SEMA: 2008 Honda Accord Coupe HFP

Albeit less impressive than the Accord Coupe HF-S Concept that we showed you yesterday (click here), the Accord Coupe HFP is a nicely customized vehicle that’s sporty but not flashy. It is equipped with dealer-installed Honda Factory Performance (hence the name “HFP”) components including a sports suspension package, 19-in. alloy wheels in 245/40R-19 rubber and a full aerodynamic body kit (front, sides and rear). -Details and pics after the jump

Press Release: As a dealer-installed accessory, Honda's in-house HFP products carry the same 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as the rest of the vehicle, when installed at the time of new vehicle purchase, and are engineered to be fully compatible with the vehicle. The Accord HFP package includes a wide range of performance- and style-enhancing products.

The Sports Suspension package (available Spring 2008) reduces ride height by about 25 mm, lowering the vehicle's center of gravity, and enhancing the Accord Coupe's sporty road-handling characteristics. Larger wheels and tires include 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels designed for high-performance 245/40R-19 tires (sold separately).

A full aerodynamic body kit (front, sides and rear) further elevates the style quotient of the entire vehicle. Interior and exterior HFP emblems complement the package. All of the Accord Coupe HFP components except suspension can currently be purchased individually, and the full HFP package including suspension will go on sale in the spring of 2008.

American Honda launched its performance accessory program in 2002 with the introduction of a Honda Factory Performance package for the Civic EX Coupe, and currently offers HFP products for the Civic, Accord and Fit.

SEMA: Scion tC by Artist Ron English

Ron English, a New York-based painter, billboard liberator, and toy designer has collaborated with Scion and several tuners to create a somewhat different customized tC Coupe. Painted in a custom purple pearl color and featuring electroluminescent lighting animating Ron English's ying-yang artwork the tC is unique in its own weird way. And because this is SEMA and not an art gallery, the tC sits on 19-in. alloy wheels complemented with 3/4" lowering springs by Eibach. -Pics & details after the jump

RON ENGLISH - SCION tC

EXTERIOR

• 19" custom billet wheels by Coddington Wheels
• 245/35/19 fk452 tires by Falken Tire
• 1 3/4" lowering springs by Eibach Springs
• Custom House of Colors purple pearl paint by Franks Autobody
• Custom hologram images by Rabbit Holes
• Custom electroluminescent lighting animating Ron English's ying-yang artwork by Lit Media Group Smoked lighting by Franks Autobody

INTERIOR

• Custom two-tone leather interior with Ron English artwork embroidered in the head rests by Bill Dunn Upholstery
• Interior accent painting by Franks Autobody
• Custom car design and coordination by Robert Wilson

VW To Bring Diesel-Powered Jetta TDI To North American Race Tracks

Volkswagen is attempting to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology by bringing diesel-powered Jettas to selected North American race tracks. Starting from May 2008, up to 30 Jetta TDI’s competing in the hands of young drivers will appear in eight major racing venues across North America. Powering the race-prepped Jetta is VW's new 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 Hp and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. The diesel unit is matted to a six-speed automatic DSG transmission.

The race vehicles will be outfitted with electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, multi-link fully independent race-tuned suspension, driver airbag supplemental restraint system, and ABS racing brakes. -Details after the jump

VOLKSWAGEN TO FEATURE CLEAN DIESEL POWER IN JETTA TDI CUP RACING SERIES

LAS VEGAS – Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that it will bring TDI clean diesel technology to select North American race tracks starting in May 2008. The Jetta TDI Cup series will be sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing Inc., and will appear at up to eight major racing venues in North America during 2008.

“The Jetta TDI Cup racing series will celebrate Volkswagen’s diesel technology and heritage in motorsports as good, clean fun,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Not only will the young drivers gain real-life track experience in a factory-prepared race vehicle, it will allow them to develop their own mindset of today’s clean diesel technology, and foster increased awareness of its advantages in this new era of environmental sensitivity.”

The Jetta TDI Cup shifts gears from the previously announced GTI program, allowing Volkswagen to showcase the power and performance of its new clean diesel technology, available in the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen. With up to 30 Jetta TDI’s competing in the hands of aspiring, young drivers, this unique motorsport offering will highlight a new, exciting platform of racing that does not currently exist – a full field of clean diesel powered vehicles.

“With the Jetta TDI Cup, Volkswagen has created an amazing platform to develop young drivers and expand their knowledge about clean and quiet diesel technology,” said Robert Wildberger, president and CEO, SCCA Pro Racing, Inc. “We look forward to the series in hopes that it will attract more attention to the drivers and advantages of diesel power.”

The Jetta TDI Cup racecars will be optimized for track performance and safety. To focus on the skill of the young drivers and to ensure performance parity, proper maintenance and safety standards, all vehicles will be owned and maintained by Volkswagen. The heart of the Jetta TDI Cup racing vehicle will be the all-new, high-tech 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI clean diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower and nearly 300 ft.-lbs. of torque in racing trim. The Jetta TDI race vehicles will be outfitted with a six-speed automatic DSG® transmission, electro-mechanical power rack-and-pinion steering system, and advanced multi-link fully independent race-tuned suspension, driver airbag supplemental restraint system, and four-wheel ABS racing brakes.

Signifying Volkswagen’s environmental commitment, the Jetta TDI Cup series will be certified as CarbonFree by Carbonfund.org. Additional program details will be available at www.vwmotorsportusa.com by mid-November 2007.

Fiat Panda Sport by Novitec

With the SEMA show in full thrust, it’s all about tuning this week. However, time to take a break from all that SEMA madness and see what’s going around in Europe. Novitec presented a performance pack for the sport version of Fiat’s successful little mini hatch, the Panda.

The Panda Sport is already one of the nicest looking mini cars in its class (hey Hyundai, take a look at how you really design a contemporary mini), and with the addition of Novitec’s new blacked out alloy rims, a dual exhaust pipe and a roof spoiler, things only get better. Additionally, Novitec has slightly raised the 1.4-litre engine’s output from 100 to 106 Hp. -More pics after the jump

Via: Motorpasion

SEMA 2007: Hyundai Azera Vip Luxury Tuner

Shawn Williams from Street Concepts, created a customized version of Hyundai’s flagship sedan model dubbed the “Vip Luxury Tuner”. Considering what he had to work with, Shawn did a pretty good job with the Hyundai Azera that’s dressed in a bespoke white pearl paint and black suede seats with white stitching. The subtly customized Korean sedan also features a Eibach suspension, MagnaFlow catback exhaust, K&N intake and Brembo brakes. -High-res image gallery after the jump

2008 Hyundai i10: Atos Successor Fully Revealed

A fortnight after an inside leak gave us our first look at the all-new i10, Hyundai released details of the next installment in its all-new range of ‘i’ cars – the i10 which will replace the current Atos model (called Amica in some markets) . Based on the same platform as the 2008 Kia Picanto, Hyundai’s new affordable mini car measures 3,565mm in length (140.3-in.) and 1,595mm in width (62.8-in.) while it features a wheelbase of 2,380mm (93.7-in.). -Continued after the jump

Design-wise, the i10 is as intriguing as a brick stone with headlamps and wheels. Same goes for the interior which looks cheaper than the one found in Kia’s 2008 Picanto. On the other hand, according to Hyundai, all i10s will be well equipped with even entry-level models featuring four airbags with a passenger side cut-off switch, air-condition, four opening windows with electric operation at the front, central locking, electric power steering, tinted glass, 14-inch wheels, body coloured bumpers and an integrated six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo on the standard equipment list.

Initially, the i10 models will be offered only with a 67 PS, 1.1-litre petrol engine mated to either a manual or an optional automatic gearbox. In both cases, the gearshift is mounted on the centre console in order to improve ergonomics and free up the space between the driver and the passenger seat.

The first i10s are set to arrive in European Hyundai dealerships in March 2008 with prices in tax-happy UK, staring below £6,500 ($13,400 or €9,300).

2008 Toyota Sequoia: L.A. Show Debut For Tundra Based SUV

Toyota officially announced that it will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2008 Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the upcoming L.A. Show on November 14. According to the Japanese carmaker’s austere press release, the completely redesigned 2008 Sequoia (based on the new Tundra pick-up truck), will be more spacious and powerful than the current model.

SEMA: Mitsubishi Double Shotz Hot Wheels Concept

Take a very good look at the Mitsubishi Double Shotz concept pictured above; believe it or not, what you’re looking at is actually… a Hot Wheels toy car! As “mama” Mattel explained, in order to celebrate Hot Wheels' 40th anniversary, it invited major carmakers to submit a series of concept ideas that would be turned into a line of 1/64 scale toy cars in spring 2008. Mitsubishi entered the Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge with a proposition from Mitsubishi Motors Research and Design of America (MRDA) employee, Gary Ragle.

Gary’s Double Shotz concept sportscar, that’s fitted with two 4G63 engines derived from the Lancer Evolution, was one of the seven winners in the Hot Wheels Designer’s Challenge. We wouldn’t mind at all if Mitsubishi decided to create a life-size concept of Gary’s proposition. -Details and images after the jump

Press Release - Mitsubishi Motors Employee Gary Ragle Selected as One of Seven Winners in First-Ever Hot Wheels® Designer's Challenge

October 30, 2007 -- Cypress, Calif. --

Toy manufacturer Mattel has announced that Mitsubishi Motors Research and Design of America (MRDA) employee Gary Ragle is among seven designer finalists to be selected in the company's first-ever Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge™. MRDA was among six automotive manufacturers to participate in the challenge, which marked the first time Hot Wheels has turned outside the company to seek new vehicle designs.

Created to represent the ultimate Mitsubishi vehicle and the spirit of the brand's future, the sleek design of Ragle's Mitsubishi Double Shotz celebrates the 4G63 engine and the Lancer Evolution. "The design takes the concept of the Lancer Evolution to the next level and ties it in with the enjoyment and imagination of the Hot Wheels brand," said Ragle.

After being selected by a panel of judges that included editors from the Los Angeles Times, Car and Driver, and Men's Journal, along with Hot Wheels designers and executives, the designs were unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on October 30th, 2007. The Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge product line will be available in stores in the spring of 2008.