Auto-Tech HQ

Motor Trend managed to get two of the great cars Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R to go toe to toe in an epic drag race. And the result?

Well, take a look for yourself!

Volkswagen has fleshed out its latest generation Polo lineup with the introduction of a new GTI variant. This latest GTI has the same output as the last hot Pol,o but now produces it on one-quarter less petrol. Each and every one of its 177 horsepower now comes from VW’s twin-charged 1.4-liter TSI inline-four with direct injection, a turbocharger and a mechanical supercharger. The combined fuel efficiency goes from 29.8 miles per gallon to 39.9 mpg on the EU test cycle.

The Polo GTI gets a similar rounded five spoke wheel design to its big brother, the Golf GTI, along with the obligatory red brake calipers and trim on the grille. Note, too, that this is the first Polo to get LED eyeliner running lamps and corner markers along with bi-xenon headlamps. In proper GTI fashion, the seats are covered in a plaid fabric just like the originals of three decades ago. In fact, with the growth of the Golf over six generations, this Polo is actually almost the same size as the original Golf.

Interestingly, the Polo GTI only comes with the quick shifting seven-speed DSG gearbox and sprints to 62 miles per hour in just 6.9 seconds, and handling will be aided by VW’s electronic differential lock, which is said to reduce oversteer.

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The next-generation BMW 3 Series has been announced and is expected to hit the dealerships sometime in 2011 as a 2012 model. The most immediately noticeable change are headlamps, wider grille and new lower front fascia.  The rear gets reworked reflectors.

The most significant updates comes under the hood.  A much loved twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is being replaced by a new single turbo version.  The revised engine, dubbed N55, has recently been launched in the 740i and the 535i Gran Turismo.  The twin scroll turbo has dual exhaust inlets that allow the engineers to better balance the pulses coming in to spin up the turbine faster. BMW is promising to reduce the turbo lag with this new setup.

BMW also claims it has reduced cold-start emissions by routing all the exhaust gases through a single, larger catalytic converter that heats up faster. On the intake side, the throttle is eliminated thanks to the addition of BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve control system. The N55 also gets direct fuel injection.  the final outcome is the same 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque as before, but with better torque curve from 1,200-5,000 rpm.  For more details please read a complete press release.

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Subaru has done it again.  They combined all the best parts from Spec C and added all the great parts and what did they get, an all new Impreza STI R205.  Some of these additions include six-pot (front) and four-pot (rear) brakes with slotted rotors, cast 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped with Potenza RE070 (245/40R18) tires, inverted strut and coil springs, a front strut tower bar, and a lower arm stiffening brace.  

Engine was not left alone as you could have imagined.  A remapped ECU, new exhaust and turbo, complete this beautiful car.  The outcome is a very healthy 316 horsepower and 319 pound-feet of torque.

To differentiate it from a standard STI, the exterior has been modified with an accented black front grille, front and rear diffusers and a black spoiler.  

If you are the lucky one who lives in Japan, you can have this beautiful vehicle for a mere 4,510,000 yen (A little under $49k US), and even that is not a guaranty because Subaru only plans to produce 400 R205 vehicles.  For a complete press release please read below.

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The official press release has confirmed the all new 2011 Mustang GT that will house an all new 5.0 liter V8 engine.  

The all new 5.0 is just like the old 5.0 will be 302 cubic inches (4.9-liters or 4,951cc to be exact).  

The engine will have 32-valves with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT).  It will produces a healthy 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque.  No official word on 0-60 performance figures, but we can expect a mid four second numbers, and a quarter-mile in the high 12s.  

The car will be available in ether all new six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.  With automatic transmission and new Ti-VCT will the new Mustang GT will be able to achieve 25 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.  Manual transmission will get 1 mpg less on both highway and city.  For a complete list of specs please read the official press release below.

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Here is a nice video of two Lamborghinis, one hard top one convertible, have been shot from the helicopter riding around California.  It’s a nice little video with some background music, but it would have been nice to hear some engine sound from these beautiful cars, that is just overpowered by the background music.  In any case here is the video for your pleasure:

Subaru has announced the all new 2010 WRX STI Special Edition.  Some of the features that this model will offer over the existing WRX STI are the suspension package form the JDM WRX STI Spec C (1mm thicker rear anti sway bar, stiffer springs and more rear sub frame bushings).  The model will also inherits the charcoal 18 x 8.5-inch 14-spoke alloy wheels.  

For whatever reason, Special Edition STI will have a downgraded stereo (single-disc CD/four speakers versus six-disc/10 speakers), manual HVAC controls, conventional halogen headlamps, and indicator-free side mirrors.  Why bother including a stereo anyway?  They are obviously trying to shave the extra weight, but maybe they should do the same thing they did in 2004 version of STI?  The features mentioned above will not do the trick.

Subaru says it plans to initially offer a limited production run(125 units) for the Special Edition this Spring, and all painted Aspen White.  Later in 2010, the Special Edition will become a normal production model available in other colors.  Hmm very strange concept.  Pricing has not yet been released.  For more details please read a complete press release. 

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Lotus Evora has been already launched in Europe, and is now in the process to start delivering the new model to U.S.   The production of the US spec cars will starting shortly, and Lotus has finally released an official price , that will start at $73,200.  This prioce will include the 276-hp Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter V6 and a 6-speed transmission.  

this is not your typical Elise or Exige model, the Evora is nicely trimmed in a very fashionable way.  The interior of the car includes hand-stitched leather from Muirhead and exterior aluminum trim.  The car is a little bigger and taller than its smaller cousins, which should make getting in and out of it much easier.  Evora is expected to have at ;east 30 mpg EPA on the highway and for the performance figures, 0-60 time should come in just 4.9 seconds.  Here are some pictures of the car that Lotus released as well as the official press release.

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Last week, BMW released details and photos of the new M3 GTS.  The street legal and track-bred, super-coupe is propelled by the hot 4.4-liter V8 (with slightly increased HP)  and a lightweight body.  We have seen pictures, and read the details, but now lets take a look at the two new videos of this beast ripping through the track.

Finally we get the official introduction to an all new Lexus LFA at the Tokyo Motor Show.  Pictures of Lexus LFA have been leaking for a while, but now we can officially see the true colors and the beauty of this monster of a car.  Take a look at the gallery below to get a close look on exactly what the car will look like once it hits the streets.  Here are the official specs:

• 4.8-liter 72-degree V10 putting out 560 hp at 8,700 RPM (that’s 116.5 hp/liter) and 354 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,800 RPM
• Redline: 9,000 RPM
• Titanium valves, connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, dry sump lubrication and a titanium exhaust manifold
• Six-speed sequential gearbox
• Torsen limited slip differential
• 3,263 pounds with a 48/52 front-to-rear weight distribution
• Power-to-weight ratio of 5.8 pounds/hp
• 65 percent of the body is carbon fiber
• 20-inch BBS wheels wrapped in 265/35 ZR20 Bridgestone tires in front and 305/30 ZR20 in the rear.
• 0-62 MPH (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds
• Top speed of 201.94 MPH
• Production limited to 500 units

The price premium for this car will be $375,000, but I am sure there will not be any problems selling them, due tot he exclusivity of the production run of only 500 units.  We are looking forward to some real road tests soon. 

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