• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 

At long last, a hardcore, track-ready version of the latest BMW M3 Coupe has been released, set to go on sale in the Spring of 2010. But unlike the M3 CSLs of the E46 generation, this new M3 GTS is significantly lighter, more powerful, and has a long list of track-friendly upgrades.

Under the hood, the standard 4.0-liter V-8's displacement has been increased to 4.4 liters, meaning output has been increased from 414 to 450 horsepower. All of that shove is being routed to the rear wheels via BMW's M DKG Drivelogic dual-clutch gearbox, though the characteristics have been specially tuned to match the GTS's extra power and performance.

Power upgrades are one thing, but when it comes to track cars, lightness is key. The M3 GTS weighs slightly less than 3300 pounds, and while that may seem pretty porky, remember that the standard M3 Coupe is around 400 pounds heavier. What's more, the GTS uses a heavily upgraded suspension and high-performance brakes, along with special nineteen-inch wheels. Naturally, another strong point of the GTS's performance is in its aerodynamics, and with just a quick glance at this car, it's easy to see that the aero design is heavily based on World Touring Car Championship vehicles, like the 320si.

We're putting on our Pilotis and helmets in anticipation of a track day with this hot little number. No word on pricing has been released at this time, but for the full details, click through the post to read BMW's press release.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Oh, the Porsche Boxster. As we recently reaffirmed in our latest comparison test, the little two-seat roadster from Porsche is one of our favorite topless road cars, and now there's more to love. The much-anticipated Boxster Spyder won't make its official debut until December 2nd at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but the details and images have already leaked out ahead of time.

This lightweight, hardcore version of the Boxster starts with the well-received 3.4-liter, direct-injection flat-six engine, though power has been increased by 10 horsepower for a new total of 320. Combined with Porsche's PDK gearbox and Sport Chrono package, the Spyder will jaunt from a stand-still to 60 miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds and will do 166 mph flat out (with the roof off, of course). "Roof," though, is a figurative term with the Spyder, as the Boxster's standard folding lid has been replaced with a lightweight soft top that acts as more of a sunshade than anything else.

Other modifications include a special sport suspension which lowers the ride height by twenty millimeters, a standard limited-slip differential, and exclusive wheels. Aluminum door skins and lightweight interior door panels (from the GT3 RS) aid in reducing the Spyder's weight by 176 pounds over the standard Boxster S, and with a lower center of gravity, we're confident in saying that this thing will be well-suited for hot laps at your local track.

Look for the Boxster Spyder to hit U.S. showrooms in February of 2010 with a starting MSRP of $61,200. Click through the post to read the official press release from Porsche.

As it stands, the BMW 135i is a potent little machine with its 300-horsepower, twin-turbocharged inline-six. But what about an M version? Sources inside of BMW are now reporting that a 1-Series M might not be too far off, and that the M1 moniker could possibly be brought back, much to the dismay of original M1 enthusiasts.

Speculation suggests that a new M-badged 1-Series would use the same twin-turbo six as the 135i but that power could be increased to around 330 horsepower. A source at BMW's M division says, "We're looking at ways to attract new customers to the brand, and an entry-level model is part of those plans." Naturally, a new "M1" would be priced under the current M3, so the mid-$40K price range is probably as good a guess as any.

Consider our interest piqued.

+ RPMgo.com: BMW to create M model based on 1 Series, might bring M1 badge back

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

As if the too-hot Roush 427R wasn't enough, the much-loved tuning company has now put another spin on the 2010 Mustang. As for appearance, this one is much more tame and subtle than some of the cleft-chinned 'Stangs we've driven, but don't let its looks fool you. The supercharger under this Mustang's hood bumps up power to a GT500-matching 540 ponies, and with suspension tweaking on hand, this latest Roush will surely be a hit for muscle car enthusiasts.

Scoot on over to our Ask It forum post and let us know what burning questions you have about the newest Roush creation. We'll be on hand to respond, as well as post driving impressions throughout the week.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2010 Roush 540RH

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The German Lamborghini tuner, IMSA, has created the IMSA GTV, based on the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

Besides adding a carbon fiber body kit, upgraded interior, and new wheels, the IMSA GTV gets an adjustable suspension and stainless steel sport exhaust system. The peak output is now about 582 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque.

More detailed information follows in the press release below.  Click through the image gallery above.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Here, we see the successor to the Ferrari 612, which we saw once before earlier this year. This test mule has a longer wheelbase than the 612, which could mean more passenger volume, or Ferrari could be making room for a KERS system. It also has the over/under style tailpipes.

Our photographer also offers the possibility of Ferrari’s four-wheel-drive system, compatible with front- and mid-engine vehicles.

Interestingly, the stickers on the steering wheel warn that the engine should only be started with the hood closed.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

We’re making our lists a little early this year, as Tesla can only promise delivery of our custom Roadster by the end of the year if you order today (October 28) by eight o’clock Eastern.

Oh, and if you live in Colorado, you may be eligible for a $42,000 tax credit.

Still can’t justify it? A subscription to Winding Road also makes a great gift for discriminating drivers.

+ Tesla: Last Call For Holiday Deliveries

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

After many, many rounds of spy shots, the final details and production images have been released of the much-anticipated Lexus LFA supercar, which will have a limited production run of 500 units and will be sold for -- get ready -- $375,000. (Start saving your pennies.)

The details on this thing are nothing short of supercar stock, though its front-engine, rear-drive configuration is a change of pace from the Audis and Lambos that we've learned to love. Still, having 560 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque is nothing to frown at, especially in a car that only weighs 3263 pounds and revs up to a screaming redline of 9000 rpm. 0-62 miles per hour? 3.7 seconds. Top speed? 202 mph. We're ready for some track time.

If you have the money, you can put an LFA in your garage starting in early 2011 and take it Nissan GT-R hunting. Click through the post for the full press release and scroll through our gallery of images above to see the LFA from all angles.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The Nissan GT-R isn't an old car, and we don't have many complaints about Godzilla's mannerisms, but nonetheless, some small, yet crucial, tweaks have been made to the GT-R for the 2010 model year.

Visually, there's nothing terribly new to speak of, save the inclusion of rear diffuser cooling ducts which now come standard across the GT-R range. On top of that, the rear suspension brushings have been stiffened slightly, and the front springs and shocks have been tweaked, as well. While this might not seem like much, hardcore GT-R drivers will definitely notice these improvements on the track.

Japanese citizens can head to dealerships on December 7th to pick up their new GT-Rs. As for us, we'll have to wait until next spring. Click through the post for the full details.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Lotus will unveil a limited-production version of the Lotus Exige, called the Exige Scura (Exige Stealth in Japan), at the Tokyo Motor show later this week. The matte black, carbon fiber-themed Exige receives performance enhancements while shedding weight to make this already light and potent Exige S even more formidable.

The 256-horsepower, 1.8-liter supercharged engine (the same one in the Exige Cup 260) propels the Exige Scura from 0-62 in 4.1 seconds, then on to a top speed of about 152 miles per hour. To keep it on the ground, its aerodynamic package, made extensively of carbon fiber for low weight, providing almost 95 pounds of downforce at 100 miles per hour.

What makes the Lotus Exige Scura truly special are its evil paint job, and the fact that it is limited to only 35 units globally. Check the warranty on the paint job before you buy, though.

See it in the gallery above. The official press release follows.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Our spy photographer sent over some shots of a hotted-up version of a BMW M3 on the Nürburgring. Could it be a production version of the GT4 racecar?

From the photos, we can see the huge rear wing and the lower lip in front. The car also looks lower to the ground. We can assume it has lost some weight, and has been fitted with some of performance racing parts. It looks right at home on the 'Ring.

See it in the gallery above, or scroll down for the photographer’s notes.

Winding Road presents its second Special Edition, the BMW Issue. Full to the brim with Munich’s finest, this issue includes our best coverage of the Ultimate Driving Machine, along with buyer’s guides and previews of some Bimmers yet to come.

This special issue is available only in downloadable PDF format from NextNewsStand. It’s yours for the super low price of $3.99.

CLICK HERE to download this issue.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Hot damn! We've got our hands on a 2009 Lotus Exige S260 Sport this week, a car that is (no doubt) one of the best driver's cars on the planet.

Let us know what questions you have about the supercharged rollerskate by heading over to our Ask It forum post. We'll be sure to answer, as well as post driving impressions... if we ever get out of the car.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2009 Lotus Exige S260 Sport

Recently, our own Steven Ewing attended Aston Martin’s Performance Driving School, where he drove the V8 Vantage, DB9, and DBS coupes.

The above video doesn’t feature Steven, any of the vehicles he drove, or the courses he drove them on. It, instead, it picks up where he left off. In the video, we see the Aston Martin Rapide taking on the Nürburgring in Germany, as well as Italy’s beautiful Stelvio Pass.

Enjoy your latest Aston fix with the four-door Rapide, above.

+ YouTube: New Aston Martin Rapide 2010 Video
+ Auto Express: Video: Aston Rapide tackles Stelvio Pass

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

Caption:

HONDA FIT SI

The Honda Fit is one of the best small hatches available in the U.S., and the Civic Si is one of our favorite on-the-cheap sport coupes. Boost the Fit's power by about 50 ponies, stiffen the chassis, and add Honda's lovely six-speed manual gearbox and we'll go out and buy one. Or seven.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

One of our favorite ongoing discussions here at the Winding Road office is how we'd like to see some tuned-up performance variants of some of our favorite production cars. This conversation normally contains talk of turbochargers, wheels, spoilers, body kits, Recaro seats, speeding tickets, and power sliding. It's fun to dream, isn't it?

For now, we've compiled a list of some performance cars that we really wish would roll into our test fleet someday. Dreams can come true, after all. Scroll through the gallery above to see our full list, and let us know of any performance cars you'd like to see, in comments.

Be sure to check out some more of our recent lists, too!
+ Ten Amazing Moments In Chinese Automaker Websites
+ Our Ten Favorite Women On Cars

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

—Romeo, Michigan

We’ll be honest—it’s not very often that we get to fully experience the superb capabilities of the high-performance cars that roll through our test fleet. And when we look outside the world of our editorial offices, we realize that many consumers who buy top-dollar, big-power cars might not necessarily know how to skillfully push their cars to the limit, either. Because of this, the folks at Aston Martin have created their Performance Driving School, where customers can come out to one of three different locations (Millbrook Proving Ground in England, Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium, or the Michigan Proving Ground just north of Detroit) and have a day of professional instruction where they learn how to properly experience the full potential of their cars. Cost of admission? $2500 for a full-day program.

The folks at Aston Martin invited us to preview the same courses that customers go through, and we gladly accepted. This would not only allow us to brush up on our dynamic driving skills, but it would give us the chance to spend some more time with the latest crop of Astons—the V8 Vantage, DB9, and DBS coupes.
   
CLICK HERE to continue reading.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 

We love the Fiat 500, so when we saw these photos of the Abarth 500 R3T, our hearts grew a tiny bit.

The 500 R3T debuted at the Sanremo Rally in Italy. It’s 1.4-liter turbocharged engine produces up to 180 horsepower. The car features a six-speed gearbox, adjustable suspension and Brembo disc brakes.

According to the press release, the Abarth 500 R3T will lend its name to a promotional rally trophy next year.

Check out the Abarth 500 R3T above, or scroll down to read the press release.

The Genesis Coupe isn't even one year old yet, and Hyundai is already boosting the levels of equipment available in their hot little two-door. We recently had the chance to test out Hyundai's newest navigation interface on a drive from our Ypsilanti office to Cedar Point, one of America's finest amusement parks. (We like high speeds, whether we're driving, or dropping down an 85-degree slope.)

The navigation system incorporates the standard get-me-there features we've grown to expect in recent years, but Hyundai's system also features things like Bluetooth streaming audio capabilities, as well as XM NavTraffic. During our drive, we liked that the nav system would alert us to approaching road construction and would ask if we'd like to detour around the potential traffic problem. Not only that, but if the system detects some sort of incident (car accident, overturned truck), it will ask if you'd like to route your way around that, as well. Good stuff. Additionally, above the center stack is a new gauge cluster which shows the time, as well as on-the-go torque and fuel economy readings. It's pretty neat, and looks cool, though we'd much prefer a turbo boost gauge in the instrument cluster (for the 2.0T model, of course).

In all, the Hyundai interface is clean and easy to use. The graphics look good and are better than some long-loved Nav systems from Honda or General Motors. The only complaint we had is that the voice prompts sometimes sound a bit jumbled, but that little niggle was easy to resolve -- especially since the voice prompts can be turned off in an instant by pushing a button on the screen.

As for pricing, we drove a Grand Touring model with the 3.8-liter V-6 engine, and the as-tested price of our car was $28,250 (including destination and delivery). Seems like a reasonable price to pay, and now gives the Genesis Coupe some more ammo to better compete in the segment of $30K sports coupes. For the full information, click through the post to read Hyundai's press release.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Earlier, we showed you a white Lexus LF-A supercar lapping the Nürburgring. Now we have caught it in matte black, which gives a little more visual definition to the car’s form. Also, in these photos, we get a good look at that deployable wing in both positions on the rear end. Very interesting.

Have a second look at the purported V-10 beast in the gallery above, or click here for more details and photos of the Lexus LF-A. Photographer’s comments follow.