After announcing a new N420 model over the summer, Aston Martin has now taken the wraps off the V8 Vantage N420 Roadster. Weighing 60 lbs less than the standard Roadster, the N420 model makes 417-hp from a 4.7-liter V8 and is available either with a 6-speed manual transmission of an optional Sportshift automated manual transmission.

Notable elements of the N420 model include a carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts and a new rear diffuser, as well as black mesh grilles and 10-spoke black and silver wheels. An updated exhaust is included, as is the optional Sports Pack with stiffer springs, new shocks and thicker roll bars.

Inside there’s a leather or Alcantara steering wheel, special N420 wheels and lighter carbon fiber seats.

No U.S. pricing has yet to be released, but the N420 Roadster retails for £96,995 in the U.K.

GALLERY: Aston Martin N420 Roadster

The current, second-generation Subaru boxer four-cylinder engine has been in production for over two decades, so needless to say a replacement has been a long time coming. And now it’s here, with Subaru completely redesigning its staple powerplant to help the company move forward in an increasingly fuel-efficiency-focused world.

Available in both a 2.o-liter and 2.5-liter displacement, at first it seems there’s little new with this four-cylinder engine, but it’s the details that matter most. With a new bore and stroke, the porting has been redesigned, while the pistons are lighter and the con rods help reduce internal friction. Also included is Subaru’s AVCS (Active Valve Control System) variable valve timing system. Subaru claims these advances have resulted in a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy.

Another benefit of the new design are separate cooling ducts for the block and heads.

No performance numbers have been released but Subaru claims the new design makes for advances in driving performance with, “acceleration in all speed ranges” while stating that the new engine has been designed to work with advancing technology – likely meaning it’s capable of featuring a direct-injection system, as well as adaptable to a hybrid setup.

The new generation boxer 4-cylinder will debut in the Forester and will then go on to replace the 4-cylinder boxer powerplants in the rest of the Subaru lineup.

Official release after the jump:

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Automakers are increasingly using targeted consumer events as the location from which to launch a new vehicle and for the past several years the Texas State Fair has (understandably) been one of the more popular venues for pickup truck manufacturers. This year’s event saw the introduction of the new top-trim Dodge Ram Laramie Longhorn edition truck  – with a seriously intricate and high-grade interior.

The cabin itself looks like a pair of pricey cowboy boots with plenty of detailing and full leather throughout. There are also unique items like rear seatback pockets that resemble saddlebags with a steer-logo buckle. There’s also plenty of custom stitching, badges and genuine woodgrain interior trim.

“We took Ram Laramie Longhorn’s design cues from traditionally handcrafted, time-tested wares, such as the antique pocket watch, a fine pair of hand-tooled leather cowboy boots, a collector’s-grade shotgun or a horseman’s saddle,” said Ryan Nagode, head of design for the project. “The metal work and leather work are second to none.”

The new Laramie Longhorn trim level is available on 1500, 2500 and 3500 models with five two-tone color schemes, and 20-inch wheels (on 1500 models). There’s also a model-specific Sagebrush and White Gold exterior combo – as seen in the photos above and below.

“The Ram Laramie Longhorn edition is going to share a driveway with some fine luxury cars,” said Fred Diaz, CEO of the Ram Truck Brand. “The only difference is the Ram Laramie Longhorn edition is going to be the vehicle with the fulltime job – towing the horse trailer, taking the crew to the game, picking up supplies. It’s ready to go from the dirt to downtown.”

As much as it may be ready, we’ve got a feeling we’ll see it in a country music video long before we see it in the mud.

Make sure to check out all the impressive details in the gallery below:

GALLERY: 2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn Edition

Official release after the jump:

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It may look a lot like a real car, but the photo above (and the ones below) are 3D renderings created by John Mark Vicente of JMVDesign.

Much like many automotive enthusiasts in the world, when Ferrari showed off the new 458 Italia, John Vicente wasn’t really fond of the initial design. He decided to revamp it with his vision, making it more aggressive and, subsequently, a lot more appealing.

Sure it’s a little Lamborghini-esque, but we can’t say we hate it. John’s whole design actually looks more in line with what we would have envisioned Ferrari to have done in the first place. The aggressive nature of this 458 Italia GT really shows what Ferrari is all about, while the aggressive rear diffuser and spoiler give it a real race car look.

We wonder how long it will be before we see some tuning company transform this vision into reality.

[Source: Jon Sibal]

See all the renderings after the jump:

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Thought Novitec was just all about tuning exotic Ferraris? Think again. They have just announced their tuning package for Fiat’s Punto Evo, offering performance and aesthetic modifications for the 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter Punto Evo variants. And we have to say, as Fiat brings their 500 to America, we’re excited to see another option for Fiat tuning. Especially when it’s such a prestigious brand such as Novitec.

Starting with the exterior, Novitec is offering a complete body kit. This includes a front spoiler, side skirts, hood, rear bumper with diffuser and rear roof spoiler. In true Novitec fashion, nothing is overdone but rather kept subtle and clean, sleek and classy. Novitec also offers a coilover option that can lower the Punto Evo anywhere from 1.37-inch to 3-inch. Novitec also offers 17-inch and 18-inch wheel choices for the Fiat.

No Novitec package would be complete without its fair share of performance upgrades. Novitec keeps it fairly simple with basically an ECU upgrade available for the 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter power plants and an exhaust that’s available in 26 (yes, twenty-six) different combinations. If you want a single tip, dual tip or quad tip, Novitec has all 26 different types for you.

For around $560, Novitec will hook you up with their PowerJet 2 auxiliary control unit that takes the stock 1.4-liter from 135-hp and 152 ft-lbs of torque to 160-hp and 181 ft-lbs of torque. And we’re not quite sure why this is, but Novitec’s offering for the 1.6-liter is their Powerrail 5 module (right under $450) which takes the power output to 144-hp and 263 ft-lbs of torque. Our assumption is that the ECU upgrade has a ton more potential on the turbocharged 1.4-liter power plant than it does on the 1.6-liter MultiJet engine.

GALLERY: Novitec Fiat Punto Evo

Check out the official press release available after the break.

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GM is revising estimates for the range of their Chevrolet Volt electric car’s ability to drive on electric power alone. Initial estimates said that the Volt was good for 40 miles on battery power, but GM now says that the range will be between 25 and 50 miles.

According to GM, temperature, terrain, driving style and the age of the batteries will all have an impact on the range. The gasoline engine will still be able to take the car another 300 miles once the battery is used up. GM will sell the Volt starting in December in California; Washington, D.C.; Austin, Texas; and New York City, with a full rollout by mid-2011.

[Source: Yahoo]

It’s cool to be environmentally friendly, and it’s even cooler to show everyone on the road how much you love Mother Earth. You can do it with the Puff illuminated pollution meter.

This interesting project was made by designer and artist Karolina Sobecka for the World Maker Faire in New York City. Created to raise motorist awareness of their carbon emissions, the Puff comes with two essential components. The first is a cartoon-like cloud that attaches to the vehicle’s exhaust pipe, while the second is an iPhone app that monitors the vehicle’s emissions. When you car produces lots of carbon, the cloud changes color. This alerts both the driver and everyone on the street as to how much pollution is being spewed into the atmosphere.

So how about it? Would you put a Puff on your car to show the world how much you’re polluting the air? Do you think it will actually cause people to think before taking their cars out or is it just a cute gimmick? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

[Source: Makezine via Autoblog]

The National Insurance Crime Bureau released their list of the top 10 stolen cars for 2009 , and the perenial favorites, the Honda Accord, Honda Civic and Toyota Camry are in the Top 10 yet again, taking the top 3 spots respectively.

The trade in spare parts, and in the Honda’s case, engines, make them valuable commodities, and the cars are also desirable for export to Third World countries. Pick-up trucks were also in demand, as each of the Big Three’s brands were represented, as well as the Ford Explorer.

The good news is that car thefts are down 17.1 percent, and have been declining for the past 6 years.

[Source: NCIB]

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Hyundai‘s Genesis 2.0T gets the lions share of attention from the tuning community, but the 3.8 V6, with a 300 horsepower V6, is potentially an even better building block for making big power.

Based on the 3.8 Genesis Coupe R-Spec, the ARK edition puts out an estimated 450-horsepower through a supercharger kit, a bolt-on exhaust and intake system (including headers, test pipes and a muffler system) and an upgraded 4-puck clutch. Volk TE37 wheels, a big brake kit and full coilovers wind out the chassis upgrades, while a Bride seat, Takata harness and a 6-point rollcage help keep you in place.

The car is set to debut at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but we think that’s a crime. Better to let us loose on a road course so we can give our impressions right to Hyundai.

GALLERY: ARK Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec

[Source: Hyundai]

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The 2011 Toyota Highlander was unveiled today at the Texas State Fair, and will go on sale by the time you read this – literally. Deliveries are supposed to take place tomorrow, but you can expect them to be on dealer lots right now.

The 2011 Highlander gets a few new features, like a standard third row seat and rear climate control. Hybrid models get a 1 mpg bump to 28mpg all around. Other than that, the new Highlander is really, well, not substantially different from the 2010.

Pricing on the base model is up to $27,390 from $25,855. Other models see a more modest price increase. Hit the jump to see the official press release.

Gallery: 2011 Toyota Highlander

[Source: Toyota]

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