2010 Lexus IS C

This just in: Lexus is serious about claiming more of BMW’s turf. When introduced nearly a decade ago, the Lexus IS 300 was a single-focus effort: one body style, one engine, take it or buy the BMW. The second-gen IS, launched in 2005, widened the view: two engines plus an all-wheel-drive version, but still served only in four-door-sedan form. Last year came the roaring, rumbling IS-F, Japan’s take on the BMW M3. And now, the IS C, the first IS with two doors instead of four, plus a retractable folding hardtop — a lot like BMW’s.

You’ll recognize the C as a member of the IS family, yet every body panel save the hood is new. Besides the obvious — doors, fenders, folding top — the fascias, light clusters, and detailing are C specific. Overall length is increased 2.2 inches over the sedan. Otherwise, says Lexus, the trunk would have looked too high and too short. The chassis architecture remains the same, but a considerable amount of work was done to regain the structural rigidity lost by going topless. There are numerous trusses and triangulation braces underneath, in the rocker panel areas, and behind the front seats.

Audi R8 LMS Successfully Passes Ultimate Endurance Test

Ingolstadt/N?rburg – The new GT3 sports car of AUDI AG successfully passed the ultimate endurance test: In the fastest 24-hour race the N?rburgring has ever seen, all four Audi R8 LMS cars that started to the race crossed the finish line. Christian Abt, Jean-Fran?ois Hemroulle, Pierre Kaffer and Lucas Luhr (Team ABT Sportsline) clinched an unexpected second place in front of 235,000 spectators (throughout the weekend) and grabbed victory right away in the GT3 class for the Audi R8 LMS at its first 24-hour run.

“For the Audi R8 LMS, this race represented a final test under extreme conditions on the world’s longest race track,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We were able to demonstrate that our new GT3 sports car is absolutely competitive for customer sport. And the number 97 R8 LMS ran without the slightest problems despite the incredible speed.”

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster Spied at Nurburgring

So, you’re an Aston Martin fan and you love the new Aston Martin V12 Vantage? But you would rather have it topless? Well, from the looks of these photos, that will soon be an option. Following the V12 Vantage first photos from a few weeks ago, spy photographers spotted the same V12 Vantage Roadster prototype again while testing recently at the Nürburgring. According to spies, there was no doubt this topless Aston had a V12 under the hood.

The V12 Vantage Roadster will have the same 6,0 liter engine as the coupe, delivering some 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS) with 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque. Due to the extra weight required to stiffen up the chassis, the performance of the Roadster will be slightly stunted compared to the coupe. However, the V12 Vantage Roadster will still be one of the fastest convertibles on the market.

Ladies of the 28th Wörthersee Tour

V-Dub has wrapped up its legendary GTI meeting for Volkswagen and Audi fans at the 28th Wörthersee Tour. Besides some very cool Audi and Volkswagen concepts, it’s the ladies of Wörthersee that attract a lot of attentions.

So here is a album dedicated to the beautiful ladies at the 28th Wörthersee Tour.

GEMBALLA AVALANCHE GTR 650 EVO-R

The history of GEMBALLA Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KG is inseparably connected with the AVALANCHE. It was the first AVALANCHE generation in the mid 80s with its trendsetting body- and interior design which became a world-wide bestseller and laid the foundations of success for the Leonberg-based company.

Ferrari files for 4×4 hybrid system patent

We don’t know how we missed this one last week but according to a report by AutoCar, Ferrari has made a patent application for a four-wheel-drive hybrid system. The system could be fitted to Ferrari’s future front and rear-engine models.

Unlike your conventional hybrid system, Ferrari’s hybrid-technology separates the role of the engine and the electric-motor. Ferrari says that in its hybrid system, the electric motor will power one set of wheels while the engine powers the other set.

The Italian automaker has submitted six different layouts for the patent; however, in each layout, the engine drives the electric-motor, which then drives one pair of wheels powered by a on-board battery.

“The aim of the present invention is to provide a four-wheel - drive vehicle with hybrid propulsion…and being at the same time easy and inexpensive to produce,” said that patent filing. It said that the system is designed to improve handling while increasing fuel-economy.

AutoCar says that Ferrari could apply additional fuel-saving technologies such as a start/stop system, using only battery power when traveling up to 10 mph or adding a ‘city’ mode that allows your Ferrari to adapt to conditions when it isn’t traveling at “performance” levels.

Ferrari has yet to confirm any future hybrid models, so we’ll have to wait and see where this goes.

Source: AutoCar

Honda S2000 Successor to Get AWD and Hybrid Powertrain?

The Honda S2000 has been on the market since the 2000 model year, but at the end of this year we will have to say goodbye to Honda's only sports car. Honda has announced that the 2009 model year will be the last.

Japan's Best Car is reporting that in addition to the production version of the CR-Z hybrid coupe, Honda is also working on a larger, more powerful coupe that would essentially act as the replacement for the S2000. According to Best Car the replacement would be a 2+2 coupe that would feature Honda's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD) instead of the current rear-wheel-drive setup.

In addition to the 2+2 setup and SH-AWD system, it is being reported that the coupe will feature a hybrid system similar to that in the Civic and Insight hybrids.

Bugatti kicks off production of the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Bugatti has kicked of production of the new Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport. Unveiled earlier this year at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Bugatti has already pre-sold 30 units of the targa-top Veyron. Deliveries will start in July.

The first unit was auctioned off for $3.2 million while 50 were pre-sold to loyal Bugatti owners. The remaining copies will be priced from $1.95 million each.

Refresher: Power comes from the W16 1001 horsepower engine that allows for a top speed of 253mph with the top closed and 190mph with the roof off. With the folding roof in place top speed is limited to a very low 81mph.

Ken Block Gymkhana 2 WRX STI Build Video

We promised we would keep you abreast of the Ken Block Gymkhana 2 progress and we are following up with one of the latest videos, the build of Ken Block’s 2009 Subaru WRX STI.

Ken drives his new bone stock 2009 Subaru WRX STI to Crawford Performance garage for a complete tear-down and build-up of mostly everything from body panels replaced by carbon fiber fitments to the engine internals replaced and built with “performance” counterparts. The upcoming Gymkhana Practice is really going to be a treat. Stay tuned and we will bring you the latest

403-hp Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 goes on sale in the UK next month

The new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 is the “fastest most extreme version of Mitsubishi’s motorsport derived machine” and it will never make it to the United States. Sorry, we’re just being brutally honest with you guys.

The new 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 will be going on sale next month in the UK with a price tag starting at £49,999 ($79,641 USD).

Power comes from a 2.0L turbocharged MIVEC gasoline engine making 403-hp with a maximum torque of 387 lb-ft. That allows for a 0 to 62 mph run in 3.8 seconds with a top speed that is electronically-limited to 155 mph.

Press Release:

FQ-400 - THE FASTEST AND MOST EXTREME LANCER EVOLUTION EVER RELEASED BY MITSUBISHI MOTORS in the UK

- List price from £49,999
- On sale - June 2009
- The most powerful, accelerative Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to date
- Peak power of 403bhp @ 6,500rpm; peak torque of 525Nm @ 3,500rpm
- 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds (est.); top speed 155mph (electronically limited)

The tenth version of Mitsubishi’s iconic Lancer Evolution models has a new performance flagship model to top its range, the FQ-400.

Extreme Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 is the fastest and most extreme version of Mitsubishi’s motorsport derived machine. With 403bhp and 387lb.ft of torque on offer from its advanced, lightweight aluminium 2.0-litre turbocharged MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) petrol engine the FQ-400 is able to reach 62mph from standstill in an estimated 3.8 seconds before reaching an electronically limited 155mph - where permitted.

Traction and handling
Ensuring all the FQ-400’s power is put to good use is Mitsubishi’s sophisticated Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel-drive system which appropriates power to the wheels that can best use it, giving the FQ-400 quite sensational cross-country performance.

The S-AWC system combines a number of electronic systems that both enhance the FQ-400’s performance and safety, with Active Stability Control and Active Centre Differential, Active Yaw Control and Sport ABS giving the FQ-400 incredible cornering ability, traction and grip. Depending on the conditions the driver can select the most suitable set-up for the S-AWC system, three choices - Tarmac, Gravel and Snow - being offered via the wheel-mounted button and displayed in the central instrument binnacle.

Cornering stability
Increasing the FQ-400’s cornering ability even further over its FQ relatives is a wider track and lowered suspension featuring Eibach springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers. Lightweight 18-inch, nine spoke alloy wheels fitted with Toyo Proxes R1R tyres enhance the FQ-400’s grip, giving it sharper cornering response on the road and more incisive steering. The enhanced agility and performance is backed by a revised braking system which uses aerospace grade aluminium alloys and floating sealed discs grabbed by high performance pads.

Extreme Power
To achieve the incredible 403bhp from just 2.0-litres Mitsubishi has had to significantly revise the FQ-400’s advanced powerplant. Motorsport specification high-flow fuel injectors are fitted to the aluminium cylinder head and a new hybrid turbocharger is also fitted. The higher specification turbocharger features low-friction bearings, a high temperature turbine and strengthened thrust bearing to increase response and reduce turbo lag. Feeding the turbocharger cooled air, improving its performance and efficiency, is an enhanced intercooler, while the exhaust’s gasses flow from the engine via a 3-inch diameter high flow stainless steel piping and catalytic convertor before exiting through a centrally positioned exhaust.

Mitsubishi has remapped the Engine Control Unit (ECU) extensively with over 500 hours of development time to allow its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to not just produce its exceptional output but to do so with excellent driveability. The FQ-400’s acceleration is sensational, it pulling hard through the gears regardless of engine revs. With peak torque of 387lb.ft on offer from just 3,500rpm, the FQ-400 is just as able to trickle through town traffic as it is taking a rally special stage.

A ‘nod’ to the Evo VI
The FQ-400 looks every bit the rally refugee too, giving a strong ‘nod’ to the styling cues of the legendary Evolution VI, and builds on the already aggressive style of its Lancer Evolution X FQ relatives.

A heavily vented bonnet helps heat escape from the FQ-400’s turbocharged engine and a new lightweight composite front bumper incorporating Mitsubishi’s trademark ‘Jet Fighter’ grille features carbon-fibre elements on its leading edges. Additional lighting and High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights mark out the FQ-400’s nose, its added aggressiveness further enhanced by a 30mm drop in front ride height. Composite side skirts, a re-styled rear bumper with a carbon fibre diffuser, a rear wing incorporating a gurney strip and a roof-mounted ‘Vortex Generator’ all help manage airflow and cooling.

Behind the 18-inch lightweight, nine spoke alloy wheels it’s possible to see the Alcon brakes on the front, while the Toyo Proxes R1R tyres underline the FQ-400’s potency with their aggressive ‘cut slick’ tread pattern. Inside, the driver is held tightly against the FQ-400’s sensational accelerative, braking and cornering forces in Recaro bucket sports seats, the range-topping Lancer Evolution X also gaining an FQ-400 liveried handbrake handle and carbon fibre gearknob.

No compromise
Despite its obvious focus the FQ-400’s suspension offers compliance thanks to the Eibach Springs and Bilstein Shock Absorbers, the FQ-400’s usefulness as a daily driver not compromised overly thanks to Mitsubishi’s chassis tuning. The stiff bodywork not only provides an exceptionally rigid platform for the suspension to work, but excellent crash-worthiness, the Lancer Evolution X attaining a five-star score in Euro NCAP’s independent crash tests. The FQ-400’s S-AWC and its incorporated stability, traction and braking systems helping avoid an accident in the first place. Even so there’s reassurance of seven airbags, seat belt pretensioners and ISO Fix child seating all included in its standard specification.

Fully loaded
Standard equipment for the range-topping Lancer Evolution X model is comprehensive, the FQ-400 coming with Bluetooth hands-free telephone connection, a CD-tuner with 30 Gig hard drive, DVD satellite navigation and privacy glass. Convenience features like remote central locking, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers increase the FQ-400’s ease of use, the huge performance it offers not coming at the expense of usefulness. Like its Lancer Evolution X relatives it features comfortable seating for five as well as a usefully sized boot, the FQ-400 bringing all the convenience of the standard saloon car it’s based upon - but with explosive performance potential.

Setting the standard
Standard it’s not though, instead the FQ-400 is a standard setter, with performance that’s the measure of any rival and many exotic sports and supercars costing many multiples of its £49,999 list price. Available from June 2009, the FQ-400 is covered by a three year / 36,000 mile warranty.

VATH V63RS: Power C-Class CLUBSPORT wagon

Väth Automobiltechnik presents the new V63RS, an uncompromising sports car on the basis of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class wagon. Although they did little to improve the already stellar looks of the standard C63 AMG wagon, in the area of power, horses are plentiful (585 hp).

Mitsubishi Announces the 403HP Lancer Evolution X FQ-400

Mitsubishi has announced the introduction of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-400 for the uk market.

The new Lancer flagship is now the fastest version with 403 horsepower and 387 lb-ft. of torque pumping out of its 2.0L MIVEC engine. Mitsubishi estimates that the FQ-400 will reach 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and have a top speed of 155 mph. All that power is put to the ground through Mitsubishi's Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) four-wheel-drive system.

The FQ-400 also features a wider track, lowered suspension and lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels.

The most powerful Evolution X will be released in the UK next month with a starting price of £49,999.

Honda working on S2000 replacement, model to get hybrid system and AWD

At the beginning of this year, Honda confirmed that the 2009 Honda S2000 would be the final model year for the award-winning coupe and roadster. The model was originally created to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary but was extended due to consumer demand.

According to Japan’s Best Car, Honda may now be working on a successor to the S2000. Following the launch of the CR-Z hybrid coupe in 2010, Honda is also said to be penning a more powerful coupe that is expected to become a replacement for the S2000.

Best Car says that the car will have 2+2 seating and will ditch the S2000’s rear-wheel-drive system in favor of Honda’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system (SH-AWD). No word on whether the car will use the S2000’s powerful 4-cylinder engine; however, the new sports coupe from Honda will get a hybrid system similar to the one found in the Honda Insight.

With all that being said, the model sounds more like a new sports coupe rather than a replacement to the S2000. We’ll have to wait and see if this rumor is true.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster may be coming to Frankfurt in Sept.

The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage is sure to please those who love a small car with a really big engine. But for those who love a small car with a really big engine on which they can drop the top and enjoy some sun, Aston Martin is working on a new V12 Vantage Roadster.

According to the latest round of spy shots from vehicles testing at the Nurburgring, a rag-top Vantage Roadster was one of them. Spies said that there is no doubt that the sound coming from under the hood is that of a V12 engine. If and when the V12 Vantage Roadster makes it into production, it will without a doubt carry the same 6.0L V12 from the coupe making 510-hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

With Aston Martin making just 1,000 units of the V12 Vantage Coupe, sources say that production of the V12 Vantage Roadster will be limited to 500. Look out for a Sept. debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.