The Zenvo ST-1. Image: Gaurang Patkar

If I had to name one of the most expensive and powerful supercars you’ve probably never heard of, I’d likely choose the Zenvo ST-1. Designed to be a supercar you can still drive every day, the ST-1 boasts an 1100 horsepower V-8 and a price tag of $1.8 million. If you want one, you’d better act quickly, since only three Zenvo ST-1 50S models will be brought into the United States.

Since you’re probably tired of football by now, and about to slip into a tryptophan induced-coma from eating too much Thanksgiving turkey, enjoy the video from Jay Leno’s Garage below. It’s as close as most of us will ever come to seeing a Zenvo ST-1.

The Mosler Raptor GTR packs 838-horsepower into its 2,580 pound frame, which gives it a horsepower-to-weight ratio some 36-percent better than a Bugatti Veyron. That’s enough to launch the Raptor from 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds, and we’re guessing the car will easily break the 200 mph barrier. If that’s not fast enough for you, Mosler will also build a 1,212 horsepower Raptor GTR, but only in a special “Abby Cubey Edition.”

Just in case that’s not weird enough for you, since we have no idea what a pseudo-obscure singer-songwriter has to do with a carbon-fiber supercar, check out the video below, found on Autoblog. Trust us on this – it pegs the weird-o-meter, and Cubey’s singing resembles the velvet notes of, say, Yoko Ono. It’s bad in a floss-your-brain-out-afterward kind of way, but on the plus side, there’s lots of cleavage and carbon-fiber. Enjoy.

If you have a car with any kind of sporting intentions, it’s essential that you test it on Germany’s “Green Hell,” the Nürburgring Nordschleife, to establish its credibility. In the past few months, Lexus, Dodge and Chevrolet have all thrown down impressive lap times around the ‘Ring, which gives a manufacturer much needed bragging rights, even if the time isn’t record-setting.

Take the McLaren MP4-12C for example. No one doubts that the car is fast, but exactly how fast hasn’t been well established. Most agree it’s faster than McLaren’s legendary F1 supercar, while being a whole lot more forgiving to drive at the limit. The YouTube video below gives you pieces of McLaren’s claimed MP4-12C Nürburgring lap time, but it doesn’t show the entire lap from start to finish. Worse, the lap time shown at the end of the video, 7:28, doesn’t seem to be documented anywhere else.

We’ll give McLaren the benefit of the doubt and accept that the MP4-12C did run from bridge to gantry in 7:28. That makes the MP4-12C faster than a Porsche Carrera GT (by seven-tenths of a second), but eight seconds slower than a 2012 Corvette ZR1 on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. It’s also four seconds off the pace of a new Nissan GT-R, which explains why McLaren may not be celebrating their lap time achievement.

For the vast majority of us, the Lexus LFA is, was and always will be pure unobtanium. Love it or hate it, the $375,000 supercar is an example of what an automaker can do with a blank sheet of paper, an unlimited budget and an engineering staff that’s unwilling to compromise about any aspect of the program. Maybe because of it’s price or it’s rarity, it’s hard to get worked up about news relating to the LFA. It’s unlikely that Lexus will build a follow-up model, and most of us will never get a turn behind the wheel of one, so what’s the point?

The point, actually, is the technology that’s trickled down from the LFA program. Work on the LFA caused Lexus to rethink how they design and build cars, it’s given birth to the Lexus IS-F and the F-Sport suspension packages and it’s caused a luxury car maker to re-examine the need for performance as well as comfort. In that light, the Lexus LFA is a hit and a milestone car for Lexus, even if it never earns a profit for Toyota.

The video below, found on AutoWeek, will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Lexus LFA. Even if you’re not a fan of the car, the video gives you a good idea of what goes into designing a new Lexus model.

The Pagani Huayra. Image: Pagani Automobiles

Just in case you’re not up to speed on Italian supercars, let me sum it up like this: there’s Pagani, and then there’s everything else. Their Zonda R (which isn’t road legal) set a Nürburgring lap time of 6:47.50, besting the Ferrari 599XX in the process. Even their Zonda F Clubsport street car can lap the ‘Ring in 7:24.44, making it faster than a Ferrari Enzo. Unlike other supercars, which are mostly built by large companies owned by larger corporations, Paganis are built by hand, with a disturbing amount of time spent sweating the details.

Want an example? There are 1,200 titanium bolts on a Huaryra, and each one is stamped with the Pagani logo. The instrument faces are made by artisans who usually build the finest watches, and they cost Pagani nearly $6,000 per set. That’s ten times the cost of “standard” instrument faces, which would work just as well but not look nearly as good.

And that’s the magic that Horatio Pagani brings to the automotive world. More than any other automaker in the world, Pagani sweats the details, and there is absolutely no such thing as “good enough” in its vocabulary. Horatio Pagani’s idol is Leonardo da Vinci, and it’s impossible to watch the video below without seeing the parallels between the two mad geniuses.

This may be the only episode of Jay Leno’s Garage where Jay doesn’t get to drive the star of the video. Since the Pagani Huayra isn’t yet road-legal in the United States (thanks to a requirement for advanced airbags even in low-production, specialty vehicles) Jay gets driven around by none other than Horatio Pagani himself, and it’s impossible to watch the video without coming away awed at the car and it’s creator.

Some would say that no car can possibly be worth $1.3 million (roughly the price or a new Pagani Huayra), but I beg to differ. There isn’t much in life that approaches perfection, and the few things that do command an appropriate price.

Source: Jay Leno’s Garage

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of participating in a host of different automotive events. From cross country races and rallies, to running side by side in open wheel cars, to climbing behind the wheel of vintage muscle cars for the simple reason of showing off. Cars are my life and next to my family and friends, they probably garner the majority of my attention. One of the perks of being in this business is the exposure we get to all sorts of high-dollar iron. From exotics to classics, we get to run the gamut when it comes to cars. Recently a few of my friends and I were having a conversation about what would make up the perfect super car. We spoke about power to weight ratio, horsepower and skid pad numbers and of course, 0-60 times and top speed. We talked about Porsche’s, Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s but in the end settled on a car that takes its own road; the Audi R8.

In standard trim the base R8 comes with Audi’s mid-mounted bulletproof 4.2-liter V8. It makes 434 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque which means it’ll do 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and top out at 187 mph. This is an engine that’s been used in everything from the flagship A8 sedan, to the vicious, but now defunct, RS4.

The R8 is also equipped with all-wheel-drive, a wonderfully comfortable interior and looks that while understated, are bold and beautiful. It’s also the one super car, aside from say, the Porsche 911 Turbo, that you can drive on a daily basis and feel confident in the fact that the car will always get you where you need to go.

We went around in circles comparing everyone’s final choices and favorite picks, but in the end, the R8 equipped specifically with the V8 kept coming out on top. Oh, it also comes with a four-year or 50,000 mile warranty… and that’s on a super car! Now I know that there are those out there who will disagree with me about this choice and make decisions based solely on HP, TQ and top speed numbers. Before you make a decision though, I’d ask you to look a little deeper than sheer numbers and look at the big picture.

*Photo Credit: Autoblog.com

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

Lancia Scorpion

Matte black Volvo V70R

Opel GT and Opel Kadett Coupe

Volvo P1800S

Saab 9-3 Viggens

Ferrari 360 Modena and 328GTS

Citroën 2CV and Smart Roadster Coupe

Gorgeous Audi Quattro

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Twin-charged Audi A1

Volvo S60Rs

Saab 99 Turbo

Badass Volvos: PV544 and 142

DKW Junior de Luxe - DKW/Dampf-Kraft-Wagen became one of the four companies that comprised the "Audi NSU Auto Union AG" (now known as Audi AG).

Triumph TR8 and TR6s

Saab 96 V4 convertible - must have been a custom job.

Bimmer Beauties

Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition

Citroën H Van and DS

Audi A7

Honda Z600 / 600 Coupe

Saab Sonetts

Datsun SPL311 Roadster

Opel GT

The McLaren MP4-12C. Image: McLaren Automotive

As the saying goes, it ain’t a party until something gets broken, and Mc Laren just kicked off the festivities. During a durability test run on Germany’s Nürburgring circuit, an MP4-12C prototype lost control and impacted a roadside barrier. According to reports, the car was damaged but repairable, and the unnamed test driver walked away without injury. It isn’t know if the crash was caused by track conditions, driver error or mechanical failure.

According to Pistonheads, McLaren denies that the run was an attempt to set a lap record on the Nürburgring. The current lap record stands at 6:48.00, set by a Radical SR8LM. The Radical is essentially a hand-built, quasi-road-legal race car; if you look at production cars, the fastest title goes to a Gumpert Apollo Speed (7:11.57), a Donkervoort D8 RS (7:14.89) or a Porsche 997 GT2 RS (7:18.00). Will McLaren launch an attempt at the record to promote the MP4-12C? The answer is most likely yes, but not until they’re confident of beating the competition.

Source: Autoblog

The Gumball 3000 is fast approaching and this years rally is going to be nothing short of epic. Starting in London with stops in Paris, Barcelona, Monaco, Venice, Belgrade, Sofia, and with the final stop in Istanbul, participants can expect full VIP treatment, a seat at the Monaco Grand Prix and the adventure of a lifetime. I had one of the most memorable experiences in 2009 when I joined the rally while it was taking place here in the United States from Santa Monica, CA to Miami, FL. This eight day, eight country, 3000 mile adventure is a mixture of pure adrenaline and one hundred percent exhaustion. It’s also something I would recommend to any car enthusiast to add to their bucket list.

The opportunity to go to the Monaco Grand Prix is an experience in itself, but pulling up in style with 120 wrapped exotic cars is nothing short of spectacular. This year the Gumballer’s not only get to spend the weekend taking part in the Grand Prix, but they’ll also have the greatest view point from the famous hairpin bend!

The entry fee is a steep 25,000 Euro which amounts to a little under $35,000 U.S. dollars. That includes two people, all parties, food, hotels, events and what ever you can get your hands on at the gift suite. Just the swag alone is worth a few grand. Sponsors include Betsafe, Nixon, Top Trumps and Incipio, with collaborations from the past and present including: Puma, Rogue Status, Alpine Stars, Adidas, Playboy, Technomarine, Flip skateboards, DC, Birdhouse and Armani. Drivers can always expect a new pair of limited edition Puma driving shoes, a Nixon watch, as well as tons of Gumball gear.

*Photo Courtesy of: Supercars.net

Celebrity attendance is always in abundance. Stars that have made the 3000 mile journey include rock stars, to pro-athletes and reality TV celebrities. Tony Hawk, Ryan Dunn, Eve, Dennis Rodman, Buttsy Butler and Xzibit are all regulars at this point. Cypress Hill, Bucky Lasek, Carey Hart, Snoop Dogg, David Hasselhoff, Caprice, Bam Margera, Travis Barker, Adrien Brody and Big Black have all received at least one Gumball medal of honor as well.

In rallies like the Gumball 3000, the real stars are the cars. Past cars have included everything from a Bugatti Veyron and Pagani Zonda, to a rare 1993 Jaguar XJ220S and Charles Morgan in his Morgan 3 wheeler. Of course there are also Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, Aston Martin’s and Porsche’s, which, let’s face it, look like common cars when surrounded by the cream of the crop. Tony Hawk brought his modified Jeep the year I attended and Dennis Rodman showed up in a semi truck. It’s more about style and personality than anything else. Muscle cars, one-offs, vintage, exotics, and even regular automobiles all find their place on the Gumball 3000. A tip to those of you who expect to drive 3000 miles in such a short period of time: bring a comfortable car or you’ll be sorry.

As of yet there’s no word on who is attending the rally and or what cars to expect at this years starting line. My advice is to check out any stops that the Gumballer’s will be at if you can – you won’t be disappointed! The eight day adventure starts May 26-June 1.

Stunning car, unpronounceable name. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get the name of Pagani’s latest supercar out of my mouth. Is it pronounced “Hoo-A-rah”, or is it more along the lines of “Hoy-ra”? I’m not even going to venture a guess, but I’ll say this: toss me the key and let me spend a day driving it, and I don’t care what you want me to call it. Pagani seems to understand that supercars should be designed and built with passion, and that sometimes subtle technology is better than in-your-face technology. From what I’ve seen, the Huayra’s interior is a work of art, befitting a car that costs as much as six McLaren MP4-12Cs. Enjoy videos of the car in action, and in the studio, below.

Aside from the name, I also don’t get the spindly mirrors. Surely the designers could have done a better job, since the leaf-shaped mirrors detract from the cars otherwise clean lines. I suppose they’re required to meet safety standards, but I seriously doubt they contribute much in the way of rear visibility. Besides, you’re driving a Pagani, so what’s in your side view mirrors is largely irrelevant anyway.