When Hyundai announced at the Chicago Auto Show that Rhys Millen Racing would run a new Genesis Coupe in the Formula D series, we didn’t know (nor did they it seems) that the car would be powered by Nissan.

Despite an official press release that stated the car would be powered by a 550hp stroked and turbocharged 4.1-liter version of the V6 found in the factory Genesis Coupe, the car ran the first event of the season at Long Beach, CA with a Nissan VQ35 3.5-liter V6 under the hood. (Formula D rules aren’t too picky about what engine powers a car).

Apparently the decision was a last minute one as the planned engine was not yet ready – something Hyundai USA PR boss Jim Trainor takes partial responsibility for as the company took Millen away from his regular duties to help with the launch of the factory Genesis Coupe.

Interestingly, however, Trainor had no idea of the situation as Rhys Millen Racing made the decision independently, opting to run the car in a less-than-ideal state rather than not run it at all.

As a result the car did get some exposure, although not in the actual competition as Millen and the Nissan-powered Genesis Coupe didn’t even make it through the first round.

The team is working to complete the Hyundai engine and should be ready to compete at either New Jersey on June 6th or Las Vegas on July 10th.

For move info on the Formula D series see here:

http://formulad.com/

[Source: Autoblog]

Unveiled simultaneously at the Chicago Auto Show and Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Dodge made a big (and we mean big) splash with its new lineup of Heavy-Duty pickups.

Both the new Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 will be available with either the new 5.7-liter HEMI V8 or a 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel. The HEMI makes 383hp at 5600 rpm and 400 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, although for serious work it’s best to opt for the diesel with 350hp at 3000 rpm and a massive 650 ft-lbs of torque at just 1500 rpm. That Cummins diesel meets all 50-state emissions requirements and is the only engine it this segment to feature a standard exhaust brake to reduce brake fade and increase brake life. The brakes are, however, still impressive with front 14.2-inch and rear 14.1-inch units with ABS.

The 6.7-liter Cummins is available with either a 68RFE six-speed automatic or a G56 six-speed manual transmission with an ultra-low first gear for towing.

The 3500 is offered in three cab styles (regular cab, crew-cab and Mega Cab) and two cargo-box sizes (6-foot-4-inches and 8 feet), in single and dual-rear-wheel configurations with an integrated trailer brake controller. Five trim levels are available: ST, SLT, TRX, Laramie and Power Wagon.

The Ram 3500 with the Cummins diesel offers a towing capacity of 18,500 lbs with a max payload of 5,110 lbs. Auto-box dually models with the 4.10 rear end get an increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 24,5000 lbs – up 500 lbs. The 4×2 3500 models increase from 23,000 lbs tt 24,000 lbs.

Both 4x4s and 4x2s get increased Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) due in part to larger front axle U-joints. Diesel 4x4s now have a rating of 5,500 lbs (up from 5,200 lbs) and diesel 4x2s get a 5,000 lb rating (up from 4,700 lbs.)

The 2500 4×4 crew cab diesel trucks get an increase GCWR of 9,600 lbs – up from 9,000 lbs.

To help with towing, Dodge has equipped its new Heavy-Duty trucks with a towing mode as well as an Electronic Range Select, which lets drivers manually limit the highest available gear, and perform manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine rpm.

3500 models now come standard with 7×11-inch tow mirrors with larger convex glass surfaces. Instead of using separate mirrors for seeing around a large trailer, these mirrors fold out and up to do double-duty.

Outside, the new Heavy-Duty Ram models come with unique styling cues for 2010 and yet maintain the new Ram look. “We brought some of the best design cues from our Dodge Ram 1500 to the new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, yet we set the 2500 and 3500 pickups apart from our light-duty trucks,” said Ralph Gilles, Vice President – Design. “The ‘big-rig’ styling is even more pronounced, with the classic Dodge look that conveys bold, powerful and capable.”

One particular change is in the size of the grille, with a larger front opening and taller hood to accommodate (and feed air to) the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel. Heavy-Duty models also get a unique bumper design to allow better access to the tow hooks and winch on Power Wagon Models.

Inside, the Heavy-Duty models get heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel, memory seats, navigation, adjustable pedals and numerous audio/video options including a 10-speaker sound system and SIRIUS Backseat TV with three channels.

Heavy-Duty Mega Cab models also boast best in class interior room with the largest and longest cab (143.2 cubic feet and 111.1 inches long); the most interior  volume (72.2 cubic feet); the most cargo volume behind rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); the largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); the most second-row leg room (44.2 inches); the largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); the largest rear-door open angle (85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seat-back angle).

“Our new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups continue to build on Dodge Ram’s leadership in the Heavy-Duty pickup segment,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice President of the Jeep/Truck Product Team at  Chrysler. “Our Ram Heavy-Duty pickups reinforce Dodge Ram’s bold and powerful reputation, and provide improved capability in critical areas of the segment.”

GALLERY: Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500

More on the new Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy-Duty Pickups  after the jump:

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As though the upcoming Nissan CUBE was not quirky enough, the Japanese automaker has announced that when the vehicle launches in the summer, a special edition “Krom” model will be offered.

The CUBE Krom will feature a long list of add-ons including a three-bar chrome grille, a two-bar chrome front bumper grille, new front and rear fascias, side skirts, a unique rear spoiler, special 16-inch rims and a Krom rear badge. The basis of the car will be the 1.8 S model. Above the S model will sit the SL and below it is the standard 1.8, which starts at a base price of just $13,990. All CUBEs will come standard with a new version of Nissan’s continuously variable transmission.

The Krom will also feature a long list of interior upgrades including a Bluetooth hands-free system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, woven black and gray seats, an upgraded audio system with six speakers and a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer, an iPod interface, titanium interior trim accents, sporty aluminum trimmed pedals, climate control, an interior illumination system and more.

All CUBE’s will come equipped with Nissan’s 122hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine.

But Nissan isn’t about to limit the customization and personalization to a rigid and structured package… no. They are going to (dare we say it)… think outside the box. Groan…

And so to keep up in this segment Nissan will offer more than 40 different accessories that owners can choose from when ordering their vehicle. The fun options include a 20-color interior illumination kit, stainless kick plates, drilled stainless steel pedal covers, different body kits, custom 16-inch wheels and even shag carpeting panel inserts for the instrument panel – we’ll have to see this in person to truly appreciate it.

Exterior aero kits will be available as packages or as individual pieces and Nissan will even offer a car cover as an option.

One particularly popular option is sure to be the interior trim kits, which will be available in four exterior paint-matched colors, as well as in a faux carbon fiber look.

All the accessories as well as the CUBE Krom package are developed by Nissan North America’s Specialty Vehicles Group, which is responsible for the NISMO 350Z.

CUBE Krom:

Official release after the jump:

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The Acura TSX has grown considerably over the years, so much so in fact that Acura has decided that for top level performance the car has outgrown its four-cylinder powerplant. So to add some beef to the already impressive sports-sedan, Acura has stuffed a 280hp 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood for the 2010 model year.

The V6 model will not replace the current car, but rather join the already successful four-cylinder engine.

With 280hp, the new V6 is 79 horsepower more powerful than the four-cylinder. The 280 number isn’t all that significant for a V6, however, so we do expect a less high-strung engine with torque numbers close in line to the horsepower figures.

The V6 engine will be mated to Acura’s Sequential SportShift automatic transmission, which includes features such as Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control. The new V6 models will come with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.

New 2010 V6 modes will also get 18-inch wheels with Michelin tires, revised suspension system, a slightly modified front fascia and V6 badges.

“The automotive market may be slowing down, but not Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “With improved acceleration and handling, the new 280 horsepower V-6 adds even more sport to the already sporty nature of the popular TSX sports sedan.”

Be prepared for lots more from Acura throughout 2009 as the company plans to make significant changes to all of its vehicles for the 2010 model year.

2010 Acura TSX V6:

Official release after the jump:

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Unveiled simultaneously at the Chicago Auto Show and the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Kia took the wraps of its new Forte compact sedan.

The Forte will be offered in three trims with LX and EX models featuring a 2.0-liter four cylinder engine with 156hp and 144 ft-lbs of torque. An SX model will also be offered with a larger 2.4-liter four cylinder boasting 173hp and 168 ft-lbs of torque. This is more power than what is offered in either the top line Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla.

A five-speed manual is standard on the LX and EX with an optional four-speed automatic. We’re a little disappointed to see a four-speed on a brand new cars these days but those who so choose can opt for the SX, which comes with a six-speed manual as standard an an optional five-speed automatic.

Kia will offer a Fuel Economy Package, featuring the 2.0-liter engine with a five-speed auto, motor driven power steering (as opposed to electric), low rolling resistance tires and improved aerodynamics. This will result in a class-leading 36 mpg on the highway.

LX models will be quite basic but EX and SX models will include standard power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, AC and steering-wheel mounted audio and cruise controls. A sunroof and leather seating will be optional. SX owners might just want to stick with the cloth seats, however, as Kia has equipped the Forte SX with styling red stitching.

SX models will also get plenty of other upgrades to match that red stitching, including a sport-tuned suspension, larger front brakes, a rear spoiler and 17-inch wheels with significantly sized 215/45/17 tires.

Wow.. a Kia we’re actually excited to drive!

Note: At the Canadian International Auto Show, Kia also had the Koup Concept on display (first featured at least year’s New York Auto Show) and according to Kia rep Sixto Fernandes, Kia will launch a new coupe in the summer and we should expect it to look very close to the concept.

2010 Kia Forte:

Kia Koup Concept:

Official release after the jump:

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The rumors were right. Ford used the opportunity provided by the Chicago Auto Show to unleash its 2010 Taurus SHO, with 365 hp, all-wheel drive and a paddle-shifted six-speed transmission.

The SHO gets its power from Ford’s new Ecoboost twin-turbo, direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 engine, that delivers V8 power with V6 fuel economy.

Total output is rated at 365 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 350 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm.

“The new Taurus SHO delivers on the authentic sleeper sedan formula but adds all-new luxury-appointments, convenience features and technologies to an unsurpassed balance of power and fuel economy,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “This new sport derivative answers enthusiasts’ calls for a premium Ford flagship sedan with even more attitude.”

Along with the added performance of AWD, the SHO will get tighter and more direct steering as well as a sport-tuned suspension.

The exterior will feature mild visual differences including a decklid spoiler, 19-inch wheels and twin exhaust pipes, and the interior will receive a list of upgrades.

“Taurus SHO was always a stealth high-performance car,” said Earl Lucas, exterior design manager. “The new SHO builds on the expressive design of the 2010 Taurus, adding subtle cues that set it apart.”

Ford will also offer a Performance Package for the SHO, which will include upgraded brake pads, 20-inch wheels, an even tighter and more responsive electronic steering system, a shorter 3.16 final drive for faster acceleration and a “Sport Mode” setting for the AdvanceTrac stability control system.

The 2010 Taurus SHO will go on sale this summer with an MSRP of $37,995.

Official release after the jump:
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The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 edition was just unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, combining distinctive Harley-Davidson styling with the best-selling F-150. The 2010 Ford is officially the first Harley-Davidson edition truck to be constructed from the award-winning 2009 F-150 chassis.

This niche market co-branding exercise marks the 14th Harley-Davidson edition of an F-Series truck dating back to 2000. The collaboration between these two companies has produced eight F-150 models, as well as six Super Duty F-250, F-350, and in 2009, the first Harley-Davidson F-450 edition truck. “Our successful co-branding, unmatched in the industry, offers customers true specialized truck luxury,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.

Unique features to the HD Edition truck are the front fascia and grille, model-specific badges, sport suspension, a custom premium interior with a limited-edition serialization plate and standard 22-inch polished, forged aluminum wheels, the largest in the F-Series lineup.

The paint selection is Tuxedo Black and the first Ford application of Lava, a deep maroon with three-color metal flake. “There’s a real tie-in between the truck’s interior and exterior designs,” said Patrick Schiavone, Design director. “It’s very much like how some customized Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a prominent theme that runs through them. That’s how we tie it in with custom bikes.”

The custom luxury truck also ties in the Harley related elements in the smallest of details. “The theme of the seat was designed to resemble a Harley biker jacket,” Schiavone said. For instance, seat backs feature ribbed leather treatments, engraved Harley-Davidson button snaps and even zippered map pockets featuring zippers identical to those on Harley jackets.

The 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 is equipped with a 5.4-liter engine rated at 320 hp and 390 ft-lbs of torque and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a sport-tuned exhaust and a top speed of 115 mph. The truck is available with 4×2 or an optional all-wheel drive, which features settings of 4×2, AWD and 4×4 high, unique to the Harley-Davidson edition on the F-150 platform. All 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 models will be SuperCrews.

2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition:

Official release after the jump:

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Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, the 2009 Scion tC Release Series 5.0 is all “murdered-out” thanks to some sleek black paint and matte-black 18-inch wheels. Those rims do, however, have a little color and feature a red trim around the outside.

This special edition tC (of which only 2,000 will be built) has a TRD (Toyota Racing Development) theme and comes with a long list of TRD performance parts. Red TRD lowering springs help give the tC RS 5.0 a more aggressive stance, and when combined with a red TRD rear sway bar give the sport compact better cornering abilities.

A TRD sport muffler gives the car a sound all its own.

Other exterior highlights include an optional rear lip spoiler (a $285 option) and TRD badging.

Inside, the tC RS 5.0 gets black seats with red accents, a black leather steering wheel with red stitching and TRD floor mats. The car will also feature an individually numbered badge.

The tC RS 5.0 will go on sale in March for 19,300 for the manual transmission and $20,100 fr the automatic – $2,300 over the standard tC.

Official release after the jump:

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