Race track

Mercedes-Benz has taken the SLS AMG to the famed Nurburgring for a bit of a blast -- and for our video pleasure. With a trio of cameras catching the action and the data, you get a good sense of just how well this devil of a car can tackle the circuit known as the Green Hell.It doesn't turn in a Ring record, but still posts a respectable 7 minutes 25.67 seconds lap. And as well as giving you three angles on action, you get the sound of the V8 engine on the job. And as our reviews of the SLS Black have reported, that's glorious music -- albeit an expensive symphony at $640,000 for the entry price.The 6.2-litre V8 snarls its way up to the 8000rpm redline, delivering 464kW of power and a whopping 635Nm of torque along the way via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the lightweight 1550kg screaming to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds.That weightsaving comes from the use of liberal amounts of carbon-fibre, a lighter lithium-ion battery and even the use of titanium for the exhaust system. 

The Need for Speed film won't be released until March next year, but Ford is putting the movie's Mustang to work as a Nascar pace car. It will debut in the track role this weekend with Need for Speed actor Ramon Rodriguez at the helm.The custom pony car was created especially for the film -- but also gets a part in the latest Need for Speed Rivals video game -- and is fitted out with a wide-body kit, enlarged intakes and 22-inch alloy wheels. Under the bonnet is a supercharged V8 engine and while Ford hasn't revealed the outputs, they've said it's able to handle up to 670kW of power.Aerodynamics have been tweaked with low-profile mirrors and extended rocker panels, the redesigned splitter  improves high-speed handling, and the rear spoiler and diffuser cut drag and boost traction for sharp acceleration.With the next Mustang headed for Australia as a hero car for Ford after the Falcon exits -- officially in 2016 -- we could see something similar to this on the V8 Supercars circuit, but don't get your hopes up for this kit to hit the showroom floor any time soon.

Lamborghini unveiled the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse at Frankfurt as the second special racing edition spawned by its Super Trofeo series. So of course we want to see it on the track, and the Italian brand has complied with a video giving our first look at it in track action.Almost a clone of the Super Trofeo racer, the street-legal Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse borrows technology and weight-reduction strategies from the track version, including high-downforce aerodynamics, considerable use of carbon fibre and aluminium -- and a quick-release engine bay cover.Under that cover is the same V10 engine used in the Super Trofeo mated to a robotised e-gear six-speed transmission operated by steering wheel paddles, punting the all-wheel drive Squadra Corse to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and on to 200km/h in 10.4 seconds with a top speed of 320km/h.Watch video of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse here.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Porsche's new 918 Spyder hybrid supercar has set a new production car record at the infamous Nordschleife circuit, with a lap time of 6 minutes and 57 seconds. 

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Formula One ace Mark Webber has virtually given away the identity of his replacement at Red Bull Racing next year, suggesting during a post qualifying interview at this past weekend’s 2013 Belgian Grand Prix that fellow Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will get the seat.Asked who he would like to see race with Red Bull Racing alongside current world champion Sebastian Vettel from the 2014 season onward, Webber told Channel 10: "The decision's made. We all know who it is. I'm happy with that decision. It's good for him and good for Australia."Ricciardo currently drives for Red Bull Racing feeder team Scuderia Toro Rosso and has already been confirmed as one of the top contenders for the seat, along with fellow Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne and Lotus’ Kimi Räikkönen. Jean-Eric Vergne is French while Räikkönen is Finnish, so the placement of either would not be good for Australia, as Webber hinted.Ricciardo has since responded to Webber’s comments, saying that to his knowledge nothing has been confirmed yet. Webber, as previously reported, is quitting F1 at the end of this season to join Porsche next year in its LMP1 campaign in the World Endurance Champion, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans.A formal announcement on his replacement may be made as early as the 2013 Italian Grand Prix in two weeks. Stay tuned for an update.www.motorauthority.com 

Toyota is on its way to answering the cries for more performance from fans of its hugely successful 86 sports coupe, with the unveiling of a prototype of the model’s first factory performance upgrade this week.Simply comprised of larger 18 inch wheels with stickier tyres and uprated dampers on all corners -- and with no name or brand yet assigned to the package -- it truly is a toe in the water tuning effort with no benefit to power or acceleration.  But the kit promises improved grip and cornering stability, and the sharpened proportions of larger diameter wheels within the 86’s wheelarches. VALUEThe upgrade kit is yet to get the official green light for sale, and may still arrive as part of a more comprehensive enhancement package with interior and exterior upgrades across several international markets.However, 86 chief engineer Tetsuya Tada confirms that the wheel/tyre/damper combo has at least passed Toyota’s internal quality evaluation process, with availability now in the hands of the marketing department.Toyota are not prepared to discuss pricing as yet, but Tada-san confirmed plans for the kit to be available to both new and used 86 owners, suggesting it would be fitted at dealer level.We’d expect the wheel/tyre/damper package to be priced on the lighter side of the $7995 Subaru asks for the more aesthetically-focused S pack introduced for the (86 twin) BRZ recently, which counts lowered coil springs, a suspension tower bar and a manual shift-kit as its only mechanical upgrades. Even if the 86 package matched the BRZ S pack’s price, a so-optioned $29,990 86 GT manual would sneak within $40,000, which could make for a bargain-priced track warrior with a full manufacturer’s warranty.DESIGNThe prototype enhancement package specifically includes a set of enlarged 18 by 7.5 inch (up from the GT model’s 16x6.5 and GTS’s 17x7 standard specs) BBS forged alloy wheels with staggered width 215mm front and 225mm rear '86' branded Dunlop Direzza R-spec tyres (up from GT’s 205mm and GTS’ 215mm spec) , plus specifically tuned non-adjustable Sachs dampers on all corners. The 86’s standard  springs, swaybars, and suspension bushes are unchanged, but the new  wheels, tyres, and dampers have all been developed by Tada-san’s team to work in harmony with the existing hardware. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONThe enhanced 86’s 2.0 litre boxer petrol four is also unchanged from the existing production model, so produces the same 147kW at 7000rpm, and 205Nm between 6400-6600rpm, with a combination of direct and port injection.The characteristic boxer throb also remains, with a meaty intake and exhaust growl through the much of the rev-range before a 7400rpm redline. The prototype 86 was equipped with the six-speed manual gearbox option, but the chassis upgrades would be equally suited to automatic variants, which make up nearly half of all Australian 86 sales.SAFETYThe existing 86’s five-star ANCAP rating would be unaffected by these enhancements, with the current model’s list of safety features including dual front and side airbags, full length curtain airbags, drivers knee bag, plus anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction and five-mode stability control.DRIVINGDriven back-to back with a standard manual 86 GTS, Tada-san’s subtle chassis enhancements have reigned in a significant degree of the 86’s playful character, with the expected higher grip threshold and the wider rear tyres reducing the 86’s tendency to oversteer.Tail movement is still there if you want, but requires more encouragement to induce, and is far more difficult to maintain throughout the corner. In other words, the grip levels now clearly exceed the driveline’s outputs, unlike the now-renowned balance of the standard car. Despite using standard swaybars front and rear, the Sachs dampers make a noticeable difference to bodyroll, particularly during rapid direction changes, and are well matched to the tyres’ extra grip.Our brief drive was over a closed circuit designed to replicate a number of challenging real-world road conditions and surface irregularities, so there were plenty of chances to highlight any weaknesses in the new setup.Nonetheless, the enhanced 86 impressed at speeds well beyond what you’d legally experience on public roads of similar quality, and there’s no doubt it would knock seconds off a standard car’s lap times if you were counting.  There’s no mistaking the enhanced 86 with a standard model when you’re into the swing of it, but the ride – while sharper than standard – is still nicely compliant over rural road bumps when cruising. This is no bone rattling track special like the original Honda Integra Type R, for example. VERDICTAs a first taste of what Toyota is cooking up to keep buyers keen on the 86 throughout its model life, this prototype tuning package should instil confidence that Toyota will eventually satisfy those who prefer outright performance over playful chuckability.While this setup adds nothing to the 86’s straight-line surge, it would make a demonstrable difference to its performance around a circuit, motorkhana, or tarmac rally. And during the week, it would remain a usable everyday car with the assurance of a full manufacturer’s warranty.

The veteran Formula 1 driver, who is retiring from the sport at the end of the season, was almost one second quicker than Vettel, but just shy of Lewis Hamilton's best time in the cult BBC programme.Webber and Vettel have shared a fractious relationship during their five-year partnership at Red Bull, culminating earlier this year at the Malaysian Grand Prix when the German ignored a blatant team order to deny Webber victory.Asked by Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson whether he would miss Vettel, who he trails by 67 points in this year's championship, after he retires, Webber replied: "Probably not a huge amount, no."I think in a competitive environment there is always a bit of needle and there is a lot of history between us." When pushed on whether he'd ever considered hitting his Red Bull team-mate and the leader of this year's world championship, Webber joked: "My dad always says you shouldn't hit boys, mate."  

Late last month Mark Webber announced his intention to retire from Formula One at the end of the current season and enter the 2014 World Endurance Championship together with Porsche.This came as no major surprise given Webber’s relationship of late with his current employer Red Bull Racing, but the question on everybody’s lips is who will replace him.Red Bull Racing has now given the biggest indication yet as to who may end up being Sebastian Vettel’s team-mate next season. Vettel has already signed a contract for two more years with the Milton Keynes-based squad.  The team has posted a poll on its Facebook page listing three potential drivers: Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo from Red Bull’s feeder team Scuderia Torro Rosso, as well as Kimi Räikkönen of Lotus.While Räikkönen is by far the favorite judging by the poll’s results, the final decision will likely come down to who most strategically fits with the team. As World Car Fans points out, Vettel has revealed to media that he will also have a say on who is ultimately picked. Stay tuned for an update.www.motorauthority.com