Autoblog

For the thirteenth year running, Mazda has created a number of vehicles for those with special needs to be showcased at the International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition in Japan. The AZ-Wagon gets a lift-gate out back so that folks limited to wheelchairs can enter and exit through the converted rear hatch while still in their wheelchairs. The MPV Second Row Lift-up Seat (pictured) is also for those in wheelchairs, but those who have the mobility to sit in a conventional seat. And the Biante Autostep has, like an RV, a step that extends whenever the rear door is opened. All of the vehicles are JDM-only, but now that we know Mazda has this kind of expertise, we'd like to speak to them about getting a Kazamai with an ejector seat. Hit the jump for the press release.

Click on above to view our 29-image high-resolution gallery

When Mansory hit us with its modified Aston Martin V8 Vantage, we bemoaned the lack of any serious performance upgrades. Unfortunately, although it's more visually pleasing than its stab at the Vanquish, Mansory's take on the DB9 adopts the same meatless approach.

The only real performance upgrade is in the rolling stock: 20-inch forged alloys hide 405mm discs clamped by six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers around back, hooked up to a lowered suspension. Wheels, brakes and suspension ain't nothin', but otherwise it's all poseur. There's a new front end with integrated lighting, side skirts and a carbon fiber rear diffuser with chrome exhaust tips. Inside Mansory has decked the interior out in maple, carbon fiber, Alcantara and available aluminum pedals.

The package is available for both the DB9 coupe as well as the DB9 Volante, so if you can't wait for the DBS roadster and aren't that interested in the increased performance anyway, your new clubbing accessory has arrived.

[Source: Motor Authority]

click above to view more images of the Solstice F430

There's a pretty healthy argument to be made for leaving the styling of your Pontiac Solstice alone. It did end up in production virtually off the show floor, as evidenced by the cockpit's spaciousness and spectacular materials (hint: saracasm). But there's always at least one person who's not content to leave well enough alone. Luckily, Mr. Paul MadMods seems to have what's known in the biz as mad skillz. What that means is he has a way of working with his hands in a painstaking manner to turn out customized cars that don't scream "HACK JOB!"

Aesthetics, however, are another whole thing, and we're sure that this choice of colors and body mods won't sit well with everyone, but you have to give the guy credit, it's all nicely done. We also have to give props for not creating a full-on Ferrari replica. Paul states that his intent was just to incorporate cool cues from cars that he sees. Thus, his Solstice wears an F430 nose, Porsche Cayman side intakes serving as extractors in the front quarters, tons of custom electronics and a snarling custom turbo installation, too. It's pretty amazing to see how much like a kit car the Solstice actually is. It's not the most comfortable little mini-'Vette, but it's well engineered platform-wise. After seeing how easily the Solstice takes to wrenching, we want one of our own to trick out. When we need an F430 nose, we know who to call.

Thanks for the tip, Aman!

[Source: CarDomain via KitCarsForum]

Looking kind of like a cross between a Ferrari 550 Maranello and a Daihatsu Copen, this unique 1991 Honda CRX Si is the creation of Tabor Lovasz, the owner of Gulf Coast Motors in Toronto. The project involved a full upgrade to the original car's mechanical package including H&R springs with Koni adjustable shocks and a Ractive Superflow intake, but the focus of the car's development was its unique body.

According to its developers, the paint is the same silver used by Mercedes and the back window and electronic sunroof is borrowed from a Mazda Miata. The wheels look they came from a Porsche, as well. Other than that, the car is basically stock. There's roughly 78,000 miles on the clock and the original four-cylinder and five-speed manual is the same as when it was bought new.

Thanks to David for sending in the tip.

[Source: eBay]

For anyone unfamiliar with the Ferrari P4/5, a quick history lesson is in order. The car is the pride and joy of movie producer turned Wall Street fund manager James Glickenhaus, who commissioned Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina to convert a brand new Enzo supercar into a modern iteration of the P3/4 racers from the 1960s.

Still not content with the car after taking delivery of it last year, Glickenhaus has since had a new pair of triangular shaped exhaust tips installed in place of the previous circular units. When asked whether the change was merely cosmetic or practical, Glickenhaus explained that it was a bit of both. Exhaust gases are said to flow better with the new shape as well as air flow leading to the rear wing.

The new set-up also allows the driver to avoid using the muffler during track days by simply flipping a switch in the cockpit. This also has the added benefit of giving a louder exhaust note, which is described by Glickenhaus as being "pretty wild."

[Source: Winding Road]

Legislators in Massachusetts are set to introduce a bill in October that will ban modified exhausts in the land of a certain tea party and the world's best baked beans. The pious patriots over at SEMA have been fighting this day for years, but the politicians have decided they've had enough with the Flowmasters, already. The proposed law doesn't make a whole lot of sense, as Massachusetts already has a noise ordinance in place, and the bill doesn't even have any clear standard for the law to enforce. Lawmakers want to specifically ban any "exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust." While we're not all that excited about annoying exhausts that can wake a trauma victim out of a coma, we'd like to see this proposal go the way of the Boston Braves.

[Source: SEMA via Jalopnik]

Well, Glassback has a better ring than "big ol' moonroof". Either way, Classic Design Concepts of Novi, MI came up with a slick way to augment the light coming through the 300's gun-slit sideglass. CDC's SEMA-award winning mod installs a piece of metallized glass where once there was only metal. Harking back to the '58 Eldorado, a stainless overlay covers the little bit of roof left. Rounding out the change from 300 to Glassback is CDC's Stainless Effects body kit. There's a new chin spoiler, rockers, a bit for the decklid that proudly announces Glassback, as well as other bits of brightwork.

Beyond style, there are a couple of real-world benefits to the glass roof. First, the Vanceva® glass panel attenuates noise in the 1000-6000Hz range by up to six decibels. That's a lot, as dBs are a logarithmic measure, so six dB is twice as quiet as a standard as a metal roof. That 1-6K frequency range just happens to be where a lot of voice action occurs, so conversations inside your Glassback will be easier. The glass is also excellent at blocking out UV and Infrared radiation, due to it's metallic layers. You'll have nearly the same experience as a convertible, without the noise, or the sunburn on your melon. You may have to rumble up the exhaust a bit to get through that noise attenuation, but that's nothing a couple Flowmasters can't handle.

Thanks for the tip, Jason!

[Source: CDC]

Even with the works package, those all-caps MINIs have nothing on this right proper little monster. A tip of the hat to Carlos, who alerted us to this deliciously ridiculous transformation, performed at the hands of Remy and Jeremy Vos. The project began with the germ of an idea, and off they went to the workshop to build the frame supporting the GM small-block and rear suspension. We applaud building the car around the engine. Even this Frankensteined Mini can't get beyond some BMW involvement, though. The Roundel parts bin was raided for braking components, the rear axle, the steering column, and a new MINI donated a power steering pump. There's even a nod to the R56 in the hoodscoop. Overall, we think the results turned out quite nicely. It's totally impractical, but we gather practicality wasn't the goal here. Good show.

[Source: miniv8.com via transport trends]

PRIMEDIA Inc., the parent publishing company that's responsible for Motor Trend, along with other enthusiast mags like Automobile and Hot Rod, have announced that it's "exploring the sale" of its Enthusiast Media division. While the sale price will probably be more than the going rate for a subscription to MT, one has to wonder if the division isn't being sold because the value of print media is falling faster by the second. The Enthusiast Media division is comprised of 90 websites, however, including Automotive.com (and Equine.com, w00t!), along with over 70 dead tree editions and 65 events, so the next potential owner will have quite the media empire on its hands. Hmm... perhaps AOL, our own corporate media overlord, is looking for another asset to add to the warchest. Could you even imagine, Autoblog and Motor Trend under the same roof? The mind reels.

In a somewhat odd aside, the news of PRIMEDIA shedding its Enthusiast Media division comes shortly after it was announced the company was aquiring VerticalScope, Inc., publisher of such titles as Modified, Modified Luxury and Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Being purchased by PRIMEDIA is the holy grail for small, independant publishing houses like VerticalScope. I should know, I used to work for one that competed directly with Modified on the newsstands, but was passed over by the benevolent purchasing power of PRIMEDIA. Congrats to my old nemesis and its producers at VerticalScope, who are likely sipping Pina Coladas on a beach somewhere right about now.

[Source: The Auto Channel, Jalopnik]

Over the last five years, the aftermarket industry has seen a steady 18 percent increase in sales and now the people that supply everything from high-performance carbs to those annoying LED windshield washer squirters rake in over $35 billion annually.

The sales segments are broken down into three categories. The first is appearance and accessories, which make up a large portion of the industry, followed by tires, wheels and suspension equipment and then racing and high-performance equipment, bring up the rear.

Overall, this increase in sales is due to a few specific factors, the largest of which is a higher rate of car owners in the U.S. population. This, coupled with both the over-60 crowd supposedly having more disposable income and, of course, the tuner market contributing to the boom.

It's a good time to be in the business, now all we have to do is come up with the next big aftermarket craze. Hmmmm... spinning Lambo doors. Dammit, that's already been done.

[Source: The Auto Channel]