Honda CR-Z Concept Unveiled

I’ve been waiting for this one for a while now. There’s been a severe market shortage of small, fuel-efficient, genuinely fun-t0-drive two-seat coupes, pretty much since Honda dropped the CR-X and replaced it with the useless del Sol. It’s of no surprise, then, that it would be Honda to pick up the mantle of the tiny two-seat pocket rocket with a modern interpretation of the beloved CR-X.

And you can’t say the time isn’t right for such a car. These days, everyone’s concerned with efficiency, but that doesn’t mean people don’t still care about fun. This strategy is the whole reason that Honda sold every CR-X they could import in the ’80’s, even with the ridiculous Honda dealer price gouging that was routine back when there was an import quota on foreign-assembled automobiles. This could be just the ticket for Honda, who’s been uncharacteristically weak in the US lately.

As for the car itself, well, it’s not that interesting mechanically. What it really is, is a two-door version of the dedicated-hybrid Insight econo-car. But remember, the original CRX was just a slightly shorter Civic, and it was still revolutionary. The CR-Z gets power from the combination of a 1.5L clean-burning gas four cylinder as well as Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. In addition to the Insight’s dreadful rubber-band CVT, the CR-Z will be offered with a short-throw six speed manual transmission, for people that actually enjoy driving.

So it won’t exactly be overwhelmed with horsepower, but with a lighter curb weight than the Insight as well as a lower center of gravity, it should be an entertaining car to fling around the bends. Furthermore, expect fuel mileage and emissions numbers to be pretty stellar, just to add icing to the cake.

The styling is hard to criticize – I’d go so far as to say it’s sort of attractive. Then again, I see a lot of CR-X in the design, and I (clearly) have a soft spot in my heart for the CRX. Still, the proportions are excellent, and it looks compact yet solid and full of energy. The greenhouse is 100% modern CRX to me, but the front end is something else – huge gaping front grilles aren’t something I expect from Honda. But you know how it works – if Audi’s doing, everyone’s doing it!

About the only questionable thing I see, at least stylistically, are those bangle-esque taillights. I think perhaps the intersection of curves and hard lines just looks odd in pictures, but the back is lacking the harmony and cleanliness of the original. Still, at least it’s got that vertical glass pane in the back for reversing! If it worked in 1985, it’ll work today…

The interior looks like a mixture of Acura RSX and Honda Insight, but for a compact economy two-seater, it looks extremely nice. I especially like the large, high-definition LCD screen in the center dash, as well as the “pods” orbiting the main gauge cluster. You can see what I’m talking about better from a straight-on angle.

Although this isn’t the “full production” version of the CR-Z, expect it to appear nearly the same as this “pre-production concept.” Perhaps the huge blingey wheels will hit the garbage bin (where they belong), but otherwise what you see is what you’ll get. There should be more pictures and details on the CR-Z forthcoming next week at the Tokyo Auto Show, so stay tuned!

All Aluminum Audi A5 Prototype is 220-Pounds Lighter

Aluminum is a great material. Light, easy to work, strong if you can design with it right and relatively plentiful (if you’ve got access to lots of electricity to refine it). Audi recently gave a textbook demonstration about just what aluminum can offer by making an A5 prototype that makes extensive use of the alloy.

The A5 in question has allowed Audi to shave nearly 220-pounds from its handsome Coupe. The engineers from Audi swapped out the normal steel bits for advanced aluminum as well as carbon fiber here and there in the interest of fuel economy, emissions reduction and handling agility.

Audi did this as a way to go against the tide of rising car weights. Airbags, door beams and the like have all contributed to cars getting fatter and fatter. Audi took an existing steel-bodied A5 and clearly demonstrated the benefits of the aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) concept. The use of ASF reduces the weight of a car body by at least 40% compared with conventional steel construction. That means dropping the overall weight from 3,130 pounds down to 2,888 pounds.

Dropping the weight meant that Audi could do away with the standard V6 and use a four cylinder engine, and still have the same performance. Not only is the performance the same, but naturally, there are gains in economy and emissions and also to other ancillaries such as the brakes and transmission, which can also be reduced in size and weight. The handling is also markedly improved.

So why hasn’t aluminum seen widespread use in the auto industry? There’s a few reasons. First, in comparison to steel, aluminum is a little harder (and therefore expensive) to refine. Aluminum is also more costly to mine in some respects and the tooling needed to work it is also more expensive than the tooling used for steel forming.

There is also the mitigating factor that since gas prices and environmental concerns have only recently come onto the radar of car manufacturers, there has not been the motivation to really make cars all that light. They’ve been used to working with, buying and sourcing steel for the bodies of their cars, so why not go with what you know.

Well, times change, and Audi has pointed out what Colin Chapman and any sportscar guy will be able to tell you: “To go fast, add lightness”.

Toyota Camry Reviews - 2009

Toyota New Camry Wallpaper

Toyota Camry Best Wallpaper

Toyota Camry Best Picture

The 2009 Camry has been rated as a top 10 Sedan. The 2009 Toyota Camry 4 door is a 5-passenger sedan that is offered in 10 models starting with the Camry-Grade MT and extending to the XLE V6 AT. The 2009 Toyota Camry Camry-Grade MT has a routine 2.5 liter, I4, 158hp engine while the XLE V6 AT has a 3.5 liter, V6, 268hp engine. A 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission is routine. The 2009 Toyota Camry averages 19mpg city and 28mpg on the highway. A 36,000/36 month is the basic warranty for the 2009 Toyota Camry.

The Toyota Camry XLE V6 AT comes with these standard features - power accessories, vehicle anti-theft, anti-lockout, CD changer, MP3 player, Bluetooth® access, automatic headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, air filter, automatic climate control, rear HVAC ducts, cruise control, steering wheel mounted controls, trip computer with miles until empty, temperature gauge, compass, keyless entry, remote trunk, remote fuel door, universal garage door opener, trunk anti-trap, front dual reclining seats, leather seating, driver power lumbar seat, tilt steering column, lockable/illuminated glove box, sunroof, sunshade, intermittent wipers, rear defroster, illuminated vanity mirrors and power/heated exterior mirrors. *All features may not be standard on other 2009 Toyota Camry models.

These are some of the optional upgrades for the 2009 Toyota Camry 4dr: VIP security system, stability control, navigation system, Smart Key Card, remote ignition, heated seats and a variety of other upgrades.

The 2009 Toyota Camry 4 dr has a starting price of $19,145.

Toyota Camry Image

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2009 Hummer H2 SUV

The 2009 Hummer H2 SUV is a carryover from 2008. The Hummer H2 SUV is a 4-door, 7-passenger ultimate luxury SUV that is available in 3 trims - the Hummer H2 SUV Base, Adventure and Luxury. The Hummer H2 SUV trims have a customary 6.2-liter, V8, 393hp flexible fuel engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. A 50,000 mile/48 month basic warranty comes with the 2009 Hummer H2 SUV.

Hummer H2 Black Chrome Limited Edition 2009 - Front Angle View

The 2009 Hummer H2 SUV comes with the following features: - full power accessories, power sunroof, universal garage door opener, remote ignition, keyless entry, multi-function remote, automatic headlights, daytime running lights, anti-theft tracking, safety airbags, child safety door locks, radio anti-theft, front/rear power outlets, pre-wiring, tilt steering column, heated steering wheel, tow hitch receiver, second row folding/heated seat, driver/passenger power/memory/heated/lumbar seats, leather interior, traction/stability control, 4WD, AWD, ABS brakes, exterior rails, leather steering wheel, hands free telephone, second row sound controls, radio display system, trip computer, tire pressure monitor, steering wheel mounted controls, outside temperature gauge, compass, cruise control, interval wipers, tinted/privacy glass, rear defroster, dual automatic climate controls, illuminated vanity mirrors and power/heated/memory mirrors. The 2009 Hummer H2 SUV Luxury has an electronic parking aid, third row removable seat, navigation aid, DVD player and a CD changer.

Optional features for the 2009 Hummer H2 SUV include: a tool kit with flashlight, rearview camera, 20" chrome alloy wheels, air springs and GPS.

The luxury 2009 Hummer H2 SUV has a starting price of $63,090.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

Bulky, but swoopy.

Here we have Buick’s 2010 LaCrosse large FWD sedan. Aimed squarely at the heart of the market, the new LaCrosse offers premium features, upscale styling and a bevy of contemporary engine and comfort technologies to entice buyers into their local Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealerships.

This design is a huge leap forward for the LaCrosse; the predecessor, while vaguely contemporary, bore a strong resemblance to the 1996 Ford Taurus. Next to that design, the new form is a revelation. In the broader marketplace, it fits well, and conveys a thoroughly contemporary visage. The chunky bumper and rocker volumes, combined with the 19-inch wheels seen here, plant the big sedan firmly in the massive and heavy camp.

GM design VP Ed Welburn claims that the LaCrosse “is instantly recognizable as a Buick, with its signature ’sweep spear’ bodyside styling, portholes inside the character line on the hood, and waterfall grille.” The grille and portholes do, in fact, say ‘Buick’. And the sweep spear feature line does harken to Buick designs from the 50s and 60s. But the stance, proportion, and execution are much more in line with premium sedans from Lexus and Lincoln than anything buyers might associate with recent Buicks

FWD, long wheelbase, chunky bumpers, shallow greenhouse.

In profile, the FWD stance of the LaCrosse is apparent. Like all new designs, the bumper/grille/headlamp cluster and leading edge of the hood all combine to form the leading surface of the car. Artful sculpting minimizes the length of the front overhang from many angles. Then we find the most distinctive element of the design: the Buick sweep spear, starting at the headlamp cluster, gently rising over the front axle then gradually falling until just ahead of the rear wheel arch, where it kicks up over the rear wheels before and meeting the wraparound taillamp cluster.

This is a beautifully sculpted feature line, and one that Buick can “own” the way BMW once owned the Hoffmeister kink. It is a smart move by GM, as the reverse wedge wars seem like they will never end, and Buick certainly is not the place for such gimmickry.

The shallow greenhouse is very typical for recent GM sedans. The CTS and Malibu both share this trait. The short DLO helps visually extend the profile, imparting a lower look to the car overall. But, much like the Lincoln MKS, the artful detailing cannot completely hide the actual proportions of the architecture: big and tall. The long wheelbase and long rear door also convey the idea that this car is meant for comfort and probably would make a great vehicle for long trips.

Buick, evolved.

Viewed directly from the rear, the tail of the car is the least distinctive angle. Thick swabs of chrome accent the taillight housings and of course the massive chrome bar above the license plate detente ensures all who follow know that this car is very luxurious.

In this rear 3/4 view, the sweep spear is evident, as are the long, low, gently arching roof, the near-fastback rake of the c-pillar, and the well-placed wheels. The design feels complete, fresh, and uncompromised. And, while it is not avant-garde, it is just as modern as recent efforts from Acura, Audi, and Jaguar. The car looks rather large, but the stigma of appearing to be an old man’s car is totally gone with this new design.

GM has done well to retain some essence of Buick-ness while at the same time leaping into uncharted waters for the brand. Unlike the MKS, which has almost no emotional tie to Lincoln, the LaCrosse is at once a totally new design without abandoning it’s heritage. If potential buyers can get past the fear (and stigma) of purchasing a new GM vehicle, there may be life left in the Buick brand after all.

Jaguar supercar in the works?

It’s set to be one of the fastest cars ever built, proof that the future of the British motor industry has never been brighter

Jaguar is getting ready to reinvent its stunning XJ220, … likely to make a dramatic appearance at a major international motor show in the next 18 months. [...] The revolutionary sports car is being developed by the firm’s best engineers as a rival to the Audi R8. It’s based on an all-new aluminium chassis, which has been developed using the same know-how behind both the XJ and XK models.

2012 Jaguar XE?

Whether the story is really true or just a fabrication, we cannot overlook the raw beauty captured in this rendering. While it does lean on a few cliches, and we’re unlikely to ever see headlights quite that slim in a production car, the rest of the design is viable and is a fresh, Jaguar-oriented take on the familiar supercar formula.

The classic Jaguar grille is used to great effect, and the undergrille sculpturing of the fascia is very well done. The strongest feature, though, is the side surfacing - the quarter window’s trailing edge scoop that flows forward to meet the widening fender swell creates momentum and character. The rendering is clearly influenced by Audi’s R8, and in a drawing critical details like proportion and tire size can be left to fantasy. But as a conceptual starting point, this here take on a Jaguar mid-engined sports car is a clear winner.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Geiger GTS

The announcement was clear: “It is very important for Corvette, to offer the strongest, most high performance and best sports car in terms of handling in the USA.” With these words the former chairman of General Motors Rick Wagoner set his engineers a clear goal around two years ago, which also included trumping the Dodge Viper SRT10, which was shown at the Detroit Car Show shortly before, in all regards.
The technicians got to work and so the next year the persons responsible were able to proudly unveil the quickest and highest performance series vehicle ever produced by General Motors: the Corvette ZR1.

Under the sheer endlessly long bonnet of the ZR1 lurks a newly developed LS96.2 litre small block V8 with compressor supercharging. Pressurised by the Eaton R2300 compressor with up to 0.72 bar, this primitive engine gets up to 647 HP and a maximum torque of 823Nm.

Further technical highlights of the extreme Corvette are its high performance breaking system with their 394 and 381 mm diameter carbon ceramic discs, as well as the electronically controlled suspension “Magnetic Selective Ride Control” with track level suspension mounting. Bonnet, roof, sill, rear wing and front spoiler are made of super light, but at the same time high strength carbon.

GeigerCars.de from Munich, which has specialised in the import and refinement of US cars for years, has not only brought this extreme sportsman from the United States to Germany, it has also optionally subjected it to diverse tuning measures at the same time – the first example of the Corvette ZR1 “Geiger GTS” will be presented to the world public at the 63rd International Automobile Exhibition at Frankfurt am Main from 17th to 27th September.

The datasheet for the Corvette ZR1 “Geiger GTS” shows 710 HP maximum performance with 6,600 rotations per minute and the car produces gigantic 918 Nm on the crankshaft at only 4,200 revs. Set up in this way the ZR1 storms up to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, and at the same time nails the back of the occupants’ head to the head rest of the Geiger carbon sport seats. The propulsion only ends at a speed of 342 kilometres per hour.

At these values the hardest work is done by the 10 x 19 and 12 x 20 inch high performance tyres mounted on light metal rims with the dimensions 285/30ZR19 at the front and 345/25ZR20 at the rear tyres.

Of course GeigerCars extensively modified the look of the Corvette, lending it a styling, which is reminiscent of the large Gran Turismos of the 60’s and 70’s. The front and back were extensively modified; a wide air vent dominates the nose, while a massive diffuser attracts attention at the back. Both the fog and rear lights are based on modern LED semi conductive technology. The three layer mother of pearl varnish of the Corvette ZRI “Geiger GTS” with changing colour play is also a real eye catcher.

2010 Toyota Land Cruiser - Video, Photo, Detail

With a heritage reaching back almost 60 years and with five million customers in 176 countries around the world, the Toyota Land Cruiser has become an icon of the 4WD market, its name synonymous with Toyota's core values of quality, durability and reliability.

That peerless pedigree provides the platform for the debut of a new generation Land Cruiser at the Frankfurt motor show, a model that goes further than ever before to deliver true go-anywhere toughness and on-road driving poise.

Land Cruiser's reputation has been built on its ability to meet owners' demands for a vehicle that is utterly reliable in even the harshest off-road conditions, yet offering performance and refinement appropriate for day-to-day driving.

With its new model Toyota has extended Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities with a higher level of on-board guidance and technical support for the driver. New, user-friendly functions have been introduced that can help make tricky routes passable, over terrain on which even accomplished off-road drivers might feel challenged.

The quality and scope of these new features help make the all-new Land Cruiser one of the most technically advanced but enjoyable and easy to drive off-road vehicles in the world.

Style and comfort are important to 4WD customers, too, hence Land Cruiser combines it off-road toughness with pleasing on-road driving characteristics and higher standards of quality and comfort.

Bodystyle and powertrain

In the UK new Land Cruiser will be offered exclusively as a five-door model with seven seats (LC3 model has five seats with optional third row), powered by a revised 171bhp 3.0-litre D-4D diesel engine with five-speed automatic transmission. A three-door model and a 4.0-litre V6 Dual VVT-i petrol engine will be available in other European markets, but there are no plans for these to be offered in the UK. Combined cycle fuel economy is a best-in-class 34.9mpg and CO2 emissions are 214g/km, improvements of 5.1 and 4.5 per cent respectively on current Land Cruiser performance.

Suspension, ride and handling

The rigidity of the body-on-frame construction has been increased by 11 per cent and insulating frame-to-body mounts have been added to absorb engine, drivetrain and road noise, and to improve ride comfort.

The front independent double wishbone and rear four-link lateral rod suspension systems have been revised for extra comfort and steering feel. LC4 and LC5 models grade models are equipped with a new electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which adjusts the front and rear anti-roll bars for optimised on and off-road performance.

The flagship LC5 version benefits from Toyota's Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system with Roll Posture Control, which lets the driver tune the ride characteristics with a choice of three damper settings. An electronically controlled rear air suspension system works with the AVS, providing an auto-levelling function and switchable height control. The air suspension is also effective in absorbing high frequency vibrations and reducing road-generated NVH.

Off-road technology

A new feature launched by Toyota in the new-generation Land Cruiser is Multi-terrain Select, which automatically controls power and braking to optimise performance for different types of off-road surfaces. At the same time, the Multi-terrain Monitor feeds real time images from around the vehicle from a network of four cameras to provide the driver with more information about the immediate surroundings. The new Steering Angle Display shows the position of the vehicle's wheels and its predicted path, further helping the driver plot a safe route.

The Crawl Control feature lets the driver choose from five different setting to optimise vehicle set-up to tackle even extreme conditions with precision and control, without having to use the throttle or brake pedals. Crawl Control will also help the driver free the vehicle, should it become stuck in mud or sand.

Interior packaging

New Land Cruiser has a more spacious and refined cabin with accommodation for seven in three rows. The second row seats have a sliding range of 135mm and a more flexible 40:20:40 configuration, with reclining seatbacks. A walk-in, slide and tilt function gives easy access to the third row seats.

The two third row seats (an option on the five-seat LC3 model) are full-size with integral headrests and they fold completely flat into the loadspace floor when not required. The footwell floor has been lowered by more than 38mm for a more comfortable seating position and, thanks to the slide adjustment of the second row seats, legroom extends to more than double that in the current Land Cruiser.

The left and right hand seats can be raised and lowered independently, using the Toyota Easy Flat system; LC4 and LC5 grade models this function is power-controlled at the touch of a button. Controls are handily located both inside the tailgate and behind the second row seats.

The flexibility of the seating is complimented by numerous, practical storage spaces, including a compartment with a USB port for simultaneous connection and charging of portable music players, and a large centre console box that can be fitted with a compact fridge unit.

Equipment features

Land Cruiser benefits from a range of high-tech, user-friendly systems to make life on board easier and more comfortable. The Smart Entry and Start system works in conjunction with sequenced lighting, and at the rear the tailgate has a top-hinged glass section that allows access to the load space even in tight parking spaces. Everyone can enjoy a comfortable cabin environment thanks to a separate air conditioning unit for the rear, giving new Land Cruiser a triple-zone climate control (LC4 and LC5 models only).

A multi-information switch on the steering wheel brings together several features under a single control, and the cameras used by the Multi-terrain Monitor also provide Wide-view Front, Side and Back Guide Monitors for easier manoeuvring in tight spaces and visibility at blind junctions.

Land Cruiser LC4 and LC5 models are equipped with a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis Premium Surround Sound System, giving 7.1 channel sound from compatible CDs and DVDs. It features an 11-channel, 605W Digital Signal Processing amplifier and, using the navigation system's Hard Disc Drive (HDD), offers a "sound library" facility, capable of transferring and storing up to 2,000 tracks from CDs.

Grade structure and outline equipment specifications

New Land Cruiser will be available in the UK in three equipment grades: LC3, LC4 and LC5. Equipment highlights are provided in the table below, with additional features across the board compared to current Land Cruiser specifications.

LC3
LC4 (adds)
LC5 (adds)

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Active Torque Control (A-TRC)
Electronically modulated Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS)
Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)/Active height control

Downhill Assist Control (DAC) with Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
Triple-zone climate control air conditioning
Sunroof

Seven airbags, including driver’s knee airbag
Rear privacy glass
Seat memory package

ABS with EBD
18-inch alloys
Crawl Control

Active front headrests
Toyota Easy Flat rear seat system with third row seats (powered)
Multi-terrain Monitor

17-inch alloys
Third row curtain airbags
Steering Angle Display

Fog lamps
Leather upholstery
Multi-terrain Select system

Roof rails
Electric, heated front seats
Rear seat entertainment system

Cruise control air conditioning
Illuminated entry

Smart Entry and Start
Rain-sensing wipers

Climate control
Dusk-sensing headlights

Scuff plates
Auto-dimming rear view mirror

6-speaker audio system
Rear parking monitor

Bluetooth
Front and rear parking sensors

Optional 3rd seat row
HDD navigation system

JBL 14-speaker premium audio


Preliminary technical specifications

ENGINE
3.0 D-4D

Engine type
Four cylinders in-line

Displacement (cc)
2,982

Fuel injection type
Common rail

Emissions level
Euro 4

Max power (bhp @ rpm)
171 @ 3,400

Max torque (Nm/rpm)
410 @ 1,600-2,800

PERFORMANCE

Acceleration 0-62mph (sec)
11.7

Max. speed (mph)
109

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

Overall length (mm)
4,760

Overall width (mm)
1,885

Overall height (mm)
1,845

Wheelbase (mm)
2,790

Front overhang (mm)
895

Rear overhang (mm)
1,075

TYRES AND WHEELS

Wheels
17 or 18-inch

Tyres
245/70R17 or 265/60R18

OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE

Approach angle (°)
32

Departure angle (°)
25

Ramp angle (°)
22

Side angle limit (°)
42

Minimum running ground clearance (mm)
220

Wading depth (mm)
700

FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS

Combined cycle (mpg)
34.9mpg

CO2 emissions (g/km)
214

SUSPENSION

Front
Double wishbone

Rear Four-link with lateral rod
Four-link with lateral rod
TOWING CAPACITY

Braked (kg)
3,000

Unbraked (kg)
750


Disclaimer

1. Fuel consumption and CO2 values are measured in a controlled environment, in accordance with the requirements of Directive 80/1268/EEC, including its amendments, on a basic production vehicle. For more information about the basic production vehicle, please contact the Toyota press office.

2. The fuel consumption and CO2 values of your vehicle may very from those measured. Driving behaviour, as well as other factors (such as road conditions, traffic, vehicle conditions, installed equipment, load, number of passenger, etc) play a role in determining a car's fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Audi R8 Spyder

What do you add to the fastest, sexiest Audi ever made? Open air. The Audi R8 Spyder ($TBA) is a new drop-top version of Audi's signature Supercar, featuring a 5.2 V10 engine pumping out 525 hp, twin oval tail pipes, a brushed aluminum frame for the windshield, a retractable soft-top, all-wheel drive, and all the LED lighting a geek could ask for.

2010 Saab 9-5

Those of you looking for an alternative to the standard Bimmer, Benz, or Lexus sedan now have a new option: the 2010 Saab 9-5 ($TBA). An all-new design, the 9-5 offers a choice of 2.0L gas, 2.0L diesel, 2.8L V6, or 1.6L turbocharged engines, and boasts high-end features like an aircraft-inspired head-up display, adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, Saab's DriveSense adaptive chassis with real-tim damping control, an 8-inch touchscreen navigation system with hard disk storage for both maps and music, USB and auxiliary input ports, keyless entry and startup, tri-zone climate control, parking assistance and Saab's XWD all-wheel-drive system.

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari

Focal point on the Abarth stand at the upcoming 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show is the limited-edition Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, a performance version of the Fiat 500 inspired by the Scorpion's long association with the Prancing Horse.

The two Fiat brands — founded, respectively, by Karl Abarth and Enzo Ferrari — crossed paths more than half a century ago, when Abarth created a one-off spyder body for the 1953 Ferrari 166/250MM series that competed in such road races as the Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia.

Abarth says its new 695 Tributo Ferrari was developed in cooperation with Ferrari's engineering department and "offers Ferrari customers a small but exciting small car for all their...needs, including practical urban mobility."

Abarth's definition of "practical urban mobility" apparently includes a Fiat 1.4 Turbo T-Jet four-cylinder engine tuned to spit out 180 horsepower and mated to an MTA (automated manual transmission) electromechanical gearbox with paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel.

Other performance enhancements include oversize Brembo brakes, stiffer shocks, 17-inch alloy wheels shod with low-profile tires and a Record Monza dual-mode exhaust system with variable backpressure.

The 695 Tributo Ferrari is finished in — what else? — Scuderia Red, with wheels and rear air intakes painted Racing Gray and outside mirrors trimmed in carbon fiber. Xenon headlamps are courtesy of Magneti Marelli.

The cockpit of this customized Fiat features Abarth Corsa by Sabelt seats with carbon-fiber shell and black leather upholstery, a black-leather-trimmed steering wheel with red leather inserts, Jaeger instrumentation, aluminum-covered footwells and racing pedals emblazoned with the Abarth Scorpion logo.

2010 Tesla Roadster Sport - Photo, Detail, Price

Tesla Motors Inc. began taking orders today for the Roadster Sport, a high-performance sports car based on the world’s leading all-electric, zero-emission vehicle.

The Roadster Sport does 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, compared with 3.9 seconds for the standard Roadster. It comes with a hand-wound stator and increased winding density for lower resistance and higher peak torque. In addition to Yokohama’s Ultra High Performance tires, the Roadster Sport has improved suspension with adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that will be tuned to the driver’s preference.

The Roadster Sport starts at $128,500 in the United States and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. Deliveries begin in late June.

“This car can beat nearly anything in its price class – yet it is twice as efficient as compact hybrid sedans,” said Michael van der Sande, Tesla’s senior vice president of global sales, service and marketing. “If you refuse to compromise on performance or the environment, the Roadster Sport is your only option.”

The Roadster Sport is the first derivative of Tesla’s proprietary, patented powertrain. San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla plans to begin producing the all-electric, zero-emssion Model S five-passenger sedan in 2011.

Tesla has delivered more than 150 Roadsters to customers, and about 1,100 people are on the waiting list. Customers who haven’t taken delivery may upgrade to the Roadster Sport.

“The Roadster Sport embodies Tesla’s spirit of continuous improvement,” said CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “The Roadster has been a great success, but no one at this company remains satisfied with the status quo.”