Awesome Cars

The 2013 Esprit looks like a worthy rival to the Sesto Elemento. It has a 611hp V8 engine, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and weighs about 4,000lb. 0-60mph is done in 3.4s, and top speed of 205mph.

It has 780bhp under the hood. It goes from 0-62mph in 3.4s, with a top speed of 200mph. It’s an electric car, albeit driven by a gas-turbine. Most of all, as Clarkson would say, it’s a Jaaaag.

Fiberglass Freaks is licensed by DC Comics to make replicas of the 60s era Batmobile. They pay attention to all the details, from the dashboard door and knobs to the flamethrower exhaust.

The current gen Viper is officially obsolete, but it’s still a sight to behold, even when it’s just revving up and burning rubber. Add operatic music and run it in slow motion and you’ve got a winner.

Volvo demos its latest tech, a pedestrian-avoidance system which is supposed to detect people in the direct path of the oncoming car. Looks like they need to stamp this one “Beta.”

Subaru is back with the latest update of their sporty STI, with improved suspension and handling, while still cranking out 305 hp from its 16-valve turbo-4. (Thanks, Colin!)

Lamborghini worked with Swiss watchmakers Blancpain to make the Gallardo LP 570-4. Its 5.2L V10 engine outs 570hp, propelling its 2954lb body from 0 to 60mph in 3.4s. Top speed is 199mph.

Ron Patrick converted a 1350hp T58-8F helicopter engine and installed it on his Beetle. His car has appeared on TV and is a hit at hot rod shows. He also installed jet engines on his wife’s scooter.

We test drove the new Nissan Juke recently, and the sport cross proved to be a tight little ride; waist up, sports car with a 1.6L 188 hp engine; waist down, SUV with 17″ wheels. Coming October 2010.

N is for Nurburgring: Aston Martin’s 2011 Vantage N420 Roadster has a 420 hp 4.7-liter V-8, top speed of 180 mph, custom side strakes and 19″ diamond turned alloy wheels, all for a mere $145K.

Maserati’s GranTurismo MC Stradale combines the best elements of the GranTurismo S with the race-spec GT4: a near-competition tuned chassis, 450 hp engine and optimized aerodynamics.

We first saw the One-77 almost two years ago in concept form. Now, Aston Martin is showing off an actual car, to go into production in 2011, with an incredible 750-hp 7.3-liter V12 engine.

The Focus ST has a turbocharged 247hp 2.0L engine, but people have focused more on its looks. The dominating front grill and ‘Tangerine Scream’ color has been divisive, to say the least.

Scheduled for the 2010 Paris Auto Show and 2014 availability for USD $180K, the sleek Lotus Elite will offer a 5.0L V-8 with a front engine-rear drive platform boasting 612 hp and 530 lb/ft of torque.

Is there an age limit for playing with toys? Nope – that’s why we like these cool hot wheels remote control cars (video above), with rc control right on the case, which fits in a pocket. (Thanks Peter!)

One of only two drivable prototypes of the XP-833 Banshee concept car. The XP-833 was designed by John DeLorean in 1964 for then employer Pontiac as a competitor to the Mustang. More info on eBay.

The 2010 Audi TT RS is officially coming to the US. The TT RS has a 2.5L 5-cylinder engine that generates 360hp and 332lb-ft of torque, allowing it to go from 0 to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds.

Forget about part one. This is Gymkhana 3 – nothing but a jaw dropping, adrenaline-pumping and tire-punishing run through l’Autodrome de Linas by the one and only Ken Block.

Pagani created the Tricolore in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Frecce Tricolori, Italy’s aerobatic team. The Tricolore’s paint scheme matches that of the Tricolori’s planes. More pics here.

Perry Watkins likes to make strange cars. He recently set a record for the world’s fastest dining table. His 19-inch tall Flatmobile holds the record for the world’s lowest street-legal car.

TopCar’s Kevlar and carbon fiber body package for BMW’s 5-Series F10 includes front bumper with LED side markers, rear bumper with diffuser, fitted quad exhaust system and R19 Lumma wheels.

It does look a lot like the real Ghostbusters mobile, but that’s to be expected, considering it cost the owner about $100,000 to convert a beat up 1959 Cadillac S&S Ambulance into an Ecto-1.

These “children’s cars” by the Harrington Group are functional half-scale replicas of classic cars, like the Mercedez Benz 300SL or the Jaguar E-Type. The cars are customizable and upgradeable.