Maserati North America is issuing out a recall for 2005-2008 Quattroporte, 2008 Granturismo, and 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C vehicles for a possible rear tie rod failure.

According to the Italian automaker, the affected models were manufactured with rear tie rod assemblies that may not have sufficient anti-corrosion material applied, potentially causing them to weaken and fail over time. Failure of the tie rods can result in loss of control and an increased risk of crashing.

Maserati will begin notifying affected owners so that the automaker can replace the tie rod assemblies. The recall is expected to begin by the end of June 2013.

A total number of 7,438 vehicles are potentially affected.

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A couple of months ago, SRT President and CEO Ralph Gilles promised that the brand would have “an answer to the Z/28″ Camaro, and it looks like that’ll come in the form of an exciting new powerplant for the Challenger SRT8 model.

Rumor has it that Chrysler is working on a 6.2-liter, supercharged V8 engine with a power output closing in on the Viper’s 640 hp. The engine is internally codenamed “Hellcat” and is expected to debut in the next-generation Challenger which will also benefit from an eight-speed transmission.

SEE ALSO: More Powerful Dodge Challenger SRT8 Planned as Camaro Z/28 Rival

The new supercharged V8 is expected to be an option on at least one variant of the Challenger, most likely the SRT8, which will go into production in mid-2014 as a 2015 model year. It’s clearly the powerplant that SRT and Chrysler need for their heavier Challenger to keep up with the intense competition that both Ford and Chevrolet have brought to the table in recent years.

[Source: Automotive News]

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After a gruelling 24 hours of racing at the Green Hell, the number-9 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 from German team Black Falcon took the overall victory at the Nurburgring endurance classic.

It’s the first time the German automaker has claimed an overall victory at the event and it’s all thanks to drivers Bernd Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Sean Edwards and Nicki Thiim. Finishing second at this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours race was the number-25 BMW Z4 M GT3 while the number-22 Rowe Racing SLS AMG GT3 came in third. Noticeably missing from this year’s overall podium were Audi and Porsche, who have typically fared well at the event.

Seventh overall was the number-18 Porsche GT3 from Manthey Racing, which won the SP7 class. Topping the near-production SP8 class was the number-81 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 which also finished 21st overall.

Poor weather caused the red flag to drop five and a half hours into the race, causing a delay of more than nine hours. The tough weather conditions also caused some teams to rethink their strategies, with some of them content with just finishing the race. Aston Martin was one of those teams, leading early with its number-7 V12 Vantage GT3 but opted to take it safe and took 10th place overall.

The Gazoo Racing Lexus LFA finished 37th overall.

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BMW has revealed its Competition Packages for the 2014 M5 and M6 models designed to enhance handling and improve performance, shaving 0.1 seconds off its 0-62 mph sprint time.

Power output is upped from 560 hp to 575 hp with the Competition Package and is available for the M5, M6 Coupe, M6 Convertible, and M6 Gran Coupe models. Vehicles equipped with the Competition Package are lowered about 0.4 inches with more aggressively tuned damping and sway bars. Improved traction comes from a modified control unit for the Active M Differential.

SEE ALSO: 2014 BMW M5 Officially Revealed with Minor Updates

20-inch M alloy wheels are outfitted onto each corner of the Competition Package-equipped vehicles along with a sport exhaust system featuring M twin tailpipes in black chrome. Those looking for even more performance from their M models can opt for the M carbon ceramic brakes.

No pricing was announced by the German automaker on the Competition Package.

GALLERY: BMW M5 Competition Package

GALLERY: BMW M6 Competition Package

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We are back with this week’s instalment of AutoGuide’s newest, interactive weekly feature ‘Commute, Toy or Destroy’.

Once again, we present to you, our faithful readers, a choice of three vehicles. We are asking you to decide which one you would make your daily driver, which one would become a weekend Autocross machine and which one should be blown up by a 500 shot of nitrous.

Remember, the commuter car you must live with every day. The toy would be only available to you for occasional use on weekends or car meets and the final car would be the one you’d leave the keys in the ignition in a shady neighborhood.

This week we select icons of affordable performance from the late 1980s that represent three different continents. First, from North America is the Ford Mustang 5.0. Yeah, the storied Foxbody ‘Stang. Next, from Asia is an incredibly fun-to-drive light weight hatchback, the Honda CRX. Finally, representing Europe is the highly engaging Volkswagen Corrado. So what are your choices going to be?

1987-1993 Ford Mustang

The ‘foxbody’ Mustang (which refers to its ‘fox’ platform) was in production for a long time. In 1987 it was refreshed and modernized, but that didn’t matter too much. The 5.0 L V8 (4.9 L to be technical) was all the Mustang faithful cared about as it made this budget sports car not only a good performer, but also a great vehicle to modify into an absolute terror.

1988-1991 Honda CR-X

In 1987, the CRX received modern sheet metal, a better suspension and a significant bump in power; especially in Si models. Although power still barely exceeded the 100 hp mark, the fact the CRX weighed in at only 2,000 lbs. meant it was still fairly quick. This light weight also meant the CRX was incredibly nimble in the corners and fuel efficient. Later in life, this car became the darling of the import tuner community.

1988-1995 Volkswagen Corrado

When the Corrado first came out, many claimed it to be one of the best handling front-wheel drive cars ever made. Twenty-five years later and many are still in love with this three-door veedub. If handling prowess wasn’t enough, two letter and number combinations still set Corrado fans hearts a flutter; G60, which refers to the 158 hp 1.8 L supercharged four-cylinder and VR6, which was the name of the 178-192 hp narrow angle V6 engine.

Yesterday, Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder in production form and now we’ve gotten our hands on even more photos of the hybrid supercar.

Powered by a mid-mounted, 4.6-liter V8 mated to a pair of electric motors, the 918 Spyder makes 887 hp and accelerates to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. To bring it up to supercar status is a monocoque carbon fiber shell helping bring the vehicle to a respectable 3,615 pounds.

SEE GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder Detailed in Production Form

For a true driving experience, the 918 Spyder offers five different drive modes: E-Power, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Race Hybrid, and Hot Lap. As you can tell, the German automaker is not shying away from the fact that its latest supercar is a hybrid.

Best of all, nothing about the 918 Spyder’s styling shows that it’s supposed to be a hybrid. But in reality, the term hybrid isn’t exactly pairing up with being eco-friendly anymore; automakers are turning to the alternative powertrain to enhance performance of their vehicles without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

GALLERY: Porsche 918 Spyder

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Mazda is looking to set a new world record for the “largest parade of Mazda cars” with its MX-5 Miata.

Hoping to gather up 800 Miatas in Lelystad, Netherlands on June 13, 2013, the automaker wants to best the current record of 459 MX-5s that gathered in Essen, Germany in 2010. Close to one million Miatas have been sold since it first hit the market, making it one of the most popular sport cars in the world.

Those interested in joining the meet in Netherlands and the world record attempt can register here - cost is 30 euros ($38) and includes lunch and drinks for two people.

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The Jaguar F-Type is hitting dealerships in America this month with a starting price of $69,000, so the British automaker is launching an advertising and marketing campaign to promote its convertible sports car.

The campaign, titled “Your Turn” will shine the spotlight on Jaguar’s newest sports car. The campaign will be seen on television, movies, print, digital, mobile and tablet, in addition to a social media campaign.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Jaguar F-Type Priced From $69,000

Stars featured in the advertising campaign for the F-Type include San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, ESPN commentator Stuart Scott, and Playboy playmate of the year Raquel Pomplun. The F-Type will also be incorporated into a Jimmy Kimmel Live commercial, integrated with the USA Network’s Covert Affairs, and highlighted on Speed TV.

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GALLERY: Jaguar F-Type Ad Campaign

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While Mercedes-Benz was officially revealing the 2014 S-Class sedan today, the German automaker was also busy working on a coupe variant that is expected to arrive next year as a 2015 model.

Our spy photographers have spotted the S-Class coupe testing once again heavily camouflaged. But now that the new S-Class has been officially revealed, it’s easier to fill in the blanks as to how the coupe will look once it’s finally released.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Mercedes S-Class Officially Revealed

The S-Class coupe essentially replaces the former CL-Class lineup for Mercedes and is expected to share powertrain and models with the S-Class sedan. For now, the only model the German automaker has revealed is the S550, which is powered by a twin-turbo V8 with 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

GALLERY: 2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Spy Photos

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Porsche has designed a new hybrid module that will fit into all of its future cars, suggesting that all Porsche models in its lineup will inevitably have a hybrid variant.

The module, which combines an electric motor and clutches in one unit will reduce fuel consumption while driving at normal speeds. The first phase of Porsche’s hybridization efforts is shown off in the new plug-in Panamera, where the German automaker’s engineers reduced the “revolutions per kilometer” of the engine.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid Starts at $99,000

The next phase, which is due in 2016-2017, Porsche models will interact more intelligently with its environment by using data from a variety of sources, such as detailed road maps. By analyzing data such as inclines and corners, Porsche models will select the correct driving mode for the circumstances, maximizing fuel efficiency and performance.

The new hybrid module will be both water- and air-cooled and will be more powerful than the 94-hp hybrid electric motor that will be used in the upcoming plug-in Panamera, which is set to hit dealerships this summer. The automaker is also working on an induction charging system that can be used in home garages.

And in case you’re thinking the 911 range isn’t getting hybridized, it is.

[Source: Autocar UK]

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With all the attention the Ferrari LaFerrari and the McLaren P1 have received in recent months, it’s hard to forget that Porsche is working on its own hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder.

Powered by a 4.6-liter V8 paired with an electric motor, the 918 Spyder will pack 875 hp and accelerate to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. But according to the German automaker, it’s the 918 Spyder’s technology that will allow it to be faster than its European counterparts in certain conditions, despite being a heavier vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Porsche 918 Spyder Still Available

The 918 sports torque vectoring and independently-driven front wheels, allow it to “maintain better drive and achieve higher entry and mid-corner speed,” according to James Eastwood, Porsche’s product manager. The Porsche 918 Spyder is expected to weigh in at around 3,750 pounds, though a lightweight Weissach package will be available to knock off around 110 pounds.

Though the 918 Spyder isn’t sold out yet, Porsche is still confident that it’ll have no issues selling them all. Eastwood didn’t reveal any actual sales figures, but did mention that half the orders placed so far have opted for the Weissach package.

[Source: CAR]

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BMW and Pininfarina have teamed up to build what is being called the Gran Lusso Coupe, which will make its public debut at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 24, 2013.

The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe is a sequel to the stunning Zagato Coupe BMW unveiled at the event last year. The Gran Lusso Coupe takes a different approach however, featuring the refined imprint of Pininfarina for an elegant and exclusive coupe.

SEE ALSO: BMW Zagato Coupe Unveiled

Very little details were revealed except for the teaser images, but the one-off creation blends the best of Italian and German design into one. The project will feature a long wheelbase, stretched hood, short overhangs, and a set-back greenhouse with a smoothly sloping roofline. Powering the Gran Lusso Coupe will be a V12 engine.

GALLERY: BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe

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