Nissan‘s GT Academy is the stuff of dreams. Of 54,000 virtual racers, the field has been whittled down to just 16, all of whom will then compete for a seat in a real race car, to take on the grueling 24 Hours of Dubai.

Honing their skills first racing in Gran Turismo on Playstation 3, the 16 contestants must now compete in a series of tests over a week at the Silverstone Racing Complex in the U.K., performing challenges and driving Nissan 370Zs and GT-Rs. And of course, the whole thing has been taped.

With the first episode already having aired on the Speed Network last week, in case you missed it, Nissan has provided the entire show on its YouTube channel.

Watch the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

With the addition of the all-new Coupe model, MINI now offers five unique models in its range, but that is only the start say U.S. brand CEO Jim McDowell. Speaking at the press introduction of the Coupe in Nashville last week McDowell indicated that while MINI, “will never be the world’s biggest automaker,” the model range being offered could expand to double its current size over the next 10 years.

With the traditional hard-top model, convertible and Clubman now the backbone of the lineup, last year MINI introduced the Countryman crossover which is expected to be a volume seller. The Coupe now adds a fifth model to the range.

As for what the next five models will be, two have already been confirmed. The first is the Roadster, a soft-top convertible version of the new Coupe, while the second is a production version of the Paceman concept – essentially a two-door Countryman. A final “known-model” is the Rocketman concept is certainly a possibility, although it’s not clear if that car will be offered in North America. As for what the remaining two models will be, McDowell wasn’t willing to comment.

GALLERY: 2012 MINI Coupe JCW

The much maligned styling of the Nissan Juke is in many ways overcome by its impressive driving characteristics. Still not convinced? Then perhaps the Nissan GT-R powered ‘Super Juke’ will help change your mind.

Under development by Nissan Europe, the car will use the very same twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine as Godzilla, making around 480-hp. With a stripped down interior this wildly modified machine should be able to hot 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds. Who needs a Bentley-powered VW Golf anyway?

Look for the car to sport flared fenders, a new front splitter, rear diffuser and some upgraded wheels, tires and brakes.

Built as a one-off project, the car is expected to debut before year’s end. We just hope it makes its way across the pond for SEMA.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Nissan Juke Review

It’s always difficult to see a Ferrari get wrecked. A little more than a week ago, Zahir Rana became a household name after he spun out his monstrously powerful modified Ferrari Enzo into the ocean while he was participating in the Targa Newfoundland race.

Now, new details have surfaced from his facebook page and we’re pleased to learn that the Ferrari Enzo will receive repairs. In fact, they’ll be done at Edo Competition in Germany, the same shop that did much of the Enzo’s past modifications. And what better way for a Ferrari to go than by air transport.

Unfazed, Zahir Rana hinted at the return of the Ferrari at the ‘Race the Base’, a top speed event across an airfield at Cold Lake Alberta, next year.

GALLERY: Zahir Rana’s Ferrari Enzo

[Source: Facebook via Autoblog]

Audi‘s LMP team is coming back to the United States, debuting the R18 TDI in American soil for the first time and challenging for victory at the Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta.

Earlier this year, the Audi R18 TDI already won at the 24 hours of Le Mans in dramatic style, so the team looks forward to ending the racing season in dominant form. Driving the R18 will be Rinaldo “Dindo” Capello, the winningest racing driving at Road Atlanta, along with the duo that earned many podiums for Audi, Timo Berhand and Marcel Fässler.

During last year’s race at Road Atlanta, Capello had to make an unscheduled pitstop when an insert in his helmet came unfastened and dangled over his eyes, obstructing his view. Were it not for that wardrobe malfunction that cost Capello the race, Audi would have won at Road Atlanta for the tenth time.

If you won’t be able to travel, catch the race on Eurosport or ESPN. Qualifying begins Friday, September 30th and the race will start on 11:30am on Saturday, October 1.

GALLERY: Audi R18

Yesterday we told you about the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 hitting the auction stage at Barrett-Jackson in Las Vegas, NV. Today, we are reporting on its outcome.

This very special 2012 Camaro, which will be the 69th ZL1 made, to commemorate the 1969 ZL1, sold for $250,000. That is probably over four-times as much as what the MSRP will be for this car.

However, the premium price is for a very worthy cause. All the money, and we do mean 100% of it, will be going to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

The buyer for this car is none other than car dealership mogul and NASCAR Sprint Cup team owner Rick Hendricks. Previously, Hendricks was also the winning bidder for the very first Corvette ZR-1, the very first of the new generation Camaro’s, and the very first Volt plug-in hybrid.

He will receive his Carbon Flash Metallic ZL1 in the first quarter of 2012.

GALLERY: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Debut in Chicago

A special one-off Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca will be auctioned for charity for the benefit of the Henry Ford Health Systems. Painted in a gorgeous, attention grabbing coat of “School Bus Yellow,” this Boss will also sport the personal signature of famous racing driver and Indy 500 winner, Parnelli Jones.

Standard Laguna Seca hardware applies in this special one-off, complete with a 5.0 V8 good for 444-hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Redline reaches a staggering 7500. Bembro brakes, quad exhaust, Recaro seats, and an array of gauges including a G-meter are included in the package as well.

The auction will be held on October 15th, at the Ford Motor Company Conference And Event Center located in Dearborn, Michigan.

[Source: MustangDaily]

As automotive technology and innovation continue at breakneck speed, car enthusiasts and traditionalists have been quite outspoken in their opposition against sequential gearboxes and dual clutch systems, arguing that there’s an irreplaceable purity from rowing your own gears.

To the men and women who love to drive, don’t despair. Porsche has been listening. According to Porsche CEO, Matthias Muller, the 911 will offer a manual transmission for as long as it is in demand, which loosely translates to forever. Moreover, an all new, world’s first 7-speed manual was introduced just for the latest Porsche flagship sports car.

The good news doesn’t stop there. Muller also confirms that the 911 GT3 will still be manual as well, denying past allegations of otherwise.

Driving enthusiasts rejoice! Go Porsche!

GALLERY: Porsche 911

[Source: Motortrend]

Nothing can test a truck’s true mettle quite like thousands of miles of sand. For the 2012 Dakar Rally, the British Excite Rally Raid Team plans to enter the most brutal competition on Earth using three specially modified versions of Land Rover‘s new Evoque.

Powered by a 3.0-liter turbo diesel straight-six engine by BMW producing 275-hp and 479 lb-ft of torque and mated to a ZF six-speed gearbox, the Evoque will be hand-built by the wizards of RaBe Race Cars, whom possess a very long history of providing Dakar raiding hardware for many teams.

British Excite Rally Raid Team, as the name suggests, will be a completely British crew. The drivers are Martin Rowe, Andrew Coley and John Hardy. Keep a look out for British Excite at the 2012 Dakar Rally in January 1, 2012.

GALLERY: British Excite Rally Raid Team Land Rover Evoque

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is one of the most highly anticipated models of 2012. This 580-hp, supercharged V8 monster will certainly be one of the fastest sportscars on the market.

Many enthusiasts are waiting to get their hands on this model, but if you want the very first one, get ready today. At the Barrett-Jackson Auction being held today in Las Vegas, a Chevrolet dealer will auction off the first customer ZL1.

While in actuality, this will be the 69th ZL1 built at the Oshawa factory, this carbon-black metallic example is a tribute to the 69 examples of the 1969 Camaro ZL1, but it will be the first one delivered to a customer.

The car is donated by Fairway Chevrolet in Las Vegas, with 100% of the proceeds going to the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

The ZL1 will be delivered to the highest bidder by next spring.

GALLERY: 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1