As if the current Lotus Elise/Exige wasn’t light enough, fast enough, or looked good enough – the engineers over at the UK based manufacture have taken the platform to a whole new level. Thanks in part to extensive carbon fiber work, the latest Cup 260 edition of the Lotus Exige has shed ANOTHER 80lbs and now tips the scales at a mere 1962lbs. To make the point about dropping weight stick, Lotus ALSO bumped horsepower, pushing the Supercharged Toyota 2ZZ motor to a peak of 257hp/238ft-lbs.

To round out the package, Bilstein Shocks and Eibach Springs have been installed and super sticky Yokohama A048 LTS tires ensure all the power makes it to the pavement.

In celebrating its 35th Anniversary, HKS and the Nissan GTR are again teaming up for their Fourth Generation of setting standards and lap times. The newest Nissan GTR product offering from HKS has just hit the shores, and is not going to disappoint.

Parts available through HKS include:

• GT570 Racing Package – Includes Racing Extension Pipes, Racing Center Pipe, Pre-Programmed EVC, Dual Super SQV Blow-Off Valve Kit, Reinforced Actuators & a Set of Super Fire Racing Plugs.
• Legamax Premium Muffler
• Super SQV – Sequential Blow-off Valve Kit
• Hipermax III Sport
• Super Hybrid Filter
• Super Fire Racing Spark Plugs

Another debut-before-the-debut at the Paris Motor Show has trickled down to us and this time, I am really glad to see it. The Miata and I have had our ups and downs, but this most recent version makes me feel like we’re back on track. Although the turbocharged Mazdaspeed version may no longer be an option, at least there is an choice between a 129HP 1.8L or a 166HP 2.0L motor.

With the recent wave of hatchbacks, wagons and sportbacks hitting the market, it’s only suiting that Mitsubishi jumped on the bandwagon and has a go of it themselves. The new Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback will pack a bit of a punch, boasting a 4B11T pulled from the Evolution X. However, the powerplant is arriving a bit detuned, producing 237HP and 253ft-lbs of torque. Obviously, this is a shot across the bow at Subaru, whose WRX is offered in the sedan or wagon configuration, and is slightly detuned compared to their flagship STI.

Hopefully, this lower-cost option will open the doors to those buyers who are not scared of adding a few bolt-ons to match (or exceed) the Evolution’s power.

As a natural follow up to the newly released Audi S4 info, Volkswagen released photos of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI Mark VI ahead of its release at next weeks Paris Motor Show. Powered by a 2.0 Turbocharged FSI engine producing 210HP / 207 ft-lbs of torque, it is an ideal platform for modification and improving on its 7second 0-60 time. However, as a daily driver, the 31MPG should be appealing to anyone looking to save some money at the pump. Maybe the answer lays in saving the S4 for play and the GTI for the day-to-day.

KW Automotive announces their stainless steel constructed coil-over for the Dodge Challenger.

The KW coilover suspensions for the Dodge Challenger (including 6 cyl SE, & 8cyl R/T, SRT8) enables the owner to lower their vehicle 20-50mm on the front axle and 25-55mm on the rear axle and retains enough travel to handle maximum load and dynamic loads during driving. Variant 1 with it´s preset dampening rates permits customized lowering of the suspension and creates an optimized balance of sportiness, comfort and safety. Variant 2 is the ideal system for sporty drivers, who also wish to make modifications in ride height and rebound dampening. Drivers are able to adapt the suspension setup to their driving style.

All KW coilovers pass stringent German TUV safety & quality testing standards. Each kit is TUV approved.

So what happens when one of the auto industries leading design houses gets a hair-brained idea to throw their hat into the ring and start producing parts for the general public? Well, Five Axis Designs is about to find out. RPMWare is pleased to present the most recent addition to the RPMWare product offering: Fixe Axis Designs.

Although you might not recognize the logo, and can’t quite place the name – you defienetly know their work. Five Axis Design has been a force behind an army of concept and show cars built to invoke emotion, envy and desire. The Five Axis philosophy is simple and they pride themselves on three things: innovative designs, an extreme passion for craftsmanship and strict attention to detail.

The initial Five Axis product offering will include wheels used on past projects as well as new designs. Designed and crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as the Five Axis concept cars, Five: AD wheels make it possible for enthusiasts to own a part of one of the automotive worlds most cutting-edge design houses.

For all you Audiphiles out there, this should come as a welcomed treat. The Next Gen Audi S4 is scheduled to be released at next week’s Paris Motor Show and will pick up on the forced induction power plant, where the B5 left off. This time, however, it will be in the form 333HP/325lb-ft Supercharged 3.0L. The transmission will be offered in either a standard six-speed gearbox or the new seven-speed S-Tronic (Sequential?) Dual Clutch. With help from the new Quattro system, which delivers a 60/40 split on power favoring the rear wheels, the S4 should clip the 5.0 second mark on the run to 60MPH.

Yeah, I know S15 Conversions for S13s were all the rage, but nothing says new-school, like old-school. What I’m talking about is this S30 240Z front end conversion on an S13. I guess the Camaro and Mustang can get away with the ‘Retro’ look, then why can’t the ZCar?

Love it or hate it, you gotta admit; it’s pretty damn original. The fit and finish seem pretty good and it leaves me wishing Nissan would get their act together and push out a Retro Z Revival.

Although the Hyundai Genesis Coupe hasn’t hit the roads yet, and there haven’t been any real reports from the car mags – HKS has already sunk their teeth into it and are planning on debuting the car at this years SEMA Show. The colaboration between Hyundai and HKS should generate a fair bit of exposure for the Genesis Coupe and hopfully pull in some Honda/Nissan/Toyota buyers that have previously overlooked the ‘Other Big H’ in the import market.

As for the performance of this ride, you can be sure the stock 212HP turbocharged 4 cylinder will receive a nice bump from the following list of mods it’s going to be sporting:

• HKS GT Turbo Upgrade
• HKS Engine Internals
• HKS Limited-Edition Turbo Exhaust System
• HKS Super Mega Flow Intake System
• HKS Engine Management
• HKS Hipermax III Coilovers