Corvette C4 With Toyota Supra 3.0 Twin-Turbo Engine Transplant!

We’ve no idea what these guys from Kuwait are babbling about in the video but we clearly see the enthusiasm in their faces for successfully (?) transplanting a Toyota 2JZ-GTE engine in a Chevrolet Corvette C4 Convertible. The Kuwaiti engine docs threw out the Vette’s 5.7 V8 powerplant and replaced it with the 4th generation Supra’s twin turbocharged 3.0-litre unit that should produce 320 Hp at 5,600 rpm and 315-ft/lb at 4,000 rpm. What do you think about this engine swap? -Xtra video after the jump

Nissan Launches Diesel Hybrid Version Of The Atlas H43

Hybrids are gaining momentum on just about everything that carries a set of wheels -even in commercial vehicles as Nissan proves. Renault’s partner in arms introduced a new Diesel-Hybrid version of its Atlas H43 light commercial vehicle (LCV) that will be available in Japan.

The Atlas H43 Diesel Hybrid features a power take-off (PTO) parallel drive system with the diesel engine and traction motor connected to separate drive shafts, allowing the vehicle to be powered by the diesel engine alone (in case the hybrid system malfunctions). The hybrid LCV features a heavy-duty vehicle fuel economy figure of 25.8 MPG or 9.1 lt/100 km and according to Nissan, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions have been reduced by an additional 10% from Japan's 2005 exhaust emission regulations.

'08 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Teaser Pick No2

Subie looks like its going to be teasing us over the next few weeks as it released the second blacked-out 2008 Impreza WRX STi image (see the first by clicking here). This time we’re getting a shadowy view of the STi’s arse with its quad exhaust pipes, the bulgy rear fenders and the miniscule –for an STi we mean, rear wing. We tried to enhance the image through photoshop, but apart from the kinky colored “STi” badge, we didn’t manage much. If you want to see the original picture just follow the jump.

Rolls Royce Releases Details On The Phantom Coupe

Following BMW Group CEO, Norbert Reithofer’s announcements on the group’s future product plan (click here), Rolls Royce came out with further details on the Phantom Coupe. The British carmaker stated that the four-seater coupe inspired from the 101EX Concept, will be launched in 2008 with production scheduled to begin next summer at the company’s manufacturing plant in Goodwood, England. As for pricing, the new Coupe will be cost more than the Phantom and less than the Phantom Drophead Coupe (Convertible). -Continued after the jump

The Phantom Coupe will be equipped with the same 6.75 litre V12 engine that we find in the other Phantom models producing 453bhp and 720Nm of torque. Compared to the Convertible, the Coupe will be subtly tuned with more emphasis placed on the driver. The body will be shorter than that of the Phantom sedan and there will be revisions to the suspension and chassis set-up.

Rolls-Royce Chief Designer, Ian Cameron, said, “With this car we wanted to emphasise the performance potential of the 6.75 litre V12 engine and the effortless experience that it delivers. Whilst never overtly sporty, Rolls-Royce is a brand that has always offered owners a powerful and refined drive combined with, as Sir Henry Royce described it, a bit of fizz.”

Ian Robertson, Chairman and Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This new model represents an important milestone in the company’s history. It completes the Phantom family and judging by the customer reaction to 101EX, we are confident of its success. Our challenge lies in meeting the exceptional levels of customer demand for the Phantom range and in preparing Goodwood to meet the needs of future new cars.”

New HDT Owner To Revive Brock Holden Commodores

It’s been a year since Holden racing legend Peter Brock lost his life in a tragic car accident at the Targa West rally in Western Australia last September. Fortunately, his legend will continue thanks to Peter Champion, a 53-year-old Queensland mining contractor and Brock enthusiast who bought the Holden Dealer Team (HDT produced Brock's racing machines as well as a number of modified high-performance road versions of his racing cars). Australian car site "Drive" sat down and had a talk with Peter Champion to discuss his future plans for Brock's road- and race-cars. Champion revealed that he intends to bring back the HDT cars in a modern version. -Continued after the jump

Peter Champion told Drive, “Our plan is to base the cars on a VE SS. We won't touch the cars mechanically, because we don't want to void the warranty, but if customers want performance modifications, we will look at it.”

We'd like to revive the look of all four Group A Commodores and we're working on bodykits and talking to wheel suppliers as we speak. We also want to make sure there is a good supply of parts for the original Brock Commodores” Drive’s artist drew up a few impressions of how future HDT Commodores could look. You can check all of them out along with the full interview by clicking the link below.

Via: Drive

GM’s Advanced Training Programs: Burn Baby, Burn.

Nestled in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan lies a 4,000 acre parcel of land owned by General Motors known to some as, Milford Proving Grounds, but referred to by many as, “Black Lake.” It acquired this name because when it’s wet, it looks like a big black lake which many birds flock around and try to land on. Dumb birds!

Over the past week, at Black Lake, you would have found bloggers testing out GM’s new vehicle line up as part of the 2008 Collection event. Not to mention me truly -Daniella-, on the Vehicle Dynamics Test Area, spinning out of control (...) in the “SkidMaster” during our Advanced Training Session which was one of two main parts of the GM trip.

Our advanced training consisted of collision avoidance, going about 50 mph in an Impala SS, reverse serpentine which I failed miserably especially in the massive Silverado, the reverse straight line which clearly indicated why the grass on the left side of my drive way is dieing, and the break and swerve in the grandfather of all Buicks the Lucerne.-Continued after the jump

The highlight however, was the opportunity we were given to experience the electronic stability control systems (ESC) a.k.a “stabilitrak”. ESC helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency land changes or avoidance maneuvers. The system detects any difference between the steering wheel position and the vehicles actual path. It selectively controls braking and engine power to gain control of the vehicles direction and keep it on course. GM started installing these systems on passenger cars in 97. It comes standard on about half of the 2006 and 2007 models and is projected to come standard on all the cars and light trucks sold by the end of 2010.

We all took turns as passengers in one car equipped with stabilitrak and one without. There was an obvious difference between the too. Aside from that, the GM drivers that took us out on the test let it rip and showed us what stabilitrak can really do when things get out of control.

Posted by Daniella

Skoda Confirms Yeti SUV, Production Starts In 2009

VW’s Czech subsidiary has confirmed that it will introduce it’s first ever SUV model based on the 2005 Yeti Concept (picture). Production of Skoda’s fifth model line will commence in 2009 with the Czech carmaker stating that it will be manufactured in its Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic. It has been suggested that the Yeti will borrow some key modules from VW’s Golf-based Tiguan SUV (click here), mixing them with hardware sourced from other models within the VW Group. -Press release along with more pics of the Yeti concept after the jump

ŠKODA YETI TO BE MANUFACTURED IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Production of Škoda’s fifth model line is due to start in 2009 and many new jobs will be created in the firm’s home country following this announcement. The Kvasiny facility, along with Škoda’s other plant in Vrchlabí, will be extensively modernised and expanded in order to meet the board’s aim of having three full-scale Czech factories by 2010.

Mladá Boleslav, the carmaker’s main plant and headquarters, will continue to produce the Fabia and Octavia. However, the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava will help to satisfy the high demand for vehicles by increasing its production of the Octavia.

Detlef Wittig, chairman of Škoda’s board of directors, said: “Thanks to the growing demand for the Octavia we are looking for suitable manufacturing capacities elsewhere that will enable us to quickly react to the enormous interest shown by customers in our model range. “