Rotary Super Cars

Based on the photo above, you might think that you're looking at some version of the Ferrari 599. You'd be wrong, though, as this is actually a specially-built rotary supercar from an independent German manufacturer known as – you ready for this? – Rotary Super Cars.

Underneath what appears to be replicated fiberglass and carbon fiber Fiorano bodywork sits a four-rotor Wankel engine developed by RSC with parts sourced from that other House of Rotor, Mazda. The supercar is projected to offer four levels of trim including S, RS, RSR and N-Spec, featuring single or twin turbochargers with output ranging from 500 metric horsepower all the way up to 1,200. An in-house eight-speed sequential transmission is also part of the package, along with active aerodynamics and suspension, electronic differential and a carbon-aluminum driveshaft, making its resemblance to its Maranello counterpart (rotary engine notwithstanding) more than passing.
Inside, the RSC Raptor GT is also said to feature a pair of seven-inch digital displays coupled with a five-inch tachometer, gear indicator and shift lights, the entire package supposedly weighing in at a claimed 2,425 pounds. RSC also plans an all-wheel drive, mid-engine project with similar specs, which seems like a lot to bite off while they still appear to be chewing on this one. But in the meantime you can check out the trio of renderings in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

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Saab declares its independence

Saab Automobile AB is reinventing itself as an independent automaker.

Since its sale by General Motors Co. to Spyker Cars NV in February, Saab has been re-evaluating every aspect of its business. Big changes are under way or expected.

"We are now in charge of our own destiny, which means we can do anything we want," said Spyker CEO Victor Muller.

Saab is slashing manufacturing and engineering costs. It is looking for tie-ups with other European automakers to share engineering costs, with an announcement expected in the next two or three months. It also is shopping its engineering expertise to automakers worldwide.

It is all part of an effort to reduce Saab's breakeven point to about 80,000 vehicles by the end of 2012 so the automaker can become profitable even as it ramps up its new model line.

Saab is replacing its 13-year-old 9-5 sedan with a redesigned model in July. The 9-4X, Saab's first crossover, arrives in April. The redesigned 9-3 will debut in 2012, and the automaker would like to offer a car smaller than the 9-3 in 2013 or 2014.

Saab has targeted global sales of 50,000 to 55,000 vehicles this year and about 100,000 next year.

In two to three months, the automaker also is expected to unveil its electrification plan.

As part of its cost-slashing efforts, Saab chopped its engineering budget 40 percent, to $151 million for 2011, said Mats Fagerhag, Saab's executive director of vehicle engineering. The cuts reflect reductions in development, material and supplier costs and fewer contract workers.

"We are gradually moving from a GM strategy of shared components and investments," Fagerhag said in an interview at Saab headquarters here. In some cases, Saab wants to improve quality over the GM-prescribed components.

"You are going to have a Saab car that consists of components and systems that we have developed jointly" with other carmakers, Fagerhag said. He said the first vehicle to benefit from the engineering cost savings will be the redesigned 9-3.

Saab is re-evaluating its underused engineering capability. It has worked with a handful of Swedish companies over the years, but that is expected to change.

This year, Saab sold the tooling for the 9-3 and the past generation 9-5 to Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp. Production in China begins in 18 months. Saab also submitted proposals for engineering work related to those vehicles.

Muller said Saab "will work much more for third parties."

Saab also is targeting manufacturing costs at its lone assembly plant here in Trollhattan. It has state-of-the-art assembly equipment, installed by GM. But Saab's maximum production is expected to be far less than the plant's capacity.

"We have a huge infrastructure and engineering capabilities for 190,000 cars and overhead costs that are related," Muller said.

Also under review is the amount of assembly automation that will be needed for the redesigned 9-3.

"Automation is a very heavy upfront investment. A high-volume plant in most cases gets the payback because of efficiency, quality," said Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson. "But we are only going to be a 110,000-car plant."

president Hugo Chavez joins the highway patrol?

If you're thinking about taking to the highways of Venezuela any time soon, here's a little tip for you: don't speed. Evidently the country's roads are known for the kind of highway craziness that would make Miami look conservative. While recently driving his own personal motorcade, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez was harassed by a pickup truck whose driver thought Chavez was going too slow. The driver blew his horn and flashed his lights before passing the president on the shoulder.

According to reports, Chavez proceeded to personally chase down the driver and reprimand him for being such an ass behind the wheel. The whole incident caused el Presidente to address the nation's lawless road system on his weekly broadcast, and to charge the South American nation's police with doing a better job of enforcing the local traffic laws.

BMW confirms plans for front-wheel drive models

One thing is certain in this crazy world, the pleasure of driving the rear wheels are controlled. Of course, all-wheel drive model for randomly thrown in good measure, but even they turn to try to RWD true when additional traction on the two plates before contact is not considered necessary or desirable. So warned the media (oh, wait ...): BMW has confirmed rumors that he will build cars for FWD.

Annual financial report for 2010 Press conference, Dr Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of BMW, said the following:

[Small car] segment will grow even more. And we seize this opportunity. We study the possibility of establishing a common framework for the front and four-wheel drive systems on these cars. In other words: There will be front-wheel drive BMW in small classes of cars in the future.

Here, fans of BMW? We do not worry too much - it seems unlikely that BMW will do down the wholesale electricity market to the rear wheels at the front, especially for basic models, such as the 3 Series, 5 Series and 7-series - but with the addition of chassis TA will lighter vehicle platforms to exchange information with other companies and "reduce [its] fleet of global carbon emissions by at least 25 per cent between 2008 and 2020."

In fact, it takes Reithofer yourself:

BMW will continue to Sport-inspired brand. We at BMW Group continues to provide maximum performance to meet the new challenges and sharpen our competitive edge.

the Eleanor Shelby GT500 using a fourth generation

There have been countless efforts to replicate the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Eleanor from the 2000 blockbuster movie "Gone in 60 Seconds" with Nicolas Cage. We've seen Eleanor replicas based on everything ranging from a Toyota MR2 to even -the most ridiculous of all- a Smart Fortwo.

At this year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, the students from Saitama University's automotive course presented their take on the Eleanor Shelby GT500 using a fourth generation (1993-2002) Toyota Supra sports coupe as a base.

The replica, which is called "Moto Supra", maintains the Supra's six-cylinder powerhouse, though it's not clear if the students performed any upgrades on the sport coupe's hardware. More photos after the jump.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

Toyota's in-house customizing and accessories division

If you couldn't find a modified Prius to your likings at the grounds of this year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan, chances are that you never will. We lost count of how many customized Prius' made their way to the Makuhari Messe exhibition center, but Toyota alone displayed three different concept versions of its popular hybrid model.

Making its debut alongside the Prius G Sports and TOM's Prius studies was the Prius Custom Plus Concept (CCP) prepared by Toyota's in-house customizing and accessories division.

The prototype model looks thoroughly worked over thanks to the wide body kit that further accentuates the Prius hybrid's wedgy shape.

Together with the new nose job that boasts massive Lamborghini-styled air-vents, the Prius CPC gets custom-made fenders, beefy side skirts, new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and side spoilers, and a large rear wing made out of carbon fiber.

Carbon fiber is also the material of choice for the new hood, roof, the cameras on the doors that replace the exterior mirrors and the rear panel on the trunk door.

The uniquely styled 18-inch alloy wheels that are shod on 215/40 R18 Goodyear tires sum up the exterior modifications.

The Fast and Furious / Racing theme is continued inside with the addition of gauges on top of the dashboard and just above the new steering wheel that's wrapped in Alcantara.

The same material is also used to trim the new Recaro bucket seats and most parts of the cabin.

Despite the go-fast looks, the only performance mods on the Prius CCP concerns the high-performance brake system and the sports suspension that lowers the car's ride height by 10mm up front and 15mm at the rear.

Photos by Phil Alex with the help of friends Mike and Aaron

We've known for a while now that the iQ will be showing up as a Scion

Scion iQ Concept - click above for hi-res image gallery

You know that Toyota iQ your cousin's seen running around Europe and Japan? It's making its way Stateside, first to next week's Detroit Auto Show, then to a Scion dealer near you as a hybrid. This is according to a scoop by Inside line. We've known for a while now that the iQ will be showing up as a Scion, just not for certain as a hybrid. Also, according to IL, the fate of the brand hangs in the balance. Also-also, they might (yay!) drop the name iQ.

That's right, the diminutive Toyota with the silly name is going to greet us as a youth-branded Scion. In multiple flavors, too. First will come a five-door hatchback, followed next by a four-door sedan. The latter is almost a little puzzling – who on earth wants a four-door sedan version – but then we recall all the other cars PR types tell us the American market forces into four-door guise and we're not surprised one bit. The Scion iQ will also come as a three-door hatch. Expect the five-door to show up first, towards the end of 2011.

The engine options are pretty interesting. If you so desire, a 1.3-liter four-banger will produce 93 horsepower. However, most folks will probably opt for the hybrid version. First of all, the gas and electric propulsion is so cheap that Toyota will be able to sell it for $15,000 or less. Second, expect a 1.5-liter four and some sort of electric motor to produce between 100 and 120 hp and return 60 mile per gallon. Not bad at all. Again, Inside Line ends their scoop explaining that if the iQ doesn't get youngsters buying Scions, nothing will. Er, make that nothing will have a chance to, as Toyota is likely to fold the brand.

Scion iQ Concept

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Here's a police vehicle guaranteed to make you move out of the fast lane pretty quick

Here's a police vehicle guaranteed to make you move out of the fast lane pretty quick! This liveried lorry, complete with flashing blue lights, has been unveiled as part of a crackdown on dodgy HGV drivers.

The aim is to give cops some much-needed height so they can see directly into lorry cabs. It allows them to catch drivers using mobile phones, watching DVDs on laptops or committing other offences.

The initiative is the first of its kind in the UK, and is being run by the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG). This is part of the West Midlands force, which looks after 450 miles of road between Cheshire and South Wales. A spokesman said: “One officer drives the truck while another sits in the passenger seat armed with a hand-held video camera, ready to film into the lorry’s cab as we overtake.” If an offence is being committed, or the driver’s behaviour arouses suspicion, the officer will radio an unmarked police car following behind, which pulls it over. If the driver disputes the reason for being stopped, the video footage can be used as evidence in court.

The liveried HGV was created for the launch of the scheme, but isn’t actually taking part. Unmarked lorries supplied by local hauliers will be used instead.

his will comprise 89bhp or 108bhp 1.0-litre units and a 170bhp 1.6. Diesel

When it comes to show-stopping unveils, the Focus is on Detroit! Rumours are gathering that Ford is preparing to reveal its third-generation Focus in saloon and hatchback form at the US expo next week.

As Auto Express closed for press over the Christmas holidays, news had leaked on to the North American International Auto Show’s own website. We brought you pictures of the whole new Focus family in Issue 1,092 (right), and the four and five-doors will get a bold face characterised by triangular lights and a stylish grille.

Don’t expect the latest Focus to be too radical, though. As a global car, it will need to have mass-market appeal. Contrary to previous reports, the car is believed to be based on a front-wheel-drive platform from the Mondeo, to ensure class-leading handling and increased space.

A new range of EcoBoost turbo petrol engines will be available. This will comprise 89bhp or 108bhp 1.0-litre units and a 170bhp 1.6. Diesel choices include a 1.6 giving 128bhp, plus a 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp.

Stop-start is expected to be standard on most cars, while Ford’s dual-clutch Powershift transmission should also help reduce emissions. In addition, the Focus will come with adaptive dampers, a lane departure warning system and traffic sign recognition. Wi-Fi is likely to be offered, too. Sales will start towards the end of this year.

they recently brought out a modified 911 Turbo dubbed the TR 1000 for a high speed romp

Click above to watch the 9ff TR 1000 reach 391.7 km/h at the Papenburg test track after the jump

There aren't too many places you can cruise at over 200 mph in relative safety, but the Papenburg test track is one of them. The high speed oval located in Northern Germany is a pavement playground for supercars in search of straight line speed, and various manufacturers and tuners regularly use the track to see just how fast their projects can go.

Take, for instance, 9ff. The Porsche super-tuner previously used Papenburg to reach v-max in its GT9 supercar, and they recently brought out a modified 911 Turbo dubbed the TR 1000 for a high speed romp. While not quite as fast as the GT9 (409 km/h), the TR 1000 still reached an impressive 391.7 km/h -- just over 243 mph. Fortunately the cameras were rolling, giving us an opportunity to see just how quickly a 1000 horsepower Porsche can triple the legal speed limit. You can watch it for yourself after the jump.

9ff TR 1000

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