Lotus has been busily preparing its new Exige R-GT rally car, and the automaker just put the racer through its first shakedown tests in Turin, Italy. So far, the Lotus team is happy with the vehicle’s progress, but testing will continue in 2012 as the company prepares to take on the 2012 FIA World Championship. Don’t expect the Exige R-GT to take on too many gravel stages, however. Lotus says the rally car will lock horns with competitors in the FIA GT Class on the asphalt events in Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse and San Remo. Funk Flex
(Video) Auto Talk: Toyota GT86 spends time with its ancestors
Toyota is out to draw parallels between the company’s new GT86 sports car and some of the legends of the automaker’s past. A new video depicting the new coupe’s development spends plenty of time with the GT86 on screen with the likes of the Toyota Sports 800 and even the AE86. Those are both fine sparring partners for a vehicle that prides itself on superior handling over outright brawn. Watching engineers cane the GT86 around the world’s various road courses only stokes our desire for a little more time with the either of the two-door’s corporate cousins. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: More of Buick Encore revealed on Facebook
The 2013 Buick Encore is set to appear for the first time at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, but the Tri-Shield is giving us a sneak-peek via its Facebook page. We’ve already seen a close-up of a very attractive-looking headlamp, and Buick also unveiled one quarter of a water-front image. Funk Flex
Auto Talk: Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG models spotted
Autoblog spy photographers have snapped a few shots of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG and G65 AMG SUVs. The beasts are currently undergoing winter testing in Sweden, and from the looks of things, buyers will be able to chose between two brawny boxes when the vehicles receive an official debut next year. The G55 is likely to feature a 525 horsepower, twin-turbocharged 5.4-liter V8 engine along with the subtle grille and bumper updates we see here. The globe-crushing SUV will also likely receive larger, more capable brakes as well as an updated interior. Otherwise, we can expect the G’s sharp angles to soldier on in perpetuity. Funk Flex
