At this years Tokyo auto show, Honda unveiled a second iteration of the CR-Z concept it debuted here in 2007, taking the opportunity to formally announce that the car will go into production and come to the U.S. in the second half of 2010. (I can't wait to get our first one here at Checkered Flag Honda!)

With this second take, the CR-Z inches toward reality with a (slightly) more production-ready look. While it still boasts four seats-the production car will only have two-the greenhouse has grown, with a taller roof and a more upright windshield. The rear quarter windows, too, are larger, while the dramatic upsweep of sheetmetal towards the rear of the car still results in a fat, visibility-inhibiting C-pillar. The dual-element rear glass remains, still bisected at eye level by a metal brace.

Other tweaks progressing toward the CR-Zs final production shape include a reworked front fascia with smaller auxiliary intakes flanking the grille, and more realistic-looking headlights and side mirrors. The interior, too, is toned down from the original-though still retaining a healthy dose of Hondas current interior flair-and looks production ready, power outlets, auxiliary audio input, and all.

Under the hood will be a 1.5-liter four-cylinder coupled with Hondas usual Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. And those who doubt the sincerity behind Hondas stated intent for the CR-Z to be a sporty hybrid will be silenced by the fact that the CR-Z will come to market boasting a six-speed manual, the first manual transmission in a hybrid since the original Insight.

The wait for more details will be a short one, as Honda has already said it will debut the production version at the Detroit auto show in January.

Source:[CarandDriver]

It's faster to 60 mph than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, McLaren F1 or Ferrari Enzo. Porsches fastest offerings, including the Carrera GT, GT2 and road-going 911 GT1 Strassenversion will only see its LED tail lamps during a typical sprint. Only the unlikely - make that incomprehensible - meeting of an SSC Ultimate Aero or Bugatti Veyron at a stop light will concern this cars owner that he or she has met a worthy adversary. The vehicle is the new seventh-generation 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Sporting a new 500-horsepower engine mated to the automakers lightning-fast dual-clutch PDK transmission, the all-wheel drive coupe devours the magic 0-60 mph benchmark in less than 3.2 seconds.

Porsche invited us to a track outside Lisbon, Portugal to savor its latest Turbo iteration. While the physical appearance remains virtually unchanged to the uninformed eye, hidden under the familiar sheet metal is a new powertrain that makes one of the world's best sports car even more exceptional. What are the new mechanical specifications of the powerplant, and where does it come from? What's it like to drive on a track? Is the PDK transmission really better than the six-speed manual?

Cosmetically, the 2010 model has been tweaked ever so slightly. The titanium-colored louvers in the side intakes are new, as are the LED daytime driving lights on each side of the lower front spoiler. The headlamps are now dynamic (road following), the exterior mirrors improved, and new 19-inch forged wheels grace each corner (19-inch center-lock RS Spyder-inspired wheels are optional for the first time, just like on the GT3). The rear sports new LED lights and the tailpipes have been enlarged. Inside the cabin, a new three-spoke steering wheel on the PDK model is finally available with genuine, and proper, magnesium shift levers (right paddle to shift up, left paddle to shift down, huzzah!).

Under the rear decklid of the 2010 Turbo is the most powerful, and most fuel efficient, engine the automaker has ever offered in the models 30-year history. Displacing 3.8-liters, the four-valve all-aluminum flat-six is fitted with direct fuel injection, an expansion-type intake manifold, and two turbochargers with variable turbine geometry. With a mild .8 bar (just under 12 psi) of boost, the engine is rated at an even 500 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque (the outgoing 3.6-liter engine produced 480 horsepower with nearly 15 psi of boost... and weighs 55 pounds more). An overboost feature (offered with the optional Sport Chrono Package on certain models) is able to punch torque up to 516 lb-ft for ten seconds, if needed.

For more of the story go to Autoblog.com