2007 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

The definitive version of the gorgeous exclusive Alfa 8C Competizione, Gran Turismo car that is to be produced in a limited edition, made its debut on the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The car, designed by Alfa Romeo, is directly derived from the concept car that aroused such admiration at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and has benefited from the best technical and industrial know-how that the Alfa-Maserati Sports Center can offer. The cooperative venture between both manufacturers was conducted with a view to ensuring integration between the Alfa Romeo design departments and the Maserati production departments.


The 8C Competizione is inspired by Alfa Romeo's glorious past, projecting its brand values of technology and emotion into the future. The historical allusions begin with the evocative name, recalling the great sporting tradition of Alfa Romeo. The 8C code was used to identify cars (racing and on-road) of the Thirties and Forties equipped with the revolutionary eight cylinder engine produced by the famous designer Vittorio Jano. The term 'Competizione' is intended as a homage to the '6C 2500 Competizione', a sports coupe driven in 1950 by the duo Fangio and Zanardi in the famous Mille Miglia race.

ACURA RSX TYPE-S

Hot Acura RSX Receives Substantial Enhancements for 2005

Since its debut in July of 2001, the RSX sports coupe has been an unqualified success, winning an array of industry awards including being named to Car and Driver's "10 Best" and Ward's "10 Best Engines" lists. To maintain the RSX's position as the benchmark in its class, Acura's dynamic sports coupe receives substantial performance and styling enhancements for 2005 that update its dynamic looks, refine and modernize the interior and make it even more fun to drive.


For 2005, the high performance Type-S model receives engine and exhaust system modifications that boost horsepower from 200 to 210 and torque from 142 lb-ft to 143 lb-ft. Engine output was optimized by applying high performance camshafts and enlarging the diameter of the intake duct by 10 percent. A larger diameter exhaust pipe and free-flowing catalytic converter helped to boost horsepower by increasing exhaust flow by 10 percent.

ACURA RSX A-SPEC CONCEPT

First Glance
The RSX is a nice-looking car to start out with, before you start tacking on any accessories. It's low and sleek for a hatchback coupe, not excessively sporty or styled. Acura's quality control is top-notch, so everything on the RSX fits right and is tight as a drum.

The majority of the accessories that make up the A-Spec package are visible on the outside of the RSX-S. An "A-Spec" badge gets installed below the RSX-S logo on the back. 17" alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama rubber dress the corners. The body kit includes front, rear and side underbody spoilers, and a prominent High Wing Spoiler on the back deck. In high speed situations, a wing provides downforce and stabilize your ride. The A-Spec wing isn't excessive. Like all of the A-Spec accessories, it's well constructed and integrated with rest of the car. Still, I would skip the wing if I bought an RSX. I'd just be way too self-conscious.


Driving a car with underbody spoilers, you have to be very careful when you park and when you encounter speed bumps. An average curb can be a hazard, and a wicked speed bump could devastate your investment. If your driveway has a steep approach angle, you'd better find street parking for your RSX, or you'll be cleaning up plastic shards.

ACURA RL A-SPEC

Overview
The Acura RL is all new for 2005, and it's sleeker, sportier and more fun to drive than last year's model. The RL still uses a V6 engine, but it's much more powerful than before. And while previous RL models were front-wheel drive, the 2005 RL uses all-wheel drive for improved grip and superior stability and to handle the higher horsepower. The new RL offers the responsive handling of a sports sedan yet it rides smoothly.

While the previous-generation RL had become big, bloated and boring, slinking around in the shadows of the Lexus LS430 and Infiniti Q45, the new RL compares quite favorably to BMW, Mercedes and Audi as well as Lexus and Infiniti. It's more fun to drive than a Mercedes E320. And while it may not offer the sporty rear-wheel-drive dynamics of the new BMW 530i, it's right with it on a race track.


Acura's innovative all-wheel-drive system makes the new RL easy to drive and helps keep its driver out of trouble. Called Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, the system overdrives the outside rear wheel when motoring around corners, improving the handling balance and enhancing stability. It feels solid in corners. It forgives minor driver errors and makes the driver look skilled. And of course it works exceptionally well in adverse weather. Honda's 300-horsepower VTEC V6 provides plenty of power yet the RL is rated 26 mpg on the highway.


The RL is Acura's flagship luxury car. It's more luxurious and slightly larger than the sporty TL. The new 2005 RL is smaller outside but larger inside than last year's previous-generation model.

ACURA NSX

Acura NSX: Timeless Performance and Style

The Acura NSX supercar exemplifies the precision crafted performance that lies at the heart of every Acura vehicle. Developed out of years of racing experience, the NSX sets the benchmark for Acura technology, combining world-class performance and styling with exceptional drivability and refinement.

The Acura NSX offers two distinct, mid-ship mounted powertrains. The first is a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.2 liter, DOHC, 24-valve, 90-degree V-6 engine coupled with a 6-speed, close-ratio manual transmission producing 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque. The second is a 3.0 liter DOHC, 24-valve V-6 engine with a 4-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission that generates 252 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque.

Both Acura NSX engines are equipped with Acura's patented VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control), a Variable Volume Induction System, direct ignition and a computerized Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system pioneered in Formula One racing. The NSX engine also features titanium connecting rods, which are stronger and lighter than comparable steel connecting rods.

CITROEN C4 WRC

Citroen C4 WRC: Citroen Sport's New Weapon
The Citroen C4 WRC - Citroen Sport's new weapon - made its debut in the Monte Carlo rally in 2007. It is the car to replace the Xsara WRC, winner of three world manufacturers crowns between 2003 and 2005. In the expert hands of Citroen Sport's engineers at Versailles Satory, the C4 Citroen Sport concept car became the C4 WRC.

Although the overall styling was maintained, the car had to be adapted to international regulations and performance requirements. This is where the design office of Citroen Sport stepped in. The project working group came up with a first rolling model of the Citroen C4 WRC that was already a long way from the original concept. The roof, for example, was no longer made of glass, since this is banned in rally racing. The front and rear wings, bumpers and spoiler were modified to satisfy regulations and performance criteria. To save time and money, a number of body parts were studied in wind tunnels on a scale of 1 before validation of the full-size parts at the end of the project.

CITROEN C-METTISE CONCEPT

High Performance With a Twist

The elegant design lines of the C-Metisse, the latest out-of-this-world concept car from Citroen, will be unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Exceptionally stylish and powerful, the C-Metisse proves that a high performance car can also be green, combining a top speed of 155 mph with the ability to cover around 45 miles per gallon on the combined cycle.

Crammed with hi-tech innovations and neat touches, the C-Metisse explores new paths in car design and driving pleasure. This model combines coupe styling with 4-door practicality thanks to the show-stopping gull-wing front and rear doors.

In particular, the C-Metisse has been developed to offer good environmental credentials. It boasts an economical HDi V6 diesel engine, coupled with an acclaimed Diesel Particulate Filter System, and two separate electric motors on the rear wheels, capable of developing a massive 295 lb-ft of additional torque. Around town the new concept car can even run in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mode.

SCION TC RELEASE SERIES 6.0

TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 8, 2010 -- Scion announced today that its latest limited-production vehicle, the 2010 tC Release Series 6.0 (tC RS 6.0), will begin arriving in dealerships in March. The tC RS 6.0 will be on display in the Scion booth at the Chicago Auto Show, February 10-21, 2010. 


The tC RS 6.0 comes painted in a vivid Speedway Blue that is currently not offered on any other Scion model. The eye-catching exterior is complemented with a unique matte-black vinyl graphic that flows along the beltline and features the RS 6.0 logo on the rear quarter panel. 

SCION IQ CONCEPT

Scion introduced its micro-subcompact concept car at the New York International Auto Show this year. The Javits Center is perhaps the ideal location to reveal a concept that is aimed at a young, urban consumer. Naturally, the biggest appeal for a micro-subcompact would be in a very urban setting. Small, maneuverable and eye-catching, the Scion iQ concept would be an ideal vehicle for a young, urban driver. Photo: Press Conference/Arrival.jpg The Scion iQ is lowered from the ceiling at the NYIAS press conference Photo: Scion iQ/Front.jpg Photo: Scion iQ/Rear.jpg Photo: Scion iQ/PassSide.jpg Photo: Scion iQ/RearQuarter.jpg The Scion iQ on display at the NYIAS


Can we really call this a Scion concept? The Toyota iQ concept was introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. The iQ went on sale in Japan in October 2008 and in the UK in January 2009. Now, the iQ is being touted as a Scion concept car at the 2009 NYIAS.


Scion Vice President Jack Hollis stressed that the, “Scion concept . . . is innovative and intelligent, but this 'i' in iQ stands for individuality.” He added, “Five Axis of Huntington Beach, California helped us 'Scionize' this concept with aggressive modifications.” Ultimately, though, the Scion iQ is not significantly different from its Toyota counterpart. Toyota unveiled its iQ concept with the statement that the “i” stands for, “individuality, innovation and intelligence.” Photo: Scion iQ/FrontClose.jpg The Scion iQ has an easy smile- but will it sell in the US? Photo: Scion iQ/Headlight.jpg Photo: Scion iQ/iQlogo.jpg This eye-catching color dubbed Radioactive changes from yellow to green depending on the angle it is viewed from.

SCION TC

Scion tC Receives Freshened Styling for 2008
The Scion tC, the best-selling vehicle in the Scion lineup, raises the bar in the sports coupe segment as it receives sharp styling revisions, new standard equipment and safety features for 2008.


Freshened Exterior and Enhanced Interior

The 2008 tC is distinguished by the new Scion family front fascia, a menacing horizontal combination of headlights and grille. For the tC this includes a new upper mesh grille, lattice lower grille and projector-type low beam headlights with black trim. The tC also receives eye-catching rear tail lights similar in style to the headlights with round combination lamps.


Inside, the tC receives a deep orange combination meter on the instrument panel, silver-colored accents on the door assist grips and center cluster, updated seat fabric and Pioneer subwoofer.


Azure Pearl and Black Cherry Pearl exterior colors were replaced with Sizzling Crimson Mica and Wave Line Pearl.