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Bantamweight: Jetstream SC250 Roadster Unveiled
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A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers the vehicle, which puts out 250 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. (Photo courtesy of Jetstream)
CORNWALL, England — Embracing the basic minimalist concept behind the Ariel Atom and Lotus Elise is the new Jetstream SC250, a lightweight roadster designed for the track, but still legal on the streets.
The vehicle\’s distinctive look comes from Brian Rossi, who is known for his retro Ford Thunderbird design back in 2002.
A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger from the Vauxhall Astra VXR powers the vehicle, which puts out 250 horsepower and 236 pound-feet… Read the rest of this entry
Apocalyptic Mitsubishi \”Racing Lancer\” Preps for Official Debut
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(Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America)
HIROSHIMA, Japan — The images of Mitsubishi\’s \”Racing Lancer,\” the automaker\’s latest cross-country rally car, look like something out of
Mad Max. The apocalyptic Racing Lancer chews up scenery in the desert, spews sand and looks like a thuggish older brother to its production counterpart.
Mitsubishi released some musings about the Racing Lancer on Friday, saying the experimental car has logged more than 8,000 kilometers or nearly 5,000 miles in testing and competition. The automaker said this… Read the rest of this entry
Trident Iceni Still Seeking Financial Backing
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Contrary to the car\’s elegant look, it\’s powered by a Duramax 6.6-liter V8 turbodiesel from GM\’s heavy-duty pickups. (Photo courtesy of Trident)
NORFOLK, England — The Trident Iceni, a two-seat sports car with a biodiesel-capable engine and huge aspirations, may be getting closer to reality — if its manufacturer can secure sufficient funding to get the vehicle into production.
In a press release issued this week, Trident Performance Vehicles said it is still seeking financial backing for the Iceni, which dates to 2006. Trident released updated performance specifications on the car, and the claims have escalated considerably from the original… Read the rest of this entry
Detroit Automakers May Turn to Taxpayers To Get Out of the Hole
DETROIT — U.S. automakers are expected to ask the federal government for a $25-billion loan sometime after Labor Day to help them ride out the economic downturn, according to the Friday edition of The Wall Street Journal.
The plan is to ask the federal government to lend Ford, Chrysler and General Motors approximately $25 billion in the first year at an interest rate of 4.5 percent or about one-third what they are currently paying to borrow money in the capital markets, the newspaper reports. The government would also have the option of deferring any payment at all for up to five years.
The report, which appeared on the editorial page of The Wall Street Journal, also carried a stern warning: Just say no to Detroit. “Regardless of where and why these federal bailouts started, American taxpayers can’t save everyone,” it said. “The only way to stop this parade… Read the rest of this entry
Tuner Special: Abt Audi Q5
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The rear bumper houses Abt\’s four-pipe muffler. (Photo courtesy of Abt)
KEMPTEN, Germany — Abt Sportsline, the VW Group tuning specialist, has added power and a more aggressive look to the new Audi Q5.
Abt treated Audi\’s gasoline and diesel engines, with the most significant upgrade being the Power S trim on the 3.0-liter TDI that brings it to 310 horsepower and 451 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter diesel is upgraded from 170 to 190 hp, while the 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline engine is upped from 211 to 240 horses.
Exterior mods include a full body kit that features a rear wing and front bumper with a larger, more dramatic-looking air intake system. The rear bumper houses Abt\’s four-pipe… Read the rest of this entry
Spoon-Fed NSX: Tuner Re-Creates NSX Type R for the U.S.
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TOKYO — Japanese tuner Spoon Sports plans to convert left-hand-drive U.S.-spec NSXs into fully loaded NSX-Rs for the American market.
The Honda specialist is going the whole nine yards with the conversion. Extra goodies on the R include a retuned suspension with harder springs, stiffer shocks and thicker sway bars, a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, slotted brake rotors, a remapped ECU and a shorter final-gear ratio. That means total output should come in at around 300 horsepower, which is a little bump from the stock 290 hp found on the 2005 model.
Weight will be significantly cut, thanks to forged 17-inch wheels, carbon-fiber Recaro… Read the rest of this entry
Spy Photos: 2010 Toyota Sienna
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Unlike some auto manufacturers, Toyota is committed to the minivan market. (Photo by KGP Photography)
DEATH VALLEY, California — Toyota engineers were caught testing a 2010 Sienna prototype in the hot desert this week, and judging from the rough rear sections of the minivan mule, the future Sienna is likely to undergo a full redesign.
The current-generation Sienna has been on the market since 2004, receiving just a minor refresh in 2006. With a 119.3-inch wheelbase, the 2009 Sienna provides a class-leading 149 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and it\’s unlikely Toyota will want to move away from that distinction.
No engine specifications have been released for the future Toyota… Read the rest of this entry
Tuner Special: Sportec SP750
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Even Sportec\’s basic Stage 1 tuning kit for the Porsche 911 GT2 is enough to provide 0-60 acceleration in less than 3.5 seconds. (Photo courtesy of Sportec)
HORI, Switzerland — Sportec, the Swiss Porsche specialist, has introduced the SP750, its range-topping performance upgrade for the Porsche 911 GT2. In fact, Sportec offers several stages of tune for the GT2.
The SP750 is so-called because Sportec\’s kit for the twin-turbo 3.6-liter flat-6 engine kicks output to 750 PS, or 740 horsepower, with torque climbing to 627 pound-feet.
Sportec has reprogrammed the ECU and fitted more potent turbochargers and larger intercoolers, along with other internal engine mods, including titanium connecting rods and sport… Read the rest of this entry
Smart Recalls 2008 Fortwo
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The recall of 43 Smart Fortwos is the first such campaign for the brand in the United States. (Photo courtesy of Smart)
WASHINGTON — Smart is recalling 43 2008 Smart Fortwo 451 vehicles because a problem with some paint could eventually lead to separation of the roof or windshield of the vehicle while it is in motion, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is noteworthy because it is the first one involving Smart in the U.S.
NHTSA said the recall started when a single batch of paint sent to the company did not meet specifications. \”A rework was done in the plant using different formulations of painting materials,\” said the government agency in its recall summary of the problem. \”After the rework was completed, it was determined that the… Read the rest of this entry
Kia Unveils 2009 Forte in Korea
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Forte replaces the Kia Cerato in Korea and the Spectra in selected overseas markets. (Photo courtesy of Kia Motors America)
SEOUL, South Korea — Kia Motors formally rolled out its all-new 2009 Forte sedan, which will replace the Cerato in the Korean domestic market and the Spectra in selected overseas markets.
At the car\’s launch here, Hyundai said it expects to sell around 220,000 Fortes, with annual volume growing to 250,000 by 2010, including 170,000 exports to such markets as Russia, Central Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.
In Korea, the Forte offers buyers a choice of 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder… Read the rest of this entry
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