The flagship F-Sport sedan will arrive in 2015, as a 2016 model.
Rumors have been circulating for years that Lexus would bring a V8-powered GS sedan to the table, but now Motor Trend has finally confirmed our suspicions:
At last, Lexus will have a fighter to compete with the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG. However if the rumors are true, even a 500 HP might not be enough gun for the battle. We were hoping for atleast 550HP, although the base 2014 Lexus GS350 does weigh in at an astonishing light 3,750 lbs – which is pretty lean for a full size luxury sedan. We would expect a high performance variant to shed even more weight, possibly closer to 3,700 lbs – so 500 HP might be the magic number. The lighter weight may be an approach Lexus will take with this new high performance sedan, instead of just throwing up big HP numbers or going forced induction.
Regardless, we are happy to see Lexus slip on their running shoes, finally. The V8 powered RC-F coupe should be hitting dealerships soon, and Motor Trend has also mentioned that a new V8-powered IS-F is on the way, which presumably will be powered by the same 5.0 V8.
Further details show a new 8-speed transmission, along with a Torsen limited-slip diff. We hope to see an official debut from Lexus in a few weeks at the Detroit Auto Show.
As we reported earlier, the Koenigsegg Agera R is absolute animal, and it also the most underrated supercar hypercar on the market today. In fact, it should be involved in the dialogue when discussing the likes of the LaFerrari, P1 and the 918 Spyder.
As you can see in the video, the raw acceleration of the Agera R is breathtaking. Powered by a twin-turbo, 5.0 V8 – the car puts down nearly 1,000 horsepower, and it absolutely humiliates the 918 in the video above. You can almost feel your stomach hit the back seat when the throttle is applied in the video above.
Here is a brief rundown on the Agera R, thanks to LeftLane News:
“Designed as a race car for the road, the Agera R’s low-slung design is accentuated by almond-shaped headlights with integrated LED daytime running lamps, a wraparound windshield with a single wiper, small side windows and large air vents in front of the rear wheels. Out back, the Agera R boasts oval LED tail lamps, a mid-mounted exhaust and a functional air diffuser, while scissor doors that open at a 90-degree angle finish off the look.
For open-air motoring, the Agera R features a removable roof panel that can be stowed away in a compartment located in the front of the car.
Jaw-Dropping Power
The Agera R – a name that means “take action” in Swedish – is powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that churns out 1,140 horsepower and a brutal 885 lb-ft. of torque. The 2,932-pound Agera R sprints from zero to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of over 273 mph.
Contrary to what the aforementioned numbers might suggest, the Swedish supersports car isn’t all about power. Huge brakes on all four corners enable the Agera to accelerate from zero to 124 mph and come to a full stop in just 12.6 seconds.
Life Aboard
The Agera R offers a track-inspired interior with room for two passengers on leather-upholstered two-tone bucket seats with contrasting stitching. The center console, the multi-function steering wheel and parts of the dashboard are crafted out of carbon fiber in order to reduce weight.
The instrument cluster consists of several small digital gauges housed in three main pods. They can be configured by the driver to provide a full panoply of information including the car’s speed, fuel pressure, oil and the water temperature and even the approximate amount of horsepower generated by the engine at any given time.
A high-definition touch screen mounted on the center stack groups the Agera’s navigation, climate control, entertainment and connectivity functions into a single unit. Unlike many startup supercar manufacturers, Koenigsegg designs and builds all switches and stalks in-house.
While cargo capacity is not what most supercar buyers are after, Koenigsegg proudly states the Agera is the roomiest car in its class with 4.2 cubic feet of trunk space.
Standard and Optional Equipment
The Agera R comes standard with power windows, adjustable pedals and seats, power steering, navigation, leather carpeting, a car cover, an alarm and a storage bag for the removable roof panel.
Buyers have access to a long list of options including different rear wings, stripes and decals, over ten exterior colors, three different wheel designs, miscellaneous upholstery colors, heated seats, a rear-view camera, four-point racing harnesses and, believe it or not, a pair of skis that matches the car.
Occupant Safety
The Agera R features dual airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, an electronic stability control designed in-house and a Formula 1-inspired traction control system that provides five different handling modes.
Key competitors
At this price and performance level, the few vehicles that can be cross-shopped with the Agera include the Pagani Huayra, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Bugatti Veyron.”
Few have achieved in motorsport what Robby Gordon has accomplished. From being a NASCAR Sprint Cup regular, to winning the Baja 500 & 1000, winning in the IndyCar season, 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Daytona, etc – but the one victory that escapes him thus far is Dakar.
NBC Sports tags along with Robby as he makes his 10th attempt to take on Dakar. You think he has a shot? We do.
Aw, the legendary, original, LeMans-winning, Ferrari-slaying Ford GT40 Mk1. Does it get any more patriotic than this? Ford and Carrol Shelby (RIP) worked together and developed this car for the sole-purpose of flying across the pond and beating the dominant Ferrari at LeMans, and Ford completed it’s mission successfully; attaining four consecutive LeMans victories.
Ford also won the four FIA international titles (at what was then unofficially known as the World Sportscar Championship) with the GT40. The Mk IV GT40, which won the race in 1967, remains, to this day, the only car designed and built entirely in the United States to claim an overall win at Le Mans.
As a bonus, check out this wicked exhaust note from a GT40 Mk2
You gotta love those straight cut gears. There is an accident at 6:20 mark, and the Porsche driver avoids it pretty well. He also seemed pretty cautious while negociating some turns, maybe he didnt feel the tires at the good temp yet. But it’s a great video and entertaining to watch.
Also, we were so happy when the Porsche driver finally passed that idiot in the Lexus. The Lexus almost caused one accident, almost got tangled in the one wreck, then hogged lanes like a jerk, but we digress.
Anyways, check out the video above. The new C7Z tries to take on a Viper, and fails. But there is an interesting shot of the new Z’s on-board video/diagnostic system at the end (which is a VERY cool factory feature). Let us know your thoughts below.
The Koenigsegg Agera R is an interesting hypercar. It is probably the fastest car in the world right now. Not only does it accelerate faster than the Bugatti Veyron, it is also rumored to have a top speed of 273+ MPH. And all those records will be shattered very soon when Koenigsegg One comes out.
Anyways, we hope you enjoy the beautiful sound of this twin-turbo 5.0 V8.
Ford has announced it’s commitment to creating a true global performance division. The automaker has also announced that it already 12 vehicles on tap, which will be rolled out over the next few years through the year 2020 (GT500, anyone?)
This new group will absorb SVT, Ford Racing and Team RS
All of you SVT fans can consider this your Blue Oval revival… minus the name of course. The Ford Performance organization will offer a range of global high performance vehicles, and this includes the arrival of the Ford Focus RS on U.S. shores. It will be joined by the 2016 Ford Raptor, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, Shelby GT350 Mustang, and GT500 – along with a slew of other vehicles to be announced as we move through the calendar.
“Our new global Ford Performance team ties together racing, performance vehicles and parts. It will allow us to more quickly introduce products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the track,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development, in the company’s press release. The automaker thinks this market will be booming, especially among younger, wealthier buyers buyers. For example, recent data shows Millennials buy ST models at twice the rate of the rest of Ford’s cars.
If you’re a fan of fast Ford vehicles, today a good day.
Regardless, finally seeing the Ford Focus RS on U.S. soil will be a real treat for automotive enthusiasts. More details will be released at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show in January.
Just listen to that 900 HP V8 just screaming through the soft sand. This truck is running 40″ Baja T/A’s.
“Fedor” – B.J. Baldwin’s trophy truck, runs a 458-inch small block Chevy engine tucked under the hood that puts down over 850 horses and 690 foot-pounds of torque.
It’s capable of top speeds around 150mph and its 40-inch Baja T/A Tires, coupled with its massive suspension travel, courtesy of King Shocks. It to not only eat up anything in its path, but it threads the needle through buildings, power lines, spectators and random crazy fans that line the racetrack in Baja.
And this post would be amiss if we didn’t include the obligatory RECOIL video. Enjoy:
The earth-rotating Challenger Hellcat takes on the refined, yet sophisticated 2015 Mustang GT – and they both take on the track slayer Z/28. This is an interesting comparison. The Hellcat is a straight line rocket-ship, while the Z/28 was designed for going fast at the track day – and the new Mustang GT falls somewhere in between.
We were thoroughly surprised that the Mustang GT was able to edge out the Hellcat on the road-course. I mean, the Mustang is down an entire 270 HP on the Hellcat…that’s a hell of a lot of power to make up.
While we think the Mustang GT to Z/28 comparison is a bit unfair, we are still impressed with the ability of the GT – and we are really looking forward to seeing what the upcoming GT350 can do on track. Stay tuned.
