World Auto News & Reviews

Subaru has issued this photo of the 2009 Forester, the mid-size crossover that will make its world debut at the Detroit auto show in mid-January.

The new Forester is redesigned with more traditional SUV styling cues, and with a bigger body intended to make the Forester more competitive with the growing crossover class. The new version sees its wheelbase grow by 3.6 inches to 103.0 inches, and its overall length is up by about three inches too–which Subaru says maintains the "trim exterior packaging" that current Forester owners want. With the stretched length comes a stronger body structure, Subaru promises, and a ground clearance of up to 8.9 inches.

The engines motivating the new Forester are both flat fours, one turbocharged and one normally aspirated. Power outputs haven’t been released but Subaru says in a press release that the 2.5-liter fours will offer better low-end and mid-range torque. Manual and automatic transmissions will be offered; manual-equipped cars will get a hill-start helper that keeps the Forester from rolling backward when launching uphill.

Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system returns, as does a retuned double-wishbone suspension. Better ride and handling are promised, as well as a high, SUV-like seating position. Safety features will include stability and traction control and curtain airbags, along with anti-lock braking.

Inside, the Forester gets a higher grade of interior trim and an auxiliary jack for MP3 players. A navigation system and satellite radio are options.

Stay tuned for more information on the Forester as TheCarConnection.com reports from the Detroit auto show live, beginning January 13, 2008.

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Mercedes recently rolled out a facelift for the SLK-Class roadster, along with a few mechanical changes to the line-up’s supercharged four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6. But while the spec sheet for top-of-the-line SLK 55 AMG carries on largely unchanged, the 2008 model has also been treated to a few cosmetic changes.

The first thing to go when AMG gets its hands on a Mercedes is the front bumper, so while the more pedestrian four- and six-cylinder SLK models get a new, more F1-esque front end treatment, the V8 version throws that out the window. In its place is a wider mouth with a blacked-out lower lip, flanked by side vents and capped by smoked headlamps. The SLK’s new taillights carry over onto the AMG model, but again the clear section is smoked, underneath which is found a different rear bumper than the standard version’s integrating quad round tailpipes in place of the standard square twins. Otherwise, the same sweet AMG-tuned 5.5-liter V8 carries over unchanged, which we think is a good thing.

As with the first images of the 2008 SLK, pictures of the AMG model have surfaced online before Mercedes has made them available, so we’ll have to get back to you when the official pics are released, along with the AMG aero kits for the standard SLK range. In the meantime, enjoy these courtesy of our friends at CarScoop.

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Now Lexus fixed the base price for its new LX 570 sport-utility. It will fluctuate nearly $74,565. New LX 570 has safety features than the outgoing LX 470.

Equipped with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine that’s on loan from Toyota’s Tundra pickup, the LX 570 pumps out 381 horsepower, 113 more than Toyota’s older 4.7-liter V-8. Torque has increased, too, from 328 pound-feet to 401. The new transmission teamed to the V-8 is a six-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity increases from 6500 pounds to 8500.

There’s also an active height control that lowers the chassis about two inches for easier entry and exit, and raises it at lower speeds, lowering it again at higher speeds to help out in aerodynamic and fuel-efficient ways. Crawl Control aids drivers in off-road situations requiring delicate throttle inputs. The LX also offers abundant safety equipment, including ten airbags.

The car comes with crawl control for rough surfaces, four-zone climate control, power sliding second-row split seating, navigation system with Bluetooth, nine-speaker premium sound, XM satellite radio with real time traffic advisories, and power third-row seating. A rear-seat entertainment system and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system are options.

During annual press preview for the Detroit auto show, GM claimed about launching of Corvette ZR1 destined to hit showrooms next September.

The final specifications are not yet available because the development team is still fine-tuning power train and chassis calibrations. In the ZR1, the close-ratio gear set that aids in acceleration. Unlike in the current Corvette where top speed is achieved in fifth gear, an estimated top speed of over 200 mph for the ZR1 will come in sixth.

The ZR1 would easily beat the current Z06’s performance of 3.7 seconds to 60 mph and the current car’s 7:42-second lap time at Nurburgring. One member of the team noted that in its current form, first gear is good for 67 mph, an indication of the new gearing and the LS9’s ability to rev.

With so much power comes heat, so the ZR1 has more and bigger coolers and heat exchangers for all powertrain components. A massive front spoiler with an integral splitter helps channel air to all the right places. Side sill extensions are similar to what was used on the C6R racecar. The side vents feature a large strake that bisects the opening.

Chassis-wise, Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) is standard. The rear discs are as large as the fronts found on other supercars. Metal discs used on the Z06 were provided for comparison on a table-top display, and were considerably heavier. Of course, lighter rotating and unsprung mass is critical for improving every aspect of performance.

The Corvette development team took weight out of the ZR1 wherever possible. The standard ZR1 will feature interior equipment similar to a standard Z06, and there will be one major option package similar to the 4LT that includes the fully leather-wrapped interior.

Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) today announced that it is introducing the company’s first high-performance performance upgrade system for the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10. Known as the Venom 650R, the engine modifications increase by 78 horsepower giving the Viper the ability to accelerate from 0 to 150 mph 1.5 seconds quicker (15.5 sec. versus 17.0 sec.) than the already factory-fast 2008 Viper that offers a stout 600 horsepower.

The Venom 650R package consists of custom fabricated long tube stainless-steel exhaust headers with 1 7/8-inch primary tubes flowing into 5-to-1 merge collectors. From there, the spent exhaust gases flow through aftermarket catalytic converters before traveling through a full 3-inch stainless-steel exhaust system fit with high-flow stainless-steel mufflers. Other performance upgrades include: K&N high-flow air filter element, 2-piece light-weight cross-drilled brake rotors (saving 8 lbs per corner), professional installation, dyno testing, Hennessey Venom Power floor mats and exclusive Hennessey Venom 650R exterior badges. Each Venom 650R has a serial numbered plaque located in the cockpit and under the hood. Rounding out the package, the Venom 650R will carry a full 3 year / 36,000 mile Hennessey warranty that will cover the modifications performed to the vehicle.

HPE plans to build 200 units for the 2008 model year. Many of these cars will be available through an exclusive Hennessey dealer network comprised of high-performance minded Dodge dealers.

The Hennessey Venom 650R upgrade package gives 2008 Viper owners the option to fend off any Corvette Blue Devil ZR-1s that they might encounter in the coming New Year.

2008 Hennessey Venom 650R Specifications Available for all 2008 Viper SRT10 models including Coupe, Convertible and ACR.

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