Hennessey, the Texas-based tuning company known for churning out such monsters as the 1000 hp Cadillac CTS-V, the Cadillac Escalade that beats up on a Nissan GT-R, and of course their own creation, the Venom GT which impressively took the top speed record from the Bugatti Veyron (controversial,) just whipped up what they call the Hennessey VelociRaptor SUV.

Based on Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor – the truck of all trucks in my mind – at 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque, the team at Hennessey have made quite a few changes to the truck.

The most obvious of which is the SUV-ness of the whole thing:

Turning a Truck into an SUV

The Hennessey team took the $44,000+ truck and converted it into an SUV. And I mean a full-on conversion, as you can see from the pics.

The VelociRaptor SUV seats up to eight people:

And although obviously based on the F-150, ends up looking like a more aggressive Ford Expedition from any angle other than the front:

And it specs up to the Expedition quite well too, as far as seating and cargo are concerned.

So basically what you’re buying here is…

As far as utility goes, an aggressive-looking Ford Expedition with a monstrous engine.

So what about the power?

Hennessey’s VelociRaptor SUV keeps the same 411 hp, 6.2-liter V8 powerplant that’s in the F-150 SVT Raptor, despite the vehicle’s additional 600 lb weight.

The result: 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Doesn’t sound awful for a vehicle of its size, sure.

Plus, you can upgrade it – Hennessey offers an upgrade to the F-150 Raptor truck, giving it a supercharged 600 hp, and offer the same upgrade on the SUV, which would let it hit 0-60 in 5.9 seconds – 0.7 seconds slower than the truck.

But here’s the thing…

The cost: $149,500

Given, they’re only making up to 30 of these per year, if there’s demand for them, but I still don’t get it.

I love the SVT Raptor – I think it’s the coolest truck on the road (next to the Lambo-smoking GMC Syclone,) and usually I’m a huge fan of Hennessey’s models, but I’m having trouble understanding this SUV.

People buy SUVs for utility – it’s in the name (Sport Utility Vehicle.) They buy it so they have a ton of space in the back to carry people and guns and deer and, I don’t know, boats and whatnot. That I get.

The Raptor was made to be a badass on-road and off, and look good doing it.

The SUV doesn’t accomplish that. Yup, it carries a lot of shit. Check. Off-roading? From the company’s press release: “the company suggests that buyers should intend using this vehicle for on-road as well as light to moderate off-road duties.”

So what are you suggesting?

The VelociRaptor SUV is a cool project that some people will get. They want a giant SUV that gets negative fuel economy and has space to carry a small house if need be. It’s special, there aren’t very many made, and that’s who it’s for.

But looking at the cost, it’s slow and impractical in every way compared to its competition:

Range Rover

The Range Rover Sport HSE we drove last month cost about $70,000 (they start around $60,000) and could get from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds thanks to its 375 hp 5.0-liter V8. It was also comfortable, refined, and can go off-road.

The new Range Rovers offer even more – the base starts at $83,545 with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 producing 340 hp propelling you to 60 mph from a stop in 7.1 seconds, or you can go for the top-spec version (for an even $100k) whose 510 hp supercharged 5.0-liter V8 can get you there in only 5.1 seconds. And go off-road and all that.

Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG

Sure, it may look like you everyday suburb-cruising grocery-getter, but the Mercedes GL63 AMG isn’t your normal Soccer Mom ride.

With a massive 550 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque coming from its 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, the GL63 is able to knock off that 0-60 mph time in only 4.8 seconds.

That’s faster than a Porsche Cayman.

The current GL63 starts at $117,000.

So what’s your point?

All I’m saying is that for a starting price of $149,500, you have some more practical choices than the VelociRaptor SUV. I get it – a ton of work went into each one of these, you want unique, you want individual, you want American. That’s fine.

But for me, I’d always have that nagging feeling that I could be driving around a refined Mercedes or rugged Range Rover with more power, could be going off-road, faster, and have an extra $30-80,000 burning a hole in my pocket.

But then again, it wouldn’t say “SVT VelociRaptor” on the side, and I might just pull up to another one at the stoplight.

Which one would you choose?

If you’re thinking “WTF is the Ford EcoSport?” it’s because Ford doesn’t offer it in the US. The following is a guest post from our friends at MotorBeam.com who went to a media event in Goa, India to test drive it and see whether we think Ford should offer the EcoSport in the States.

The 2013 Ford EcoSport is a compact SUV that was unveiled last year at the Delhi Auto Expo and is meant for emerging markets like India, Brazil and China. The EcoSport has been on sale in Brazil since 2003 and the second generation model will be sold globally under the One Ford plan. Ford has plans to sell the EcoSport in more than 100 markets, thereby offering the vehicle to developed countries as well. Ford has already showcased the EcoSport for the European markets (it’ll sit below the Kuga there), which has minor changes compared to the one on sale in Brazil and China. The EcoSport is based on the Fiesta’s B-car platform and it is safe to say the vehicle is the jacked up version of the Fiesta.

The compact SUV segment is a new and emerging segment and has vehicles like the Buick Encore, Chevy Trax, Nissan Juke and Renault Duster in it. Ford doesn’t have any immediate plans to launch the EcoSport in the US yet, but it could serve as an excellent alternative to the Fiesta. Ford held an international media drive event in Goa, India, where over 200 journalists sampled the EcoSport. I was part of the initial batch and got to sample the EcoBoost equipped model.

Exterior

The EcoSport measures under 4-metres in length (without the spare wheel) and is quite tiny on the outside. Ford has designed the vehicle quite aggressively but the dimensions are only as big as a hatchback. However the EcoSport is taller and gets 200 mm of ground clearance and 550 mm of water wading ability. It looks stylish with the large hexagonal front grille, silver roof rails, tail gate mounted spare wheel and black cladding giving it presence. The EcoSport also gets a neat touch with the tail gate opener placed inside the right rear tail lamp assembly.

Interior

The interiors of the Ford EcoSport are identical to the Fiesta’s. The dashboard is quite big and features dual tone black and grey treatment, with silver inserts at certain places. The seats are comfortable with good all round support. There is ample space at both the front and rear, with enough legroom and headroom on offer. The rear seat does not get an arm rest but the scooped front seat back and deep foot well gives 6-footers enough space. The width of the rear seat prevents a fifth passenger from entering and thus the EcoSport is strictly a 4-seater.

The EcoSport’s boot is quite small at 346-litres but the rear seats can be flipped in 60:40 format to increase luggage space to 705-litres. Quality is not that great, average at best, with some parts not solidly put together. There is quite a bit of cost cutting with the absence of an engine cover, engine guard and twin-blade wipers on the vehicle. Ford has certainly made the EcoSport to a price.

Equipment

The EcoSport might not have the best quality but it is loaded with features, including 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, Hill Hold Assist, SYNC system, leather seats, 16-inch alloy wheels, steering mounted audio controls, etc. Some of these features are only standard on top end trims.

Engine & Performance

The Ford EcoSport is offered with three engines; a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 112 PS and 140 Nm (110 hp & 103 lb-ft) paired to a 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearbox, a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 91 PS and 200 Nm (89 hp & 147 lb-ft) mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol with 125 PS and 170 Nm (123 hp & 125 lb-ft) coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This 1.0-litre unit has received the 2012 International Engine of the Year award and even though it’s a 3-cylinder unit, it offers excellent performance and refinement.

At high revs (past 4500 RPM), there’s a sporty exhaust note and the cabin is well-insulated from road and tyre noise. Power delivery is smooth and there is turbo lag below 1600 RPM, past which the motor pulls strongly. Step on the gas and response is immediate and linear. It doesn’t feel fast since there’s no kick in the pants feel of a turbocharger. This EcoBoost engine gives the same performance of a 1.6-litre mill, while consuming 20% less fuel. You barely realize you’re driving a 1.0-litre car which weighs more than 1250 kgs. According to Indian fuel rating agency (Automobile Research Association of India), the EcoSport will return a mileage of 18.9 km/l (44.5 mpg.)

Dynamics

The EcoSport handles very well and has a decent steering wheel too, which feels a tad light at high speeds. It does give good feedback and also has pull drift compensation, which prevents the vehicle from moving to either side if there are road undulations or crosswinds. Braking is strong although there is some nose dive under heavy braking. Ride quality is very good and the vehicle absorbs bumps in its stride with confidence. There is however a fair bit of harshness on really bad roads. The biggest spoilsport are the tyres, which offer poor grip and tend to screech in no time, as they have low rolling resistance in the interest of economy.

Conclusion

The Ford EcoSport is an excellent product for emerging markets as it offers a few SUV traits in a tiny footprint. While it’s not as well built, it does offer good driving dynamics and performance, along with stylish exteriors. This makes the EcoSport a popular choice among compact SUV buyers. For the developed world, the EcoSport might look small in size, but it is a vehicle which many would take to easily, as it’s easy to park and maneuver, while at the same time it will cost under $20,000 (if launched in the U.S.).

Do you think Ford should offer the EcoSport in the States?

Faisal Ali Khan is the editor of MotorBeam.com, a website covering the automobile industry of India.

A blessing and a curse of this connected world is there are fewer secrets remaining in the world. Decades ago, following motorsports relied on finding a source or publication highlighting a specific form of racing. In the United States, NASCAR Sprint Cup blossomed from a regional level into a national force with media sources deciding to profile the stock car series. Through the 1990s with expanded television sport coverage and later through the Internet other forms of regional motorsport around the world can be fully appreciated. The German DTM Series has been a recent organization observed to be booming worldwide with growing race coverage. The impact of DTM has led to the commitment for a similar series in the United States by as early as 2015. While there is a two-year wait for the DTM Series, Another international import is preparing for a maiden stop at the new Circuit of the Americas track in Texas this upcoming weekend.

From May 17th to the 19th, the American race fans will be offered the first chance to witness the Australian V8 Supercars Series in person. The 3.427-mile (5.515 kilometer) Circuit of the Americas hosting of the V8 Supercars comes a six months after a Formula 1 race christened the track.

For the inaugural Austin 400 event, spectators can expect a race weekend differing from what we would see in NASCAR or the IZOD INDYCAR Series. Four practice sessions will be held on the Friday for the V8 Supercars ahead of a series of qualifying races. Saturday and Sunday will each consist of two qualifying races followed by a pair of 27-lap feature events. Each sprint race is expected to take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

A derivative of the Australian Touring Car Championship that ran from 1960 to 1998, passion for racing high-performance V8 engines are richly observed Down Under. Australian classic cars competing in the touring car includes the Holden Monaro GTS350 and the Ford Falcon XB. Action movie fans would recall a black “Pursuit Special” Ford Falcon XB in the Mad Max movies. Since 1998, the Australian Touring Car Championship has operated as the V8 Supercars organization. For a long time limited to the Oceania region of the world, the Australian V8 Supercars Series has actively branching out to other world audiences. The Australian V8 Supercars Series first venture to other markets consisted of a stop at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2005. Trips to the Bahrain International Circuit and the Yas Marina Circuit in the United Arab Emirates have also sit on the V8 Supercars calendar in recent years. Operating under the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the track that proved more than capable of hosting the 2012 United States Grand Prix should serve ideally for the first North American race for the V-8 powered machines.

The first year for a new set of rules designed to foster greater on-track competition, improved driver safety and lower costs for teams, the V8 Supercars grid has doubled from two to four car makes in 2013. Returning to the series is the Ford FG Falcon and the Holden VF Commodore. For motorsport audiences in the United States, the Holden VF Commodore is recognized thanks to a General Motors relative currently racing on the NASCAR circuit. The limited production 2014 Chevy SS sedan and the Chevrolet Caprice PPV share the General Motors Zeta platform with the Australian sold Holden VF Commodore. Making a high profile arrival in Australian Touring V8 Supercars for 2013, Nissan enlisted the experience of 2006 V8 Supercar champion Rick Kelly and brother Todd as part of a new Altima race effort. Michael Caruso and James Moffat are also campaigning a pair of Nissan Altima race cars in 2013 powered by a custom V-8 engine. The fourth competing make in 2013 Australian V8 Supercars is the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG campaigned by three competitors this season. 28 cars total are set to part of the 2013 Austin 400 race event.

Several teams involved in the Australian V8 Supercars circuit have prepared special paint schemes for their inaugural North American event. Normally running a black and red paint scheme with Australian auto part retailer Supercheap Auto prominently displayed, the 2005 championship driver Russell Ingall will don a yellow and black colour on his #17 Holden VF Commodore for the Austin race weekend. Jonathon Webb’s Team TEKNO has also chosen to debut a new livery promoting Darrell Lea soft liquorice for the Austin 400 race.

Having over $100 millions of cars and equipment flown overseas by two Boeing 747 airplanes, a lot is being invested in the V8 Supercars’ first United States event. With less than a week before the various V-8 powerplants will be revving at the Circuit of the Americas, the prelude to the event has already involved a driver swap between NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch and Holden Racing Team pilot James Courtney.

Information, photo and video source: Circuit of the Americas, NASCAR, Nissan North America, V8 Supercars

Race drivers, they are heroes amongst men.  Some are cold and calculating…some are quiet and contemplating.  Most have their pre-race rituals and are somewhat of a mystery.  So what goes on inside the mind of a driver in the heat of battle?  It has to be fuel strategy, manipulating the draft, or in rally drivers cases listening very carefully to their co-pilot to make sure they are prepared for the next couple rapidly approaching corners…right?  Well we usually only get the little snippets of radio conversation between them and their crew, but I have gone to the trouble to find a few drivers who have been miked up.

If you really want to get into the mind of a driver the best solution is to have the visor cam miked up!  Here we have Chris Baker in a Dodge Pro Formula Series race at Laguna Seca fighting through heavy traffic and battling with the points contenders!  As cars go spinning and he is racing wheel to wheel…what must be going through his head?  Surely not Die Hard lines…

Allrighty then!  Maybe it isn’t as sophisticated as I thought…but then again he seems pretty relaxed!  While sliding through the sand towards a barrier he even had the presence to mind to flip an angry bird at his opponent.  At least he has his priorities straightened out!

Sometimes in the heat of battle you might say things you don’t mean or get a little too excited.  However this next guy might be going way too far, what do you think?  I don’t know if it is so much road rage, or if he is turning to the dark side!

Careful there, you might burst a blood vessel!  I take back my first description.  This is either Batman on a track day or there are bath salts involved, possibly both!  Some would argue the video is fake because the mustang goes around several corners, however it did spin off the track, proof that it’s real.  I am also fairly certain this is what will be happening under Fernando Alonso’s helmet as he chases Sebastian Vettel all season.

Of course we have a rally video for you.  This gentleman is quite distressed getting stuck behind slower cars…this reminds me all too much of my daily commute.

There is always that one person who is going under the speed limit in the fast lane, or that one person who keeps touching their brakes for no reason what so ever, I know we can all relate.    …And we have another angry rally team but this time the co-driver is getting perturbed.  At least…I don’t think that was in the pace notes.

So now we know.  When they aren’t on the radio to the team talking about pit strategy they are usually just talking to themselves.  The next time you flip on a race you can bet some are calling each other assholes, others are yelling NEMESIS…or they just sound like the average person stuck in traffic!  I think all of these guys can learn a valuable lesson from Kevin though.  This is how you handle road rage properly.  After all, there is always an app for that.

With HD quality resolution in the hands of so many people nowadays, there’s no shortage of on-line video compilations of automobiles. Auto shows, races or personal exhibitions of vehicles has brought the beauty of mechanized motion to a wide audience. Through my YouTube channel, even I have contributed to the countless collection of automotive related video.

Keeping my videos in of the equation, the quality of the footage and compilations can indeed vary from amateur to masterful filmmaking. A vivid account of the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Born of a Blue Sky is on the higher end of the production scale. This week, I have been introduced to a particular online video treat created by Justin Lapriore of LetsMakeMedia. Over 16 minutes in length, the Born of a Blue Sky captures some of the most regal examples of motoring excellence.

A short film shot at March’s Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Born of a Blue Sky grabs attention by capturing more than static displays of priceless vehicles. Seeing breathtaking cars powered by engines more than half a century old rolls to life on the Florida golf course is worth watching the video once. The film focuses on several marques celebrating anniversaries. Spawned as a direct assault on Ferrari’s sports car crown after Ford Motor Company’s failed bid for the Italian car builder, the GT40 was one of the first vehicles honoured in the film. 50 years since the conception of the Ford GT40 racecar, Born of a Blue Sky leads the video presentation early. An event that attracted several different Ford GT40s, the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance also featured the appearance of Dan Gurney who co-drove the supercar to the 24 Hour of Le Mans victory in 1967.

Along with the Ford GT40, lead vehicle roles in Born of a Blue Sky have Porsche 911 sports cars, various Lamborghinis and a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray notably sharing in memorable film moments. There is also two potent moments of ride-along footage in Born of a Blue Sky. The first was a high-performance experience on-board a Porsche race car. A ripping roar blast of the rear-engined vehicle on an airport is captured with brilliance from several camera positions. Another enjoyable ride-along is captured as part of a tour. Riding on-board a lovely red Lagonda roadster, the footage following the Porsche ride captures two radically different but infectious moments in motoring.

While the vehicles are the most alluring part of the film, Born of a Blue Sky treats us to the true beauty of the cars beyond simply showing greatness. The sound of a Ford GT40 engine revving in one of the film’s opening scenes is one of those memorable engine noises. The pulsation of the Ford V-8 is raw 1960s performance you would not typically associate with an automotive concours (that is a refreshing thing). By the sound of the audience, the Ford GT40’s element was accepted at the premier exhibit. Throughout the film, the use of music has also been well applied.

Born of a Blue Sky fittingly revealed what was a superb outdoor automotive display. Occurring while I am living in what appears to be a never-ending winter, the 2013 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance has been shown in all its glory through Justin’s video.

Check out Born of a Blue Sky here:

Born of a Blue Sky from LetsMakeMedia.

Information, photo and video source: Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, LetsMakeMedia

As a stand-up person, you likely own a vehicle it fits your needs. If commuting to work, you will possess a reliable fuel-efficient car. If you have a family to move, you may opt for a minivan or a seven-passenger sport utility vehicle. For a company, a business car lease provides the transportation required for meeting people and honouring your agreements. All and fine for fulfilling your motoring needs, our typical vehicles may fall short in providing the unbridled excitement defining true motoring. What if we could drive a late model Porsche for a weekend? For select United States markets in the states of California, Florida and Nevada, rental car company Hertz Corporation has added some of the finest current model vehicles built by the German sports car brand.

Part of Hertz’s vehicle line, the Porsche 911, Porsche Boxster and the Cayenne crossover vehicle can be selected for a Hertz rental. The Porsche vehicles offered through Hertz is said to retail between $50,000-$85,000 a piece. All three Porsche models will be equipped with the more fuel efficient six-cylinder powerplants. These performance vehicles additions from Porsche join the four-door Panamera that Hertz had previously furnished to customers. Starting at cost of $250 per day on weekends, Hertz’s Porsche fleet provides performance fans with some serious road-going excitement.

A rental car agency in its 95th year of operations, Hertz Corporation has a history of providing more than basic econobox vehicles. In addition to the newly expanded line of Porsche vehicles, you can tempt your motoring appetite to other premium vehicles. Depending on state and rental office locations, you can even recent an Audi R8 or a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG through Hertz. In 2006, Hertz and Ford Motor Company entered into a deal where special Shelby Mustangs could be rented. Consisting of a coupe and later a convertible variant, the Shelby GT-H models were constructed for the Hertz Fun Collection featuring unique graphics and the Ford Racing Handling Pack. This recent Ford program was a continuation of a Hertz’s “Rent-a-Racer” GT-500-H vehicles available in 1966. 500 examples of both the Ford Shelby GT-H coupe and convertible were distributed for rent through Hertz. In 2008, Hertz also rented out Chevrolet Corvettes branded as ZHZ painted yellow with a black stripe.

The Porsche 911, Boxster, Cayenne and Panamera are now available through participating Hertz outlets.

Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company, Hertz Corporation, Porsche Cars North America

Based on their recent performance in the marketplace, it’s clear General Motors and Ford Motor Company are two car manufacturers operating in high gear. As spirited as the rivalry is between the two automakers, there has been reasons for the companies to cooperate.

Normally, we are used a brand rivalry enriched the North American car culture. In the 1950s into the 1960s, Chevrolet and Ford battled fiercely for sales supremacy. Car to car battles have always been a treat to fans of American motoring. Corvette versus early Thunderbirds, Cadillac versus Lincoln, Mustang versus Camaro as well as F-150 versus the Silverado/Sierra pickup trucks are storied machine adversarial bouts. On the race track, the old Trans-Am Series and now NASCAR stock car racing has expanded the battle of Ford and General Motors car brands. Understandably creating dissention among car enthusiasts, the battle between the Ford Fusion and the Chevrolet SS on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is merely one outlet for contentiousness. So fierce is the competitive nature of Ford and General Motors brands, the sale of cartoon images urinating on an opposing car make has been a brisk seller. A reality hard for brand loyalists to accept, sometimes competing figures need to work collectively. Seeking new heights in gearing, General Motors and Ford will be jointly involved in the creation of a new family of automatic transmissions.

Intended for a series of upcoming cars, trucks and crossover vehicles, the Ford Motor Company and General Motors has announced their engineers are working together on a 9-speed and 10-speed automatic transmission. So involved is this newly confirmed partnership, GM vice president of global transmission engineering Jim Lanzon says, “Engineering teams from GM and Ford have already started initial design work on these new transmissions,”. For what promises to be ultra-smooth, fuel-efficient transmission, the number of gears planned on the automatic gearboxes under development is strikingly high. As luxury carmakers begin adopting eight-speed automatic transmissions, the use of a nine gears is only starting to be incorporated into vehicles. The Range Rover Evoque became the first vehicle entering production with a nine-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF Friedrichshafen. The ZF gearbox had also been announced in relations to Chrysler Group vehicles including the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. Besides the General Motors/Ford alliance in nine-speed transmission development, Mercedes-Benz is another automaker working on automatic transmissions using nine gears. No automaker has yet released a 10-speed automatic transmission for passenger car use.

Besides manufacturing a high-tech, reliable transmission with the six-speed transmission, General Motors and Ford saving a considerable of money in the development costs. The endeavour into a 9-speed or 10-speed automatic transmission is going to be another case where the two automakers will benefit from each other’s role. Ford Motor Company‘s Chief Engineer of Transmission & Driveline Component & Pre-Program Engineering stated, “The goal is to keep hardware identical in the Ford and GM transmissions. This will maximize parts commonality and give both companies economy of scale,”.

As the 9-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions remain in the development stages, General Motors and Ford Motor Company have yet to announce specific vehicle models for the advanced gearboxes.

Information and photo source: Ford Motor Company, General Motors

The race to the post office has become a different matter as of late. The elimination of Saturday mail delivery in the United States signifies a change in culture where messages, we were years ago content to arrive in several days, can be shared in minutes. Though some people will be their best not to accept unwanted progress, it is reasonable to eventually accept and even celebrate what we have gained from that past. During the same time the United States Postal Service adjusts to the new norm, a time many American automobile fans had cherished is honoured as part of a commemorative stamp series in 2013. In five stamps depicting different vehicles, an era of uncompromised performance and carefree motoring is brought back to life.

A five-image set issued by the USPS (United States Postal Service), the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever draws inspiration from an era that began nearly 50 years ago and lasted for roughly 10 years. Introduced to the public at Daytona International Speedway on February 22nd, the Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe was joined by the two members of NASCAR’s famous Petty family. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Richard Petty and son Kyle Petty unveiled the look of the special edition stamps.

A snapshot of the muscle car era, the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamps represent iconic vehicles when excess horsepower from V8 engines was king. The America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever set consists of a 1966 Pontiac GTO, 1967 Ford Shelby GT-500, 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda and a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS convertible. Overall an excellent choice of American muscle, the non-inclusion of the Chevrolet Camaro could be the most glaring omission but the Chevelle SS is a highly suitable choice. The AMC Javelin could have also made for an interesting addition. Tom Fritz of Newbury Park, CA created the images for this latest USPS stamp set with direction from Carl T. Herman.

The timing for the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamp set also corresponds closely with the symbolic start of the muscle car era. Though many could argue the Hemi-equipped Chrysler 300 was said to have climbed plateaus of muscle performance first, many traditionalists credit the first true muscle car came with the 1964 model year Pontiac GTO. Starting as a performance equipment package to the Pontiac Tempest, the GTO and its 389 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 325 horsepower ushered in the last great era of unhindered power from gasoline. A 1966 model of the first generation Pontiac GTO is one of the five vehicles featured in the Muscle Car stamp issue.

Significantly less expensive than the price and upkeep of an actual muscle car, the five-stamp set is available as a $2.30 block, sheet or in several collector presentations including first day covers. At a higher price for more serious enjoyers of car art, framed images of each of the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamp images can be purchased for $49.95. For $92.00, an uncut press sheet of 200 stamps can be ordered from the USPS.

The Muscle Car set of postal stamps is the third compilation of automotive images to be issued by the USPS under the American on the Move series. The ‘50s Sport Cars series was issued in 2005 was the first followed by the 2008 issuance of the ‘50s Fins and Chrome. In 2011, the USPS also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 with a stamp depicting the 1911 race winning Marmon Wasp.

First circulated for sale on February 22nd, the America on the Move: Muscle Cars Forever stamp edition will run for a limited time in the United States.

Information and photo source: United States Postal Service

With the Chevrolet Corvette celebrating its 60th year of production this year, bowtie fans are all revved-up by the seventh generation of the long-running sports car. In 2014, loyalists to the blue oval will have the opportunity to celebrate their own milestone as the Ford Mustang reaches 50 years in production. The car that moved a sizable baby boomer crowd, the Mustang’s presence with high-output V8 engines and trendy convertibles has won over several generations afterwards.

A brand supported by almost a half century of history, first generation model of the Ford Mustang has been the foundation that has continuously built the dynasty. GT, Shelby, California Special, Mach 1 and Boss 302 are some of the names attaching itself to the Ford Mustang from 1964 to 1973. When launching the Mustang, Indy 500 pace car duty, racing and movie appearances have been part of establishing Ford’s pony car as a cultural icon.

More than a year ahead of the 50th birthday of the Ford Mustang, let us look at a few of the defining cars to the brand:

Ford Mustang in Goldfinger

Providing many of the vehicles for the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger, Ford Motor Company jumped at the opportunity to place their brand-new Ford Mustang on-screen. While the Aston Martin DB5 attracted the biggest fanfare from the iconic ‘007’ movie, the white Ford Mustang convertible driven by character Tilly Masterson (portrayed by actress Tania Mallet) was also a noticeable sight. Combined with the short-lived Bond girl who was seeking revenge against villain Goldfinger, the Ford Mustang convertible offered additional allure to the big screen. Being cemented as a Bond car apparently did nothing to hurt the Ford Mustang’s entrance into the marketplace.

Not seen in the James Bond movie, Ford had also prepared a Mustang fastback painted in gold metal flake paint. A one-off factory build, the gold 1965 Ford Mustang fastback purpose was supposed to have a part in the film but the vehicle was not ready in time. This Goldfinger Ford Mustang fastback was sold for $49,680 at the 2000 Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction.

Eleanor in Gone in 60 Seconds (2000 Version)

A remake of an independent film released in 1974, Jerry Bruckheimer gave the Gone in 60 Seconds movie name the full Hollywood action treatment in 2000. In contrast to the first film, the 2000 version of Gone in 60 Seconds was packed with an all-star cast that included Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie and Robert Duvall. Depicting a massive organized car theft effort in both movies, a Ford Mustang was a supporting actor for the 1974 and 2000 film codenamed Eleanor who were part of climatic chase scenes. A yellow 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 portrayed Eleanor in the original Gone in 60 Seconds. In the hands of Nicolas Cage’s character Randall “Memphis” Raines in the 2000 movie, Eleanor was portrayed as a customized 1967 Shelby Mustang. Gray with a black racing stripe, NOS power boost and other modernized touches to the classic pony car assured a sad scene when the vehicle became classic Mustang parts.

Since the release of the second Gone in 60 Seconds movie, several individuals and even companies have replicated the look of the modified 1967 Shelby Mustang. In two cases, lawsuits from the executive producer and widow of the original Gone in 60 Seconds film creator Denise Shakarian Halicki had been rigorous in protecting the trademark of the “Eleanor” car. Even Carroll Shelby was blocked from producing Eleanor replicas based similarly to the vehicle he created. Of course, with some blood, sweat and tears, you could replicate the car yourself using the loads of shops still specializing in classic Mustangs, like over at Essex Mustang Centre’s parts website for example.

1970 Boss 302 Mustang Trans-Am Cars

Auto racing has immediately been present in the Ford Mustang’s bloodstream. With drivers such as Jerry Titus driving, Ford became a terror in the ‘over 2 liter’ category of the SCCA Trans-Am Series winning the first two manufacturer championships thanks to the pony car. With Chevrolet’s Camaro creating a formidable and successful fight for the 1968 as well as 1969 championship, Ford enlisted the help of NASCAR owner Bud Moore. Initially working with the Mercury Cougar in 1968, Bud Moore Engineering would receive Boss 302 Mustangs in 1969. Handled by road racing aces Parnelli Jones and George Follmer in 1970, the Ford Mustang Boss 302 would establish itself as a season-long frontrunner. The yellow with black racing striping run on the Trans-Am cars became an instant trademark to the Ford Mustang Boss 302. When the Boss 302 moniker was reintroduced for the 2012 model year at a competition racer, the theme of the original Ford Mustang model was recounted specifically in exterior graphics.

1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback in Bullitt

No mention of famous first generation Ford Mustangs could be complete without drawing attention to a memorable green car driven by Steve McQueen in the late 1960s. Recalled for containing what often appears as one of the most memorable car chases in cinema, the 1968 movie Bullitt achieved many high honours in filmmaking. In the movie, a green 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback driven by McQueen’s Bullitt pursued a black 1968 Dodge Charger on San Francisco area streets. Loaned two Mustang GT Fastbacks for the movie, brakes, suspension and the 390 V8 engine were modified to handle the rough driving conditions. Chasing down the hitmen riding away in the Charger, Bullitt’s 1968 Mustang GT Fastback proved superior in the popularized pursuit. The remaining of two scene cars was sold in 1972 to an anonymous owner will has kept the vehicle out of sight from the public. Even the Bullitt’s star Steve McQueen’s attempt to buy the movie vehicle was rebuffed.

A two recent occasions, Ford has bid tribute to the appearance in Bullitt with special edition models. Featuring several performance and structural modifications, the Bullitt special edition Ford Mustang was first offered in 2001. The second came with the fifth-generation Mustang in 2008 when a limited production of 7,700 vehicles was built to a Bullitt theme.

Information and photo source: Barrett Jackson Auction Company, Coys, Ford Motor Company

Expected to adhere to constantly changing criteria driven by government and consumer fronts, automakers have utilized the practice of building multiple vehicles off a single platform. Existing as a kind of foundation for automotive designers, vehicle platforms represent a series of standardized parts that can conform to various cars, trucks and crossovers. Defining a standardized platform has provided car companies with the opportunity to maximize their market reach in a cost-effective manner.

In some cases, platform sharing results in nothing more than a lazy effort in brand engineering. Several General Motors products built in the past 20 years (such as the Chevrolet Cavalier based J body vehicles) qualified as less than stellar examples of platform diversity. In contrast, there are several examples where the modern auto industry has created products transcending across a single vehicle category. Today, a one platform can used to deliver coupes, sedans, wagons, crossovers and even electrified alternative powertrain vehicles.

The following is some of the more popular vehicle platforms that we not even know are the basis of so many products:

GM Delta II

In earlier iterations of small car platform sharing had resulted in a rather chilly reception among the North American market (let along the all-so-important global spectrum). Created accepting that a greater focus must be placed on the compact car category, General Motors commissioned the Delta II chassis as a bold move to capture international acclaim. In a way perhaps no one could have predicted, the GM Delta II platform delivered on provocative boasts by the automaker.

The GM Delta II platform debuted in production when the Chevrolet Cruze was introduced to the international market in 2008. A compact car that focused less on being a budget-oriented option, buyers of the Chevrolet Cruze were acquainted with a heightened level of refinement and build quality. As the Cruze arrived in North America, positive press on the Delta II platform Cruze allowed Chevrolet to become a serious challenger in the compact sedan category. European models have also been treated to the Chevy Cruze in hatchback and even a station wagon body style. For the 2012 model year, North American motorists received a Buick version of the compact sedan based on the Delta II platform called the Verano. Several markets excluding the United States (Canada included) received a utility compact Chevrolet Orlando on the Delta II serving to the diversity of the General Motors platform.

Serving not only gasoline and diesel powered vehicles, the Delta II became noteworthy for powering the first major production model of a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Adding a large battery, electric motor and reallocating a gasoline engine as a “range extender”, the Chevrolet Volt coasts on similar underpinnings as a Cruze. At the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, a Cadillac ELR becomes the latest recipient of the Delta II architecture.

Developing what will become the Delta III platform, General Motors has aligned with PSA Peugeot Citroen. The General Motors/PSA Peugeot Citroen collaboration of the future small car framework is targeted, not only, to provide a single platform architecture to a multitude of vehicles but also incorporate advanced materials for the lower cost automotive market.

Toyota MC Platform

An industry born from modesty after the Second World War, Japan’s auto sector has been mastering the technique of sharing as many components as possible to build a fleet of vehicles. Toyota can credit much of their growth (and their recent reclamation of the position as the world’s top-selling auto company) to the fact they have mastered the ability of creating a global line-up of cars and sport utility vehicles using a handful of platforms. Without much doubt, the Toyota MC platform exists as the backbone of the auto manufacturer’s success.

While the MC platform is not a household name, many of the Toyota-related products constructed on the single source of technology can be found near the top of vehicle sale charts. Produced since 2006, the Toyota MC platform has been applied to the construction of small to mid-sized cars, sport utility crossovers, and minivans. In fact, the vehicles using the MC platform architecture accounts for the majority of the over two million Toyota Motor Corporation vehicles sold during 2012 in North America. Under the Toyota brand, the Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Prius hatchback and Sienna are currently produced on the MC platform. Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus and youth-oriented marque Scion also use the same underpinnings. The ability to create multiple products from roughly the same basis has been performed near seamlessly acting as a benchmark for all other auto companies.

Seven years on the market, a next-generation replacement for the Toyota MC platform is presently under development.

Nissan D Platform

Recognizing the high upfront engineering costs of a platform, many auto companies have realized that sharing development between brands can help to greatly optimize their resources. Japanese auto company Nissan has enjoyed a close strategic and financial partnership with French car builder Renault. From 2000, platform sharing between the two companies have become greater. A utility player in a global marketplace for the Nissan-Renault alliance, the D platform offers the footprint for a variety of mid-sized vehicles.

The successor to the platform known as the FF-L, the D platform features a growing variety of Nissan’s top front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive products. In 2007, the Nissan Altima became the first vehicle built on the D platform followed shortly by the Nissan Murano and the Maxima. In other parts of the world, the D architecture is used for the Renault Laguna and Latitude as well as for two vehicles built under the Renault Samsung name in South Korea. Demonstrated early on mostly sedans (with exception to the Murano), the mid-sized vehicle platform would show utility. The eight-passenger Elgrand minivan was first sold as a luxury product through much of the Asian continent during 2010. In 2011, the latest generation Nissan Quest was granted a striking redesign based on the D platform. The Nissan Pathfinder’s migration from a truck-based utility to a large crossover vehicle is another high capacity offering on the same underpinnings as several other vehicles. Thanks to the sharing of platforms, finding the new Nissan Altima in Dubai is now possible.

Ford C Platform

As Ford Motor Company has been flourishing in North America, many would say several international markets exists as areas where the 110 year-old auto company is required to show even greater focus (excuse the pun). Though Ford has had a global presence since the Model T, their attempts to keep a profitable worldwide business model has faced challenges. For the most part, Ford believed that the answer for the European market was unique vehicles catering to the market‘s preference for smaller cars. However, financial constraints, global reputation building and changed vehicle buying attitudes have led to Ford’s development of a consistent global line-up.

For the most part, that has involved the North American importation of vehicles such as the Ford Transit Connect and Ford Fiesta. The Ford Focus had also been the crown jewel to what was intended to be a strong global presence. While a rough in the United States and Canada hurt the Focus, it also became a case where Ford fell into old habits when the company decided to completely reengineer the European model on a newer C1 platform while North American audiences settled on a redesigned version based on the older C170 platform. For the 2012 model year, the Ford Focus was finally harmonized again under what is known as the global C platform.

The basis for compact vehicles, the 2012 Ford Focus was the first vehicle that introduced North American car buyers to their C platform. A year later, the all-new Ford Escape was treated to a significant remodel on the latest generation platform. An addition to the US market last year, the Ford C-Max multi-purpose vehicle also displays the C platform. Hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid models of the Ford C-Max demonstrated how modern platform development now includes the versatile application of advanced powertrain compatibility.

Information and photo source: Chris Nagy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Nissan North America, Toyota Motor Corporation

Over in the U.S. there has been a rally invasion over the last few years, from the Global Rallycross races traveling around the country, to the extreme sports sponsors like Monster and RedBull, the sport has gained quite a following.  The sport now has big American names in it as well such as Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust, the mad man X-Games dirt bike hero Travis Pastrana, and of course Ken Block.  The majority of these guys not only run the Rallycross circuit in America, but participate in real rally stage events as well.  But these guys are more than just racing drivers, and most have got their start in sports through motocross.  But it takes some serious money to even get started in rally racing, so beyond the large *kahunas* it takes to do this sport, these guys have some serious business savvy as well.  Ken Block for instance is the co-founder of DC Shoes.  His collaboration with DC and Monster Energy coupled with his serious driving skill propelled him to the top of his sport, and in turn gained major exposure, bringing in even more money!  In short, he has a talent, funding from a huge drink company, and his own company that gets all that exposure.  It is a win, win…win situation!

You may wonder what a guy like Ken does during his free time.  Well, he trains by taking his AWD turbo beast of a purpose built rally car and screeches sideways around obstacles such as airplanes, theme parks, or the streets of San Fran to hone his skills.  Then he puts those on YouTube and has over 40 million views.  If you have not seen these videos, you might want to crawl out from under your rock and take a look at Ken Block’s Gymkhana videos.

So you might imagine he has some pretty serious toys.  What in the world would his ideal daily driver be, for instance? Well he recently had a talk with Automoblog and told us all about his newest project.

This is something a little more attainable for the average person to get their hands on, compared to racing in Global Rallycross.  It is a Gymkhana influenced street legal track car, and it’s a collaboration of work with the L.A. tuning company fifteen52, himself, and Ford Racing.  It is the Ford Focus TrackSTer, based off of the stock Focus ST.  This isn’t your happy little family hatchback though.  Block told me “It is actually a Focus ST” so it is a street legal car, that still has 4-doors and plenty of leg room.  ”We’ve widened the stance, and we also lowered it with air bags to get the best handling.”  Here is something rather awesome…are you ready?  Block also told me “It has the same wheels that we use on the Gymkhana car.”  Too…cool!  Now I’m starting to get hot and bothered, I want this car!  It doesn’t stop there, he also said “Besides that it has the same engine as a Focus, I mean obviously tuned and everything…” which Monotune boosted up to around 350hp!!!  Way to downplay it Ken.

There are other additions as well, like a Sparco steering wheel, a short throw shifter, and bucket racing seats.  The fender flares are actually from the Chinese Focus touring car, and it has a Ford performance tuned exhaust!  Block said “This car is fun…it is fast on the track!”  I was stoked up to this point, then he said “Yeah so besides all of the tuning, it’s still a FWD…” and I didn’t hear the rest of his sentence   A FWD, really guys?  You have fifteen52, and Ford racing at your disposal and you don’t give it AWD with a 50/50 diff?

I was stewing over that, but I figured I would ask the big question anyway.  Will it be available to the public?  ”Well right now it is just a one-off car that I use for myself, but we are working with Ford to make the parts available for purchase.” say Block.  Well I guess all we can do is hope that this leads to a project where they make an AWD turbo Focus… and then let the public buy it.  Give the people what they want!

If you’re looking for the best SUV for 2013, check out some that have been named as the best for the year:

2013 Range Rover

In December, 2012, the 2013 Range Rover was named the Best SUV of the upcoming year by Playboy magazine. Another car website quipped that the staff of Playboy have evidently never had to maintain a Range Rover. Kim McCullough, the brand vice president of Land Rover North America, said it was a great way to go into the New Year. He added that Range Rovers were iconic and had been brought to new levels of performance, luxury, and sustainability. The 2013 model is also lighter and stronger due to its all-aluminum structure, the first for an SUV. Panels are bonded together rather than bolted or welded, like a jet aircraft. Playboy’s finding was the result of a number of SUV reviews and ratings by journalist Ken Gross, who has years of experience.

A website that was named as one of the top 20 SUV sites to be found online listed the best SUVs for 2013.

Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 is selling like hot cakes throughout Europe. There had been fears that it would never be seen in the United States, but it made its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Audi said that it was a new variation of the SUV concept, designed for young fans of winter sports. It’s a sporty and robust compact SUV with many practical attributes, an appearance that’s elegant, and particular design highlights. The basic model has a four-cylinder engine capable of 168hp which can be upgraded a further 40hp. It can reach 60mph in 6.9 seconds.

BMW X1

BMW tried to change the SUV mold with the BMW X1, and produced amazing results. The car is compact and drives exceptionally smoothly due to its six-cylinder engine. It’s ideal for driving both on- and off-road. There are three models to choose from which can feature any of three trims. The X1 is available in 11 metallic colors or black or white. Colors other than black or white increase the cost by $550. The basic model costs $32,350.

Ford Escape

Ford is well-known for manufacturing compact cars that drive very well indeed. It’s Escape SUV can be expected to be no different. It will probably be lighter than Ford’s other SUVs, which will contribute to more efficient fuel consumption. Although the vehicle is compact, there is still a great deal of space within, making it perfect for a small family. The cost is likely to be less than $30,000.

Mazda CX-5

Another vehicle that is quite possibly the best SUV for 2013 is the 2013 Maxda CX-5. Its high-efficiency power trains make it drive like a dream. It has been completely redesigned and will have better fuel efficiency and more power.

Chevy Equinox

Chevrolet claims that the size of its Equinox is “just right” and grants people access to the SUV experience without taxing their wallets unduly. It’s beautiful. Chevrolet makes other vehicles that drive incredibly well. The second-largest automotive classified website said it had an average consumer rating of 4.5.

The best SUV for 2013 will surely be on this list. Are we missing any?

Timothy Chilman subsists from writing. He has written a number of car reviews for motoring.com.au.

At a creative standpoint, we are currently witnessing a vibrant era in the automotive industry. Weathering some tough economic conditions and even confronted by challenges for more fuel-efficient vehicle fleets, most of the auto companies have raised their innovation game. Not just accepting the long-standing tradition of furthering design, tangible technology advancing engine, infotainment and other aspects of the driving experience makes exhibitions as such the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit a once-again captivating display.

This year’s auto show catered to a near-record paying crowd of over 795,000 people who inquired on the present and future of motoring. While the present or near present is dealt with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Infiniti Q50 and the Audi RS7 Sportback, a handful of concept cars display what could be some profoundly important insight into vehicles that will occupy the roads and highways in coming years. The following sampling to what could be the most influential concepts:

Ford Atlas Concept

The pickup truck business is a market as gigantic as the vehicles that inhabit it. At Ford Motor Company, truck sales alone (not including utility vehicles such as the Escape, Expedition or Explorer) account for amount 37 percent of their 2012 vehicle sales in North America. Last year, the F-Series line of pickup trucks represents over 645,000 vehicles sold by Ford. When Ford presented a pickup truck as their display centerpiece in Detroit, it makes quite a bit of sense.

Overall a rather production-ready design study, the Ford Atlas Concept is immediately remarked to this vehicle being the precursor to future Ford pickup trucks. Revealing multiple design cues of an upcoming Ford truck, the Atlas Concept crew cab exhibits multiple features to benefit use by drivers. A cargo bed not only includes multiple tie-down locations but 110-volt electrical outlets. There is also a Dual-Purpose Tailgate Step and Cargo Cradle that extends for greatly use as well as accessibility. Intelligent electronic features related to the Atlas Concept include a 360-degree camera system and Trailer Backup Assist able to bring relief to a very difficult task.

A pickup truck for the not-so-distant tomorrow, the Ford Atlas Concept makes use of a variety of energy-saving technologies. LED lighting is found inside and outside of the Atlas Concept truck. Without going into detail, the Ford Atlas Concept promotes power from a next generation EcoBoost engine. Aerodynamics have also been optimized with the Ford truck concept as active grille shutters, active wheel shutters and power running board are incorporated with this tough vehicle.

Honda Urban SUV Concept

When the Honda CR-V was introduced in 1997, it made a splash as a smaller sport utility vehicle. In a time where the sport utility vehicle market segment gained life, the CR-V presented a than-rare interpretation of a car-like utility. Times have changed and auto companies have now begun a transition to the next scale of compact crossover utilities. Based on the Honda Fit, attendees of the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit were treated a peek at a close representation of a production crossover set for release in 2014.

One of the first things the Honda Urban SUV Concept design excels in doing is winning over critics decrying Honda’s recent trend of conservative styling. Working with an overall length of 169.3 inches, Honda has integrated a decisive coupe-like appearance into the Urban SUV Concept cast by the roof sloping and hidden rear door handles. Executive vice president of sales at American Honda John Mendel commented on the auto company’s direction saying, “With the continued expansion of our North American manufacturing operations, we expect fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive ‘small’ cars to play a key role in meeting the needs of our customers in the U.S.”

The production version of the Honda Urban SUV Concept will be built alongside the Fit subcompact at a Mexican manufacturing plant set to open by the spring of 2014.

Smart Forstars

Years ago, there was some concern that the Smart brand has reached its peak. The nifty Fortwo has epitomized economy-geared driving across the globe inspiring imitation from others. However, Smart has fought with limited success in attempting to make their vehicles appear hip and exciting to image-conscious buyers. Debuting the Forstars concept car at the 2013 Detroit show, Smart wants everyone to see the electrified powertrain in one of the sportiest forms.

Given a front end appearing more like a Jeep product than a Smart product, the Forstars delivers some serious street creditability to the mellow small car brand. In order to present the Smart Forstars concept’s sporty look, the wheelbase was stretched rather sizably compared to their production vehicles. At 97.2 inches, the wheelbase of the Forstars is nearly two feet longer than the Smart Fortwo. An overall length of 139.8 inches places the Smart Forstars closely equal to the span of a Fiat 500.

Partly contributing to the Smart concept’s name, a glass roof brightens the small but well-equipped interior. The two-seat configuration features a two-tone leather cabin with a high-quality stereo system and Bluetooth connectivity options.

A beyond outrageous (and likely not be to appear on the production vehicle feature list anytime in the future) is the Smart Forstars video projector system. Mounted on the hood, the projector can be activated from an Apple iPhone via Bluetooth.

Toyota Furia

Without regret, I placed the Toyota Corolla on a list of boring cars last year. Not criticizing the vehicle as time-honoured solid, reliable transportation, the Corolla is simply a dull design. In theory, there should be not reason to expect building some style into the sedan would compromise the vehicle’s cornerstones. Well, it appears Toyota agrees choosing the 2013 Detroit auto show as the premiering showcase for a design concept meant to shape the future look of the Corolla.

Called the Furia or the Corolla Furia Concept, Toyota is advertising a future compact sedan that is actually attractive. Described as “Iconic Dynamism” by Toyota, the Furia Concept defines an edger four-door. Attitude asserting front end, chiselled bodylines and massive 19-inch wheels of the Toyota Furia Concept sends a strong message that the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Honda Civic will definitely take seriously.

Selling over 290,000 units last year in the United States, the Toyota Corolla is padding a sales volume of nine million vehicles since introduced in 1968. The Detroit debut of the Furia Concept is Toyota’s recognition that the auto company only sees the potential of great days ahead.

Information and photo source: American Honda Motor Company, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, North American International Auto Show, Toyota Motor Corporation

There are, believe it or not, advantages to living in Europe.

Sure, everyone speaks a funny language (including the English, some would have you believe) and the economy appears to be spiraling into a giant plug hole somewhere in the Mediterranean, but at least we get to gloat over the U.S. when it comes to cars.

For one reason or another, North America misses out on some of Europe’s hottest models, either through legislation or simply a board member saying “nein!” (or a variation thereof).

So have a look through the collection below. And weep, because you’re not getting any of them. Still, consider yourselves lucky: At least you don’t have to look after Greece.

BMW M135i

It could only be explained by a processing error. BMW was happy to send the 1M Coupe to U.S. soil, but its slightly subtler predecessor, the M135i, missed the boat. The styling isn’t to all tastes, but this is one car which really can outrun ugly.

The 320-horse inline-six provides eye-popping performance in the relatively small 1-Series shell, with 62mph arriving in a whisker under 5 seconds. Corners are devoured as easily as straights, too. There’s a sneaking suspicion that it’s the best car BMW makes, right now.

Volkswagen Scirocco

As the Volkswagen empire heads towards global domination, some of its products seem content to rest at home. One of those is the Scirocco coupe, based on the same platform as the Mk6 Golf, the Jetta and the Beetle. Only much, much more rakish than any of those cars, with running gear from the GTI.

To rub salt into the wounds, we can confirm it not only looks better than the Golf, but out-handles and out-performs it too. Yeah, you lose a bit of rear seat and trunk space, but who’s counting? If there’s one saving grace, it’s that VW knows the U.S. desperately wants the Scirocco. And it may keep that in mind if a next-generation model appears…

Renault Megane RenaultSport 265

The “hot hatchback”, so integral to European life, has never really caught on in the States. There’s the VW GTI, and a few MINIs with long-winded names, but beyond that the market is sparse. In Europe, it’s fierce – and the fiercest wears the RenaultSport badge. Amazingly, with 265 horsepower it still isn’t the most powerful hot hatch, but as we all know – it’s what you do with it that counts.

A limited slip diff and clever suspension let you put all that power to the road, and a steering wheel bristling with feedback ensures you know exactly where it’s going. There’s huge grip, an adjustable chassis, and the security of front-wheel drive to let you explore the limits more safely. But Renault, its reputation forever tarnished in the U.S, is unlikely to ever bring it over.

Ford Focus ST… Wagon

HAH! Almost had you there. You were about to say, “but we will be getting the ST!”. Well, not in wagon form you won’t. In contrast to Europe, where wagons are seen as dull and utilitarian – but necessary for that reason – the U.S. sees wagons, particularly hot ones, as the perfect mix of sleek styling and practicality.

So it must be galling to miss out on the wagon, which makes the hatch and saloon look a bit homely. The ST is the best of the lot, not only for its 250-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost, but also for its 18-inch wheels and aggressive bodykit. We really are sorry about this one…

Range Rover Evoque… diesel

Whoops, we did it again. The U.S. can enjoy the stunning, concept-car lines of the Range Rover Evoque, but can only choose from gasoline power. European buyers get a Jaguar-sourced 2.2-liter turbodiesel, with just shy of 190bhp. The smooth-running diesel suits the Evoque so much more than the slightly raucous gas version, and gets better mileage, too.

Actually, we could have picked any car here – the Evoque just particularly suits its diesel engine. Whether it’s the hugely expanded range of German diesels denied to the U.S. (in cars like the Scirocco too…), or American models you’ll have to wait for – the Chevy Cruze diesel, for instance – diesel fans in the States have been left with the shortest straw.

Antony Ingram is News Reporter for Car Throttle. Antony has what can only be described as an obsession for all things automotive. If it moves, he’ll drive it, and even if it doesn’t move, he’ll sit inside and have a good poke around. Car Throttle is making car discovery fun again with cool car videos and viral auto content.

Attention all youths driving civic hatchbacks with loud exhaust!  Your days of front wheel drive burnouts and general ricing about may soon be over.  The Police are slowly waving goodbye to Crown Victoria Interceptors, which compared to these new tuned models was rather boat-like.  Not to strike too much fear into the hearts of the backwards hat wearing neon hooligans, but the car with the least horsepower has 355 intercepting ponies.  Most of you probably know that Police cruisers are tuned for more power and upgraded to corner fast and level, however there is a little more than just tuning on some of the new fleet.  Two of the cars are custom built models not even available for purchase by the public.  Lets take a look at the stats for each current gen cop car, just to give an idea of the kind of performance that will be seen around your local Dunkin’ Donuts.

2012 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

When you first look at this car, you may think, “Oh, well it’s just a new FWD Malibu to patrol shopping centers.” Well you would be a little far off, because this car has muscle pedigree.  You may have thought that the G8 (GTO) died along with the Pontiac name, but it hasn’t!  It lives on underneath the understated Chevy skin, and will now be spending most of its time pulling over Integras for aggressive starts.  With the face lift it has the same 6.0 liter V8 engine and 355 hp as the G8 GT sedan. It’s RWD, and can do 0-60 in a quick 5.7 seconds.  The suspension is supposed to ride very smooth, especially on rough roads, but tends to roll over its own ankles under heavy cornering.  However when compared to the next couple it looses some of its intimidation.

2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit

The Dodge Charger is the most common cruiser I see around town now, only just recently noticing a couple of the Caprice cruisers.  It is basically a Charger R/T with a big 5.7L 370 hp Hemi V8.  This car has been upgraded with reinforced doors and roof, as well as bigger brakes, and tougher suspension that also allows the Charger to corner flat while speeding down an off-ramp.  The party piece of this car is its “stealth mode”, where it turns off all interior lights and has a small red ambiance light that is just bright enough to allow the officers inside to see what they are doing, while they are unseen by the target.  That makes me almost want to go to the Police Academy, just so I could say “Activate the stealth mode…” and I would go unseen in the Starbucks parking lot, not that I’m implying officers enjoy doughnuts and coffee more than the average citizen, because that would just be cliche.

2013 Ford Police Interceptor

Finally, to my favorite of all the Police Interceptors, (never thought I would say that), and this defuses a major argument I’ve heard from STi and GT-R owners for a while now.  Every kid that has taken out a ridiculous loan for an AWD street monster and poured every paycheck into modifying it goes on about how the heavy RWD police cars couldn’t keep up with their cars, especially on back roads, as if they would ever try it.  Now that argument is over, to the dismay of the Evo owners club!  The Ford Police Interceptor is available in a package of AWD with a twin turbo, *ahem*…twin turbo DOHC V6, that produces 365 hp!  They have also reinforce the back of the car to take on a 75 mph hit.  Now Ford says it is for highway impacts while parked on the shoulder, but perhaps they have j-turns and battering ram situations in mind, so watch out.

Now pardon me while I climb onto my soap box here, but let me ask something.  Is this really necessary?  I am all for improving the safety of the officers, and that should be top priority!  However, developing these new cars with all the performance and technology is expensive, and the cars themselves are expensive!  If they are actually in a chase where they need 350+hp, chances are they will take some damage.  On average these new cars are about $4,000 more than the old cars, which are also already in circulation.  This leads me to two points.  One, maybe they have been watching too many Fast and Furious movies, but most people do not make a run for it when being pulled over for speeding and if they do, it isn’t usually in a GT-R or Lexus LFA.  Secondly, I’m guessing you have all seen an episode of COPS or those dangerous pursuit shows, and when a felon does decide to run it usually starts in a 90′s Buick, goes to a foot race, then ends with them in the back of a Crown Vic.  In the end, there isn’t much trouble with cars outrunning the police, considering how much is made from traffic tickets a year.  While the figures are fuzzy and hard to find, it’s estimated $3.7 Billion dollars at the absolute least is made from tickets per year.  While these new cars are cool to talk about, they’re a genius solution to a problem that doesn’t really exist.  Maybe bullet proof glass is a better idea.