Monday 6 November 2017

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Mercedes G-Class Signs Off With Parting Limited Edition

Posted: 06 Nov 2017 04:30 AM PST


The end of an era is almost upon us, as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class will end production after nearly 40 years, set to be replaced by a newer car. But before it does, the German automaker is rolling out some limited-edition models.

We've already seen the Final Edition of the top-of-the-line Mercedes-AMG G65; now Daimler's applying a similar treatment to (relatively) more accessibly models.

Available in Europe on the G350d, G350d Professional, and G500, the new Limited Editions feature special paint, trim, equipment, and of course, special badges.

The G350d Limited Edition, for example, is painted in Mocha Black metallic, with brushed aluminum trim, sports package, 19-inch five-spoke AMG alloys in titanium, tinted windows, power sunroof, and added stainless steel and chrome trim. The interior is done up in saddle-brown Nappa leather with light brown top-stitching, Harman Kardon sound system, and more.

The more utilitarian Professional version comes in China Blue with a steel front bumper, turn-signal shields, mud flaps, roof rack, and the Professional Offroad package. The interior features tartan fabric upholstery and heated everything.

The G500 Limited Edition, meanwhile, comes in Platinum Magno with black-painted trim, the optional Chrome and Sports packages, a white-stitched black leather interior, and even more interior equipment than the two "lesser" versions.

Only 463 examples will be made of each version, referring to the internal model designator, and each will feature a special badge on the armrest that reads "Schöckl proved since 1979" in reference to the mountain near Graz, Austria, where the G-Class is built and tested.

The Limited Edition treatment adds a good €20+k to the list price to the effect that the G350d Limited Edition goes for €122,918.67, the Professional for €103,940.55, and the G500 for €140,164.15. The order books are open now for delivery in January.

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MV Agusta Brutale Pirelli Edition Is The Most Italian Bike Ever

Posted: 06 Nov 2017 04:01 AM PST


When we think of Italian motorcycles, we tend to imagine Ducatis. But those aren't the only Italian motorcycles. Not by a long shot.

There's Aprilia, of course, but also marques like Bimota, Moto Guzzi, and MV Agusta – which has come out with what could very well be the most Italian motorcycle we've seen yet.

Celebrating their name tire-supply deal, MV Agusta teamed up with Pirelli Design to create the Brutale 800 RR Pirelli edition. It's based on Agusta's naked street-fighter bike, wearing Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP rubber on 17-inch wheels – the one at the back measuring half a foot wide.

The bike's done up in matte black with either red or blue trim, extending not only to the motorcycle's body graphics but also to the sidewalls of the tires, just like Pirelli does for Formula One.

This version of the Brutale packs an 800-cc three-cylinder engine with counter-rotating crankshaft to produce 116 horsepower. It's slated to be revealed at the upcoming EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, where it's bound to emerge as the most Italian collaboration put on wheels since Lamborghini crafted a similar special edition out of its Aventador.

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Porsche Dominates FIA World Endurance Championship For Third (And Last) Year Running

Posted: 06 Nov 2017 03:39 AM PST


Porsche will be leaving the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship on a high note after securing both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles once again.

The feat was accomplished in Shanghai today at the penultimate round of the championship, with one round still left to go in Bahrain later this month.

Second place was enough for Porsche's trio of Earl Bamber, Timo Bernhard, and Brendon Hartley to seal the trophies in the 919 Hybrid, edging out the Toyota team of Sebastien Buemi, Kazuki Nakajima, and Anthony Davidson, who won this weekend's race.

This marks the third year running that Porsche has won both titles. Hartley and Bamber won the title with Mark Webber in 2015, while Marc Leib, Romain Dumas, and Neel Jami took top honors last year. As if that weren't enough, Porsche has also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans each of the past three years as well.

Unfortunately they won't be out to defend their titles next year as Porsche is withdrawing from the class, leaving Toyota to dice it with the privateers for victory next season.

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Continental AG Acquires Israel's Argus Cyber Security To Keep Your Car Safe From Hackers

Posted: 06 Nov 2017 03:03 AM PST


Israel may not be a major manufacturing hub for automobiles, but it has emerged as a leader in transportation technology. And now it's yielded yet another high-profile acquisition.

German automotive components manufacturer Continental AG announced on Friday the acquisition of Argus Cyber Security, a company specializing in protecting connected cars against hackers.

"Only secure mobility is intelligent mobility," said Continental's interior division chief Helmt Matschi. "With the acquisition of Argus Cyber Security we are enhancing our abilities to directly develop and offer solutions and services with some of the world's leading automotive cyber security experts to our customers around the globe in order to truly make mobility more intelligent and secure."

The Tel Aviv-based company has a staff of 70, with offices in Japan, Germany, and the United States. It holds (or has pending) 38 patents related to cyber security. Its acquisition will see it operate as part of Continental's software division Elektrobit. Though the financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, Automotive News reports that the deal is worth some $400 million.

The Argus sale is just the latest in a string of high-profile acquisitions in Israel's transportation technology sector. Earlier this year, Intel announced the acquisition of camera-based safety systems company Mobileye (based in Jerusalem) for over $15 billion, eclipsing the near billion-dollar price tag paid by Google in 2013 for community-based digital mapping company Waze (based in Ra'anana).

"Joining forces with Continental and EB will enable us to further accelerate the realization of that vision," said Argus CEO Ofer Ben-Noon. "With automotive cyber security regulations in the making worldwide and with already millions of connected cars on the road, I can't think of a better time, or a more exciting move, than now to become part of EB. Together we will shorten time to market and make it easier for vehicle manufacturers to protect their vehicles from cyber-attacks."

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Tesla Publishes Revealing Teaser Of All-Electric Semi

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 07:22 PM PST


Tesla has dropped another teaser image of its all-electric semi, set to premiere on November 16 at the brand's design center in Hawthorne, California.

Like the first teaser, this image is quite revealing and showcases many of the semi's key design details, including its LED headlights, wheel covers, and wrap-around windscreen. Additionally, we can see a thin row of lights directly above the windscreen.

Tesla initially planned to reveal the semi on October 26 but early last month, announced the vehicle's debut had been pushed back to November 16, largely due to the carmaker's ongoing issues with Model 3 production.

Few details about the Tesla semi have been confirmed thus far, except for the fact that its range will sit between 200 and 300 miles (321-482 km).

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Ride Onboard As A Koenigsegg Agera RS Hits 284 MPH

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 06:11 PM PST


Not long after we learned about Koenigsegg's record-breaking top speed runs in Nevada, onboard footage from the runs has been shared online.

To achieve a two-way average of 277.9 mph, the Agera RS, equipped with the available 1,360 hp upgrade package, hit 272 mph on its first run and a blistering 284.3 mph on its second run, easily eclipsing the previous two-way average record of 267.8 mph achieved by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

The onboard footage shows that on both runs, Koenigsegg test driver Niklas Lilja, accelerated very slowly, evidently in an attempt to avoid any high-speed wheel spin. It isn't until about 186 mph (300 km/h) that he plants his right foot to the floor, launching the road-legal rocket down the road at frightening speeds. In fact, it only takes about 10 seconds for the Swedish hypercar to accelerate from 300 km/h to 400 km/h and on the return run, hit 284.3 mph (457.5 km/h) with relative ease.

For years, it seemed as if it would be impossible for Koenigsegg to verify its top speed claims due to the lack of racetracks that allow a car to go so fast. Not dissuaded, the carmaker took a leaf out of the SSC Ultimate Aero's book by recording its top speed on a public road in the U.S.

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BMW Recalls 1.4 Million Vehicles In The U.S. Over Fire Issue

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 05:02 PM PST


BMW has announced that it is recalling 1.4 million vehicles in the United States due to fire risks.

The German automaker has identified two possible causes of fires in many of its vehicles built between 2006 and 2011. The first cause is wiring in the air-conditioning system which can overheat. The second explanation behind fires involves a short circuit of the positive crankcase ventilation valve which could cause the PCV to melt and lead to a fire.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicles impacted by the first issue are certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles.

Meanwhile, those impacted by a potentially faulty PCV valve are certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles.

Due to the risk of fire, BMW is encouraging owners of these vehicles to keep them parked outside at all times.

VIDEO

New Porsche Panamera Looks Even Better With Aftermarket Wheels

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 04:02 PM PST


The Porsche Panamera has been in production since 2009 but it wasn't until the second-gen model, introduced last year, that the German automaker nailed the sports sedan formula.

The first-generation Panamera was a valiant attempt but with the new model, Porsche has created appealing exterior and interior designs, a car equipped with all the luxury features you could wish for and that must-have, sports car-like performance.

So, how do you make the new Panamera even better?

Well, the owner of the following Panamera Turbo, finished in black, has done just that thanks to a set of HRE P200 wheels painted Gloss Black.

The spokes of the wheels have quite a complex design and therefore wouldn't be to everyone's taste. However, we think they work perfectly with the Panamera's refined and subtle design, adding a dash of aggression and wildness.

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Bugatti Chiron On Aftermarket Wheels Isn't Something You See Every Day

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 03:03 PM PST


There are some cars you expect to see wearing aftermarket wheels: Ford Mustangs, Toyota 86s, Honda Civics... even Bimmers and Benzes. But a Bugatti?

Most owners might be inclined to trust that the factory has chosen the best rims to channel all 1,500 horsepower from the Chiron's 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine to the tarmac. But this owner evidently did not. So he (or she) fitted a set of Forgiato Tecnica alloys to his (or her) Alsatian hypercar.

We don't know what size they are, but if owner and outfitter were smart about it, they will have stuck with the exact same dimensions as the stock rollers –11x20 inches up front, 14x21 at the back – if for no other reason than to ensure they can still wear the same tires. Those Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires were custom-made for the Chiron to withstand its immense capabilities... or at least do a better job of it than any other set of rubber could.

Measurements aside, these Forgiato Tecnica Tec 2.4 modular alloys were done up with brushed spokes and black rims to compliment the vehicle's exterior treatment. They look pretty good to our eyes, but the novelty here is that the sight of a Bugatti on aftermarket wheels isn't something you see every day. But then seeing a Bugatti on any wheels doesn't happen every day (for most of us at least).

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World Series MVP George Springer Gets A Chevy Silverado Centennial Edition

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 01:58 PM PST


It could hardly get any better, we'd imagine, for any baseball player than winning the World Series. Being named the most valuable player in the process could only make it that much better. But as if none of that were enough already, this year's MVP also got to go home with a brand-new truck.

Not just any truck, either, but the new Chevrolet Silverado Centennial Edition, which upgrades on the LTZ Z71 Crew Cab with special color, trim, and badges in celebration of Chevy's hundred years in the truck business.

The pickup was presented by Chevy VP Brian Sweeney to George Springer, the Houston Astros centerfielder who was named the 2017 Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player – the award having been renamed for the Hall of Famer earlier this year. Springer went 11-for-29 in the series this year, hitting five home runs to tie the record set by Reggie Jackson in 1977 and again by Chase Utley in 2009.

Each year, Chevy awards the MVPs of both the World Series and MLB All-Star game with new cars or trucks to take home along with their trophies and rings. The automaker revealed the Centennial Editions of both the Silverado and the smaller Colorado barely over a month ago in the same state of Texas that that Springer's Astros call home, though the game was won away this year at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

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BMW Celebrates Building Its 100,000th i3 With A Giant Battery Farm

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 01:07 PM PST


It's been about four years since BMW started manufacturing the i3. And in that span of time, it's produced 100,000 of them.

The milestone was celebrated at the plant in Leipzig, Germany, where the Bavarian automaker assembles its dedicated range of electric vehicles.

The plant churns out i3s at a rate of over 120 units each day, totaling 26,631 last year alone. It also handles production of the i8 at a rate of eight to ten per day, for a total of 2,783 in 2016. The next addition to the range will be the i8 Roadster, set for release next year.

BMW also produces the 1 Series and 2 Series at the plant in Leipzig. Porsche also assembles the Panamera, Cayenne, and Macan at its own plant in the same city, the largest in the federal state of Saxony and the tenth largest city in Germany.

"We are proud of the 100,000th BMW i3 built by our plant in Leipzig. The BMW i3 is the original, a true technological pioneer," said BMW chairman Harald Krüger. "In the interests of sustainability, today we are also presenting a concept for the second use of BMW i3 high-voltage batteries. With our Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT, we are looking far beyond the car itself and driving change in our industry with totally new approaches and business models."

The battery storage farm in Leipzig uses the decommissioned power packs from as many as 700 i3s to absorb surplus power from the local grid and supply it back when electricity production is low.

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Infiniti Has Something New In Store For LA

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 04:02 PM PST


Infiniti has something new on the docket. But while we know when and where it will debut, we have very little idea of what it will be.

Said to be "the most advanced Infiniti in our history," the vehicle is set to debut at the Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Southern California, at 4:30 pm (local time) on Tuesday, November 28 on the eve of the LA Auto Show.

From the solitary teaser sketch released, we'd surmise the vehicle might take the form of a sporty crossover, perhaps to succeed the recently discontinued QX70 that was once known as the FX. But we could yet be surprised on that front as well.

Whether it will emerge as a concept, a production model, or something in between is an entirely different question. But given the "advanced" tagline, we'd expect it to encompass the latest technologies that Nissan has to throw at it, from a likely electrified powertrain (of some sort) to semi-autonomous capabilities and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. One way or another, we'll find out before this month is out, so watch this space.

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Williams Driver Felipe Massa Retires (Again) From Formula One

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 10:53 AM PST


After a long and distinguished career, Felipe Massa is retiring from Formula One, leaving a seat open at Williams next season.

Sound familiar? That's because this isn't the first time Massa and Williams have made that exact announcement.

The Brazilian driver revealed his intentions to leave F1 at the end of last season, but agreed to postpone his departure after his teammate Valtteri Bottas left for Mercedes (to take Nico Rosberg's place). But Williams have been dragging its feet in deciding on its lineup for next season, and Felipe isn't waiting around to find out what they decide. Either that, or he already has.

One of the most seasoned drivers in the sport, 36-year-old Massa made his grand-prix debut in 2002, returned again in 2004 (after a season off as a Ferrari test driver), and has been on the grid ever since. He's driven for Sauber, Ferrari, and now Williams, winning 11 races along the way and finishing a career-best second place in the 2008 championship, just a single point behind Lewis Hamilton.

"I have now enjoyed four great years with the team, but my career in Formula One will finally come to an end this season," said Massa. "I take so many great memories with me as I prepare for my final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, and although they will be emotional, I am looking forward to ending on a high note and preparing for a new chapter in my career."

Felipe has been linked to a drive in Formula E or DTM, but the bigger question at the moment is who Williams will sign to take his place in F1. Massa's current teammate Lance Stroll is in contention, as are former F1 drivers Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta. Having been dropped by Red Bull/Toro Rosso, Daniil Kvyat could also be in contention.

"The team will announce its 2018 driver line-up in due course," read the statement on Massa's departure. Williams is one of three teams that has yet to confirm its roster for next season, alongside Toro Rosso and Sauber.

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These Are The Best And Worst Car Colors For Resale Value

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 04:02 PM PST


Even though people generally choose the color of their cars based on their personal preferences, when it comes to resale value, it seems certain statistics are worth considering.

A Study conducted by car search engine iSeeCars analyzed over 2.1 million used car sales and found that color did indeed impact value when passing on ownership.

For example, cars depreciate 33.1% on average in the first three years, with yellow ones holding onto their value best, registering a depreciation rate of just 27%. On the opposite end of the spectrum are gold cars, which depreciate by a whooping 37.1%.

"Yellow cars are relatively less common, which could drive up demand and help maintain their value," said Phong Ly, iSeeCars CEO. "Our analysis shows that yellow vehicles have the lowest depreciation of any color for lower-volume cars like convertibles. Interestingly, yellow is also the color with the least depreciation for popular body styles like SUVs and pickup trucks."

According to the research, orange and green cars are also good at retaining their value, and like yellow ones, they are also less common. Together, yellow, orange and green cars only make up 1.2% of all three-year old cars.

Before you "blame" these numbers on rarity alone, consider the fact that the three worst colors, beige, purple and gold, also make up a very small percentage, rated at 0.7%.

Interestingly, just because certain colors hold their value very well, doesn't mean those cars are also selling quickly. Yellow cars average 41.5 days on the used car market, with orange ones at 38.1 and green at 36.2, all while the "average car" needs 36.5 days to sell.

Aston Martin 'Furia' Burns Hotter Than Any Other Hatchback

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 09:01 AM PST


If you like hot hatchbacks but you only want the very best, what you can do in the real world is purchase something like an Audi RS3 or a Mercedes-AMG A45.

Both of them will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a little over 4.0 seconds, and for something that's not classified as a supercar, it's a pretty "super" achievement.

But what if we could do better? To answer that question, we need to move over to the virtual world, where this V8-powered Aston Martin Furia by Bekim Ajvazi reigns supreme.

According to its designer, it's powered by an AMG-sourced 4.0-liter V8 engine, which is what you'll find under the hood of the entry-level DB11 in real life, where it sends 510 PS (503 HP) and 695 Nm (513 lb-ft) of torque to the wheels.

As you can see, the design of the Furia makes this more of a sketch rather than something that you could see in concept form. For a hatchback, it's definitely very sleek and sporty, while the rear end looks properly menacing with those chunky quad-pipes and the large diffuser.

We're most impressed with the interior though, which looks stylish and is covered in leather and carbon fiber. Oh and if you look close, you'll see that it's got a manual gearbox, so, how cool is that?

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What Makes The Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series So Special?

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 07:58 AM PST


When you think of future classics from Mercedes-Benz, the CLK63 AMG Black Series is likely to be one of the first cars to pop up in your head.

Produced between 2007 and 2009, the CLK63 AMG Black Series was the automaker's second 'Black Series' badged model and even crazier than the regular CLK63. In fact, its 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine delivered a thunderous 507 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.

Eager to find out why the Black Series is held in such high regard, Doug DeMuro jumped behind the wheel of a muscular-looking gloss black example.

Unsurprisingly, he was left rather smitten by the experience.

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Datsun-Based Ferrari 250 GTO Replica Looks Like The Real Deal

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 06:56 AM PST


The world is flooded with so many Ferrari 250 GTO replicas that it's often difficult to know what's real and what's fake. Case in point, this remarkably accurate 250 GTO replica.

Currently for sale from Orlando Classic Cars in Florida, the car is based around a 1978 Datsun 280Z and could easily fool anyone who doesn't know classic Ferraris like the back of their hand.

At the front, the replica includes headlights pretty much identical to the real thing and even includes accurate fakes of the three air intakes found directly above the small front grille. There's also large Cavallino stickers on the sides, wing mirrors on the front fenders and a roofline that almost has us fooled.

While the owner clearly spent a lot of time and money perfecting the exterior, the cabin isn't as impressive and looks like any other old 280Z except for its bespoke gauges, steering wheel and selection of Ferrari logos.

No price has been made public but it would probably be cheap enough for most Ferrari aficionados to afford.

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Mahindra To Build First New Factory In Detroit In Over 25 Years

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 04:02 PM PST


India's Mahindra & Mahindra said that it'll build a new 400,000-square-foot assembly plant near Detroit, with the car maker having scheduled a press conference in Auburn Hills, Michigan for November 20.

The new assembly facility will be the first new factory in the region in more than 25 years, with Mahindra planning to build off-road utility vehicles, according to AutoNews.

The Indian automaker has been trying to enter the U.S. market for over a decade but previous efforts were unsuccessful and even ended in a litigation back in 2012.

At the time, dealers sued Mahindra, accusing them of pocketing "more than $9.5 million, more than a $100 million worth of dealer trade secrets to utilize for their future entrance into the U.S. market, and a strong market foundation gained at the expense of the dealers' 'free' promotion of Mahindra's brand name around the U.S."

Mahindra denied all accusations, putting the blame on its former U.S. distributor, Global Vehicles U.S.A. of Atlanta.

There's no indication of when production in the new factory will start but all we have to do is wait until November 20 for all the details.

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BMW M2 Looks The Part With Bolder Aero Kit

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 04:55 AM PST


For a touch over $50,000 in the U.S., the BMW M2 represents extraordinary value and with a few aftermarket parts, can be made to look even better than the M4.

This particular M2, recently delivered by BMW Abu Dhabi Motors, has been outfitted with a 3D Design bodykit that adds a selection of carbon fiber elements which wouldn't be out of place in the M Performance Parts catalog.

Up front, the car includes a carbon fiber front splitter and a set of small canards on either side of the bumper. Elsewhere, 3D Design has created carbon side skirt trimmings while the rear is dominated by a large fixed rear wing, a carbon fiber diffuser and a new exhaust system. When complemented by the Long Beach Blue exterior paint, this is certainly one of the most attractive M2s we've seen.

The magic doesn't stop on the outside. In the cabin, black leather has been contrasted by bright blue stitching and a plethora of carbon fiber parts.

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Toyota Wants To Chase FWD 'Ring Record With Modified C-HR

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 03:57 AM PST


Toyota's customized C-HR on display at SEMA isn't all show and no go. In fact, the tuning company behind the 'world's fastest CUV' believes it could set a new front-wheel drive lap record at the Nurburgring.

Built by Dan Gardner Spec and commissioned by Toyota, the bespoke C-HR is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering a total of 591 hp. Mated to that powerplant is a five-speed manual transmission and around Willow Springs, the car is reportedly quicker than a McLaren 650S Spider, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and a Nissan GT-R Nismo.

Discussing the crazy project with Autocar, Dan Gardner said he wanted to make a supercar killer with the bespoke C-HR and would love to take it to Germany.

"The car was built for SEMA and Toyota has no plans for it from now on. But it's the real deal. Personally, it would be a dream to take it to the Nordschleife. I have no doubt it could set the front-wheel-drive record there," he said.

As it stands, the fastest front-wheel drive car to lap the Nurburgring is the Honda Civic Type R with a blistering 7 minutes and 43.8 second lap, achieved with a 316 hp 2.0-liter VTEC engine.

While the C-HR from SEMA has almost double the power, seamlessly sending that power to the front wheels at a track as treacherous as the Nurburgring wouldn't be easy.

Nevertheless, we'd love to see Dan Gardner Spec try, especially if it had the backing of Toyota.

PHOTO GALLERY

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