Hyundai Genesis Coupe to debut in Super Bowl ad

Hyundai has released its first two television advertisements for the new 2010 Genesis Coupe during the Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday. The two 30-second ads are both variations on the same theme -- what Hyundai calls "the Epic Lap". The ads will feature music from cellist Yo-YoMa, with the Genesis Coupe pulling some dance moves too. The real driving acrobatics are performed by race car driver Rhys Millen, a Pike's Peak record holder.

Rhetorical ads aside, the upcoming Genesis Coupe, which will be offered with either a 210-horsepower (220 with premium fuel) 2.0L turbocharged four or a 306 hp 3.8L V6 driving the rear wheels. Considering how cool Hyundai's other Genesis Coupe commercials have been, we're looking forward to seeing this one too. You can count us among the millions of viewers who'll be tuning into the big game on Sunday, Feb. 1st, regardless of who happens to be playing.

The BMW Z4 engine finally comes to retirement

BMW's S54B32 engine, the straight-six 3.2L cast-iron motivator that powered such greats as the E46 M3, the Z3, Z3 M, Z4 M, and even the Wiesmann MF3, and now BMW plans to retire this engine.

The final Z4s, built at the tail end of 2008, housed the last of the S54 straight-sixes, reports CAR. Instead, the replacement cars will feature only a 3.0L twin-turbo rated at 300hp (223kW) as the top-of-the-range model. They're sure to be fun and are most likely somewhat underrated in terms of outright horsepower, but they are unlikely to have the same character of the outgoing mill.

Singing along at its 7,900rpm power peak - just 100rpm shy of redline - the S54 was one of the most sonorous of BMW's sixes, and a worthy successor to the S50B32 of the E36 M3, itself a sonic powerhouse. At 3.2L, the engine was a middleweight doing the fighting of a heavyweight. Rated at 343hp (252kW) in Euro-spec trim, the addition of U.S. emissions equipment bridled the engine back down to 333hp (248kW) in America.

The S54 engine had won some awards through out the 7 years tenure. This all include the International Engine of the Year Overall and Best New Engine awards in 2001, the winner of the 3-4L category from 2001-2006 and a spot on Ward's 10 Best Engines for four years running from 2002 to 2004.

Though troubled early on by some mechanical problems, most relating to the car's stratospheric redline and some sub-par contracted engine parts, the S54's cast-iron block and otherwise bulletproof construction have earned it a spot among the most praise-worthy engines of recent times.

Nissan 370Z performance upgrade from Branew

Branew a well known tuner from Japan has revealed some early shots of its customized 2009 Nissan 370Z - two weeks before the car is due to be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Saloon. Branew's tasty exterior kit that will also be available in carbon-fiber, consists of a front spoiler, side steps, rear spoiler and a rear wing. The sport coupe's looks are complemented by a set of multispoke alloys that will be offered in various sizes.

The custom wheels will be available in sizes ranging from 20 to 22in, however, an upgraded suspension kit should help to keep the ride comfortable and improve handling for the larger diameter. Additionally, a brake system upgrade kit is also available. Performance-wise, Branew has developed a new sports exhaust system and reprogrammed the 3.7-liter V6's ECU.

INGS bodykit for Subaru Impreza WRX STi

INGs a well known bodykit manufacturer from Japan has unveiled a bodykit for the new generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The latest kit is part of its N-SPEC series of bodykits, which includes a kit designed specifically for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.

In addition to tuning cars, ings is also involved in the Japanese Super Taikyu racing series, and the N-SPEC series of bodykits are derived from the race cars used in the competition. The kit for the Impreza WRX STI consists of a custom front bumper matched to a new grille to give the car a more aggressive face while increasing downforce. Custom front canards accompany these modifications, while custom sideskirts and a new rear bumper can also be found on the ings-prepped Impreza WRX STI. A pair of fog lamp also available for the car as well.

All the bumpers and side skirts are either available in fiberglass or 'hybrid aero' fiberglass material. Hybrid aero fiberglass retains the positive characteristics of traditional fiberglass, including lightness and strength, as well as adopting traits such as flexibility and durability usually associated with materials such as plastic or urethane. For the front canards and the custom front grille, both are available in either lightweight carbon-fiber or more affordable fiberglass. Each piece of the kit can be bought separately, but the custom front bumper, sideskirts and rear bumper can be bought as a three-piece aero package from ings. The price for the kit in fiberglass is ¥188,000 ($2,080), while the price in hybrid aero fiberglass is ¥218,000 ($2,410).

2009 Honda Zest Minor Facelift with new Spark Edition

Honda has unveiled their facelifted Honda Zest and it will be introduced with a new version called Spark Edition. The car is a kei-car offered with a 3-cylinder 660 cc engine that is sold in Japan since 2006. The most significant changes across the range concern the new fascia and front bumper, the revised exterior mirrors, the new trim options for the interior and the improved standard equipment. As for the new Zest Spark Edition, in addition to the distinct front grille and bumper, it gets a 'sportier' interior trim with a new three-spoke steering wheel and black upholstery, a sport suspension set-up on the turbo model as well as new exterior color options and 14-inch alloy wheels.

Nissan GTR 35 Quad changes by Power Enterprise

Power Enterprise's is working on to make the Nissan GTR 35 to produce more power and torque compare to the factory specification. They approach to modifying the Nissan GT-R follows the tried and true approach of tuning the ECU, adding sticky tires and putting a little color under the hood, but then it goes into relatively uncharted territory. The idea of turbo-supercharging a car isn't itself new - even a few production cars feature the solution. Twin-turbo and twin-supercharging, however is several orders of magnitude less common.

With a pair of Rotrex C30-94 superchargers bolted to the engine and new fuel injectors to flow the necessary fuel, Power Enterprise says the car will feature better low-end and mid-range response, plus more torque. However the power and torque produce is very depends on the kit. One kit offers 560hp (418kW) as a bolt-on to a stock GT-R, another offers 600hp (448kW).

2009 Lotec Sirius

German supercar, Lotec plan to launch their Sirius next year. The car is powered by a twin-turbocharged Mercedes Benz 6.0L V12 and was offered in several performance levels, ranging from about 850hp (635kW) up to 1,200hp (895kW) in some guises. One feature that will remain for the car, however, will be the current model’s carbon-fiber over tubular steel-frame construction.

This advanced construction method enabled the Sirius to weigh in at less than 1,400kg despite being fitted with a number of creature comforts such as air-conditioning and power-steering. While never independently confirmed, Lotec claimed that its supercar was capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds, pass 120mph in 7.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 242mph.