Scion Presents 400Hp Rear-Wheel-Drive tC Coupe for Formula Drift

The good news is that Scion has developed a rear-wheel drive version of its compact coupe, the tC. The bad news for all us RWD-lovers is that the RS*R tC was created to compete in Formula Drift events and not to go on sale for the public to enjoy. The conversion, that was performed by aftermarket specialist, RS*R, was able to be done thanks to the fact that the tC shares its platform with Toyota's Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive.
RS*R changed the tC's stock transverse engine configuration to a longitudinal setup in order to drive power, through the transmission and drive shaft, directly to the rear wheels. While the stock tC is equipped wit a 161 Hp 2.4-liter engine, the RS*R features a 3SGE Beams motor, HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, Blitz Dual SBC boost controller, and AEM EMS engine management system that outputs more than 400 HP.

Drive an Aston Martin Vantage N24 on-track

As much as we would have like to offer you the chance to drive a race-prepped Aston Martin Vantage N24 on-track, unfortunately its UK newspaper “The Sunday Times” that’s giving its readers this unique opportunity. Thanks to a partnership between Aston Martin, PalmerSport and The Sunday Times, the UK newspaper is running a competition from April until October offering two lucky readers per month the chance to demonstrate their driving skills in a Vantage N24, at PalmerSport’s Bedford Autodrome.

For those of you who don’t believe in “Lady Luck”, Aston Martin offers the option to pay for a timed session in one of the cars. Either way, each driver’s lap time will be entered into a ‘Hot Lap League’, with the ten fastest drivers being called back at the end of the year to compete in a final to decide who’s the fastest. The winner will enjoy a package of prizes, including the loan of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage for a month and full VIP hospitality for two people at the 2009 Le Mans 24-hour race.

Brilliance BS4 Wagon

It may look like a BMW and it may be produced by a company that builds BMW’s Chinese-market cars, but fact is, it’s not a bimmer. These pictures supposedly show the station-wagon version of Brilliance’s BS4 compact sedan that is scheduled to make its global premiere at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show on April 20. And why supposedly may you ask; well, while we found these pics on several Chinese sites this morning, some details like the phony-looking alloy wheels, the fact that the car has only one roof-bar along with the Italian license-plates make us wonder whether or not these pics are the product of photoshop. We’ll know soon enough.

Lamborghini Murcielago Crash – China Style

A car crash is an unpleasant site - whatever the make or model. However, we must admit that we tend to feel worse when it involves exotic cars like this Lamborghini Murcielago that bit the dust somewhere in China. Ironic detail: the flowers seen in the picture above were not placed by some random folks or by the owner of the car in memory of the Lambo.

Nissan Livina C-GEAR

Nissan is enhancing its Livina line-up with the introduction of a third variant of its Asian market hatchback, the Livina C-Gear (to be called the 'X-Gear' in various markets). The crossover version of the Livina will make its first public appearance at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show later this month. In addition to its “rugged-look” exterior, Nissan supports that inside the C-Gear has received a sporty look and feel manifested through the combination of a black interior with silver finish.
The Livina C-Gear will be offered with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with the choice of four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmissions. The model will be produced locally at DFL's Huadu plant in Guangdong province.

The Audi Q5 coming on April 19

With its world debut scheduled for the Beijing Auto Show, which will start on April 20, the new Audi Q5 will be revealed for the first time on April 19, on the Audi Q5 microsite. The special website was launched a few weeks ago and offers you the possibility to register for the newsletter and be the first ones to find out all the details about the new Audi Q5. For now there are only some wallpapers on the site, but all you Audi fans would better hurry and register because, besides the info on the Q5, you’ll also get the chance to win a test drive in Audi’s new competitor for the BMW X3, the Mercedes Benz GLK or the recently introduced Volvo VX60.

Lexus luncurkan edisi spesial IS 250X

Lexus memperkenalkan edisi khusus IS 250 yaitu IS 250 X di Australia. Hanya ada 450 unit dan diposisikan sebagai kendaraan dengan value for money yang menaik untuk pembeli mobil prestisius seperti diungkapkan Lexus Australia chief executive, John Roca.

Model ini dilengkapi sports suspension, sistem stereo Mark Levinson dengan 14 speaker, sunroof, satellite navigation, rear view camera with rear guide assist, Bluetooth™ handsfree telephone system, hingga alloy wheel 18inch. Ada warna spesial yaitu Arctic Blue and Vermilion, dan Onyx Black yang dipasangkan dengan interior kulit berwarna hitam.

"Tahun lalu Lexus memperkenalkan limited edition IS250 yang terjual habis dalam enam minggu, dua kali lebih cepat dari perkiraan. IS250 X diperkirakan juga seperti itu," kata John Roca.