Monday, December 1, 2008

Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 coming with 405 hp

Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400

Autocar snagged a handful of pics and some initial specs of the UK-only Mitsubishi Evolution X FX-400, and as suspected, the hotter Evo is a road-going version of the ADR Motorsport-prepared sedan that successfully campaigned this past September in the 24-Hour Britcar Championship.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4B11 will put out approximately 405 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to a new turbo, retuned ECU and center-exit exhaust. As opposed to the outgoing FQ400, the Evo X-based model won't use a race clutch, so puttering around town should be bit more bearable, and due to the FQ400's prodigious output, the twin-clutch SST gearbox – which can't handle more than 331 lb.-ft. of torque – won't be used. Despite this, expect the FQ400 to lay down 0-60 times of around 3.5 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than the Evo X FQ360.

In addition to six-pot calipers, upgraded brakes and 18-inch wheels, the FQ400 will feature a new aero kit that includes additional cooling intakes, vents, a larger air intake in the hood and ducts cut into the side skirts to aid rear brake cooling. Production will be limited to 100 units, unless demand calls for more, but considering the price – between £45,000 and £50,000, or £14,500 more than the FQ-360 – 100 examples should just about do it.

[Source: Autocar]

Spy Shots: Jaguar XF-R

Jaguar XF-R
Jaguar XF-R

The Jaguar XF-R is almost complete, and the house of the saltant feline looks to retain its suite of exceptionally modest modifications for the hottest version of its hottest seller. Outside, the car gets hood vents and larger intakes for better breathing, and a sliver of a trunk spoiler hovering over quad tailpipes out back. Larger wheels wearing lower profile rubber hanging off of a seriously firm suspension will be on the menu, all the better to harness the signature trait of an R car: the 500-horsepower supercharged V8 up front. We'll see it some time next year, our bet is at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

[Source: Global Motors]

2009 Audi R8 LMS




Audi unveiled at the Essen Motor Show its GT3 racing spec car known as the R8 LMS. The car should cost €262,000 - about $333,000 (base price for a regular R8 is about €107,000.) Any customer expecting extra comfort will be sadly disappointed. Instead paying almost two and a half times the normal rate for an R8 gets owners a completely track-ready car with an extra two cylinders (now ten in total) and 500+ horsepower.

Part of the requirements for the GT3 racing class means the R8 LMS ditches the all-wheel drive system for a rear-wheels only. A new six-speed sequential manual transmission was developed for the car as well as the wind-cheating body kit and huge rear spoiler.

The R8 LMS will be available to private race teams by fall of 2009. They will be seen throughout various European race series, including the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. During the season these cars will still be a rare sight, as Audi only plans about eight cars for that year.

NSR Porsche 917 Gulf team photos




New NSR Mosler

NSR will be shipping the 1018SW &1018AW MOSLER EVO2 white/red this week according to REH distributors, preorders are strongly suggested.

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder


Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, originally uploaded by jarapet.

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder


Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, originally uploaded by jarapet.