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No title 2008-03-29 09:07:00 First generation (NA)The Miata was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on February 10, 1989, with a price tag of US $13,800 (US $22,436 in 2006 adjusted for inflation[4]). The MX-5, with production code NA, was made available for delivery to buyers worldwide in the following dates: March 1989 in Japan, July 1989 (as a 1990 model) in the U.S.A., 1990 in Europe. An optional hardtop was made available at the same time, in sheet moulding compound (SMC). Demand initially outstripped production, fueled by enthusiastic press reviews.1990 Eunos Roadster v-spec 1.6In Japan, the car was not badged as a Mazda, as the company was experimenting with the creation of different marques for deluxe models, similar to Nissan's Infiniti and Toyota's Lexus. Instead, the Mazda MX-5 was sold as the Eunos Roadster
The retractable headlights of the NA (front car) were replaced by fixed headlights on the NB (rear car). 2008-03-29 08:58:00 The retractable headlights of the NA (front car) were replaced by fixed headlights on the NB (rear car).There were a number of trim levels and special editions available, determined by local Mazda marketing departments. In the US, the base model was offered for a mere $13,995 at launch and was very basic, with manual windows, steel wheels, and without A/C or power steering. The "A Package" offered power steering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum alloy wheels and cassette stereo. The "B Package" added power windows, along with cruise control and headrest speakers, while the "C Package" included a tan interior and top and leather seats. The "R Package" was for racing, and the annual special editions were formalized as "M Editions" from Generation 1.5. These included all of the luxu
Second generation (NB) 2008-03-29 08:56:00 Second generation (NB)In 1998, Mazda released the second-generation Miata, then known as MX-5 Miata production code NB, for the 1999 model year. The NB featured a more powerful engine and external styling cues borrowed from the third generation Mazda RX-7 model. Prices in the United States, the main market for the MX-5, started at US $19,770 (US $24,452 in 2006[4]).Although many parts of the interior and body were different, the most notable changes were the headlights: the first generation's retractable headlights no longer passed pedestrian safety tests and were replaced by fixed ones. The new car grew slightly in width compared to the earlier model; its dimensions were: length 3945 mm (155.3 in), width 1678 mm (66.0 in), height 1228 mm (48.4 in) and wheelbase 2265 mm (89.2 in). Without Read more:Second
2002 Laser Blue Mica (NB 2.5) with front skirt 2008-03-29 08:53:00 2002 Laser
Blue Mica (NB 2.5) with front skirt
2002 saw the launch of the MX5 SP. The MX-5 SP was developed and sold in Australia and its turbocharged engine produced 157 kW at 6800 RPM. Only 100 of these cars were built. The SP was very expensive in comparison to a standard MX5 at the time yet offered blistering performance. The SP, however, has suffered from reliability issues being a very low-budget, low-production vehicle. In 2003 Mazda launched a campaign to target a younger group of drivers with the launch of the Shinsen Version (SV) Miata. The Shinsen (Japanese for "Fresh and New,") provided an intermediate step between the base model and the pricier LS model. Equipped with most features available on the LS, such as cruise control and aluminum brush trim, the SV added a touch of comf
2005 Lava Orange Mazdaspeed 2008-03-29 08:51:00 2005 Lava Orange
Mazdaspeed Miata next to a 2004Velocity Red Mazdaspeed MiataThe 2004 model year saw the introduction of the official turbocharged Mazdaspeed MX-5, Roadster Turbo in Japan. It featured an IHI turbocharger equipped BPT engine that produced 178 hp (133 kW) at 6000 RPM with a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler. Other features included a special suspension, upgraded transmission and clutch assemblies, upgraded drivetrain components, Racing Hart 17-inch alloy wheels, special interior trim. The 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5 was only available in Velocity Red Mica and Titanium Gray Metallic while the 2005 model was available additionally in Lava Orange Mica and Black Mica. Of the 5,428 Mazdaspeed MX-5s produced during model years 2004 and 2005, 4,000 were produced in 2004 and the 2005 pr
Third generation (NC) 2008-03-29 08:47:00 Third generation (NC)Production of the third-generation MX-5, code NC, began May 17, 2005, for delivery in August, for the 2006 model year.The easiest way to distinguish the third-generation MX-5 is to look for fender bulges over the wheel wells.The exterior styling resembles the original design while adopting a clean, more muscular profile and some design elements to reinforce the family ties with the Mazda RX-8. Unlike the update from NA to NB, which was mostly a nose/tail/interior change, the NC shares no components with the NB, except for the side-panel turning-lights on European-spec models.The suspension has changed from a 4-wheel double wishbone setup to a front wishbone/rear multilink setup. Technologies like traction control and stability control were added to increase driveabilit
2007 MX-5 hardtop 2008-03-29 08:23:00 2007 MX-5 hardtopIn July 2006, Mazda unveiled a coupé convertible version of the NC with a three-piece folding hardtop, named "MX-5 Roadster Coupe" in Europe, "Roadster Power Retractable Hard Top" in Japan, and "MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top" in the USA. Adding 36 kg (79 lb) to the weight of a comparable model with soft top, the hard top takes 12 seconds to raise or lower; in a departure from the competition, it does not take any of the existing trunk space when folded down. The first units were delivered to customers in late August, for a price premium less than the cost of a separate hard top. Performance times are slightly affected with the weight increase, to 9.6 s (1.8) and 8.2 s (2.0) from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph), but top speed is increased from 196 km/h to 200 km/h (1.8) and
No title 2008-03-28 21:59:00 Geely details Expansion Plan at 2008 DetroitGeely returned to Detroit Auto shows this year with openended promises of US-ready product sometimes in the future. Chinese auto maker Geeely Holding Group summoned the world’s medial to its press conference, showed off its FC-4- door sedan, London taxi, Geely coupe, Geely MK and oher geely production model Geely officials said unveiled its hugely ambitious plans to raise production and being more cars to market, about schemes to build factories in Mexico and South Africa.Geely is also proud of its BMBS safety system, which makes cars more controllable if they suffer a tilre blowout. “The problem has finally been craked by Geely Group and this will be a great gift for manking given by the Geely group for automotive safety.” a Geely call thi
The 2008 Kia Sedona. 2008-03-28 21:32:00 The 2008 Kia Sedona.Your family never slows down, so neither do we. That's why we've designed the Sedona to be safer, roomier and packed with a wealth of style, luxury and convenience features to get you and your family from one adventure to the next.Built to deliver at every level, the Sedona is the first and only minivan ever to earn both a 5-star crash safety rating from the U.S. Government¹ and be named "Top Safety Pick"² by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.Along with peace of mind, enjoy the versatility of Sedona’s 2nd and 3rd-row seating and multiple cargo options. Or, relish in the convenience of available dual power sliding doors and power lift gate which make cargo and passenger loading and unloading a snap.With an available DVD system, Infinity® surround-sound spea
Kia Showered With Awards 2008-03-28 21:16:00 Kia Showered With Awards
Kia has been showered with awards and recognition this last year. The kia Sdedona added an other accolade to its growing trophy case at the Chicago Auto Show when Motor Week announced its section as “best Minivan” in its 2007 Drivers” choices Awards. The recognition marks the first time Kia has received a Drivers’ Choice Awards from the long-running automotive television programme.Similarly, Kia Sedona was given the Car Book 2007’s “Best Bet” distinction, along with seven other Kia vehicles: Rio, Rio5, Spectra, Spectra5, Optima were both recipients of the award in 2006, however this was the first time eight different models in the 11-vechicle Kia lineup have received the distinguished accolade.In February, Kia Carnival won Lifestyle Vehicles of the ye
No title 2008-03-04 05:27:00 Jaguar E-typeJaguar E-TypeManufacturerJaguar CarsParent company British LeylandProduction 1961–1974Assembly Coventry, EnglandPredecessor Jaguar XK150Successor Jaguar XJ-SClassSports carLayoutFR layoutSeries IProduction 1961–1968Body style(s)2-door coupe2-door convertible Engine(s) 31966 Jaguar Series 1 4.2 E-type roadsterThe Jaguar E-type or XK-E is an automobile manufactured by Jaguar between 1961 and 1974. The E-type revolutionised sports car design, with performance, handling and looks ahead of its time. It was priced well below competing models, helping it to high sales for a high performance car. In excess of 70,000 E-types were sold over 14 years.It is often referred to as the E Type Jaguar.In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number one on the list of Top Sports Cars
No title 2008-03-04 05:24:00 OverviewThe E-type was initially designed and shown to the public as a grand tourer in two seater coupé form (FHC or Fixed Head Coupe) and as convertible (OTS or Open Two Seater). The 2+2 version with a lengthened wheelbase was released several years later.When released Enzo Ferrari called it "The most beautiful car ever made".The model was made in 3 distinct versions generally referred to as "Series 1", "Series 2" and "Series 3". A transitional series between Series 1 and Series 2 is known unofficially as "Series 1½".In addition, several limited-edition variants were produced:• The "'Lightweight' E-Type" which was apparently intended as a sort of follow-up to the D-type. Jaguar planned to produce 18 units but ultimately only a dozen were reportedly built. Of those, one is known to hav
No title 2008-03-04 05:24:00 Series 1 (1961-1968)The Series 1 was introduced in March 1961, using the triple SU carburetted 3.8 litre 6-cylinder Jaguar XJ6 engine from the XK150S. The first 500 cars built had flat floors and external hood latches. These cars are rare and more valuable. After that, the floors were dished to provide more leg room and the twin hood latches moved inside the car. The 3.8 litre engine was increased to 4.2 litres in late 1964 to acscomodate accessories favored in the lucrative US market: Air-conditioning and power steering.All E-Types featured independent rear suspension with toersion bar front ends, and power-assisted disc brakes.Jaguar was the first automanufacturer to equip cars with disc brakes as standard starting with their 1959 model year "Mark 2" sedans.The Series 1 can be recognised
No title 2008-03-04 05:23:00 Series 2 (1969-1971)Open headlights without glass covers (Earlier cars had problems with misting, despite gaskets), a wrap-around rear bumper, re-positioned and larger front indicators and taillights below the bumpers, better cooling aided by an enlarged "mouth" and twin electric fans, and uprated brakes are hallmarks of Series 2 cars. De-tuned in US, but still with triple SUs in the UK, the engine is easily identified visually by the change from smooth polished cam covers to a more industrial 'ribbed' appearance. Late Series 1½ cars also had ribbed cam covers. The interior and dashboard were also redesigned, with flick switches being substituted for rocker switches that met U.S health and safety regulations. The dashboard switches also lost their symmetrical layout. New seats were fitted
No title 2008-03-04 05:21:00 Series 3 (1971-1974)A new 5.3 L 12-cylinder Jaguar V12 engine was introduced, with uprated brakes and standard power steering. The short wheelbase FHC body style was discontinued and the V-12 was available only as a convertible and 2+2 coupe. The convertible used the longer-wheelbase 2+2 floorpan. It is easily identifiable by the aggressive, slatted front grill in place of the mouth of earlier cars, flared wheel arches and a badge on the rear that proclaims it to be a V12. There were also a very limited number of 4.2 litre six cylinder Series 3 E-Types built. These were featured in the initial sales literature. It is believed these are the rarest of all E-types of any remaining
No title 2008-03-04 05:20:00 Low Drag Coupé (1962)Shortly after the introduction of the E-type, Jaguar management wanted to investigate the possibility of building a car more in the spirit of the D-type racer from which elements of the E-type's styling and design were derived. One car was built to test the concept designed as a coupé as it's monocoque design could only be made rigid enough for racing by using the "stressed skin" principle. Previous Jaguar racers were built as open-top cars because they were based on ladder frame designs with independent chassis and bodies. Unlike the steel production E-types the LDC used lightweight aluminium. Sayer retained the original tub with lighter outer panels riveted and glued to it. The front steel sub frame remained intact, the windshield was given a more pronounced slope
No title 2008-03-04 05:17:00 Lightweight E-type (1963-1964)In some ways, this was an evolution of the Low Drag Coupé. It made extensive use of aluminium alloy in the body panels and other components. However, with at least one exception, it remained an open-top car in the spirit of the D-type to which this car is a more direct successor than the production E-type which is more of a GT than a sports car. The cars used a tuned version of the production 3.8 litre Jaguar engine with 300 bhp (224 kW)) output rather than the 265 bhp (198 kW) produced by the "ordinary" version. At least one car is known to have been fitted with fuel-injection.The cars were entered in various races but did not earn any victories in Le Mans or Sebring like their illustrious predecessors.The Jaguar E-type was very successful in SCCA Production
No title 2008-03-04 04:42:00 MCLAREN F1 LMThe McLaren F1 LM (LM for Le Mans) was built in honor of the five McLaren F1 GTR's, who won the Le Mans in 1995. Thus, only five cars were built for the road.The weight was reduced by approximately 60 kg (132 lb) over that of the road car, through the removal of various pieces of trim and use of optional equipment. The car also had a different transaxle, various aerodynamic modifications, including a rear spoiler and specially-designed 18 inch (457 mm) wheels. The LM also used the GTR's upgraded engine without race-mandated restrictors to produce 691 PS (680 hp/508 kW). It had a top speed of 231 mph (372 km/h).The LM is regarded to be the fastest incarnation of the McLaren F1 roadcars through the gears. It has a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds, 0-100 mph in 5.9 seconds and was on
No title 2008-02-18 07:05:00 Ferrari 250 GTOManufacturer Ferrari Production 1962–1964 (39 produced) Successor Ferrari 288 GTO Class Supercar Body style(s) Berlinetta Layout FR layout Engine(s) 3.0 L V12 Related 330 LMB 250 LMThe Ferrari 250 GTO was a supercar and auto racing car made by Ferrari in the early 1960s. It is widely considered to be the quintessential Ferrari model, and one of the most famous sports cars of all time.The numerical part of its name denotes the displacement in cubic centimeters of each cylinder of the engine, whilst GTO stands for "Gran Turismo Omologata", Italian for "Grand Touring Homologated."In 2004, Sports Car International named the 250 GTO number eight on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and number one as the top sports car of all time. Similarly, Motor Tren
No title 2008-02-18 06:58:00 DevelopmentThe V12 engineThe 250 GTO was designed to compete in GT racing. It was an orthodox (some would say conservative) evolution of the 250 GT SWBChief engineer Giotto Bizzarrini took the chassis from the 250 GT SWB and mated it with the 3.0 L V12 engine from the 250 Testa Rossa. After Bizzarrini and most other Ferrari engineers were fired in a dispute with Enzo Ferrari, development was handed over to new engineer Mauro Forghieri and designer Sergio Scaglietti. The widely-admired body was developed from work done by Bizzarini and Scaglietti and perfected in wind tunnel and track testing. Unlike most Ferraris, it was not designed by a specific individual or design house.The rest of the car was a well-balanced presentation of early-Sixties Ferrari technology: a hand-welded tube frame, A
No title 2008-02-18 06:56:00 Racing successAccording to the FIA rules for sports car racing, at least one hundred examples of a car had to be built in order for it to be homologated in the GT class (as opposed to the less-restricted prototype class). However, Ferrari built only 39 250 GTOs (33 of the "normal" cars, three with four-litre 330 engine sometimes called the "330 GTO" - recognizeable by the large hump on the hood - and three "Type 64" cars, with revised bodywork) but nevertheless the car was allowed to race in the GT class. Some say that Ferrari successfully argued that the model was technically a modification of the 250 GT SWB, some say that Ferrari's clout was such that it was better for the sport to allow the team to compete instead of dealing with a petulant (and crowd-depressingly absent) Scuderia Ferra
No title 2008-02-18 06:56:00 ProductionThe low production (39) allowed Ferrari to be selective about potential owners; if you were in the good graces of Ferrari himself, or his North American ambassador Luigi Chinetti, your $18,000 (early-1960s dollars, of course) would buy you the best GT racing car available at the time.The 250 GTO arrived as perhaps the last car that could compete on such a level and still act as something of a normal road car; more visibly, it was one of the last front-engined cars to be truly competitive at such a level. In the age before vintage racing, the 250 GTO faced the same fate as any other racing car of its time: as it passed into obsolescence, some were kept as regional race machines, while others were used as normal passenger cars.
No title 2008-02-18 06:55:00 Collectability and appreciating valueIn the late Seventies and early Eighties, the focus of the "performance" of the 250 GTO and other rare Ferraris turned out to be their rapidly-accelerating market value. As the auto industry struggled through new regulations and questionable marketing decisions, the unfettered performance machines of the recently bygone era took on a new desirability. There was also something of a paradigm shift; instead of being old but lovable racing cars, well-heeled collectors (Ralph Lauren among them) started to see the 250 GTO and its brethren as a sort of drivable fine art, much like the coachbuilt luxury cars of the pre-World War II era.This investment mentality reached an unreal peak in the late Eighties. As the wealth of certain members of the baby-boomer gene
No title 2008-02-18 06:54:00 F1 GTThe final incarnation of the roadcar, the F1 GT was meant as a homologation special. With increased competition from homologated supercars from Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in the former BPR Global GT Series and new FIA GT Championship, McLaren required extensive modification to the F1 GTR in order to remain competitive. These modifications were so vast that McLaren would be required to build a production road-legal car on which to base the new race cars.The F1 GT featured the same extended rear bodywork as the GTRs for increased downforce, yet lacked the rear wing that had been seen on the F1 LM. The downforce generated by the longer tail was found to be sufficient to not require the wing. The front end was also similar to the racing car, with extra louvers and the wheel fenders widened
No title 2008-02-18 06:51:00 Record claimsThe title of "world's fastest production road car" is constantly in contention, especially because the term "production car" is not always well-defined by the media. Critics of the F1 will i.a. point to the relatively tiny number of cars produced and the extremely high price and contend that a car available to so few is hardly a "production car".[citation needed]Callaway's Sledgehammer Corvette[citation needed], the road going version of the Dauer-Porsche 962 (winner of the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans as a GT) and most recently a version of the 911 Turbo produced by German tuner "9ff" have all proven in testing that they are capable of top speeds matching or in excess of 240 mph, although none of them are considered production cars, and hence cannot displace the McLaren's record.
History and Development 2008-03-30 21:13:00 History and Development
Like many British specialist manufacturers. AC Cars had been using the smooth, refined Bristol straight-6 engine in its small-volume production, including its AC Ace 2-seater roadster. The engine was a pre-World War II design of BMW which by the 60s the company knew was considered dated. Bristol decided in 1961 to cease production of its engine and instead to use Chrysler 313cid (5.1 L) V8 engines. Although untrue, it is commonly believed that AC was left without a future source of power and that American ex-racing driver Carroll Shelby saved the company from bankruptcy. AC started using the 2.6 liter Ford Zephyr in all of its cars. Shelby, in September 1961 airmailed AC a letter asking them if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine. Shelby had pre Read more:History
Badge 2008-03-30 21:11:00 BadgeThe first 75 Cobra mark I (including the prototype) were fitted with the 260 engine (4.2 L). The remaining 51 Mark I model were fitted with a larger version of the Windsor Ford engine, the 289 in³ (4.7 L) V8. Toward the end of 1962, Alan Turner who was the chief engineer at AC completed a major design change of the car's front end and was able to fit it with Rack and pinion steering while still using transverse leaf springs suspension. The new car went into production in early 1963 and it became known as the Mark II. The steering rack was borrowed from the MGB while the new steering colum came from the VW Beetle. About 528 Mark II Cobras were produced to the summer of 1965 (the last US bound Mark II was produced in November of 1964). By 1963 the leaf spring Cobra was losing its supre Read more:Badge
Cobra replica 2008-03-30 21:07:00 Cobra replicaAlthough extremely successful in racing, The AC Cobra was a financial failure, which led Carroll Shelby to discontinue importing cars from England in 1967. AC Cars kept producing the coil springs AC Roadster with narrow fenders, a small block Ford 289 and called the car the AC 289, it was build and sold in Europe until 1969. AC also produced the AC Frua until 1973. The AC Frua was built on a stretched Cobra 427 MK III coil spring chassis using a very handsome steel body designed and built by Pietro Frua. With the demise of the Frua, AC went on building lesser cars and fell into bankruptcy in the late 1970s'. The company's tooling and eventually the right to use the name, were acquired by Autocraft a Cobra part reseller and replica car manufacturer owned by Brian A. Angliss. Au Read more:Cobra
AC Cobra replica 2008-03-30 21:05:00 AC Cobra
replicaShelby worked with the Chrysler Corporation from 1989 to 1991 to help develop and style the Viper supercar and in the late 1990s, developed his own Series 1, a composite-bodied high performance car powered by the 4.0 L, DOHC, 32-valve V8 from the Oldsmobile Aurora luxury sedan producing 320 hp (239 kW). A more powerful supercharged version was available in limited quantities as well. The Viper and Series 1 are considered to be the successors to the Cobra, although the Series 1 was/is more like the Cobra than the Viper is, while the Viper's big, raw, and powerful pushrod V-10 engine is much more like the Cobra's 427 than the Series 1's quad-cam 4.0 V-8.
Coupes or Coupe 2008-03-30 21:03:00 Coupes or CoupéIn an effort to improve top speed along the legendary Mulsanne Straight at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, a number of enclosed, coupe variations were constructed using the leafspring chassis and running gear of the AC/Shelby Cobra Mark II. The most famous and numerous of these were the official works Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupes. Six were constructed in total, each being subtly different from the rest. AC also produced a Le Mans coupe, The car was a one-off and was nearly destroyed after a high-speed tire blow-out at the 1964 Le Mans race. It has now been completely rebuilt and now sits in private hands in England. The third significant Cobra-based coupe was the Willment Cobra Coupe built by the JWA racing team. Mike Mc Cluskey of Torrance California (one of the best Cobra re Read more:Coupe
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