Here are a pair of videos showing a new 2012 Nissan GT-R using it’s newly updated launch control system literally catapulting itself off the line. The first video shows a solo launch while the 2nd one shows it racing heads up against a 2011 GT-R. The 2012 GT-R is easily able to pull 2-3 car lengths on the 2011 GT-R to around 70 MPH and continues to pull ahead with it’s 45HP advantage, improved aerodynamics and slight weight reduction. The only car we can see hanging with the new GT-R from a stop is the Porsche 911 Turbo S and we can’t wait to see that race happen.

McLaren Automotive today announced the US manufacturer suggested retail pricing (MSRP) for the McLaren MP4-12C starting at $229,000 with an anticipated on-sale date of late summer 2011. The MP4-12C will arrive on the North American sports car scene as the only carbon-fiber based vehicle in its market-price segment.

Powered by a highly efficient yet powerful 3.8 liter 592 hp powerplant with a dry weight of less than 2,900 lbs., the MP4-12C could prove to be a benchmark setting super car making waves between the more expensive Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

The 12C will be the first in a range of high-performance sports cars by McLaren which will be sold and serviced through a network of 35 retailers worldwide; 10 of those are based in key North American markets. In addition, McLaren announced today the final two launch retailers in North America with McLaren Newport Beach and McLaren Philadelphia. They round out the list of launch retailers previously announced:

* McLaren Beverly Hills – The Auto Gallery
* McLaren Chicago – Lake Forest Sports Cars
* McLaren Dallas – Park Place Texas
* McLaren Greenwich – Miller Motorcars
* McLaren San Francisco – Price Family Vehicles
* McLaren Tampa Bay – Dew Luxury Motor Cars
* McLaren Toronto – Pfaff Automotive Partners
* The Collection McLaren (Miami, Florida)

A choice of 14 interior trims can be specified inside the cabin. Performance upgrades include a sports exhaust system, carbon ceramic brake discs, polished-finish calipers and two lightweight forged wheel options. The ‘standard’ 12C features a one-piece carbon fiber chassis – the MonoCell – but carbon fiber options will include mirror casings, engine bay panels and engine cover.

Take a look at this wicked Cadillac CTS-V running a 9.85 @ 139.7 MPH at Palm Beach International Raceway. Running a healthy 200 progressive shot of nitrous on a motor with forged internals and stock supercharger this CTS-V was able to pull a decent 1.54 60′ time on a set of drag radials. Other modifications include kooks headers, different supercharger pulleys along with a LS3 throttle body and a LPE cold air induction kit. Running through a stock transmission and torque converter, this CTS-V put down 865 horsepower and 850 ft-lbs of torque at the rear wheels. With a conservative 15% driveline loss, those dyno results put this 4 door sedan well over 1000 horsepower.

Take a look at the time slip, pictures and video below:

Cadillac CTS-V

We did some dyno testing and drag racing passes with 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo setup with a Twin Turbo Bolt-On kit by Heffner Performance.  We first headed over to HorsePower Logic in West Palm Beach, FL and strapped down the Gallardo to an AWD Mustang Dyno where it put down 740 AWHP on MS109 fuel at around 9 pounds of boost.  From the dyno we headed out to Palm Beach International Raceway to make a few passes down the drag strip.

The best ET at the drag strip was a 10.61 with the highest trap speed coming in at 138.63 MPH.   We had some issues determining when to shift since the car’s tachometer can’t quite keep up with how fast the engine is running through the gears with the twin turbo setup resulting in us tagging the limiter on a couple runs.  We used the VBOX to record some performance numbers with 0-60 MPH in just 2.9 seconds and 60-130 MPH coming in at 5.49 seconds with one shift from 3rd to 4th gear.

We also did some heads up runs with a very fast Nissan GT-R that currently holds the quickest ET and highest MPH records for any Nissan GT-R equipped with stock turbochargers.  To make things somewhat fair, we ran the GT-R without using it’s full launch control system, so both cars rolled off the line without a full launch.  The runs were recorded by ToTheFloor.com as well has having a GoPro camera attached to the side of the Gallardo.

Take a look at the pictures, vbox graph, timeslips and videos below:

Full Dyno, Timeslip and VBOX Data: Lamborghini Twin Turbo

We came across this Lexus IS-F running a super healthy shot of nitrous done by Titan Motorsports. The Lexus made 630 horsepower and 566 ft-lbs of torque at the rear wheels. Using a 16% drivetrain loss from the IS-F’s 7 speed automatic transmission, we come up with just over 750 horsepower for this 4 door sleeper. Other supporting modifications include a custom exhaust system, ported intakes and tuning. Considering that stock IS-F’s put down about 350 HP to the wheels, we can’t imagine this engine lasting too long, hopefully we’ll get some performance numbers before anything happens!

Take a look at the pictures, dyno sheet and dyno video of this Lexus IS-F on Nitrous by clicking on the pictures below:

Here is a close race between a Lamborghini Balboni LP550-2 against a Porsche 911 Turbo EVOMS with the Lambo pulling slightly ahead and holding on to it’s lead throughout the race.  The Lamborghini Balboni is a special rear wheel drive version of the Gallardo LP560 which is clearly demonstrated at the beginning of the video with it’s nice burnouts.

The crew over at Underground Racing known for turbocharging all kinds of exotic cars just finished up working on a brand new Ferrari 458, outfitting it with a twin turbo system. While horsepower or performance numbers haven’t been released, we would expect around 1,000 HP from this Ferrari at a cost of around $100k. Enjoy the pictures below and check for dyno sheets and performance numbers.

2011-ferrari-458-twin-turbo-underground-racing-04

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