McLaren has had a prototype vehicle built in 2009, the MP4-12C – which sources say is part of the company’s plans to take the racing company into the street car business. This move is regarded to be the outcome of six years of planning.

McLaren built a name for itself in the racing world, where the company has one of the strongest reputations in the world.

Sources at the company stressed on the fact that in all of the new forays the company is making, they would continue to operate on their two key philosophies – that held true for the brand as well as the car – namely ‘substance over flash,’ and ‘lower volume, higher standards.’

The sources said that the company’s current plan is to sell 1,000 units of the MP4-12C in its first year of production – a target that seems easily attainable.

Even before the dealer network was announced weeks ago and the high-profile unveiling in front of one of the world’s wealthiest crowds at Pebble Beach took place, McLaren already had in its kitty 2,700 interested buyers.

Even if just a third of these actually bought the vehicle, it would mean that McLaren’s sales target would be met.

(Via AutoGuide)

Volvo and racing are two words that together don’t appear very familiar but soon history will be made as Volvo will enter the Belgian Touring Car Series with its all new S60. There was no details discussed about Volvo S60 before and that is because, no one knew about it. It was developed in a record time and now Volvo believes that this sports sedan will offer Volvo’s most exciting driving experience until date. Te S60 will feature a racing body kit along with a tubular frame chassis, a revised suspension and high-performance brakes. The racing scorcher will be powered by a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine capable of producing 410hp and this engine will be clubbed with a six-speed sequential transmission.

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More power is complimented with a widened track both at the front and the rear, while the suspension has been made tougher and lowered by 15mm. The design pattern is basically similar to the DS3 standard but the Racing edition does get carbon finished body panels. Other attractions include 18-inch sport wheels, chrome-finished exhaust pipe and LEDs at the front. The particular model showcased in Geneva was done in orange and gray twin-tone with the roof, brake calipers, grill and the rim all done in a carroty tinge. With only 1,000 units of the DS3 Racing to be produced, the commuter shall hit the dealer stores by Q3 2010.

The BMW M3 Coupe engine output was boosted to a whopping 646 hp through a three-part upgrade. Courtesy of the increase in power, the Manhart Racing BMW M3 E92 does the 0 to 100km/h feat in a sweltering 3.7 seconds while the engine tops it out at 350km/h. In the first stage of the upgrade Manhart added a small compressor which took the boost pressure to .35bar while in the second stage the pressure reached .50bar. The last stage saw the addition of on an ASA Compressor taking the pressure to .67bar and the overall power to 646horses.

Underground Racing have been quite busy lately, this time modifying a Lamborghini Gallardo. Ordered by a person named Jonah, the modified Gallardo can produce the impressive 1500 horsepower running on VP C16 racing fuel. It’s worth mentioning that the model loses a lot of the engine’s original power by the time it’s reached the tires – an estimated 25% for this vehicle, which means that the original produced power may go up to 1900 HP! When testing the car, Jonah took the quarter mile on the track in under 10 seconds, coming in at a little over 160 mph. Even though, from his words, it’s been a while since he’s took her to the track, he still managed to bring out the beast in this already respectable car.

The latest viper to prove its metal in the American Le Mans series next year would be the just revealed Corvette Racing C6.R GT2 which will obviously boost the confidence of the Corvette Racing team as a Single GT Class variant. The loss at this years’ Championship needs an impetus such as the Corvette Racing C6.R GT2 for the credentials are certainly heartening. Also, the non racing drivers would love to know that this car is ready to share a lot with the Street Going Variant and this includes- the aluminum frame, chassis structure, the steering system, the aerodynamic package and the body design. As far as the rest of the season for the Corvette Team is concerned, it will be a 6.0-litre V8 based on the 7.0-litre LS7.R and used in the GT1 version that will be put to use. For the coming season, the Vette Team plans a smaller 5.5-litre V8.

Multiple WRC champion, 34-year old Sebastien Loeb is considering driving a Formula 1 car starting from 2010. At the moment Citroen is pressing the winner of the last five world rally titles to compete with them again in the 2009 championship, but Leob might be interesting in an F1 testing programme for 2009, which would send him on the grid in 2010. “The team bosses think I am too old, but mentally I am not: age would not be an obstacle for me,” he said in an interview. Do you think he has the skills to compete with renowned players on Formula One tracks, because drifting with the Sport C4 is a bit different.

Opel has unveiled the new Astra OPC “Nürburgring Edition,” a unique version of the three-door Astra that emphasizes the brand’s history at the famous circuit. Opel’s production cars are extensively tested during their development stage on the ‘ring, and back in 2005 Manuel Reuter first demonstrated the performance of the Astra OPC when he set a new class record in the car on the “green Hell”.

The limited edition Astra comes with a special white paint scheme, a larger rear spoiler and checkered flag decals plus lightweight wheels and carbon looks mirrors. The interior features full leather trim marked with the outline of the famed Nordschleife on the headrests, carbon-look dash panels and a numbered plaque on the glovebox.

The 237hp (177kW) 2.0L turbo motor remains untouched, and sees the car travel to 100km/h from rest in 6.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 244km/h. The car officially goes on sale in the first quarter of next year but should make an appearance at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Follow a jump for a video of Reuter and his record setting attempt of the Nurburgring in an Astra OPC.

Friday 13 July will see the second round of the new and popular WesBank Bike Night at WesBank Raceway. The biking equivalent of WesBank Raceway’s hugely successful Illegal 2 Legal programme, WesBank Super Series Bike Nite is aimed turning the world-class A Grade drag strip into a safe biking playground for all social bikers from SuperBikes to quads from 7pm till late under floodlight. R6,000 prize money will be up for grabs between the S (below 1,000cc) SB (Superbike), the SuperMoto and Quad bike classes. Exhibitionists can do their wheelies and stunts for product prizes, while spectators will applaud safely behind concrete walls and fences.

Cars will be allowed onto the drag strip from 9pm to get their adrenaline fix, but they will not be able to dip into the bikers R6,000 prize kitty! Entertainment will include drifting as well as some hugely popular spinning displays by none other than the King of Spin – Magesh!

R50 to race as many times down the strip as time allows, plus an annual MSA club license (R110 and available on the night). Bikers must wear their crash helmet and wear long pants and protective jackets.

Admission is R40/adult or R20/child for spectators coming by foot or car, and bikers will only pay R20 per bike, with a passenger included! Gates open at 6pm, and racing starts at 7pm until 11pm.

The M breaks down! Typical!

The larger Chevy Camaro powered with a thundering V8 powerplant churning out at least 30% more horses than the Bimmer was still no match for the rookie driver’s M3. This clip provides further evidence that in the world of hot pursuit, lighter is better and handling counts more than horsepower.