Suzuki Kizashi sport sedan

apanese car maker Suzuki, renowned for its small cars and performance motorcycles, has launched their first-ever all-wheel-drive sport sedan the Kizashi.
Designed with European flair mixed with Japanese build quality, the new halo model features a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts for maximum performance and efficiency. Employing an aluminum block and cylinder heads for a lightweight installation, low tensile force rings found in the aluminum pistons deliver improved power and efficiency.

Mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT (with paddle shifts) gearbox, zippy performance can be found in the low(er) gears while also delivering economical cruising capability in the higher gears.
Strangely, the press release fails to mention the power output but with aspirations to be a contender in the sport sedan segment, the Kizashi is promising - a next generation i-AWD system provides plenty of grip and enhanced cornering capabilities. Activated when the driver selects the "AWD" switch on the instrument panel, power to the rear wheels starts immediately upon acceleration. Torque split remains dependent on several factors, including wheel slippage and throttle input.
The Kizashi sport sedan, which originates from the Concept Kizashi series introduced over the last two years, follows a similar design theme and appreciation for performance previously illustrated by the three eye-catching and immaculately designed concept vehicles. The production Kizashi redefines the traditional performance sedan and moves the Suzuki brand upscale. Furthermore, its active and energetic identity, a core component of the Suzuki brand DNA, is tempered by the vehicle's overall mission to provide a strong, refined urban performance.
Powertrain

Built at Suzuki's brand-new manufacturing facility in Sagara, Japan, the 2010 Kizashi is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine offering a more potent standard engine than many competitive best-sellers. The engine employs both an aluminum block and cylinder heads, providing a lightweight installation; aluminum pistons with low tensile force rings deliver improved power and efficiency. Dropped-forged connecting rods, rotating on a forged steel crankshaft, contribute to the inline four's durability, and a balancer shaft delivers improved engine balance and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

The responsive inline four is connected to a six-speed manual transmission, for heightened performance in the low gears, along with relaxed - and economical - cruising capability in the higher gears. Customers may opt for an available Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that delivers both the driving experience and fuel efficiency today's consumers demand, while not compromising the character preferred by driving enthusiasts. That character is enhanced with paddle shifters, optimizing driver control regardless of speed or driving environment. With either transmission choice, the Kizashi is engineered to return competitive fuel economy numbers for fuel-conscious consumers.

In addition to this excellent new powertrain, and to even further enhance the Kizashi's strong efficiency story, Suzuki is developing an even more fuel efficient hybrid version that will be added to the lineup in the future.
Braking and Handling

In order to successfully enter a field already saturated with countless nondescript transportation appliances, Suzuki breaks away from traditional values normally associated with the mainstream, standing firm on Suzuki's belief in delivering a dynamic and exhilarating driving experience. That driving experience was validated on Germany's Autobahn, Switzerland's Alpine twisties, cobblestone roads of rural England and the legendary Nürburgring.

An exceptionally rigid steel unibody - with reinforced front suspension and multi-link rear suspension constructed with embedded aluminum - allows for crisp, nimble handling with excellent stability, sophisticated ride and reduced chassis vibration. Engineered from conception to be all-wheel-drive capable, the Kizashi offers a newly developed advanced all-wheel-drive system with highly advanced controls that evokes and promotes a natural sense of heartfelt driving enthusiasm and safety. Kizashi's sophisticated braking system offers standard four-wheel disc brakes and includes suppliers such as Akebono, a world-leader in NVH control and analysis and a leading brake supplier for automotive and high-speed rail applications.
Design

Kizashi's thoughtfully crafted exterior design is best described as the seamless melding of European style and Japanese craftsmanship. Tailored for the driving enthusiast, Kizashi's bold and aggressive stance is complemented by available 18-inch alloy wheels; contemporary styling - with its lean proportion and minimal front overhang - injects the sophistication appropriate to a performance-oriented sport sedan. As with the Concept Kizashi series, the front end of the production Kizashi expresses both strength and style, while the vehicle's impeccably engineered body reflects Kizashi's underlying strength and distinctive combination of capability and refinement.

Subaru Boxer WRX STI

The first genuine Cosworth-developed road car since 1996, the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 is powered by a heavily tweaked 2.5-litre turbocharged ‘Boxer’ engine that produces 33 per cent more power than the donor car. Ddrawing heavily on Cosworth’s extensive Formula 1 experience, the engine, which drives all four wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, boasts an impressive 294 kW and a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.7 seconds, making it one of the world's most accelerative hatchbacks. The quarter mile is covered in a brisk 12.75 seconds at a terminal speed of 172 km/h. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 features an extensive range of Cosworth-engineered components in the engine, turbo system, exhaust, suspension, brakes and wheels, plus subtle improvements to the exterior and interior styling to create a truly distinctive high performance car with everyday hatchback practicality.

Available in a choice of three exterior colours - Spark Silver, Dark Grey and San Remo Red - the Cosworth Impreza STI is, quite sadly, for the UK market only and is priced from £49,995 (AU$86,727). Only 75 units will be produced.
Drivetrains
Full-time all-wheel drive with centre differential and viscous coupling, plus Vehicle Dynamics Control, Rear limited-slip differential, Front limited-slip differential and Si-Drive adjustable centre differential

Suspension & Damping
Front – Fully independent subframe-mounted MacPherson Struts, with Eibach coil springs and gas-filled Bilstein shock absorbers. Anti-roll stabiliser bar
Rear – Fully independent subframe-mounted Multi-Link, Eibach coil springs and Bilstein gas-filled shock absorbers (adjustable) anti-roll bar

Steering
Type – Electric power-assisted rack & pinion
Gearing – 2.5 turns lock-to-lock
Turning circle (m) – 11.0

Brakes
Front – 355 x 32 mm ventilated discs with 6-pot callipers
Rear – 316 x 20 mm vented discs with single-pot callipers
ABS – Four-Channel anti-lock system with EBD

Wheels & Tyres
Alloy 18 x 8.5 inch, with 245 / 40 R18 directional tyres

Dimensions (mm)

Exterior
Overall length – 4,415
Overall width – 1,795*
Overall height – 1,475
Wheelbase – 2,625
Front track – 1,530
Rear track – 1,540
Ground clearance – 140
*excluding door mirrors

Interior (all models)
Headroom – 1,024 front / 951 rear
Legroom – 1,091 front / 960 rear
Shoulder room – 1,430 front / 1,426 rear
Hip room – 1,384 front / 1,370 rear

Capacities (all models)
Fuel tank – 60 litres
Luggage (VDA) – 301 litres (rear seats up) / 1,216 litres (rear seats down)

Weights (kg)
Curb weight (min.) – 1,505
Gross weight – 1,980

Performance
Top speed / mph – 155 (electronically limited
0-to-62 mph / sec – 3.7

Fuel Economy (mpg)
Combined cycle – [tbc]
CO2 g/km – [tbc]

The Kizashi Sport AWD

The Suzuki Kizashi Sport AWD has been launched in Australia and will join the front-wheel-drive Kizashi XL and XLS in the Suzuki stable.

Carrying a $3000 premium over the XLS at $39,990, the newcomer adds new 18-inch wheels, a sports front bumper, lowered sports suspension (10mm lower ride height), a rear boot spoiler and, of course, Suzuki's i-AWD (intelligent all-wheel-drive) system which intuitively adjusts torque between the front and rear wheels according to road and driving conditions.
Other unique features to the Sport includes a mess lower grille, chrome plated bezels around the fog lamps, silver door garnishes and sports side skirts round off the sportier look.

On the inside, the leather seats are silver stitched; there's a sporty, leather shift knob and taking centre stage, a three-spoke, leather wrapped sports steering wheel. Bluetooth is also standard with hands-free controls on the steering wheel available.

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition

Supercar manufacturer Lamborghini and luxury watchmaker Blancpain have collaborated to develop a very special super sports car: the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition.

Unveiled at the final race weekend of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo on Sunday September 26 in the "Piero Taruffi" circuit, Vallelunga, the limited edition Gallardo was developed in honour of the huge success of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo racing series.

Lamborghini is extremely happy about its cooperation with Blancpain. In just its second year, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo has established itself in the premier league of gentlemen's racing," said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

"Each race is a battle of dedication and passion for every single hundredth of a second – something that characterizes both of our brands. The Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition demonstrates the close bond between our road-going super sports cars and the race car."

Boasting some unique features such as a gigantic rear spoiler, a vented engine cover, Skorpius wheels with yellow-painted brake calipers and discs made from carbon-ceramic composite, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition is also finished in a lush matt black paintwork.The bespoke interior is finished entirely in black Alcantara with yellow accents and visible carbon-fibre. The Blancpain logo is placed on the exterior and also featured on the seats and cockpit in yellow stitching.

Powered by the same 419 kW, 5.2-litre V10 engine found in the Superleggera version, the power-to-weight ratio of the vehicle also sits handsomely at only 2.35 kilograms (5.18 lb) per hp thus guaranteeing breathtaking performance. This super sports car handles the dash from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and flies past the 200 km/h mark only 6.8 seconds later, and ultimately reaching 325 km/h.

BRABUS the SV12 R Biturbo 800

BRABUS' latest creation, the SV12 R Biturbo 800, is the self-proclaimed "World's Most Powerful and Fastest Luxury Sedan" and it's hard to argue against this claim.

Based on the V12-powered S 600 sedan, the SV12 R Biturbo 800 boasts 588 kW at 5,500 rpm and an even more impressive peak torque of 1,420 Nm - limited electronically to 1,100 Nm - available from a low 2,100 rpm. All this extra power and torque has been extracted from a 0.8-litre increase in displacement to 6.3-litres courtesy of a special crankshaft with longer stroke, precision-balanced piston rods, larger-diametre pistons and corresponding larger cylinder bore. The inner workings of the BRABUS engine are modified further by high-performance camshafts and flow-optimised cylinder heads.
There's also a newly developed biturbo system with two special high-performance manifolds with integrated turbine housings and high-performance turbochargers, a high-performance exhaust system with sport catalysts and four exhaust tips and newly calibrated engine electronics with precision-programmed mapping for injection and ignition.

The extraordinary performance figures elevate the BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 to the exalted position of the world's most powerful and fastest luxury sedan. Acceleration times from 0 to 100 km/h of 3.9 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in just 10.3 seconds are as unmatched in this vehicle category as is the electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h!

To ensure that this level of performance can be enjoyed safely at all times BRABUS also significantly upgrades suspension, brakes and aerodynamics.

These upgrades naturally also include tyres capable of handling the speeds this car is capable of. The SV12 R Biturbo 800 can be equipped with BRABUS Monoblock wheels with diameters ranging from 19 to 21 inches. The largest version features wheels in size 9Jx21 on the front axle and in size 10.5Jx21 in the rear. These wheels are available in four distinct designs: Three-piece forged and high-gloss polished BRABUS Monoblock VI wheels with six double spokes, multi-spoke Monoblock E wheels, Monoblock S wheels with double-spoke design and especially exclusive Monoblock F PLATINUM EDITION forged wheels with cross-spoke design. All wheels are mounted with Pirelli or YOKOHAMA tyres in sizes 265/30 ZR 21 in front and 295/30 ZR 21 on the rear axle.
BRABUS ensures extremely high directional stability with a sporty yet elegant designer suit developed in the wind tunnel. The BRABUS front fascia lends the S-Class an even more striking face while its sophisticated shape reduces lift on the front axle. The large central air inlet optimizes cooling of engine and front brakes. Integrated auxiliary headlamps and LED daytime running lights further improve active safety. The BRABUS front spoiler lip is made from clear-coated carbon fiber and attaches to the underside of the BRABUS front fascia. It further optimises the car's aerodynamic properties.

For an even more extravagant appearance of the sedan BRABUS offers custom-tailored aluminum front fenders that replace their production counterparts. The exclusive character of these fenders is embodied by an integrated air vent made from clear-coated carbon fiber and a horizontal brace that spans the vent with embossed BRABUS signet and integrated LED lights. The latter are activated just like the ones in the BRABUS side sills via the keyless remote or by pulling on a door handle.

Subaru Impreza WRC2008

The Subaru Impreza WRC2008 rally car will make its competitive debut in the upcoming Acropolis Rally in Greece next week.

The new model will be the most radically different Subaru WRC rally car with pre-launch images revealing a new livery for the 2008 car of blue and silver instead of the yellow decals which have graced the manufacturer’s cars since 1993. Of course, the new rally car - based on the Impreza road car - will be in the form of a hatchback rather than sedan.
hat remains unchanged is the familiar Subaru powertrain of a horizontally-opposed turbocharged engine and symmetrical four-wheel drive system underneath the new hatchback body shell.

“We are very excited to be able to launch the all-new Impreza WRC2008 ahead of schedule,” said David Richards, Subaru World Rally Team principal. “It is testament to the dedication and commitment of the team behind the scenes in the UK and at STi [Subaru Tecnica International] in Japan. Just as the latest Impreza road car represents a new era for Subaru so the WRC2008 represents a new era for all of us at the Subaru World Rally Team and I am confident that we will arrive in Greece able to fight competitively.”

The Subaru Impreza WRC2008 will be piloted by Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson.
Subaru looks set to unveil their WRC car for the 2008 rally season in concept form at the prestigious Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

WRC driver Petter Solberg will be on hand to help with proceedings whilst the concept car should provide us with more hints of the styling direction of the upcoming WRX STi model in the Subaru passenger car range.

two faced wooden car

I don't know what it is with Ukrainians and building unusual wooden things, but Vasily Lazarenko has gone and built himself a car. Under the wood it's a 1981 Opel, but on top of the wood it's a confusing looking sedan/convertible hybrid. Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I mean damn that wood looks good, but I would have stuck with one design for the whole thing. Vasily quit his job and sold two other cars in order to afford the 1.5 years and parts needed to complete this, uh, thing. He refuses to admit what it cost to build, which means it was way too much and he regrets ever doing it. You have talent Vasily, but lets stick to rocking chairs and toy wagons in the future, okay?

Aptera Electric Car

A California firm has a new wrinkle in the world of eco-friendly autos: It's a three-wheeled, bird like mobile that promises nearly 300 miles per gallon in its hybird version, and a 120 miles "per charge" in its all electric variety. Can you buy one? Not yet--but you can put down a deposit on one, provided you live in California.

Aptera Typ-1 is actually registered as a motorcycle, but don't let that scare you. The vehicle safety design and statistics are impressive, and includes airbags as part of the standard equipment. The two-seater gains its fuel efficiency from aerodynamic design, light-weight construction, and with "three on the ground" instead of the typical four wheels, less rolling resistance.

California buyers will have first crack at the new bird-mobile, but the company promises all across the US these new high-flyers will soon be available. According to the company, the first Aptera vehicles will begin rolling off to buyers in the fall of 2008. Meantime, a $500 deposit will hold your place in the line. And how much does it cost? At this point Aptera coyly says, "The purchase price is yet to be determined." Visit the Aptera website for the full scoop.