From Concept To Reality: Ford's 2005 Mustang Coupe and Convertible

Ford's Mustang, the quintessential pony car, is one of the oldest nameplates in the business. During its 45+ year run, the Mustang has provided a variety of power trains under its hood, from 4-cylinders to coachbuilt (and Lamborghini-sourced) V10s.

It has also provided people with near-endless variety. From the mainstream Shelbys and California Specials (both of which have returned for up-and-coming red-light racers), to lesser-known variants like the Twister and High Country Specials, the Mustang has always offered something for everyone.

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Honda CR-Z pricing announced (UK)

Honda UK have revealed pricing on the all new CR-Z hybrid sports car, days after its world debut at the Geneva motorshow. Prices start from £16,999 for the entry-level S model, rising to £19,999 for the flagship GT model.

Powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine and Honda's IMA parallel hybrid system, total output is 122bhp. Mated to this is a 6 speed manual gearbox that can make the car can achieve 56.5mpg (5.0/100km) combined whilst emitting 117g/km of CO2. Urban fuel economy is 46.3mpg (6.1/100km) and extra-urban fuel economy is rated at 64.2mpg (4.4/100km). The CR-Z can do a 0-60mph time of 9.9 seconds before topping out at 124mph.

The CR-Z comes with a 3 mode system - Norm, Econ, Sport. In NORM mode, the speedometer is illuminated blue, with green illumination when the car is being driven in an economical manner. In ECON mode, it is also blue (glowing green when driven economically) and it has a green eco flower lit alongside. When the speedometer is illuminated in a red ambient light, this indicates the CR-Z is in SPORT mode.

At just under 4.1 metres (4,080mm), the entry-level S models come in at £16,999 and have 2+2 seat layout, 16" alloy wheels, tyre repair kit, solid paint, trip computer, electric front windows, front cupholders, urethane tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electrically heated & adjustable door mirrors w/ integrated indicators, x6 airbags (twin front, side and curtain), active front headrests, drivers seat height adjustment, VSA (vehicle stability assist), alarm w/ immobiliser, DRL's (daytime running lights), climate control, 4 speakers and AUX input.

Mid-spec Sport models have rear parking sensors, cruise control, privacy glass, USB port w/ 6 speakers, multi-function leather steering wheel & gearknob, front fog-lights, drilled alloy pedals, ambient lighting and electric folding door mirrors. This can be purchased for £17,999.

Top-spec GT models feature leather interior w/ heated front seats, panoramic glass sunroof, xenon headlights w/ dusk sensor, Bluetooth handsfree and rain-sensing windscreen wipers all for £19,999.

Upto 5 exterior colours (Milano Red, Storm Silver, Crystal Black, Horizon Turquoise & Premium White) can be selected, with the former being solid. Apart from paint being the only optional feature, GT variants can be specced with a DVD satellite navigation system with CD tuner.

The CR-Z can be ordered now with the first deliveries beginning in Summer.

Photo Gallery: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide

The 2010 is one of those cars - the more you see, the more you like, which is why you can now enjoy over 40 high-resolution photos of the new sports car.

Priced from of £139,950 in the UK, $199,950 in the U.S, Aston Martin's first ever series-production sports saloon features a hand-built 6.0 litre V12 engine delivering 477bhp at 6,000 rpm and 600Nm or 443 lb-ft of peak torque at 5,000 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6 speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission with Aston announcing a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 188 mph.

The car are being built at Aston Martin's factory in Graz, Austria. Each car will take around 220 hours to create. First deliveries start next month.

Leaked: 2011 Infiniti QX56 Debut at New York

All-New 2011 Infiniti QX56 debut at the 2010 New York Auto Show later this week.

The new QX56 pulls styling cues from Infiniti’s G and M series cars, including its revised horizontally ribbed grille, rounded front fenders, free-form headlamps. Engine vents add character to the front flanks while the rear profile is rounded off much like Lexus’ LX 570, its main rival. A kink in the rear quarter window is unique to the QX, however, as are the shapely taillight clusters, rear glass and chrome appliqué, while the Infiniti is notably larger than the top-tier Lexus SUV.

Most likely packing Nissan's 400-horsepower 5.6 liter V8 (rated at 405 lb-ft of torque), this looks like it may legitimately be able to go up against Lexus and its Land Cruiser.

Nissan announced in September that it will export U.S. made 5.6L V8 engines and engine parts to Japan to install in the 2011 Infiniti QX and will ship the finished product back to U.S. dealerships. Apparently, the round-trip is more cost-efficient than building an engine plant in Japan.

Official: Nürburgring package for the Lexus LFA

Lexus has announced a Nürburgring package for its LFA supercar.

Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corporation marks the participation of its LFA supercar in the challenge of the Nurburgring 24 Hours race with mega exclusive, new high-performance package engineered to appeal to customers seeking top-end track ride.

The new Nürburgring package provides additional aerodynamic features and technical revisions that improve handling and downforce without compromising the speed and acceleration .
Greater downforce, essential to peak track performance, has been gained through revisions and additions to several of the LFA’s CFRP components, including a larger front spoiler, side fin-type spoilers and a new fixed rear wing.

The Lexus LFA Nurburgring is powered by the standard 4.8-litre V10 engine that has received 10 extra bhp and now outputs 562 bhp. the gearbox of the Lexus LFA Nurburgring has also been improved over the standard car and now offers shift times of just 0.15 seconds. This means the Lexus LFA Nurburgring can get from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds and up to a top speed of 202 mph.

Handling modifications include sports tuning of the suspension and mesh-type wheels shod with dedicated high-grip tires.

Outside, the vehicle differs from its sleek series brother with larger front spoiler, side fin-type spoilers and new fixed rear wing. Its mid-front-placed 4.8-litre V10 powerplant now boasts 10bhp more and the gear shifts in the six-speed sequential transmission have been cut to just 0.15 seconds. The handling properties are strengthened by sports tuning of the suspension unit and mesh-type wheels shod with dedicated high-grip tyres.

The company plans on handing out just 50 examples within the standard LFA production run of 500 units.



Press Release

LEXUS UNLEASHES THE ULTIMATE LFA
Now available with
new track-focused Nürburgring package
KEY POINTS

• Lexus introduces Nürburgring package for the LFA supercar, aimed at
  hardcore track driving enthusiasts
• New aerodynamic elements for greater downforce, including fixed rear
  wing
• Power increased to more than 562bhp, gearshift times cut to just
  0.15 seconds
• Nought to 62mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds and top speed of 202mph
  maintained in spite of higher downforce
• Performance package launched in celebration of LFA's entry in the
  Nürburgring 24 Hours race
• Just 50 examples to be built, within the total LFA production limit
  of 500 cars

In celebration of its LFA supercar taking on the challenge of the
Nürburgring 24 Hours race in May, Lexus has launched a new performance
package designed to appeal to customers seeking full-blooded track
performance.
The new Nürburgring package provides additional aerodynamic features and
technical revisions that improve handling and downforce without compromising
the exceptional speed and acceleration that are central to the LFA's driving
character.
Greater downforce, essential to peak track performance, has been gained
through revisions and additions to several of the LFA's CFRP components,
including a larger front spoiler, side fin-type spoilers and a new fixed
rear wing.
Maximum power from the mid-front-mounted 4.8-litre V10 engine has been
increased by 10bhp to more than 562bhp and gear shifts in the six-speed
sequential transmission have been cut to just 0.15 seconds. Thanks to these
changes, nought to 62mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of
202mph are maintained, in spite of the extra drag created by the new
aerodynamic elements.
Handling modifications include sports tuning of the suspension and
mesh-type wheels shod with dedicated high-grip tyres.
Just 50 LFA will be available with the Nürburgring package, within the
car's strictly limited global production run of 500 examples. If they wish,
customers will be able to take advantage of individual driving instruction
on the legendary Nordschleife circuit from the Nürburgring's chief
instructors. They will also receive a one-year driving pass to the track.