Even if the Euro only Ford Focus RS is the most powerful blue oval hatchback available at the moment, as is in the world of tuning, there is no such thing as enough. So the German tuning firm Loder1899 feels that they can do the hot hatch one better with a few simple yet effective modifications. First of all Loder begins by bringing the Focus a few inches closer to the ground and then fills the arches with a variety of high performance wheel and tire combinations to sort out the handling aspect of the RS before reworking the turbocharged 2.5 Liter five cylinder power plant.
1899 replaces the factory intercooler with a more efficient intercooler and a set of tuned manifolds to make sure that the Focus RS can make the most of the air it takes in before letting it breath a little easier with a free flowing exhaust system fed by a set of less restrictive Sportkats. The new parts are good to boost the Focus RS from a factory rated 305 HP and 325 lb-ft of torque to an impressive 370 HP and 383.5 lb-ft of thrusting force. Thanks to the newfound ponies, the RS can hit a top speed of 168 MPH. We say, good job.
While European drivers have been scooting around in the latest generation Volkswagen Golf GTI for a while, we here in the U.S. will have to wait until next year to drive the sleeker sixth generation hot hatch with its slick 17 inch rims and swept back headlamps. The 2010 VW GTI is powered by a 2.0 Liter 16 Valve DOHC TSI gas sipping four banger that makes an even 200 HP and 207 lb-ft of torque that is shifted with a six speed manual transmission. The GTI offers the traditional Rabbit like handling and can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 6.8 seconds and reach an electronically limited 130 MPH top speed all for under $24,000.
The classic English automaker Mini had a plethora of Coopers on display at the 2009 Miami Auto Show, in a setup that resembled a bag of Skittles, there was something to satisfy every new car buyer’s taste. Ranging from a gleaming white Camden model to a black rag top and a British Racing Green John Cooper Works complete with Union Jacks on the mirror covers; there was literally a Mini for every flavor. Mini also showed off a bit of their fun side reminiscing about a lighter side in America’s history filled with beach bums and go go girls with a pair of surfboards on top of a woodie wagon inspired Clubman.
The Subaru WRX STi is always a nice sight to see, and the Japanese automaker had one such example sitting front and center at their exhibit at the 2009 Miami Auto Show. Although Mitsubishi had one of their latest sleeper EVOs on hand at the show, Subaru was displaying the standard version of their high performance in house tuned hatchback. The STi tuned Impreza is highlighted for its 300 HP turbocharged 2.5 Liter flat four cylinder engine and symmetrical all wheel drivetrain that earned the car multiple World Rally Championship titles. After speaking with some Subaru representatives earlier on this year, we learned that they have accepted their fair share of criticism for numbing the 2008 model and promise that the 2009 STi is as razor sharp as ever. There is also the issue with the new STi’s hatchback only body style, but rest assured fans of the traditional four door sport compact version, the car will be making a comeback very soon.
Like usual the UK got all the coll cars! And the new Honda Civic Type R Mugen is no exception. Designed especially for the British roads, the new Type R Mugen is now officially into production and will be limited to only 20 units, each priced at £38,599 (around $64,000 at the current rates).
Each and every Civic Type R Mugen will be hand-built at MUGEN Euro, based in Northampton – with customers receiving a unique, involved experience during the build process of each car. Under the hood there is a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine that delivers a total of 240 hp - 20% increase over a standard model. The extra power of the tuned engine is transferred to road or track via a limited slip differential, and grip and handling are also significantly improved through a completely revised suspension set-up, with custom-made springs and dampers employed.
All the 20 units will be painted in Championship White – the traditional racing color of the brand and will will wear a special badge inside on the center console, listing the serial number of each unique model.
In order to promote the launch of the new Golf GTI on the US market, Volkswagen is offering the model on a mobile device in a free version of the popular Firemint Real Racing game. Most importantly, the users of the Real Racing GTI App in the U.S. can compete for the chance to win one of six, limited-edition 2010 GTIs that are fully-customized inside and out.
The free Real Racing GTI App is available worldwide and spares no detail, allowing players to experience every thrilling aspect of the all-new 2010 GTI right in the palms of their hands on iPhone and iPod touch. From the redesigned exterior with more aggressive headlights and the famous red-striped grille, to the sporty interior with a race-inspired steering wheel, the all-new 2010 GTI races its way to life on the screen for a thrilling gaming experience.
The two cars, which both use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged TSI engine, can both churn out as much as 260 horsepower with an electronic limit of 250 km/h.
In addition to sharing the same engine, the two R models were also outfitted with 17-inch allows, modified bumpers, a shiny and glossy grille, a sports rear spoiler, sports seats, pedals, and a racing steering wheel.
After catching the promotional video of the two cars running roughshod on a race track, it’s safe to say that the wait for these two R-models has been long and anxious.
If you’re interested to avail either one of the two, head on over to your nearest VW dealership; the Golf R goes for €36,400 while the Scirocco R sells for €33,475.
In celebration of Ford’s newfound success with the compact Fiesta hatchback in Europe, moving over 100,000 models in its first year of production, the blue oval is adding another version of the fun to drive city car to the Fiesta’s lineup. In addition to the well appointed Studio, Edge, ECOnetic, Zetec, Titanium and Zetec S models; Ford is also making the diminutive Fiesta available as a Titanium Individual model.
The new top of the line Fiesta Titanium Individual will be made available in six different exterior colors and a very special red leather appointment for the interior. The Fiesta Titanium Individual rides on a set of stylish 16 inch seven spoke alloy wheels that take the Fiesta’s exterior to sporty new heights. Including all of the amenities of the Titanium model like Bluetooth wireless connectivity and a USB port for MP3 players and other devices, the Individual model offers all of the lavishness of the high end hatchback at a saving of about £100. Marketing Director for Ford of Britain, Mark Simpson said that "we have sold more than 100,000 Fiestas in its first year and we know our customers like to personalise their Fiestas. The new line up with the fabulous Individual special edition will help them achieve this." Now if they could only start selling them in the U.S. as well.
The Spanish arm of the Volkswagen family, Seat has just added a new version to its sporty Leon lineup of hot hatches to make the all new factory tuned Seat Leon Cupra R the most powerful vehicle in the automaker’s history because it is powered by a 2.0 Liter TSI engine that produces a maximum output of 265 HP that allows the Spanish sports car to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.2 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH.
The car’s increased performance under the hood is only accentuated by the new ten spoke 19 inch rims that are actually five pair of skinny split spokes that hide the large red brake calipers behind them. Both the front grill and rear hatch get a distinctive R badge complete with trailing checkered flag to let the world know that this is a special kind of Leon Cupra no matter whether you are coming at it head on or watching the Seat get smaller and smaller as it zooms on by.
The interior of the Seat Leon Cupra R is upgraded with a sporty set of bucket seats wrapped in grippy grey Alcantara upholstery, while the instrument cluster is lit up by a series of white LEDs. As far as the drivers tactile connection to the car is concerned, Seat has fitted the most powerful Cupra with a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel and some sporty aluminum pedals to make this car look as good as it goes.
When Romain Grosjean replaced the departed Nelson Piquet Jr. in the cockpit of one of Renault’s F1 cars, he probably didn’t imagine the perks that came along with it. One of the said perks is being able to test new Renault cars before they get sent out to dealerships.
Recently, the French driver took the all-new 2010 Megane RenaultSport 250 out for a run at the Nurburgring and much to our good fortune, the company took a video of it for us to scrutinize…I mean…enjoy.
Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Megane RS can produce as much as 250 horsepower with its power being channeled through a six-speed manual tranny straight towards the front wheels.
There are a lot of things that we envy about F1 drivers. From the prestige to the ladies to driving unreleased cars, F1 drivers – whether you’re a contender or not – have it good.
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