AutoDriverAndroads.com – Motor Sports, Exotic Cars, and Everything In Between

Suzuki Motor Thailand presented the Thai-only Suzuki Swift RX at the ongoing 2015 Thailand International Motor Show. The RX is the exclusive top-of-the-line Swift which is on sale inside the domestic niche for 599,000 Baht (similar to INR 11.31 lakhs).Suzuki Swift RX front at the 2015 Bangkok Motor Show The Swift RX gets significant exterior upgrades in relation to the standard Swift hatch. This includes HID projector headlamps, full body kit, body graphics, a rear-mounted spoiler, 16-inch alloys, and ‘RX’ badging. The black interior of your regular Swift is smartened with silver accents.Suzuki Swift RX front three quarter view at the 2015 Bangkok Motor Show The RX is offered with a number of features like keyless entry, push-button start, USB-enabled audio system, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, and cruise control. Safety measures loaded in a vehicle are dual front EBD, ABS and airbags.Suzuki Swift RX side view at the 2015 Bangkok Motor Show The Swift RX is powered by the same 1.25-liter K12B petrol unit that does its job around the Swift hatch and the Ciaz Ecocar. The engine makes 91 PS (89.75 bhp) of power and 118 Nm of torque. A 7-speed stepped, continuously variable transmission (CVT) transfers power to the wheels.Suzuki Swift RX dashboard in the 2015 Bangkok Motor Show A recent report suggests that another-generation Swift hatch in India will be “radical” in its design. The new Swift will reach Indian showrooms in India in late-2016 or in 2017.

You’re unsure as to what model would be best suited for your needs, the very first thing you should do is take a look at what features the numerous other compact models have to give you, and then change from there, although if you are looking to acquire a vehicle and you have decided that you want to buy a Kia compact. All of Kia’s compact vehicles already have excellent gas mileage going for them, so aside from the small differences you can find in regards to the mpg in both highway and city driving, you should see what else these great compact cars are offering. Santa Clarita KIA.

One of Kia’s most popular compact cars will be the 2016 Forte, which underwent some major redesigning in 2014, and because then, apart from a few small changes, it has pretty well stayed the identical. Obviously the redesigning was really a resounding success, as this particular compact car has become hugely popular across North America and abroad. There is the Forte, the Forte5 and also the Fort Koup to choose from in this line of compacts, and it’s not an easy pick, since they are all excellent choices in relation to compact cars.

Available in both Sedan and hatchback body styles, the 2016 Kia Rio stands out as a leader when it comes to compact cars. With the SX, LX and EX to select from, the 2015 Kia Rio is definitely a compact car that ought to be at the top of your list.

Finally, you have the 2016 Kia Soul, that is a 5 seater front wheel drive compact beauty that also saw an important overhaul in 2014. Just like the Kia Forte, after its total redesign there were very little changes made in the last couple of years, but it is still getting simply favorable reviews all around. It is also obtainable in an all-electric model, the Kia Soul EV, but unfortunately it is only accessible in certain states in the USA. Keyes KIA Valencia has some great deals waiting for you.

Whichever Kia Compact vehicle you choose to buy, if you are like many other people throughout The United States, you will have nothing but a positive lots and experience of fun together with your new vehicle.

Mild changes to the interior and exterior.The Mercedes GLE Class (M-Class facelift following the new nomenclature) has been revealed prior to its unveiling at the 2015 New York City Auto Show.Mercedes GLE front three quarter official image Beginning with the looks, the GLE features a revised grille flanked by rehashed headlights. The back gets new LED taillights and a sportier looking exhaust system.The AMG variants gain virility with a new front bumper, one particular band grille and 20-inch alloy wheels with a titanium grey finish. Included in the package is a rear diffuser plus a quad exhaust.Mercedes GLE rear three quarter official image The inner is much like the outgoing vehicle but gets a new multi-function steering wheel and a freestanding infotainment display. The new colour palette has espresso brown, ginger beige, saddle brown and porcelain – along with an exhaustive trim options list that has carbonaluminum and fiber, piano black, brown ash, brown burred walnut and brown eucalyptus, among others.Engine options for the Mercedes GLE 3.-liter twin-turbo V6 with 333 PS and 480 Nm of torque 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 with 435 PS and 700 Nm of torque 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel with 204 PS and 480 Nm of torque 3.-liter V6 diesel with 258 PS and 620 Nm of torque 5.5-liter V8 engine with 557 PS and 700 Nm of torque (AMG) 5.5-liter V8 engine with 585 PS and 700 Nm of torque (AMG S) Mercedes GLE dashboard official image Additionally buyers will be offered the GLE 500 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid that employs 3.-liter V6 engine, an 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic gearbox with an integrated electric motor. Combined, it makes 442 PS and 650 Nm of torque, and offers a mileage of 33.3 km/l in britain, and can travel up to 30 km purely on electricity at speeds up to 130 km/h. Mercedes GLE 63 AMG side profile official image The GLE, much like the outgoing car, should be launched in India as a CKD, later this year. You can find additional information in the press release beneath the gallery.

Plans to get a local distributor or local partner. Malaysian car manufacturer, Proton, is undertaking feasibility studies to comprehend the Indian market, and choose a right product, reports Autocar Professional. Proton is looking at having a local distributor or perhaps a local partner to setup an assembly line for its cars, the report states.Proton Iriz at the 2014 Thailand International Motor Expo The Proton Iriz is available using a 1.3- or 1.6-liter petrol engine in Malaysia. The publication spoke to Abdul Rashid Bin Musa, chief technical officer, Group Engineering of Proton, who said that we now have some barriers impeding an instant launch in the brand. The foremost and first being that diesel consistently enjoy a higher market be part of India owing to its discounted price (in the capital, petrol costs INR 10.78/liter over diesel) and better fuel economy. Proton’s lineup is largely petrol-powered cars, however.Mr. Rashid Bin Musa also looks at the small car excise duty benefit which happens to be available to cars and SUVs measuring under 4 meters in length, and displacing less than 1,200 cc (petrol) and 1,500 cc (diesel). Taking this into account, the brand believes its latest product, the Iriz, could be an ideal fit to the country.Proton Iriz dashboard at the 2014 Thailand International Motor Expo The Proton Iriz is available with manual and CVT gearboxes.

You might think it’s hard to save money on investing in a car. The thriftiest coupon clippers don’t always know how to get a good deal on a vehicle. But with some research and time, it’s very possible. Most Ford dealerships, like La Puente Ford and Ford of West Covina, know that a vehicle is a big buy for anyone and they are generally looking for ways to help save money when you buy a new vehicle. Whether you’re wanting to get a rebate, find a sale, or trade in your old car for money off your brand-new one, there is a way you could save.

Many dealerships offer rebate discounts on new cars for members of the military or veterans. They are able to expect to get about $500 off the purchase of a fresh car. Recent college graduates can also expect a similar rebate. If you don’t qualify for those rebates, you may well be happy to learn that most dealerships frequently have sales. There are also weekly specials offered at most car lots, though there are sales that coincide with the holidays and seasons, like Black Friday sales and Fourth of July sales. Many advertise their weekly deals in the local newspapers and you can find those ads each Sunday. It’s crucial that you take advantage of these quickly though because most last only for every week. After a week, the deal has finished and usually a brand new sale will commence. One of the best ways to save money over a car is by trading with your old one. Most dealerships love accepting trades. It is possible to frequently knock several thousand dollars off the cost of a new car by trading inside your current one. There are lots of ways to save on a Ford.

First self-developed diesel engine in the Japanese manufacturer.Maruti Suzuki has started production of the Celerio diesel at its manufacturing facility in Manesar, since these spyshots show. The SOP (start of production) is consistent with previous reports which stated that the Celerio diesel will have its market launch just following the previous financial year came to a close.Maruti Celerio diesel spied With production underway, the Celerio diesel is predicted to launch in April.Save for the ‘DDiS’ badges on the front fenders, the Celerio diesel will not sport any design changes. The highlight of the car is obviously the engine, which will be the 1st self-developed diesel engine from your brand. A two-cylinder .8-liter unit is expected to produce about 52-58 hp and 150-160 Nm of torque, while returning a category-leading 30.1 km/l.The Celerio diesel will be India’s most fuel efficient car (excluding the BMW i8), if the reported 30.1 km/l holds true. Maruti may also supply the diesel Celerio with the automated manual transmission (AMT), rendering it the least expensive automatic diesel car in the country.Maruti Celerio diesel side spied The Celerio diesel is predicted to become India’s most fuel efficient car upon launch.

Stewart Wasson grew up during the golden era of muscle and horsepower. While he has had the pleasure of owning iconic cars like the 1969 GTO, it’s modern muscle that captured his attention more recently. And specifically, this 2008 Audi RS4.

Stewart was waiting for an Audi S5 to arrive when the dealership informed him it was going to arrive later than expected. If it might be a replacement for his S5, they had a pristine Audi RS4 on the lot and suggested he take a spin around block to see, however.power and precision engineering of the RS4, with its potent V8 under the hood. This is where his son came in, who was friends with local tuner, Derick Szyda, at D2 Industries.

Naturally, Stewart needed to ensure the car was breathing properly, so added a Milltek downpipe and exhaust as well as a one-off intake system. Soon after, he Derick was able to supply Unitronic software to enhance the modifications.

With his lust for horsepower quenched, he moved on to the aesthetics. For a while, Stewart fitted a set of coilovers but the opportunity arose to fit a full air suspension kit from Air Lift. After some convincing from his son, Derick soon outfitted the RS4 with an Air Lift Performance kit and an AccuAir E-Level management, even though having seen the rise of air suspension, Wasson was skeptical at first.

Wanting to attract the right amount of attention, the car also received a 3M 1080p Flat Black vinyl wrap.

Sinister stealth was the objective, but not without some sort of attention grabber. So while the car was ready to live a lower life, Stewart selected a set of deep concave 10 Series wheels from ADV.1 – 19×10 all around.leaps and bounds, there is always a part of us that still looks to the Japanese for creative inspiration. The greatest part of the Japanese scene is how vast it is and how much variety exists. You’ll realize there are so many different styles and ways of creating their automotive masterpieces that it almost seems unfair to lump them all up into one category, as a whole you would simply call it a “scene” but when you look closer. Every region has their own subculture when it comes to building cars, creating distinction as you travel around the country.

What’s also great about the Japanese tuning world is that you will often see cars that are completely relatable and others that are completely mind-blowing. These are the types of builds that have you asking yourself why and howCrackle and Snap, Pop

Knowing ahead of time that Kazuhiro Furukawa (of Osaka JDM) is friends with the owner, we made the necessary arrangements to have Noriaki Miyamoto kindly bring this ’78 S312 up to Osaka. Miyamoto is the owner of Common Snapper, a tuning shop based in the Mie prefecture (about an hour’s drive, he says) that specializes in the customization of vehicles of all types. They work on foreign vehicles as well as Japanese domestics but Miyamoto has a particular affinity for classic Nissans and Datsuns. You may have seen some of Common Snapper’s previous work; prior to this epic build, they created another S30Z that garnered quite a bit of buzz on the web. Aesthetically it was much simpler than this rendition but under the hood sat a BNR33 Skyline RB26DETT swap. Though an RB26 in anything is already impressive, what made that Z notable was the complete retrofitted R33 Skyline GT-R interior. It was truly a looker but was possibly a little too refined to be a competitive race car. With this new S30Z project, Miyamoto knew that it had to be more raw, an edgier feel. The green and black livery is interesting, but what hides underneath the lengthy hood of the Fairlady is just wicked as mentioned. An L28 with Mikuni carbs is nice, an SR20DET is better, and an RB26DETT amazing-but knowing Common Snapper’s track record, those were all to be expected. Miyamoto had something very different in mind. He ditched the idea of pistons and connecting rods altogether and opted for a rare tri-rotor Mazda Wankel engine.

The 20B rotary engine was first introduced to the world in a Japanese-market only ‘90-‘95 Mazda Eunos Cosmo. It is the only Mazda production car to ever utilize the three-rotor engine from the factory so to see it mounted to a non-Mazda, S30Z chassis is absolutely captivating. He did tell us that he basically had to “start from nothing” and use his imagination to get the swap to work, although miyamoto-san wouldn’t divulge all the details on how he got the swap to work, nor did he have the time to explain.Snap and Crackle, Pop

As cool as it was for the other Common Snapper Fairlady to have a full GT-R interior, Miyamoto went with a more traditional race set-up this time around. The cockpit has been completely gutted and devoid of all creature comforts. Instead you’ll find a custom fabricated rollcage and dashboard adorned with a multitude of Auto Meter gauges. You won’t find anything else inside other than a pair of Bride racing buckets. Worth mentioning is that this ’78 Z is actually left-hand drive.Snap and Crackle, Pop

Non-conformity and a unique sense of style help to make this S30Z a shining star in the ever-prominent Japanese tuning world. Miyamoto and his associates have taken a timeless classic and transformed it into a complete custom race-bred automobile. It’s a fragment of ‘70’s Nissan, with a trace of ’90s Mazda, and 100% Common Snapper.

When the fleeting summer days stare you down and you realize it’s almost time to return to the normal life of Fall and Winter and Spring, you must take advantage and do everything you can to get the most out of the last days of the best season there is. It’s not that hard to do either, so what are you waiting for? You’re not just going to waste the rest of the time on Netflix or wishing that you could go to the beach, you should go out and engage in one of these great Summer activities to really make you enjoy the last few moments.

Take a Cruise up the Coast

It’s important to get yourself in the driver’s seat of a great new car and take her up the coast. Go on over to Nissan Glendale and scope out the sweet Nissans they have available for you to take your lady up the coast with. See if anything tickles your fancy online before you go in to the shop, check them out here: http://www.downtownnissan.com. Once you get in a new car, you can take that cruise up the coast and check the waves to your left and maybe even visit Elephant Seal Beach. There’s nothing quite as invigorating as cruising the coast and being with your gal and enjoying the end of summer. You can think back to these memories when you are stuck in your office or school.

Last Minute Bar-B-Que

Then again, you can stick around your house and invite all your friends over for a Bar-B-Que. You probably haven’t grilled enough this summer, I know I haven’t. So go to the store and pick up a whole mess of meat. Get some rib eyes, some burger meat and some chicken thighs. Chicken thighs really do make the best grilling meat behind red meat. So when you have all the supplies, just call up (or text) the gang, tell them to bring a six pack, and show up for a late summer BBQ. It’ll be delicious and fun and a great way to start off the more boring part of the year. You can’t win friends with salad, remember.

Six Flags

Then of course there’s the never fail fun adventure to Six Flags, wherever you live. The roller coasters are a great way to just forget about all the upcoming trials and tribulations. You will feel the rush of adrenaline and the wind in your hair and it’ll be so awesome. If you haven’t been to Six Flags recently, you may be surprised by some new rides they have. And if you go a lot, might as well go some more and become a true expert of the park. It’ll be fun for you and the whole family. And you can eat some delicious and over priced snacks, or come home and do the BBQ idea.

Last summer was one of the busiest seasons I’ve ever had as a photographer and writer. I got to travel around quite a bit and shoot a nice variety of cars, and I even found time to throw in a few personal projects. As the summer drew to a close, I headed to Portland, Oregon, (my hometown) for a friend’s wedding, and at the last minute, I was asked if I could squeeze in a feature photo shoot while I was there. I jumped at the opportunity because even though I had barely any free time, I had always wanted the chance to shoot a Portland car on the city streets. And as it turned out, this 240Z shoot on an uncharacteristically hot late-August day was one of the most rewarding I have had the pleasure of executing.

What made everything work out so well that day wasn’t necessarily the car, although it is a beautifully built machine. No, what made the shoot so enjoyable was the man who built it. Timothy Desper is not your run-of-the-mill car builder but rather a true grassroots enthusiast and a strong believer in the power of hard work. Tim also has a job that is much different from the jobs of anyone else I’ve written about over the years at Modified. Tim is director of operations for the Portland Rescue Mission, a nonprofit organization that provides meals and shelter as well as other valuable services to the homeless. Tim doesn’t make a ton of money, so he didn’t send this car into a shop to be built top to bottom. He doesn’t back down from a challenge, either, because he is a patient and understanding person who has faith in the prospect of change.
1972 datsun 240Z corbeau racing seats Photo 2/12 | 1972 Datsun 240Z – Limitless Potential

Last month, we had the opportunity to drive the new BMW M6 Gran Coupe for the first time in Europe, but this time we got it on the track with its optional carbon-ceramic brakes and had at it.

We were privileged to be on the wonderful Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX, which fortunately has massive runoff areas for the F1 cars, so hopefully we wouldn’t be embarrassing ourselves with a visit to the kitty litter.

While excited to turn laps on this brand new track, it’s high-speed, technical nature makes COTA rather intimidating. Even after a few laps following M5s from the BMW Performance Driving School, there was still a great deal to be learned about lines and braking points.

Fortunately, we got some extra tuition from one of BMW’s PDS instructors and were able to thread the turns together, although the endless Esses still had the ability to confound you.

The M6 Gran Coupe excelled in these surroundings. While its longer wheelbase may be less wieldy than the M6 Coupe, it handled the transitions with aplomb, transferring its weight with surprising agility.

Launching out of an uphill left-hander, you could gather enough momentum to nudge past 150mph on the back straight before you needed the carbon-ceramics for the second-gear left turn at the bottom.

In 90?F weather and completing a series of hot laps, the cars suffered no ill effects of the abuse. Neither did you feel beat up after the experience. The multi-adjustable seats were able to offer tremendous support with good lumbar as well as side bolsters that can be tightened to suit.

Offering more cars with manual transmission options than any of its competitors – there are 25 to choose from – BMW is rightly proud of its US-only six-speed stick shift. Modified from the 550i application, the car was equally a delight on the circuit and the street.

We won’t argue that the M-DCT seven-speed dual-clutch auto is simpler to operate but the manual puts you in charge, the master of your own destiny.

Like the M5 application of the same transmission, it gives a positive shift and requires a firm pedal push to engage the clutch, but nothing feels clunky or heavy. It’s well weighted for the nature of these 560hp machines.

2014 BMW M6 gran coupe front fascia
2014 BMW M6 gran coupe door pull handle
2014 BMW M6 gran coupe quad tip exhaust

Inevitably, the German engineers can’t leave anything alone, adding a throttle blip function on manual down-changes. You can override it with a manual blip or a heel-n-toe downshift, but in regular driving it keeps the operation smooth and brings a smile to your face each time.

Having sampled the carbon-ceramic brakes on the M6 Coupe at Laguna Seca, and knowing how they allowed you to sail past a similar car on conventional brakes, they gave heaps of confidence. With each lap you could leave your braking later and later, waiting until the 150yd marker to hit the pedal at 150mph, knowing you could stop in time for the hairpin.

Wait a little longer and, although the car would overshoot the turn, the giant runoff area kept you on the tarmac, leaving the car in one piece; if not your pride.

The raft of M-button activated dynamic options on all M cars gave us the opportunity to sample them in extremis and was an opportunity not to be missed. The Comfort mode for steering, power application (Efficient) and suspension was generally too soft for the track, but entirely suited to the street, where the Gran Coupe’s laidback attitude allows you to cruise without stress.

On the track, we preferred Sport Plus steering for extra heft, Sport throttle response to allow finer modulation, and Sport suspension to absorb the curbs we enjoyed rumbling over. We also generally had the traction control in its M Dynamic Mode rather than off. This allowed generous slip angles but would catch a spin, which was remarkably easy in the Esses from Turn 3 to 10.

When driving the M-DCT-equipped cars we’d also selected the fastest gear-change speed but, as Albert Biermann, VP of M Engineering explained, this options is simply to “remind us of the former SMG transmission” and make the drive more dramatic.

With the M5 being a popular track tool, it’s possible that BMW M6 Gran Coupe owners will be less frequent visitors, but it’s good to know they have the right tools for the job. In fact, BMW is giving the M5/M6 family a sharper track focus with its recently announced Competition Package. It wasn’t available for us to sample, but includes special 20″” wheels, a 15hp power increase (to 575hp) plus stiffer springs, dampers and sway bars. The cars get an M Sport exhaust system with black tailpipes, while the DSC, MDM and M differential are reprogrammed to allow greater slip angles.

The Competition Package is possibly BMW’s response to the S option from AMG on the new E63, and should keep everybody on their toes.

Track fans should also read our story on BMW’s MPower iPhone app in this issue.

2014 BMW M6 gran coupe carbon ceramic brake disks
2014 BMW M6 gran coupe circuit of the americas
2014 BMW M6 gran coupe rolling shot

2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

Drivetrain six-speed manual transmission, Active M Differential

Suspension double-wishbone front, multi-link rear

Brakes optional 16.1″” carbon-ceramic rotors, six-piston rotors f, 15.6″”, single-piston r

Wheels & Tires 20×9.5″” ET31 f, 20×10.5″” ET19 r; 265/35 R20 f, 295/30 R20 r

MSRP $113000

Performance

Power 560hp at 6000-7000rpm (575hp with Competition Package)

Torque 500 lb-f t at 1500-5750rpm

0-60mph 4.3sec

Top Speed 155mph

Weight 4395 lb

Economy 15/22/17mpg (city/highway/combined)