Subaru to Unveil Custom-Made Impreza WRX STI for Rally Champ, Travis Pastrana at Chicago Show

At this week's Chicago Auto Show that runs from February 13 to 22 at the McCormick Place, Subaru will reveal a one-off customized version of the Impreza WRX STI designed to commemorate its factory rally driver Travis Pastrana's third consecutive Rally America National Championship. The Japanese automaker worked with Vermont SportsCar, builder of the team's rally car, to create the brilliant yellow "199" liveried WRX STI that has been enhanced with an array of Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI parts, along with unique custom pieces.

To improve the car's handling, Subaru fitted the Impreza WRX STI with an SPT front strut tower brace, SPT lower chassis brace, and BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S 275/35 ZR18 tires on Work Evolution XD-9 18-inch alloys in custom satin black. Under its custom-made carbon fiber hood, Pastrana's WRX STI is equipped with a number of modifications including a performance-tuned ECU and custom Down Pipe that promise to add a few more ponies to the 2.5-liter intercooled turbo Boxer engine that delivers 305-horsepower in stock form.

On the outside, apart from the yellow finish and the graphics, the Pastrana's WRX STI gains a carbon fiber hood and rear wing, a sport mesh grille, STI front chin spoiler, exhaust finishers and a set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights and rally-spec mud flaps.

Inside, the custom blue Alcantara interior upholstery is accented with Pastrana's traditional yellow piping and "199 Pastrana" embroidered logos in yellow thread that matches the vehicle's exterior. Yellow stitching is also used to accent the steering wheel, shifter boot and parking brake handle boot. Other additions include an STI short-throw shifter, carbon fiber patterned interior trims, a rally map light, co-driver foot rest, a high-end audio system with Kicker amplifiers and speakers as well as an Xbox 360 mounted under the front passenger seat.

2010 Opel Astra Caught Totally Undisguised: High-Res Scoop Photos

For the first time, our spy photographers have managed to capture a prototype model of the all-new fourth generation Opel / Vauxhall Astra without a single trace of camouflage. The spy shot gives us a clear view of the Astra's profile revealing details like the shape of the windows and the roofline, the taillights and the concave surfacing on the doors, all of which bring to mind the Insignia that has clearly inspired the designers of Opel's subcompact hatch.

Our gallery also contains spy photos of the 2010 Astra's interior that as you may have probably figured out already, is once again influence by the Insignia. The dashboard features four deeply positioned instrument dials in front of the driver and a swoopy central console with an elevated lower part that houses the gearbox lever.

Technical innovations will include several 'gizmos' like the 'Opel Eye' camera system that recognizes traffic signs warning the driver and a next-generation adaptive headlight system.

Under the skin, the new Opel Astra gets GM's latest front-wheel-drive Delta platform which is also used on the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt. Power will come from a wide range of diesel and gasoline powertrains, including GM's all-new 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine that will be offered with outputs ranging from 120 hp to 140 hp and torque values of 175 to 200 Nm. Opel claims that this unit will deliver an approximate 8% improvement in fuel consumption compared to the naturally aspirated 1.6 and 1.8-liter engines that it will replace.

The 5-door Astra will make its official premiere at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, with sales following in Europe shortly after. In 2010, the Astra's range will be enhanced with the addition of the sportier 3door GTC while Opel also plans to introduce a four-door sedan, a station-wagon and a coupe-cabriolet variant with a retractable hardtop by 2011.

As for the U.S., GM plans to build the new Saturn-badged Astra here in America with sales supposed to commence sometime in 2011. However, given the current economic status of General Motors and more importantly, the uncertain future of the Saturn brand, we wouldn't be surprised if the Astra's North American debut is put on hold.

2010 Hyundai Tucson to be Previewed in Geneva with HED6 SUV Concept

Hyundai is to unveil an all-new compact SUV concept named HED6 at this year's Salon International de L'Automobile in Geneva on March 3rd and from what we've learned, it will most likely form the basis for the next-generation Tucson. To be called ix35, the Korean firm's new Toyota RAV4 and VW Tiguan rival is expected to hit international markets by early 2010. The teaser sketch leads us to believe that the HED6 concept will boast a more angular and evidently, more appealing design than the current Tucson.

The Korean automaker said that the concept model's features include LED daytime running lights, 21-inch, mirror-polished alloy wheels and a special 'Ice Blue' exterior paint, with an advanced pigment effect for a brilliant shine. Power will come from a new, production-ready, 175-horsepower, 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that will find its way into many Hyundai and Kia models in Europe.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President at Hyundai Motor Europe said, "The HED-6 brings an entirely new look to Hyundai's SUV line-up. It fuses a robust exterior with a fresh and elegant interior, making for an eye-catching package, while its latest-generation power train highlights Hyundai's clean-technology expertise."

Suzuki Alto Priced from £6,795 in the UK

On the 1st of March, Suzuki's all-new Alto mini will go on sale in the UK with an on the road price starting at £6,795. The five-door Alto hatchback is powered by a three-cylinder 67HP 1.0-litre engine and has a combined fuel consumption of 64.2 mpg UK with CO2 emissions of just 103 g/km. Not that buyers will care, but the Alto is the first European-specification model to be exported in three years from the firm's Maruti Suzuki plant in Delhi, India, which is celebrating its 25 year anniversary this year.

Mugen Launches 'Zero-Lift' Aero Kit for 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

Honda's official tuning division Mugen has released details on a new range of sport accessories for the Japanese-market 2010 Honda Insight that just went on sale in the Land of the Rising Sun. Mugen's package includes a full functional aerodynamic kit called 'Zero-Lift' that supposedly does what it's name suggests -create zero lift- and at the same time offers a sportier look to the Insight. The aero add-ons include a front spoiler with fog-lamps, a front sports grille, side skirts, ventilated visors, a large rear wing and a rear spoiler with integrated diffuser and a triangular shaped tailpipe. The Insight's looks are rounded out with a set of 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels.

Mugen customers can also add a sport suspension package that comes with new springs and dampers that lower the compact hybrid car's ride height by 20mm. Other available accessories include the intelligent-Tire Condition Monitoring System (i-TCMS), carpet mats and aluminum sports pedals.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Mugen

'Central 20' Tunes into the Nissan 370Z

If there's one thing that Nissan 370Z owners don't have anything to worry about, that's the availability of all sorts of tuning packages for their sports coupe, some even from companies that most of us have never heard of before. One of the less well-known tuners is 'Central 20' from Japan that has released a new sport package for the 370Z. Their package includes a bodykit with a longer front bumper, side sills and a new rear bumper with side air-vents that brings to mind the Audi R8 but does not seem to tie-in with the rest of the car's looks.

'Central 20' also offers a set of black alloy wheels, new quad exhaust tailpipes, a sport suspension that brings the 370Z closer to the road and a more powerful brake system with 4-piston calipers up front and 6-piston at the rear.