After 20,000 kilometers worth of testing, the crew at Pogea Racing has finally signed off on their latest customization program for the factory tuned turbocharged five cylinder, Quattro all wheel drive Audi TT-RS. The German tuning firm is offering a couple of different performance upgrades that take the 335 HP TT-RS up to a 367 HP and 383 lb-ft of torque starting point all the way up to an R8 super car rivaling 420 HP and 443 lb-ft of twist with everything from a simple engine computer reflash all the way up to entire larger diameter free flowing exhaust systems complete with sport catalytic converters, double flap mufflers to keep things quiet when not running flat out and if those aren’t enough for you, Pogea Racing is also offering performance turbochargers all starting at 1099.00 euros.
The American automaker Ford has revealed the first details about the 2011 ShelbyGT500, the top of the line, high performance Mustang set to make its world debut in just a few days at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. The new GT500 will be offered as both a coupe and convertible, with new items for 2011 being the SVT Performance Package, standard HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps, integrated spotter mirror and fold down rear headrests.
The aforementioned SVT Performance Package is made up of a new set of staggered lightweight 19 inch forged aluminum wheels up front and 20 inch rollers at the rear wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car tires. Meanwhile power comes from an all new aluminum 5.4 Liter supercharged V8, derived from the unit inside the Ford GT super car, that produces 550 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque. The engine weighs in at 102 pounds less than the previous model, meaning that the entire package offers a better power to weight ratio and fuel economy as well, returning 15 MPG around town and as much as 23 MPG on the highway.
This much we know about Toyota since Akio Toyoda took the helm as company president: when they screw up, it doesn’t take forever for them to apologize and assume responsibility for their follies.
Whether it’s an emotional press conference from Toyoda himself or a tear-jerker ‘Commitment’ advertisement for the Super Bowl, the brand knows well enough that the two most important words in this situation are ‘damage’ and ‘control’.
So despite the cheesy nature of their new commercial, we have to applaud Toyota for owning up to their mistake. They messed up and they’re taking full responsibility for it.
Whether or not the consumer outrage over this global recall of Toyota vehicles softens up is an entirely different matter. But for now, apologizing and ensuring its consumers that their fully committed to make things right is a good start for the brand to fully redeem itself.
Spyker – yes the same Spyker that purchased Saab from General Motors – has found a new dealership home in the US and we’re not the least bit surprised to find out that they’ve tapped Galpin to help break-in the Spyker C8 Aileron coupe and spyder into the US market.
The inclusion of Spyker into the fleet of brand’s under Galpin’s dealerships makes it the latest in a long line of car brands that have tapped the services of Galpin to sell their vehicles. Among the other brands that Galpin sells in the Van Nuys, California dealership includes Ford, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Lotus.
While Galpin has a pretty strong track record of selling more than its fair share of vehicles, the expectations for Spyker are somewhat tempered because, as history has shown, the brand has yet to establish a footing in this part of the world as evidenced by Spyker selling only around 20 cars in the US last year.
Nevertheless, Galpin President Beau Boeckmann has said that the goal for their dealership is to maintain about 10% of the market shares in North America, which isn’t saying much given that Spyker is far from a household name in this part of the world.
Then again, unless Spyker has something in store for customers that we don’t know about, we don’t expect it to take the US by storm; at least not yet.
If there’s one thing we’re beginning to know about Toyota president and CEO Akio Toyoda, it’s that the man is not afraid to wear his emotion on his sleeves.
The brand’s top executive – and grandson of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda – commented for the first time since Toyota became embroiled in a crisis the likes of which it hasn’t seen in years.
Speaking from the company’s headquarters in Nagoya, Japan, Toyoda apologised profusely for the safety problems and ensuing mass recall of over 4 million cars because of sticky brake pedals. “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise from the bottom of my heart for causing many of our customers concern after the recalls across several models in several regions," Toyoda said. "Believe me, Toyota cars are safe."
Unfortunately for Toyota, another storm is brewing in the horizon after a braking problem found in the Toyota Prius has resulted in over 124 complaints being logged by the U.S. National highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to Toyota, the company has already began steps in fixing a software fix for the Prius’ braking problems.
The past couple of weeks have seen Toyota take a major hit, both in business and in public opinion. The company’s stocks have torpedoed by over $30 billion since the crisis began and more and more consumers have voiced their concerns with regards to purchasing another Toyota in the future.
If you can remember Mopar’s muscle car color palette from the 1970s you should be familiar with shades like Plum Crazy Purple, Sassy Grass Green and Moulin Rouge; then the special edition 40th anniversary Furious Fuchsia Challenger will be right up your alley. Available as both an R/T and SRT8 model, the pink pearl Challenger will go on sale starting at $35,140 for an R/T model and goes all the way up to $45,150 for an SRT8.
The Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Furious Fuchsia wears a pair of Matte Black or Bright White side stripes running the length of the vehicle, just like in the olden days, however despite the name, the 20 inch polished aluminum heritage wheels wrapped in all season performance tires are straight out of the 21st century. Meanwhile the R/T has a classic egg crate style grill up front and a body color rear spoiler out back. The SRT8 version adds all new Pearl White leather SRT performance seats with Furious Fuchsia accents as well as a set of 20 inch SRT forged aluminum wheels finished in Satin Black and retro inspired chromed quad exhaust tips out back. Collectors will be most proud of the identification plaque on the dash indicating their car’s authenticity as one of 400 Furious Fuchsia Challengers.
We’ve seen Jaguar’s modern day interpretation of the classic E-type sports car before, and although it looked a lot like the latest member of the Top Speed test fleet, she was a feline of a completely different nature. That is because our Liquid Silver Jaguar XK convertible is powered by the now Indian automaker’s all new 5.0 Liter V8 that makes a total of 385 HP and 380 lb-ft of torque propelling the drop top sports coupe from 0 to 60 MPH in only 5.2 seconds while returning as much as 22 MPG on the highway.
Whereas last year’s model felt a bit tame; the new XK, even in naturally aspirated form, is packing enough power under the hood to satisfy more than a few desperate housewives. Much of the 2010 XK’s exterior remains the same, the only update for the new year are a pair of thin slits that serve as air intakes on either side of the front bumper as opposed to the previous model’s round fog lights while the new car’s lower air dam has been squared off with a few 90 degree angles. Starting up front the Jaguar’s familiar fish eye headlights frame the E-Type inspired retro round opening in the front bumper and the XK’s blistered wheel arches house a set of multi spoke Caravela alloys measuring 19 inches in diameter. While out back our feline retains its familiar round rear end.
On the inside the Jaguar XK is finished like a fine English sports car. Pieced together with high quality materials ranging from Burl Walnut veneer to the polished aluminum cup holders and seat controls, suede on the A pillar and soft Ivory/Oyster leather that covers the seats, dash and door panels. Every item that you can touch takes the XK one step beyond what you would expect from ordinary automobiles. One fun touch for driving enthusiasts is that the perforated leather wrapped front seats have multiple power adjustments, allowing the driver to inflate a pair of adjustable hip bolsters that inflate to keep them in place during spirited driving. On the other hand our XK came with the same complicated touch screen navigation system that controls everything from climate control to the satellite radio. At an even $89,000 our 2010 XK is a perfect example of just how luxurious a base model Jaguar can be.
The new Pagani C9 supercar was recently spotten doing some test runs in Upington, South Africa where the car was being put through a rigorous hot weather test – temperatures were taken at around 39°C (102°F) - near the Kalahari desert. By all indications, it seems to be getting its pistons running in time for its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The C9 – not it’s official name, as we’ve been told – will be succeeding the highly-successful Zonda supercar and much like its predecessor, the C9 packs power and speed to the absolute brim. Powered by an AMG Mercedes 6.0-liter V12 bi-turbo engine that’s capable of producing in excess of 700 horsepower and over 1000Nm of torque, the supercar also comes with about 3,770 new parts including a carbon-titanium chassis, specially developed Pirelli tires, and Bosch electronics.
Needless to say, the C9 looks every bit as tasty as the Zonda supercar.
For a car brand that rarely makes a splash in the news these days, the unveiling of the C9 supercar has made Pagani one of the most highly-anticipated attractions at the Geneva Motor Show. And if the C9 can live up to the high expectations set forth by the Zonda, then you can bet that Pagani’s new supercar will attract more than its fair share of customers.
Already facing a global recall of catastrophic proportions – around 8 million Toyotas have been recalled because of defective accelerator pedals – Toyota’s is bracing itself for another global recall, this time for the Toyota Prius.
Reports have been coming out in Toyota’s home country of Japan, particularly from the country’s biggest newspaper, Yomiuri, that the automaker is scheduled to announce the recall of its Prius line sometime in the next few days because of growing braking concerns that seems to have plagued the hybrid vehicle.
Contrary to the problems associated with other Toyota models, the problem with the Prius seems to be solvable through a software upgrade, which can be done rather easily and less time than the bigger accelerator issues that has afflicted a large chunk of Toyota’s fleet.
Nevertheless, the impending recall of the Prius is the last thing Toyota needs right now, especially after it has all but shattered its reputation as a safe and reliable brand. Where this goes is anybody’s guess, but the way things are going, it’s going to take a while before Toyota can re-establish its image and reputation that has been stained and tarnished to incredulous levels.
After last week’s announcement that the Italian automaker Ferrari is planning on topping off their lineup of exotic dream machines with an all new super car to head up the high performance lineup and celebrate nearly 70 years of success with a car that is currently codenamed the F70. The new super car will serve as a successor to the Enzo and there are also rumors flying around that it will also be offered as a hybrid.
Like the lightweight Mille Chili concept, Ferrari will focus on reducing the next generation halo car’s mass in an attempt to increase speed and handling without necessarily having to force more air and fuel into the F70’s combustion chambers. The way it looks now, the F70 will be based around a compact footprint and weigh in at no more than 1,000 kilograms. Meanwhile under the rear deck lid there is rumored to sit a supercharged V8 making a maximum output of 700 HP when it is unveiled in 2012. Like Enzo Ferrari always said, build one less then you think you can sell, so the very special F70 will be limited to only 399 units.
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