The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is one of our favorite cars around. And if there was ever a car to be compared to a samuari sword, this is it. GT Channel just released a cool samurai-themed video featuring the Evo. It’s worth a look.
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Although no rookie to rally racing, David Higgins had some big shoes to fill. Replacing Travis Pastrana for the 2011 rally season, Higgins had to come to grips with an unfamiliar co-driver, Craig Drew, car, a 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and series, the Rally America National Championship. But this wasn’t his first championship victory. He’s also won the 2002 and 2003 SCCA ProRally Championship as well as the 2004 British Rally Championship.
Higgins chief rivalry came from 2010 championship holder Antoine L’Estage, but thanks to their consistent podium finishes, three outright victories and two second place finishes, the Higgins and Drew team were able to take the championship.
Said Higgins after the event, “It’s amazing and hasn’t really sunk in yet,” explained Higgins at the podium celebration. “The level of competition was really fierce all year, and it was a big challenge for me to come back to the USA after seven years away and adjust to new events, a co-driver I had never worked with before as well as new car. But everything meshed really well and our Subaru STI was a joy to drive fast. Driving for Subaru is every rally driver’s dream as the brand is so famous for rallying, so this is something really special for me.”
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My column, Countersteer, in this month’s issue of R&T was about Callaway Golf’s new technology called Carbon Composite, a revised form of carbon fiber that’s also featured in Lamborghini’s Sesto Elemento show car. While doing background on this, I visited Arkym, an aftermarket firm that produces custom carbon fiber parts for BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Volkswagen, Porsche and soon Lexus.
While still a small operation, Arkym’s products are first rate. The company produces stylish and quality carbon-fiber pieces that range from the entire hood to a front spoiler lip. Arkym says it believes in a “perfect weave” philosophy which balances strength, complexity, style, weight and efficient production methods. Arkym uses what it calls Vacuum-Lock Infusion or Arkym VLI, which utilizes advanced composite infusion processes in combination of extremely high quality base materials, resins, topcoats and mold-forming techniques in development.
The company had a striking M3 on display at its warehouse in Irvine, California. Not only are Arkym’s pieces designed for weight saving, they improve the aerodynamics of your car. For more information on the company visit its website.
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Beyond the sporty looks, VW is hoping that improved driving dynamics of the 2012 VW Beetle will sway more men behind the wheel. For the U.S., the 2012 Beetle will be available with two engines: a 170-hp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic, or a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 coupled to a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Manual transmissions—a 5-speed for the 2.5L and a 6-speed for the 2.0 Turbo—will come later. A 140-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 direct-injection diesel is also in the works for next year. It will be offered with a 6-speed manual or the dual-clutch gearbox. VW estimates the fuel economy for the diesel to be 40 mpg highway and 29 mpg city.
Keep Reading: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle – Driving Impressions >>
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Chrysler’s Mopar division previewed its Jeep JK-8 pickup bed conversion for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited a few months ago at the annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, and now Jeep pickup enthusiasts can purchase the kit that converts their four-door Wrangler to a modern Scrambler for $5499, installation not included. With the least-expensive Wrangler Unlimited, the air-conditioning-free Sport trim, starting at $26,345, this means that it’ll run you nearly $32,000 for a Wrangler pickup—and that’s not counting the time or cost of the actual conversion.
The kit consists of new body panels that make up the pickup bed, a new bulkhead behind the front seats, new B-pillars, roll bar extensions, and a removable fiberglass roof. The installation is a bit more than a simple plug-and-play affair, and requires several spot welds in the body to be cut (along with the B-pillars and portions of the existing roll bar), and the kit’s new body panels to be welded in place and painted. At Mopar’s April unveiling of the JK-8 kit, the company said that it might offer a simpler, “backyard bolt-in” kit, and apparently that easier-to-install option has been shelved.
Despite the reasonably involved installation process, Mopar seems confident that a motivated do-it-yourselfer could feasibly execute the conversion. For the less daring conversion buyer, the kit can be installed at any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram dealership; with this much welding and bodywork, however, it might be wise to find a dealership with a decent body shop. Perhaps the kit’s best attribute—besides the fact that the conversion creates a Jeep with a pickup bed—is that the whole shebang is warranted for three years/36,000 miles, and it is available now through any Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, or Ram dealership. If you want to see the JK-8 in action, head over here.
Hack to the future.
Not too long ago, securing a car meant popping the faceplate off the CD player, slapping a Club over the steering wheel, and locking the doors. As vehicles’ electronic systems evolve, however, automobiles are starting to require the same protection as laptop computers and e-commerce servers.
Keep Reading: Can Your Car Be Hacked? – Feature
Each Mustang’s bio reads like a résumé.
Recently landing on my desk—with a thud that sounded like a minor car crash—was a copy of the Shelby American Automobile Club’s updated registry of all known Shelby GT Mustangs from ’65, ’66, and ’67. It weighs six pounds, includes 1315 black-and-white photos, spans 1350 pages, and costs $200, plus $20 for shipping (www.saac.com). When the book fell on my desk, it caused both me and a cup of coffee to leap half an inch.
Keep Reading: John Phillips: Jake (a Goat) and Dick (a Mule) Were Both Fond of Shelby Mustangs – Column
GM ushers the cameras past the security goons and right up to the Kool-Aid stand, where Lutz is serving it up in flagons.
Former GM vice-chairman Robert Lutz recently plunged into a milling crowd in front of the SVA (School of Visual Arts) Theatre in lower Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. His hair was the usual silver helmet, but his skin was preternaturally tan, like it had been anodized. Somebody said he had just flown in from the Caribbean.
Keep Reading: Aaron Robinson: A New Film About EVs Answers the Question: What About Bob? – Feature
Rotary Revival: A second act for Felix Wankel’s wundermotor.
Only 1134 Mazda RX-8s were purchased here in 2010. The lack of interest means that Mazda will probably shelve its rotary engine later this year. But weep not, rotorheads, because salvation is at hand. The 20th century’s only new engine to succeed is too good to die, and its next assignment could sustain it for decades.
Keep Reading: How Audi Hybrids Could Keep the Wankel Rotary Alive – Tech Dept.
Last week we Infiniti kicked off a seven-part, seven-week, peek-a-boo Facebook unveiling of its upcoming 2013 JX seven-seat crossover with an image of the JX’s front-left headlight and wheel, and today we bring you Infiniti’s second peek. This week’s image shows a portion of its right-rear taillight and haunches. You can find more of our coverage of the JX along with spy photos here.
