Just because Mitsubishi doesn’t offer a coupe variant of its Lancer EVO X sports car doesn’t mean one cannot be created. Found on ebay thanks to a Carscoop tipster is this one-of-a-kind Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X that has been converted into a two-door model.

Along with the two-door conversion, the custom Lancer EVO X also benefits from a wide body kit, deep-dish alloy wheels, a new coil over suspension, upgraded turbocharger and other mechanical improvements.

source : carscoop

We’ll be honest: we have no idea what’s going on in the video after the jump. Near as we can tell, Audi wanted to work up a photo shoot for its new A1 subcompact, so the company dialed up two members of the band Tokio Hotel, packed a warehouse with 22 pieces of classic iron and went to town. Yeah, we don’t quite get it ourselves. There’s a ’50s drag-race flavor about the whole affair thanks to a tatted-up blonde bombshell playing flag girl, which only furthers our befuddlement.
At least the song isn’t half bad.
It’s true that the Audi A1 is a pretty cool piece of machinery. And, yes, we dig on pre-’60s hardware as much as the next auto-obsessed site, but the two aren’t quite the same kind of awesome. Maybe Audi is looking to flex the customizable side of the A1, or maybe the ad department was just looking for an excuse to meet a couple of members of Tokio Hotel. Who knows?

source : autoblog

For 2011, the Lexus IS sport sedan is getting a mild exterior styling update. Up front, the grille and bumper are all new, while a new taillamp cover and tailpipe design update the posterior. Not one to be left out of a trend, the Lexus IS is also adding HID headlamps paired with LED daytime running lights. The upgraded lights are standard on the 2011 IS350 and are an option on the IS250. New color choices and wheel styles round out the exterior changes, but the most interesting update happens under the skin with the availability of all-wheel drive on the IS350. Thirty percent of customers opt for the all-wheel drive IS250, but now they can get the added traction along with an extra 102 horsepower.
Enthused about the updates, Lexus created a video of the IS sport sedan performing… a drum solo? In an apparent bid to highlight the precision handling of their IS sedan, fitted with F-sport parts, they pulled together a team which includes composers, a mathematician and a stunt driver. Music and driving go hand in hand and the beat this Ultrasonic Blue Lexus IS lays down is surprisingly good.

source : autoblog

The Ford vs. GM war continues to rage in a theater of Kangaroo meat and toilets that flush counter-clockwise. In order to give Holden (aka GM) a kick in the Down Under, Ford Australia recently dropped a load of forced induction all over its delectable Falcon GT. Unfortunately there are no cosmetic updates because all the money was spent on the engine. Rock and roll.

Ford Performance Vehicles, owned by Ford Australia and Prodrive, fell over itself to find a suitably-powered replacement for its retiring 5.4-liter.

After musing about the possibilities of twin-turbos, they decided to add a supercharger to the 5.0 instead; with it come improved cooling/fuel delivery, an active exhaust, and all the other tidbits necessary to make the car production-ready without grenading itself all over the asphalt.

The lighter, imported 5.0-liter V8 now puts down a nasty 335 kW / 449 hp and 570 Nm / 420 lb-ft, 10 kW / 13 hp more than anything HSV (Holden Specialty Vehicles) has on tap. In a show of pure honesty, FPV says its base Falcon GS models will come with a differently-tuned mill putting down a mere 315 kW / 422 hp and 550 Nm / 406 lb-ft, less than HSV’s vehicles. Speaking of honesty, read how Australian execs talk shop about their product and then try not to move south of the equator:

Bryan Mears, Prodrive managing director says: "When we looked at the Coyote as a straight fit into the engine bay it ticked a lot of boxes, but after a lot of deliberation we came to the conclusion that that engine [with no boost] in an 1800kg body was not going to tick the box of meeting FPV customers’ performance expectations…The decision to supercharge the engine to give us the output we want is absolutely appropriate and correct for the way we see the company going forward with the product offerings we will have in the future.”

Bernie Quinn, FPV powertrain chief, said: "One thing we didn’t want was to invest all that money and have sand kicked in our face by the opposition in any way, shape or form…So we went down the route of looking at forced induction for that engine…Typically you don’t get the intake noise, that V8 sound quality, from a supercharged engine. So we knew that in order to make it sound like a V8 we’d have to do something very special. So we convinced the FPV board to spend a significant amount of money on tooling up and paying for an active exhaust system. So it’s quiet when you need it to be quiet and it’s loud every other time.’

Leave it to the Australians to tell it straight without any BS in the way (although mum’s the word regarding speed/acceleration numbers). Whether it’s because of the Road Warrior or something much crazier and deeper-rooted (also possibly Mel Gibson), Australian performance cars have been hauling ass for a long time and don’t appear to be making any attempt to slow down.

It doesn’t matter if it’s turbocharged inline-sixes or supercharged V8s; we all now know where to go when the CAFE and the CARB and the hybrids and the hydrogens just get to be too constricting and the urge to melt rubber and destroy our grandchildren’s environment gets too strong. Oz, here I come.

P.S. The 6-speed equipped models spend 13.6 L / 100 km (17.3 mpg), while automatics burn 13.7 L / 100 km (17.2 mpg). But really, who cares?

source : carscoop

Is Formula 1 making a return back to 80s with ground effect cars and turbo engines? Seems likely as the teams are close to finalising all-new regulations for 2013. Autosport also reports that several Working Groups have been set up to get consensus on moves to both improve the spectacle of F1 and ensure the sport becomes more eco friendly.

For engines, draft regulations were circulated a few weeks ago and the latest suggestion is for a standard 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, aided by various energy recovery systems. They should produce around 650 bhp. Plans to limit engines to five per driver per season are being considered.

On the green front, teams are also keen for there to be a fuel flow rate limit – which will ensure the engines are economical. Williams technical director Sam Michael explains: “Rather than dump as much fuel in as we can at the moment, there will be a fuel flow metre – so you won’t be able to blow more than a certain amount of fuel. It is a good chunk less than we had at the moment.”

To boost excitement, or in other words improve overtaking, ground effect is being considered. Williams boss Patrick Head and ex Ferrari designer Rory Byrne are working with FIA to draw the guidelines. “They are talking about putting a greater proportion of downforce to the diffuser, a ground effect car – like the early 1980′s. They have been looking at that, as well as increasing crash protection at the front of the car by moving the sidepods further forwards,” Michael said.

source : paultan.org

Shelby Supercars’ Ultimate Aero TT used to be the fastest production car in the world, its 256-mph record speed eclipsing even the mighty Bugatti Veyron. Then, as of a few weeks ago, Bugatti got its act together and topped SSC’s number with the new Veyron Super Sport – to the tune of 267.81 mph.

In August at Monterey, the Ultimate Aero successor, the Ultimate Aero II – penned by new Saab design chief Jason Castriota (he of Bertone Mantide / Ferrari P4/5 fame) – was unveiled in a private ceremony captured on YouTube. It was all a tease; the car was never actually shown in the "unveiling" video, only the attendees’ reaction to it. Suffice it to say, the car was well-received.

And now we know why. Jalopni k has secured a pair of leaked images slated to appear in Top Gear magazine in conjunction with the car’s official launch next week. As you can see, Castriota’s influence is plainly visible in the Ultimate Aero II’s detailing. It’s got an edgier, more assertive appearance than its predecessor, and we can only assume that it has the power to back up its menacing new looks. We can’t wait to get the scoop on September 8 when SSC releases full details.

source : autoblog

As mentioned in our previous Spec-M Exposé the 2012 Nissan GT-R is set to arrive on the scene shortly with so many changes that Nissan had to go out and revise the chassis designation bumping CBA-R35 in favor of the new DBA-R35 tag. While we touched on the cosmetic changes in part 1 of this post we didn’t delve into the more technical changes yet so here goes.

Aero Updates

Aero changes to the front bumper, rear diffuser and rear underspoiler mean that the 2012 GT-R slips through the air with even less drag than the already impressive 2009 model. As mentioned previously, these changes help it lower it’s co-efficient of drag as well as increase downforce in the rear by as much as 10%. The rear vents also assist in keeping rear underbody temperatures lower meaning less heat transfer from the GT-R’s hot exhaust into the critical areas like the GR6 transmission fluid and rear differential.

Nissan took the opportunity with the rear diffuser/underspoiler rear design to build in a rear Euro mandated fog light using an LED strip along the bottom edge in the center.

Chassis Updates

As well as aerodynamics, street and circuit handling in the 2012 GT-R is going to benefit greatly from some key chassis stiffening updates in the DBA-R35. Strengthening members are added to the front area under the dashboard (highlighted above). In the engine bay, new bracing members extend from the rear of the strut towers to the firewall.

As well as increasing chassis rigidity by adding new key metal – the GT-R engineering team has improved the manufacturing line to improve GT-R build quality and panel fit consitency for every car built.

Suspension Updates

Again showing that the Nissan GT-R engineering team is focussing on driver feel, they’ve gone to the extrordinary length of changing the suspension geometry on the DBA-R35 model. The changes to the front suspension lower arm move the stabiliser bar further out and change the shock absorber lever angle. To go with these changes up front is a castor angle change from 5°35 to 6°00. In the rear, Nissan has tuned the roll center.

All around, Nissan’s update to the suspension to adopt an aluminium free piston design as well as spring, damper and valve rate changes mean the suspension is able to more quickly adapt to changes in surface and direction. The net benefit is a more stable and more responsive feel with even more feedback to drivers than ever before.

Brakes, Wheels and Tires Updates

Nissan’s experience with racing over the past few years with the GT-R has taught them that more stopping power is always better. To that end they’ve upped the front rotor size on the DBA-R35 from 380mm of the CBA-R35 to 390mm.

As mentioned already, the DBA-R35 will debut with a new design Rays forged aluminium wheel each 3kg lighter than the outgoing type. These wheels will come in two new colors Hyper Blue Black and Hyper Titanium. The new Rays wheels feature improved knurling to help further with reducing tire slip on the rims themselves.

To fit these new wheels are updated versions of both summer tires already being fitted to the GT-R, namely the RE070R R2 from Bridgestone and the SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT from Dunlop. Both are touted to improve grip and increase sidewall stiffness, something very important in a heavy awd vehicle such as the GT-R.

Part III to come soon where we’ll cover the remainder of the DBA-R35 changes including interior and engine changes, so stay tuned…

source : GTRblog

• Inaugural event of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC)
• Two Audi R15 TDI cars to contest the 1000-km race at Silverstone
• Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish to spearhead the squad

Ingolstadt, September 3, 2010 – The 1000-kilometer race at Silverstone ( Great Britain ) on September 12 marks the beginning of a new era for Audi and the sports car scene: for the first time since 1992, there will be a worldwide racing series for Le Mans prototypes again. Audi Sport Team Joest will contest the series with two R15 TDI cars.
Silverstone, Road Atlanta, Zhuhai – three races in three different continents at the end of the 2010 sports car season will give sports car fans a foretaste of the year 2011. Next year, a total of seven endurance races are planned for the so called "Intercontinental Le Mans Cup" (ILMC).
47 vehicles have been e

ntered in the ILMC inaugural race at Silverstone, as many as twelve of them in the top class, LMP1, whose "king" has traditionally been the Le Mans winner. This year it was the Audi R15 TDI which is powered by a V10 TDI engine delivering about 440 kW and – as is typical for Audi – features numerous innovative technical details.
In June the outstanding reliability of the R15 TDI in the fastest 24-hour race in Le Mans history was crucial. "In the shorter ILMC races we mustn’t just rely on this factor," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "The performance has got to be right."
To be optimally prepared for the three races of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, the aerodynamics of the Le Mans winning car was modified and trimmed toward more downforce because there are no straights at Silverstone, Road Atlanta and Zhuhai which are as long as those at Le Mans.

In addition, Audi has formed a "dream team" for the ILMC races with Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. Kristensen, who with eight exploits under his belt is the record winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, was voted "Sports Car Driver of the Decade" by the British "Autosport" magazine last winter. Allan McNish finished the same voting as the runner-up. Now the two will go on the chase for points in a racing series together for the first time.
A look at the winners’ list shows that Allan McNish is a safe bet particularly at Silverstone: the Scotsman has competed in his "home round" as many as three times for Audi, and finished three times on the very top of the podium – most recently in 2008 when he clinched the first victory of the Audi R10 TDI in the Le Mans Series together with Dindo Capello.

Another high-caliber pairing has been formed for the "sister" car. Capello will contest all three races of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup for Audi. At Silverstone, he will be running alongside Timo Bernhard, one of the three reigning Le Mans winners.
In tests at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, all four Audi drivers prepared themselves last week for the Silverstone race that will start on Sunday (September 12) at 11:55 hrs, local time (12:55 hrs in Germany). Eurosport will air live broadcasts of the starting and final phases.

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Timo Bernhard (29/D), Audi R15 TDI #8 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
- Winner of the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours with the Audi R15 TDI
- Most recently contested a race at Silverstone in the Porsche Supercup
"I’m happy that after the huge exploit at Le Mans Audi has selected me again this season. I’m by far the youngest one in the squad and think that I’ll form a good crew with Dindo (Capello). Silverstone is new for me in the prototype but that wasn’t a problem at Le Mans and Spa either. Silverstone marks the beginning of a new era for the sports cars – and I’m happy to be part of it. The race has a superb field. It shows that the trend is pointing in the right direction."

Dindo Capello (46/I), Audi R15 TDI #8 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
- With 29 overall victories under his belt is the most successful racer in the American Le Mans Series
- Won at Silverstone in 2008 together with Allan McNish
- Is sharing the cockpit with Timo Bernhard for the first time
"I’ve never had such a long summer break in my career before. After almost three months I’m glad to finally be able to shift into ‘race mode’ again and to sit in the Audi Audi R15 TDI. Even though our rivals are well prepared and have more experience with their car, which has a lot of downforce, I’m confident that we’ll at least be on an equal footing. Not sharing the car with Allan (McNish) and Tom (Kristensen) for the first time in many years is a new experience for me. I’ll have to be careful not to get into the wrong cockpit at the pit stop … But I believe that Timo (Bernhard) and I’ll form a good duo and that we’ll have some hot battles with our team colleagues. Timo showed at Le Mans that he is strong, fast and reliable."

Tom Kristensen (43/DK), Audi R15 TDI #7 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
- With a track record of eight wins is the "King of Le Mans"
- Contests a complete sports car series for the first time since the 2002 ALMS
- Won the 1998 Formula 3000 race at Silverstone

"After suffering a bit from the ‘heel tendon’ issue at the beginning of the year, I’m very happy that my second sports car career is now starting ‘full time.’ It’s great being able to tackle the new racing series together with Audi and Team Joest – and of course together with Allan (McNish), too. It’s also high time to return to Silverstone again. I’ve only driven there twice and won both times – most recently in the BTCC, in 2000. The track has changed a bit since then and has new sections that look challenging because there seem to be bumps in fast corners and a slow complex. I’m very excited about it."

Allan McNish (40/GB), Audi R15 TDI #7 (Audi Sport Team Joest)

- Winner in 2004, 2005 and 2008 (with different team colleagues, respectively)
- Shares a cockpit exclusively with Tom Kristensen for the first time
"It is important that Tom (Kristensen) and I, and of course Audi, get off to a good start in that Championship as Peugeot, our main competition over the last three years, will be keen for revenge especially after Audi’s 1-2-3 result at Le Mans in June. Silverstone marks the first time Audi and Peugeot have faced each other since Le Mans so you can expect fireworks and a titanic fight between us. The Audi R15 TDI has already won two out of the three races we’ve done this year and ‘TK’ and I will be fighting hard to make it a third win on what is the R15 TDI’s UK race debut."

All winners of the 1000-kilometer race at Silverstone (since 2004)
2004 Pierre Kaffer/Allan McNish (Audi R8)
2005 Allan McNish/Stéphane Ortelli (Audi R8)
2007 Marc Gené/Nicolas Minassian (Peugeot 908 HDi FAP)
2008 Dindo Capello/Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI)
2009 Nicolas Lapierre/Oliver Panis (Oreca-AIM)
Track info
Track length: 5.891 km
Race distance: 170 laps = 1001.470 km
Pole position in 2009: Nicolas Lapierre (Oreca-AIM), 1m 32.798s = 199.401 km/h (Sep 12, 2009)
Fastest lap in 2009: Jean-Christophe Boullion/Christophe Tinseau (Pescarolo-Judd), 1m 34.316s = 196.192 km/h (Sep 13, 2009)

Schedule (local times)
Friday, September 10
13:25-14:25 Free practice 1
17:00-18:00 Free practice 2
Saturday, September 11
09:00-10:00 Free practice 3
11:00-12:00 Meet the Audi Team (Audi Team & Media Hospitality)
13:10-13:30 Qualifying (GT vehicles)
13:40-14:00 Qualifying (prototypes)
Sunday, September 12
09:00-09:20 Warm-up
11:55-17:55 Race

TV schedule, Eurosport (German time)
12:30 – 13:45 Starting phase
17:45 – 19:00 Final phase

T.C.Y Motors SDN BHD

www.audi-brunei.com

face book: Tcy Audi

Tel:  + (673) 2390725

Fax: + (673) 2395104

Looks like the rumors were true after all! General Motors has just released initial images of the Cruze hatchback, ahead of it’s official debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. However General Motors is calling the hatchback a show car, indicating that it is not the final production model. Nevertheless the vehicle looks pretty much production ready, hence the final product shouldn’t look much different. I must admit that this show car looks rather pleasing, except for the blue-ish headlights.

The company said that the hatchback uses body-frame integral system or BFI that “results in high levels of stability and solidity”, according to General Motors that is.

It also said that the cargo capacity is figured at 400 liters and it features a 60/40 rear seat split. The production 5-door Cruze is expected to go on sale in Europe by mid 2011.

source : icars.sg

Mini is continuing its advertising onslaught for the new Countryman, and in its latest spot, the company visualizes every potential path for the Countryman to run amok in the Italian countryside. The original car eventually multiplies into a fleet of over one hundred CG interpretations, all hopping curbs and harassing pedestrians in what we can only imagine is what the world would look like if a Mini exec ruled the globe. Eventually, the high-riding Countryman flings itself onto a ferry to escape into the sunset.

source : autoblog