Rumormill: Next BMW M3 to get triple-turbo six

BMW M3 CRT – Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW M3 has grown cylinders over the years like a pubescent pre-teen grows in height. What started out with an inline-four then grew into a straight-six for two generations before packing a V8 into the current model. The next one is expected to set to drop a couple of combustion chambers and go back to a single bank, but don't think for one minute that'll mean a drop in performance.

According to the rumormongers at AutoExpress, the next-generation M3, due sometime around 2014 after the new 3 Series comes along, will pack – wait for it – a triple-turbo straight-six. The innovative arrangement will reportedly include two conventional spools powered off exhaust gases and a third electric turbocharger. Total output could be around 450 horsepower – a bump over the current V8 model's 414 hp – with even more carbon fiber bits than the CRT edition pictured above to help keep weight down.

Not exciting enough? BMW's M division has plenty more in the cards, potentially including an oft-rumored new M1 supercar and, once the 1 Series M Coupe is done its production run, a lightweight CSL version. An M version of the Z4 is also under consideration, but of course nothing final until the cars make their debuts.

Gallery: BMW M3 CRT

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Video: Renault previews funky electric Frendzy concept

Renault Frendzy concept – Click above to watch video after the jump

French automaker Renault has just unveiled its latest zany electric concept. Called Frendzy, this electrifying vehicle is a 14-foot-long whimsical design study that showcases some of the automaker's innovative technologies.

For motivation, the Frendzy makes use of the electric gear that powers the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Renault has not revealed the Frendzy's estimated range, but does claim the battery-powered concept tops out at 80 miles per hour.

Renault pitches the Frendzy as a multi-purpose vehicle, saying that it transforms from a workaday vehicle to a family-hauling machine on weekends. Renault describes the Frendzy's transformation like this:

On weekdays, Frendzy is a vehicle that adapts to the requirements of the business user, with a large external screen that can display useful messages or information or advertising messages, either while parked or on the move. Come the weekend, the vehicle transforms itself into a family vehicle, with a comfortable passenger seat and, in the rear, a big bench seat. Depending on their mood of the moment, children can watch a film or play games on the touch-sensitive pad which slides out from the back of the driver's seat. They can even draw on a special slate integrated into the sliding door.

According to Renault, the Frendzy is a "multi-faceted friend" that automatically tackles friendly tasks, including changing the orientation of the exterior mirrors, setting the interior mood lighting and altering the vehicle's pedestrian warning system as the Frendzy transforms from "work" to "family" mode.

Given these zany features, it seems unlikely the Frendzy will enter production. However, we do know that this electric concept will make its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Hit the jump to catch some video of the electrified Frendzy. Looking for more details? Check out Renault's press release after the jump.

eBay Find of the Day: 2012 Lexus LFA says look, copper

2012 Lexus LFA for sale - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you have an issue with the fact that Lexus is going to make you lease an LFA instead of letting you outright buy the vehicle, we've got good news for you. Sort of. Herb Chambers Lexus in Sharon, MA is selling one of the carbon-fiber supercars for some very wealthy, very lucky individual to have and to hold as their own.

What's the hitch? Unsurprisingly, there are a couple of them. We spoke with the dealer, and according to them, before the title changes hands, the new owner will need to sign a first right of refusal contract with Lexus. If the buyer takes the car home and decides to sell it in the first two years, the automaker gets dibs on buying the car back. (Before you cry foul, note that Ferrari has made similar stipulations in hopes of keeping flipping and price gouging on its hot new models for some time now).

The supercar is dipped in sexy copper (Pearl Brown?) paint with a matching saddle interior, and there are a mere six miles on the clock. According to the dealer, the original orderer of the car came in to inspect it, got a walk-around with Lexus' LFA-specific expert who was on-hand to assist, briefly drove it and then decided he would let someone else purchase it.

So... how much will the sales team at Herb Chambers ask for the pleasure of ownership? How does $389,900 grab you? At that price, by our calculations, the would-be buyer is basically paying Lexus 24 months of lease payments up front, plus the balloon payment at the end to buy the car outright. Still interested? Head over to eBay Motors to have a look at the auction.

Gallery: 2012 Lexus LFA for sale

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[Source: eBay Motors via Lexus Enthusiast]

MW 1990: Nissan 300zx Mazda Rx7 Toyota MR2 TURBOs Comparison Road Test

MW 1990 Nissan 300zx Turbo Mazda Rx7 Turbo Toyota MR2 Turbo

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Mercedes students create B55 using big V8 and little B-Class

After the nuclear apocalypse wipes out all of civilization, there will still be cockroaches wedging huge engines into tiny cars. You just can't kill the oldest recipe in hot rodding history, and for good reason. As a handful of trainees at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt just found out, the big engine, small car combo is the easiest way to mint cheap speed. Plant manager Peter Wesp got the idea to squeeze a 5.5-liter 385 horsepower V8 from the likes of the big E550 into the Silver Arrow's trim B-Class. 

After finding a B200 CDI that had been sacrificed to training, Wesp and his team set about the mechanical contortions necessary to pull off the swap. Surprisingly enough, the workers were able to use the original engine mounts, and with a little parts-bin raiding, everything was sitting pretty under the hood. The team snugged in a rear axle from a W 2010 E-Class, front brakes lifted from a C32 AMG and bolted on snazzy 18-inch wheels from AMG as well. How's that for perfection? Hit the jump for the full press blast.
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Venture with US firm, India strategy show Toyota is changing

The much-vaunted systems used by Toyota Motor Corp to churn out millions of vehicles are being put to one side as the automaker tries to crack new markets in the United States and India. In the United States, speed has been at the fore in Toyota's joint development of an electric version of its RAV4 sport-utility vehicle with start-up manufacturer Tesla Motors Inc, while it has tailored a compact car for the Indian market that has been made with even barefoot drivers in mind. On May 20, Toyota and Tesla made the surprising announcement that they were forming a corporate tie-up. But that was not the only startling development. "We made the first prototype car in only three weeks," said Shigeki Terashi, president of Toyota Technical Centre USA. Despite being on the front line of the joint development, even Terashi was unable to suppress his surprise at Tesla's nimbleness and ability to get things done quickly - ANN/Yomiuri Shimbun
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