Raikkonen to race in world rally

Former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen is to compete in the World Rally Championship in his native Finland at the end of the July.

Ferrari's Raikkonen has appeared in three non-championship rallies this season and will be behind the wheel of a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto.

His co-driver, Kaj Lindstrom, said: "The roads used for this rally are so fast but he's very talented."

The rally is staged three weeks before the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

Raikkonen, who won the F1 title in 2007, will be competing against the likes of championship favourites Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen.

Event spokesman Simon Long said: "It's superb news for the championship and hugely exciting that he'll be competing at Rally Finland."

In a disappointing season for Ferrari, Raikkonen has won just 10 points in the drivers' world championship, 54 behind leader Jenson Button.

Green Car Journal's Top 5 for 2009

Consumer desires have shifted in recent years - driven by an increased interest in environmental impact and a desire for better fuel economy in the face of wildly spiking gas prices - and the industry is responding. This has brought better choices for environmentally-inclined buyers. It's about to get better ... a lot better.

As Green Car Journal editors sifted through the mass of information available on coming new car models to identify nominees for the 2009 Green Car of the Year program, it became apparent that a sea change is occurring. The auto industry is not simply responding to a changing consumer market and tighter emissions and fuel economy laws. It is, in important ways, reinventing itself. This doesn't mean the loss of the kind of vehicles we've come to appreciate over the years. Rather, it means that an evolution is occurring before our eyes. The cars and SUVS/crossovers that fill so many driveways today are still around, but new models are generally getting more fuel efficient and in many cases offering a lighter environmental impact. That's clearly a good sign for years to come.

After thorough research and evaluation, Green Car Journal's Top 5 for 2009, - the year's best-of-the-best 'green' vehicles - have been identified by the magazine's editors. These vehicles are (listed alphabetically) the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, smart fortwo, and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. One of these exceptional models will be named the 2009 Green Car of the Year on November 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Vehicles using all types of technologies, fuels, and powerplants are eligible for the Green Car of the Year program. To qualify for consideration as a nominee, a vehicle must exhibit characteristics that substantially raise the bar in environmental performance and be in production by January 1 of the award year. Plus, a potential nominee must be driven by Green Car Journal to allow experiencing driving dynamics first-hand. This driving requirement allows determining that those making the final cut live up to the promises made on paper. Production dates are important to ensure that nominee vehicles will actually be available for purchase during the award year.

Of course, these requirements might preclude some vehicles that are widely perceived as being fine examples of 'green' cars from making the cut. Ones that come to mind include the Tesla Roadster, the electric MINI E, and the coming Honda Insight. We're told the 2009 Tesla Roadster will not be in production until April 2009, while the electric MINI E and Honda Insight have not yet been available for behind-the-wheel evaluation. There are other 'green' cars offering positive environmental attributes that also didn't make the cut. But then, there's always next year.

GREEN CAR'S TOP 5 FOR 2009
(Alphabetical Order)

2009 BMW 335d
BMW'S 335d showcases how well advanced, efficient, and clean diesel power can be incorporated into a performance-based sport sedan. With 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway fuel economy and gobs of torque, there's no sacrifice for performance fans here.
Engine: 3.0-liter inline-six diesel Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 265 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 23/33 (EPA) Base MSRP: Under $43,000

FORD FUSION HYBRID
Ford's first hybrid sedan uses a more advanced adaptation of the automaker's full hybrid system to allow electric driving up to 47 mph, bringing the roomy five-passenger Fusion best-in-class fuel economy. An innovative SmartGauge with EcoGuide helps drivers achieve maximum mpg.
Engine: 2.5-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 155 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 38/35 (est.) Base MSRP: $27,000-$30,000 (est.)

SATURN VUE 2 MODE HYBRID
The Vue 2 Mode breaks new ground as the first application of GM's two mode hybrid technology in a V-6 front-wheel-drive vehicle. The compact SUV combines welcome functionality and fuel economy with sprightly performance and a very smooth hybrid powertrain.
Engine: 3.6-liter V-6, gasoline-electric hybrid Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 255 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 28/31 (est.) Base MSRP: Under $33,000

SMART FORTWO
The smart fortwo represents an all new type of vehicle for American drivers. Now, the tiny two-seater that's been a popular choice in Europe for years has come here, bringing with it a small eco footprint, higher fuel efficiency, and a trendy 'green' ride for new car buyers.
Engine: 1.0-liter inline three Emissions, EPA: Tier 2 Bin 5 Horsepower: 70 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 33/41 (EPA) Base MSRP: $13,990

VW JETTA TDI
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI builds on VW's 30-plus years of diesel experience in the U.S. The latest diesel technology is used to enable this fuel efficient, affordable - and dare we say 'fun' - clean diesel sedan to meet tight emissions certification in all 50 states.
Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four, diesel Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 140 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 30/41 (EPA) Base MSRP: $21,990

Ford Racing prepping new 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet

Ford's re-packaging of the Mustang into its 2010 model-year form factor has pleased the critics with a sleeker look, but now Ford Racing is getting ready to please the folks that live only to see quick ETs with the 2010 Mustang Cobra Jet (2008 model pictured).

The 2010 car will wear the FR500CJ model designation just like the car before it, but other specifications have yet to be nailed down. Ford Racing is expecting to put a 425hp 5.4L supercharged V8 straight out of the Ford Racing Parts (FRP) catalog in the standard model, with an optional upgrade to a 475hp aluminum-block engine.

Shifting gears yourself is one of the most rewarding parts of driving a car fast when done properly, but at the drag strip, it just slows you down, so Ford is offering a five-speed Liberty manual in addition to a race-prepped automatic on top of the standard six-speed tranny that was available on the 2008 car.

To keep the car from crumpling when the shiny side fails to stay up, all 2010 Cobra Jets get an 8.50et NHRA certified roll cage, too.

Final testing of components is still underway, but Ford says production will begin in Q4 2009 with first deliveris to start in early 2010. Pricing hasn't been set yet, but will start below $75,000, says Ford. Like last time, only 50 will be available.

F1 reaches compromise; Mosley to step down

PARIS (AP) — A breakaway Formula One series was averted Wednesday when Max Mosley ceded to the rebel teams' demand that a planned budget cap be scrapped and the FIA president said he won't seek re-election.

Mosley will immediately take a back-seat role until his 16-year reign ends in October — a move that will help to end the acrimonious atmosphere that has blighted F1 in recent months.

STANDINGS: Formula One points

"There will be no split. There will be one F1 championship in 2010," Mosley said at FIA's Paris headquarters.

"They've got the rules they want and they've got the stability. We've got the new teams and we've got the cost reduction."

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Renault | McLaren | Bernie Ecclestone | Max Mosley | BMW Sauber | British Grand Prix | John Howett | Luca di Montezemolo | Team Toyota Europe

Mosley backed down on the voluntary $65 million budget cap at the World Motorsport Council. Instead, teams were given a watered-down order to reduce costs to early 1990s levels.

But the Formula One Teams Association, which instigated the breakaway, had already implemented a series of cost-cutting measures themselves this season amid the global economic downturn, restricting on-track testing and the use of wind tunnels for aerodynamic testing.

Further efforts to create savings on engines and gearboxes in the next three years had already been announced by FOTA in May to help attract new teams. Campos Meta, Manor and Team US F1 will make their debuts next season. Additional cuts are expected to be agreed to Thursday at a FOTA meeting in Bologna, Italy.

"I am pleased FOTA's proposals have been endorsed and approved by the WMSC today," said John Howett, FOTA's vice chairman and Toyota Motorsport president. "We look forward to working with the FIA Senate to achieve a prosperous and exciting future for Formula One and its millions of fans around the world."

FOTA's members — Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Brawn GP — opposed the budget cap because it would have given those who signed up greater technical freedom than those who refused, creating a two-tier championship next season.

"We're very happy that common sense has prevailed as I always believed it would because the alternative was not good at all," said Bernie Ecclestone, F1's commercial rights holder. "Everything is in good shape."

The FIA also expects the teams to sign on to a new Concorde Agreement, the confidential commercial document governing the sport.

Last weekend's British Grand Prix had been overshadowed by the split between the FIA and FOTA members, some of whom were branded "loonies" by Mosley after their decision to form a rival series.

Mosley announced plans to sue FOTA on Friday, but backed down 48 hours later when he insisted that a deal was close.

What will help heal the rifts is the departure of the often divisive Mosley after four terms. His leadership style was criticized as too autocratic and was blamed by many of the teams for precipitating the split between FOTA and the FIA.

Even as the crisis intensified over the weekend, Mosley was still planning to run for a fifth term.

But he said Wednesday: "The teams were always ... going to get rid of me in October. Whether the person who succeeds me will be more to their taste than I am remains to be seen."

Mosley has been the president of the FIA, the international automobile federation that governs Formula One, since 1993. FIA Senate president Michel Boeri will effectively be in charge until the election.

"It is a great relief and that is going to enable me to take a step back for the summer," Mosley said. "I will be able to look at Formula One knowing it's peaceful and stable, and I will be able to stop — as was always my intention — in October of this year."

"This for me is an enormous relief," Mosley added, referring to "personal difficulties" he has faced.

His son, Alexander Mosley, was found dead at his luxury apartment May 5 after an accidental drug overdose.

The 69-year-old FIA president, the son of former British fascist leader Oswald Mosley, was at the center of a media frenzy last year when a tabloid newspaper reported he took part in a sadomasochistic orgy with five prostitutes in London. A video of the incident was widely circulated on the Internet.

Mosley successfully sued the News of the World for invasion of privacy.

The episode brought calls for Mosley's ouster as FIA president, but he won an overwhelming vote of confidence to stay on.

Team notes: Drivers on track for New Hampshire visit

NASCAR team reports as the Sprint Cup Series makes its first stop of the season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway:

Tony Stewart, No. 14 Chevrolet, Stewart-Haas Racing

This week: Stewart's points lead has increased to 84 as the Cup series heads to New Hampshire for the first of two races this season. Stewart has two wins, 10 top-five finishes and 12 top-10s in 20 starts at the "Magic Mile." He was 13th last June and eighth in September.

Last week: Stewart finished second to Kasey Kahne in the season's first road-course race, the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infineon Raceway.

Etc.: Stewart owes much of his Cup success to his father, Nelson, who raced late model stock cars across northern Indiana when he was in his 20s. At the age of 44, Nelson's focus changed. He sold his SCCA D-Production car in favor of a go-kart for his 7-year-old son. In addition to the go-kart, Nelson gave Tony all of the traits that separate a good driver from a good racer. "He never let me settle for second," said Tony Stewart, now in his 29th year of competitive racing. "He didn't like it when we ran second, and he knew that I didn't like it when we ran second. If he saw that I wasn't giving 100%, then he was on me pretty hard about it. He pushed me to be better. He never pressured me to be the best race-car driver in the world, but he did want me to be the best race-car driver that I could be. He never compared me to anybody else. He expected that what I could do was what I could do. He never said that because this guy over here could do something, that I should be able to do it, too. He pushed me hard, but he was fair about it. That's probably why you see so much fire in me today, because he always wanted me to be the best that I could be." ... As a 37-year-old, when Tony Stewart made the massive leap from being just a driver to taking on the dual role of driver/owner with his own team — Stewart-Haas Racing — Nelson has been there to see his son succeed once again. "At the time he won the first Brickyard, I thought, 'This has got to be the biggest thing we've been involved with or ever seen,' " said Nelson, who watched Tony win his first Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in 2005 and his second in 2007. "But, knowing what it took to get to this point in this deal and seeing him win a race, I'm not going to say I'm putting it above the first Brickyard, but it's right up there with the first Brickyard. Tony is having fun. I guess it's a different side of him than everybody thought he had. It's been there all along. Right now, everything's just going really, really well and things are falling in place and he's got all good people and everybody's having fun. That's the most important thing is that everybody's having fun. With fun comes success."

Ortigas Home Depot holds swap meet with Old Schooler Auto Club

There is always something very quaint about classic cars. This was probably why brothers Manny and Roger Martinez, together with friends Andrew Caballero and Raul Capistrano thought of forming an auto club to bring together car owners like them who are into old school and classic cars for fun, camaraderie, and exchange of ideas. Founded in November 2003, the Old Schooler Auto Club held its first assembly at the Greenhills Shopping Center parking lot, a haven and meeting place for racer boys during the 190s. Since then, the club has been meeting regularly in commercial parking lots and popular gas stations on weekends.

In the last three years, the club has held several events and club meets in the Ortigas Home Depot Complex, conveniently located in the central area of the metro since most of its owners come from parts of Quezon City, Marikina, Cainta, Mandaluyong, downtown Manila, and Paranaque. Its members own cars from the 1960s to 1980s, mostly Japanese and European compact and sub-compact sedans and coupes. Many of these cars were meticulously restored and in showroom condition, despite the scarce availability of spare parts and trims.

The club members recently took part in the "Swapmeet at Home Depot" jointly organized with Ortigas Home Depot. Some members brought their new old stock and used parts and auto accessories for trade or sale.

Wheels Gallery, brand owner of Concept One and the country's foremost authority in alloy whells, also showcased a special line of alloy wheels designed for classic cars. Aptl called "Old Skool" Wheels, these wheels also give the car a more muscular stance without sacrificing steering and ride comport.

Over a hundred car enthusiasts joined with their clubs including Cartistics, Classic Auto Club, club Oldschooler, Durateco, Ford Escort Club, Grupo Starlet, Grupo Toyota, Lipa Old Schooler, MitsuLancer PH, Musclecars Philippines, Old School Pasig Club, Old Schooler Pampanga, Rizal Automotive Federation, Phi, Old Schooler Federation, and the Vintage Car Club.

For more information about the club and future meets at the Ortigas Home Depot please contact Manny Martinez at 09195565047 or 9275739.

Click here to know more.

2 Babes with a Ferrari and Lamborghini

2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo – Coming Stateside!

Alfa has impressed us wildly with their 8C Competizione supercar and now all enthusiasts’ eyes are on the MiTo, a name just confirmed to us by our contacts deep inside the Turin offices. The Mini and future Audi A1 (and next Volkswagen Polo sharing with the A1) ought to watch their backs for this speeding and stunning little Italian. Alfa is making it no secret that the priorities for the MiTo are to get uttered in the same breath with Mini as a B-segment leader worldwide, and then to spoil the launch party later this year for the A1/Polo.
Sources also confirm to us that development on the MiTo has been maniacally painstaking in order to arrive in exactly the form Alfa would like in order to make the biggest impact right away. The key words in Turin have been comfort, performance, and sophistication. That means being seen as premium and image-conscious with the hippest car-buying crowd.MiTo is built on the same chassis used by Fiat’s Grande Punto and the GM’s Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, a chassis that was developed with a ton of cash during the brief marriage between Fiat and General Motors. It is reported that this chassis can give as good as it takes and the Opel Corsa OPC at 189 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque (197 pound-feet overboost), or the Grande Punto Abarth SS at 178 horsepower and 201 pound-feet of torque from the 1.4-liter turbocharged T-jet engine, are just the tip of the iceberg. Horsepower for the MiTo with a new turbocharged 1.8-liter direct-injected gas motor with variable valve timing as sophisticated as BMW’s Double Vanos is intended to begin at 180 horsepower and will eventually be made available with up to 230 horsepower.Other engines ready at launch will not be new, but will include both the scorching 1.4 turbo gas T-jet in the Grande Punto and the Abarth versions, plus a turbo 1.6 diesel. There will reportedly be no gas engine smaller than 1.4-liter, and we’d be surprised if a psyched up 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo gas T-jet and the existing 1.9-liter mJTD diesel don’t show up in the lineup a year after launch. Additional sources say that a Delta version perhaps with a 280-horsepower tune of the planned 2.0-liter would not come as any surprise.MiTo is also getting pumped up to assume an even larger role for Alfa since it has been confirmed that the successor to the 147 (also on this chassis we’ve been bandying about, but larger than the MiTo) will be offered only as a four-door hatch. This means the MiTo is destined to take on several guises, including the sinister two-door hatch you see here. Expect a four-door hatch as well for MiTo, as well as a four-door sedan, a wagon, and convertible.

Though the rear suspension is the fairly unsophisticated torsion bar setup and not state-of-this-segment multi-link, the dampers as used on the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth sister car have shown us that Fiat Automobiles knows what its doing.The name MiTo is taken from the two cities that have formed the history of Alfa Romeo, Milan and Turin (“Torino” to the locals). The pleasing design as seen here, in fact, has been led by a team recently relocated back in the semi-abandoned traditional Alfa headquarters in the town of Arese northwest of Milan. Should the MiTo set the car world aflame as its smaller sibling the 500 has done, maybe that tattered factory can once again hit the full-on switch.MiTo goes on sale in late autumn of this year after it’s Paris motor show debut in September and….plans are in the works to take the MiTo truly global by bringing it to North America as a 2010 model. Pricing will be right in the ballpark with Mini.

Leah Dizon - Ace Alloy Wheels

Name: Leah Dizon
Ethnicity: Fillipina/Chinese/White
Stomping Grounds: Las Vegas, NV
Measurements: 34C/25/36
Height: 5'5"
Weight 115 lbs

Chrome or gunmetal?
Gunmetal, hands down.

Four or six spoke?
Four

9 inches or 18 inches
18

Hobbies?
Whatever the hell I happen to be doing at the moment.

Favorite car
BMW E46 M3 CSL

Weirdest place you had sex:
Rawr (water? -chimpy)

Favorite Ace Alloy Wheel?
Arius, Matig, and Zeus

What does psi stand for?
Pounds per square inch, right?

Would you date a Super Street editor? If so, which one? If none, why?
I've only met one and he's already married, so I guess I can't really answer this one.

Do sharks sleep?
Wait a second while I go ask one...

What did you eat for breakfast this morning? I ate about 1/3 of an egg McMuffin, wrapped it up and put it back in the bag for later, and before I knew it, my friend finished his McBagel or something, stuffed the wrapper in the same bag and threw it out the window!

Does it bother you that people beat their meat to your picture?
I try not to think about it.

Do you sleep in the nude?
Whenever possible.

Who you rather be alone with? Kobe Bryant or Michael Jackson?
Michael Jackson.

What makes you laugh?
Breathing.

What would you name your first baby?
I won't know until I see him or her.

Would you let Roel make your first baby?
I've never met him. Is he hot?

Hot Car Show Girls on the Day

San Diego Car Show 2009.

Electric and hybrid car

Auto manufacturers are gathering in Switzerland for the 77th International Motor Show, which will take place from March 8-18.

The Geneva auto show features cars that you’ll probably never drive but will let your imagination run wild. Plus, there are electric and hybrid cars that you probably will be driving soon.

Rinspeed is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a see-through concept car which debuts in Geneva. The all-plastic vehicle runs on a 2-cylinder 750 ccm Weber engine that sits above the transmission.

The car also honors the 40th anniversary of Bayer’s first all-plastic car which debuted in 1967.

Koenigsegg’s CCXR

Making its debut at Geneva, the Koenigsegg’s CCXR could be the fastest car ever–and it runs on biofuel. The Swedish auto manufacturer says ethanol fuel has higher octane and better cooling power than regular gas which lets it boost the power up 25 percent over the CCX model to 1018 horsepower at 7200 rpm.

Pictured is the CCX model which is also being shown at Geneva. CCX will be re-engineered to run on biofuels.

Bugatti Veyron

The Bugatti Veyron, a 1001 horsepower sports car, could be eclipsed by the Koenigsegg CCXR’s 1018 hp engine. The 16 cylinder, 8.0 liter engine has a seven-speed transmission. Its speed record of 407 kph could be in jeopardy. The Veyron costs a mere $1,630,000.

Tramontana

The single-seat Tramontana was inspired by fighter jets and racing cars according to Spanish carmaker A.D. Tramontana. Production of this twin-turbocharged, 720 hp vehicle is limited to 12 per year.

Gumpert Apollo Sport

The Gumpert Apollo Sport races from 0 to 60 in three seconds flat. The two-seater (note the position of the driver) is powered by an 8-cylinder engine that revs up to 800 hp.

Lamborghini Gallardo

Lamborghini introduces a new version of the Gallardo that includes a standard robotized mechanical gearbox, enabling fast gear shifting without the driver removing their hands from the steering wheel. The Italian carmaker claims the ‘Superleggera’ model has the fastest acceleration in its class, going from 0 to 62 mph in about 3.8 seconds–just under the Ferrari 430 F1’s 4.0 secs.

The car can be ordered in March but the number sold will be limited.

Rolls-Royce Phanton Drophead Coupe

The Rolls-Royce Phanton Drophead Coupe makes its European debut in Geneva. But don’t count on getting one of the two-door, four-seat convertibles this year as they are sold out–and they have few openings still available for 2008. The Phantom Drophead Couple offers a hand-brushed steel hood and rear teak deck.

KTM X-Bow

Motorcycle maker KTM built its first car, the exotic X-Bow concept which is on display at the Geneva auto show. The lightweight body is made of carbon fiber.

beON

Turin’s Istituto Europeo di Design will present the “beON” concept as a full-scale model. This student-made off-road sports car has been designed to travel over deserts, beaches and wild terrain. It can also take you to the grocery store.

The BeON runs on a hybrid thermal-electric engine with a hydraulic transmission system within each wheel.

Russo-Baltique

Russia celebrates 100 years of car design with a four-seat coupe that contains a V12, 555 bhp engine. The Russo-Baltique has a pneumatic suspension with changeable road clearance. It also has a glass roof.

Russo-Baltique

Russia celebrates 100 years of car design with a four-seat coupe that contains a V12, 555 bhp engine. The Russo-Baltique has a pneumatic suspension with changeable road clearance. It also has a glass roof.

Pagani Zonda Roadster F

Pagani Automobili unveils the hand-built Zonda Roadster F. Only 25 of these vehicles will be built. The Roadster F offers the performance of the F Coupe–and has a removable top. Pagani calls it “the fastest, most exclusive, most powerful and most expensive Roadster in the world.”

Jaguar XKR

Jaguar Cars unveils the all-new special edition XKR Portfolio model for the Geneva auto show. The XKR features an engine capable of hitting 155mph and will go from 0 to 60 miles in 4.9 seconds. One of the highlights of the car will be the sound system. It has the first production example of its new partnership with audio entertainment specialists Bowers & Wilkins.

Porche 911 Turbo

TechArt brings its GTstreet, based on the Porche 911 Turbo, to Geneva. The modified Porsche 3.6-liter flat six turbo engine revs up to 630 hp. TechArt claims the 911 Turbo will go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds, and will hit a top speed of 214 mph.

Carver One

At the other extreme of these high performance cars is the Carver One, a three-wheeled, twin-seat tilting vehicle. The Carver One steers like a car but turns like a motorcycle. The car automatically adjusts the tilt angle of the vehicle to the speed and acceleration of the vehicle, ensuring an optimum balance.

Peraves Monotracer

Think a three-wheels are still too much? You can check out the two-wheel Monotracer from Peraves. Its stabiler wheels allow the vehicle to safely lean up to 52 degrees.

Mazda Hakaze

Mazda Motor presents its Hakaze design concept at the Geneva show. The Hakaze is described as a four-seat coupe-style compact crossover SUV. The gull-wing doors make it look like it’s ready to fly like a bird.

Hakaze is the third design concept of the series created around the “Nagare” design language, joining the Mazda Nagare and Mazda Ryuga which were revealed earlier this year.

HKS Presents Carbon-Fibre Aero Kit for Suzuki Swift Sport.

Suzuki’s latest generation Swift is one of our favourite mini cars; it’s reliable and well built, it’s nice on the road and it looks nearly as good as a MINI without costing an arm and a leg.
The top-of-the-line Sport version with its perky 125 Hp 1.6-liter is even better adding a dose of sportiness to the mixture. While we wouldn’t have minded a few more horses under the hood, HKS’ offering for the Swift Sport which was redesigned for the Japanese market last yea, concentrates on appearance and handling.The Japanese tuner’s aero kit includes mirror caps, front and rear lip, roof spoiler, hood with an aero scoop and a rear door spoiler all of which are made out of carbon-fibre. The Swift’s exterior looks are complemented by a set of 18-inch Advan RC-III alloys wrapped in Yokohama tires (215/35 R18). Additionally, HKS offers buyers the option of suspension, brake and chassis upgrades.

Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 Girls

There were so many of these car models which are actually called “Race Queens” by those in the modified auto mecca of Japan.

Shell Ferrari Model Cars are Hot!

Every kid, service driver, mom and pop are all lining up at every Shell Gas station to get their hands on one of the six limited-edition collector’s item Ferrari model cars. The Shell-Ferrari Model cars are so in-demand people are buying them by the dozens, even if there’s only 6 in a set. The 1:38 scaled down models include the Ferrari Enzo, the F430, the 575 Superamerica, the 360 Spider, the F50, and the Ferrari F1 racer.

In order to get one, you’ll have to gas up at Shell. For every Php500 (single receipt) you spend, you can buy any one of the six Ferrari model cars. Each one costs Php98 (for Super Unleaded and Premium) or just Php49 for V-Power. Promo lasts only until December 31, 2007. And to think I’m an avid BPI-Petron customer. Will switch back to Petron when this is over.
If anybody is interested, I could also raffle off these toys in our next contest.

2009 Trans Sport Show

2009 Trans Sport Show

The longest running auto show catering to the aftermarket and auto supplier recently celebrated its 18th year, as the 2009 Trans Sport Show (TSS) celebrated a score and eight years of fervor for automotive ardor. The opening tugged at a lot of heartstrings, as the reknowned Ramirez clan were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Immediately after the ribbon cutting, the rest of the crowd witnessed the unveiling of a booth (near the orange R35 Nissan Skyline of Coy Enriquez and Alex Restoration) that depicted the late Philippine motorsports icon Pocholo Ramirez, a video of his last “flying lap” (which also can be seen on YouTube) and his racing suit and helmet encased in glass.Aside from the said booth, cars ranging from 1948 Buicks to R35 GT-R Nissan Skylines were on display during the five-day affair. Crowds upon crowds swooped down on the hall to get an experience some only wish they could feel - albeit even for a brief moment – and over 22 awards were handed out to various vehicles that best represented show car characteristics. The “Best of Show” award went to a sunset yellow 1948 Buick Roadmaster owned by Juanito de la Cruz and entered by Alfred Motorworks. Ending up second was a silver 1959 Lancia Zagato owned by Bu Corcuera and entered by REG Restoration. A “Concept and Execution Award” went to a 1974 Volkwagen Beetle limo owned by Ramon Orlina, the “2009 TSS Rookie of the Show” citation went to Christine K. Gamboa and her 1994 Honda Civic ESi, and the “Best Body Kit” went to Larry Palad’s silver Nissan Skyline R35 GT-R and entered by A-Toy Body Kits. Outstanding Showmanship was lauded to John Lee Hagoriles’s red/chroma 2005 Honda Civic VTEC 3. Concept One’s Samuel Liuson toted a near-perfect rendition of Fernando Amorsolo’s Cry of Balintawak on his white 1997 Lexus LS 400, garnering him the “Best in Graphics” award. Best Engine Display went to a silver 2000 Honda Civic EK owned by Alan Lim, while Best in Vintage went to the white 1963 Lincoln Continental droptop of Lee Martin Kierulf. Art Galang’s olive drab-clad 1968 Kaiser Jeep got a Best in Classic Utility Vehicle citation. Speaking of old school cars, the Vintage Cars division was a hotly contested one, with Juanito de la Cruz’s yellow 1975 Mitsubishi Minica surprisingly getting the top spot. It beat out Philippine Daily Tribune’s Olson Camacho and his yellow 1971 Opel GT (with modification by A-Toy Body Kits) and a blue 1972 Toyota Celica owned by ManilaStandardToday’s Dino Ray Directo III.Then there were certain cars that managed to wow the crowds, either for performance mods or exterior looks that were either enticing enough for people to inquire about having the same setups, being odd in a lukewarm way, or cool enough for pictures. An orange 2008 Mazda 3 owned by Francis Uyehara and toting a bodykit penned by Careation Bodykits and Paintings had a widemouth front end that reminded many – including this writer – of the front mug of a baleen whale. Kenneth Yu/Finland Audio’s 2005 Toyota Previa was a temple of boom for entertaining music, while a British racing green 1964 Triumph TR4 (owned by Lito Aguila and restored by JCB Bodyshop) turned heads at the middle left part of the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall.Keeping in line with the patriotic theme, the Aftermarket Mafia had Atoy Llave’s Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R had the “three stars and a sun” motif (inspired by Francis Magalona) adorning its flanks, along with Samuel Liuson’s flat black Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (albeit in tasteful color matching graphics). Atoy Llave also brought in his latest marketing creation – casual shoes (co-designed with Accel) that carried the Philippine patriotic motif. Speedlab brought in performance modified versions of the current Toyota Yaris, Mitsubishi Lancer and Honda Civic - along with full blown setups of the previous model Subaru Impreza STi and Ford Focus 2.0L petrol – and all were clad in the signature white/black/red livery of the aforementioned tuning shop. Lastly, those that were looking for abstract automotive art found it in Dempsey Uy’s predominantly black 2008 Toyota Yaris, which toted graphics reminiscent of Jean Paul Basquiat’s or Joan Miro’s masterpieces.Despite troubling economic times that brought many an automotive manufacturer to its knees, the 18th iteration of the Trans Sport Show gave auto enthusiasts and pundits quite an audio-visual thrill.

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