BMW today announced the addition to the line-up of four 'M Performance' models; the M550d xDrive Sedan, M550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d. These represent the first 'M' cars powered by a diesel engine. Needless to say this is not any diesel engine but a brand new, three litre straight-six, equipped with no fewer than three turbochargers with variable geometry. Producing 375 bhp, it has a specific output of 125 bhp/litre, which is more than remarkable for a diesel engine. Even more impressive is the torque of 740 Nm or 546 ft lbs. Also part of the 'M Performance package is a specifically tuned chassis, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive on all four models.
Following the launch of the hybrid Toyota TS030 earlier this week, we can now showcase an even greener (no pun intended) LMP racer; the GreenGT H2. Although it is not eligible to take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it is scheduled to take to the track during the official test day two weeks ahead of the race. Built around a conventional composite monocoque, the H2 features twin electric motors that are fed by a hydrogen fuel cell. While the car has not yet been completed, development is ongoing and for 2013, the small French manufacturer hopes to lower the weight and increase the radius.
Since returning to the British market under Chinese ownership, MG has struggled to sell cars. The latest attempt to grab the attention of the customers is an assault on the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with a MG 6 GT prepared by the vastly experienced Triple Eight Race Engineering Team. Among the drivers signed is the BTCC's most successful driver; Jason Plato.

Less than a week after Peugeot's dramatic announcement, a new pretender to Audi's endurance racing crown has stepped up; Toyota. Following a roll out and private test last week, the Japanese manufacturer has now officially taken the wraps off the TS030 Hybrid. Short for ToyotaSport, the TS name was used for the company's last two Le Mans racers; the TS010 and the TS020. Toyota's all new racer has the combined power of Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, Germany (chassis) and Toyota in Japan (powertrain) behind it. Meeting the latest LMP1 regulations, the TS030 uses a coupe design with a central air-intake very similar to the Audi R18's. Among the first things that capture the eye are the long wing end-plates and the massive front fenders, indicating that, like the competition, the TS030 will run rear tyres on the front as well. The car's most interesting aspect is, no doubt, the THS-R (Toyota Hybrid System - Racing) powertrain. It consists of an all-new naturally aspirated V8 engine that drives the rear wheels through a transverse six-speed gearbox and an electric motor. Depending on the findings in testing, the motor will be connected to the front or rear axle. If the former setup is used, the TS030 will effectively become a 4WD car for several seconds per lap. The energy, generated under braking, is not stored in a battery but in a capacitor.
A single TS030 is readied for a debut at the Spa 1000 km race in May and an entry for two cars is submitted for Le Mans. The vastly experienced Oreca team will assist in running the cars, while Alexander Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima will be among the drivers. The vastly experienced Oreca will assist in running the cars.
If the specs and looks don't deceive, we certainly feel the Toyota TS030 Hybrid is capable of seriously challenging Audi.

Traditionally the automobile has been the object of desire for men but we have found three spectacular exceptions to that rule. Certainly one of the most famous of these is the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Touring 'Flying Star' Spider, which was created for Italian model Josette Pozzo. A loyal Touring customer, she had just won a major concours with a coupe bodied 6C 1750 GT when she requested the Milanese company to build her a new car for the 1931 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. The result is the legendary 'Flying Star' Spider, which shares its design with a similar Fiat and Isotta Fraschini. The most recognisable features are the split fenders and the all-white finish. The spectacular machine was very well received and accordingly was awarded the coveted 'Coppa d'Oro'. Many moons later, the meticulously restored machine returned to Villa d'Este and was again awarded prices. A few years earlier, it was also shown at Pebble Beach where Alfa Romeo was the featured marque. We captured the unique 'Flying Star' at both occasions, which has resulted in this 18-shot gallery.
At last year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, two Murphy Convertible Coupes were shown that were built at around the same time and both for lady owners. The first was one of the Murphy-bodied Duesenberg later starred alongside Rogers and Fred Astaire in 'The Gay Divorcee'. In recent years the 'Duesey' has been carefully restored to its original condition.
This Rolls-Royce Phantom I Murphy Convertible Coupe was ordered as a Christmas gift by Alfred Chapin for his wife Gloria. Almost matching the cost of the complete chassis, the body was completely personalised with Gloria Chapin's initials prominently featured throughout the car and a gearshift knob that contained a picture of the couple's children. Following a complete restoration, this one-off Phantom took top honours in the Rolls-Royce class.

In a shock announcement earlier this week, Peugeot revealed the suspension of its endurance racing program with immediate effect. Among the reasons were financial difficulties and the budget required to effectively launch a whole range of production cars in the coming months. This was clearly a last minute call as many members of the team had already left for Florida where a test at Sebring was scheduled. The tent that would serve as the team's garage had already been erected in the track's paddock.
To bid farewell to Peugeot's five-season sports car program, we have today taken a closer look at the 908 that had been developed almost from scratch ahead of the 2011 season. Built to comply with the heavily revised regulations, the diesel fueled machine featured a brand new 550 bhp V8. The chassis and aero package were more of an evolution of the 908 HDi FAP raced during the previous four seasons. Peugeot fielded the 908 in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, winning five of the seven rounds as well as the championship. Unfortunately, one of the races that eluded the French team in 2011 was the all-important 24 Hours of Le Mans, which may have encouraged the board to suspend the effort.
During the 2011 season we captured the 908 at various venues and to honour the valiant effort of the Peugeot squad, we have selected the best 36 shots for our exclusive gallery.
Fortunately for sports car racing enthusiasts, Toyota has stepped up to take on the might of Audi. Testing of their hybrid racer started this week and as soon as pictures and more information will become available, we will of course let you know.

With the help of TWR, Jaguar had once again become a prominent force in international sports car racing during the second half of the 1980s. The various TWR developed 'XJR' racers added two Le Mans victories and several world championships to Jaguar's already well filled prize cabinet. To celebrate the success, Jaguar introduced the road going XJ220 super car, which incorporated some of the technology that brought so much success on the track. TWR had also been involved with the road car development and later turned the XJ220 into racer as well. For homologation purposes they also built six examples of the XJ220S. Like the competition car, it also featured a carbon fibre body and large rear wing. The reworked V6 engine produced around 670 bhp. One of these very potent machines, chassis 784 will be offered tomorrow by RM Auctions during the first of their two-day Scottsdale sale. With a pre-sale estimate of 'just' $225,000 - $300,000, it certainly looks like a very interesting proposition.
The V6 used in the XJ220 production car was derived from the XJR-11 that first hit the track halfway through the 1989 World Championship. Compared to the highly successful V12-engined cars previously used by JaguarSport, the XJR-11 was both lighter and more compact. Like its predecessors, it featured a full carbon fibre chassis with intricate ground effect aerodynamics. Unfortunately, the very quick car was often let down by poor reliability. Rule changes rendered it obsolete at the start of 1991 when it was replaced by the F1-inspired XJR-14, which may also explain why it received limited development. In recent years we have captured one of the three examples both on track and in great detail as can be seen in this 18-shot gallery.