Tech details about the Subaru BRZ reveals it’s more potent than Toyota FT-86

The new coupe version of the Subaru BRZ will have the lowest center of gravity of all production cars today as it heads to showrooms next summer. The rear-wheel-drive setup of the BRZ gives more room for the 2.0L Boxer powerplant to be lower in the chassis of the coupe compared to the usual setup of the 4WD configuration.

The Subaru BRZ was a product of collaboration with Toyota but most of the engineering work were done by Subaru. The car manufacturer though reveals that the flat four BRZ will also make use of the fuel injection system of Toyota. The output of the engines though has some considerable difference, with the BRZ to give out a bit under 300 horsepower while the FT-86 produces around 200 horsepower.

Other details about the new BRZ have never been released though. Subaru might be considering a roadster version of the BRZ as a future model.

Subaru insiders said that they do not have a costing strategy at the moment but if the BRZ is aiming to compete with the Volkswagen Scirocco, then the price of the Subaru coupe might just be around the VW’s coupe range.

Despite the lack of pricing and image of the production version of the BRZ, fans have already expressed their excitement as inquiries keep the dealership network of Subaru busy answering questions about the upcoming ride.

In the UK, the 2+2 coupe will be filling up a good demand for a new niche market but they plan to focus on products like the XV crossover and sell around 7,500 units for 2012.

The Subaru BRZ will be unwrapped this November at the Tokyo auto show.

02

11 2011

NHTSA says no to smart bag exemption for Pagani Huayra

Pagani Automobili S.p.A. is an Italian car manufacturer based in San Cesario sul Panaro. It’s brand new baby, the Pagani Huayra that carries a massive V12 engine with 700 horsepower, might not go into sales in the United States unless it conforms to the official US airbag regulation policies.

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , they have turned down the Italian automaker’s request to be exempted from the long-standing US safety rule for “smart” airbags.

For the past 11 years, all automobiles that are registered in the United States comply to these smart airbags whose deployment force adjust to the person’s height and weight. The Lamborghini and Tesla models were exempted the past 5 years based on financial grounds.

According to the statement made by the Italian carmaker, they might be able to sell only about five supercars, with tag price at $1.1 million, next year. However, the development of these smart airbags, which are a must under the US Federal Law, would cost them €4.0 million. Pagani thought that this should be basis for a waiver. However, the NHTSA didn’t see it that way.

The NHTSA Notice Summary states that they have determined that the luxury carmaker failed to demonstrate their compliance will cause economic hardship. And that exempting Pagani will mean inconsistency with the Safety Act.

Unfortunately for Pagani, the denied NHTSA waiver would mean loss of income estimated at $4.5 million until about 2015.

21

08 2011

AMG Performance Studio Pimps Up your Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

If you are planning to get an upgrade your snazzy Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG—perhaps a handsome new paint job or additional horsepower for more bragging rights—there’s only one name for the job: the AMG Performance Studio.

The AMG Performance Studio opened in Affalterbach, Germany way back in 2006 and since then, they have been upgrading the standing horsepower and torque figures by almost 32 ponies and 100 Nm of torque through the AMG Performance Package.

That’s not all, the package also includes a genuine AMG engine cover made of carbon fiber, lightweight alloy wheels for AMGs featuring a handsome 10-spoke concept design that comes a titanium grey tint, brake calipers in anodized silver or sheen red and tires that are designed to pimp up your Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

Other AMG Packages include the AMG Exterior Carbon Package, AMG Ride Control, Performance suspension, AMG Performance steering wheel, and AMG Exclusive Package for a beautiful upholstery made of nappa leather for that perfect AMG sports seats plus other interior upgrades like beltlines, armrests, center console, AMG floor mats and more. The topnotch AMG package is only offered in Germany and this includes the sliding glass sunroof, the Keyless-Go package, rear windows sunblind, and the Multicontour Seat package.

Now, there’s also the AMG Driver Package which restricts your E 63 AMG Estate to 280 km/h and your E 63 AMG Saloon to 300 km/h. Furthermore, this package also entitles you to a driver’s training course at their very own AMG Driving Academy.

25

07 2011

Details about the launch of Aston Martin Cygnet announced

Aston Martin CygnetAlthough a lot of luxury car lovers are still puzzled what Aston Martin is thinking when it hinted of the Cygnet, the carmaker recently announced the details of the upcoming launch of the city car in April. The lowest tier Cygnet will have a sticker price of at least $49,340.

We bet you paused there for a bit and stared at the tag price. You read it right, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be $21,000 more expensive than the cheapest of the city cars, the Toyota iQ. The pricing of the Cygnet puts it in the price category of the C Class of Mercedes-Benz, 3-Series of BMW, and the Audi A4.

Aston Martin explains that consumers will be getting a British manufactured iQ that has the styling touch of Aston Martin plus all the leather you can imagine for the interior. If that sounds short, there will also be heated seats, GPS navigation, and passive entry. Everyone might have the “but still…” in mind.

Aston Martin is really determined to push the Cygnet to the market. The car manufacturer is deteremined to release 2 special editions. The cars come with some unique styling, upgrades for the interiors, and a luggage set by Bill Amberg.

The performance numbers have not been released yet but if the power will come from the 1.33L Toyota sourced powerplant, it may have an output of 97 horsepwoer with a torque of 91 lb-ft. The engine will be coupled most likely with a CVT or a 5-speed manual transmission.

Initially, the Aston Martin Cygnet will be released only in Europe but the company is looking to expand the coverage by 2012.

28

01 2011

Mazda shows off the new MX-5

p13 mazdaJapanese carmaker Mazda wants to make most of their new design language and will implement it to the next gen MX-5 that is set to roll out by 2012.

Mazda has been contemplating about revising their sports car strategy after getting feedback that the current version of the MX-5 is too heavy to fulfill its original ethos.

The new MX-5 is a good candidate for the Nagare design lines inspired by elements from nature like the water and the wind. Mazda was able to produce nice concepts using these design lines back in 2007 and 2006.

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08

08 2010

Hennessey Performance unveils Venom GT with 1,200 HP

p10 venom_gt 2Here comes the Veyron-Killer with its heart derived from a Corvette ZR1 pumping out 1,200 horsepower and its body from Elise with a curb weight of 2,548 pounds.

The tuning firm releases the production-ready version for those willing to write a $1,000,000 check and those who want to get their hands behind the wheels cheaper, rarer, and more aggressive than a Bugatti Veyron.

This car is a dream machine with its American V8 powerplant mid-mounted on its Elise architecture beefed up by Garrett turbos so it can whip out 1,200HP and a monstrous torque of 1,135 lb-ft. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed Ricardo gearbox.

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Before buying any car, get car insurance quotes from as many insurers as you can possibly get to make sure you get the best possible rates!

22

06 2010

VW Reveals the New Touareg

Volkswagen TouaregRecently revealed in a special launch event that took place in Munich, feast your eyes on Volkswagen’s new beauty, the Touareg.

This model is the second generation of this particular SUV. It differs from its first generation predecessor in several ways, including the fact that it is lighter, longer, and lower, which all combine to create even better fuel efficiency.

The SUV is an aerodynamic wonder with a design meant to allow for an even lower Cd value.

Another difference is that the Touareg comes with the option of a hybrid drivetrain.

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28

03 2010

The Survolt Concept from Citroen Is a Stunner

Citroën Survolt conceptI really should have been born in France.

I love the French language.

I love French accents.

I love French decor, French food, French history, the French culture, and French wine.

There are an endless number of things I love about France, but more on the topic here, I love French cars and automakers.

So really, does it come as any surprise that I love not only Citroen in general, but also the new concept, the Survolt, in particular?

Even the picture of this car reeks of power. It is one of those vehicles that you can practically hear purring right through a photograph.

15

03 2010

GM News: 0% Financing In March!

gyi0059780606optIt seems like forever since GM has made the news but right now, they are pulling themselves out of the hole that they were in last year.  In fact, in February, their sales were actually up by about 12%.  To continue in the trend, they are actually offering up 0% financing for 60 months on sales that happen during the month of March.

What this means is that there is a fantastic chance for you to get a brand new car from GM and not have to worry about the financing.  This is a sales strategy that I believe is going to certainly work in the benefit of the company.

Not only is it going to bring in more and more business, but it is going to allow people that need a new car to get one.

27

02 2010

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Is Selling Out!

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor One thing that we did not expect that would sell out and become extremely popular in the way of trucks is the brand new 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.  This particular truck is by far one of our favorites; however is that enough to make it America’s most popular?  It seems to be!

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has oversold themselves and the most popular color for the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor?  Well, that is black!  This truck is about $40,000 but still, if you are looking to do a lot of off-roading, the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is definitely it.

Just remember that the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is limited right now – so if you want one, you better get it fast!

13

02 2010