McLaren MP4-12C: Fastest round the Top Gear track – EVER

McLaren MP4-12C - destroys the Top Gear Track With plenty of information now floating around on the performance of the McLaren MP4-12C, it’s pretty clear that most feel it to be a quite exceptional car. There do seem to be a few moans about its rather generic design (although that will stop it dating quickly) and some have complained that the MP4-12C doesn’t have the magic a 458 has. Which may have more to do with the different natures of the British and Italians than anything else.

Few cars perform well in new insurance group crash test

The insurance industry has unveiled a new, tough frontal-crash test. The first batch of 11 luxury and near-luxury cars put to the test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety didn't fare so well--only three were rated as good or acceptable. The test rams the front corner of a car into a fixed barrier at 40 mph.

Honda unveils supercharged CR-Z, 2014 Civic Coupe at SEMA

Hard to tell, but the supercharged tomato you see above represents a fundamental shift within Honda: it is the first car from Honda Performance Development with parts that actually make your car go faster. Honda Performance Development: "We're not just body kits and lowering springs anymore!" After two decades in actual racing development, perhaps it was time. HPD has built engines and chassis for IndyCar, American Le Mans Prototypes, Formula Atlantic, and the Continental Sports Car Challenge.