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Mitsubishi finally announced pricing information on its new Evolution MR Touring model, and its not cheap.  With a base MSRP of $40,990, the top of the line Lancer finally spills over the $40K line, and is no longer has a ”bargain” sticker next to it.  If you were to go and check every option box when you were to order one, you may actually start considering something a lot more in the sport luxury segment like Audi or BMW.  The fully loaded 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring would retail for $52,728!  you heard me right, fifty plus thousand dollar Mitsubishi Lancer.  I am sure the actual price will be much closer to $47K tops, but it is still a very large number to swallow (at least for me).

You get the typical 291-horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine, paddle-shifted dual clutch six-speed transmission, Brembo brakes, 18-inch BBS wheels with Yokohama Advans, Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system.  I am sure what Mitsubishi is trying to do is to attract an older crowd by introducing this model, but will they be able to justify this hefty price tag?

Here is a complete list of details:

Official Release Info:

Base Price
$40,990 + $720 destination

Standard Features Click here to read more…

PRESS RELEASE:

Introducing the New 2010 Lotus Exige S240

The exciting new 2010 Lotus Exige S240 enters the United States and Canadian markets in the fall of 2009 with new front styling, a new rear wing and the same rare combination of exceptional performance and high efficiency.

The Lotus Exige is a renowned high performance coupe that has a well earned reputation as the choice for drivers who demand uncompromised performance, both on the road and on the track.

Click here to read more…

Toyota is kicking it up a notch by still trying to stay ahead of its competition with introducing an all new Prius Hybrid.  It is not here for sale just yet but just to give you an idea of what we may be looking at, it will come with high-output, lithium-ion battery that can be charged in 90 minutes.  It will also go 20 km in EV mode and run up to 62 mph on electricity.  Below is the complete press release from Toyota.

PRESS RELEASE

Clean urban mobility Prius and Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept

Reinforcing the company’s environmental leadership in addressing the needs of tomorrow’s customers today, Toyota is leading the drive towards sustainable mobility through the goal of the ultimate Eco Car.

In recognition of the importance of energy diversification, the latest development in Toyota’s plug-in vehicle programme, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, represents a significant expansion of the Hybrid Synergy Drive® system’s capabilities and introduces a further development in environmentally-friendly mobility.
Click here to read more…

Mercedes Benz’s highly anticipated SLS AMG, is set to debut next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.  The car has 300SL-inspired “Gullwing” doors that look great,  and even more importantly, powered by 563 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque propelled by the rear wheels from the front to mid-mounted 6.3-liter AMG V8.  Thanks to its lightweight structure that is predominantly made from carbon fiber, the SLS AMG will get to 60 miles per hour in a mere 3.7 seconds and will reach a top speed of 197 mph.

The motor, codenamed M159, is fully restructured when compared to the current M156 currently used in virtually every AMG product. An new intake manifold system, restructured valve gear and camshaft, and a dethrottled exhaust system are all responsible for the 9 percent performance boost.  A dry sump lubrication system also makes it in to the new car.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the engine will also be capable of averaging about 18 mpg. 

The production of the car is planned to for next year and will retail from €177,310 (including VAT) in Europe when it goes on sale, but the pricing for North America has not yet been released.

Source:  Straightline

Meet the new 2010 Lotus Exige Cup 260.  This is a faster, stiffer, lighter version of the already very quick, and nimble Exige S introduced in March of this year.

Power is delivered through the same 257 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque supercharged 1.8-liter Toyota engine.  Exige Cup 260 saves more weight by using carbon fiber parts, lightweight battery, wheels, subframe, fly wheel, and rear-window.  They even forgone as far as removing carpets, rearview mirror, and sun visors.  Talk about hard core! 

After adding all this up, the final number is just 1,958 pounds!  it can hit 60 mph in just four seconds flat, thanks to its extremely light weight and a new launch control system.  The handling should be further improved by stiffening the rear-end with two-way adjustable Ohlins dampers.  And now the price, since there is no official price release, rumor has it that it should be about $80K MSRP in US.

Press Release:

The 2010 Model Year Lotus Exige Cup 260 Click here to read more…

A new Porsche GT3 Cup gets revealed.  Some new features include wider body, lower stance for more down force, competition-spec exhaust, racing wheels that sit in a wider wheel wells, and firmer suspension settings.  A new steering wheel comes with mounted controls, full adjustable column, and carbon-ceramic brakes.

The new engine is being brought in from GT3 RS which is a 3.8-liter 450 horsepower flat-six.  you can only order it in white color, and it will set you back 150,000 euros ($215k US).  The new GT3 Cup will debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Show.  

Here is a complete press release:

Click here to read more…

As Frankfurt Auto show is up on us, Wiesmann has something new to show us.  A new MF5 Roadster that has taken a lot of good attributes from the MF4 Roadster will packs the 507-hp V10 engine from the BMW M5 and stuffed in to a smaller lighter roadster frame for what is expected to be a very exciting drive.  The expected 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) should come in just 3.9 seconds with a top speed claimed to be 310 km/h (192 mph).

Weismann is expecting to build only 55 samples, and will be sold at a list price of €189,500 (circa $313k USD). 

Here is the official press release:

Click here to read more…

PRESS RELEASE:

The 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 – American Market Version

* 13.08.2009
* Press Release

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, 13 August 2009, 6pm Eastern… BMW announced today the production version of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September and will reach US BMW Centers in fourth-quarter 2009. ActiveHybrid technology provides a glimpse into the future, achieving outstanding driving dynamics with equally impressive efficiency. It melds both of these qualities to offer a truly unique driving experience. The world’s first Sports Activity Coupe with full hybrid drive capitalizes on the options offered by combining the combustion engine with electric motors to create a powertrain with new levels dynamic performance and efficiency.

Click here to read more…

General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson has announced ad very interesting piece of news today regarding Chevy Volt.  It has been promissed that Volt will have a staggering 230 MPG rating in the city, but apperently this is not as simple as GM would like you to believe.  The EPA has released a new way for calculating and determining a fuel economy standard for extended-range EVs like the Volt, and this is the system that has shown Chevy’s unusually large triple digit MPG rating.

Unfortunately, the promised November ship date looks like will slip again, and this time to an unknown month and year.  Another interesting fact is that report has also noted that there is “no assurance” that it will qualify for any remaining energy loans to develop advanced fuel technology automobiles.  Here are some words directly out of the report regarding this: “Our competitors and others are pursuing similar technologies and other competing technologies, in some cases with more money available; there can be no assurance that they will not acquire similar or superior technologies sooner than we do.”

Hmm Very interesting, right?

Source: AutoblogGreen

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has confirmed that the company is working on a hybrid version of Lamborghini Gallardo.  This was only a matter of time since every car manufacturer is jumping on the electric band wagon.  This electric super car is expected to hit the market in 2015, the same exact year as Ferrari will be releasing their fuel saving version.

But do not wary you super car lovers, Lamborghini is not planning to replace gasoline power plant completely.  The plan is to have a small electric motor that would propel the cat at low speeds, after which either the so much loved V10 or V12 engine would take over and let the fun begin.  

We will all be eagerly awaiting more details on this future car.

Source:  Popular Science