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‘Kyo-Ka’ WRX: More Power, Quicker, Sharper-Handling

CHERRY HILL, N.J., July 31 — Performance leaps to a higher level in the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX thanks to a 265-horsepower turbocharged intercooled Boxer engine, retuned suspension and wider, lower-profile summer performance tires. The Impreza WRX moves closer to its supercar stablemate, the WRX STI in spirit, performance and styling with a new familial grille, integrated front spoiler and body-side moldings and gunmetal gray alloy wheels.

The project team developing the 2009 WRX had a clear aim, summed up as “Kyo-Ka” (translated from Japanese as “strengthening”). To reach their goal, the 2009 WRX, Subaru engineers thoroughly revamped the car’s performance character.

(Read the full post about ‘Subaru Unleashes New 265 HP 2009 Impreza WRX’…)

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Posted Jul 31st 2008 5:32PM by Michael HarleyFiled under: Aftermarket, Economy, Contests, Hatchbacks, ScionScion owners recently submitted pics of their personalized vehicles, including tC, xA, xB, and xD models, to the company for evaluation. The loyal owners were participating in Scion’s “United by Individuality” brand campaign, designed to put individuals’ modified vehicles in magazines, on billboards, even projected onto movie screens. More than 300 cars made the cut, and they soon found themselves in the Nevada desert for a photo shoot that included racing, tuning events, and even music performances. Shown above is a stunning aerial shot of more than 200 cars parked – very well we might add – at the event. (Read the full post about ‘Scion’s newest ad campaign puts reader’s rides on billboards’…)

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Posted Jul 31st 2008 4:27PM by Damon LavrincFiled under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, MitsubishiClick above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart.Mitsubishi has just released pricing on the all-new 2009 Lancer Ralliart and for $26,490, you can get behind the wheel of the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Evo Lite. Equipped with the same 4B11T/C as the Evolution X, the Ralliart is putting out 237 hp through a modified version of the Evo IX’s AWD system. That includes an Active Center Differential, along with front and rear mechanical LSDs and settings for Tarmac, Gravel and Snow. (Read the full post about ‘Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart priced at $26,490′…)

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NOVI, Mich., July 31 — Cooper-Standard Automotive will hold a conference call with investors on Thursday, August 14, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. EDT to discuss its 2008 second quarter results, provide a general business update and respond to investor questions.

A news release detailing the company’s results will be posted to the Cooper-Standard Web site: ( www.cooperstandard.com ) on Thursday, August 14, 2008, before the market opens. Cooper-Standard Automotive Chairman Jim McElya, President and CEO Ed Hasler and CFO Allen Campbell will host the call.

(Read the full post about ‘Cooper-Standard Automotive Announces Change of Time for Teleconference to Discuss 2008 2nd Quarter Results’…)

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Posted Jul 31st 2008 1:28PM by John NeffFiled under: Maintenance, Etc., Supercars, LamborghiniA wealthy Arab man, thought to be a Sheikh, recently had his black and gold Lamborghini LP640 flown 3,250 miles to London via Qatar Airways and trucked to a certified UK Lamborghini dealership last Friday for a fluid change, which cost him a paltry £3,552 compared to the £20,000 round-trip flight. That’s a grand total of £23,552 ($46,644 USD) for a friggin’ oil change. Environmentalists are obviously not pleased with the owner’s wanton display of conspicuous consumption. Airport workers at Heathrow also blasted the owner’s excess after watching the car get the royal treatment on the runway. (Read the full post about ‘Owner ships Lambo from Qatar to London (and back) for oil change’…)

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- Net Sales and Income Increase Year-over-Year

- Second-Quarter 2008 Net Income per Diluted Share Increases to $0.20, up 82% from 2007

- Company Reaffirms Full-Year 2008 Earnings Outlook of $0.75 to $0.85 Per Diluted Share

WARREN, Ohio, July 31 — Stoneridge, Inc. today announced net sales of $213.2 million and net income of $4.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Net sales increased $29.4 million, or 16.0 percent, to $213.2 million, compared with $183.8 million for the second quarter of 2007.

(Read the full post about ‘Stoneridge Reports Second-Quarter 2008 Results’…)

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FINDLAY, Ohio, July 31 — Cooper Tire & Rubber Company today announced a quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share on common stock, payable Sept. 30, 2008, to stockholders of record at the close of business Sept. 2, 2008. This will mark the 146th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car, light truck, medium truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world.

(Read the full post about ‘Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Declares 146th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend’…)

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60 Percent of Twin Cities Drivers Say Distracted Drivers Are Their Biggest Stressor On Road, According to New AAA Minneapolis Survey

MINNEAPOLIS, July 31 — How many Twin Cities drivers are driving with one hand on the wheel and the other preoccupied with a cell phone, iPod, BlackBerry or hamburger? According to a new “Twin Cities Driving Behavior” Survey commissioned by AAA Minneapolis, 77 percent of drivers ages 18-34 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area snack while they drive, 70 percent talk on cell phones and one in three young adults actually text message while behind the wheel.

The habits of these Twin Cities drivers — their attention torn between driving and eating fast food or communicating on their iPhones or PDAs — causes 60 percent of Twin Cities drivers ages 18-54 to feel stressed while on the road with these distracted drivers.

(Read the full post about ‘More Than 70 Percent of Twin Cities Drivers Ages 18-34 Use Cell Phones and/or Eat While Driving; One in Three Text Message While Behind Wheel’…)

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EDINBURGH - July 31, 2008: Supporting the Edinburgh International Festival for the thirteenth year, Renault and its distinctive fleet of luxurious New Laguna and Grand Espace will once again be a familiar sight on the streets of the Scottish capital this month.

The Renault fleet will provide EIF’s key transport needs - from ensuring artistes get to their venues on time, to delivering event displays and programmes, through to carrying props, sound and lighting equipment for the duration of the Festival.

From 8th to 31st August 2008, Festival organisers and artistes can delight in the multi-faceted talents of Renault’s official cars.

(Read the full post about ‘Renault VIP Fleet Headlines at the Edinburgh International Festival’…)

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The current partnership between Mercedes and McLaren on the SLR has come to an end, and like all ugly divorces, things are getting a little tense. The next McLaren supercar (internally know as the P11) will not receive a Mercedes engine. Mercedes, who owns a piece of the supercar firm is upset at the thought of supporting a car with a rival’s engine. (Read the full post about ‘Next McLaren supercar will not get Mercedes engine’…)

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