Awesome Rides

It’s the ultimate test-drive: Ferrari’s FXX program has chosen only three worthy (and stinkin’ rich) drivers to try out their 860hp V12 Evoluziones. There’s one in Europe and two in Hong Kong.

COSMIC MOTORS is a fantastic, albeit fictional look at spaceships and their totally smokin’ pilots. It’s written by Daniel Simon, who in real life has worked for Bugatti and Lamborghini.

For 2009, Audi’s RS6 sports sedan gets a twin-turbo V10 with 580 HP and 479 lb-ft, launching this all-wheel drive monster from 0-100 kph in 4.5 seconds. Available in mid-October.

Like something out of Minority Report, this two-seater BMW concept by Italian design students sports suicide doors, zero emissions and a glass greenhouse. Tom Cruise not included.

Dubbed the “Baby Ferrari”, the California is a hardtop convertible with a 4.3L flat V8 that puts out 454 hp. Appropriately enough, it was recently spotted in San Francisco’s North Beach.

Goldammer specializes in custom motorcycles, but nothing beats the 960cc, liquid-cooled, supercharger and nitrous powered Goldmember built by owner Roger Goldammer.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is a rip-snorting muscle car that you can’t help but love. Not for Sunday drivers: a massive rear wing, scalding side pipes, and an 8.4 liter V10.

Above are freshly leaked photos of the 2009 Acura TL which were supposed to debut next week. We’re still having a hard time with the beak, but we dig the sculpted interior.

Above is a teaser for the Aston Martin One-77: a car so amazing they had to spell out the first number. A carbon-fiber chassis and aluminum body hide a 7.0L V12 that goes 0-60 in 3.5s.

While original Shelby Daytona Coupes are rare, Shelby is producing aluminum body replicas with an updated suspension system (the same used by the Superformance Coupe, above.)

About time: Infiniti’s 2009 G sedan is following the lead of the G37 coupe, replacing the 3.5L with a 3.7L that pumps out 328 hp. Also on the way are a convertible and AWD version of the coupe.

Above: leaked pics of the Volkswagen Golf VI, due to be officially announced Wednesday. The US won’t be getting this version until late next year; it will likely be badged as our next-gen Rabbit.

Only five exist in the world, so we’re talking serious street cred with the Pagani Zonda Cinque. There’s no official top speed on this monster, but it sports a 7.3L V12 and 100ms paddle shifting.

Honda’s OSM (Open Study Model) concept debuted at the British International Motor Show recently. It’s not only a two-seater but a low emission vehicle. Could this be the next S2000?

Holy effing mother. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is an open top with a blistering top speed of 217 mph. The 16.4 stands for 16 cylinder four-wheel drive, which means this baby can haul.

There may be sportier motorcycle helmets, but we love the classical styling of these RossoFerrari helmets; Speed Racer, anyone? They feature a wraparound visor and shock absorbent padding.

Toyota is testing personal transport robots a-la Segway at local airports and resorts. They’ll come in three versions with increasing levels of freedom, from “practical” to “hands-free sporty.”

Rallying the troops: Subaru has massively tweaked its 2.5L four banger for 2009, which now pumps out a full 41 hp and 18 lb-ft. over last year. That’s a total of 265 hp and 244 lb-ft of torque.

Porsche’s 2009 911 Targa receives a slight face lift and modest horsepower bumps over the outgoing model. Note: the “4” stands for all-wheel drive; the 4 gets a 3.6L while the 4S gets a 3.8L.

Recently rolled out in front of the world’s media, Virgin Galactic’s EVE is the mothership which will ferry SpaceShipTwo and astronaut-customers into sub-orbital space for $200k.

From status symbol to pariah, SUVs aren’t on many shopping lists lately. Bargain hunters, however, may find a deal with many used crossovers (Benz, BMW) dropping up to 30% in the last 6 months.

The possibilities are endless: a fake shark fin, beginner’s swim class at the local YMCA … all jokes aside, Sea-Doo’s Seascooters are ideal for divers with a max depth of 50m and speed of 3.3 mph.

It’s got 700 hp, goes 0-60 in 4 seconds, and still has space for luggage. The best news? This British-made sports car (available in 2010) is all electric and goes 200 miles on a 10 minute charge.