The great thing about cars is that better ones come out every year and thank goodness, it’s 2008 already. That means new releases, a whole lot of motor shows, racing seasons and other things motoring.

But before we take on all of those, let us just wish all of you a happy new year!

(Regular posting schedule resumes January 2.)

It’s not just because it’s in Detroit that the Japanese won’t have a part in the festivities. Here’s another preview for the Detroit Motor Show - the Mazda Furai Concept. Uhm, okay. So given it’s a Mazda and technically, that’s a Ford. But at least we have to give it to them for naming this concept “furai” which means “sound of the wind”. All part of the Mazda philosophy.

But as what we can see with the concept, it’s not really something that makes you all too excited as just the car. Perhaps it’s the shades of how it brings tribute when Mazda won the Le Mans way back in 1991. And you can definitely see the shades of racing intentions with the Courage C65 chassis as its base.

Since its a Mazda, it packs a three-rotor Mazda 20B Wankel that is quite green (as it runs on E100 enthanol) that is capable of 450 horsepower. And while most concepts are just for show, the Furai is actually a concept car that runs though it’s far from both on-road and motorsport duties.

Its fierce and aggressive look is reminiscent of the past concepts like the Ryuga, Hakaze and the Taiki. And what’s quite unique with this car is that it takes in air from an “air fang” - a whole new approach to air intake systems.

Source: Inside Line

Missing David Hasselhoff (as Michael Knight) and that black Pontiac Trans-Am (as K.I.T.T.)? Well you won’t find them here. But here’s a teaser of the upcoming Knight Rider TV movie teaser.

By itself, the baseline Jaguar XF is quite a pussycat compared to the four-door meanies like the BMW M5 and the AMG E63 or even the Audi RS4. But somehow, Jaguar tries to up the ante with the Jaguar XF-R that would take the fight to those other cars and basically because the XF just wouldn’t cut it.

According to Motor Trend, the XF-R will dish out horses teetering around the 500hp range coming from a 5.0L V8 and that would come close to the 400-500 horses being dished out by the M5s and the E63s. The XF-R’s V8 will be mater to the ZF 6-speed flappy-paddle shifters as with the XKR with a bit of modification.

The XF-R will also come with upgraded brakes and stiffer suspensions which is quite logical given any car with more horsepower. Add some more bells and whistles on this one like 20-inch rims, an exhaust with more punch and a sportier trim complete with a wire-mesh grille and aggressive fascias.

But come on, given a choice among the BMW, the Merc and the Audi, would you rather go for the Jag? If you’re a cheap bastard (not if you’re cheap with $80K to spend for the XF-R), then you might want to spring for the Jag.

Source: Motor Trend

I might just have to agree with everyone else that the Audi R8 is the car of the year. If you’ve seen all the reviews, test drives and other takes, it sums up to be a hands-down favorite of journalists, experts, and enthusiasts and all with good reason. Audi just came up with an engineering marvel with this one.

So how about this, the Creventic CR-8. It is a souped up version of the already awesome R8. This racing version is even tame compared to what Roush does to the Mustang. Only 13bhp added taking the R8 to 427bhp and the stock low-gear limiter has been removed. As preparation to the Dubai 24-hour, this car has still yet to include a 90L fuel tank, extra carbon fibre, and a race-spec sequential gearbox.

The car will be available early next year.

Source: Top Gear News

0-200 kph in 2 seconds. And yes, that’s a 206.

2 as in $2 million. I understand that some people are really out to make the best performing car there is. But these guys are out to make the most expensive production car to date. Dubbed as the DiMora Natalia SLS 2, it is pegged to have a price tag worth $2 million.

Don’t get it wrong, the SLS 2 is supposed to be a supercar but with the price tag, DiMora is trying to justify it by beefing up the arsenal. The automaker has finalized the list of its suppliers and probably one of the more amazing additions to the car is a HeatFlexx electrically-heated frameless windshield wiper. That, my friends, is a windshield that automatically melts and dries up snow.

But the gadgetry doesn’t end there. This car will be powered by a V16 (yes, no typo here, that’s 16) that is pegged to be capable of dishing out a staggering 1200 horsepower. A four-wheel steering system will also be integrated to control the massive 24-inch rims.

To control the car, a complex system of 50 computers will be managing engine control, traction control, information and entertainment systems and even climate control.Bells and whistles indeed.

Source: World Car Fans

I hate it with what Subaru has been doing with their cars. Presenting us with teasers and leaked images like we’d be all pissing in our pants when we finally get to see the real picture. They already pissed me off with how they handled the revelation of the Impreza WRC STi a few months ago. And now with the Forester. It’s not like it’s something really iconic like the Impreza.

The 2009 Subaru Forester will be making its official debut next month in the Detroit Motor Show and what we have here is the release of the official image. And with this incarnation, the Forester gets an all new design and platform to give it a new “bolder” and more “SUV-like” design to compete with the emerging crossover market.

The Forester is powered by a line of turbocharged/intercooled 2.5L Boxer engines. No word yet on more numbers but these would definitely be available as the motor show looms.

Source: Subaru

In the tradition of being a true workaholic, here I am posting stuff on Christmas. Not that I don’t have anything better to do. But here are some news in store for car enthusiasts.

The new year will be red as F1 world champion Ferrari will be the first to unveil their new racing car - the F2008 to be presented in January 6 at their Fiorano track. It is an improved version of the car that propelled them to titles this year, the F2007 (pictured). What improvements, Ferrari hasn’t really announced yet.

Other teams will also be launching next year following Ferrari’s move. Toyota will present the TF108 on January 10. BMW Sauber on January 14. And the spy club McLaren-Mercedes will silently reveal theirs sometime second week of January. Honda to do theirs on January 29 and Renault on January 31.

A lot of F1 stuff will hit the fan next month, so brace yourself F1 fans. I was particularly impressed by Lewis Hamilton last season so I might be cheering for him next year. Too bad he’s on the spy team.

Source: Inside Line

Happy holidays from all of use here in AutoJab and Bloggy Network!