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Reiter Engineering unveils Lamborghini Murcielago LP670 R-SV at Spa

Reiter Engineering used last weekend's 24 Hours of Spa race to reveal its Murcielago LP670 R-SV, a GT1 race-ready version of the already hardened LP 670-4 SV. The box-stock Lambo already shed 220 pounds compared to its non SV brethren, weighing in at 3,451 pounds. The Reiter racer, stripped of any non-essentials and with a body rendered entirely in carbon fiber, drops further 921 pounds to weigh in at just 2,530 pounds (1,150 kg).

Reiter is hoping the car will be one of the six allowable brands chosen for next year's FIA GT World Championship. You can read the press release on the taurean missile after the jump, and check out the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Reiter Engineering LP670 R-SV

Continue reading Reiter Engineering unveils Lamborghini Murcielago LP670 R-SV at Spa

Jonny Lieberman joins the Autoblog crew

If you've spent any amount of time reading car news and reviews on the Interwebs, you're undoubtedly familiar with Jonny Lieberman. He began his auto journo career writing for Portland's Too Much Coffee Man and later joined The Truth About Cars where his Audi RS4 review thrust him onto the main stage.

After meeting Jalopnik veteran Davey G. Johnson at LA's premier gutter club, Jumbo's Clown room, Lieberman hopped on board with Jalop, enjoyed a long run with our Car Culture-obsessed friends and then left for greener pastures at Edmunds Inside Line - for 4.5 days. He returned to Jalop and TTAC where he injected his patented blend of wry wit and blistering commentary, particularly in Jalop's Fantasy Garage series. Since then, he's written for 0-60, Speed Sport Life, Clunkbucket, Autofiends and WebRidesTV while playing the role of chief justice for the 24 Hours of LeMons.

We're thoroughly thrilled with Lieberman's induction into the Autoblog ranks, and we suspect his first review (due in 5... 4... 3...) is a sign of epically good things to come. Welcome aboard Jonny!

Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R - Does Godzilla Have A Soul?

Being an automotive journalist is like being a male porn star. We're little more than Piloti-shoed buffers between the reader and the objects of their lust, and really, no one cares about us. Still, you only get one chance to make an initial impression, so my first review here on Autoblog had to be big. As luck/fate would have it, I got a phone call a few weeks back that went a little something like this: "How'd you like to drive the first 2010 Nissan GT-R on the West Coast, before the buff books get it?" Needless to say, the answer was obvious. But what to do with the brand-new R35, one of the most heavily and relentlessly covered car-stories of the past year? This takes us right back to that porno metaphor: How do I give the people what they want?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R - Does Godzilla Have A Soul?

Rendered Speculation: Ford Fiesta to get racy coupe variant?

Auto Express wondered the same thing, and the UK publication commissioned an artist to craft a two-door rendering of the popular Fiesta. AE's imaginary Fiesta coupe looks very much like the car presently in production, with a trapezoid grille, unique headlamps that stretch all the way to the front wheel wells, and the Kinetic-design surface treatments that make the Fiesta look wider than it really is. In the land of make-believe, the coupe gets rectangular fog lights that lend it a fancier look than the plain-Jane round lights on the existing Fiesta.

Out back, the theoretical Fiesta coupe adds some visual flair with a swoopy roofline that stretches all the way to the Fiesta's rear hatch. Chrome trim arounf the side glass that stretches from the A pillar to the C pillar looks a bit like that of the good-looking Mondeo. We'd love to see a slick Fiesta coupe here in the States, and would be more than OK if it looked just like the Auto Express rendering. Throw an EcoBoost 1.6 under the hood, give us the keys and get out of our way, because this little whip's a looker. Now, if only it were real....

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fiesta (Euro-Spec)

Redesigned Mazda RX-8 coming to Frankfurt? Not likely.

Several reports have surfaced over the past day indicating that Mazda is prepping a thoroughly redesigned RX-8 for display at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. However, according to Mazda USA's director of communications, Jeremy Barnes, the next rotary-powered coupe won't debut for at least a few more years.

Since Mazda just released the facelifted RX-8 last year, a full-scale overhaul seems a bit hasty, particularly considering the four-door coupe's niche status. If something does arrive in Frankfurt, it's likely a region-specific model, packing some additional features (new Recaro seats and infotainment package, say) akin to the recently released R3.

As for the next RX-series from Mazda, the automaker is hard at work on the all-new 16X rotary engine, and in that case, a revised Wankel rotary is expected to power the updated model, which is not expected until around 2011 or 2012.

Gallery: 2009 Mazda RX-8 R3

More details on rumored Toyota Prius coupe

Toyota's new president admits the automaker needs an excitement-infusion, and to that end - and in order to match the upcoming Honda CR-Z tit-for-tat - Toyota is rumored to be working on a two-door version of the Prius.

The latest reports out of Japan indicate that a shortened, 2+2 Prius-based hybrid sports coupe is under development, packing an uprated version of the 1.8-liter 2ZR-FXE four-cylinder putting out around 134 hp - 36 hp more than in its sedan counterpart. Naturally, Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system will carry over and the additional power boost will have an adverse impact on fuel mileage - albeit a minor one.

If the Prius coupe does come to fruition, expect it to be around 100 mm shorter than the sedan, carry over the standard Prius' interior and debut sometime in mid-2012. Conveniently, there's no word on a name and whether or not the coupe will be sold in the States, but we wouldn't be surprised to find out that this would be a JDM-only affair.

Will the real Saleen please stand up? Saleen Performance Vehicles unveils 2010 435S Mustang

2010 Saleen 435S Mustang - Click above for image gallery

Just days after a lawsuit was filed against it by Steve Saleen for the use of his name, MJ Acquisitions has launched its first Mustang model under the new company Saleen Performance Vehicles. The initial offering seems to be fairly light on visual changes, similar to the Racecraft-branded 420S Mustang that debuted last year, but Mike Shields, the new Saleen's CEO claims they wanted to "deliver a lot at an affordable price." Each 435S Mustang comes with a Saleen Series VI twin-screw supercharger that makes the 4.6-liter V8 good for 435 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque, driven through a 5-speed manual and 3.73:1 gears. Improved handling is provided by a sport-tuned suspension package and 14-inch brakes up front. Customers can also opt for the Aero Package, which includes a chin spoiler and rear wing to go with the Saleen graphics and 18-inch alloy wheels that look to be a take-off of the Dan Gurney Signature Edition Mustang introduced by Saleen last year. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we expect it to be somewhere in the low $40,000 range. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Saleen 435S Mustang

Continue reading Will the real Saleen please stand up? Saleen Performance Vehicles unveils 2010 435S Mustang

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 7.23.09

	Review: 2009 Audi TTS is our Orange Crush... but only just a crush We spent a week with the middle sister of the TT range to see if she could keep our eyes from straying with her upgraded engine, brilliant all-wheel drive and flamboyant paint job. Find out if she succeeded in our review.		Spy Shots: Mystery concept caught in Spain A mini-car concept was spied in Barcelona during a photoshoot and we have no idea what it is. Can you help solve the mystery?
	Officially Official: Porsche CEO and CFO quit, leave the building Thirty-five words announced the ends of two careers at Porsche, with Wendelin Wiedeking and CFO Holge Härter leaving the automaker with immediate effect.	Other news of import Toyota NA President Inaba: Hopes for profit in 2011, NUMMI could be dissolved Don't Tell Mom the College Fund's Dead: Audi R8 V10 to start at $146,000 Veritas reportedly planning RSIII coupe and aircraft-engined SUV Subaru hatches hardcore JDM Impreza WRX Spec C Ford posts $2.3B profit for Q2, $424M operating loss

Pics Aplenty: 2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll"

The AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll" is not another limited-edition Mustang - it's a one-off tribute set to cross the block at this year's Experimental Aircraft Association's Gathering of Eagles charity auction.

The original AV8R netted $500,000 last year, and for 2009, Ford has gone all-out yet again, with a 550-hp Ford Racing Performance Parts supercharger kit, FR500S exhaust, FRPP's Handling Pack and a host of exterior and interior trimmings that make this rolling aircraft-inspired tribute a sight to behold. And now, you can behold it a bit more by checking out our updated high-res image gallery and the making-of video posted below the fold.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll"

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: 2010 Ford Mustang AV-X10 "Dearborn Doll"

BMW throws big cash on the hoods of its U.S. diesel offerings

BMW is offering the rebates on the X5 35d and 335d as an "Eco Credit" to supplement Cash for Clunkers. BMW points out that on top of the up to $4,500 in incentives, buyers of the Bavarian diesels are also eligible for tax credits of $900 for the 335d and $1,800 for the X5 35d. And since the oil-burners are so efficient, BMW estimates fuel savings over four years at $2,000 verses comparable petrol-powered luxury rides.

The program, which runs through August 31, is being advertised as a one-time special offer, but it could also signal a lack of acceptance for diesel-powered luxury vehicles in the US. That would be too bad, though, because the diesel Bimmers we've driven were flat-out terrific, and with 580 miles/tank and a 20% reduction in CO2, they're eco-friendly, too. Hit the jump to read the BMW press release. Hat tip to Why not the LS2LS7.

Gallery: Review: 2009 BMW 335d

Continue reading BMW throws big cash on the hoods of its U.S. diesel offerings