Check out these two videos of the fight at the Champ Car race in San Jose yesterday… the the first video gives background information on the events leading up to the race, but the cut away just before the good stuff. Check out the second video for the end result.

Click To View Larger Image

Everything’s new – and once again typical of MINI all the way: After more than 800,000 units sold, the MINI will soon be entering the market in thoroughly enhanced design and with fundamentally new features.

The second model generation of today’s modern MINI is making its debut with brand-new power units, a carefully but thoroughly upgraded interior, and evolutionary body design with appropriate modifications wherever required. Indeed, all these innovations underline the individual character and premium standard of the MINI. And while each and every detail has been changed or modified, the new model naturally retains all the proven and unmistakable features of the MINI clearly recognisable at very first sight. This applies both to the silhouette of this compact two-door immediately recognisable from every angle and to the car’s equally unique and agile driving characteristics. The power units and transmissions, suspension and steering, brakes and safety systems are all brand-new developments from the ground up. And all these features serve to give the new MINI that legendary go-kart feeling right from the start – but now with an even higher standard of agility than before. This, quite literally, is MINI at its best – both in design and handling.

Continue reading The new Mini – Consistant Evolution

Our friends over at Jalopnik.com have become celebrities in the recent weeks, with all sorts of TV appearances. Ray Wert was most recently on CNBC last week discussing the state of the Ford Motor Company. Little did CNBC know that a drinking game had been created on Jalopnik.com prior to Ray’s appearance. Watch the original clip from CNBC last week, then watch the segment that CNBC ran the next day after they found out about the drinking game. Ray, you are a superstar baby!

Read the game and watch the videos after the jump.

Continue reading Our Friends at Jalopnik.com are Superstars!

Click To View Larger Image

Here are the first photos of one of the year’s most talked about debutants – the new Volvo C30.

A sporty design, two doors, four individual seats, and a glass tailgate give the C30 a unique character that will attract new Volvo buyers.
The new Volvo C30 will be unveiled for the public at the Paris Motor Show in September, and production will begin at the end of 2006.

More photos and full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Volvo Releases First Photos of the Production C30

Click To View Larger Image

Story by Dubspeed Driven Contributor, Adam Barrera
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Twenty years ago, flush-mounted, replaceable-bulb halogen headlamps brought the exotic science of aerodynamics to mainstream tangibility in a midsize sedan called the Ford Taurus. The radical Taurus became an American staple almost instantly, and continued to bring innovation to the masses in its years as the nation’s best-selling car.

When Ford was faced with the challenge of redesigning the third-generation Taurus in 1996, the car’s overly ovoid exterior styling was more controversial than groundbreaking. Sales slipped, and the car lost its best-seller crown. The fourth-generation Taurus apologized for its predecessor’s styling by donning completely anonymous sheetmetal that neither stirred nor offended. The bland Taurus was no longer a powerhouse to be reckoned with, but Ford wasn’t about to give up the midsize crown without a fight.

Continue reading Dubspeed Driven Road Test: 2006 Ford Fusion SEL

From 7th to 9th July the famous Historical Grand Prix took place in Le Mans.

Ford celebrated its 100^th anniversary on this great event. The Ford GT was equipped with a KW Variant 3 coilover kit which was specially developed at the KW factory in Fichtenberg, Germany.

Click To View Larger Image

Mazda introduced the MX-5 Roadster Coupe at the 2006 British Motor Show. This trick MX-5 features a two piece folding metal roof that through some miracle of engineering fits in the same space as the softtop version. The result is a top that doesn’t take up any additional trunk space over the standard softtop version, however it does put on an extra 66 pounds. To compensate for this additional weight, Mazda has tuned the suspension specifically to fit the needs of the MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Mazda claims that the top is the fastest electrically opening hard top on the market, with retraction taking just 12 seconds to accomplish. For those of us in the good ole U.S. of A., we can expect to see this model in the early Spring of 2007.

Click To View Larger Image

Months before the new CL-Class hits our shores, Benz has already introduced a new styling package for the all new CL. The package includes 19-inch AMG wheels, front and rear aprons, and AMG side skirts. We must say that this package transforms an already stunning looking car into a killer looking car. All this beauty doesn’t come cheap though, as you can expect to pay a hefty EUR 5,336 for the body pieces and EUR 3,132 for the wheels.

Full release and photos after the jump

Continue reading Pimp My CL: Mercedes-Benz Introduces AMG Appearance Package for the 2007 CL-Class

I don’t know how we missed this video, but this is quite possibly one of the best Top Gear segments I’ve ever seen. I have GOT to get one of these to commute to work in. Special thanks to Ray Wert from Jalopnik for sending this video our way.

Click To View Larger Image

Despite what our sources were telling us, we weren’t absolutly sure whether the Lancer pictured was the Evo prototype or not. As we suspected, this photo is more than likely the upcoming 2008 Lancer Ralliart model. The Ralliart model will be powered by a 220 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engine, mated to a 6-speed transmission. This means that Mitsubishi is actually interested in making the Ralliart more than a Pep Boys accessory kit this time around.

In addition to the Lancer / Ralliart / EVO X models, a new 5-door hatchback dubbed “Lancer Sportback” will become available in the 2008 model year, replacing the Sportback wagon variant.

The Evo X Lancer variant will appear a year later, in 2009. As we mentioned before, the EVO X will be poweredby a 4-cylinder turbocharged MIVEC 2-liter engine, mated to a six-speed clutchless transmission. Other features will likely include steering-wheel paddle-shift controls, and an improved AWD system.

Whatever version on the Lancer this is – it’s obvious that Mitsubishi is sticking very close to the “Concept-X” design, especially with the front end styling.

Find the original post here: http://www.speedsportlife.com/2006/07/10/spied-mitsubishi-evo-x-production-prototype/