The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a very cool car. Mainly for a younger crowd, the Coupe gives us the quintessential sports-car layout: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (FR,) on a lightweight, fun-to-drive platform for a measly $23,000 (starting price.) And what do nearly all import tuners do with an FR layout sports car? Well, they drop in a humongous LS1 V8 from a Corvette, of course.

We originally saw this car at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas last November. And now it’s for sale – for only $45,000.

Mated to a Magnusun Roots Style Supercharger and T56 Manual Transmission (used in everything from a Dodge Viper to the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish,) this bad boy puts out somewhere around 560 hp to the wheels. Yes, that’s ridiculously fast.

Of course, more than just the engine and transmission were modified to achieve this sort of power. The builders, Enjuku Racing, also installed and replaced all sorts of internals, modified the suspension to BC Racing Coilovers, added a Quaife LSD, BC Racing Wheels, a Wilwood 14″ Front Big Brake Kit to slow all that momentum, SPEC Stage 1 Clutch & Flywheel, ISIS Performance Race Exhaust, Custom headers, Hurst Short shifter, Sparco racing seats, a Carbon Fiber body kit (including the hood, trunk, lip, and roof skin,) and plenty of other minor goodies to make the car safe to drive.

The parts total: $51,000 alone. You can buy the car without the supercharger, but why would you want to? Either way, Enjuku Racing will dyno and tune the car for you upon purchase.

Check out the short driving video of the car:

The supercharger popping out the top looks pretty funny, but it sure does sound good.

If you’ve got $45k to blow on a one-of-a-kind show car from Enjuku, check out the eBay listing for more info and pictures: 2011 Enjuku Racing Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Related posts:

1. Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept Unveiled
2. Hyundai Adding Turbocharged Veloster, Refreshed Genesis Coupe
3. Detroit: Hyundai Genesis Coupe Adds Serious Power

Our collective favorite television show, Top Gear (the original British version,) is about to release the most recent Season 17 on Blu-Ray and DVD, and we’re giving away three free copies to you, lucky readers of Automoblog.net. Keep reading for how to enter and to see a description of the season.

It’s simple to enter – just Share this article on Facebook and/or Twitter, fill out the short form below, and you’re entered! When the release date rolls around on February 28th, we’ll draw a random winner from all the eligible entries, and three lucky souls will have a DVD or Blu-Ray (your choice) sent to them in the mail.

The only information we need now is in the form below. If you win, we’ll also need your mailing address (duh.)

If you share on both Facebook and Twitter, you get two entries!

Step 1: Share this on Facebook or Twitter – we’ve even made it easy for you; just click on one or both of the sharing buttons below:

Step 2: Just fill out this short form:

It’s that easy! We’ll let you know if you’re a winner on February 28th!

Here’s the description of Top Gear Season 17:

It’s time for the next installment of madness, mayhem, and motor hilarity from Top Gear, the world’s most popular car entertainment show and “the best unscripted series on television” according to the San Francisco Chronicle. This season begins with host Jeremy Clarkson throwing a low key party for the 50th anniversary of the legendary Jaguar E-type—complete with live music, classic fighter planes and a group of Royal Marines. And that’s just the start…

This season finds host James May testing the durability of the Range Rover Evoque by driving it through California’s Death Valley, before testing it for luxury by turning up in Las Vegas with a passenger who looks suspiciously familiar. Host Richard Hammond heads to South Africa to test a bigger, even more rugged alternative to the famous Hummer while James meets up with gold medal winning British Olympian skeleton racer Amy Williams for a wintry test of the latest Mini rally car. The boys then head to Italy to take part in a series of tricky challenges (and increasingly loud arguments) as they attempt to find the world’s best hot hatchback. In an attempt to make train travel cheaper, faster and more interesting, the boys replace the conventional train cars with a series of campers attached to a specially modified car. It’s either the world’s most ingenious idea or the prelude to the world’s biggest accident. And in a fantastic showcase of destruction, the boys are challenged to knock down a row of derelict houses in less time than it takes a team of demolition experts to do the same job. “Celebrities in a Reasonably Priced Car” include rock legend Alice Cooper, Mr. Bean himself Rowan Atkinson, comedian Ross Noble and Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel. All this and more in six action-packed episodes.

Bonus features include:
· Bonus episode from Top Gear US
· New series introduction by Clarkson and May
· Behind-the-scenes chats with Amy Williams and Ross Noble
· Behind-the-scenes Celebrity Laps

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Proficient communication skills have long allured the willing to believe or experience. Advertising and marketing is the based on the principles that the right messages to a wide audience can the key to supremacy within industry competition. As consumers will determine afterwards whether a product or service lives up to the promise of its advertisement, the effective broadcast spot an asset all corporations and businesses stride to possess. With a wide range of brand identities trying to embed themselves in the minds of consumers, the auto industry use of promotional tools could involve the perfect, creative method for attracting the new car purchaser.

Not enough to lure potential customers with radio, television and Internet advertisements, automakers must draws eyes previewing of what can be expected during an ownership experience. The customary test drive has long been the way car dealerships to reinforce their car or truck’s attributes, technology has given an even more engaging experience to play a companion role in between ads and actual product use. With the latest mobile apps, smartphone and computer tablet users are now courted to partake in many aspects of a potential vehicle including styling choices. Started December 20th, Hyundai Motors America unleashed one of the world’s largest racing video game experience.

Providing a free auto racing simulator through the Apple App Store called Hyundai Race, gamers with iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad devices can engage a large screen in New York’s Times Square through an interactive challenge. Featuring Hyundai‘s sporty new Veloster compact, mobile App users engaging the program within the Hyundai Race WiFi network (set-up for the game alone) are given a free chance to control a virtual vehicle. Accurate steering and speed controls for the computer-generated three-door Veloster is given to a mobile device user as they compete for highest score in front of hundreds (if not thousands) of people in witness. At the end of a player’s turn playing Hyundai Race, the game broadcasts the round’s score. Hyundai Race scores will also be ranked among all other competitors in Times Square.

In the early 20th century advertisement market, Times Square was a super station broadcasting the brands and products of major corporations. Permitting the use of large billboards on buildings since 1916, New York City’s Times Square has turned the area into what is known as “The Crossroads of the World”. Auto companies First advertising in the famous New York locale in 1925, General Motors held a constant presence that came to a brief suspension in 2009 when the auto company filed for bankruptcy. GM’s first sign consisted of 5,000 neon lights constructing a 100-foot advertisement message. Today’s Times Square billboards are brought to life by complex but ultra-efficient LED panels.

A temporary attraction within one of the most famous metropolitan hotspots in the world, Times Square visitors will have until the end of the 2011 calendar year to engage the virtual Hyundai Veloster on the uniquely large arcade. Hyundai has stated the racing game experience will be followed-up with many other interactive experiences in the Times Square area in coming year.

Information source: Hyundai Motors America, Inventing Times Square: Commerce and Culture at the Crossroads of the World by William R. Taylor
Photo Source: Hyundai Motors America

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Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or even Festivus, this is the time of the year where we show appreciation to family, friends and sometimes relative strangers. When shopping for the automotive lover, a visit to an auto parts store may not be the ideal place to acquire that most heartfelt item. Car commercials are currently suggesting buying the gift for that special someone is an automaker’s 2012 model. For those struggling to find a BMW 5 Series for sale let alone the new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe within the holiday gift price limit, an auto brand-approved product could be the key to satisfying that German car fan.

For this 2011 holiday season, the BMW Lifestyle department is highlighted by a few items certain to rush the blood for the car make known for merging luxury and performance.

BMW M Tie

Price: $83.17

Always the default gift idea for the adult male the neck tie presents an endless assortment of choices that could easily make it a hit or miss for the recipient. All but guaranteed to be a winning gift for the male or even female BMW fan in the family, the M tie allows someone to wear the pride for their favourite automobile. Cut from 100% Italian silk, the fiery red BMW M tie is a classy accompaniment to an enthusiast’s brand new BMW M5 (existing either on the driveway or in their daydreams). Smartly embroidered at the bottom of this BMW tie is the brand’s M division logo. The BMW M Tie also comes in blue.

BMW M Bike Carbon Racer

Price: $3,579.01

Perhaps more storied than BMW’s history on four wheels is the German brand’s prestige on two wheels. Building motorcycles since 1923, BMW’s lifestyle line-up also includes a selection of bicycles. Introduced late this year, a new high-end model called the M Bike Carbon Racer brings the performance and engineering BMW car buyers can shown expect.

Catered to high-performance riding, BMW M Bike Carbon Racer is a top-quality bicycle utilizing Shimano Ultegra gears and brake hardware. Featuring an ultra-light frame made of carbon fiber, the BMW M Bike Carbon Racer weighs a meager 7.4 kilograms (16.3 pounds). Lightweight, strength and durability are other redeeming properties to the BMW M Bike Carbon Racer’s construction. Fans of the auto company will recall the increased use of carbon fiber is becoming a centerpiece in the BMW i division’s electrified cars line-up.

BMW X6 Remote-Controlled Car

Price: Approximately $53.00

A great way to energize pride of the new generation of BMW enthusiasts or for entertaining the kids at heart, the BMW X6 Remote-Controlled product captures the essence of the unique sport crossover vehicle. Less flamboyant than the at least 300-horsepower full-sized BMW X6, the 1:14 scale recreation in remote-control form will sail quickly across carpet and perform stunningly on hardwood floor. The detailed miniature recreation of the BMW X6 exterior can be ordered in either red or white.

BMW Golf Bag

 Price: $278.95

Having completed errands in the BMW X3 or X5 during the weekend, the country club could be the place where a couple would venture to relax. As the Mr and/or Mrs decide pass time with 9-holes of golf, the automotive spirit of their BMW product can provide an additional pride in the game.

Created in partnership with golf equipment specialist OGIO, the BMW-branded nylon bag can hold up to 10 clubs and features dedicated pockets for many items including a water bottle. Offered in black with white and silver accents, the BMW golf bag also comes in a snappy and elegant white version. Other golf accessories inside the BMW Lifestyle line-up will allow the automotive-related golf bag to quickly fill. A dozen Titleist ProV1 golf balls featuring the BMW logo can be added underneath the tree for $61.50 to promptly prepare for the driving range or putting practice at the office.

BMW Ballpoint Pen

Price: $95.00

Recently, BMW consulted a survey determining that the art of handwriting is far from extinction. According to the BMW Handwritten Beauty Survey, 52 percent of people asked actually enjoy writing by hand with only 10.5 percent believing that an electronic message can communicate as effectively as a pen-scribed letter. Offering high-end fountain and ballpoint pens, BMW appreciates the need for their brand loyalists to be seen, heard as well as remembered.

The BMW ballpoint pen wears high gloss black outer shell while the rhodium components completing the stellar writing utensil. Engravings on the top and the center ring of the BMW ballpoint pen insure a writer’s hand is gripping an unusual type of luxury performance.

Many of these gifts are available through the BMW Lifestyle Acccessories channel.

Information and photo source: BMW Group

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Auto manufacturers today realize the car ownership experience must be a far-extending phenomenon to promote loyalty. Auto companies like Ferrari fosters favour for vehicles like the latest 458 Italia thanks to a wide merchandising chain. Mopar merchandise and Mercedes-Benz apparel have also been hot sellers as companions for diehard brand followers blossoming into a meaningful side business. Thanks to the mobile app marketplace, the connection to drivers has become virtual. While some of the popular smartphone and tablet apps attract the enthusiast experience of a vehicle, others provide important methods to link customers to needed service. The OnStar RemoteLink and Audi Roadside App are a few emerging examples for how a smartphone application can provide distressed drivers with relief. Just in time for the numerous holiday treks, Acura owners will have an enhanced roadside assistance service utilizing mobile devices.

The AcuraLink Owner’s Mobile App is devised as a companion to the existing Acura Roadside Assistance Programs. Currently available only on Apple iPhone devices, owners of 2012 Acura vehicles such as the revised TL sedan or TSX Sport Wagon gain a free tool for a range of automotive services.

Created in partnership with their roadside service provider Cross Country Automotive Services, the AcuraLink Owner’s Mobile App regularly serves the user with a valuable emergency link. Whether a vehicle needs a tow, battery jump-start or if an owner is locked out of their vehicle, the Acura Roadside Assistance services can be easily dispatched through the AcuraLink Owner’s Mobile App software. The Apple iPhone’s GPS technology guides the roadside service personnel to the user’s location easing potentially lost motorists. Providing the contact information of the towing company as well as an estimated time of arrival, Acura owners are given an increased sense security in moments assurance is important.

The roadside assistance services provided at no charge to Acura owners under warranty as a 24-hour, 7 days a week protection. Acura drivers outside of this vehicle coverage plan for an additional fee. AcuraLink Owner’s Mobile App can be downloaded on the Apple App Store or from the Acura.com website page. The AcuraLink Owner’s Mobile App is presently not available on Android, Blackberry or other wireless devices.

Acura has been very susceptible to the tough 2011 calendar year for Honda Automobiles. Due to the great dependence on the Honda’s Japanese resources for cars as well as parts, Acura suffered lighter inventories because of the March earthquake and tsunami disaster. Aside from production impairments, Honda’s premium car brand is suffering from less than ambitious activity as most of the 2012 Acura line-up remains largely unchanged. At the end of October 2011, Acura division sales in the United States are down to 6.6 percent. Acura has been able to claim a technological edge over luxury car rivals and are relying on their enhancement through the App could be a building block.

Information and photo source: American Honda Motor Company

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Sunny days keeping the clouds away. For almost every youngster of the past 40 years, these words are instantly assessed from memory as the cheery opening to the popular educational/entertainment program Sesame Street. Based on teachings that have led us down a direct path during childhood, how would you like having your favourite Sesame Street guide you through the real world destination? Thanks spirit of cooperation demonstrated on Sesame Street, Locutio Voice Technologies with The Sesame Network provides TomTom customers long-time muppet friends Bert and Ernie as a downloadable voice guide.

Perhaps catering predominantly to parents who want to amuse their children during the trips to schools or other obligations, the Bert and Ernie voice download for TomTom could also be suited individual who wants to reconnect with their simpler childhood (I‘ll never judge). Part of an ongoing ability to bring character to once-faceless voice of a GPS unit, Locutio Voice Technologies has been involved in offering downloadable celebrity voices compatible with the products of Garmin and TomTom. Locutio Voice Technologies most recent collaborations have provided Star Wars universe’s Yoda and Darth Vader as well as the world’s most beloved dysfunctional father Homer Simpson.

Unique with the Bert and Ernie voice download is both characters share the turn-by-turn instruction duties. Making for what could be one of the most entertaining audio shows ever the come out of a TomTom GPS unit, some of the chatter expected from the navigation device through the Bert and Ernie download includes Ernie saying “U-turn ahead, Bert.” only for Bert to question “Just me turn?”. Resolving the confusion between the muppets, Ernie clarifies “All of us Bert.” Another Bert and Ernie sound sample “after 300 meters (that’s 3-0-0) we have reached our destination” followed by the playful laughs of the Sesame Street characters.

Costing $12.95 US, the Bert and Ernie voice download can be purchased through the TomTom website. Capable of installation when a compliant TomTom device is connected to your home computer, Bert and Ernie should join your daily driving routine as easy 1-2-3.

If you are considering the download for your TomTom device or if you need convincing to buy a navigational system ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas, maybe a special presentation from the Sesame Street duo can persuade a parent. Promoting the new Bert and Ernie voice download, TomTom has released some behind the scenes footage as the characters themselves are recording their messages. Uploaded to Youtube by the GPS unit provider, over two and a half minute clip is brought to you by the letter H; the letter H standing for hilarious. Judging the computer literacy rate of young children, the moment the pair breaks into their friendly bickering a parent will be hard pressed to not fork out the $12.95 US for Bert and Ernie to join car rides.

Information and photo source: TomTom

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Supplying 21st century with once-unobtainable access to a vehicle, a dizzying assortment of smartphone and tablet apps provides the driver with an out-of-car experience. Over the course of the past two years, virtually every automaker is now engaged with a brand-specific mobile application making their automotive products more accessible than ever before. Managing fuel consumption, connecting car breakdown cover companies or customizing a virtual car to the liking of a potential buyer, today’s merger of automotive and computer technology has spawned multiple apps worth highlighting.

OnStar RemoteLink

Developed as one of the early widespread adopters of vehicle telemetric technology, General Motors launched OnStar on 1997 model year Cadillacs. Becoming a technology that would be credited for saving lives in crashes and recovering vehicles through Stolen Vehicle Tracking, OnStar handed smartphone users their own free app designed to work in conjunction with existing plans.

Working on most Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles equipped with OnStar, their RemoteLink mobile app feeds real-time information including fuel tank contents, oil life and tire pressures. Also available on the OnStar RemoteLink app is the ability to remotely lock or unlock a vehicle from anywhere within phone signal. For Chevrolet Volts, the OnStar RemoteLink app allows the user to monitor battery capacity and dictate electric charging times. A new feature available through the OnStar RemoteLink app relates to navigation. A mobile app use of OnStar RemoteLink can refer a destination to the OnStar center and will receive directions immediately on an in-dash navigation system or through the OnStar Turn-by-Turn service.

Rolls-Royce Ghost App

While even this so-called entry level Rolls-Royce Ghost’s six-figure price tag is beyond the means of many motorists, an Apple app allows practically anyone to bask in the glow of excess glamour. Designed for use on the Apple iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad, the Rolls-Royce Ghost app operates as a sales tool for the lucky of us who can even consider the super-luxury sedan. Providing a photorealistic virtual model of exterior as well as interior surfaces that can be tailored to an assortment of available colours and materials, the magnificence of Royce-Royce’s Ghost sedan is obtainable for all in the app world.

BMW i DriveNow and MyCityWay

A bold undertaking for the Munich, Germany automaker BMW, their radical sub-brand will become an epicenter of innovation. Presenting distinctive electrified vehicles to the marketplace by 2013, BMW i is also involved in spearheading several indirect ventures. The mobile apps DriveNow and MyCityWay fit into the planning for rethinking the way people commute.

Operating only in Munich and Berlin at this time, DriveNow is a vehicle by-demand service that allows users to quickly rent a car. Similar to several drive-sharing services set up in major cities, the BMW i supported business of DriveNow uses the mobile app to direct customers to available BMW and MINI products. Drivers will be billed by the minute for vehicle usage through the service.

MyCityWay is a comprehensive mobile application providing a complete collection of information relating to specific city areas. Merging as many as 50 Apps or more, MyCityWay provides mobile users everything from locating the nearest public restroom to the hippest events in town. Transit, weather and traffic alerts are also part of this extensive mobile app intended to minimize time traveling between destinations. Available for 40 cities at the end of 2011 on continents in Asia, Europe and in the Americas, MyCityWay is preparing for greater expansion in the near future along with the DriveNow service.

Ford Mustang Customizer App

Introduced in mid-September, Ford conceived a fun and interactive way for the tech world’s young citizen to relate to a vehicle that caused such uproars in the mid-1960s. Appearing first as a web-based program for desktop and laptop computers, the Mustang Customizer experience has migrated to the an app available through iPhone and Android supported devices. Providing an assortment of exterior dress-up equipment, 2012 Ford Mustang products (including the Boss 302 edition) can be customized to countless colour and factory available accessories.

Audi Roadside Assistance App

Designed to work with Audi Roadside Assistance coverage packages, the new service app available on Apple iPhones, Android and select Blackberry phones is free for use by covered motorists. Providing expedited breakdown coverage, owners in need of jump-start, fuel delivery or tire repair will have help arrive even in hard to distinguished locations thanks to a phone’s GPS capability. A great companion with Audi’s breakdown insurance plans, the Audi Roadside Assistance App can also allow owners of the luxury brand vehicles find the closest service center.

MyFord Mobile App

Prepared for the upcoming Ford Focus Electric vehicle, the MyFord Mobile App was devised to help future owners navigate with their zero emissions lifestyle. Relaying information pivotal for allowing users to optimize the capacity of the lithium-ion battery pack, MyFord Mobile App provides a driver the ability to calculate routes in relations to the available battery power storage. Recording your recent driving, the MyFord Mobile App allows you to download your vehicle’s data. Users can also share ownership milestones over social media networks Twitter and Facebook. Other basic features presented through MyFord Mobile App also includes door lock/unlock capability as well as GPS location of the Ford Focus Electric vehicle.

Information and photo source: Audi AG, BMW, Ford Motor Company, General Motors

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Ford Motor Company has been riding high on their ability to embrace new realities of 21st century motoring. An auto company that has been a forerunning architect not just for motoring but general human culture since the Model T, Ford Motor Company main advantage has been integrating technology at just the right time. From the creation of Ecoboost engines to the wide adoption of their SYNC technology across Ford and Lincoln vehicles, the pattern to embrace this latest era where mastery of software as well as hardware dictates success.

Introduced in select 2011 model year vehicles including the Edge crossover, Ford buyers have been acquainting themselves to a premium infotainment system called MyFord Touch. Employing touchscreen and voice activated wizardry for simple tasks such as adjusting cabin temperature or stereo controls, MyFord Touch enhances SYNC features such as navigation. Much like the trend with the latest Apple electronic products, MyFord Touch is ready to launch a new, improved version providing users with more capabilities. Unlike the latest phone or tablet however, current ownership of MyFord Touch insure

A series of changes based upon the input from customers a new, faster MyFord Touch was created on the recommendations. In the newest upgrade of MyFord Touch, the graphic appearance has been improved for better readability. Featuring bigger, bolder fonts, the 8-inch touchscreen will also cast a crisper overall presentation of over 1,000 screens. Ford has pinpointed older motorists and passengers will benefit with the enhanced screen graphics most. Along with the better display of MyFord Touch, customer opinions drive the reengineered software to more quickly detect and react to touchscreen interaction.

Beyond the improve touchscreen interface, MyFord Touch’s Nuance powered voice recognition technology is also designed for faster response. Music and navigation voice searches are now simplified with the enhanced software supplying a more user-friendly experience. For sports fans, the new MyFord Touch awaits your voice-activated cheer. Through the new service Sirius Game Finder, a command can automatically locate a satellite radio broadcast of your favourite team or sport.

MyFord Touch technology expands to support two new media experiences. While the current MyFord Touch recognizes popular smartphones and media players including the iPhone, the upgraded software will now allow interactivity with tablets such as the iPad through USB connection. Added to the new MyFord Touch, drivers will have the opportunity to listen to audio books with Audible.com support. Other advancements Ford customers will note with the MyFord Touch is better hands-free phone experiences. Prompter automatic Bluetooth connectivity and improved noise cancellation are features that more engaged chatters would appreciate as they safely drive their Ford product. Navigation services through the new MyFord Touch will also receive an updated database that includes better imagery.

Arriving installed on the all-new Ford Escape, Flex and Taurus for the 2013 model year, owners of vehicles already equipped with MyFord Touch can expect a special delivery in the new year. During the early part of 2012, Ford Motor Company will mail a USB flash drive to United States customers with the key software enhancements. Simply needing to plug the USB device into the corresponding port on the vehicle, MyFord Touch will be updated. Ford also offers less technologically inclined owners the option of taking their vehicle to a dealer service center for the software installation.

Allowing updates for MyFord Touch is the second significant time that the Ford Motor Company has taken it amongst themselves to enhance their vehicles post-sale. In the second half of last year, the automaker invited buyers of the 2011 Ford Super Duty back to the dealership for a no-cost power boost made possible through a modification to the engine‘s electronics. When most previous times an auto company notifications would involve recall or other service requests, Ford is providing an interesting way in preserving owner’s interest in their products.

Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company

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So what rims would be best for your ride? Well, when it comes to wheel styles, with an assortment of offerings available on the market today, your choice is literally limited to your fantasy. But, before talking about the appearance and performance capabilities, there are several important basics you need to know to choose the right wheels for your car, truck, or SUV.

What wheels are right for your ride?

Construction

There are several types of wheel construction. Each method varies in strength, weight, durability, and price.

Cast aluminum wheels

These are the most common – and the lowest priced – wheels that are typically found on factory vehicles. Cast aluminum wheels are manufactured by putting molten aluminum into a wheel-shaped mold. This can be accomplished two ways: gravity casting, which is the most basic process, and low pressure casting, which allows creating of more dense wheels.

Pros: cheap to produce, strong enough for the majority of consumers
Cons: heavy, not as smooth as forged wheels, nearly impossible to repair.

Flow-Formed / Rolling-Forged wheels

Flow forming process starts out with a low pressure type of casting, but then it uses special high-heat and high-pressure spinning machine to form the outer hoops. The resulting wheel is similar to a forged wheel but it’s not as expensive in production.

Pros: lighter and stronger than cast wheels, retain low price, better looks and wider selection of styles.
Cons: still has limits if a cast wheel, limited custom fitments.

Flow-forming process

1-piece “Monoblock” forged wheels

Monoblock wheels are created by forcing a round bar stock of aerospace-quality aluminum alloy between the forging dies under extreme pressure. Forging is an ultimate technology in one-piece wheels. It creates a finished wheel that is very dense and lightweight. Naturally, the costs of assembly make this type of wheel sit on the higher end of the market price range.

Pros: lightest of the forged wheel types.
Cons: high price, hard to repair when seriously damaged.

Asanti Monoblock Wheel

2-piece forged wheels

2-pieced forged wheels divide into another two classes. Some manufacturers bolt the center of the two-piece wheel into a cast or spun rim section, while others weld the center to the hoop on the backside of the wheel. The prices for 2-piece wheels start well below the average 3-piece wheel, but two-piece rim are not available in as wide range of applications. Higher-end 2-piece wheels may use forged rims and forged centers, which make them significantly pricier.

Pros: cheapest in forged wheels; very light, very strong and can be repaired.
Cons:limited widths options available, lip on welded 2-piece wheels cannot be easile chrome plated or painted, since it has to be welded on; bolted construction 2-piece wheels are more rarely found in the market.

MHT 2-piece Luxury Wheel

3-piece bolted construction forged wheels

Due to the high cost of tooling, and CAD technologies involved, three-piece forged wheels are commonly the most expensive type of wheel construction. The wheel consists of three main pieces (obviously) – the center, the outer lip and the inner hoop. All parts are normally held together with bolts and sealant applied in or on the assembly to seal the wheel. Sometimes three-piece wheels can be seen with cast aluminum centers. Such wheels are naturally cheaper, but the quality and weight of the cast centers are not as good as forged.

Pros: come in widest range of widths; almost unlimited fitments; easiest of all wheel constructions to repair; the richest selection of styles available.
Cons: most expensive of all wheels; require truly skillful installation as seal can be damaged easily in the inexperienced hands.

Choosing the right size

When changing wheels, be sure to select a replacement with a bolt pattern or circle that matches the OEM pattern of your vehicle. For example, the 2010 Camaro has a 5X120.7 wheel hub, which indicates that the wheel has five bolt holes on a circle with a diameter 120.7mm. More and more manufacturers are making their wheels with two bolt patterns to expandthe number of fitments the wheel applies to. For example: a wheel with a 4-100/114.3 bolt pattern has 8 lug nuts and will fit both 4-100mm and 4-114.3mm wheel hubs.

Another parameter to look at is the wheel size, which is the diameter of the wheel in inches where the beads of the tire sits on the wheel. The diameter designations for both the tire and the rim must be of the same value. Thus, a 17’’ tire must be mounted only on a 17’’ rim. Also, check what rim widths are recommended by the manufacturer of tires that you consider. To reach the best balance between ride, handling and treadwear, select a rim width in the middle of the manufacturer’s recommended range. To improve cornering traction and steering response, opt in for the max rim width in the range. For example, if the tire size is P225/70R15 and the recommended rim width range is 6’’-8’’, select the 7’’ rim for optimum performance and 8’’ for better cornering. If you’re choosing wheel for off-roading, select a rim near the minimum recommended width value.

The flange-to-flange wheel width should never be more than the tread width of the tire.

In addition to choosing wheels with the correct bolt pattern and rim width, you should also choose a wheel with the correct offset, unless you’re building a hellaflush of course. The offset is the distance from the hub-mounting surface to the rim’s true centerline. It’s measured in milimeters and can be negative, zero, or positive.

The offset of the rim is what locates the tire/wheel assembly in relation to the suspension. That’s why in order to maintain handling characteristics and avoid extra loads on bushings and ball joints, it is important to keep the front axle offsets on the FWD and AWD vehicles to the OEM specifications. Using the proper positive or negative offset for the vehicle’s rear wheels is important, but less so than using it at the front where the bearing load situation is critical.

Stretched tires, low offset & wide wheels are parts of the "aggressive fitment" movement in car customization

Selecting aftermarket wheels, make sure that their centerbore (the size of the hole on the back side the wheel that centers it over the mounting hub of the car) is equal or greater that that of the hub, otherwise you will not be able to mount it on the car.

As you can see, there’s a lot of nuances to pay attention to when choosing custom wheels for your vehicle. Did I miss anything important? Share your own experience and tips in the comments!

Author byline: Justin is a sales specialist at CARiD, a one-stop shop for car accessories by day, and a proud Mustang owner and just an outgoing guy by night. You can check more of his posts on CARiD Blog.

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Almost 80 years ago, the first factory-installed AM band radio was sold on General Motors cars. Before the advent of portable transistor radios in the late 1950s, the car stereo system was the only way to be entertained on the go. As motoring history progressed, mobile audio adopted crisper FM stations and recordable media. In the past decade, satellite and HD radio have been working to penetrate a crowded media market that quickly favoured the more portable music choices.

Indulging in the wide mobile entertainment spectrum of up to 45,000 AM/FM and Internet stations, Livio Internet Radio App is a new option for driving accompaniment is now combining traditional car stereo system as well as the extended reach of popular smartphones. Improving on their previous methods of transmission through a FM transmitter device, Livio Radio has evolved into the realm of Bluetooth. The Bluetooth Internet Radio Car Kit is the latest innovation created as a seamless way to harness a wide selection of audio enjoyment. The Livio Bluetooth Internet Radio Car Kit needs only to be plugged into the 12-volt power accessory outlet within the vehicle The Livio Radio car adapter kit has recently been introduced for sale in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalogue for $99.95 plus shipping.

One of the most continuously satisfying qualities of the Livio Radio is realized at the end of every month. Where satellite radio requires paid subscriptions to access content, the Livio Car Internet Radio App does not obligate users to pay monthly fees. Requiring only a simple download onto an Apple iPhone or Android-supported smartphone, the Livio Radio comes alive as a member of the vast mobile app community. Two versions of the app are available through the Apple iTunes Store as well as the Android Marketplace sites. Firstly, there is a free Livio Radio app empowering a device with several hundred Internet broadcast stations. To gain accessibility to the 42,000 through the RadioTime directory, the purchase of a $4.99 upgrade to the Livio Radio app is a one-time charge.

Using the Livio Car Internet Radio app, the user can choose a desired station through directly tuning, by recommendation or simply through easy search options. A variety of search options include language, radio station call letters and by station format (for example All-Talk or Classic Rock).

As an endless assortment of radio and music apps is presented on smartphone devices (with the iPhone essentially developed from a music player), the inquiry of why the Livio Car Internet Radio is any better is answered through driving. Optimized for automotive use, the Livio Car Internet Radio app presents a layout Helpful for motorists who use GPS navigation from their iPhone devices, the Livio Car Internet Radio app can run in the background through Safari.

An aftermarket audio system, the Livio Car Internet Radio App along with the corresponding hardware will face healthy competition from factory-installed new media options. On select 2012 model year Toyota products, the option of Internet-based iHeartRadio provides 800 stations with their available multimedia unit Entune. Many automakers including Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford are offering access to Internet radio source Pandora. The Livio Bluetooth Internet Radio Car Kit also has compatitability with Pandora as well as Grooveshark.

Thanks to the increasing audio broadcast technology incorporated in modern vehicles, it appears the spirit of radio is alive and well.

Information source: Hammacher Schlemmer, Livio Radio, Toyota Motor Corporation
Photo source: Hammacher Schlemmer, Livio Radio

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What?

Well it’s a gas, or a chemical or something. Do you really care what it actually is? Either way, here’s the facts. Your engine, just like your body, needs oxygen to work. The more oxygen it gets, the more efficiently it burns fuel. Nitrous releases oxygen as it burns, so as long as there’s more fuel there, there’s more power. Plus the nitrous also cools as it works, creating even more oxygen. Almost too much oxygen.

The nitrous comes in small compressed bottles stored in the car and sent to your engine via lines that you control from the seat of your Honda Civic or similar. Fascinating fact: the drag racing term ‘funny cars’ comes from the fact that this is the same nitrous oxide used in the dentist’s office, known as ‘laughing gas’. Though the vehicular nitrous has some weird stuff added to it and so shouldn’t be huffed. Not that you would ever do anything like that.

Which?

In the old days, only ‘dry’ nitrous kits were available, which just squirted nitrous into your system using the fuel that was already available in the car. Then the scientists took over. Or possibly maverick mechanics working in petrol stations under the cover of darkness. They came up with the more advanced ‘wet’ kits which added nitrous and fuel together, thus producing a crazy drag racing with a male model in downtown Tokyo sort of situation. This magical alchemy of fuel and Nos either happens in or around the intake manifold or else id applied straight into the cylinders, depending on the injection system you use.

Why?

Hey, can you think of a better way to give your beautiful car a quick, happy burst of power? Nitrous Oxide is fairly cheap, in the old cash versus horsepower equation we all love. The kits are pretty easy to install and you can easily switch the whole thing off if you don’t fancy it.

How?

I’m so happy you asked! You’ll send away for your Nos kit which should include your compressed bottle of nitrous, the lines to send it to the engine, the injectors, solenoids and all the nuts and switches you need to put it together. Plus detailed handy dandy instructions on how it should be installed. Make sure your bottles are mounted securely. As with all compressed things, they can blow up if knocked around.

So you have your lovely cylinder containing pressurized liquid nitrous oxide in your boot or other car-based hidey-hole. Using the magical properties of the hose it is connected to an electric solenoid valve. The valve lives under the bonnet and is turned on and off by a throttle switch available in a variety of colours. A ‘T’ piece sends fuel to the valve, which is attached to the fuel delivery line, this is triggered by the same switch. Then this wonderful, almost royal, marriage of gas and fuel are pinged to an injector mounted in the inlet tract (no, me neither). All this can be adjusted by metering jets installed in your solenoids.

Why not?

Besides looking like a bit of an idiot as your gaudily coloured Vauxhall Viva burns up and down the high street, you could right gunk up your engine if it isn’t quite fast or furious enough. Be sure your car is up to the stresses and strain of all that extra power. If your vehicle suddenly starts to sound like an Irish Wolfhound coughing up a Malteser, then stop what you’re doing immediately and seek mechanical help. Excessive Nos-ing could cause possible damage to your engine, gearbox and clutch and compressed gas of any variety can always be dangerous, thanks to it’s explosive qualities. Consider paying a little extra and picking up a nitrous gauge to keep an eye on how much “magical speed juice” is getting distributed. And don’t forget your tank top!

This article was produced by Wish.co.uk – for epic driving experiences, including racing and track days, check out Wish’s awesome range of experience day gifts.

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That was the first thought I had when my husband and I were having a conversation the other night about the 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 and he told me about the Magnetorheological shocks. So, before I could even begin to look at the mechanics of the shocks, I had to learn how to say it. I watched the test track video about the shocks numerous times before understanding that the man was saying “Magneto-rio-logical” shocks. Mangneto means just what you think it does; a magnetic force or electromagnetic flow. The “rio” part is short for rheology, or the study of fluids in semi solid states. And logical is the smart or computer component of the equation. This, in reality, is a thirty dollar word for a shock filled with a smart fluid that can be controlled by an electromagnet which in turn is controlled by sensors and a computer. Ok, so their word is cooler and more concise than my definition, but they mean the same.

The magnetorheolgical fluid, or MR fluid, to save my fingers from exhaustion, is really comprised of suspended particles in an oil. It will act like any other oil under normal operating conditions, but add a little electromagnetic stimulus and like tequila on a hot summer night, strange things start to happen. Ok, not so strange if you understand magnetism, but just as exciting as the tequila.

When an electrical current is sent through the fluid, the particles align with it to temporarily turn the viscous fluid into more of a solid, just like Jose Quervo can talk seemingly conservative individuals into dropping their guard and going with the flow. See, the electromagnets are aligned with the shocks walls so that as the need for stiffer suspension is called for by the cars computer the magnetic flux (or signal between poles) runs parallel through them, forcing the particles into fluid barriers.

Let’s go back to our wild tequila infused scenario. You are at the club with thirty minutes left to find Mrs. Right Now and the pressure is on. You check your breath and your hair and decide it’s time for your “A” game. You see her from across the smoke filled room and you move in, just to have Random Joe step in between the both of you. You and that special lady have a great magnetic chemistry going, but Joe there, excited by that force stays in between you both slowing the exchange of drinks, small talk, and all fluids. Now transfer that idea to the shocks filled with MR fluid and you see the similarities.

For the more technical people out there, I will say this: the electromagnetic flux travels perpendicular to the flow of viscous fluid, between two poles, so that the particles suspended in the fluid align parallel and prevent its flow, essentially decreasing the suspension fluids viscosity until the point of magnetic saturation and a quasi-solid state has been achieved. Whew… I prefer the bar analogy myself.

But what does this have to do with not only the Camaro, but also Audi, Acura, Holden, Ferrari, and a host of other GM products? “A track ready car straight from the factory,” according to the team that set up the Camaro ZL1. The introduction of the MR fluid to the suspension systems of high performance sports cars is allowing for instantaneous feedback from the vehicle with a stiffer shock when it matters to a more fluid, luxury car shock when you want to just ride. Everyday isn’t track day and the vehicles that utilize this technology will be able to discriminate between the two.

This ground breaking technology isn’t without its potential drawbacks. The consensus is that the particles will, over time, will settle out of the oil. Currently, MR fluid is expensive, so it is believed that the replacement of shocks containing this type of smart fluid will also be expensive, but no one really knows how long it might take for this separation to occur since not everyone will be testing the quarter mile. The fluid is also heavier than a more traditional shock, but not so much that it will significantly increase the gross vehicle weight. Also, after prolonged use the fluid may thicken, again replacement is the only cure.

What should the average consumer do to prepare for the integration of these technological marvels into their driving experience? I think nothing. Unless you can afford an everyday racer like the Corvette or the 458 Italia, you may never see these as factory options. You may one day be able to add them onto your modified rides, at a premium I’m sure. However, the requirements of the common driver will not be such that we will see them pop up on grandma’s minivan, unlike tequila, which could creep up on any of us without warning.

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Conceived in 1949 by a Danish company, the childhood imagination has been stoked for more than 60 years by the plastic construction medium LEGO. Providing what continues to be the simplest, interactive method for introducing a world of creation to through the placement of multiple interlocking blocks, LEGO is the toy that has opened the minds to the progression of many adults. As the new generation of children become introduced to computer and high technology sooner and sooner, the LEGO block reigns as a comprehensive teaching tool for children (and even some adults) to resonate the sensation of building an object.

From assembling spaceships, buildings as well as cars in between nap and snack times, young minds are awoken to careers in many creative fields. While problem-solving and imaginative skills gained through LEGO is transferable to very faucet of life, the futures of some past LEGO Maniacs has turned into technical jobs in architecture, construction and engineering. Taking a brief trip back to their childhood, 22 designers commissioned by Southeast Ford dealers and LEGOLAND Florida applied their advanced, grown-up knowledge into creating a special full-scale replica of the Explorer crossover vehicle.

A product of 2,500 hours of hand-placing over 380,000 LEGO blocks, the LEGOLAND Ford Explorer was revealed as a shocking likeness to the actual crossover vehicle. Door handles, headlamp housings and even the Blue Oval Ford logo on the 2012 Explorer is replicated on this unique one-off creation. From LEGO blocks shaping the four tires and wheels to the tall roof rack, this LEGOLAND Ford Explorer mimics the 197.1-inch vehicle’s proportions. With 380,000-plus blocks used in shaping the LEGOLAND Ford Explorer, the only major non-LEGO component of the replica is a 768-pound aluminum support frame. Weighing 2,654 pounds, the non-working LEGOLAND Ford Explorer is almost 1,450 pounds lighter than the Ecoboost four-cylinder equipped version of the actual crossover vehicle.

Created in Connecticut, the red Ford Explorer, said to be “Powered by Imagination”, made a public unveiling at Ford Motor Company’s Chicago Assembly Plant. Presented in the same assembly facility where hundreds of front-wheel and all-wheel drive Ford Explorers roll to completion, a long-range perspective may not be enough to identify the carefully-detailed LEGO model.

Asking the question for why the LEGOLAND Ford Explorer came to life, the vehicle sculpture brings attention to an attraction at the soon opening LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven. Located inside the LEGO City section of the park, the Ford Driving School gives children between the ages of 3 and 12 years old an interactive education in safe motoring. Besides the ultimate enjoyment of driving their own electric car (on a guided curb rail at speeds no faster than 3 miles per hour), youngsters are taught the basic of driving, importance of seat belts and traffic signs. An equal share of lesson and entertainment, the Ford Driving School is likely to fit well into the new LEGOLAND park in Florida.

The over 380,000 LEGO block-Ford Explorer replica will be part of the new LEGOLAND Florida attraction when it is slated to open October 15th this year.

Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company

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Now this is what I’m talking about. This is what needs to be done to make electric vehicles not only better, but much more fun to drive: Race them. I’ve always found the vocal and bitter response from almost all gearheads to anything and everything EV-related to be highly puzzling. Digging your trench deeper or stuffing your head in the sand and shouting “no-no-no-no-no-no-no” isn’t going to help (nor is it very smart or mature). As much as we like internal combustion engines (and trust me, I like them a LOT) we, as gearheads, are going to have to face facts that a number of years from now, they are going to be few and far between. If we simply refuse to be part of the EV conversation, then we will not have any say in what kind of personal transportation options (i.e. cars) we have in the future.

But if we get in now, and we start saying things like, “That Volt you made is real nice there General Motors, but where’s the sportscar version?” then the better EV cars we will be able to buy in the future.

Of course, what’s the best way to insure that EVs are better all around? What’s the single best thing we can do to make them stronger and faster and more efficient and handle better? Like I said: Race them.

And that’s what Toyota just did by dropping an EV drivetrain into a Radical SR8 and setting out to break Peugeot’s lap record at The ‘Ring. The French guys EV record was at a respectable 9 minutes 1.338 seconds. So everyone seemed to think that Toyota could crack out something in the mid 8s, maybe even the low 8s. Nope. Toyota set a new EV lap record of 7:47.794!

Go check that out in Gran Turismo or Forza and see how quick that is. To put that into focus, that’s quicker than a Nissan GT-R, faster than a Porsche 997 Turbo, faster than a 360 Challenge Stradale ferchissake! That, kiddos, is a damn fast time. Sure, sure, that was in a Radical chassis, but don’t forget that it was running on road legal tires.

The car was equipped with two electric motors that were capable of propelling is to a top speed of 260km/h and put out a combined 800Nm of torque. Or to put it another way, it’s both quick and fast. TMG’s (that’s Toyota Motorsports Group) had a target time of being the first electric vehicle break the eight-minute barrier, so getting down into the 7-40s was a surprise even for them.

Pascal Vasselon, TMG’s Technical Director had this to say: “The goals for this project were twofold: obviously we wanted to set a new EV lap record and I am very pleased we could achieve that so comprehensively. On the other hand, we also wanted to learn more about the operation of our electric powertrain in extreme circumstances; in motorsport there is no more extreme circuit than the Nürburgring. On the record lap the TMG EV P001 performed better than in testing due to the improvement we already could make based on that experience. We have enhanced our electric powertrain development thanks to the information our engineers have gained and our future EV products will benefit from this project.”

And the money guys at Toyota were also happy as well. “This is a very impressive achievement which really shows the huge potential for electric powertrains to deliver fast, exciting action on the race track. There’s no doubt that electric motorsport can be every bit as thrilling as traditional racing and it was an amazing sensation to watch the TMG electric vehicle fly past on the Nordschleife, with only the sound of wind rushing past and tires squealing. To achieve a new lap record at the first attempt, and by such a huge margin, is a great achievement and I am very proud to see TMG’s name in the record books. But this is not the end of the story for TMG and I hope we will see our electric powertrains in action on the track again soon,” said Rob Leupen, TMG’s Director Business Operations.

All I can say is: Great! Now, when are you going to make a street legal version that I can buy … cause a ride like this would be an absolute terror on an Auto-X course!

Source: Axis of Oversteer

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After 47 years since the first pony car rolled off a Dearborn, Michigan manufacturing facility, the Ford Mustang is a legend continuing to foster. With 51.564 examples sold in the first 8 months of 2011, the Ford Mustang outsells the Taurus and in falls just slightly behind the economy-priced Fiesta. Beyond the people who have the fortune to walk into a car dealership and drive away with a Ford Mustang, the car’s fanfare as the pinnacle of American performance captivates the attention of so many drivers or prospective drivers.

Thanks to the miracles of the virtual world, effective illusions allow gamers or the web-savvy car lovers to experience some form of the Ford Mustang ownership experience. Simulations involving the latest or even classic examples of the Ford pony car, Blue Oval fanatics are enriched by the control of their favourite two-door performance vehicle. A new on-line feature provided on Ford.com, enthusiasts and potential buyers are given an interactive chance to style a 2012 Ford Mustang.

Automakers developing on-line showroom tools is nothing new. Before a potential buyer enter one of many car dealers, the chance to view a vehicle in virtual form has been exploited for many years. The Ford Mustang Customizer lends some of the greatest levels of detail found in an on-line vehicle modification program. Introduced late last week, the Ford Mustang Customizer program unveils a dizzyingly high selection of virtual dress-up options.

A process starting with the selection from four versions of the 2012 Ford Mustang, the V6, GT, Boss 302 and the GT500 are provided through the Customizer website. Upon choosing a desired 2012 Ford Mustang model, a user can pick from an assortment of wheels, body modifications and colouring options.

Despite the popularity of Ford Mustangs at custom car exhibitions including the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, this web-based simulation delivers a fresh prospective on the original pony car. Along with some defined colours, the primary exterior colour tone can be fine-tuned to almost any imaginable look for the 2012 Ford Mustang. Through the options presented in the Ford Mustang Customizer, a user can play with aspects of a vehicle making a Mustang V6 look more aggressive or even shaving the aesthetic teeth of a Shelby GT500. If anyone would want to see a non-existent 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 convertible, the Customizer program can compile an image of how a hypothetical 2012 vehicle would appear.

Unique to the Ford Mustang Customizer, all of the accessories and dress-up components are available through their local Ford dealerships. In fact, a future buyer of a 2012 Ford Mustang can acquire a parts inventory list in form of a PDF file. It is at this point the virtual world involving the 2012 Ford Mustang enters the real, waking world (with real money being invested into car and components).

With those limited in budget, the time dedicated to customizing a 2012 Ford Mustang does not have to be lost. Once completed, a personalized Ford Mustang can be shared on Facebook or downloaded as wallpaper as a convenient JPEG format image. A user can also enter their design in a ‘Battle Mode’ competition where creations are judged by others on Facebook.

As of late Sunday September 18th, the customizing tool has turned out 15,261 customized Ford Mustangs. Available on the Internet now, Ford will be launching a Mobile App version of the program in the near future. Quickly gaining acceptance either as an automotive accessories research tool or as pony car-oriented entertainment, the Ford Mustang Customizer is continuing to make the Internet a perfect starting stage for purchasing dream vehicles.

Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company

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