And the world’s fastest hybrid is? The Porsche Panamera Hybrid S? Sure… that sounds believable, especially after watching the teaser video below. But wait…

The hybrid Porsche sedan isn’t the only car in the clip below. Watch carefully at the 0:15 mark and you’ll see the reflection of another car in the Porsche’s shiny paint. Why yes…. that is an Infiniti M35h.

Infiniti already pulled a stunt in the UK to promote the M35h as the world’s fastest accelerating hybrid, but since then Porsche has released its new 380 hp gasoline-electric sedan with a claimed 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds.

So which car is actually faster? You can check back on January 23rd to find out.

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Buick has achieved two straight years of growth and the brand is looking to keep up the momentum, targeting new buyers with unconventional new products. The Enclave SUV kicked-off the new Buick and it’s been a smash success, and even near the end of its product cycle continues to be the brand’s best seller. So if one crossover is a good idea, two must be better… right?

That thinking has spawned the Encore, a sub-compact crossover, that’s a step down in size from GM models like the Chevy Equinox. Rather than being based on a compact car platform like the Cruze, it’s based on the sub-compact Sonic.

For more on the Encore, watch AutoGuide’s first look video from the Detroit Auto Show below.

GALLERY: 2013 Buick Encore

The compact car category continues to grow and is increasingly becoming the most important and highest volume segment in America. For years Chrysler hasn’t had a competitive offering, something it is looking to change with the all-new Dodge Dart.

Sharing its underpinnings with an Alfa Romeo it’s the direct result of the tie-up between Chrysler and Fiat, with all the benefits that can have.Included in the list of rather European specs listed for the Dart are a fully-independent rear suspension and an optional turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder mated to a dual-clutch transmission.

Unveiled this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, see AutoGuide’s first look video of the 2013 Dodge Dart below.

GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart

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Expanding the Prius range of vehicles to four, the new “c” model is the smallest and most affordable Prius yet. Toyota also promises it will be the most fun to drive and it will get an even higher fuel economy rating than the standard Prius with 53 mpg combined. Unveiled this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, watch AutoGuide’s first look video of the Prius c below.

GALLERY: Toyota Prius c

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Easily one of the stars of this year’s Detroit Auto Show, and arguably the best looking, the Lexus LF-LC hybrid coupe concept is a bold look at the future styling direction of the brand, while also hinting at a new model.

With styling cues from the new GS and the LFA supercar, there’s plenty of innovation packed into it – though Lexus is being extremely quiet as to what the powertrain is, apart from commenting that it’s a next-generation hybrid drive system that will deliver both fuel economy and performance.

For more on the LF-LC, watch the video below.

GALLERY: Lexus LF-LC Concept

Watch the video below:

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Ford is setting new records for fuel economy (and style) in the mid-size sedan segment with the debut of the new 2013 Fusion today at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Available with three gasoline engines, including a 37 mpg highway 1.6-liter EcoBoost, a Fusion Hybrid will deliver 47 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. Taking fuel economy a step further will be a plug-in hybrid with 100 mpge.

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Fusion

For more on the 2013 Fusion watch the video below:

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Hyundai Motor America is just about ready to open its new California headquarters and decided a proper send-off for the old building in Fountain Valley was in order. The idea, dreamed-up by Hyundai service tech Dustin Loranger, has pro drifter Rhys Millen stealing his own drift car from the compound, only to run circles (literally) around the facility – both outside and in.

Watch the video after the jump: Continue Reading…

If you’re a lover of hot-hatches then there’s a lot going on at Ford these days that will interest you. For starters there’s the new Focus ST, a high-performance version of the new compact hatch that’s set to take on cars like the Mazdaspeed3 and Civic Si. It makes 247-hp from a turbocharged direct-injection EcoBoost 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and thanks to a long list of upgrades an an innovative torque distribution system, looks to be plenty fun, and plenty capable.

Sized-down from the Focus ST is a new Fiesta ST, with the same sort of upgrades, but sporting an EcoBoost 1.6-liter engine making 180-hp. It’s technically a concept, but Ford is serious about bringing this car to market – and we can’t wait.

GALLERY: Ford Focus ST

GALLERY: Ford Fiesta ST Concept

Watch the video below for a look at both cars from the floor of the LA Auto Show:

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Cadillac is drumming up a lot of excitement for its upcoming ATS model, which will be GM’s answer to BMW’s ever popular 3-Series. To get everyone excited about the new ATS, Cadillac has been releasing a series of videos teasing the vehicle as it gets put through its paces of testing and tuning.

The newest video highlighting the ATS’ journey shows Cadillac developing and refining the sedan on the Autobahn and the Nurburgring. By gathering an elite team of drivers and engineers, Cadillac threw everything it possibly could at the ATS in order to develop the perfect sports sedan.

Check out the video below:

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Motorcycles are both dangerous and awesome. Motorcycle stunts in a controlled environment are scary and spectacular. Those same stunts on public roads are criminal and almost certain to end in Darwinistic justice.

By some spectacular miracle everyone looks to have walked away from the annual Street Fighterz Ride of the Century event in St. Louis, MO, and boy do they have the video to prove it. You won’t believe your eyes:

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It’s over for another two years, but in case you missed any of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, check out our video coverage below. Plus, don’t forget about our even more extensive traditional coverage here. Major debuts for 2011 included the all-new 2012 Porsche 911, Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series, Mazda CX-5 and Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale, not to mention amazing concepts like the Jaguar C-X16 Concept, BMW i3 & i8 Concepts and the Kia GT Concept.

Watch all the videos from Frankfurt after the jump:

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It comes as little surprise that the reveal of an all-new Porsche 911 at the Frankfurt Auto Show proved to be one of the major highlights of the day, despite literally dozens of world premieres. With a new platform, engines and new technology (though in true Porsche fashion, only a slightly different look), the latest 911 delivers increasingly amazing performance. Plus, it even offers much-improved luxury.

GALLERY: 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S

To find out more about the new 2012 Porsche 911, watch the video after the jump:

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It’s the experience of the lifetime. In fact, it’s several, all rolled into one.

To help celebrate the launch of the all new 2012 M5, BMW flew six lucky winners to Germany where they became the very first to drive what will no doubt soon be crowned as the world’s most high performance sedan. Better yet, all six were taken to the Nurburgring to drive car, and get the ride of their lives sitting shotgun for a few hot laps.

Get full details on the new M5 here and look for more photos from its Frankfurt Auto Show debut in the weeks to come.

Watch the video after the jump:

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Any auto enthusiast will tell you the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance should not only be on your bucket list, but a permanent fixture on your yearly automotive calendar. If you missed this year’s show, pictures help convey the elegance and magnitude, but video works much better. AutoGuide’s video department hit the 18th fairway at the Pebble Beach Golf Course to provide an overview of just what this event is all about. Enjoy it after the jump.

Or if modern exotics are more your thing, check out our video of the Concept Lawn at Pebble Beach here.

GALLERY: 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Watch the video after the jump:

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There are supercars, and then there are supercars. Sure the Bugatti Veyron holds the world record for the fastest production car, but as impressive as that is, it will never hold the hearts of auto enthusiasts like the Ferrari F40.

If those similar yet different vehicles represent two distinct categories of supercar, the Pagani Zonda falls in the latter. Built in Italy, the Zonda is a true exotic and makes even the Enzo seem as common as a Camry by comparison. (Pagani built just 12 Zondas a year during the car’s run).

But the ultimate Zonda is the “R”, a track-only special model that weighs just 2,359 lbs. Powered by a 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine that makes an incredible 750-hp and 524 ft-lbs of torque, the Zonda R can hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and holds the Nurburgring record for production-based cars at 6:47.

But perhaps more amazing than all these statistics is how that big AMG V12 engine sounds, especially mated to a sequential shift box. Video of the Zonda R on track has surfaced before, but listening to this engine never gets old. This latest clip shows the car on track (with the Huayra, the Zonda’s successor) at Adria International Speedway in Northern Italy. Behind the wheel is former F1 driver Andrea Montermini. Turn your speakers up and enjoy!

Watch the video after the jump:

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From the “Too Brilliant To Be True” Files comes this idea: a traffic camera that monitors drivers who obey the speed limit, and rewards them by entering them into a lottery. For cash prizes.

The speed camera lottery photographs the license plates of passing drivers, then either issues them a citation or enters them into a lottery, for a chance to win the money pooled from those citations. The camera was installed in a busy intersection in Germany somewhere, where over 25,000 cars passed by over the course of three days—and the average speed fell, from 32 km/h to a sub-legal 25 km/h, which indicates that it’s working (or people are slowing down to figure out what kind of weird camera they’re driving past).

Alas, it’s all just a competition cooked up by Volkswagen, and will not be coming to a speed trap near you. “Fun can obviously change for the better,” says Volkswagen. Of course, a reward for not breaking the law is always an attractive proposition.

[Source: Consumerist]

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Held once a year the the AutoClub Speedway outside LA, the Ultimate Lamborghini Experience promises an adrenaline-filled day at the track. Just ask the local wildlife.

The roar of a Murcielago LP670 SV’s 670-hp V12 engine can send a squirrel running. Unfortunately for this little rodent, he’s running right into the path of the exotic supercar.

We won’t spoil how it ends, but let’s just say it should meet PETA standards. Or not.. what happened to the rest of his tail?

[Source: SpeedandMotion]

Watch the video after the jump:

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Despite pulling off the record-setting 332-foot jump during the Indy 500 flawlessly, Tanner Foust took several practice attempts in the custom Team Hot Wheels truck, one of which very nearly ended in disaster.

Taped for your enjoyment, the video highlights that Foust’s skill was put to the test each practice run. You’ll see some awesome footage of the truck getting as close as possible to flipping – we really can’t imagine how much closer you could get than this. This video just proves these jumps aren’t just a simple equation of physics and smashing the foot on the gas pedal.

Check out the video after the jump.

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The Scion brand is still in its infancy in Canada and as with all things, getting the word out can be tough. If you’re in the marketing business, the perfect situation would be a captive and receptive audience; and one you can reach for very few dollars spent.

With that in mind, Scion Canada’s marketing agency Phlik Marketing, set about creating a flash mob on the streets of Montreal, coinciding with the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.

As part of larger activities by Scion Canada during the race weekend, if the whole event turns into a viral video then it will be a resounding success. Your welcome.

Watch the video after the jump:

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Some of you might not have even heard of Jensen’s Interceptor, a hand-built car from the UK that was produced between 1966-1976. The Interceptor was powered by a Chrysler V8 that ranged from a 6.3L to a massive 7.2L. So when we caught wind that Brook Anderson was restoring a Jensen Interceptor with a Dodge Viper 8.3L V10 powerplant, we were all sorts of giddy.

There aren’t many details on the build, but the video reveals that it’s coming along nicely with a completion date sometime in July. The powerful V10 will be mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and the restoration will also include suspension and brake upgrades.

Check out a video of this awesome restomod after the break.

[Source: Autoblog]

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Forget the Nurburgring. Those in search of the ultimate driving thrill know that you can’t top Bolivia’s Yungas Road. This narrow, winding path runs from the city of La Paz to Coroico and its treacherous terrain, poor weather conditions and steep cliffs claim 100 lives a year. As a result it has earned the dubious title: Death Road.

As part of a clever (and ballsy) marketing stunt, Mitsubishi recently drove the Death Road in its new Outlander and Outlander Sport models, bringing along a 360 degree video camera to document the treacherous excursion to help document the trip.

They’ve created a web page to promote the two vehicles with plenty of interactive features so you can come along for the journey.

Travel along with the Mitsu crew at www.mitsubishicars.com/dangerousroad and check out the promo video after the jump:

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A much larger event than in past years, the 2011 New York Auto Show had important debuts from most every automaker. Most notable among the reveals was the Scion FR-S sports car that will go on sale in the U.S. next year.

Small cars played prominently with a new Nissan Versa, Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza, Volkswagen Beetle, Fiat 500 Cabriolet, Kia Soul, Kia Rio Sedan, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec and even a new compact car concept from Mercedes, the A-Class Concept.

High performance models were still represented with the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, plus Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe.

Plus, this year’s 2011 World Car of the Year award went to the Nissan Leaf.

See all the videos after the jump and get all the 2011 New York Auto Show news here:

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Twenty years ago Lexus unveiled the first GS luxury sedan sending a shot across the bow of the German luxury sports sedans of the time. The Lexus brand was just an upstart at the time and so the Japanese firm made the wise decision to contact an Italian design studio (Giugiaro Design) to sculpt the vehicle’s sheetmetal.

Fast forward two decades and the GS has become a tired shadow of its former greatness, particularly in the face of new powerhouses from BMW and Mercedes. On the eve of the New York Auto Show, Lexus has revealed the LF-Gh concept, a look not only at the future of the GS sedan, but of the Lexus brand in general.

If the oversized grille is any indication, Lexus has no intention of rolling over and playing dead in front of the Germans, but instead seems poised to attack with performance, luxury and (because it’s a hybrid Lexus) fuel economy. In fact, while many of the design cues (like the low rear bumper) are there to give the car a more serious RWD performance look, the clean lines, flush door handles and lack of side mirrors indicate a focus on aerodynamic fuel efficiency.

Click here for Full 2011 New York Auto Show coverage.

GALLERY: Lexus LF-Gh Concept

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Mazda has yet to confirm any details on its new Minagi SportCross concept and that’s because you’re not supposed to see it until tomorrow.

Captured on display inside the Geneva Auto Show ahead of its world premiere, the Minagi shares the stage with the Japanese automaker’s new Shinari Concept, which is undeniably the design inspiration for this compact crossover.

Rumored to eventually come to market at the CX-5, slotting in under the CX-7 in Mazda’s current lineup, power could come from the same 2.0-liter direct-injection SkyActiv 4-cylinder engine found under the hood of the 2012 Mazda3. Set to get as much as 40-mpg in the Mazda3 compact, the CX-5 sport cross should deliver nearly as much with a solid 163-hp under the hood.

We’ll wait official word from Mazda, with the reveal set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday, March 1st) at the Geneva Auto Show.

GALLERY: Mazda Minagi Concept