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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.

15/11/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Bring it on ZL1! That’s what Ford is shouting at cross-town rival Chevy with the debut of the 2013 Shelby GT500, which has received a 100-hp bump to deliver 650-hp straight from the factory. But that’s not all, with torque rising to 600 lb-ft and a top speed of 200-mph. Yes, a 200-mph Mustang!

Much of the improvements to the 2013 Shelby GT500 come under the hood with a larger 5.8-liter V8 engine and a bigger supercharger. The updates aren’t limited to the big parts either, with a new carbon fiber driveshaft, new clutch, six-speed manual transmission (finally!) and a new final drive rear axle with a 3.31:1 ratio.

Those looking for max performance (and who isn’t?) can upgrade to the GT500 Performance Pack with SVT/Bilstein electronically adjustable shocks and a Torsen LSD. A Track Pack adds an extra engine oil cooler, rear diff cooler and a transmission cooler – because you know this high-performance pony is going to run hot. In total, the Shelby GT500 weighs 3,850 lbs, which isn’t exactly light weight, but is almost 300 lbs less than the Camaro ZL!.

To go with its newfound power, the GT500 has a slightly new look with an updated front fascia and new splitter. Also of note, are new Recaro front seats.

Look for more on the 2013 Shelby GT500 from the LA Auto Show with coverage starting tonight.

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Shelby GT500

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See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 LA Auto Show Preview here

09/06/2011 | By: Blake Z. Rong

A new Hyundai Genesis Coupe will debut at the Detroit Auto Show next year, packing even more horsepower.

The new Genesis was caught testing in the Arctic Circle with its usual assortment of recycled Miata tops and Boy Scout tents, covering a new exterior facelift. The Genesis Coupe’s V6 and inline-four engines will both get more power as well: as on the 2012 Genesis sedan, the V6 gets direct injection and a higher compression ratio, which on the Genesis sedan is good for 333 horsepower. On the smaller, sportier Genesis Coupe? Much more fun.

As for the turbocharged 4-cylinder, it’s rumored to get a power bump up to 274-hp.

And the Genesis will still get 30-mpg highway. Booyah, Hyundai. Expect to see the new Genesis-es (that plural can’t be right) at Detroit next January.

[Source: Inside Line]

10/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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A car designed by and for Generation Y, the Hyundai Veloster has finally been revealed at the Detroit Auto Show. Powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 138-hp and 123 ft-lbs of torque, Hyundai will offer the car with either a 6-speed manual or a dual-clutch 6-speed automatic. Designed to deliver sporty performance, Hyundai is also claiming a 40-mpg highway rating, putting it ahead of all competitors in this segment.

In the looks department, Hyundai continues to deliver, with the Veloster the latest attractive package that will have no problem drawing younger buyers into showrooms – thanks in part to accentuated fenders and standard 17-inch wheels (18s are optional). Defying any categorization, the Veloster is neither a hatchback nor is it a coupe, with two doors on the passenger side, but only one on the driver’s side.

Another big selling feature is certain to be the standard 7-inch LCD touch-screen, as well as Hyundai’s new Blue Link telematics system – essentially Hyundai’s version of OnStar. Blue Link will offer safety features like Automatic Crash Notification and roadside assistance, while it also enables voice text messaging, remote vehicle start, remote door opening, and plenty of other features.

Aiding in the overall driving dynamics is a notably low curb weight, with the manual transmission models just 2,584 lbs, while dual-clutch automatics weigh 2,657 lbs. That’s less than a Honda CR-Z and only slight more than a MINI Cooper. The Veloster does, however, use a torsion beam suspension. Normally not ideal when building a sporty package, Honda has defied that notion with the Fit and CR-Z.

Available options include leather seats and a 450-watt 8-speaker audio system. Set to go on sale soon, the Veloster will be available in an array of brilliant colors, including Century White, Ironman Silver, Triathlon Gray, Ultra Black, Marathon Blue, Electrolyte Green, 26.2 Yellow, Vitamin C (Orange), or Boston Red.

GALLERY: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

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GALLERY: Hyundai Veloster Debut

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For all the details, including how the Veloster stacks up against some of its key rivals, see after the jump:

Plus, get more Hyundai Veloster news and info at Veloster.org

Continue Reading…

26/03/2010 | By: Colum Wood

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Rumors that Ford would release an EcoBoost Mustang have persisted ever since the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 debuted in the SHO, but according to a recent report, no such turbo ‘Stang is planned – for now. MotorAuthority is reporting Ford has no plans to drop the sophisticated engine into the Mustang – especially as it has recently unveiled two other sophisticated powerplants for the 2011 model. The first is the 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 and the second is the new 412-hp 5.0-liter V8. The current EcoBoost plant sits mid-way between those two with as much as 365-hp in the Taurus SHO. Because it is turbocharged, however, it makes an almost equal amount of torque, and because it is still a V6, there’s a notable weight savings over a V8 engine.

That being said, the idea of a turbocharged V6 Mustang not only makes sense, but should sound familiar to the Mustang faithful. Back in the 1980s, Ford produced a turbocharged model called the SVO. It used a 4-cylinder rather than a V6, but the result was the same, with the lighter engine helping the car beat the old 5.0 in some tests.

And so while we’re not likely to hear anything from Ford about an EcoBoost Mustang for several years (perhaps around time for a mid-cycle update?), the automaker has confirmed that the EcoBoost V6 will arrive in the F-150 later this year as a 2011 model.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

20/08/2009 | By: Colum Wood

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As though the photos and specs weren’t enough to get us salivating, now Porsche has released two videos of its barely street-legal GT3 RS.

For 2010 this motorsports-derived masterpiece gets a larger engine with more power, a wider front track, a reduced curb weight and increase downforce.

Thanks to an increased displacement from 3.6 to 3.8-liters, the new engine makes an additional 15hp for a new total of 450. That power hits the ground (as it should) through a rear-drive setup and a six-speed manual transmission. Plus, the gear ratios for the 2010 model have been shortened further for increased acceleration.

As the GT3 RS is all about performance through light-weight, additional weight has been shaved off the body of the GT3 RS through the use of a titanium exhaust. Porsche will also offer an optional lithium-ion battery in place of the standard lead battery, which will help save an additional 22 lbs.

In terms of handling, the GT3 RS gets a dynamic engine mounts, which change their stiffness depending on how the car is being driven. A new special PASM suspension setup has also been included that takes into account not only the RS’s wider rear track, but also its wider front track (new for 2010). Inside those flared fenders you’ll find 19×9-inch wheels with 245/35/19 tires up front and 19×12-inch wheels with 325/30/19 tires in the rear.

The 2010 GT3 RS will be available as of March with pricing is listed at $132,800 ($163,000 CDN).