Arden Tricks Out 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible

Arden Tricks Out 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible

Never satisfied with the factory Jaguars, German tuner Arden has introduced its take on the revised 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible. Arden starts by hiking the performance of the new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that gains 30 horsepower and 50 Nm of torque for a total output of 540 horsepower and 675 Nm (498 lb-ft). A sport suspension with new shocks and the removal of the electronic speed limiter complete the changes under the skin.

The tuner covers the XKR Convertible's front grille and air-intakes with handmade, chrome-plated stainless steel grilles while at the rear there's a new diffuser that houses the tail pipes of the new sport exhaust system. Of course, no Arden model would be complete without flashy wheels, and there's room for a new set of 21-inch Sportline alloys.

European Honda Civic Type R Hatch to be Sold in Japan

European Honda Civic Type R Hatch to be Sold in Japan

Following Australia and South Africa, Japan will be the third country outside Europe to receive the British-built Civic Type R 3-door hatchback. The model, which will be called the Civic Type R EURO to distinguish it from the Japanese-market 4-door Civic Type R saloon, will go on sale in Japan from 2010 in limited numbers. The European-spec Type R is powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four that makes 201 HP at 7,800 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm.

The 3-door Type R can accelerate from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 146mph or 235 km/h while returning a combined fuel economy figure of 31mpg UK - that's 25.8 mpg US or 9.1 lt /100km.

Japan also imported the previous-generation Swindon-built Civic Type-R (EP3 model) in 2001.

Honda's decision to import the latest Civic Type R from Europe also suggests that the 240HP Mugen Type R concept, teaser photos of which were released in July, will most likely make it into production.

Ferrari 458 Italia: First Official Photos and Details on F430's Replacement

Ferrari 458 Italia: First Official Photos and Details on F430's Replacement

It's official: Ferrari has taken the wraps off its latest incarnation of the mid-rear engined supercar ahead of the two-seater's world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Named '458 Italia' with the figure representing the displacement and number of cylinders of the engine, the F430's successor has been designed by Pininfarina and sports an all-new 4.5-liter V8 unit with direct-injection that cranks out 570HP at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 540Nm or 398.2 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm, over 80 per cent of which is available from 3250 rpm.

At 127HP per liter, the new V8 engine has the highest output per liter in the company's production-model history. As with the California, the 458 Italia is equipped with the firm's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear-wheels. Acceleration from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) comes in under 3.4 seconds while the supercar can achieve a maximum speed in excess of 325km/h (202mph).

Not that your typical Ferrari buyer will pay any attention to economy and CO2 figures, but Ferrari claims that 458 Italia consumes 13.7 l/100 km (17.2mpg US) on the EU combined cycle with 320 g/km of CO2.

Based on a new aluminum chassis, the Ferrari 458 Italia has a dry weight of 1380 kg or 3,048 lbs with a power-to-weight ratio of 2.42 kg/HP and a 42-58 percent front-rear weight distribution.

Maranello's new supercar features the latest generation of the E-Diff, F1-Trac and ABS systems which are now all controlled by the same ECU with Ferrari supporting that the 458 Italia produces 32 percent more longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models.

As for stopping-power, the 459's brakes feature what the company describes as a "prefill function" whereby the pistons in the callipers move the pads into contact with the discs on lift off to minimise delay in the brakes being applied. This results in a reduced 100-0 km/h (62-0mph) braking distance of 32.5 meters.

As with all modern Prancing Horse models, the 458 Italia's styling has been heavily influenced by the requirements for aerodynamic efficiency with Ferrari claiming that the car generates 140kg (309 lbs) of downforce at 200km/h (124mph). Aside from the completely flat underbody, the 458 Italia's nose also sports small aeroelastic winglets that generate downforce and, as speed rises, deform to reduce the section of the radiator inlets and cut drag.

Ferrari has released only a single photo of the 458 Italia's interior depicting the new steering wheel which houses most of the main controls and is clearly inspired from the F1 cars.

We'll have more information and photos on the new 458 Italia closer to the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Ferrari 458 Italia – Technical specifications

Dimensions
Length	4527 mm (178.2 in.)
Width	1937 mm (76.3 in.)
Height	1213 mm (47.8 in.)
Wheelbase	2650 mm (104.3 in.)
Dry weight	1380 kg (3042 lbs)*
Weight/power ratio	2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW)
Weight distribution fr/r	42%/58%
Tires
Front	235/35 ZR20 8.5"
Rear	295/35 ZR20 10.5"