Lexus Denies Rumoured “GS-F” Model Will Use LFA V10

Rumors in the Japanese press this week suggested that Lexus is preparing a hard-core GS F model to sit alongside its M3-fighting IS F, powered by a version of the LFA’s 4.8 litre V10 engine.

Lexus’ European press office has thrown water on the rumours, however. In a short message issued on the company’s Twitter feed, Lexus said that the “LFA V10 is bespoke to LFA,” indicating that the 412kW bent-ten won’t be used by any vehicle other than the marque’s performance flagship.

Interestingly, Lexus declined to comment on the existence of a GS F project in its brief message. Is the company working on a hi-po luxury sedan to rival the likes of BMW’s M5 and Benz’s E63 AMG? We don’t know, but what is certain is that if a GS F is indeed in the works, it won’t be receiving a heart transplant from its supercar sibling.

The current M5 uses a naturally-aspirated V10 of similar capacity to the LFA’s motor, but the company is reportedly moving to a twin-turbocharged V8 for the next generation model.

Mercedes-Benz is also considering a similar tactic for its AMG models, meaning Lexus may soon be returning to forced induction for its future performance vehicles.

Jay Leno Recreates “C’etait Un Rendezvous”In LA With Mercedes SLS AMG

Comedian and TV host Jay Leno has put together a tribute to the classic short filmC’etait un Rendezvous, but whereas the 1970s-era original was shot on the streets of Paris, Leno has chosen to set his on the roads surrounding Los Angeles.

Rendezvous was a nine-minute film that featured an unknown car driving at high speed (and often going the wrong direction on one-way streets, driving on kerbs, etc.) through Paris in the early morning.

Shot in a single continuous take with the camera mounted low on the car’s front bumper, Rendezvous is still hailed as a must-see for any car enthusiast.

Leno’s homage to the classic short film doesn’t include any of the illegal maneuvers that characterised the original, but it does include some fantastic footage of a red Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG motoring along some of LA’s more famous roads. Roads like Mulholland Drive, Sunset Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon.

Unlike the original, there’s multiple changes in camera angle as well as some dialogue from Leno himself. Leno’s six-minute short film may not have the same pure qualities ofRendezvous, but it more than makes up for it with some great footage, a great car and a great soundtrack.

Speaking of which, turn up your speakers – the sound of the SLS AMG’s 6.2 litre V8 is truly something to behold.

9ff TR 1000 Claims Title Of World’s Fastest Porsche

Porsche tuning specialist 9ff claims it has built the world’s fastest road-going Porsche.

The record-clinching car was built around a regular 997 Turbo, and recently managed to hit a top speed of 391.7km/h around Germany’s Papenburg high-speed ring.

Besides being able to achieve a top speed approaching that of a Bugatti Veyron, the 9ff TR 1000 is also able to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, accelerate from 100km/h to 200km/h in just 4.8 seconds and go from 200km/h to 300km/h in a mind-bending 8.0 seconds.

A heavily modified version of the Turbo’s 3.6 litre flat six delivers a monstrous 735kW and an astonishing 1040Nm of torque.

A pair of bigger turbochargers, new camshafts, larger intercoolers, a high-flow exhaust and revised ECU tuning deliver the extra power, while heavily reinforced internals such as titanium conrods and a titanium crank help the engine cope with the stress.

9ff believes the car can push through the 400km/h barrier with some added aerodynamic tweaks, and a beefed-up braking system and sport tuned suspension will eventually be fitted to the car.

Want to do the same to your own 997 Turbo? 9ff says the conversion has so far cost €130,000 – almost two-thirds the retail price of the base car itself.

2010 Saab 9-5 May Be Rebadged As Buick

Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri is reporting that General Motors may use the as-yet-unlaunched 2010 Saab 9-5 as the basis for a future Buick model, should the Swedish automaker be forced to close.

With Spyker currently appealing against GM’s decision to close Saab rather than sell it, the future of the company remains in an uncertain limbo for the moment.

After its initial offer failed earlier this month, Spyker put in a renewed bid for ownership of Saab. Spyker’s new offer expires on December 31; CEO Victor Muller expects a response from GM  this week.

However should Spyker fail once more, the production-ready 2010 Saab 9-5 would be orphaned. According to Dagens Industri it may yet be picked up by GM’s premium Buick brand.

However, Buick has already drawn on the resources of GM’s European subsidiaries for part of its new product line-up. The danger in introducing another model is that it may dilute sales and reduce profitability.

The 2011 Buick Regal is based on the Opel Insignia (a slightly smaller car than the 9-5), while the new Buick LaCrosse (below) shares much of its underpinnings with the Saab.

With two models already riding on the Epsilon II platform that’s used by the 2010 Saab 9-5, the viability of repatriating the Swede to America is already in question.

Still, with virtually all development on the new 9-5 completed and the car ready to enter showrooms, it would seem a massive waste to let it die should GM decide to pull the plug on Saab.

2012 Mazda RX-7 On Its Way, May Replace RX-8

Speculation is rife that Mazda is in the midst of preparing a successor to the much-loved RX-7 of the 1990s and early 2000s, which disappeared from Mazda’s line-up in 2002 and was replaced by the RX-8 in 2003.

However, while the last generation RX-7 was powered by a twin-turbocharged 1.3 litre rotary, Mazda is reportedly preparing to take a different tack with the new car.

A new engine is in the wings (the 1.6 litre direct-injected 16X rotary), but there won’t be a turbocharger in sight. Output is expected to be between 150kW and 180kW.

The emphasis will be on light weight and sharp handling, and sources say it will be priced to compete with the Hyundai Genesis and upcoming Toyota FT-86 at the bottom end of the RWD Coupe market.

Mazda’s engineers are also said to be working on cutting more weight from the 16X engine, while also reducing fuel consumption and improving reliability – two major bugbears of rotary engines.

The 16X is said to be capable of generating in excess of 260kW, but a detuned variant for the RX-7 should see longevity and fuel economy move closer to the level of conventional piston engines.

Styling is still a mystery, but expect to see Mazda’s current design language applied to a smaller, more compact vehicle than the four-seat RX-8.

Although sold as a 2012 model, current speculation says the production model could surface in showrooms as early as 2011.

However, the arrival of the new RX-7 is expected to spell the end for the RX-8, which is nearing the end of its lifespan and due for an all-new replacement around 2011.

Rossi Rejects Alesi Co-Drive Offer

MotoGP Superstar Valentino Rossi has rejected the opportunity to race alongside Ferrari F1 driver Jean Alesi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year.

Alesi offered Rossi the chance to be his co-pilot in an AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT2 car after the Italian revealed his interest in competing at the storied event.

“It would be a dream for me, even though in truth I haven’t spoken to Valentino yet. I got the idea after reading of his desire to race at Le Mans. So why not do that with me,” Alesi told Autosport.

But Rossi rejected Alesi’s offer, citing the heavy workload he faces during June, with three MotoGP events set to take place.

“I’m flattered by Jean’s offer, but June is the most challenging month of the entire season with three races scheduled,” Rossi said.

“Therefore it is impossible to think that I can participate in the 24 Hours (of Le Mans),” he said to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Yamaha team boss Davide Brivio said Rossi’s determination to complete a hat-trick of world titles has also prompted ‘the Doctor’ to forgo plans to race at the World Rally Championship event in Mexico next year.

“Valentino has also declined to compete in the Rally of Mexico because it is too close to the start of the season and there are test sessions to complete as well,” he said.

“The truth is, when he starts the season, he only wants to focus on MotoGP, which makes up his real job.”

Rossi has long been linked with potential forays into alternative race series, completing tests in a Ferrari F1 while revealing an ambition to compete in the WRC.

Porsche Announces 2010 Prices, Import Tariff Savings Passed On

Porsche has followed the lead of Mazda and Honda and announced that it will pass on savings from the impending import tariff reduction to its customers, thus slashing prices across most of its range.

With tariffs on imported passenger cars set to drop from 10 percent to 5 percent on January 1 2010, Porsche has elected to cut retail prices rather than keep them static and boost specification levels.

However the Cayenne and Panamera won’t experience a price drop, the former because its SUV classification means it already enjoys the 5 percent duty rate and the latter because the pricing adjustment was already applied when it launched in October.

Price-wise, one of the biggest movers is the Cayman S, which at $146,000 costs $11,300 less than the 2009 model. The entry-level 2.9 litre Cayman falls $10,400 to $114,000.

Like its Cayman cousin, the Boxster has also undergone some drastic price drops. The base Boxster now costs $105,000 (down $9800) and the 228kW Boxster S is $10,900 cheaper at $131,000. Optioning the dual-clutch PDK auto transmission on either Boxster or Cayman now costs $5300 rather than $5500.

The savings continue with the 911 range. The hard-hitting 911 GT3 undergoes the biggest price change by dropping $7700 to $273,900, while the Carrera S coupe has had $4200 slashed from its sticker price. The Carrera 4 and Targa 4 are both $3900 cheaper, and even the 911 Turbo has undergone a $900 cut in cost.

From the start of next year, metallic paint is a no-cost option across the Porsche 911 Carrera range. All prices do not include on-road costs such as dealer delivery and statutory charges.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package

The return of the Corvette Grand Sport model did cause a lot of stir since Chevrolet, the country’s benchmark for automobiles, has announced that they will be showing off a whole new version of the said model. Now, are you at the edge of your seat already?

The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package – the fast and the ever so furious drivers will find it hard to resist when they see satin black paint on the ZR1-style front splitter, rear spoiler, rocker extensions and wheel spats. They might even start to hyperventilate at the sound of the nasty audio sound system set-up.

Are you unable to resist the urge to head to the nearest GM dealer or breathe so fast that you might just pass out? You have to wait until the mid- 2010 for the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Heritage Package to even say hello to you.

2009 Jay Leno Chevrolet Camaro

Concept cars will definitely make you swoon, hit the brakes or even honk your horn so loud especially if you’d be able to own the 2009 Jay Leno Chevrolet Camaro. The moment you rev up the engine you will immediately feel the power of its 3.6 liter V6 engine.

For a vehicle with twin turbochargers for its aspiration, who else would win any race with you? So keep the motor running and pack some speed in the freeway at 425 horsepower.

Fellow motorists would feel challenged to keep up with your speed which in the long run, they might not even get close to your tail lights since they have ran out of gas. Thank your lucky stars since the 2009 Jay Leno Chevrolet Camaro is fuel efficient with 118.1 hp per liter.

You will surely pack up a storm and not suck up all the fuel in the process.

2010 TechArt Magnum Porsche Cayenne Turbo

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Porsche Cayenne? The rich and famous would say “status” while the royal blood would say “exclusivity.” No matter where you go, the vehicle of choice for the upper crust is clear – the 2010 TechArt Magnum Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

No other vehicle could combine comfort, class and style without having to sacrifice one thing for the other and the vehicle that could perform this with perfection is no other than the 2010 TechArt Magnum Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

Just looking at the following features one could immediately say “Porsche and Me? We are meant to be.”

- The overall engine output is 680 hp
- The maximum torque is 900 Nm at 4.200 rpm
- 4.2 seconds from 0 to 100
- The maximum speed is 308 km/h
- Front wheel drive
- Lowered body at 30 mm