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| January 8th 2007 - 2008 NSX concept |  Honda just took the lid off their "Advanced Sports Car Concept." This car gives a hint of the design direction for the next generation Acura NSX. Powered by a manly V10 and a "super handling all-wheel drive" system. Check it out at Leftlane News. |
| January 7th 2007 - Chevy Volt first look |  GM has a workable electric car in the pipeline, one that can have gas mileage from 50-525 MPG according to this Autoblog article. It is apparently not a hybrid because the gasoline engine has no connection to the wheels. I'd like to know how much it'll run up my electric bill at home though. |
| November 27th 2006 - 07 Subaru STI Limited Preview | Is the regular STI aircraft wing a little much for you, yet you really like what the STI offers? You may be interested in the limited-run STI Limited. Check out this preview at Car and Driver. Here's a clip:
Aside from the wing delete—a smaller lip graces the trunk of the Limited—the exterior gets a new, deeper front spoiler sure to catch every parking log the car encounters, painted Enkei wheels (still wrapped in the same 225/45ZR-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE070s), and subtler black Brembo brake calipers with white lettering instead of the gold/red calipers of the regular STI. |
| November 18th 2006 - Mountain of torque anyone? | The new Cummins is serving up torque like never before with their new 6.7 liter turbo diesel. Pushing the limits with 650 ft lbs. at 1500 RPM. That's almost so much torque it's retarded. Check out more about the new Cummins engine and 2007 Ram models at The Herald.
Another component contributing to engine performance is a variable geometry turbocharger. It's a Cummins patent, Hurst said, and the first application of this technology on a Dodge pickup. Unlike the swinging-vane type others use, the VGT is a sliding-nozzle unit. It has the capability to precisely match boost pressure to optimize engine performance. |
| November 15th 2006 - Clunky tire pressure gauge no more! |  GM is calling for the end of long held traditions of using a tire pressure gauge or looking at your fuel indicator. They have announced that GM full-size trucks, SUVs and cross-overs will have a new key fob capable of doing all that and more. Check out the full USA Today article here to get all the details. Here's a slice:
GM (GM) plans to introduce a remote-control key fob next April that will allow drivers to not only determine the pressure in each tire, but also check the odometer reading, see if there's enough fuel in the tank to make it to work in the morning, change the radio station settings and see if they remembered to lock the car doors, to name a few. |
| November 13th 2006 - Toyota to limit Scion sales | In an effort to maintain a "hip" image for its Scion brand, Toyota plans to limit production. Leftlane News is reporting that production will be held to a max of 150,000 per year. Here's a piece of the full article.
Toyota U.S. President Jim Press focused on keeping the number of models low, and not adding a fourth vehicle to the range. "We want to keep it about where it is and the number of products very simple," he said.
According to the WSJ report, it now appears the automaker will also specifically limit the number of units produced in order to keep sales around the 150,000 annual target. |
| November 10th 2006 - Subaru to build Legacy and Forester STI models? | Autoweek is reporting that Subaru is considering carrying the STI treatment over to its Forester and Legacy models. Here's a clip from the article:
“We are discussing it internally,” confirmed Tomohiro Ishitobi, Subaru vice president of product planning, in an interview at SEMA. “We feel the market is ready.”
As for the Legacy, Subaru already offers a limited-edition STI-tuned model for a substantial premium in Japan (more on that in a future issue) and could easily upgrade that program to full Legacy STI production.
“Everybody tells us about how they want it [a Legacy STI],” said Ishitobi. “It is on our wish list.” |
| November 9th 2006 - Electric EVO? |  That's right, you heard me. An electric Mitsu EVO could be a reality in the very near future according to Auto Express' article on the strange new car. Here's a bit about this new car:
Even so, the new Lancer Evolution MIEV (short for Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) still powers from 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 115mph. And it’s important to bear in mind this is no crazy aftermarket project – it’s a fully paid-up part of the firm’s plans for performance cars in the near future. The MIEV, tipped to hit the road within four to five years, looks like a standard Evo with big wheels. But pop open the bonnet, and you’ll soon realise that this is a very different beast. |
| November 6th 2006 - Subaru SPT Power Packs | A final SEMA note from Subaru is an article at Inside Line. The article discusses the new Subaru power packs for the Impreza WRX and STI, as well as the Legacy. Here's the meat of the article:
Subaru says the performance boost is significant: up to 30 horsepower and 20 pound-feet on a stock 2007 STI and up to 10 hp and 17 lb-ft on a stock WRX, and up to 30 horsepower and 30 pound-feet on a stock Legacy GT. |
| November 2nd 2006 - New goodies for your ride from SEMA |  UrbanRacer.com has a pretty interesting account of a wide variety of new products for your car from the SEMA show. Things from new Turbonetics turbos to a really interesting new steering wheel from Jackson.
Garrett has upped the ante in big power turbos with the introduction of the GT55-R to its stellar GT-Series line-up of high-flow, full ball bearing, aerodynamically enhanced turbos. The large-frame GT55-R can support 1550 horsepower and is available in a number of housing A/Rs. The challenge will be constructing a manifold stout enough to support its incredible girth. |
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