A Grand Turismo Sport variant of the Panamera, the Panamera GTS comes with a modified 4.8 liter, naturally-aspirated V8 packing 424bhp and 383lb-ft of torque.

The Panamera GTS goes on sale in February 2012 with prices starting at €116,716 in Germany.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KjAUFoN8QA

Based on the Panamera 4S, the 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS includes more power, upgraded brakes and a body lowered by 10 mm with new, sportier chassis tuning coupled to air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). In terms of appearance, the new Porsche Panamera GTS includes design features at the front, side and rear as well as black highlights. Inside, the car features SportDesign steering wheel with mini shift paddles and exclusive GTS leather interior with Alcantara surfaces.

Powering the Porsche Panamera GTS is a modified 4.8 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine delivers 430 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission. This combination enables to Porsche Panamera GTS to sprint from0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds with top speed of 178 mph.

The 0-60 figures and top speed only scratch the surface of the new Porsche Panamera GTS’s sporty character. Its chassis in particular makes it fit for the race track: the adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) connect the chassis and body, constantly adapting to the driving challenges by regulating leveling settings, adjusting height, modifying the spring rate and electrically modulating the damping system. The body has been lowered by ten millimeters and the damping designed to be tauter, which helps agility and further reinforces the sporty personality of the Porsche Panamera GTS. Five millimeter wheel spacers between the wheel and the wheel hubs increase the rear axle track width, giving the Panamera even more stability. The required grip is provided by standard 255/45 size 19-inch tires on the front axle and 285/40 on the rear axle. Optional 20-inch wheels are available with 255/40 tires on the front and 295/35 on the rear. The Porsche Panamera GTS is equipped with the braking system from Panamera Turbo, which includes larger diameter front brake rotors than Panamera S/45.

Factory Five calls their Type 65 Coupe a “fire breathing monster vintage race car,” and the car definitely looks, acts and feels the part.

The Type 65 Coupe is a faithful reproduction of the world famous 1965 World Championship Coupes that dominated the world's racetracks in the late 1960's. (1920x1200)

 The car definitely looks the part. From every angle, it looks like a no nonsense racecar. In fact, the side pipes, bulging fenders and sparse interior confirm that this is a serious car. It is not for the timid or those looking for comfort. It is for those that want to make a very specific statement and that statement is – “I own the road.”

Like The Factory Five Mk3 roadster kit, the Coupe kit can be built two ways. The base kit is “donor Mustang capable” and costs about $15,000, or you can buy the complete kit that gives you just about every nut and bolt you’ll need to build the car less the engine, transmission, wheels and paint. The complete kit costs about $22,000.

Car and Driver Magazine tested a FFR Coupe in November 2000. They were impressed, “The phrase eye-ball sucking performance is a tired, overused metaphor, but it should have been saved for the FFR Coupe. Galloping to 60 mph takes only 3.6 seconds. Bye Bye Porsche 911 Turbo! The quarter mile passes in only 11.9 seconds at 119 mph, faster than a Viper GTS!…”

Dark, brooding, melancholy with an underlying message of hope and universal social acceptance?

Actors Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington exude the darkness, hope and uncertainties that Being Human so adeptly uses to create atmosphere and suspense.

An American/Canadian adaptation of the BBC’s hit series by the same name, SyFy’s take on the uneasy cohabitation of a werewolf, vampire and ghost set against that backdrop of urban Boston (although it’s actually shot in Montreal) has proven to be a breakout success for the cable network’s continued foray into original programming. Loosely based-on and following the formula already set in place by the show’s UK progenitor the SyFy version of the show has now in it’s second season really grown into it’s shoes and begun to explore new territory while gaining a sense of it’s own identity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxCmNzPgmgU

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a drama series that is often (and rightfully) praised for the way it used metaphor to tackle issues young people deal with while focusing on the demon-infested town of Sunnydale. It still feels far too soon to draw major comparisons between Buffy and Being Human, however one of the Syfy series’ biggest strengths is in the way it looks at the lives of three young adults who are aren’t willing to completely embrace the dark side that comes with their hidden nature. Their struggle to grow up, mingled with the supernatural element does tread into similar waters as Buffy in that respect, as does the use of humor to cut the tension.

Aidan (Sam Witwer) is a vampire who was turned during the Civil War. While he’s attempting to live off bagged blood while he works as a nurse at a hospital in Boston, his past is full of blood and violence from the days when he felt no guilt over his vampiric lifestyle. Josh (Sam Huntington) is a werewolf who has to deal with transitioning into an out-of-control beast each month. Meanwhile, Sally (Maeghan Rath) is a ghost who’s stuck in a limbo world, where only supernatural-beasts like Aidan and Josh can see and speak to her.

Season 2 picks up in the aftermath of the first season, with Aidan trying to deal with the mess left behind by his now (fully) deceased mentor Bishop. This means looking out for the vampires Bishop had assembled for a secret army, and trying to protect them from the higher-up vampires. Josh and Nora are dealing with his wolfish condition in the wake of Nora’s miscarriage. And last season, Sally missed her door, which was to take her to the afterlife. This might mean she’s stuck in ghost-form and unable to move on indefinitely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1EMRJubbMc

The focus of Being Human is on Aidan, Sally and Josh’s attempts to live normal lives and not lose their humanity to the temptations presented by their true natures. This is something that the three characters share with one another, despite the fact that each faces different challenges. Season 2 seems to have found a way to hold on to the series’ initial premise, while also taking the story further as each of the characters deals with what’s ahead. For Aidan, moving forward means once again facing his past as he’s assigned a challenging task in exchange for the promise of true freedom from the vampire hierarchy. This involves a “vampire princess” (played by Dollhouse‘s Dichen Lachman). Josh and Nora are attempting to move forward, but Nora hasn’t revealed to Josh that he scratched her the month before. And Sally makes a new friend in an old classmate and discovers a new way to pass the time, which could end up sending her down a dark path.

What works best about Being Human is the way Aidan, Josh and Sally are set up to feel like real people. They haven’t delved so far into their natures as supernatural beings to lose the traits that make them human (or in the case of Aidan, he’s found his way back to humanity), which makes them relatable as characters. The use of humor, the music featured in the series, and the way many scenes are often filmed with an especially light, almost over-saturated look, offsets some of the darker elements of the series. In the end, the finished product is a darker toned drama series that doesn’t wallow completely in the negative. There’s a balance that works, which makes the show fun but also builds suspense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE67pkGot8Q

There is perhaps no experience so quintessentially southern by nature than the enjoyment of expert prepared and quality barbecue.

Pulled Pork, Ribs, Baked Beans, Collard Greens, Home Made Pickles and Garlic Toasted Bun...BBQ excellence.

Expertly crafted and finely honed, the staff at Heirloom Market BBQ pay homage to the classic style and culture of southern BBQ while simultaneously invigorating it with an upscale down-home and international taste. A delicate balance of classic southern wood fired smokiness with rich, tangy and sweet sauces balanced by the infusion of divergent Korean tastes and textures. The result chefs Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor’s inspired culinary works is clearly some of the finest barbecue to be had in all the south.

Chefs Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor in their Heirloom Market BBQ dining room.

The location is small…and when I say small, I truly mean small but don’t let that be offsetting or deter you from eating here because once inside you will find one of the most organized and efficient casual dining operations I’ve ever encountered. Every inch of space here is accounted for and well thought out,  with a little creative finagling you should be easily accommodated in the dining area unless visiting at the very peak of work-day business lunches. The Heirloom Market is a foodie oasis tucked away in the midst of a forest of mid-rise office complexes and apartment homes. Conjoined with a convenience store, it’s not exactly the stereotypical image of  high-caliber, high-concept BBQ…or is it? Either way it’s amazing.

Small, Efficient, Hospitable and Inviting all describe the Heirloom Market BBQ restaurant.

The staff here is superbly friendly and inviting, taking care of their guests with expedience and courtesy even on the busiest of days. They do their best to make sure the ebs and flow of dining denizens are fed quickly and comfortably while making room for the next guests with as little turn-time as humanly possible. Even in-spite of it being a cold February day when we visited, resulting in the additional outdoor seating being impractical or uncomfortable the folks at Heirloom Market made it work. Something which in true southern form included the courtesy our fellow patrons who were all equally courteous and socially aware of the etiquette involved in sharing such close dining quarters.

Then there is the food…wow. Adjectives like rich, smoky, vibrant and unique just begin to scratch the surface of defining the caliber of BBQ being turned out by the folks in the kitchen here. A balance of traditional southern fare and more international Korean tastes the food is always interesting and differs just enough from the other BBQ eateries in the area to make Heirloom Market a divergent delicacy worthy of your visit. Offering a variety of takes on pork, beef and chicken all of which can be combined with sauces that range from sweet to savory and from vinegary to hot there is truly something here for every taste. (Ok, not completely Vegans are out of luck here.) The sides are prepared with equal delicacy and offer a fresh take on local grown accouterments to each BBQ entree. Of particular note, the potato salad and baked beans were extremely enjoyable having offered a slightly different take on each that was at once warmly familiar but also interestingly different.

Well worth your visit, Heirloom Market BBQ is a must stop for anyone who finds themselves passing through Atlanta and should be a new local favorite for Atlanta metro residents.

Heirloom Market BBQ

2243 Akers Mill Road Southeast, Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 612-2502
‎heirloommarketbbq.com

Tues-Thurs: 11am-8pm
Fri 11am-9pm
Sat 12-9pm
Sunday and Monday Closed

Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know is looking like this year’s Pumped Up Kicks, a haunting song that creeps up on its audience and then, suddenly, appears everywhere.

Gotye says his U.S. debut 'Making Mirrors' features plenty of "peculiar twists." Speaking of, we swore at first listen that it was Katy Perry singing with Gotye...but it's actually New Zealand Singer/Songwriter Kimbra.

Gotye — aka Belgian-Australian musician Wally De Backer — knows that such a massive international hit could overshadow anything else he does. “Maybe it’s going to have some aspect of a one-hit wonder to a lot of people — cursory music listeners or people who have never heard what I’ve done in the last seven or eight years. And probably rightly so,” says De Backer, 31, whose nom de plume is pronounced “Gaw-tee-ay,” a phonetic variant of the French translation of his given name, Walter.

After topping the charts in Australia and several other countries, Somebody That I Used to Know is now hitting U.S. radio. It’s No. 2 on USA TODAY’s adult-alternative airplay chart and No. 3 on alternative radio while making inroads in top 40, hot adult contemporary and rock formats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

Making Mirrors is Gotye’s third album but serves as his U.S. debut. It sold 41,000 digital copies before its “official” CD release Jan. 31. Listeners who venture further into the music than Somebody That I Used to Know‘s conspicuous melodic hooks will be amply rewarded. While track I Feel Better recalls vintage Motown, much of Making Mirrors takes a more experimental, though still accessible, tack. “There are moments that use very conventional pop structures, that very consciously play out like studies or homages to genres from decades ago,” says De Backer. “But I think hiding amongst that are some more peculiar twists.”

The charter was simple and clear;  build the world’s best roadster without exception…

As Lee Iacoca used to say, “if you can find a better car, buy it”. You won’t find a better vintage roadster replica anywhere. (1920x1200)

There were just six original Coupes ever made. Those cars captured the 1965 FIA World Championship for America in the last years before mega-money stole  American road-racing from its roots and from the average guy…

The FFR Type 65 Coupe is the culmination of four years of R&D engineering and design work. (1920x1200)

Despite the fact that the design never entered production, those six cars, hand-built upon 289 AC chassis, became symbolic of the end of an era. Even while the Coupes were winning on the track in 1965, the Ford GT40 program was under way and large corporate money began to write a new chapter in LeMans and the racing world. The original Coupes are one of the most unique and stunning shapes in automotive history. Even today, more than 40 years removed, the car has no equal when it comes to sheer muscular looks and stance.

Jane Levy’s sharp comedic timing and onscreen charisma propelled her out of relative obscurity and into one of 2011′s breakout television stars.

Recently named by critics as one of the breakout stars of 2011/12, and Forbes named her on their list of 30 under 30 who are "reinventing the world". (1920x1200)

She began acting at an early age, eventually training at the famed Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City before moving back to her birthplace of Los Angeles to pursue a full time entertainment career. Levy first made waves in Hollywood with a recurring role on “Shameless” (Showtime, 2011- ) as a vampy, punk teen who agrees to act as her gay friend’s girlfriend. The edgy-yet-likeable role won Levy a slew of television fans and gained the attention of other networks. Fresh off her “Shameless” stint,

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Levy landed a starring role on the quirky ABC comedy series “Suburgatory” (2011- ) as a Manhattan-raised teen whose life turns upside down when her father decides to move them to a suburban neighborhood. Channeling the snarky attitude and fears of a city gal feeling trapped in a world of soccer moms and SUVs, Levy boosted her career from an ingénue to a respectable actress able to take on versatile roles.

Jane Colburn Levy was born on Dec. 29, 1989 in Los Angeles and was raised hundreds of miles north in the Bay Area’s Marin County. The future star landed her first acting role at age seven, appearing in a local production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “Oklahoma!” (1955), followed by community theater performances of “Annie” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Even though she dove into acting early on, Levy decided to pursue other interests as a teen, including playing soccer. Levy enrolled in the liberal arts program at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD before transferring a year later to the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New

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York City. After spending two years in the city to hone her acting skills, Levy moved back to L.A. where, just after two weeks, she had booked her first television role on the Showtime family drama “Shameless.” The series starred Emmy Award-winning actor William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic single father of six and Emmy Rossum as his responsible yet insecure eldest child Fiona. Levy was cast in a recurring role as Mandy Milkovich, a teen punk and vixen that agrees to act as the girlfriend of Frank’s closeted third child Ian (Cameron Monaghan). Among an already colorful

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cast of characters, Levy’s Mandy added brash naughtiness and cool intrigue to the critically acclaimed show. The role was recast during the second season, however, due to Levy landing a lead role on a network show.
Coming off her successful stint on “Shameless,” Levy starred on “Suburgatory,” one of the 2011 fall season’s most buzzed-about new shows. The comedy series centered on Tessa Altman, a Manhattan teen whose father (Jeremy Sisto) transplants them from the big city to a suburban neighborhood, which she comes to regard as her version of hell on earth. Created by Emily Kapnek, who had previous success producing shows such as “Parks and Recreation (NBC, 2009- ) and “Hung” (HBO, 2009- ), “Suburgatory” blended snarky humor with offbeat yet grounded characters. Tessa’s transition from city lights to her own suburban nightmare was not always smooth sailing, yet the actress handled her character’s many situations with aplomb and often hilarious results. During a fall TV season that saw other

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shows yanked after only a few episodes, audiences embraced “Suburgatory.” They could not get enough of the chemistry between Levy and her co-stars, including TV dad Sisto and Cheryl Hines as a deliciously loopy, “Stepford Wives”-inspired character.

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Age: 22
Profession: Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Red (naturally blonde)
Why: Popular TV actress
Where: Suburgatory Wednesdays on ABC 8/7c,
The Evil Dead theatrical release for 2013
RF: 94% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 92.5%
Twitter: @JaneLevyCom
Facebook: /JaneLevy

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With a power-to-weight ratio that can be as low as 3.5 pounds per horsepower, the Mk4 Roadster is a match for any sports car made today.

Extremely light-weight, packing big brakes, big displacement and featuring track optimized suspension and aerodynamics the 427SC Mk4 is a beast. (1920x1200)

Zero-to-sixty acceleration times in the three second range, and 10-second 1⁄4 mile passes are not uncommon. Factory Five customer Steve Berg has run his own FFR Roadster down the drag strip at an amazing 9.13 seconds at 154 MPH! With a well-built, modestly powered FFR Roadster, you will simply own any stoplight.

When it comes to road holding, Factory Five cars fare equally well. FFR cars have routinely run in the 1.00 to 1.05 range in skid pad tests on street tires. That means the FFR turns as fast as it falls through the air! On a track or a twisty section of road you will hold a line that others in lesser cars (like a Porsche 911, 0.91G) will not be able to hold. These numbers are borne out in the real world by the staggering number of autocross and road racing wins FFR customers have racked up over the years.

At a vehicle weight about 2,200 pounds, braking is also impressive with the stock Mustang GT brakes.

According to Avus Performance, its tweaked Audi S4 has had the engine performance adjusted accordingly to expedite the 20×9-inch CC-line wheels properly.

Packing a 3-liter supercharged V6 producing 424hp with 346lb-ft of torque the Avus S4 is both street and track competent. (1920x1200)

Ride height is lowered by a suspension setup that uses threaded strut tubes to adjust the spring perches. Those 20-inch wheels wear Hankook Ventus S1 tires, and the stock exhaust has been swapped out for stainless steel mufflers. Body mods in shiny black or carbon fiber are tacked on before the cars leave the Avus shop, too. Thanks to the revised plumbing and some engine tweaking, the AP-fettled sedan churns out 424 horsepower.

The third generation G (V35) was introduced to North America for the 2003 model year, as the G35.

A solid sports-coupe the G35 sedan's VQ series V6 produced 298hp with 258 lb·ft of torque. (1920x1200)

It had little in common with the Infiniti G20, and continued in the same tradition as the Infiniti J30, which was also a RWD sedan utilizing the same powerplant as its contemporary Nissan Z model, the Nissan 300ZX. According to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motors, the letter G was chosen “for marketing purposes and its similarity in sound to the letter J”, apparently in deference to the Infiniti J30.

The G35 is based on the Nissan FM platform shared with the Nissan 350Z coupe and roadster sports car and Infiniti FX crossover SUV. The FM platform stands for “front midship” design where the engine is moved back towards the rear of the engine bay which in turn improves the weight distribution. The G35 was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2003 and has been well-received by both the media and customers as a viable alternative to other luxury cars. The G35 was also nominated for the North American Car of the Year award that year and was on the Car and Driver Ten Best list for 2003 and 2004.

Sporting the ubiquitous VQ35DE engine, the Infiniti G35 uses a front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive layout (all-wheel drive is available for the G35x sedan) to achieve a 52% front/48% rear weight distribution. Both body styles are available with either a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission, although the automatic is the only transmission available for the AWD sedan.

A 6-speed manual transmission became available in 2003 as a 2003 model on the sedan (the coupe always had the option). For the 2003-04 model years, the V6 produced 195 kW (265 PS; 261 hp) and 350 N·m (258 lb·ft) of torque in the sedan, 282 hp and 269 lb·ft in the coupe. In the 2005 and 2006 model years, those with automatic transmissions (both sedan and coupe) produced 282hp and 269 lb·ft of torque, while those with manual transmissions produced 298hp and 258 lb·ft of torque (again, both in sedan and coupe form). There is speculation that the output did not actually change, and that Infiniti was simply taking advantage of the outdated SAE standard of rating horsepower. The G35 is assembled in Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan, and the first G35 was built on March 12, 2002 as a 2003 model.

Last year, the 2011 BMW Z4 GT3 proved to the world that it was capable of winning races when it took the checkered flag at the Dubai 24 hours race…

BMW performed an engine transplant on the Z4 replacing it's standard six-cylinder with the 4.4L V8 from the M3 GTS. (1920x1200)

Not wanting to rest on a job well done, BMW removed the car from its well-earned place in the winners circle and took it back to the test track to help prepare the car for the first series of customer entries in the 2011 GT3 competition.

Now, the BMW Z4 GT3 resembles its street legal cousin but only in name and in its basic exterior shape. Most of the body panels on the GT3 have been extensively modified and altered to help the car achieve maximum aerodynamic efficiency while keeping the vehicle planted on the track. BMW engineers also performed a engine transplant under the hood of the Z4 GT3, replacing the roadgoing Z4′s six-cylinder powerplant with the same 4.4 liter V8 that sees duty in the limited-edition BMW M3 GTS. The V8 channels all its horses to the car’s rear wheels through a specially-tuned six speed sequential manual gearbox that is shifted with steering wheel mounted paddles.

Want a BMW Z4 GT3 of your own to flog at your local race track? Be prepared to pay a hefty price for all of BMW’s engineering know-how. A retail version of the 2011 BMW Z4 GT3 has a price tag of over $450,000 dollars.  For all that money, you will be rewarded with one of the most advanced GT3 racers BMW has ever built.  Customers with access to their own racing team and pit crew it should be a valuable tool that can help give them a chance to win on the track no matter what race it takes part in.

It only seemed fitting to also end our week with this photo of MWDesign’s project E92 with Vancouver based model Chantel…

Vancouver Canada's finest, the MWDesign's E92 project M3 and with import model Chantel compliment each other perfectly. (1920x1200)

The talented fellows at MWDesign, a tuning company based out of Vancouver, Canada, have just unveiled their latest project, codename, “Darth Maul”.

The center of this project is the always beautiful and classy, BMW M3 Coupe(E92), one of the BMW most used vehicles by the tuning companies. The MWDesign E92 M3 is sporting an Jerez Black exterior together with a gorgeous Fox Red interior trim. Only in stage 1 of an ongoing build, project “Darth Maul” currently incorporates the following modifications.

These days SNL is more up and down than a broken rollercoaster…

Tune in this Saturday February 11th to catch adorkable New Girl star Zooey Deschanel pulling hosting duties on SNL - NBC 11:30/10:30c

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but with this Saturday’s episode being hosted by perennial Down Shift favorite Zooey Deschanel, we’re certain easy-on-the-eyes hilarity and cuteness will be guaranteed. Zooey will get to scratch off one more item from her bucket list when she takes the stage to host this weekend’s “Saturday Night Live” with musical guest Karmin.

With booking “SNL” scratched off her to-do list, the actress can focus on the business of hosting the show, which includes a lot more work than what you see on camera. “They ask you if there’s anything you’d like to do, if there’re any impressions you can do, and, you know, characters — sort of talk about stuff you’re capable of doing,” Deschanel says of the “SNL” writing team, who take all that info and, in an all-night writing session, churn out the first draft of the script.

“Once you do the read-through is sort of when you can see what’s working and not,” she said. “But it’s not really until you read it out loud that you really know.”

And she can’t wait to break out some of the impressions she’s been working on in the lead-up to Saturday night. “I’m an actor and that’s one of the things you do,” Deschanel said.

[Show as slideshow]

It only seemed fitting to end the work week with this photo of MWDesign’s project E92 with Vancouver based model Chantel…

Vancouver Canada's finest, the MWDesign's E92 project M3 and with import model Chantel compliment each other perfectly. (1920x1200)

The talented fellows at MWDesign, a tuning company based out of Vancouver, Canada, have just unveiled their latest project, codename, “Darth Maul”.

The center of this project is the always beautiful and classy, BMW M3 Coupe(E92), one of the BMW most used vehicles by the tuning companies. The MWDesign E92 M3 is sporting an Jerez Black exterior together with a gorgeous Fox Red interior trim. Only in stage 1 of an ongoing build, project “Darth Maul” currently incorporates the following modifications.

Amuse Ericsson Front Bumper with custom Orange highlights
Amuse Ericsson Trunk
CF Rear Diffuser with custom Orange highlights
CF Side Vents with custom Orange highlights
CF Side Mirrors
Modulare M6 20×9 F 20×10.5 R – Matte Black Centers/Gloss Black Lips + Custom Matte Black Center Caps with Orange Accents
Falken FK452 245/30/20 F 285/25/20 R
H&R Sports Springs
BBK/SC/EXHAUST

Russell Brand is in her past (thank-god) and this month we gladly profess our adoration for America’s favorite California girl…

Katy Perry looking adorably-hot per usual during her appearance on the Today Show with Matt Lauer in July 2009. (1920x1200)

Katy Perry became every hot-blooded male’s fantasy come true when she cooed “I Kissed a Girl” (2008), her cheeky pop single that launched the singer-songwriter – who possessed a playful, sexy style that was slightly reminiscent of a Varga Girl with a rocker’s edge – into stardom. Perry’s full-throated voice and feisty personality imbued her smash hits, including the high-octane “Hot-N-Cold” from her debut album, One of the Boys (2008), a witty, pop/rock album filled with sassy, confessional songs

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about erratic exes, wild and crazy road trips, and bouts of identity crisis. With her signature red lips and always-perfect ringlets, Perry exuded the perfect blend of sexy and innocent – rocking her own personal style punctuated by retro rompers, short and strapless dresses, killer heels, and neon accessories with a fruit motif. Aside from her music and distinct look, Perry’s romantic relationships also made headlines. In January 2010, Perry caused quite a sensation with her engagement to British comedian Russell Brand – less than four months after the couple started dating. That same year, she burned the airwaves again with the single “California Gurls,” a pop-rock gem that again showcased Perry’s infectious beats and confident lyrics – a feat that only the most gifted songwriters and original entertainers could achieve.

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson was born on Oct. 24, 1984 in Santa Barbara, CA. She was the middle child of two devout Christian ministers who maintained a strict household that did not allow

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music other than gospel standards. But singing was always Perry’s passion. When she was nine, the future star made a “vision board” for school and chose a photo of the late Latin pop singer Selena winning a Grammy award as her inspiration. She sang anywhere there was a stage -church, restaurants, and family functions. In her teens, Perry spent time in Nashville and worked with seasoned country musicians, including legendary producer and songwriter Glen Ballard. At 16, Perry released a Christian pop album as “Katy Hudson,” but the album barely sold 100 copies. A

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second attempt at releasing an album with the production team, The Matrix, failed in 2004. In 2007, Perry’s hard work and persistence finally paid off with a recording contract with Capitol Records. That fall, Perry released the single “Ur So Gay,” which earned rave reviews including one from pop icon Madonna, who reportedly called Perry’s single her favorite song.

Shedding her Christian music roots and good-girl image, Perry zoomed to the top of the charts with the critically acclaimed album One of the Boys, featuring the single “I Kissed a Girl.” The song’s provocative, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and catchy beat helped land the single the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven straight weeks. The video for the ubiquitous pop single was nominated for five MTV Video Music Awards (2008), including a Best New Artist award for the talented singer, and a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Her follow-up single, “Hot-N-Cold,” was also a No. 1 hit, selling more than three million digital tracks. When the single’s hilarious

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music video – which featured the spunky singer as a jilted bride – was spoofed on “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 1975- ), it was made official that the colorful Perry was a bona fide music superstar.

Perry’s music videos also launched the raven-haired pop star as fashion’s newest “It” girl. Whether vamping it up for magazine covers or walking the red carpet, Perry’s quirky style – 1940s pin-up girl-meets-rocker chic – always made an impression. Her sweet-yet-sultry appeal also caught the eye of several musicians who Perry reportedly dated, including Travis McCoy of Gym

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Class Heroes, Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden, and operatic-pop singer Josh Groban. But it was her relationship with ribald British comic Russell Brand that caused the most buzz. Perry first met the comedic actor in summer 2009 while filming a cameo for the feature comedy, “Get Him to the Greek” (2010) starring Brand. The couple then reunited at the “MTV Video Music Awards 2009″ (2009) where while hosting the program, Brand joked about having a crush on Perry, who was one of the performers. In January 2010, the couple announced their engagement after a four-month courtship, with Perry’s BFF, fellow music star Rihanna, already planning the bachelorette party. That same year, Perry teamed up with rap star Snoop Dogg on the smash hit single “California Gurls” from her forthcoming album Teenage Dream. The fun, fanciful single – complete with an Auto-Tuned Perry and Snoop trading quips about the glories of the Golden Coast – became the jam of the summer, making Perry the pop princess of the year. At the same time “California Gurls” was

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planted at the top of the charts, Perry donned a series of silly costumes and hosted the Teen Choice Awards. In 2011, she made her film debut as the voice of Smurfette in the animated movie “The Smurfs,” based on the popular comic series and children’s television show of the 1980s.

Then there are the records….As of this week, Katy’s single E.T. (featuring Kanye West) tops the 5 million mark in digital sales, making it her fourth 5-million-seller behindFirework, California Gurls, and Hot N Cold. With The One That Got Awayholding strong on the music charts and

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receiving ample radio-play it won’t be long before Katy grabs a fifth 5-million-seller. At present she stands as the only artist EVER to accomplish this feat, though Lady GaGa comes in close with three singles and the Black Eyed Peas and Flo Rida, both with two each.

Even in spite of an ongoing divorce 2012 looks bright for the resilient and superbly succesfull Perry. Having recently finished her California Dreams concert tour in Jakarta, having also hosted SNL and having wooed the likes of parental fan-favorite Tim Tebow at the DIRECTV Super Saturday Night pre-superbowl festivities in Indianapolis. Next up for the 27 year old pop phenom? Performing at the 2012 Grammy’s, in which she is also nominated for Record Of The Year and Best Solo Performance. Good luck Katy!

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Age: 27
Profession: Singer
Nationality: American
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brunette (most of the time)
Why: She is literally everywhere
Where: Radio, TV, Concerts, Movies
RF: 100% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 92.5%
Twitter: @KatyPerry
Facebook: /Katy Perry

[Show as slideshow]

BMW Motorsport/Schnitzer’s #25 E92 M3 GT2 took an overall win at the 2010 24-Hours Nürburgring.

The E92 GT2 car weighs in at just 2745 lbs and runs a race-tuned 4.0L V8 producing 450bhp and 358lb-ft of torque. (1920x1200)

The 2010 Nürburgring 24 hour race was won by the #25 BMW M3 GT2 driven by Jörg Müller, Augusto Farfus, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy. It was Lamy’s fifth victory at the Ring and he joins Marcel Tiemann as the most successful driver at the race. For BMW it was their nineteenth win at the Nürburgring 24 hour race.

In second place was the one and only Ferrari in the race, the #43 F430 GTC with Dominik Farnbacher, Allan Simonsen, Lehman Keen and Marco Seefried at the wheel. Simonsen has a strong Australian connection, appearing in numerous racing categories and as a driving instructor. Crossing the line in third was the #97 Audi R8 LMS driven by Dennis Rostek, Luca Ludwig, Marc Bronzel and Markus Winkelhock.

The 2010 race proved the old motorsport adage—to finish first, first you have to finish. Porsche and Audi enjoyed long stints at the top of the leaderboard. However, mechanical issues and accidents forced early retirements from the more fancied teams. Despite gearbox issues in the last few hours, the BMW M3 GT2 was able to keep out of trouble and cross the line first for a well deserved win.

Both the first and second placed cars completed 154 laps, one lap off equalling the race record which was set by the winning Manthey Porsche in 2009.

Easily the best selling M3 to date, the E46 represented great improvements over the previous generation E36 cars but…

Weighing only 3,415lbs with 343 horsepower and 269 lb·ft of torque make the E46 capable of 0-60mph in just 4.6 seconds (1920x1200)

also stayed true to the performance and handling ethos of the “M” badging. The E46 M3, first introduced in October, 2000, appeared worldwide with the new 3.2 L S54 M-tuned engine. At the time of the car’s introduction, this engine had the highest specific output naturally aspirated engine ever made by BMW (except in the McLaren F1), producing 343 horsepower and 269 lb·ft of torque. It was only available in coupe and convertible bodies as the saloon version was dropped.

The E46 M3 was offered with a standard 6-speed Getrag transmission, but optionally came with a SMG drivelogic transmission (also known as the SMG II). This is the standard 6-speed Getrag transmission with an electrohydraulically actuated clutch pedal. Shifts are made via the SMG gear knob or the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The engine had a redline of 8,000 rpm. As with most M engines, the S54 again had 6 independent throttle bodies and this time electronically operated throttles (drive-by-wire throttle with no cable).

In the U.S., the E46 M3 came with similar engine output as the European version, unlike in the E36, whose engine was derived from the M50/52 series engine. Power was now at 333bhp due to close-coupled catalytic converters closer to the engine exhaust ports. In 2009, Road and Track magazine announced the 2006 M3 with the SMG transmission as its favorite sports car of all time.

Love it or hate it, the E36/8 M3 “Shoe” is a standout in the storied M3 lineage.

The M3 Coupe 's S52 3.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine produced 240bhp and 236lb-ft of torque. (Click to Enlarge 1920x1200)

The M coupe was developed under the leadership of engineer Burkhard Göschel with the intention of adding increased torsional and structural rigidity to the Z3 roadster’s chassis. The development team had a hard time convincing the Board of Directors to approve the model for production, but it was eventually given the green light as long as it remained cost-effective to produce. To achieve this goal, as many body panels as possible had to be shared with the roadster, thus the doors and everything from the A-pillar forward are interchangeable between the coupe and roadster, as are most interior parts. The Z3 coupe, which mates the M coupe’s body with the standard Z3 drivetrain, chassis and cosmetics was approved for production at the same time.

Clear skies and mild weather made for excellent track conditions at this year’s 50th annual running of the Rolex 24 @ Daytona International Speedway.

A Porsche GT3 is perfectly silhouetted against the background of the track as the sun sets on the 50th annual Rolex 24. (1920x1200)

With the world watching, Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian made history as the team won the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona to open the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season. John Pew, Ozz Negri, AJ Allmendinger, and Justin Wilson drove the No. 60 LiveOn Ford-Riley to a 5.198-second victory after completing a DP-era record 761 laps at Daytona International Speedway.

Bolstering the storybook victory was the strong finish of the team’s sister No. 6 Ford-Riley DPG2 entry, which finished third with Michael McDowell, Felipe Nasr, Jorge Goncalvez, and Gustavo Yacaman fighting back from two laps down to finish less than one minute behind the winning car after 24 hours of racing.

From the huge assembly of previous winning cars and drivers on hand, the biggest crowd in the event’s history, the debut of the new Daytona Prototype machines, a huge GT Class field, Sir Jackie Stewart calling the race start, and another Rolex 24 field deep with international talent, the race held high expectations. And with 49 lead changes among 53 drivers, a record race distance covered, and a battle that ran at an unrelenting pace right to the finish, the event fully lived up to those expectations as Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian won the race for the first time in team history.

“It’s just indescribable,” said Team Owner Mike Shank about the hugely popular win. “I don’t know what to say, I’m just so happy to be here – just thankful for the guys that do all the work for us, that hung in with us for those years and it all paid off today. 50th anniversary – it doesn’t happen but once. I always feel like I have to prove myself every step because I came from nothing more or less, and it’s because I’ve had great relationships with people like Ozz and John Pew that have really taken our business to another level.”

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Jack White’s first solo ever, and it’s…awesome; of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD12wH9En6s

Love Interruption is fittingly the first track Jack has released post divorce and breakup of the White Stripes. Reminiscent of the last few White Stripes albums, “Love Interruption” is an unusually tantalizing lead track. The slow bluesy song finds White harmonizing with Nashville singer Ruby Amanfu about all of the violent things they want love to do to them: “I want love to roll me over slowly, stick a knife inside me and twist it all around … Murder my own mother and take her off to somewhere like hell or up above.” Driven by electric piano and acoustic guitar, the song is subtly embellished by woodwinds yet does not feature any percussion instruments — neat, tidy, self-contained and and over in an honest two-and-a-half minutes. Like the recent material from his other collaborations, the title says it all; “Love Interruption” leaves you eagerly waiting for more.

The record will be called Blunderbuss and it’s out April 24 on Columbia Records. In a press release, White said Blunderbuss is “an album I couldn’t have released until now. I’ve put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas.”

Competition for the Fisker Karma just got a lot more serious…

400hp, 0-60mph in 4.5s, 150 mile EV range and capable of fully recharging in just 10-20 minutes...(Click to Enlarge)

Innovative UK up-start Lightning Car Compant recently green-lit their EV supercar for track testing as the manufacturer prepares for 2013 model year production. The car is powered by twin 150 201bhp rear-mounted synchronous motors, driving through independent reduction gearboxes under electronic torque control. The powertrain system is sourced from a leading German powertrain manufacturer providing rear-wheel drive and a peak power output of 402bhp with 2,444 lb-ft of torque available at the wheels….

The Lightning GT accelerates to 60mph in 4.5 seconds and has a recommended top speed of 120mph. ‘Conscientious exhilaration’ is the term coined by the company to describe a driver’s experience of the continuous surge of power and performance the car can deliver whilst emitting zero tailpipe emissions. Its body is made from Superform aluminium and the chassis is an innovative aluminium composites structure. Final assembly will be in Coventry by Coventry Prototype Panels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EzkrXJjP4Y

We’re kicking off February with the lovely Alyson Michalka,  most widely recognized as Emma Stone’s sexy and sardonic sidekick in Easy A, Alyson is veteran actress and an accomplished singer and musician.

Sexy, sardonic, talented and wholesome? The beguiling Alyson Michalka is our new February 2012 Hottie of the Week. (1920x1200)

Even though she had the looks and makings of a bubblegum pop superstar, à la Britney Spears, Alyson Michalka relied on her conservative Christian upbringing and passion for rock-n-roll to stand out amongst other teen stars of her generation. Michalka began her career in acting, appearing in high-profile Disney Channel projects, including the comedy series “Phil of the Future” (2004-06) and the television film, “Cow Belles” (2006). She also launched a successful music career alongside her sister Amanda as the duo Aly & AJ, fusing pop melodies with rock instrumentations on hit albums such as 2007′s Insomniatic . Michalka shed her good girl image in 2010 with a string of independent projects, including feature films and an angst-filled role on The CW series, “Hellcats,” a bold move that reinvented her career and showed her lasting potential in Hollywood.

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Alyson Renae Michalka was born on March 25, 1989 in Torrance, CA. Raised in a strict Christian household along with her sister Amanda, the future star learned how to play the piano at five and the guitar at 13. As a young girl, the curly-haired and pouty-lipped Michalka began acting in local church play productions, and made her television debut on the futuristic Disney Channel series, “Phil of the Future.” She played a bubbly teen named Keely whose best friend Phil (Ricky Ullman) and his quirky family members were visitors from the year 2121. Michalka made her television movie debut on the kid-friendly network when she starred in “Now You See It ” (Disney Channel, 2005), playing an aspiring reality TV producer who befriends a young magician (Johnny Pacar).

Just when Michalka’s acting career blossomed, she took on another ambitious project. Alongside her younger sister Amanda, the duo formed the pop/rock music group, Aly & AJ, and released their

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debut album Into the Rush in 2005. The album, certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, yielded the hits “Rush” and “Chemicals React.” The group’s second album Insomniatic fared even better on the charts, thanks to the lead single, “Potential Breakup Song,” which became a heartbreak anthem for millions of teen girls. The talented sisters collaborated out of the recording studio as well.

They also co-starred in the Disney Channel movie “Cow Belles” as a pair of spoiled heiresses who

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trade in their handbags and stilettos for hairnets and aprons in order to save their father’s dairy business. Such projects in music and acting turned Michalka and her sister into teen superstars alongside fellow Disney Channel discoveries like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. Like them, Michalka was quite vocal about her Christian faith and upbringing. Aly & AJ’s music played not only on Top 40 radio but also on Christian rock stations. The sisters stirred up minor controversy after a 2006 interview with Blender magazine by proclaiming, “Evolution is silly. Monkeys? Um, no.” In the same interview, the Michalka siblings said that even though their music comes from a Christian standpoint, they did intend to preach their religion to anyone else.

In an effort to prove they had matured and evolved since their debut album, Aly & AJ announced in 2008 that the group had changed its name to 78Violet. The sisters also ventured into solo projects, including Michalka’s starring role opposite “High School Musical” (2006) star Vanessa

Hudgens in the coming-of-age film, “Bandslam” (2009). Michalka played a popular cheerleader who joins a struggling indie rock band made up of her school’s outsiders. She further pushed away from her Disney Channel persona with a pair of more mature projects in 2010 – the dark teen comedy “Easy A,” a feature film about a high school student (Emma Stone) who uses a malicious rumor to advance her social status, and the television comedy/drama “Hellcats.” In the latter, Michalka starred as Marti, a tough-as-nails pre-law college student in Memphis, TN who loses

her scholarship and ends up joining her university’s cheer team. Her character finds not everything is pep and pizzazz in cheerleading after clashing with team captain Savannah, played by another Disney alum, Ashley Tisdale. The series was based on journalist Kate Torgovnick’s 2008 book, Cheer: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders .

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Age: 22
Profession: Actress, Musician
Nationality: American
Eyes: Green
Hair: Blonde
Why: Television, Movies
Where: Easy E, 78violet
RF: 95% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 93.5%
Twitter: @alymichalca
Facebook: /Alyson-Michalka

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It’s the monday back to work the day after the Super Bowl…what better time to enjoy what is arguably the sexiest M3 BMW has ever produced; the E92 Coupé.

Packing a 4L V8 with 414bhp and 295lb·ft of torque the E92 M3 is capable of sprinting 0-60mph in just under 4 seconds. (1920x1200)

Similar to the previous M3 generations that introduced a new engine, the fourth generation M3 did the same: the BMW S65 engine. The S65B40 is a naturally aspirated, high-revving 4-litre V8 that is based on the 5-litre S85B50 V10 that powered the E60/E61 M5 and the E63/E64 M6. It delivers 414bhp at 8300 rpm, with peak torque of 295 lb·ft at 3900 rpm, which represents a power increase of 22% over the E46 M3. The engine weighs 33 lbs less than the outgoing six-cylinder for a total weight of 450 lbs. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. As from April 2008, BMW offers a new seven speed Getrag double-clutch gearbox, called M-DKG (Doppel-Kupplungs-Getriebe) or M-DCT (Double Clutch Transmission) as an option, which reduces shift pauses to less than a tenth of a second and shortens the car’s 0-60mph sprint time by 0.2 seconds vs. manual. It features both automatic and manual modes similar to the SMGgearboxes in the E36 and E46, but with more speed and efficiency.

The E92 M3 coupe inherited a carbon-fiber roof similar to the one used on the E46 CSL. For 2009, the E9x M3 received the same revisions as non-M 3 series models. Those changes included revised front and rear bumpers, and LED tail lights. Recent testing has shown that the 2011 M3 equipped with an M-DCT transmission accelerated from 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds and went on to record a 12.4 second quarter mile time.This is almost half a second quicker than 2008–2010 M3 models with the same engine and transmission.

<<<<— This week’s theme.

Every super-hero has an origin story and the 80's era E30 M3 is the genesis of the modern ///M3 legend. (1920x1200)

Based on the 1986 model year E30 3-Series, the first M3 was introduced with a 2.3 L I4 S14B23 engine (also known as S14). The engine design was based on various BMW parts: basic block layout from the M10 4-cylinder (found in the 2002 and 320 series) overbored and reinforced to similar specifications of the BMW M88 inline-6. The valve train and head architecture from BMW’s M1 and, later, M6 inline-6-cylinder was adopted for aggressive breathing.

We close out our RX-7 week with the apex predator, the storied Series 8 car that was solely available in Japan between 1999-2002.

Lighter at 2,822 lbs and more powerful with 276hp, the last of the RX-7's (Series 8 cars) were sadly only available in Japan. (1920x1200)

 Series 8 (January 1999– August 2002) was the final series, and was only available in the Japanese market. More efficient turbochargers were installed, while improved intercooling and radiator cooling was made possible by a revised frontal area. The seats, steering wheel, and front and rear lights were all changed. The rear spoiler was modified and gained adjustability. The top-of-the-line “Type RS” came equipped with a Bilstein suspension and 17-inch wheels as standard equipment, and reduced weight to 1,280 kg (2,822 lb). Power was 276 hp with 231 lb·ft of torque as per the maximum Japanese limit. The very limited edition Type RZ version included all the features of the Type RS, but at a lighter weight (at 1270 kg). It also featured custom gun-metal colored BBS wheels and a custom red racing themed interior. Further upgrades included a new 16-bit ECU and ABS system upgrades. The improved ABS system worked by braking differently on each wheel, allowing the car better turning during braking. The effective result made for safer driving for the average buyer. Easily the most collectible of all the RX-7s was the last 1,500 run-out specials. Dubbed the “Spirit R“, they combined all the “extra” features Mazda had used on previous limited-run specials plus new exclusive features. They still command amazing prices on the Japanese used car scene years later. Sticker prices when new were 3,998,000 yen for Type-A and B and 3,398,000 yen for Type-C. Mazda’s press release said “The Type-A Spirit R model is the ultimate RX-7, boasting the most outstanding driving performance in its history.“

What better way to end this work week than with the awesome imagery of an FD RX-7 battling it out with an S13?

Awesome live-action trackside photography or digitally enhanced and retouched automotive artwork? (1920x1200)

Beleive it or not, as much as we would love to be able to take credit for this photo it’s actually a digitally altered and retouched piece of art courtesy the talented of UK artist Jack Hughes aka ~jackdatboi.

Leading into this weekend’s superbowl is an all out multi-media blitz, ensnared by the big game’s advertising budgets we’ve got (2) videos  this week. In the first we see Jerry Seinfeld feverishly fighting for ownership of the first USDM ’13 Acura NSX and in the latter we have Matthew Broderick pining for a much needed day-off, courtesy of his ’12 Honda CRV. #honda nice work this year…nice work indeed.

Long live the NSX... Even in spite of it's legendary lack of power we always loved Japan's first supercar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUFSHzT2xuY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhkDdayA4iA

While the FB may not be the first platform that comes to mind when you think of rally competition, this lightweight and  versatile car has enjoyed great success off-road when paired with the Jport 13B engine.

Hard to believe but Mazda actually sold 471,018 FB RX-7's between 1979 and 1985... (1920x1200)

The Series 3 (1984–1985) featured an updated lower front fascia. North American models received a different instrument cluster (the NA S3 RX-7 is the only rotary-engined car to not have a centrally mounted tachometer). GSL package was continued into this series, but Mazda introduced the GSL-SE sub-model. The GSL-SE had a fuel-injected 1.3 L 13B RE-EGI engine producing 135hp and 135 lb·ft. GSL-SEs had much the same options as the GSL (clutch-type rear LSD and rear disc brakes), but the brake rotors were larger, allowing Mazda to use the more common lug nuts (versus bolts), and a new bolt pattern of 4×114.3 (4×4.5″). Also, they had upgraded suspension with stiffer springs and shocks. The external oil cooler was reintroduced, after being dropped in the 1983 model-year for the controversial “beehive” water-oil heat exchanger.

The 1984 RX-7 GSL has an estimated 29 highway miles per gallon (8.11 litres per 100 km) /19 estimated city miles per gallon (12.37 l/100 km). According to Mazda, its rotary engine, licensed by NSU-Wankel allowed the RX-7 GSL to accelerate from 0 to 50 (80 km/h) in 6.3 seconds. Kelley Blue Book, in its January–February 1984 issue, noted that a 1981 RX-7 GSL retained 93.4% of its original sticker price.

The Black Keys go back to the fundamentals, and they do it effortlessly without sounding like anyone else. Best rock album of 2011/12? Maybe…

The quintessential 2 man band, the Black Keys are comprised of Vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer and Patrick Carney. (1280x800)

 El Camino is the seventh studio album by American rock duo The Black Keys. It was co-produced by Danger Mouse and the band, and was released on December 6, 2011 on Nonesuch Records. The album was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at Easy Eye Sound Studio, which was opened in 2010 by guitarist Dan Auerbach. The record draws influences from early American music and popular genres from the 1950s–1970s, such as rock and roll, soul, and glam rock. Based on the difficulty the group had performing some of the slower songs from their previous album Brothers live, they conceived more uptempo tracks for El Camino. Danger Mouse contributed as a co-writer on each of the 11 songs.

El Camino was preceded by lead single “Lonely Boy”, which was released in October accompanied by a popular one-shot music video of a man dancing. A faux newspaper advertisement and parody car commercial advertising the band’s old tour van as an “El Camino” were used to promote the record prior to release. The album received positive reviews from critics and was ranked by many music publications as one of the best albums of the year. In the US, it debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and sold 206,000 copies in its first week, the highest charting position and single-week sales the group has achieved in the country.

“El Camino” sees the team, which has recently relocated to Nashville, asserting itself as a pure rock band by stripping away any artifice or irony — not that the Black Keys had much of it in the first place — to concentrate on the fundamentals, the kind that recall bands as varied as the Rolling Stones, Booker T. and the MG’s, the Ramones and White Stripes. With the help of producer Danger Mouse, who works with admirable restraint to keep the band clean of unnecessary effects, the Black Keys do it without sounding like anyone else.

Highlights? “Sister” contains a devastating opening — “Wake up, gonna wake up to nothing/Breakup, the breakup is coming” — that the band couples with a midtempo dance number with hand claps, a humming organ, a classic riff and hooks worthy of 1965-era Beatles. “Gold on the Ceiling” sounds as if it’s existed forever — why hasn’t somebody combined these chords before? Same with “Run Right Back,” which contains a guitar line that’s so obviously primal that it’s a wonder it’s lain in plain view for so long.

There never would have been an RX-7 if there wasn’t first the RX-3…

Beleive it or not this refitted and tube framed Mazda RX-3 GT3 makes 280hp...to the wheels! (1920x1200)

Running a 12A Bridgeported Rotary powering through a Mazda Comp 4speed gearbox, our RX3 makes approximately 280 horsepower. Tube framed front and rear and riding on fully adjustable Koni 8212 shocks and Panasport 13×7 Ultralite wheels, her short wheel base and agile handling has provided her the ability to win races. Starting her racing life at Westwood Raceway in Coquitlam, B.C., she competed in and won numerous sprint races, she also won first overall in 1998 at the 8 hours of the Cascades enduro race in Portland, Oregon. She continues to be dominant in the SPU and GT3 classes, against cars almost 40 years younger. One of only a few remaining RX3s racing, this car always draws attention, on and off the track. In January of 2009 the Retro Racing Team completed a comprehensive refit of this RX3 as well as body work and restoration.

Who would have ever imagined back in 1986 when the FC RX-7 first went on sale that some 26 years later the platform would still find favor with motorsports enthusiasts much less drifters…

The FC RX-7 was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1986, followed by the Turbo II in 1987. (1920x1200)

The Series 4 (1986–1988) was available with a naturally aspirated, fuel-injected 13B-VDEI producing 146 hp. An optional turbocharged model, (1987–1988) known as the Turbo II in the American market, had 182 hp / 185 ps. The Series 5 (1989–1992) featured updated styling and better engine management, as well as lighter rotors and a higher compression ratio, 9.7:1 for the naturally aspirated model, and 9.0:1 for the turbo model. The naturally aspirated Series 5 FC made 160 hp, while the Series 5 Turbo made 200 hp.

This week we focus on the much loved Mazda RX-7′s and where better to start than with one of the arguably prettiest sportscars to come out of the 90′s; the FD.

Whats not to love about a JDM FD RX-7? 261hp, 217lb-ft of torque and it only weighs 2,888lbs. (1920x1200)

The FD RX-7 was Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year. When Playboy magazine first reviewed the FD RX-7 in 1993, they tested it in the same issue as the [then] new Dodge Viper. In that issue, Playboy declared the RX-7 to be the better of the two cars. It went on to win Playboy’s Car of the Year for 1993. The FD RX-7 also made Car and Driver magazine’s Ten Best list for 1993 through 1995, for every year in which it was sold state-side. June, 2007 Road&Track magazine proclaimed “The ace in Mazda’s sleeve is the RX-7, a car once touted as the purest, most exhilarating sports car in the world.

The sequential twin turbocharged system was a very complex piece of engineering, developed with the aid of Hitachi and previously used on the domestic Cosmo series (JC Cosmo=90–95). The system was composed of two small turbochargers, one to provide torque at low RPM. The 2nd unit was on standby until the upper half of the rpm range during full throttle acceleration. The first turbocharger provided 10 psi (0.7 bar) of boost from 1800 rpm, and the 2nd turbocharger was activated at 4000 rpm and also provided 10 psi. The changeover process occurred at 4500 rpm, 8 psi (0.6 bar), was smooth, and provided linear acceleration and a wide torque curve throughout the entire rev range.

Handling in the FD was regarded as world-class, and it is still regarded as being one of the finest handling and best balanced cars of all time. The continued use of the front-midship engine and drivetrain layout, combined with an 50:50 front-rear weight distribution ratio and low center of gravity made the FD a very competent car at the limits.

Friday just feels like the perfect day for some raucous drop-head fun; the DB9 Volante.

A massive 470 horsepower 6.0L V12 propels this beast of a convertible from 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds. (1920x1200)

The Aston Martin DB9 Volante is the convertible version of the DB9 coupe. It is built by hand in limited numbers and has enhanced styling. It is powered by the same 6.0 litre, DOHC 48 valve V12 as the DB9 and is completed with 470 bhp and a top speed of 186 mph. Because it is a convertible it will do 0–60 mph in 4.9 seconds, three-tenths of a second slower than the hard top coupe. The Volante is taller than the hardtop, standing at 51.2 inches compared to 50.1 inches. The transmission options are either the Graziano-sourced six speed manual or the ZF-sourced six speed ‘Touchtronic 2′ automatic.

Because you just can’t have a week dedicated to Aston Martin without showing some love for Bond’s DB5.

The DB5 is quite possibly the most recognizable Aston Martin in history courtesy of Britain's favorite spy. (1920x1200)

Producing 282 bhp (210 kW), which propelled the car to 145 mph (233 km/h), this engine, available on the Vantage (high powered) version of the DB4 since March 1962, became the standard Aston Martin power unit with the launch in September 1963 of the DB5.

Standard equipment on the DB5 included reclining seats, wool pile carpets, electric windows, twin fuel tanks, chrome wire wheels, oil cooler, magnesium-alloy body built to superleggera patent technique, full leather trim in the cabin and even a fire extinguisher. All models had 4 seats and 2 doors. The UK recommended list price of the sports saloon (coupe) in December 1963 was including Purchase Tax, the convertible was

This week we show some greatly deserved appreciation for the beauty and talent of  television actress Sarah Lancaster.

The lovely Sarah Lancaster has been the perfect brunette accompanyment to Yvonne Strahovsky's Blondeness on Chuck. (1920x1200)

January 2012 Hottie of the Week: Sarah Lancaster (900x1200)

Sarah is best known for her long-running roles as Rachel in the NBC series Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Ellie Bartowski in the NBC comedy-spy series Chuck, as well as playing Madison Kellner on The WB’s Everwood and Marjorie in ABC’s TV series What About Brian. Oh and we almost forgot! Sarah also played “Lisa the gift shop girl” , one of many objects of temporary affection for Zach Braff’s J.D. on ABC’s hit Scrubs.

Lancaster was born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, with a younger brother, Daniel. As a teenager, her parents, Barbara and Michael, relocated to Mission Viejo, California, where Sarah took up film/TV acting classes with R. J. Adams at The Actors Workshop.

Her skill impressed a talent agent, who helped the then eighth grader to secure her first series-regular role on Saved by the Bell: The New Class in 1993. During this time, she was tutored on the studio’s set and took college courses at the University of California, Irvine to expedite her

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graduation from high school, after which she moved full time to Los Angeles, CA to further her acting career.

Having starred as Sarah Bartowski on the NBC spy-dramedy Chuck for the past 5 years Sarah has also guest-starred on such hit television series as the top-rated ”CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2000) for CBS, HBO’s critically acclaimed”Six Feet Under” (2001), Fox’s ”That ’70s Show” (1998) and The WB’s ”7th Heaven” (1996) and ”Dawson’s Creek” (1998). She also appeared in the CBS movie Michael Landon, the Father I Knew (1999) (TV), in the role of “Leslie Landon”.

For the big screen, Lancaster played a love interest to Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in DreamWorks’ Catch Me If You Can (2002). “If you blink, you’ll miss me”, Sarah is quick to offer, “but it was a valuable experience working with Steven Spielberg”.

She garnered attention recently for her recurring role as college student “Madison Kellner” on The WB’s engrossing family drama series, “Everwood” (2002) for Warner Bros. Television. She played the rock-band-fronting babysitter and love-interest to Gregory Smith’s 16-year-old character, “Ephram Brown”. Lancaster previously had a memorable arc as “Lisa”, the hot gift shop girl and love interest for Zach Braff’s character, on NBC’s hit comedy”Scrubs” (2001). In addition, Lancaster had a recurring role for FOX on David E. Kelley’s ”Boston Public” (2000), where she played a snooty high school student running for prom queen.

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Age: 31
Profession: Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Light Brown
Hair: Brunette
Why: Television, Movies
Where: CHUCK, Scrubs, Everwood
RF: 95% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 93.5%
Twitter: N/A
Facebook: /SarahLancaster

Simple, elegant and aggressive lines make the current model V8 Vantage one of the most striking cars on the road today; clear skies and a wide open UK country-road make it mechanical perfection.

Who knew the sun ever came out from behind the clouds in England? We didn't; calling British Airways now. (1920x1200)

 Following the unveiling of the AMV8 Vantage concept car in 2003, the production V8 Vantage was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2005 for the 2006 model year. The two seat, two -door coupé had a bonded aluminium structure for strength and lightness. The 172.5 inch  long coupé featured a hatchback-style tailgate for practicality, with a large luggage shelf behind the seats. In addition to the coupé, a convertible, known as the V8 Vantage Roadster, is available .

The V8 Vantage was initially powered by a 4.3 L (4300 cc) quad-cam 32-valve V8 which produced 380hp at 7,300 rpm and 302 lb·ft at 5,000 rpm. However models produced after 2008 had a 4.7 litre 420 hp V8. Though based loosely on Jaguar’s AJ-V8 engine architecture, this engine was unique to Aston Martin and featured race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enabled it to be mounted low in the chassis for an improved center of gravity. The cylinder block and heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system, and engine management were all Aston Martin designs and the V8 engine was assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also built the V12 engine for the DB9 and Vanquish.

The engine was front mid-mounted with a rear-mounted transaxle, giving a 49/51 front/rear weight distribution. Slotted Brembo brakes were also standard. The original V8 Vantage could accelerate to 60mph in 4.7 seconds topping out at 175mph. Vantages with the enhanced 400 HP version of the 4.3 L V8 engine (included with the “N400″ package or available individually as a Power Upgrade kit) as well as later models with the 4.7 L V8 and 6.0 L V12 were even faster.

January 2012 Hottie of the Month: Arianny Celeste

January 2012 Hottie of the Month:

Arianny Celeste was born on November 12 in Las Vegas Nevada. She booked her first modeling job when she was four months old for a car seat company. She has always been athletic excelling in cheer, dance, and gymnastics. Arianny started back into modeling at the age of 15. She attended UNLV majoring in fitness management and nutrition. In 2006 she was casted as the new UFC octagon girl. She has been with the company for over 5 years now and has seen it explode. She has appeared in many magazines including Playboy, FHM, Maxim, Maxim espanol and many more. She currently resides in Los Angeles where she has had the opportunity to be in films and music videos. One of her main passions is music. She loves to sing and has recorded some original songs. Another passion of hers is fitness. She loves to help others and finds it very rewarding.

Arianny Celeste

Age: 26
Profession: Model, Ring Girl & Actress
Nationality: American
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brunette
Why: Television, Magazines
Where: UFC Fights, Playboy, Maxim
RF: 94% LF: 91% PF: NA HF: NA AVG: 92.5%
Twitter: @AriannyCeleste
Web: ariannyceleste.com

Following closely on yesterday’s production model V12 Vanquish today we feature the impressive V12 Zagato endurance racer concept.

Big displacement, Big Power....

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is an endurance racing concept car made by Aston Martin in collaboration with Zagato to celebrate a 50 year partnership since the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Introduced in Lake Como, Italy at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on 21 May 2011, the Zagato was awarded with the competition’s “Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes” which has also been won by the One-77 in 2009.

Like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage on which it is based, the V12 Zagato is powered by a 6.0 L V12 engine which produces 510bhp and 420lb-ft of torque. Designed at the Aston Martin Design Studios in Gaydon, the concept features a new handcrafted aluminium body with a front similar to the one of the Vantage and a heavily modified middle, roof and rear section uniting both of the companys design DNAs. Another extra is the endurance racing fuel tank carrying up to 120 liters of fuel.

The electronic nomad Ashton Lorin, better known as Bassnectar, has succeeded at creating an eclectic and diverse album that within minutes has you unintentionally bobbing your head in appreciation.

This is absolutely not Bassnectar's "dirtiest" album but it is certainly his most  melodic dubstep to date. (Click to Enlarge)

Divergent Spectrum, released on August 2nd, 2011 through Ashton’s label Amorphous Music, provides us with something more than just your typical dubstep album. Bassnectar’s most recent album explores all facets of electronic music mixed with hard-hitting dubstep beats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eA7Qu7Lz2g

Bassnectar, a California based DJ and producer, is famous for his electronic mixes and combining mainstream music with intense bass lines and the popular “wobble” bass used by a variety of dubstep musicians. For those not familiar with the dubstep genre, it is a type of electronic dance music that originated in London, England. Dubstep music is most associated with prodigious bass lines, reverberant drum patterns and clipped samples and is often, but not always combined with vocals. A common characteristic of dubstep is the wobble bass, which makes quite a few appearances in the Divergent Spectrum album. It can be described as an extended bass note that is manipulated rhythmically and is typically produced by using a low frequency oscillator (an electronic signal that creates rhythmic pulses or sweep that are used to modulate synthesizers) to manipulate various parameters of a synthesizer (including volume, distortion and filter cutoff).

However, Bassnectar is not solely a dubstep musician. His songs, especially in this album, present his use of various techniques of composition, whether it is a shift in meter and timings or enveloping a unique multiplicity of layers of synthesized harmonies, rappers and singers. Another interesting factor of his music is his use of various tempos that ensures the captivity of his listeners. He uses a wide-ranging scale of speeds to create what he calls “omni-tempo maximalism”, meaning that all speeds, time signatures and rhythms are possible and in-turn creating a mixture of every sound you’ve ever heard. Surprisingly enough, this does not cause his tracks to sound overwhelming and instead flourishes the listeners’ motivation to listen to every song in the album.
The first album in the track, “Upside Down”, is a typical dub track with attractive bass lines and is most reminiscent of the more popular mainstream dub music we find playing in clubs and on the radio. This was a great track to start off the album for it is full of sirens, robotic and pitched down vocals and an overall appealing mix of sounds that would especially interest fans of heavy dubstep music. Other tracks like “The Matrix”, “Red Step” and “Heads up” are also upbeat songs on the album that would fit well in a dance party playlist.

The album also includes less upbeat tracks like “Boomerang”, which with its synth-like melodies is much more ominous with lots of bass and wobble. The song “Afterthought” is also a much more relaxed electronica track with ambient tones mixed with calm clapping beats. The album also includes three remixes, ” Plugged in”, “Immigraniada” (Gorgol Bordello) and “Lights” (Ellie Goulding), which all present segments of the original songs mixed with pieces of heavy dubstep and wobbly bass lines characteristic of Bassnectar’s pieces.

Overall, the album presents a variety of songs that are not all similar in nature and are not all typically dubstep and electronic. There are, however, pieces in the album that do not add much to the mix. An example of this is the song “Above and Beyond” which felt more like white noise serving as filler track for the album. Divergent Spectrum, which within the first 10 hours of being released reached number 6 on iTunes Top 10 for album sales, lives up to its hype. It offers a collection of tracks that are representative of the signature trendy, bass-exploding, head-lolling hits that put Bassnectar on the map but also includes necessary low-key tracks to balance out the mix. The Best part of the album is that it successfully incorporates Bassnectar’s take on many genres including anthem rock, heavy dubstep, and hip-hop, ensuring that listeners will, at the very least, find one song on the album that they will instantly be adding to their iTunes library.

This week there is no replacement for displacement as show some love for Aston Martin; first up the awesomely aggressive V12 powered Vanquish.

Definingly British the Aston (1920x1200)

The Aston Martin Vanquish was designed by Ian Callum and bore a large resemblance to the production DB7 Vantage. However, the car had a strong influence from the ‘Project Vantage’ prototype concept car which debuted with a V12 engine at the North American International Auto Show in January 1998. As underneath the car featured a strong aluminium/carbon composite construction, bonded chassis with a 6.0 L V12 with 450bhp.

To keep alive the flagship Vanquish name with the introduction of the popular DB9, Aston Martin upgraded the Vanquish to 514bhp, added improved suspension and improved the cars aerodynamic efficiency. The Vanquish production ended on 19 July 2007, coinciding with the shutting of the company’s Newport Pagnell factory after forty nine years of operation.

Quite possibly the sexiest design from Lotus in the last 40 years…

Featuring a hybrid 4.0-liter V6 and weighing a mere 2,855lbs the new Elan is a true 21st century Lotus (1920x1200)

This all new Lotus Elan was announced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and while it was hoped to be in production by 2013, Lotus has since pushed it’s production back to a 2017 model year release. Why you may ask? So as to allow the newly reconfigured auto manufacturer time to further develop the current Evora. Push-back aside the sexy new Evora is slated to feature a 4.0-litre V6 engine and weigh in roughly at 2,855 lbs. Looking forward to the future, it has also been announced that the new Elan will also feature optional hybrid technology with KERS which will be across the whole new Lotus range. It will mainly be aimed at buyers of the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

In spite of what Toyota would have the world believe, the first hybrid car is actually a now 100-year-old Porsche…

Early 20th century technology at it's most innovative, this early Porsche hybrid had an impressive 125 mile range.

On permanent display in the Stuttgart Porsche factory museum, the 100 year old hybrid made a rare transcontinental visit to the west coast in 2011 for the LA Auto Show where it helped promote the new Panamera S and GT3 RS hybrids.

The car had in-wheel electric motors and an onboard gas engine to recharge the batteries. This makes the car a serial hybrid (only one engine drives the wheels) like the Volt, instead of a paralell hybrid (both engines drive the wheels) like the Prius. And the car, on the whole, was quite a breakthrough at the time.

The in-wheel electric motors were an absolute stroke of genius as they significantly increased the vehicle’s efficiency by removing all mechanical parts. Unlike the Volt, the 1901 Porsche hybrid could only be charged by its onboard engine as it did not have an AC  power plug…

Unfortunately, at the dawn of the 20th century Porsche didn’t see any reason to continue the development of these hybrid vehicles, gasoline had become exceptionally cheap and the extra electric motors were prohibitively expensive to construct and maintain.  But times change and now some 100 years after Ferdinand Porsche first pioneered hybrid technology Porsche has rekindled their interest in the efficient Eco-friendly technology and is actively producing  hybrid versions of their succesfull Panamera S sports sedan and 911 GT3 RS ALMS competitive racer.

Celebrating 100 years of automotive excellence and innovation the Porsche hybrids.

Last time we saw agent Sterling Archer he was battling pirates on a remote island in the south Pacific…

We may be loosing Team Bartowski next Friday but at least we still have Archer and the Isis agents for our spy dramedy fix.

Sterling comes face to face with his childhood hero...Burt Reynolds.

Season 3 however resumes on more familiar ground with Sterling Archer and company back at ISIS HQ with Archer right where we’d expect him, at the Tuntmore Bar trying to pick up two women and bumping into an unlikely guest-star and movie hero; Burt Reynolds.

Some great scenes came out of the pairing of Sterling and Burt, like an interrogation scene where Reynolds turned it around into a screenplay bribe, the longest elevator ride and a car chase that included Burt Reynolds tickle Sterling.

So far, season three has had four strong episodes to begin what looks to be the best season yet. I liked that FX gave us a three-episode teaser in the fall and swung for the fences with this Burt Reynolds episode. We even got to see more of Krieger’s holographic Anime girlfriend in the van. I hope we can continue to see ISIS run with the plot device that Ray is crippled and is becoming a burden. Even though technically this wasn’t ”technically”a season premiere, it certainly watched like one!

Look for new episodes of Archer to continue on FX Thursday nights at 10pm ET/PT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6KApzgtjU

The Lotus Esprit Turbo…an 80′s forced-induction icon soon reborn with 21st century sensibility and panache .

In 20120 Lotus set out to build a supercar and based on the production mule we've seen, they succeeded. (1920x1200)

In January 2011 Lotus shocked the automotive community when it announced a return to the development of  ”in-house” motors which were being developed for the all new 2013 model year Esprit. The Lotus motor specs are mid-mounted, lighter, more compact, and a lot more fuel-efficient engine than the IS-F unit they are derived from. Specifically it was stated that “Lotus” motors are being engineered and designed “in-house” for the Esprit with a V8 and a V6 model. The V-6 and the V-8 will be mirrored to the 90-degree cylinder angle. The V-8 displacement ranges from 4.0 to 4.8 liters, and the V-6 between 3.0 and 3.5 liters. Both naturally aspirated and twin-turbo variants are in the design phase, redlining at 9250 rpm. The 2013 Lotus V-8 shaves off 130-pounds than the 5.0-liter V-8 IS-F Lexus engine. Expect the 4.8-liter version to have some choices, 550 hp and 620 hp (Esprit R) along with a 3.2-liter V-6 at 350 hp (normally aspirated) or 500 hp (turbocharged). Power is fed to the rear wheels by a seven-speed, paddle-shift dual-clutch transmission.

As of fall 2011, Lotus now claims a 0–60mph time of 3.4 seconds or less and a top speed of 205mph; numbers which secure the car’s supercar status and readily make it one of the fastest production cars in the world. Looking to the future much like rival Porsche, Lotus also states that the Esprit will now be available with a Hybrid option, utilizing a KERS regenerative brake system derived from Formula One.

Undoubtedly one of the most competent street racers ever built, the Lotus Exige GT3 on a track is performance poetry in motion.

The aggressively competent the Lotus Exige GT3 marries Toyota reliability with Lotus performance and handling. (1920x1200)

It’s been a good season for the Toyota enthusiast; between a Tokyo/Los Angeles debut for FR-S and January’s Detroit debut for the Lexus LF-LC  Toyota has reminded the world they can be fun and sexy too.

Strikingly sophisticated and imposing the Lexus LF-LC takes the success of the LF-A and refines it. (1920x1280)

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A striking design but sadly not surprising, the LF-LC concept has been leaking slowly onto the internet for the past several months. Good or bad,  these rumors and unofficial photos really didn’t ruin the surprise though, instead like any good viral advertising campaign they only served to heighten the sense of anticipation for the strikingly sexy, elegant and aggressive 2+2 coupe’s official debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto-show. Balanced and stunning, Lexus hit a home run in Detroit with the LF-LC and succinctly reminded the world that they are much more than Toyota’s luxury brand…they

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are Toyota’s innovators. Divergently refined and radically unique this latest LF concept continue to build on a new design continuity rooted in the CT-200h and currently embodied in the aggressive 2013 GS.

The hot-looking coupe was penned by Lexus’ Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California. It comes as no surprise to us that this rolling design study also packs hybrid power, but Lexus claims that the sleek sports car will also deliver cutting-edge driving dynamics.

We’re all for a Lexus with track aspirations, but this

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coupe is a design study that promises to further reveal the future of Lexus design. The LF-LC boldly displays Lexus’ new spindle grill, while also mixing in sharp angles and elegant curves. The LF-LC also suggests to us that the LF-A may not be a one-and-done foray into the exotic sports coupe segment, but at the same time Lexus promises that the LF-LC could “remain within reach for premium buyers.”Outside of audacious LED headlamps and about two inches of ground clearance the exterior of the LF-LC looks production ready. The same cannot be said for the

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futuristic but still very cool cabin. the cabin is dominated by rich leather, tons of suede, thin yet elegant seats and more polished wood than a bowling alley. Actually, the center stack looks like it could spit out a 14-pound ball with three holes, and that’s not a bad thing.The tech story is equally impressive, as a pair of 12.3-inch screens that pull information and navigation duties, respectively. The impressive screen dominating the center stack is of the touch-sensitive variety, and it also controls audio, climate and navigation.

2011 marked the beginning of a era for Lotus in Formula 1 racing…

Driver Nick Heidfeld leads Team Lotus at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix. (1920x1200)

On 5 November 2010, Autosport reported that Renault was poised to scale back its involvement in 2011 and become only an engine supplier, with the team closing in on a tie-up withLotus Cars to buy its 25% stake in the team. The deal was finalized in early December 2010, with the team to be renamed Lotus Renault GP for 2011, under a sponsorship deal signed with Lotus Cars until 2017. Renault continues to support the team by supplying engines and its expertise. The Renault chassis name continues to be used, with Renault branding featuring in the new black and gold livery that was last used when Renault and Lotus joined forces in the 1980s.

If you hadn’t heard of SOPA before, you probably have by now: Some of the internet’s most influential sites—Reddit and Wikipedia among them—are going dark to protest the much-maligned anti-piracy bill. But other than being a very bad thing, what is SOPA? And what will it mean for you if it passes?

Because who wants our government censuring the internet? It's something communists and dictatorships do...not Americans.

What Is SOPA? SOPA is an anti-piracy bill working its way through Congress…

A 1960′s icon, the Lotus 25 was mobile, agile and extremely hostile employing groundbreaking engineering techniques with a tried and true performance moniker .

A revolutionary race design, the Lotus 25 was the first F1 car with a fully stressed monocoque chassis. (1920x1200)

The Lotus 25 was a racing car designed by Colin Chapman for the 1962 Formula One season. Revolutionary in design, the 25 represents the first fully stressed monocoque chassis to appear in F1. An early brainchild of Chapman’s fertile mind, the original sketches for the car were made on napkins while Chapman discussed his idea while dining out with Lotus chassis designer Mike Costin.

Getting back into the swing of things, what better video to start out the new year with than this one showing GReddy’s 35RX GT-R participating in a top-speed challenge at Fuji Speedway?

Exceeding 205mph around Fuji Speedway the GReddy/TRUST 35RX GT-R is nothing short of magical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab6fltd8lZ4

January 2012 Hottie of the Week: Bianca Gascoine (900x1200)

Age: 25

Profession: British Media Personality & Glamour Model

Nationality: British

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Brunette/Blonde

Why: Television, Magazines, etc…

Where: UK’s Big Brother, FHM Magazine…

RF: 94%  LF: 91%  PF: NA  HF: NA AVG: 92.5%

Twitter: @BiancaGascoigne
Facebook: /BiancaGascoigne

Bianca Gascoigne is a British glamour model and television personality born on 28 October 1986. She is the daughter Sheryl Failes, the former wife of the famous English soccer star Paul Gascoigne, who adopted Sheryl’s two children from her first marriage. Besides her brother, Mason, Bianca Gascoigne also has a half-brother, Regan Paul Gascoigne.
Bianca Gascoigne made it to the newspapers when she lifted the lid on the alleged abuse of her mother Sheryl by her stepfather Paul Gascoigne and her growing up in an atmosphere of domestic violence. Her relationship with her father went on a downward spiral then onwards, with Paul Gascoigne even going to the extent of claiming that he did not acknowledge her as his daughter any more. Their estrangement did not last long and they soon patched things up. Bianca Gascoigne stated that she was devastated when Paul Gascoigne was detained under the Mental Health Act. She asked the media to respect his privacy following his hospitalisation in May 2008. Paul

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Gascoigne was inspired by his daughter Bianca Gascoigne in his struggle to beat his addiction to alcohol in the Priory clinic.

Bianca Gascoigne first came to the limelight in 2006 as a contestant in the ITV reality show, Love Island, which was set in Fiji. She went on to win the contest along with Calum Best, former fashion model-turned-television personality. She appeared on two episodes, one in 2006 and the other in 2007, in the British television music talent show The X Factor, meant for aspiring singers

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drawn from public auditions.

In 2008 Bianca Gascoigne also featured in an episode of the ITV2 reality series CelebAir, in which eleven famous personalities perform duties of the cabin crew and check-in attendants. She also appeared on The Podge and Rodge Show, a chat show produced and broadcast by RTÉ, Ireland’s Public Service Broadcaster.

In July 2008, in a celebrity special of the television show Gladiators, Bianca Gascoigne competed against fellow glamour model, Danielle Lloyd. Bianca Gascoigne emerged triumphant in event held in support of a charity for domestic violence. That year, between 15 to 18 July, she also presented Big Brother’s Big Mouth, a show, in which fans and celebrity guests talk about the latest events happened in the Big Brother House.

In addition to TV shows, this British model has also appeared on the covers of several popular magazines, including Maxim, FHM, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo Weekly. Bianca Gascoigne featured

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on the front cover of Loaded, a British magazine

for men that is considered to be the “original lads’ mag” in September 2006. In January 2007 she appeared on the cover of Nuts, the first ever weekly lads’ magazine to be published in the UK. She also made it to the cover of another weekly men’s magazine, the Zoo Weekly in August 2008. Besides these magazines, Bianca Gascoigne frequently appears on tabloid newspapers, thanks to her active social life.

Today we take a look at a modern Lotus that we’re quickly growing very fond of, particularly in the new and more desirable “S” trim.

The Evora wss designed to compete with Porsche 's Cayman...something the newer "S" variant does very well.

Question: What makes the Evora-S so much better than the standard Evora?
Answer: Raw increased and unadulterated horsepower…

The factory equipped and much needed supercharger breathes ample new forced-induction life into the already competent Toyota 3.5-liter V6. The addition of which benefits the Evora by giving it nearly 100 additional horsepower; producing a much more impressive 346bhp with 295 lb-ft of torque. How does that translate to the road or track you ask? The power increase is enough to substantially increase the car’s straight-line track time while bolstering overall performance as well. The net result of which is a zero-to-60 time of 4.6 seconds with the S also gaining 10 additional miles per hour on its top speed of 172 mph.

When it comes times to shift gears, the Evora S comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but for the latest model year Lotus has also added a new option: the IPS transmission. The IPS, or Intelligent Precision Shift, is centered around a six-speed automatic gearbox that also features Lotus-developed transmission control.

This transmission features the ability to drive as a standard automatic, or to reach behind the steering wheel to utilize paddle shifters for added control. On the IPS-equipped Evora S ‘sport mode’ will also increase shifting firmness. In addition to boosting the horsepower, Lotus has also made several other performance upgrades, including a stiffer more race-minded suspension tune, as well as the addition of cross-drilled rotors for reduced brake fade.

The clear stand out single to hit alternative and indie rock radio in December 2011 was Fun.’s inspiring and up-beat “We Are Young.”

Fun.'s drummer Jack Antonoff, guitarist Andrew Dost and lead-singer Nate Ruess shoot their new video for "We Are Young."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv6dMFF_yts

Band Bio:

Following the Format’s breakup in 2008, frontman Nate Ruess took his songwriting skills to Steel Train’s Jack Antonoff and Anathallo’s Andrew Dost, both of whom shared a similar affinity for vintage pop music and quirky, melodic hooks. The trio began a series for collaborations in Antonoff’s parents’ living room and soon enlisted the help of producer Steven McDonald, who recorded their work and handled bass duties. After enlisting the help of former Jellyfish keyboardist Robert Joseph Manning, Jr., who arranged several tracks, the bandmates completed work on their first record. Dubbing themselves Fun., the group introduced their sprightly sound in 2009 with the debut album Aim and Ignite.

This week we focus in on the amazing cars Lotus has given the world both past and present; first up, the newly Turin tested Exige R-GT Rally car.

The New Exige-R GT Rally car being put through the paces this past December in Turin, Italy. (1920x1200)

Lotus was full of renewed vigor in 2011 to which end they kept busy on several new projects, which included the all new Exige R-GT rally car which they just put the through its first shakedown tests in Turin, Italy. So far, the Lotus team is happy with the vehicle’s progress, but testing will continue in 2012 as the company prepares to take on the 2012 FIA World Championship. Don’t expect the Exige R-GT to take on too many gravel stages, however as Lotus says the rally car will lock horns with competitors in the FIA GT Class on the asphalt events in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse and San Remo.

Just how busy has Lotus been? They actually had just begun working on this rally fighter in July, 2011…an  amazingly quick turn around for the vehicle’s first shakedown run.

Our October 2011 Hottie of the Month, the always beautiful Yvonne Strahovski recently had an interesting photo-shoot with the folks at SoBe Life Water…you’re welcome.

The beautiful and talented Yvonne Strahovski poses in her "SoBe Skin Suit" in a new campaign promoting Life Water (640x472)

Yvonne recently traded her role as a secret agent Sarah Walker on NBC’s dramedy Chuck for a turn as the latest SoBe skinsuit model. Covered in cleverly placed body paint, Yvonne is helping to uniquely launch the company’s new SoBe Lifewater with Coconut product line.

Given the nude nature of the shoot you might wonder how the Aussie actress feels about all of the…exposure?

For the record, Yvonne is completely covered in body paint — and nothing else. “It was an interesting process, it took six hours to paint on,” she reveals.

“The pics are very artistic,” she says of the campaign. “When I saw the other ads I thought they were very beautiful.”

As for how well Yvonne feels the unconventional photo-shoot turned out, she was actually impressed at just how well the body art blended in with all the various natural backdrops in south Florida. She also was sure to mention that the talented artist who painted her, actually brought his mother along to help out with the process; something that greatly helped to put her at ease with the lengthy application and the lack of clothing.

When asked about her television show Chuck now in it’s final season, Yvonne had this to say, “I’ve had time to say my goodbyes.”  She does however promise some surprise twists coming up, but of course those are top secret!

Yvonne…we’re going to sure miss seeing you every week when Chuck goes off the air later this month. (series finale airs Friday January 27th @ 8/7c on NBC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL36YzIZi14

In 2007 the 997 GT2 redefined the performance and handling characteristics of the Porsche 911 turbo…

The first non-track 911 Turbo to exceed 200mph, the 997 GT2 runs 0-60mph in a mere 3.6 seconds! (1920x1200)

The 997 GT2 has a twin turbocharged 3.6 litre 6-cylinder engine based on 997 Turbo but Porsche achieved power increase through completely newly designed expansion intake manifold in which the distributor pipe is longer than in Turbo and the intake manifolds are shorter, a full titanium silencer is used also in GT2, even though the Porsche 911 (997) Carrera S variant has a slightly larger engine at 3.8 litres.

Despite the power hike, Porsche claims fuel consumption at full throttle is improved by 15 percent compared with the Turbo. The GT2 accelerates in 3.6 seconds to 60 mph and in 7.4 seconds to 100 mph with a  top speed of 204mph. This makes it the first Porsche 911 GT2 to exceed the 200 mph top speed after the 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 Race Version (which is not considered an actual Porsche 911 due to its mid-mounted engine and it only saw roads for homologation purposes). The Porsche 997 GT2 has a curb weight of 1,440 kg (3,200 lb). The only transmission choice is a 6-speed manual gearbox. The GT2 is also the first Porsche equipped with launch control.

Its appearance is slightly different from its sister-car, the Porsche 911 (997) Turbo, in a few ways. It does not have fog lights in the front bumper, it has a revised front lip, it has a larger rear wing (with two small air scoops on either side), and it has a different rear bumper (now featuring titaniumexhaust pipes).

January 2012 Hottie of the Week: Ksenia Solo

Age: 24

Profession: Actress and Model

Nationality: Latvian

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Brunette

Why: Movies & Television

Where: “Black Swan”, “Life Unexpected”

RF: 94%  LF: 91%  PF: NA  HF: NA   AVG: 92.5%

When: ”Lost Girl” Premiers on SyFy 1/16 @ 10pm

Twitter: @KseniaSolo
Facebook: /ksenia-Solo

The daughter of a successful ballerina turned actress, Ksenia Solo was born in Latvia but immigrated to Canada with her parents as a very young girl. A former ballerina herself, Ksenia turned her focus to acting when a back injury regretfully ended her dance career at the young age of 14.

A popular Canadian actress, Ksenia first established herself on the teen series Renegadepress.com where she won  Gemini awards in both 2005 and 2006. Branching into mainstream American media, Ksenia is now best known for her roles on the American television series Life Unexpected and Lost Girl (premiers on SyFy January 16th @10pm) along with an appearance alongside actresses Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman in Darren Aronofsky’s acclaimed film, Black Swan.

Today we give thanks for the pioneer of affordable German performance; the Porsche 914…with a modern Subaru engine.

The 914 introduced many performance enthusiasts to their first attainable Porsche...30+ years later it's still a popular tuner platform. (1920x1200)

The Renegade Hybrids 914 Chevy V8 conversions have been around for 25+ years and hundreds of cars have been successfully converted. More recently the 914 LS series V8 kit was born using the late model, all aluminum, GM engines and even more 914’s have made it to Super-Car status. Then, in response for an even lighter and more economical engine alternative, Renegade went back to a flat four designed engine with a very modern twist, and developed the EJ series Subaru conversion kit! To the few that doubted the performance of the V8 in this fantastic little mid-engine platform, our response is clear! “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!”

With donor engines choices from 120HP to a tune-able 450HP, impressive reliability and fuel economy, low center of gravity, and a HUGE aftermarket support industry, the ‘Subie’ flat four EJ series engines, have found a new home with their distant cousin, the 914!

The last of the air-cooled 911′s, the 993 Turbo S  to represents to many the apex of authentic Porsche 911 design.

The 993 Porsche 911 Turbo S is considered by many to be the Holy Grail of Porsche motor sports. (1920x1200)

During the second to the last year of production of the 993 (1996-1997), Porsche offered the 993 Turbo S. Ultimately 183 cars were sold. The Turbo S is a high-spec Turbo including a power upgrade to 424 hp  for the American market and to 450hp for European, Asian and Australian markets. The inclusion of extras including carbon fibre decoration in the interior makes it different from the earlier lightweight, spartan 964 Turbo S. The 993 Turbo S is recognized by yellow brake calipers, a slightly larger rear wing, a 4-pipe exhaust and air scoops behind the doors. This was the last of the air-cooled Turbos. Extremely rare in Australia with a mere 12 Turbo S cars ever being delivered.

Porsche just announced plans to develop a third generation version of its hot flywheel-propelled Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid.

Producing more than 470bhp with an electrical boost-assist of and additional 200bhp, the GT3 R Hybrid is...impressive. (1920x1200)

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The company says that the third generation of the über fast auto will further refine its hybrid drivetrain, with the eventual goal of integrating the new-found technology into Porsche’s commercial vehicles. Although the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 was pretty impressive, it is expected that the Porsche team will attempt to lower the weight of the car and tweak the flywheel technology to try to get even more power out of the hybrid system.

The new Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be developed and hopefully released sometime in 2012 and like its predecessors is sure to hit the

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track soon after for lots of hands on testing by the Porsche team. Version 2.0 packed a mean punch on the track as it was carted around the world for extensive on the asphalt testing. Porsche’s 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 was capable of going from 0 to 60 in just 2.5 seconds. The vehicle was propelled by its 470 horsepower 4.0-liter engine in the rear and the 36,000 rpm flywheel in the front packing a total system capacity of 672 horsepower.

The 470 horsepower engine was assisted by the flywheel system placed near the front axle that stored kinetic energy from braking, and it was

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capable of giving a 200 horsepower rush of speed. In their work on improving the first version of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid the Porsche team decreased the weight of the vehicle by 20% by reworking the high components of the vehicle, removed huge air intakes on the vehicle and reconfigured the skin to make it more aerodynamic. We were impressed with version 2.0 and can’t wait to see what innovative improvements Porsche unveils in the 2012 iteration of this hybrid speed machine.T

So our logical question becomes, will Americans ever get a crack at owning one?

It packs a turbocharged 2.0L with 252bhp and 258lb-ft of torque going 0-60mph in under 5.7 seconds. (1920x1200)

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The A1 Quattro is faster than a Mini Cooper S, or any other performance hatch currently on sale in the US market, it’s also faster than the Corsa VXR Nürburgring and most everything else available in Europe, including the Ford Focus ST and VW Golf R… Yes, as of right now Audi had positioned them self with what may well be the hottest hot-hatch of the new decade.

Audi has announced plans to produce 333 left-hand-drive models of this, the fastest production

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A1 ever built.

Currently only planned to be made available in mainland Europe, Audi has stated that positive customer reaction to the car could see it reach the UK and eventually even possibly the United States and Canada. Hope springs eternal…

Equipped with a 252bhp turbocharged, 2.0 liter TFSI power-plant capable of producing 258lb-ft of torque from between 2,500rpm and 4,500rpm and propelling the spry hatch from 0-60mph in fewer

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than 5.7 seconds. No slouch on top-end, the A1 Quattro also has a reported top speed of 152+mph.

While not the best looking hatch out there, the A1 Quattro definitely would seem to offer the most performance potential and with that in mind would be a perfect new platform for American tuners to show off their innovation and unique skills.

Audi, if you’re listening Americans want/need this car.

Wow, it’s already the Friday before Christmas… We end the work week with our favorite Audi to date…the R8 in LMS form!

What's not to love about the amazing Audi R8 setup in full-on LMS GT3 form? Not a damn thing! (1920x1200)

In 2012, the Audi R8 LMS ultra will succeed the successful R8 LMS GT3 sports car with which R8 LMS customers have won 115 races and 12 national and international titles in the space of just three years.

The haunting anthem to one of the greatest movies of all time, the Pixies “Where Is My Mind” has gone on to enjoy great and diverse commercial successes long after it’s initial 1988 release…

The Enchantingly Perverse Romanticism of "Where Is My Mind" in the Closing Scene of Fight Club

Of all the covers and re-recordings of this famous Pixies song, it took Microsoft with their Kinect and the quirky cool Vitamin String Quartet to produce what could quite possibly be the most melodically haunting and uplifting version of “Where Is my Mind” the world will ever know.

Instrumental Genesis: The Kinect Effect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_QLguHvACs

The Vitamin String Quartet Performs:
Where Is My Mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPEjhYCff18

Along with official releases like Wave of Mutilation: The Best of the Pixies and Frank Black Francis, The String Quartet Tribute to Pixies is another, somewhat more unusual spin-off of the Pixies’ 2004 reunion tour. Then again, it seems like even the most obscure groups have a string quartet tribute album (or, alternately, Pickin’ On… bluegrass tribute album), so it’s a little surprising that it took Vitamin this long to get around to arranging the music of one of alternative rock’s definitive bands for a string quartet.

Actually, The String Quartet Tribute to Pixies isn’t performed by a proper string quartet; instead, it’s a duo dubbed the Tallywood Strings, with one guy playing violins and violas, and the other handling cello duties. The fact that two people are playing four parts may contribute to the album’s occasional stiffiness, but overall, this set is better than many of Vitamin’s countless other string quartet tributes. The best tracks manage to transcend mere quirkiness, though it is pretty fun to hear “Debaser”‘s surging intro played by a cello instead of a bass. Overall, the album is too literal: virtually every vocal tic and instrumental fill from the Pixies’ originals is translated into the string arrangements. However, the version of “Caribou” underscores the song’s creepy majesty, “Velouria”‘s weightless feel and bittersweet melody are translated beautifully, and “Where Is My Mind?” features some attractive counterpoint and brings out the yearning partially obscured by the noise and weirdness on the original’s surface.

In sticking with our Audi theme, this week’s video of the week showcases a direct comparison between the new Audi RS5 and the market defining BMW E92 M3.

The Audi RS5 and the E92 M3 are perfect Teutonic rivals both on the track and on the street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQKADZcQM4c

We mostly concur with the folks in Europe @ Autocar; the RS5 edges out the M3 in terms of performance and handling but just barely… It is worth noting however that the BMW wins out in terms of projected reliability and warranty/service.

Audi redefines the Euro hot-hatch with it’s new budget racer; 252bhp with 258lb-ft and capable of going 0-60mph in under 5.7 seconds.

With an aggressive look and good performance numbers there is little doubt the A1 Quattro will be a solid seller. (1920x1200)

Shall we take bets as to when/if the U.S. gets the A1 Quattro? Our wager, 2014

December 2011 Hottie of the Week: Claire Sinclair

Age: 20

Profession: Model, Pin-up & TV Personality

Nationality: American

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Brunette

Why: Print & TV

Where: Playboy, E!, Catalogs, Advertising

RF: 94%  LF:85%  PF: NA  HF: 91%   AVG: 89.3%

When: ”K11” Scheduled for release in 2012

Twitter: @ClaireSinclair
Facebook: /pinupclairesinclair

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This week we spotlight a young woman that many of our readers may or may not already be aware of; the popular retro-chic pinup model Claire Sinclair (she also happens to be the 2011 playmate of the year). At only 20 years old and having already established a succesfull modeling career, anchored by becoming playmate of the year at only 19 years old, we are very interested to see just how bright future will be for this the lovely and charming model and TV personality.

Cute, busty, and shapely brunette knockout Claire Sinclair was born Clairissa Irene Riccio on May 25, 1991 in Los Angeles, California. Sinclair’s family moved around a lot and as a result she attended many different grade schools while growing up. Claire graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Los Angeles in 2009. She started modeling at age fourteen and has worked for such companies as Angel Jeans, Scarlet Lingerie, and Smooch Jeans. Sinclair first posed for noted erotic artist Olivia de Berardinis at age eighteen. Olivia in turn introduced Claire to “Playboy” magazine founder and publisher Hugh Hefner. Sinclair was chosen to be the Playmate of the Month in the October, 2010 issue of the famous men’s magazine. She’s an avid fan of Stevie Nicks and a voracious reader who checks out ten books at a time from the library. Moreover, Claire appeared as herself on an episode of the reality TV series “The Girls Next Door.” Sinclair was named Playmate of the Year in 2011.

Having had the good fortune to cover the TDI’s at ALMS tracks like Sebring and Road Atlanta, it’s safe to say that the R18 holds a special place in our pantheon of ultimate modern motorsports icons.

Automotive engineering magic produces a 3.7 liter turbocharged diesel V6 able to dominate the ALMS and beyond. (1920x1200)

The Audi R18 TDI is a Le Mans Prototype (LMP) racing car constructed by the German car manufacturer Audi AG. It is the successor to the Audi R15 TDI. Like its predecessor, the R18 uses a TDI turbocharged diesel engine but with a reduced capacity of 3.7 litres and in a V6 configuration. For the first time since the 1999 R8C, Audi has chosen a closed cockpit design for their Le Mans prototype.

As per the new rules for Le Mans in 2011 the car features a stabilisation fin on the engine cover and also has a new 6-speed gearbox. The new gearbox is electrically controlled instead of pneumatically controlled, saving weight by eliminating the pneumatic system. Despite the capacity reduction, the 3.7L V6 is claimed to develop more than 397 kilowatts (532 bhp) of power. This is less than the outgoing R15, but the V6 engine’s fuel consumption will more than likely be lower than that of the outgoing V10 engine on the R15. The new engine has a single Garrett TR30R VGTturbocharger, as opposed to the twin TR30R configuration of both the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP and the previous Audi R15 TDI. The R18′s V6 engine exhausts inwards between the cylinder banks, where the turbocharger is placed. This is called a ‘hot side inside’ configuration and is opposed to the traditional configuration with each cylinder bank of a V engine exhausting outwards to their respective turbochargers.

The Audi R18 is the first ever LMP car to race with full LED headlights, in this case in the shape of the number “1.” Unlike other coupé competitors in its class, the chassis on the R18 is not composed of two halves but rather a single-piece construction for improved rigidity. The R18 has an engine cooling duct above the cockpit roof as well as redesigned rear wheel arches to channel more air to the rear wing. Like the Acura ARX-02a, Audi has chosen to install bigger and wider tyres at the front for increased contact patch. Further changes include a lower rear wing, aluminium splitters and a small duct on the front of the car for improved driver comfort within the cockpit. The 2011 ACO regulations have limited the R18′s fuel tank to 65 litres. The rule changes have been tabled over the past few years in an aim to introduce greater efficiency into motorsport.

The car that put Audi’s performance program on the map; the turbo-charged AWD Quattro A2.

Turbo-charged and intercooled the Quattro A2 produced 444hp+, impressive even by today's standards. (1920x1200)

The Audi Sport Quattro was a Quattro programme car developed for homologation for Group B rallying in 1984, and sold as a production car in limited numbers. It featured an all aluminium alloy 130.2 cu in 2.1 l 20v DOHC engine which was slightly smaller than that of the Audi Quattro (in order to qualify for the 3-litre engine class after the scale factor applied to turbo engines). In road-going form, the engine was capable of producing 302bhp, with the competition cars initially producing around 444+bhp.

The vehicle also featured a body shell composed of carbon-kevlar and boasted wider arches, wider wheels (nine inches as compared to the Ur-Quattro’s optional 8-inch-wide (200 mm) wheel rim), the steeper windscreen rake of the Audi 80 (requested by the Audi Sport rally team drivers to reduce internal reflections from the dashboard for improved visibility) and most noticeably,12.6 in shorter wheelbase.

The new TT-RS finally realizes the full potential of the previously sedate if not pedantic U.S. Audi TT.

Briskly handling 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds the new TT-RS delivers on the TT's polarizing aesthetics. (1920x1200)

With its world debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show and developed by Audi’s high performance subsidiary quattro GmbH at Neckarsulm, Audi released the first ever compact sports car Audi “RS” model – the Audi TT RS, which was available from 2009 in Coupé and Roadster variants. This new TT RS harks back to the sporting legacy of 1980s Audi Quattros – with their high performance five-cylinder turbocharged engine, the TT RS includes an all-new 2.5 litre inline five-cylinder turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection (TFSI) gasoline engine. This new 403 lb engine produces a DIN-rated motive power output of 335bhp from 5,400 to 6,700 rpm, and torque of 332lb-ft at 1,600-5,300 rpm.

Historically, after the original Audi “RS” model – the Audi RS2 Avant, all Audi “RS” models have their assembly carried out at the quattro GmbH factory in Neckarsulm, Germany. The TT RS will be the first Audi RS vehicle that will not have any of its assembly performed in Neckarsulm, and will be completely assembled in the Audi factory in Győr, Hungary,[17] alongside its ‘lesser’ Audi TT brethren.

The TT RS has a new short-shift close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, and like all “RS” models, is only available with Audi’s ‘trademark’ quattro four-wheel drive system, with the TT RS using a specially adapted version of the latest generation multi-plate clutch from Haldex Traction. Additions to the quattro system include a constant velocity joint before the cardan propeller shaft, and a compact rear-axle differential – upgraded to cope with the increased torque from the five cylinder turbo engine.

Like the TTS, the TT RS has a 0.4 in lower ride height, optional “Audi Magnetic Ride”, and rides on standard 18 inch roadwheels with tires (optional 19″ or 20″ wheels are also available). The brakes are uprated to include two-piece cross-drilled and radially vented front discs. The front discs are clamped by gloss black painted four-piston calipers, adorned with the RS logo. Rear ventilated discs are sized at 12.2 in in diameter.

The RS includes a fixed rear spoiler (retractable optional), and has black interior with heated Alcantara/leather sports seats (Silk Nappa, Fine Nappa leather optional). The Recaro “RS bucket” seats, first seen in the Audi B7 RS4 are also available as an option. Also carried over from the B7 RS4 is the ‘Sport’ button, which sharpens the throttle response and deepens the exhaust note, and a three-stage user-selectable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

Official performance figures indicate the TT RS Coupé will accelerate from standstill to 60mph in 4.5 seconds (4.7 seconds for the Roadster), with an electronically limited top speed of 155.3 mph. The Coupé has a curb weight of 3,197 lbs, and the Roadster weighs in at 3,329 lbs.

This week’s theme is Audi and there seemed no better way to kick things off than by first focusing on the Audi which has most impressed us in 2011, the  RS5.

Producing more than 505bhp the Senner Tuning modified Audi RS5 is nothing short of mechanical beauty. (1920x1200)

With the Audi RS5, Senner Tuning took all the usual steps: some exterior appointments, upgraded suspension and of course, more power. Starting with the engine modifications, the 4.2-liter direct-injected V8’s output was boosted to 506 hp (+56 ponies) and 353 lb-ft, by letting it “breathe” more efficiently through a new, valve-controlled stainless steel exhaust system. Thanks to these changes, the modified RS5 accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, or almost half a second faster than the stock model.

The removal of the electronic speed limiter allows the coupe to reach a top speed of 174 mph. Speed-thirsty customers can also opt for a tire swap, in which case, the RS5 can go up to 300 km/h (186 mph). The Bilstein-sourced B16 PSS10 coilover kit, which allows for adjustable damping, both on the compression and rebound cycles, in 10 stages, and the 20-inch alloy wheels with 225/30 rubber up front and 295/25 at the back, round off the performance upgrades.

On the outside, exterior changes are limited to carbon fiber mirror casings, a new window frame finish and a blacked out honeycomb front grille. Inside, upon request, Senner Tuning can fit the cabin with carbon fiber and custom leather trim.

The complete car costs $150,075, including all taxes and registration, while customers already owning an RS5 will have to pay $24,903 for the conversion kit.

Today we take a look back to 2005 and one of the 12 models we shot for our 2006 Down Shift Bikini Calendar; the lovely, smart, talented and very Russian Michaela Dostova.

Model Michaela Dostova taught us all some Russian while working on a great bikini shoot in downtown Tampa (1920x1200)

The Summer and Fall of 2005 was an interesting time for us in the Down Shift Club House…we embarked on our first and only bikini calendar to date which served as a reunion of sorts with many of the models we had worked with previously and loved working with. Michaela’s shoot was awesome, no problems, no unexpected shooting hiccups and perfect weather on a quiet Saturday afternoon in downtown Tampa. Photographers Michael Coates and Patrick Dean worked in tandem, grabbing many terrific photo’s of Michaela set against the Tampa skyline…only (5) are featured here today. More to come at a later date!

Befitting of “Throwback Friday” today’s Jag is the track proven ’53 C-Type, doesn’t get much more classic British racer than this.

The "C" designation stood for "Competition" with some 52 C-Types being built between 1951-53. (1920x1200)

The C-Type was successful in racing, most notably at the Le Mans 24 hours race, which it won twice.

In 1951 the car won at its first attempt. The factory entered three, whose driver pairings were Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman, Leslie Johnson and 3-times Mille Miglia winner Clemente Biondetti, and the eventual winners, Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead. The Walker/Whitehead car was the only factory entry to finish, the other two retiring with lack of oil pressure. A privately entered XK120, owned by Robert Lawrie, co-driven by Ivan Waller, also completed the race, finishing 11th.

In 1952 Jaguar, worried by a report about the speed of the Mercedes-Benz 300SLs that would run at Le Mans, modified the C-Type’s aerodynamics to increase the top speed. However, the consequent rearrangement of the cooling system made the car vulnerable to overheating. All three retired from the race. The Peter Whitehead/Ian Stewart and Tony Rolt/Duncan Hamilton cars blew head gaskets, and the Stirling Moss/Peter Walker car, the only one not overheating, lost oil pressure after a mechanical breakage. Later testing by Norman Dewis at MIRA after the race proved that it was not the body shape that caused the overheating but mainly the water pump pulley that was undersize, spun too fast, caused cavitation and thus the overheating. What the body shape did do though was to create enormous tail lift, which caused the cars to squirrel their way down the Mulsanne (properly called the Hunaudières) straight at speeds over 120mph. The chassis numbers of the cars were XKC 001, 002 and 011, the latter existing today as a normal C-type, the others being dismantled at the factory. An exact copy of XKC 002 has since been created by CKL Developments in England, complete with FIA papers.

In 1953 a C-Type won again. This time the body was in thinner, lighter aluminium and the original twin H8 sand cast SU carburettors were replaced by three DCO3 40mm Webers, which helped boost power to 220bhp.

When you think of the Jaguar sports car there really is no more iconic image than the E-Type…

Its combination of good looks, high performance, and competitive pricing established the marque as an icon of 1960s motoring. (1920x1200)

The E-Type was initially designed and shown to the public as a rear-wheel drive grand tourer in two-seater coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupé) and as convertible (OTS or Open Two Seater). The 2+2 version with a lengthened wheelbase was released several years later.

On its release Enzo Ferrari called it “The most beautiful car ever made”.

The model was made in three distinct versions which are now generally referred to as “Series 1″, “Series 2″ and “Series 3″. A transitional series between Series 1 and Series 2 is known unofficially as “Series 1½”.

In addition, several limited-edition variants were produced:

• The “‘Lightweight’ E-Type” which was apparently intended as a sort of follow-up to the D-Type. Jaguar planned to produce 18 units but ultimately only a dozen were reportedly built. Of those, two have been converted to Low-Drag form, whilst two others are known to have been wrecked and deemed to be beyond repair, although one has now been rebuilt. These are exceedingly rare and sought after by collectors.
• The “Low Drag Coupé” was a one-off technical exercise which was ultimately sold to a Jaguar racing driver. It is presently believed to be part of the private collection of the current Viscount Cowdray.

The New York City Museum of Modern Art recognised the significance of the E-Type’s design in 1996 by adding a blue roadster to its permanent design collection, one of only six automobiles to receive the distinction.

This week’s video is clearly one of the most entertaining commercials we’ve seen out of any of the auto manufacturers this year…leave it to the Italians.

Given the History of the Fiery Little 500 Abarth We Love The Parallel To A Temperamental Italian Model...

Fiat USA recently released their most controversial commercial to date; featuring a fiery Italian supermodel with an attitude and the temper to match that will make your head spin…but in a good way. While some are calling this commercial too racy for American television (come on America, seriously?) it does succesfully appeal to the target-demographic and transform the new 160hp Abarth into a beautiful and beguiling woman who leaves you wanting more and most importantly whom you will never to forget meeting for the first time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi2IAec9Ho

Since we know you are now wondering (2) things…

1. Who is the Italian model in the video?
   The model in the video is Romanian fashion model Catrinel Menghia. Bravo to Fiat for finding a woman that easily makes us forget all about those horrible commercials with….what’s her name… Jennifer Lopez was it?
2. What does Catrinel say in the video?
   Here’s a rough translation:
   What are you looking at? Uh!?
   What are you looking at?! (slap)
   Are you undressing me with your eyes?
   Poor guy…you can’t help it?
   Is your heart beating? Is your head spinning?
   Do you feel lost thinking that I could be yours forever?

“A compelling vision for a 21st century sports car.” ~Jaguar

The C-X16 suggests ways the next generation of Jaguar sports cars will produce Eco-Friendly Horsepower (1920x1200)

The C-X16 signposts how the next generation of Jaguar sports cars will produce their power in an environmentally conscious manner. The concept is powered by an experimental hybrid powertrain that combines an all-alloy V6 engine with a performance-boosting electric motor with a “Push-to-Pass” feature inspired by the Formula 1 Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system.

The purpose of this prototype hybrid-performance system is threefold: to supplement the V6 engine’s already prodigious power through an on-demand ‘Push to Pass’ system; to reduce fuel consumption; and to allow the C-X16 to perform as a zero-emissions electric vehicle at speeds of up to 50mph on low throttle openings.

December 2011 Hottie of the Week: Kim Lee

Age: 23

Profession: Actress & Model

Nationality: American

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Brunette

Why: Print, Film & TV

Where: The Hangover Part II, DSPORT

RF: 92%  LF:85%  PF: NA  HF: 91%     AVG: 89.3%

When: ”Jack and Jill”
In Theaters Now,  Soon on DVD

Twitter: /Kim-Lee  Facebook: /Kim-Lee

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Kim Lee was born May 22 1988, in Orange County, and has lived in Australia, New York City, Los Angeles and Paris, France. Her parents are mixed with French and Vietnamese. She is the third youngest that includes two older sisters and a younger brother. Kim Lee’s father is Daniel Segal author of the Harry Fox mystery novels as well as a feature film screenwriter. In 2006 she attempted to secure a position, as a modeling intern at a Los Angeles modeling agency, were she was persuaded to try modeling instead. She made her first runway debut on the Emanuel Ungaro and Martin Grant shows in Paris that same year. The next year, she walked her first New York Fashion Week shows for Marc Jacobs and Cynthia Steffe. Kim Lee has appeared in editorials for Maxim, Elle, DSport, Hip-Hop Weekly, Vanity Fair, Show Magazine, Low-rider, Sports Illustrated, and Chinese, Japanese, French, American, Spanish, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Russian versions of FHM. For the spring 2009 season, she appeared in seven major campaigns, including DKNY Jeans, The GAP, Barneys New York, Benetton, Alexander Wang, Converse, and c-Kone. She has also appeared in campaigns for Bergdorf Goodman, Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang, and Vivienne Tam. Kim Lee has always seen the bigger picture in wanting to do feature films and Television. The desire to be a creative artist expressing herself to make audiences smile and laugh and leave with the notion that it was great performance. She made her debut on television at the age of 19

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when she was cast as the lead female in the Jamie Kennedy ft Bob Saget “Rolling with Bob Saget” video (lead). On the back of this video, she secured further project. Also appearing in several music videos, notably in Neyo’s “Beautiful”, Kid Cudi ft Kanye West’s “Erase Me” and Flo Rida ft David Guetta’s “Club Can’t Handle Me” and “Hot n Cold “with Katy music videos. She just recently starred in a music video titled “Touchin on My” by 3oh3 directed by Isaac Ravishankara. Kim Lee has also featured as a lead and support female in several Television commercials, such as “LRG Side Kick & I phone”, “Bud Light”, “Party City” and “McDonalds”. While appearing as guest star on CSI Las Vegas, Entourage, MTV “Next”, MTV Jamie Kennedy “Blown Up”, Snoop Dogg’s “Fatherhood” on “E” channel, Kim also started segueing into film roles after receiving interest from various directors and producers from Hollywood. Kim auditioned and won the role of Yogi in Joseph A. Elmore Jr.’s “Speed-Dating” and the successful role in the franchise “Hangover 2″ She is also co starring in

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Andrew Fishers’ widely talked about feature Film “Chronicles of Rick Roll” When Kim isn’t focused on her modeling and acting career she enjoys working the family business and continuing her education for a business degree. As a young girl, Kim always had a passion for playing the piano. She soon learned how to play by ear and took lessons at the age of 8 and would perform for family parties. When Kim’s not filming or gracing magazine covers, she loves to travel and learn to different countries and learn about different cultures of

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world and just recently started a fund-raiser for the people of Japan. She was announced Miss Vietnam USA in March 2011 and will be competing in the 2011 miss Asia USA pageant.

A supercar like no Jaguar before or after, the XJ220 held the record for the highest top speed of a production car at 217 mph until the arrival of the McLaren F1 in 1994.

The XJ220 Was Jaguars First Forced Induction Vehicle and Generated 542bhp with 476 lb·ft from it Twin-Turbo V6 (1920x1200)

The production version of the car was first shown to the public in October 1991. JaguarSport was charged with producing the car and had several goals/rules: the car would be rear wheel drive instead of 4 wheel drive to save weight and retain racing car dynamics; would have a turbocharged V6 engine instead of the big V12 to improve weight and distribution; and performance goals of over 200 mph, 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, and the lightest weight possible.

The 6.2-litre V12 had been judged too difficult to get past emissions regulations and there were also some design problems caused by the size of the power plant. In its place was a Tom Walkinshaw-developed 3.5-litre V6 race engine as used in the Group C XJR-10/11 racers, fitted with twin Garrett T3 turbochargers, generating 542 bhp of maximum power at 7000 rpm and 476 lb·ft of torque at 4500 rpm. The engine was the first V6 in Jaguar’s history and was essentially a 6 cylinder derivation from the Cosworth DFV Formula 1 engine, originally designed by David Wood for the Austin Metro 6R4 rally car. It was also the first Jaguar engine to use forced induction. In spite of the smaller displacement, the engine produced more power than the V12 and improved handling by being set lower and more centrally in the car.

As Autocar put it at the time, “Savage acceleration really is a given here. What’s really incredible about the XJ220 is its ability to provide such performance in a way that it never, ever intimidates. If we’re still looking for misconceptions, it would be forgivable to assume that a race-derived engine with a small capacity for its enormous output would deliver its power with the friendly progressiveness of a kick in the teeth. Not so. Its throttle response and, just as important, the weighting of the accelerator pedal, means you can draw on the Jaguar’s performance with absolute accuracy. Use only half the pedal’s travel and it goes like a Golf GTi, moving smartly into Porsche 968 territory with a little extra pressure. A bit more and you have Honda NSX acceleration on hand. The next stage takes you into the domain of the Ferrari 512TR, from which you will only erupt if you nail the pedal to the floor, something you could not conceivably do by accident.”

The XJ220 was the first roadcar to exploit under-body airflow and venturi to generate downforce of around 3000lb for high speed stability. It used a Group C suspension configuration, leading to handling described by Autocar as “the finest handling supercar we have ever driven. Such is its damping that supercars we previously considered superlatively well-controlled over difficult roads now seem flawed and spongy after the Jaguar.”

With a mere 13 days until Christmas it seemed only appropriate that we showcase the always beautiful Zooey Deschanel’s latest collaboration with M. Ward; A Very She and Him Christmas.

Album Back-Cover Art for M. Ward and Our Favorite Elf Star Zooey Deschanel's New Holiday Album (1585x1115)

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” Live on Ellen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWQ_ImnLctM

M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel

Tired of hearing all the same holiday standards sung the same (3) different ways over and over againWill one more listen through of a Manheim Steamroller or Mariah Carey holiday album make you go postal? We thought so and we’ve got just what the doctor ordered; Los Angeles based New Girl star Zooey Deschanel and Portland, Orgeon based Indie Folk rocker M. Ward’s latest collaboration, A Very She and Him Christmas.

Immersive and heart-warming the album uniquely applies Deschanel’s and Ward’s quirky retro-chic sound in such a way as to nearly reinvent the Christmas album. Comprised of (12) standards ranging from the traditionally melodic first track, The Christmas Waltz to the more upbeat and hipster sounding 9th track, Baby It’s Cold Outside the album seamlessly spans the gambit and scope of the holiday season without every becoming tedius, stale, over-wraught or repetitive.

Deschanel time and again proves that the songs don’t need to be “decorated” with constant impromptu riffs as a means of showcasing  chantreuses’ vocal strength (Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey and others…take note). By taking music back to basics, She & Him have imparted the warmth and tenderness that has been lacking from contemporary and overly commercialized interpretations of holiday songs.

Intriguingly, most people first took notice of Zooey Deschanel’s unique singing voice when she sang, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in the now hugely popular holiday film Elf.  In a nod to the film perhaps, Deschanel and Ward revisit this song on their latest album with one change…Zooey switches verses and takes over the male part while Ward sings the female’s. The most up-tempo track on the album, this twist on the classic song is subtle but effective and effortlessly breathes new life into a classic standard.

In contrast, the tranquil and nearly serene quality of tracks like “Silver Bells,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “The Christmas Song” provide for a soothingly melodic soundtrack fit for enjoyment in front of  a warm fireplace while watching snow fall through the windows (Or so we would like to imagine being Floridians).  Not to be lulled into a sedate nearly tryptofanic holiday coma the album also features lively, louder and equally inspired tracks such as “Sleigh Ride,” “Little Saint Nick” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.”

An instant holiday classic, She and Him have delivered a quality holiday album that is as subtle as it is inspired and original. The sort of musical adventure befitting of the holidays which offers something for nearly everyone and every set of beliefs equally.

Intended to race at LeMans, the XJ13 never did…

Light-weight and Powered By A DOHC V12 Engine the XJ13 Prototype Was A Formidably Advanced LeMans Racer (1920x1200)

Only one was ever produced and despite having never been officially valuated a £7 million ($11 million) bid was madefor it was declined by the owners in 1996.

aguar had considered the manufacture of a DOHC V12 engine as far back as 1950, initially for racing purposes, and then developing a SOHC road going version, unlike the XK which was designed as a production engine and later pressed into service for racing. The engine design was essentially two XK 6-cylinder engines on a common crankshaft with an aluminium cylinder block, although there were differences in the inlet porting, valve angles and combustion chamber shape. The first engine ran in July of 1964.

The idea of a mid-engined prototype was first mooted in 1960, but it was not until 1965 that construction began, with the first car running by March 1966. The aluminium body was designed by Malcolm Sayer, the aerodynamicist responsible for the Jaguar C-type, D-type, E-type and XJS, who used his Bristol Aeroplane Company background to build it using techniques borrowed from the aircraft industry . The task of building the car was entrusted to Bob Blake – described by his contemporaries as “An Artist in Metal”.

The XJ13 had mid-engine format with the 5.0 litre V12 engine mounted behind the driver, used as a stressed chassis member together with the five-speed manual ZF Transaxle driving the rear wheels.

The front suspension wishbones were similar to that of the E-Type, however where the E-Type used longitudinal torsion bars, the XJ13 had more conventional coil spring/damper units. At the rear there again remained similarities with the E-Type—the use of driveshafts as upper transverse links—however the rest was quite different, with two long radius arms per side angling back from the central body tub together with a single fabricated transverse lower link.

The development of the XJ13, although treated seriously by the designers, was never a priority for company management (despite assistant MD Lofty England’s Le Manssuccess in the 1950s), and became less so following the 1966 merger with BMC. By that time Ford had developed the 7.0 litre GT40, and so the XJ13 was considered obsolete by the time the prototype was complete. The prototype was tested at MIRA and at Silverstone, which confirmed that it would have required considerable development to make it competitive. The prototype was put into storage and no further examples were made.

We finish up our week of celebrating Lamborghini with the Gallardo LP560-4 in FIA GT3 Super Trofeo trim…hell on wheels.

The Gallardo Has Quickly Become Our Favorite Lamborghini, Representing Balanced and Elegant Performance (1920x1200)

Lamborghini introduced what it calls the ‘Fastest one-make series in the world’, featuring a 570 bhp, All-Wheel-Drive race-prepared version of the newer Gallardo LP560-4. The series supported European race series such as Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM), FIA GT Series and the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), featuring 18 races overall and having a 30-car grid consisting of privateer teams as well as Lamborghini dealer teams and one factory team featuring guest drivers.