Autocar reports Porsche might have something special planned for the upcoming 918 Spyder: a Race Track package that strips unnecessary amenities in exchange for a lighter finished product. The report suggests the pack may even do away with paint in an effort to trim the hybrid supercar’s curb weight by as much as 66 pounds, and that up to 20 percent of buyers may opt for the purist version. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Volvo recalls 2011-2013 S80 sedans over transmission software
Volvo has announced the automaker is recalling certain 2011-2013 S80 models over faulty transmission software. The campaign covers a total of 1,469 vehicles, which may have a software error that could prevent the transmission from downshifting from fifth to fourth gear when it should. If that happens, the engine could stall, thereby increasing the chances of an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volvo will upgrade the transmission control module free of charge. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Ford recalls 10,000+ 2013 Escape crossovers for brake-pedal interference issue
A Ford factory employee noticed a potential issue with the carpet padding on the left side of the center console trim on the 2013 Ford Escape that has resulted in a recall of the hot-selling new crossover. If the padding gets out of position, it can push the trim piece out, reducing the clearance for the driver’s feet between the accelerator and brake pedal. When the driver moves his or her foot from the accelerator and brake, it foot might hit the side of the brake pedal and increase the stopping distance. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Lotus bows out of Paris Motor Show
The plan put forth by former Lotus CEO Dany Bahar was to explode the British brand into the high-dollar sports car segment and directly challenge its marquee names. The first explosion came with the surprise introduction of five concepts at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. What has continued to surprise, though, is that the explosions haven’t stopped: parent company Proton has had troubles leading to a reworking of its Formula One involvement, its IndyCar effort has had a rough ride, Proton’s sale to Malaysian conglomerate DRB Hicom led to a production stoppage, and while the company was reassured that it wouldn’t be sold, Bahar was shown the door – along with four of those Paris concepts, as far as we can tell. Yet the company is still making highly regarded cars and going racing. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Porsche planning Panamera Shooting Brake, McLaren mulling one, too
Wagon fever long ago caught on in Europe, but the fervor may be set to reach new heights. Porsche and McLaren are reportedly working on new long-roof versions of their Panamera and MP4-12C models, both evidently inspired by the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. Autobild reports Porsche may pull the wraps off a new wagon version of the Panamera at the Paris Motor Show this October. We’re a little confused by the move, as the current model already offers plenty of cargo capacity and rear seat room, but we suppose that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from spinning off multiple load-lugging bodystyles from the same model before. Autobild says a production version of the Panamera Shooting Brake could bow with the next-generation of the four-door in 2015, depending on how well the CLS Shooting Brake sells. Funk Flex
(Video) Auto Talk: Watch this 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 pull a 9-second quarter mile
The 2013 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 is an impressive piece of hardware right out of the box. It’s a package capable of pulling 11-second quarter mile passes one minute and lapping your favorite road course with genuine fury the next thanks to its impressive suspension tuning and heady 662-horsepower. But how much quicker can its supercharged V8 get with a little tweaking? The guys from Lethal Performance recently set out to find the answer. The team isn’t saying exactly what they’ve done to the king Pony, though we can see a set of dragstrip-friendly “bigs n’ littles” have found their way into the wheel wells. Funk Flex
