Click here to view the embedded video.

Here is an interesting drag race between three beautiful cars: the new McLaren MP4-12C, the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Porsche 911 Turbo. Most likely, this clip was recorded a couple of days ago at the MP4-12C media event which was organized in Portimao, Portugal. The result it isn't very concluding, but it still is quite interesting to see the duel.

Speaking of McLaren, they finally revealed all the specifications of their new MP4-12C model which will have a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that outputs 592 hp (441 kW / 600 PS) and 443 lb.-ft (600 Nm) of torque. With such power under the hood, the car can sprint to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds (3.1 with the Corsa tires), onto a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h). To reach 200 km/h (124 mph), the McLaren MP4-12C needs 9.1 seconds with regular tires and 8.9 with the Corsa racing rubber.

The car's MonoCell carbon-fiber chassis weights only 165 lbs (75 kg) which helps maintain the vehicle's curb weight at only 2868 lbs (1301 kg). The engine is mated to a 7-speed SSG gearbox that offers three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track.

The car will be available through a network of 35 retailers located in 19 countries and it will have a base price of about $229,000. The MP4-12C will hit the dealerships sometime this year.

Source: WorldCarFans

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McLaren MP4-12C vs. Ferrari 458 and Porsche 997 Turbo

Well, ladies, we all know that cars usually give us problems, from fixing a tire or going to the car service because of an engine "situation", to finding a parking space and trying to fit in it, without causing any irreparable damage to your or others' car. This funny and science-fiction video might give us a solution to some of the problems:

Click here to view the embedded video.

So, we may realize that this collapsible car wouldn't be such a bad idea at all: after the "conversion", it genuinely fits into a bag (a small bag, not that it would a problem, considering the large bags we daily wear), it can be used as a feminine small extra accessory and it may actually face any of our possible phobias about huge traffic cars, about driving or parking, because, let's recognize it, it looks quite strong.

After all, this is a video about a fantastic car which might be perfect for women. Too bad that it is just fiction.

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The Bag Machine – Perfect For Women

We all can image that building a car company isn't a piece of cake, especially making one that will produce only electric vehicles which are not very popular at the moment. Tesla Motors nearly tripled its losses last year as they invested a lot of money to engineer the upcoming Model S which will be the second model launched, after the Roadster.

With its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, Tesla Motors posted a loss of $154.33 million last year in comparison to "only" $55.74 million in 2009. Last year the company generated $116.74 in revenue which was a little bit better in comparison to 2009's $114.94 million. For the last year's fourth quarter, they've reported a loss of $51.36 million, or 54c / share, on revenue of $36.29 million.

Tesla is generating revenues mostly by selling the aforementioned Roadster model, a two-seat sports car that has a retail price of over $100,000. They've started selling the car back in 2008 and managed to deliver about 1,500 units since then. They also earn some money from providing engineering services as well as selling battery packs plus powertrains to Daimler and Toyota.

As previously mentioned, Tesla will be rolling out the Model S sometime in mid-2012. It will be a gorgeous four-door sedan with which the company hopes to improve the financial situation. However, the car will not be affordable as it will have a starting price of around $57,400. The good news is that customers will pay $7,500 less, thanks to the federal income tax credit.

Last year, Tesla Motors struggled to get the necessary funding for developing the Model S. They organized an initial public offering last June and they managed to raise approximately $226 million in what was the first IPO (initial public offering) for an American car manufacturer since 1956. They also got $465 million in loans from the United States Energy Department.

For starting the production of the Model S, Tesla bought in June 2010 a defunct assembly plant that was jointly owned by GM and Toyota. Located in Fremont, California, Toyota invested $50 million, before Tesla hosted the IPO, and contracted with the firm to design a powertrain system which will be used for a future RAV4 EV model. According to Tesla Motors, they expect that this development deal will generate about $69 million in revenue. In addition, back in November, Panasonic bought $30 million of Tesla's private shares.

It goes without saying that if the Model S will be a failure; Tesla Motors will go down the very next second. They have decided that rather than outsourcing some of the production, they will assembly every single car, at least for now. According to the information revealed by the company, they have already 3,700 reservations for the upcoming Model S.

Source: DailyFinance

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Tesla's Annual Losses Have Tripled

The Audi A7 is one of the coolest-looking cars I've seen lately, but what happens if you tune it? It gets better. With this concept in mind, Pogea Racing developed their "Seven Sins" version of the A7 Sportback. Available for the models fitted with the 3.0 TSFI and 3.0 TDI engines, this tuned A7 brings both exterior and interior upgrades, along with some well-deserved engine upgrades.

Let's start with the 3.0 TFSI power unit. Thanks to the software optimization, this engine is now capable of producing 345 hp from the 300-hp standard. Peak torque is also up, from 440 to 495 Nm. The car also got a brand new stainless steel exhaust system.

If you prefer diesels, the 3.0 TDI develops as standard 204 hp, but with the help of the same software optimization, it can output 251 hp. The maximum torque is now 468 Nm, in comparison to the standard 400 Nm. For the A7 models that are fitted with the S-Tronic gearbox, the power can be raised from 245 hp to 289 hp while the torque figures are up to 550 Nm, from the standard 500.

As far as the exterior modifications are concerned, the Audi A7 "Seven Sins" by Pogea Racing sits on a brand new set of 20-inch "STROKE" metal alloy wheels finished in shiny black and chrome. The standard suspension has been ditched in order to accommodate the new coil-over unit from KW, dubbed "Street Comfort". To stop the car efficiently, the engineers have fitted the A7 Sportback with a new set of Brembo perforated steel discs as well as special brake pads.

The base price for this tuning package starts from approximately $2,418.

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Pogea Racing Rolls Out 2011 Audi A7 Seven Sins

If you remember, back in 2010 the German tuners from Wheelsandmore launched a very cool tuning program for the Bentley Continental, dubbed Ultrasports 702. They didn't stop there as we have another Bentley Continental tuned out by these guys; this time it is the convertible model.

If you didn't know, the standard model has a powerful W12 6.0-liter turborcharged engine and with the inclusion of an ECU upgrade mixed with a brand new handmade, stainless steel exhaust system along with a remote-controlled valve flap system, the engine now produces 702 hp (up from 621 hp) and 650 lb.-ft of torque (up from 590 lb.-ft). To stop efficiently, the Continental Convertible got the biggest carbon-ceramic brakes possible, measuring an incredible 16.54 inches.

The car now sits on a set of 3-piece C-Sport rims that measure 10.5×21 inches. The Continental also got an electronic lowering module that can raise or lower the car's suspension by approximately 0.70 inches at a speed of maximum 44 mph.

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Wheelsandmore 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible

Here is something that you don't see quite often, a new generation of the Lancia Ypsilon. I say that because the car has a history of over 25 years and there were only three generations. The fourth one will be officially unveiled at Geneva next month.

The new one will be totally different as it was made from 0 and will be available with a whole bunch of aesthetic options, making it suitable for the "supermini" segment. A premier for the Ypsilon (cool name, don't you think?) will be the five-door configuration.

The 2011 Lancia Ypsilon measures 3,480 mm long, 1,670 mm wide and 1,510 mm high and has a 2,390 mm-long wheelbase. According to the Italian automaker, the new model "can accommodate up to five people."

Although the car borrows its platform and a couple of hardware components from Fiat's small cars, the fourth generation of the Ypsilon has a style of its own which I really like, although I would never buy a Lancia. If you look at the front of the car you'll notice that grille that looks quite similar to the one on the Chrysler 200 (and 300).

Inside the cabin, customers will have the possibility to choose from well over 600 customization options, 17 different body colors, six different upholstery trims, three interior trim levels as well as three types of alloy rims.

As far as the performance goes, the fourth generation of the Lancia Ypsilon will be available with a wide array of engines: a 0.9-liter turbocharged 2-cylinder that outputs 85 hp; a 1.2-liter gas engine, good for 69 hp; a 1.2-liter dual-fuel gas-LPG unit that produces 69 hp and the most powerful one, a 1.3-liter MultiJet II turbodiesel that delivers 95 hp. All of them will feature the start/stop technology that improves fuel efficiency.

Although the Italian automaker did not reveal any pricing information, sources say that the entry-level model will cost approximately $19,000. The car will have to face up some serious competition coming from the Audi A1, and most important, from the MINI Cooper. I for one think that the Lancia Ypsilon will be a more affordable alternative for those that cannot afford one of the other two cars.

Source: TopSpeed

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2011 Geneva Preview – 2011 Lancia Ypsilon

We wrote about the Hyundai Equus quite a while ago, as they were promising an iPad app instead of a manual. Well, 10 months later, here it is. They released it on iTunes for all to download and enjoy and it looks interesting.
It’s a nice alternative to the old, boring, thick owner’s manual, I have to say. Many times I wish I could just press F3 and find whatever it was I was looking for. But this happens to me quite frequently with books lately. It must be a sign of laptop overusage, but nevermind that.
So the Hyundai people call this the Equus Owner’s Experience app and it includes demonstration videos, interactive product and safety demonstrations, which is pretty cool.
Hit the jump to see presentation video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Hyundai Equus iPad Owner’s Manual

Today Porsche announced that they will be bringing the hybrid version of the Panamera S to the upcoming 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Just as the "hybrid" designation implies, the main focus point of this car will be its fuel consumption and the level of CO2 emissions. As you might have expected, they are quite low.

The official numbers revealed by the German automaker say that the hybrid will do 41.54 mpg (6.8 liters / 100 km) and 159 g /km CO2 emissions, making the Panamera S Hybrid the most efficient Porsche ever made. The NEDC economy figures say that the hybrid can do 39.79 mpg (7.1 liters / 100 km) and 167 g/km CO2 emissions level.

Being a hybrid, the V6 3.0-liter that develops 333 hp (245 kW) was combined with an electric motor that adds another 47 hp (34 kW) – rounding up the horsepower figure to 380 (279 kW). With this hardware configuration, the car can do the 0-60 mph sprint in 6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h).

In Europe, the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid will have a base price of 106,185 Euros and will be available starting with this June.

Source: ZerCustoms

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2011 Geneva Preview – Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

One of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made, the California, just got a tuning package courtesy of Novitec who will be unveiling the car at the upcoming 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Dubbed Race 606 Ferrari California, Novitec Rosso has tweaked the car's engine which now offers more power, along with a couple of aerodynamic changes in order to increase the downforce.

The car has a V8 4.3-liter engine that features a mechanical supercharger driven by the crankshaft through a cogged V-belt, offering a maximum boost pressure of 0.4 bars. In addition, this Ferrari California packs larger injectors, a new intake manifold and a water-to-air intercooler.

All of these added goodies allow the engine to output 606 hp (446 kW) @ 7,900 rpm and 603 Nm of torque @ 5,500 rpm. According to Novitec Rosso, the Race 606 Ferrari California needs 3.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, onto an impressive top speed of 325 km/h.

The car also received a flap-controlled, stainless steel NOVITEC ROSSO high-performance exhaust system that has sport catalysts and four very cool black-coated tailpipes. With the help of the Manetino located on the car's steering wheel, the driver can adjust the exhaust note.

Just like any respectable tuning program, the Novitec Rosso Ferrari California benefits from various carbon fiber parts which have been developed in the wind tunnel for reducing lift on both the front and rear axles. The car's new bodykit features updated front and rear spoilers, a new rear diffuser, side air outlets, rocker panel blades and mirror covers that are made from matte clear-coated carbon-fiber.

Last but not least, this California rides on 9Jx21 and 11.5Jx22 light alloy rims, wrapped around 255/30 ZR 21 and 315/25 ZR 22 Pirelli PZero rubber.

Source: ZerCustoms

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Novitec Ferrari California

Before you see this video, I hate to say that I appreciate this young man’s commitment. He knows that the ability to entertain is as important as the actual musical talent one possesses and he’s not afraid to go to where no American Idol contestant has ever gone before. That and he’s still a 5 year old child inside, but then again, who isn’t?
We would like to share with you today the wonders of a singing Transformer, as seen by the American Idol jury and thousands of Youtube users.
If you like, don’t be afraid to click on that button below there.

Click here to view the embedded video.

PS: The guy actually built that himself. That’s so cool!

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A Transformer on American Idol