Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Racecar fabricator and NuFormz owner Shaun Carlson dead at 35]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/racecar-fabricator-and-nuformz-owner-shaun-carlson-dead-at-35/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/racecar-fabricator-and-nuformz-owner-shaun-carlson-dead-at-35/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/racecar-fabricator-and-nuformz-owner-shaun-carlson-dead-at-35/#commentsFiled under:


In the late hours of October 4th 2009, the world lost an innovator in sport compact racing, Shaun Carlson. The NuFormz owner and fabricator extraordinaire had a genetic heart condition - however, it is unknown if the defect contributed to his death.

In more recent years, Carlson, 35, had been known for his lead on the Team MOPAR drift team, but his roots go all the way back to Truckin' and Turbo Magazine. Although he could shoot cars with the best of them, his talent in building them won out in the end. Carlson knocked the socks off the sport compact industry with the Honda CRX he created in collaboration with Jason Whitfield, but he really blew everyone away when he unveiled the world's first tube frame front-wheel drive Honda Civic. Driven by Stephan Papadakis, the car made the industry stand up and take notice that sport compact drag racing was a force to be reckoned with. Following his Civic's success, Carlson created the spectacular web of steel tubing, carbon fiber and titanium that is known as the Meguiar's Ford Focus. His ability to turn the unfortunate into amazing even transferred over from drag racing and into drifting. This is shown by the Dodge Charger and Challenger he built for two time Formula D champion Samuel Hubinette.

It is an understatement to say that Shaun Carlson will be missed. His influence has been far reaching and he undoubtedly had many more groundbreaking builds ahead of him. On a personal note,I will never forget the guidance and knowledge that he gave me as I was starting to get my feet wet in the automotive industry. I first met Shaun when he brought Stephan's yellow Civic to run on the East Coast. As I stared at the car in wonderment, he went out of his way to tell me all about it. After that, whenever I ran into Shaun at a race, he let me hang around his pit. He never dismissed my probing questions about his mechanical troubles either. He could see I wasn't just a female trying to hang around, but a student with a thirst for knowledge and someone looking for direction. I eventually found that direction with a degree in mechanical engineering. Now, in my work, I think back to design tips I learned from master fabricator Shaun Carlson.

Everyone at Autoblog extends their thoughts to all of Shaun Carlson's loved ones.

[Source: NHRA]

Racecar fabricator and NuFormz owner Shaun Carlson dead at 35 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Drag RacingDragRacingDriftingFabricatorFormula DFormula DriftFormulaDFormulaDriftMOPARNHRANuFormzSamuel HubinetteSamuelHubinetteShaun CarlsonShaunCarlsonSport CompactSportCompactTue, 06 Oct 2009 09:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Edmunds' verdict on six sport compacts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/edmunds-verdict-on-six-sport-compacts/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/edmunds-verdict-on-six-sport-compacts/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/edmunds-verdict-on-six-sport-compacts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

To be a contender in the sport compact category, there are a few things you must bring to the table. There at least three or four that immediately come to mind; small, sporty, inexpensive and relatively practical. They should also clearly stand out from their more pedestrian versions.

Our friends at Edmunds gathered a group of six of the hottest sport compacts available in the US today and put them through their paces to determine the best of the best. The six contenders for the title are (in no specific order) the 2006 Honda Civic Si, 2006 MINI Cooper S, 2007 Mazdaspeed3, 2006 Volkswagen GTI, 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS and the 2006 Subaru WRX TR.

Who won? Check out the finishing order after the jump and follow this link to read the entire article.

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Edmunds' verdict on six sport compacts

Edmunds' verdict on six sport compacts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevroletChevyCivic SiCivicSiCobalt SSCobaltSsCooper SCooperSGTIHondaMazdaMAZDASPEED3MINIsport compactSportCompactSubaruVolkswagenWRX TRWrxTrMon, 04 Dec 2006 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[575-HP HPA R32 - the hottest hatch of them all]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/575-hp-hpa-r32-the-hottest-hatch-of-them-all/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/575-hp-hpa-r32-the-hottest-hatch-of-them-all/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/575-hp-hpa-r32-the-hottest-hatch-of-them-all/#commentsFiled under: , ,



HPA Motorsports has applied its turbo prowess to the latest and greatest of VW hot hatches, the Euro-only (for now!) R32. In stock form the R32 produces 250 bhp from its 3.2-liter V6, but after HPA gets done adding its FT575 package, the car produces an astounding 575 horsepower. With that kind of power the all-wheel drive HPA R32 can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds while smoking all four tires at launch. In order to change the R32 into a true supercar, HPA has equipped it with twin turbos and a pair of intercoolers along with a special intake manifold, custom downpipe and a twin-bypass HPA exhaust system, all of which help the car consume copious amounts of air.

The FT575 is a complete package, however, so handling and braking are upgraded, as well. Check out Motor Trend's article to get the details on what all the FT575 package includes and this video to watch MT editors drop the hammer and cover the quarter mile in 11.9 seconds at 123.2 mph.

For those of you wondering when the Mk V R32 will make its way stateside, our friends over at VWVortex claim it will arrive in August of 2007 for around $32,850 with a DSG transmission. Sorry, no standard stick shift.

[Source: Motor Trend]

575-HP HPA R32 - the hottest hatch of them all originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hot hatchHotHatchHPAR32sport compactSportCompacttunertuningFri, 08 Sep 2006 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo readies three C30 concepts for SEMA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/volvo-readies-three-c30-concepts-for-sema/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/volvo-readies-three-c30-concepts-for-sema/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/01/volvo-readies-three-c30-concepts-for-sema/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click on image above to enlarge

As you know, we were unabashedly impressed with the C30 when it debuted as a concept at the 2006 North American International Auto Show and were equally excited to see the production version lost little of the concept's charm. It turns out that Volvo is pretty excited about the C30 too, as the Swedish brand has turned three cars over to a triumvirate of tuners who will produce custom versions for the SEMA Show in November. The companies involved include ipd, HEICO SPORTIV and EVOLVE.

The first tuner is little ipd who will make a very big statement with its C30 concept (shown above) producing 400 horsepower thanks to a belt-driven supercharger. That delicious powerband is augmented with audio courtesy of Alpine and Apple. Handling is jacked up a notch thanks to a fully adjustable coil-over suspension system and the party will come to a stop quickly thanks to a big break package. And just for fun the ipd C30 is painted with a Swedish flag theme. Nice.

(Follow the jump for more details on the other two tuner Volvos and more renderings)

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo readies three C30 concepts for SEMA

Volvo readies three C30 concepts for SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Sep 2006 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>C30customcustomizeEVOLVEHEICOipdSEMAsport compactSportCompacttunerFri, 01 Sep 2006 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[2007 Scion tC Spec Package for tuners]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/2007-scion-tc-spec-package-for-tuners/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/2007-scion-tc-spec-package-for-tuners/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/2007-scion-tc-spec-package-for-tuners/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Back in May we revealed that Scion would be pricing its tuner-ready 2007 tC Spec Package at $15,000 with a manual transmission and $15,800 with an automatic. Unfortunately it took Toyota until now to furnish some photos of what the tC Spec Package will look like, but it came through today with a bunch.

The idea behind the tC Spec Package is ingenious - instead of sinking millions of development dollars into a super tC like Ford did with the SVT Focus, Dodge with the SRT-4, and other manufacturers continue to do, offer a version of the tC that's ready to be tuned and costs less than the standard tC. Real sport compact enthusiasts want to turn their own wrench, pick their own appearance mods and make their cars truly unique. The sport compact enthusiast scene would be a much different and more creative place today if every manufacturer acknowledged the tuner in this way.

Realizing that new wheels is one of the first mods a tuner may perform, Scion equips the tC Spec Package with smaller 16-inch wheels wearing seven-spoke wheel covers. The new entry-level model gets the fixed glass panoramic roof (that'll get replaced by an articulating sunroof with mounted 42-inch plasma screen), unique upholstery on the seats (that will be ripped out and replaced with Recaros) and a urethane steering wheel (can anybody explain the significance of this last one? Doesn't matter, the MOMO wheel's on its way), as well.

Aside from those changes the Spec Package is loaded with the same equipment as the standard tC, which includes items like a 160-watt Pioneer audio system, four-wheel disc brakes, and the car's 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 161 hp and 162 ft-lbs. of torque.

Scion has its own catalogue of Toyota Racing Development accessories that includes the normal staple items of a tuner's diet: supercharger, wheels, sport suspension, exhaust, etc. No doubt many tuners will look to the aftermarket, though, where a number of good companies have been producing good Scion performance and appearance accessories.

(Tons of pics after the jump and Toyota's press release)

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading 2007 Scion tC Spec Package for tuners

2007 Scion tC Spec Package for tuners originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customcustomizesport compactSportCompacttCtC Spec PackageTcSpecPackagetunertuningTue, 29 Aug 2006 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Scion tC Spec Package priced for tuners]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/scion-tc-spec-package-priced-for-tuners/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/scion-tc-spec-package-priced-for-tuners/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/scion-tc-spec-package-priced-for-tuners/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Veteran tuners know that the best sport compacts are built from base models, not range toppers. That's because base models are blank canvases ready to accept new wheel and tire combos, body kits, head units, seats, paint and every other mod in a tuner's arsenal. Scion apparently understands the tuner and is releasing a Spec Package for the tC in 2007. The 2007 tC Spec Package is a bare bones tC that starts at $15,000 for a manual and $15,800 for an automatic. It's got steel 16-inch wheels and comes in four basic primer colors - Super White, Flint Mica, Black Sand Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. It retains the tC's fixed glass panorama roof yet has unique upholstery and a urethane steering wheel. Considering a standard tC starts at $16,400, the new Spec Package prove popular with the public at large and not just tuners looking for a blank slate when it arrives at dealerships next month.

[Note: 2007 Scion tC shown, pics of the Spec Package have not been released by Toyota/Scion yet]

[Source: Toyota]

Scion tC Spec Package priced for tuners originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>body kitBodyKitmod listmodificationsmodifyModListmodsSpec PackageSpecPackagesport compactSportCompacttCtunertunersWed, 24 May 2006 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[More fun with Photoshop at MonsterMonster]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/21/more-fun-with-photoshop-at-monstermonster/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/21/more-fun-with-photoshop-at-monstermonster/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/21/more-fun-with-photoshop-at-monstermonster/#commentsFiled under: ,



Judging from your positive comments on our post highlighting the digital designs of André Schaefer at CWW Designs, we thought we'd bring to your attention another site along the same lines. MonsterMonster is a monthly e-zine (remember those?) that features reader submitted Photoshop renderings of cars in various states of tune. Many of the photochop jobs even exhibit the original source picture as a comparison, like the Corvette Z06 shown above. We particularly enjoyed the "Competitions" section in which amateur artists throw their hats in the ring each month for nothing more than pride and the respect of their peers.

[Source: MonsterMonster via GermanCarBlog]

More fun with Photoshop at MonsterMonster originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 May 2006 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept carConceptCarmonstermonsterphotoshoprenderingsport compactsport tuneSportCompactSportTunetuneSun, 21 May 2006 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Too Fast, Too Furious... Too 2004?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/too-fast-too-furious-too-2004/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/too-fast-too-furious-too-2004/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/too-fast-too-furious-too-2004/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

AutoWeek attended the SEMA International Auto Salon, a car show for sport compacts and the segment of the aftermarket industry serving sport compacts, and AW writers were sad to see the sorry state the Salon has come to -- moving from the Los Angeles Convention Center to Atlantic City, and finally, to the Fort Washington Expo Center, where the show was small, the roof leaked, and the fit and finish was less than high-end. They came away wondering, is the sport compact market on its way out?

Maybe, but probably not. The moral of the story -- consumer tastes are changing away from Honda Civics and their ilk in favor of a variety of different cars. Sport compact or not, in these hard economic times only the fittest will survive. That said, we fully expect the nascent European compact class (Volkswagen GTI, Audi A3, MINI Cooper, Volvo S30, etc.) to strike a major chord with the tuner culture, perhaps eating into the largely Japanese-badged front-wheel-drive import scene.

Too Fast, Too Furious... Too 2004? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Audi A3AudiA3Fast and the FuriousFastAndTheFuriousFort Washington ExpoFortWashingtonExpoGTIHonda CivicHondaCivicHot Import NightsHotImportNightsImportsLA COnventionLaConventionLos Angeles ConventionLosAngelesConventionMINI CooperMiniCooperSEMAsport compactSportCompactToo Fast Too FuriousTooFastTooFuriousTuner CultureTunerCultureVolkswagen GTIVolkswagenGtiVolvo S30VolvoS30VW GTIVwGtiFri, 28 Apr 2006 19:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Scion FUSE teaser pic from ScionLife]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/scion-fuse-teaser-pic-from-scionlife/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/scion-fuse-teaser-pic-from-scionlife/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/scion-fuse-teaser-pic-from-scionlife/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A picture of the Scion FUSE that's supposed to ignite next week's NY auto show has been leaked a little early on a forum post over at ScionLife. We learned a while back that the FUSE would feature a topped chop and a short snout, the latter of which we can clearly view in this picture along with a super-sized Scion logo and extra wide front wheel. Those wheels will allegedly house turn signals might employ similar technology to these LED message-board wheels. We'll have to wait until next week to see the total package and find out.

Top tip Scott, thanks!

Scion FUSE teaser pic from ScionLife originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Apr 2006 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept carConceptCarFUSEhatchbackLEDnew york auto showNewYorkAutoShowscionsport compactSportCompactturbowheelsSun, 09 Apr 2006 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GM offers new boost for Cobalt SS S/C and Saturn Ion Redline]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/gm-offers-new-boost-for-cobalt-ss-s-c-and-saturn-ion-redline/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/gm-offers-new-boost-for-cobalt-ss-s-c-and-saturn-ion-redline/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/07/gm-offers-new-boost-for-cobalt-ss-s-c-and-saturn-ion-redline/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



GM Performance Parts announced yesterday the availability of two performance upgrade kits for the supercharged 2.0L Ecotec engine found in the Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged and Saturn Ion Redline. The Stage 1 kit retails for $500 and adds 31 hp to the engine's base 205-hp through higher-flow injectors and a new ECU calibration. The Stage 2 kit goes for $750 and includes both components of the Stage 1 kit and adds a smaller supercharger pulley and drive belt to fatten up the powerband's midsection and increase power to 241 hp and 218 ft-lbs. of torque. Both kits require premium fuel and are available now at all GM dealerships.

[Source: GM]

GM offers new boost for Cobalt SS S/C and Saturn Ion Redline originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Apr 2006 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevycobaltcobalt ss superchargedCobaltSsSuperchargedecotecgmgm performance partsGmPerformancePartsionion redlineIonRedlinekitsaturnsport compactSportCompactstage 1stage 2Stage1Stage2superchargertunerupgradeFri, 07 Apr 2006 09:27:00 EST