Falcon introduced its production version of the Falcon F7 at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, which follows after a great response to its Falcon F7 concept showcased at the 2011 Detroit auto show.

For those who don't know, Falcon F7 is produced by Falcon motor sports and it's based out of Michigan. The company is known for making body modification kits and structural components for manufacturers like Plymouth in their Prowler and Dodge’s Viper.

Exterior & Interior

The Falcon F7 design is inspired from the 1980's era of super cars, the dramatic design with flowing curves and sharp cuts to meet the demand of the wind tunnel. Many people confuse the car with a Ferrari or Lamborghini and it certainly is an attention getter.

This Falcon F7 is placed in the same segment as exotic GT cars, but it has carved its own niche with features that are seen in much more expensive handcrafted cars. These features include carbon fiber body, monocoque chassis made of carbon fiber/aluminum, handcrafted interiors, billet suspension and exceptional power-weight ratio.

The handcrafted interiors exude quality and one can't help but appreciate the attention to detail. The car is very roomy from inside, from supercar standards and can easily accommodate tall drivers.

Engine Performance

The Falcon F7 is powered by a 7-liter V8 that churns out 620 horsepower. The engine responds with a linear elasticity to give the true joy of driving. The engine has been mated to a 6-speed manual transmission based on a design by Ricardo, world's one of the most premium transmission manufacturer.

The performance of the car is exhilarating considering an extremely high power to weight ratio. The car weighs only 1.5 tons, thanks to its light weight carbon fiber body. The car can do 0-60mph sprint in 3.3-3.6 seconds and the car can attain top speed of 200 mph.

The company has planned to sell 15 of these in the 1st year of production and more than 25 in the 2nd year and then slowly increasing it in the subsequent years.

Specifications

Speed never looked good until the 2013 Ford Fusion NASCAR was unveiled in the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. Ford wanted to make a statement to race cars around the world by making this new car with the right recipe.

This is one of the most anticipated cars that is now part of the Sprint Cup. Ford also wants to bring back the meaning of "stock car" to NASCAR with the new Ford Fusion. Future car racers will be brought once again to a wonderful world of speed and fame by next year.

Future in Mind

NASCAR has always been a home for amazing and fast cars that are developed from around the world. Fans and car enthusiasts will surely be in awe once they see the brand new design from Ford. This is going to be a great way to reengage fans of speed and NASCAR to become part of the sport again.

The brand new technology in the Ford Fusion NASCAR will also bring future drivers a whole new experience on the track. This new car is going to be tested whole year round to make sure that it is working perfectly in time for next year's 2013 Daytona 500.

New Design

Car racers are also assured that they will have a new experience when it comes to aerodynamics. Bernie Marcus spent the past year developing the aerodynamic capability of the Fusion NASCAR. Most of the details when it comes to this new and fast car are still under wraps.

People will just have to wait and see how this new car will perform around the track. The company also made sure that the car's design compliments well with its proportion. The brand and design cues are also strategically placed at the side of the Ford Fusion.

To top that, the front end grill is also a distinct look coming only from Ford. There truly is a lot to expect when it comes to the world of speed racing and with the new Ford Fusion it is going to be a blast.

Specifications

The 2025 Bugatti Aerolithe Concept is the work of Douglas Hogg, a Coventry graduate. The design draws its inspiration from the original Bugatti Aerolithe concept showcased at the 1935 Paris Motorshow.

The old Bugatti Aerolithe concept was also the inspiration of the Atlantic 57SC.

The Future in Mind

Designed 75 years after the original Aerolithe was launched in Paris, Douglas Hogg has introduced the modern interpretation of the design. The car looks quite futuristic, despite being based on a design that was made quarter of a century back. Hogg suggests that he has used a minimalistic approach in pure surfacing for the design and applied a principle of Ettore Bugatti for Automotive design.

The car design represents simplicity, elegance, and intelligence. The design follows a smooth flow, uncluttered by door handles, external mirrors or spoilers. It's in complete harmony with advanced aerodynamics.

The underbody aerodynamics are an important feature of the design that allows two air channels to traverse the entire length of the body, funneling air from the front of the body to the diffuser at the rear, producing enough down force in the process to keep the car glued to the tarmac at high speeds.

Features

Some of the key features of the design include aeronautics inspired split canopy doors, split windshield, pronounced windows, bullet proof windows, lightweight construction material and Bugatti's signature front grille.

Performance

The car is powered by a Microturbine-battery hybrid powertrain. Microturbines do not power the wheels directly and merely function as a generator to charge up the batteries on the run and acts as a range extender for an otherwise purely electric vehicle. A single fill of the tank can make this car run up to 800 miles.

The Bugatti Aerolithe design is a great concept that showcases the design elements that may inspire the cars of tomorrow. It's a great tribute to Ettore Bugatti, who was way ahead of his time when he launched the first Aerolithe.

Specifications

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser looks like the usual SUV behemoth, but it is actually mid-sized, and for an SUV, affordable.

There are people satisfied with the new FJ Cruiser and pleased to use it both off road and as a daily commuting vehicle. Both inside and outside, the FJ Cruiser is simple. People find it comfortable to drive, if not loads of fun.

Specifications

The FJ Cruiser is also surprisingly agile, though not agile enough for someone who's looking for a family car that can easily handle off-road terrain. Some have complained about the SUV's poor fuel economy.

Compared to other SUVs, the FJ Cruiser doesn't fare quite as well as the Jeep Wrangler, which has a long and proud history of being able to perform very well off road. The Wrangler also has options like soft or hard roof, or two or four doors, that the FJ Cruiser doesn't. The FJ Cruiser only has one trim and for 2012 it has one new paint color. But, rare for a new SUV, it can come with manual transmission.

Performance

It has a 4.0 liter, V6 engine with 260 horsepower, as well as 271 pound-feet of torque. The standard features include an adjustable steering wheel, voice command, power locks and windows, a stereo system and air conditioning. The FJ Cruiser can seat five and gets 17 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

Most reviewers found the FJ Cruiser's performance fairly good, if not as smooth as a car's. It is also praised for its on road "manners," which are more refined than a typical SUV's. But it can labor when it has to go up hills and can have trouble passing on the highway.

Exterior

People love the outside look of this vehicle, mostly because it's so retro and chunky. Some people complained that the design made it a little hard to see everything they wanted to see through the front windshield.

Interior

The FJ Cruiser's interior is simple. Some drivers wanted something a bit sexier. People who liked the interior lauded the fact that the controls were easy and the materials and fabrics were sturdy and water resistant, a must for a vehicle that's meant to spend a lot of time off road.

There is also enough leg and headroom for tall drivers and passengers. However, some people complained that the plastics were hard and "cheap feeling." Others complained that the back seat can be hard to climb into because of the rear suicide doors.

When the second rows of seats are folded, the FJ Cruiser has room for 66.8 cubic feet of cargo. When all the seats are upright, it has room for 279 cubic feet of cargo, which is not as much as most SUVs of its size. More, if the driver wants to fold down the second row of seats the cushions have to be removed beforehand.

Safety

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety gave the FJ Cruiser fairly good scores, but again, the exterior design made visibility problematic for a lot of drivers.

Reliability

J.D. Power gave the FJ Cruiser high marks for reliability. The 2012 model has a basic three year or 36,000 mile warranty. All in all, the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is good for every day use, but really comes into its own off road.

Competition

Other vehicles that come close to the FJ Cruiser include the Jeep Wrangler Sport (MSRP $31,915; 16 city / 21 hwy) and the Nissan Exterra (MSRP $25,715; 16 city / 22 hwy).

Overall Rating
70 out of 100

What others say:

“The Toyota FJ Cruiser has changed very little since its introduction five years ago, and during that time the range of serious off-road-worthy models hasn't changed much. Hummer is now gone, and Jeep has honed its Wrangler, but the FJ Cruiser remains one of the better bets for off-road toughness and trail prowess.”Car Connection

“Close-quarters maneuverability is good, and stopping control feels more than adequate. The available off-road traction-control system keeps FJ going through very deep ruts and over extra-tall humps.”Consumer Guide

“The FJ is based on the 4Runner and is superb off road. Visibility is compromised by the thick roof pillars and small windows, and the rear doors are awkward to use. The V6 is smooth, but fuel economy is 17 mpg. ESC is standard. Reliability has been above average. Crash-test results are excellent, but the FJ scores too low in our testing to be recommended.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“It's not the most versatile choice available, but if distinctive looks and outstanding off-road ability are important to you in a midsize SUV, the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is hard to beat.”Edmunds

“The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV is the modern take on the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser sold round the world from 1960 until the early 1980s.”KBB

Following Chevrolet's Camaro ZL1 Coupe, comes the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible, looking just as sleek and with the power for speed. The ZL1 is the most powerful convertible in Chevy's history, with adjustments improving performance and handling.

If you are looking for the car with superior high-speed handling and sporty yet seductive looks, the Camaro ZL1 Convertible will be available soon.

Performance & Power

The 2013 ZL1 Convertible is equipped with a 6.2 liter, V8, "LSA" engine, producing 580 horsepower, and 556 lb.-ft. of torque. The panels of its body are fitted, improving aerodynamics, and increasing downforce.

The engine is combined with a Tremec, six-speed, TR6060 manual transmission, and Magnetic Ride Control, allowing the driver to choose from Sport, Track, and Tour suspension settings.

It has a more open front fascia, vented hood, front splitter, belly pans, and rear spoiler. To reduce steering wheel shake, and providing a more stable riding experience, extensive bracing has been used in the design, including:

• Front strut-tower brace
• Transmission support reinforcement brace
• Tunnel brace under the body
• "X" brace in front with stiffer cradle
• "V" braces under the body to decrease cowl and steering wheel shake
• Hydroformed tube in the A-pillars
• Inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header
• Reinforced front hinge pillar
• Reinforcement inside the rockers

Exterior

The convertible has vertical fog lamps, and 20" forged aluminum wheels. The hood features air extractors mounted on the front, with the hood's center section made in satin black colored carbon fiber. The black leather sport seats with microfiber suede inserts complement the sporty, yet classy exterior.

Interior

The interior also includes a newly designed steering wheel, alloy floor pedals, and a Heads-Up Display, offering unique car performance readouts.

The Camaro ZL1 is designed for speed, while holding the road, and offering a smooth, exhilarating ride. With a sturdy, reinforced build for safety and comfort, it offers speed, a sporty feel, and luxurious look, all at the same time.

The Camaro ZL1 will be going on sale late in 2012, and prices will be unveiled at a later date. This is a new car to be watching for later in the year if you like speed with the looks as well.

Specifications