Several tuned iQ small city cars will be exhibited at the 2011 SEMA Show, next week in Las Vegas. Three iQ have been created for the show’s Tuner Challenge, with a fourth custom special displaying a radical chop-top look. They are joined at SEMA by further American-market models that have been given ultimate makeovers, plus some of Toyota’s latest State-side racing machinery.
Michael Chang, Jon Sibal and Tatsu are the famous tuners who have worked their magic on iQ. Chang has produced the iQ-RS, giving the car the full motorsport treatment: key elements include a carbon fibre body kit, Air Runner suspension, Sparco race seats and Advan Racing wheels.
Sibal Scion iQ RX comes with a complete body kit including front and rear bumpers and side skirts. The car is finished in a subtle matte metallic grey and bronze pearl paint finish. The engine is slightly modified by adding a Nitrous Express injection kit. The car stands on 18” three-piece forged HRE rims. Again, Air Runner suspension sits the car close to the ground.
Tatsu Scion iQ MR is even more brutal. It comes with RWD and customized bodywork featuring new panels from Speciality Cars and 16” Sakura wheels from Axis are fitted.
Pit Boss Cartel iQ is a racing pits support vehicle. Cartel has removed the roof, reduced the size of the doors and fitted tough metal interior panels and carbon fibre seats and trims.
More radical still, this iQ can be controlled by iPad and serves as a mobile WiFi hotspot and power charging station.
The SEMA show opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center on 1 November.
Source: Scion
Kia has a lot of experience producing alternate fuel vehicles. The manufacturer has produced its first electric vehicle (EV) – based on the Besta van – as long ago as 1986, and an electric version of the Sportage in 1999.
2012 Mazda3 will hit the UK market in the beginning of the next year. The Upgraded Mazda3 has more muscular visual appeal with a new front end design, a revised rear bumper and new twist-spoke alloy wheel designs. Inside, there are new materials and colours, improved ease-of-use for the driver and a quieter cabin for all to enjoy.
Here is a tough dilemma, when you want to buy a sports car and you are sure that this will be 3-series BMW. Whether to buy an expensive E92 M3 with true motorsport spirit or a nice everyday overpowered E92 335i. It is really a very difficult choice.
Audi Q3 has earned the maximum 5-star rating from Euro NCAP. 2012 Audi Q3 is the safest vehicle in its category. It managed to pass all tests for passive safety – adult safety in a side, frontal or rear collision, for child safety and pedestrian protection.
The Hyundai Veloster has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating by independent vehicle assessment organisation, Euro NCAP.
Lexus are getting ready for this year’s SEMA Show, which will be held in Las Vegas next week. For its fifth appearance at the show, Lexus is presenting nine cars, three of them special commissions that explore the potential for more extreme styling and performance.
Ford has announced the new Metal special edition Fiesta, which is in the top 10 of motoring magazine Auto Express’ Performance Cars of the Year 2011. Ford’s supermini ranks seventh amongst 30 finalists, rated higher than entries from Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Maserati and Lotus.
Audi has officially introduced the new 2012 A4 facelift including A4 Sedan, the A4 Avant, the A4 Allroad Quattro and the S4.
Here is a discoteque on wheels – Mac Audio MINI Clubman. The specially created MINI received a serious exterior and interior tuning by Mac Audio, who manufacture amplifiers and loudspeakers. The show car is based on the most powerful version – Clubman S, probably because only this is enough powerful to create electricity for all these loudspeakers.
Nissan Motorsports has released 370Z NISMO RC race car, which is now available to buy. The radio controlled small car is based on the street legal 370Z Nismo, so it comes with a roll cage, fire extinguisher system and racing seat.
The new Chevrolet Captiva managed to achieve top five-star Euro NCAP rating. The SUV gathered 88% rating overall for adult occupant protection in the event of a collision. The Captiva joins the Orlando, Volt, Cruze and New Aveo in Chevrolet’s five-star line-up – cars that were already highly regarded for their five-star equipment levels, but also excel in safety terms as well.
