Renault Clio S

Renault Clio S – Click above for high-res image gallery

Every so often, Renault impresses and teases us with the launch of a new hot hatch. Impresses because they're widely rated as some of the most dynamically competent micro-machines on the road today. Teases because, well...they don't offer them in North America. So all we can do is admire from abroad such offerings as the Twingo 133 Cup, Clio 200 and Megane R26.R, to name just a few.

The range is set to expand both upwards (with the likes of the new Gordini line-up) and downwards (with the adoption of the GT range), but every once in a while, Renault fakes us out with something that when it comes down to it, really only looks the part. The World Series editions were one recent example, and now the French automaker has launched the Clio S for the British market.

Sure, the Clio S looks the part. It's got 16-inch wheels, a spoiler on the trailing edge of its roof, a front lip spoiler below the grille and racing stripes galore, all done up in contrasting white. But the Clio S lacks the go to back up the show. Engines are limited to 75- and 100-horsepower fours and an 86-hp diesel. Not exactly Renaultsport figures, but then neither are their prices, ranging from £11,209 to £13,458 all-in (that's around $18k-22k USD, not accounting for the UK market's inflated pricing). So for the moment, we can rest easy this time around, neither impressed nor enticed. Details in the release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Renault Clio S

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Lotus Exige Sport 240

LOTUS Exige Sport 240 has a driver-adjustable stand-alone traction control system similar to those used in F1 racing cars. LOTUS Exige Sport 240 also equipped with a 1.8 liter supercharged intercooled four-cylinder engine that produces 240 hp and 230 Nm of torque.

via zercustoms

2011 Kia Sportage - European Registry

2011 Kia Sportage renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery

The European Registry must be a bigger thorn in the side of automakers than the likes of Brenda Priddy and her minions. After all, the new-vehicle images the Registry keeps in its database are devoid of camouflage, and the latest to show its face (and rear, and roof, and flanks) appears to be the 2011 Kia Sportage.

Based on these images, the new Sportage looks to be a big step up from the friendly but aged current model. Underneath slick new sheetmetal that's in keeping with Kia's current family design themes, the Sportage will likely share much with the just-unveiled Hyundai Tucson. No word yet on when we'll see the trucklet's official unveiling, but given that Kia's usually good for a significant reveal at the New York Auto Show, we'll wager that at the very least, we'll see the Sportage's North American debut in the Javits Center in late March/early April. Stay tuned.

2011 Kia Sportage - European Registry Images

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Mitsubishi's been having a rough time of it lately here in the United States

Mitsubishi's been having a rough time of it lately here in the United States. Last year, sales fell 44.8 percent. Ouch. Even worse, Mitsu's lone U.S. manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois is way under capacity. How far under? Well, the Normal plant's website lists its capacity at 135,000 vehicles per year. Only thing is, back when that plant was a joint Chrysler/Mitsubishi venture it could pop out 240,000 cars per year. Last year, Normal made just 18,501 vehicles.

As you might imagine, Mitsubishi's uncertain as to whether the Normal plant will remain open. One solution might be to introduce and build their Triton pickup truck in the U.S.. America's been sorely lacking in the small pickup market for the last 15 years or so, and the Triton would be a welcome player to the segment.

Only thing is, because of the notorious chicken tax, Mitsubishi would need to build about 50,000 to 60,000 Tritons a year at the Normal plant to make the endeavor worthwhile. Last year's 44.8 percent drop in business meant that Mitsubishi only sold 53,986 cars and trucks last year. Anyone else sense a problem? Even if Mitsubishi's sales rebound over the 100,000 unit mark, it's doubtful that 50 to 60 percent of that total would be a small pickup truck, especially as Mitsubishi's mid-size truck, the Raider, was quietly discontinued last year.

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 2010

Summary

Still, for sheer road-going perfection, few cars are better than the 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.

Pros
Effortless acceleration, sumptuous luxury, high-tech safety features, imposing presence.

Cons
Polarizing styling, steep price.

What's New for 2010
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class now comes standard with a variable-ratio steering system in non-AMG trims and some additional driver safety aids. A rear-seat entertainment system is newly optional, some switchgear has been upgraded and multicolor ambient lighting has been added. The CL600 receives new standard 18-inch wheels, and both the CL550 4Matic and CL600 get optional 20-inch wheels. Finally, a limited "100th Anniversary of Mercedes-Benz Edition" CL550 4Matic makes its debut.


2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe

• CL550 4MATIC Drivetrain AWD 5.5L V8 Auto 17 mpg MSRP $110,400
• CL63 AMG Drivetrain RWD 6.2L V8 Auto 14 mpg MSRP $145,200
• CL600 Drivetrain RWD 5.5L V12 T Auto 14 mpg MSRP $154,400
• CL65 AMG Drivetrain RWD 6.0L V12 T Auto 13 mpg MSRP $207,170

Honda Freed Styling Study 2010

Honda Access will display highly customized Honda Freed Styling Study in its exhibition at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 with NAPAC, to be held from Friday, January 15, to Sunday, January 17, 2010, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

The Honda Freed Styling Study is a metallic purple MPV with glittery girlish details stuck all over. It features engraved metal touches, purple-tinged wheels, and well-incorporated fog lights. Inside the four-door drivers and passengers will sit comfortably in the white leather interior.

Toyota Highlander SUV 2010

Toyota Highlander SUV 2010

• Base Drivetrain FWD 2.7L I4 Auto 22 mpg MSRP $25,855
• Base Drivetrain FWD 3.5L V6 Auto 20 mpg MSRP $27,750
• Base Drivetrain AWD 3.5L V6 Auto 19 mpg MSRP $29,200
• Sport Drivetrain FWD 3.5L V6 Auto 20 mpg MSRP $30,200
• Sport Drivetrain AWD 3.5L V6 Auto 19 mpg MSRP $31,650
• SE Drivetrain FWD 3.5L V6 Auto 20 mpg MSRP $32,480
• Limited Drivetrain FWD 3.5L V6 Auto 20 mpg MSRP $33,220
• SE Drivetrain AWD 3.5L V6 Auto 19 mpg MSRP $33,930
• Limited Drivetrain AWD 3.5L V6 Auto 19 mpg MSRP $34,670

Tommy Kaira Nissan GT-R R35 Ebbrezza-R Premieres

Not surprisingly, the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 was packed with tuning proposals for Nissan's scorching hot GT-R R35. Among the new offerings that made their debut at Japan's equivalent of the SEMA Show is Tommy Kaira's long awaited Ebbrezza-R sports package with styling and performance upgrades.

On the outside, there's a new aero kit trimmed in carbon fiber that includes a redesigned front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts, rear wheel arch add-ons, a rear wing and a beefier rear diffuser along with an underspoiler.

Tommy Kaira's package also includes a new set of 20-inch multispoke alloy wheel wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tires size 255/40 ZR20 up front and 285/35 ZR20 at the back.

2000 Dodge Viper

2000 Dodge viper have a 6-speed manual is the sole transmission; its shifter automatically goes from first gear to fourth gear in light-throttle acceleration as a fuel-saving measure. The clutch, brake, and gas pedals are adjustable for reach. The convertible has a removable soft top above the seating area; a removable hard top is optional.

via consumerguideauto

Top 5 Fastest Cars in the World

Here is the definitive list of the top 5 Fastest Cars in the World! Truly Amazing pieces of engineering, pushing performance to its limits! Relish in the power of the SSC Ultimate Aero, Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg CCX, Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo & the Mclaren F1!

Rank 1. SSC Ultimate Aero



The SSC Aero is an American-built mid-engine sports car by Shelby Super Cars. Its higher-performance limited production version, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, is currently the fastest production car in the world, with a fastest recorded speed of 413 km/h (257 mph).This speed was reportedly achieved during tests on September 13, 2007 in West Richland, Washington, United States and verified by Guinness World Records on October 9, 2007.



The Aero and the Shelby Super Cars company are the brainchildren of Jerod Shelby, who spent over seven years designing the car. The basic Aero model is no longer produced, while, as of 2008, the Ultimate Aero costs about 620,000 dollars.

















Rank 2. Bugatti Veyron



The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is a mid-engine sports car produced by Volkswagen Group subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS introduced in 2005. It is currently the fastest accelerating and decelerating production car in the world. It is currently also the most expensive production car available at a price of 1.1 million Euro. It is able to achieve the second highest top speed for a production car, behind the SSC Ultimate Aero TT .



Powered by a 736-kilowatt (1,001 PS/987 hp) W16 engine, it is able to achieve an average top speed of 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph). The car reached full production in September 2005, and is handcrafted in a factory Volkswagen built near the former Bugatti headquarters in Ch?teau St Jean in Molsheim (Alsace, France). It is named after French racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. Two examples of the Veyron are known to have been wrecked since production began.















Rank 3. Koenigsegg CCX



The Koenigsegg CCX is a mid-engined roadster from Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg. The CCX has been engineered to comply with the US regulation and market demands and is an evolutionary design that replaced the Koenigsegg CCR. CCX is an abbreviation for Competition Coupe X; the X commemorating the 10th anniversary, (being the Roman numeral for ten), of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996.



The CCX was first unveiled on February 28, 2006 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show although its existence was announced earlier. A derivative known as the CCXR is available, the difference being that CCXR's engine is tuned to run on biofuel. The different fuel and tune allows the CCXR to produce 25% more power than the CCX.















Rank 4. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo



The Saleen S7 is a limited production, hand built high-performance automobile developed jointly by Saleen, Hidden Creek Industries, Phil Frank Design, and Ray Mallock Ltd. with RML taking full credit designing and developing the S7 and produced solely by Saleen in Irvine, California. It is the first car produced by Saleen not based on an existing design. The S7 debuted on August 19, 2000 at the Monterey Historic Races. From 2000 until 2004, the S7 featured a naturally aspirated V8 engine with 550 horsepower. In 2005, the S7 was replaced by the S7 Twin Turbo, which featured a more powerful twin-turbo system that boosted engine power to 750 horsepower (760 PS/559 kW) and the top speed to an estimated 250 mph (402 km/h).















Rank 5. McLaren F1



The McLaren F1 was formerly the fastest street legal production car in the world, holding this record from 1994 to 2005, the longest period the record has been held by any street legal or production car in the history of automobiles. It was engineered and produced by McLaren Automotive, a subsidiary of the British McLaren Group that, among others, owns the McLaren Mercedes Formula One team. Today, it is still the fastest naturally aspirated car in the world.



The McLaren F1 was at the time the fastest production car ever built, eclipsing the Jaguar XJ220. A standard version of the McLaren achieved a top speed of 371 km/h (231 mph) in 1994, holding this record for more than 10 years until it was finally eclipsed in 2005 by the Koenigsegg CCR.















Rank 6. Ferrari Enzo



The Enzo Ferrari is a 12-cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It is currently one of the most powerful naturally aspirated production car in the world. It was built in 2003 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake discs. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics and traction control. After a downforce of 775 kg (1709 lb) is reached at 300 km/h (186 mph) the rear wing is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.