Mercedes releases two special-edition ML63 AMG SUV

In a sort of counter-stroke to the modified vehicle extravaganza that is the SEMA show, Mercedes has announced two special editions of its ML63 AMG SUV. The 10th Anniversary model celebrates 10 years of AMG SUVs, while the Performance Studio edition exhibits what the in-house AMG customizers at the Performance Studio in Affalterbach can do for customer vehicles.

The ML55 AMG was the first high-performance treatment of a Mercedes SUV, and over its tenure the model sold over 11,000 copies. Its replacement, the ML63 AMG, builds on that legacy with an even more powerful and capable vehicle. Key modifications to the 10th Anniversary model include a new front bumper design, a new 'power dome' hood, 21" AMG alloy wheels, and inside, two-tone nappa leather upholstery. Available in two interior color combinations - black/alpaca grey or black/beige - to complement the Himalaya grey exterior, the interior also gets custom AMG sports seats with multi-contour adjustments and built-in heating.
The Performance Studio ML63 AMG, on the other hand, is exhibition of the custom options available directly from the factory on the ML63 AMG. This particular example bears an exterior in a shade called 'metallic Peridot brown' plus a set of 21" high-sheen double-spoke alloy wheels painted in the same color as the SUV. High-gloss chrome trim accents the car's lines. Inside, the custom touches continue with nappa leather stitched with a diamond design covering the front and rear seats and the door linings. Accenting the 'porcelain' colored leather is a range of charcoal alcantara and black leather accents. Piano black wood trim and leather-trimmed black floormats round out the treatment.

The 10th Anniversary model will be available for pre-order starting in Q1 2009, while the custom elements of the Performance Studio edition can be had for order on any ML63 AMG. Other custom elements that can be ordered include custom suspensions, brake systems, wheel and tire combinations, and complete interiors, all carried out by the experts at the Affalterbach AMG Performance Studio.

Photos and Specification of Kia Soul leaked

Kia has confirmed that its new Soul hatchback will be sold in the U.S., with the first models set to arrive in April next year. Now photos of the U.S.-spec model have been leaked, revealing a car essentially identical to the international production version already seen and still true to the concept as well.

The U.S. will receive two petrol models, displacing 1.6 and 2.0L, respectively, while Europe will receive an additional 1.6L turbodiesel. Production of the Soul begins this month in Korea.

Spy photos of the interior reveal the car will share much with the newer models in Kia's lineup, which feature surprisingly high-quality materials and solid ergonomic design. The newly leaked photos, from Kia-World show the car's exterior will remain largley unchanged from previously seen versions of the car.

The Soul was shown in concept form shown as far back as the 2006 Detroit show but it was restyled this year by Kia’s new head of design Peter Schreyer to showcase the carmaker’s latest design language.

The original concept was designed jointly by Kia’s Californian and Korean design studios but the final production model was created by Kia’s European design team.

Kia is hoping to double its sales in global markets by 2010 with the introduction of several new and updated models. The first of these will be a facelifted Sportage SUV in July, followed by the Soul and two new sedan models next year. The carmaker is also scheduled to option its first U.S. plant next year and is planning to build up to 300,000 vehicles per year at the new Georgia site.

Lamborghini Gallardo

American bodykit manufacturer Elite Carbon has just released a full carbon fiber bodykit for the standard Lamborghini Gallardo, which gives the car a much more aggressive look as well as a number of characteristics inspired by the new Gallardo LP560-4 and previous Superleggera.
The bodykit itself features a new front bumper with aggressive slats positioned in the middle of the front bar. The kit also consists of Superleggera-style side skirts with an additional lower scoop below the side air intake. Other pieces include a new carbon fiber rear bumper with an integrated carbon diffuser, as well as a rear wing also inspired by the Superleggera.

Elite Carbon also has a number of addition pieces for the Gallardo, such as custom carbon fiber door mirrors, and a separate carbon rear diffuser. Pricing for the latest kit is yet to be announced however it won’t be cheap. The previous standalone rear diffuser, for example, is listed at $4,500, and the pair of carbon side mirrors will set you back no less than $3,000.

Official Details of Nismo 370Z

Last month we showed you a leaked image of the upcoming Nismo enhanced 2009 Nissan 370Z, and now we have official details for the tuner’s ‘S-Tune’ package. While the teaser image we showed you earlier featured the rear of the car with a sizeable fixed rear wing, full bodykit and a new rear diffuser with an integrated brake light, the latest images reveal what the front and side of the Nismo S-Tune 370Z will look like.
Nismo, short for Nissan Motorsport, is the Japanese carmaker’s official in-house tuner and has been designing and building performance parts for various Nissan vehicles for years. Nismo’s most recent performance package was for the already formidable GT-R, which included a whole assortment of performance parts ranging from power mods, to aerodynamic aids, and even interior trim.

The new 370Z will likely feature a similar lineup of Nismo accessories. Some of the confirmed options include a nose piece extension, a front lip spoiler, side skirts, a rear spoiler, rear fender protectors, Nismo floor mats, a stainless steel exhaust system, Nismo LMZ5 19in forged wheels, stiffer suspension, and uprated brakes.

We also have images from a Japanese catalog that shows both a Nismo S-Tune ‘Aero’ and ‘Performance’ kit, as well as what appears to be a pricing list at the end. The pricing list also makes reference to an 'S' version, a 'T' version and an 'ST' version, and the final pricing for the cars appears to fall into the vicinity of ¥3.5 million (approximately $35,600) depending on what spec is chosen.

The standard 370Z is scheduled to make its official debut at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show and is set to go on sale early next year.

Photos from EICMA 2008

Our good friend, Jaques, who's based in Portugal, sent us these pics from the EICMA. Thank you, Jaques, and hope to see you at the EICMA next year...!

2008 Chevrolet Camaro LS7 Concept

Chevrolet introduces a quartet of stunning concepts based on the all-new, 2010 Camaro at the 2008 SEMA Show. The concepts join regular-production and accessorized models, along with a dream collection of vintage Camaros – including rare COPO, Indy Pace Car and early Z28 models – to mark the introduction of Chevy's re-born sports car. The Camaro is the official car of the 2008 SEMA show.

Each of the concepts represents a different interpretation of the new Camaro's performance, styling and personalization possibilities, from no-holds-barred high-performance to carefully crafted, street-savvy customizing.

"The new Camaro is a 21st century sports car for the young and young at heart," said Ed Peper, GM North America vice president, Chevrolet. "Wherever your automotive passion lies, the Camaro complements it with world-class design and an exciting driving experience. The concepts unveiled at SEMA accentuate those qualities and trigger the imaginations of countless enthusiasts."

In addition to the concept and classic Camaros, a production 2010 model showed off the range of appearance, performance and convenience accessories that will be available from Chevrolet when the car hits dealerships early next year. The accessories allow customers to personalize their vehicle with genuine Chevy components that are designed, tested and warranted to the same standards as the Camaro itself.

As for the Camaro concepts, they show the extreme possibilities of what the new sports car can offer. See below for highlights on all four vehicles.

Camaro LS7 Concept: Designed to highlight the capability of the new Camaro as a weekend bracket warrior, the Camaro LS7 Concept combines the power of a GM Performance Parts' LS7 crate engine and targeted bolt-on upgrades to deliver the wheels-up spirit of the legendary COPO Camaros.

Made famous by Chevy dealers like Don Yenko and Fred Gibb in the late 1960s, the COPO cars were ordered for one thing: drag racing. They were quickly outfitted after delivery with the requisite tires, safety equipment and other accessories necessary for competition in popular Stock-class drag racing series.

The LS7 Concept honors the COPO ethos with features such as drag strip-ready rubber on the rear wheels – and unlike many of the stripped-down racers from 40 years ago, this strip-ready competitor serves double duty as both a racecar and a daily driver.

The LS7 crate engine (part number 17802397) uses a high-performance replacement camshaft from GM Performance Parts (part number 12480033) to help it produce approximately 550 horsepower. Complementing upgrades include GM Performance Parts-developed headers and air intake system that will be offered at the Camaro's launch in early 2009. The LS7 also is modified with a wet-sump oiling system; the production engine features a dry-sump system that requires an external oil tank.

Backing the LS7 engine is a production Tremec 6060 six-speed manual with a GM Performance Parts Hurst shifter. Additional drivetrain details include:

* Brembo four-wheel disc brake package

* Lowered ride height

* Custom 20-inch wheels

* Driveshaft safety loop

* GM Performance Parts exhaust system

The Camaro LS7 concept is painted Victory Red, with matte black accents on the hood and taillamp panel. "LS7" logos are strategically placed and warn those in the know this Camaro means business when the Christmas tree lights count down to green. It's all business on the spartan interior, too, with base trim and few accessories to minimize overall mass for a quicker elapsed time.

Although the Camaro LS7 Concept is just that – a concept – its duplication by enterprising enthusiasts and racers is enabled by GM Performance Parts' LS7 crate engine package. It delivers a fully assembled, production version of the engine, complete from the intake manifold to oil pan. An oil reservoir for the standard dry sump system and GM Performance Parts' LS7 engine controller (part number 19166567) are all that's necessary to get the engine running in an enthusiast's project vehicle – well, that and a chassis capable of handling more than 500 lb.-ft. of torque

2008 Chevrolet Camaro Dale Earnhardt Jr. Concept

NASCAR star Dale Jr. is fan of vintage Camaros – he cruises around in a Pro Touring-style '72 Camaro powered by a GM Performance Parts LS crate engine – and the heritage-inspired design of the 2010 Camaro appeals to him like a checkered flag at Daytona. His vision for the car was channeled to GM's designers and crafted in a multi-color combination of style, capability and comfort.

They started with a new Camaro SS that uses the standard 6.2L V-8, but modified to use E85. Taking advantage of E85's favorable octane rating, the engine was calibrated to deliver a few extra horsepower, with the exhaust exiting through GM Performance Parts' new headers. It's backed by the SS's available six-speed manual transmission and GM Accessories' short-throw Hurst shifter. Additional performance enhancements include a Brembo brake package and a lowered ride height, giving Dale Jr.'s Camaro a sleeker look to match its road-hugging capability.

A custom gray-over-white paint scheme blends the high-performance drivetrain with serious style. It is accented with an orange stripe separating the gray and white sections. Also generating attention on the exterior is a set of 21-inch, five-spoke wheels inspired by the Camaro Convertible Concept. They feature dark-painted center sections on the spokes that complement the body's gray color. The wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero ZR-rated performance tires.

Additional exterior details include:

• Chevy Accessories grille

• Chevy Accessories ground effects and rear diffuser

• Chevy Accessories exhaust system

• Early Camaro-style "dovetail" rear spoiler

• Production high-intensity discharge headlamps

• Production RS taillamps

Similarly, the interior is outfitted for performance and style, including:

• Custom-trimmed leather-and-suede-covered seats with accent stitching

• Leather-trimmed steering wheel, shift knob, door armrests and center console lid, with accent stitching

• Carbon-fiber treatment on the instrument panel and door panel inserts

• Racing-style aluminum pedals

• Production-optional four-pack auxiliary gauge cluster

• Revised gauge cluster with unique graphics and colors

• Custom sill plates

Dale Jr. also specified Chevy Accessories' upgraded audio system for the Camaro, which is matched with a Boston Acoustics speaker system, including amps and subwoofers.

Story by General Motors Corporation

2008 Chevrolet Camaro Black Concept

It's hard to go unnoticed in a 2010 Camaro, but the Camaro Black Concept suggests a stealthy approach to street style. From its matte black-finished hood and ground effects to its dark wheels and red-glowing HID headlamp halo rings, the Camaro Black Concept is a sinister-looking urban tuner vehicle.

The Camaro Black Concept prowls the streets with the following equipment:

• Chevy Accessories ground effects package and rear diffuser

• High-intensity discharge headlamps with unique red "halo ring" color

• Revised, darker grille finish

• RS tail lamps with dark-tinted lenses

• Color-matched exterior badging

• SS-model spoiler

• Matte black hood finish

• Tinted glass

• Chevy Accessories 21-inch wheels with darkened finish

• Brembo four-wheel disc brake package

The interior also carries a slightly sinister ambience, with:

• Red LED instrument lighting and red footwell ambient lighting

• Black chrome trim accents

• Dark-finished accents, including the shift knob, radio face, steering wheel ring, gauge trim and door handles

• Custom sill plates

• Leather-covered seats with grey accent stitching

The Camaro Black Concept also features Chevy Accessories' premium audio upgrade package, along with MTX speakers.

Under the hood is the production 3.6L V-6 that produces 300 horsepower. A Chevy Accessories engine cover provides a suitable accent.

Story by General Motors Corporation

2008 Chevrolet Camaro GS Racecar Concept

One of the most iconic cars of the legendary Trans Am road racing series was the distinctive blue-and-yellow Camaro of Mark Donohue. He was a dominant racer in the series and drove his #6 1969 model to the series championship that year.

With the assistance of GM's High Performance Vehicle Operations, North Carolina-based Riley Technologies re-created the look and feel of that standout racecar with a tribute that looks, sounds and drives like it's ready to do battle with its contemporary pony car competitors. In fact, the heritage-inspired racer is more than concept. It is an early prototype for the Grand Am Koni Challenge GS racing class. Racecars like the GS Concept are offered and manufactured by Riley Technologies for the 2009 Grand-Am season.

The GS Concept features the race-ready suspension, reinforced chassis and drivetrain conform to the specifications required of racecars certified for the series. In fact, this racecar has already logged many hours on the racetrack as Riley team members worked to dial-in the chassis and powertrain. Additional features include:

* Seam-welded production Camaro body-in-white

* Carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, doors and fenders

* Production LS3 V-8 engine (used with solid engine mounts)

* Tremec 6060 six-speed manual transmission with close-ratio gearing

* Three-inch exhaust system with Coast Fab mufflers

* C&R racing aluminum radiator

* Upgraded engine oil cooler

* Transmission and differential coolers

The GS Racecar Concept is shown at SEMA just as it was last driven off the track, with the grime, brake dust and body imperfections commensurate with a day's worth of racing. Indeed, it isn't a car that spent hundreds of hours in a body shop in a quest of sheet metal perfection. It displays the bruises of competition and wears them as badges of honor.

Like Donohue's '69 Camaro racecar, the GS Racecar Concept wears a deep blue paint scheme that is accented with yellow graphics, a yellow-painted interior and yellow racing wheels.

Story by General Motors Corporation

2008 Dodge Challenger Blacktop Concept

The Dodge Challenger Blacktop Concept is a menacing creation from the minds of the Mopar Underground design team. The Dodge Challenger Blacktop began life as a 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 and six-speed manual transmission. Mopar Underground added custom-made spoilers and front brow. To finish off the look, a black-on-black racing stripe paint scheme was added. The “in the weeds” stance and superb handling characteristics are accomplished by the Mopar coil-over suspension and strut tower brace. Blacktop rolls on massive 22-inch Dodge Viper wheels from Factory Reproductions wrapped in Dunlop tires measuring 265/35 R22 front and 305/30 R22 rear. To ensure the powertrain can keep up with the suspension, underhood performance is enhanced. The addition of Mopar components, including a cat back dual-exhaust, cold air intake, allow the HEMI V-8 to breathe easy. The interior has been enhanced with Katzkin leather seating finished in bright red plus a Mopar Kicker audio system for premium sound.

Story by Chrysler LCC

2008 RMR Genesis Coupe

Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) approached Hyundai Motor America with a unique concept to introduce the all-new 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to the aftermarket and racing enthusiasts prior to its spring 2009 on-sale date. The RMR-designed “Art of Speed” Genesis Coupe called for a vehicle with the visual impact to win awards at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show while boasting sufficient performance to put the driver in the winner’s circle the following weekend. Backed by Rhys Millen’s reputation both on the track and in the aftermarket, Hyundai delivered its first prototype Genesis Coupe 2.0T to the RMR shop on August 8, allowing just 12 weeks of build time before the doors opened at SEMA in Las Vegas on November 4.

A crew of six RMR employees promptly stripped the car to bare metal. At the same time, the crew began custom-fabricating new aftermarket parts and accessories for the Genesis Coupe which are certain to be among the first available in the aftermarket once Hyundai’s newest addition takes to the streets next year.

In the weeks that followed, RMR developed a machine that retains the distinct, bold look of the Genesis Coupe, but adds flair with custom components on the exterior, a radically altered racing-spec interior and serious performance enhancements from under the hood all the way to the pavement.

INTERIOR

The interior of the “Art of Speed” Genesis Coupe is unrecognizable from its origins as a well-appointed 2+2 coupe designed with everyday driving in mind. All comfort and convenience features are removed to make way for a custom-fabricated eight-point safety cage and firewall which reinforce the Genesis Coupe’s already stiff chassis. By removing the roof, the RMR fabricators welded every aspect of the safety cage to the frame of the car. The braces on the A and B pillars also tie into the strength of the body. The safety cage is required for racing and a single Sparco racing seat further protects the driver in the overhauled cockpit.

CARBON FIBER BODY PANELS

Millen quickly decided to take the already light weight Genesis Coupe and make it even lighter. A second Genesis Coupe was used to construct molds which allowed body panels to be replicated out of carbon fiber. The carbon fiber panels range from 50 percent to 80 percent lighter than the sheet metal they replaced. This weight-saving approach is carried throughout the car without compromising its powerful curves, surface detail and “Z” bodyside line. The hood, deck lid, roof, doors, fenders, front fascia and side skirts are all built out of carbon fiber. For example, a factory Hyundai Genesis Coupe door weighs 68 pounds but modifications made by RMR reduce the door weight to just 8.5 pounds.

The side skirts have functional flat rocker panels with ducts to pull air out from underneath car. A functional splitter on the front fascia and a built-in diffuser create pressure without drag. A rear diffuser with long tunnels keeps the air moving underneath the car. Downforce has been further increased by an APR GTC-500 rear wing that is fully adjustable and was designed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The hood is vented to dissipate heat and Aerocatch hood latches are used for safety.

The rear widebody fenders are made out of fiberglass and blend seamlessly into the vehicle design with a creative painting concept.

SUSPENSION

The RMR Genesis Coupe utilizes a KW coilover suspension with two-way adjustable damping technology. Adjustable chrome molly sway bars dial the suspension in further for true track performance. RMR Racing also fabricated adjustable lower control arms.

RMR TURBO KIT

The spirited 2.0-liter turbocharged engine which comes standard on the Genesis Coupe 2.0T is enhanced by a Turbonetics turbocharger, waistgate and blow-off valve to provide extra horsepower and torque. RMR also designed a custom intake manifold to ensure better engine breathing.

WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES

To ensure that the enhanced power plant translates all the way to road performance, RMR added 18 by 9.5-inch front and 18 by 10.5-inch rear SSR type-F competition lightweight wheels and Bridgestone Potenza soft compound race slicks. The wheels surround the factory Brembo brake calipers which are already ideal for racing.

PAINT SCHEME

The paint scheme is a combination of Hyundai blue, silver and unpainted black carbon fiber with its signature weave pattern. Most of the upper steel body components including rear fender and A and B pillars are painted Hyundai blue. The front fascia is blue and silver with carbon fiber accents. The hood is black and blue. The carbon fiber doors have silver accents and the silver is carried down to the side skirts and into the rear fender.

RMR PARTS

All of the parts for the RMR Genesis Coupe are built with a modular design. A customer could put on all the parts at once or add them one at a time. The carbon fiber decklid, hood, rocker panels, rear fenders, front fascia, front fenders and rear diffuser all have molds and will fit the factory mounts and could be sold in the future.

Story by Hyundai Motor America

2008 HKS Genesis Coupe

HKS, known for its premium performance parts, designed a customized Genesis Coupe that maximizes the driving performance capabilities for the serious driving enthusiast. The HKS Genesis Coupe includes a HKS GT2835R Turbo upgrade to maximize horsepower and torque, HKS stainless tubular manifold, HKS intercooler upgrade, HKS super sequential blow-off valve, HKS performance stainless cat-back exhaust, HKS carbon fiber air box and intake duct, HKS Super Fire spark plugs and HKS Hipermax III fully-adjustable suspension.

The HKS Genesis Coupe also showcases functional ground effects designed by Ken Style, HKS Time-Attack cars' aerodynamic partner. The interior emphasizes driver comfort and control, with HKS electronics including CAMP2 that monitors up to 24 data signals from the Genesis OBD2 and programmable calculations for fuel costs, average fuel consumption and fuel efficiency in real time.

Story by Hyundai Motor America

2008 Pontiac G8 GXP Street Edition

2008 Pontiac G8 GXP Street Edition

2008 Ford Mustang FR500CJ Cobra Jet

Forty years after its debut, a legend of drag racing is back.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the release of the first Ford Cobra Jet Mustang in 1968, Ford Racing is introducing the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang, now available for customers to race in NHRA sportsmen classes during the 2009 season.

The new Mustang FR500CJ is officially being launched at the Ford press conference Nov. 4, as part of the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

For decades, the Mustang has been the preeminent car in many forms of racing, including drag racing. Adding to the rich and successful racing history of Ford's iconic pony car, the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang is a factory-built race car that is NHRA-legal and ready for the drag strip. It is the first purpose-built race car from Ford for drag racing since the original Cobra Jet Mustang.

"The Cobra Jet is one of the transformational vehicles for Ford Racing," said Brian Wolfe, director, Ford Racing Technology. "The 2008 CJ will get us more involved with the sportsmen racers in drag racing. At this point there are a lot of little guys who are running Fords from the 60s, 70s and even a few from the 80s, but those cars aren't necessarily relevant to what we are producing today.

"Those Ford racers are among the most loyal Ford supporters and customers we have," Wolfe added. "The CJ makes a statement for our company that even in times as tough as these, we can introduce something as special as the Cobra Jet. As I guy who has tracked Ford history from the beginning and understands the significance of the CJ, this is by far the best factory drag car that we have produced."

The original Cobra Jet Mustang was conceived by drag racing legend Bob Tasca, the competition-oriented Ford dealer in Rhode Island who at the time operated one of Ford's most successful retail operations. Tasca looked to the Ford parts shelf when he wanted to upgrade the engines on some of the Mustangs that he was selling, and came up with the KR-8 conversion package for his performance customers.

Henry Ford II announced that Ford would put together several of the Tasca 428-powered Mustangs for drag teams competing in the 1968 Winternationals, where two of the Mustangs made it into the finals and Al Joniec went on to win the Super Stock championship. After the car's success at Winternationals, Ford announced that it would be producing the 428ci Cobra Jet engine.

"When I made the Cobra Jet engine available to Ford, they found out quickly how good it was and they decided to make it happen," said Tasca Sr. "My feeling has always been that Mustang should be the performance leader for the Ford Motor Company. I like performance that helps me sell the unit. What the Cobra Jet did for Mustang was phenomenal."

The 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang joins Ford Racing's stable of championship-capable customer Mustangs: the Mustang FR500S, the Mustang FR500C and the Mustang FR500GT. All are turnkey cars available via the Ford Racing Performance Parts catalog and through Ford dealers.

The FR500 series of Mustangs are race-ready cars, designed by Ford Racing engineers for performance-conscious customers, that can be rolled right off of a truck and win in competition. The Cobra Jet, as delivered, will be able to run in the 10-second range and be competitive as is, just like its sister car, the Mustang FR500C. The FR500C was unloaded for customers at the 2005 Grand-Am Rolex Series opening race in Daytona on a Wednesday, won the race on Friday and went on to secure a championship that first season.

And just like the Ford Mustang FR500S, the Cobra Jet Mustang will get its start at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich., before being sent to a Ford supplier to have additional parts installed and for final prep.

All of the additional parts and pieces for the CJ can be found in the Ford Performance Parts catalog. And since the Cobra Jet is produced from a base V-6 Mustang, any consumer can turn their Mustang into a Cobra Jet by purchasing the parts from the Ford Performance Parts catalog.

The car features a 400-hp 5.4-liter supercharged engine with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, automatic optional, and a drag race wheel/tire combination. The Cobra Jet is NHRA-legal to 10.00 second ETs and has an NHRA Stock Eliminator legal interior and is approximately 3,300 lbs. The car will also showcase a unique trim and appearance design and include an optional 2008 Cobra Jet graphics kit to distinguish itself.

The price of the 2008 Cobra Jet Mustang is $69,900. All 50 of the initial 2008 model vehicles have already been ordered by Ford dealers for delivery to customers. For those customers who miss out on the first run, there's no worry, as Ford Racing has set a goal to provide future versions of the Cobra Jet.

"We've built a Mustang for drag racing that we've very proud of," said Wolfe. "We're confident that this, like all Mustang race cars, will be competitive, and a value for those looking to enter a variety of sportsmen classes. We can't wait to see the car in the hands of customers."

The Cobra Jet will make its official public debut at SEMA on Tuesday, November 4, and production will begin immediately on the 50 CJs, with delivery slated for early first quarter of 2009. The 2008 Cobra Jet is expected to first compete in the 2009 Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., in February.

Story by Ford Motor Company

2009 Yamaha MT-03 goes 'extreme yellow'

The 2009 Yamaha MT-03, a small-bore all-rounder that manages to look cool...

Pics: Motoblog

The 2009 Yamaha MT-03 remains unchanged mechanically, but does get this ‘extreme yellow’ paintjob that you see here. And for those who aren’t crazy about yello, the bike will also be available in white and black…

The 2009 MT-03 is still fitted with the same 660cc single-cylinder engine that also does duty on the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere. The engine makes 48bhp at 6,250rpm and 56.2Nm of torque at 5,500rpm, which sounds just about adequate.

The MT-03’s other 'features' include a short wheelbase, mass centralization for improved handling, double-disc front brakes, underseat exhaust, aluminum swingarm and horizontally mounted rear monoshock. If nothing else, we think the bike looks funky-cool. Now, if only Yamaha started fitting the R6 engine on this bike.... ;-)

We wonder how it'll behave with an R6 engine stuffed into it...!

2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V TT, Griso 8V SE, V7 Café Classic, Nevada 750

For the serious off-road rider, the 2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V TT
Pics: OmniMoto

These are the first pics of the 2009 Moto Guzzi lineup, with the bikes getting new colours and other minor updates. First up is the Stelvio 1200 4V TT, which is more off-road-oriented than the standard model. The bike gets a two-tone paintjob, more luggage carrying capacity, additional lights, sump guard, crash bars to protect the cylinders, extra protection for the shaft-drive system, and off-road-oriented tyres. We think the bike looks hot!

The 2009 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE

Next up is the 2009 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE, which gets a fancy satin-green-and-black paintjob, tan/brown leather seat and Pirelli Scorpion tyres. Just looking at that 1,200cc engine, with its four-valve cylinder heads, somehow convinces you that that thing must be capable of pulling like a locomotive…

The 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic. Not as cool as last year's V7 Classic...

And for those who want a healthy dose of style, but not necessarily huge gobs of power and torque, there’s the 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Café Classic, which is fitted with Guzzi’s air-cooled, 744cc, 49bhp v-twin. To us, the V7 Café Classic looks like a variant of last year’s V7 Classic, with a different seat, different paint and reshaped exhaust pipes. And, frankly, we think last year’s V7 Classic looked much better!

The 2009 Moto Guzzi Nevada 750. Dull and uninspiring...

Finally, there’s the 2009 Moto Guzzi Nevada 750, a bike that Guzzi should not be making at all. It’s a feeble attempt at cloning various Harley and Japanese cruisers, and it looks terrible. For a company that used to make the 850 Le Mans, why get into making, of all things, such crappy looking cruisers? Anyway, the Nevada is powered by the same 744cc v-twin as the V7 Classic, and given enough stick, the bike should probably be able to chug along faster than most people can walk