Speed Blogger

2011 Honda Civic Type R

2010-02-16T13:12:00.001-08:00

Honda has announced it will be offering a limited edition Civic Type R Mugen 200 for the UK market.

The car takes its inspiration from Honda specialty tuner MUGEN Euro's Type R. The series will be limited to only 200 units.

The Civic Type R Mugen 200 comes with Honda's i-VTEC engine with 201 PS (148 kW / 198 bhp) and will feature MUGEN tuning parts such as front and rear bumpers and skirts, 19-inch alloy wheels, a limited slip differential, a MUGEN badge (at the back) and plaque with the edition number. The car comes dressed in Championship White contrasted with the gloss-black side mirrors.

The car will be a mostly domestic creation, with MUGEN being based in Northampton and the car being built at Honda's Swindon plant.

The Honda Civic Type R Mugen 200 goes on sale in April in the UK. Additional MUGEN tuning parts will also be available at specified UK Honda dealers.

Source: Honda via World Car Fans

New BMW EfficientDynamics 2013

2010-02-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

According to a recent report, BMW will build a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.

While details are limited, Inside Line is reporting a source has confirmed the car will be launched in 2013. The source commented that the concept's hybrid powertrain would carry over to the production model, but "there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design." The "senior BMW authority" also stated production would likely be limited to less than 10,000 units.

As you may recall, the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept is a plug-in hybrid with a three-cylinder turbodiesel engine and two electric motors. Boasting 262 kW (356 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, the 2+2 coupe accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds before topping out at an electronically limited 155 mph. Despite this impressive performan the concept consumes just 3.76 liters/100km (equal to 62.6 mpg) while emitting 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
Source:worldcarfans.com

2010 Sports Cars (Best Priced)

2010-01-31T05:07:00.000-08:00

Chevrolet Camaro

The latest of the reincarnated American muscle cars, the Chevy Camaro dispenses with the 1990s-era cheese-ball styling in favor of a muscular homage to the 1966 original. The Camaro has two engine options and five styles, ranging from the 306-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 LS ($22,680) to the top-of-the-line 426-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 2SS ($33,745).

Both engines are impressive, but the V8, which can be had for as little as $30,745 in the 1SS, is without a doubt the current champ of the horsepower-per-dollar competition. And unlike muscle cars of yore, the Camaro can actually hold itself together in the twists and turns, and has a sporty, high-tech interior that no longer screams

Dodge Challenger

The arrival of the Chevy Camaro has tempered the buzz about the Dodge Challenger in recent months, but the Challenger is evidence that parent company Chrysler can still build one hell of a muscle car. The top-end SRT8, at $43,655 is a bit pricey to be included in this article, and the 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 base-trim SE ($23,460) is, believe it or not, a bit weak for a modern muscle car with its zero-to-60-mph time of around eight seconds. But the midrange R/T version is a reasonable $31,585 and comes with a heavy-duty 372-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8, powerful enough to hit 60 mph in less than six seconds. When it comes to style, the Challenger is retro-cool on the outside, but bland as dry toast on the inside. Still, this may be the most exciting (if not the last) muscle car out of the Dodge brand for the foreseeable future, since Chrysler's new owner, Fiat, may not be as interested in big, heavy, V8 rumblers like this one.

Nissan 370Z

Consider this: A Porsche Cayman has a 265-horsepower 2.9-liter 6-cylinder engine, does zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and costs $51,400. A Nissan 370Z has a 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, does zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and starts at $29,930.

The Porsche's engine is obviously more efficient, but we're willing to rile the Stuttgart purists and say that the Z gives you Porsche-like performance at a 20 grand discount. Plus, the Z offers an optional SynchroRev Match manual tranny that blips the revs for smooth downshifts at speed and an angry-looking exterior that will scare the lederhosen off of most German yuppie speedsters.

Subaru Impreza

Subaru's rally-bred Impreza WRX has always been a noisy, undisciplined tin can of a car, but its raw athleticism has always turned what would be drawbacks in any other vehicle into virtues. The current iteration somehow seems a bit less visceral; the hood scoops and spoilers are still there, but are less egregiously in your face. The WRX's mechanics have not been tamed; this is still a tremendously powerful and capable car. The $25,995 base hatchback has a 265-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and Subaru's grippy, symmetrical all-wheel-drive[LINK to AWD article] system. A bump up to the $34,995 STI variant ups the output of the turbo 2.5 engine to 305 horses and throws in Brembo brakes and a driver-controlled center differential to distribute power between the front and rear wheels. Still, at 35 large, you start longing for a bit more refinement on the inside.

BMW 1 Series
Think of it as the weird little sibling to the more popular and well-known BMW 3-Series. The BMW 1-Series is essentially four vehicles (two coupes, two convertibles) running two versions of the same engine (a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder; one version is turbocharged, the other isn't). The only one that can be defined as "cheap" speed with a straight face is the nonturbocharged 230-horse 128i Coupe, which costs $29,000. Like all 1-Series cars, it is built with many of the same structural bits and pieces as the larger 3-Series, but it definitely has the look and feel of a smaller car, with steering and handling that are tight as a drum and an engine that is smooth and confident. The weirdness comes from the vehicle's oddball exterior — the last vestiges of the controversial styling of BMW's now-retired designer Christopher Bangle — with a bubble top and sheet-metal creases that have their own bizarre logic. The view from the outside is love-it-or-hate-it, but the feeling behind the wheel is likely to be unanimously positive.

Honda Civic

The Civic has a long history with the 4-cylinder mini-hot-rod crowd; the cheap, easy-to-modify compact cars have been favorites of the fast-and-furious crowd for years. And for those who want a little hotness without swapping out parts, Honda offers the factory tuner Civic Si (the coupe starts at $22,055; the sedan starts at $200 more). With its 197-horsepower 2.0-liter engine, the Si isn't too fast off the line, but the engine starts delivering rewards in the high rpm range. Plus, the Si is an incredible bargain, and it holds onto corners like a champ, so pointing it at some twisties instead of an interstate will slap a smile on your frugal face.
Source:MSN.com

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

2010-01-27T17:14:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe will go on sale in the U.S. for $132,800, with the Cabriolet costing $143,800. Sales for the two models will begin on January 30, with test drives at dealerships beginning this week.

Those prices are up from 2009 model year pricing, when the 911 Turbo Coupe cost $130k, and the drop-top retailed for $140,700.

As a coupe, the 911 Turbo can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds when using the PDK seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 500-horsepower flat-six boxer engine generates up to 516 ft-lb of torque, and gets the two models to a 194 mph top speed. Fuel economy is up, with the 911 Turbo getting 17 mpg in the city, and 25 mpg highway.
Source:WorldCarFans

BMW Hybrid

2010-01-25T04:12:00.001-08:00

BMW has confirmed that an Activehybrid concept model of the new 2011 5 Series (F10) will appear at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. European sales are expected to begin shortly thereafter but there is currently no confirmation as to whether the US, a hybrid hotbed, is on the list or not.

Another version not likely to reach US dealerships is the Touring (station wagon). Figures show that fewer than 1,000 previous E60 generation 5 Series Touring models were sold in America last year.

"I don't think we will sell it because in the past, station wagons have not sold well," said Klaus Draeger, BMW AG board member for Research and Development. The addition of the quirky 5 Series Gran Turismo has also thrown a spanner in the works for a buying public that is exposed to an ever-increasing choice of models.

Initially only the 535i and 550i will be available at launch in June. The former has a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six engine worth 225kW (306hp) and 400Nm. The 550i boasts a twin turbo V8 pushing out 300kW (408hp) and 600Nm of torque.

Price increases over the old car are probably inevitable but if they do occur they will be kept to a miminum because of the hard-hit market, according to a BMW executive.

Source: worldcarfans.com

Honda HSV 010 GT

2010-01-21T04:21:00.000-08:00

The Honda HSV-010 GT will use a 3.4-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine producing "500 or more" horsepower, and "392 or more" Nm of torque, according to a press release.

The Honda Sports Velocity car will race in the GT500 class of the Super GT Series in place of the NSX. The previous model helped Daisuke Ito and Ralph Firman take the 2007 Drivers' Championship, and led Autobacs Racing Team Aguri to the 2007 Teams' Championship.

At 4.675 x 2.000 meters, the new race car is 65 mm longer and 100 mm wider than the outgoing model. Height of the new Honda has not been disclosed. Wheelbase is 170 mm longer at 2.7 meters.

Had Honda decided to continue production of the Honda/Acura NSX, the HSV-010 GT would have been the next-generation model. However, the NSX was cancelled by Honda in an effort by the company to focus on mass-produced models instead of those manufactured in limited numbers.

Honda's newest car will get its first test at the Suzuka Circuit on March 21.
Source: World Car Fans

Nissan GT-R 2010 New FIA GT1

2010-01-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) has announced that it has signed a deal with two teams for the FIA GT1 World Championship series in which the R35 GT-R will compete in 2010.

The R35 GT-R will be raced by the Sumo Power GT team from the UK as well as the Swiss Racing Team. Further details, such as the driver lineup, will be released later on.

The GT-R is a rear-wheel drive GT1 racer and comes with a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter VK56DE V8 engine tuned to 600 hp and 650 Nm of torque. It is fitted with a 6-speed transmission from Ricardo by way of a carbon triple-plate clutch and grips the ground with 18-inch x 13-inch forged wheels by Rays.

NISMO released the photos published here along with the press release.

Nissan's participation in FIA GT1 racing has been in the works for some time. Last year it tested the GT-R in several GT1 races. Now, they seem ready for the real competition.

Source: World Car Fans

Ginetta G40

2010-01-19T04:20:00.000-08:00

British racing and sports car builder Ginetta has introduced its newest car, the Ginetta G40. The 850-kilogram car uses a 1.8-liter Zetec engine from Ford that typically produces about 150 horsepower.

However, the engine was reportedly modified, and the exact specs were not released by Ginetta.

Introduced at Autosport International in Birmingham, England, the G40 is optimized for racing. It has crash zones at the front and back, side impact bars, and a roll cage the company claims is "50 times stronger than minimum 2009 FIA homologation regulations."

"We debuted both the G50 and the G50Z at the exhibition and I'm delighted that Autosport visitors have had the first ever glimpse of Ginetta's stunning new car," said Ginetta chair Lawrence Tomlinson. "The G40 is the most versatile road and race car on the market today - with safety features that exceed all FIA regulations."

The Ginetta G40 will be produced in an initial run of 26 units. The car will retail for £24,950.

Source: World Car Fans

Revenge 400-horsepower

2010-01-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

Revenge says it will be powered by a 400-horsepower Hp2g Hybrid engine that runs on E85 plus "its own recharge energy" and will feature "magnetically driven pistons," netting the supercar an alleged 100 mpg at the pumps. Oh, and it'll be available late this year for $190,000 in "American and European markets." If you're not into the top-secret engine scene, you can have your Revenge (no pun) with Ford or Chevrolet power. The car will use General Motors' 631-horsepower V8 (as found in the Corvette ZR-1) as well as a 605-horsepower crate engine courtesy of Ford and Roush Industries.

Regardless of your engine choice, you can pick either a conventional 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed sequential paddle shift from Master Shift, and your supercar will have either a 3.7:1 rear end or a 3.5:1 unit, which company President and CEO Peter Collorafi says will propel the car to a top speed of 240 mph. Oh, and the car will run purely on unicorn dreams and be capable of space travel. OK, that last part wasn't true (just our way of saying, "What?"). But is any of this?

The body is carbon fiber, and the doors, hood and trunk are made from aluminum. Despite that, the new supercar weighs a portly 3,500 pounds. The supercar does in fact feature Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. Those stoppers will be nestled behind massive 20-by-9-inch and 20-by-12-inch black chrome aluminum wheels, which are in turn wrapped with 255/35R20 and 305/35R20 rubber.

Source: MSN

BMW 2011 B7 ALPINA

2010-01-10T03:32:00.001-08:00

BMW has announced that the Alpina B7 will be offered in North America as a 2011 model year. Previously, the E65 based B7 was only available in North America as a limited edition in 2007 and 2008.

The specialty F01 based BMW 7-Series already made its debut in Geneva last year, and then as a long-wheelbase F02 variant in Tokyo just a few months ago.

To refresh your memory the B7 comes with BMW’s twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter direct injection V8 engine which has been massaged by Alpina from 400hp up to 500hp (373kW) and 516 lb-ft (700Nm) of torque. 0-60 mph arrives in 4.5 seconds.

In the chassis department goodies include electronically-adjustable suspension with active roll bars and 21-inch wheels based on the classic Alpina 20-spoke design.

Interior is typically lavish with Alpina branding seen on the illuminated door sills, upper seatbacks, inlayed into the exclusive wood trim, inner roof panel just in front of the sunroof, instrument cluster and finally the engine cover. Also included is the Switch-tronic steering wheel in hand-stitched Lavalina leather. Optional Alpina Piano Lacquer interior trim with its silver diagonal rhombs is also available.

Sales begin in the spring following a public debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February.

Source: World Car Fans

Chevrolet Camaro SS 2010 Pace Car

2010-01-03T14:26:00.001-08:00

Chevrolet is supplying the Indianapolis 500 with a 2010 Camaro SS as a pace car. Unveiled ahead of the 2010 event which is taking place at the Brickyard on May 30, the Inferno Orange metallic muscle car will mark the sixth time a Camaro has paced the 100 year-old 500 since its debut in 1967.

"We've enjoyed a great partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway throughout the years," said Jim Campbell, General Manager, Chevrolet, "and are proud to once again have the privilege of pacing the Indianapolis 500 in a Camaro."

It comes with a stock 6.2-litre V8 engine making 400hp. Accessories include an all-new front grille insert that Chevrolet plans to offer as a future Camaro accessory, 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo badges on front fenders, amber lens tail lamps, and 2010 Indianapolis 500 event logo painted on the doors and embroidered on driver and passenger headrests.

"Chevrolet has done it again with the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS Pace Car, it is simply beautiful," said Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation. "The car's tribute to ‘500' history and its sports car feel will be a big hit with our fans, and it will look great leading the Indianapolis 500 field on Race Day."

The successful new Camaro has been selling around 6,000 units per month for the past six months.

Source: General Motors via World Car Fans

Lotus Special Edition S TYPE 72

2010-01-03T14:18:00.000-08:00

The Lotus Exige S Type 72 is a limited edition model that looks utterly awesome.

At 935kg, the car weighs two kilos more than the Exige S. It comes standard with the Sport Pack, which includes black ProBax micro fibre sport seats with gold stitching, a steel roll hoop, adjustable roll bar, traction control, and twin oil coolers. The car also comes with lightweight black wheels, ringed in gold, and in five spokes. While some will like the throwback look of the performance wheels, others will surely argue that they look a little cheap.

Optional equipment includes air conditioning, and limited slip differential. A Performance Pack is also offered, which boosts power to about 235 hp, and groups together an alternate roof scoop, AP Racing brakes, launch control and variable traction control.

The British company has built the limited edition version of the Exige to honor their black-and-gold livery Type 72 Formula One car. It won 20 different Grand Prix events from 1970 to 1975, the Constructors' Championship in 1970, 1972, and 1973, and Drivers' World Championships in 1970 and 1972.

"[The Type 72] was a revolutionary design that pioneered the use of side mounted radiators to achieve its distinctive 'wedge' profile, which delivered a significant aerodynamic advantage," said Classic Team Lotus Director Clive Chapman. "The Lotus Type 72 design was so advanced that it was competitive for an extraordinary six years."

Lotus did not disclose the exact number of cars that will be produced, but they did say that 20 units will be sold in the UK, and 20 more will go on sale throughout Europe. Several more will be built for Japan, and other markets.

In the UK, the Lotus Exige S Type 72 will cost £35,995 with an additional on-the-road cost of £950. European pricing with delivery and paperwork is set at €40,332, not including various country-specific taxes.

Source:WorldCarFans

Bugatti Unveils Special Editions

2009-12-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Bugatti chose the Dubai Motor Show to conclude its Centenary celebrations by unveiling three special editions of the Veyron hypercar. The "Sang d'Argent" and the Grand Sport "Soleil de Nuit" are one-off models while the "Nocturne" will be limited to five cars only, all of them available exclusively to Middle East customers. Prices range from €1.45 million (US$2.1 million) for the Sang d'Argent, €1.55 million (US$2.3 million) for the Soleil de Nuit, and €1.65 million (US$2.4 million) for the Nocturne. First deliveries take place in the first quarter of 2010.

The Nocturne features a polished aluminium bonnet, galvanised side windows, special polished custom rims and polished aluminium upper body parts at the rear. The interior is dominated by a black nano-coated magnesium dashboard while the centre console is finished in galvanised platinum.

The one buyer allocated to the unique Sang d'Argent will get subtle silver metallic paintwork, polished aluminium doors and front wings, Grand Sport wheels and silver air intakes on the roof. Its so-called Havanna interior features a quilting pattern on the seats and saddle, as well as personalised items make the Sang d'Argent exceptionally special.

Last on the list is the Soleil de Nuit or Sun of the Night, another one-off model that comes finished in a polished aluminium and Black Blue metallic surface. The blue colour is also evident in the upper body parts and in the inner side of the rims (the outer side has a diamond cut). Occupants will be greeted by a bold burnt orange interior. Source World Car Fan

Aston Martin Black Special Edition

2009-12-28T07:34:00.000-08:00

Aston Martin will begin delivery in March of two new special edition models. The Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Carbon Black will come with special coloring, lighter weight, and more.

Each vehicle will be hand painted in Carbon Black metallic, with Obsidian Black leather and silver stitching used on the interior. Carbon fiber and Kevlar seats shave 17 kilograms off the overall weight. Piano black trim is also featured on each car.

V12 Vantage purchasers will also get a carbon fiber side strake, black mesh, and 10-spoke alloys in gloss black. They also get a 700-watt audio system, which they can test out during the Performance Driving Course track day.

Purchasers of either edition can expect to spend 5% above the listed retail price of the respective DBS and V12 Vantage. Final pricing of the Carbon Black models will be announced in January.

Source: Aston Martin via World Car Fans

Aston Martin

2009-12-28T07:24:00.000-08:00

Aston Martin is accelerating development on the upcoming One-77 supercar. During top secret high-speed testing in the south of France the car comfortably achieved a top speed of 220.007mph (354.86 km/h) under dry but windy conditions. More tests will be conducted in the new year, including dynamic testing.

The One-77 is powered by a 7.3-litre V12 engine and will be Aston's most powerful and of course expensive road car ever. It is a two-door, two-seat coupe with a carbon fibre monocoque body structure.

A limited production run of only 77 will be produced and sales are scheduled to start in the middle of 2010.

Source: Aston Martin via world car fans

Lamborghini Gallardo Twin Turbo

2009-11-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

Underground Racing has shown off their twin-turbocharged Lamborghini Gallardo 'Race Version'.

Created for a client named Jonah, the twin-turbo Gallardo (dubbed the TTG) produces a stunning 1500 WHP (at 30 psi) on VP C16 racing fuel. If that isn't impressive enough, the TTG is probably producing 1875 HP at the crank - when you consider drivetrain loss of around 25 percent.

Backed up by a six-speed transmission, Jonah was able to post a sub-ten second time through the quarter mile at a speed exceeding 160 mph. As Underground Racing is quick to point out, it was the first time Jonah drove the car after the modifications and he hasn't been to a drag strip in over a decade.

Source: undergroundracing.com Via worldcarfans.com

2011 Crown Victoria

2009-11-17T06:53:00.000-08:00

Ford has announced plans to replace the aging Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with an all-new model in 2011.

Meant to fix everything that is wrong with the current Crown Vic (slow, cramped, and thirsty), Ford promises the new model will be faster, more fuel-efficient, and safer.

According to Lt. Brian Moran, a fleet manager for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and a member of Ford's Police Advisory Board (which spent 14 months offering suggestion to improve the new model), "Ford's commitment to the law enforcement community produced the Crown Victoria, the benchmark police vehicle. This commitment has continued, and Ford has been working closely with the Police Advisory Board on developing the new Police Interceptor. I am confident that the next-generation Ford police vehicle will meet the future needs of the law enforcement community and will set the new standard."

While Ford has typically dominated the law enforcement segment in the US (with roughly 75% of total sales), the redesigned Police Interceptor will face new competition from Carbon Motor's E7 and the recently-announced Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV).

Look for more information to be released in early 2010, just in time for law enforcement agencies to start budgeting for the new model.

Please note: 2007 Ford Interceptor Concept pictured

Source: Ford via World Car Fans

2010 Mustang Saleen S281

2009-11-02T20:20:00.000-08:00

Several pictures of Saleen's 2010 S281 Mustang have been released ahead of it's unveiling at the SEMA Motor Show.

While details are limited, the S281 features a unique body kit with a new hood, grille, front fascia, side skirts, and rear window louvers. Out back, the car boasts a sleek spoiler, a rear diffuser, and an aggressive four-tailpipe exhaust system.

Like the current model, Saleen will likely offer a variety of engine tuning packages for the 2010 S281 Mustang. These will probably include a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 with 335 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque and a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 with 465 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque.

Look for more information to be released when the car is officially unveiled next week.

Source: worldcarfans.com

Lexus LFA Super Car

2009-10-22T04:48:00.001-07:00

It seems like the Lexus LFA has been around forever. In reality, the first concept version was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2005, but that's a long time in the automotive world. Additional concepts followed in 2007 and 2008, and the on-off rumors of a production version haven't help. Nevertheless, the production version of the LFA is finally here at the Tokyo Motor Show, and it is glorious. All of which makes it harder to stomach that the car shown here isn't expected to reach customer garages until early 2011.The specifications of the new rear-drive Lexus supercar are impressive enough: a 4.8-liter V10 with 560 ps (552 bhp), 354 lb-ft torque, a zingy 9,000 rpm redline, six-speed sequential gearbox, 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 202 mph. It looks amazing too, both in pictures and in person. Of course, we can't help but make comparisons to the current reigning Japanese supercar, the Nissan GT-R. At just 3,263 pounds, the LFA easily has a better power-to-weight ratio, but that hasn't seemed to stop the all-wheel drive juggernaut before. Then there is the small matter of cost to consider. Unlike the GT-R, which is considered a performance bargain, the LFA will be exclusive – and costly. Only 500 units will be produced at a cost of...drum roll please....$375,000. Despite the colossal price tag, we hear that Lexus expects to take a loss on each one.

Honda CR-Z 2010

2009-10-21T04:57:00.000-07:00

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has confirmed that the Honda CR-Z will be released in the beginning of 2010. The product rollout will start in Japan this coming February, followed by a full-scale release across Europe and NorthAmerica.
Although shown in Tokyo as having a rear seat, the American version will be a two-seater, according to a press release sent out by American Honda Motor Co. Designed with the idea of "low, short, and wide," the CR-Z Concept shows sportier lines than the Honda Insight.
It is unclear if the Japanese and European versions will only be available as a two-seater. The North American market debut will take place in the "second half of 2010," according to the statement.
"We plan to launch a production automobile based on the CR-Z Concept 2009," Ito told a gathered audience at the Tokyo Motor Show. The CR-Z Concept 2009 is a hybrid powered by a 1.5-liter petrol i-VTEC engine and the IMA "highly efficient Honda hybrid system." The company claims it is the world's first hybrid built with a six-speed manual transmission.
The production model of the 2010 Honda CR-Z will go on display at the NAIAS in Detroit next January.

Source: World Car Fans

2010 Jaguar XJL Neiman Marcus

2009-10-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

Jaguar has announced the limited edition 2010 Neiman Marcus XJL Supercharged sold out in four hours and four minutes.
All 50 cars featured an exclusive Celestial Black metallic paintjob, custom navy and ivory leather upholstery, Zebrano matte wood trim, and 20" alloy wheels.
Power comes from a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 470 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. Backed up by a six-speed automatic transmission, the car accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. If you keep your foot planted, the XJL Supercharged will top out at an electronically limited 155 mph.
While you may have missed out on a $105,000 special edition, Jaguar will happily sell you a standard XJL Supercharged for $90,500.Source: Jaguar U.S.

Source: Jaguar U.S. via World Car Fans

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE

2009-10-08T18:38:00.001-07:00

Ferrari will be releasing a limited edition of the 599 GTB Fiorano for the Chinese market. Less than a dozen of the 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE China Limited Edition will be made available for sale.

The limited edition series was developed by Ferrari in partnership with the celebrated Chinese artist Lu Hao. The models come in a two-tone color scheme, featuring a special Rosso Fuoco "fire red" body color mated to a grey roof. The design is also infused with Chinese elements by the artist Lu Hao, inspired by Ge Kiln porcelain and the storied Silk Road (which brought Italian explorer Marco Polo to China) of Chinese literature. Hao uses an ancient Chinese script called "Xiao Zhuan" to engrave a name plaque for each edition as well as mark the car throughout, such as on the engine start button and the rev counter.

The HGTE package (Handling GT Evoluzione) was added to make this limited edition the top performer that it is for a front-engine Ferrari. The model will come with the 599 GTB Fiorano's standard 6.0 liter V12 engine with 620 hp and 608 Nm of torque.

Source: Ferrari

2010 Tesla Roadster Sport

2009-10-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

2010 Tesla Roadster Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

To get from zero to 60 mph in the original Tesla Roadster takes an official 3.9 seconds. The brand new 2010 Roadster Sport beats that with a wonderful 3.7 seconds. Those two-tenths of a second don't look like much on paper, but they make a difference on the road. Perhaps just knowing about the enhanced acceleration makes the Roadster Sport feel faster in the absence of expensive testing equipment, because having driven both, it does feel that way. A lot.

Whatever the reason, when we recently got to take an Obsidian Black model out for a few hours, we couldn't help but notice how incredibly punchy the Sport is, whether bursting away from a stoplight or accelerating to pass on the highway. Sometimes we even slowed down a bit on the highway just to feel the seamless thrust of getting back up to speed. With the 2010 Roadster Sport, the EV grin is still in full effect. Find out what other kinds of fun can be had in a $125,500 Roadster Sport after the jump.

As stated, the Roadster Sport starts at $125,500 – $19,500 more than the standard Roadster. For the extra dosh, you not only get the improved 0-60 mph time, but also the ability to set the suspension to one of ten different settings and black-finish forged wheels (16 inches in diameter up front, 17 in the rear) wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN A048 tires, the same shoes that come standard on the Lotus Elise Sport (the standard Roadster has to make due with less aggressive AD07s).

As electric car fans know, peak torque from any electric motor is available from exactly 0 rpm, and this is blindingly apparent in the Roadster Sport. Its electric motor produces 280 lb-ft of torque and has also received a healthy horsepower bump to 288 over the standard model's 248. Another change is a smaller PEM (Power Electronics Module). Here you can see how the new PEM only comes to within about a foot of the sides of the car. The last-generation PEM extended almost to the edge while still allowing the trunk to close.

All that power is also somewhat dangerous in the wrong hands, because it's ridiculously easy to attain license-revoking speeds without either cognizance or intent. Were we to have been pulled over, we would've immediately blamed the eerie lack of an engine's soundtrack, "But officer, there's no way we were doing 120 – we would have heard it!" Luckily, our drive was incident-free, but given a full week with the Roadster Sport, we'd probably be writing this with one of those little four-inch golf pencils they issue for good behavior in the state penn (go ahead – ask us how we know).

When we weren't gleefully zipping down the straightaways, we tested the Roadster Sport's new adjustable suspension on the winding, hill-strewn roads west of Saratoga, CA. On these curves, the surefooted Sport model faithfully kept to the road like a mountain goat. Overall, if there's a theme to the 2010 Sport model compared to earlier iterations, it's that everything good has been improved while everything annoying has been kept the same.

The Roadster's single-speed transmission remains an impressive piece of work, offering us smooth power delivery all the way up to 85 mph, our self-enforced top speed on these public roads. The new transmission is also why the speedometer and tachometer are now contained in one display dial. If the motor is spinning at X rpm, the car is going X mph. The change from a double-speed transmission to a single-speed early in the Roadster's life means two things. First, it's easy to see that redlining happens at 14,000 rpm, which is 125 mph. Second, there is now room for a big needle on the right of the dashboard to show how many kWs the batteries are either giving up or taking in. When the car slows down, you enter the happy green (regen) zone, netting you a few more precious kW from regenerative braking before the next charge.

Since those regenerative brakes are very quick to get into their energy-recovery mode – they perceptibly take over as soon as your foot comes off the accelerator – it's basically possible to drive the Roadster using just the one pedal. Theoretically, the only time you'd need to step on the brakes is when something pops up in the road without warning, although obviously we don't recommend that strategy. On the flip side, "idling" around at very slow speeds requires constant brake application because the Roadster is designed to creep along at three mph when no pedals are depressed and the gear selector is in Drive.

Speaking of Drive, one of the most noticeable changes for 2010 is the inclusion of a new push-button gear selector. This is just one of many alterations made to the Roadster for 2010, but one of the few that are easily noticed since the car looks just like last year's model on the outside. The 2010's cabin was redone by Tesla's new designer Franz von Holzhausen, the charismatic Hollywood hotshot also responsible for the Model S and previously behind the pen at Mazda. Interior-wise, the other major change was the decision to move the information display screen to the center of the console so that the passenger can see what's happening with the battery pack's state of charge and other details.

The Lotus DNA in the Roadster Sport also becomes apparent as soon as you crawl into its confined space. Anyone 5'9" or under will feel right at home in the cockpit. That is, unless you want to get in or out, which requires at least a bronze medal in gymnastics to do gracefully. Anyone 6'2" or taller will immediately wish for more legroom and notice that the sightlines through the windshield top could be improved. Since the exterior design remains the same, the 2010 Roadster Sport also retains the prior model's terrible rear visibility. The speedometer is likewise well-hidden behind the small steering wheel, which is a problem if you're interested in driving without going too much over the speed limit. A more visual cue – HUD? – that you're doing 80 would be a welcome addition for 2011.

Unfortunately, given our brief stint with the car, we were not able to test out the accuracy of the quoted 244-mile range for the Roadster Sport, but we're confident in the number based on what we've heard from other Roadster owners. What we can say is that after driving the car hard for two hours through the hills and highways near Palo Alto, we still had 60 miles left in the battery – and we're not even sure we left Tesla's Menlo Park store with a full charge.

We can easily deal with any of the Roadster Sport's minor faults because this car is so blessed fun to drive. This isn't some concept vehicle made out of unobtanium. It's available today (well, there's a three month backlog in Roadster orders), and it certainly won our hearts again just as it did the first time we drove it. More importantly, the improvements of the 2010 Roadster over the 2009 model have whetted our appetite for the Model S something fierce. Consider von Holzhausen's work on the upgraded Sport interior and his heavy hand in the Model S, the sedans' 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds (incredible for a 7-person sedan) with a single-speed gearbox and a price that's about half of the Roadster's. 2011 can't come fast enough.

Source: Autoblog

Fastest Street Cars

2009-10-06T04:19:00.000-07:00

SSC Ultimate Aero TT
Made from carbon fiber, steel and titanium and decked out with so-called butterfly doors, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT holds the Guinness World Record for fastest production car, having blasted down a two-lane highway in Washington state in 2007 at 257 mph. It pulls zero to 60 mph in 2.78 seconds thanks to its 1,094 lb-ft of torque and 1,183 horsepower — more grunt than any other street car. Company founder David Shelby (SSC stands for Shelby Super Cars) is an engineer and former go-kart champion who combined his two passions to create the car. He incorporated racing elements (a manual transmission, no power steering and a roaring engine) with normal creature comforts (a navigation system, an LCD DVD/video screen and a color palette that includes orchid and copper).

Bugatti Veyron 16.4
The Veyron accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 2.46 seconds, from zero to 100 in 5.2 seconds, and from zero to 250 in 50 seconds — all this despite weighing nearly 4,500 pounds. Even more surprising than its speed may be its braking ability: It can brake from 60 mph back down to zero in 2.3 seconds. The 2-tone retro design harks to the 1920s and 1930s, as does the level of luxury (Hermes is a Bugatti collaborator). It's a car you'd expect Bugsy Siegel to have driven back in the day. In 2005 the Veyron was clocked at 253 mph, which at the time made it the fastest road car in the world. It's also the most expensive, fetching $1.7 million a pop.

Koenigsegg CCR
This Swedish 2-seater with a removable hardtop had a short-lived reign as the world's fastest street car in 2005, when it was recorded at 241 mph on an Italian racetrack. Its zero to 60 time is 3.2 seconds, and it develops 806 horsepower (measured with the first-ever horsepower gauge in a production car). Founded by Christian von Koenigsegg in 1994, the company builds its cars in a former Swedish Air Force facility where fighter jets were stored. Painted on the CCR's carbon-fiber and Kevlar body is a ghost, which was the symbol of the squadron that used the hangar. Earlier this year, Koenigsegg led a consortium of investors to purchase fellow Swedish automaker Saab from General Motors.

McLaren F1
This car dominated as fastest in the world (240 mph) for a whopping seven years, from 1998 to 2005, and pulls from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. In 1995 the F1 became the first street-legal car to beat prototype race cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A 3-seater with the driver's seat set in the middle of the car and two passenger seats slightly behind on either side, the F1 was designed by Formula One race car designer and engineer Gordon Murray. He used materials such as titanium, gold, carbon fiber, magnesium and Kevlar to create a lightweight, powerful vehicle. When it was released, British car magazine Autocar gushed: "The F1 . . . may possibly be the fastest production road car the world will ever see."

Jaguar XJ220
A catalytic converter got in the way of British Formula One driver Martin Brundle's initial attempt at breaking the world record for fastest road car in 1992. Ditching the converter allowed him to increase the engine's speed from 7200 to 7900 rpm, which made all the difference in clinching the record — 212 mph. Brundle later pushed it to 217 mph, setting a world record in the early '90s. Jaguar executives had set out to create the first road-legal car to break the 200 mph barrier, and the car — a 2-door coupe — was eventually named for its targeted top speed (220 mph). It didn't quite achieve that goal, but it did go from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, reportedly luring owners such as Elton John and the sultan of Brunei.

Bugatti EB110 SS
Just 31 of these cars were built by Bugatti, the luxury-car manufacturing company founded by Italian Ettore Bugatti in the early 1900s. With a carbon-fiber chassis made by an aircraft company, the EB110 SS maxed out at 214 mph and could hit 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. Bells and whistles included lifting scissor doors (all the rage in the early 1990s) and a glass cover for the V12 engine (for viewing purposes). Bugatti built 139 EB110s, but only a fraction of those were SS versions (stands for Super Sport). The EB110 SS was lighter and more powerful (592 horsepower) than its progenitor — and in 1992 it was the fastest road car on the planet.

Lamborghini Diablo
In 1985 Lamborghini decided to create a car capable of hitting 195 mph. It succeeded with the Diablo, which was still the fastest machine of its era when this slick Raging Bull finally hit the streets in 1990, maxing out at 202 mph and hitting 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. It was customizable in unprecedented ways, including the option of having the driver's seat molded especially for the buyer. But in other ways, it was bare bones: a basic radio, manual windows and no anti-lock brakes helped keep its weight down. Ferruccio Lamborghini used the bull as his emblem from the get-go when he founded the company in 1963, and he named each model for a famous fighting bull, including the Diablo — a legendary 1860s Spanish bull.

Ferrari F40
Debuting as Ferrari's fastest (zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds) and most expensive (the sticker price was $400,000, but buyers reportedly paid up to $1.6 million) car in 1987, the F40 had a 2-year reign as the world's fastest production car, clocking in at a top speed of 195 mph. Designed to coincide with Ferrari's 40th anniversary, the F40 was the last car released before company founder Enzo Ferrari's death. It was on the cutting edge of aerodynamics technology at the time, relying more on shape than power to create speed. Because it was so low to the ground, Ferrari engineers enabled it to automatically raise its ground clearance when necessary. The first models were race-car light: a plastic windshield and no carpet, door handles or sound system.

Porsche 959
The 959 started life as a rally car in 1986 and was later built as a production car. It wasn't street-legal in the United States until 1999, but several models were reportedly imported in the 1980s as showpieces. One important innovation that accounted for the 959's speed (zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph) was its all-wheel drive, considered the most advanced drive system at the time. The car could change the torque distribution between rear and front wheels in various road conditions and could funnel extra power to the rear wheels for extra traction. A weight-saving nylon floor replaced the steel that most manufacturers were using in that era, and the body was made from aluminum and a composite similar to Kevlar.

Ferrari 288 GTO
Built between 1984 and 1986 to compete in a racing series that never got off the ground, the 272 cars constructed by Ferrari under the 288 GTO model name became street cars by default. The initials GTO stand for Gran Turismo Omologato — an Italian phrase that signals the car was compliant with racing specifications and guidelines but also road-legal. The 288 GTO, widely considered the inspiration for and predecessor to Ferrari's F40, topped out at 189 mph (which was the record at the time) and shot up to 60 mph in less than five seconds. The 288 GTO's V8 engine generated 400 horsepower.

Source: By Claire Martin of MSN Autos

Fastest Sprinter from 0-100

2009-09-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

matched up against several of the hottest, most sought-after supercars in four sprint competitions.

In sprints against the Aston Martin DBS, Geiger Ford GT, Gumpert Apollo, Königsegg CCX-R, and the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV, the 997 took the title of fastest 0-100 km/h, posting a remarkable 3.0-second time. The same car reached 0-200 km/h in 9.1 seconds.

But it was the Geiger Ford GT that reached 300 km/h first, hitting that mark in 22.8 seconds. The same car had the best time going from 0-300-0 km/h, coming to a full stop at 30.3 seconds, a full half-second faster than the 997.

The full results were published in the October issue of the German magazine, Sport Auto. Here they are:

Porsche 997 Turbo mk2
Cadillac CTS-V
AM V12 Vantage
Ruf Rt 12 S
Koenigsegg CCX-R
Gumpert Apollo
Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV
Porsche 997 GT3 mk2
Wiesmann GT MF5
Cargaphic 997 Turbo GT RSC
TechArt GTstreet RS
MTM Audi RS6 Avant
Geiger-Ford GT
Geiger-Corvette Z06

0-100 km/h:
3.1 s - Porsche 997.2 Turbo PDK, 500 PS/1606 kg
3.2 s - Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, 670 PS/1751 kg
3.9 s - Gumpert Apollo, 700 PS/1148 kg
3.9 s - Koenisgegg CCX-R, 806 PS/1473 kg
3.9 s - Wiesmann GT MF5, 507 PS/1421 kg
4.0 s - Porsche GT3, 435 PS/1453 kg
4.5 s - Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 517 PS/1709 kg
4.7 s - Cadillac CTS-V, 564 PS/1955 kg

0-200 km/h:
9.5 s - Gumpert Apollo, 700 PS/1148 kg
9.8 s - Koenigsegg CCX-R, 806 PS/1473 kg
10.3s - Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, 670 PS/1751 kg
10.8s - Porsche 997.2 Turbo PDK, 500 PS/1606 kg
11.6s - Wiesmann GT MF5, 507 PS/1421 kg
12.8s - Porsche GT3, 435 PS/1453 kg
14.0s - Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 517 PS/1709 kg
14.3s - Cadillac CTS-V, 564 PS/1955 kg

0-300 km/h:
24.7s - Koenigsegg CCX-R, 806 PS/1473 kg
26.7s - Gumpert Apollo, 700 PS/1148 kg
29.7s - Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV, 670 PS/1751 kg
40.6s - Wiesmann GT MF5, 507 PS/1421 kg
41.9s - Porsche 997.2 Turbo PDK, 500 PS/1606 kg
50.3s - Porsche GT3, 435 PS/1453 kg
53.7s - Aston Martin V12 Vantage, 517 PS/1709 kg
69.3s - Cadillac CTS-V, 564 PS/1955 kg

Tuners

0-100 km/h:

3,0 s - Cargraphic-997 Turbo GT RSC
3,6 s - Geiger-Ford GT
3,6 s - MTM-Audi RS6 R
3.6 s - Ruf Rt12 S, 685 PS/1608 kg
3,7 s - TechArt GTstreet RS
4,3 s - Geiger-Corvette Z06

0-200 km/h:

9,1 s - Cargraphic-997 Turbo GT RSC
9,5 s - Geiger-Ford GT
10,0 s - TechArt GTstreet RS
10.6s - Ruf Rt12 S, 685 PS/1608 kg
11,0 s - MTM-Audi RS6 R
12,0 s - Geiger-Corvette Z06

0-300 km/h:

22,8 s - Geiger-Ford GT
23,8 s - Cargraphic-997 Turbo GT RSC
26,4 s - TechArt GTstreet RS
27.3s - Ruf Rt12 S, 685 PS/1608 kg
35,5 s - MTM-Audi RS6 R
43,2 s - Geiger-Corvette Z06

Overall 0-300-0 km/h

30,3 s - Geiger-Ford GT
30,8 s - Cargraphic-997 Turbo GT RSC
31,6 s - Koenigsegg CCX-R
33,3 s - Gumpert Apollo Speed
33,4 s - TechArt GTstreet RS
34,4 s - Ruf Rt12 S
36,2 s - Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV
43,2 s - MTM-Audi RS6 R
47,7 s - Wiesmann GT MF5
49,0 s - Porsche 997 Turbo PDK
50,7 s - Geiger-Corvette Z06
57,1 s - Porsche 997 GT3 mk2
61,2 s - Aston Martin V12 Vantage
77,0 s - Cadillac CTS-V

Source: sportauto-online.de and Cargraphic via Worldcarfans.com