Auto For Speed

It’s only been eight months in the market but Scion has already announced a 2012 model year version of its latest tC sports coupe. Leaving aside the equipment upgrades for the basic model, the most important news for the 2012MY is the launch of the first release series for the second-generation tC sports coupe.

The new 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 or RS 7.0 for short, is available exclusively in a “High Voltage” yellow exterior finish with contrasting black side view mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. A sports package from TRD that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts plus a honeycomb lower front grille is also standard.

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We only got to see a little bit of what the 2012 BMW M5 can do on a track, so the fact that the German carmaker recently released a second video of the performance saloon doesn’t bother us in the slightest.

Given what the previous model did for BMW’s image, we expect many great things to come from the new model. For this latest video feature, the company has chosen a more GT-like attitude. The M5 hits the motorway in style, drives up to a personal jet (why would you do something as boring as flying when you have an M?) and arrives in fashionable manner at a party.

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America’s second favorite muscle car after the Camaro (in terms of 2011 sales as Chevy’s model has outsold Ford’s pony car by around 33 percent through May, according to the latest data), is being offered in Japan in a limited edition version called the “Mustang V6 Sport Appearance”.

More often than not, the words “Mustang” and “Special” usually point to a different paint job and added extras, and sure enough, that’s the case with the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) version of Ford’s Mustang V6 Sport Appearance.

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The Porsche Panamera has been targeted by the Ohio-based tuners from Switzer Performance, who are know for delivering insane levels of power from stock engines. As you’re about to find ours, the Stutgart four-door is no exception, as it now comes with the claim of supercar TAIE hypercar speeds.

Switzer’s P680 Panamera has received new software, larger turbochargers featuring custom-billet compressor wheels along with a new intercooler which makes sure everything doesn’t overheat. Can you guess how much power the Panamera makes – 550, 570, 600? No, the V8 engine under the bonnet has been boosted to a massive 680 horsepower. In addition, the torque output has been raised to 716 lb-ft (970 Nm). Compare this to the stock 4.8-liter V8’s output of 490 hp, and you begin to realize this is no-longer a car, it’s a twin-turbo rocket.

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It’s only three years old, but it’s apparently time for the Renault Koleos compact SUV to receive its first facelift. The changes include an exterior makeover and new interior trim, plus noticeable CO2 and fuel consumption savings in the case of the crossover model’s range of diesel powerplants.

The first thing you’ll notice on the updated model is the brand new fascia, evidently inspired by the newly launched Latitude sedan, which like the Koleos, is the product of Renault Samsung Motors in Busan, South Korea.

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