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31/07/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Subaru recently captured the 2011 Rally America National title, and to show off its road to success the automaker has released a short film titled “Gunning for Gold”.

The film debuted in Los Angeles and shows off Subaru Rally Team USA’s two talented drivers, David Higgins and Dave Mirra. The film features various rally racing clips and behind the scenes look as the team prepares for each competition with their Subarus.

Subaru is currently competing at X Games 17 looking to extend its success in the Rally Car and Rallycross events. Higgins has already captured a bronze medel at his first ever X Games in the Rally Car event. In the film, both drivers are seen behind the wheel of a 550-hp Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

Check out the video after the break.

Continue Reading…

31/07/2011 | By: Colum Wood

There are few places you can buy a car on a Sunday, but that just means it’s the best day of the week to do a little online window shopping. In case you’ve missed any of the car reviews we’ve posted up over the past month, we’ve compiled the ones with videos below.

If you’re looking for an even more thorough analysis, click on the links to read the review as well. Featured vehicles this month include the Scion iQ, Audi S5, Nissan 370Z NISMO and the Mazda MX-5.

Watch the videos after the jump and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for all the latest reviews:

Continue Reading…

31/07/2011 | By: Blake Z. Rong

Depressed teenagers are more likely to cause accidents than those who aren’t, according to a study from the journal Injury Prevention.

The aptly-named journal found that among already-risky teenage drivers, those who are depressed are more likely to speed and not wear seat belts, which journal authors believed was a translation of self-destructive behaviors (underage drinking, unprotected sex, smoking) into the realm of driving. Those at risk of mental distress are more likely to “engage in dangerous driving activity,” according to the study.

Over one thousand young drivers were surveyed for this report, as conducted by the Center for Accident Research and Road Safety at Australia’s Queensland University. They believe that a psychological survey designed to screen young drivers for signs of depression could prevent them from obtaining driver’s licenses, thereby minimizing the risk of dangerous driving on the roads.

Problem is, the researchers haven’t exactly determined what this “risky behavior” is—plenty of people admit to speeding, after all, and this narrow definition doesn’t include more dangerous and distracting activities such as using a cell phone. The report leans heavily on self-reported behavior and not concrete, clinical analysis, which could skew results. More work is needed to make a conclusion—but either way, Dashboard Confessional is a band, rather than an activity to partake in while driving.

[Source: AOL Autos, CBC]

31/07/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Joining Bentley‘s 6.0L twin-turbo W12 powerplant in the near future is a rumored 4.0L V8 that will be more efficient with lower emissions. And now it seems that Bentley will officially unveil the new V8 to the public at next year’s Detroit Auto Show, which will be a nice followup to the refreshed GTC that is planned to be shown at Frankfurt this September.

According to Consumer Search, the lighter engine in the front bay will give the Continental GT a sportier feel while the exhaust will emit a very satisfying note.

Specific details on the new turbocharged V8 have yet to be released, but it is certain to deliver significantly fewer thrills than the twin-turbo W12 engine now in use. But paired with what is expected to be a significantly lower price, this new offering should deliver a healthy sales spike for the British brand.

GALLERY: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

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[Source: Consumer Search]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Bentley Continental GT review

31/07/2011 | By: Blake Z. Rong

Most automakers have gotten in line with the White House and accepted (even welcomed) the new CAFE regulations. Not Volkswagen. In fact, they criticize the new CAFE standards as being biased towards trucks—which of course, they don’t build.

The proposal “places an unfairly high burden on passenger cars, while allowing special compliance flexibility for heavier light trucks,” according to a statement from Tony Cervone, vice president of communications for Volkswagen America. Furthermore, “the largest trucks carry almost no burden for the 2017-2020 timeframe, and are granted numerous ways to mathematically meet targets in the outlying years without significant real-world gains.”

Long story short, Volkswagen fears that manufacturers will find ways to skirt the CAFE regulations by building larger vehicles and classifying them as trucks, rather than finding ways to improve the mileage of their current lineup. The largest vehicle in VW’s lineup is the Touraeg, which luckily for them counts as one of those larger trucks (along with the Routan minivan, somehow).

VW’s point isn’t new: classifying smaller vehicles as light trucks to cheat efficiency regulations is something every manufacturer is guilty of, and hell, it’s basically what kept GM and Ford alive during those dark days of the early 2000s. But VW finds itself outspoken when raising this matter, as every other major manufacturer has supported the government’s new CAFE standards. Will VW hold its ground?

31/07/2011 | By: Blake Z. Rong

Love Chevrolet or hate them, you can’t deny that its cars have had a hold on the American consciousness. Corvette, Impala, Camaro, Chevelle, Bel Air—hell, even the Citation—have all come and gone, leaving behind indelible memories and legions of devoted fans.

Well, now Chevy is trying to pick the best of the best, and they’ve enlisted an NCAA-style bracket to help. It’s close to Chevy’s 100th anniversary, see, and Chevrolet is busy trying to think of something worth celebrating. Ok, just kidding! There’s plenty to remember from these last 100 years, including the 1957 Bel Air, the 1962 Impala, any Corvette before 1973, the 1970 Chevelle SS, the 1936 Suburban, and the 1976 Monza Towne Coupe (again, kidding). Even the Volt and new Camaro make it into the standings as potential future classics.

There are 16 cars to choose from at Chevy’s Centennial Experience, and not one of them is named “Vega.” Fans can fill in their brackets at Chevy100.com before the whole shebang ends on November 3rd, Chevy’s 100th birthday. After all, there aren’t many car companies, especially American ones, that can lay claim to a centennial celebration—even if they built the Cavalier for seemingly most of that time.

30/07/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Some say that imitation is the best form of flattery, but this time around we don’t think the guys at Five Axis are flattered. Back in 2009, the creative team of designers at Five Axis produced one of the coolest concept cars yet, the widebody Scion iQ.

Obviously the final production model wasn’t quite as sporty or aggressive, but Five Axis’ concept showed just how cool the micro-subcompact car can be. What’s not so cool however is the imitation iQ that was done by a company in China called Weifang Guangsheng New Energy Co.

It seems that this company was creative enough to not copy any actual production model of a vehicle, but rather what Five Axis creatively designed for Scion to show off to the rest of the world. One quick glance at the photos though shows that none of the precision that Five Axis is known for can be seen in the Chinese knock-off. And even sillier is that this imitation iQ Concept is being billed as a solar-powered car (as the company specializes in solar systems) with a 5.4-hp electric motor. Weifang Guangsheng New Energy Co., states that the car weighs in at around 771-lbs and through the solar panels on the roof it’ll be able to travel 74-93 miles. We have our doubts.

GALLERY: Fake Chinese Five Axis Scion iQ Concept

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[Source: Car Scoop]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Scion iQ Review

30/07/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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The Blue Angels-themed Mustang GT, built specifically to be sold at a charity auction, fetched a total of $400,000, making up a good chunk of the total $2.2 million raised at the annual EAA AirVenture benefiting the Young Eagles program. The winner didn’t just get himself a wickedly-built blue chrome Mustang GT either. He (or she) also got a Blue Angels flight helmet autographed by all the members of the current team.

The completed Mustang GT features a blue chrome paint job done by Creations ‘n Chrome with hand painted stripes and graphics. The front end comes from a Boss 302 while the custom rear wing does a fantastic job paying homage to the aviation team. The set of HRE 590RS wheels looks right at home on the custom Ford, and gives the car a very classy touch.

On the inside, custom Recaro seats can be found sporting Alcantara fabric, yellow stripes and stitching. The steering wheel gets a similar theme while a trio of gauges can be spotted from the dash. The yellow stripes and stitching theme also continues on the door panels and floor mats, while a Boss 302 Laguna Seca rear seat delete is painted a custom painted yellow.

And to prove that Ford isn’t in the business of just building flashy vehicles with no go, the Blue Angels-themed Mustang would make even those fast-flying pilots proud. Under the hood is Ford Racing’s supercharger system with all the fumes being expelled out of a Ford Mustang exhaust. Ford Racing’s handling package was thrown on to enhance the suspension while braking is now perfect with a set of Brembo front brakes and Ford Racing’s brake ducts.

GALLERY: Blue Angels Ford Mustang GT

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[Source: Mustangs Daily]

30/07/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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A pair of Aston Martin Cygnet subcompacts will be testing their worth at this weekend’s Bridgestone Eco-Rally. The two Cygnets will be making the drive through the extended route of the Eco-Rally, going from Exeter College, Oxford to The Mall, London taking advantage of a 56.5-mpg rating along the way.

One of the Cygnets will be shown off in Seychelles Blue, the same color that was recently seen on the DB6 Mark II Volante driven by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their recent wedding. A third support Cygnet will also be there in flashy Flouro Orange, a color that has become the hallmark of London-based designer, Tom Dixon.

The two Cygnets will be driven by Darren Turner and David King. Turner is an Aston Martin Racing regular while King is Aston Martin’s Director of Special Projects and Motorsport. This will be Aston Martin’s debut at the Eco-Rally event.

30/07/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Anderson Germany’s newest creation is a menacing, flat black Maserati Gran Turismo S that they’ve dubbed the Superior Black Edition. The only parts remaining on this Gran Turismo S that aren’t matte are the window frames, grille and rear logo. And they’re all gloss back.

The dark theme continues with a tinted shade on the headlights and taillights. Plus, to complement the matte black Anderson Germany outfitted the Gran Turismo S with a new hood and a selection of carbon fiber components – the mirrors, tailgate, roof ledges, left and right air inlets are all in carbon.

To finish off the exterior modifications, Anderson Germany also equips the Maserati with subtle front and rear aprons while 21-inch wheels adorn all four corners. The car was then lowered to give it the proper stance it needs to match the rest of the package. Horsepower has been increased to a respectable 492-hp, up from the factory 440-hp, thanks to a new exhaust system with racing catalytic converters and an ECU retune. There is also a weight savings of about 29-lbs from the new exhaust.

The interior receives plenty of carbon fiber accents while in car electronics has been decked out with plenty of monitors and a Playstation3. Reupholstery consists of black carbon leather and Alcantara, contrasted with red stitching.

GALLERY: Anderson Germany Maserati Gran Turismo S Superior Black Edition

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