2009

  • Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 powerplant breaks cover

    The ZR-1 has been spotted in near-production trim turning hot laps at Laguna Seca. Power figures have been public knowledge for months. But the monster under the bulging hood has so far stayed hidden - until now. The photos include up-close and personal shots of the intercooler, which is of the air-to-water variety, and the supercharger/intercooler stack, as well as the engine itself. It seems the guys at Jalopnik caught a tip that led to some surprisingly high-resolution shots of the upcoming LS-9 supercharged mill that will power the ZR-1. The twin-screw supercharger is expected to pump...

  • Major facelift planned next year for Acura RL
    Major facelift planned next year for Acura RL

    Acura is planning to inject some life into the slow selling RL flagship saloon by giving the car a major overhaul in time for next year's summer sale period. Several dealers were given information about the update but no specifications or details about the car's final styling were revealed. One...

  • Jaguar XF U.S. pricing starts at $49,975
    Jaguar XF U.S. pricing starts at $49,975

    The new XF saloon is described as a make or break model for Jaguar so getting its pricing right is especially crucial for the ailing British marque. At $49,975, including destination charges, the V8 powered XF is more than $6,000 less than the previous S-Type 4.2L model it replaces. The flagship...

  • Volkswagen HyMotion fuel-cell Tiguan
    Volkswagen HyMotion fuel-cell Tiguan

    The new space up! blue concept isn’t the only Volkswagen packing a new fuel-cell powertrain. Engineers have also installed VW’s high temperature fuel cell system in the Tiguan SUV as their entrant for this year’s Challenge Bidendum in Shanghai this week. The annual event is aimed...

  • Hyundai’s RWD Genesis Coupe Concept
    Hyundai’s RWD Genesis Coupe Concept

    Hyundai was hoping to generate excitement for its upcoming RWD coupe by teasing us with the Genesis Coupe Concept but the plan backfired when images of the actual production version leaked onto the web last week. It seems this latest concept car will eventually end up as a constant reminder to how...

  • 2009 Lincoln MKS flagship debuts in L.A.
    2009 Lincoln MKS flagship debuts in L.A.

    The all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS full-size luxury sedan has officially been revealed just hours ahead of its world debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It misses out on the ‘TwinForce’ V6 we’ve all been waiting for but it still comes with a host of new features. They include the SYNC...

  • Nissan GT-R super-coupe to get ‘Super Mechanics’

    The all new GT-R is like no other car Nissan dealers across Europe and the U.S. have ever sold before so it’s little wonder scores of maintenance workers and sales staff around the globe are being specially trained in readiness for the car’s official launch. The highly-strung twin-turbo V6 engine outputs 473hp (353kW) and 588Nm (434lb-ft) of torque, performance numbers usually reserved for pricey sports cars that require servicing every couple of thousand miles as opposed to the usual ten thousand miles. Couple this with one of the most high-tech AWD systems in the world and a...

  • Aussies go drag racing in a Toyota Camry
    Aussies go drag racing in a Toyota Camry

    Usually there’s nothing special about drag racing teams using a standard production sedan as the basis for their new dragster, but when a team chooses to adopt a vehicle normally reserved for the over fifties and cardigan wearers we start to get a little curious. A team in Australia are about...

  • Toyota presents tuned S3 Corolla at SEMA
    Toyota presents tuned S3 Corolla at SEMA

    Toyota only took the covers off the 2009 Corolla sedan today and already we have first images of a new high-performance version dubbed the S3. Although there are no plans for production, the new S3 shares some of its accessories with the regular production model such as the sports bodykit and...

  • 2009 HXC Cuda
    2009 HXC Cuda

    Not wanting to wait for Chrysler to build an official Barracuda, HXC Performance has penned up their own version of a new-generation Cuda and are already taking orders for the car, which is expected to be on sale by mid next year. The HXC Cuda will be built in a limited run of just 1,500 examples...

  • 2009 Toyota Matrix unveiled at SEMA
    2009 Toyota Matrix unveiled at SEMA

    More reveals from the SEMA showroom floor today, this time from Toyota. The second-generation Matrix evolves the five-door crossover utility vehicle concept that the first Matrix helped to pioneer. Toyota says more coupe-like styling and better performance are the focus of the new model. A variety...

  • SEMA debut for the 2009 Toyota Corolla
    SEMA debut for the 2009 Toyota Corolla

    Like the new Matrix, Toyota’s 2009 Corolla is all-new. The tenth generation of the Corolla features a balance between utility and performance in its five trim levels. It’s still a subcompact sedan, but the new design cues give it a sportier, more modern shape and feel. It’s cute...

  • Sage Vaughn designed Scion xB L-Con City Safari pickup

    Toyota’s main showcase for this year’s SEMA Auto Show involved its budget Scion xB, which was transformed into an odd looking pickup truck with a definite jungle theme. To convert the boxy xB into a pickup truck designers had to lop off part of the roof and install a flatbed tray where the rear seats would normally be. The car’s paint and body work was handled by California’s Third Element Designs with the graphics and door print added by Sage Vaughn and ‘Lou.’ The custom interior was designed by Advanced Specialties and features a fully integrated PA...

  • 50 Cent shows off his 500HP Pontiac G8
    50 Cent shows off his 500HP Pontiac G8

    We’ve already seen the new Pontiac G8 star in concept form in one of 50 Cent’s rap videos and now we have news of Fiddy’s own G8, which was unveiled this week at the SEMA Auto Show by the rapper himself. To build the car 50 Cent teamed up with New York-based tuner Unique...

  • Cadillac CTS Sport starring at SEMA
    Cadillac CTS Sport starring at SEMA

    Cadillac will present a modified version of its still-new CTS saloon at this week’s SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas, developed to emphasize the car’s performance character. For their latest work, Cadillac’s designers have kept the chrome to a minimum and have instead gone with a...

  • Update: GM launching 260HP Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo at SEMA
    Update: GM launching 260HP Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo at SEMA

    Updated: GM has confirmed the launch of a turbocharged version of the Chevrolet Cobalt will take place at this week’s SEMA Auto Show in Las Vegas. The new car will pick up ‘SS’ badging as well as the 2.0L direct-injection and turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Pontiac...

  • Nissan GT-R V-spec arriving in 2009
    Nissan GT-R V-spec arriving in 2009

    Nissan has finally revealed its new GT-R SpecV. Click here for all the images and details. According to latest reports Nissan will be building an even more potent version of the GT-R but it won’t arrive until 2009, one year after the super-coupe is launched in most markets. The new model will...

  • Video: Nissan GT-R laps the Nurburgring in 7m 38s
    Video: Nissan GT-R laps the Nurburgring in 7m 38s

    Nissan’s GT-R has been hyped up as a worthy contender to the 911 turbo, and with word being spread of super-hot Nurburgring laps you wouldn’t be wrong to question the credibility of the rumored lap times. Well now all those doubts can be put to rest as you enjoy this thrilling video of...

  • Extensive changes to Chrysler, Dodge lineup

    Turbulent times at Chrysler since the split with Daimler several months ago are causing the new ownership to rethink its Chrysler brand while continuing the Dodge product blitz. Chrysler models that face elimination or rejuvenation include the Pacifica, the PT Cruiser, the 300 and the Crossfire. Dodge, on the other hand, is set to debut the Challenger SRT in 2008, and the new Viper is back with aggressive styling and improved performance. Not all is certain at Dodge, however, despite the rosy outlook. The Caliber SRT4 is due for a refresh, as is the disappointing Avenger, both scheduled for...

  • New Focus to highlight Ford’s SEMA range
    New Focus to highlight Ford’s SEMA range

    Ford will once again present one of the biggest displays at the upcoming SEMA auto show with no less than 13 vehicles, nine of which will be based on the not so big 2008 Focus. Ford wants to hit home that it’s no longer a manufacturer of just large SUVs and pickups. According to the executive...

  • Spy Shots: Production Dodge Challenger spotted
    Spy Shots: Production Dodge Challenger spotted

    The new Dodge Challenger isn’t set to go on sale until after it makes its world debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February next year - although the first copies will be auctioned off on eBay for charity – but images of the final production car have now turned up on an internet forum. As...

  • First look: 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT
    First look: 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT

    Not to be outdone by the massive release of models ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, GM has released a first teaser image of the all-new 2009 Pontiac Vibe. Pegged as smaller, more practical mix between a SUV and station wagon, the Vibe is the result of a joint venture between GM and Toyota and is...

  • Mitsubishi previews WRC Lancer Evolution X Group N racer
    Mitsubishi previews WRC Lancer Evolution X Group N racer

    Only a week after the official reveal of the new Lancer Evolution X, Mitsubishi has given us a preview of next year’s Lancer Evolution X Group N rally car, which it plans to showcase at this month's Rally Japan. The car won’t be competing but will instead be used as a ‘course...

  • GM prepping Buick Enclave 'Urban CE0' and 50 Cent’s Pontiac G8 for SEMA
    GM prepping Buick Enclave 'Urban CE0' and 50 Cent’s Pontiac G8 for SEMA

    GM's stand at this year's SEMA show will feature an Enclave SUV designed by NBA star Jerome Williams dubbed the Urban CEO Edition. The modified Enclave features the usual oversized wheels, lowered springs and custom bodykit, which usually dominates SEMA, and it's just one of several other Buick...

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