Autoblog

Report: Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Japan, Hatchback, Subaru

Here's some extra happy news, especially if you're into that whole turbocharged, AWD rally thing. Autocar reports that legendary English engine tuner Cosworth has gotten its mitts all over the mighty Subaru WRX STI. Described as a "one-off, special project," it sounds as if Cosworth will be tweaking the engine, suspension and body. Long story short: YES!

As for details, we don't have any. Autocar says that specifications and pricing will become available when closer to the car's on sale date in March. A Cosworth spokesperson has said that the improved upon STI, "will raise the bar for all-wheel-drive, high-performance motoring." Sounds good to us, especially as the current STI has always felt about 85 percent finished to us. For what it's worth, Cosworth has a pretty special history when it comes to tuning rally cars. Ford RS200 anyone? We'll let you know more as soon as we can.

Gallery: 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition

[Source: Autocar, CAR]

Report: Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

1,150-hp Ford RS200 going after the record at Pikes Peak Hill Climb

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ford, Off-Road

Mach 2 Racing Ford RS200 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It took 13 years for Rod Millen's 1994 Pikes Peak run to be toppled by Nobuhiro Tajima in 2007. And when Tajima set a new record of 10:01.408 in the Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special, there were doubts that time could ever be eclipsed. This weekend, those doubts could be put to rest by Mach 2 Racing and its specially-prepared Ford RS200.

Partnering with Avon Tires, the Essex-based motorsports firm has created the ultimate rally-bred Ford, packing a new turbo that boosts output to 950 hp, and then, for good measure, includes a 70-liter nitrous oxide tank to deliver another 200 hp for a total of 1,150 hp.

Manning the helm is ex-British Rallycross Champion, Mark Rennison, who maintains that the Pikes Peak-prepped RS200 could break the ten-minute mark over the 12-mile, 156-turn course. "If everything on the day goes right and the weather conditions are good beating the 10-minute barrier shouldn't be a problem," Rennison says in the release (after the jump), "But strange things happen at Pikes Peak, it's a unique event." To say the least. Expect the RS200's performance and the rest of the competitor's to be reported on over the weekend.

Gallery: Mach 2 Ford RS200

Continue reading 1,150-hp Ford RS200 going after the record at Pikes Peak Hill Climb

1,150-hp Ford RS200 going after the record at Pikes Peak Hill Climb originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

eBay find of the Day: Ford RS200... in California!

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Auctions, Ford

Ford RS200 eBay Find - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Really, what more needs to be said about the Ford RS200? Students of Group B rally history are well aware of Ford's efforts with the R200 during the '80s, including the required 200 homologation versions that were sold during its run from 1984 through 1986 and the two disastrous crashes during the '86 season that spelled the end of the Group B era. With a turbocharged, 1.8-liter inline four putting out a conservative 250 hp to all four wheels (in road-going guise), the RS200 has become The One to those of us who grew up watching the Blue Oval's rallying exploits in our PJs.

This particular example is #135 and was purchased from Robert Sutherland (according to the seller, the lone importer of the RS200 to the States) after it competed in the La Carrera Panamerica in 1986. It's a gorgeous yet subdued gray over red with a few minor blemishes and a host of options, but the only bits that matter are the mid-mounted turbo'd four-pot, front-mounted transmission and its ability to dominate on nearly any terrain on the planet. And if you're willing to risk tinkering with the two-decade old mill, 450+ hp can be yours with minimal modifications. The bidding begins at a ridiculously low $2,500 (expect this to climb... quickly) and, located in Lake Arrowhead, CA, it's one of the few examples left in the U.S. Bid early and bid often. We're pooling our pocket change now.

Gallery: eBay Find of the Day: Ford RS200 in So. Cal.

[Source: eBay via Bring a Trailer]

eBay find of the Day: Ford RS200... in California! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford RS200 caught in the wild, almost

Merritt Johnson — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ford

Click above for a gallery of high-res images

Only 200 Ford RS200s were produced from 1984 through 1986. That makes them an extremely rare find, though apparently funny man Tim Allen owns one, as seen in pictures of his garage. Ford's only intention with the small number of cars was to meet FIA regulations in order to homologate the model to race Group B rally. The original RS200s were powered by 1.8L turbocharged Cosworth engines. Ford later converted 24 to the Evolution version utilizing 2.1L turbocharged Cosworth engines that accelerated the cars to 60 mph at reported times of 2.1 seconds.

While not quite one of the original 200 RS200s, we spotted a replica recently at Irwindale Speedway in Southern California that got our blood pumping. The owner said that he had a Lotus Europa but desired an RS200, so he shipped the chassis off to a buddy in England who worked with Ford Motorsport. The Europa was converted to RS200 spec using spare parts that Ford Motorsport had maintained and salvaged. The rear was fitted with a 2.0L turbocharged engine from a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth. Replica or not, this experience was about as close to an RS200 as we'll ever get.

Gallery: Ford RS200 Replica

Ford RS200 caught in the wild, almost originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

eBay Find of the Day: Tim Allen's 2006 Corvette Z06

Alex Nunez — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Celebrities

Tim Allen appears to be thinning the herd a little as far as his personal auto fleet's concerned. As a result, you now have the opportunity to own a lightly-used 2006 Corvette Z06 with a legit celebrity connection for what amounts to fair market value. The car's basically stock save for its powder-coated wheels and has a "Buy It Now" option set at $60K. More interesting than the Z06, however, are some of the other cars in Tim's garage, as you can see above. The old Bronco's cool for sure. Ditto the Road Runner and the matte black Nova next to it. In one of the shots, it looks like he's got a GT350H in his stash, along with a couple of Ferraris of diverse vintage, too. But the one that's got us really interested is that white RS200. That'd make in-person pickup of the Vette (or the A8 W12 Tim's also selling) a must if we were the auction winners. Heck, we'd pay a little extra on the Vette just for a ride in the super-rare Ford.

Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

[Source: eBay via Celebrity Cars Blog]

Gallery: Tim Allen's 2006 Corvette Z06

eBay Find of the Day: Tim Allen's 2006 Corvette Z06 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments