70+ mpg Trident Iceni supercar
Are you an environmentalist buy don’t like looking like one? Do you think that if you drive a Prius, you will be dismissed as a hippy? Well English carmaker Trident may finally have a solution. Trident has been trying to get its Iceni sports car on the road for almost a decade now, and the last time it made news at TopSpeed was two years ago. So, it sounds like the project may be dead in the water, right? In a statement today, Trident says that the new Iceni is about to go into production, and this time its gone green.
Audi R-S-Street by Kicherer
The Audi RS6 Avant is becoming a popular customizing car. After ABT, MTM and B&B versions, Kicherer of Germany unveiled today its customization options for the Audi RS6 Avant. Dubbed Audi R-S-Street, the vehicle comes with a power increase from 580 hp to 700 hp. The extra horses make the 0-60 mph sprint is achieved in 4.3 seconds, the 0-124 mph is made in 13 seconds while the top speed is electronically limited to 173 mph.
REVIEWS:2009 Chevy Aveo5
By Eric Tingwall
The American Asian
Of the half-dozen subcompacts on the market, Chevrolet’s Aveo is the only domestic out there - if you’re looking at the brand name. Look a little closer at the window sticker and you’ll realize that there aren’t actually any American subcompacts. The Aveo is just as Asian as the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, and Suzuki SX4, with manufacturing taking place in Bupyong, South Korea.
The Aveo5 doesn’t just come from a Korean plant, it’s actually a rebadged car from GM’s Korean brand, Daewoo. The major Korean automakers, Hyundai and Kia, have made major strides in both reliability and perceived quality in recent years. The same can’t be said for Daewoo, and while both the exterior and interior may belie that the Aveo5 is truly a Daewoo, GM still hasn’t figured out how to mask that truth in the driving experience.
A nose job worth the money
The Aveo is offered in both a sedan body style and a five-door hatchback style known as the Aveo5. For the 2009 model year, the Aveo5 arrives with a significant facelift. A gaping grille and aggressive headlights now fill the place formerly occupied by dweeby two-piece headlamps and a narrow slot. Chevrolet says the horizontally divided grille is part of its new global family look that was inspired by the new Malibu and also appears on the new Traverse crossover. There’s also new tail lamps and an optional new rear spoiler that add to the sporty appeal. Chrome fender vents have sprouted at the front of the Aveo5’s flanks. With its first appearance on a subcompact, we hope this overused styling-touch-du-jour can finally die. Please?
Overall, the style changes are much appreciated. The 2009 car looks much more like a confident, American ride, in contrast to the previous model, whose awkward appearance surely must have been dictated by cost rather than aesthetics.
Ford Kuga by Wolf
Although Ford doesn’t currently sell the curvy SUV Kuga in the U.S., its rumored that the car may be part of the European Ford invasion over the next few years. So we thought it would be cool to take a look at how some performance modifications from the German tuner Wolf can add some speed to the fast looks. The new package includes an ECU tweaking from 136 hp to 158 hp, at a mere price of 795 euros or $ 1,170. Also a new set of 20 inch alloy wheels were added at a price of 2,850 euros or $ 4,197 per set. More details after the jump.
Dinan to boost 2008 Bmw M3 to 628 hp
Since its launch, the 2008 Bmw M3 made quite a buzz, but now Dinan is pushing it to its limits. Dinan, a well-respected BMW tuner known for working miracles on the Bavarian cars, said today that its new version of the M3 will be powered by a 5.7-liter engine capable to develop 628 hp. The “standard” M3 is powered by a V8 engine developing 420 hp and can go from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. With a boost to 628 hp, the Dinan M3 will beat out its brothers, the M5 and M6. No launch date has been set, but of course we’re going to stay on top of this hot M3. Stay tuned!
Chevy Volt to go Opel, then Chevy again
General Motors is looking to be bringing the Volt to Europe by late 2011. This is earlier than initially reported. GM needs to spread out as much of the high-cost of development and production of the gas/electric hybrid as possible, so multiple outlets are being considered. Opel is working on its own plug-in hybrid vehicles, and the Volt is expected to join that lineup. But once Opel has a strong electric presence, it is rumored that the Volt will be changed to be sold as a Chevrolet.
Carlsson presents Ultra Light Mercedes wheels
Carlsson, the well known tuner specialized in Mercedes-Benz cars, unveiled today its new set of -spoke monobloc wheel 1/11 Ultra Light, available exclusively in 21 inch. The new wheels not only look good but also improve the road-handling properties of your vehicle, due to the fact that there are one of the world’s lightest wheels available on the Mercedes tuning sector.
Test drive: 2009 Dodge Challenger SE
First, a quick and heartfelt thanks to all who offered condolences via comments and email. We’re still in Chicago doing the family thing. BUT… today is the first day I can talk about the 2009 Challenger, and there’s no way I’m gonna keep you waiting.
What I Did On My Summer Vacation 2008 Part Huit - On The Road to Royan
Race tracks should be this smooth … the Ford Fiesta in action … stay out of the left-hand lane, you moron! … “Sweet Jesus, was that a ’56?”
Virtual driving video of Ferrari California courtesy of the Gran Turismo 5 people
The line between video games and reality is becoming more and more blurred. Earlier this month Polyphony Digital, the team that puts together the Gran Turismo series of games, offered a test drive of the Lotus Evora in Gran Turismo 5. Now the team has gone a step further and has put together a commercial of sorts featuring the Ferrari California going for a drive in landmark areas. Watch, enjoy, and question reality.