New 2009 Toyota Matrix

Toyota took a fresh look at one of the prime vehicles they use to target 16 to 30 year old drivers, and ended up with the slick 2009 Toyota Matrix. With a redesigned exterior meant to flow from back to front, the new version of Toyota's five-door crossover is impressive from the outside.

The look of the car will definitely be a prime selling point for Toyota. A spokesman for the company said the Matrix, "may have the body of a five-door hatch, but it comes with the soul of a two-door sports car.”

Indeed, the car was styled more like a coupe, but in such a way that cabin space was not reduced. In fact, rear passengers should feel like they have a little more room for their legs, as the interior has become more functional. A more efficient heating and airconditioning system helps keep passengers comfortable, while being less of a strain on the engine.

Three grades of the Toyota Matrix will be available, including a standard, S, and XRS version. Owners of the S and XRS will also get a front underbody spoiler with a larger fog lamp bezel, as well as a rear underbody spoiler. Rear deck spoilers are standard on the XRS.

Matrix purchasers will get to choose between a 1.8 liter four cylinder, producing 132 horsepower and 128 ft-lb of torque, or a 2.4 liter DOHC four cylinder with 158 horsepower and 162 ft-lb of torque. The smaller engine does better on gas, seeing between 25 and 31 miles per gallon, while the bigger engine gets between 21 and 30 mpg.

Sadly, the 170 horsepower previously available on the XRS has not returned. With no information about the car's weight, we expect the performance figures may be a little less than satisfying.

All Wheel Drive is standard on the XRS, but optional for the S grade. Base purchasers will be saddled with 16 inch wheels, but this car was definitely meant to have the 18-inch alloys Toyota made available. 17-inch aluminum wheels are also an option.

The car should be in showrooms by late 2008, but pricing has not been announced.

Ferrari Enzo Specification

List Price: £450,000
Engine Size: 5998 cc
Power : 650 bhp
0-60: 3.3 s
Top Speed: 220 mph
Pagini Zonda C12S£350,000Porsche Carrera GT

List Price	IG	mpg	CO2	cc	bhp	0-60	Speed
£450,000				5998	650	3.3	220
£350,000				7291	555	3.8	202
£323,000				5733	604	3.8	205
Ferrari 360	£103,275	20		440	3586	400	4.5	183

Ferrari Enzo Specifications:

Make and Model: Ferrari Enzo Year: 2002 Engine Type: 6-liter V-12 Torque: 485lb-ft@5500rpm Acceleration 0-60: 3.6 s Suspension: 4-wheel independant Wheel Base: 104.33 inches List Price: $652,000 Horsepower: 660bhp@7800rpm Top Speed: 217 mph Brakes: Brembo 4-wheel vent. disc Transmission: 6-speed Electrohydraulic Weight: 3009 lbs

Nissan GT-R Makes North American Debut

The GT-R has landed. For the first time in the model's history, Nissan's sensational GT-R sportscar will be sold on US soil. And clearly for some - namely friend and industry colleague Ray Wert from Jalopnik - that news is just too hot to handle. Rear-ending aside, the GT-R is a 'multi-dimensional' performance vehicle - 'for anyone, at anytime, and anywhere' - debuted to North America at Los Angeles, post its Tokyo unveiling and ahead of the car's showroom debut in June next year.

Styled to perform, the functional design employs advanced aerodynamics which ooze what Nissan call the athleticism of a well-trained sportsman. Its aerodynamics produce a low drag coefficient of 0.27 but maintain high downforce across the car. The body is a hybrid of steel, carbon fibre and die-cast aluminium, with the new GT-R's platform utilising a world-first: independent rear transaxle all-wheel-drive coupled with a rear-mounted transmission and final drive for optimum weight distribution and handling abilities.

Having achieved a famed Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 7:38, one of the fastest laps by a production vehicle to date, the GT-R is a performance machine whose spec sheet statistics add up on the track. The new Nissan pumps out 480 horsepower and an estimated 430 lb-ft of torque from its all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine and is mated to an all-new paddle-shift sequential 6-speed gearbox. And yet it still manages to meet ultra low emission vehicle standards.

In the cabin, optimal driving position is provided by the specially-sculpted performance bucket seats while a cockpit-style instrument panel and centre-mounted tachometer and muti-function display provide driving feedback. A 'set-up switch' allows for control over transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the car's Vehicle Dynamic Control system. With three settings - Normal, Comfort or R for ultimate handling - settings can be optimised according to driver requirements.

Pricing for the North American-marketed GT-R was also unveiled, with prices starting from $69,850 for the base model and $71,900 for the Premium model, which includes heated seats, side air bags and an 11-speaker Bose sound system.

New MINI Cooper S by AC Schnitzer

Premiering alongside a host of new and exciting models from AC Schnitzer at next month's specialist Essen Motor Show will be the German tuning firm's re-working of the new MINI Cooper S. Described as taking the cult car to new levels of finesse, the AC Schnitzer MINI gleams with a number of special sports developments from performance upgrades and an athletic body kit to sports suspension enhancements and exclusive interior detailing. This is a MINI truly worthy of its stripes.

Focusing on developing a suitable performance upgrade for the new car, AC Schnitzer have taken the new 175 hp unit from the new MINI Cooper S and upped power to 220 hp. 'Running rings around the present car's suspension' is that of the new AC Schnitzer suspension, both developed and tested on the Nurburgring by touring car legend Manfred Wollgarten.

From the track to the city, the new MINI by AC Schnitzer is a car insisted to ooze athleticism from the reflections in high-flying city buildings. This striking 'athletic face' is made so by a new front bumper design, incorporating body-coloured components and the strong, pointed corners of a new front spoiler. A choice of high-quality classic AC Schnitzer 17" or bi-colour 18" alloys is available, fitted with high-performance Michelin or Continental tyres.

At the rear, style takes just as much precedence with a new body-coloured rear skirt and diffuser - helping the AC Cooper S stay firmly on the tarmac. A twin sports silencer and chromed racing tailpipe is both stylish and produces a loud and clear soundtrack.

From a stylish, performance-led exterior, the interior offers a wealth of equally-stylish, matching accessories. Splashes of aluminium adorn the cabin, with an aluminium handbrake handle, gear shift knob, foot rest and pedal set, as well as AC Schnitzer-branded velour mats. And for the ultimate AC Schnitzer MINI enthusiasts, a host of stationary, posters and various other paraphernalia is available.

Stay tuned for more news on AC Schnitzer and their new MINI prior to and during December's Essen Motor Show - showcasing the very best tuned cars, classics, motorsport and car accessories for over 40 years.

Limited Edition Ford Focus ST500 Released

Ford Motor Company, in an apparent move to keep excitement for Focus loyalists in the U.K., has begun selling a new, limited edition tuned up Ford Focus ST. Only 500 editions of the new Ford Focus ST500 have been produced, and will only be available for sale in the United Kingdom.

Starting at £20,495 (US$42,700), the ST500 is powered by a five cylinder, 2.5 litre Duratec engine. The 20-valve engine churns out 221 horsepower at 6,100 rpm, and 236 ft-lb of torque at a scant 1,600 rpm. This is roughly the same power produced by the limited WRC edition of the Ford Focus ST, produced for the Swiss market earlier this year.

The ST500 comes with scarlet leather Recaro seats, matching upholstery, xenon headlights, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, solar-reflect windscreen, and ST500 badging almost everywhere. Outside, the metallic black car is graced with a silver hood (bonnet, for you Brits), and racing stripes inspred by the GT40's 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in '66.

Over 13,500 Ford Focus ST models are on the street now, just two years since its introduction. Some of the hot hatch's success must come from the bragging rights associated with its 2006 WRC manufacturer's title, as well as its 2007 WRC table position, according to Ford (of course).

Press Release:

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 07 November, 2007 – Ford has announced the arrival of a new special edition of the high performance Focus ST. Called the Focus ST500, and priced from £20,495, it will be available to just 500 UK customers.

The Ford Focus ST500 is based on the top-of-the-range Focus ST3 with the addition of unique features. All models are finished in metallic black with classic silver bonnet, roof and side stripes which are designed to echo the livery of the winning GT40 in the 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966.

Power comes from the Focus ST's acclaimed 20-valve five-cylinder Duratec 2.5 engine, which develops 225PS at 6,100rpm and 320Nm of torque at just 1,600rpm. Since its introduction in 2005, the Focus ST has established itself as one of the finest "hot hatchbacks" ever made and received critical acclaim from the specialist media and enthusiast customers alike.

With sales of over 13,500, the Ford Focus ST is now firmly positioned as the most sought after performance hatchback in the UK, and reflects the motorsport success of the all-conquering Focus RS WRC, which saw Ford take the 2006 WRC manufacturer's title, and which currently heads the 2007 World Rally Championship.

Included in the Focus ST500's unique specification are scarlet leather Recaro sports seats and matching upholstery, special ST500 badging, automatic Xenon high-intensity headlamps, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and solar-reflect windscreen.

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