I’ve always been a Subaru fan and I’m just hoping that they redeem themselves after . After a long time of trying to reconcile my fanboy whims over the reality that the new Impreza does indeed suck (compared to my ever-hated Evo). And probably that’s why they’re reconfiguring their models to deal with the Mitsu infestation.

They will be marketing the Impreza GT and the Impreza WRX. The Impreza GT, which will get a 224 hp and an automatic tranny, will be aimed at Mitsu’s poorman’s Evo - the Lancer Ralliart. But what’s the real deal with all of this is the WRX - the 2.5L turbocharged boxer engine will get boosted for 41 more horses and upgraded suspension. Perhaps a desperate move to make the WRX just more palatable.

Still, I’m not seeing Subaru winning the fight against Mitsubishi this round. Both the Evo variants and quite possibly, the Lancer Ralliart offers just so much for these Impreza variants to take head on. Still, die-hard Subie fans will be delighted. As for me, I’m a realist.

Source: Autoblog

Last week, BMW made an announcement that they will be shipping out the facelifted BMW 3-Series. The bumper, hood and fascia have been tweaked but I still don’t find it attractive enough. No new offerings aside from the facelift but the US market will finally get the 335d equipped with 3.0L twin-turbo, 265-hp, inline-six diesel.

Anyway, the cars will be debuted in Paris though. If we’ll get any more drum banging for these cars until then, we’ll know soon.

Shelby Supercars is showing no signs of shaming other automakers by taking other’s ideas and making them better. Remember how they somehow shamed Bugatti engineers by creating the 1,183 hp Ultimate Aero? Now they put their sights on the Tesla Roadster and some bitchslapping is about to come.

Supposedly the fastest production electric vehicle, the Tesla Roadster was sure to draw some competition either from those racing to develop decent electric vehicles or tuning houses greedy to take the title of speediest electric car. And SSC is now developing an Ultimate Aero EV.

Under development is at least one 500 hp electric motor but a possiblity of exploring a twin-motor configuration that would bring twice the power exists. Massive horses from an electric motor with zero-emissions? They’re also exploring either a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration. Now that’s supposedly Jetsons-grade motoring.

I’d have to say that this project is absolutely bonkers. With the Tesla Roadster still struggling to create a solid market-base, this Aero EV will surely just be for showboating purposes only.

Remember this Ferrari F430 that runs on biofuel? Well, it seems that this wouldn’t be the last time Ferrari will be concerning itself with some nature-saving efforts. Luca Cordero di Montezemolo told the press that Ferrari wants to cut down their fleets CO2 emissions by 40% by 2012.

And yes, they will be looking at hybrid technology to do so, claiming that, despite being a hybrid, it will still be “fundamentally a Ferrari.” Which, in my opinion, doesn’t make sense. Aren’t Ferrari’s supposed to be loud, fast, flashy, and nothing like the Prius? And when did Saudi princes ever needed to consider buying hybrids anyway?

Still, the likeliness of one emerging from Ferrari’s programs is highly possible. With Formula 1 pushing teams to develop green race cars, whatever development Ferrari can create can surely filter to their sports cars.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

With US auto sales down, auto makers are again in a mad scramble for more viable markets elsewhere. It’s a good business move actually. Instead of lighting a fire under creating new models to create new markets, it seems that shifting attention to booming economies like Russia and China.

In next month’s Moscow motor show, SUVs and crossovers seem to be poised for the spotlight. Mitsubishi is joining the fray with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The Pajero’s also known as the Montero/Shogun/Challenger elsewhere.

The power comes from a choice between a 2.5L and a 3.2L diesel that would send power to all four wheels via Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD system. Though there’s also a gasoline 3.5L V6 option. Since it’s built more for the outdoor loving community, the SUV features a waterproof luggage compartment and water-repellent seats. (So either you drive through rains with windows down or are keen on sitting inside a car after soaking yourself.)

The Pajero isn’t coming to the US and Europe though as it is market mostly to Asia and the Pacific.

The new 2009 911 Carrera frops the “old” Tiptronic system in favor of the new PDK seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Ever wonder how come it shifts 60% faster than the old one? Here’s a video showing us how it works.

Via: Autoblog

Mazda isn’t stopping at developing concepts to satisfy their thirst for futuristic design and developing their Zoom-Zoom philosophy. And their next concept - the Kazamai crossover - which will see some spotlight in the Moscow motor show next month.

So far, after being bombarded with the Furai, the Taiki, the Hakaze, the Kazamai seems to be another morphed rendition of the same trend of the Nagare design. The Kazamai looks to be poised as the smaller vehicle after the CX-7.

And it seems to be fitting to display this crossover in Russia. Amazingly, they don’t seem to be any worried at all by the oil crisis and SUVs actually account for a fifth in new car sales. A stark contrast to what’s happening in the US.

Source: Autocar

If there’s a show that every automaker wants to be a part of and every gearhead wants to see, it’s Top Gear. Hands down. No contest. I even assured that unless the US Top Gear team creates a totally different look and feel to their show, all they ever will be would be is a second-rate copycat.

If you’re a fan and would want to see Top Gear live in the studio, hang out with Jeremy, Hamster, and Captain Slow, then you have to wait for 21 years before you could get on. Or if it were a queue, you have to be willing to endure 127 miles of it. 336,000 is how many people have applied to see the show.

I wonder if, after 21 years, Clarkson will still be screaming power. Just watching him run and catch his breath last episode convinced me that he’s not getting any younger. Hammond’s 39 too, so in 21 years…

Heck, it’s hopeless, people. (If you want to watch them live, that is.)

Source: Auto Trader UK

While many gearheads like myself would be excited whenever we hear news about some car company dishing out yet another car with massive horsepower, quick 0-60 times, staggering top speeds, and agility to put gibbons to shame, I have to acknowledge the call of sensibility these days. So now I wonder why, BMW would even try to create a “better” version of the M3.

By what BMW is planning, the M3 CSL should be a good car, if not great. All the comforts will be thrown out in favor of lightweightedness. Airconditioning, luxury panels, the lot will be stripped out and the car will sport carbon fiber panels instead. Power will come from the same 4.0L V8 but will be boosted from 420 hp to 470. And yes, the 0-60 time will be shaved down 4.5 seconds and a can reach 185 mph.

Well, sure the M in M3 stands for their motorsport division but with sales figures dropping, should automakers focus their attention and spending to more viable efforts? The CLS is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Show later this year and would retail at around 90,000 Euros. I just wonder how the sporty car market is doing. But if similarly priced luxury cars aren’t faring well…

Source: AutoZeitung (read through Google Translate)

Last year, everyone was raving about the Audi R8. Quite rightfully so. I believe that every praise it got was well-deserved. Though last year wasn’t really the year of automobiles. A lot of other great cars came out, but the R8 was really the highlight of last year.

One way to bank on the craze is to give it a twist. There was the Le Mans version powered by a V12 TDI. And then there’s the V10 version under development. But here’s a recent one - the Audi R8 Targa - an open top model. Yup, the R8 just went topless.

Well, unlike the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (the R8 uses the Gallardo’s platform), the R8 will feature a removable targa top. It’s because Audi didn’t want to trim off any of the R8’s handling capabilities. Aside from going topless, the R8 Targa will still have the same good stuff from the regular R8.