2008 Honda S2000 CR

2008 Honda S2000 CR

About This Vehicle

* Mileage: 5 Miles
* Body Style: Convertible
* Exterior Color: Berlina Black
* Interior Color: N/A
* Stock #: 8S001180
* VIN:
JHMAP21268S001180

* Engine: 2.2L I4
* Transmission: MANUAL 6SPD
* Drivetrain: N/A
* Doors: 2
* Wheelbase: 95 Inches

Features

Remote Power Locks, Front Power Windows With One One-Touch, Cruise Control, Four-Wheel ABS, Four Disc Brakes Including Two Ventilated Discs, Driver And Passenger Front Airbag...
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Remote Power Locks, Front Power Windows With One One-Touch, Cruise Control, Four-Wheel ABS, Four Disc Brakes Including Two Ventilated Discs, Driver And Passenger Front Airbag With Multi-Stage Deployment, Electric Softtop Convertible Roof With Glass Rear Window, Electronic Brake Distribution, Electronic Traction Control Via ABS & Engine Management, Stability Control, Tinted Glass On Cabin, Front Alloy Wheels With 17 Inch Rim Diam And 7 Inch Rim Width, Rear Alloy Wheels With 17 Inch Rim Diam And 8.5 Inch Rim Width, Projector Beam Lens Xenon Bulb Headlights, Luxury Trim Alloy On Gearknob, Suede On Doors And Alloy Look On Dashboard, Wind Deflector Behind Seats, External Temperature, Tachometer, Driver And Passenger Power Body Color Door Mirrors, Day Time Running Lights, Sports Pedals, Fixed Rear Window With Defogger, Brake Assist System, Remote Control Remote Trunk/Hatch Release, Front Reading Lights, Service Interval Indicator, Fixed Hoop Convertible Rollover Protection, Cloth Seat Upholstery With Additional Suede, Sports Driver And Passenger Seat, Leather Covered Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Vehicle Speed Proportional Power Steering, Sport Alternate Suspension, Low Tire Pressure Indicator, Tire Kit, Courtesy Lights, Illuminated Entry System, Cargo Area Light, Cargo Capacity: All Seats In Place (Cu Ft): 5, Emission Control Level Lev, Premium Unleaded Fuel 91, 13.2 Gallon Main Premium Unleaded Fuel Tank, Dashboard, Oil Pressure Warning Light, Clock, Two Head Restraints On Front Seats, Front Seat Center Armrest, Wishbone Front And Rear Suspension Independent With Stabilizer Bar And Coil Springs, Ventilation System, Windshield Wipers With Fixed Intermittent Wipe, Full Dashboard Console, Full Floor Console With Covered Storage Box, Door Ajar Warning, Weights: Curb Weight (Lbs) 2,765, 12v Power Outlet: Front And 1, 3-Point Reel Front Seat Belts On Driver Seat And Passenger Seat With Pre-Tensioners, Immobilizer, Valet Lock

2006 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

Just wanted to add some pictures of this cool car.

SPECIFICATION Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

Engine - 6.5 liter V12
Torque - 487 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
HP - 631 hp @ 8000 rpm
HP/Liter - 98.5 hp per liter
0-62 mph - 3.4 seconds

2008 TIBURON

HYUNDAI 2008 TIBURON

HYUNDAI TIBURON 2009 is new car from Hyundai

Bugatti Veyron - Cool Cars and girls hottest, ladies, with cars

Bugatti Veyron - Cool Cars and girls

The Bugatti Veyron performs well over 200 mph nearly melting the tires. The Veyron even passes the speed of 250 mph. I know, hard to believe! The Veyron has different driving modes, one being top-speed mode which is only triggered by a second key. In this mode, the car will lower the body to the ground giving better control. Speed is the answer with this car, blazing from 0-60 in under 3 seconds. and 0-180 in about 14 seconds. Retail price ranges from 1.2 mill- 1.6 million dollars.

Bugatti Veyron - Cool Cars and girls

The 2009 Bugatti Veyron Spider is also coming. The spider comes with a top that can lift-off. With the top lifted the top speed is dramatically reduced to 217mph verse the hardtop's 257mph.

Bugatti Veyron - Cool Cars and girls

Just wanted to spread some incite to an amazing up and coming car, and very expensive!

Cool Concept Car - Cadillac Sixteen Modification

Here's a concept car for you from Cadillac. Introducing the 13.6-Liter 1000-horsepower v16 Cadillac Sixteen. Yes, I said v16! Whoa! Very impressive.

Cool Concept Car - Cadillac Sixteen

A click of the remote will open the doors to this masterpiece. The sixteen does not include door handles. The interior of the sixteen consists of leather, polished walnut and aluminum and not to mention the thick carpet made of silk. Leather power adjusted bucket seats scream "cool car!." The electronic speedometer is center mounted in the dash. To start, press the brake and push the green button on the right side of the steering wheel.

Cool Concept Car - Cadillac Sixteen

The transmission only has 4 gears, but you will most likely only feel 2 shifts during your drive. The suspension includes 4-wheel steering. The stock wheels sit twenty four inches. Amazing as it sounds...this concept car was put into production.

Cool Concept Car - Cadillac Sixteen

i'm back

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR- Four Seasons Update - January 2009

Our 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has logged 16,289 miles during its six months in the Automobile Magazine test fleet. Predictably, staffers spent some time lamenting the Evo's SST transmission and keep wishing for a six-speed manual (as we usually do when we have a test vehicle with a DSG-style transmission). But when the snow started falling, Marc Noordeloos found a few kind words; "I've finally found a driving environment where I like the EVO's dual-clutch gearbox; 'rallying' through the snow." The rapid shifts allow the engine to stay in the sweet spot of its powerband and allow a driver to concentrate on the road.Evos are supposed to be good for work and play, but Jason Cammisa found the Evo to be a less than desirable travel companion on a recent trek to Pittsburg; "highway cruising range (200 miles) is unacceptable, and it's made possible by horrendous, disgusting, and inexcusable fuel consumption." Jason recorded about 16.3 mpg and he was mostly cruising on the highway for 715 miles. We don't mind the ridiculous fuel consumption during extended bouts of drifting and playing on gravel roads, but it's almost laughable to think of taking the Evo on an extended trip with such a short range.Though the Evo has largely been trouble-free, we managed to damage a wheel and discovered a replacement for the stock wheel cost $950. Hey, Mitsubishi dealers have to make their money somewhere. There have also been reports of the radio/navigation unit not displaying anything for up to 15 minutes on extremely cold days. No other vehicles in our fleet had this problem with touch-screen displays.Nobody argues about the ride quality, handling, or wonderful Recaro seats, but the radio, fuel consumption, and small trunk make the Evo far from perfect. If you're in the mood for a spirited drive this is your car. Those looking to mix work with pleasure find the car to be too hardcore for everyday life and, ironically, a bit too soft when compared with the previous Evos if you really want to hammer on it. Check back at automobilemag.com next month to see what we do with the Evo and if our opinion of the car changes.

[Via: Automobilemag ]
[Tag: ]

Stock Car Racer: Scott Speed - Speed Freak

NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers come in three basic flavors: You've got the good ol' boys, who never met a piece of syntax they couldn't mangle. You've got the corporate shills, who never met a product they couldn't hawk. And then there's Scott Speed, the open-wheel refugee with the name - and backstory - that's almost too good to be true.

[Via: Automobilemag ]
[Tag: ]

2005 Venturi Fetish

Venturi has entrusted the French engineer Gérard Ducarouge (of Lotus Formula 1, Matra Formula 1 and Le Mans fame) with the conception of this car of a new era. The Fétish has been conceived as an electric vehicle with absolutely no compromises, utilizing the latest in state of the art technologies.
The general architecture of the car is similar to that of a racing car. The motor, ideally mounted in a central rear position, is enclosed in a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. As a result, the car weighs only 2,424 pounds with batteries, and 1,653 without.

Thanks to its electronically managed Lithium-Ion batteries (58 KWh), positioned in a T shape within the chassis, the Fétish has a range of more than 200 miles and a very quick recharge of 1 mile per minute (under 80 Amp.).

Light and perfectly well balanced, the Fétish offers tremendous performance: it has remarkable acceleration - 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds – and a top speed of more than 100 mph, well above posted speed limits. The powerful 14,000 rpm, 180 KW motor produces very linear torque that, unlike an internal combustion engine, is instantaneously available, even from a complete standstill. The motor braking can be regulated from the dashboard, and enables the batteries to recharge with every deceleration.

The Venturi Fétish can be considered the most contemporary car available today, since it takes into consideration today’s ecological matters and simultaneously presents an extremely positive vision of tomorrow’s automobile, made for driving pleasure.
This very innovative approach constitutes a major cultural change - the entry of a noiseless electric car into the very elite circle of the true sports car.
Thus, the Fétish offers to its driver and passenger a new experience of mobility 20 years ahead of its time.

Gildo, CEO of Venturi, has envisioned the Venturi Fétish for “25 exceptional people who are able to change worldwide mentalities on electric propulsion”.

This highly technological car - the most expensive as well as the rarest car of the show - will be sold as a work of contemporary art, with production limited to 25 pieces worldwide.

Drawn by the French designer Sacha Lakic and assembled in California, Fétish will be sold for $660,000 in 3 cities in the world: Los Angeles, Tokyo and Monte-Carlo.

Verry expensive cars..

2004 Toyota Alessandro Volta

The hybrid takes a supercar disguise for promoting a new way of designing the environment friendly car of the future. “We have entered a new era. We have created a hybrid that has nothing to do with the typical electric power vehicle which so often flaunts rather unappealing characteristics”, Fabrizio Giugiaro asserts. “When creating the volumes of this eco supercar, the idea at the back of my mind was to recapture the stylish features of the central-engine models, which I had already used with the BMW Nazca, the Alfa Romeo Scighera and the Volkswagen V 12, to demonstrate that if a racing shell can combine a “clean” and innovative propulsion system, the headroom for creating and designing environmentally-friendly sedan and compact cars of the future would be huge.”

Mindful of this, Alessandro Volta, the Italian physicist and discoverer of the voltaic pile, was called to bear witness to an exciting stage of automotive technological research, a momentum placing demands on the depth of resources required from automobile manufacturers to meet head-on pressing environmental issues such as gas emissions and the unrelenting consumption of oil-derivative products.

Italdesign-Giugiaro could not have chosen a more appropriate partner than Toyota for venturing into this theme of thought. As confirmed by Giorgetto Giugiaro: “We have been working with Toyota for more than 25 years. We are proud to have worked towards putting in place a hybrid prototype because the advanced expertise and commitment of the Nagoya Carmaker to mixed wheeldrive moves beyond day-to-day boundaries.”

the red beautiful car

2009 Dacia Sandero

Dacia Sandero is built on the same B0 platform as Logan which features MacPherson-type front suspension with wishbone. Certain versions also come with a front anti-roll bar which ensures excellent roadholding when cornering. Dacia Sandero’s rear suspension is also derived from the B0 platform and comprises a programmeddeflection torsion beam with coil springs and vertically-mounted, extended-travel dampers. The suspension package has been specially engineered for Dacia Sandero, including lower arm joints and a rear end which have been designed to deliver precise handling and good roadholding along sharply twisting roads. Like the Dacia range’s other models, Sandero boasts high ground clearance (155mm) which means it is able take all types of road in its stride, both in and out of town, a factor that contributes further to its versatility. The new car also benefits from underbody protection which allows it to tackle unsealed surfaces with ease.

Power steering is naturally available for most versions to ensure safe, precise steering and a degree of driving pleasure worthy of a B-segment vehicle. The entry-level version comes without power steering with a view to keeping its price at a reasonable level. The slightly higher steering ratio compared with Clio II and work on the hub carrier and castor angle has resulted in a reduction in the effort required to turn the steering wheel.

Certain versions are equipped with a height and lumbar adjustable driver’s seat which enables the ideal driving position to be found, while the driver can get more comfortable by the height adjustable steering wheel (according to version) and ergonomically-positioned steering wheel-mounted controls.

Last but not least, careful attention has been paid to thermal comfort to address the special needs of customers in a wide variety of climates and countries. The layout of the ducts has been thought through to ensure a rapid rise in temperature on start-up, as well as in extreme heat and cold...hmm its cool

2005 Pagani Zonda F

The Zonda C12 F debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is the most extensive reengineering of the Pagani car yet, though it shares much with its predecessors including the 7.3 L V12. Power is increased to 602 PS (594 hp/443 kW) with a special clubsport model producing 650 PS (641 hp/478 kW). The company promises a 3.5 second sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h), a top speed over 215 mph (346 km/h). The Zonda F clubsport has a power to weight ratio of 528 bhp/ton (384 W/kg). An Enzo Ferrari, comparatively, has a power to weight ratio of 483 bhp/ton (356 W/kg).

The top speed can be further tweaked by adjusting the aerodynamic settings. 215 mph (346 km/h) is the car’s top speed on the setting for the best handling which provides the most down force but also has the highest drag coefficient. If the aerodynamic settings were adjusted the top speed would be a bit higher. This also seems to be the reason that when EVO Magazine attempted the Pagani Zonda S’s top speed on the Autobahn, that they were only able to get the car to 197 mph (317 km/h), as opposed to its claimed top speed of 220 mph (350 km/h). It would make sense that if the car was set up for maximum downforce then its top speed would drop to around 200 mph (320 km/h). Company representatives at Pagani’s factory backed up this claim. However, the EVO article claimed that aerodynamic parts, specifically ones which created drag were in fact removed during the run, bringing Pagani’s claims into question.

Suzuki Swift - The Cars We Need Now!

No one is better than Americans at blurring the lines between wants and needs, and the sudden upheaval in the car market is proof of that. In the past few months of this year, small-car sales have shot up, while sales of large SUVs and pickups have dropped sharply. American car buyers' needs haven't changed; consumers have just realized that they never actually needed those gas guzzlers in the first place. And now they're seeking ways to contain their fuel bills.

Fact is, a small, economical hatchback is all the car most of us need most of the time. The Suzuki Swift is a practical car that addresses what consumers really need: simple transportation. As an added bonus, the Swift strokes a few of our wants, too-it's downright adorable, a complete hoot to drive, and available with some of the toys from the big boys. Things like steering-wheel-mounted radio controls, keyless entry, air-con-ditioning, and power windows aren't real needs, but they're features many of us really want.

The first three generations of the Swift were sold here from 1984 through 2001, occasionally badged as Chevrolets and Geos, Sprints and Metros. They offered remarkable fuel economy, their window stickers promising as high as 53 mpg in the city and 58 mpg on the highway. The fourth-generation Swift (pictured here) isn't sold in the United States, and it isn't quite that easy at the pump, but it's the kind of car many Americans-especially those who are Suzuki dealers-could use right now. Luckily, an all-new fifth-generation model will return the Swift nameplate to the States in 2010 as a 2011 model.

The current Swift has been on sale around the world since 2004. It's almost fourteen inches shorter than the new Honda Fit but more than two inches longer than a Mini Cooper. Four adults can ride comfortably, provided they don't have much luggage (there's not much room behind the rear seats). Because the Swift is a hatchback, its back seats fold down, creating a large, usable cargo space.

The Swift is offered with a choice of four-cylinder engines displacing 1.3, 1.5, or 1.6 liters. The high-revving, cammed-out 1.6-liter powers the Swift Sport, and with 123 hp arriving at a lofty 6800 rpm, it isn't messin' around. Even the 100-hp 1.5-liter is, well, swift. It has a meaty torque curve thanks to variable valve timing, and short gearing helps the Swift feel even quicker than its ten-second 0-to-60-mph time suggests. And unlike penalty-box economy cars of yore, it's not at all scary at its 115-mph top speed.

In fact, if there's one thing that the Swift is, it's fun. Driving it reminds you that light cars can have authentically light controls without the need for feedback-numbing assist systems tuned to overboost to compensate for a heavier vehicle's heft. It reminds you how much fun we used to have behind the wheel-how satisfying it was to rev the bejeezus out of a willing little four-banger; how exciting it used to be to drive at crazy high speeds like 75 mph; and how much fun it was to go forty miles on a single gallon of gasoline.

2009 - LUXURY CRYSTAL BENZ : DigInfo 【HD】

Introduces 2009 Honda Jazz

In today’s climate of high petrol costs, small cars are rapidly increasing in popularity as Aussie motorists move away from large cars and SUVs to something a little more frugal.

The timing then for Honda’s Australian release of the second-generation Honda Jazz could not be more perfect, as its spacious interior, light weight and thrifty engine line-up looks to be just the thing to give cash-strapped motorists some relief at the petrol pump.

The look of the 2009 Honda Jazz may be familiar to most of you, but the sheetmetal is all new. It’s a little chunkier than the outgoing model and the front now sports an almost Civic Type R-ish visage. The tailgate is a little less squared-off than the old model too and the sides are a little more dynamic than the featureless slabs of the 1st-gen Jazz, thanks to more pronounced rear fender flaring and a few strategically-placed body creases.

The new Jazz comes in three trim levels: the base GLi with a 73kW 1.3-litre engine, the more powerful VTi which comes with an 88kW 1.5-litre inline four and side and curtain airbags; and the top-spec VTi-S, which adds a sportier front and rear bumper, side skirts, cruise control, leather steering wheel and 16-inch alloys to the VTi’s equipment.

ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution and dual front airbags are standard across the Jazz range, however you’ll need to check the box for an optional Safety Pack if you want side and curtain airbags on the GLi.

While sub-100kW power outputs wouldn’t even excite your great-grandmother, the new Jazz’s engine lineup’s biggest drawcard lies indisputably in its fuel economy. The 1.3-litre sips just 5.8 litres per 100km when equipped with the 5-speed manual, while the 1.5-litre needs just 6.4 litres to travel the same distance with the same gearbox.

The 2009 Jazz can also be optioned with a newly-developed 5-speed automatic, the only one of its kind in the compact car segment. The automatic VTi-S also gets a pair of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for rowing through the ratios.

The suspension has also undergone some changes for 2009. Steering geometry has been revised to endow the Jazz with a 9.8 metre turning circle, while new suspension bushes and a redesigned rear torsion beam improve handling.Honda Australia has made no mention of when the exact release date is, or of the pricing for the various models, but we’ll be sure to let you know as soon as the information comes to hand.

Johnson Controls rolls out re3 plug-in concept vehicle

You may not be seeing the car itself roll off an assembly line anytime soon, but Johnson Controls is hoping that some of parts in its new plug-in concept vehicle will eventually find their way into a few production vehicles. The car, dubbed the re3, made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show this week, and packs a whole slew of gadgetry, including an "extended cluster" with a 7-inch touchscreen, a seat-wing armrest and controller that moves some of the controls away from the dash, and a lithium-ion battery pack that makes use of "active cooling" and is able to be tucked in between the two front seats. Johnson Controls also says that the car makes use of renewable materials throughout and, supposedly, it can seat five people relatively comfortably. No word on any interest from automakers just yet, but you can get a closer look at it courtesy of autoblog at the link below.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: concept, concept car, concept vehicle, ConceptCar, ConceptVehicle, johnson controls, JohnsonControls, plug-in, re3 ]

MAM debuts ZR1 wheels for earlier Corvettes

Mid-America has put C4, C5, and C6 Corvette owners twenty spokes closer to owning a ZR1. Anyone with a '97-'09 Vette can order the wheels in paired sizes in Chrome, Hyper Silver, Painted Black, and Black Chrome. They're $500 per pair and will ship in the New Year. Could be worth the wait for the Vette owner who (thinks he or she) has everything. You can read all about them in the press release after the jump and start your order with "Dear Santa..."
PRESS RELEASE
Reproduction C6 ZR1 Corvette Wheels
EFFINGHAM, IL (December, 2008) - Want the ZR1 look without the ZR1 price? Now you can get the most anticipated reproduction wheel in history for your C4, C5, or C6 Corvette! Mid America Motorworks is offering exact ZR1 Reproduction Wheels for all 1988-2009 Corvettes. These twenty-spoke wheels are available in Chrome, Hyper Silver, Painted Black, and Black Chrome. The ZR1 Reproduction Wheels will come with a limited lifetime warranty and will be available to ship in January/February 2009. Make sure to reserve your set early because the initial shipment will contain limited quantities. Make your C4, C5, or C6 stand out from the crowd and order your Reproduction ZR1 Wheels today at www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.8914.
Sold as a pair.
17" x 8.5" +49 Offset: 1988-1996 Front & Rear,
1997-2004 Front
18" x 8.5" +56 Offset: 1997-2004 Rear,
2005-2009 Rear
18" x 9.5" +40 Offset: 2006-2009 C6 Z06 Front
18" x 9.5" +57 Offset: 1997-2004 Rear,
2005-2009 Rear
19" x 10" +56 Offset: 1997-2004 Rear
19" x 10" +79 Offset: 2005-2009 Rear
[Via: Mid America Motorworks ][Tag: aftermarket, c4, c5, c6, corvette, corvette zr1, corvette zr1 wheels, CorvetteZr1, CorvetteZr1Wheels, mid america motorworks, MidAmericaMotorworks, wheels, zr1 wheels, Zr1Wheels ]

Nissan GT-R race car prototype: Spy shots: FIA-GT1

Just when you think there’s nothing more to see or read about Nissan’s GT-R supercar, images of a mysterious prototype start to crop up on the internet. The latest shot depicts a car with several features you would normally find on a GT style race car, leading to speculation that Nissan is planning to take its GT-R into the international motorsports arena.

According to Japan’s Auto Sport magazine, where this image was sourced, Nissan is planning an assault on the FIA-GT1 series or possibly Le Mans endurance racing.

While Nissan is yet to reveal any specs for the race car, or even confirm its existence, it is expected to feature a Nismo bodykit, GT-style wing, plastic windows, uprated brakes and tires, and a vented bonnet. The car is also rumored to be running a naturally-aspirated 4.5L VK45DE V8 engine instead of the production model’s twin-turbo 3.8L V6. The V8 mill is the same unit used by Nissan for its SuperGT race car.

Other details include a rumored ¥65,000,000 ($720,000) asking price, a kerb weight of just 2,976lbs (the production model weighs 3,792lbs), and a power output of 592hp (442kW) and 506lb-ft (685Nm) of torque.

One of the benefits of Nissan competing in motorsports with its GT-R is the introduction of street-legal homologation special. For its latest R35 GT-R, Nissan is once again expected to revive the LM badge for a detuned version of its GT-R race car, but like previous generations it will be very exclusive. Production is tipped to be limited to just 300 units and pricing could go as high as ¥18,000,000 ($200,000).

Fat & Furious - Twin-Turbo Nissan 350Z

When it comes to turning heads few cars on the road are the equal of the Nissan 350Z. It may be the car's roots in JGTC racing or simply its low-slung, highly appealing shape. No matter the reason, the Z has been an enthusiastic body tuning participant from the beginning. So when we heard the first-ever VeilSide wide-bodied 350Z was coming together we lined up a photo shoot especially for our special body kit issue.

VeilSide is known for its leading-edge design characteristics and precision manufacturing. The brainchild of Yokomaku Hiranao, the company name is taken directly from Yokomaku's name, "maku" meaning Veil and "yoko" meaning Side. VeilSide was established in 1990 and at its first Tokyo Auto Salon in 1991 took home the first of many awards of recognition.

VeilSide really hit it big time at the 1994 Auto Salon when its Combat Kit for the Toyota Supra made a ground-shaking debut. The original Combat kit spawned others in the line-up as well as new line-ups of styling kits. As the number of applications grew so did the VeilSide legend.
One year at the Auto Salon VeilSide went crazy and filled an entire row with wild looking cars ... the same car with insane body transformations. It took peering in the cockpits and seeing the gauge clusters before we realized all the cars in the row were Supras. Therein lies another of the company's strengths. They don't just make one kit for every application. If a particular car inspires multiple looks, Veilside will make multiple kits.

Such is the case with Bill Chen's seductive Nissan 350Z. The car's wicked stance is enhanced with a VeilSide Combat Version 3 widebody kit. The VeilSide parts include an aggressive front bumper, widebody fender flares, rocker skirts, a rear bumper, a trick hood and carbon fiber wing. Heck, the only surfaces left untouched are the roof and the trunk. The installation of the kit and application of the car's gleaming red paint was handled by 20/20 Autobody.

The widebody look has trickled down from racing where wider bodies mean wider tires and more mechanical grip. To this end Chen's Z boasts gargantuan 20x9.5s up front and mind-blowing 20x13s out back. The weapon of choice: Work Meister S1s, each wrapped in sticky, low-profile Continental rubber. The remainder of the car's footwork consists of Tein Flex coil-overs with EDFC, which allows cockpit adjustment of dampening on the fly and a Brembo front brake upgrade flexing 14.3-inch lightweight rotors and big-bore calipers.
With meaty 13-inch wide wheels and a correspondingly massive contact patch Chen's next goal was to make 'em chirp in third gear. Answering the call is a GReddy twin-turbo kit. Chen started with the basic kit and intercooler upgrade but elected to mix it up with twin TiAL wastegates, an HKS SSQV blow-off valve, twin Helix straight pipes and an HKS F-CON V Pro for tuning.
On the fueling side of the equation we find a pair of Walbro 255 lph pumps feeding six RC Engineering 440cc injections via an HKS rail. The installation of the hard parts and the tuning of the F-CON V Pro was performed bySP Engineering.

On the dyno the boosted VQ35DE pumped out 425 whp and 384 lb-ft of torque at a conservative 16 psi. It seems that 425 is a healthy number; good power and acceptable stress levels on the V6's stock internals.

The Combat-kitted Nissan is a leisure car taken out on fair-weather weekends and for special occasions. Imagine leashing up a T-Rex and taking it for a walk in the local dog park and you get an idea of what weekend drives in the country must be like for Chen. Yep, with its dominating widebody-enhanced stance, 20-inch meats and turbo induction even the pit bulls cower, whimper and scurry away.

More info visit link below:

http://www.turbomagazine.com/features/0509_twin_turbo_nissan_350z/photo_07.htm

New Subaru Impreza WRX STI

If the regular Subaru Impreza leaves you feeling underwhelmed, the addition of three letters - STI - on the tailgate totally transforms things. We've finally got behind the wheel of the eagerly-awaited all-new Impreza STI at Fuji Speedway in Japan to see how this icon of the performance car world matches up to the previous model's reputation as one of the quickest, grippiest, best-value cars on the planet. Subaru has certainly taken a radical new direction: it's only available as a five-door hatchback, the base versions of which have been criticised for their insipid looks.

STI version is the utter opposite of the dull Impreza hatch, with its wide wheelarches, aggressive spoilers and multiple vents. While the essentials remain the same - turbocharged four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, permanent four-wheel drive, close-ratio six-speed gearbox - there are more driver aids - including stability control for the first time - and more power. When it goes on sale in March 2008, it's going to have to beat the Mitsubishi Evo X due at the same time while Subaru also says it's raising its game to tempt Audi and BMW buyers.

Our Fuji Speedway drive in Japan centred around the Japanese-spec STI, which sticks with a 2.0-litre engine with 304bhp; we will be getting a 2.5-litre 296bhp engine in the UK. There's no doubting the raw power of the turbocharged flat-four powerplant, at least once its turbo is spinning above 3000rpm or so. The STI remains one of the quickest-accelerating cars this side of a supercar, with an estimated 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds. However, the 2.0-litre engine suffers from a lack of low-down torque; we hope and expect that the 2.5-litre engine will have better response at lower revs.

A new feature for the STI is Subaru's Si-Drive - a dial that lets you switch between engine response programs. Comprising normal, sharp and super sharp, the settings progressively speed up throttle reaction times to suit your mood and driving style. The six-speed gearbox is basically the same as before but its shift action is faster and lighter; a good thing, as the old STI gearbox's mechanical feel wasn't very appealing. When it comes to stopping, the Brembo brakes certainly don't lack power. But we were disappointed to feel just how unsettled the STI can become during hard braking on the Fuji circuit.Watch our video roadtest of the Subaru Impreza STI

Imprezas are all about grip, and four-wheel drive remains a major contributor to the STI's uncanny levels of purchase on the tarmac. The tyres will eventually start squealing in protest, but only at very high cornering speeds. As before, the STI allows you to dial in how the torque is directed to the front and rear axles via a Driver's Control Centre Differential which now incorporates a switchable auto mode for the first time. Pulling the control switch all the way back does noticeably reduce understeer but the tendency for Impreza's nose to push wide around corners remains an annoying feature.

For the first time ever for an Impreza, the STI incorporates a stability control system. Heresy? Not really. It boosts safety in extremis and you can still switch if off, or even to a half-way 'Traction' mode that delays its onset to increase driver feel. The steering is rather lighter than many performance cars but you always feel utterly confident that the STI will get you around bends. And there's a surprising amount of body roll for such a performance-orientated car, the result of some soft suspension settings that improve the ride quality over the previous STI. Overall noise is also a good deal more subdued now.

Oh dear. For a car that Subaru says it wants to compete on quality with Audi and BMW, the cabin feels like a car that costs half its price, not surprising with the regular Impreza starting at £12,495. There are swathes of hard, low-rent plastic in the cabin, which is a shame as the instruments and overall design are quite attractive. The five-door layout boosts practicality and there is a decent sized boot, complete with folding seats for the first time. The longer wheelbase of the new Impreza, and the wider body, make room inside much better. Two types of front seat are on offer: standard leather-and-Alcantara seats or optional deeply bucketed and very supportive Recaro items.

Economy and safety

You don't buy an Impreza STI if you're worried about fuel consumption as it's always been terrible. While there are no official figures yet, Subaru claims that the new STI will be fractionally more frugal than the last one but that was certainly no miser at 25.9mpg. As for safety, the four-wheel drive system certainly offers excellent grip, and finally the STI moves into the modern age with curtain airbags and stability control for the first time.
The MSN Cars verdict: 4/5

First, the good news: the all-new STI remains a titanically fast performance car with astonishing grip. Its design is also just aggressive enough to please existing enthusiasts, without being too over-the-top. And it's a good deal more practical, more refined and rides better. But the new STI doesn't represent the great leap forward we had hoped for. Despite all the driver aids, the STI remains a stubborn understeerer, while its straight-line braking is rather wayward. Regular performance hatches may not be as quick, but they've caught up with Subaru in terms of the fun factor. We'll have to wait and see if the larger-engined UK version, due in March 2008, can iron out the problems.

Ratings out of five: Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Performance
*****
Ride & handling
****
Interior
***
Safety
****
Price
****
Practicality
****
Fuel economy
**
MSN Cars verdict
****
Need to know
Petrol engines: 2.5-litre turbocharged
Power (bhp) : 296
Torque (lb/ft): 300
0-62 (secs) : 4.0 (est)
Top speed (mph) :160 (est)
Combined mpg: n/a
CO2/tax: n/a

2008 November Auto Sales

The frozen consumer credit markets all but shut down auto sales in October, and despite Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's dumping of hundreds of billions of dollars into banks' coffers, lending did not ease significantly in November, so auto sales remained on ice. A second factor that might have dampened consumers' enthusiasm for new-car shopping is the fact that more than half a million Americans lost their jobs last month.It's no surprise, then, that auto sales continued to flat-line. Adding considerably to the automotive gloom was the omnipresent background noise caused by the Detroit Three auto chiefs begging Congress for emergency loans. That makes it seem like Detroit alone is in the ditch, but as far as November goes, the American automakers have got plenty of company:(all figures compare November 2008 sales with November 2007)
Chrysler -47%
GM -41%
Ford -31%
Toyota -34%
Nissan -42%
Honda -32%
Mazda -31%
Hyundai/Kia -39%
Volkswagen Group -22%
BMW Group (including Mini) -27%
Mercedes-Benz (including Smart) -30%One thing that was clear in all the chatter about Detroit's dire straits is that America's automakers would not be in their current predicament if they were only willing to make the small, fuel-efficient cars Americans want. The problem with that analysis is that, in November at least, with gas prices drifting below $2 a gallon, Americans didn't really want small, fuel-efficient cars anymore.A look at the 10 best-selling models in November reveals a far more traditional lineup than the topsy-turvy world of last May, when Americans all but left their SUVs idling by the side of the road as they ran to dealerships demanding something - anything - that would rescue them from the pain of $100 fill-ups:May 2008

1. Honda Civic
2. Toyota Corolla/Matrix
3. Toyota Camry
4. Honda Accord
5. Ford F-series
6. Chevrolet Silverado
7. Nissan Altima
8. Ford Focus
9. Chevrolet Cobalt
10. Chevrolet Impala

November 2008

1. Ford F-series
2. Chevrolet Silverado
3. Toyota Camry
4. Toyota Corolla/Matrix
5. Honda Civic
6. Honda Accord
7. Dodge Ram
8. Chevrolet Impala
9. Honda CR-V
10. Nissan Altima

It may surprise many media pundits to see how sales of the fuel-efficient favorites from the fervid, $4-a-gallon days last spring and summer have swooned in November. (And these drops are versus one year ago; they'd be much steeper compared to the inflated levels of May and June.)Toyota Prius -48% (the gold standard stumbles)
Toyota Corolla/Matrix -13%
Toyota Yaris -17%
Scion (all) -45%
Honda Civic -30%
Honda Fit -8%
VW Rabbit -44%
Nissan Versa -18%
Nissan Sentra -39%
Ford Focus -38%
Chevrolet Aveo -36%
Chevrolet Cobalt -54%
Pontiac Vibe -14%
Kia Spectra -33%
Hyundai Accent -11%Where's the bright spot? There is one - one pinpoint of sunshine in an otherwise leaden gray sky. The single, smiley-faced bright spot was Mini. Mini (+43%) was the lone nameplate whose November sales were ahead of last year's. Although Mini was aided by the addition of the Clubman, posting any kind of sales increase in this environment has got to be considered an accomplishment.[Source: Automotive News]
[Via: Automobilemag ][Tag: ]

Lotus powersliding into the hybrid car market

If you want to make a car handle -- and handle well -- you call Lotus. Just ask Tesla; without the help of the gearheads in Hethel, the US's hottest electric vehicle would probably still be just a concept. Perhaps dissatisfied with the relatively minimal PR love it's been receiving from the Tesla relationship, lotus has announced plans to develop its own battery-powered car. However, unlike the all-electric Roadster, this new offering will include a Volt-like supplementary fuel-burning engine to add a bit more range and, one would figure, rather a lot more mass. That's not exactly good news for those who worship the Lotus mantra of "to add speed, add lightness," but at this point we don't have any idea about what the thing will weigh, cost, or indeed look like. If all goes according to plan we should get some answers when those international automotive powerhouses who are still alive bum a ride to the Geneva Auto Show in March.
[Via: Autoblog ][Tag: electric car, ElectricCar, ev, hybrid, hybrid car, HybridCar, lotus ]