If you thought that the Audi R8 Robert Downey Jr. was driving in Iron Man was cool, then take a load of this version of the R8. Based on what I’m seeing, this R8 will practically lay the smack down on its original version.

This new version of the Audi R8 has been dubbed the GT3 R8. It gets its name from the fact that it’s set to compete in next year’s FIA GT3 championship. So what does this car have in store for us? Well, according to Audi, the GT3 R8 will be sporting a 4.2-liter V8 engine that’s capable of giving out more than 500 horsepower. It’s also coupled with a six-speed sequential gearbox that can be found in its rear wheels only. This was done since GT3 rules prohibit the use of four-wheel drive vehicles.

Now the question that’s probably in your mind right now is whether this GT3 version of the R8 will be commercially released. Well, lucky for us, Audi does have plans to release this car commercially. As a matter of fact, they’re planning to have it delivered by next autumn.

I guess this is where we start counting the days till next autumn, huh?

Source: TopGear

While NASA scientists focused their energies on developing rovers to be used to roam the surface of other planets, Earth Roamer decided to stay grounded to the planet we call home and developed its own set of Earth Roamer vehicles. While not as state-of-the-art as that of the NASA rovers, these four-wheeled behemoths are as adept and capable when it comes to roaming a planet’s surface.

Currently available in a Ford F550-based XV-LT model and Jeep Rubicon Unlimited-based XV-JP model, these vehicles are able to take you wherever you want to go, regardless of the terrain. They rely on solar energy as a source of power for their lights and appliances. In terms of capacity, the Ford F550-based XV-LT is capable of fitting two adults and two children while the Jeep Rubicon Unlimited-based XV-JP model can only fit two people. However both models carry a wide array of equipment. The Ford F550 model has a set of granite counters, a microwave, a king-sized bed and an enclosed shower/bathroom. The Jeep Rubicon on the other hand has a queen-sized bed, an inside cassette toilet, indoor shower, a sink and cooking facilities.

So if you’ve been unable to achieve that dream of yours to walk on another planet’s surface, then why not just settle instead for roving on the surface of our planet with any of the two Earth Roamer vehicles? At least you won’t have to worry about encountering any type of unknown and hostile planetary activity during your trip.

Sources: Uncrate, Earth Roamer

Time and time again, we’ve heard the saying that “big things come in small packages.” Apparently, the folks at Mini USA and ABF Performance have taken this saying to heart. How? Well, by building a Mini that packs in an astounding 641 horsepower.

So with an engine capable of giving it that much power, what can this little bugger do for you then? How about completing a quarter of a mile in just a measly 10.48 seconds? Or how about reaching the maximum speed of 135.16 mph? Already salivating in the mouth? Yeah, I thought so too. Now how were the folks at Mini USA and ABF Performance able to pull this off? Well, by simply strapping a pack of super chargers to the Mini’s 1.6-liter engine. A simple, yet very effective and elegant plan I might say.

Now if you thought that it all ends with the creation of this “beastly” Mini, think again. The good thing about the development of this car is that this isn’t just a one-time thing. According to Hubie Fuh, Executive vice president of ABF, this Mini will be the company’s basis for creating “even more outlandish cars, with plans for drag, drift, and road racing versions.”

If they were able to do something like this to a car as small as the Mini, what else can they do with other cars right? The possibilities are simply endless.

Source: TopGear

Have you ever fancied being a secret agent? I’m sure you did. Who can resist the urge of having a cool car and a set of fancy gadgets right? Well, if this has been one of your childhood dreams and you’re lucky and rich enough to own an Aston Martin DBS, here’s your chance to make that dream into a reality.

Thanks to Jaeger-LeCoultre, Aston Martin’s official watch maker, you now have a watch – called the AMVOX2 DBS Transponder by the way - that not only makes you look good, but does something that you only saw in the movies: it can actually unlock and lock your car. That’s right. So if you’re with a date and you just can’t wait to rush home to get that much needed “R & R”, you don’t have to worry about fidgeting to get your car keys. All you need to do is just press the button marked as “open” between the numbers 8 and 9 and viola, your car will automatically open up, making you look good and suave in the eyes of your date. Closing and locking your car works the same way but instead of pressing the “open” button between 8 and 9, you’ll have to press the “close” button between 3 and 4 instead.

So if acting cool and suave as a certain “007” agent is something you’ve been dreaming off, better act now and get one of these AMVOX2 DBS Transponders. Of course, since you’re not one of those secret agents, you’ll have to fork up £22,000 just to get one.

Source: TopGear

If you’re looking for a hardcore type of vehicle that can run roughshod on practically anything that gets in its way, then you might want to check out this customized Ford-650. Judging by its looks, this is one mean ride that you don’t want to go against.

This customized Ford-650 was built by GeigerCars, one of Germany’s tuning houses. Measuring 21.3 feet in length and weighing at 5.2 tons, this supped up Ford-650 was equipped with a set of chrome side tanks and chrome high pipes. Of course, these upgrades don’t come cheap, with both costing a total of 12,600 euros (9,800 for the side tanks and 2,800 for the high pipes). Aside from these expensive accessories, GeigerCars has also added a leather trip, a navigation and entertainment system, and fitted it with a gullwing door conversion.

Ok, so aside from the enhancements given to spruce up its appearance, you must be asking yourself right now: can this Ford-650 perform or is it just a flash in the pan? Well, not if its 6.7-liter Cummins six-cylinder diesel engine that’s capable of producing 320bhp and 737.6 lb ft. of torque has anything to say about it.

Now that we know how good this truck can be, we can only wonder who’ll be rich – and hardcore enough – to fork out a lot of cash just to get one of these.

Source: TopGear

Most rear spoilers out there are just one long strip of metal. They‘re definitely not the type that, well, breaks apart in two to give your car better performance. I mean, why would anyone want that type of spoiler, right? Well the people from AeroMotions have a good reason why they developed their unique new rear spoiler.

Now what makes the AeroMotions rear spoiler unique and a cut apart from the rest? Well, it’s the spoiler’s ability to break in two. You’re reading that correctly. The AeroMotions rear spoiler, unlike your standard spoilers, are actually two separate pieces that once put together, form the spoiler. So why do something like this? Well according to AeroMotions, the company’s motivation for this was to help improve downforce and enhance a vehicle’s cornering ability without affecting its speed. So whenever a car makes a turn, the inside flap of the rear spoiler tilts upward to increase the downforce of the inside wheel. It then reverts back to its original position once you’ve straighten your vehicle so that it can reduce drag this time.

So if you’re thinking of installing a rear spoiler for your car anytime soon, be sure to check out this product from AeroMotions. Not only will it set you apart from the rest because of its unique appearance, it will also set you apart because of what it can do for your car’s performance.

Source: TopGear

Remember this post? During the time that this image came out, we were still unsure as to whether this mystery car is actually a new Corvette. Now, we’ve received confirmation that it is indeed a new Corvette concept. This slick four-wheeled ride is the new Corvette Centennial Concept.

While there has been no official statement as to when this concept will go on display at showrooms, we do have some information stating that it will be brought out next year, most probably before the release of the upcoming installment of the Transformers franchise, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen. Aside from taking part in the Transformers sequel, the new Corvette Centennial Concept was created in line with GM’s 100-year birthday.

While there isn’t much info on the car’s specifications, it has been confirmed that the Corvette Centennial Concept will have a four-pipe exhaust at the center portion of its rear. It will also have concave taillight housing.

So if you want to see more of this new Corvette Centennial Concept, wait until this new car barges through a theater near you next year.

Sources: Jalopnik, Seibertron

When you own a very expensive luxury sports car, you will have a tendency to test how fast the car can go. But unless you have couple of them in your garage, every time you put the pedal to the metal, you’ll need to exercise staying alert and cautious at the same time. However, based on the picture above, it seems that the driver of this Lamborghini Murceilago LP 640 may have forgotten these two characteristics.

The accident took place at Mumbai, considered to be India’s financial capital, located in the state of Maharashtra. It’s said that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle after driving at high speed. So as a result, the front end of the sports car was completely wrecked, possibly due to the car colliding with the gutter while running at a high speed. The impact even caused one its rear wheels to twist out of position. There are no reports though, if its driver was able to walk away with any major or minor type of injuries or if he or she was able to walk out at all.

So for those who enjoy getting a kick out of driving at high speeds, may this serve as a warning that you should exercise caution at all times. It also teaches you that if you do decide to drive fast, try using a less expensive vehicle.

Sources: TopSpeed, Indian Autos Blog

The Bertone Bat 11 was one of the concept cars that became a hit in this year’s Geneva Motor Show. But did you know that prior to its release that Bertone had the production of this car axed due to financial constraints? Good thing that its designers had enough sense not to listen to them and pushed through with producing it. Now thanks to its successful debut, it looks like Bertone has finally found the gem that would help take them out of the gutter they’re in right now.

Now with a certified hit in their hands, Bertone is set on producing 25 to 50 of these babies to help them get back on their feet. Even though the numbers may seem few, there’s a good reason behind this. Each of these Bat 11 coupe will be built by hand. Now that would definitely give the car more value. As if it wasn’t of value to begin with.

So, thanks to the Bertone Bat 11 concept, the company now has a way of rebuilding and taking a stab at the competition. Here’s hoping that they can become successful in once again making a mark in the automotive industry.

Sources: TopSpeed, Freep

Val Kilmer said it best in Batman Forever when he said that “chicks love the car.” Although he was referring to his one-of-a-kind Batmobile, it still carried a strong message that clearly states that one of the factors that women take into consideration before going out with you is whether you have a cool-looking car. And if you think that I’m pulling the rug from under you, you better read ahead to find out the truth.

According to a survey conducted by Kwik-Fit, a British auto parts company, 75 percent of women have confirmed that they went out on a date with a guy because of the car he drove. Lucky are those who have a cool-looking ride. They already have an ace up in their sleeves. However, if you’re unlucky enough not to have one, you’re chances of not getting a date are pretty high, as per 23 percent of the respondents who’ve confirmed that they didn’t push through with the date because the guy didn’t have a car.

However, before you women’s rights advocates start flaming this entry, hear me out. Women aren’t the only one doing this. The survey also says that 40 percent of men are guilty of passing judgment on their respective partners based on the car she drives. And here I thought that we’ve finally found a chink the in the armor of women.

Source: Kicking Tires