Lexus Introduces New IS-Series Convertible

Lexus has just announced that they will be producing a hardtop convertible version of their entry level automobiles, the IS series.
The cars will come in two flavors, with the IS250C using the same 2.5 liter V6 as the IS250 sedan, and the IS350C using the 3.5 liter used in the IS350, ES350, and GS350 models. The cars will blend typical Lexus luxury and refinement with open-air driving, that will hopefully erase any need to buy the company's other droptop, the horrendously ugly SC430 that needs to meet a quick and quiet death.
The IS series is a big hit in the United States, especially since its redesign in 2006. Lexus' first sports sedan, the IS-F, was released last year, and it based on the IS series.

Click here for the RoadandTrack.com article.

Posted by: Cameron

SVS Codatronca TS

Do you recognize this car? A casual observer would probably say "Car? You mean fighter jet, right?" I'm sure the car buffs noticed right away, but to those that haven't, look closely, and you'll see that this is in fact, an Italian-modified Corvette Z06.

The Codatronca was created by the Spada design family, and in an interview with Inside Line, Paolo Spada says "You either love it irrationally, or you don't." Only 20 of these cars will ever be produced, yet I felt compelled to blog about it anyway, so it's probably obvious by now that I fall into the latter category.

This catapault-of-a-car is powered by the 7 liter, V8 Corvette Z06 Engine, and is tuned to pack 621 horsepower and 493 1b-ft torque. If 621 hp just isn't enough, buyers also have the option of getting it supercharged for an extra 69 horses. The Codatronca is also 200 pounds lighter than its Corvette cousin.

Here's a youtube video if you want to see multiple angles of this car. It seems to me like car enthusiasts are divided on the looks of the Codatronca. Personally, it is unlike any other car I have seen, which is both alluring and intriguing.


Posted by: Frank M.

The Camaro: Ready for Comeback?

After missing from the market for 8 years, Chevrolet is finally bringing back its pony car, the Camaro. The new car is quite a beast, and quite a different machine than the last few models, which Chevy stopped producing in 2002. After letting Ford monopolize the big-power, low-price car segment for the last few years, both GM and Dodge are coming back full-force, determined to knock the blue oval guys off their pedestal.

Chevy has started shipping off base V-6 models to various magazines, such as Car and Driver, in order to generate some buzz for the car. The Camaro uses the same 3.6 liter 300hp V-6 as the higher-end Cadillac CTS. The engine is coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission, or an optional 6-speed automatic. This kills the competition as far as refined engines and components goes. The Mustang uses a 4.0 liter V-6 pumping out a laughable 210hp through a 5-speed stick or auto, and the Challenger uses a 250hp V-6 using an archaic 4-speed automatic.
The new Camaro is going to be competitively priced, estimated at around $23,000. Its a couple grand more than the competitors, but for the extra dough, expect a fully independant rear suspension (so the ride isn't too harsh and cornering a bit more manageable than other offerings), a nicer interior, a more refined engine package, and those badass looks.

Click for the full CarAndDriver Review

Posted by: Cameron

Putting the muscle in BMW

One of my favorite cars of all time is the BMW M series. It's when luxury meets speed resulting in a high-performance vehicle. When the new M6 coupe came out, I was thrilled. This new M series vehicle is the sports car of all BMW. Here are some of the specs and prices.

M6 Coupe 2008
Starting at $101,700 MSRP
5.0-literV-10 engine
500 horsepower
Rear-wheel drive

The car is a little pricey, but worth every cent you spend on it. With great handling, great speed, super luxury leather seats, and awesome sound system. You will not regret purchasing a such a fine machine. As they say, "You get what you pay for" in this case it's true.

Posted by: Peter

2009 Dodge Challenger: A Reinvented Classic

In 2008, Dodge re-introduced the nation to the Challenger, the remake of the highly collectible muscle car from 1970 and 1971. In December of '07, Chrysler began taking deposits for the car, and eventually sold out the entire production run of 6,400 cars!

Now, the 2009 model year is upon us, and the Challenger is back. There are a few minor changes and updates compared to the 2008 model, which largely depend on the trim level.

The Challenger is offered in the bottom-end SE, which is powered by a 3.5L V6, the mid-level R/T, which offers a 5.7L V8 HEMI, as well as the R/T classic, which offers a little more retro-styling, and finally the SRT8, which offers an even bigger 6.1L V8.

Despite all of the hype and coverage of the Challenger in the auto community, the general public has yet to catch on. Since the introduction of the SE this model year has created a much more affordable version, I wager this will change. MSRP for the SE trim level starts at a mere $21,320. However, for those who are more inclined towards the more powerful version, the SRT8 is still a relatively affordable $39,320. Combine that with all the 0% financing deals running around, and Ford's Mustang just might have found its first real competitor...

Here's another video by Inside Line that shows the Challenger in action.


Posted by: Frank M.

OC Auto Show Storms Anaheim

From October 2-5, 2008, the 2009 OC Auto Show swept through the Anaheim Convention Center and showcased new models, concept cars, and new trim lines from the automotive industries finest car manufacturers.
The event showcased new models from Chevrolet, Pontiac, Toyota,
and Hyundai, concept cars from Chrysler and Saturn, and new trim levels including the Dodge Challenger SE and R/T and the Pontiac Solstice Coupe. Also present were F1 cars from Honda and Acura. The show is more of a precursor to the Los Angeles Auto Show that is far larger and attracts more attention that will be held at the end of November this year. As such, floor space is much more limited, and some manufacturers like Porsche and Mitsubishi were not even present at the OC Auto Show.


Click pictures for larger photos.

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT-8

Audi R8



Nissan GT-R



2009 Volkswagen Passat CC



Hyundai Genesis Coupe

2009 Toyota Venza



2009 Cadillac CTS-V



Saturn Flextreme Concept



2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe



2010 Pontiac G8 ST




Posted by: Cameron

Toyota Supra's comeback!

Remember the Supra? Of course you do! The super, exotic, imported, sports car from Japan has made a comeback this year. After being discontinued for many years, Toyota will unleash the beast once again. According to Topspeed.com , "There will be both coupe and convertible version of the car...The convertible is reported to have a folding hard top and is intented to be more of a boutique car than a serious sport car. The coupe, however, will be just that, equipped with a 5 liter V8 engine producing 450 hp and 383 lbs-ft of torque. This engine will not be available in the open-air model because of rigidity issues. It is said that when Toyota started development of the Supra, it was only a convertible hard-top form with 4.3 liter V8. Later in the process, Toyota opted to go with a more powerful engine. But with the additional came extra loads that the convertible couldn't’t stand, so the company was forced to create a fixed-roof version of the car.

The Supra’s suspension is one befitting that of a true sport car: upper ad lower A-arms up front and a multilink setup at the rear. No doubt the tuning of the shocks and springs will be different in the V8 and V6 models, but expect both version to be relatively firm."

The V8 Supra is expected to be price at $50,000.
The more affordable version is be priced at $40,000.

Toyota is will have a sports car that will blow competitors out of the water.

Posted by: Peter

Nissan GT-R (R35)

Welcome to our new blog!
Today, we're going to be giving you information on the up and coming, USA street-legal Nissan Skyline GT-R (Also known as the R35).

Nissan's GT-R was originally introduced in Japan in 1990, and it was a hit, to say the least.It was relatively easy to import, but now, almost 20 years later, the car has finally hit US soil.

The GT-R packs 473 horsepower and 433 pounds of torque into a 3.8L Twin-Turbocharged v6 engine.If that's not enough to impress you, maybe this video, by edmund's Inside Line, will change your mind.

Supposedly, less than 10% of all Nissan dealers will be able to carry this car, so despite the 70k MSRP, you can expect a hefty dealer mark-up. Overall, though, this is a lot of car for the money, and rest assured, anyone who drives one will be envied by everyone who doesn't.

Posted by: Frank M.