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18/09/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Fox Marketing has built some crazy rides in the past for SEMA, including several widebody Lexus vehicles blending the best of luxury and sport into one attractive package. For this year’s show, it looks as though Fox Marketing has teamed up with Honda to show off what its new 2012 Civic Si can do in the customization department. Several 2012 Civics were handed out by Honda to some of the country’s most well-known builders, and Fox Marketing is the first to disclose some details on what they’ll be doing on theirs.

Fox will be working with Full-Race to make the stock K24 engine pack up to 550-hp thanks to a custom turbo kit. It appears that Fox and Full-Race want to obtain those figures without touching the motor’s internals, which would be a testament to how great the K24 is.

When it arrives at SEMA on November 1st, the exterior will be painted a Sinister Silver paint courtesy of BASF’s R-M line. 13-inch brakes from SSBC will be on all four corners while the car will sport an aggressive stance thanks to a set of SPEC II coilovers from Yonaka.

Until then, check out all the work-in-progress pics below and check out AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show Preview here.

Get more Honda Civic news and info at 9thGenCivic.com

GALLERY: Fox Marketing Widebody 2012 Civic Si

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18/09/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Italy is one of the most beautiful and scenic countries in the world and when paired up with one of the most exotic creations from the country, you’re guaranteed to have a breathtaking video. Highlighting Ferrari‘s new 458 Spider, the red drop-top beauty races through the Amalfi Coast, at Reggia di Caserta and other picturesque locations throughout the Basilicata region.

While for most of us having the opportunity to drive a 458 Spider is good enough, being able to pilot its 562-hp, 4.5L V8 along the Mediterranean Sea is probably towards the top of our bucket list. So sit back, hit play and listen to the sonorous note of the Spider’s exhaust that has been tuned to sound even better with the roof open. No arguments from us.

Check out the video after the break.

Continue Reading…

18/09/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Chevrolet‘s Spark is already scheduled to hit American soil as a 2013 model year in mid-2012, but now we may have confirmation that Americans will receive GM’s 1.2L, inline-four with 80-hp and 80 lb-ft of torque. In exchange for its lack of power, the Spark will deliver around 46-mpg based on a conversion from the European cycle.

The U.S. will actually be the last market the Spark will be sold in. It’s already currently available in Asian, Europe and South Africa. The American Spark will receive a couple of other changes including a larger grille, a larger lower intake and removal of the side-repeater turn signals on the front-three quarter panels.

The Spark will expand Chevrolet’s high fuel economy, small car lineup which currently includes the Volt, Cruze and Sonic.

GALLERY: 2011 Chevrolet Spark

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[Source: GMI]

17/09/2011 | By: Danny Choy

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From the months of spy photos and leaks, the many Frankfurt previews, to finally the warm reception during its Frankfurt Auto Show official unveiling, the brand new Porsche 911 was destined to be an icon.

But more than that, according to a Porsche source the German sports car maker aims for the new 911 sales to reach an average of 40,000 units a year for the extent of the model’s lifecycle. This yearly average number, if achieved, effectively doubles the number sold in 2010.

Initially, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller projected a humbler 30,000 units for the new model– a sales number that would still make the new 911 the most successful in history.

Porsche has not confirmed this target but sales and marketing chief Bernhard Maier is, “…Confident that the 911 will continue to take a strong position in the Porsche sales mix. The vehicle is the icon of the brand.”

The 911 begun accepting customer orders since September 1, and will reach showrooms across United States, Porsche’s largest market, by December.

GALLERY: 2012 Porsche 911

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[Source: Autonews]

17/09/2011 | By: Danny Choy

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The Fiat/Chrysler marketing masterminds are at it again. A follow-up to the wildly popular Chrysler 200 commercial featuring Eminem in Detroit and the signature beat from his “8 Mile” soundtrack, the automaker has now recruited the beautiful Jennifer Lopez to endorse its adorable 2012 Fiat 500C.

The combination is so irresistible, in fact, that the ad shows an entire town lose their self control, scrambling after the stars like a mob of zombies. Thanks to the light and little Cinquecento, J.Lo manages to nimbly swerve around the fanatics, while showing off the 500′s capable chassis and her superior driving skills. Inevitably, our star gets swarmed and lifted from the Fiat and Bollywood dancing spontaneously commences.

Fiat and J.Lo will be introducing a series of ads scheduled to air in the coming months. Enjoy the video!

Continue Reading…

17/09/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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It’s over for another two years, but in case you missed any of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, check out our video coverage below. Plus, don’t forget about our even more extensive traditional coverage here. Major debuts for 2011 included the all-new 2012 Porsche 911, Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series, Mazda CX-5 and Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale, not to mention amazing concepts like the Jaguar C-X16 Concept, BMW i3 & i8 Concepts and the Kia GT Concept.

Watch all the videos from Frankfurt after the jump:

Continue Reading…

17/09/2011 | By: Danny Choy

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Volkswagen‘s plan to build the handsome Jetta coupe have been tossed. As the capacity at the Puebla, Mexico plant is already up to its brim with the Jetta wagon, Golf, and Beetle, there simply isn’t any more room for an addition model to be assembled. Moreover, the Mexico plant anticipates production of the Beetle convertible as well.

Filing for a Jetta Coupe patent last year, Volkswagen’s original plan was to offer a package that would compete against the Honda Civic coupe and to fill in the void left by their decision to not bring the Scirocco to North America. First unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show as the NCC concept, the coupe would’ve had a 7-speed dual-clutchgearbox as well as various engine trims ranging from a diesel to the 2.0 TSI found in the GTI.

It really is a shame that the Puebla, Mexico plant couldn’t be anymore accommodating as there could have really been a market for this attractive design. Perhaps this decision will reopen the debate about the Scirocco R making its way to America?

GALLERY: Volkswagon NCC Concept

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[Source: Car and Driver]

17/09/2011 | By: Danny Choy

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While the volatile economy has made for a rough year for many, the gentlemen of Goodwood tell a different story. According to Rolls Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Rolls-Royce projects a record number of sales for 2011.

Mueller-Oetvoes goes to explain, “I have not seen any reluctance to consider buying a Rolls-Royce… I do not feel that sentiment is deteriorating in the luxury market… We are dealing with people who are unusually wealthy and never really have to ask themselves, can I still afford this or not.”

Momentum has been surging for Rolls-Royce as 2,711 cars were sold for 2010, a 171 percent increase versus 2009. One of the largest markets for Rolls-Royce is the United States, where about a third of its cars were sold last year. Trends are, however, showing that numbers are shifting towards markets in Asia as their economy continues to boom.

[Source: AutoNews]

17/09/2011 | By: Nauman Farooq

Love it or hate, but the Chevrolet Camaro has lots of fans, and they are never shy to show their appreciation for the car. At a recent contest held by the Bowtie brand, 125,000 fans voted on what they think is the best Chevy ever made, and the winner is…. the 1969 Camaro, edging out the Chevelle SS as a fan favorite.

Tom Peters, who has designed many Chevrolets over the years, including the C6 Corvette, was very pleased with this nod to the ’69 Camaro, especially since he fell in love with one when he was 14 and he now currently owns one. Peters said; “the ’69 Camaro is not only one of the best vehicles in Chevrolet’s history but one of the best vehicles ever.”

He adds that; “Today, the ’69 Camaro has become one of the best examples of timeless design in the industry. Like the very best designs, the Camaro is much more than just a machine because it evokes powerful emotions in people of all ages. That’s why we looked to the ’69 for inspiration when designing the fifth-generation Camaro, and why the ’69 Camaro is an example of the timeless vehicles Chevrolet will strive to deliver for the next 100 years.”

It is worth noting that the current Camaro is among the best selling sportscars on the planet currently. So while enthusiasts and auto critics might not have much love for the new Camaro, the buying public begs to differ.

16/09/2011 | By: Jason Siu

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Abarth showed off its 695 Competizione at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and the Fiat 500-based Competizione is track ready packing over 180-hp with a roll cage. Abarth began by stripping the rear seat from the 500 and in its place is the rear bracing for a roll bar. And while we find Abarth’s claim that the 695 Competizione is a street-legal race car a bit of a stretch, we have to admit the extra performance and race-inspired interior does the Fiat good.

The 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder in the 695 Competizione produces over 180-hp according to Abarth and is put to the wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. The transmission features two modes, an automatic Street and a full manual Track. The stock exhaust is nowhere to be seen, instead Abarth outfits the 695 Competizione with its Record Monza, two-mode system that opens up past 3000-rpm. 0-62 mph is rated at less than seven seconds with a top speed of 140-mph.

Modifying the suspension is a set of Koni shocks while braking performance has been enhanced with Brembo four-piston calipers. On the outside, the only difference the 695 Competizione features is a set of 17-inch wheels from the Tributo Ferrari and the Grigio Competizione Opaco livery. On the inside, the racing seats up front are reupholstered in leather and Alcantara while the instrument cluster was specially made by Jaeger. Accessories include a carbon-fiber dash panel and aluminum pedals with Abarth’s scorpion logo.

GALLERY: Abarth 695 Competizione

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