As though the Ferrari 599XX isn’t mean enough looking, a few owners have decided to turn the car’s badass dial up to 11 with matte-gray and matte-black paint jobs. The photos were taken by Sevan Calians are from a private event at the world famous Paul Ricard circuit where owners were able to fully test the car’s 700-hp V12 engine and incredible aerodynamics.

Also of interest from the photos are two shots, the first showing what appears to be Horacio Pagani, and the second showing the Pagani Zonda R on track with the 599XX. What makes this so interesting is that Ferrari and Pagani have a bit of a rivalry going on right now, with Ferrari claiming a production-based Nürburgring record of 6:58, which was promptly annihilated by the Zonda R with a 6:47 time. It’s nice to see that the rivalry is a friendly one.

Check out plenty of pics of the matte-black and matte-gray 599XX at the links below.

[Source: Sevan Calians Flicker Photo Stream via  JonSibal]

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Porsche has just announced a new “Individualization Programme” for the Panamera, including a Powerkit for the Panamera Turbo that bumps engine output to 540-hp. Included in the power pack are two new turbos with titanium aluminum turbine wheels and new engine management software. With power rising from 500-hp to 540-hp, torque also jumps, from 516 ft-lbs of torque to 553 ft-lbs. In addition, an overboost mode (available with the Sport Chrono package) delivers as much as 590 ft-lbs. This results in a 0-62 mph time of just 3.9 seconds!

And in case you’re wondering what that extra boost will cost you at the pump, Porsche says nothing, with fuel economy unchanged from the standard model. Offered as a Porsche Exclusive mode, it will cost you quite a bit to buy, however, with European pricing set at 16,695.70 Euros.

Along with being a factory option for new Panamera Turbo buyers, Porsche will also offer the Powerkit through Porsche Tequipment as a retrofit.

In addition to the Powerkit, Porsche will also offer a new Sport Design Package for the Panamera with a more aggressive front end, new side skirts and rear diffuser. And finally, new Porsche Panamera Sport wheels will be offered in a 20-inch size, measuring 9.5-inches up front and 11.5-inches in the rear, making room for wider tires. These wheels will be available in silver metallic, black or paint-matched to your Panamera.

GALLERY: Porsche Panamera Individualization Programme

Official release after the jump:

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While good for the environment, hybrid vehicles will not save you money with fewer trips to the gas pump not equal to the increased sticker price. And yet, even as hybrids continue to improve and close the gap on this discrepancy, a new report suggests that additional factors, namely, insurance rates, will drive up the cost-to-own criteria.

An article in the latest issue of Industry Trends Report indicates that the changing owner base of hybrids will drive up insurance costs. No, hybrids haven’t suddenly caught on with 18-year-old males, rather, the average hybrid buyer is no longer the early-adopter as hybrids continue to become more mainstream.

The report indicates that for those early adopters, “while their politics may have been liberal, their driving habits were conservative.” Deemed low-risk, insurance companies were eager to offer discounted rates to early hybrid owners.

Now, however, trends are changing with hybrid buyers now living in more urban settings with long commutes, two factors that have lead to, “higher claim frequencies.” An additional factor is that hybrid collision repair costs are, on average, $182 more than on a conventional gasoline vehicle, while labor repair was also more expensive – likely a result of buyers taking their cars directly to the dealer.

Combining these factors and insurance companies aren’t likely to wait too long before hybrids like the Toyota Prius become a little more expensive to own, and a little less attractive to buy.

[Source: AllCarAdvice]

With Toyota‘s sub-compact Yaris having been on the market for what feels like forever, a new model is due out soon. Reports indicate that a concept for the next-gen Yaris will debut at the Detroit Auto Show this January, giving us a better look at the style and size of the new model, which is expected to grow somewhat.

In addition, Toyota is believed to be working on a hybrid powertrain for the Yaris, using either a 1.3-liter or 1.0-liter 4-cylinder. This model is in direct response to the Fit/Jazz hybrid that Honda is planning, although AutoCar reports that Toyota isn’t looking to bring a hybrid Yaris to market in the U.S.

While strange, considering Toyota’s ambitious plan to increase its hybrid portfolio and sales, the decision does make sense. Toyota’s hybrid technology is quite expensive and simply wouldn’t make for an affordable package in the Yaris. Instead, we expect Toyota to follow through with the FT-CH Concept as a baby Prius for the North American market.

[Source: AutoCar]

Bentley chose the suitable Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as the perfect location to debut two new special edition drop-tops: the continental GTC 80-11 and the GTC Speed 80-11.

Both cars get Union Jack badges on the front fenders and a special color named “Midnight,” matched up with a “Dark Grey Matallic” soft top. Interior trim includes Beluga leather with a bright aluminum finish for the GTC and a dark finish for the SPEED models. Both models also get unique 20-inch wheels.

As for power, well, both Bentley’s get the twin-turbo W12 with 552-hp and 479 ft-lbs of torque for the GTC 80-11 and 600-hp and 553 ft-lbs of torque for the GTC Speed 80-11.

Pricing is set at $220,545 for the GTC and $247,545 for the GTC Speed, which includes a $3,000 gas guzzler tax and $2,595 destination charge. Just 80 examples of each model will be made in 2011.

GALLERY: Bentley Continental GTC 80-11 and GTC Speed 80-11

When Bugatti unveiled the new Veyron Super Sport by announcing it had reclaimed the record as the world’s fastest production vehicle, the former record holder, Shelby Supercars (SSC), welcomed the challenge. Announcing that it would seek to top that record, SSC has also announced it will debut a new car (or at lest a new design) in order to do so.

SSC has now released the first teaser image of the upcoming successor to the Ultimate Aero, designed by none other than Jason Castriota who is known for having penned the famous Pininfarina P4/5 for James Glickenhaus.

Accompanying the photo are the words “The next generation is coming soon…” and, “Because life begins at 250.”

Set to debut in September, we expect the record setting attempt won’t be for quite a while after that, but we’ll be sure to keep on top of this story to see how long the Veyron Super Sport’s record stays intact.

[Source: ShelbySupercars]

Lotus has confirmed that it will unveil a new Evora S model as one of its many new vehicles a the Paris Auto Show and there’s little doubt that the “S” stands for Supercharger. Currently Lotus offers the Evora with a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 276-hp. That number should increase to around 340-hp with the blower installed.

Possibly more exciting, however, is that with this engine set to be used in the Evora S, the upcoming Esprit replacement will most certainly get an even larger and more powerful engine – perhaps even the 5.0-liter V8 from the Lexus IS-F.

In addition to the Evora S, Lotus has also announced it will debut the Evora with an automatic transmission. If we’re lucky, this could be the 7-speed dual-clutch unit that Lotus has been developing, which should help the Evora post even better performance times.

[Source: TopSpeed]

See AutoGuide’s Lotus Evora review by Clicking Here

Autocar is reporting that Porsche is set to launch 8 new vehicles by 2014, including new versions of the 911, Boxster and Cayman as well as a 928 luxury car and the 918 Spyder.

Due in 2011 are hybrid and diesel versions of the Panamera sedan, followed by a Cayman Clubsport, featuring less weight and a highly tuned chassis, but with less emphasis on raw power. A re-worked 911, also with more fuel efficient powerplants and less weight, should bow in early 2011, perhaps at the Geneva Auto Show, while a new Boxster and Cayman range are due in 2012.

2013 marks the debut of an all new range of product, with the oft-rumored “baby Porsche” based on the VW BlueSport concept is expected to bow, as is the Panamera based 928 – which has yet to be green-lit but is proving popular with some management types.  In 2014, expect to see a refreshed Cayenne and the long awaited 918 Spyder. Insiders say that Porsche really does need until 2014 to iron out the kinks in their mega-buck supercar flagship.

[Source: Autocar]

Before small car fans get their hopes up, we’re sorry to tell you that this 2011 Nissan Micra has no chance of coming to North America. Not for the foreseeable future at least.

It turns out that Nissan was filming a commercial for the UK Market Micra in Toronto, but had the unfortunate coincidence of parking the car right near the offices Sympatico Autos, a Canadian automotive publication. Sympatico head Michael Banovsky ran out and grabbed a couple photos so you can see what we’re missing out on.

Canada will occasionally get prototype small cars for evaluation purposes (vehicles like the Mitsubishi i have been known to spend time in both government and Mitsubishi press fleets) thanks to the country’s love of small cars. However Banovsky recieved an emphatic “no” when he inquired about the Micra’s North American prospects.

Call it sour grapes if you will, but it won’t be missed, and the looks have something to do with that sentiment.

[Source: Sympatico Autos]

Automotive News, not generally known for its “enthusiast content” published a blog about Germany’s famed 13-mile Nurburgring race track, and how car companies are touting their ‘Ring times more and more in their advertising campaigns. We can’t help but wonder how many cars will be sold on that basis, and whether it’s worth paying attention to Nurburgring lap times anymore.

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