CARSCOOP

From 0 to Crash in 18 Seconds: Subaru Impreza STI Track Racer Bummer
Rumors: VW's 2.5L Inline-Five to be Replaced with New 1.8-liter Turbo in the U.S.
Video: First Lexus LFA Available to the Public hits the Road Atlanta Track
Formula 1: McLaren’s Boss Says Team “Must Win Races from the Start” in 2012

From 0 to Crash in 18 Seconds: Subaru Impreza STI Track Racer Bummer

Posted: 20 Nov 2011 09:34 AM PST

Imagine this: you're all suited up, complete with racing helmet, gloves and shoes, bolted in the racing bucket seat of a Subaru Impreza WRX STI with your buddy by your side to experience the thrill of a life time on the race track.

But alas; as soon as the flag goes down your STI stalls and the engine shuts off. Your friend chuckles but no worries, just turn the key and fire up the turbocharged flat four and let's take it from the start.

Okay, we're ready now and yes, 18 seconds later you've reached the final cone and you can unleash the awesome power of Subaru's boxer engine only to…crash into a wall! On the bright side, you may have just set a new track record for the fastest crash ever…

Rumors: VW's 2.5L Inline-Five to be Replaced with New 1.8-liter Turbo in the U.S.

Posted: 20 Nov 2011 09:17 AM PST

With such a large arsenal of turbocharged gasoline engines in all sorts of sizes and states of tune, one could only wonder why Volkswagen is still holding on to the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-five in the States – especially since even GM and Ford have gone ahead and introduced smaller displacement force-fed fours.

It appears that VW also believes it's time to replace the old-school five-pot with a more modern turbocharged four. Citing two sources from within the German company, Car&Driver reports that the 2.5L unit will soon be dropped from Volkswagen's U.S. range with a new 1.8-liter TSI four-cylinder engine taking its place.

Video: First Lexus LFA Available to the Public hits the Road Atlanta Track

Posted: 20 Nov 2011 07:36 AM PST

The Lexus LFA has caused quite a stir among supercar aficionados. Despite its lack of pedigree that rivals sports cars from Ferrari and Lamborghini can lay claim to, it's an incredible machine.

Then again, with a carbon fiber chassis, exotic looks and a high-revving V10 that produces 552HP with all the right sounds, that's to be expected.

Formula 1: McLaren’s Boss Says Team “Must Win Races from the Start” in 2012

Posted: 20 Nov 2011 07:11 AM PST

McLaren is second only to Ferrari in Formula 1 World Championships, having won 12 constructors' titles, three less than the Scuderia. Yet the 2011 season has not lived up to the team's expectations despite winning six races, because the combination of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull was clearly superior.

Speaking at the opening of McLaren's new Production Center, the F1 team's principal, Martin Whitmarsh, admitted that they underperformed this year.