Down Shift Magazine

05/26/2023

The 924 was originally a joint project of Volkswagen and Porsche created by the Vertriebsgesellschaft (VG), the joint sales and marketing company founded by Porsche and VW to market and sell sports cars (Ludvigsen: Porsche, Excellence was Expected). For Volkswagen, it was intended to be the company’s flagship coupé sports car and was dubbed “Project 425” during its development. For Porsche, it was to be its entry-level sports car replacing the 914...

Built for Volkswagen, the 924 was the first front-engine Porsche sold and was intended to replace the 914 as the brand's entry-level model.

05/25/2023

With its basic styling, engineering, and detailing the 190 SL was an attractive, more affordable alternative to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

05/24/2023

Chevy changed everything about the Corvette for 2020, and 2021 sees incremental updates on an already successful formula.

05/23/2023

Revealed by the automaker on Friday, the concept imagines what a shooting brake based on the latest Z4 convertible might be like if moved into production. The concept gives the most sophisticated look to a modern Z4 coupe ever seen; it replaces the hatchback with a sloping liftback design that gives the concept the most sophisticated overall design. The look evokes the BMW M Coupe of 1997-2002, affectionately called the “clown shoe” by enthusiasts.

BMW unveiled a new concept for a shooting brake design...and there is a possibility that it might actually become a reality

05/11/2023

The electric concept uses a two-motor hybrid setup powered by hydrogen and electricity, and its neo-wedge design left enthusiasts wagging their tongues when it was revealed last July. It would cut through the clutter of today’s busy styling and bring something legitimately distinctive to the sports-car space. It is also possible for Hyundai to make the N Vision 74 a vehicle that is both higher-performing and lower-volume.

Hyundai's popular N Vision 74 concept, based on the Pony Coupe prototype from 1974 has been rumored to have been green-lit for production.

05/09/2023

This 1970 Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF is one of approximately 1,250 “Fanalone” Series 1 examples produced between 1969 and 1970. Originally imported to the US in the 1970s, it was refurbished in the 2000s

The new Z replaces Nissan's GT-R supercar in the Japanese Super GT series and marks the Z's first return to the GT500 class since 2007.

08/23/2022

This 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo is finished in silver over black leather upholstery and is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four paired with a five-speed manual transaxle. Equipment includes pop-up headlights, integrated fog lamps, removable glass roof panels, a rear spoiler, air conditioning, cruise control, and a factory CD/cassette stereo. Modifications consist of 17″ Sport-Max Racing wheels, an aftermarket exhaust system, adjustable coilovers, and an upgraded intercooler.

This MR2 comes equipped with silver mist paint, a timeless black leather interior and a low mileage tastefully modified 3SGTE turbo engine.

08/20/2022

The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R is here and it's not surprisingly more powerful and track-competent than ever, a well-executed chess move of fortuitous timing, given that GT3 cars are about to take over from GTE at Le Mans. This is Porsche's purpose-built GT3-class race car that will be eligible for sports car series all around the globe.

The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R is here and not surprisingly it is even more competent than ever and priced to compete at just $567k.

08/19/2022

Forbes recently reported that Toyota, it's subsidiary Daihatsu, and manufacturing ally Suzuki are teaming up to build a new mid-engined sports car. It will reportedly be based on Toyota's GA-B platform (used in the GR Yaris) and powered by a 998-cc turbo three-cylinder engine supplied by Suzuki...

Toyota is reportedly developing a small, affordable mid-engine sports car that will be cheaper than the 2nd generation Toyota GR86.

08/18/2022

Will Power is clinging to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points lead with three races remaining, and Scott Dixon is charging toward a record-tying seventh series championship. Josef Newgarden remains a threat to score his third season title, and Alex Palou hasn’t wavered in his bid to repeat as the series champion. Mix in three drivers chasing their first claim to the Astor Challenge Cup in the form of...

The 2022 IndyCar Racing Series enters the home stretch with a highly competitive title chase that is guaranteed tp entertain race fans.

08/18/2022

The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is clear in its intentions, it is uncompromisingly designed for maximum performance. The 518 hp road-legal high-performance sports car takes full advantage of technology and concepts from motorsport. Even beyond the high-revving naturally aspirated engine with racing DNA and intelligent lightweight construction, it is, above all, the cooling and aerodynamic systems of the 911 GT3 RS that connect it most directly with its motorsport brother, the 911 GT3 R.

Producing 515 horsepower and bolstered by cutting-edge active aerodynamics, the 2023 GT3 RS is a track monster barely tamed for the street.

08/17/2022

Nissan based the vehicle on the seventh-generation Z road car, however, the GT500 class is a silhouette class, where the actual chassis of the racecar is a tube frame, carbon fiber monocoque mashup, and the body is styled after a production car's shell. The engine isn't even similar to 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 found under the hood of the latest 7th generation Z...

The new Z replaces Nissan's GT-R supercar in the Japanese Super GT series and marks the Z's first return to the GT500 class since 2007.

08/17/2022

Polestar may have only been established as a standalone brand for electric vehicles in 2017 (it was previously Volvo's performance brand), but it is not keen on taking the slow road to success. To that point, today they announced plans for their sixth vehicle, a high-performance electric roadster targeted for a 2026 launch date.

Revealed to the world in March 2022 as the Polestar O₂, the production 2026 Polestar 6 will be an 884-hp performance electric roadster.

08/16/2022

The 924 was originally a joint project of Volkswagen and Porsche created by the Vertriebsgesellschaft (VG), the joint sales and marketing company founded by Porsche and VW to market and sell sports cars (Ludvigsen: Porsche, Excellence was Expected). For Volkswagen, it was intended to be the company's flagship coupé sports car and was dubbed "Project 425"...

Built for Volkswagen, the 924 was the first front-engine Porsche sold and was intended to replace the 914 as the brand's entry-level model.

08/16/2022

Today, you can order more than 30 different BMW models with an M badge on them. Back in 1998, it was a completely different story...

In the late 1990's BMW's M Roadster spawned an iconic and beloved coupe counterpart that is often described lovingly as "the shoe."

08/15/2022

This 2011 Cadillac CTS-V coupe is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential and was special-ordered new by the seller from Cadillac of Novi, Michigan. Modifications are said to include Kooks long-tube headers and intermediate pipes with catalytic converters in addition to a Comp Cams camshaft, an Innovators West 9.55″ lower pulley and hub, ID 850 injectors, a Weapon-X heat exchanger, a Lingenfelter air intake, and Z06 fifth- and sixth-gear transmission ratios...

Tastefully modified and powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter LSA V8 with just 20k miles on the odometer this 6MT CTS-V Coupe impresses.

08/12/2022

How do you define a sports car? In purely technical terms it might be defined as a car designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and racing capability. Without any specific minimum requirements; both a Triumph Spitfire and Ferrari 488 Pista could both be considered sports cars, despite vastly different levels of performance...

In simplest terms, the vehicle must be more exhilarating to drive than an "ordinary" vehicle and purposely designed to be exciting to drive.

08/12/2022

Last Sunday's IndyCar Music City Grand Prix was a race full of wrecks, yellow flags, heated exchanges, and a final lap shootout between two Kiwis.

Sunday's IndyCar Music City Grand Prix was a race full of wrecks, yellow flags, heated exchanges, and a final lap shootout between two Kiwis.

08/07/2022

Week #31-2022 - News and articles you might have missed from week #31.

A comprehensive look back at all of the articles, posts, news and media shared by Down Shift Magazine over the course of the past week.

08/04/2022

There are still a few months to go in the current GT3 racing season, but Ferrari’s already getting ready for next year and Ferrari has officially taken the wraps off its new-for-2023 contender...and it is stunning. The mid-engine successor to the 488 GT3 Evo, this new 296 GT3 features an impressive 3.0-liter V6 turbo that can produce 600+ horsepower.

The mid-engine successor to the 488 GT3 Evo, this new 296 GT3 features an impressive 3.0-liter V6 turbo that can produce 600+ horsepower.

08/02/2022

This 2006 Lotus Exige is finished in yellow over black leather and is powered by a Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter 2ZZ inline-four paired with a six-speed manual transaxle. Notable modifications consist of a MonkeyWrench Racing cylinder head, ARP head studs, an aluminum radiator, a TRD intake, a BWR Silent Touch exhaust system, aftermarket gauges, and Schroth racing harnesses with a Sector 111 harness bar.

This 2006 Lotus Exige is finished in yellow over black leather and is powered by a Toyota-sourced 1.8-liter 2ZZ inline-four cylinder engine.

08/01/2022

In the late 1970s, Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini entered into an agreement with BMW to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for homologation, but conflicts arose that prompted BMW to produce the car themselves...

The BMW M1 was designed for a life on the race track, a fact made self evident in every design choice from top to bottom.

07/31/2022

Week #30-2022 - News and articles you might have missed from week #30.

A comprehensive look back at all of the articles, posts, news and media shared by Down Shift Magazine over the course of the past week.

07/30/2022

Initially, Lexus said it has no plans for a new generation LFA, but after that, it reversed its initial statement and said that there "might" be a new supercar after all. It was even rumored that the new LFA could be developed in cooperation with BMW... We now believe we are less than a month from the debut of a pre-production version of Lexus' coming supercar, which could take place at next month's Monterey Car Week.

The all-new Lexus LFA II looks to build on the Sport Concept EV but instead be powered by the TTV8 from the LC500 endurance racer.

07/29/2022

“The new 911 GT3 RS is even more optimized for track use than its predecessors. The spontaneously responsive, high-revving four-liter, six-cylinder boxer engine with approximately 500 PS has proven ideal for use at track days and club sport events,” Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line at Porsche

We get a clear look at that glorious rear wing, and an understanding that this latest GT3 is track dominant out of the box.

07/28/2022

It is no secret that a 90's nostalgia-fueled wave of collector optimism, fueled by the Xenial coming of middle age has created a lucrative new niche for serious car collectors, but this 1994 Nissan 300ZX's auction end was nothing short of mind-boggling.

Bring a trailer...and a pile of cash, because this nostalgic 90's Nissan performance and style icon has come of age, selling for $135k at auction.

07/27/2022

Have you ever wondered what the most popular car colors in the United States are? How about your state? Your city? We've got those answers for you and more.

Have you ever wondered what are the most popular car colors in America? We take a deep dive look at the most popular car colors nationally, by state, and by metro area.

07/26/2022

t was way back in 2012 when the Toyota 86 (Scion FR-S) and Subaru BRZ first came on the import scene, and now some ten years later the two Japanese performance marques are celebrating their iconic collaboration with a 10th Anniversary Limited edition.

In its second generation, Toyota and Subaru celebrate their successful BRZ and 86 sports coupes with limited ten year anniversary editions.

07/25/2022

This 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is #99 of 200 track-only Clubsport models built for the model year and was purchased new by the current owner in October 2019. The lightweight body panels are finished in white with red accents over a factory-stripped interior with an integrated safety cage, and power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.8L flat-six paired with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transaxle and a limited-slip differential.

Using the same recipe as the 911 GT3 Cup, the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport is purpose-built for boost with 553 lb-ft of torque and 700 horsepower.

07/25/2022

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