The original TT RS comes with a 2.5-litre, 5 cylinder direct injection petrol with 335bhp and 332 lb ft of torque which gives it a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds, the same as the standard R8, and a limited top speed of 155mph.

That isn’t enough for some people, though, so the Plus gets a revised inlet manifold and increased turbocharger boost to deliver 355bhp and 343lb ft of torque meaning the 0-62mph is down to 4.1 seconds with the S-tronic gearbox. That’s just 0.2 seconds shy of the R8 V10 and 0.6 seconds faster than a Porsche Cayman R with a PDK gearbox.  There’s no electronic limiter with the TT RS Plus which means it can get to a top speed of 174mph.

Changes to the exterior include a redesigned rear spoiler, the same red trimmed 19″ alloys as the RS3, carbon fibre wing mirrors and bigger black trimmed exhausts with the only change underneath being slightly firmer suspension. There’s also an adaptive suspension system available as an optional extra.

Best of all, if you’re a fan of summer then you can get the TT RS in the form of a roadster which is only 0.1 seconds slower to 62mph than the coupe.

UK prices haven’t been announced yet but prices for the TT RS coupe in Germany start at €60,650 (which my trusty converter tells me is about £50,845) and €63,650 (£53,235) for the roadster.  That’s around half the price of the R8 V10 and almost the same as the Porsche Cayman R. It’s also cheaper than the V8 powered Mercedes SLK 55 AMG. Production is expected to start in April.

Other appearances on the Audi stand at Geneva this year include the new RS4 Avant and A3 hatchback.

Cars and Coffee is always an opportunity to see both the newest, coolest stuff (the first Nissan Leaf I saw was at Cars & Coffee) and some old classic iron as well.  It seems like each month there’s a “star,” a car that people crowd around to get their first good glimpse of.  Guess what it was this month?

If you guessed it was the Fisker Karma, you’d be correct.  There was a crowd around the Finnish-built extended-range electric vehicle like flies around a pile of rotten fruit.  Errr, bad metaphor.  And if that looks like a GM LNF (which I really need to stop writing about), that’s because it is.  This is the first Karma I’ve seen in the flesh, and the overall impression was: this is a big car.  Like, 7-series long.  Huge.  Dramatic looking too – Henrik Fisker’s styling language translates well.  Despite the exhaust dump right behind the passenger side front wheel, it’s eerily silent at parking lot speeds.

The interior is pretty cool, but at $102,000 base MSRP it better be.  The back seat is Aston Rapide small; odd considering the long wheelbase, but there are a lot of batteries in there.  The solar panel roof is pretty cool as well.

Nothing makes a Ferrari 308 and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti fade into the background quite like a bright red Porsche 959 – one of 337 produced, and surely less than ten in the states considering these had to be individually federalized.  No idea how much this is worth, but I’d guess at least a half-million dollars.

Perhaps not as fast as some of the Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but a legitimate unmolested Integra Type R is still quite a rare sight in the states.

This is the first MkVI Golf R I’ve seen in the ‘states.  This is the all-wheel-drive, larger turbo version of the GTI, which replaces the VR6 powered R32.  There aren’t going to be many of these here.

The Evora is clearly a Hethel product, but it’s so much more of a premium car than the Elise and it’s derivatives.  It pulls eyes like a much more expensive car, and it’s got a real interior.

There’s more to this ’04 Cobra than meets the eye.  I got a ride in this one recently, and can report that the 3rd gear acceleration is alarming.  That’s because it doesn’t get any grip in 1st or 2nd even with 295-width Comp T/A KWD’s in the back.  More details soon.

There’s a special place in my heart for the 993 Turbo: the last air-cooled turbo 911.  Still gorgeous.

Tempted?  Which would you rather have?

According to the owner, this new-style Viper ACR sees regular track time and makes 680 wheel horsepower.  Rear tires on this monster?  345/30/ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sports.

Much love for Ford’s mad, pointless supercharged Lightning pickup.

Is there such a thing as a stock Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

It’s a tough crowd when no one’s paying attention to your bright red 911 Turbo.

And finally – I’d bet a Comptech centrifugal blower solves the S2000′s low end torque problems!

Gallery with additional images below.  If you’d like to join the fun, Raleigh’s Cars & Coffee meet is held the first Saturday of every month in Brier Creek, off of Highway 70.

January 2012

Kia Optima

It’s been available around the world for a while but the Kia Optima finally hits UK soil this month. Our man James has already reviewed the Stateside 2.0 Turbo petrol and he was very impressed. The old Magentis was pound-shop cheap but the Optima has got the executive car looks with a touch of Korean flair and at around £18,000 it’s great value.

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG

Just like the last SLK, the new R172 pretty much steals the look of the German firm’s flagship supercar and shrinks them. This month will see the AMG version which has a 5.5L V8 containing 416 horses that will take it from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds. It’s less powerful than the SLS roadster but the SLK AMG comes with a better folding metal roof and a slightly more frugal unit for around £58,000. That’s over £100,000 cheaper than its bigger brother.

Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Swift Sport comes with a naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol with more power, more MPG thanks to a 6th gear and less CO2. The Swift is one of the finest handling superminis out there, almost as good as the original Mini as some have reported. The Sport version is predicted to be £14,000 which makes it a great value hot hatch. Car Throttle front man will get his hands on one in April to deliver his verdict.

February 2012

Audi A1 Sportback

The 3-door A1 is a great looking premium hatchback but practicality is flawed. The Sportback, though, comes with 2 extra doors and 3 rear seats for an extra £560 over the 3 door, making it more comfy for your mates. It’s also available in Samoa Orange which is an exclusive paint job to the Sportback and it will get the same engines as the standard car.

BMW 3 Series Saloon

There’s not much change on the outside of the F30 3 Series (the only big difference being the more poised kidneys) but inside it’s a complete revolution. The dashboard wraps around the driver like in the older 3-s and looks more lively than the last car. You can even have red trim pieces and stitching on the leather and fabric seats of the Sport models. Most magazines and websites have driven the new 3 already and the overall verdict is that it’s the best 3 Series yet.

Hyundai Veloster

The last coupe we saw from Hyundai in the UK was called the Genesis Coupé and, to me, it looked like a smaller and cheaper Jaguar XK. It was one of the best looking cheap coupés of its time. This one though is taking on the likes of the Scirocco and Megane Coupe, though the Hyundai’s looks won’t appeal to everyone. It does have a unique trick up its sleeve which is the odd door layout (one door on the driver’s side and two on the pavement side) and means your friends won’t have to clamber over the front seats to get into the back. It comes with a 1.6 138bhp which is reported to be a tad slow but a 201bhp Turbo version of the Veloster will make it here in August. Pricing is competitive, starting at £18,000 for the standard car and £23,000 for the Turbo.

March 2012

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Finally, after a wait of what feels like decades, the Camaro has had its suspension tweaked for Europe and this means we’ll see both the Camaro Coupe and Convertible on British roads this March. Both Camaros come with a 6.2 V8 that produces 426bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds. The coupe could be yours for just £35,000 and the convertible for £40,000 the convertible, what a steal! The convertible is rumored to be left-hand drive only, however.

Citroen DS5

This has to be the coolest family car ever made. The reason: it’s just so different. Inside and out is as luxurious as the big executive saloons but the DS5 is a sort of estate/hatchback crossover with a raised ride height. The interior is inspired by cockpits of airliners and it shows. The big Citroen is also available with Peugeot’s HYbrid4 system, combining a diesel engine and an electric engine which will mean hardly any CO2 and massive mpg. Prices are predicted to be around £28,000. We’ll also see an Ultra Prestige version of the ever so popular DS3 from Citroen in March which has things like charcoal grey alloys, luxury leather seats and a white leather dash, ooh la-la!

Volkswagen Up!

The Up! is the first of a trio of city cars from the Volkswagen group to hit our roads. Even though it’s city car cheap (£8,000) it doesn’t feel it. It looks like a premium product and has an interior to match. It will certainly be a hit for new drivers especially since it comes with a cheap to run 1.0 3 cylinder engine. The 3-door will be available in March with a 5-door version arriving in July. The Seat Mii will arrive in May and the Skoda equivalent CitiGo will be on the road in June.

April 2012

Ferrari “F620″

The successor to the 599 is apparently going to be called the “F620″ but the car itself will be revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show in March along with the confirmed name. It takes an updated version of the 700bhp 6.3 V12 from the FF and promises a 0-60mph time of around three seconds, maybe less, thanks to a very light aluminium chassis.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

In a way, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is like the Chevrolet Camaro Coupe. It’s predicted to be £60,000 making it a value for money performance SUV which is way cheaper than rivals from Porsche, Mercedes, Audi & BMW. It comes with a 6.4 V8 that produces 470bhp.

Lotus Evora GTE

The lighter Evora GTE gets a tuned up version of the 3.5 supercharged V6 which aims to produce 438bhp. The plus is the fact that the GTE comes with carbon fibre panels that take 105kg off the original weight meaning that this Evora is going to be one heck of a bonkers Lotus. Prices are expected to be around £100,000.

May 2012

Audi S1

Yes, it’s another small Audi, but this is the spicy S1 with a 220bhp 1.6L petrol engine. It’s not totally immature, though, as it comes with four wheel drive and a wider track to provide secure handling. The S1 is also lower and stiffer than the everyday A1. A predicted price of £23,000 may put you off, especially since that’s low spec Scirocco money.

Fisker Karma

It’s the only plug-in hybrid you would probably lust for more than some supercars. It comes with a 2.0 four-cylinder petrol and two 199bhp electric motors which produce more torque than a Bugatti Veyron meaning a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. Set the car into “Stealth” mode and it should return up to 100mpg. “Stealth” mode sounds a lot more hairy chested than wimpy “Eco” mode doesn’t it? The Surf shooting brake will follow suit in July.

MINI Roadster

The most controversial part of the MINI Coupe was that big backwards baseball cap of a roof, which I personally hate. Thankfully, MINI have addressed this issue and made a roadster version to take on the likes of the Mazda MX-5. It looks better than the bigger MINI convertible as well thanks to the fabric roof properly folding away into the boot instead of lying on the rear deck like a tired walrus.

June 2012

Audi S8

If Jason Statham was still transporting goods with no questions asked, the new S8 would be his vehicle of choice. The 4.0 513bhp twin-turbo V8 goes from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph. The S8 has an invincible feeling cabin with features such as double glazed privacy windows and a noise cancelling system. I would want to hear the V8 though.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

The biggest gripe that everyone has with the 6 Series Coupe is the fact that the “practical gran tourer” struggles to fit two human beings in the back. This 6 Series though is stretched and has two extra doors so that two friends can sit comfortably in the rear seats. This means that four people can enjoy the beautifully designed interior and the excellent engines from the 6 Series coupe. Prices start from £61,380 which is more than the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7 it is up against.

Peugeot 208

The newest Peugeot supermini fixes the big lumpy looks of the old 207 to offer a fitter and sharper looking package. Even though it’s smaller than the previous car, the 208 promises more space for people in the back and more things in the boot. Every version besides the standard car gets a very nice touch screen multimedia system which controls most of the car’s functions. Nearly all of the engines promise under 100g/km of CO2 and prices start at £10,500 for this attractive small car.

July 2012

Ford Focus ST

The last ST was famously nicknamed the “ASBO” by an old geezer named Jeremy Clarkson. With this in mind, the new ST will probably get handed a community service sentence with a 0-60mph time of 6 seconds and a predicted top speed of 155mph thanks to a 2.0 Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 247bhp. The new ST will be easier on your wallet with better economy than the previous 2.5 5-cylinder car and it’s more practical too with a choice between a 5-door hatch and estate. What would complete the range is a sporty 3-door coupe-esque version of the Focus, in my opinion.

Subaru BRZ & Toyota GT-86

Ladies and Gents, the old school, rear wheel drive, purists’ coupe is back and it comes with a choice of two badges and bumper styles; Subaru and Toyota. Both versions get a 2.0 flat-4 boxer engine that produces 197bhp and goes from 0-60mph in 7 seconds. The GT-86 and BRZ can fit four people in comfort (if the people in the back seats are under 5ft 5″ that is) and prices for both cars are predicted to start at around £25,000. They’re the cars that everyone is waiting for this year and we’re dying to try both of them out.

August 2012

Audi S6

Imagine putting the 513bhp 4.0 twin turbo V8 from the new Bentley Continental and S8 in the lightest executive car out there. No need to imagine after August as Audi will fit the new engine in both the new A6 Saloon and Avant. If this is just the S6, I wonder how insane the next RS6 will be.

Porsche Boxster

The next version of the class leading, mid-engined roadster looks a bit like a baby Carrera GT but shares all the tech with the new 911. The standard car will have an all new flat four unit producing 270bhp and the Boxster S will use the same 3.4 flat six as the 911 Carrera.

Vauxhall Astra VXR

The most powerful hot hatch of the 2012 bunch is the new Astra VXR. It promises up to 280bhp which means a 0-60 time of less than 6 seconds thanks to a 2.0 direct injection petrol. It also comes with more aggressive looking trinkets than the standard Astra GTC and it’s much more pleasing to the eye compared to the predecessor. All yours for £25,000.

September 2012

Ferrari F70

Introducing the next Ferrari flagship to take over the Enzo, the F70. No official performance figures have been released yet but it’s rumored to have over 700bhp thanks to an all new twin-turbo V8. Mix this with a very light carbon fibre chassis and it sounds like it will be the next ultimate road car. It’s also very expensive with an estimated price of £750,000.

Mercedes SL

The Mercedes SL has been one of the best sports cars ever since the 1950s and this latest one aims to be much better to drive thanks to better suspension. It’s also the lightest and has a more luxurious interior inspired by the SLS supercar. It’s the first SL to get ‘Magic Sky Control’ which lets you alter how much light gets into the car when the roof is up, much like the sunroof on a Maybach. Fancy schmancy.

Renault Clio Williams

To celebrate the end of the current Renault Clio, the company have teamed up with F1 Team Williams to create the last hurrah, just like they did in 1993. It’s pretty much a RenaultSport Clio 200 but with a unique paint job, a better engine and a very special interior.

November 2012

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

There’s only going to be 150 of these so if you like the sound of the new Zagato then you better have the cheque book out. It’s based on the V12 Vantage but contains the design house’s luxurious cabin and has a carbon fibre body. Write £400,000 on that cheque before they’re auctioned for more.

Ford Fiesta ST

Available as a 3 door here in the UK and a 5 door in the US, the other ST from Ford has a 178bhp 1.6 Turbo petrol taking it to 60mph from standstill in under 7 seconds with a top speed of 140mph. Just because it’s a powerful supermini don’t go thinking it will guzzle petrol as it promises up to 40mpg. It should be a fantastic hot hatch especially since the current Fiesta is one of the best to drive. Prices will start at around £17,500.

Maserati Quattroporte

The new Maserati takes some of the looks of the odd looking Kubang and puts them in a much more gorgeous package. The new saloon is set to be even more desirable than the previous Quattroporte with an updated V8 and prices will start at £85,000.

December 2012

Alfa Romeo 4C

There’s a couple of great coupes joining the BRZ & GT-86 this December. The first is the 4C which has a beautiful Italian body and a carbon fibre chassis courtesy of KTM underneath. Power comes from a new 1.8 Turbo petrol producing nearly 300bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 5 seconds. The car’s target market is America which means it will come with Alfa’s twin-clutch automatic but an option of a manual would make it even better. Prices are expected to start from £40,000.

Jaguar C-X16

The second of the coupes is the C-X16 which is nicknamed “the new E-Type” all because it’s pretty much a new version of the old girl. Unlike the E-type, there’s a 375bhp 3.0 V6 mated to a 97bhp electric motor underneath which should keep the bank manager and your environmentally conscious friends happy but it’s not clear if the production version will get the electric motor.  0-60mph is around 4 seconds and the top speed is limited to 186mph with prices predicted to start at £50,000.

Volkswagen Beetle R

The Beetle returns at the beginning of the year and it’s aimed to appeal to us men. To make it appeal to men even more is this R version coming in December which has the same 2.0 TSI as the Golf GTI as well as more aggressive looks and bucket seats. Prices are expected to be around the same as the GTI which means it’s a good alternative if you find the Golf’s looks a bit boring.

So there you have it, 33 of quite a damn few new cars coming in 2012. We hope to test drive most of them plus more for you and with a growing team and site you’ll want to stay online with us.

Which car are you most excited about seeing this year? Let us know in the comments.

Porsche recently launched the “all-new” 2012 Porsche 911 and more recently the “all-new” 2012 Porsche Boxster. But it seems both of these cars look totally like the previous models they replaced, and I’m sure that if you told a 15-year-old nonchalent teen or a pretty 25-year-old girl from Essex that these are brand new models, they’d probably say you’re telling porkies. The reason is that Porsche undeniably look similar to one another. You can clearly see the DNA of the first Porsche, the 356 in the current 911, Cayenne, Boxster, Cayman and the Panamera. You also saw the same basic styling in discontinued models like the 968 and the 928 too.

The original Porsche 356 gave birth to all of them from its tiny, tiny tailpipes and there’s a running joke amongst motor hacks that Porsche employ a bunch of lazy designers that use the same template for all Porsches they churn out of the factor. Note that Porsches have the same frog-like rounded front and rounded rear. You could clearly tell that the Cayenne is an SUV or that the Panamera is a 4 door sedan, but because they have the same basic design cues, any car clueless person would be able to recognise that the car is a Porsche.

But if you really think about it, isn’t this a good thing?

You see it wasn’t as if Porsche didn’t want to change. A while back in the era of bell bottoms, side burns and Farah Fawcett, Porsche tried to change its designs by coming up with 911 replacement models for the lower end and upper end of the markets. Porsche brought out cars like the 924, 944, 968 and the 928 (above). These sprung from the mid 1970s to the mid 1990s and Porsche did achieve some success. But none of those models, no matter how good they were, could ever usurp the sales of the mighty 911.

People continued buying 911s regardless of the fact that its rear-engined design meant that it was apparently flawed. It was a tail happy mongrel and loved putting itself and the driver through hedges and ditch. Most of the time it went backwards into them due to its inherent design characteristics (or flaws) of having the engine hanging out of its arse.

Now we have to note that the same people who bought the 911 must have also tried the front-engined and more luxurious 928 in the showrooms but even they still bought the “flawed” car that actually looked like a toad from some unflattering angles. Porsche consumers loved the slightly bulbous shape of the 911 and the sound of the flat 6 engine so much that they refused to change their minds and purchase what even Porsche thought was the better car at the time.

Unfortunately that led to the 928 and the lesser 968 (which was the final version of the 924/944 series) to be discontinued. Porsche then launched the Boxster as a replacement for the 968. This was mid-engined but it looked very much like its big brother and was an instant sales success. Porsche fans took to it like a duck to water and it became Porsche’s success story. Or maybe Porsche sports car customers only like mid/rear engines?

Porsche’s car lineup then expanded to include an SUV. Incredible, a Porsche Jeep! In not so many words. The extremely successful Porsche Cayenne SUV (below) is actually awkward to look at but somehow managed to capture the hearts and souls of people who were never even fans of the 911 in the first place. This success story has since continued with the Panamera. Some critics say the cars looks ugly as heck, or lazily designed as they all look the same. But some of you Car Throttlers actually think that the Porsche design is a design classic. Its design clues are so recognizable that even a person who does not like cars will recognise a Porsche when they see one. And I have to repeat, isn’t that a very good thing?

You see, Porsche has done a Coca Cola, a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck and a Rolex. It has become a design icon. None of the items mentioned above has changed much over the years. Every few years Coca Cola, Mont Blanc or Rolex will spruce their products up a little by rounding off an edge or two or making it slightly chunkier or slimmer (depending on the tastes of that decade). But the over-riding design styles remain.

The Porsche silhouette is already considered a classic in automotive design. Humanity has basically decided that these style designs have reached a pinnacle that cannot be altered but merely refined bit by bit in accordance with the taste of the period. Remember, Porsche have already tried and failed. So if it ain’t broken now, why fix or change it?

And so Porsche had basically decided to evolve slowly and not make drastic changes over the years. They only slightly alter the design of the car a little year after year. In the 2012 Porsche 911 (above) the engine is still in the wrong place but the suspension has been improved so much so that this 911 can bend the laws of physics and possibly the space-time continuum – even the base model is now as fast as a GT3 round the Nurburgring. And if it does break away, the tail slides progressively and it won’t kill its owner or hurt his ego too badly. This is the same with the the newly launched Boxster. Much has changed on the inside, but not a great deal on the outside. And I’m glad.

I rest my case, your honour.

The Boxster’s been around for 15 years now.  It’s funny that it still feels new, but I suppose a Porsche with the engine in the right place is still a fresh concept – relatively speaking.  Porsche unveiled the third generation of the mid-engined sportscar today ahead of it’s debut at Geneva, and in typical Porsche fashion they’ve made everything slightly better.

While the new Boxster looks similar to the old one – why mess with a good recipe? – the chassis is all new.  Like the 991, the new Boxster has a longer wheelbase, wider track width, and shorter overhangs.  The biggest change is a switch to an aluminum body – so even though it’s larger than the outgoing model, it’s lighter as well.  The aim was to make it handle better, go faster, and be more efficient – considering the high standards the current model sets, that’s no easy task.

Like before, it will be available in Boxster and Boxster S models.  While the previous base model was a 2.9L, the new one goes back to a 2.7L with the addition of direct injection, making ten more horsepower (265) than the old one.  The S still has a 3.4L flat six, now with 315bhp (up 5 horsepower).  Both come standard with a 6-speed manual, and a 7-speed PDK twin-clutch is an option.  The Boxster will acheive 30.6 combined MPG, and the S is hardly worse at 29.4 – quite good for sports cars.

With the PDK, the Boxster will do 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, or 4.7 for the Boxster S.  Like other Porsches, a Sport Chrono package will be available with some high-tech goodies: dynamic transmissions mounts (first seen in the GT3) and a torque-vectoring diff are both mentioned in the press release, and there’s probably more to it than that.

The new Boxster will surely be a corner-carver, but the changed dimensions mean it’ll be more liveable: track width and wheelbase are basically what define the space of the cabin.  The convertible top is now fully electric (as is the power steering, worryingly) and no longer has the hard tonneau cover.  Like the rest of the lineup, the Boxster is also switching from the old vertical style dashboard to a slanted one like the Carrera GT’s.

Styling-wise, the Boxster is instantly recognizable, even if it’s all new.  The biggest eye-catcher for me are the gigantic air intakes on the side.  The treatment of the tail lights is really neat: the integrated spoiler stretches out through them, fading out as it reaches the edge of the car, giving them some texture.  Of course, there are LED running lights and the Boxster’s characteristic “butt” is still there.  It’s great looking right off the bat – one wonders why they couldn’t have made the Panamera look this good!

The new Boxster will debut at the Geneva show in March, with European sales this spring and US sales this summer.  The Boxster will be priced from $49,500 and the S from $60,900 plus $950 destination when it arrives.

Not a single “drops it’s top” pun eluding to ladies riding in a Porsche in that headline.  Aww, dammit.  Ruined it already.  To the shock and awe of approximately three people, Porsche debuted the drop-top version of the new (991) 911 in the flesh today.

That means that everything which is new on the 991 Coupe is also new on the Cabriolet.  For gearheads, let’s talk power.  If you want to ruin your Trump Toupee in a righteous hurry, either of the Cabrio’s available engines will do it for you.  The base 911 Carrera Cabriolet has a 3.4L 24v flat-six, now with direct fuel injection.  This one’s good for 350bhp,  and can be had with either a 7-speed manual (no typo) or the 7-speed PDK twin-clutch.  The manual will do 0-60 in 5.0, the PDK in 4.8 or 4.6 if you get the Sport Chrono package.

The more power hungry will get the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, which has a larger 3.8L 24v flat-six.  This direct-injected mill makes an even 400 horsepower, and is also available with the 7-speed manual or PDK.  0-60 times are 4.7s for the manual, 4.5 for the PDK, and 4.3 for PDK with Sport Chrono.  Top speed for the 3.4 ranges from 177-179, and the 3.8 will do 186-188mph, nearly as fast as a 996 Turbo Cabriolet.

So what’s new or note-worthy?  Well, Porsche has been pounding the “Evolution, not Revolution” mantra into our heads for years now.  So there’s no folding-metal hardtop for the 911, but the cloth roof has been redesigned.  The new Cabrio is 60kg (132lbs) lighter than the outgoing one, the wheelbase is longer, and the front track is wider.  Like the other 991′s, the power steering is now electrically assisted, and you can get a torque-vectoring diff in the Carrera S.  The biggest visual change is the redesigned shaped of the roof and cowl, which gives the Cabrio a closer appearance to the coupe when the top’s up.

But it’s a 911 Cabrio!  Why would you ever have the top up?  Just take out one of your other Porsches when it rains.

Thanks to Kanishka Sonnadara for the live photos!

Every car lover’s calender starts with a new batch of machines on show in Motor City. I’m talking, of course, about the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The city is famous for being the beating heart of the American motor industry and at the start of every year all the world’s manufacturers congregate and show off their new products to see what our stateside friends think of their latest offerings. Here’s a half-time round-up of the motors on show for 2012 from each stand from the day so far.

Bentley

Two new Continentals broke free from the covers at the Bentley stand; the V8 coupe and V8 GTC Cabriolet. Little differences to tell these from the bigger W12 on the outside include a gloss black grille, figure 8 exhaust pipes and red enamel “B” badges on the front, the back and the wheel centres. There are unique interior touches also such as new “Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus” veneer and a shorter centre console. The biggest difference is the new engine, obviously, which is a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that produces 500bhp and 487lb ft of torque meaning a 0-60mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 188mph. Even so, it’s 40% more economical than the mighty W12 and cheaper, with prices starting at £125,000. Full details of the V8 Continental here.

Chevrolet

A couple of interesting concepts from Chevrolet here which were designed by their latest target market, young people of America. The first is called the Code 130R, “Honey, I shrank the muscle car.” It shows that the young people of America Chevrolet could get their hands on want a cross between 1 Series Coupe and a Camaro that’s worse looking. The second offering is much better looking than that. It’s called the Tru 140 S and it’s basically a mix between the electric Volt and the humble Cruze underneath with this good looking coupe body on top and it’s a possible rival to the likes of the Renault Megane Coupe and Vauxhall Astra GTC.

Ford

As well as the all new Mondeo (or Fusion in the US) there was also a new Mustang from Ford. It’s a soft-top version of the Shelby GT500 which has a 5.8L supercharged V8 producing 650bhp and 600lb ft or torque. As well as chopping off the roof, upgrades include a tweaked gearbox, a downforce generating front grille and new quad exhausts.

Porsche

It’s the first time that the Cabrio version of the 991 911 has been shown in the metal and besides differently styled rear lights it’s still an instantly recognisable 911 convertible. It uses a brand new lightweight structure in the roof and it’s been designed so that winds don’t buffet it at high speeds. Full details on the new 911 Cabriolet here.

Mercedes

The new SL is the first large scale production Mercedes to use a full aluminium chassis and it comes with a ‘vario-roof’ roof which folds away in under 20 seconds. It’s also the first SL to come with ‘Magic Sky Control’ which was first seen in the SLK. Not everyone is sold on the new looks but I like the SLS inspired looks and the fact that the interior is much better than the previous car. Full details of the new Mercedes SL here.

MINI

It’s the first time the Roadster will be seen in the metal and there’s not long to wait until it hits the roads here in the UK. The basic Cooper version starts at £18,015 which is around the same as the Mazda MX-5 and it will be on sale in March, plenty of time to prepare for summer. Full details of the MINI Roadster here.

Nissan

We’re all being encouraged to use electric vehicles in the future but there’s nothing available for the New York Taxi drivers in our lives, until now. This is an EV electric van which has the drivetrain from the new Leaf and is an electric version of Nissan’s future New York taxi. There was also a Pathfinder concept, a seven seater SUV to replace the Pathfinder in America but not the one here in the UK.

You can also check out full details of the star cars at Detroit this year on the home page. Next stop, Geneva in March.

Image credit – Autoblog

It’s not long to go until Christmas is finally here! If you haven’t done your Christmas shopping yet then why not have a look at the Christmas presents that the car fans in your life will love or hate you for. I’ll let you into a secret, I’ve been given a couple of the presents featured in the past (it’s easy buying me petrol-head related pressies).

BMW M-Sport Coffee Table

To start things off imagine one of your friends or someone in your family recently settled into a new home. Picture the scene. They need somewhere to put the TV guide, random bits of paperwork and their drink and you notice that they once gave you a lift in a M-Powered BMW. Well I’ve found the perfect gift for them.

A genius named Jason Phillips had this idea in mind and made a M-Sport Coffee table. It measures 54x28x17 inches and is made from steel. It’s perfect for the centre of any M-Divison fan’s living room. If only it wasn’t a one off because I’d love it if someone bought me one.

Porsche Chopsticks

Porsche design do all sorts of gifts from smoking tools to exquisite watches. What if you have that friend that loves Porsches as much as they love noodles though? How about treating them to the ultimate set of chopsticks?

These are far from ordinary wooden chopsticks. They’re made from high quality African black wood and stainless steel. Those stainless steel ends aren’t for show though as they are magnetised so that you can clink them together when they’re not being used. They’re not available in the store yet but they won’t be cheap. There’s a pen on there that’s nearly 400 quid!

Build Your Own Boxster

Sticking with Porsche here’s one car gift I got last year that was brilliant. This time last year my car was getting mended and I said out loud that I’d kill for a new one. Fortunately there was a little box under the tree; I opened it and discovered a brand new Boxster! Trouble was it happened to be a touch too small for me and the real drag was that I had to build it myself.

For £7 from Amazon you can treat your car fan to their very own Boxster in 1:38 scale. It comes in bits but all the screws and tools are there to help you build it and once it’s done it makes a great piece for the windowsill or fireplace.

ASUS-Automobili Lamborghini VX7SX

One present I would like this year comes from ASUS. I’ve written several letters to Santa to make sure that one of these bad boys is under my tree by the 25th.

That’s right, a Lamborghini laptop! It’s got a 15.6″ widescreen monitor and comes with an Intel Core processor, Blu-ray player, 2 megapixel camera, ultra fast USB 3.0, pretty much everything a modern laptop has to offer. The best bit about it though is that you can get it in the same Arancio Atlas orange as the Aventador! It ain’t cheap though costing around £1,700.

Rear-view Mirror Furry Boobs

And finally the best and most bizarre car gift for any guy. Every car should have a pair! Now some girls love to hang up fluffy dice on their rear view mirror and that’s cool for them, of course. There hasn’t been anything for us blokes to hang up on our rear view mirror to be proud of apart from the odd air freshener shaped like a Christmas tree. Fear not chaps because I was given something to hang on mine.

Yes, a mate of mine a few years back bought me a pair of Furry Boobs. Effectively, he decided my car needed a boob job! If you want a pair they’re £4.50 from thepresentshop.co.uk. They’re not just for show either. If driving home for Christmas becomes stressful, bear in mind that you can stroke them while you’re in a jam on the M6. Alone. With other people watching you.

We hope we’ve helped you find the best car-related Christmas presents for your family and friend. Check out some more I found by looking at the pictures below. We hope you have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and that Lamborghini laptop better be under my tree by Sunday!

Other Bizarre & Brilliant Christmas Gifts for Car Lovers

Cadillac’s ATS has been circulating the rumor mill for a while now.  This small, rear-wheel-drive sedan is pitched directly against BMW’s all-conquering 3-series and Audi’s A4.  We’ve known a bit about it’s underpinnings for a while now -- it will sit on GM’s new Alpha RWD chassis, which fits below the Zeta RWD chassis -- G8, Camaro, CTS, etc.  GM announced what you’ll find under the hood, and there’s reason to get excited.  Not about the base model, which will be powered by a 2.5L I4 (likely the same one in the new Malibu, with 190bhp/180lb-ft).  No, the mid-level engine is what’s got me excited: the RWD ATS will have a 2.0L “LNF” turbo engine as an option.  This is the same direct-injection powerplant under the hood of the Regal GS, Cobalt/HHR SS Turbo, and Solstice GXP/Sky Redline models.  I’m a fan.  In the ATS, it’ll make 270 horsepower and 260lb-ft of torque -- from 1,500-5,800rpm.  Top of the heap will be GM’s ubiquitous 3.6L 24v V6, making probably around 320bhp.  I’d skip the V6 and get the turbo 4.  The ATS debuts at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

Buick is bringing a new car to the Detroit show, as well.  Called the Encore (“Can I get an encore, do you want more, cookin’ raw with the Brooklyn Boss!), it’s a small “CUV” that will be positioned below the brisk-selling Enclave in Buick’s surprisingly desirable US lineup.  This right here?  This is the Encore’s headlight.  Are you excited yet?  Official debut is January 10th at Detroit.

Nissan announced two things they’re bringing to Detroit in a press release today, as well.  The first is a concept version of the next-generation Pathfinder SUV.  The current version (above) launched back in 2005, so an overhaul was expected.  It will likely be moving to a more car-like unibody construction with independent suspension, to lure in buyers that are leaning towards car-based SUV’s these days.  That’s kind of a shame, because the Pathfinder is one of the few “real truck”-based SUV’s left with actual off-road ability for a reasonable price.  (Well, it and the Toyota 4Runner.  The Grand Cherokee is now unibody, but it still has off-road chops.  Explorer?  Bah.)  The other is an electric version of Nissan’s NV commercial van.

Hyundai showed a teaser sketch of the concept car they’ll be bringing to Geneva in a few months, called the I-oniq.  Funny phonetic spelling aside, if you can tell what kind of car this is (hatchback?  Coupe?  Pickup truck?  Motorcycle?) then leave a comment in the box at the bottom, ’cause I haven’t the foggiest.  Thomas Bürkle, Hyundai’s European Chief Designer, says that “Two strong arched curves define the silhouette of I-oniq, creating a playful contrast between the sharp character lines and soft but muscular features.”  I believe him.

Aston Martin has a pretty great business model.  They have one basic chassis (the Cygnet does not count) and two engines, but somehow they manage to get 14 models out of that.  Seriously!  DB9 Coupe/Volante, DBS Coupe/Volante, Virage Coupe/Volante, V8 Vantage Coupe/Roadster, V8 Vantage S Coupe/Roadster, Rapide, V12 Zagato, One-77, and V12 Vantage.  Well, it seems now they’ve figured out the perfect permutation of all those various parts.  That is, smallest chassis with the biggest engine and a folding roof.  Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, told GTSpirit last night that there will soon be a drop-top version of the droolworthy V12 Vantage (above), probably to debut at the Geneva Show.  Sure, it’s another combination from the same parts bin.  But it’s a delicious parts bin.  Link here.

Porsche’s new (991) 911 hasn’t been around long, but like any German sports car, there’s already tuning options available for it.  Well known Porsche tweaker TechArt released some pictures and details of their 991 parts today.  20 or 21″ wheels that are up to 15% lighter than the factory offerings, chrome tail pipes, and interior goodies like a three-spoke wheel with paddle shifters, custom leather trim, and some performance upgrades (yet to be announced) will be revealed at Geneva this year.  Man, that is a good picture, right?

And finally, the whimsical part of the news today: Hyundai released a pretty cool video of Rhys Millen drifting the pants off his Genesis Coupe in Hyundai’s abandoned headquarters in Fountain Valley, CA.  Watching him blow smoke rings around a security guard in a golf cart… fantastic.

That’s it for News Bites today!  See you tomorrow, readers!

Right across the street from Charles Agapiou Bentley/Rolls Royce on Santa Monica Blvd is the kind of dealership you could just stand and drool in for a while.  Heritage Classics is exactly what it says on the label: a purveyor of high-end desirable classics parked wall to wall.  Unlike a lot of classic dealers, this one didn’t seem to specialize in one marque or even genre: there was everything from a classic Porsche 356 to a Cadillac Eldorado.  But what lured me in the door first was this…

A Ferrari 330GTC, what I think is probably the prettiest front-engine V12 Ferrari ever made.  Styling by Pininfarina, a 4.0L Colombo V12 breathing through six carbs up front, a five-speed, two seats and independent suspension.  The price tag of more than a quarter-million dollars is hard to swallow – until you look at the price tags of other period V12 Ferraris.

A 1960 Drauz-bodied Porsche 356B Super 1600 Roadster.  This had the low-cut windshield of the Speedster, but with more practical wind-up windows.  How much are rare, restored bathtub Porsches going for these days?  $124k for this one.

’57 Jaguar XK140, ’74 E-Type Series III V12, Austin Healey 3000 MkI, 356B Roadster, Corvette…  that’s enough of a dream garage just right there, isn’t it?

The Series III E-Type has never been my favorite, but I’m not saying I’d kick it out of bed.  This one has less than 20k original miles on it – although the $79k price tag could almost buy you a new XK Convertible.  Which would you choose?

This 1960 Austin Healey 3000 Mk I is a classic example of the “big healey” – 4 seats, big six, a baby XKE if you will.

A 1964 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III, 48k miles.  Can you pose much harder in anything for $80k than this?  What a classic.

The interior of a 1965 Rolls Royce Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe, a proper name if I’ve ever heard one.  Look at all that wood.  Glorious.

A 1968 Shelby GT350 Mustang, 40 miles since a full frame-off restoration.  Asking price: $129,500.

It’s a strange, strange world when you can pay less for a clean, low-mileage 2004 Ferrari 575M than a 1968 Ford Mustang.  This one only has 12k miles, and lists for $114k.

You want massive?  1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.  Should’ve brought a wide-angle lens.

I will admit, this is the first Lancia Flaminia I’ve ever seen.  Pre-Fiat-era Lancias are so gorgeous and interesting.  This one is a 1960 Flaminia 2.5 Coupe.

Want a classic, well-preserved Mercedes Benz for less than a Nissan Versa?  This 1961 Mercedes 190 Sedan is only $9,500.  I doubt you’d be setting fire to the tarmac, but it’s a neat old thing.

Perhaps it’s ridiculous, but I see this Isetta and I think – “Hmm, that is approximately one Hayabusa drivetrain away from glory.”

Another ’74 Series III E-Type parked alongside a gorgeous ’63 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider.  The 2600 was the last inline-six Alfa Romeo, before the brand began focusing on more mass-produced cars.

This 1971 Mercedes 280SE 3.5 started life as a hard top, and was converted to a Cabriolet at some point.  It looks like a well-done conversion, but you know Mercedes pricing is a little crazy when a converted cabrio with 100k+ miles is going for 70 grand.  Still, lovely.

There’s a gallery with some additional images below!  I hope you enjoyed Car Spotting in Los Angeles.  If you’re interested, here’s Part I, Part II, and Part III.