2015 Ford Mustang GT

Happy Mustang Day. Are you tired of hearing about the 2015 Ford Mustang yet? No? Good, here's a bunch of mechanical data on Ford's sixth-gen muscle car, along with cutaways of the GT's 5.0-liter V8 and the new 2.3-liter, EcoBoost four-cylinder shown above. We also have a smattering of info on the Stang's updated transmissions and an exploded-parts-diagram view of its all-new independent rear suspension.

Ford is set to make waves offering the Mustang with a turbo for the first time since the small-volume SVO of the 1980s. Displacing 2.3 liters, the engine's twin-scroll turbo should help the four-cylinder turn out a projected 305 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, while also returning the best fuel economy in the Mustang's engine lineup. As we said in our Deep Dive, the EcoBoost will be slotted in as a premium engine, above the 3.7-liter V6 but below the 5.0-liter V8.

Speaking of that high-revving eight-cylinder, it's receiving a new cylinder head with high-flow ports. The intake and exhaust valves are larger and the cams have been replaced, among other tweaks. It should rev even higher thanks to a rebalanced crankshaft and forged connecting rods. Ford is still claiming a projected 420 hp and 390 lb-ft, although as many of the changes for the 2015's V8 come from the 2013 Boss 302, we're going to assume there's some sandbagging at work.

Finally, the transmissions have received some attention, with the six-speed manual from Getrag getting a new shift linkage, which should provide a shorter, crisper action. A new set of steering-wheel-mounted paddles on the auto trans will provide rev-matched shifts, although there's no word on how quickly it will swap cogs.

Cadillac Elmiraj Concept

The Cadillac Elmiraj Concept features a 500-horsepower V-8 engine, building on the Cadillac Twin Turbo V6 from the 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport edition. The four-seat coupe has a less aggressive appearance outside, while its interior drips in luxury from titanium and hand-cut wood trim to camel leather. The Elmiraj Concept was hand-built in Michigan.

Honda FCEV Concept

It's here and ready to make a big hydrogen-powered mark in the very near future. The Honda FCEV Concept took to the stage at the LA Auto Show today as a first look at the upcoming fuel-cell electric vehicle that Honda will launch in the US and Japan in 2015, with Europe following some time after that. We kind of love the bravery on display here, and Honda says the concept we see here hints at "a potential styling direction," but we can't imagine which parts of this spaceship concept vehicle we will see on the road one day.

The five-seater's technical details are perhaps more important than how it looks, since this is where the car really tries to set itself apart. A range of more than 300 miles will be possible from a 100kW hydrogen fuel cell stack that has a power density of 3kW/L, which is 60-percent higher than it was before while being 33-percent smaller than the stack in the gorgeous FCX Clarity. Honda doesn't get into the issue of a lack of fuel stations in its press release (there are only 10 public H2 stations in the US today), but it does say that the FCEV Concept could be refueled in about three minutes using a 70 MPa system.

The fuel stack's small size means this is the first time a fuel-cell powertrain has been "packaged completely in the engine room of the vehicle," Honda says, which means the company should be able to do a lot of interesting things with vehicle design, just as some EV designers can do today. Honda also says the compact size means there is "flexibility in the potential application of FC technology to multiple vehicle types in the future," so if you don't like the look of the concept unveiled today, keep your eyes peeled for something different.

Volvo coupe concept

Despite the impressive production debuts from Porsche and BMW at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show - the918 Spyder and the i8, respectively - there was one car that captured the attention of the press and the public alike, enough so that we awarded it our overall top pick of the show: the Volvo Concept Coupe. Most concepts never make it to production, but the car's reception has been so positive that Volvo's board of directors is considering to produce it in limited quantities, Auto Bild reports. Italian coachbuilder Bertone could handle the limited production run.

Styled after the classic P1800, the Volvo concept was similar to the new Porsche and BMW in that it was equipped with a high-performance hybrid drivetrain. But Volvo took a different route from there, giving the sleek coupe a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor at the rear axle. All in, the combo is good for 400 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque.

If the Concept Coupe makes it to production, it may not get the trick hybrid drivetrain mentioned above, Motor Athority reports, but a milder plug-in hybrid setup or even just a conventional fuel-burning engine. In any case, it would be a treat if Volvo produced a fully functional, street-legal Concept Coupe, though at that point we're thinking it would be due for a name change.

# Random AMG Vision Gran Turismo

For the new PlayStation 3 racing game Gran Turismo 6, the Mercedes-Benz designers have developed the visionary concept of a super sports car – the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo. Extreme proportions, sensual contours and intelligently implemented high tech blend to form a body that visually brings to life the breathtaking performance of 430 kW (585 hp) and 800 Nm of torque.

Mercedes Benz SLR Brabus

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is one of the world's most fascinating sports cars. The best Mercedes is just good enough for Brabus, and their engineers have developed an exclusive sport program. It lets owners of the SLR further individualize their vehicles. Brabus equips the SLR with a special self-locking differential. Its 40 percent locking rate further optimizes the supercar's traction and thus further improves acceleration.

In Brabus Racing version with performance-improving fuel cooling, custom camshafts and an open racing exhausts system maximum power output of the supercharged V8 engine increases to 660 hp / 486 kW at 6,500 rpm. The exhaust system is not certified for use on public roads. Thus equipped the SLR storms to 100 km/h from rest in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 340 km/h.

Brabus further offers professional modifications to body, suspension and interior that further amplify the sports talents of the SLR.

For further improved directional stability at high speeds the Brabus designers developed a new spoiler for the front air dam. The exposed-carbon aerodynamic-enhancement part reduces lift on the front axle and adds another shot of racing looks. The rear diffuser is also made from exposed carbon.

The multi-piece Brabus Monoblock VI 20-inch light-alloy wheels with six double spokes command immediate attention. The fully polished wheels in size 9.5Jx20 in front and in size 11.5Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the available space below the wheel arches perfectly.

Brabus chose high-performance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 and 305/25 ZR 20 as the optimal solution. The conversion to the BRABUS 20-inch tire/wheel combination gives the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren even more dynamic handling prowess.

Brabus also adds new sporty and exclusive highlights in the interior. The company-own upholstery shop created a Brabus interior from an exclusive black and red combination of leather and Alcantara, perfectly crafted down to the last detail. The waffle-design stitching of the SLR leather floor is especially elaborate and it alone uses 7,800 meters of the finest thread.

For easier entering and exiting Brabus manufactured a custom Brabus sport steering wheel with an ergonomically shaped rim that is flat on the bottom. For manual shifting of the SLR's automatic transmission the Brabus steering wheel features buttons integrated into the spokes.

The Brabus interior designers developed precise-fit applications for dashboard, center console and door panels, all made from exposed carbon. They extend the Brabus exterior carbon look into the interior.

The Brabus SLR sells for 600,000 Euros (790 000 USD). Included in the price is the SLR's air-freight shipment to anywhere in the world.

citroen numero concept

To mark the launch of the Citroen DS line in China, Citroen has designed a new concept car, Numero 9, which will be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show. This concept heralds the future of the DS line and signals the styling cues of the next three models in the line: a C-segment premium sedan, an SUV and a D-segment executive saloon.
Concept car Numero 9 sublimates the DNA of models in the DS line. It expresses radical choices in design with immediately recognizable styling that is both inspired and emotional. Sophistication is allied with a high-quality finish for original driving sensations and features that are truly useful every day. Its charismatic body styling revisits the shooting brake, while the new front end is designed for plug-in full-hybrid technology. This concept car boasts remarkable levels of performance (50 km range, 295 hp, boost function, 39 g/km of CO2). High standards, bold design, creativity and the best of technology.

Nissan Bladeglider Concept

Aston Martin DBC Concept

The world may never see a mid-engine Aston Martin. Never, ever. Why? Because grand touring, which is and has always been what Aston Martin is about, goes about as well with a mid-engined layout as whiskey goes with wasabi. Why do you think Ferrari and Bentley, also notable GT manufacturers, keep their big, comfortable and fast vehicles with the engine in front?That said, if Aston were to suddenly decide that it wanted a piece of the Ferrari 458 Italia or McLaren MP4-12C, we sincerely hope the resulting car would look at least half as good as this concept car, designed bySamir Sadikhov. It's called the DBC, and it is an absolute stunner, perfectly integrating Aston Martin's traditional design cues - look at this profile shot of the DBC alongside the DBR1 - and current styling trends with a mid-engined layout that is a dramatic departure from the long hood and short deck of the current cars.Sadikhov isn't some new kid on the block, though. The Azerbaijani captured second place in the Ferrari World Design Contest with his Xerzri Concept. As for the DBC, according to his website, one of his goals was to create a car with parts that "could be easily carried over into a production car." We like the sound of that. Aston Martin, we'll take ours with the V12 Vantage S engine mounted amidships, a six-speed manual, and British Racing Green paint. Make it so. Head over to Sadikhov's site for a full look at the DBC Concept.

Mercedes Benz S65 AMG

Twelve cylinders. Twin-turbochargers. 621 hp and 738 lb-ft: Yeah, Mercedes-Benz's new S65 AMG sounds like a monster, and we mean that as a compliment.

Mercedes says the S65 “sets new standards as the most powerful vehicle in its segment.” We have no reason to doubt this.

This is the third-generation S65. The first-gen was launched in 2003 (2005 in the U.S.), and the second was produced from 2006 until 2013. The newest version's 6.0-liter biturbo V12 propels the car to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds with an electronically limited 155 mph top speed. The engine boasts an aluminum crankcase, forged crankshaft, multi-spark ignition, even start/stop. Of course, the V12 is hand assembled at AMG in keeping with the “one man, one engine” philosophy.

Lykan Hypersport

The Most Expensive Car In The World