While some race cars require extensive stretches of salt to get the job done, there are petrol heads that are eager to run flat out on just about any surface, even ice. While the Romanian automaker Dacia revealed the Duster concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the production version of their first ever SUV won’t be unveiled until 2010. However Dacia won’t keep us in the dark for too long because they have just entered the Trophee Andros ice racing series with a Renault Sport Technologies produced competition version of the upcoming Duster and will have none other than Formula One legend and ice racing enthusiast Alain Prost.
Although this is nowhere near the genuine article; it will be a stripped down, tube frame, purpose built, ice racer that is capable of changing direction on a dime on the most slippery surface on the face of the Earth and come with a power to weight ratio that you are unlikely to find in any of Dacia’s road cars. But isn’t that the fun part about race cars? You start off with something that resembles a car you might see on the street and then completely reengineer it to achieve the lowest lap time possible by doing things like putting a 350 HP Renault Sport V6 behind the driver mated to a six speed sequential gearbox and a set of studded tires at all four corners. Just try and imagine how much fun it would be to take that thing out on a snow covered public road.
Ever since man invented the automobile we have developed an insatiable thirst for speed, and while cars have come a long way in a little over a century of continuous improvements and the vehicles of today bare little resemble to their ancestors their purpose remains the same. The current land speed record stands at 760 MPH and belongs to the English built Thrust SSC, however that might not last for too long because the same team of speed freaks are working on a super sonic car that will go 1000 MPH. The team’s first attempt will will take place on the Hakskeen Pan, a 10 mile stretch of dried up salt bed in South Africa, and they plan on doing it in 2011.
Unlike the Thrust’s Rolls Royce turbines, the new car called the Bloodhound SSC, will be powered by an EJ200 jet engine from a Eurofighter Typhoon that delivers an amazing 133,150 HP worth of thrust. Doing a little math we deduce that it is equivalent to the output of around 180 Formula One cars. While that truly is like strapping yourself onto a rocket, the land speed record holder, RAF fighter pilot Andy Green has shown that he can be cool under pressure. With an all new design and a more powerful engine setup, the Bloodhound SSC is sure to set a few records.
The all wheel drive Japanese automaker Subaru will come to the Los Angeles Motor Show with a Special Edition version of their turbocharged high performance hot hatch Impreza WRX STI, and unlike their last take on the sport compact with the STI Carbon that was more of a softer luxurious ride, this special edition STI could be too hot to handle. The Scooby will be covered in a unique shade of Aspen White and limited to only 125 units, much like when they offered the STI Limited back in 2007. Aside from the frosty paint job, the Special Edition STI will include a variety of suspension components from the razor sharp WRX STI Spec C model from the Japanese Domestic Market. Not only do you get the track ready STI’s thicker rear sway bar, but the bushings are firmer and the shock and spring package has been significantly stiffened at all four corners.
The Special Edition WRX STI will be about as close as the American market will get to a Spec C from the Japanese automaker as it will also ride on the JDM version’s charcoal colored 18 inch wheels. A while back we had the chance to speak with some of Subaru of America’s representatives and they ensured us that they had seen the errors of their ways when they numbed down the STI into its hatchback only form, but they also promised us that they were going to take steps to make up for it. However if this is any indication of their intentions it is clear that Subaru is skipping the baby steps and taking some pretty significant leaps to return the STI to its performance oriented rally bred heritage.
German tuners are well known for going over the top in terms of both speed and style when it comes to their own brand of custom car tuning and this latest creation from LOMA Performance is overflowing with both. Seeing the beauty of America’s favorite sports car LOMA has chosen a stock base model Chevrolet Corvette as the foundation for the C6.BlackforceOne, a limited edition, wide body, high speed machine that will be unveiled at the Essen Motor Show. Getting the customized Corvette’s stance perfect required about four inches of carbon fiber jutting out horizontally from all four wheel arches, once LOMA had the body sitting just right they went to work on the small block under the hood.
When they were done the BlackforceOne was left with a twin turbocharged V8 that produces an astounding 780 HP, now that is like adding a whole HondaK Series engine to the already impressive Corvette ZR1 halo car. The tuners at LOMA feels that in the world of high performance tuning that speed is the ultimate status symbol, so aside from blistering acceleration they also wanted their modified bow tie to be able to achieve a tremendous top speed. Not only can the C6.BlackForceOne sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds but it won’t stop until it reaches 205 MPH. Production of the LOMA Performance C6.BlackforceOne is limited to only 25 vehicles and will be available in an assortment of flat fighter jet inspired colors like Stealth matte black, Eurofighter matte gray and White Storm matte white priced at almost $285,000 each.
The new Lexus LF-A is fast becoming a household name in the auto circle lately. After being unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, the oh-so desirable supercar has been making quite an impression on a lot of people and has even done the rounds on a number of car gatherings lately, including the
Cars & Coffee event in Irvine, California over the weekend.
The same matte black LF-A that people saw at the event proceeded to make an appearance at Jay Leno’s webisode, ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’. In the clip, Justin Bell, a former LeMans champ and the racing coach of the Jay Leno Show, went out onto the California Speedway with the LF-A in tow. After getting some prep time from fellow racer Scott Pruett, Bell gets behind the wheel of the LF-A to do some hot laps of his own.
Russia is fast becoming a player in the super car industry and from the looks of things, it looks like the superpower is just getting started.
We already know about the Marussia supercar that was introduced at Frankfurt, and now, Russia is bringing to the world sketches of another exotic in the form of the E’go Revolt.
The name may sound self-serving but the car sure as heck isn’t. With a Mitsubishi 3000GT chassis and a twin-turbo V6 engine capable of churning out as much as 550 hp, the E’go Revolt sure packs quite a mean punch. Likewise, the car’s design isn’t all that bad; it actually takes a reasonable approach and doesn’t go overboard with the aesthetics
No word yet if the car will ever make it past the concept stage, but nonetheless, you have to give credit where credit is due to the Russians. They’re slowly entering the super car industry and it looks like they’ll be around for a long time.
The South Korean automaker Kia has just revealed the 2010 Cadenza (known as the K7) luxury sport sedan in their domestic market. According to the manufacturer the new Cadenza will be a "big step into the future" for Kia when it goes on sale worldwide next year. The new Cadenza’s design is inspired by the KND-5 concept car that was revealed last April at the Seoul Motor Show. The concept featured a distinctive "tiger nose" front fascia with its signature grille and second-generation LED lights combined with the high efficiency rear clusters and is finished off by a dual muffler design that is integrated into the Cadenza’s back bumper.
The 2010 Cadenza is powered by a range of gasoline engines with outputs ranging from 165 HP at the more economical end to a very hearty 290 HP for the top of the line power plant. All new Cadenza models will feature front-wheel drive train as well as Kia’s all new six speed automatic transmission. With an offering like this, the Cadenza is guaranteed to attract a few new car shoppers into their local Kia showroom.
Lexus just revealed details about the all new next generation GX460 and the info just keeps rolling on in. This time they have announced pricing for the new luxury SUV. The Japanese automaker will offer the GX in two different trims; the base model is priced starting at $51,970 and the more plush Premium model climbs all the way up to $56,765. The Lexus GX 460 is powered by an all new 4.6 Liter V8 that produces 301 HP and 329 lb-ft of peak torque. The new power plant is teamed with an efficient six speed automatic transmission complete with sequential shift that helps provide the full size SUV with best in class V8 fuel economy.
The Japanese automaker Acura has announced pricing for the 2010 ZDX full size four door sports coupe crossover. The ZDX concept is fresh off of the auto show circuit and its almost identical production car version will begin to pop up in showrooms starting on December 15 wearing a price tag that starts around $45,495 for the well equipped ZDX. The navigation including Technology Package will run you $49,995 and an advanced ZDX will run you around $56,045.
The 2010 Acura ZDX is powered by a 3.7 Liter V6 that makes 300 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque thanks to Honda’s proven VTEC variable valve timing system. The new luxury vehicle comes standard with safety features like a blind spot information system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigating Braking System and an active damper system. That is in addition to a few luxurious touches like heated and ventilated front seats wrapped in Perforated Milano Premium Leather as well as an exquisite brushed tricot headliner and a sport steering wheel.
The ZDX’s main competitor, and originator of the Sport Activity Vehicle segment, the BMW X6 starts at $56,300 and can climb as high as $67,050 for the more powerful V8 version. When you look at the numbers, the ZDX makes sense for the value minded customer.
Packing a monstrous 1500 horsepowered-engine, this Lamborghini Gallardo “Race Version” is unlike any Gallardo you’ve ever seen in your lifetime.
Fine-tuned by Underground Racing for one of its clients, the twin-turbo Gallardo – called the TTG – is the personification of a monster on wheels. While 1500 horsepower is staggering enough, if you account for the drivetrain loss, the horsepower should spike up even more to around 1900 hp. Staggering, isn’t it?
After completing the modifications, Underground Racing gave Jonah – the owner of the car – the keys to the wheels – so he could give his new amped up baby a ride. The result? A sub-ten second time through a quarter mile at speeds of well over 160 mph. Unbelievable!
Here’s a video of the TGG being undergoing the modifications. Hear that monster roar!
Picture Gallery
Post a comment
RSS -
Webmaster free news |