Scoop: Is Lexus Preparing One Final Special Edition Version of its LFA? [w/Video]

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A teal colored Lexus LFA prototype with some interesting details captured the attention of our spy photographers at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

For starters, this particular LFA model is equipped with the Nürburgring Edition package that includes a front spoiler made from CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic), a fixed rear-wing, fin-type side spoilers, a canard fin plus exclusive mesh-type wheels.

If you look a little bit closer, however, you will notice several differences such as the carbon fiber dressed hood with the additional air-vents and roof, the larger and more rounded rear wing and the black stripes with the "AD-A" nameplate just above the side sills.

At the rear end of the car, Lexus has removed the three central exhaust pipes and replaced them with twin pipes on either side just under the tail lamps, while there's also a new rear diffuser.

Some of the changes seen on this model suggest that Lexus may have tweaked the V10 engine as well, which is rated at 552hp for the regular model and at 562hp for the Nürburgring Edition.

Our first thought goes to a final edition of the LFA to commemorate the end of production and which could be revealed later this year, possibly at the Tokyo Motor Show in November.

Scroll down to check the spy photos and a video of the special LFA testing on the 'Ring before you head over to the comments to tell us what you think.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoop

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VIDEO

Brave Soundtrack Now Available

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Well folks, the agonizing wait until Brave still isn't over (only three days left now though), but to ease the pain, the soundtrack for the film just arrived yesterday!
Along with Patrick Doyle's breathtaking score for the film, there are two original songs by Julie Fowlis, along with one by Birdy and the British folk rock band Mumford & Sons. These three songs are:

• "Into the Open Air" (performed by Julie Fowlis, music and lyrics by Alex Mandel)
• "Touch the Sky" (performed by Julie Fowlis, music and lyrics by Alex Mandel and Mark Andrews)
• "Learn Me Right" (performed by Birdy and Mumford & Sons, music and lyrics by Mumford & Sons)

King Fergus also sings a song about his legendary battle with the demon bear Mor'du, and there is also a beautiful song sung by Elinor and Young Merida, making this the first Pixar film in which any of the characters actually sing. The film, however, is not a musical.
You can purchase the soundtrack on iTunes.
Also, be sure to listen to previews of every song and track from the Brave soundtrack on iTunes and on the YouTube video below.
I can honestly, sincerely tell you that the music from Brave is some of the most beautiful music I've heard in a long time. I'd say the soundtrack for this film is worth a listen.


Brave is out this Friday, so get ready!

Monsters University Teaser, Images, & Concept Art!

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At long last, our first look in a long time at everyone's favorite monsters has arrived. We go back to the day before Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan were scarers at Monsters, Inc. Because after all, they had to go to college first, right?
Yes folks, the teaser trailer for Monsters University has indeed finally arrived, along with a couple of other surprises.
The teaser is awesome, and, as I said the other day, it's great to see these characters again after such a long time. Not only that, but Mike and Sulley both look amazing, as the technology has quite improved since 2001. Also, expect to crack up once or twice when you watch this teaser. The characters are as funny as ever.
What's cool is that Pixar has released four different versions of the teaser, each on a seperate site. The only difference there is among the four versions, though, is Mike's sleep-talking line. However, each different quote is hilarious.
Watch the four different versions on Yahoo! Movies, iTunes Movie Trailers, The Huffington Post, and Disney's official website! Below I have also posted the 'Pony' version.


Along with the teaser, four high-res images (one of which is seen above) taken from the new trailer have also been revealed, along with two phenomenal pieces of concept artwork. This also seems like it will be one of Pixar's most colorful feature films. Just look at all those monsters! It looks like a rainbow!
Check out the stills and artwork here:







By the looks of it, this will be a fantastic film without a doubt! Stay tuned, as the coming months ought to bring more surprises regarding this monstrous new prequel.
Monsters University enrolls in theaters on June 21, 2013!

Pixar Website Gets Extreme Makeover!

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For years, Pixar has had the same website, only receiving minor updates from time to time. There wasn't really anything wrong with this website; it just wasn't enough. The site was just a little dull, and it didn't seem right for the world's best animation studio to have a 'so-so' quality website.
Not to worry, as yesterday Pixar's official website got the biggest makeover it has ever received! Now bearing a more sleek, professional design, tons of impressive new features have been added to every little corner of the site. There are pages about every single feature film and short film, each providing info on all of Pixar's different projects. There's even a complete timeline of the company's history, which goes back all the way to 1979. One of my favorite additions is the gallery of what "life at Pixar" is like, as well as all the never-before-seen behind the scenes videos.
It's good to see a website that lives up to the company's standards.
What do you think of Pixar's new official site? Is it better or worse than the old one?

Brave Finally in Theaters!

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After months, for some even years, of counting down the days, Pixar's thirteenth animated feature film, Brave, has arrived in theaters!
Brave is quite an exciting film for the animation studio, as it marks the first time in Pixar history that a female protagonist leads the film, and it is also the studio's first fairy tale. But this isn't just your regular Disney-type fairy tale. This is a fairy tale done Pixar style.
Pixar's latest is now out, and I highly recommend going to see Brave this weekend, or if not, then sometime during its run in theaters! It seems like another lovely film worthy of the Pixar name.
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New Series of Pixar Stamps

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Last summer, the USPS released a set of vibrant and colorful stamps featuring some of Pixar's most beloved characters. This year, a new set of these has arrived, now including characters from even more of Pixar's films.
The first series, titled "Send a Hello", highlighted the films Cars, Up, WALL-E, Toy Story, and Ratatouille. Now, A Bug's Life, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc. are showcased in the new "Mail a Smile" series.
Here is a video from a ceremony held recently at the new Art of Animation Resort:


The new stamps definitely live up to the old ones, as they are beautifully designed and full of so much life. I'll be looking for a way to get my filthy hands on these soon...

Mazda to Debut New MX-5 GT Concept at Goodwood, Mulling Production Model

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Mazda will have a special treat for visitors at next weekend's Goodwood Festival Speed as the Japanese carmaker will debut its road legal 205hp MX-5 GT Concept that will not only go on display at its stand, but will also take part in the hillclimb in the ‘First Glance’ category.

The new concept model has been inspired by Mazda’s MX-5 GT race programme with the automaker stating that its debut at Goodwood is "to test customer reaction to a high performance version of the iconic sportscar."

Built by race specialists Jota Sport, the MX-5 GT is based on the hardtop Roadster Coupe model with its styling partially resembling the MX-5 Super20 displayed at last year's SEMA show in Las Vegas.

It is finished in a deep orange hue with contrasting black details including the hard top, wheel arches, mirrors and the lower sections of the car.

Aerodynamic enhancements come in the form of a prominent carbon fiber front splitter, a rear diffuser and boot spoiler, while the GT rides on black alloy wheels shod in performance tires from Falken.

Unlike the supercharged MX-5 Super20, the GT Concept makes do with a revised version of the normally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine linked to the car's standard manual gearbox. Mazda tells us that output has been boosted by 47hp, from 158hp (161PS) to 205hp (208PS).

The GT's suspension has been uprated to improve handling and is adjustable for different track conditions, while there's also a new and more sonorous sports exhaust system with two central tailpipes.

The interior of the car has been fitted with Recaro seats and also features a number of carbon enhancements to reduce weight.

Mazda says that for customers who want to buy the car for track use, it comes equipped with road slicks and body-coloured roll hoops behind the seats.

The MX-5 GT Concept will be joined at Goodwood by the Takeri sedan concept as well as the Jota Sport Mazda MX-5 GT4, which competes in the 2012 British GT Championship and is billed as the "world’s fastest and most powerful MX-5" with a top speed of 160mph (257km/h) and a 0-60mph (96km/h) time of just three seconds. The latter will participate in the famed Goodwood hill climb race.

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Illinois Cops Use Facebook to Post Videos of Red Light Violators

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Police cameras keeping an eye on motorists is nothing new these days, but posting these videos of offenders on Facebook is something different altogether. Welcome to the world of Granite City in Illinois.

In an effort to inform the public and reduce violations, the local police department has being uploading videos of red light runners at the intersection of 27th and Madison street on its Facebook page on an almost weekly basis for the past few months.

Note, however, that the videos do not reveal the license plate numbers or the names of the drivers that violate the red light.

The Granite City Police Department told Fox News that while the red light camera at the intersection has helped reduce violations with some 93 percent of drivers ticketed never receiving a second one, there has been a steady stream of violators.

VIDEO

Nissan to Repeat Goodwood Hill Climb Attempt in Reverse

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Professional stunt driver Terry Grant will try to reprise last year's attempt to complete the famous 1.16-mile Goodwood hillclimb course in reverse in a Nissan Leaf and in the process, set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time over a distance of one mile in reverse.

While going in reverse doesn’t sound like much fun, keep in mind that unlike conventional powered models, the Leaf's electric powertrain enables it to be driven backwards as fast as it does forwards simply by disabling the regular model's electronic speed limiter.

"The LEAF Reverse Record isn't going to be easy and will be very challenging," said Terry. "I'd prefer to do it on a nice straight and level strip of tarmac rather than on Lord March's drive. The hill not only climbs, but is also full of twists, turns and obstacles."

Also making its appearance at the Festival of Speed will be the race-prepared Nissan Leaf NISMO RC that will try to set a new hill record for electric vehicles. . Sitting behind the wheel of the Leaf racer will be 2011 FIA GT1 Championship winning driver, Michael Krumm, who competed in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours in the Nissan DeltaWing endurance racing car.

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Scoop: Mini Preparing New Traveller Minivan Based on the Countryman

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The newly revealed Clubvan that we told you about this past Friday, is only one of many new models planned for the coming years by Mini and its parent company, the BMW Group.

This week, our spy photographers snapped a prototype model of what is believed to be a test mule for Mini's first venture in the competitive compact MPV segment, which some sources say may be named 'Traveller' when it enters production within the next two to three years.

The largest and most spacious Mini model to date will be based on a stretched version of the Countryman's platform, something that explains the extended wheel fenders on this test mule wearing the crossover model's body shell.

We expect Mini to tease the looks of the minivan with a concept model at an upcoming international motor show.

Aside from the "Traveller", the British automaker's future plans include the next generation of the Mini hardtop, convertible and Clubman models, and the all-new Countryman Coupe.

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