Douglas Spun Aluminum 5inch Yamaha Sportsman Wheels, Birel on 2040-parts.com

Lotus Elise S Cup R poised for US consumption

Lotus can’t sell its road cars in North America anymore (dang safety regulations!), but that won’t stop them from sending some hardcore track vehicles here for the true enthusiasts. Enter the Lotus Elise S Cup R. The Cup R variant of the Elise sports a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 217 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque with help from a Magnuson R900 supercharger.

Mazda refines lineup with SkyActiv technology

It turns out Mazda isn't simply shooting for the sky. Rather, the protagonists of Zoom-Zoom driving dynamics are taking an active approach to the brand's DNA: Put it all together: it's called “SkyActiv,” and Mazda is billing the suite of technologies as the pillars of its way forward. Much of these features--which enhance future products in nearly all areas, including engine, transmission and chassis--have already been revealed.

Peugeot 208 GTI (2012) first official pictures

You might well be fed up with Peugeot's recent hot hatch efforts being compared in vain to the iconic 205 GTI, but Peugeot is so confident they've got it right at last with the 208, they're likening it to the iconic Eighties pocket rocket. Kicking out 197bhp, the 208 GTI is also usefully lighter than its 207 predecessor, helping acceleration and efficiency stats... Alright then, give me the numbers on the 2012 Peugeot 208 GTI For the first time in quite a while, it's the weight (or lack thereof) that's the headline number on a new hot hatch, rather than a big power figure.