Godzilla gets more horsepower and a version for the trackNissan GT-R fans can rejoice as the Japanese car maker has announced what’s new with their flagship performance monster. If you want to learn how to work on cars like these, look into online universities for automotive technology classes.
The 2012 GT-R gets a bump in horsepower to 550 ponies, up 20 from last year’s model. And with the obligatory tip of the hat to environmentalists, Nissan also said the new GT-R gets .5 MPG better than its predecessor. I’d say that’s impressive, but …

Wicked new concept will debut in the 2012 DTM seasonSporting a flat black finish and black wheels, BMW unveiled the M3 DTM Concept Friday night at the Welt, BMW’s exhibition facility in Munich. Guide to Online Schools is a resource with info on auto tech classes.
The paint job is clearly not important…cars will, of course, sport a sponsor package once the green flag drops.
What is important is the 4-liter, 480 bhp V8 under the wicked black body work. It powers the M3 DTM to 100 km/h in about 3 seconds, finally topping out …

Volkswagen believes the Beetle drives brand recognition
Halo Effect: The halo effect is a term used in marketing to explain the bias shown by customers towards certain products because of a favorable experience with other products made by the same manufacturer or maker. Basically, the halo effect is driven by brand equity.
The opposite of the halo effect is cannibalization.
- as defined by INVESTOPEDIA.
Advertising Age has an interesting article titled, “Little Beetle ‘Goes Big’ With Event-Marketing Strategy.”
Typically, a manufacturer’s halo car is regarded as something exotic or unique, a departure from their regular line-up.
You can argue …

Lambo’s new halo car is introduced in GenevaLamborghini revealed the 2012 Aventador LP700 to the exotic car faithful today. And they didn’t disappoint. Some people who love cars like this check out Online Colleges if they are
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Even though prerelease images of the Aventador have been available for several days, nothing compares to the actual reveal. Probably because not only do you see the car in production trim but its technical specs are made public. And that’s where all the good stuff can be found.
First off, the Aventador …

A hybrid beast for the trackOn the opening day of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Porsche introduced the 918 RSR, a hybrid race car that could easily appear on any Le Mans-style starting grid.
Utilizing the same drive train as the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, the 918 RSR packs 563HP 6.2L V8 which will bump the rev limiter at an unsightly 10,000RPM. In addition to the V8, the 918 RSR has two 75 kilowatt electric motors, one positioned at each of the front wheels. Combined, this gasoline/hybrid power …

Demand outstrips supply
As consumer demand for premium car models rebounds, MINI has announced their all-new Countryman is sold out until February.
MINI is in a somewhat unique position with the Countryman. First of all, this is MINI’s first 4-door, with room for five. Second, you have the option of ordering it with all-wheel drive. Even though these are new features in a car from MINI, the Countryman’s uniqueness sets it apart from other brands.
In this case, it’s a premium brand offering features urban dwellers find attractive. It’s sourced from one of …

I place this in the auto makers “who get it” column.
For 2012, Ford Mustang Boss 302 owners will have the option to enhance their newly purchased pony car with a performance enhancing TracKey. What’s a TracKey you ask? Quite simply, it’s performance enhancement for your new Mustang.
Let’s say your in the market for a new 2012 Ford Mustang. You really like the idea of them bringing back the legendary Boss 302. You jump and opt for the TracKey.
What the friendly dealer man hands you are actually two keys to your new …

This is very cool but does a nice job of demonstrating the ‘greenness’ of Toyota’s Auris Hybrid.

Interestingly enough, CBS’ 60 Minutes featured the BBC’s Top Gear for a segment in their Sunday night program. Who knows for what reason. Did they need to fill a spot and they had this in the can, ready to go? You and I know what Top Gear is, but a vast majority of Americans don’t. Can anyone tell me if CBS owns the History channel?

Arguably one of the best looking cars that Audi rolls out of their Ingolstadt factory, Audi confirmed on Friday that it intends to sell the Audi RS5 in the United States starting in 2012.
The common theme among Audi’s higher performing models is the high-revving 4.2-liter V8 engine that generates 450 horsepower and their quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
Details on equipment levels, pricing and fuel economy standards will be released at a later date.