New Top Gear Debuts on BBC

top gear 2016

The Top Gear reboot aired on BBC yesterday with Chris Evans, Matt LeBlanc and Sabine Schmitz with Chris Harris and Rory Reid on Extra Gear

Even though we haven’t seen it yet, but the first episode of Top Gear Series 23 aired last night and faced predictably harsh reviews on social media.  Credits should go out to Jeremy, Richard and James for setting the bar impossibly high, it will be very difficult for the new crew to match the chemistry of the original trio.

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2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO – Most Balanced GT-R Yet?

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO

More Downforce, Stiffer Chassis, Retuned Suspension and Improved Interior Highlight the Updates for the 2017 GT-R NISMO

Nissan chose to unveil the 2017 GT-R NISMO at the Nurburgring, a place where it solidified its status as a bonafide supercar beater with a 7:08.68 lap time, beating out the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Porsche 911 GT2RS and Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.

The new GT-R NISMO will feature an updated front end and reinforced hood designed for enhanced engine cooling and improved aerodynamics.  The new design is capable of generating more downforce than any other Nissan production cars ever.The 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO’s front end features a freshened face highlighted by an aggressive new fascia. To help cool the car’s high-output engine, the dark chrome “V-motion” grille has been enlarged to collect more air, without diminishing the car’s aerodynamic performance. A new significantly reinforced hood avoids deformation at extremely high speeds, allowing it to keep its aerodynamic shape. Unlike the standard model, the front bumper of the GT-R NISMO – crafted with Takumi-like precision – feature layers of carbon-fiber sheets carefully overlapped to achieve the ideal amount of stiffness.

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2017 Subaru BRZ and… BRZ STI?

Subaru BRZ Updated for 2017: Available Performance Package and New Mysterious Model Teaser

First things first: Subaru has not announced a turbo or supercharged BRZ yet!  However, the 2017 BRZ is getting some upgrades with a new optional performance package, improved performance, updated exterior and interior styling, LED headlights and taillights and a newly revised track mode.  Available in Premium and Limited trim levels, the new models will be available at dealers starting in winter of 2017.

They also released a teaser photo of a yellow BRZ with a new spoiler to be unveiled on June 12 at Wicked Big Meet.   The yellow looks very similar to the Sunrise Yellow JDM Subaru BRZ tS that features a bunch of STI goodies like suspension, bushings, chassis bracing, Brembo brakes and 18″ wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sports along with exterior and interior upgrades.  specialseriesy

The 2017 model will receive updated coil springs and dampers along with a larger rear anti-sway bar.  Strut tower braces, transmission crossmember plate and rear wheel housings were also reinforced to stiffen up the chassis.  The stability control has also been given a more aggressive tune with Track mode replacing the previous Sport mode.17BRZ-1

 

The 2.0L FA20 boxer engine has receives a slightly bump to 205hp and 156lb-ft of torque with new valves, camshaft and cylinder heads designed to reduce friction along with a new aluminum intake manifold and headers for more air flow.  The final drive ratio has been reduced from 4.1 to 4.3:1 for improved acceleration.brz-17-hero

An optional Performance Package will now be available for 2017 with the manual Limited models, including Brembo calipers and larger rotors on both front and rear brakes, SACHS performance shock absorbers and black 17×7.5in wheels.brembo-brakes

The new Limited models will have a new vehicle performance display that will indicate lateral Gs, accelerator pedal position, braking force, steering angle, oil and water temperature, battery voltage and a lap timer.  The Subaru Starlink 6.2″ multimedia system will be standard for both Premium and Limited models.brz-17-multi-function-display17BRZ-2

LED headlights and taillights will be standard for 2017.  Available fog lights will be LED as well.brz-17-headlights

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Check back on June 12 to find out what Subaru has in store for us!

Photo Credit: Subaru