The 200bhp nitrous-oxide-powered Suzuki B-King

A 200bhp Suzuki B-King? Yes, yes, yes! We want one of these!
Pics: Superbike

Powered by the Hayabusa’s 1.3-litre engine, the stock Suzuki B-King weighs 262kg and packs around 160bhp. It does the standing quarter-mile (400m) in 10.23 seconds and top speed is about 250km/h. And that, for some people, simply isn’t enough. Which is where the B-King you see here comes in…

The guys at Superbike magazine took their long-term (stock) Suzuki B-King to Big CC Racing for their Stage I makeover: A set of Yoshimura TRC end cans, Dynojet Power Commander III with hub, a nitrous-oxide kit and some airbox mods. Plus a shortened tail unit, replacement LED tail lamp, smaller numberplate and a set of mini indicators to clean up the aesthetics.

The Yoshimura exhaust system looks so right on this bike. This is how Suzuki should have made it in the first place. Now all that needs to be added is a supercharger...

Press the horn button on this bike and the nitrous-oxide system boosts power to around 200bhp. With the speed limiter removed, the Nitro B-King is loud and fast – there’s no mercy ever, for the bike’s Dunlop Qualifier rear tyre. ‘In third gear, at full throttle, pressing the button is like operating a fast-forward switch on a video. The front wheel lifts like it's in first gear, and you're quickly braking to avoid running into the back of slower motorway traffic,’ say the guys at Superbike mag. Brilliant…!

Audi GT3 Sports Car Race Car

The new The Audi GT3 R8 sports car is a race car that will enter into some of the great races of the world sometime next year.
Power for the Audi GT3 has been boosted to 500hp and the engineers digged deep into the technics to conform with GT3 standards. The four-wheel-drive system had to be replaced with a more conventional GT rear-wheel drive system and it is also equipped with a newly developed six-speed sports sequential gear box.The Audi GT3 is a super sports car indeed.

More than 20% of Bugatti Veyrons, are in Dubai

Following the Bugatti Veyron that got a parking ticket a few days ago, here is something new that you could be interested in. Did you know that about 1/5th of Bugatti Veyrons have been sold in Dubai? Consider the 1.5 million people population and the fact that 15 have been sold there and you get a pretty nice ratio, 1 supercar for every 100,000 people.

In the other direction, 37 units have been sold in Great Britain where they have a 60 million population so the rate is pretty bad. I guess business is doing great in Dubai if they have 15 millionaires to afford a Bugatti Veyron.

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

Get your engines ready! These cool concept cars are rolling out at the Tokyo Motor Auto show, which runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 11, 2007. Automakers are getting cute with their space-age designs and miniature models.

At left, Nissan's concept car R.D/B.X is displayed during the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in Chiba, east of Tokyo.
(Yuriko Nakao/Reuters)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

With their futuristic appeal, many look like space capsules.

At left, Japan's automaker Suzuki Motor unveils the concept commuter models, a one-person electric vehicle Pixy, left, and the larger SSC (Suzuki Sharing Coach), right.
(Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

While others got a little pretty, presented in a pink light.

At left, Takeo Fukui, president of Japan's auto giant Honda Motor introduces the concept vehicle PUYO. The small car features ultra-high efficiency, a small frame and fuel cell technology to please both drivers and onlookers alike.
(Toru Yamanaka, AFP/Getty Images)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

Other cars might win over prospective buyers with their bubbly appeal.

At left, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA, introduces the ball-shaped electric concept vehicle Pivo 2.
(Katsumi Kasahara/AP Photo)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

American carmakers weren't afraid to crash the Japanese car party. Randy Krieger, president and chief executive officer of Ford Japan premiered the new Escape Expression concept vehicle, in the background, but also revamped the Mustang, introducing the Mustang GT/CS, foreground.
(Robert Gilhooly, Bloomberg News/Landov)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

Ride to infinity and beyond in this space shuttle-style car, Volkswagen AG's Space UP concept car.
(Haruyoshi Yamaguchi, Bloomberg News /Landov)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

Maybe this Hyundai motor concept car will bring good karma? The South Korean automaker debuted its QarmaQ car, left.
(Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

It's always greener on the other side (door), according to Toyota Motor Corp.'s two-toned design for the concept vehicle RiN.
(Shuji Kajiyama/AP Photo)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

It's never been a better time to be single in the auto world. Toyota Motor Corp. President Katsuaki Watanabe took the automaker's concept single-seat vehicle i-Real for a test run.
(Katsumi Kasahara/AP Photo)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

This red-hot concept car, Daihatsu Motor Co.'s OFC-1, could give other sleek rides a run for their money.
(Haruyoshi Yamaguchi, Bloomberg News /Landov)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

Looking a little bug-eyed, the Mitsuoka Motor Co.'s Orochi Kabuto debuted with it's shiny, round features.
(Shuji Kajiyama/AP Photo)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

"Back to the Future" has nothing on this streamlined concept sports car. Mazda premiered the Taki, aimed at helping to create a sustainable society.
(Toru Yamanaka, AFP/Getty Images)

Tokyo Auto Show

Tokyo Auto Show

Bringing the bling and luxe looks was German auto giant Mercedes-Benz, which debuted the luxury concept car F700. The F700 is equipped with a 1.8-liter turbo-charged engine.
(Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images)

Rumorville: Lexus to Unveil HS250h Dedicated Hybrid in Detroit

There are rumors and there are rumors. And while we don't know if the report from the latest issue of the Japanese car magazine Mag-X concerning the introduction of a dedicated Lexus hybrid sedan at the Detroit Show in January is based on cold hard facts or flying rumors, we must admit that the story sounds totally plausible. Also, let's not forget that the Japanese automaker's president Katsuaki Watanabe has announced that both Toyota and Lexus will expand their hybrid line-up in the near future. Back to Mag-X's story, the magazine says that the Detroit show model will be badged as the HS250h suggesting that the dedicated luxury hybrid sedan will feature a 2.5-liter petrol engine - quite possibly a V6.

The magazine has also accompanied the report with a somewhat unimpressive artist's rendition of the HS250h as well as with a second story on the next-generation 2011 Camry Hybrid that will allegedly get a new Hybrid Synergy Drive system derived from the new 2010 Prius.

Ford isn't killing models to save money

With all the news surrounding General Motors and Chrysler's slicing and dicing to profitability, it's a breath of fresh air to hear that Ford is taking a different tack. The Blue Oval is betting the farm on new models that will lure consumers into showrooms rather than reworking existing models and cutting back development spending.

Speaking with the Detroit News, Ford CEO Alan Mulally said, "We're only going to be in business if we create products that people really do want and value. This is the essence of creating a viable Ford."

Part of the automaker's plan is to invest in the development of small cars in the U.S. and to make those models as profitable as their European counterparts. The recently renegotiated contracts with the UAW should help, but offering the features U.S. consumers crave in a small, inexpensive packages could prove difficult. And new products are only part of the solution.

Ford plans to cut back on advertising spending, reduce salaried payroll by 10% and cut executive bonuses to net between $8-9 billion. All that, along with asset sales and working with Ford Credit, could bring things back into the black (hopefully) and more compelling products have to be part of the plan.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta

[Source: Detroit News]

LA Preview: Volkswagen unveiling Touareg TDI Trophy Truck

If youʻre gonna go tearing through the desert, itʻs best to do it in a clean beast. VW thinks that the new Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck will fit the bill and will unveil the clean diesel machine at the LA Auto Show next week. Powered by a huge 5.5 liter V-12 TDI Twin Turbo diesel engine with 550 horsepower and 625 lbs.-ft. of torque, this isn't a vehicle designed for efficiency. No sir, but there are two Dow Automotive Diesel Particle Filters in the exhaust stream. See, it's clean. Hehe. Following the LA debut, the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck will have a go at the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race. We'll have all the details on Wednesday.

Gallery: VW Touareg TDI Trophy Truck

[Source: Volkswagen]

Toyota iQ wins Japanese Car of the Year

It may be little, but Toyota's iQ seems to have made a big impact on those voting for Japan's Car of the Year awards. In fact, the final tally wasn't even close, as the diminutive iQ managed to score a perfect ten from 39 of the 65 jurors, earning a total of 526 votes. That total bests the second place finisher, the Citroën C5, by over 300 votes. Somewhat surprisingly, the mighty Nissan GT-R only snagged the bronze, despite its world-beating performance and attractive price point. It just goes to show you that the world's priorities have shifted from outright performance to clever design and fuel efficiency.

Toyota's closest competitor for microcar supremecy is the smart fortwo. That car only seats two while the iQ manages to double that seating capacity by use of an extremely well thought-out design. Rumors has it that the Japanese COTY will come to America wearing a Scion badge and will spawn a number of unique variants. Now that's something to look forward to.

Gallery: 2009 Toyota iQ

[Source: Inside Line]

Fiat 500 Abarth "DA 0 A 100": Special Edition Version in Memory of Karl Abarth

If there's one thing that there's not running short of in Turin, that's special versions of the Fiat 500. The latest limited edition of the 500 minicar is based on the sporty Abarth and it has been created to mark Karl Abarth's centenary. Called 500 Abarth "DA 0 A 100", this particular version is equipped with a modified 1.4-liter turbocharged engine delivering 160HP and a peak torque of 230 Nm. The commemorative model also features different gear ratios helping it to reach 100 km/h (60mph) from a standing start in 7.3 sec. The "DA 0 A 100's" top speed is 211 km/h or 131mph.

Furthermore, Abarth's engineers improved the 500s stopping power by adding perforated disc brakes front and rear and high performance front brake pads. Other modifications include a new air filter "powered by BMC", special low springs and new 17" alloy wheels – with chrome-plated hub covers and Scorpion logo in relief – complete with Pirelli PZero Nero 205/40 R16 ZR 17 tires.

On the outside, the special edition 500 Abarth stands out for its Nuvolari Grey bodywork complemented by the side stripe with a tone-on-tone effect, the chrome-plated identification badges and wing mirror cases as well as the four (...) exhaust tailpipes.

The interior gets the same kind of treatment with special leather seats in 'hide' color featuring silver stitching. The thumb-rests on the steering wheel (the centre is decorated with the Italian flag) are also covered with hide colored leather, while the gear lever knob, the kick plate branded "da 0 a 100" and the special "da 0 a 100" plate with the number of the car are all aluminum. The same "da 0 a 100" branding can be found on the fuel tank cover, the ignition key fob and the car cover.

Fiat hasn't announced pricing yet but the Italians did reveal that only a total of 101 units will be manufactured.