This sounds like a pretty unbeatable combination: The great Walter Rohrl, the beautiful Ascari race track, and the not-so-beautiful but pretty amazing Porsche Panamera GTS.

Walter Rohrl, for those of you who might not know, is a driving God. The man’s a legend. To realize what he can do just go to youtube and watch his old rally clips, then you get the picture. These days he is Porsche ace test driver and helps developing the most high performance models. It’s a privilege watching him taking the GTS round the Ascari rack.

Porsche Panamera GTS is the sportiest of all Panamera models, featuring a modified 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, delivering 430 hp (316 kW) at 6,700 rpm, trumping the engine in its Panamera S/4S sister models by 30 hp (22 kW). The maximum torque also increased by comparison, from 500 Nm to 520 Nm. The way in which at the push of a button the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmits the engine output to the all-wheel drive (PTM) -thanks to the Sport Chrono package featured as standard without interruption to the power flow -is especially dynamic.

It also has slightly different looks, sportier interior, uprated suspension and brakes.

Volvo takes the teaser business to a whole new level with this ‘Birds on a wire’ clip made for the new V40 hatchback.

It might not have anything to with the car, but it’s full of sense. It’s about being unique, one of a kind, groundbreaking, stuff like that. It tells you not to follow what everybody else is doing and be yourself, even if it means being stupid!

As for the Volvo V40, the car will be revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, as a rival for the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3. Here’s a proper teaser image for you, showing the car’s hatchback silhouette. It seems nice.

Here’s the first promo video of the new 2013 BMW M6 featuring both the coupe and the convertible.

As good as the new M6 looks in the pictures, it’s even better in motion. The video also hints at the car’s driving dynamics by showing it hanging its tail out in the corners, further proof that it’s not just a heavy grand tourer, but a proper sports car that dishes out lumps of fun if you play with it.

It’s no wonder why the car is so good to drive. After all, it’s got a weapons-grade 4.4 liter V8 biturbo developing 560hp, and it’s made by the M division. These guys are like the SAS of BMW engineers, the most highly skilled bunch with special abilities. And they’ve worked their magic with the new chassis. That active trick M differential is an example of their excellence.

Motortrend’s Ignition show goes intercontinental in its new episode, driving the new Bentley Continental GTC from America to… Croatia!

The new GTC is such a perfect car for such journey though. No matter where you go in the Bentley, you always feel at home. That’s probably because the car is as big as a house, only it’s more luxurious, and comfortable, and nice.

Engine-wise, the GTC is powered by the 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbo petrol engine, uprated in output from 560PS in the previous generation model to 575PS (567bhp/423kW). Torque is up 50Nm to 700Nm (516lb ft). The W12 is the most compact and technologically advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world. Four camshafts and 48 valves allow the engine to breathe effortlessly and help generate the distinctive Bentley wave of torque.

The Zonda is without the doubt one of the sounding cars ever in the whole of human history. but how does it compare to the new boy, the Huayra?

You might be able to find the answer by watching this six-minute long video, filmed by Marchettino, of both Zonda and Huayra clearing their respective throats. And if you didn’t come across an answer, you wouldn’t care because the excellence of the noise has melted your soul and you just want to hear more. They both sound like dream!

It’s been a while since we last heard of Pagani Huayra though, so as a quick recap, the new central monocoque on the Pagani Huayra is an entirely new design made from carbontitanium. However, with the gull wing doors cutting deep into the roof, much research was focused on achieving the highest levels of rigidity through the application of new advanced composite materials and technologies first tested on the Zonda R. It also gets a tweaked version of the bespoke AMG V12, with the following specs:

• Engine: Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-Turbo
• Displacement: 5980 cc
• Power: >700 CV
• Torque: >1.000 Nm
• Gearbox: transverse sequential seven speed gearbox; AMT robotyzed system with driving programs
• Dimensions
  • Length: 4605mm
  • Height: 1169mm
  • Body width: 2036mm
  • Body width (with mirrors): 2356mm
• Dry weight: 1.350 kg
• Weight distribution
  • Front: 44%
  • Rear: 56%

This new Audi A1 commercial is, as far as we can work out, designed to make owners of old cars feel bad about themselves.

It boasts the A1 Sportback’s Connect and traffic information system, and how it helps you get to work sooner than your colleagues, which is great. But that smug look on the A1 owner’s face at the end of the ad makes us hate all Audi drivers!

Anyway, if the ad has affected you, and you decided you want an A1, here’s what you need to know: The base engine, the 1.2 TFSI, produces 63 kW (86 hp). Particularly effective thermal management contributes to its low fuel consumption of 5.1 liters per 100 km (46.12 US mpg). The two 1.4-liter TFSI engines produce 90 kW (122 hp) and 136 kW (185 hp). The top-of-the-line gasoline engine is supercharged and turbocharged, resulting in 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft) of torque, a zero-to-100 km/h (62.14 mph) time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 227 km/h (141.05 mph).

Three TDI units round out the lineup. The 1.6-liter engine is available in two different versions, with 66 kW (90 hp) and 77 kW (105 hp). When paired with a manual transmission, both versions consume just 3.8 liters of fuel per 100 km (61.90 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to only 99 grams of CO2/km (159.33 g/mile). The 105 kW (143 hp) 2.0 TDI to follow later accelerates the Audi A1 Sportback to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.5 seconds, yet its average fuel consumption is just 4.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (57.37 US mpg).

The new episode of Mercedes AMG series chronicling the production of Mercedes SLS GT3 race car takes us inside the car, literally, and show us the process of fitting the seat to the driver’s specifications.

That might sound like a mundane thing to you, but it is one of the most crucial parts of developing a good race car. The driving position is hugely important, but more than that they have to make sure the driver can get in and out of the car easily and quickly, what with that thick roll bar in the way.

That makes the difference between winning and losing in an endurance race.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. The racing version of the SLS AMG has been conceived as a customer sport vehicle for participation in race series based on FIA GT3 regulations. Meticulous lightweight construction and optimized chassis, brakes and aerodynamics deliver uncompromising dynamics. It is a very well engineered car, which is why it cost roughly 400,000 Euro.

As defined in the FIA GT3 regulations, the AMG 6.3 liter V8 engine is virtually identical to that of the series production vehicle. Thanks to its low weight, the acceleration figures for the GT3 – 3.7 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 60 mph – are considerably below the already excellent figures for the series production vehicle. Depending on gear ratio, the top speed is more than 186 mph.

To launch the new Continental GT V8 in Germany, Bentley came up with an unnecessarily showy but undeniably impressive plan.

They took the car high up in the skies with a chopper an put it on a sky lounge on top of a skyscraper. 300 VIP guests then emerged to celebrate the car’s flying debut in Munich. This elaborate plan is sure put the new Bentley in the headlines, attract more attention to it.

The new Bentley Continental GT V8 is powered by a 4.0 liter engine developing maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS/373 kW) at 6000 rpm and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft).  Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a sub-5 second acceleration time for the 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint and a top speed of over 180 mph (290 km/h). At the same time, the new V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel.

It’s the turn of Autocar‘s Steve Sutcliffe’s to get behind the wheel of the new Porsche 991 and give us his verdict of the latest arse-engined German sports car. He takes the car to his favorite driving road in Beachy Head and put it through its paces to see how the widened front track, revised aerodynamic and upgraded engine have affected the feel of the car.

As the best off road cars there is, Land Rovers and Range Rovers are the obvious choice if you want need to drive on snow and ice. Even so, you can’t just go out and hit the snow like you would on normal roads under normal conditions. Winter driving needs preparation. In this video Land Rover tries to give you some useful tips to make your winter driving safer and more enjoyable.

This winter Land Rover has also been actively helping the British Red Cross and emergency services.

As well as loaning vehicles, Land Rover has provided specialist winter driving training to volunteers from the Red Cross and London Ambulance Service who have been using Land Rover vehicles to respond to emergencies that would otherwise be difficult to access. The same course is now available to members of the public through Land Rover Experience centres nationwide.

Land Rover Experience is also launching a special winter driving course at its 10 centres across the UK, including Solihull in the West Midlands, Halewood on Merseyside and Gaydon in Warwickshire. The half-day course is delivered by trained instructors to prepare drivers for severe weather, advising on the best techniques to negotiate icy, snowy and wet conditions safely and effectively. There is also some timely advice on how to tackle deep water for when the thaw comes.

Topics covered include choosing the correct tyres, vehicle preparation, essential kit to carry and how to use the vehicle’s controls and make the most of Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response™ system in slippery conditions. Hands-on experience comes in one of the Experience Centre’s vehicles on suitable terrain.

They don’t call this car a legend for nothing. Mercedes SL has been around for sixty years now, and each of those years has been glorious. Over time, of course, it has turned from a sports car into a luxury roadster. With the new 2013 version, however, Mercedes says the sportiness is back through lightness. They just released this video featuring all the previous generations of the car. Good for reminiscing purposes.

In their latest track battle feature guys from evo magazine put two German sports car up against each other. It’s the Audi R8 Spyder versus the Porsche Boxster Spyder. The Porsche is considerably less powerful than the luxurious R8, but then R8 is considerably heavier than the raw and amazing Boxster. So, this should be close. Watch the battle after the jump.

The first proper video review of the Toyota 86 (FT 86, GT 86 FR-S, whatever you like to call it) is probably the best one we’re gonna get. It’s Chris Harris given a 20-minute drive in the new Japanese sportscar in Madrid. Chris is the man find out if this car is any good. He’s going to judge that by going sideways in it, a lot. Oh, and in the picture above he’s not air-fondling the air hostess in the Airbus, he’s practicing oversteer on the way to Spain.

MotorTrend has many new YouTube shows. One of them is called ‘Head2Head‘ and as the name suggests, it’s all bout challenges and comparison tests. They start on a high note on the premiere episode, by putting the new Porsche 991 against the latest Corvette Z06 Grand Sport. Europe’s finest sports car versus America’s idea of a fine sports car.

Buckle up, it’s a good one.

EVO’s boss Harry Metcalfe has been down to Finland recently, to attend Jaguar XKR-S Convertible snow drifting event. While being there Harry had an idea: Can you drift a 2.8 ton Range Rover on this surface. That’s the mind of an incisive motoring journalist there! Turns out yes, you can drift a Range Rover on snow, but it’s not easy. Check it out after the jump.

These days first thing you do when you are shopping for a new car is hit the web and search for long term reviews. They reveal the inside scope on the car’s real pros and cons, high and lows, strengths and weaknesses, or in short, what it’s like to live with them. Now, car makers usually only lend their hatchbacks and family saloons to car magazines as long-termers, but Autocar was lucky enough to spend five month with a Mercedes SLS. Granted, people who spend £180K on a car don’t really care about the service cost or fuel consumption, but still, this video will give you an idea of what it’s like owning a car like the SLS. In brief, it’s bloody awesome!

The second episode of MotorTrend‘s special web show Ignition takes a deep look at the Camaro ZL1. They took the car to the Inde Motorsports Ranch in Willcox, Arizona, which is kinda the ideal place to test a 580hp muscle car. Miles of empty track and a race driver at hand to help put the ZL1 through its paces, that’s how you test a performance machine such as the ZL1. We can’t wait for a head to head battle between this and the new Shelby GT500.

Demonstrating the balance and poise of the Toyota 86 Sports Coupe’s chassis, a pair of highly skilled drifters have come up with this amazing stunt. The duo perform a perfect drift dance together. It’s a real treat to watch, and is sure to appeal to the slightly yobbish petrolheads who make the the 86′s main customer base. If you are more sophisticated, Subaru has made a brilliant ad for the BRZ that will do the same for you.

Muscle cars, as you know, are built predominantly for straight line performance. That’s why they fall to pieces when you show them some corners. In this new episode of TUNED, Matt Farah sees if he can get round this problem and put that might power of muscle cars into good use on the race track. He takes a couple of suspension-tuned muscle cars to the Willow Springs circuit for the test. They do work, sort of, but muscle cars just don’t seem happy in the corners!

Sometimes the simplest idea is the best. Take this new BMW 1M Coupe commercial. BMW could have gone to enormous length explaining the car’s perfect weight distribution, which results in great balance, by showing insane tricks or boring technical presentations. Instead they came up with this neat idea. Check it out after the jump. Much props!