The send-off for the world’s most awesome car has to be fitting for something a car that costs in the millions of dollars, (never mind its awesome performance), and Bugatti knows that the final edition of their Veyron supercar has to measure up. Another special edition with different paint and a cool name won’t cut it any more, so Bugatti is apparently working on a final edition of the Veyron, known as the SuperSport.

The SuperSport is expected to live up to its name by packing an extra 20o horsepower, losing 660 pounds and hitting 60 mph in a mere 2.2 seconds, with a top speed of 264 mph. If reports are accurate, only 30 examples will be built, at a cost of $1.8 million USD, and they’ve probably been sold already, even though the car isn’t expected to debut until the Paris Auto Show in September.

[Source: Autoblog]

The end goal for most venture-capital financed start-ups is to issue an IPO and help get some money into the hands of those investors brave enough to give the company money at the early stages. Tesla Motors, perhaps the first Silicon Valley car company(and headed by Elon Musk, a former dot-com executive), is about to do just that, after filing papers with the Security and Exchange Commission, detailing terms of their IPO.

Tesla is expected to issue roughly 11 million shares of the company, with the shares going for $14 to $16 each. As a reward for the IPO, Toyota will invest another $50 million in the company, as part of an alliance between the two companies, which includes the NUMMI auto plant in California, and a new mass market sedan in 2012.

So far, Tesla only sells a 2 seat sports car, the Tesla Roadster, but the company plans to introduce a high end sedan, known as the Model S, in the near future. So far, Tesla has continually lost money each quarter, with total revenues of just under $150 million.

[Source: Detroit News]

Hot on the heels of Kia’s awesome advertisement for their Soul compact car, Hyundai‘s South African arm has just launched a new spot for the Tuscon crossover (known as the ix35 in South Africa) taking off the wildly popular TV series Top Gear.

The spot, features a mock driving show called “Top Deer”, and features dead-on voice impressions of hosts James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond (represented by a turtle, wildebeest and hamster respectively), the familiar Top Gear episode format and typical cinematography.  The ad, along with its companion segment, (where their hired gun race driver “The Stag” tests his mettle against the car) manages to take a tongue-in-cheek swipe at the BBC hit, which hasn’t always been so kind to Korean cars.

We have no idea how Hyundai is perceived in South Africa, but the cheeky ads are sure to resonate in a country gripped with the festive spirit of the World Cup and a booming new middle-class eager to buy brand new cars.

Hit the jump to see both Hyundai ads

[Source: Autoblog]

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Ahead of the car’s debut later this year, two photos of the updated 2011 Mercedes CL appear to have been leaked online. In particular, the two photos show the CL63 and CL65 high-performance AMG models. Both luxury coupes get the new Mercedes style with a more pronounced nose and flatter overall front end. New headlights are also a part of the package, as is a new lower front fascia and hood.

The most important changes to the 2011 CL Class cars are, however, not visible in these pictures.The CL63 is expected to do away with the relatively new 6.2-liter V8 in favor of a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 making 536-hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque. Those numbers will climb to 563-hp and 664 ft-lbs of torque with the AMG Performance Package. There’s no word on what changes are planned for the CL65.

Following the debut of the AMG models, likely at the Paris Auto Show in September, Mercedes will then announce a CL550 model, using the company’s new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 (replacing the 5.5-liter V8), which makes 435-hp and 516 ft-lbs of torque, an increase of 12 percent more power and 35 percent more torque, while delivering 22 percent improved fuel economy.

GALLERY: 2011 Mercedes CL63 & CL65

[Source: 4WheelsNews]

The biggest question surrounding Toyota‘s awesome FT-86 concept isn’t if the car will make it to production, but what it will be called. That mystery may have just been solved, with word that Toyota Motor Corporation has just filed a trademark for the “FR-S” name in both the U.S. and Canada.

The name certainly makes a lot of sense, with “FR” standing for front-engine, rear-wheel drive, while the “S” presumably being used to indicate that this is in fact a sports car. Like the FT-86 Concept’s name, it’s also a throwback to the Corolla AE-86 that inspired it.

Get more info on the FT-86 (or should we say FR-S) at FT-86Talk.com

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 Concept

[Source: My.is]

It’s been delayed more times than a mid-east peace agreement, and until now it was looking just as unlikely. That’s right, we’re talking about Sony’s Gran Turismo 5 video game. At a press conference held yesterday at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Sony confirmed that GT5 will hit shelves on November 2.

The game will feature 950 vehicles, NASCAR racers, exotics like the new Mercedes SLS AMG and its even touted to have 3D graphics.

[Source: USA Today]

See the GT5 trailer after the jump:

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Volkswagen‘s impressive luxury flagship, the Phaeton, may return to the U.S. after all – but not any time soon. According to a new report by Motor Trend, a VW rep told them as much, commenting that VW execs now believe the decision to cut the Phaeton from the U.S. market was “premature.”

Sold here between 2004 and 2006, the Phaeton was a failure in the sales department, which led to the decision by VW of America. As it turned out, Americans really weren’t ready to pay $65,000 for a VW. And that price was for a base model, with top-trims stretching all the way to the $100,000 mark.

We’re not sure what’s changed to make the U.S. market now favorable to the Phaeton. The price is still high, although not excessively. The Phaeton may wear the VW badge, but its as luxurious inside as a Lexus. The original model did win over a core group of buyers who would likely be willing to purchase another one, so at least Volkswagen now has a place to start from.

For those waiting for the return of the Phaeton, they’ll have to keep waiting. If the Phaeton does return, don’t expect it until the next generation of the car debuts around 2016.

GALLERY: 2011 VW Phaeton

[Source: Motor Trend]

Hyundai is preparing to introduce yet another new model to its growing lineup and this time the car in question is an MPV (multi purpose vehicle). Built for the European market, a prototype has been spied testing in the Swiss Alps. The new MPV is expected to be based on the HED-5 i-Mode concept that debuted at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.

Based on the same platform as the i30 (the Elantra Touring here in North America), the new MPV is designed as a five-seater with two extra seats in the trunk areas for occasional use. Power is expected to come from either a 1.7-liter diesel or a new 1.6-liter direct-injection gasoline engine, slated to debut in the upcoming Veloster. Styling will mimic Hyundai’s new fluidic design language.

Designed to compete against the Ford C-Max in Europe, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Hyundai deliver a stretched version of this vehicle in the coming years for the U.S. market. After all, Ford is about ready to do just that with its Grand C-Max, while Mazda already owns that segment with the Mazda5.

[Source AutoExpress]

Even though we don’t have high hopes of Gran Turismo 5 hitting the shelves anytime soon, we’re a tad bit thrilled to see that Fanatec has upgraded their Porsche 911 GT3 RS steering wheel to accompany Gran Turismo 5 and other future-gen games.

We actually have our own Porsche 911 GT3 RS unit sitting here at the office that keeps us entertained from time to time. It’s probably the highest quality steering wheel/shifter/pedal combination out in the market. For those not in the know, Fanatec’s products are also cross-platform allowing you to use it on the Sony Playstation3 and PC. Oddly enough, the original GT3 RS we have works on the Xbox360 as well, but this release is confined to the PS3 and PC. We might have to do some digging to see if the V2 works for Microsoft’s console as well.

But regardless of compatibility, Fanatec’s products boast legitimate Porsche licensing with even a Porsche-styled USB key in the package. The aluminum ClubSport pedals feature a pressure-sensitive brake sensor and ABS-simulated vibration under braking. And since we’ve had a chance to experience it first hand, we’ll be more than glad to tell you all how realistic the experience is.

So if you’re looking for the best substitute to racing out on the track, Fanatec offers the wheel alone for $179.95, while the package including the aluminum ClubSport pedals is $319.95. We highly recommend upgrading to the aluminum pedal option, it’s definitely worth every penny. And for those with the V1 of the 911 GT3 RS wheel, like us, Fanatec is offering an upgrade kit for $40. But there’s a lot of DIY involved with the $40 kit, and since we just want to play, we’ll pay the extra $30 to have it done by Fanatec themselves. Grand total of $70 and we’re set for GT5 and the future!

The official press release is available after the break.

GALLERY: Fanatec Porsche 911 GT3 RS V2

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It looks like the Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series is a true winner, with more and more replicas coming out of the woodwork. TC-Concepts has now produced their own version of an AMG Black conversion, allowing any SL-owner to do it themselves while preserving full use of their convertible roof. The German Tuner teamed up with ATT Tec and American wheel manufacturer ADV1 for this beautiful demo car - which of course, had to be black.

They started with a standard SL65 so they’d have all those gobs of power and added their Black Series body kit full equipped with new grille, bumper and fender flares. ADV1 wheels are known for their deep concave in their spokes, so these 20-inch variants offer an interesting contrasting depth to the massive widebody. TC-Concepts wanted the power to back up the looks, so they did their own tweaks to the 6.0L twin-turbo V12 to up horsepower to 690-hp which is 30 more than the Black Series.

Anyone for a cruise on PCH with the top down? Just supply the car please!

GALLERY: TC-Concepts Mercedes-Benz SL65

[Source: GTSpirit]