Automobiles

The 505hp (377kW) Z06 will run at $75,235 when it launches. The Z06 will come with a new launch control system and side airbags as standard. If you go for the top-end 3LZ package, you will get powered sports seats for both driver and passenger. A new Cashmere interior with Corvette logo embroidery is also available.

Colors include: the full Corvette color palette, with eight colors including Arctic White, Crystal Red Metallic and the new Torch Red offered, as well. Designed as a daily driver sports car, the Z06 will also come equipped with high-intensity discharge headlights, fog lamps, leather trim, dual-zone air conditioning, a heads-up-display with track modes and a g-meter as standard.

The engine of choice is the LS7 7.0L V8 with a maximum output of 505hp (377kW) at 6,300rpm and 470lb-ft (640Nm) at 4,800rpm. The Z06's 1,440kg body can run from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds, hit a quarter mile in 11.7 seconds at 125mph and achieve a top speed of 198mph. Read more

The most noticeable feature is the shielded grill, which is now seen on almost all of the other Acura models. Also, the new face has reshaped fog lamps and air intakes along with its bottle-opener grille, which has also been applied to other sedans.

The new front-wheel-drive RDX will receive a boost in fuel economy over the all-wheel drive model. There is no speculation on what gas mileage it could receive, but the current RDX gets 17/22 mpg (about average for its class).

On the inside, the 2010 RDX will come equipped with USB connectivity, stereo Bluetooth audio, ambient lighting and a navigation system update with rearview camera and real-time traffic updates.

Currently, Acura has not stated when they plan to launch the new RDX or for how much. I'm thinking we might hear some more info before the end of September, though.

Swiss-based tuner, Sportec, has recently announced its latest "extreme" performance kit. Dubbed the SPR1 T80 kit, the Porsche 911 Turbo receives an intense output of 858hp (631kW) and 650lb-ft (880Nm) of torque out of the custom T80M engine. After the mods, you are looking at a total weight of 2,959lb (1,345kg).

Other Modifications include:

• Reinforced titanium engine internals
• New turbochargers
• A baffled exhaust system
• High-performance clutch
• An active suspension system
• 20-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels
• Eight piston front and four piston rear calipers grip lightweight and high-power F1-style ceramic brake discs

Jaguar's flagship sedan will feature a 510hp supercharged V8, an aluminum body, virtual instruments and a full panoramic glass roof. The base XJ and XJL models will include a naturally-aspirated V8 with 385hp and a 5.4 second 0-60mph run. The XJ Supercharged and XJL Supercharged models will be fitted with the same engine supercharged for 470hp and a 5.2-second 0-60mph run.

The XJR model will feature the XFR's supercharged V8, which produces 510hp and has a 4.7 second 0-60mph time. All of these models will get Jaguar's six-speed, shift-by-wire transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles.Read more

According to rumors flying around, it seems that the 2012 Lotus Esprit will come equipped with the 200+ mph capable, 4.8-liter 500 horsepower V10 engine from the Lexus LF-A or the 5.0-liter, 417 horsepower V8 from the Lexus IS-F. There's also a rumor that an entry-level model might appear featuring the 300-horsepower direct-injection Toyota V6 engine.

Aside from these rumors, it looks like Lotus is working very closely with Tesla Motors or creating eco-friendly variants of its cars. Would you really care about an electric/hybrid Lotus Esprit when you could buy one with a 500 horsepower engine? Plus, with prices the way they are, both types would probably cost the same.

At the Shanghai Motor Show this week, Porsche unveiled the new Panamera four door sedan, a first for Porsche.

The 2010 Panamera is Porsche's fourth model line, joining the 911, Boxster/Cayman and Cayenne model series. This is the first premium car with an automatically shifting double-clutch transmission with an engine start/stop system that saves gas and reduces emissions by turning off when not needed, such as sitting at a stop light, etc.

The 2010 Panamera will initially be available in three versions – the 400-horsepower two-wheel drive Panamera S, an all-wheel drive Panamera 4S, and the Panamera Turbo will be on sale in the United States on October 17, 2009. The MSRP for the Panamera S is $89,800, while the Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo retails for $93,800 and $132,600, respectively.

The Alpine IVA-W203/P1 unit combines the in-dash car audio/video system with GPS navigation.

Alpine is using the Navteq map data as does Garmin, Yahoo! Maps, and many others. It has 1.3 million categorized points of interest. The navigation capability is contained in NVE-P1 Removable Navigation Drive and updates are done via its USB connection. The large 6.5" screen is nice for GPS navigation.

Because of the touchscreen interface for the Mobile Media Station, the IVA-W203 has a flexible display setup. The large display and nice layout make for a pleasing interface. Read more