2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan: US Sales Starting In October

As promised at the 2006 SEMA show last fall when Honda presented a prototype version of the Civic MUGEN Si, the Japanese automaker announced the addition of a factory-prepared 2008 Civic MUGEN Si Sedan for the American market with sales kicking off in mid-October. Just in case you don’t remember, the American MUGEN doesn't bear any mechanical changes meaning that the 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine remains untouched at 197 Hp – no 240 Hp here like the Japanese market only, Civic MUGEN RR.
In particular the Civic MUGEN Si Sedan features a sports suspension with aggressive spring and damper tuning that lowers the vehicle’s ground clearance by 0.6 inches combined with lightweight 18-inch forged aluminum wheels (27 percent lighter than the stock 17-inch alloys) and BFGoodrich g-Force KDW 215/40ZR18 summer tires. Complementing the suspension and tire upgrade are a new sports exhaust system and a bodykit that adds a front spoiler with a sports grille, side spoilers, a rear bumper diffuser and a rear wing. Inside the MUGEN gets a center console placard along with a spherical 50 mm MUGEN aluminum shift knob.
The limited-production MUGEN version will be available solely in Fiji Blue Pearl finish in a maximum of 1,000 units for the 2008 model year priced just below $30,000 -compared to $21.290 of the base Civic Si Sedan. -Press release and image gallery after the jump




PRESS RELEASE
A factory-prepared 2008 Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan will debut in mid-October, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The Civic MUGEN Si Sedan is equipped with a high-performance suspension, forged aluminum wheels, aerodynamic body styling and a sport-tuned exhaust system.
"Honda enthusiasts have long been asking for factory-installed MUGEN performance products similar to what the company offers in Japan," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "We're enthusiasts, too, and the ultra-premium Civic MUGEN Si Sedan offers exclusive style and elevated handling performance with legendary Honda refinement."
The track-tuned suspension, tested at the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches with aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance while still maintaining a high level of ride comfort. Compared to the conventional Civic Si Sedan, front and rear damping force (both bump and rebound) was increased between 8- and 24-percent. Lightweight 16.98-pound 18x7.5-inch forged aluminum wheels (27 percent lighter than the stock 17x7 alloy wheel) and high-grip BFGoodrich® g-Force KDW 215/40ZR18 summer tires help to create MUGEN's unique, rewarding and well-balanced handling performance character. The full-vehicle aero-package adds a front spoiler with a sports grille, side spoilers, a rear bumper diffuser and a rear wing.
The sport exhaust system reduces back pressure from the catalytic converter back. The Civic MUGEN Si Sedan will be available exclusively in Fiji Blue Pearl and include front and rear MUGEN emblems. Inside, a MUGEN Limited Edition placard is located on the center console along with a spherical 50 mm MUGEN aluminum shift knob.
The name MUGEN symbolizes Honda performance throughout Asia and around the globe. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for more than three decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium aftermarket performance products.
The limited-production vehicle (maximum of 1,000 units for the 2008 model year) will have a retail price of less than $30,000 when it goes on sale and include a full factory warranty. A prototype of the Honda Civic MUGEN Si was shown at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in fall 2006.

Civic MUGEN Si Sedan Specs:

Engine Type = i-VTEC DOHC 4-cylinder engineDisplacement = 2.0 liters (1998 cc)Transmission = 6 Speed MTHorsepower = 197 @ 7800 rpmTorque (lb.-ft.) = 139 @ 6100 rpmRide Height = 5.3 inches (-0.6 inches from Civic Si Sedan)Overall Length = 177.8 inches total (+1.1 inches from Civic Si Sedan)Wheels: Forged GP 18x7.5 (pattern 5H-114.3 +48)Color: Fiji Blue Pearl

Update: 2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Fully Scooped

Earlier this morning we posted up a three-quarter front view image of the yet to be unveiled, 2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport. Well, we decided to do a thorough check on the Nasioc forums this afternoon and our time paid of since we discovered another post on the 2008 Impreza Outback Sport consisting of a full image gallery on Subaru’s compact “crossover”. Apparently, these pictures were shot during the same Subaru dealer presentation. Unfortunately, we still find the two-tone Outback Sport two time fuglier than the normal Impreza. -Continued: More images after the jump











Via: nasioc

MTM TT Bimoto: 393 km/h – 244mph Bi-Engine Audi TT Sets New Speed Record

Achieving a top speed of 393km/h – 244mph, MTM’s TT Bimoto set a new official record last week for the top speed on the test track in Papenburg. Equipped with two 1.8-litre turbocharged engines each producing 370Hp and a maximum torque of 475Nm, the €600.000 -$830.000 Audi TT based prototype was driven by the current champion of the Seat Supercopa 2006 Florian Gruber who is also currently driving in the Porsche Carrera Cup.
According to MTM, the Bimoto record ride was achieved in the second run of two trails, under windy conditions, partial rain and temperatures of around 20 degree Celsius – 60 Fahrenheit. MTM says that the trials are intended as pre-tests for runs in Nardo, Italy were the Bimoto TT is set to break the magic mark of 400 km/h (249mph) by the end of the month. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see images and a video

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: bimoto

Astonishing Dusty Windshield Art

Here’s a guy that came up with an idea to turn your dusty windshield into a piece of (momentary) art. Suddenly that smiley face with the sexual male organs and the caption, “I’m so dirty” looks completely lame, doesn’t it? -Click “Read More…” for the image gallery

Via: thedailyinterests

Tokyo Show: Nissan NV200 Small Van Concept

We don’t know why but Nissan decided to give us an early glimpse of a mini van concept that will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, due to open in October. Called NV200, the mini van concept was jointly developed by Nissan Design Center in Japan and Nissan Design Europe which is based in London. According to Nissan, the NV200’s most prominent feature is a storage pod which extends from the van’s load area when the vehicle is parked. As the pod is deployed, the now empty load bay is transformed into a mobile office. -Continued after the jump

Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer at Nissan Motors said, “a light commercial vehicle has a specific job to perform, but that’s no reason to design a purely rational vehicle with no warmth. For NV200, function becomes the aesthetic. Our concept is a highly efficient tool but one with a human touch”.

Nissan says that although NV200 answers specific needs of a professional underwater photographer with ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ storage zones in the pod for diving and camera equipment, if the van went into production the basic concept could be tailored to suit different customers.

2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport Scooped

Guess the new Impreza Outback Sport answers your question what’s worse than a ’08 Impreza hatch… Hideous isn’t it? We had posted a scoop picture of the new Outback Sport about a month ago but then we weren’t so sure of its authenticity. This one though, shot during a Subaru presentation at the States, proves that the fugly '08 Impreza Outback Sport is for real.

Damn, Subaru could have at least tried to differentiate the Outback Sport from the standard version. Instead, they just gave the ’08 Impreza the same yucky two-tone paintjob as the previous version, changed the front grille with one that features a chrome strip at the top, added new alloy wheels and a set of roof rails. Great work guys… Jeez, someone definitely needs to have a word with Subaru’s design team.

Pic via: nasioc

BMW 6-Series Coupe "Killer Whale"...

Now here’s a BMW 6-Series whose owner definitely went overboard with the styling. We’re not sure whether to call it case of self-awareness or just bad taste at its best, but either way the “Killer Whale” themed BMW 6-Series made us seasick with its “fishy” appearance. –Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Via: e90post

Top Gear: Ford Escort Cosworth RS vs Subaru Impreza WRX Type R STi Version 5

In this “vintage” Top Gear video, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Jeremy Clarkson race against each other driving a tuned Ford Escort RS Cosworth delivering a tad more than the 227 Hp of the stock version and a Subaru Impreza WRX Type R STi Version 5 that produced 308 bhp from its 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine.

Carscoop Poll: Would You Consider Buying A Diesel Powered Vehicle In The US?

With gas prices hiking up every month in the US (see 6-year chart after the jump), diesel powered vehicles suddenly seem to have a viable future in the American market. Not only do they consume around 20 to 30 percent less fuel than a petrol-powered vehicle with similar output but also among other things, they’re more reliable.

Question is, would you consider buying one, and if yes, it would be interesting to see if you'd be more prone to buy an American, Japanese, Korean or European diesel powered passenger vehicle. And if you’re wondering why we added American carmakers in the equation, the reason is, thanks to Ford’s, Chrysler’s and GM’s tie ups with their Euro counterparts, the former big three won’t have any trouble equipping several models in their range with diesel powertains. Share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment below. -Continued: Click "Read More..." below

Fuel chart via: gasbuddy

Video: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X On The Nurbugring Track

Here’s you chance to get a “live” glimpse of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X performing test runs in the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. Apart from the new lightweight and high-performance 2.0-liter turbocharged MIVEC 4-cylinder engine that’s expected to produce around 300 Hp, the new EVO X will also feature a new 6speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission (like Audi-VW’s renowned clutchless DSG gearbox).For hardcore gearheads like ourselves, Mitsubishi will also offer a traditional 6speed manual gearbox -if you've driven the EVO you'll understand why. See the production version here and read more details about Mitsubishi’s dual-clutch automated trans here.

Via: Edmunds

2009 Toyota Land Cruiser Caught During Photo Shoot

The 2008 Lexus LX570’s folkish-twin was caught untapped during what looks to be, a press kit photo shoot out in a desert landscape. Leaving aside the fact that someone could be in for some trouble for taking these pics (…) the 2009 Land Cruiser has not only grown in dimensions but it also receives the LX570’s more powerful 381 Hp 5.7-litre V8 engine. Compared with its “eco-friendly” twin the Land Cruiser is distinguished by the restyled front and rear end along with the less luxurious interior and the redesigned dashboard. -Click “Read More…” for the image gallery

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: carscool