If the fans are a little excited, that’s nothing compared to the roller coaster of joy, pain, agony and exhaustion the manufacturers are going through.

Toyota Nurburgring 24

Take Toyota for example, they just announced the kind of plans they are fielding for the special event and nothing about it seems easy.

The Japanese care maker will be present with an impressive field of racing models. They’ll have a full Toyota GT86 assault with four cars running and a Lexus LFA will be joining them.

Prepping four cars, even if they’re the same model, isn’t easy at all, but getting a fifth one ready in time which is of a totally different breed.

Toyota Nurburgring 24

No wonder Toyota called upon the factory tuner, Gazoo Racing, to pick up some of the slack of such an intense workload.

Despite that, word has it the manufacturer has a bit of involvement with another two Toyota GT86s which are going to be run by the Toyota Swiss Racing Team.

The V3 class is addressed for production models there and it’ll be covered by the two Swiss racers and two of the factory ones.

Toyota Nurburgring 24

Moving up into a considerably modified SP3 class situation, we find the remaining two Toyota GT86 racers. Even further up the scale into the SP8 class is where we find the Lexus LFA.

The top speed of the model is rated at 195 km/h with fuel consumption figures of 5,5 liters/100km and CO2 emissions of 129 g/km.

2013 BMW M135i

On the other hand, the more potent BMW M135i comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine able to deliver 315 horsepower at 5,800rpm and 450Nm of torque from 1,300rpm.

2013 BMW M135i

“Harmoniously matching, exclusive design and equipment features as an alternative to the basic variant; BMW M135i with model-specific exterior and interior design directly attuned to the technical requirements,” says BMW.

2013 BMW M135i

The German company offers the sporty M135i with a six-speed manual transmission offering a 0-100 km/h sprint in 5,1 seconds while the eight-speed automatic gearbox is faster at 4,9 seconds.

2013 BMW M135i

The automatic transmission also returns a fuel economy of 7,5 liters/100km while the six-speed manual comes with consumption figures of 8 liters/100km. Expect these two models to reach the European dealerships later this year.

They’ve just announced that the 2013 Chevrolet Trax will be one of their stars at the French event.

2013 Chevrolet Trax

If this seems a little out of the blue to you, it’s because it is. The Chevrolet Trax hasn’t really been heard of outside some patent filings.

The new Chevy is a crossover that’s not really as new as it seems. Essentially, what we’re dealing with is a re-skinned Buick Encore or Opel Mokka, depending which continent you reside on.

That striking relation means that the totally surprising 2013 Chevrolet Trax actually has no surprises up its sleeves. There’s a decent chance Chevrolet will provide a few “stand out” toys or gimmicks but it’s a familiar model altogether.

Opel Mokka

Take the engine options for example. These are expected to be identical to the ones found in the Mokka, except of course, a few market specific exceptions.

Otherwise, there’s a 1.6 liter naturally aspirated four pot with 115 horsepower entry level option and everything else is turbocharged.

You can have a 1.4 liter turbo four cylinder with 140 horsepower or a 1.7 liter diesel with 130 horsepower which is from the CDTI family.

Buick Encore

Hey, at least it looks different so who knows, maybe the mostly French audience will appreciate the new styling the Chevrolet will use to set itself apart.

The Chevrolet Trax is planned to be a global car with over 140 countries being targeted for sale. Among those, interestingly, you won’t find the USA.

A recent accident involving one such car in the US had very unpleasant end for the driver. He wasn’t killed or seriously injured but there was a problem that could lead to both.

2011 Hyundai Elantra

The incident saw all the airbags deploy properly and do their job. All but one of the side airbags which did more than that.

When it deployed, the side airbag took with it a strap of metal which ended up severing part of the man’s ear off. Naturally, this is a horrifying prospect.

The NHTSA quickly reacted to the situation and decided to start an investigation on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra. There’s 120.000 units of it out there so it’s pretty important.

2011 Hyundai Elantra

According to Hyundai they have no other incidents like this one and nobody has ever reported such a problem. They insist that this is most likely a freak accident.

We must all remember that no matter how safe they make the cars nowadays, there are certain risky conditions that just can’t be foreseen.

Hyundai’s story seems to stick since even though the NHTSA is seriously involved into looking up the 2012 Elantra there has been no talk of a recall.

2011 Hyundai Elantra

There’s still an open case for such a situation but it’s not really likely to happen as there have been more than a few tests and crashes of the car where no such thing happened.

The authority investigation may end up determining that nothing can be blamed on the Korean car maker but at the end of the day it won’t look good.

It took an addition of a small tube- the sound symposer. It amplifies throaty frequencies that most enthusiasts crave in sports cars. Engineers amplified the lower range frequencies of the engine. These frequencies that lie between 200 Hz and 450 Hz are loved by auto enthusiasts.

This sound tube concept was used in the past on Mustang. But the sound symposer is a unique tool because it has an electronic valve that opens/closes according to gear selection, accelerator pedal position, and engine speed. The valve gets more aggressive in lower gears and quieter in higher gears. This effect was impossible to achieve with traditional sound tubes.

Ford has many reasons to make these changes, and one reason was that the symposer is directly attached to intake manifold for the first time. Focus ST drivers did not just want a car that was fast, but they also desired a car that made a deep and pleasing sound- something that makes the car sound fast. The secret behind the success of sound symposer is the perfect paddle that amplifies the engine sounds. There were many tests with several different paddles and ultimately the best sound was achieved with the paddle that had the right stiffness.

Sound symposer allows Ford Focus ST to have a dual personality. For everyday driving, it is a calm and composed car. But bring it under full throttle and you will experience the sonic hounds being unleashed. It is certainly a combination of beauty and beast.

For more information about Ford parts and products, visit DearbornClassics.com.

The thing is, they’ve recently introduced a twin-turbo V8 powered version of the grand tourer and the British were quite proud of the 40% increase in fuel economy they achieved.

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

As it turns out, it wasn’t all hot air. Though it’s still one of the big gas guzzlers that frighten eco minded people to death, the V8 does well.

The original forecast saw them manage an “astonishing” 24 mpg on the highway, even in conditions where you’re not exactly slow.

Thankfully, the Americans have an authority which specializes in the sort of mileage new cars get and they’ve just tested the Bentley Continental GT, with the V8 engine.

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

Officially, the car is rated at 15 city/24 highway so it seems like Bentley have managed their marker. Sure, it still eats as much fuel as some semi-trucks but at least there’s some honesty to consider.

The W12 twin turbo is still on offer and it still offers quite a few extra ponies but it’s starting to look bad.

It costs a chunk more, it eats a whole lot more gas than the V8 and it feels only slightly faster. Even when you have the cash to get one of these cars it’s tricky to justify it.

2013 Bentley Continental GT V8

At least it is so until you consider the image and exclusivity. The Bentley Continental GT W12 is a rare car, comes with a bespoke engine and is simply the top of the line.

Source

The model’s range starts with the BMW 328i fitted with a 2.0-liter developing 241 horses followed by two diesels.

2013 BMW 3 Series Touring

The first one is the 320d which benefits from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel producing 181hp and a more powerful 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 255 horsepower, a power train which propels the BMW 330d.

2013 BMW 3 Series Touring

All the units are fitted with a six-speed manual transmission except the range-topping 330d which gets an eight-speed automatic as standard. However, you can opt for the latter at extra cost even if you choose the entry-level models.

2013 BMW 3 Series Touring

“The new edition of the BMW 3 Series Touring makes its mark in the premium sports estate segment with its hallmark BMW dynamic prowess, enhanced practicality and versatility, and a range of standard equipment features assembled to meet the challenges of everyday life,” adds BMW.

2013 BMW 3 Series Touring

Pricing and more availability details will be released soon. Oh, and there are some good news for the U.S. buyers as the new 3 Series Touring will arrive in the States next year.

2013 BMW 3 Series Touring

The Munich-based car maker decided to make the two models even more attractive offering the M Performance Edition which brings few styling upgrades but no performance tweaks.

BMW M3 & M5 M Performance

First up is the BMW M3 which receives a set of three different frozen exterior finishes including red, white and blue paint.

The Germans offer a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission also known as M-DCT but also larger 19-inch M alloy wheels, M Performance logos and piano black trim at the interior.

BMW M3 & M5 M Performance

The BMW M3 M Performance Edition is priced from £74,080 in the United Kingdom. The BMW M5 M Performance gets new matt black 20-inch alloy wheels, same exterior finishes as the M3, a new audio system at the interior along with M Sport seats.

BMW M3 & M5 M Performance

As expected, the M5 is slightly more expensive as it comes with a starting price of £95,140 in the UK.

BMW M3 & M5 M Performance

They’re creating a new top of the line option, it’s no longer the JCW but this Mini John Cooper Works GP. The GP part is where things really begin to happen.

Mini John Cooper Works GP

Not only is that a reference to Grand Prix racing, it’s quite the special enthusiastic model to those who have a feeling for track day action.

The Mini John Cooper Works GP is a hot version of the hot mini that was turned up a notch on just about every detail that is relevant to making it go fast.

The 1.6 liter twin-scroll turbocharged 4 cylinder engine is tweaked to deliver some 230 horsepower, 20 more than the most powerful version to ever come before it.

Mini John Cooper Works GP

Otherwise there’s an adjustable sports suspension to consider, lightened alloy wheels, racing brakes and considerably sportier tires.

A complete new aerodynamic makeover is also part of the Mini John Cooper Works GP package and there’s been a lot of changes everywhere.

New front and rear aprons are fitted, bespoke side skirts and a roof spoiler, a specially developed rear diffuser are the final tweaks to be considered.

Mini John Cooper Works GP

Finally, the rear seats are removed in an effort to lose some of the weight that’s such a killer when it comes to cornering.

All of these changes add up to making the Mini John Cooper Works GP the fastest version of the car to ever go round the Nurburgring-Nordschleife at just 8 minutes and 23 seconds.

The new Urban White edition features a special pearlescent white finish along with new 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows and gloss black side mirrors and roof rails.

Volkswagen CrossPolo Urban White

Under the hood you will find a comprehensive engine range including three diesels and four petrol units. The entry-level model is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol unit delivering 68 horsepower and coupled to a five-speed manual transmission.

The range-toping CrossPolo Urban White benefits from a more powerful engine with 103 horsepower.

Volkswagen CrossPolo Urban White

At the interior you will find silver decorative trim, revised steering wheel and gearshift lever, new black roof lining, floor mats and Alcantara upholstery for the seats.

Volkswagen CrossPolo Urban White

“Volkswagen is expanding its range for the Polo to the special model CrossPolo “Urban Black”. The attractive design model can be ordered as single CrossPolo in elegant white,” adds VW.

Volkswagen prices the special edition at €18,975 for the entry-level version.