One of the most evocative names in Porsche‘s trophied history has to be the 550 Spyder. Some remember it as one of the best road-racing cars of its era, while some remember it as the car in which James Dean died.

Now according to some reports, the 550 name is about to make a comeback in 2014 on a new entry-level model which will be positioned below the current Boxster line-up.

Reports suggest this new 550 model will feature a 1.6-liter, turbo-charged, four-cylinder engine, and it will produce about 200 hp. Transmission choices will include a normal manual gearbox and PDK, Porsche’s dual-clutch gearbox.

When it goes on sale, it should be priced from around $40,000. So if you’ve been wanting to park a new Porsche in your garage but couldn’t afford to do so, perhaps now you’ll be able to.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Sometimes you lose track of how fast you’re going. You’re wrapped up with stuff you’ve got to do, your favorite song is on the radio or you’re trying to follow directions. Now, there’s a speed monitoring app that encourages safe driving and protect your rights.

The My Max Speed for smartphones stays on top of how fast you’re going. Helping to keep you at a safe and legal limit, users can log their rates of speed every 5 seconds they’re driving. This information is stored on a spreadsheet, so you can review your speed at different intervals. When you’re reviewing the spreadsheet display in the app, users can tap one speed recording to display the exact physical location in a map format.

This app comes in handy if you get a speeding ticket. You can use it when you get pulled over to see if the speed matches that of what the law enforcement officer reports. This could save you some cash and points if the police officer’s radar gun settings aren’t calibrated. And if you get pulled over for speeding but get burned for something else along with it (like not wearing a seatbelt), having proof that you weren’t speeding may impact other citations that you could be charged with.

The My Max Speed has a large display area that makes it easy to see how fast you’re going, and stores speed snapshots in five minute segments for evidentiary purposes. The spreadsheets can be exported to Excel, Word, Power Point or other software, and the reports can be sent to an email address or can be shared on Facebook.

My Max Speed is available for free in an ad-supported version and for $4.99 in an ad-free version from the Android Market or http://iconosys.com/productlist.php?id=262.

The Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang together outsold all hybrids in the U.S. market for the month of May. With fuel prices skyrocketing and the cost for a gallon of gas around $4, many would think this is absurd. However with advancements in technology, the fuel economy efforts by GM, Ford and Chrysler have made these models far more efficient than in the past. And besides, Spring is the perfect season to buy a summer toy.

The 2012 Camaro lead muscle car sales in May 2011, with the introduction of the convertible model, selling 9,451 units. This is a gain of 5% over May 2010, however 10,000 Camaros were sold in April, so there was a slight decline from the previous month. The 2012 Mustang came in second place selling 4,407 units which also suffered a 36% decrease over May 2010. The 2012 Dodge Challenger came in third place with 3,418 units sold in May. Even with the slump in sales for May, a total of 19,476 Challengers, Camaros and Mustangs were sold compared to 17,852 hybrids sold in the U.S.

The Earthquake in Japan prevented vehicles from coming into the US and this needs to be taken into consideration when looking at these numbers, but it is still amazing that with gas this high, many Americans are not ready to let go of their favorite muscle cars.

[Source: Mustang Forums]

Many fans of the original MINI complain that the new cars bearing the name are just too big. They certainly won’t be happy to learn that the next generation model of the MINI Cooper, also known as the F56, will offer a five-door variant along with the three-door offering.

This new five-door model will not be replacing the Clubman, instead be an all-new additional model. It would simply be like a normal Cooper, but with suicide doors for easy access to the rear, and unlike in the Clubman model, the Cooper five-door will have suicide doors on both sides.

So why have a five-door Cooper and a Clubman in your line-up?

Rumor has it that the next generation Clubman will gain more length, so hence will appeal to customers looking for extra space.

The F56 Cooper will go on sale next summer, but expect to wait an extra year for the five-door model.

[Source: Motoring File]

Lotus recently announced its intention to build an in-house V8 engine for its upcoming line of exotic sports cars. Making as much as 570-hp from a displacement of just 4.8-liters the sophisticated powerplant may be joined by an equally high-tech automatic transmission.

Back in January of last year it was revealed that Lotus was working on a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and now, according to Lotus Cars USA PR Boss Kevin Smith, there’s a very good chance the Esprit will be the first model to use the unit. “We’d like to do a manual and a dual-clutch transmission for the Esprit,” he remarked during the recent launch of the Evora S in the US, “and now that we’re dong our own engines there’s a better chance.”

Adding to the possibility is the fact that Lotus has delayed the Esprit by one year as it develops its own engine for the car. Look for the production model to arrive, likely at the Geneva Auto Show in 2013, with an on-sale date later that year or early in 2014.

GALLERY: Lotus Esprit Concept

Having just unveiled the new M3 CRT, BMW has now released a short teaser video of the light weight sports sedan.

Shedding 100 lbs from the factory sedan the Carbon Racing Technology car makes use of carbon fiber components as a part of its diet. In particular the seats and hood are made from the light weight weave, using a new process that BMW intends to roll out in more models, including the upcoming i3 and i8.

In addition, the M3 CRT drops pounds thought the use of a titanium muffler, 19-inch forged alloy wheels and light weight carbon ceramic brakes.

Additional upgrades include an adjustable coilover suspension system, with wider 245/35/19 front tires and 265/35/19 rear tires. Plus, the engine gets a boost with the 4.4-liter V8 now making 450-hp at a lofty 8300 rpm. Mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission BMW estimates a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds. Plus the reduction in weight on the front axle results in a more balanced chassis, with a 51.6/48.4 front to rear balance.

Just 67 M3 CRTs will be produced, all in a Frozen Polar Silver metallic with Melbourne Red accenting and a black and orange interior.

Watch the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Is this the upcoming Cadillac ATS? It just might be according to the collective minds over at GMInsideNews.com.

A forum member on the all-things-GM site noticed the car during a video montage that plays when you visit www.GM.com and decided to take a screen capture. The picture seems to show a RWD sedan that doesn’t match up to anything else in the GM lineup. There are some overall similarities to the new Malibu (front-drive), but enough differences to raise questions. The short overhangs front and rear indicate a performance vehicle, while a comparison with spy shots of an ATS recently taken at GM’s Milford Proving grounds shows more than just coincidental similarities.

The Cadillac ATS is expected to debut next year as the brand’s BMW 3 Series fighter, offering 4-cylinder base engines, with rumors of a twin-turbo V6 for a high-performance model.

[Source: GMI]

As part of the celebrations for the World Environment Day, Chevrolet showcased an electric version of their Beat sub-compact car in India.

The Beat BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) is powered by 300 lithium-ion battery cells, which will take eight-hours to charge from a standard 240V house outlet. On a full charge, the Beat BEV can travel 130 km (80 miles), under normal driving conditions. Impressive numbers, but not exactly ground breaking. Power is sent to the drive wheels via a single-speed transmission.

At the launch, Karl Slym, president and managing director of General Motors of India said, “General Motors is committed to providing customers around the world with electrification technologies that will reduce their fuel consumption, helping them save money. GM India will lead in this ‘tailored for India’ demo program for battery electric technology, with Chevrolet Beat chosen as the best way to evaluate the technology. We are delighted that Chevrolet selected India as an important market to test battery electric technology, while recognizing the capabilities of our engineering team to help identify ways to make this technology more affordable.”

Will this particular version of the Beat just be a concept or will it go into production is not known at the moment. GM India is already offering a range of alternate fuel vehicles including the Chevrolet Beat LPG, Chevrolet Spark LPG and Chevrolet Aveo CNG to its customers.

Chevy is expected to bring a gasoline version of the Beat to North America as early as next year.

Having recently set a new record for a production car on the Isle of Man TT motorcycle circuit, Subaru has now released a video to document the feat on the 200 turn, 37 mile course.

The mostly stock WRX STI was driven by Isle of Man native Mark Higgins who managed to shave 20 seconds off his first 19:56.7 run. With a new 19:37 time Higgins further solidifies himself in the record book, edging slight closer, but still very far away, from the motorcycle record. That time is a 17:12.3, set by John McGuinness in a Honda CBR1000RR back in 2009.

“This is one of the most daunting tracks I have ever driven, and the most terrifying,” said Higgins, a Manx native. “We were only able to get two practice runs and on our second practice I had the biggest ‘moment’ of my career. We had a passenger on the run and so coming into Bray Hill at more than 150 MPH, the extra weight compressed the suspension more than on previous runs and shifted the Subaru to the left and then right as I corrected–it was a real tank slapper. The whole thing went by so quickly that we never slowed below 110 MPH, and then we were back on the power. It was amazing and the helicopter shots really show just how hairy it really was.”

Watch the video after the jump and read AutoGuide’s 2011 Subaru WRX STI Review here:

Continue Reading…

BMW has just revealed its much-rumored and even more highly anticipated light weight M3, but the CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) is far more than just a car.

Using components like a titanium muffler, 19-inch forged alloy wheels and light weight carbon ceramic brakes, not to mention plenty of carbon fiber components, this M3 sedan sheds a total of 100 lbs compared to the standard car for a weight of 3,483 lbs – although BMW claims the weight savings is actually more like 150 lbs when you take into account the equipment level of the M3. Unlike the M3 GTS, which tips the scales at closer to 3,300 lbs, the M3 CRT gets a full array of comfort and convenience technologies, including a high-end audio system and navigation. And did we mention it’s a sedan?

But the more important aspect of this M3 comes from looking at the big picture. The Carbon Racing Technology refers to a new carbon fiber production technique that BMW will use on future models, including the new i3 and i8 cars. On the M3 CRT components like the seats and the hood are built from the innovative new process.

Additional upgrades include an adjustable coilover suspension system, with wider 245/35/19 front tires and 265/35/19 rear tires. Plus, the engine gets a boost with the 4.4-liter V8 now making 450-hp at a lofty 8300 rpm. Mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission BMW estimates a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds. Plus the reduction in weight on the front axle results in a more balanced chassis, with a 51.6/48.4 front to rear balance.

A rare type of machine, it gets rarer still with BMW planning to produce just 67 units, painted in Frozen Polar Silver metallic with Melbourne Red accenting and a black and orange interior.

GALLERY: BMW M3 CRT