Lexus LF-A
The title says it all. But let us give you a little perspective as to why we may not even see a concept car until at least 2011. The last Acura NSX was a great, but aging, sports car that became far too expensive for the company in the lineup. The costs of retooling the engine alone (to meet emissions regulations) could not be justified, considering the sales numbers were so low. Take it from the experts at Primedia to tell you that the cost of redesigning and engineering a brand new platform and powerplant is extremely expensive and time consuming. On top of the looming deadlines they face, a recent spy video has leaked of the competing Lexus LF-A, which supposedly uses a V10 engine that puts out approximately 500 hp. Thus far, Acura executives have only confirmed that the NSX will be rear-wheel drive and use a V10 engine. The other issue is cost. Acura as a brand has never had the luxury cache enjoyed by competitors such as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It has always maintained a reputation for delivering the best bang for your buck and prices its vehicles below other luxury imports. With a new Nissan Skyline GT-R expected to price in the $70,000 range, and LF-A in the low $100,000s, Acura faces a major dilemma in trying to keep their sports car semi-affordable or ultra-exclusive.
Can The Right Cell Phone Get You Laid?
Since the dawn of time (or at least the turn of the 20th century in America), any time you asked a teenager what one possession would upgrade their "cool" status (read: make the opposite sex like them), they would more than likely say a car or car-related accessories like 24-inch chrome rims, a bumping sound system or an unnervingly loud exhaust. Then technology came and look where we are now. In a recent CNW Marketing Research survey, only 20 percent of the respondents said a car would impress their peers, down from 35 percent in 2000. In 2007, cell phones/PDAs were the number one most desired possession among 16-29 year olds, with 32 percent answering so. The only other thing that leaves the Sidekick 3 in the dust? An iPhone, according to 70 percent of the respondents. Other items that made the cut above cars included game systems, iPods, shoes and computers.
Formula OneLeprosyAvoids Indianapolis Like
Surprise, surprise: The U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will not be on the '08 Formula One schedule. Over the years, F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has taken his band of merry misfits from city to city in the United States, but they have not yet settled on one destination. Motorsports of the non-stock car variety are of little interest to most Americans, the cities they have touched down in charge exorbitant fees for the races, and time zone differences are disastrous for F1's core audience who would prefer not to watch their beloved races in the middle of the night.
993horsepowerSuzuki WinsPikes Peak
Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, age 57 and currently serving as President of Suzuki Sport, drove his insanely powerful Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and completed the 156-turn course in 10 minutes, 1.408 seconds, eclipsing Rod Millen's '94 mark of 10 minutes, 4.06 seconds. His Suzuki, which is loosely based on the Vitara, uses a twin turbocharged V6 that produces 993 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Tajima has already been quoted as saying that he would like to complete the course next year in under 10 minutes.