2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi Rendering – No WRX & Sedan Versions For Europe?

Since we started off the day with the re-grilled ’08 Impreza WRX we thought we’d continue with the STi version, that as Car magazine notes, will be presented at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Car’s artist impression of the ’08 WRX STi hatch that’ll get an uprated version of the 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer delivering around 300Hp, shows us the rear view of the car dressed with a wider bumper that includes a venturi and a small lip spoiler over the rear screen and vents for the uprated brakes. Up front, the wider wheel arches along with the new bumper are good enough to make the difference compared to the WRX. As expected, STi trademark stickers and gold coloured rims make their appearance once again. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

According to Car, Subaru will only offer the Impreza as a five-door hatch in Europe and surprisingly enough, there won’t be a WRX version. Instead, Subaru will also offer a stripped out version of the basic STi to bring the cost down. So to sum up, according to the Brits, Europe will only get normally aspirated and STi hatch versions of the ’08 Impreza. To set things straight, this is something that we haven’t heard before. Could be true, could be false. In any case, we’ll find out in a couple of months.

Via: Car

Technorati: Subaru, Subaru+Impreza+WRX+STi, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

Fiat Bravo MPV Rendering

With sales of the all-new Bravo starting Euro-wide throughout June, several magazines have begun speculations on additional versions of Fiat’s new compact hatch. Greek car mag Autotriti has come up with a rendering of an MPV version of the Bravo, allegedly said to come out in 2010. Even though Fiat’s latest product plan doesn’t mention any such version, it won’t surprise us if Fiat’s changes its plans and decides to take a hit at the Opel Zafira and Renault Scenic MPV’s with a more rational proposition than the Multipla. -Continued after the jump

Pics via: Autotriti

Technorati: Fiat+Bravo, Fiat, Carscoop, cars, autos, vehicles

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX: Different Grille For US Version?

So what’s the deal here; did Subaru decide to (partially) listen, to WRX fans performing a last minute grille change? Could be, since the New Jersey plated 2008 Subaru WRX hatch that popped-up at the ESX meeting in Hollywood a couple of weeks ago was driven by Subaru of America representative, Garrick Goh. We think you’ll agree with us that the discreet, black mesh grille looks so much better than the atrocious chrome mask we saw on the New York Show WRX. -Click “Read More…” below for more images

(ESX or Easy Street Motorsports is a Subaru tuner that also runs a factory drag race team)

Pictures via: Nasioc & Legacygt

Technorati: Subaru, Subaru+Impreza+WRX, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Volvo 244 With A 284Hp Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo Engine!

It’s "bricks on fire" down-under were an Australian bloke swapped the sloth 4-cylinder stock engine in his Volvo 244 GLE with a Toyota 1JZ-GTE / R154 powertrain! The 1JZ-GTE is a 6 cylinder, 2.5-litre, twin cam 24 valve, twin turbo engine pushing out around 284Hp / 208kW and 363Nm while the R154 is a 5 speed manual gearbox. This specific engine was used in the third-generation Toyota Supras and Soarers –the latter was sold in the U.S as the Lexus SC 300/400.

We have no idea how the rear-wheel drive Volvo handles on the road, but honestly, we don’t give a kangaroo’s poop. We’d give anything just to see the reaction of a driver’s face when you overtake him with a supped-up brick that sounds like a Supra. Check out the video of the Volvo 244 or, as its creator has baptized it, the 264TT-R, being dyno-tested after the jump (click “Read More…” or the title) and you’ll see what we mean. -Continued below

Via: csapo

Technorati: Volvo+244, Toyota+Supra, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Renault Laguna III: Premature Leak Of Official Images

So what else is new… Of course, we’re referring to the “premature leak” in the title but whatev. As we’ve already told you in previous posts about the 3rd generation Laguna, we’re surprised with the Ford Mondeo sized sedan’s overly subtle looks -though we kinkily admit that the station wagon managed to grab our attention as did the interior. Guess the subtlety designed or to be blunt, very boring Twingo was the beginning of the end for Renault’s extreme exterior design approach. Maybe that’s for the best: who’d want another Vel Satis? You three weirdos in the back lower your hands…

As you may have noticed, we didn’t get into any details concerning the Laguna III. That’s because all we have for now is unconfirmed information and since the official release is for tomorrow, Monday June 4, 2007, we’ll keep our mouths shut. We could of course go ahead and describe what you’re looking at in the pictures, but we think you’re smart enough to do that by yourselves. Via: Motorpasion

Full Image Gallery after the jump, click the title above or"Read More…” below

Technorati: Renault+Laguna, Renault, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Ferrari 360 Spider: Another One Bites The Dust

A Ferrari 360 Spider takes a shortcut through the woods in Sweden going over 250 km/h (155mph) -or at least that’s what the guy who uploaded the video on Youtube says. Seeing the dismantled Ferrari 360 Spider we’d say the driver wasn’t going that fast. Nevertheless, still a terrible accident. Here’s a question that popped up in our heads while we were watching the video; what’s the percentage of Ferrari's that end up in junkyards?

Technorati: Ferrari+360, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Renault Twingo RS: Set To Debut At The 2008 Geneva Show

During the media presentation of the 2nd generation Twingo in Slovenia, Renault surprised the press by announcing its plans for a top-notch version of the new mini. The French carmaker informed the press that the Twingo RS (Renault Sport) will be officially unveiled at the 78th Geneva Show in March, 2008.

Renault officials were unwilling to disclose any other information, but it’s obvious that the RS will wear a more powerful engine than the Twingo GT which is equipped with a 100Hp 1.2-liter supercharged motor. Rumors have it that the supped up Twingo will receive a normally aspirated 1.6-liter engine with an output of 130Hp, but on the other hand we find it hard to believe that Renault won’t develop a turbocharged engine for the RS which will compete against cars in the mini GTi (Fiat 500 Abarth) and the entry-level supermini GTi (Suzuki Swift Sport) segments. As for appearance, besides the Twingo Concept shown at the 2006 Paris Show, a screen shot from the presentation revealing the lower front end of the RS has circulated in the internet giving us an idea of what to expect. Via: Le blog auto

Technorati: Renault+Twing+RS, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles