First Official Screenshots of Gran Turismo 5 Released to Giddy Masses

AutoBlog: First official screenshots of Gran Turismo 5 released to giddy masses

Gran Turismo 5 :: Click Image to View Larger ::Psst...PlayStation fans: Bet you've been getting a little irked about all these screen shots and details about Forza 3 for the xBox 360, haven't you? Well we've got something for you: the first batch of screen shots of the new Gran Turismo 5 for PS3. So far, it's just five shots of the Japanese Super GT-spec Nismo GT-R, but it looks good.

The long awaited and highly anticipated fifth installment from the iconic racing simulator franchise packs some 1000 different vehicles to choose from – according to Sony, more than twice as many as its "closest racing competitor" (wonder who they're talking about) – brought to life in unprecedented quality with state-of-the-art damage rendering, rollover crashes and the whole nine yards. There's even a sweet little feature worked in to allow gamers to export their favorite replay footage straight to YouTube. Alright, enough hype.

Frankfurt Preview: Audi Reignites Electric Car Rumors With New Mini-Site

AutoBlog: Frankfurt Preview: Audi reignites electric car rumors with new mini-site [w/VIDEOS]

The internet's been abuzz with talk of Audi's plan to bring something electric to the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month, and the German automaker has just thrown a bucket of fuel on those flames in the form of a new micro-site called electricityuntamed.com.

Naturally, details are in short supply, but Audi has put up a countdown clock that's set to go off on September 15th. Not coincidentally, that's the first day for media previews in Frankfurt. Yes, we'll be there with digital SLRs in hand and internet connections at the ready.

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Clunkers Used in Big Display of Support for Boise State Broncos

KTVB News: Clunkers used in big display of support for Broncos

More than 100 clunker vehicles are now on display in a Nampa lot to show their support for the Boise State football team. :: Click to view Larger ::Bronco Motors rounded up over 100 of its "Cash for Clunkers" vehicles traded in by customers at the site of its future dealership next to Bronco Motors Nissan at the Idaho Center Auto Mall.

They arranged the cars and trucks into 50-yard letters spelling out "GO BSU." It took about four hours to complete the display. Grant Petersen Jr., President and CEO of Bronco Motors, and his family are long-time fans and supporters of Boise State.  Petersen says he hopes Fans flying into Boise will see the display from the air.

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Porsche to Offer Proper Paddle Shifters on All Models?

AutoBlog: Porsche to offer proper paddle shifters on all models?

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo :: Click to View Larger ::The new Porsche 911 Turbo is packed with sports car goodness, primarily with the inclusion of a new steering wheel with proper paddles for tapping your way through the gearbox. The replacement of the silly up-down switches on the spokes will be an option on the Turbo and it seems like the wiring from the wheel to the column is the same regardless of which style you choose. 

That means the new wheel can plug into the connection on any new Porsche steering column including the 911, Boxster or Cayman. So if you aren't content with Porsche's admonishment that the two-switch setup is technically superior, you will soon have another way to pay an absurd premium for an option on your Porsche. 

Heffner Performance Cranks Out The 1100-hp Twin-Turbo Lamborghini Murcielago

Um, call us crazy.. who doesn't love high performance 'bonker' style? LOL!  --Gear 6

AutoBlog: "Bonkers" is Relative: Heffner Performance cranks out the 1100-hp twin-turbo Lamborghini Murcielago

Lamborghini Murcielago :: Click to View Larger ::Sure, there are some cars on the road more bonkers than the Lamborghini Murcielago. But not many. After all, how do you best over 570 horsepower driving all four wheels? Well, how about nearly doubling the output and channeling it all through half the wheel count?

That's exactly what Heffner Performance has done with its twin-turbo upgrade for the aging raging bull. By bolting on a set of turbochargers, the Sarasota, Florida-based tuning garage has boosted the corral up to 1,100 horsepower, all driving through the rear wheels.  See Press Release & watch video after the jump..

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Autoblog Video Exclusive: Bugatti Veyron Joins Forza Motorsport 3

AutoBlog: Video Exclusive: Bugatti Veyron joins Forza Motorsport 3

Forza Motorsport 3 developer Turn 10 Studios has decided to share some exclusive video footage with Autoblog (and our sister site Joystiq) that features one of our favorite cars: the Bugatti Veyron. When the game is released, you'll be able to take the wheel of the world's most expensive 'bug' without having to drop $1.6 million large. And of course, you'll get to customize it all you like. Take that, Sang Bleu...  Video link after the jump..

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"Big Daddy" Don Garlits to Hit The Strip Again in New Dodge Challenger Drag Pak

AutoBlog: "Big Daddy" Don Garlits to hit the strip again in new Dodge Challenger Drag Pak

Don Garlits' Dodge Challenger Drag PakDon Garlits is a legend and a pioneer in the world of drag racing. Through the course of his long career, "Big Daddy" has produced a number of innovations that have since become staples of the sport. Garlits, who specialized in Top Fuel, was the first drag racer to produce such a machine with a rear-engine layout following an accident that cost him part of his foot. Later, he was among the first to be successful with a streamlined Top Fuel car.

This week, at the age of 77 – six years after his last race – Garlits will hit the track again in Indianapolis behind the wheel of a new Dodge Challenger Drag Pak. The car that Garlits is driving is the first production Challenger Drag Pak to roll off the line after the special performance model debuted last year at the Performance Racing Industry show. There's no word on whether Garlits will continue competing after this weekend's U.S. Nationals, but this will certainly make for one heck of a coming out party.  View Press Release after the jump..

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Heel & Toe: Oregon Designer Dreams Up Ferrari, Ducati Sneakers

AutoBlog: Heel & Toe: Oregon designer dreams up Ferrari, Ducati sneakers

Ferrari and Ducati concept Fila shoes by Olivier Henrichot :: Click to View Larger ::Before Ferrari's vast merchandising empire teamed up with Puma to put prancing horses on anything from baseball caps to running shoes and everything in between, they were in bed with Italian sportswear company Fila. That partnership produced some attractive products, but while Puma's line packs more merchandise, if Olivier Henrichot is behind the designs, Maranello may want to consider going back to Fila.

The Portland, Oregon-based designer worked up a whole portfolio of intriguing footwear for Ferrari and two-wheel counterpart Ducati that join what appears to be a growing closet full of concept shoes – like the Lambo Reventon kicks and Gallardo pumps – that further demonstrate how the two fields of shoes and cars are growing closer than ever.

MotorTrend: First Look: 2010 Devon GTX

MotorTrend:  First Look: 2010 Devon GTX

The Next Great American Supercar? Could Be, for the Wealthy Few...

California is fast becoming a hotbed of boutique car companies -- Fisker, Tesla, and now Devon. Devon Motorworks is the brainchild of Michigan-born entrepreneur, food-company owner, and car enthusiast Scott Devon. And the eye-catching 650-horsepower Devon GTX coupe is its first product. Scott Devon calls the coupe "The Next Great American Supercar."

That may not be hyperbole. The GTX is built around some key pieces of Dodge Viper hardware, including the basic frame and the 8.4-liter V-10 driving the rear wheels via a Tremec six speed manual transmission and limited slip differential. That is some fast DNA.

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eBay Find Of the Day: 2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa Track Machine, Chassis #3/12

AutoBlog: eBay Find Of the Day: 2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa track machine, chassis #3/12

When Ferrari unveiled the Enzo supercar in 2002, it was the fastest, most expensive roadgoing vehicle ever to roll out of the gates in Maranello. But the exotic automaker – and its sister company Maserati – soon found that its wealthiest customers were willing and eager to pay even bigger money for the chance to get behind the wheel of even more extreme versions on the race track. So to meet that demand, the Enzo gave birth to two track-bound seven-figure beasts: the Ferrari FXX and the Maserati MC12 Corsa. Only twelve of the latter were made available for the Trident marque's most loyal customers. We reported on one example – the only one that managed to get onto the street – going up for sale a little over a year ago, and now another has popped up on eBay, this time right outta Miami.

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