models we’ve ever seen.

If you remember, we showed you a teaser video of the challenge that included the identities of the three tuners who are part of the competition. We don’t know who owns what project, but if we could just split the award three ways to all three fellas, we wouldn’t have any problems doing so.

Be that as it may, there will be one winner and Scion will announce who takes home the title at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show.

Report: Hyundai and Kia Working on Strapping a Turbo To a V-6

When Hyundai and Kia strapped some boost to a 2.0-liter engine and bumped its output to over 270 horsepower, we took notice. Hyundai then released the all-new 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and we thought, “What’s going on here?” Now Hyundai and Kia are working on yet another turbocharged engine and it’s likely to turn heads and twist faces.

According to reports, at Hyundai-Kia’s International Powertrain Conference, the automakers confirmed that they are currently working on a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine. The likely recipient of this new boosted V-6 engine is the next-generation Genesis.

This engine is expected to feature direct fuel injection and at least 350 ponies. With the combination of a turbocharger, direct fuel injection, and other creative engineering, Hyundai-Kia expects this engine to get somewhere in the 33 mpg range. We’re not too sure which Genesis Hyundai is talking about, but we assume this would see use in the coupe model.

The existing Genesis 3.8 R-Spec uses a 3.8-liter V-6 that produces 348 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. With turbos being as effective as they are now, we would expect to see torque nearing 350 pound-feet at super-low rpm – maybe sub-2,000. That would make the Genesis quite the screamer. Given its existing 5.3-

Newly Signed Proton and Honda Partnership Could Return Honda to the Sports Car Realm

There had been some reports floating around that DRB-Hicom was seeking a strategic partnership from a Japanese automaker lately, and we just received word that a deal is now in place. Proton will be teaming up with Honda to develop technology enhancements and a new product lineup, as well as share platforms and facilities.

For the most part, Proton builds cheap econoboxes for the UK market, so the direct team up is really not too inspiring. However, peeling back the skin a little bit, you reveal that this deal will likely include its subsidiary, Lotus. While Lotus would benefit greatly from having the technology that Honda has to offer and some financial relief by building certain components together, we are mostly interested in what this deal could potentially bring Honda.

Honda really doesn’t need Proton, as its econobox lineup is stout, but it is lacking a sports car, ever since the S2000 fizzled out in a fit of torque-lacking rage. With Lotus’ expertise being in the lightweight sports car realm and both Honda and Lotus looking for ways to build sports cars without taking on 100 percent of the risk, a team up between the two would be equally beneficial.

We all heard rumors about the S3000 a few years ago, and Lotus has the perfect line of 3.5-liter, V-6 engines sitting in its Evora lineup. So why not team up on a shared model?

According to reports, DRB-Hicom will be laying out Proton’s business plan next month, which will likely include Lotus updates, so we will keep an eye out for this new business plan, and how Honda and Lotus are involved.

Scion FR-S GT by Daniel Song 2013

Scion’s FR-S Tuner Challenge will pit three different - and talented auto builders - against one another to see who could build the ultimate custom-tuned FR-S. One of these tuners is Daniel Song from Orange County, California.

In his quest to build the winning FR-S, Song decided to center his program around a performance sports car that driving enthusiasts will come to enjoy. So he set about to build his take on a "no-nonsense, function built, raw, aggressive, and sinister race bred" sports car that he appropriately billed as the "FR-S GT."

His creation, together with the other custom tuned FR-S models that will be competing at the FR-S Tuner Challenge, will be on hand at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show. As a first time contestant to the Scion Tuner Challenge, Song is leaving no stones unturned with the FR-S GT. He’s coming to impress, and by the looks and specs of the car, he did a splendid job in doing just that.

Find out more about Daniel Song’s Scion FR-S GT after the jump.

Scion FR-S "Carbon Stealth" by John Toca 2013

  

Just recently, we announced that Scion was planning a friendly little competition for the 2012 SEMA Show. In this contest, Scion handed each of three tuners a 2013 Scion FR-S base model and a $15,000 budget. The task at hand: to build the most awesome FR-S inside of the $15K budget. For their work, Scion will hand over a $10,000 grand prize.

The unfortunate reality of this contest is that, like most SEMA cars, these three FR-S’ will likely be stripped and crushed just after the show, but we get to enjoy them for just a short amount of time. Scion has decided to let us in on the main specs of the three cars as we close in on the opening of SEMA, and one of these models is the “Carbon Stealth” FR-S by John Toca.

Scion’s release on this car indicates that John built this car to give you the practicality and enjoyment desired from a daily driver, but the ability to toss it around a track at the drop of a hat. So, is this custom-built Scion FR-S really up to snuff?

Click past the jump to find out.

Audi TT-RS 2013

When Audi brought the TT to the U.S. back in the 2000 model year, it was not overly powerful or fast. Rather its 180-horsepower, turbocharged 1.8-liter engine produced adequate power combined with an agile chassis to make a complete sports coupe. As time went on, however, the TT became more powerful and firmly planted itself as one of the best sports cars on the market.

In the 2012 model year, Audi decided it was time to show exactly what the TT could do, given the right tuning. With this came the introduction of the 2012 Audi TT RS, which was a super-high-performance machine that left every other sports car in its wake – even some that were significantly more expensive.

In 2013, Audi will continue this high-performance variant of the TT and will, for the most part, carry the model over from the 2012 model year. So the question that begs to be answered is “can the TT RS continue to dominate with essentially the same setup as it had a year ago?”

Click past the jump to get the answer to that question in our full review of the 2013 Audi TT RS.

Lotus future is safe; Esprit will make it to production

A few weeks ago, it was rumored that the new generation Lotus Esprit had been axed. Many were upset upon hearing this, but that sadness may be short-lived. During an interview with British magazineAutoExpress, chief operating officer of DRB-HICOM, Aslam Farikullah confirmed that Lotus’ future is safe and that we will indeed see a new Esprit on the roads.

The problem is that the Esprit will be the only model to be produced, while the other four models previewed at the 2010 Paris Auto Show have been axed. He didn’t confirm when the Esprit will be launched because the company is now focusing on getting the quality right on the current Elise, Exige, and Evora models.

"We have to be realistic and get the basic fundamentals of the business right. Then we will look at the next products. We are excited about the future and plan to grow the business."

He also confirmed that all Lotus models will still be produced in the UK, despite the company’s new Malaysian owner.

Cadillac CTS-V by Geiger Cars 2012

 

Is it safe to say that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe doesn’t get the love it deserves? We certainly think so because if it did get its due recognition, we’d have more aftermarket companies presenting programs for the American sports car.

Thankfully, the fine folks from Geiger Cars are one with us in this thinking. With a penchant for taking American sports cars and adding a nice aftermarket flavor to them, these folks went to work onCadillac’s pride and joy, the CTS-V Coupe.

In stock form, the CTS-V Coupe is already a beast on four wheels, but thanks to a collaborative mix of a new engine software, camshafts, and a new sports exhaust system, Geiger Cars was able to bring the CTS-V’s output right smack in the middle of supercar territory. 620 horsepower with a new top speed of 218 mph.

Finishing their program for the CTS-V Coupe, Geiger Cars also fitted new front and rear stabilizers, as well as a new set of 19" wheels and high-performance brakes.

So how much is the car going to cost with all the modifications included? This big boy will set customers’ back €125,270, which is about $164,000 based on current exchange rates.

Audi R8 e-tron On Hold, Maybe Indefinitely

At this point, all we can say is that Audi must enjoy messing with our heads. In the Spring, our spy photographers caught the R8 e-tron testing around the Nurburgring a number of times. Then, in June, the same car became the fastest electric vehicle around the Nurburgring.

Surely, this is a vehicle that is on its way to becoming a prized possession of many environmentally friendly people who still enjoy to cruise around at high speeds, right? Negative. Audi has decided that it will be putting this project on hold and could even be axing it in the future.

The decision to put the car on hold was made by Audi’s new R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer who thinks that the high price of the batteries could still be a problem. He also fears that there aren’t enough customers interested in an electric car of this caliber.

This seems to be a reasonable explanation for putting a vehicle on the back-burner, but we’re still a little bummed that we will not be seeing the R8 e-tron in all of its glory. Then again, we can take comfort in the fact that the Audi F12 E Performance Prototype is still out there, chugging along with the R8 e-tron’s technology, so not all is lost.