Awesome Cars

If you’re as enamored as we are over Aston Martin’s Rapide, get ready to swoon over this avalanche of new pictures; the sexy four-door sedan gets a matching quartet of paint jobs.

It looks remarkably sexy for a mid-size sedan, but the 5 by Peugeot is a Europe-only concept for Peugeot’s next 508; in addition to gas engines, it’ll boast a 200 hp 4WD Hybrid4 setup.

Not just for looks, the 2011 Lotus Elise not only gets an Evora-esque fascia but reduces its drag coefficient by 4%; it also gets a beefier 1.8L (192 hp) and a new 1.6L (134 hp/118 lb-ft).

Matech gives the Ford GT a new lease on life and turns it into a true racecar with the 2010 Matech Ford GT1; its engine, transmission, suspension, and aerodynamics are completely new.

Beyond its reshaped headlights, grille and CF front lip, BMW’s 2011 M3 sips 8% less fuel and gets an auto start/stop function; also: Competition Package with suspension and wheel tweaks.

Porsche’s 911 GT3 R Hybrid is less about MPG than it is about MPH; 2 electric motors supply ~160 hp to its 480 hp flat-six, while a KERS-style 40k rpm flywheel adds 160 hp for 6-8 seconds.

Audi’s A1 is official and coming to Europe: the 3-door supermini car (a 5-door hatch comes later) tops out with a 1.6L TDI or 1.4L TFSI, weighs just 2303 lbs, and averages 46 mpg.

The 2011 Shelby GT500 is lighter, faster, and more fuel efficient than its predecessor; it’s thanks to an all aluminum 5.4L supercharged V8, which sheds 102 lbs yet still pushes 550 hp.

The 2011 911 Turbo S is Porsche’s first 911 S in five years; available as a coupe or cabriolet, its twin-turbo flat six gets 530 hp/516 lb-ft. of torque, good for 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds. Images via CarsandJoy.

Porsche’s not the only luxury automaker showing off in Stuttgart: Mercedes-Benz has unloaded 100 new photos of its collection of 1,500 exhibits and 160 cars, some dating back to 1886.

Sinister and starless, Vath’s V63RS is a tuned Mercedes E63 AMG with 605 hp and 509 lb-ft. of torque (0-62 in 4.1s), a starless grille, 20″ forged rims, and carbon fiber inside and out.

It’s just a rendering at present, but Carlsson’s C25 Super-GT is the real deal: it’s a tuned SL65 AMG Black Series whose twin-turbo 6.0L V12 belts out 753 hp and 848 lb-ft. of torque.

It’s not official, but the 2011 Volkswagen Golf R is more or less on its way to the US this year; it’ll pack a turbo 2.0L TSI 4-banger good for 0-62 in 5.5s (5.7s w/manual) and bi-xenons.

Official details won’t be out until Wednesday, but get a first (rather comprehensive) look at Ken Block’s Ford Fiesta; his new whip is done up for the 2010 Monster World Rally Team.

It may have a UK price now, but Audi’s R8 V10 Spyder is priceless in this smokin’ promo video; the open-top two-seater goes 0-62 in 4.1s courtesy a 5.2L V10 good for 525 hp.

Available in coupe and convertible styles, the 2011 BMW 335is is as close as it gets to an M3, with a power bump to 320 hp/332 lb-ft of torque and a temporary 370 lb-ft. overboost.

SDR Sports Cars’ WR3 V-Storm ditches its Apriia RSV1000 for a 300 hp Impreza engine, good for a 0-60 of 3s; the driver sits F1-style in the center with two passengers in the rear.

It’s purely cosmetic, but BMW’s M-Sport package for the 2011 3 Series will still turn autobahn frowns upside down with a sharper front fascia, dual pipes on the left side, and new 18″ rims.

Trexa aims to offer the first fully-electric vehicle platform; the base AWD unit includes a battery and transmission with a 0-60 of 8s, 105 mi range, 4 hour charge time, and 100 mph top speed.

Honda’s HSV-010 GT is now official: the GT500 racer will compete in the 2010 Super GT Series in May and sports a 3.4L liquid-cooled V8 good for 496 hp and 289 lb-ft. of torque.

Beyond the new headlamps, grille, and front fascia, BMW’s 2011 3 Series coupe and convertible get a revised N55 engine; the single turbo 3.0L I6 boasts a fatter torque curve.

TommyKaira’s Nissan GT-R leaves performance alone but ups the aesthetic ante; the full kit packs a wet carbon front bumper and rear diffuser, F15 wheels, and optional dry carbon components.

Subaru’s WRX STI A-Line Type S is a JDM trim package, but that won’t dissuade Impreza fans; it boasts 18″ gunmetal rims, gold Brembos, Recaro seats and a 10 speaker audio system.