Saturday, October 31, 2009

BB1 begins a European tour

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PARIS : October 30, 2009 - After Peugeot BB1 presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BB1 was seen in the streets of Paris. This weekend, BB1 begins a European tour which starts at the Sony Center in Berlin.

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Next, the English will welcome BB1 to Covent Garden on 7th and 8th November. BB1 will then go to Spain for 21st and 22nd November, then to Italy, where it will be on show in Milan on 28th and 29th November. BB1 will finish its European tour in Paris on the weekend of 12th December 2009.

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In the five countries it visits, BB1 will be exhibited in places that draw large crowds. In this way, Peugeot is showing the general public its solution to the new automobile deal of the future: a 100% electric project capable of carrying 4 people in 2.5 metres.

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All dates and details are available on the bb1-peugeot.com site as well as on BB1's different social networks which have already attracted over 15,000 fans across Europe.

Galpin Auto Sports builds Halloween-themed hearse


We generally don't think of a hearse as a great platform for customizing, but then again, we've never known Galpin Auto Sports to shy away from messing with anything on four wheels. That's why we weren't surprised to see this specially-built conveyance of corpses constructed by the Southern California customizer. The hearse features a Halloween theme including dozens of hand-painted skulls on the front and side, as well as a spiderweb grille. It's not all spooky, though, and Galpin has made the interior an inviting place to be, with a working barbeque, chilled cooler, and a flatscreen TV all in the coffin. Not a bad place to spend your last few hours above ground!
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Hamilton Dominates Qualifying In Abu Dhabi


Lewis Hamilton claimed his fourth pole position of the season Saturday in qualifying for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

The McLaren-Mercedes driver dominated the session on the new 5.554-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit, registering a time of 1 minute 40.948 seconds to secure the 17th pole of his career.

'It's never easy but it was definitely as fun as it looked,' said Hamilton, who continued his strong finish to the season with a fourth top spot in the last seven races.

'The car was the best it's been all year.'

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel will start alongside Hamilton on the front row after clocking a lap 0.667 seconds slower than the 2008 champion. Vettel's teammate Mark Webber starts from third, followed by Rubens Barrichello and newly-crowned world champion Jenson Button.

'We are a little bit surprised by the gap,' admitted the German Vettel. 'I think we do have a good race pace, the car is getting better through the distance.'

Although Button claimed the drivers' title with a fifth-place finish at the Brazil GP two weeks ago and his Brawn GP team have secured the constructors' crown, the race for second place is still very much alive at the season-ender in Abu Dhabi.

Vettel currently holds the advantage with 74 points, just two ahead of Button's teammate Barrichello.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen managed only 11th while Hamilton's teammate Heikki Kovalainen had to be satisfied with 13th after suffering engine transmission problems.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso had a disappointing final qualifying session for Renault ahead of his move to Ferrari for next season and will start down in 16th place after being eliminated in the first round.

All eyes will now turn to Sunday's race, which for the first time in F1 history will start in daylight and be completed as the sun sets.

Temperatures are expected to hit 35 degrees Celsius at the Yas Marina track, where construction only began in February 2007.

The spectacular circuit, which has a tunnel as part of its pit- lane exit and a track that passes under the Yas Hotel, has impressed all the drivers this weekend, not least Hamilton.

'The place is just stunning. It's mind-blowing what they have been able to create here,' he said.

"In Q3 I had massive vibrations. Hopefully we can solve it by the race," added Button.

Pos No Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps
1 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:39.873 1:39.695 1:40.948 20
2 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:40.666 1:39.984 1:41.615 21
3 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:40.667 1:40.272 1:41.726 21
4 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:40.574 1:40.421 1:41.786 24
5 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:40.378 1:40.148 1:41.892 25
6 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:40.517 1:40.373 1:41.897 24
7 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:40.520 1:40.545 1:41.992 25
8 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:40.558 1:40.635 1:42.343 24
9 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:40.842 1:40.661 1:42.583 25
10 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:40.908 1:40.430 1:42.713 27
11 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:41.100 1:40.726 20
12 10 Kamui Kobayashi Toyota 1:41.035 1:40.777 17
13 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:40.808 1:40.983 16
14 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:41.096 1:41.148 18
15 11 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:41.503 1:41.689 19
16 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:41.667 12
17 21 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:41.701 10
18 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:41.863 10
19 8 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:41.950 12
20 3 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari 1:42.184 12

Source:GMM

Chevrolet Camaro SS Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary Eaton TVS Supercharger The limited edition

Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro SS

Camaros seem to be a favorite inspiration at the SEMA Show. Already, we’ve made a note to view the Camaro variations from Hurst, Lingenfelter, and Yenko.
Another one comes from Hendrick Motorsports, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Hendrick will be rolling out 25 of these fully loaded SS Camaros, with each having a price tag of $76,181.
Hendrick Motorsports, a NASCAR racing organization has commissioned Callaway Cars to develop and build a limited edition run of Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary 2010 Camaro SS vehicles. The 25th anniversary Camaro will include a host of engine, body and interior modifications.
Under the hood power hasbeen increased from 426 to 582 by way of Callaway's Eaton TVS series supercharger, high-flow air filtration system, low-restriction exhaust system and engine tune.
Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro SS

Will come with 582 bhp and do the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.9 seconds. The additional horses coming by way of an Eaton TVS supercharger along
with some engine management tuning as well as a new air filter and sport exhaust system.The suspension has also been upgraded with Callaway coil springs,shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. Keeping the power firmly mounted to the road is a set of new Callaway wheels.The suspension has also been upgraded with Callaway coil springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars.
Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary Chevrolet Camaro SS

Keeping the power firmly mounted to the road is a set of new Callaway wheels.This very exclusive Hendrick Motorsports vehicle is pricey but there are bound to be enthusiasts willing to part with their cash for this collector’s item.
If you’re interested, these cars can be purchased through Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet in San Diego, Calif. or at one of three Hendrick Chevrolet dealerships.
The limited edition model will be tagged inside and out with 25th Anniversary badges for the silver Camaro SS. The 25 cars will be made available for sale after the SEMA show through Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet of San Diego, California and three Hendrick Chevrolet dealerships in North Carolina, Georgia and Kansas.

Friday, October 30, 2009

First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA

2011 Lexus LFA

It's taken nearly four days to wrap my head around the 2011 Lexus LFA, and if I'm honest, I'm still not halfway there. The combination of a decade-long gestation, a half dozen prototypes comprised of two different materials, a high displacement V10 that cuts fuel at 9,500 RPM and a $375,000 price tag has left me incapacitated and trembling in a caffeine and nicotine-fueled fetal position for the better part of a week. I can't make heads nor tails of Lexus' first foray into supercardom, simply because nothing exists in the four-wheeled world to put it into perspective. Judging by your comments, I'm not alone.

There's more to this story than driving impressions and photos.
It's a front-engine GT, but its MSRP means it doesn't compete with the Ferrari 599. It's a technological tour de force nearly on par with the Bugatti Veyron, but its 202 MPH top speed doesn't come close to the V-max of Ferdinand Piech's quad-turbo masterpiece. It's lithe and nimble, but lacks the directness and tactility of the Lotus Elise. Its 3.7-second zero-to-60 time falls short of the GT-R, and it can't come close to the Nissan's point-to-point brutality. There's simply no frame of reference to apply, which begs the question: Why? Why has Lexus invested hundreds of million of dollars, ran a dozen races and developed nearly every single component in-house to build a scant 500 LFAs and offer them to the world's elite?

It's a mystery wrapped in an enigma coated in carbon fiber. And there's obviously more to this story than simply driving impressions and photos. So after last week's barrage of LFA news, it's time to take a step back... then get stuck right back in.

The general consensus is that Toyota built the LFA simply because it could. That's just a poor excuse to prevent your head from exploding. The LFA represents more than just a V10-powered, carbon fiber plaything; the investment in development, technology and manufacturing appears to be a cornerstone of ToMoCo's future products and Toyota President Akio Toyoda's vision for the automaker. But let's put the bird's eye view aside for the moment and revel in the details, beginning with the styling.

Compared to the concept that rolled out at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show, the production LFA bears more resemblance to Toyota's follow-up in 2007. The flat, pointed exterior has evolved into a scooped and ducted coupe that's far and away the best application of Lexus' L-finesse design language to date. But as everyone is quick to point out, the LFA is unabashedly Japanese. And that's only the half of it. Literally.



Up front, it's a semi-convoluted mess of angles and creases typified by the overwrought headlamps that look more like an afterthought than a cohesive design element. But get aft of the A-pillar, and it's marvelous. Swoops, intakes, smooth, organic surfaces matched with raw, industrial (and functional) components. The LFA has presence, though it's decidedly low-key when compared to other exotica – something that could be a boon or a curse for appearance conscious consumers.

Every carbon fiber component was developed and manufactured by Toyota.
Even if you can't get past the fascia, know that everything is there for a purpose. And that purpose is performance. The gap ahead of the hood feeds air to the engine. The intakes below the doors cool the brakes and supply air to the rear-mounted radiators. The sizable side mirrors and quaint set of spoilers hovering over the LED tail lamps are pure, wind tunnel and track-tested perfection. The two small slits housed within the black vents out back provide an exit for air that's been scooped up from an underbody tray to cool the titanium exhaust. And the dual ducts in the hood are mated to a chimney that shuttles the toasty atmosphere away from the titanium exhaust manifold. It's all ruthlessly exacting and terrifically efficient – exactly what you'd expect from an automaker whose recent reputation is built on perfection over passion. But that's not an insult, it's a necessary – maybe even complimentary – explanation when you scratch past the 28 available exterior colors.

Here's an example: Unbeknownst to us, Toyota has 150 years of textile manufacturing experience. Why bring it up? That gracefully arching A-pillar is the product of one of two rotary looms in the world (we're working on snagging video from Lexus PR) masterfully weaving individual strands of carbon fiber into the desired shape. And that's just the A-pillar. Every single carbon fiber component was developed and manufactured by Toyota – from the tub to the body panels – including the blast fiber reinforced sheet panels (think Chevrolet Corvette or Saturn) for the front and rear fenders, doors, roof rails and rocker panels. Parking lot dings are a simple (if expensive) swap away.



This holistic approach to development is one of the reasons it took so damn long for the LFA to come to market. Midway through its incubation, Toyota realized it couldn't meet the rigidity, weight and sound targets with an aluminum structure, so they went back to the drawing board and decided to replace it all with carbon fiber. The result: the 3,263-pound LFA is 65 percent composite and 35 percent aluminum – not single a piece of steel to be found.

And no, there won't be a convertible version.

That's a pity when you hear the 72-degree 4.8-liter V10 blasting past its 9,000 RPM redline. As evident in the video last week, the engine's exhaust note is muted and a bit of bore inside the cabin. But outside, running down the front straight of the Miami-Homestead Speedway, it sounds like an industrial hairdryer mic'd through a bullhorn. The aural cacophony and prodigious output of the 1LR-GUE V10 is partially thanks to Yamaha, which helped develop the engine for Toyota. But the collaboration didn't just net 552 horsepower at 8,700 RPM and 354 pound-feet of torque at 6,800 RPM. Yamaha tapped its musical department to tune the intake and exhaust tracts, resulting in a decidedly un-V10 soundtrack. It's not quite an F1 blare, but it's not far off, and below 3,000 RPM, there's no hint of the potential underneath and none of the unbalanced rattling found in truck engines modified for track duty.



Three air-cooled heat exchangers and a 10-liter remote oil reservoir handle both cooling and lubrication duties for the dry-sump V10, which is shorter and narrower than Toyota's own 3.5-liter V6. With weight distribution of paramount importance, the engine sits behind the strut towers and rests so deep that the valve covers actually sit below the tops of the tires. Because of its low placement and the rear-mounted six-speed sequential gearbox, Toyota developed an offset gear mounted to the crank that sends power to the transmission through a torque tube – a world's first. All of this results in a 48/52 front-to-rear weight distribution and a center of gravity that sits just behind the steering wheel. You're practically sitting on top of it, so the LFA pivots around your hips rather than being anchored up front – nearly negating the mid-engine argument.

Nestled into the stylish yet supremely comfortable seats, Toyota's attention to detail continued to assault every fiber of my being. I can't remember the last time I was excited about seat controls (never?), but the milled aluminum switchgear next to one's left leg is modern automotive art. Even the seatbelt causes pause: its thick, textured outer coating stretched across the chest, simultaneously securing and satisfying. I've never experienced that before, and probably never will again.



With the wheel-mounted Engine Start button depressed, the TFT screen lights up in Auto mode with the central-mounted aluminum bezel surrounding the tach and a digital speedometer – it's all digital and all configurable. Press the D-pad on the left of the steering wheel and the trip computer, engine vitals and lap timer pushes the tachometer to the right. Toggle the switch again and the display smoothly retracts back to the center. Three knobs to the left of the instrument cluster allow you to change transmission, engine and traction control settings, with the top knob allowing the selection of Auto, Sport, Normal or Wet driving modes. Twisting it down to Sport, all 552 horses are at my disposal, the gearshifts drop to two-tenths of a second and the tach's background switches to white, drops the 1,000 RPM mark and moves the redline up to the two-o'clock position for optimal viewing.

Finally, it's time to drive.

I leisurely run through first, second and third gears before making the slow left turn to enter the track. Gear changes are polished, but slightly abrupt, and only slightly smoother in automatic mode. Although two-tenths is properly quick, the latest 'boxes from Italy and Germany could put the LFA to shame in execution, but not refinement considering Toyota's decision to stay sequential.



I take the first lap around Homestead's infield (sadly, no banked runs for us – the LFAs on hand are the only two production prototypes in existence), to get the feel for the layout, but by the time I make it back to the front straight – tires warmed, carbon ceramic discs begging to be brutalized – my confidence grows in proportion to how quickly the ten individual throttle butterflies shuttle air into the compact V10.

By the time I brake for the first sweeping left-hander, I've crested the 130 MPH mark, the front 15.35-inch and 14.17-inch rear drilled discs clamped by six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers. Body roll? You'd have a better chance finding a show tunes CD in a Texas locker room. There's absolutely no dive, twist or squat transitioning from the stoppers to the steering to the throttle before downshifting from fourth to third with the left paddle.



I clip the first apex on the left, dab the brakes for the late apex on the right and realize there's no reason to slow down or load up the height adjustable front coilovers. The front double A-arm and multi-link rear suspension is perfectly taut and supremely composed as I lay into the throttle down the infield straight. The tach effortlessly flies to the right, glows green for a moment at 8,500 RPM, then red at 9k joined by an infernal beep when I select third and, a sneeze later, fourth. Heavy braking into another late right-hander, snatch third before going into a long right-hand bend and then right back up through fourth. The whole experience is so undramatic that it's unnerving. And not particularly thrilling either.

Generally, when I come off of a new track after a few hot laps in anything – Versa or Veyron – my hands are a bit shaky and my legs a little on the wobbly side. With the LFA, it feels like I just re-robed after a Swedish massage. That's just not right, so after an internal download session, I head back for another three laps.



This time out, I've got a flow, a feel for the track and its transitions. On the three sections where the road course meets the oval, the surface changes slightly, providing the perfect opportunity for a few ill-advised – but controlled – hamfisted maneuvers. Coming onto and off the back straight, where a 100+ MPH run is easily attainable, these abrupt transitions simply can't rattle the LFA no matter the steering, throttle or brake inputs. With four strategically placed mounts holding the engine and transmission to the carbon fiber monocoque, the four 20-inch wheels (each wrapped in an all-new Bridgestone Potenza pattern that Lexus isn't at liberty to talk about) remain in constant contact with the tarmac, no matter what idiotic maneuver I pull off. I deliberately nail the sexy machined brake pedal mid-corner and the LFA readjusts its attitude and carries forth. The power-assisted steering may not be the most communicative, but it's perfectly precise and deadly accurate. When I stab the throttle with around 30 degrees of lock dialed in, the Sport mode's traction control setting – which modulates the rear brakes and doesn't disrupt power delivery (the opposite of Normal mode) – and the Torsen limited-slip differential allows the rear end to gently track out, while all I've done is keep the throttle planted and taken a few degrees out of the steering. It's otherworldly and simply effortless to drive quickly.

Right. But is it fun?



It is, but in a leather-ensconced, grand-tourer from the fourth dimension way. Unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to take the LFA onto public roads, so its daily livability (that suspension is plenty stiff) and horizon-come-forth abilities haven't been fully exploited, let alone assessed. But it's got the potential to be many things – track toy and ultra-GT – to 500 (stupendously wealthy) people. But the overarching question about why Toyota's created the LFA still remains unanswered.

The LFA is a harbinger of the future for Toyota.
Sure, it's a halo car in the purest sense. With only 20 LFAs being built between December of 2010 and the end of 2011, a $375,000 MSRP and 30 billion ways for well-to-do owners to screw it up configure the interior and exterior, seeing one on the road is going to be all-too-rare. But a halo vehicle is supposed to bring people into dealerships, and we somehow doubt consumers are going to ogle an LFA then turn around and buy an IS 250. So there's got to be something more...

Let's go back to the bird's eye view. Toyota opted for a carbon fiber structure as opposed to aluminum, and while we almost/sorta/kinda buy the line about the previous prototypes not meeting specific targets, it would've been far less expensive to manufacture the LFA out of metal rather than the exotic and expensive weave. By doing everything in-house, Toyota's learned plenty about the mass production of carbon fiber and, possibly, how to bring costs down to a more manageable level – maybe even less than aluminum.



The age of automotive lightness is nearly upon us, and unconventional wisdom says that the automaker who brings composite production costs out of the stratosphere is going to have a huge advantage going forward. The LFA is a test bed for that development – the first massive leap for the world's largest automaker.

While weight reduction is something all enthusiasts are clamoring for, Toyota's first application is the hyper-expensive LFA. Far, far below that is the FT-86 Concept, which Toyota asserts is the model for lightweight sports coupes going forward. So they've got the LFA at the top and the FT-86 at the bottom... what's in between?

We don't know, but we wouldn't be surprised if Toyota unveils something in the next few years that takes the lessons learned from the LFA and distills them into a lightweight, sub-$100k package. That model – if not that specific vehicle – seems to be the direction President Akio Toyoda is aiming for... and until then, the LFA is here: A harbinger of the future and proof that immensely entertaining things are on the way from Toyota. Finally.

Ram hybrid coming in 2010

Ram hybrid coming in 2010

According to The Detroit News, the big joint development program formed several years ago between General Motors, Daimler, Chrysler and BMW to develop a two-mode hybrid system for light duty vehicles is over. With all four automakers now having launched versions of the gas-electric system, the joint program is being wound down and the Troy, Michigan office where engineers from each company collaborated will be closed by the end of this year. Most of the joint work actually ended last June and many of the staff have already been relocated to other facilities.

The Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid and BMW X6 ActiveHybrid are both going into production right about now using a version of the two mode transmission built by Daimler. Chrysler, which briefly built a version of the Durango and Aspen SUVs with the hybrid system last year, remains committed to re-launching the system in the Ram pickups in 2010. At this point, however, it looks unlikely that the planned light-duty hybrid will launch anytime soon in the Ram 1500.

[Source: The Detroit News]

2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Successor Test-Mule Spy

2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti successor test-mule spy shots

While this test-mule was previously thought to be for a minor mid-cycle facelift for the 612 Scaglietti, key details such as the extended front-end, bonnet bulge, longer wheelbase and stacked exhaust pipes suggest this vehicle represents something much more significant than a facelift.

2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti successor test-mule spy shots

It seems like just yesterday that Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti was launched but it's actually been almost five years, which is why it’s not surprising that test-mules for the car’s successor are already running around the streets of Maranello. Designers will be primarily focused on giving it an edgier, more up-to-the-minute look, however, the new look may be joined by a greener powertrain as well.

2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti successor test-mule spy shots

If the report proves true, the Scaglietti successor will have a fuel economy of roughly 19 mpg--up from 11.5 mpg for the current model. Power isn't expected to grow much, as the 612’s standard 533 horsepower output is already generous.

2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti successor test-mule spy shots

Not much is known about the successor to the 612 as the car’s is expected to make its launch until late 2011, but according to previous reports the car could feature a brand new V-12 powerplant. The new engine is tipped to have 40% fewer carbon-dioxide emissions than the current mill, which would fit Ferrari’s internal goal of reducing its emissions and fuel-consumption by that same amount by 2012.
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Subaru Concepts Push the Limits of the Fast, the Low and the (Very) Slow for 2009 SEMA Show


CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced two tuner models along with a "blast from the past" Subaru classic that will debut at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 3-6. Further models will be announced in due course.
Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT®), Subaru of America's in house performance division, built a custom Impreza WRX® STI® and Legacy® VIP concept especially for the 2009 SEMA Show. The WRX STI by SPT demonstrates what a WRX STI owner can build at home using just the SPT catalog as a source for bolt-on parts. The WRX STI by SPT offers more power along with even sharper handling response, making it the ideal machine for high style street performance or track driving.
The Legacy VIP is a one-of-a-kind vehicle inspired by the VIP rides found on the streets of Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. It uniquely blends parts from SPT and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with custom features for the "full VIP treatment." VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively styled wheels.


Those connected to this scene don't say "V-I-P" but rather call it "bippu" in a nod to its Japanese roots. "Traditional" VIP rides are based on rear-wheel drive vehicles; the Subaru Legacy VIP breaks the mold by applying the look to an all-wheel drive sedan with an extra dose of East Coast flair.
The third vehicle announced for Subaru's SEMA display is also one-of-a-kind: A special SPT delivery van that promises to deliver go-fast parts very slowly. That's because it only has 25 horsepower.
The 1969 micro van (emphasis on "micro") was one of the first models sold by Subaru of America. Its two-cylinder, two-stroke engine musters 25.3 lb.-ft. of torque. Less than 10 feet long and barely more than four feet wide, the Subaru micro van could be used to deliver SPT parts inside Subaru's headquarters campus. Nearly as impressive as its 66-MPG economy is the patience needed to drive it for 66 miles.


Details: 2010 Subaru WRX STI by SPT

The drivetrain in the WRX STI by SPT is essentially stock, which means a 2.5 liter DOHC, 16 valve, turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer® engine with Dual Active Valve Control System. Backed by a 6-speed close ratio manual transmission, it gets power to the road via Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD), limited slip helical front differential and TORSEN® rear differential.
The engine remains stock, including 14.7 PSI max. boost. An SPT exhaust system boosts horsepower to 315 hp @ 6,000 RPM (up from the stock 305), while peak torque remains stock at 290 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 RPM. There is also an SPT turbo heat shield. For that extra dose of style under the hood, the car features an SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold down v2.0; an STI front lip spoiler and SPT exhaust finishers complete the look.
The stock WRX STI is already a master of the curves; the WRX STI by SPT ups the handling ante with readily available accessories: 19 x 8.5-in. Prodrive® GT2 wheels are finished in Glitter Gold and wear Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/35R19 performance tires. Suspension is tweaked with STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace and an SPT lower chassis brace.
Interior appointments and electronics are geared to what the average enthusiast can afford and use. So, you won't find half a dozen 10-inch LCDs scattered around the interior. An SPT boost gauge, a media hub digital music integration system and an auto-dimming mirror with transflective display and HomeLink® transmitter, are all available from the SPT catalog. Final touches include an STI shift knob and all-weather floor mats (because Subaru drivers aren't afraid of the weather.)

Details: Subaru Legacy 2.5GT VIP

The 2010 Legacy is all-new, built on a new platform that increases room and comfort while preserving the agility and fun-to-drive spirit of the previous model. Its new midsize roominess and comfort make Legacy an ideal candidate for the VIP ("bippu") treatment. This transformation, however, is not for the faint of heart.
The 2010 Legacy 2.5GT starts out strong enough; its new 265-hp turbocharged/intercooled is teamed exclusively to a new 6-speed manual transmission for 2010 along with the Continuous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (viscous coupling locking center differential). So, the Legacy can go on when the snowflakes fall. The stock torque curve (258 lb.-ft. at 2,000-5,200 RPM) makes city VIP-ing smooth and easy in this Legacy.
The turbo Boxer is dressed up with a custom full engine bay cover, SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold-down v2.0. To go "bippu" is to go low, starting with the profile. The stock Subaru intercooler, which inhales through a hood scoop, is replaced by a Mishimoto front mount intercooler with custom piping, to allow a smooth hood.
To ride low, the Legacy VIP gets air suspension system from Universal Air®. The MC3 Enterprises Trinidad wheels were custom machine for this vehicle and measure 20 x 10-inch in front (30 offset) with a 3-inch lip; the 20 x 10-inch rear wheels have a 12 offset and 4-inch lip. The 235/30R20 Falken FK452 tires are "stretched a bit."
Subaru sourced a number of body parts from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, including: hood, bumper faces, sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights. The power folding signal mirrors with chrome caps and the vent shades likewise come from the JDM Legacy parts supply. Roof and decklid lip spoilers were added to keep the lines of the car clean.
Custom touches start with the rolled and flared fenders and add a chrome trunk garnish and door handles, along with puddle lights. The body is sprayed in Shinjuku Black Plum. The Legacy VIP interior is almost fully custom, featuring diamond stitch seats and door trim finished in Togarashi Red. An interior illumination kit and illuminated sill plates add a VIP glow.
SPT catalog parts include an auto-dimming mirror with transflective display and HomeLink transmitter and an STI Duracon shift knob.
The rear seat passengers enjoy the full VIP treatment, starting with bucket seats and a motorized compartment for valuables. Onboard entertainment is offered through a JVC KD-AVX77 touch screen head unit up front and twin rear seat multifunction displays in the rear. A custom carputer integrates the added subsystems. A pair of JBL amps (GT5-A604 4-channel and GT5-A3001 sub amp) powers six JBL speakers and two JBL 10-inch subs.

Details: 1969 Subaru SPT Parts Delivery Van

The Subaru SPT Parts Delivery Van is a fully restored 1969 Subaru 360 van and features prominent SPT livery. The restoration was undertaken by Subaru of Las Vegas and will be displayed in their showrooms after the show.

  • Engine: 356 cc, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled
  • Horsepower/torque: 25 @ 5,500 RPM / 25.3 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 RPM
  • Length: 117.9 inches
  • Width: 51.0 inches
  • Height: 53.0 inches
  • Curb weight: approx. 950 lbs.
  • Fuel economy: 66 miles per gallon
  • Smile factor: priceless

Source:Subaru

SEMA Show: Powered by Hennessey's tweaked LS9 engine, the supercharged HPE700


LAS VEGAS, NV – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) is set to debut the company's limited edition, Corvette ZR1 inspired, 2010 HPE700 LS9 Camaro on Tuesday, November 3 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Powered by Hennessey's tweaked LS9 engine, the supercharged HPE700 Camaro cranks out 725 bhp and 741 lb-ft of torque twist. 0 to 60 mph is achieved in just 3.5 seconds. The HPE700 LS9 Camaro will be on display in the Mobil 1 booth (#24466).

The HPE700 LS9 Camaro is able to whoa as well as it can go with massive 15 inch Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers in front and 4-piston calipers in rear. Ride quality and handling are also improved with the addition of KW Variant 3 coilover suspension with upgraded sway bars. Combined with Hennessey's own light weight 3-piece 20 inch wheels shod with Michelin PS2 tires, the HPE700 Camaro is capable of generating 1.01 g on a 200 ft. skidpad. Rounding out the package is the ZR1-inspired Cam-Aero ™ carbon fiber body upgrades consisting of a front splitter, side skirts and rear bumper with diffuser.

Production has been limited to just 24 examples. "This may be one of the most special vehicles our company has ever built", said company founder and president, John Hennessey. "Time will tell, but I would venture to say that the 2010 HPE700 LS9 Camaro may go down in history as one of the most significant modern muscle cars ever built".

Cost for the HPE700 LS9 Camaro is $119,500 which includes one day of driving instruction at Hennessey's Lonestar Motorsports Park race track facility.


About Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE)
HPE has been making fast cars go faster since 1991. Founded by John and Hope Hennessey, the company now operates from it's 30,000 square foot workshop and showroom facility situated on 143 acres near Sealy, Texas (about 45 minutes west of Houston). HPE offers a wide variety of dyno proven, track tested parts and upgrades for a variety of modern performance vehicles. HPE is also the only tuner in North America that has its own private test track – Lonestar Motorsports Park.



2010 Hennessey HPE700 LS9 Camaro Specifications

Power:
• 725 bhp @ 6,400 rpm
• 741 lb-ft Torque @ 3,200 rpm

Performance:
• 0 - 60 mph: 3.5 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 11.3 @ 126 mph
• Skidpad: 1.01 g
• 60 - 0 mph braking: 104 ft.

2010 HPE700 Camaro Includes:
• Base 2010 Camaro SS with 6-speed Manual Transmission
• Your Choice of Exterior Factory Colors: Cyber Gray Metallic, Aqua Blue Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic and Red Jewel Tint Coat
• LS9 6.2 Litre Supercharged Engine with Intercooler
• Mobil 1 Oil & Filter
• Cam-Aero (tm) Body Components: Front Spoiler, Rear Bumper Diffuser & Side Rocker Panels
• Long Tube Stainless Steel Headers
• HPE Extreme Duty Clutch & Flywheel Upgrade
• HPE Race Shift Knob and Shifter Upgrade
• HPE Light Weight Alloy Wheels
• 20 x 11 inch (rear); 20 x 10 inch (front)
• Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Tires, 275/35-YR20 (front); 305/35-YR20 (rear)
• Brembo Front Brake Upgrade: 6-Piston Calipers with Light Weight 15 inch Cross-Drilled Rotors
• Brembo Rear Brake Upgrade: 4-Piston Calipers with 14 inch Light Weight Rotors
• KW / HPE Variant 3 Adjustable Coil-Over Suspension Upgrade
• KW / HPE Front & Rear Sway Bar Upgrades
• Painted Hockey Stick Side Stripe with LS9 logo
• Hennessey Embroidered Head Rests & Floor Mats
• Limited Edition HPE700 Dash Plaque & Hood Plaque
• HPE700 & Hennessey Logos Painted on Rear Deck Lid
• Hennessey Letter of Authenticity
• HPE700 buyers will also receive a 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a 1/4 mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey's 30,000 square foot production facility and showroom.

Options:
• Connolly Leather Interior with Custom Colors
• 850 hp Twin Turbo Upgrade
• 1000 hp Twin Turbo Upgrade
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THE SCIROCCO R AND GOLF R NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER - With Video


Volkswagen has today confirmed pricing and specification for the most powerful and fastest accelerating derivatives of the Scirocco and Golf ever produced. Developed by Volkswagen's special projects wing, Volkswagen Individual, prices for Scirocco R start at £26,945 on-the-road and £28,930 for the Golf R.
Fitted with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine and a six speed manual gearbox as standard, the Scirocco R develops 265 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque while the Golf R produces 270 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque. A six-speed DSG gearbox is available as an option on both models from £1,300.


For the first time on an ‘R' model, the Scirocco R channels power though the front wheels and is fitted with the XDS electronic cross-axle traction control system to ensure improved grip in all conditions. The Golf R, available in both three- and five-door bodystyles, uses a pre-charged hydraulic version of Volkswagen's 4MOTION four wheel drive system. This system can react quicker than previous 4MOTION systems while also limiting torque to maximise traction and minimise wheelspin.
The range-topping Scirocco accelerates from a standstill to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds, falling to 5.8 seconds when equipped with the DSG gearbox, while achieving a combined figure of 34.9 mpg (35.3 for DSG) and 189 g/km of CO2 (187 for DSG).


The Golf R is the fastest accelerating Volkswagen ever produced, with a 0 to 62mph sprint taking just 5.7 seconds. As with the Scirocco, the DSG gearbox shaves a further two tenths of a second from this time. Despite this impressive performance, the Golf R returns 33.2 mpg on the combined cycle (DSG 33.6 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km (195g DSG). Both the Scirocco R and Golf R models have a top speed of 155 mph.
To set the ‘R' models apart from a conventional Scirocco or Golf, both feature unique styling features. New front bumpers complete with LED running lights and a trio of deep airdams, Xenon lights which frame gloss black grille elements, gloss black wing mirrors, sill extensions and 18-inch five-spoke ‘Talladega' alloy wheels housing gloss black ‘R' callipers give the new models a purposeful look. Optional 19-inch alloy wheels in the same design are also available and, on the Golf R, these can be specified with a gloss black finish.


At the back, both models feature roof mounted spoilers and are fitted with twin exit exhausts; the Golf R's positioned in the centre of a gloss black diffuser and the Scirocco R's mounted on either side. Smoked rear light units, which on the Golf house high-intensity LED bulbs, further differentiate the R models.
Styling changes continue inside the cabins of both new models with new sports seats complete with 'R‘ logos, piano black and silver highlights, a new three-spoke black leather sports steering wheel with contrasting stitching and revised white backlit dials with subtle electric blue needles unique to the ‘R' range. Vienna leather sports seats are available on both models and Recaro bucket seats can also be specified as an option on both the three- and five-door Golf R models.
Alongside the new addition to the Scirocco range, the power output in the ‘standard' 2.0-litre TSI Scirocco GT has now been increased to 210 PS. This extra power reduces the sprint to 62 mph to 6.9 seconds for both the manual and DSG gearboxes, and top speed increases to 149 mph (147 DSG). Fitted with revised oil and cooling systems, the 210 PS unit also boasts improved fuel consumption of 38.2 mpg (was 37.2) and emissions of 172 g/km of CO2 (was 179) over the engine it replaces.


The first examples of Volkswagen's most powerful hatchback and coupe are expected to arrive in showrooms in February 2010.

0-62 mph (seconds)

Fuel economy,
combined (mpg)

Price, £
(RRP OTR)

Scirocco R

2.0-litre TSI 265 PS 6 spd manual

6.0

34.9

26,945

2.0-litre TSI 265 PS 6 spd DSG

5.8

35.3

28,245

Golf R

2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 3-door 6 spd manual

5.7

33.2

28,930

2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 5-door 6 spd manual

5.7

33.2

29,515

2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 3-door 6 spd DSG

5.5

33.6

30,235

2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 5-door 6 spd DSG

5.5

33.6

30,820


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New Opel Corsa ecoFLEX with only 3.7 liter/100 km and 98g/km CO2


  • 95 hp and 190 Nm of torque add driving dynamics
  • Three- and five-door models seat five and yet emit less than 100g/km CO2
  • Diesel Particulate Filter is standard
Rüsselsheim. Starting January 2010, the new Opel Corsa ecoFLEX is more respectful of the environment and fun to drive than ever. It is powered by a sophisticated, 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI diesel engine boosted by a turbo with a variable geometry. It is packed with 28 percent more power than the previous generation Corsa ecoFLEX even though fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent - yet the price is the same as the standard 90 hp Corsa 1.3 CDTI.


The new Corsa ecoFLEX illustrates Opel's philosophy of developing ecologically responsible cars that are still fun to drive. With its 190 Nm of torque available between 1750 and 3250 rpm, this Corsa ecoFLEX needs only 3.7 l/100 km, releasing just 98 g/km CO2 as a three-door. The five-door Corsa emits 99 g/km.
Both versions are equipped with a standard Diesel Particulate Filter which dramatically reduces the emissions that are the most detrimental to health. With this Corsa ecoFLEX, fleet and private drivers in many European countries may benefit from special eco tax advantages without polluting the air with diesel particulates.
Also, the new Corsa ecoFLEX can be ordered with a variety of equipment variants. This means that customers have the choice of which trim and equipment they would like in their car, from the starter level up to optimized Cosmo variant.


The engine of the new Corsa ecoFLEX combines two strengths: low CO2 and high performance. Opel engineers achieved this by using a turbo with variable turbine geometry, which significantly improves the engine's performance. To support the higher turbo pressure, engineers slightly reduced the compression ratio from 18 to 16.8: 1. Opel engineers optimized the calibration on the engine; they greatly increased low-end torque and the peak power, making a new transmission set-up possible: A longer transmission gear ratio was selected for the five-speed unit. The new 95 hp has a top speed of 177 km/h and needs only 12.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill. This ‘'wide ratio, eco-friendly ‘' gear set work together to lower CO2 values below 100g.
Aerodynamics has been improved by lowering the car by 20 mm and optimizing the air flows via the air intakes. Wheels are fitted with newly designed, more efficient wheel caps. The Corsa ecoFLEX is equipped with special, 175/70 tires that are roll-resistance-optimized and fitted to lighter, flow formed , 14" steel wheels - 15" wheels are optional.
Source: Opel

SEMA Preview: Suzuki Equator ICON


The Suzuki Equator ICON comes with a custom suspension with performance coilovers in front and 2.5-inch piggyback shocks supporting linked to Total Chaos upper control arms. For a little more power, the Suzuki Equator ICON is fitted with Doug Thorley long-tube headers and a cat-back exhaust system.


ICON Vehicle Dynamics will premiere at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas the Suzuki Equator ICON which is powered by a 4.0 liter V6 engine. The Suzuki Equator ICON has been assembled with a variety of parts from several Southern California-based suppliers and features Bushwacker fender flares, LightForce lights and an AMP Research bed extender.


Source:zercustoms