German automotive publication Sport Auto has finally gotten their hands on a new BMW M3 GTS, taking it to the Nürburgring to see how it stacks up as a serious sports car. For those not familiar with Sport Auto, they take almost every car to the Ring, where former race car driver turned magazine editor Horst von Saurma runs it through its paces.

And the lap time achieved by von Saurma is an incredible 7:48. For those keeping track, that’s a huge 17 seconds faster than the standard BMW M3. Most certainly a few seconds of the 17 are made up thanks to the GTS’s cup tires.

What’s possibly more shocking, however, is that if you look back to the previous generation E46 M3 CSL, that car managed a 7:50 time – which until now made it the fastest production BMW. And as rare and pricey as the CSL was, it’s nowhere near the $170,000 asking price for the M3 GTS.

GALLERY: BMW M3 GTS

[Source: SportAuto via Bimmerfile]

Well that surely didn’t take long. A 2010 Nissan 370Z that was built by Chris Forsberg Racing in conjunction with NOS Energy Drink debuted at the E3 Expo this year and marketed as a giveaway car. And just like that, the winner of the giveaway has promptly placed it up on sale on eBay with a buy it now price of $37,999.00.

Considering he got the car for a pretty price of $0.00, it may seem like a scam, but for what you’re getting it’s not a bad price at all. The Cherry Red 370Z currently has about 2,000 miles and is located in South Carolina. None of the modifications are over-the-top, but rather a collection of finely selected parts that complement the 370Z’s natural bodylines and performance quite nicely.

Performance enhancements include a K&N Typhoon dual intake kit and a custom Chris Forsberg Designed stainless steel axle-back exhaust system. We’re guessing the power increase isn’t anything substantial from those two parts, but certainly the tone of the vehicle is enhanced.

The exterior has been repainted Cherry Red (in collaboration with NOS Energy Drink’s Loaded Cherry product) and accented with a set of SSR Type F Wheels in gold. The staggered setup features 18-inch wheels in the front and 19-inch wheels in the rear. Naturally the wheels are wrapped with Maxxis Tires, Chris Forsberg’s tire sponsor. Suspension is handled with a set of Tanabe lowering springs and carbon fiber goods were given by Seibon in the form of a lip kit and hood. Interior and ICE upgrades are scant with just a new head unit from Clarion.

The starting bid is at $29,999 and so far there are none. But what is interesting is that the seller is Upscale Automotive a distributor for go-fast parts for the sport compact and import community. So either they got really lucky, or they’ve got a friend that was the winner.

[Source: eBay]

And just like that, it’s officially official. Just a few days ago we heard through the grapevine that the Gemballa brand was indeed coming back with a new CEO and investors, and with a few typed words from their PR personnel, it’s official. Interestingly enough, Andreas Schwarz (new CEO of Gemballa) has been in control since August 16th, reserving the rights of the old company that had already been liquidated. Schwarz chose to shut that one down and founded Gemballa GmBH.

Schwarz comes from a background of upgrading and marketing luxury high-class automobiles and is a “sports car expert.” (Whatever that means). We’re hoping he’s more of a “run a successful business expert” so that the Gemballa brand lives on past a couple of years once the initial investment funding has run dry. They seem to be starting out big however, with 22 employees and development on Porsche‘s Panamera and Cayenne.

The showroom is officially open in Leonberg for customers looking to customize their luxury high-class automobile. Gemballa will be switching to a parts manufacturer and stressing research and development on body kits, wheels, brakes and suspension components. We wish them all the best of luck and we really hope to see bigger and better products out of Gemballa without any of the drama. Let’s save that for an episode of Jersey Shore shall we?

GALLERY: Gemballa’s Fresh Start

Official press release available after the break.

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Thanks to some good old fashioned vehicle performance testing, the folks at Motor Trend have discovered the disappointing reality of the Mustang V6-powered 2011 Ford Edge. Billed as the top performer in the Edge lineup (refreshed for 2011 with new engines), the actual performance stats paint a different picture.

At first glance the numbers seem to tell the whole story with the 3.7-liter V6 in the Sport making 305-hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque while the 3.5-liter V6 in the SEL trim level makes 280-hp and 253 ft-lbs of torque.

But when put to the test, the less-powerful SEL model handily bested the Sport, with a 7.1 second 0-60 mph time, compared to just 7.6 for the Sport.

The reason for the Sport’s slower time is due to a significantly higher curb weight, with the SEL model rated at 4,065 lbs, while the portly Sport busts the scales at 4,405 lbs. To be fair, the Sport model tested did use an optional AWD system that adds weight. However, AWD isn’t likely to add all of that 400 lbs, with some of it sure to come from the oversized 22-inch wheels. And even without the added AWD weight, the two models would at best be tied in terms of performance.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Ford Edge Review by Clicking Here

Livonia Chrysler Jeep Inc, a Metro Detroit dealership that was reinstated after arbitration proceedings with Chrysler in July has now decided to sue the company, claiming a loss of rights under franchise law. The dispute centers around nearby Crestwood Dodge, which was given a Chrysler-Jeep franchise after Livonia’s was terminated and did not have one before. The suit has also been filed against Crestwood Dodge.

Colleen MacDonald, who owns Livonia Chrysler, says that the automaker’s letter of intent, dated August 12, does not return the sales and service agreement that it gave to Crestwood Dodge, after Livonia’s termination and that the law requires Chrysler to reinstate the Livonia dealership to the same position it was prior to the franchise agreement being terminated. MacDonald has decided to interpret the “same position” statement as one whereby her dealership is the only Chrysler-Jeep dealer in the area – which is no longer the case.

MacDonald also operated another Chrysler Dealership; Century Dodge based in Taylor; Michigan, but lost a bid to have that franchise reinstated.

[Source: Automotive News]

So what exactly does the world’s fastest Nissan GT-R look like? A little bit underwhelming we have to say, but this thing is one fast machine. Ever since 2006, this R32 GT-R has been lighting up the record books running 7-second passes and taking away HKS’ title back in 2007. Based out of New Zealand, it pops up from time to time in Australia for their massive Jamboree event featuring some of the fastest import drag racers in the world.

The team’s weekend of racing was cut short, but not without laying down a solid 7.73 @ 187 mph pass. And while that’s impressive, it’s just short of the car’s best time of 7.57 at 190-mph. The Heat Treatments team said that the GT-R will be back for the November event and they look forward to making some consistent mid 7-second passes.

Even though sport compact and import drag racing isn’t as big of a craze in America as it used to be, it’s hard to not admire these 1000-hp+ cars piloting straight down the track. We’re curious how long it will take before an R35 GT-R comes around to dethrone this monster, you know it’s only a matter of time.

[Source: Speedhunters]

Check out a video from 2009 after the break.

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In response to rumors that Honda‘s Canadian division would axe the low-selling Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda Canada has issued a statement confirming plans to continue sales of the two models… for now.

We contacted Honda Canada and received a message from PR boss Richard Jacobs confirming the models for the future, but the “official statement” also included an important qualifying statement.

Calling the rumor just what it is, Jacobs says there is currently a six month supply of both models. “Honda Canada is planning to offer both Insight and Civic Hybrid as 2011 model-year units, and we have no plans to discontinue either model.”

That sounds quite certain, however, also included in Honda Canada’s official position is the statement that, “Honda Canada will listen to the voice of our customers and
will bring the products they want. If there is market demand for Insight
and Civic Hybrid, we will bring the appropriate supply.”

That’s less reassuring, as demand is obviously the key issue here with sales of just 748 Insight models and 643 Civic Hybrids so far this year indicating that Canadian’s are not interested in either model.

When the recession was upon us, it seemed like everyone was making the shopping shift from new to used cars. But now that things are starting to ease up, the prices on used cars have gone up as well.

According to Edmunds.com, used-car prices have increased, especially with larger vehicles such as Cadillac Escalades or Dodge Grand Caravans rising more than 30 percent. Sure, that’s a lot, but it’s still better that the used-car prices we were seeing last spring.

Last month, the average price in the U.S. for a used three-year-old vehicle was $19,248, up $1,800, or 10.3 percent, from the same month last year.

“Consumers are generally paying considerably more for used cars this year compared to 2009,” stated Joe Spina, a senior analyst for Edmunds.com. “A lack of confidence in the economy is driving more people to used cars, putting upward pricing pressure on a limited supply of vehicles.”

In a single year, a used Cadillac Escalade averaged $34,715 last month – that’s a 35.6 percent increase. As well, the Chevrolet Suburban, Dodge Grand Caravan and BMW X5 price rose past 30 percent.

[Source: USA Today]

Dude, that app is so cool! It’s so cool that it won Volkswagen’s “App My Ride” contest.

Taking the top spot of this contest was “DUDE,” a talking car pal that communicates with the driver to get them to their destination in the funnest way possible. Beating out 100 other applicants, DUDE was chosen as the winner by a recognized panel of experts.

Second place went to the “Re-Action” app, a reflex game, and “Twitter Map, Heat of Conversations” app – an app that links into Twitter to navigate a driver to events – came in third.

Prizes were awarded for creativity in the such as categories of Best Idea, Student Award and Best Community App. They included cash and non-cash prizes, totaling around 14,000 euros in total value (That’s about $17,800 in US) as well as an internship at Volkswagen Group Research at Tokyo, Shanghai, California or Wolfsburg.

Check out all the winners and other applications at www.app-myride.com.

The United States Federal Government’s cynical Keynesian vehicle scrappage program scheme was by all accounts a success (if you believe that blind consumption is a win), but some dealers apparently skirted the rules, and now the government is looking for dealers who may have gamed the system – and may withhold $94 million in rebates because of it.

Dealers have already paid out $71,500 in fines, despite NHTSA calling the shady establishments a minority of participating dealerships. However, some shady claims are still being investigating. Among them,

1. The overseas exportation of vehicles claimed to have been destroyed after trade-in
2. $878,000 in “improper payments” which were subsequently returned
3. Several junkyards maintaining improper paperwork that makes it impossible for government officials to verify vehicle trade-ins

While NHTSA says that most of the dealers are legitimate, but noted that some fines have been as large as $21,000. The government may withhold the $94 million in rebates due to missing paperwork that validates the trade-ins. This figure is expected to make up about 3.3% of all trade-ins.

[Source: USA Today]