The Volkswagen Golf and its GTI hot-hatch twin might only be six generations old, but the hatchback meant to replace the Beetle is more than 35 years old. That makes it one of the dwindling members of the old-growth forest of car models, standing in the shade of holdouts like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Ford Mustang.

To celebrate its 35th year in the UK, the limey VW reps put all six generations together and ran them around a track. Fair warning, it’s short and they didn’t wring them out so don’t expect the sound and the fury, but if nothing else perhaps a glimpse of that Mk II will inspire stories that begin with “So this one time at band camp…” Follow the jump for the action.

Continue reading Volkswagen brings six generations of GTIs to the track

Volkswagen brings six generations of GTIs to the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re still a couple weeks away from the Detroit Auto Show, but the Lexus LF-Lc concept has leaked thanks to the crew at Road & Track and their YouTube account.

We still don’t know much about Lexus’ Detroit-bound concept, but the swoopy coupe combines some of the more emotive elements of the LFA, along with the grille of the LF-Gh concept that eventually formed the basis of the Lexus GS. The massively elongated hood terminates with headlamps that plummet deep into the air intakes and a more extreme grille than that found on the Predator-esque fascia of the Gh.

With an “Lc” designation, this could signal Lexus’ intention of building an LS-based coupe to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL, but until the official curtains are pulled in Detroit, we’ll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, check out the video after the jump for the unintentional early reveal. As long as it stays on YouTube…

Continue reading Road & Track leaks Lexus LF-Lc concept

Road & Track leaks Lexus LF-Lc concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche has a longer history of racing – and winning – at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca than perhaps any other car company. At the legendary track’s very first race in October of 1957, a Porsche 550 RS Spyder took the overall win of the SCCA National Laguna Seca Championship. Since then, dozens of Porsches have competed in and won races at the track, piloted by some of the most famous drivers in the world.

Porsche’s racing history at Laguna Seca is perhaps why the fourth edition of the Rennsport Reunion is the best yet. The five historic racing classes are packed with legendary race cars and drivers. Watching a trio of 935s spiral through the corkscrew makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time to the 1970s, or watching a 962 blast down the front straight transports you directly to the 1980s.

There were plenty of examples of Porsche’s modern race car on track at Rennsport, as well. Dozens of cars competed in the Cayman Interseries, 911 Invitational, 911 Cup and PCA races, and Porsche’s recently retired racing prototype, the RS Spyder, was also on track. The RS Spyder has a history at Laguna Seca as well, winning the LMP2 class in its debut at the track in 2005.

Whether it’s the vintage racers of the 1950s or ’60s, the flamboyant 935s and prototypes of the 1970s and ’80s, or the modern race cars, there was something for every Porsche fan at Rennsport IV. Click through our gallery above to see a sample of what was on track at Laguna Seca this past weekend.

Rennsport Reunion IV: 350 Porsches take to the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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