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Motor Trend hits Laguna Seca with Ferrari F12, Chevy Corvette, Porsche 911

According to the crew at Motor Trend, we should think of the video below "as an addendum to Best Driver's Car," a test the magazine put together that elevated the 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S above all others in the category of driving joy. It seems the brand-new 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray wasn't able to take part in the magazine's official test, and neither was the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.
And so Motor Trend did the only logical thing: It procured both the 'Vette and Prancing Horse as soon as it could, and put them both on track with the Driver's Car-winning 911. Of course, these cars don't actually compete against each other - the Ferrari offers up 731 horsepower and wears an asking price of $434,144 as tested, which means you could buy four loaded Corvettes for the price of one F12, and still have money left for a garage to store them in - but that's not the point of this particular test.
The point of this test isn't to listen to the beautiful sounds coming from the Porsche's flat-six-cylinder, the Corvette's pushrod V8 or the Ferrari's luscious V12, either, but the video below is worth watching for those three reasons alone. You know what to do.

Automakers not currently promoting EVs are probably doomed

Okay, let's be honest. The sky isn't falling – gas prices are. In fact, some experts say that prices at the pump will remain depressed for the next decade. Consumers have flocked to SUVs and CUVs, reversing the upward trend in US fuel economy seen over the last several years. A sudden push into electric vehicles seems ridiculous when gas guzzlers are selling so well. Make hay while the sun shines, right? A quick glance at some facts and figures provides evidence that the automakers currently doubling down on internal combustion probably have some rocky years ahead of them. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is a prime example of a volume manufacturer devoted to incremental gains for existing powertrains. Though FCA will kill off some of its more fuel-efficient models, part of its business plan involves replacing four- and five-speed transmissions with eight- and nine-speed units, yielding a fuel efficiency boost in the vicinity of ten percent over the next few years. Recent developments by battery startups have led some to suggest that efficiency and capacity could increase by over 100 percent in the same time. Research and development budgets paint a grim picture for old guard companies like Fiat Chrysler: In 2014, FCA spent about $1,026 per car sold on R&D, compared with about $24,783 per car sold for Tesla. To be fair, FCA can't be expected to match Tesla's efforts when its entry-level cars list for little more than half that much. But even more so than R&D, the area in which newcomers like Tesla have the industry licked is infrastructure. We often forget that our vehicles are mostly useless metal boxes without access to the network of fueling stations that keep them rolling. While EVs can always be plugged in at home, their proliferation depends on a similar network of charging stations that can allow for prolonged travel. Tesla already has 597 of its 480-volt Superchargers installed worldwide, and that figure will continue to rise. Porsche has also proposed a new 800-volt "Turbo Charging Station" to support the production version of its Mission E concept, and perhaps other VW Auto Group vehicles. As EVs grow in popularity, investment in these proprietary networks will pay off — who would buy a Chevy if the gas stations served only Ford owners? If anyone missed the importance of infrastructure, it's Toyota.

Techart Porsche 911 Targa 4S is a tuner's attempt at being tasteful

We've not been terribly nice to the aftermarket tuners of the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. That's largely because they don't deserve our kindness. Techart, though, is not going to be the subject of derision, largely because aside from painting this Porsche 911 Targa a particularly lurid shade of yellow (and finding seat upholstery and trim to match), the changes aren't particularly offensive. Hell, paint it black, silver or red, and it'd just look like a more aggressive Porsche. That's largely because it is. Techart has behaved itself, fitting a brand new body kit featuring a new rear spoiler, diffuser, front splitter and side skirts, and replacing the much of the interior componentry with carbon fiber and aluminum components. The tuner doesn't mention the exact name of the shade used both inside and out on this Targa, although those with more conservative tastes will rest easy knowing that "stylistic harmony with standard or Techart individual paint is guaranteed." Techart's deft aesthetic treatment hides a similarly light tweaking under the sheetmetal. This car features a new exhaust system, complete with four staggered exhaust pipes that have been finished in black chrome. And that's it. There aren't 17 turbos or a new intake manifold crafted from free-range ivory. It's the same 400-horsepower flat six found in a normal Targa 4S. Techart has fitted its own springs, although it doesn't tell us how much (or even if) the ride has been lowered. 21-inch alloys round out the more practical changes. Check out our full gallery of live images of Techart's latest creation, direct from Geneva. Related Video: News from the TECHART world 03.12.2014 TECHART for the Porsche 911 Targa 4 models Closed roof – open driving pleasure. TECHART Automobildesign sharpens the character of the seventh Porsche 911 Targa 4 generation. Using the right mixture of restraint and emphasis the TECHART Aerodynamic Kit transfers the sportive TECHART design language to the unmistakable lines of the four-wheel drive sports car. TECHART Formula IV light-alloy wheels in 21-inch communicate aesthetic innovative capacity all around. Interior refinement specialists of the TECHART in-house saddlery use precise handiwork to translate the exterior design elements stylistically into the vehicle's interior. TECHART Aerodynamic Kit for die Porsche 911 Targa 4 models. Porsche 911 silhouette. Wide body with active taillight strip. And of course a glass roof with iconic aluminium bar.