Aston Martin is no stranger to motorsports. And now they are making a comeback.

The next step to their world motorsports plans is the introduction of the 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, a car that is seen to succeed the successful DBRS9 GT3 race cars that dominated touring car races worldwide.

This car is the next step towards Aston Martin’s goal of ruling the world racing circuit once again. And now, armed with 6 years of experience campaigning with the DBR9 and the DBRS9, the V12 Vantage GT3 is expected to be much better than its predecessors. The heart of this new racer is the same 6.0 liter V12 engine found in the street version of the V12 Vantage, but it has seen its share of modifications to better withstand the demands of racing.

Performance Driven

To increase performance and reliability, a lightweight crankshaft, new valve trains, and dry sump lubrication has been added into the engine. Ventilated disc brakes on all 4 corners are used in this car, designed to provide adequate stopping power even during endurance races. A double wishbone suspension is used for both the front and rear ends of the car.

Tested

It is scheduled to be released next year as the DBRS9s are still eligible to compete. This car is far from finished, but if there’s any indication that this car is going to be good, 2 day testing showed that it was able to cover 1000 kilometers with ease. Even better is that it is a marked improvement to the already formidable DBRS9. The 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 seems poised to take the motorsports world by storm next year.

Specifications

The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the latest Ford hybrid, offering gasoline, hybrid and plug-in models. With the sleek styling as well as innovative safety features and voice controlled functions, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is a force to be reckoned with in the sedan market.

A priority for drivers now and in the future has to be fuel economy. The Fusion delivers market leading fuel efficiency without compromising on design and the latest in technological driving features.

Models

The range of model choices include the S, SE and Titanium series; hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions; EcoBoost engines; plus a choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmission.

The EcoBoost engine comes in either 1.6 liter, for maximum fuel efficiency or the 2.0 liter performance options. The Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid is widely expected to break all records when it comes to fuel efficiency.

Added Features

A small camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror checks lane positioning, making sure the driver keeps within the lanes on the road. Should a tired driver drift too close to lane markings the Lane Keeping System can alert them by vibrating the steering wheel. The lane keeping aid can even apply pressure to the steering, bringing the car into a better lane position. The radar operated Adaptive Cruise Control detects slow or stationary vehicles ahead and can warn the driver and slow the car if it detects the danger of a collision.

This car can parallel park itself! Using sensors to seek out a suitable space the technology calculates and steers the vehicle to a perfect parking position. All the driver has to operate are the accelerator and brakes.

The Blind Spot Information System or BLIS does exactly what it says, detecting any possibly unseen vehicles in potential blind spots and giving warnings to the driver. This system can also alert the driver of oncoming traffic when backing out of a driveway with no clear view.

Overall, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid deserves consideration from new car buyers looking for a sedan with maximum fuel efficiency, style and modern features.

Specifications

The 2013 Citroen C1 debuted at the 2012 Brussels Motor Show in January, and will be available in the UK in late spring of this year. This year’s model sports an appealing redesign on the outside and inside, and features a more efficient power plant.

These changes make it an even more successful contender in the expanding city car market than it has been since its inception in 2005.

Exterior & Interior

With a length of just over 11 feet, the C1 is Citroen’s smallest vehicle. It is available in 3-door and 5-door body styles, can comfortably carry up to four people, and has held a position at the top of the city car list for economy and low environmental impact.

On the inside the C1 has plenty of storage space with compartments built-in and handy all around the passengers. Rear seats can be folded down, giving drivers an instantly bigger trunk volume for transport and storage as well. Because of its diminutive size, the car is a joy for the city driver, and its ability to turn around in about 30 feet makes it a great car for urban environments.

The exterior of the C1 has an abbreviated hood and a newly designed face. Rounded headlights have been retained, but with a totally redone bumper framing fog and running lights that lend a distinctive character to the small vehicle.

The rear of the new model keeps the unique glass tailgate design and features the new Citroen logo on its graphics. Alloy wheels, 15 inch tires, and a range of color options complete the appeal of the new 2013 Citroen C1 for city drivers.

Performance

Easy and inexpensive to drive, the Citroen C1 has a 68 horsepower 3-cylinder engine that runs on gasoline and a manual transmission. With this power train, the vehicle is able to attain nearly 66 mpg, and with an emissions improvement over last year’s model.

As an option, the Citroen can be equipped with an electronic gearbox system controlled by paddles mounted on the steering wheel providing better handling and increased driver enjoyment. The non-manual version has slightly lower fuel economy at 63 mpg.

Specifications

Creating the world’s fastest coupe is quite a tall order. But if there’s anyone who is capable of doing just that, it is Brabus, one of the world’s leading tuners of Mercedes Benz cars. And guess what, they were able to accomplish this goal.

The 2011 Brabus 800 Coupe, which made its debut at the 2011 Dubai International Motor Show, is currently the world’s fastest 4 seat coupe. And how it was made it happen is a work of art, to say the least.

Modified Design

The base used for this car is the 2011 Mercedes Benz CL 600 coupe, one of the best in the luxury sports coupe market. And then Brabus modified it to turn it into the world’s fastest coupe. First, the exterior was equipped with a subtle yet efficient aerodynamic body kit.

Each part is tested in a wind tunnel in order to create maximum down force necessary for stability during extreme speeds. Additional equipment for this car includes a 21 inch Brabus Monoblock Wheels and 15+ inch disc brakes on all 4 corners. The interior is still high class, with an interior wrapped in leather and Alcantara. Carbon fiber trim endows the interior a sporty feel.

Performance

As for the engine, they turned the CL 600’s 5.5 liter V12 into a monster. Increasing displacement into 6.3 liters, thanks to a custom made crankshaft that features larger bore, stroke and pistons, they added modified twin turbochargers into the mix.

These 2 and other modifications pushed power to 800 horsepower and over 1000 lb-ft of torque, enough to catapult this car supercar-level acceleration numbers and a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

Brabus has accomplished what it sought for. The 2011 Brabus 800 Coupe is the world’s fastest 4 seat coupe.

Specifications

The 2011 Volkswagen cross up! concept, a collaborative project from brand design chief Klaus Bischoff and Walter de’Silva, first appeared at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2011.

Exterior

The VW Cross Up! is detailed with stylish accents, along with the same rugged German Engineering that has made VW a hallmark in the auto world. With a body painted in “tornado red”, and splashed with matte silver elements such as the roof rails, mirror caps, and wheel covers, the Cross Up! is not quickly forgotten.

The silver accents carry over into the undercarriage, creating a nice, unified look. There are several new design features that are equally eye-catching, such as the satiny black side protection strips above the sills, the large, honeycombed grille, and the silver bumper, which has integrated fog lights.

Interior

Inside, the decor is equally pleasing. Both the dashboard and upper trim panels are painted in the same “tornado red” as the exterior, and accented with glossy piano black painted control console and air-flow nozzles.

The steering wheel, gear-shift grip, and parking brake grip are all covered in a buttery-soft leather highlighted with colored seams. The door sill guards are a nice touch, offering protection from shoes upon exit or entry.

The Cross Up! is built on Volkswagen’s MQB or “Modularer Querbaukasten” chassis architecture, an extremely flexible platform that will probably form the basis of all further Audi and VW projects. The Cross up! has greater ground clearance than its predecessor- at least 15 mm greater.

Performance

The 148 horses under the hood with direct injection and turbo-charging, in a hefty 155 pound four-cylinder engine give the Cross up! plenty of power. It also has two electric motors, which gives it the “cross” designation:

The 54 hp motor mounted in front, with nearly 114 lb/ft of torque, when coupled with the back mounted 114 hp motor with 199 lb/ft of torque allows the Cross Up! to work as an electric vehicle for 25 miles, or as a parallel hybrid in either front or all wheel drive.

All told, the Cross Up! is a sporty little crossover with plenty of design features that are sure to please.

Specifications