256-hp Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen has finally released official U.S. pricing and specs on the 2012 Golf R. The meanest hatch in the company's stable will set you back $33,990 (*plus destination). That's a sizeable chunk of change, to be sure, but it will net you the most powerful Golf production engine to be sold in the States. At 256 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, the turbocharged 2.0-liter turns out six more horsepower than the 2008 Golf R32 VR6 while sucking down less fuel. Volkswagen says that the company's internal estimates put the 2012 Golf R at 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. That's an impressive jump compared to Environmental Protection Agency estimates of 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway for 2008 R32.

The 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine is bolted to a six-speed manual transmission and a Haldex all-wheel drive system, and the car will be offered in both two- and four-door bodystyles. Volkswagen has also taken the time to sharpen the vehicle's suspension even beyond what the already lithe GTI has to offer. Changes include a larger, tubular anti-roll bar up front and a four-link rear with three lateral control arms. 

Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin gets to work on new V12 Vantage GT3

It seems to us like Aston Martin never tires of rolling out ever hotter renditions of its Vantage sports coupe. As if the original V8 Vantage weren't enticing enough, Aston then shoehorned a V12 under the hood. Zagatothen rebodied what we already thought was one of the shapeliest beasts on the market. And the improvements just keep on rumbling in. But then there's the racing versions. Oh, the racing versions!

The N24 showed us what it meant to take beauty to the beast that is the Nürburgring. Then came the GT4racing model, followed by the even hotter GT2. The category in-between used to be tended to by theDBRS9, but now Aston's opted to replace it with yet another competition version of the Vantage.

First teased back in April, Aston revealed further photos and details of the V12 Vantage GT3 in August, and the British marque has now commenced track testing of its latest racing machine. Packing a 6.0-liter V12 with more than 600 horsepower and enough wings and ducting to make a fighter jet blush, the new Vantage GT3 has already covered a thousand kilometers of shakedown running while gearing up to take on series like the FIA GT3 championships, the Blancpain Endurance Series and the VLN Nürburgring series.

VW goes Allroad with new Passat Alltrack

I want this.

Jorian Ponomareff shows off insane motorcycle drifting skills

Jorian Ponomareff shows off insane motorcycle drifting skills

Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Package comes into focus

Lexus has turned its already fast IS F over to the go-fast guys at Toyota Racing Development. The finished product is the IS F Circuit Club Sport, and the sport sedan wears a wide range of aero and mechanical improvements. We've known this model was coming for some time thanks to a 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon concept and details spouted late this summer, but these photos provide our best look yet at this touring-car-like model.

Outside, engineers have fitted the IS F with a new front spoiler, rear diffuser and hood, all of which are fabricated from weight-saving carbon fiber. You may have also noticed the vehicle's sizable rear wing. A performance damper kit is also part of the package, offering buyers two separate settings that independently adjustable compression. The luxury bruiser also comes equipped with lightweight forged aluminum wheels, though magnesium rollers are also available.

Mechanically, the IS F Circuit Club Sport Package utilizes a TRD limited-slip differential as well as a TRD big brake kit. At this point, there's no word on how much the package will cost or when it will be available. We aren't even sure American buyers will be able to sink their teeth into the factory-bred racer, so stay tuned.
News Source: Lexus via MotorPasion

Porsche 911 GT3 RS Rally Action

Six Days

SIX | DAYS from Stephen Brooks on Vimeo.