car-care tips that save Fuel

Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline. Buy the lowest grade or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane fuel is a waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it.

If you're not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up your owner's manual and take a look. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you're good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Don't top off. Don't bother topping off when filling your car's gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.
Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fuel up your car.

Go for the shade. The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank.

"If you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade," says Jim Kliesch, research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and vehicle analyst for GreenerCars.com.

So park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

Use your garage for your car. Got a garage? Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won't have to depend as much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when you drive.

Pump up your tires. Don't get caught driving on underinflated tires. Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower your car's gas mileage.

"Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep the car at 60," .

Your car's gas mileage may plummet by as much as 15 percent. Driving on underinflated tires may also reduce the life of your tires by 15 percent or more.

Check your tire pressure once a month. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual and on the placard in your car door. Then inflate your tires as needed. Be sure to check tire pressure when your tires are cold. A good time is early in the morning after your car's been idle overnight.

Keep your engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You'll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

Replace air filters. Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. It's a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. The Car Care Council recommends changing your car's air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner's manual.

Use the right oil. You can improve your car's gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. Opt for motor oil with the words "energy conserving" on the API performance label. This oil contains friction-reducing additives.

Don't skimp on maintenance. Be serious about auto care. Your car's performance depends on it.

"Always follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance," Moody says. "The car's designed to run a certain way. If you neglect it, it won't be as efficient."

Obey the car-care guidelines outlined in your owner's manual. For more auto-care guidelines check out this free maintenance schedule from the Car Care Council.

2009 Toyota Corrolla

we’ve seen some of their previous work so we probably shouldn’t have expected much more this time around, but when we heard that Mansory had gotten its hands on an SLR and a Ferrari 599 GTB, we certainly hoped that it would figure out a way to enhance their gotta-have-it quotients. Alas, our prayers went unanswered. Done up in a matte gold and black combo, the SLR looks a bit toy-like, but it should manage to sell in the single digits at least. Which digit you choose to count the sales is up to you. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano had actually been criticized in some camps for being a bit too evocative of the Chevrolet Corvette when it was first shown. The Mansory edition done up in white and carbon fiber looks even more Vette-like to our eyes. Thoughts of a ZR1 or the recent 427 special edition Z06 leapt to mind. There was also a Phantom in the booth, but quite honestly, doing something outrageous to a Roller just doesn’t offend us as badly. Take a look at the gallery and let us know if you agree. We’ve already heard from at least one other journo who happened to be winding his way down the road towards us that the 599 looks seriously racy and that we are dead wrong about it. We’ll let you decide for yourselves. Click away.

Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3

At the Frankfurt Motor Show last year we met the first Suzuki Kizashi Concept, a large sport wagon proof of concept that looked like a Dodge Magnum had crashed into a box of Anime. Next we encountered the Kizashi Concept 2 at the Tokyo Motor Show, which carried forward the first concept’s design theme but applied it to a low-slung CUV body. At the New York Auto Show later this month, we’ll meet the Concept Kizashi 3, the most production feasible Kizashi concept to date and the last one in the series. Cast in the form a sport sedan, the Concept Kizashi 3 portends a future performance four-door for the Japanese brand, and we’re down with that given Suzuki hasn’t played in this space with a decent offering, like, ever. We have no other information on Suzuki’s big debut for New York, so no word on what powers it, which wheels are driven or what the interior’s like, but we’ll find out soon enough when Autoblog goes to Gotham.Â

Maintaining a car value

Cars tend to depreciate very quickly, as even small damages can have a big impact on their resale value. However, just by taking a few simple steps, you can help your car maintain as much of its resale value as possible. All it takes is regular checkups and bit of mindfulness.Here are five tips to ensuring that you get the most for your vehicle when it comes time to sell it.

1. Get a Neutral Color
Bright, eye-catching colors might be appealing to those wanting to have a unique car that stands out, but unfortunately such colors are hard to sell. If you want a car that will keep its value the best, go for neutral colors, i.e. black, white or silver.

2.  Regular Maintenance
Take your car to the mechanic on a regular basis and keep the records of all these checkup in a place where you can easily find them. When it comes time to sell, buyers will place higher value on your car if you can show them proof that you’ve been regularly taking it in for professional maintenance.

3. Don’t Smoke, Eat, or Drink in Your Car
Cigarette smell, leftover food smell, food stains and drink stains will decrease the value of your car tremendously. Avoid smoking, eating or drinking in your car and clean your car’s interior on a regular basis.

4. Protect Your Car From Rust
Leaving your car exposed to the elements when idle, especially if you live in a place with lots of humidity, rain or snow, will cause it to rust faster, which is very bad for its resale value. Keep your car parked in a garage if possible or covered with a tarp if not. Find BMW repair in San Diego to replace quickly any components that start to rust, especially important ones like your bake lines.

5. Don’t Ignore Small Blemishes
Paint chips, small scratches and tiny dents make a huge difference in your car’s value. Making sure to avoid these small blemishes and fixing them quickly when they do occur is crucial if you want it to keep its value in the eyes of potential used car buyers. Being free of the little imperfections is what is going to make a car look new and well kept.

The Nurburgring Nordschleife in Western Germany is quite possibly the most famous race course in the world, and many call it the most difficult as well. With a storied, and sometimes tragic, car racing history, the Nurburgring dates all the way back to 1927, when it was completed for use in both cycling races and the German Gran Prix.

Nurburgring lap times are often published in sports car and auto racing car specs from both official and unofficial channels. In today's supercar market, Nurburgring lap times for sports cars such as the Nissan GT-R and Corvette ZR-1 are as coveted by the car manufacturers as any other automotive prize on earth.

The Nordschleife translates to "Northern Loop," as opposed to the Nurburgring Sudschleife "Southern Loop" section, which is now used mainly for classic car racing. The Nurburgring Nordschleife has been nicknamed the Green Hell, or simply just "The Ring." Today it is used year-round for many auto racing-related purposes. Nearly every automaker worldwide uses the Nurburgring, or more specifically the Nurburgring Nordschleife portion, as a test track for their new performance models.

The 24 Hours Nurburgring is one of the auto racing world's most fiercely competitive, and eagerly anticipated, amateur races each year. It draws hundreds of private and sponsored teams driving everything from Hondas to Porsches and up.

Earn a Nurburgring Decal: Drive the 'Ring yourself for 15 Euros!

Even more exciting for your average car nut, nearly the entire span the of the Nurburgring Nordschleife is actually classified as a German public road, available as a one-way toll road to anyone with a road-legal car when it is not being used for racing or test track purposes. According to the official Nurburgring Nordschleife website, drivers can pay a low fee of around 15 euros for each lap driven around the Nurburgring Nordschliffe.

Ever see those black-and-white Nurburgring decals proudly displaying a map of the Nordschleife on the rear bumpers of tuner cars around town? This is the mark loose-knit club of drivers who have successfully completed a lap of the Green Hell, or potentially the mark of the PlayStation/Box-of-bees-exhaust tuner set who bought one of the Nurburgring decals for $6 from eBay.

Crashes, Deaths, Fire and Flames: Do Not Underestimate the Nurburgring

Crashes during these amateur test runs are frequent, as many would-be race car drivers are not aware of the incredible challenge the famous German road racing course presents, having only driven the 'Ring in Gran Turismo video games. Auto enthusiasts who plan to travel to Germany can easily make lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife a highlight of their trip. Caution and a certain amount of "Don't try this at home!" applies, and since it is classified as a German public road, the Nordschleife is policed as such, with local law enforcement even circling in helicopters looking for reckless drivers.

Taking a Daihatsu K-Car out on the Nordschleife on an open-road day might not be the wisest idea. The 'Ring draws true hardcore auto enthusiasts the world over who travel to Western Germany just to drive the Nordschleife. Safety equipment, roll cage and fire extinguisher are of course recommended.

The Modern Ring Wars: Chevrolet, Nissan, Acura Oh My!

The new R35 Nissan (Skyline) GT-R made a serious footprint on the auto enthusiast world when it turned in a verified Nurburgring lap time of 7:29.03 in factory trim. Just two months later, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 turned in a verified Nurburgring lap time of 7:26.4, giving it the fastest production car lap time for the Nurburgring Nordschleife in its history, since the modern version of the race course was adopted.

The 'Ring is a favored place for spy photographers to look for prototypes and other sports car test vehicles, which are often caught in camouflaged trim while conducting performance testing on the Nordschleife. Honda's CEO, Takeo Fukui, has promised that the 2010 Honda/Acura NSX will turn in faster Nurburgring lap times than the GT-R, unofficially marking the second coming of the Japanese horsepower wars. Look for Subaru and Toyota to follow suit soon, as the Japanese and worldwide car buying communities demand faster and more powerful sports cars.

A jewel of automotive racing history, the Nurburgring has piqued the curiosity and admiration of car lovers worldwide. As automakers raise the bar for what their halo sports car models are capable of, look for the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap times to be the chief metric by which they are measured.

Sports Cars with Great Fuel Economy

In the age of cylinder deactivation, high-efficiency diesels and low boost turbocharging for fuel economy purposes, modern go-fast cars need be gas guzzlers no longer. We at RSports are constantly on the lookout for lustworthy transportation machines we can actually afford to operate. Here is a roundup of sports cars heavy on thrills and easy on the wallet at the pump.

The Chevrolet C7 Corvette - Promising Gains in Good V8 Gas Mileage

Despite their always-thrilling big displacement American performance pedigree, Corvettes have a reputation for burning rubber, silk shirts, gold chains and terrible gas mileage. The latest generation Corvette, introduced for the **2008 model year, has smashed most of these conventions. Mileage for the C7 Corvette is a more-than-respectable 26 mpg by EPA estimates in Z06 trim, numbers that were unheard of as 400+ horsepower cars go just a few years ago.

Chevrolet parent company General Motors Corp. accomplishes this mildly remarkable feat through the use of the same cylinder deactivation technology that has been used with great success for Chevy and GM trucks.

In the case of the Corvette, a Chevy small block rated at so much power does not need all eight glorious cylinders for cruising on the highway at 70 mph or coasting through bumper-to-bumper traffic. A step on the gas puts full power to the wheels instaneously, letting Chevy Corvette owners have their gas mileage and eat it too.

2009 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI - The Ultra High-Tech Approach to Turbocharging

As a maker of fine luxury sports sedans currently enjoying good sales in a downturned industry, Volkswagen/Audi has the cash flow for significant R&D toward alternative powertrains and ways to sip every ounce of precious fossil fuel during every burnout.

The new Audi A5, critically acclaimed for its breath-of-fresh-air styling and driving dynamics, is now a technology showcase for the powerful combination of twin-scroll turbocharging with valvelift technology, putting power to the flywheel in combination with direct injection.

Audi has been slowly perfecting the art of turbocharged 4-cylinder engines for many years. Modern engine management technology as well as micromanaged fuel injection systems, based wholly on how much power the driver requires at any given time, has given the A5 some truly impressive gas mileage numbers.

While running 0-60 in under 7 seconds and reaching a German automaker agreement-limited top speed of 155 mph, the turbo four A5 pulls off EU a 42.8 combined-cycle mpg rating.

2009 BMW 330d - Stellar Gas Mileage from a New Generation of Cleaner Diesels

For years, some European automakers have shunned exporting popular diesel cars to the American market, due to extremely stringent emissions regulations and consumer image.

The Germans are leading the charge toward bringing real performance cars with torquey, clean diesel engines for worldwide markets. The benefits of oil-burners are many, especially in modern times where they are much less noticable to the driver than the stink emanating from the tailpipe of the Peugeot wagon in your grandmother's driveway.

The twin-turbo 3.0 liter diesel used in the 330d, which will be known as the 335d when it comes to American markets next year, produces 286 horses and a superfluous 383 lb-ft. of torque that comes at 1750 rpm. Better still, the engine is extremely clean burning as any fossil fuel engines go, let alone diesel motors.

Performance meets or exceeds that of the twin-turbo 3.0 gas motor from BMW, so customers willing to get over their preconceived notions about diesel engines are in for a great gas mileage versus performance bargain.

Audi S1

Take a look at Audi’s pocket rocket! This stunning machine is the S1 – a super hatch flagship that will sit at the very top of the German firm’s all-new small car range.

Gunning for high performance small cars such as the MINI John Cooper Works and the forthcoming Alfa MiTo GTA, the S1 will be the ultimate evolution of the A1 line-up, packing 200bhp and a Quattro four-wheel drive chassis.

But it’s the looks that will have buyers beating a path to Audi’s showrooms. Taking the compact, chunky A1 three-door shape – previewed by the Metroproject Quattro concept, revealed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show – the S1 adds an aggressive bodykit.

It features flared arches, filled with 19-inch alloy wheels, a neat roof-mounted spoiler, and a particularly aggressive front end with a low front splitter, deep air intakes and menacing daytime LED running lights. Chrome highlights finish the visual upgrades.

The A1 line-up is set to benefit from a wide range of innovative, small capacity, forced induction engines including a turbocharged1.2-litre TFSI unit for the entry-level model – and the S1 will be no different.

Under the bonnet will be a development of the same supercharged and turbocharged 1.4-litre engine as the VW Polo GTi (Issue 1,044) and SEAT Ibiza Cupra. In those models, the unit produces 178bhp – but thanks to some upgrades and a tweak of the ECU, the tiny powerplant will produce in excess of 200bhp and 300Nm of torque.

Hooked up to a seven-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox, the S1 should provide shattering performance. Expect a 0-60mph time of around six seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph. However, it’ll also be economical too – that small capacity should mean it’ll return 35mpg combined.

Making sure all that power reaches the road is a four-wheel drive system, biased 40:60 in favour of the rear wheels. Together with lowered and stiffened suspension, the little Audi should feel every inch the baby Quattro, offering lightning reactions and amazing grip.

It’s also likely that Audi will make its magnetic dampers available too. These will work in conjunction with Drive Select – a system which offers owners the choice of several driving modes including Dynamic and Comfort, allowing them to sharpen steering, throttle and suspension response according to road conditions.

Indeed, the S1 is likely to be a real technological tour de force. Audi has already previewed many new ideas on the Metroproject concept car, including an interface that allows owners to control many of the car’s functions through their mobile phones. This is likely to be an option on top-spec models such as the S1.

Factor in a sporty cabin with a flat-bottomed steering, figure hugging, lightweight seats and aluminium pedals and the result will be a high quality small performance car with real showroom appeal. It won’t come cheap, though. While entry-level A1 models are likely to kick off at £13,000 when sales start in early 2010, the S1 will weigh in at £25,000.

Importance of tyre alignment

Keeping your car in tip-top shape is no easy task, but it's not entirely impossible. There are several tell tale signs that even the average driver should be able to identify to know 'something' is wrong with the car. In this article, we're going to cover a bit about diagnosing a tyre misalignment.

A misaligned tyre simply means that one or several of the tyres on your car is not pointing directly straight. This can be caused by potholes, speed bumps, and even general wear and tear. A misaligned tyre may cause uneven tread wear which in turn may seriously affect car handling.

One of the most important elements of a car is its tyres. The tyres alone are responsible to keep the car gripped to the ground, ensuring our cars don't become bumper cars. It is therefore of paramount importance that the tyres maintain their treads and that those treads are even, as uneven treads can cause your car to lose grip during cornering and on wet, slippery surfaces.

One way to spot misaligned tyres is to park your car on a level area and turn the tyres until you can see the entire width of the tyre. Place a ruler in the middle of the tyres, in between the treads and mark the level on the ruler. Compare both the left and right tyres, and if one side is higher than the other, you have uneven tread wear which is most probably caused by misalignment.

An easier way is to find a long stretch of straight road that you can easily drive on to reach cruising speeds. Once you reach speeds around 60 to 70 km/h, slowly release your grip on the wheel. If your car 'pulls' to either side, you most likely have misalignment. Also look out for vibrations through the steering wheel, which may indicate a misaligned tyre or a dented rim.


Tyre alignment is a simple process, and it won't cost a bomb. Simply bring your car to the nearest tyre shop, usually identified by huge signboards with tyre brands such as Michelin, Kumho, Hankook, etc. Before committing your car to an alignment process with a shop though, be sure to ask if they have a laser wheel alignment gauge. This is a tool that is attached to either side of your car, on the rims. This tool then transmits a laser that is read by a computer to determine tyre alignment. Make sure that the vehicle displayed on that computer is indeed your car model as different cars have different readings.

The objective of tyre alignment is to get those tyres pointing in the right direction, without a positive or negative toe angle. A positive toe angle or toe out, means that your tyre(s) are pointing outward from your car. Imagine a 'V' shape, whilst a negative toe angle or toe in, means your tyre(s) are pointing inwards to your car. Imagine an inverted 'V' shape.


Also, as discussed in another article 'Car Suspension - Components and how they work', the camber angle of your ride is important. Depending on what you want, you may want to set your car to a negative camber alignment for more stability during cornering, or a neutral angle, for even tread wear.

Whilst you're at it, it would be a good idea to get your wheels balanced to determine if your rims are indeed round and not bent.

Audi ABT AS5 Sportback

Power and elegance are rarely spoken in the same breath but Autovox partnered with ABT has created that rare instance for us right here. Barely four months after the launch of the Audi A5 Sportback, they've taken one of Audi's latest babies and given it a sprinkling of ABT's racing fairy dust.    

This isn't my first encounter with a German sled hopped up with ABT parts. It was barely five months ago that Autovox sent me knee-deep into depression after I spent an entire day in an ABT tuned Mk6 Golf GTI. No, don't get me wrong. The Golf wasn't bad. Not at all. It was specifically because it was anything but that drove me to madness the next couple days cause of how much I wanted one.

Naturally, I could hardly contain myself when Brighid, Autovox's Marketing Manager, rang me up with an invitation to review their latest ABT tuned Audi A5 Sportback. Of course my reply was an over exuberant (bordering on juvenile) "Hell yeah!".

You'll have to excuse my seemingly unprofessional outburst of emotion. My exuberance stems from my lengthy love affair with most things Audi. Of course my love for 911s still casts a deeper and wider gorge in my heart but Audi's long history of motoring greatness has me pretty smitten too. It all started after a close friend of mine bought himself a standard B7 Audi A4 1.8T and turned it into a sinister looking Bahn cruncher within a year.

Audis for me are a refreshing breakaway from the staid design of other German rivals. It seems that the design language of nearly every Audi in the range is heavily influenced by the elements of power and performance.

The muscular lines belie a caged beast under its white collared exterior. It is a fine balance of power and elegance with a bias towards the former.

Keeping that balance when tuning a car like the A5 Sportback requires great restraint and understanding of the market you're aiming for. Improving upon a car like the Sportback is much different from your run of the mill import models. Lest you end up with a garish looking Audi that would cause Ingolstadt designers to drop dead from the desecration of their work. Rather than slapping on random go-faster bits like what so many of the local import tuners do, ABT approaches the project with thorough research and fore planning. In which the end result is as much a compliment to the Audi designers as it is for ABT's design team.
   

Renault reveals Twingo RS rally cars

    
   

   
Renault has revealed two new Twingo variants that are designed to both go rallying as well as being used as a daily driver.The new versions can be used for low level rally competitions, while at the same time are adequate enough to be driven on an everyday basis. The new Twingo Renaultsport R1 and Twingo Renaultsport R2 join the Renault Maxi and the Renault Clio Renaultsport R3 Access in their range of budget rally cars.

The R2 is powered by a four-cylinder, 16V 1.6-litre engine that produces 160bhp and 160Nm of torque, which is 27bhp more than the standard Twingo. The unit is mated to a five-speed sequential gearbox with dog clutch, and wheel-mounted shifter.

Externally, there is little change, with only the optional air intake on the roof being the main design feature. Sabelt Renaultsport seats, harnesses, and a LED instrument panel are all included, while Renault’s data acquisition system can be purchased additionally.

The R1 meanwhile is the ideal car for rally drivers with small budgets, and Renault says that it is qualified for all "regional, national and international rallies at a greatly reduced cost." The engine and transmission is shared with the R2, as well as the welded roll cage, and Renault expects drivers to upgrade to the R2 after winning races with the R1.

Peugeot unveils the limited edition 207 S16

To celebrate Kris Meeke's 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) driver's title, Peugeot has revealed a limited edition 207 S16 model with styling cues from the rally car

The special edition Peugeot 207 S16 will be limited to just 250 units, and is based on the standard Peugeot 207 Sport 1.6 VTi. The changes are merely cosmetic though, with the 207 S16 using the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 120bhp as the Sport 1.6 VTi, which propels the car from 0-100km/h in 10.7 seconds, and reach a top speed of 201km/h.

Among the cosmetic enhancements to the 207 S16 are a Bianca white paintjob with a full 207 RC Cup body kit comprising front and rear spoilers, side skirts and a pseudo rear diffuser, 17-inch Hockenheim alloy wheels, dark tinted rear windows, a 'sports mesh' front grille and special interior badge signed by Kris Meeke.

Peugeot also offers buyers the option of specifying the car with the same vinyl graphics as the ones found on Kris Meeke’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge title winning 207 S2000 rally car, with the graphics available at no extra cost.
   

Subaru Impreza STI Spec C homolagated for N group

Subaru has completed the homologation process for its Impreza WRX STI Spec C, which paves the way for its entry into the FIA's Group N rallying class     
   
The Japanese carmaker is still making its presence known in motorsport despite withdrawing from the World Rally Championship in 2008, and the Impreza WRX STI Spec C has completed its homologation process and received its official Group N Homologation certificate from FIA.

The Group N regulations allow for limited modifications to the standard specification model, such as a mildly enhanced engine and chassis performance as well as a lighter body. Group N cars are entered in the FIA's Production World Rally Championship series.

Subaru will enter the Group N Impreza WRX STI Spec C rally car at the Production World Rally Championship's Rallye Deutschland in Germany, which will be held on August 22. Subaru has not announced who will be its drivers for the
championship however.

Volkswagen’s rally raid champ facelifted for 2011 Dakar

With two consecutive victories on the world's toughest rally raid to its name, Volkswagen's Race Touareg is being updated for next year's event. Not so much a next generation machine, the Race Touareg is being heavily facelifted to make it go faster...
With the Race Touareg's proven reliability and unchallenged dune-busting prowess, Volkswagen has chosen not to fettle with the winning formula so much, leaving the suspension and TDI engine virtually untouched. What will be significantly altered in the chase for a third title on the trot is the exterior.
Volkswagen Motorsport will field four Race Touareg 3s with "fundamentally-updated" aerodynamics at the 2011 Dakar, which will once again run through Argentina and Chile in South America. In line with the fresh looks of the second-generation Touareg, the racing variant gains an updated exterior that offers less aerodynamic resistance than before.
"With new aerodynamics this Race Touareg will look even more spectacular than before, while quoting aspects of the design language of the new production Touareg and, in addition, receiving further detailed optimizations. Its core is well proven because we continue to bank on the consistently optimised technology package that has been giving the Race Touareg first-rate performance and maximum reliability," says Volkswagen Motorsport director Kris Nissen.

With spy photos of the new Race Touareg in the Alps already doing the rounds, the next phase of the development programme is in the Moroccan desert at the end of July. After its official launch in August, the Race Touareg 3 will compete in the Silk Way Rally through Russia (widely regarded as a serious dress rehearsal for Dakar), which starts in St. Petersburg on Septmeber 11 and ends in Sochi seven days later.

Civic Type R

What’s this – I didn't know Honda was going rallying?

It’s not, well, not just yet. Let me explain. In 2005, the FIA World Council decided to create a new cost-effective rally championship for 2007, called the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The nine-round calendar for 2007 includes some classic stages like the Sanremo and Safari rallies, as well as some more new-world events held in Russia and China. It’s given global coverage by Eurosport, which beams the races into 110 million homes in 59 countries.
I’m still with you… just

Honda’s official customer racing support partner, Italian-based JAS Motorsport, has just unveiled a full rally-spec Civic Type R that’s primed to compete in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. It will also meet the FIA’s new regulations for Group R next year. The idea behind the JAS car is to show off the company’s motorsport prowess, offering various stages of mechanical upgrade. So if you have a new Civic Type R and fancy a bit more poke, there’s an off-the-shelf engine chip upgrade. If you’re a track day fan, you can order a brakes and suspension upgrade. Of if you fancy having a punt at the full rally experience, you just phone JAS, slap down £65,000 and they will get the whole car prepped and ready to go. And it will be road legal – which is why JAS let us loose in one on the winding mountain roads near Verbania, on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy.

Rally D1

If you are a fan of the rally driving days, then you will surely be interested in the rally experiences presented online. You have to be aware that such experiences are reserved only for those with a clear taste for adrenaline, who enjoy complete driving and the firsthand sensations that are felt. While it is true that there are many websites out there that promise the best rally experiences, don’t be quick to choose the first one that appears in front of your eyes. Do a little bit of research and choose the rally driving experience that suits your style, first and foremost.

All of the rally experiences that are available online are split into rally driving days. Apart from a brief description of the event, interested drivers are also informed about the different locations and other useful details. Rally experiences guarantee the possibility to try a form of driving that is unique. Many people consider that rally driving days are days when you experience a sport, one that is defined by high quantities of adrenaline, speed and excitement being two defining attributes. However, rally experiences also imply being in control, regardless of how difficult the chosen circuit actually is. In the end, the one thing that you have to ask yourself is: can I be fast and furious?

Among the locations where these rally driving days are held you can find Bristol, Oxford and Suffolk, just to offer three examples. You should know that rally experiences are open to all drivers that have either a UK or an international driving licence, without any negative events. If you want to be accepted in the rally, then make sure you take your permit with you. Also, if you are curious how long does one rally experience last, you ought to know that the timeframe varies somewhere from one to four hours, depending on the circuit. The available locations are presented online, for anyone to view.

What are the cars that one has the opportunity to drive in the rally? Well, you will probably be surprised at how many options you have available. On the list, you can find Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi Evo, Peugeot 106 and BMW 325 just to offer a few examples. When you take a look at the available rally experiences, keep in mind that both the cars and the dates can change, depending on availability. If you have a friend that is interested in the rally driving days, without having any experience as a rally driver then you can take him/her long as a spectator. In fact, the more, the merrier, as they will keep the atmosphere alive and encourage those that have signed up for rally experiences.

When you say rally experiences, you automatically think about racing and proving that you can go over your limits, in order to be the best. If you are a fan of rally driving days and you want to show what you got, then you should certainly consider one of the many rally experiences available online. Sign up as soon as possible and prepare yourself for an adrenaline-filled event.