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Blue Oval execs rolled out the red carpet for Taurus SHO owners last week in Dearborn, MI to welcome 100 privately owned examples and many more enthusiasts to town for the 19th annual national Taurus SHO convention. Ford would love nothing more than to win the approval of the already rabid SHO enthusiast community, many of whom appreciate the performance potential of two turbos and all-wheel drive but aren’t necessarily on board with the new super-sized model. To that end, Ford dropped some not-so-subtle hints on what could be in store for the next SHO, a model rumored to be on deck for 2013.

“The SHO is at the top [of Ford's performance sedan lineup] and we’re going to keep it there,” said Steve Ling, Ford’s North American car marketing manager during a Tuesday lunch presentation at Ford World Headquarters. “365 horsepower is good. 400 is better.”

Advanced Engine Design and Development Engineer Brett Hinds spoke at length about the EcoBoost V6 during the Tuesday presentation, noting that the 3.5-liter engine had the potential for considerably more power, as we’ll likely see later this year between the fenders of the F-150. That version of the EcoBoost will definitely produce more torque than the SHO’s mill, but if the rumors of 400 horsepower for the F-150 are true, a more muscular SHO could indeed be just around the corner.

Photos by Christopher Smith / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

Continue reading Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention

Ford hints at 400-HP Taurus SHO and more during annual convention

Mitsubishi is hyping its latest entrant into the Lancer Evolution X family with a new video of the SE tackling two of California’s greatest racetracks.

The Special Edition blends the GSR and MR models to create a mid-range Evo that’s slightly easier on the wallet, but it doesn’t skimp on the good stuff. A Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission is mated to the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four, while two-piece Brembo front brake rotors, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs round out the performance mods. Mix in the same “diamond black” paint job from the SE edition of the Evolution IX, a rear lip spoiler, Xenon XID headlamps, heated Recaro bucket seats and a set of 12-spoke wheels and you’ve got yourself a genuinely special Evo on your hands. Hit the jump to see the SE taking to track, complete with gratuitous powerslides and tire-shredding four-wheel drifts.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE ready to smoke some rubber

Video: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X SE ready to smoke some rubber

Porsche once again grabs the top spot (for the sixth time in a row) in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. This year’s study asked 76,000 owners 90 days after purchasing their 2010 model-year cars “how gratifying their new vehicle is to own and drive.” The answer, for the first time since 1997, was that the domestic brands were more “appealing” as a whole than the imports (the domestics earned a score of 787 on a 1,000-point scale – 13 points greater than the imports).

When it comes down to specific awards (as shown in the segment-level graphics), Ford leads with five. The automaker earned one each for the Expedition, Explorer Sport Trac, Flex, Fusion and Taurus. Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen each garner two awards. The Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Avalanche, both segment leaders, are the only two models that ranked highest in the 2010 APEAL study and in the 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) announced in June. Suzuki is credited with the greatest improvement this year, while Jeep drops one slot from last year’s 2009 APEAL Study and falls to the bottom of the list for 2010. Check out the gallery for the graphics, and read the full press release after the break.

[Source: JDPower.com]

Continue reading Domestics surpass imports as a whole in 2010 J.D. Power APEAL study

Domestics surpass imports as a whole in 2010 J.D. Power APEAL study

2012 Chevrolet Aveo patent drawings – Click above for high-res image gallery

The public got its first look at the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Aveo at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, but the RS Concept was only shown as a five-door hatchback, and as we all know, four-door sedans remain the preferred form factor here in the U.S. A newly discovered patent reveals the look of the three-box Aveo, which remains the same as the hatch from B-pillar backwards, but carries a few more interesting design cues.

The roof-line of the Aveo sedan has a similar profile to the larger Cruze and from the side, the tail-lights have the same triangular shape. From the rear, the horizontally arranged lights of the Cruze are replaced by vertically stacked lamps and the sedan gets conventional rear door handles in place of the hidden units in the C-pillar of the hatch. The production Aveo should arrive sometime during this upcoming auto show season, with production starting in the first half of 2011 at GM’s Lake Orion assembly plant north of Detroit.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Patent drawings reveal 2012 Chevrolet Aveo sedan

IndyCar has broadcast its selection of a new chassis for 2012 and out of a group of entries that included BAT, Dallara, DeltaWing, Lola, and Swift, they decided to go with… drumroll… Dallara.

Perhaps it was telling that they played mostly oldies before the official live-stream, as this series seems to have a lot more history than future in many people’s minds. Since the split between CART and the IRL more than a decade ago, open wheel racing in America has seen rapidly declining audiences that led to lower television revenue and a further downward spiral.

The current chassis and engine combo has made the IndyCar Series little more than a spec series, with Dallara building the chassis and Honda supplying the powerplants. Fans seem to want more competition, just like back in the day when Swift, Lola, Eagle and others were in the mix along with engine suppliers Oldsmobile, Infiniti, Cosworth, GM, et al. Well, in a bid to at least freshen the image of the league, the powers that be decided to have an open bid process to select the car of 2012.

The new engine regulations and the new chassis should go a long way towards making the series more entertaining for fans. The Dallara chassis will also help reduce costs for teams (by up to 40 percent) and the aero kits that will be available from other manufacturers will help keep a certain level of personalization for teams. The new chassis is more modern, safer and lighter at 1,380 pounds, some 185 pounds lighter than the current Dallara chassis being used. During the same press conference, it was also announced that Dallara would be building a new plant in Indianapolis to keep the car manufacturing close to home and to add jobs to the United States. Click below for gallery of the 2012 Dallara IndyCar concept.

Breaking: IndyCar announces “new” chassis manufacturer for 2012

Infiniti has released details on its entire model lineup for 2011, and there are a couple of interesting tidbits to glean. Of course, we already know all about the new-for-2011 M and QX, so we’ll focus on the other machines in Infiniti’s line to see what’s new, starting with the G series.

Two new extensions to the G Sedan will debut at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance: a Limited Edition model and a Sport Appearance package. Infiniti promises that both machines will be available in September and will feature “special exterior and interior content features.” The G Coupe will gain a Sport Package for all-wheel-drive models, while Infiniti’s G Convertible gets a revised fascia with relocated fog lights (no pictures available) and a Limited Edition model. Scratch Resistance Paint becomes standard on all G models.

Moving on, the 2011 EX will get a new seven-speed automatic transmission and 18-inch wheels as standard, while three new exterior paint colors will be offered. The larger FX will get a new standard power liftgate in 2011 and Infiniti also reminds us that it plans to release its M Hybrid along with an electric vehicle later this year.

There are plenty more bits, pieces and package changes that true Infiniti aficionados may want to peruse. Find all the details in the press release after the break.

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti details 2011 model year lineup, two new packages for G37

Infiniti details 2011 model year lineup, two new packages for G37

Another piece of General Motors‘ IPO puzzle has been solved: in spite of CEO Ed Whitacre’s desire to add a captive finance arm to GM’s operations, the company looks set to go without. Acquiring in-house financing always stuck out in Whitacre’s aggressive battle plan for getting an IPO done later this year and the hurdles of getting back in with GMAC required untangling enough knots to make King Gordius say, “Skip it…”

Instead, GM will partner with banks that would make the loans to GM customers. Some of those banks are the same ones that GM is working with on a $5 billion credit line, and the idea would be that the banks offering financing would be presented as doing so under the GM banner.

At heart is that in order for GM to unlock its potential, and the potential of the new products it has rolling into showrooms, it needs to be able to finance more customers. Being at the mercy of banks who can choose their own risks means customers leave GM showrooms because they can’t get financing or can get a better deal on another car. Also, GMAC won’t lend to subprime borrowers. Although they only make up seven percent of GM’s target borrowers, in line with other automakers, a seven percent of sales isn’t a number you want to leave on the table.

[Source: BusinessWeek Image: AP/Paul Sakuma/Getty]

Report: GM decides not to create its own finance unit, will investigate teaming with banks

Exotic cars may look all the same to most passers-by, but gearheads know a Ferrari from a Lamborghini. Japanese tuning house Auto Veloce has blurred the lines somewhat, however. Its Ferrari F430 package gets a similar visual treatment to those seen on the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and Murcielago SuperVeloce. The result is dubbed the F430 Super Veloce Racing. It’s got the front air dam, quarter panel intakes and rear wing like the hardcore Lambos, only they’re applied to the outgoing mid-engined V8 Ferrari. As you can see in the attached image gallery, the Super Veloce Racing package can be applied to either Berlinetta or Spider bodystyles. Call it an unholy mash-up or the best of both worlds; either way, it’s available for order.

[Source: Auto Veloce via JonSibal]

Auto Veloce gives Ferrari F430 the SV treatment

It’s been 25 years since the BMW M3 first hit the scene. During that time, the car has evolved from a bantamweight fighter capable of taking on heavy hitters of the sports car world to the yardstick that the rest of the segment is measured. In the process, it has shed its bulging, steroid-riddled fenders for smoother sheet metal and abandoned its four cylinder engine for an out of this world aluminum mill with twice the pots, but its essence as a well-balanced sports coupe remains.

The transformation wasn’t easy. BMW sent the car through innumerable trials on the tracks and trails of the motorsports world, and the mean little 3 Series quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with on the grid.

BMW has commemorated its wicked child’s birthday by recounting the tale of the car’s conception. Don’t worry: it’s a lot less repulsive than listening to your parents yak on about how you came around. The tale is filled with the origins of the car’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, including where the engineers managed to source parts and the like. It’s well worth your time if you’ve got a second. Check past the jump for the full tale.

[Source: BMW]

BMW celebrates 25 years of M3

Black is the new black, at least when it comes to the special edition Mini Saville Row for the Japanese market. The black-as-deep-space hatch with the black roof is accented by polished chrome 17-inch wheels, gas cap, mirrors and trim outside and in. Privacy glass, bi-xenon headlights, white turn signal lamps and an anthracite headliner have been thrown into the mix as well. There will be 100 made, all with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder and automatic transmissions, costing ¥3,100,000 ($35,028 U.S.). That’s a premium of about ¥400,000 ($4,519 U.S.) over the standard Mini.

There will be just 20 examples built of the even more limited edition BMW X6 Performance Unlimited, also for the Japanese market only. Inspired by BMW motorsports, the crossover gets a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder with hybrid technology running through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The body receives silver pearl paint, a BMW Performance aero package, 21-inch alloys and a blacked-out grille, the interior gets Dakota leather and brushed aluminum pedals. It retails for a tidy ¥9,450,000 ($106,823 U.S.). You check it out, along with the Mini Saville Row, in the high-res galleries below.

[Source: BMW]

BMW delivers pair of JDM specials – Mini Savile Row and X6 Performance Unlimited

We’ve already discussed the complete, audacious beauty that is the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. Not only is it one of the most attractive designs to come out of General Motors in decades, but it’s arguably one of the best-looking vehicles on the road today, proving that Cadillac (and GM, for that matter) is once again capable of delivering world-class designs.

Sexy? Yes. But can she cook?

We don’t have many complaints about the 304-horsepower, direct-injection 3.6-liter V6 found under the hood of the standard Coupe. It certainly means well and does a good enough job of keeping the CTS experience entertaining, but we’d be liars if we didn’t say we’d rather have a powerplant with a few more stones – 252 more, to be exact.

Enter the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe. It has a supercharged V8 that makes 556 horsepower. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. It’s under $65,000. Not only that, but the larger cojones found on the V sedan are translated into the coupe’s styling, making for a car that’s at once audacious and vicious, with a beating heart of total lunacy.

In the late 1990s, General Motors gave us the Opel-derived bar of soap known as the Cadillac Catera, telling us that it was “The Caddy That Zigs.” But the Catera is long gone (good riddance) and we’ve found a candidate that’s more worthy of carrying on that short-lived tagline. Take your blood pressure medicine, folks – the CTS-V Coupe is here. And it does a lot more than simply zig or zag. It utterly dominates the high-powered sports coupe segment.

Photos by Steven J. Ewing and Chris Shunk / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is angular, unhinged glory

First Drive: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is angular, unhinged glory

On again, off again. How else could we describe the production prospects of the GTbyCitroën? The supercar concept was devised jointly by the French automaker and by the electronic wizards behind the Gran Turismo video game franchise, but rather than leaving it up to cyberspace alone, Citroën built a real-life showcar version.

The attention it garnered – and the blank checks waved in its face – reportedly prompted Citroën to consider building a limited run for insistent and well-heeled customers. But after reports from around this time last year indicated that the chevron brand was going ahead with the plans, a year later these have still yet to materialize. Now the word on the street is that Citroën has axed the plans altogether.

The reasons? According to reports, Citroën feels there are more practical things on which to focus its resources. And we don’t doubt that there are. But when you can produce a halo vehicle and pass on the bulk of the expense to willing-and-able customers, we can’t help but wonder what Citroën really stands to lose by fulfilling such pixel-fueled dreams.

[Source: 4WheelsNews.com]

GTbyCitroën not to be built after all?

Oh, eBay Motors, you never cease to astound us. Where else could we possibly dig up a Chevrolet Astro Van that’s been built for drag racing and converted to have a passing resemblance to a Lamborghini Gallardo? Yup, you’re looking at the Astroghini. If you’re thinking it looks a lot like a product of “Pimp My Ride” and an acid bender, you’re not far off. The, um, creation was built for a new show on The Discovery Channel called “Ultimate Car Build Off,” and aside from an overdose of Raging Bull influence, the van boasts a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 with 200,000 miles that’s just waiting to go supernova.

If the prospect of a throttle-body fuel-injection V6 under boost isn’t enough to make you weary, the fact that the vehicle now wears an automatic wet nitrous system should. We’d give it about three full-throttle passes before chunks start flying.The show managed to lower the Astro’s roofline by a full eight inches, and as such, the rear doors don’t open, the side windows are plexiglass and there’s zero interior. That turbo? Yeah, it sits in the passenger floorboard.

The good news is that the Astroghini wears a laundry list of go fast parts, so if you’re looking to snag a deal on a boat load of aftermarket goodies, this may just be your chance. You can check out the auction here.

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Behold… it’s the Astroghini!

It’s certainly possible. According to La Voz de Galicia, the French automaker is currently mulling the creation of a new sub-brand to break into the lower rungs of the inexpensive car market. Rather than go through the hassle of rustling up a whole new name, the company has looked to the past for inspiration. It came up with Talbot – a company that got its start early in the 20th century and puttered to a stop in 1986.

The name has a history of rising from the dead. In 1978, Peugeot pulled a similar stunt by bringing the Talbot name back from obscurity after Chrysler axed it a decade prior. During the revival, the brand mostly served as a dumping ground for former Chrysler Europe models. Needless to say, the resurrection didn’t last long.

But if our Google Translator is to be believed, the most recent zombification of the Talbot moniker will have more to do with funky little entry-level machines than any sort of rebadging exercise. La Voz de Galicia claims that the brand will likely start off with just two models based loosely on existing Peugeot models, which would be manufactured at the Citroën factory in Vigo.

Is it possible? Sure. But the rumors could just as easily be smoke and mirrors. Thanks for the tip, Lucian!

[Source: La Voz de Galicia]

Peugeot to resurrect Talbot brand as channel for cheap cars?

All right, so pipe dream might be a little strong – after all, the computer you’re probably reading this post on was once a pipe dream less than a decade ago. But color us shocked at the number of supercar start-ups that have lately been claiming they’re going to erase any thought of Michael Jackson when the word “Thriller!” pops up in conversation. Next in line we have Transtar Racing which, with little more than a template web site, stock photography and a few renderings is already “proud to introduce America’s greatest, most powerful, world record-setting Supercar: the Dagger GT.”

The supercar itself is a custom-designed, 3,000-pound two-seat roadster with a 2,000-horsepower engine. That powerplant would (will?) be the work of Tom Nelson, who builds a wide range of 1,000-plus hp mills for all manner of go-fast conveyances. With those specs and, we’re guessing, some number crunching, Transtar has listed “calculated*” performance specs: 0-to-60 in 1.5 seconds, 0-to-60-to-0 in four seconds, 1/4-mile in 6.6 seconds at 204 mph, and a top speed of 314 miles-per-hour.

That isn’t merely heady performance, that’s fainty. But when it takes a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport and its billions in product development and testing to set a land speed record of 267.81 mph, we’ll need the entire Bonneville Salt Flats to swallow the Dagger GT’s 314 mph claim. Oh, and the Transtar team boasts of a “No Risk Policy – No R&D” philosophy; since they’re assembling parts that have already been proven in other applications, they don’t need to spend ridiculous sums testing how they work together in the Dagger GT. That’s for suckers, apparently.

We’re not saying the Dagger GT won’t ever exist. But we’ll be visiting our great grandkids on Mars by the time a street-legal Dagger GT with a one-year/12,000-mile warranty for retail sale does 314 mph. (And yes, Transtar, that is a challenge…) While we wait, you can have a look at it in the gallery of high-res pics below.

[Source: Transtar]

Transtar Dagger GT is a 2,000-hp pipe dream

We’d heard that Polyphony had the rights to in-game representations of the Top Gear test track, and here we have the evidence in moving images. In the next installment of Gran Turismo 5, said to be let loose in November in 3D (we’ll wait while you grab that grain of salt), you’ll be able to do everything the Stig can do, with all the cars in which he does it. Except, most likely, you won’t go anywhere near as fast. Follow the jump for the video, and get those 3D goggles ordered already! Thanks to David for the tip

[Source: Top Gear]

Continue reading Video: GT5 around the Top Gear test track

Video: GT5 around the Top Gear test track

Heading into the 2011 model year, BMW is adding even more powertrain variants across its lineup. The most likely candidate for the U.S. market is the 550i xDrive sedan. The 407 horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 can send its 400 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels with the rears getting 60 percent of the grunt. The front-to-rear balance can be adjusted on the fly based on traction conditions, and if the car is cornering, more torque is sent to the back freeing up the fronts for steering force.

In Europe, at least, BMW is also bringing back the 535d, but instead of the previous twin-turbo setup (which is still used in the U.S.) it has a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Output for the top diesel is now up to 300 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque from just 1,750 rpm. Acceleration to 62 mph takes just 5.7 seconds with combined mileage on the EU driving cycle being rated at 38.6 miles per gallon. We already got an early look at the new M Sport package yesterday which gives the 5 Series a slightly toned down M5 appearance.

xDrive is now available on several more 5 Series Gran Turismo and 7 Series sedan variants including the diesel powered 740d. A new Design Pure Impulse package for the Z4 combines large quantities of Nappa leather and Alcantara with bright yellow paint and matching interior accents. Finally, the 204-hp X1 xDrive 23d can be ordered with a six-speed manual as an alternative to the automatic that was previously the sole gearbox choice.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2011 BMW 550i xDrive debuts along with M-Sport package

2011 BMW 550i xDrive debuts along with M-Sport package

Soon enough, we Americans will be able to feast upon the Forbidden Fruit that is the Fiat 500. Will we get the hotted-up Abarth models? That remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, we’re super duper jealous of the hotter hatch that the folks at Pogea Racing have created – the 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition which boasts more power (a lot more power, actually) all wrapped in a too-cute (but still somehow menacing) package.

The Pogea team starts with a 500 Abarth, which in standard form produces 160 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. From there, a new turbocharger, exhaust system, downpipe and catalytic converter have been added, meaning that the tiny Fiat now cranks out a whopping 264 hp and 243 lb-ft. Staggering numbers for a car that’s smaller than a Mini Cooper. To tame all of that extra grunt, larger brakes have been added that reduce braking distance by about six feet, though the new stoppers are identical in weight to the standard Abarth setup.

Yes, we want one. In fact, we’ll take two. Scroll through the gallery below to see dozens of high-resolution photos, and follow the jump to read Pogea Racing’s (translated) press release.

[Source: Pogea Racing]

Continue reading Slick Little Number: Pogea Racing develops Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition with 264 HP

Slick Little Number: Pogea Racing develops Fiat 500 Ferrari Dealers Edition with 264 HP

A Volvo wagon from a tuner can’t help but sound exciting to us. Externally, the Volvo V70 T6 R-Design by Heico Sportiv delivers what you’d expect for an exclusive Euro express, carrying an eye-watering €70,193 price tag (that’s more than $86,000 USD). Metallic sapphire black is the only color available for the limited-edition run of 100 cars. Ride height is lowered by 30 millimeters over attractive five-spoke 19-inch wheels, a sport exhaust system is fitted and there’s an ever-important viking-helmet emblem affixed to the car’s rump. Heico also re-tunes the turbocharged six cylinder engine, which jumps from its standard 304 horsepower to 330.

Volvo’s R-Design dress-up parts are applied liberally, as well. Matte metal accents in and out and sport leather upholstery further set this special wagon apart. The aesthetics are without fault, but then there’s the performance details. Despite increased horsepower and claims of “apparently limitless power reserves,” the resulting numbers aren’t terribly impressive for a car with such sporting overtones and lofty price. 0-62 mph arrives in 5.9 seconds, which is quick, but for about the same money, an Audi S6 Avant packs a 429 pony wallop that reaches 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds, and we’re guessing that it’ll outhandle the Swede as well. BMW’s 535i SE Touring is a veritable bargain, ringing up a €48,000 price tag (just under $59k) and delivering a nearly-identical run 6.0 second run to 100 km/h from its 306 hp engine. On this side of the Atlantic, you could pick up an Ecoboost-powered Ford Flex for $37,000 and get more space and similar pace (Ford’s three-row scorcher ran to 60mph in 6.0 seconds for a Car and Driver shoe).

Despite the number-crunching, there’s little doubt that this Heico-tuned V70 is among the sportiest Volvo wagons extant, but exclusivity and styling will have to sell this car. It’s out-sprinted by a V6 Nissan Altima, and even the Toyota RAV-4 V6 will give it a hard time – not exactly what you’d expect from a “tuner” car.

[Source: Heico Sportiv]

Heico Volvo V70 T6 R-Design hauls more than kids, but carries massive pricetag

	Average American auto expenses: $5,477 (that’s more than food) What do you pay?		Report: Honda to offer Fit Hybrid for $16,570, let the price wars begin Reuters wonders if more competition will kill the hybrid market.
	UK Tesla superfan goes 772 miles from London to Lands End in a Roadster And GM thought the Ampera’s 170 miles was a big deal.	Other news: David Frum: Getting America off oil will require more than magic machines – think higher gas tax Coda tweaks exterior design of electric sedan 2011 Honda Accord ups the ante by increasing mpg rating to 23/34 city/highway

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