Review: 2010 Kia Soul deserves

Greeting the Kia Soul with low expectations didn't make sense. Perhaps the details of the funkwagon's story seemed overly familiar at first blush – Kia wants, nay, needs to be more than just the bargain-basement Hyundai store. Differentiating product lines with the help of bold design has been tried before, and the results have been disastrous more often than they've been wildly successful. Finding out that the Soul's styling inspiration was a wild boar sent the cynical mind of this autowriter reeling, preparing to suffer with a bore of a swine-inspired car. But Kia's been on a roll lately with aggressively priced product that's well equipped and imbued with performance that's often more inspired than the sum of its parts. If any brand stands a chance of melding its design studio's hit parade with tuning that lives up to the looks, it's Kia.

The Boar thing – snicker if you like – but what Mike Torpey and the team of designers in Korea have wrought is earning accolades the world over. That porcine inspiration delivered a Red Dot design award for Kia, the first for any Korean car and a punctuation mark on the widely held opinion that the Soul is one fine-looking automobile. The critical success of the Soul's design is directly attributable to a nature documentary that designer Torpey took in while working on the car in Korea. The show was about a wild boar that is apparently common to the region, and something about the animal spoke to designer Torpey. The Soul's cheeky, brash stance is great looking in a non-conformist way, regardless of what got the idea going.



Boxy yet not slabby, the Soul's exterior has been deftly drawn with careful detailing. Windows and taillight clusters are set off by bevels, and a continuous line is an Easter Egg for anyone who cares to trace it from its origin outlining the glass, around the roof, down the back and across the bottom, finishing off in front. The raked and tapered sideglass furthers the Soul's ready-for-action stance. Every vent, character line, bulge and curve has been placed cleanly and with purpose, and the end result is that the Soul's styling is clever without being cloying. Drawing an automotive extrovert with just the right touch of restraint is no mean feat, and the longer you gaze at the Soul, the better it gets as you discover all the fun that the design team molded into its flanks.



No shrinking violet in any shade, the radioactive green on our test car was dubbed "Alien." The verdant hue is just the thing for springtime, and the Soul may represent a shift as big as the change of seasons in Kia's fortunes. Young buyers ought to be attracted to the Soul for its ability to tackle every request, as well as its low price and standard equipment list that includes plenty of desirable features that are optional elsewhere. Starting under $14,000, the base Soul has the bases well covered.

Down in the shadows, the mechanical details add up to a car with unexpected verve. Standard four wheel disc brakes impart a sure feeling to the brake pedal and stability control is also fitted across the board. Basic Souls are motivated by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder sending 122 hp and 115 lb-ft of torque through a five-speed manual transaxle, but those are expected to represent but a sliver of the model's total volume. Opting for an automatic transmission, ($950 extra in all trims), yields an immediate upgrade to the 2.0-liter four and its 142 hp and 137 ft-lb capabilities. Both engines employ dual overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, and the 2.0-liter we sampled delivered 29.9 miles per gallon with the four-speed autobox and zero babying. The automatic is mostly unobtrusive, though it occasionally it dodders a bit before delivering a kickdown. Throaty, the engine can get harsh sounding when twisting the tachometer needle hard, but keep your inner Rat Fink at bay and the Soul's braying fades into the background.



The Soul's steering is sporty where others in this price range can be numb. There's a life to the rack-and-pinion setup that says the Soul has been tuned by folks who know what a proper front-wheel drive car should feel like. Despite any "box it came in" commentary from onlookers, the Soul is more than a mere wheeled appliance. A taut, nearly athletic feel has been part of Kia's brief across its entire vehicle range for at least a couple years and that philosophy benefits the Soul, too. A strut front end and torsion beam rear axle are certainly not revolutionary, and in the wrong hands such a suspension setup can feel woefully dated. Instead, the Soul feels great from behind the wheel. A front anti-roll bar and gas-charged dampers all around add up to a lively, well behaved experience. Simply put, the Soul is fun to drive with its standard setup, and the Sport trim level carries a retuned suspension and larger 18-inch alloy wheels, so it promises to be more entertaining still.



"Fun" will be on your lips often when discussing the Kia Soul, especially when talk turns to the interior. Just as much attention has been paid to making the experience inside the Soul live up to the exterior styling. There are four trim levels – Soul, Soul +, Soul !, and Soul Sport – mostly differentiated by what Kia fills each model with. The standard Soul has plain black upholstery, yet it doesn't skimp on equipment. The standard audio system has auxiliary and USB jacks and there are two steps of entertainment upgrades, with the top-level system kicking out 315 watts. There are even red lights in the speakers housings that can pulse soothingly or twiddle in time with the music. A gimmick, sure, but gewgaws are allowed when the basics are good. Despite the affordable pricing, the Soul's interior is not cheap. The stalks and HVAC controls feel as good as some we've sampled in near-luxury cars. Air conditioning and power windows and locks are standard, and optional Bluetooth capability is a welcome nicety.



Despite trim dimensions, there's a blessing of storage and passenger space inside the Soul. Tidy of dimension, the area behind the second row seats is useful but not huge, although dropping the 60/40 rear seats opens it right up. Rear leg- and foot-room is surprisingly generous inside the Soul, too. In the dash, there's a storage compartment at front and center, as well as a dual-level glovebox that seemingly extends all the way to the firewall. Opening either cubbie for the first time garnered a grin as we found Kia had chosen bright red as the color for inside. Doors have storage compartments and bottle holders, and more storage was found in the armrest of our car, which easily concealed a digital SLR camera. Both the steering wheel and front seats are adjustable for height, but only the chairs slide fore-and-aft – a telescoping column would've been a nice touch.



Stepping up the trim-level ladder adds more whimsy to the interior in the form of fabrics and colors. Soul + models get inserts on the seats with a repeating Soul logo, while Soul ! buyers will find houndstooth check on the seats and an interior scheme that puts sand-colored accents on the dashboard and door panels. Soul Sports ratchet the interior up to its max, with metal-look accents and pedals, and a red and black interior theme that extends to the sport seats. Door panels not graced with contrasting colors might betray a feeling of creeping cheapness, but the Soul's interior punches above its weight for sure.

Corporate sibling Hyundai seems to have cribbed the Soul's recipe of a vehicle full of equipment, fun and safety gear for the Elantra Touring, but the Soul's styling puts the Kia on top. Among rival brands, this car is going to lose a flat-out performance challenge to the Honda Fit, but it is supremely well equipped, comes with a faintly ridiculous 10 year/100,000 mile warranty – and tops out below $20,000. Standard front, side and curtain airbags along with stability control covers the safety gear comprehensively, and there's no denying the handy nature of a hatchback.



Young buyers these days seem to care less about cut-rate performance cars and just want a vehicle that will fit their lifestyle of doing stuff while being entertaining to drive and look at. The Kia Soul seems like a shoe-in under those criteria. Its styling is all but universally praised, its price of entry is eminently reasonable, and its driving demeanor exceeds expectations. All-in, we look for the Soul to be Kia's breakout hit that wins comparo crowns, sips fuel, hauls stuff and has a great time doing it all. While we may have approached the Soul steeled for disappointment, we walk away impressed and now think of Kia's backpack-wearing wild boar as one of the segment's standard-bearers.


[Source: Autoblog]

U.S. Evora specs leaked

With there having been so much continued hubbub over the forthcoming Esprit replacement, you would think that enthusiasts have already forgotten that we have a new Lotus in our midst, the 2010 Evora. That's a shame, because judging by the U.S. specs provided by our friends at Lotusenthusiast.net, it looks to be a corker.

According to their specs, the Evora will weigh just over 3,000 pounds (3,046.8 – but who's counting?), and its Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter engine will marshal its 276 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to get its mid-engined self to 60 mph in a tidy 4.9 seconds. Keep rowing through those six gears and pushing the right-most pedal, and the Evora will apparently top out at 162 mph. Every bit as important is news that the lithe little Lotus will grind to a halt from 60 mph in just 110.2 feet, a distance firmly in the ballpark of a Porsche 911.

No word yet on pricing, but we hope to get our crack at a U.S.-spec Evora soon. In the meantime, head on over to LE for the full monty.

[Source LotusEnthusiast]

Toyota has "no plans" to restart Camry Solara production?

If you are in the market for a two-door Toyota convertible, you may want to rush to your local dealer and pick up one of the few Camry Solara models left on the lot. After reviewing demand for the Solara (the marque's lone convertible offering), Toyota has reportedly decided that reviving the somewhat homely two-door isn't worth doing. Last August, Toyota made a last-ditch effort to save the Solara convertible from extinction, but it was apparently a short-lived stay of execution. The droptop was put back on hiatus in December when the automotive downturn hit full force.

Since the convertible version of the Solara represented 70% of the model's sales last year, there was hope that demand would pick up closer to summer. Convertibles have been on the on the chopping block everywhere, though, as the Pontiac G6, Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice, Honda S2000, and Chrysler PT Cruiser have all been fitted for a toe tag over the past few months – Solara is merely another casualty.

Toyota will fill the void left by the subtraction of the Solara convertible at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant with the new Venza crossover. With only 23,000 units sold in 2008 and an assumed drop for 2009, we're guessing the popular new CUV will have little problem making up the shortfall. In the meantime, if you want a convertible from the Toyota family, you'll have to visit your local Lexus dealer for a new IS or SC.

[Source: Wards Auto]

First Drive: 2010 Acura TSX V6

Acura has a good thing going in the luxury segment. Unlike Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi – but like Lexus – Acura's best selling car is not its entry-level model: Acura moves more TLs than anything else in its line-up. And unlike those other brands, Lexus included, all of Acura's offerings carry five-star safety ratings from NHTSA, are rated as top safety picks by the IIHS, and the Automotive Lease Guide has declared that Acura offerings have the best resale value among luxury brands. Now, Honda's premium division has grown by one with the addition of the TSX V6, and Autoblog was invited to find out if the new, more powerful sedan could keep the brand's good thing going.

The TSX V6 was engineered to fill the gap between the four-cylinder TSX and the relatively new TL. With the latest TL having gone upmarket in several areas, Acura felt there was enough space between its entry and mid-market lines to offer a stepping stone between the two. But this wasn't strictly about plopping a V6 into a TSX and adding some bigger digits after the dollar sign. According to officials, this car is about creating a more comprehensively sporting version of the TSX, yet one that wouldn't trod on the bumper of the TL.



If you're familiar with the 2009 TSX that was introduced last year, then you're up-to-speed on the TSX V6's exterior; there were essentially no changes made to the car beyond larger wheels, a V6 badge on the trunk and a different compound on the rear brakes. Even the dual tailpipes are the same size on both cars, and there are no interior changes – not one – to differentiate the four-pot from the sixer. Acura decided the V6's buyers were looking for sport package identity, they simply wanted more power. So, as with the bionic man, this is an operation to be felt, not seen.



But in Acura's estimation, this is also a car meant to truly compete with the A4, 3 Series, and C-Class. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder in the base TSX has 201 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, leaving it ten horses and 88 lb-ft down versus Audi's 2.0-liter four. The 3.5-liter V6 in the TSX boosts its numbers to 280 hp and 254 lb-ft, giving it better outputs than the sixers in the Mercedes C350 and Audi A4 3.2, figures bested only by the BMW 335i – and it shades all of them by a hair in the fuel consumption stakes.

As stated, Acura didn't do anything to the interior, but it still deserves mention. Overall, the inside offers a placid view and the designers have done a good job of providing visual variety. There are plenty of contrasting curves, overlaid with four different plastics treatments throughout and perforated leather inserts in the doors. It won't grab you by the heart when you take a seat, but it ought to age well – a trait that seems too rare in the luxury segment. (something that would go some way toward explaining that resale value...)



The seats remain wide and comfy. Strikingly, compared to the skinny seatbacks becoming au courant among smaller luxury cars, the side of the seat is thicker than a brick wall. Rear legroom doesn't appear to be compromised since it's only the bolsters that create the bulk, but it did come as a surprise.

As for another detail of the interior: we appear to be alone in this, but the dash feels awash in buttons. The steering wheel has 11 buttons on it, seven of them multi-function. The center stack is a button convention with two multi-function knobs as special guests. We're sure it wouldn't take much to adapt and find our go-to buttons, but the initial cockpit survey leads us to think Airbus, not Acura.

Still, none of that is any deterrent to enjoying the car. Besides, in this league, it's the driving that counts.



Acura's assertion that this wasn't just about more power but about creating a sportier car is backed up in every way. In our review of the four-cylinder TSX, the engine was said to be "sufficient, but still lacks real grunt," and the car was described as doing "its job without much fuss, but never gets your adrenaline pumping."

Not so in the TSX V6. Although the V6 model gains an additional 194 pounds, the additional horsepower and torque offsets the extra poundage. Lay on the gas from a stop in the base TSX and the car aspires to action. In the V6, you only get the action.



The new coil springs and damper settings fore and aft do a terrific job of keeping road harshness away from cabin occupants. They're aided in the quest for cabin quietude by electronically controlled engine mounts and a feature only available on the V6: Active Sound Control (ASC), a noise cancellation system that filters out certain frequencies.

If you tell a group of automotive scribes that you've engineered a sedan for sporty performance and let them loose in twisties, they will, without fail, beat the bejeezus out of it to redline, smoking brakes and beyond, then compare it to the platonic ideal of a rear-drive BMW. Put through that tried-and-true test, the front-drive Acura fares well. Going hot and heavy into a hairpin will get you a serving of understeer and a flashing yellow triangle while the traction control works to keep the ship righted. But we were delighted to find that the flashing yellow light was the most intrusive part of the TC – no piercing whistles, no dominatrix-like clampdown on the brakes, no sudden wondering "Where did the power go?" It was always just enough to keep you going over the road and not over the cliff.



The electronic power steering returned decent feedback. Most importantly, we always knew where to put the wheel when planning a line, and corrections weren't necessary when we laid the course. The suspension kept to its tasks just as well when flying as it did at town speeds, keeping all the wheels where they needed to be even as the car was squatting and flicking to stay in its lane. The brakes did get tired a bit early. They were fine all the way up and over the mountain, but there was a gradual yet noticeable fade while plugging through corners. Not surprisingly, when we exited the car, the tangy scent of hot brakes was heavy in the air.

However, few of this TSX's drivers will ever belt this car like it's a Belmont Stakes runner. And if you are looking for a ride to do your Crank imitation of Jason Statham... you shouldn't be looking at a TSX anyhow.



Back here on Earth, and off the Hollywood set, the TSX V6 comes good with just about everything you'd want from it. The drive-by-wire throttle that feels like instant-on acceleration at low speeds loosens up nicely on the trot. The five-speed automatic (no manual option on this car) knows its gears and isn't afraid to kick down, and the extra power pulls the TSX nicely out of apexes. Even though there's a manual shifting mode with paddles on the steering wheel, we barely used it and rarely called on peak horsepower. The latter doesn't come on until 6,200 rpm, just 700 rpm shy of the redline, and at that height, even the ASC can't keep the cabin from becoming vociferous.

The grabby brakes loosen up as well – which is as much down to fade as anything else when it's really hard going. But maintain a rhythm, don't stab at the stoppers like a serial killer, and they'll serve you well.



In short: drive this car like it's a TSX with more power and better dynamics – not like it's a Lotus Elise – and you'll get a fabulously put together package that comes standard with a bucket of kit. If you want a TSX with more power, you've got that and more with this model. And if you're looking for an Acura that handles enthusiastically enough to seriously play on the same pitch as the three gatekeepers of the entry-level premium segment (3, C, and A), here you are. And you'll get it for less coin than those other cars: base base MSRP is $34,850 plus $810 destination and, if you're game, $3,100 for the Technology Package. That money will also save you money: you'll get better gas mileage than those other cars as well.

[Source: Autoblog]

2010 Ford Taurus SHO named Esquire Car of the Year

The Ford Taurus hasn't even hit the market yet, but it's already beginning to win props from the press. Esquire has entered the award fray by picking the new Taurus SHO as its inaugural 2010 Car of the Year. The long-running men's magazine has three criteria for its award: terrific ride and handling with plenty of speed; attractive sheetmetal that elicits stares; and an attainable price point. Editor-in-chief David Granger says that the SHO hits all the marks, as the twin-turbocharged Ford was the unanimous winner amongst Esquire editors.

Esquire correspondent (and Automobile Magazine columnist) Ezra Dyer added that the SHO was a good every day driver that "happens to have a secret under the hood." We're pretty sure 365 horsepower is enough juice to fall in the 'sleeper' category. Ford is, for obvious reasons, pleased with its latest piece of hardware, adding that "we trust that customers will be equally impressed."

Oh, and before you ask ('cause we did) – although the Taurus SHO hasn't hit the market and the official media drive hasn't happened yet, Esquire did manage to secure a drive of the car before they handed out the award, although it isn't immediately clear what other cars were considered for the award. Interestingly, the magazine's article apparently doesn't actually delve into the area of driving impressions, so Ford says it was copacetic with the pre-embargo coverage. Us? We'll finally get our chance to flog the SHO very soon,

[Source: Ford]

PRESS RELEASE:

2010 FORD TAURUS NAMED ESQUIRE'S INAUGURAL "CAR OF THE YEAR" FOR MEN TO DRIVE, EVERYDAY

DEARBORN, Mich., June 10, 2009 – Esquire magazine editors evaluated nearly a dozen significant new cars – using some unique subjective criteria – before naming the 2010 Taurus SHO as its inaugural Car of the Year. The article appears in the magazine's July issue, on newsstands today.

"We had three main criteria in selecting the Esquire Car of the Year," explained David Granger, editor-in-chief. "The vehicle needed to be a pleasure to drive and be capable of shortening your breath when you slam down the pedal. It needed to be gorgeous and aggressive, capable of eliciting stares and gawks. And it needed to be attainable – a vehicle that most men actually can buy and drive. The new Taurus SHO nailed all of these parameters."

Competing with some of the best luxury sedans in the industry, Taurus SHO was the editor's unanimous choice.

"The reason we care about the new Taurus can be boiled down to four words: Looks good, goes fast. With a 3.5-liter turbo V-6, dubbed EcoBoost™, you get V-8 power with V-6 fuel economy," said Esquire automotive correspondent, Ezra Dyer. "The SHO is a sleeper – a vehicle you can live with every day, that happens to have a secret under the hood."

The response from the Taurus team?

"We're thrilled and honored with this award," said Frank Davis, executive director, Ford North American Product Programs. "Taurus – and the SHO model honored here – are Ford's flagship sedans. We trust that customers will be equally impressed."

Mini Cooper JCW World Championship 50

Although it actually debuted at the Mini United Festival at Silverstone late last month, the special edition Mini Cooper John Cooper Works World Championship 50 (good luck getting all of that script on the hatch lid, gents) has finally received a full slate of details and press images.

The special edition was designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the start of the Mini's motorsports successes, as well as John Cooper's victory in the F1 Drivers' and Constructors' Championship with Jack Brabham manning the controls. Limited to just 250 examples, the MCJCWWC50 features the standard JCW's 211-hp turbo four, along with a full slate of celebratory garnishes inside and out.

Available exclusively in Connaught Green (a new color for Mini), all examples receive Pepper White stripes down the hood and roof, a color scheme designed to invoke the livery of Cooper F1 cars. There are also cross-spoke Challenge alloy wheels finished in black, a bunch of carbon-fiber bits (hood scoop, rear diffuser, mirror caps, tailgate handle) and special numbering. The model was designed in conjunction with John Cooper's son, "John" Michael Cooper, whose signature appears on the hood stripe and on a special fascia plate.

Inside, there's carbon black leather with red piping and stitching throughout, along with more carbon fiber bits (fascia, door handles), an Alcantara steering wheel, and a six-speed manual gearbox – no torque converters allowed in this celebration.

All-in, this looks like a tidy package not just for collectors, but enthusiasts as well. No word yet on how much this limited-edition hatchback will cost, but if Mini's current pricing stratagem is anything to go by... it won't be cheap.

PRESS RELEASE:

Winning type: the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50.

* 10.06.2009

Limited MINI special edition evokes the birth of the brand and John Cooper's Formula One title victory 50 years ago.

Munich. Both were revolutionary and triumphant: in the summer of 1959 Alec Issigonis presented his concept for a small car which, with its transverse-mounted front four-cylinder engine and space for four occupants plus luggage, was to become a byword for economy of space and driving fun. That same year, sports car constructor John Cooper won his first Formula One World Championship title with Jack Brabham at the wheel. 50 years on, the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 evokes both the start of the triumphal path of the classic Mini as well as victory in the F1 Drivers' and Constructors' Championship for John Cooper's racing team. This MINI special edition was inspired by John Cooper's son, Mike. His signature appears on the facia and on one of the bonnet stripes. It will have a limited production run of 250 units and was unveiled to the public at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone. The car is based on the MINI John Cooper Works and driven by a 155 kW/211 hp four-cylinder engine with Twin-Scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection. The production version of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 features numerous exterior and interior details reflecting the racing pedigree of the brand.

The bodywork of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 comes in a new colour for MINI, namely Connaught Green – harking back to the famous colour of British race cars of the 1950s and 60s era. It is combined with the roof and bonnet stripes in Pepper White. The green with the white bonnet stripes mirror the colour concept of the Cooper F1 cars. The specification of these colours was provided by Mike Cooper giving the car its authenticity. Mike was consulted throughout the development by the MINI Design department. Mike's full name is "John" Michael Cooper and he signs himself John Cooper. His signature appears on one bonnet stripe and on a facia plaque. Further accentuating the competitive character of the special edition are the John Cooper Works aerodynamics package and John Cooper Works Cross Spoke CHALLENGE light-alloy wheels in Jet Black.

Designed for extreme sporting fun outside and in.

Ensuring both an optimal view and a striking look are bi-xenon headlights with black interior surfaces and additional driving lights with black housings. The MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 also features a plethora of carbon fibre features, among them the bonnet scoop on the bonnet, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle. These provide the link to the modern racing era. Special numbering on the side scuttles finishers identifies each MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 as an individual entity of an exclusive limited series.
Regarding the interior colour and trim, the racing theme is maintained by Carbon Black overlaid by subtle sporty red touches. The full leather sports seats come in black with red piping and the red theme is perpetuated with co-ordinating red knee-rolls, armrests and red stitching on the floor mats, gearshift & handbrake gaiters. Facia, and door grip finishers continue the carbon fibre theme, as does the John Cooper Works insert on the Sports Steering Wheel, which has an Alcantara rim conceived for sporty driving fun.

Technology from the race track: four-cylinder engine with 155 kW/211 hp.

Like the design features of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50, the power source under its bonnet is similarly defined by the racing competence of MINI John Cooper Works. This 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit is based on the engine of the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE that was first fielded in the 2008 MINI CHALLENGE. It provides 155 kW/211 hp and develops maximum torque of 260 Newton metres between 1 850 and 5 600 rpm, which can even be briefly increased to 280 Nm thanks to an overboost feature. Power transmission is via a six-speed manual gearbox. All this enables the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, going on to a top speed of 238 km/h. Average consumption in the EU test cycle is 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres, with a CO2 figure of 165 grams per kilometre.

Also key to the superior performance of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 is its suspension technology, which is unique for this vehicle class. In addition to the McPherson struts on the front axle and a central-arm rear axle otherwise not found in the small car segment, electromechanical power steering (EPS) also helps guarantee safe and thrillingly precise handling. A Sport button (also standard) on the centre console activates a palpably more dynamic setting with sharper steering response and enhanced precision. In keeping with this, the Sport button also switches the accelerator pedal control map to an even sportier mode. The large sports brake system with red aluminium callipers guarantees short stopping distances. It responds with precision and brake power can be finely applied.

Standard equipment also features Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Hill Assist, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Brake Assist. With DTC switched off, furthermore, an Electronic Differential Lock Control system (also fitted as standard) is activated for the drive axle, supporting more dynamic driving when accelerating out of corners or switchbacks, for example.

50 years ago: revolutionary concepts lead to success.

The MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 is the youngest and at the same time the most intriguing result of a long motor sport tradition shared by the MINI and John Cooper Works brands. Even before the classic Mini was launched onto the market, sports car constructor John Cooper had been casting his eye on this revolutionary new small car. A boost in engine output and a few minor tweaks rapidly transformed what was above all a practical two-door car into a thoroughly competitive sports machine. In the 1960s the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S models made their mark as serial winners both in rally racing and on the race track. Absolute highlights in the racing career of the classic Mini are its three overall wins in the Monte Carlo Rally of 1964, 1965 and 1967.

As a close friend and business partner of Mini creator Alec Issigonis, John Cooper paved the way for – and gave his name to – these Mini variants that were to prove so successful in the sporting arena. The man who recognised the competitive potential of the Mini early on and then systematically capitalised on it had previously already created a revolution on the world's race tracks. He was the first constructor, along with his father Charles Cooper, to field a mid-engined sports car in the Formula One World Championship. In doing so, the team set a trailblazing trend for the entire motor sport sector. In 1959 and 1960, Cooper race cars scooped up the Constructors' and Drivers' title in the Formula One World Championship – a first in racing history for mid-engined models. It was a concept that caught on: to this day, all Formula One cars are built according to this principle.

50 years on, the legendary British race track at Silverstone provided the perfect backdrop for the world premiere of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50. From 22 to 24 May 2009, MINI fans from around the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the brand at the MINI United Festival. They gathered together to enjoy an exciting programme of live performances by top stars from the international music scene, lifestyle action in typical MINI style, and countless intriguing glimpses of the brand heritage. There was of course plenty of racing action as well: Silverstone hosted two rounds of the current German MINI CHALLENGE – reason enough to look back on a racing history as successful as it is diverse.

Get your grubby hands on a Bugatti Veyron for just $25k

Not all of us have over a million to spend on a new car, otherwise we'd all be driving Bugatti Veyrons, right? Or at least most of us would. So how about $25,000 – that's a bit closer, right? Well now you can get your hands on a Veyron for just that amount. Unfortunately the twenty-five grand will only get you one day behind the wheel of the super-fast, super-expensive supercar.

Holders Vehicle Contracts, an exotic rental company in England, has got a Veyron on its hands that it's willing to rent out to anyone who can shell out the £16,000 (about $25k). Oh, and did we mention would-be renters will need to put down a $160,000 deposit? That's a little bit steeper than the typical contract down at the your local Hertz, but then that Chevrolet Impala or Ford Mustang convertible isn't going to get you up to 250 miles per hour, now is it?

[Source: Top Gear]

Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR 2009 Specification

Image via Wikipedia

we know that recently is 40th anniversary Edition Shelby GT500KR "King of the Road" Mustang, and it was sold in 1,000 units,wow it is great, now Ford and Shelby announced they will build 746 units more to be sold as 2009 Ford Shelby GT500KR. Out of those 571 units of the 2009 Ford Shelby GT500KR will be destined for the US market. The 2009 Ford Shelby GT500KR is powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine that features a Ford Racing Power Upgrade Pack and develops 540 hp.Shelby GT500KR “King of the Road” Mustangs, Ford and Shelby Automobiles announce that an additional 746 units will be built for the 2009 model year to help meet worldwide demand of the supercar. Of that total, 571 units will be available for U.S. customers thus equaling the 1,571-unit production run of the original Shelby GT500KR. The remainder of the units will be for countries that did not receive 2008 models.

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Daewoo G2X The Korean style of the Saturn Sky Roadster -

gambar diambil dari Saturn_on_Flickr melalui Flickr

Daewoo G2X on GM’s Korean accessory apparent the G2X auto at the Busan International Motor Appearance (April 28 until May 7). Besides the name, the Daewoo G2X is identical to the Saturn Sky Auto & the Opel GT Roadster.

Like its American brother, the two-seater G2X appearance a 177 horsepower, 2.4-liter engine. Equipped with a five-speed chiral transmission, the G2X hopes to allure burghal drivers in the 21-35 age bracket, a business official at the auto appearance said.

Pricing capacity were still actuality set and the archetypal is accepted to hit showrooms aural months, according to Korean officials.

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Review: 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible

Back in 2001, BMW revived the Mini brand by unveiling a new Cooper model that updated the classic English design of the original while growing the car's trademark size just enough to fit the engineering, safety equipment and conveniences that modern drivers demand. It was a perfect play, and if Mini sales haven't exactly set the world on fire here in the U.S., that's only because the brand has been alone in teaching American car shoppers what Europeans already know: Premium small cars are worth every penny. In other words, Americans generally associate the value of a vehicle with its size – the more you pay, the larger a vehicle you should get. The Mini Cooper exists in stark contrast to this notion.

Fast forward to 2009 and we're already a couple of years into the second generation of the modern Mini Cooper, also known as the R56. The redesigned hatchback was joined last year by the long-wheelbase Clubman and the R56 lineup is now complete with the arrival of the convertible model. Our tester, a 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible, will challenge the notion that value equals size. Why? Aside from opting for the high-performance John Cooper Works trim, the convertible is the most expensive model in the Mini lineup, and the S model makes it even more so. The total tally for our tester, including $650 in destination charges, is $32,700. Read on to find out if the Mini Cooper S Convertible is packed with enough value to prevent its sticker shock from sending you into cardiac arrest.

Now based on the second-gen R56 platform, the Mini S Convertible is 2.3 inches longer than the model it replaces, though at 146.2 inches long it's still the second smallest car sold in the U.S behind those Lilliputian Smart cars. The freshened front end is both taller and more rounded, concessions made to comply with new crash and pedestrian safety standards around the world, but the new Mini is still an unmistakable descendant of Sir Alec Issigonis' original design.



The S Convertible is visually distinguished from the base model by an air intake at the leading edge of its hood, a unique and aggressive lower front fascia with chin spoiler, and a new lower rear fascia with a pair of chrome-tipped tailpipes exiting the center. Altogether they add some edginess to the Mini's normal cheery face, and the black bonnet stripes, included in the $1,500 Sport Package, are just enough war paint to warn would-be sports convertibles that this drop-top won't turn and run at the first sight of twisties.



The interior should be instantly recognizable to fans of the first-gen modern Mini with an even larger speedometer than before placed in the center of the dash and a generously sized tachometer atop the steering column. Interior panels that match the car's body color remind us of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, but at least our tester's Interchange Yellow brightened up the cabin's mix of black rubber and silver plastic trim pieces.

The school of ergonomics was apparently out the day that the Mini's interior was designed, with usability taking an ironic back seat to style. We love the toggle switches that control the windows, door locks and fog lights; they feel expensive, look great and are easy to use, but they're the only controls that marry all three qualities.



The problem is there are buttons everywhere, most of which seem arbitrarily placed and oddly shaped to fit their location. The controls for fan speed and temperature, for instance, look like rollers but are just buttons that toggle on a horizontal axis, and the poor volume knob is left all by its lonesome below the pursed lips of the CD player. Apparently it just couldn't be squeezed into the bottom half of the giant speedo where the rest of the audio controls huddle together like uneaten vegetables on a five-year-old's dinner plate.

If you pay the premium for an open air experience in your Mini, chances are the only button you care about is the one that lets the sun in. You'll find it above the rear-view mirror, and moving the roof up or down takes just 15 seconds. Before you commit to full UV exposure, however, there's a neat sunroof mode that slides the cloth roof back just over the front seats. The resulting hole is XXL, definitely larger than a normal sunroof, and stretches in between the beefy-looking roof rails that attach to the windshield.



Keep the roof retracting and it will fold itself neatly into a stack that sits on top of the rear deck. This arrangement compromises rear visibility, but the vestigial back seat with legroom measured in widths of a human hair means there's no where else for the top to go. Fortunately, Mini has added a new active roll bar system that sits flush with the rear headrests. Unlike the last convertible's fixed double hoops that monopolized the rear view mirror, this new system stays tucked away until an impending flip triggers a charge that extends the bars to save the day. It's more discrete and offers equal protection, though needs to be reset by a professional after each use. As for the trunk, the folding top leaves its meager six cubic feet of cargo space alone, though the rear seats do fold forward to nearly quadruple its capacity to 23.3 cubic feet.



Mini owners, however, are used to sacrificing some trunk space, sight lines and leg room in return for that ineffable quality that makes them smile from behind the wheel. A new feature called the Openometer is designed to keep that grin going. It's an analog gauge that hangs off the left side of the tachometer and keeps track of how long your Mini convertible has motored with its top down. The outside ring counts the minutes up to 60 before being reset and lighting up an LED for every hour that goes by. The gauge resets itself after each trip, but the car's onboard computer counts your Mini's total top down time and keeps it a secret... for now. The brand is planning some social networking tools that will allow Mini owners to compare their times online, but for now the Openometer remains a solo experience.



If you're like us, the only gauge you're interested in is the tach, which waves its needle like a drum major's wand to signal each satisfying shift of the Mini Cooper S convertible's six-speed transmission. Paired with a turbocharged, direct inject 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 172 hp at 5,500 rpm and 177 lb-ft of torque at just 1,600 rpm, this mechanical combo reminds us after each use why Minis carry a premium price tag. The clutch is perfectly weighted and its take up point defined. While the six-speed's throws are a little long, each flick is rewarded with a smooth, straight path into the next gear. There's simply no small car sold in the U.S. that can match the Mini's mechanicals, and the influence of parent company BMW can be felt through your fingers and toes.

The S motor, though small in size, is a jewel that shines when asked to perform. Just like the turbocharged, direct inject 2.0-liter that General Motors uses in various Chevy SS and Pontiac GXP small cars, Mini's mill offers way more thrust than expected and so much torque down low that we found ourselves slamming on the small but seriously capable brakes just so we could start from a stop again.



A 0-60 time of seven seconds flat may not sound quick, but the impression of speed makes up for it, especially with the top down and exhaust note free to roam. We were nervous about torque steer and turbo lag, but equal length half shafts keep the wheels clawing in the same direction and that low end torque can mask the turbo spooling up in all but first gear where there's some slight hesitation off the line.

Thanks to the generous spacing of six gear ratios, the Mini Cooper S Convertible can also cruise along comfortably at 75 mph while turning over a respectable 3,000 rpm. A curb weight of 2,855 lbs joins in the fun to help achieve 34 mpg on the highway and 26 in the city. Those are numbers that rival economy cars designed to be frugal with fuel, and this is the S model! Opt for the non-S convertible and a max of 36 mpg can be achieved while still enjoying the inherent handling prowess of a Mini.



Missing out on the S motor would be shame, though, as it adds a brutish force that was lacking in the last generation. Miss a line or flub an apex? This engine can haul you back into contention, whereas the prior supercharged model would rather you catch up in the corners. Mini also lets you defeat the Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control for some unsupervised fun, and a Sport button by the shifter will quicken throttle response and sharpen the steering.

Add it all up and the Mini Cooper S Convertible equals a superb driving experience, especially for a convertible. Just like its closed roof cousin, this car turns with telepathic precision, accelerates like a home run and barely cocks its head in a corner. Shakes, jiggles, shimmies and other structural defects associated with removing a car's roof are conspicuously absent, thanks largely to the Mini's small wheelbase and narrow width. There's just not enough length in either direction for the chassis to twist much.



There are a few things, however, that would keep the Mini Cooper S Convertible off our daily driver list, the most significant of which is a punishing ride. In areas where smooth pavement is absent, this little drop top slams into every aberration and delivers it to your backside with a bow on top. Sure, the MacPherson strut front suspension and multilink rear setup are firm by intention, but the real culprit here are low profile, run flat tires wrapped around those 17-inch alloy wheels. Potholes, speed bumps and expansion joints go through the tires unfiltered, and the short wheelbase ensures their sequel is not far behind. The seats are no help either, with minimal padding to defend against incoming shock waves.

All of that is to say the Mini Cooper S Convertible would not be our first choice for long trips or commuting. It's less your every day companion car than a machine designed for certain roads and weather, without which it will lose its charm. Without charm, there's no way to justify the $26,800 base price that quickly exceeds $30k as popular option packages are added.



What we dig most about this drop top is how it avoids those performance compromises that so many other convertibles are forced to make. It's every bit as sharp as the Cooper S with a closed cockpit. What we don't dig is the $4,850 premium over the S hatchback's $21,950 base price. The standard Mini Cooper has a hard enough time convincing Americans that value can be found in areas other than physical dimension. With the added expense of being an S model and a convertible, a price that before gave pause now has us considering how much horsepower, head room and hauling space we can buy for the same price.

[Source: Autoblog]