BB1 begins a European tour

PARIS : October 30, 2009 - After Peugeot BB1 presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BB1 was seen in the streets of Paris. This weekend, BB1 begins a European tour which starts at the Sony Center in Berlin.


Next, the English will welcome BB1 to Covent Garden on 7th and 8th November. BB1 will then go to Spain for 21st and 22nd November, then to Italy, where it will be on show in Milan on 28th and 29th November. BB1 will finish its European tour in Paris on the weekend of 12th December 2009.


In the five countries it visits, BB1 will be exhibited in places that draw large crowds. In this way, Peugeot is showing the general public its solution to the new automobile deal of the future: a 100% electric project capable of carrying 4 people in 2.5 metres.


All dates and details are available on the bb1-peugeot.com site as well as on BB1's different social networks which have already attracted over 15,000 fans across Europe.

Galpin Auto Sports builds Halloween-themed hearse

We generally don't think of a hearse as a great platform for customizing, but then again, we've never known Galpin Auto Sports to shy away from messing with anything on four wheels. That's why we weren't surprised to see this specially-built conveyance of corpses constructed by the Southern California customizer. The hearse features a Halloween theme including dozens of hand-painted skulls on the front and side, as well as a spiderweb grille. It's not all spooky, though, and Galpin has made the interior an inviting place to be, with a working barbeque, chilled cooler, and a flatscreen TV all in the coffin. Not a bad place to spend your last few hours above ground!
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Hamilton Dominates Qualifying In Abu Dhabi

Lewis Hamilton claimed his fourth pole position of the season Saturday in qualifying for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

The McLaren-Mercedes driver dominated the session on the new 5.554-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit, registering a time of 1 minute 40.948 seconds to secure the 17th pole of his career.

'It's never easy but it was definitely as fun as it looked,' said Hamilton, who continued his strong finish to the season with a fourth top spot in the last seven races.

'The car was the best it's been all year.'

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel will start alongside Hamilton on the front row after clocking a lap 0.667 seconds slower than the 2008 champion. Vettel's teammate Mark Webber starts from third, followed by Rubens Barrichello and newly-crowned world champion Jenson Button.

'We are a little bit surprised by the gap,' admitted the German Vettel. 'I think we do have a good race pace, the car is getting better through the distance.'

Although Button claimed the drivers' title with a fifth-place finish at the Brazil GP two weeks ago and his Brawn GP team have secured the constructors' crown, the race for second place is still very much alive at the season-ender in Abu Dhabi.

Vettel currently holds the advantage with 74 points, just two ahead of Button's teammate Barrichello.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen managed only 11th while Hamilton's teammate Heikki Kovalainen had to be satisfied with 13th after suffering engine transmission problems.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso had a disappointing final qualifying session for Renault ahead of his move to Ferrari for next season and will start down in 16th place after being eliminated in the first round.

All eyes will now turn to Sunday's race, which for the first time in F1 history will start in daylight and be completed as the sun sets.

Temperatures are expected to hit 35 degrees Celsius at the Yas Marina track, where construction only began in February 2007.

The spectacular circuit, which has a tunnel as part of its pit- lane exit and a track that passes under the Yas Hotel, has impressed all the drivers this weekend, not least Hamilton.

'The place is just stunning. It's mind-blowing what they have been able to create here,' he said.

"In Q3 I had massive vibrations. Hopefully we can solve it by the race," added Button.

Pos	No	Driver	Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Laps
1	1	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren-Mercedes	1:39.873	1:39.695	1:40.948	20
2	15	Sebastian Vettel	RBR-Renault	1:40.666	1:39.984	1:41.615	21
3	14	Mark Webber	RBR-Renault	1:40.667	1:40.272	1:41.726	21
4	23	Rubens Barrichello	Brawn-Mercedes	1:40.574	1:40.421	1:41.786	24
5	22	Jenson Button	Brawn-Mercedes	1:40.378	1:40.148	1:41.892	25
6	9	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:40.517	1:40.373	1:41.897	24
7	5	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	1:40.520	1:40.545	1:41.992	25
8	6	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	1:40.558	1:40.635	1:42.343	24
9	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams-Toyota	1:40.842	1:40.661	1:42.583	25
10	12	Sebastien Buemi	STR-Ferrari	1:40.908	1:40.430	1:42.713	27
11	4	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:41.100	1:40.726		20
12	10	Kamui Kobayashi	Toyota	1:41.035	1:40.777		17
13	2	Heikki Kovalainen	McLaren-Mercedes	1:40.808	1:40.983		16
14	17	Kazuki Nakajima	Williams-Toyota	1:41.096	1:41.148		18
15	11	Jaime Alguersuari	STR-Ferrari	1:41.503	1:41.689		19
16	7	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:41.667			12
17	21	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Force India-Mercedes	1:41.701			10
18	20	Adrian Sutil	Force India-Mercedes	1:41.863			10
19	8	Romain Grosjean	Renault	1:41.950			12
20	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Ferrari	1:42.184			12

Source:GMM

Fela Anikulapo Kuti's work enjoys posthumous revival

Abami Eda Lives on: Starting November 23, musical theater fans visiting New York won't just be angling for tickets to Broadway productions of "Chicago," "Mamma Mia!" and "Rock of Ages." They'll also have the chance to see "Fela!" -- a new musical at the Eugene O'Neill Theater about the influential Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and the opportunity to choose Afrobeat over show tunes, ABBA hits and Disney songs.

What's at stake in this Broadway venture, however, is much more than recreational tourist dollars. The show will help find a larger audience for Kuti, who before his death in 1997 pioneered Afrobeat from the sounds of James Brown and West African high-life music, became a political icon in his native Nigeria and earned the admiration of everyone from Paul McCartney to the Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil.

Rikki Stein, Kuti's former co-manager and the executor of his estate, plans to capitalize on this exposure to cement his legacy as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century.

"I have an abiding regret that Fela never achieved the recognition he deserved during his lifetime," Stein says. "We have a long row to hoe in terms of general knowledge and acceptance."

ALBUM REISSUES

In addition to green-lighting "Fela!," Kuti's estate has licensed his catalog to the newly revived Knitting Factory Records. The well-timed deal will result in the reissue of Kuti's complete catalog -- 45 albums -- during the next 12 years.

"The industry always talks about who the next big legacy artist will be," says Ian Wheeler, label manager of Knitting Factory Records. "It should have been Fela years ago. We're really trying to bring a new audience around the world, and particularly in the U.S., to his music."

Up first is the October 27 release "The Best of the Black President," a compilation of Kuti's best-known material. The set is being sold at previews of "Fela!" and at Felabrations, a series of Afrobeat DJ parties organized by Knitting Factory Records and its marketing partner, Giant Step.

"We're a conduit for raising awareness of Afrobeat," says DJ Rich Medina, who founded the Kuti tribute party Jump N' Funk in 2001 and headlined four of 18 Felabrations nationwide. "It's a way of helping the cause."

"The first thing we're doing is galvanizing the core base of Fela fans," Giant Step founder/CEO Maurice Bernstein says, "then using the messaging to make him relevant in a universal way. You can live in Detroit and understand what (the famous Kuti saying) 'Music is the weapon' means, just like you would Bob Marley's 'One Love' or Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On?'"

The first batch of reissues arrive February 2: "The '69 Los Angeles Sessions," "Live With Ginger Baker," "London Scene"/"Shakara," "Rodoforofo Fight," "Open & Close"/"Afrodisiac" and "Gentleman"/"Confusion." It's not only the first time Kuti's early London recordings with Koola Loobitos will be reissued but also the debut of his catalog on vinyl, which Knitting FactoryVampire Weekend. hopes will attract a new generation of music collectors who listen to African-influenced bands like

"Every day there are traces of new people discovering Fela's music," Wheeler says. "But there has never been a swell of activity around him like this."

Though MCA reissued Kuti's catalog in 2001, Bernstein, who also helped market that series, says its potential wasn't fully realized. "MCA was a major label, and no matter how much they said they loved Fela and how important he was, he was definitely lost in the shuffle," he says.

Stein is all too familiar with labels' conflicted admiration for Kuti. In the mid-'80s, he says he met with every major about the prospect of a deal. "They all received me respectfully and saw Fela as akin to Miles Davis or any of the jazz greats," Stein recalls. "But they'd ask: 'Rikki, which three minutes of this 18-minute song do you want me to put on the radio?' "

"I'd ask Fela to write me a small tune," Stein adds. "He used to say, 'I'm writing African classical music. Don't mess with Tchaikovsky.'"

A deal nearly came to fruition in 1993, when then-Motown Records president Jheryl Busby offered Kuti a five-album deal under his new Africa-oriented label, with a $1.3 million advance for each album and another $1 million for full ownership of Kuti's catalog, Stein says. But after talking to his spirit advisers, Kuti refused to sign until April 1995. Busby left Motown the week of the scheduled signing, and Andre Harrell's first action as Motown's new president was to ax the African label.

BODY/MIND EXPERIENCE

In Knitting Factory Records and the producers of "Fela!," Stein has found partners who are more attuned to the cause of expanding Kuti's legacy.

"Fela!" re-creates the Shrine, the Lagos, Nigeria, nightclub where Kuti played multiple nights each week with his band, Africa 70. A collective of singers, dancers and musicians performs Kuti songs including "Shakara," "Zombie" and "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense" behind lead actor Sahr Ngaujah, who won an Obie Award for his spot-on portrayal of Kuti in the show's Off Broadway run last year. The effect is less stuffy theater and more raucous concert -- just as its creators intended.

"The Broadway experience can be like sitting with blinders on," "Fela!" director/choreographer Bill T. Jones says. "This is a show you enjoy as much with your body as with your mind. It's free and communal."

"There was a constant struggle between keeping Fela's music pure and deconstructing it for the audience," says the show's musical director, Aaron Johnson, who translated Kuti's Yoruba and pidgin lyrics and is also the conductor/trombonist of the acclaimed Afrobeat band Antibalas. "I've been very pleasantly surprised with the response so far."

Nor have the most controversial aspects of Kuti's life been smoothed over, from his simultaneous "wedding" to 27 women to his clashes with the Nigerian government that led to a brutal 1977 attack on his Kalakuta compound. "It's all out there," Stein says. "Fela has not been sanitized."

That hasn't done anything to quell the show's positive word-of-mouth, the result in no small part to the fact that tastemaker musicians like the Roots' Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson have sung its praises. Jay-Z called it "fantastic" after attending a show, fueling reports that the rapper will become involved with it in an official capacity.

"There's going to be an enormous incentive for people to investigate Fela when they know that Jay-Z, Will Smith and Alicia Keys are all rabid fans," Stein says. "It's a sign that the underground is moving overground."

Further proof that a Kuti revival of sorts is under way: A screenplay for a biopic is in the works, to be directed by the U.K. filmmaker Steve McQueen ("Hunger").

"I believe that with the show, the film and the reissues, a lot is going to change," Stein says. "We'll see a much wider audience for Fela. There were a million people at his funeral shouting, 'Fela will live forever.' Of course, they were right."

(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)

NEW YORK (Billboard)

2012 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti Successor Test-Mule Spy

While this test-mule was previously thought to be for a minor mid-cycle facelift for the 612 Scaglietti, key details such as the extended front-end, bonnet bulge, longer wheelbase and stacked exhaust pipes suggest this vehicle represents something much more significant than a facelift.


It seems like just yesterday that Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti was launched but it's actually been almost five years, which is why it’s not surprising that test-mules for the car’s successor are already running around the streets of Maranello. Designers will be primarily focused on giving it an edgier, more up-to-the-minute look, however, the new look may be joined by a greener powertrain as well.


If the report proves true, the Scaglietti successor will have a fuel economy of roughly 19 mpg--up from 11.5 mpg for the current model. Power isn't expected to grow much, as the 612’s standard 533 horsepower output is already generous.


Not much is known about the successor to the 612 as the car’s is expected to make its launch until late 2011, but according to previous reports the car could feature a brand new V-12 powerplant. The new engine is tipped to have 40% fewer carbon-dioxide emissions than the current mill, which would fit Ferrari’s internal goal of reducing its emissions and fuel-consumption by that same amount by 2012.
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Subaru Concepts Push the Limits of the Fast, the Low and the (Very) Slow for 2009 SEMA Show

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced two tuner models along with a "blast from the past" Subaru classic that will debut at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 3-6. Further models will be announced in due course.
Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT®), Subaru of America's in house performance division, built a custom Impreza WRX® STI® and Legacy® VIP concept especially for the 2009 SEMA Show. The WRX STI by SPT demonstrates what a WRX STI owner can build at home using just the SPT catalog as a source for bolt-on parts. The WRX STI by SPT offers more power along with even sharper handling response, making it the ideal machine for high style street performance or track driving.
The Legacy VIP is a one-of-a-kind vehicle inspired by the VIP rides found on the streets of Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. It uniquely blends parts from SPT and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with custom features for the "full VIP treatment." VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively styled wheels.


Those connected to this scene don't say "V-I-P" but rather call it "bippu" in a nod to its Japanese roots. "Traditional" VIP rides are based on rear-wheel drive vehicles; the Subaru Legacy VIP breaks the mold by applying the look to an all-wheel drive sedan with an extra dose of East Coast flair.
The third vehicle announced for Subaru's SEMA display is also one-of-a-kind: A special SPT delivery van that promises to deliver go-fast parts very slowly. That's because it only has 25 horsepower.
The 1969 micro van (emphasis on "micro") was one of the first models sold by Subaru of America. Its two-cylinder, two-stroke engine musters 25.3 lb.-ft. of torque. Less than 10 feet long and barely more than four feet wide, the Subaru micro van could be used to deliver SPT parts inside Subaru's headquarters campus. Nearly as impressive as its 66-MPG economy is the patience needed to drive it for 66 miles.


Details: 2010 Subaru WRX STI by SPT

The drivetrain in the WRX STI by SPT is essentially stock, which means a 2.5 liter DOHC, 16 valve, turbocharged and intercooled 4-cylinder Subaru Boxer® engine with Dual Active Valve Control System. Backed by a 6-speed close ratio manual transmission, it gets power to the road via Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD), limited slip helical front differential and TORSEN® rear differential.
The engine remains stock, including 14.7 PSI max. boost. An SPT exhaust system boosts horsepower to 315 hp @ 6,000 RPM (up from the stock 305), while peak torque remains stock at 290 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 RPM. There is also an SPT turbo heat shield. For that extra dose of style under the hood, the car features an SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold down v2.0; an STI front lip spoiler and SPT exhaust finishers complete the look.
The stock WRX STI is already a master of the curves; the WRX STI by SPT ups the handling ante with readily available accessories: 19 x 8.5-in. Prodrive® GT2 wheels are finished in Glitter Gold and wear Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/35R19 performance tires. Suspension is tweaked with STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace and an SPT lower chassis brace.
Interior appointments and electronics are geared to what the average enthusiast can afford and use. So, you won't find half a dozen 10-inch LCDs scattered around the interior. An SPT boost gauge, a media hub digital music integration system and an auto-dimming mirror with transflective display and HomeLink® transmitter, are all available from the SPT catalog. Final touches include an STI shift knob and all-weather floor mats (because Subaru drivers aren't afraid of the weather.)

Details: Subaru Legacy 2.5GT VIP

The 2010 Legacy is all-new, built on a new platform that increases room and comfort while preserving the agility and fun-to-drive spirit of the previous model. Its new midsize roominess and comfort make Legacy an ideal candidate for the VIP ("bippu") treatment. This transformation, however, is not for the faint of heart.
The 2010 Legacy 2.5GT starts out strong enough; its new 265-hp turbocharged/intercooled is teamed exclusively to a new 6-speed manual transmission for 2010 along with the Continuous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (viscous coupling locking center differential). So, the Legacy can go on when the snowflakes fall. The stock torque curve (258 lb.-ft. at 2,000-5,200 RPM) makes city VIP-ing smooth and easy in this Legacy.
The turbo Boxer is dressed up with a custom full engine bay cover, SPT billet oil cap v2.0 and SPT billet battery hold-down v2.0. To go "bippu" is to go low, starting with the profile. The stock Subaru intercooler, which inhales through a hood scoop, is replaced by a Mishimoto front mount intercooler with custom piping, to allow a smooth hood.
To ride low, the Legacy VIP gets air suspension system from Universal Air®. The MC3 Enterprises Trinidad wheels were custom machine for this vehicle and measure 20 x 10-inch in front (30 offset) with a 3-inch lip; the 20 x 10-inch rear wheels have a 12 offset and 4-inch lip. The 235/30R20 Falken FK452 tires are "stretched a bit."
Subaru sourced a number of body parts from the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Legacy, including: hood, bumper faces, sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights. The power folding signal mirrors with chrome caps and the vent shades likewise come from the JDM Legacy parts supply. Roof and decklid lip spoilers were added to keep the lines of the car clean.
Custom touches start with the rolled and flared fenders and add a chrome trunk garnish and door handles, along with puddle lights. The body is sprayed in Shinjuku Black Plum. The Legacy VIP interior is almost fully custom, featuring diamond stitch seats and door trim finished in Togarashi Red. An interior illumination kit and illuminated sill plates add a VIP glow.
SPT catalog parts include an auto-dimming mirror with transflective display and HomeLink transmitter and an STI Duracon shift knob.
The rear seat passengers enjoy the full VIP treatment, starting with bucket seats and a motorized compartment for valuables. Onboard entertainment is offered through a JVC KD-AVX77 touch screen head unit up front and twin rear seat multifunction displays in the rear. A custom carputer integrates the added subsystems. A pair of JBL amps (GT5-A604 4-channel and GT5-A3001 sub amp) powers six JBL speakers and two JBL 10-inch subs.

Details: 1969 Subaru SPT Parts Delivery Van

The Subaru SPT Parts Delivery Van is a fully restored 1969 Subaru 360 van and features prominent SPT livery. The restoration was undertaken by Subaru of Las Vegas and will be displayed in their showrooms after the show.

• Engine: 356 cc, 2-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled
• Horsepower/torque: 25 @ 5,500 RPM / 25.3 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 RPM
• Length: 117.9 inches
• Width: 51.0 inches
• Height: 53.0 inches
• Curb weight: approx. 950 lbs.
• Fuel economy: 66 miles per gallon
• Smile factor: priceless

Source:Subaru

SEMA Show: Powered by Hennessey's tweaked LS9 engine, the supercharged HPE700

LAS VEGAS, NV – Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) is set to debut the company's limited edition, Corvette ZR1 inspired, 2010 HPE700 LS9 Camaro on Tuesday, November 3 at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Powered by Hennessey's tweaked LS9 engine, the supercharged HPE700 Camaro cranks out 725 bhp and 741 lb-ft of torque twist. 0 to 60 mph is achieved in just 3.5 seconds. The HPE700 LS9 Camaro will be on display in the Mobil 1 booth (#24466).

The HPE700 LS9 Camaro is able to whoa as well as it can go with massive 15 inch Brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers in front and 4-piston calipers in rear. Ride quality and handling are also improved with the addition of KW Variant 3 coilover suspension with upgraded sway bars. Combined with Hennessey's own light weight 3-piece 20 inch wheels shod with Michelin PS2 tires, the HPE700 Camaro is capable of generating 1.01 g on a 200 ft. skidpad. Rounding out the package is the ZR1-inspired Cam-Aero ™ carbon fiber body upgrades consisting of a front splitter, side skirts and rear bumper with diffuser.

Production has been limited to just 24 examples. "This may be one of the most special vehicles our company has ever built", said company founder and president, John Hennessey. "Time will tell, but I would venture to say that the 2010 HPE700 LS9 Camaro may go down in history as one of the most significant modern muscle cars ever built".

Cost for the HPE700 LS9 Camaro is $119,500 which includes one day of driving instruction at Hennessey's Lonestar Motorsports Park race track facility.


About Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE)
HPE has been making fast cars go faster since 1991. Founded by John and Hope Hennessey, the company now operates from it's 30,000 square foot workshop and showroom facility situated on 143 acres near Sealy, Texas (about 45 minutes west of Houston). HPE offers a wide variety of dyno proven, track tested parts and upgrades for a variety of modern performance vehicles. HPE is also the only tuner in North America that has its own private test track – Lonestar Motorsports Park.



2010 Hennessey HPE700 LS9 Camaro Specifications

Power:
• 725 bhp @ 6,400 rpm
• 741 lb-ft Torque @ 3,200 rpm

Performance:
• 0 - 60 mph: 3.5 sec.
• 1/4 mile: 11.3 @ 126 mph
• Skidpad: 1.01 g
• 60 - 0 mph braking: 104 ft.

2010 HPE700 Camaro Includes:
• Base 2010 Camaro SS with 6-speed Manual Transmission
• Your Choice of Exterior Factory Colors: Cyber Gray Metallic, Aqua Blue Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic and Red Jewel Tint Coat
• LS9 6.2 Litre Supercharged Engine with Intercooler
• Mobil 1 Oil & Filter
• Cam-Aero (tm) Body Components: Front Spoiler, Rear Bumper Diffuser & Side Rocker Panels
• Long Tube Stainless Steel Headers
• HPE Extreme Duty Clutch & Flywheel Upgrade
• HPE Race Shift Knob and Shifter Upgrade
• HPE Light Weight Alloy Wheels
• 20 x 11 inch (rear); 20 x 10 inch (front)
• Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Tires, 275/35-YR20 (front); 305/35-YR20 (rear)
• Brembo Front Brake Upgrade: 6-Piston Calipers with Light Weight 15 inch Cross-Drilled Rotors
• Brembo Rear Brake Upgrade: 4-Piston Calipers with 14 inch Light Weight Rotors
• KW / HPE Variant 3 Adjustable Coil-Over Suspension Upgrade
• KW / HPE Front & Rear Sway Bar Upgrades
• Painted Hockey Stick Side Stripe with LS9 logo
• Hennessey Embroidered Head Rests & Floor Mats
• Limited Edition HPE700 Dash Plaque & Hood Plaque
• HPE700 & Hennessey Logos Painted on Rear Deck Lid
• Hennessey Letter of Authenticity
• HPE700 buyers will also receive a 1-day performance driving course at Lonestar Motorsports Park – a 1/4 mile dragstrip facility located adjacent to Hennessey's 30,000 square foot production facility and showroom.

Options:
• Connolly Leather Interior with Custom Colors
• 850 hp Twin Turbo Upgrade
• 1000 hp Twin Turbo Upgrade
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THE SCIROCCO R AND GOLF R NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER - With Video

Volkswagen has today confirmed pricing and specification for the most powerful and fastest accelerating derivatives of the Scirocco and Golf ever produced. Developed by Volkswagen's special projects wing, Volkswagen Individual, prices for Scirocco R start at £26,945 on-the-road and £28,930 for the Golf R.
Fitted with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine and a six speed manual gearbox as standard, the Scirocco R develops 265 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque while the Golf R produces 270 PS and 258 lbs ft of torque. A six-speed DSG gearbox is available as an option on both models from £1,300.


For the first time on an ‘R' model, the Scirocco R channels power though the front wheels and is fitted with the XDS electronic cross-axle traction control system to ensure improved grip in all conditions. The Golf R, available in both three- and five-door bodystyles, uses a pre-charged hydraulic version of Volkswagen's 4MOTION four wheel drive system. This system can react quicker than previous 4MOTION systems while also limiting torque to maximise traction and minimise wheelspin.
The range-topping Scirocco accelerates from a standstill to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds, falling to 5.8 seconds when equipped with the DSG gearbox, while achieving a combined figure of 34.9 mpg (35.3 for DSG) and 189 g/km of CO2 (187 for DSG).


The Golf R is the fastest accelerating Volkswagen ever produced, with a 0 to 62mph sprint taking just 5.7 seconds. As with the Scirocco, the DSG gearbox shaves a further two tenths of a second from this time. Despite this impressive performance, the Golf R returns 33.2 mpg on the combined cycle (DSG 33.6 mpg) and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km (195g DSG). Both the Scirocco R and Golf R models have a top speed of 155 mph.
To set the ‘R' models apart from a conventional Scirocco or Golf, both feature unique styling features. New front bumpers complete with LED running lights and a trio of deep airdams, Xenon lights which frame gloss black grille elements, gloss black wing mirrors, sill extensions and 18-inch five-spoke ‘Talladega' alloy wheels housing gloss black ‘R' callipers give the new models a purposeful look. Optional 19-inch alloy wheels in the same design are also available and, on the Golf R, these can be specified with a gloss black finish.


At the back, both models feature roof mounted spoilers and are fitted with twin exit exhausts; the Golf R's positioned in the centre of a gloss black diffuser and the Scirocco R's mounted on either side. Smoked rear light units, which on the Golf house high-intensity LED bulbs, further differentiate the R models.
Styling changes continue inside the cabins of both new models with new sports seats complete with 'R‘ logos, piano black and silver highlights, a new three-spoke black leather sports steering wheel with contrasting stitching and revised white backlit dials with subtle electric blue needles unique to the ‘R' range. Vienna leather sports seats are available on both models and Recaro bucket seats can also be specified as an option on both the three- and five-door Golf R models.
Alongside the new addition to the Scirocco range, the power output in the ‘standard' 2.0-litre TSI Scirocco GT has now been increased to 210 PS. This extra power reduces the sprint to 62 mph to 6.9 seconds for both the manual and DSG gearboxes, and top speed increases to 149 mph (147 DSG). Fitted with revised oil and cooling systems, the 210 PS unit also boasts improved fuel consumption of 38.2 mpg (was 37.2) and emissions of 172 g/km of CO2 (was 179) over the engine it replaces.

The first examples of Volkswagen's most powerful hatchback and coupe are expected to arrive in showrooms in February 2010.

	0-62 mph (seconds)	Fuel economy, combined (mpg)	Price, £ (RRP OTR)
Scirocco R
2.0-litre TSI 265 PS 6 spd manual	6.0	34.9	26,945
2.0-litre TSI 265 PS 6 spd DSG	5.8	35.3	28,245
Golf R
2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 3-door 6 spd manual	5.7	33.2	28,930
2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 5-door 6 spd manual	5.7	33.2	29,515
2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 3-door 6 spd DSG	5.5	33.6	30,235
2.0-litre TSI 270 PS 5-door 6 spd DSG	5.5	33.6	30,820

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New Opel Corsa ecoFLEX with only 3.7 liter/100 km and 98g/km CO2

• 95 hp and 190 Nm of torque add driving dynamics

• Three- and five-door models seat five and yet emit less than 100g/km CO2

• Diesel Particulate Filter is standard

Rüsselsheim. Starting January 2010, the new Opel Corsa ecoFLEX is more respectful of the environment and fun to drive than ever. It is powered by a sophisticated, 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI diesel engine boosted by a turbo with a variable geometry. It is packed with 28 percent more power than the previous generation Corsa ecoFLEX even though fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent - yet the price is the same as the standard 90 hp Corsa 1.3 CDTI.


The new Corsa ecoFLEX illustrates Opel's philosophy of developing ecologically responsible cars that are still fun to drive. With its 190 Nm of torque available between 1750 and 3250 rpm, this Corsa ecoFLEX needs only 3.7 l/100 km, releasing just 98 g/km CO2 as a three-door. The five-door Corsa emits 99 g/km.
Both versions are equipped with a standard Diesel Particulate Filter which dramatically reduces the emissions that are the most detrimental to health. With this Corsa ecoFLEX, fleet and private drivers in many European countries may benefit from special eco tax advantages without polluting the air with diesel particulates.
Also, the new Corsa ecoFLEX can be ordered with a variety of equipment variants. This means that customers have the choice of which trim and equipment they would like in their car, from the starter level up to optimized Cosmo variant.


The engine of the new Corsa ecoFLEX combines two strengths: low CO2 and high performance. Opel engineers achieved this by using a turbo with variable turbine geometry, which significantly improves the engine's performance. To support the higher turbo pressure, engineers slightly reduced the compression ratio from 18 to 16.8: 1. Opel engineers optimized the calibration on the engine; they greatly increased low-end torque and the peak power, making a new transmission set-up possible: A longer transmission gear ratio was selected for the five-speed unit. The new 95 hp has a top speed of 177 km/h and needs only 12.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill. This ‘'wide ratio, eco-friendly ‘' gear set work together to lower CO2 values below 100g.
Aerodynamics has been improved by lowering the car by 20 mm and optimizing the air flows via the air intakes. Wheels are fitted with newly designed, more efficient wheel caps. The Corsa ecoFLEX is equipped with special, 175/70 tires that are roll-resistance-optimized and fitted to lighter, flow formed , 14" steel wheels - 15" wheels are optional.
Source: Opel

SEMA Preview: Suzuki Equator ICON

The Suzuki Equator ICON comes with a custom suspension with performance coilovers in front and 2.5-inch piggyback shocks supporting linked to Total Chaos upper control arms. For a little more power, the Suzuki Equator ICON is fitted with Doug Thorley long-tube headers and a cat-back exhaust system.


ICON Vehicle Dynamics will premiere at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas the Suzuki Equator ICON which is powered by a 4.0 liter V6 engine. The Suzuki Equator ICON has been assembled with a variety of parts from several Southern California-based suppliers and features Bushwacker fender flares, LightForce lights and an AMP Research bed extender.


Source:zercustoms

Wolf Racing Unleashes 360-horsepower Ford Focus RS360

And to think Ford believed that 300 ponies under the hood of a Focus were more than adequate... Hot on the heels of Loder1899's Focus RS tuning program, renowned German tuner Wolf Racing has launched a new sport package for the fastest series-production Ford ever. As its name suggests, the Focus RS360's revised 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine puts out a hefty 360HP and 559 Nm / 412 lb-ft of torque, up from the standard unit's 300HP and 440Nm.

To achieve these figures, Wolf Racing optimized the Focus RS's engine software and turbocharger. The cost for the engine kit has been set at €1,299 or about $1,920 USD.
more detail. ...

SEMA Show: 2010 Yenko Camaro

General Marketing Capital Incorporated (GMCI) announced today that it will present its official 2010 Yenko Camaro Prototype to the public in the OER booth (# 23795) at the 46th annual SEMA Trade Show in Las Vegas, November 3-6.

The company will present the modern Yenko almost 44 years to the day that Don Yenko's Corvair Corsa was officially recognized as a Class D Production Competition Car by the SCCA.

The official 2010 Yenko Prototype began its life on a 2010 Camaro SS platform. The vehicle then underwent several significant upgrades including modification to a "Phase I" Yenko Camaro Supercar. Preliminary highlights and specifications of this powerful vehicle include a high performance 600hp supercharged and intercooled LS-based engine, Tremec six speed manual high performance transmission, Hurst short throw shifter, 6-piston big brake package and Magnaflow high-flow cat-back exhaust system.


Plans call for three Phases to be available to take the fifth Generation Camaro from ordinary to extraordinary. This "Phase I" Prototype from GMCI maintains the unique retro appeal Yenko enthusiasts are so passionate about, while including significant performance upgrades to the stock GM specifications and keeping the car affordable. Phase II and III cars will have higher output engines and even more suspension and handling upgrades.

Additional Yenko branded upgrades to this prototype vehicle include: the Yenko stripe package, official emblems and badging, retro-styled 22" Yenko billet aluminum wheels, Yenko leather interior package featuring Yenko Super Car (sYc) embroidered headrests, Yenko/SC sill plates, Yenko/SC embroidered floor mats and more.

Nearly 45 years ago, racing legend Don Yenko embarked on a mission to build a race car that could effectively compete in the 1966 SCCA racing season. His inspiration resulted in the development of the Yenko Stinger, an SCCA race car based on the Corvair Corsa platform. It was in the last quarter of 1965 that Yenko's plans for that vehicle came together changing automotive history forever.


Originally, the 60s era Yenko car was a special order vehicle, designed and built by Don Yenko Chevrolet in Canonsburg, PA. Don Yenko used the Central Office Production Order (COPO) program, a program GM used for fleet vehicles like police cars, taxi cabs, etc. to special order the vehicles and then modify them into some of the most powerful vehicles available. Today, an original Yenko is one of the most sought after Camaros in the world.

For more information about GMCI or Yenko licensing, please contact GMCI Corporate Headquarters, P.O. box 12049 Westminster, CA. 92683 or info@gmcilicensing.com.
Source: GMCI

Luxury Crossovers Sales Decrease 25 Percent According to Edmunds.com

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Luxury crossovers are not living up to the expectation that they would be the new fad among car buyers, according to a new report published on Edmunds' AutoObserver.com today. Sales of the segment have dropped nearly 25 percent since 2007, despite the fact that four new products were introduced into the segment during this period.

"The luxury crossover segment has taken a beating in sales because most of today's consumers are concentrating on value," says Jessica Caldwell, Senior Industry Analyst at Edmunds.com. "Big profits were anticipated for new models introduced into this segment, and that is just not proving to be the reality for most."
Below is a chart that shows year-over-year sales decrease in the luxury crossover segment for the sales period of January through September:

Model		2009 vs. 2007			2009 vs. 2008
Infiniti EX35		N/A			-43.1	%
Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class		N/A			N/A
Land Rover LR2		-40.8	%		-21.1	%
Acura MDX		-51.2	%		-43.1	%
Audi Q5		N/A			N/A
Acura RDX		-60.1	%		-47.9	%
Lexus RX 350		-12.8	%		8.9	%
Cadillac SRX		-48.2	%		-31.8	%
BMW X3		-77.7	%		-65.9	%
Volvo XC60		N/A			N/A
Volvo XC90		-69.1	%		-52.6	%
Grand Total		-25.0	%		-8.8	%

For more information, please visit Edmunds' AutoObserver.com story "Brands Looking to Expand Luxury Crossover Share Dealing with Ruthless Trends" at http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/10/brands-looking-to-expand-luxury-crossover-share-dealing-with-ruthless-trends.html.

About Edmunds Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/)

Edmunds Inc. publishes four Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive consumer information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its most popular feature, the Edmunds.com True Market Value^®, is relied upon by millions of people seeking current transaction prices for new and used vehicles. Edmunds.com was named "Best Car Research Site" by Forbes ASAP, has been selected by consumers as the "Most Useful Web Site" according to every J.D. Power and Associates New Autoshopper.com Study(SM), was ranked first in the Survey of Car-Shopping Web Sites by The Wall Street Journal and was rated "#1" in Keynote's study of third-party automotive Web sites. Inside Line launched in 2005 and is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. CarSpace launched in 2006 and is an automotive social networking Web site and home to the oldest and most established automotive community. AutoObserver.com launched in 2007 and provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit.

Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary 2010 Camaro SS

Hendrick Motorsports, a NASCAR racing organization has commissioned Callaway Cars to develop and build a limited edition run of Hendrick Motorsports 25th Anniversary 2010 Camaro SS vehicles. The 25th anniversary Camaro will include a host of engine, body and interior modifications. Under the hood power has been increased from 426 to 582 by way of Callaway's Eaton TVS series supercharger, high-flow air filtration system, low-restriction exhaust system and engine tune. The suspension has also been upgraded with Callaway coil springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars. Keeping the power firmly mounted to the road is a set of new Callaway wheels.


What does the price of two fully loaded SS Camaros get you? Lots of carbon fiber, for starters. The front splitter, rear diffuser, rear spoiler, rocker panels, and hood inserts are all made from the lightweight material. The exterior also gets a see-through ZR1-style hood that shows off the Eaton TVS supercharger sitting atop the V8 directly beneath. In addition to the blower, the Hendrick Camaro enhances its performance credentials with an upgraded exhaust system, short-throw shifter, and Eibach suspension components.

While the price tag might seem a little high for what you get, we're guessing there are at least 25 crazed Hendrick Motorsports fans that will splash the cash for this expensive but exclusive collector's item. The cars can be purchased through Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet in San Diego, CA or one the three Hendrick Chevrolet dealerships.
Source:CamaroBlog

2010 Saleen S281 Mustang Official Photos

New 2010-spec Saleen S281 Mustang have been released ahead of it's unveiling at the SEMA Motor Show.


These pictures have confirmed our initial reaction to the teaser photos, which is most definitely positive. Saleen's designers have managed to retain much of the design language that made previous versions of the S281 so popular while updating the style enough to properly flow with the lines of the 2010 Mustang. Check back next week for our full SEMA coverage and live photos of the new Saleen S281.


Like the current model, Saleen will likely offer a variety of engine tuning packages for the 2010 S281 Mustang. These will probably include a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 with 335 hp and 345 lb-ft of torque and a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 with 465 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque.


via:worldcarfans

New Opel Corsa ecoFLEX

The new Opel Corsa ecoFLEX is more respectful of the environment and fun to drive than ever. It is powered by a sophisticated, 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI diesel engine boosted by a turbo with a variable geometry. It is packed with 28 percent more power than the previous generation Corsa ecoFLEX even though fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are slashed by some 10 percent – yet the price is the same as the standard 90 hp Corsa 1.3 CDTI.

The new Corsa ecoFLEX illustrates Opel’s philosophy of developing ecologically responsible cars that are still fun to drive. With its 190 Nm of torque available between 1750 and 3250 rpm, this Corsa ecoFLEX needs only 3.7 l/100 km, releasing just 98 g/km CO2 as a three-door. The five-door Corsa emits 99 g/km.


Both versions are equipped with a standard Diesel Particulate Filter which dramatically reduces the emissions that are the most detrimental to health. With this Corsa ecoFLEX, fleet and private drivers in many European countries may benefit from special eco tax advantages without polluting the air with diesel particulates.

Also, the new Corsa ecoFLEX can be ordered with a variety of equipment variants. This means that customers have the choice of which trim and equipment they would like in their car, from the starter level up to optimized Cosmo variant.


The engine of the new Corsa ecoFLEX combines two strengths: low CO2 and high performance. Opel engineers achieved this by using a turbo with variable turbine geometry, which significantly improves the engine’s performance. To support the higher turbo pressure, engineers slightly reduced the compression ratio from 18 to 16.8: 1. Opel engineers optimized the calibration on the engine; they greatly increased low-end torque and the peak power, making a new transmission set-up possible: A longer transmission gear ratio was selected for the five-speed unit. The new 95 hp has a top speed of 177 km/h and needs only 12.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill. This ‘’wide ratio, eco-friendly ‘’ gear set work together to lower CO2 values below 100g.

Aerodynamics has been improved by lowering the car by 20 mm and optimizing the air flows via the air intakes. Wheels are fitted with newly designed, more efficient wheel caps. The Corsa ecoFLEX is equipped with special, 175/70 tires that are roll-resistance-optimized and fitted to lighter, flow formed , 14” steel wheels – 15” wheels are optional.