Daily Car Review

MTM turns up the wick on the 2010 Audi S4

2009-07-05T18:44:00.001-07:00

The tuners at MTM have begun tweaking the all-new 2010 Audi S4 (B8) in Europe, and as expected, Audi's new supercharged 333-hp 3.0-liter V6 is rife with potential. With only a revised ECU and an underdrive pulley – no intake or exhaust mods – MTM was able to coax 430 crank horsepower out of the blown six – 97 hp more than stock.

The kit, which retails for 2,491 euros (around $3,500 USD), brings torque output up to 380 lb-ft and, according to MTM, drops the 0-60 mph time from 5.2 to 4.6 seconds. Clearly, good things are on the way for the BMW M3 fighter, and we expect more to follow when the new darling of the Euro-tuning scene arrives in the States later this year.

2010 Citroen C3 is here

2009-06-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

The Citroen C3 is old enough in car years that it's getting a re-do before it undergoes a mid-life crisis. The new version is certainly a more mature design, receding hairline and all. Citroen has come up with its own euphemism for it, coining the phrase "Zenith Windscreen" to describe a large windshield that extends further up into the roof than normal to create a panoramic feel to the interior.

The new C3 is a smoother looking supermini than before, with slicker styling keeping it modern and slipping through the air with a Cd of .30. Inside the redone sheetmetal, the interior gets classed up and quieted down. Most notably, there's an integrated air freshener, presumably useful when you're using all 10.5 cubic feet of boot space to haul big dogs or foie gras party platters.

An HDi (Citroenese for "diesel") engine keeps CO2 emissions low, and new powerplants are in the pipeline for 2011. The new engines will use stop/start, the diesel versions of which will drop carbon dioxide emissions further, while gasoline-fueled C3s will also dip below the 100g/km of CO2 emissions level with a new three-cylinder engine. The C3's new duds don't come with the typical generational increase in weight, and the Chevron-emblazoned C-class car will motor onto the small car battlefield ready to earn more accolades with its latest generation.

Jaguar to make a roaring lion? XKR Goodwood Special mooted

2009-06-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

The details haven't been disbursed yet, but one of Jaguar's chief engineers has reportedly spilled the beans on a special XKR to be shown at Goodwood. Called, fittingly, the XKR Goodwood Special, it will get more power than the standard XKR's (shown above) 500 horses, and more audible snarl than the current exhaust emits.

Because Jag is said to be reconsidering the car's brightwork treatment, the Goodwood Special will wear a satin graphite detailing package that could foreshadow a future running change (we know we could do without the metal surrounds on the car's front skirt nostrils). The car is still being finished so there's a good chance it won't be seen until just before the event, but we always look forward to a cat that scratches harder and roars louder.

GM hits two million Buick sales in China

2009-06-22T23:32:00.000-07:00

It took General Motors eight years to sell one million Buicks in China, but the second million came in only three. Brisk auto sales in the land of the Great Wall are part of the reason for the increase, but the General has also stepped up its product lineup with new offerings, including the Regal, LaCrosse, and Park Avenue. Shanghai GM's two-millionth Buick was a red Regal, delivered to a customer in the southern city of Guangzhou.

While those vehicles have brought some high-end class to GM Shanghai's Buick operation, they haven't come close to the success of the smaller Excelle. Shanghai GM has sold 900,000 copies of the Excelle sedan, hatch, and wagon since 2003, and sales are still going strong with 94,000 units moved in the first five months of 2009.

While Buick has struggled as a brand here in the States, the marquee has enjoyed blockbuster success in China. Buick was a smash success in China in the 1930s, as provincial presidents and emperors chose the brand over more austere offerings from the likes of Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz, and it appears some of that goodwill has been projected into modern times.

Peugeot 308 CC

2009-05-11T20:53:00.001-07:00

Thanks to a metal folding roof, the 308 CC is a convertible that can be used all year round. The roof itself neatly folds away in around 20 seconds with the push of a single button while a clever feature called Airwave blows warm air around the driver and passengers neck, so you can have the roof down and stay warm even in the winter. There's a good choice of engines including some nippy turbocharged petrols, but despite the striking looks, the 308CC is disappointing to drive with steering that lacks feel and a bumpy ride. Like other coupe cabriolets of this size, the rear seats are pretty much useless, expect for luggage, while boot space is very limited with the roof down.

Re-Spec Yourself: Porsche Panamera configurator appears

2009-04-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

With the launch of the Porsche Panamera configurator, you can finally build the sedan from Stuttgart to your own specs. Starting with an untouched 500 hp, $132,600 Turbo model that scoots to sixty in just four seconds, we came up with the $181,170 Mahogany Metallic example above. Even though we left a great many options unchecked and some imaginary money in our imaginary wallet, we're sure it will still perform impressively. Sadly, though, there was no button marked "Make the backside pretty."

2009 Audi S4

2009-04-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

When Audi released its latest-generation S4 in 2004, it broke new ground by stuffing a 4.2-liter V8 under the S4's relatively compact hood. This, along with a sport-tuned suspension, bigger wheels and more powerful brakes, allowed the S4 to take on any of its high-performance German competitors. But times have changed. No longer is 340 horsepower a jaw-dropping spec in this segment, and nonperformance versions of rival cars now match (or beat) the S4's specs.

For the 2009 Audi S4, only the convertible version remains as a carryover from last year. The sedan and wagon have been dropped, as Audi is presumably readying new versions. A fully redesigned A4 sedan appeared this year, and it will serve as the template for the new S4 when it debuts. As for this year's S4 convertible, it maintains its good looks and excellent interior quality, two of the model's best selling points.

Because other brands have considerably upped the ante on their high-performance models, the S4 convertible no longer directly competes with the likes of the BMW M3. The Audi now sits, price- and power-wise, between the 300-hp BMW 335i convertible and the 382-hp Mercedes-Benz CLK550. From this vantage point, the 2009 Audi S4 remains a solid choice for those looking for extra oomph in their small luxury convertible.

Chevrolet Camaro spotted with full-on OEM body kit

2009-04-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Camaro looks good in any trim, but the return of the Bow Tie pony car is bound to be a boon for the aftermarket. With all that money on the table, General Motors has no choice but to add its own pricey parts into the mix.

Camaro5 forum member Casey Porter ran into a gussied-up V6 Camaro given a minor cosmetic makeover courtesy of GM Performance Parts. The OEM body kit on the Camaro pictured above (and in the gallery below) includes a matte black front diffuser and bodyside moldings, along with massive chrome and black 15-spoke 21 inch rims wrapped in P Zero rubber. The Camaro in question also features a black matte hood stripe, a hockey stick-shaped stripe at each side, a new fuel door and a pair of awkward-looking chrome-tipped square exhaust tips.

We're not so sure the Camaro kit is actually an improvement over the already hot to trot RS Camaro, but the proliferation of options is definitely a good thing.

2010 Land Rover LR4

2009-04-08T00:08:00.001-07:00

by: Damon Lavrinc

On the eve of the New York Auto Show, Land Rover has released all the details on its new 2010 LR4. The new LR4 (the SUV formerly-known-as LR3) is packing a thoroughly revised, direct-injected 5.0-liter V8 sourced from Jaguar putting 375 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. Land Rover has updated its Terrain Response system to deliver five different settings to suit the terrain, ranging from a normal driving mode to the infamous "Rock Crawl" setting.

A new front end with revised headlamps and fascia joins a restyled rump with LEDs, while an all-new interior provides ample accommodations for five or seven passengers, depending on spec. A Surround Camera system joins keyless entry, push-button start, gradient release control and tow assist (max. towing is 7,716 pounds) to make jaunts to Grandma's through the snowy climes a breeze. A revised suspension architecture, improved steering and larger brakes (14.2-inch discs in front and 13.8-inch rotors in the rear) round out the major modifications.

Toyota's low-cost hybrid to be based on Yaris

2009-03-26T00:37:00.001-07:00

by: Jeremy Korzeniewski

The speculation can finally end. After weeks of hearing rumors regarding an impending low-cost hybrid from Toyota, Automotive News is reporting that the Japanese automaker is working on getting a hybrid drivetrain installed in the Yaris platform. The new car will use the same Hybrid Synergy Drive technology as the Prius but will cost considerably less when it goes on sale, which could take place as early as 2011.

This new development is a direct response to the new Honda Insight, a hybrid five-door that ostensibly competes with the Toyota Prius but costs thousands less due to its slightly smaller size, including a downsized engine and battery pack. When Toyota's Insight-fighter hits the market, we'd expect it to carry an engine that roughly matches the Insight's 1.3 liters, a full half-liter smaller than the powerplant in the 2010 Prius.

Rendered Speculation: On-again, off-again Audi R4

2009-03-11T23:46:00.001-07:00

by: John Neff

Speculation that Audi will debut a new mid-engine model called the R4 has been rampant for at least the past two years. Despite the fact that Audi made it clear one year ago that the R4 was not in their product plans, the talk continues. In addition to the rumors, we now have some rendered speculation on what the R4 might look like thanks to Autocar Czech Republic magazine freelancer Jan Kamenistiak.

It's not exactly known where the mid-engine R4 would fit in Audi's model lineup, with some placing it above the TT and others below. Others have it sharing a platform with a possible production version of the Volkswagen BlueSport Concept that debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Known for their ability to skin a car eight different ways and convince the public that they're buying something totally unique, Audi would likely draw heavily from the VW/Audi parts bin for the R4's power- and drivetrain bits, as there are plenty of worthy four-cylinder engines – both gas and diesel – and dual clutch transmissions to choose from.

Fiat 500C rolls back to the 50's

2009-03-03T21:55:00.001-08:00

by: Noah Joseph

Making a convertible out of a fixed-roof car inevitably takes its toll on structural rigidity, though every automaker under the sun has tried to come up with a solution. For the 500, Fiat has reached back into its history to the original 1957 Cinquocente and fitted the new one with a canvas roof folding back between solid roof rails. The resulting 500C lets the sunshine in – at least, some of it – while keeping the retro hatchback's profile, which promises a uniquely Italian answer to the cabrio equation. While we wait for the 500 to make the trip across the Atlantic, we dropped by Fiat's show stand here at the Geneva Motor Show to check out the drop-top and snapped a few photos for your viewing enjoyment.

Subaru Justy: Now with stripes

2009-02-23T14:52:00.001-08:00

by: Jeremy Korzeniewski

At the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show, Subaru introduced the latest version of its Justy subcompact for the U.K. market. Little more than a rebadged version of the Daihatsu Sirion, the Justy is the Japanese automaker's entry-level model abroad and doesn't offer much to separate itself from the rest of the econoboxes battling it out in the segment. To spice things up a bit, Subaru has created a new package for the Justy called the 1.0 Twin Cam Special Edition.

The uprated equipment includes a roof-mounted spoiler, twin exhaust pipes and a leather-wrapped alloy shift knob. Sounds racy, no? It gets better. Subaru says the Special Edition has "viper stripes," recalling a certain supercar from America. Despite the overly wishful naming, the big draw here is the low fuel consumption and emissions rating. In Europe, the Justy SE retains the 64.2 mpg (53 U.S.) Extra Urban rating of lesser models and the package costs just £690 more than the standard model.

Hennessey Performance ready to tap 2010 Ford Taurus SHO's potential

2009-02-16T21:35:00.000-08:00

by: Damon Lavrinc

Charles, one of our eagle-eyed readers, came across this page on the Hennessey website announcing plans to offer upgrades for the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO. A quick email and a subsequent phone call from Mr. Hennessey himself confirmed that the power-obsessed tuner is hoping to exploit the new SHO's potential later this year.

John, a former first-gen SHO owner himself, was impressed with the new SHO's specs when it was revealed last week, and the hope is that enthusiasts will start looking for modifications once sales begin later this year. At the onset, expect intake and exhaust mods, followed by a boost controller, turbo and intercooler upgrades and possibly some suspension tweaks.

Since Ford is primarily marketing its line of EcoBoost engines towards fuel-conscious consumers, there's little doubt that the automaker left something on the table. We're sure tuners are ready to take up the challenge, and it looks like John and his team will be at the forefront.

Mercedes S-Class AMG spotted

2009-02-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

by: Frank Filipponio

As we've already reported, the Mercedes S-Class is about to get a facelift, so it should come as no surprise that AMG versions of the new bahnstormer are starting to show up on the road.

As with the garden-variety S, the AMG version gets a neat nip-and-tuck treatment, and adds a hint of Audi-inspired freshness via some LED-rimmed headlamps. Compared to the 2010 S-Class, the AMG model sports a more aggressive front fascia with a deeper chin spoiler, larger air inlets and additional gills. Shaplier side sills and a sculpted rear valance round out the rest of the noticeable changes, along with a set of quad oval exhaust tips and a prominent AMG badge on the decklid. Unfortunately, there are no interior shots to see if the new SPLITVIEW system will make it into the sportiest of big Benzes.

While the new S-Class might be shown at the Geneva Motor Show, it won't arrive in showrooms until mid-2009 as a 2010 model. And there's no word on how much longer we'll have to wait to get an official glimpse of the AMG-fettled model.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage revealed

2009-02-03T23:01:00.001-08:00

by: Damon Lavrinc

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage has arrived and yes, you want one. Evolving the styling and engineering exercise Aston unveiled in 2007 and set for a Geneva Motor Show debut, the blokes Gaydon claim the V12 Vantage is the most driver-focused sports car the automaker has ever produced.

Power is provided by a 6.0-liter V12 putting out 510 hp at 6,500 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,750 rpm. The Vantage's new-found grunt is sent through a carbon fiber driveshaft to a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox. The transmission benefits from an oil cooler and a new rear diffuser helps cool the standard limited slip differential. Aston claims a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds and top speed of 190 mph.

Independent double wishbones are mounted fore and aft, while six-piston calipers squeeze 398mm (15.67-inch) carbon ceramic discs in front and four-piston units clamp down on 360 mm (14.17-inch) ceramic rotors in the rear. The front wheels measure 19x9-inches and the rears 19x11-inches, each wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber sized 255/35 and 295/30, respectively.

Inside, carbon fiber door pulls join a host of standard features, while lightweight, carbon-kevlar seats, personalized sill plates and a premium audio system are optional.

The V12 Vantage features spring rates 80% stiffer in front and 45% stiffer in the rear, allowing the coupe to hit up to 1.3 lateral gs. The V12 mill weighs almost 200 pounds more than the V8, but after the Aston got done tweaking the Vantage, the overall increase was a paltry 110 pounds. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect each of the 1,000 V12 Vantages Aston plans to produce to fetch a princely sum.

507-hp BMW Alpina B7 rumored to appear in Geneva

2009-01-24T03:06:00.000-08:00

by: Chris Shunk

Back in December, we received a surprise sneak peak sketch of the upcoming Alpina B7 (above). Now Carscoop is quoting inside sources with news of the B7's new powertrain, and a date for the unveiling. The new Alpina B7 is rumored to use BMW's 4.4L, twin-turbo V8, retuned to pump out a breathtaking 507 hp. That's a mere seven ponies more than the last generation B7, which achieved additional punch from BMW's 4.4L by employing a supercharger. The new Alpine B7 will supposedly be unveiled to the press at Geneva this March, where we'll learn more, like whether the modified 7 series will receive BMW's rumored eight-speed transmission.

Toyota EV coming to the U.S. in 2012?

2009-01-20T23:07:00.000-08:00

by: Frank Filipponio

Toyota has announced that they will be selling a new pure electric vehicle in the U.S. by 2012. We're guessing that it could be a production version of the FT-EV concept that Toyota showed at the Detroit Auto Show. Based on the iQ urban runabout sold overseas, the diminutive city car could meet some of Toyota's stated goals pretty easily. Toyota's national alternative-fuel vehicle manager, Bill Reinert, said the company is "looking for a 50-mile range right now," even when features like the defroster, heater, windshield wipers and stability control are in operation.

The car is expected to be powered by lithium-ion batteries. Reinert wants a charge time of about six hours using a conventional 110-volt household outlet or about two hours using a 220-volt outlet. Toyota still hasn't decided whether or not the car will be available for purchase or if it will be lease only. Where and for how much they'll be sold hasn't been ironed out yet either, but we'll be sure to fill in some of the details as they are issued.

Detroit 2009: Audi confirms A3 TDI for US launch in late 2009

2009-01-17T19:04:00.000-08:00

by: Sam Abuelsamid

Audi has finally confirmed what's been rumored since last fall's cross-country mileage marathon. The A3 TDI is indeed coming to America later this year. A pair of A3s were included in the marathon group and achieved mileage figures that regularly topped 50 mpg. The A3 will use the same 140 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel current motivating the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Getting 40 mpg or more with the A3 TDI shouldn't be difficult in normal driving, and adding the powerful and efficient diesel should help the slow-selling A3 get more of a foothold in the US market. Hit the jump for all the details.

Forget Playing it Safe: Meet the Volvo SC90 Concept

2009-01-16T03:44:00.000-08:00

by: Noah Joseph

The four-door coupe segment has been sweeping across the industry, blurring the line between sportscar and sedan with such tantalizing examples as the Aston Martin Rapide, Mercedes CLS, BMW CS concept... and heck, why not, even the Porsche Panamera (somebody probably likes it). Volvo may not be the kind of company that easily jumps on bandwagons, preferring to stick to station wagons instead, but what if the Swedish automaker that made its reputation on safety were to go head-to-head with these super-sedans? One answer could be the S60 Concept the company just unveiled in Detroit, but as much attention as that show car garnered, what you see here is an even more convincing take on the theme: meet the Volvo SC90 design study.

Conceived by Volvo designer Nouphone J. Bansasine while undertaking an internship at the company in the summer of 2007, the SC90 concept cuts a striking silhouette that only gets "more complex and fresh [on the] second read." Far more aggressive and sharply-styled than anything we've seen from Volvo before, our only beef with the SC90 is that it exists only on paper. With the company's future in jeopardy and car sales down around the world, now may not be the time to introduce a car like this... but then again, considering that the upper end of the market continues to grow, may now's the perfect time. We'll run with that one.

Detroit 2009: Dodge Ram R/T Accessorized

2009-01-13T21:48:00.001-08:00

by: Alex Nunez

Stuck among the largely forgettable production vehicles at the Chrysler, LLC display is this Mopar-enhanced Ram R/T. Originally shown at SEMA, B5 Blue (we think) covers its bodywork, which is very close to the ground thanks to a new set of springs and shocks. Kumho-shod, 22-inch forged wheels are stuffed into the cutouts. In front, the Challenger-style hood rocks a set of SRT stripes, the headlamp housings are blacked out, and a new front bumper with chin spoiler threatens to scrape against any obstacle taller than a praying mantis. Out back, a body-colored bed cover thwarts prying eyes, and a pair of fat polished exhaust tips pokes under the rear bumper. Inside, you'll find color-keyed inserts and R/T embroidery on the seats. Overall, this thing looks pretty mean, especially when its surrounded with your garden variety Dakotas and Durangos.

Rendered Speculation: Honda to create mini-hatch for emerging markets

2009-01-10T01:02:00.001-08:00

by: Jonathon Ramsey

Lost in the jeers following Honda's move to cancel the NSX – a car it could probably sell based solely on its ridiculously wonderful exhaust note – is news that the Big H is planning an A-segment car for markets outside of Japan. Now that the microcar segment is what's cooking, and the smart fortwo isn't doing so bad on its American voyage, cars like the Toyota iQ, Volkswagen up!, and Hyundai i10 are getting lots of attention.

To keep the cost down, Honda is expected to stick to traditional materials and probably focus on packaging. The powerplant is rumored to be a 1.4- or 1.5-liter turbodiesel with anywhere from 60 hp to 100 hp. But before you get excited, this car isn't automatically destined for America. Of course, none of this would-be Honda's competitors are headed this way yet either, and until the microcar trend is firmly established in the US – either by smart or another vehicle – we wouldn't advise holding your breath.

Leakage: Euro-spec 2009 Honda Insight

2009-01-05T23:06:00.000-08:00

by: Damon Lavrinc

We're still six days away from the official unveiling of the 2009 Honda Insight at the Detroit Auto Show, but the crew at Carscoop just couldn't wait to release images of the European-spec hybrid ahead of its debut.

The Euro model shown here won't differ too much from the U.S. version, but the stylistic differences between the production version and its conceptual predecessor are obvious at first glance. As we've seen before, the front fascia carries over largely unchanged, although the technorific LED headlamps, deeply recessed fog lamps/air intakes and gaudy brightwork are all left on the designer's desk. The side mirrors have grown in proportion to the door handles, and the C-pillar is noticeably thicker than the concept that bowed in Paris. The rear has also been smoothed over, with the Prius-esque (or is that CRX-inspired?) hatch losing a bit of glass, along with the contoured cut-out for the license plate, which is now mounted lower on the bumper, with a prominent "H" badge floating on a body-colored panel.

Although the interior hasn't been revealed in full, we get a brief glimpse of the central-mounted tach, "eco" gauges and second tier speedo, which benefits from a backlight that transitions from green to blue when the driver mashes the accelerator and unleashes the full fury of the small-displacement engine through the CVT gearbox.

Sales will begin in the U.S. and abroad this spring, with a starting price rumored to hover around $20,000.

Detroit Preview: 2010 Cadillac SRX reborn

2009-01-04T00:44:00.000-08:00

by: Sam Abuelsamid

Almost exactly a year after revealing the Provoq Concept, Cadillac is debuting the redesigned 2010 SRX wearing essentially the same suit of clothes. At that time, the Provoq was thought to be a preview of a new smaller crossover called the BRX, but Cadillac informed us last summer that the "BRX" was actually the all-new SRX.

We'll be seeing the new SRX in production form at the Detroit Auto Show, and while automakers often throw the term "all-new" around, in this case it really seems to apply. There is almost nothing carried over to this version of the SRX compared to the old one, although many of the greasy bits are shared with other GM vehicles. The biggest difference going from the Provoq concept to the production SRX is the powertrain. The Provoq used a Volt based E-Flex powertrain with a fuel cell range extender. The SRX is a far more conventional though fully modern luxury crossover. Read all about the details after the jump.

2009 Kia cee'd gets Intelligent Stop & Go

2009-01-03T03:35:00.001-08:00

by: Jonathon Ramsey

Stop/start technology is like a trial membership for hybrids: it lets drivers in on the fuel savings and lower carbon emissions without forcing them to become a card-carrying member of the hybrid brigade. Kia is will be offering buyers just such an opportunity by introducing ISG, or Idle, Stop, and Go (also called Intelligent Stop & Go) on the new cee'd.

The ISG will be available on the 1.4- and 1.6-liter gasoline-engined c'eeds, and unlike other stop/start technology, this ISG shuts the engine down not only when the car is stopped, but when it's moving less than four mph. To engage the ISG while the car is moving, the driver puts the car in neutral and depresses the clutch, the engine is shut down, and he or she will be rewarded with 15% better fuel economy in the urban cycle.

The frugal-ized cee'd also benefits from a lighter five-speed gearbox and low-rolling-resistance tires as standard fitment. Later in 2009, the 1.6-liter diesel c'eed will be offered with ISG technology.

Jaguar upgrades European XF diesel: 443 lb-ft and 35 MPG!

2009-01-02T06:57:00.000-08:00

by: Sam Abuelsamid

Over in Europe, the Jaguar XF has been available with diesel power since its debut last year. However, as well regarded as the old 2.7-liter V6 oil burner was, its 207 horsepower couldn't run with the big dog twin-turbo 286 hp diesel six from BMW. So for the 2010 model year, Jaguar has developed a new dual turbo 3.0-liter that's available in 240 hp or 275 hp S trim. While 275 ponies might not seem all that special these days, the engine's 443 lb-ft of torque from as little as 1,600 rpm has what it takes to push the XF Diesel S to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 155 miles-per-hour. That's 0.3 seconds quicker than the normally aspirated 4.2-liter gasoline V8 that serves as the base powerplant here in the US.

Even more impressive is that the diesel offers this performance while achieving a combined fuel economy rating of 35 miles-per-gallon U.S. - a 12 percent improvement on the old 2.7. All of this is achieved through a 29,000 psi common-rail fuel system and a particulate filter. The forced-induction setup is particularly interesting: Most dual turbo configurations use a small responsive unit at low revs and a bigger unit at higher speeds. In this case, however, Jag's new XF uses a larger variable nozzle turbo at low speeds to reduce pumping losses and fuel consumption.

Spy Shots: Suzuki SX4 getting facelift too

2008-12-31T19:28:00.000-08:00

by: Jeremy Korzeniewski

Following in the footsteps of its European twin, the Fiat Sedici, Suzuki is slightly reworking its SX4 Crossover for next year. You'd be forgiven if you didn't notice - all of the revisions are quite subtle - but the whole front fascia has been slightly remodeled. The most obvious change is to the grille area, which now has a slightly smaller opening that's flanked by new concave recesses for the fog lights. Apparently, the faux rear skid-plate has been redone as well. Like we said: minor, discreet changes.

Inside, the Sedici has been upgraded with dual zone climate controls, so it would make sense that the SX4 would benefit from this new feature as well. We don't expect any powertrain changes, which is just fine with us. We thought that the SX4 was plenty peppy with its standard 2.0-liter DOHC engine's 143 horsepower and 136 lb-ft of torque when we had the sedan model in our garage earlier this year.

Detroit Preview: Fisker Sunset concept coming to Motown

2008-12-30T17:29:00.000-08:00

by: Frank Filipponio

In addition to the debut of the production version of the Karma luxury plug-in hybrid, Fisker Automotive will also be unveiling a new concept at the Detroit Auto Show next month: the Fisker Sunset. We don't have much beyond the teaser shot above, but we do know that Fisker Automotive CEO and namesake Henrik Fisker will announce details about the Sunset at the company's press conference in Cobo Hall on January 12. Besides the green Karma, Fisker is perhaps best known for their coachbuilt SLs and BMWs, but Henrik Fisker is also one of the most influential designers in the last decade, with most of the current Aston Martin lineup and the late, great BMW Z8 attributed to his pen. We can't wait to see what this wunderkind is up to now.

Chinese automaker to build sedan on Saleen platform?

2008-12-28T18:49:00.000-08:00

by: Jonathon Ramsey

On one hand, Steve Saleen has two Challengers due out under his SMS brand. On the other, he's got the slightly tangled mess of CHAMCO, it's Chinese partner Zhongxing Auto, and their joint U.S. venture, ZX Auto North America International.

Earlier this year, Steve was meant to be helping CHAMCO bring Chinese-made Zhongxing pickup trucks to America. Due to CHAMCO and ZX Auto NA getting tied up in bankruptcy, it appears Saleen has left CHAMCO to join its Chinese partner, Zhongxing Auto. There, he will develop a platform on which Zhongxing will base a sports car, a sedan, a CUV, an SAV, and an MPV. It looks like a Chinese-market operation, with Zhongxing promising mid- and high-end segment competitors with "big power and big torque."

Autosport's Car of the Year? The Ginetta G50

2008-12-28T07:01:00.001-08:00

by: Jonathon Ramsey

Lawrence Tomlinson bought historic British car maker Ginetta in 2005, and in just three years his team has hit it over the wall with the maker's first car under his tenure: the Ginetta G50, has taken Autosport's number one slot in its Top 10 Cars of the Year.

The G50's attractions are obvious: It is light (1,750 lbs), powerful (300 horsepower six-cylinder), and relatively inexpensive (£35,000-or around $51,000 USD). It comes in three flavors for now: Roadgoing coupe, G50 Cup Car, and a GT4 model for the FIA GT4 series. The Cup Car had its own one-make race series in Britain, and that was so successful it also won an award in Motorsport News. Coming in 2009 for Ginetta: a G50Z for GT3 competition, an electric Ginetta G50, and expansion onto the Continent with a one-make series in Spain fielding the Ginetta G20.

One more for the road: Reiter Engineering builds Gallardo GT3 for the street

2008-12-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

by: Drew Phillips

Turning road cars into race cars and then back into road cars seems to be Reiter Engineering's new specialty. The factory-supported Lamborghini race team, which also recently built a street-legal variant of their Murcielago R-GT that competes in the FIA GT1 and European Le Mans Series, is now offering a road version of their Gallardo GT3 racecar. Based off the standard Gallardo with the 5.0L V10, the "Strada" features carbon fiber bodywork including fenders that have been widened 60mm, a new front fascia with "shark" style air ducts, side skirts and a large carbon fiber wing at the rear. A single large center-mounted exhaust system reduces weight by nine kg and added an extra ten horsepower, while new three-piece alloy wheels are wrapped with ultra sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 2 rubber. The interior stays relatively stock, although the stock seats have been replaced with leather-covered racing units. While we wouldn't say the result is subtle, it's definitely one of the cleaner designs we've seen.

Lamborghini Miura No. 1 found, set for Cali restoration

2008-12-25T18:53:00.000-08:00

by: Dan Roth

The chassis for Lamborghini Miura #1 is such a work of art, it'd be a shame to cover it up with that swoopy, classic bodywork. The Dallara-designed masterpiece first met the world in 1965 at the Turin Auto Salon and was apparently stored after that until Marios Kritkos fell in love with it in 1977. Kritkos, who handled the importation of Lamborghini cars for Cyprus, went to Sant'Agata in 1978 and dragged the chassis back to Cyprus. The chassis has recently been "discovered," not that it was ever really lost, and Los-Angeles based Joe Sackey (author of The Lamborghini Miura Bible) and Gary Bobileff (whose website has a sweet Ferrari-themed interface) now have Miura #1 at Gary's shop, where it will get a restoration to an astounding standard. Give us a pair of Snidely Whiplash goggles, and we'd drive that thing every day.