2012 Yamaha FZ6R

For every earth-shattering sportsbike on the market, there’s an entry level version that won’t give you the hardcore performance you’re looking for, but will provide the kind of real-world riding that everybody just falls head over heels for.

The 2012 Yamaha FZ6R is the latter one of those bikes and it has a special feel that makes you comfortable the minute you swing a leg over the seat. It is a sports bike that does not make any earth shattering claims; just a machine that will leave you smiling after each and every ride.

The FZ6R comes with features that make it easy for beginner riders to get started, including a low seat height, a beautiful diamond-steel frame, a sleek fairing, and a Yamaha R6 style exhaust, among other things. The bike also has a built-in lap timer that’s controlled by a right-handlebar switch; there’s also a multi-function digital and analog instrumentation that includes a programmable shift light; a digital speedometer; an analog tachometer; dual tripmeters with miles-on-reserve function; an odometer; water temp gauge; and lights for neutral, high beam, low fuel and turn signals.

The bike is powered by a 599cc DOHC 16-valve, liquid-cooled titanium-valved four-cylinder engine with a compression ratio of 13.1:1, providing great response for a bike of its stature. On top of that, it’ also one of the first Yamaha bikes to come with a Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle system for flawless response under all conditions and a Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake for excellent cylinder filling and a broader powerband.

To give the FZ6R the kind of performance handling a bike of this quality requires, Yamaha used a Deltabox aluminum frame that incorporates GP thinking in terms of engine positioning and rigidity for the ultimate in 600-class handling.

Read More

2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit Pace Car

Let it be known that we love ourselves some Dodge Charger. There’s something undeniably cool about the car that belies its undeniable performance capabilities.

Recently, we found out that a special 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit, the very same one that patrols our streets as a police cruiser, will serve as the official pace car for both the NASCAR Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series races in Phoenix on March 3rd and 4th, 2012. Unlike some of the other pace cars we’ve seen in the past, the Charger Pursuit will be dressed in a matte black finish with matching white accents on the body and a full police livery.

We don’t expect the Charger Pursuit Pace Car to carry the full boat of law-enforcement technology that the police cars carry, but to see one actually taking serving as a pace car for a NASCAR race is beyond cooler words.

We don’t know if the Charger Pursuit Pace Car will carry a 3.6-liter V6 engine that has 292 horsepower or the more powerful 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine that produces 370 ponies. Either way, it’s going to be a real treat to watch the Dodge sports car flex its muscles while leading the pack in Phoenix.

Read More

Honda Fit Supercharger 2012

 Takero, known for turning any wagons, like the Honda Odyssey, into “racing minivans,” recently has just showed off their modified Honda Fit at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon, still there. From the pictures, the Takero’s Fit looks impressive with that yellow paint job. Not only that actually, the most part at this story, our thought, is that wide-body kit with wider tires plus some engine tuning with supercharger fitted to the car.
The Japanese tuner still keeps the details about what engine and the performance of their Fit under the blanket.

Hit over the break to see the live photos of Takero’s Honda Fit at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. Tell us what do you think.

Read More

2012 Toyota Camry Car

The Daytona 500 has been about as ’Americana’ as any sporting event in the US today. The only others that are on that level are the Indy 500 and the SuperBowl. So it’s no surprise that in the 50 years that the event has been held, only one of the pace cars involved doesn’t have an American lineage to it.

That is until now.

Joining the Porsche 914 that was used as a pace car in 1971 is the all-new Toyota Camry, which has been tapped to lead-off the Daytona 500 and open the NASCAR Sprint Cup season next February. But that’s only after it makes an appearance at the 2011 SEMA Auto Show.

In an event that has fielded a steady number of Pontiacs, Buicks, Chevrolets, Fords, and so many other US-born automakers, the decision to choose the 2012 Camry as the official pace car of the 2012 Daytona 500 is a testament to the Japanese automaker’s growing influence in the US stock car world.

The Camry Daytona 500 Pace Car is powered by a 3.5-liter six-cylinder, twin-cam engine that produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb/ft of torque at 4,700 rpm that’s aided by a TRD custom stainless exhaust system.

As a pace car, the Camry comes with its share of "pace car features", including a Tein adjustable suspension system, a Whelen LFL Liberty LED lightbar, an on-board fire extinguisher, four-point Simpson racing seat belts, a full roll cage, and a set of 19" BBS RS wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 tires with a StopTech Big Brake Kit.

For 2012, the Camry will be offered in four different model grades: entry-level L, value-driven LE, premium XLE, and sporty SE. Prices start from $21,955.

Read More

2012 Peugeot RCZ R Concept

Next to the "Onyx" supercar concept, Peugeot will also be unveiling a sweet RCZ R at the upcoming Paris Auto Show. This concept car previews an exclusive, dynamic, and sporty range of the RCZ which is already set for production and will be unveiled in 2013.

The RCZ R will be powered by a 1.6 liter THP engine with an output of 260 HP - making it the most powerful production model in Peugeot’s history. This engine will deliver more than 160 bhp/liter, which is also one of the highest in the world for a production vehicle.

Next to this impressive engine, the RCZ R will feature special suspensions and wheels combined with a Torsen limited slip differential to help in the twisties.

The Peugeot RCZ R that will be displayed in Paris will feature a very cool matte black and copper livery, combined with a special exterior signature and interior treatment.

Read More

2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

The Mercedes C63 AMG is arguably one of the most popular models in the Mercedes AMG line-up. But that isn’t stopping the German automaker to treating its Japanese customer base with a special edition model called the C63 AMG Performance Studio Edition.

Comprised of a comprehensive modification that includes work done on the outside, inside, and engine, the C63 AMG Performance Studio Edition is turning out to become quite a prize for the Japanese folks. It also figures that with all the special edition BMW M3’s out on the market, Mercedes would love to join in on the party with this bad boy, right?

The first thing you’ll notice is the matte black finish given to the car, which is never a bad thing as far as we’re concerned. Mercedes also added a carbon trunk lid spoiler, unique exhaust tailpipes, a new set of 19" multi-spoke black alloy wheels with a red rim, and red brake calipers. Inside, the modifications continue with an interior that’s been dressed in red and black nappa leather with matching red accent stitching. In addition, there’s also a carbon fiber decorative trim, hand-crafted AMG floor mats with nappa leather piping, AMG door lock pins, and a standard Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system.

As far as the engine goes, Mercedes gave the C63 AMG’s 6.2-liter V8 engine with a nice power upgrade, resulting in an increased output of 480 horsepower, up from the standard model’s 451-horsepower output.

The car, like we said, is exclusive to the Japanese market. Pricing has been announced at 15 million Yen, which is about $192,000 based on current exchange rates. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in November 2012.

Read More