VIDEO: Lotus Elan Concept’s Digital Instrument Panel in Action

The Lotus Elan was one of five concept sports cars presented by Lotus at last year's Paris Auto Show while it also made a quick stop at the LA motorshow that followed in November. Now that the concept studies have made it back to the England, the folks over at Paultan visited the British firm's headquarters in Hethel and shot this video showing the Elan's digital instruments in action. The panel consists of a large LCD screen flanked on either side by two smaller components. You can watch the video clip after the jump.

By Csaba Daradics

Via: Paultan

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VIDEO: Race Driver Fast Laps NZ Circuit in New Volvo S60 Blindfolded!

And you thought your latest weekend track race was adrenaline-filled... Enter the realm of Jonny Reid, one of New Zealand's top racing drivers. The 27-year-old Kiwi put a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 to the test around Hampton Downs raceway in Auckland. Nothing spectacular there you say? How about if we told you that he did it blindfolded? Yes, that's right; the young racing driver couldn't see a thing.

According to the promo event's organizers, it took Reid more than one try but in the end, he managed to return a lap time of 1:28 with a top speed of 193km/h (119 mph). "He was guided only by the feel of the car, his knowledge of the track, and co-driver Earl Bamber's voice," said Volvo. Pretty neat, though we're not sure who was the bravest of the two; the driver or the co-driver... Scroll down to watch the clips.

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Spy Video: 2012 New Beetle Caught Testing on the Road

We've shown you the spy shots and told you about the Oprah gig where the famous TV host gave away 275 examples of the yet-to-be-revealed New Beetle to her audience. Now, the 2012 model was caught on video towing a pretty big trailer during a series of tests carried out in Europe. VW has promised that the new generation of the retro-styled hatch, which will arrive in May next year, will be a “driving machine" but did not elaborate further. Video after the jump.

By Csaba Daradics

Via: Autoblog

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Blast from the Past: MTE Turbochargers VW Golf IV R32 to 790HP

The VW Golf R32 IV may be an old model but there's no shortage of tuners willing to step up to the challenge and mod the hot hatch like there's no tomorrow. The latest tuning proposal for the Golf R32 IV comes via German specialist MTE in the military-theme wrapped R32 BiTurbo2.

The stock R32's 3.2-liter V6 makes 241bhp and 320Nm / 236 lb-ft, but thanks to a series of modifications including -but not limited to- a pair of Garrett turbochargers with intercoolers, a custom exhaust system, recalibrated ECU, new pistons and cylinder heads, output has been lifted to 790HP and 1,200Nm / 885 lb-ft. That's 50HP more than MTE's previous Golf R32 IV BiTurbo1.

Thanks to these modifications, the tuner claims that the BiTurbo2 now runs the quarter mile in 10,7 seconds at 216km/h or 134mph.

The car also gets a revised transmission as well as new suspension bits and a high-performance braking system, while it rides on 18-inch wheels shod in semi-slick tires.

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VIDEO: 101-Year-Old Man Buys New Camaro SS, Becomes Oldest Owner of Chevy's Reborn Pony Car

Virgil Coffman isn't your typical 2010 Chevrolet Camaro owner. He's a centenarian who recently became the oldest known living owner of the Chevy's new muscle car after he purchased a 400 horsepower, bright yellow, Transformers edition Camaro. The 101-year-old man from Indiana says that he has owned around 40 cars in his lifetime and that he has always followed the philosophy that if you want something, just go get it. We say good for him and hope he's around to buy the next generation Camaro. Video after the break.

VIDEO: New BMW M3 GTS Goes Slideways on the Race Track

"Born on the Racetrack to Live on the Streets" is BMW's motto for its newly revealed M3 GTS, a stripped-out 450-horsepower version of the M3 Coupe that marks the M division's return to its roots. Following the presentation of the first photos, details (click here to read our previous post) and a rather dull static teaser film, the Bavarian firm has now released a pair of impressive and beautifully executed videos showing off the M3 GTS on the race track. Both videos are available for your pleasure after the break.

Top Gear: First Episode of Season 13 goes Online

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard that the new season of Top Gear went on air this past weekend. The highlight of the show was when former formula one world champion Michael Schumacher supposedly revealed himself as the man behind "The Stig's" racing helmet, although many suggest -and we tend to agree- that it was merely a publicity stunt. The first episode also includes a first test drive of the Lotus Evora, the Stig races the Ferrari FXX while Clarkson, Hammond and May set to find out what Top Gear may have been like sixty years ago. Watch the video after the jump.

Via: Streetfire - Thanks for the tip Alesandro!

VIDEO: New Honda Civic TYPE R Mugen UK-Spec Model Promotional Film

Following up on our previous story with the first photographs of the Mugen Honda Civic Type R hatchback, we now bring you an official promotional video of the special edition hatchback that's inspired from the JDM Civic Mugen RR sedan. In spite of the fact that in the two-and-half minute long film, Mugen describes the model as a 'UK Spec' edition, in the press release, Honda's dedicated tuning arm makes word of Euro-wide availability. Apparently, we'll have to wait for Mugen to clear things up.

We're still short on official info about the range of upgrades, but aside from the overly-aggressive aero kit, it is rumored that the hot hatch has received a similar treatment to the Japanese market Civic Mugen RR sedan.

If true, this means that we'll most likely see a modified version of the Civic Type R's 2.0-liter VTEC engine delivering close to 240HP, a limited slip differential (already available on the limited run Civic Type R Championship White), chunkier tires, tweaked suspension and a high-performance brake system.

Also expect a pair of body-hugging bucket seats from Recaro while it is possible that Mugen may eliminate certain comfort features in the interior in order to shave a few pounds.

What we can say for certain is that the Mugen Civic Type R will arrive on European shores sometime at the end of summer. In the meantime, and until Honda's official tuner reveals more details, check out the high-quality promotional film below.

New Astra Beats Ford Focus and VW Golf at Millbrook Test Track in Viral Video

Looks like General Motors' UK division is trying its hand at viral marketing with a new video showing 2010 Astra hatchback outpacing a VW Golf MKVI and a Ford Focus at the Millbrook Proving Ground test track in Bedfordshire, England. The driver behind the wheel of the Astra is none other than Vauxhall's own BTCC pilot, Fabrizio Giovanardi. If you turn up the volume and pay attention, you might hear some weird mechanical noises coming out of the Astra but guess that makes it a bit more realistic... Will be interesting to see if Ford and VW play along, but until then follow the jump to watch the video.

Kudos to Mark for the tip!

Video: 2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV Promo Film

Aiming at those that aren't satisfied with the recently facelifted GT-R, Nissan released a new limited-edition SpecV version of its sports coupe. In a nutshell, the GT-R SpecV is 60 kg (132 lbs) lighter than the standard car while a special boost control function, increases the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine's 434lb ft of torque by an extra 15lb ft from 3500-5000rpm. The GT-R SpecV also gets carbon-ceramic brakes and more hardcore suspension settings. In the first official video, we get a taste of the more extreme version of the GT-R at the Nurburgring race-track.