The Final Details of the NEW NISSAN GTR!

Hey guys!

I know I've done a few posts on the development of this car, but I am so f*cking excited for this thing that I got to keep writing about.



Well Nissan has annouced officially these details and pictures




Engine:

Going The Extra Mile

When buying a car, something that you take into account is the longevity of the engine. Now, we all know that a Toyota or Honda engine will get you past the century mark as far as thousands of miles go as a standard. This is so important because the dependability of a car is the true test of getting the best bang for your buck.

There have been many reports of high mileage cars. There was the highest mileage diesel 1977 VW Rabbit found in Ohio that recorded 562K miles in its lifetime. The car even won its owner a free 6-month lease for a VW Touareg. Then, there was a 1989 Saab 900 SPG that passed the one million miles mark. Also joinng the million mark club was a 1995 Dodge Ram 3500. All these cars have then since been used by their respective companies as marketing tools.

However, all these high-mileage devotees look up and can't hold candle to Irv Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800 who's shooting for the three million mile mark (currently at about 2.6 million)! Irv is the only owner of the car and the way he racked up the miles was his 125 miles round-trip daily commute and giving the car pristine maintenance. Since retiring from being a science teacher, his average of 100K miles a year has slowed down a bit to about 80K miles a year but he still has goals to pass the three million mark. Now it's just a matter of whether the car will outlive its owner.





-Rack of Lam

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Group N Rally Car

This is the new 2008 Spec Rally car that will be delivered to Subaru Race Teams all over the world, including famous Subaru driver Tommy Makinen.



This 304HP flat four car is still awaiting approval by FIA for 2008, but will surely pass. This car will be sold by specific "Subaru Base Teams" all over the world. One team is Tommy Makinen Racing, which operates as a race school, modification center, and support for Tommy Makinen himself.










The new 2008 Subaru is improved by having a wider wheel base and a double wishbone rear suspension as revisions to previous models. For improved engine performance, stronger connecting rods, electronically actuated throttle, and an active valve control system.

Subaru also revised the software for the engine control and differential control, allowing a driver to change settings on the fly.

In terms of chassis tuning, Subaru has raised the center of gravity, changed the weight distribution, and "optimized" the height of the roll center.




Major Components of the New Model IMPREZA WRX STI
Car: SUBARU CBA-GRB
Model type: 5-door AWD 6MT
Dimensions (mm): Length: 4415 x Width: 1795 x Height: 1475 x Wheelbase: 2625
Vehicle weight (kg): 1470
Engine: EJ20 2.0 litre DOHC 16 valve AVCS turbo
Engine power: Max. output: 227 k-W (308ps)/6400 rpm. Max. torque 422 N-m(43.0kg-m)/4400 rpm
Fuel tank: 60 litres
Steering: Rack & pinion 13 : 1
Suspension: Front: Strut Rear: Double wishbone
Brakes: Front: Ventilated discs Rear: Ventilated discs

2006 SCION XB 2006 vs. 2008 SCION XB

(2006 Toyota Scion XB)

vs.


(2008 Toyota Scion XB)

Before I begin, the reason why I am not comparing the 2007 and the 2008 model is because well, Toyota did not make a 2007 model!

I chose to compare the two because I, myself am very curious to what the difference is. I have been seeing the new 2008 XB's pop up around every freaking corner. Maybe I might want to turn in my 2006 Scion XB for the new bad boy that's hitting the streets? Here are some important factors I personally took into consideration.

PRICE: The original starting price for the 2006 model was around the range of $14,830. Now the 2008 XB goes for roughly $15,650. Around an extra grand for the new model. Which is not bad, considering how much of a killing Toyota is making in the consumer market why not hike it up a bit and make more profits right Toyota?

WEIGHT: 2006 XB: 1,061 kg (2,339.1 pounds) 2008 XB: add 600+ more. XB's gettin' a bit dumpy don't you think? Freshman 15?

SPACE: 2006 XB: 4,220 litres (1,115 gallons) 2008: add +12% more! Awesome, now my caucasian friends can now fit in the back without bitchin' and complaining.

SPEED: 2006 XB (slow, trust me I get honked at EVERYDAY even by grandmothers) 2008: 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine rated 158 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 162 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm; five-speed manual transmission; traction control. All in all +53% more power and +60% more torque.

MPG: I want my miles per gallon! my XB gets about 30/32 miles per gallon. While the 2008 XB gets a mere 22/24. OUCH! What a decrease.

I'm sure there are other factors I should look into and do even more comprehensive research but I think I made my decision.

The only PROS I see with the new 2008 Scion XB is that it is curvier (like my girlfriends ghyeaaa), it's faster (like my performance in the sheets nowadays), and space (for more backseat lovemaking ju knowww?).

Where as my 2006 Scion XB gives me great mileage (which comes in handy with all those damn trips I make to Los Angeles all the way from Orange County) and price (I can buy my baby a steak dinner finally).

With gas prices fluctuating anywhere from $3-$4 / gallon, this is a pretty important decision. Yeah I wish my 2006 XB can be a little bit faster, or for my car to have a brand new look, or have +12% more passenger space but is it worth it to change? Maybe not for me. I am not a racer, I am not speed demon. I am a mere young adult who needs a vehicle to get me from point A to point B and that can haul my ass around.

WINNER: 2006 Scion XB




_ THAI SPYCE _

"The Tokyo Motor Show

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Earlier this month your man(and ours) Thai Spyce filled you in about the 40th Tokyo Motor. Well, in less than twenty-four hours from now the Makuhari Messe complex will open it

Y'all Pop The Trunk, I Pop The Hood...Ferrari

Lets face it, the average American doesn't do much walking...or exercise of any sort for that matter. We have cars, bikes, skateboards, etc. to get us around. As if that weren't bad enough, remember when the two-wheeled robotic transportation device came out called the Segway. I have to admit though, Segways are pretty damn cool. You just stand on them and they're self-balancing and you kind of just float around. Heck, I have a friend that works at Google and they used to supply a Segway for their employees to go to meetings and whatnot. I digress though.

As if wanting a Segway wasn't good enough, Italian automobile powerhouses Ferrari decided to manufacture their own Segway with the Ferrari name and emblem on it. This is the extremely limited edition Segway PT i2 Ferrari.

The i2 serves as an alternative from automobile travelling. If you think about it, a lot of the commuters on the road nowadays travel alone. Why not preserve the environment with one of these? They're fun, versatile, and you don't really have to find parking for them. And with the Ferrari name, you probably could valet the i2 during your next fine dining outing. It's the perfect mobilization tool that helps you avoid the congestion of the streets just when you're trying to run errands. The i2 goes about 24 miles on a single charge (that's about 480 city blocks) and powers itself accordingly depending on the terrain of the road. It's completely wireless, and the LeanSteer(TM) frame and handlebar tilt intuitively goes where your body leans. It moves as you do and adjusts to your whims.

The Ferrari edition comes with the enameled Scuderia Ferrari emblem and in the legendary "Ferrari red" colorway. The price tag on this is roughly $10,000US.

Street Image Toyota Yaris Time Attack

Street Image is not the first to make a Yaris race car, but they definitely have made a very unique one at that. This year I attended the 2007 Long Beach Grand Prix, and went around the car museum section they had in their main convention space. As I looked at all the Vintage Toyota race cars, I saw this car in the distance. After taking a look at the TRD Tundra street-drag car, I saw this stunning 4 Door Yaris.

The guys over at Street Image completely gutted this car and relocated the steering wheel to the center for a complete symetrical view. They also moved back the seating position roughly 2 feet. Looking from the outside in, it made the cabin look like a hard core race car. The car is fully cages, has an air jack system, and Tilton Pedal Assembly.

Street Image decided the 1.5 2NZ-FE engine was not good enough, so they shoe-horned a turbocharged 2ZZ-GE to make sure it will CRUSH the competition.

On the outside APR air foils, fender flares, and the too big 19" wheels.

FROM IMPORT MODELING TO "ACTUAL" MODELING

This one's for the women out there. How do you switch from Import modeling to "Actual" modeling? It's easy. Just do what Tila Tequila does. This little Vietnamese Houston native did her stints on various import car magazines. (most notable for being on the cover of Import Tuner) From this, she did various appearances at Hot Import Nights, SEMA and other car shows. After that, she graced the cover of STUFF magazine and in the magazine she adopts the name "Tila Tequila" because of an experimentation she had with the alcohol during her middle school years.



A couple of Television appearances here, a couple of shows there, POOF! Tila Tequila's myspace receives 1 Million hits. So why am I writing about Tila? Well, if you are an attractive female, all you have to do is model in front of cars, give yourself a nickname (for example Paige Patron, Betty Bacardi, Susan Smirnoff, Hannah Heineken, you get my drift), advertise to the world that you are bisexual (which let me add is just a marketing tactic at its best), sing (covers primarily or have songs written for you by superproducers The Matrix or producers that wish that they could be a part of Rick Rubin's infamous beard), be rebellious (here is a quote from Tila herself talking about her childhood, "I was really confused then, 'cause at first I thought I was black, then I thought I was Hispanic and joined a cholo gang" Hm. That makes sense), be at a staggering height of 5'1" (because normal models only have to be 5'11" minimum but since you're asian we'll let you pass) and what happens after you accomplish all of that? You get a television show on ..



and you name it, "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequla."

So females! Stand up! This is your role-model. If you are tired of posing in front of cheesy Civics, go-go dancing in front of asian males with terrible fades, and want to rid of your Von Dutch mesh caps. This is the time to act. Let Tila guide you to the top.

Here are some photos for our "male" readership. Enjoy!



Myspace makes dreams come true.



Rub a dub dub.



A Linkin Park, AFI, Something Corporate, Sum 41, Fall Out Boy, whatever blows on the radio fan.



dj Tequila



Larry Flynt's puppy



OH SNAP! Isn't that one of the Tony Toni Tone! guys?



You know how the saying goes, "Once you go black, you never go back."



Multi-platium


Why do we live in hell?



- Thai Spyce

"Profile: ZAP Electric Cars"

ZAP(Zero Air Pollution) Electric Cars is a California based company that has its executive offices located in Santa Rosa. The company first came to being in September of 1994. Back then the company was called ZAP Power Systems. It wasn

Subaru's Workhorse, the EJ20

Now lets list off the most used, tried and true four banger motors in the import scene:
B16 - which Honda made famous, and the subsequent B18
4G63 - no jokes or funny comments here, handling numbers north of 300 hp on stock bottom end, this is a serious engine
SR20DE(T) - used in a turbo and non-turbo configuration, this engine straight out rocks
3SGTE - Toyota, Turbo, enough said

and the list goes on and on, but what about the EJ20? Unless you're a Subaru fan, most likely you don't know too much about it.
Well here are some specs and info because this engine is amazing...



Since 1989, this quad-cammed little 2 Liter has been making some serious leaps and bounds for the import industry.
Now for those of you who don't know, this is a horizontally opposed motor. Much like the Porsche motors.
Now since its horizontally opposed, there is no need for a balancing shaft.



The crankcase and head are made of aluminum.
92mm bore x 75mm stroke.
16 Valves
With a compression of 8.5:1. This thing was meant for boost upon inception.
This engine came in various different turbo combinations and even came with Twin Sequential Turbos for various Legacys.

Now almost 20 years later, the engine is still in use. Besides some upgrades in technology and a change in compression from time to time, the same engine has managed to produce impressive horsepower numbers.



The aftermarket scene has also seen some very impressive gains though the newest generation is using US Spec variants, many parts of the world are still getting 2 liter EJ20s. The older "bug eyed" WRXs are seen swarming around the streets of Southern California, many pushing well over 300 horsepower, daily driven.

Pretty impressive, now go, buy an old beater Subaru Impreza 2.5RS, drop in an EJ20, and walk on some domestics,



or go play in the dirt.



-Mister Philthy

Kevin...PIMP MY RIDE!

The "Pimp My Ride" phenomenon really came with a bang when it was on MTV (I don

Lamborghini Miura : A Real Italian Made Lamborghini

Lamborghini was purchased by the Audi AG in 1998, but even before that it used to be owned by Chrysler in 1987.

The Miura was heavily influnced by the Ford GT40 in the sixties for its sleek look and very competitive nature. In 1966, Lamborghini has developed a prototype model ready for the Geneva Motor Show. Marcello Gandini from Bertone has helped to make this car come to fruition as one of the first super cars in the 21st century. Marcello Gandini, the designer of the Lamborghini Diablo, Countach , and Bugatti EB110.

The Miura, the godfather of the exotic super car and the last of the Italian owned and made Lamborghini.




The Miura models came initially as the P400, and the last and most powerful model is the P400SV. The last model came with a Limited Slip Differential, 385 HorsePower, seperate remote gearbox oil lubrication system, and wider rear fenders for the 9-inch wheels. These last models can be recognized by the lack of eye lashes in the headlights.




Engine
Configuration: 60 degree V12, DOHC
Engine displacement: 3929 cc
350 bhp (261 kW) at 7,000 rpm (Base)
370 bhp (276 kW) at 7,700 rpm (S)
385 bhp (287 kW) at 7,850 rpm (SV)

Performance
Top speed: 288 km/h (179 mph)
0-100 km/h: 5.5 seconds
Quarter Mile: ~14 seconds test

PUYO NOT PUTO

HONDA PUYO



Straight from the Tokyo Auto Show, Honda decided to release their adversary to the Nissan Pivo. It's the Honda Puyo (not puto). The design looks like something straight out of the movie Minority Report or even Tron. Are we really going to drive these things on our roads? Honda admits that they wanted to

"Get Green For That Old Ride..."

Images courtesy of Green Earth Technologies Inc.
Green Earth Technologies, Inc. announced the release of a new line of automotive appearance and performance chemicals. G.E.T. Inc. is based in Lynden, Washington and is the composting division of S&W Rock Products, a leading supplier of building materials i.e rocks. Anyways, the brains at G.E.T. Inc. have produced this automotive line entirely out of organic feedstock (any carbon source that can be replenished rapidly i.e. plants). These 100%

Sometimes Power isn't Everything!

The Honda Fit/Jazz

A great little compact car that will get you from point A to B right?

Not the biggest motor, nor the fastest but gas efficient.

Well this car has been around for awhile but I think that this one car is so amazing that I have to write about years after it came out.

I know many of you saw this car and passed it up, shelving it in the back of your minds because it was not very impressive, engine wise.

No insane motor swaps, no crazy cam and head work, but think again! This car has a lot into it.

Introducing the Spoon Honda Fit/ Jazz



Truly this car is 1.5L of fury. Now the engine is probably the reason you guys passed it up, no K20A swap? What's that about right? I mean this is Spoon? Shouldn't they be shoveling in an NSX motor or something? Well obviously you don't know shit about Spoon then. Hahaha JK



Spoon is about efficiency and handling. A good all over car is what Spoon strives for. With the stock 1.5L now pusing about 125HP, an increase of about 15, with 1800 lbs. to move, this thing is no slug. It may not be the fastest in motion but it definitely moves enough to win some serious Endurance races.



With Spoon spec suspension, brakes, weight reduction, and their famous wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan's, this little car ran Motegi Circuit in 3 hours and managed to finish with the same times as a stock NSX. Not too shabby if you ask me, particularly at way under 1/3 of the price of the NSX.



Behold it, love it, and the closest you will probably ever get to driving it is on Gran Turismo. So go play the game and watch how this little car mops up cars with way more horsepower.

PEAS!

Pedestrian vs. Public Parking: Round 2

Two weeks ago, I posted about the Smart Fortwo micro-car and its innovative intent to build a car that will improve the public parking situation throughout the city streets. Well, if the size of the car was too small for you, car manufacturer Nissan just created a concept car called the Pivo II that'll probably suit you better. Although the look of the car itself is a bit offbeat, the functions of the car will surely make up for it.

This car was unveiled only a few days ago and is set to make its debut at the October 22nd Tokyo Motor Show. The Pivo II is riding piggyback to its predecessor, the Pivo I, that was a huge hit when it debuted in 2005. The car powers off Compact Lithium-ion batteries but probably the most impressive feature of the Pivo model is its 360-degree rotating cabin feature with 90-degree turning wheels . That's right...no reverse gear!

The car's functionality and its environmental friendliness as an electric vehicle builds a bond between the driver and car based upon fun and practicality. In building upon the first Pivo's 360-degree pivoting cabin, the wheels of the Pivo II are powered by Nissan's advanced in-wheel 3D Motor and turns 90-degrees which means you can drive sideways as well! To top it off, there's an in-cabin Robotic Agent that's with you in every ride, giving you directions and tips on prime parking spaces. Though the look of the car is less than hot, the thrill of driving the Nissan Pivo II more than makes up for any deficiency. Don't believe? Watch the video.





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The Pivo 1:

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-Rack of Lam

I want to be like...Roberto Ravaglia

This Italian Stalion had such an impressive race record that BMW decided that he should have his own car. His beginnings were in Formula 3 and Kart racing, in 1989 he switched to DTM racing with BMW. In 1990 he won the coveted Italian Touring Car Championships. He primarily raced for BMW in his career and held 7 titles in 4 championships.

His record includes :

1986
European Touring Car Championship champion
1987
World Touring Car Championship champion
Winner of the Guia Race
1988
European Touring Car Championship champion
Winner of the 24 Hours N

40TH TOKYO AUTO SHOW

This year, the 40th Annual Tokyo Auto Show will be taken place at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City. Unlike other autoshows, this one lasts for 17 days. (Other shows usually only go for a day or a week max) It starts on October 26th through November 11, 2007. For more information, feel free to check out http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/eng/

Here are some photos from the 39th Tokyo Auto Show:



KONICHIWA !!!







This year, the Mazda Taiki will be showcased at this year's auto show. It is a two-seater concept, a revolutionary look for Ford's subsidiary line. Runs off of a front-engine/rear-drive chassis configuration and the power is supplied by a next-generation rotary engine. I dig it. Usually Mazda vehicles do not appeal to me much because of the design but this one looks futuristic as hell.



Suzuki is also unveiling a model called the "X-HEAD," which is supposed to be deemed as a "cross utility vehicle." Whatever that means.

Me personally, I think it is a definite eye-catcher. Just imagine yourself driving this baby with some black Ray-Ban wayfarers on, 5 chicks in bikinis in the back and Van halen bumpin from your stock tweets. It's just butta baby.



I'm pretty sure other new concept cars will be displayed and young and fresh Japanese babes will arise, but if you live in Japan or will be there during the Auto Show's duration, stop by and tell em TheTunerSource guys sent ya!

- THAI SPYCE

"Lowrider Tour 2007 Hits Sin City..."

Image courtesy of lowridermagazine.com
The Lowrider Tour 2007 will hit it off in Las Vegas this Sunday. The event will take place in Las Vegas' own Cashmere Theatre. If you're from Sin City or will be in town this weekend and love the lowrider culture, be sure to check this event out. Lowrider Magazine promisses this event will be the BIGGEST Lowrider event of their now thirty years.

The Event starts promptly at 10AM and ends shortly at 5PM, so you still have some time to take in a buffet and lose some money before you head back to work. Baby Bash and Pitbull are scheduled to make an appearance. While your there; don't miss the Girls of Lowrider finalist or the ever- famous bikini contest(wink wink!!). Oh, and don't forget to wish Lowrider Magazine a Happy 30th Birthday and thank them for three decades of whipage, dipage and fresh nuggage.

Check Out These Pics from Last Year's Tour:
Images courtesy of lowridermagazine.com

Image courtesy of lowridermagazine.com

Image courtesy of lowridermagazine.com


Linkageness:

Lowrider Magazine: www.lowridermagazine.com
Lowrider Tour 2007 Schedule: Click Here
2007 Las Vegas Flyer: Click Here


~Ronski

Inconel also known as "Inco"

Heard it yet??? Haven't? Well thats okay because I think you are going to hear alot more about it.
Inconel is a nickel-based superalloy.


Sexy huh? That is a Burn's Ferrari Inconel Manifold.

A superalloy that Formula One has been using for years now.
Now I am sure many of you have heard about manifolds made of steel and aluminum. Well some select companies are now creating Inconcel manifolds.
Advantages of Inconcel is that when actually heated, it forms a thick, stable, passivating oxide layer which protects the surface even further. Rather than softening at higher temperatures, like aluminum or steel, Inconel gets harder.
Inconel will retain up to 75% of its room temperature strength at 1200 degrees F.
Working on Inconel is extremely difficult. Very few manufacturers work or use Inconcel, but it is by far a superior metal when creating manifolds or downpipes. Primarily in cars that have a tight work space, such as the 1990-1996 300zx Twin Turbo.

Here is a set of Greg Dupree 300zx Twin Turbo Z32 Inconel Manifolds


Tubistyle Japan Ferrari F40 Manifold and Exhaust

...exterior like fish eggs.

I'm sure we've all been posed the question, "What's your dream car?" The reason for this is probably because a car is a good indication of your personality among other things. The great thing about this question is that peoples' responses usually cover such a wide spectrum, that's if you gather a large sample of answers. Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porshes, BMWs; you hear all the answers. In my opinion, the most undeniable answer is the one that most rappers have recently given a lot of attention to in their songs...and that is the Rolls Royce Phantom.

The Rolls Royce name has been the ultimate luxury sedan maker and also the prime standard of sophistication in a car. Since it's inception in 1925, Rolls Royce cars have been ushering around royalty, such as Queen Elizabeth II, simply because of their ceremonial functionality (mainly the coach doors) and the hard work that goes into producing a Roll Royce vehicle (it's handcrafted). The highest elites make Rolls Royce their mandatory staple.

Though BMW took over Rolls Royce in 2003, the exclusivity and elusiveness of the name still remains. Heck, the Rolls Royce is only continuing to build upon this reputation. So, lets take after the rappers that talk about driving in their Phantoms a step further. How? The 2008 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, that's how.

The Drophead is the incarnation of the Rolls Royce's 2004 concept car, the 100EX. It adopts the styling that was indicative of the 1930s Art Deco movement (the art movement had to do with more decorative and visual arts so its pieces were mostly found in architectural and industrial designs) with also an aluminum spaceframe. The beast has a 6.7-liter V12 engine that puts out about 453 horsepower at 5350 rpm and 531 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. Also, the car maxes out at about 150 mph with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Basically, it can take its beautiful ass from 0-60 in about 5.9 seconds.

The rappers talk about "rollin' on dubs" so to corroborate, this car comes standard equipped with 21-inch alloy wheels. On top of that, the car has the trademark coach doors and a five layer convertible top which is woven all out of cashmere (there's also an optional stainless-steel hood). All of this is a lot of demand by the consumer who probably only going to be chauffeured in one of these bad boys. So, pull out your checkbooks, sign a check for $407,000--plus remember to consider the gas you'll have to spend (the Drophead's 17.6 gallon tank will get you 12 mpg on the city roads and 18 mpg on the highways)--and have the chauffeur pick you up out front.

The concept 100EX:



The Drophead Coupe:



-Rack of Lam

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