Cars Bikes Boats

Alfa Romeo just announced that it will be bringing its 8C Competizione Spider Convertible to the U.S. in January. Only 500 of these models will be built and 34 of them will show up here in the states.

Built in Modena, Italy, and sharing its mechanicals with the Maserati Granturismo, you can expect the 8C Spider to be a beautifully built vehicle. Equipped with a 4.7L V8 engine, this Alfa produces 450hp (335kW) at 7,000rpm. Also, the engine has been paired to a self-shifting 6-speed gearbox (with computerized selection of the gears via levers behind the steering-wheel), and a self-blocking differential unit.Read more

Last year's Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Gathering of Eagles festival saw a custom Mustang from Ford auctioned off at $500,000. This year, Ford plans to auction off another Mustang GT, dubbed the AV-X10 Dearborn Doll.

This 2010 Mustang GT will come equipped with a glass roof, and thanks to Ford Racing, it will produce a solid 550hp (410kW) from its 4.6L V8 engine. Under the hood is a supercharger kit, a high-flow FR500S exhaust system, a short throw shifter, a new handling pack featuring dampers and lowering springs and an anti-roll bar. Read more

The NAVIGON MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G, equipped with the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system, and any iPhone 3G S into a complete navigation device.

NAVIGON's on-board approach has a clear advantage over off-board systems: After downloading the GPS application, the software and map data is saved directly on the device. This means that users don't have to pay subscription fees or wait for map downloads during the navigation.

The software includes many of NAVIGON's hallmark navigation functions such as Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. It also features NAVIGON's sophisticated and elegant map views including branded POIs along the route. NAVIGON will even add more features with software updates later this year. The only requirement for using the MobileNavigator on the iPhone is the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system.Read more

Chrysler recently announced that they will bring the Dodge Viper back from the dead like a bad zombie flick. Chrysler stated that they plan to continue production of the Dodge Viper SRT10.

The new Viper will come equipped with an 8.4-liter, 600hp (450 kW) V-10 engine. Expect to race from 0-60mph in less than 4 seconds and 0-100mph in the low 12 second range. Chrysler has not announced when they plan to release the new Viper, but I'm pretty sure whenever they do, its reservations will fly out the window.

From May 1992, until the present, the Dodge Viper has sold over 25,000 units. I wonder how many will sell in the next 16 or so years. Read more

Audi has released the first details for the new A5 Sportback, which will go on sale in Europe after its debut this September at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It is expected to retail at €33,650 (approximately $45,000) for the base 2.0L TDI model. Audi has stated that a cheaper version will be launched next year, too.

Long like a wagon, yet sporty like a coupe, the A5 Sportback will feature a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines:

Petrol engines:

• 2.0L TFSI quattro with an output of 211hp (155kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque
• 3.2L V6 quattro generating 265hp (195kW)
• Both will feature Audi’s valvelift system

• 2.0L TDI with 170hp (125kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque
• 2.7 TDI with 190hp (140kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm) of torque
• 3.0L V6 TDI with 240hp (170kW) and 369lb-ft (500Nm) of torque
• Equipped with quattro all-wheel drive

The A5 Sportback will also come equipped with a new electronic stability program with an electronic differential lock on the front axle and a dynamic driving system which allows the driver to choose between three different modes. Expect more info to become available this September.

The Lexus HS 250h is the world's first hybrid-only luxury vehicle and it will be available in standard and premium models. The standard version will have an MSRP of $34,200, while the premium model will carry an MSRP of $36,970. They will be available for purchase in late August.

Both models, which emit 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car, received EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline. The HS 250h has the best combined EPA mpg rating of any luxury vehicle in the U.S. and its MSRP is nearly $10,000 less than one of its entry luxury sedan segment competitors.Read more

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

Magneto rheological (MR) fluid can make physics class fun! It has the ability to quickly alter its physical property from a low-viscosity liquid to a very stiff, nearly solid substance in milliseconds with introduction of a magnetic field. Well now, thanks to Delphi, this technology, that used to only be used in shock absorbers, is going to be used in engine mounts. And the first car to get these new mounts is the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3.

With these new engine mounts, controlling the noise and vibration of the powertrain will be much easier and can improve stability and traction, especially during "transient torque events." As someone who recently busted an engine mount, transmission mount and torque mount, I can safely say that this is very true and it also greatly improves the car's comfort level. Plus, as in my case, if one mount goes, more can easily go, too.Read more

The Ford Fiesta is still about a year away from its U.S. relaunch, but we can check it out at ESPN's X Games with a trio of rally-prepped vehicles on July 30-August 2 in Los Angeles. The drivers will be Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution's Kenny Brack and ROCKSTAR Energy Drink's Tanner Foust and Brian Deegan.

The Pike's Peak Fiesta was epic! These Fiestas will be a little bit tamer, but they are still fully equipped race cars. This is the first time a Ford has competed as a race car in X Games competition, too. I really don't think Ford has much to worry about, considering who they have driving.

I'm all the more excited now for the X Games, since we will get to see the Fiesta in its rawest form in the states!

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.