Tuner Gravana and GM unveiled at the SEMA the Saturn Gravana Sky ??? a souped-up version of the popular roadster. The Saturn Gravana Sky features a 300 hp engine, giving it more output than the range toping 260 hp Saturn Sky Redline.
Enhancements to the Gravana Sky include an Aerodynamic Lower Ground Effects Kit, Full Bumper Body Kit, Carbon Fiber Engine Cover, Stainless Air Intake System, Header and Exhaust, Coil-Over Suspension, Sway Bars, Heat Extractor Hood, and more.
Saab unveiled the Saab 9-7X Aero Concept at the SEMA trade show. The new Saab’s Concept takes some inspiration from the Aero X first shown in January.
“DUB was really inspired by the Saab Aero X concept car and the ‘Born from Jets’ theme,” says Myles Kovacs, president and co-founder of DUB. “We wanted to integrate it into a custom vehicle. The 9-7X is a great vehicle to customize. We are very pleased with the outcome. It looks hot.”
Honda revealed a Civic Mugen Si Sedan prepared by Honda tuner Mugen at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. The new prototype equipped with a high performance suspension, forged aluminum wheels, aerodynamic body styling and a sport exhaust system. 2007 Honda Civic Mugen Si Sedan planned for production in a limited quantity of 500 units a year and will be available at U.S. dealers starting in spring 2007 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of less than $30,000.
The track tuned suspension, tested at the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches with aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance while still maintaining ride comfort. Compared to the stock Civic Si Sedan, front and rear damping force (both bump and rebound) was increased between 8- and 24-percent (the rate varies depending on condition). Lightweight 16.7-pound 18?7.5-inch forged aluminum wheels (27 percent lighter than the stock 17?7 alloy wheel) and high-grip BFGoodrich g-Force KDW 215/40ZR18 summer tires help to further improve handling.
General Motors unveiled at SEMA a new concept called the EcoJet ??? a turbine-powered supercar that runs on bio-diesel and puts out 650 horsepower. The EcoJet Concept is powered by a Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine that runs on bio-diesel fuel. The engine sits in a modified Corvette Z06 hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components. The vehicle’s shell is an advanced construction of carbon fiber over Kevlar.
EcoJet’s genesis goes back to a discussion between “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, an avid car enthusiast and collector, and Bernard Juchli, the chief mechanic and caretaker of Leno’s collection. Leno then turned to Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design, for design direction.
GM plans will show its extensive lineup of vehicles from Buick and Pontiac at the SEMA auto show this week .
The Buick line consists mostly of customized Lucernes, including the: Lucerne CST by Stainless Steel Brakes Corp, Lucerne LUX SS by Trents Trick Upholstery, Lucerne QuattraSport by Performance West Group, Spade Kreations American Racing Lucerne, Lucerne CXX Luxury Liner by Rick Bottom Custom Motor, MTX Audio Buick Lucerne, D3 Signature Series Buick Lucerne, Lucerne by Rick Dore Kustoms, Lucerne by RIDES Magazine, Lucerne by Fesler Built, and Lucerne by Concept 1.
Volkswagen has released photos of Golf GTI Edition 30 for the U.K. customers. The GTI Edition 30 is fitted with different wheels, apparently due to consumer demand. At its heart is an uprated version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder T-FSI engine fitted to the standard GTI. The result is 230 horsepower ??? a rise of 30 horsepower over the standard car. This is mated to a choice of six-speed manual or sequential DSG gearboxes channelling drive through the front wheels.
The Golf GTI Edition 30 will take a run to 62 mph in only 6.8 seconds (6.6 secs when equipped with DSG) before reaching a maximum of 150 mph. There has been no word on availability of the U.S. version.
The new S-Type was caught in the Californian desert. Code-named X250, the 2008 Jaguar S-Type will take direct aim at the BMW 5-Series. The new S-Type will adapt styling elements from both the RD6 and R Coupe concept cars and will be getting an oval mesh grille split by a chrome bar with the Jaguar badge. Engines come from the current S-Type lineup: a 2.7-liter turbodiesel, a 3.0-liter V-6 and a 300-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 will be carried over. A 420-hp V-8 will be derived from the XKR.
It’s expected that we’ll see the new S-type early in 2008. The photos show S-Type prototypes, while two additional computer renderings give an artist’s impression of how the new model could look like upon its release
Last month at the Paris Auto Show, Ford unveiled the Iosis X crossover concept. We expect an official reveal of the new Ford’s crossover at the Frankfurt motor show in December next year. Today you can steal a look at spy photo of real Ford Iosis X.
The F430 Challenge Stradale was spied on the public roads. It’s Ferrari’s answer to Porsche’s RS-models.
The standard F430 delivers 490 bhp and the Stradale is believed to have at least 520 horsepower and about 220 lbs less weight. The biggest visible change are the exhaust pipes that got moved up a bit, producing an impressive soundtrack. The microphone that is visible at the exhaust pipes in the photos is there to help Ferrari make it as loud as legal.
Expect the Challenge Stradale to hit the roads in the beginning of 2007.
2007 Fiat Bravo will be presented to the international media show in Rome this January and will going on the Euro market in the following weeks. Fiat says the five-door hatchback represents “another step forward in the development of the brand’s new stylistic identity.”
Bad news: 2007 Fiat Bravo won’t be sold in North America. Fiat says it homes the new Bravo will “become a benchmark in the most important segment of the European market.”
The car will be offered with a wide choice of engines, including the popular turbodiesel 1.9 Multijets (120 and 150 bhp), the 90 bhp 1.4, and a new family of turbocharged T-JET petrol engines (120 and 150 bhp 1.4 Turbo), combining low consumption and strong performance. Gallery after the jump???
