2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Pictures

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Front View

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Front Seats

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Series

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Steering Wheel

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Side View

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Interior

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Photo

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Rear View

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Wheel

2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Test Road

Toyo Tires® Unveils New Toyo Girl Posters

February 24, 2006 — Toyo Tires® recently unveiled two exciting new posters featuring the Toyo Girls. This year, the Toyo Girls are back in force, now totaling seven lovely ladies featured on both an automotive lifestyle poster, as well as an off-road poster.

The automotive lifestyle poster features a modified sport compact “on the rack” behind new models (from left-to-right): Mercedes Terrell, Naomi Kaye and Nikki Gray. The fourth model, Kathie Smith (shown on the right), returns from last year’s successful tour as a Toyo Girl.

If off-road action is your pleasure, three all-new ladies spice up the off-road poster which also features the bright yellow Nissan Titan “Tattoo Truck” from television’s “Inked”, and a rugged black Hummer H3 built by Aries Offroad. Posing from left-to-right are: Kelsi Vasquez, Tanya Schafer and Shay-Lyn. Vasquez is the winner of the 2005 Fan Focus Model Search which was run in conjunction with SPEED World Challenge® and Modified Toyo Girls Off-Road 2006Magazine.

These great looking posters are available at events attended by Toyo Tires® and the Toyo Girls throughout the year including: drag racing, road racing, off-road, rock crawling, lifestyle and specialty shows. For more information on the Toyo Girls and the full line of products from Toyo Tires®, log on to toyo.com. Toyo manufactures and distributes a complete line of high performance and original equipment replacement tires for passenger car, light truck, commercial truck, bus, off-road and construction applications.

smart forfun2 a monster good time

With the recent announcement that Roger Penske's UnitedAuto Group will be offering SMART FourTwos in the US in 2008, DaimlerChrysler has decided to have a little fun and show people what the SMART brand is all about. To that end they have married a SMART car to a Unimog chassis developed by Greek rally racer Stefan Attart. Although similar to a vehicle created in 2005, known as the forfun, the forfun2 has a much higher stance and manages to be cute and imposing at the same time.


OK, so it's no Smartuki, but it's still wacky enough to be entertaining. While the Smartuki replaced the SMART 3-cylinder with a Suzuki GSXR1000 mill that had been massaged to 180 hp, this beast is Unimog powered. Although only capable of 84 hp, the torque is impressive at 191 ft-lbs. The quarter-mile might be a challenge, but rocks, sand and MINIs should be no problem: full press release and additional photos after the jump.


[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

smart forfun2: The combination of two vehicles with cult status


Stuttgart, Sep 13, 2006

The smart forfun, a smart forfour with monster truck ambitions, caused quite a stir at the Athens Motor Show in November 2005. Following the extremely positive response to this, the decision to develop a further vehicle with a similar character was a logical step.


Following the initiative of Mercedes-Benz Hellas, Stefan Attart (46), Greek Champion in 4x4 Rally Races had clear ideas: the new off-road vehicle should have the body of a smart fortwo. A suitable platform now had to be found.


Awakening the inner child

DaimlerChrysler has always had an unusually large range of off-road vehicles -- from the M-Class to the G-model and the Unimog. One look at the smart forfun2 (pronounced smart for-fun to the second) and you see straightaway that it is based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog 406 series.


This is what makes it so fascinating: the combination of two vehicles, each of which has achieved cult status in its respective segment. So it's no wonder that the smart forfun2 awakens the inner child in everyone who sees it.


Combining vehicle and platform

But first things first: once the platform for the smart forfun2 had been decided, in January of this year Stefan Attart started working on the first designs. It goes without saying that there's more to an off-road vehicle like this than simply screwing four wheels under a smart fortwo.


Based on technical drawings of both vehicles, a design was created that for the first time clearly showed the direction the new vehicle was to take. Stefan Attart laid down the design that was to connect the vehicle with the platform, and precise attachment points were defined on the axles and the chassis.


Oversized dimensions

The engine and transmission were adopted from the Unimog. The OM 352, a six-cylinder diesel engine with a capacity of 5,675 cc, was given a prominent and clearly visible position on the front axle. It delivers 84 bhp -- an impressive figure for the smart forfun2. The diesel version of the production car has a 41 bhp engine.


The dimensions also turn heads: tyres on 26 inch rims with a diameter of 140 cm. Not to mention ground clearance of 65 centimetres and an unbelievable total height of 3.7 metres.


Maximum off-road mobility

The designers wanted to give the smart forfun2 maximum off-road mobility -- and the platform of the 406 offers optimum prerequisites for off-road driving. The off-road character is further emphasized by oversized wheels and the safety cage made of aluminium tubes.


To optimise the vehicle for off-road driving, in addition to special shock absorbers Stefan Attart fitted manually controlled air suspension. This enables the driver to specifically influence individual springs -- a particular advantage on extreme downhill gradients.


Uncompromising vehicle concept

Everything in one car that is sure to divide opinions -- or boys from men. Two vehicles, which each represent an uncompromising vehicle concept in their respective environments, and yet remain unique. And this combination in the smart forfun2 is sure to cause even more controversy.


As with the real smart fortwo, some people are sure to find the concept of the smart forfun2 too radical, whilst others will love it -- with not many opinions in-between. However running apart from the herd is probably the best prerequisite for achieving cult status.

Lotus Re-Engineers Toyota Venza for a lighter and fuel efficient ride

After initial hiccups with Prius’ faulty Break and accelerator, Toyota seems all set to resurrect its esteem among its customers. As a result, Lotus engineers have redesigned Toyota Venza, which will be now 38% lighter and merely 3% more...

After initial hiccups with Prius’ faulty Break and accelerator, Toyota seems all set to resurrect its esteem among its customers. As a result, Lotus engineers have redesigned Toyota Venza, which will be now 38% lighter and merely 3% more expensive.

The weight reducing move has been undertaken with environmental concerns in the mind and Lotus engineers hopes to get the techniques used to lighten the Venza study vehicle into mass-market production pipelines by 2020.

Lightness is to benefit acceleration, cornering and braking and it’s good for 23% or more reduction in the fuel economy. In order to achieve that using better materials and more component integration while maintaining the volumes will remain key factors and all these are achieved with Venza study car.

So, it’s reminder to all those who are of the opinion (including Enzo Ferrari) that Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines, weight reduction should not be forgotten as it’s undeniably a cost effective way to improve fuel efficiency.

Via: Motorauthority

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/lotus-re-engineers-...

Custom built Gustav Skippone – Another milestone in Yuri Shif’s successful journey

Believe it or not, but this custom built chopper will really set the pulses racing while on the move. Dubbed Gustav Skippone, the motorbike is from Belarus-based custom builder, Yuri Shif and is owned by Vladimir Kristovskiy. Gustav is the follow up.

Believe it or not, but this custom built chopper will really set the pulses racing while on the move. Dubbed Gustav Skippone, the motorbike is from Belarus-based custom builder, Yuri Shif and is owned by Vladimir Kristovskiy. Gustav is the follow up to the controversial ‘DUster’ and features S&S-engine and unusual pale paintwork but blended perfectly with retro-inspired cream color. Powering Gustav Skippone is a 107ci S&S V-twin motor that conduits approximately 95hp through a Baker 6-speed gear box and Continental rubber. The other components created and added by YSC are fuel tank, swingarm and softail frame. Added also is a classic Harley-Davidson Springer handling suspension duties up front.

Via: Bikeexif / Yurishifmoto

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/custom-built-gustav...

Hurst debuts Ford Mustang Pace Car for charity

Ford and Hurst once again toiled together to create a special 2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car. The car has been unveiled during the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and will also appear at the Hot Rod Power Tour,.

Ford and Hurst once again toiled together to create a special 2010 Hurst Mustang Pace Car. The car has been unveiled during the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and will also appear at the Hot Rod Power Tour, a slew of Larry H. Miller dealerships and finally at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas before being auctioned off next January.

Hurst Mustang Pace Car will be equipped with V8 engine that churns out 550hp and 542 lb.-ft of torque. Other than this, the car features a new Ford racing polished supercharger, Ford Racing FR500S stainless-steel cat-back exhaust, K&N filter and Ford Racing suspension.

Also, there will be an upgraded braking system featuring 14″ rotors and 4-piston calipers from Ford racing, Hurst competition/plus shifter with black T-handle, 20-inch forged aluminum Hurst wheels with BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW tires and Hurst leather interior.

Well, this is not all but the car has a noble cause as well. The proceeds from the car’s sale will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.

Via: Mustangblog

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/hurst-debuts-ford-m...

10 awesome Bikes covered in gold, diamonds and crystals

You might have come across many pimped up bikes so far, but here is a list of bikes that are gold plated and adorned with crystals that adds more to elegance, style and luxury. These bikes woefully may be for the affluent few, nevertheless join us to.

You might have come across many pimped up bikes so far, but here is a list of bikes that are gold plated and adorned with crystals that adds more to elegance, style and luxury. These bikes woefully may be for the affluent few, nevertheless join us to check out gold plated motorcycle or bikes that will you leave you spellbind.

• Crystal and 24k Gold Plated Bike



Brief description: Created by company named as Aurumania, the gold bike crystal edition (EUR 80,000; about $102,418) is hand built, plated with 24 carat gold and hand-adorned with more than 600 Swarovski crystals. More Info…

• Hello Kitty Swarovski Crystal Covered Bike



Brief description: I’m not sure what it is with Hello Kitty and Swarovski crystals, but this is definitely a Hello Kitty fanatic thing. Sanrio and Swarovski have secretly teamed up after discovering some special region of the brain in Hello Kitty fanatics which goes into overdrive when the two are combined. http://www.kittyhell.com/2007/12/05/hello-kitty-swarovski-crystal-covered-bike/

• Gold-plated custom chopper



Brief description: Exhibited at an International Motocycle show in Seattle, this ornamented two- wheeler is more a piece of art than an actual vehicle. And if you are interested to know how much it costs, well, it has a whopping price tag of $5000,000. More Info…

• Gold MV Agusta F4 - King Midas



Brief description: The moment people saw wraps going off to this 24 carat gold plated bike, it did blind many at 2008 International Fair of Luxury. Though the F4 was originally created by famous motorcycle designer Massimo Tamburini, this blinged version was developed in collaboration with Aurum, a Venetian company that is leader in precious metal processing. More Info…

• A Golden Brompton





Brief description: This is 24ct-gold folding Brompton and started its life a stock Brompton S2L. It was stripped down, polished and plated in copper before finally covered it in 24ct gold. More Info…

• The Golden Jawa



Brief description: This Golden motorcycle is dubbed ‘The Golden Jawa’ and is worth its weight in gold. Unveiled in New Plymouth in 2004, the gold-plated Jawa 500 speedway bike is the treasure of Ivan Mauger, New Zealand. More Info…

• Gold-plated bike



Brief description: Dave Mirra rode this $7,500 24k gold-plated bike during the vert finals in 2005, but a bad crash in his first run put him out of the competition. More Info…

• Gold-Plated Kawasaki Motorcycle



Brief description: The attention-getter shown here is a 24K gold-plated Kawasaki ZX-636 which was created by Two Brothers Racing and presented to racer James “Bubba” Stewart at the Anaheim One Supercross. The bike isn’t meant to be a racing one, it’s more for fun. More Info…

• Mikael Lugnegard’s ‘Golden Motorcycle’



Brief description: This Golden Motorcycle is to roll you around with power and luxury. Dubbed as Seraphim, this motorcycle from the Swedish designer, Mikael Lugnegar, has solid gold parts. Although the entire motorcycle is not covered in gold, yet it has golden spoke design and front forks, elegant body, saddle-shaped seat, the golden engine and gears. More Info…

• Gold and Crystals Custom Lowrider Bicycle



Brief description: Called as Lil’ Dnipro, this Custom Lowrider Bicycle is plastered with pure gold leaf. This highly customized royal version comes with a long curved seat and upwards swept handle bars known as apenhangers. More Info…

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Original source : http://www.automotto.org/entry/10-awesome-bikes-co...