The Rebel Alliance vehicle seen in above was apparently spotted at Guardsman Pass in Utah: a Subaru Impreza WRX rolling on a mighty set of treads wearing Ken Block’s number and sponsorship paintjob. We have no idea how, why, or where he acquired such a vehicle, but we do know this much: Ken Block gets to have a lot more fun than the rest of us. Follow the jump to watch the vid.

Singapore has been singled out to receive a hotted up version of their Mark V Volkswagen GTI dubbed GTI V50. This gift to the island nation gets upgrades from APR including a Stage 1 ECU tune that adds 36 more horsepower and an additional 74 lb-ft of torque. Also underneath are a VW R32 brakes and calipers and a VW Performance exhaust. Together they’ll turn your 0-to-60 run into a 5.6-second affair, which takes more than a second off the standard GTI.

Outside, the body is adorned with go-fast cosmetics like a VW Performance body kit, white turn signals, blue-tinted glass, along with some bespoke 18-inch VW wheels and Pirelli rubber to round the whole thing out. The paint job is one we’d describe as “novel.” The GTI V50 will be a limited run, so expect a commensurate premium as another added feature. Check out the gallery of photos below, and the press release and tech specs after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE:

Tuning by Volkswagen. Warranty by Volkswagen.

The Golf GTI V50 is pumped not just with extra horsepower but the spirit of a steed. With a Stage 1 ECU tuned to 250hp, you’ll post a stunning time of 5.6 seconds in the 100 kph sprint, sending your 2-litre hatch streets ahead.

The aggressive sports styling is amplified by Pirelli “P Zero” 18-inch alloy rims with 225/40 R18 tyres that let you burn rubber in style.

To tame the speed explosion, hug the asphalt with brake discs and callipers used in the range-topping Golf GTI R32, which round off the Golf GTI V50’s dynamic road-feel and sensitive handling.

These tune-ups and more will be performed by Volkswagen Centre Singapore’s technical experts – using genuine and approved parts and technology – and are covered by Volkswagen’s 3-year warranty.

The Golf GTI V50 is a one-time, limited offer. In Singapore only.

Come down to the Volkswagen Centre Singapore today, before they all speed off.

Technical Data
Engine type 4-cylinder petrol engine, turbo FSI
Cubic capacity, litres/cm 3 2.0L / 1,984 cc
Max. output, kW(bhp) at rpm 183 / 246
Max. torque, Nm at rpm 382
Exhaust emission control Euro 4
Gearbox, standard 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox DSG
Top speed, kph with automatic gearbox 261
Acceleration, in seconds from 0-100 kph with automatic gearbox 5.6
Fuel consumption, litres/100 km with automatic gearbox:
City 10.7-11.0
Urban 6.2-6.5
Combined 7.9-8.2
CO 2 emission, g/km 190
Fuel capacity 55L
Exterior dimensions
Length/width/height, mm 4,216 / 1,759 / 1,501
Wheelbase, mm 2,578
Track front / rear, mm 1,534 / 1,516
Wheel size 7.5 J x 18
Tyre size 225 / 40 R18
Turning circle, m 10.9

Interior equipment

* “Climatronic” air-conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control and dust and pollen flter
* Aluminium and leather gearshift handle
* Backrest split foldable 1 ⁄3 to 2 ⁄3 including load through provision and centre armrest
* Front centre armrest with storage box and 2 rear cup holders
* Front and rear carpet mats
* Lockable glove compartment with cooling
* Illuminated vanity mirrors in sun visors
* Automatically dimming interior mirror
* Leather upholstery in “Vienna” on sport seats with height adjustment (heated)
* Luggage compartment cover with net
* Leather-covered multi-function steering wheel with decorative aluminium inserts and gearshift paddles
* Multi-function display “Plus”
* Front and rear power windows
* Radio remote controlled central locking with 2 folding keys
* “RCD 500″ with in-dash 6 CD changer, 10 speakers
* Space and weight saving spare wheel
* Storage pockets on front seat backrests and additional storage compartment in roof console
* Cruise control
* Drawers under driver seat
* 2 front reading lights with chrome trim and 2 rear reading lights
* 12-volt socket in luggage compartment

Exterior equipment

* Volkswagen “Pirelli” 18 inch alloy rims with 225/40 tyres “P Zero”
* Automatic low beam mode with “Coming Home” and “Leaving Home” function
* Bi-xenon headlights for low beam and high beam
* Electric tilt sunroof
* Electrically adjustable and foldable outer mirror, separately heated and automatically dimming on driver’s side including curb view on passenger side
* Front and rear bumpers in sports design, body-coloured rear spoiler
* Front fog lights
* Heat-insulating blue tinted glass
* Metallic paint
* Rear window wiper and washer system with intermittent control
* White side turn signal lights
* Sport suspension lowered by approximately 15mm
* Wheel locks

Safety equipment

* 3-point seat belts for all passenger seats
* Front seat belts with height adjustment and seat belt tensioner
* Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
* Comfort brake assistant, ABS, ASR and EDL
* Curtain airbag system for front and rear passengers including side airbags at the front
* Driver and front passenger airbag
* Front passenger airbag deactivation
* Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
* Front and rear disc brakes (front ventilated)
* ISOFIX child seat preparation (for 2 rear child seats)
* Driver and front passenger active head restraints
* Power-assisted steering, speed sensitive
* Electronic vehicle immobilization device
* Extended pedestrian protection measures
* Warning buzzer and warning light for front seat belts not fastened
* Flat tyre indicator
* Rain sensor

Performance Upgrades

* Volkswagen Performance Stage 1 ECU Tuning to 246hp
* Volkswagen Performance R32 front and rear brake discs and calipers
* Volkswagen Performance Exhaust
* Volkswagen Performance Body Kit
* Volkswagen “Pirelli” 18 inch alloy rims with 225/40 tyres “P Zero”

Volkswagen Warranty

* 3-year or 100,000km warranty (whichever is earlier)
* 24-hour Volkswagen Roadside Assistance
* 12-year body protection warranty
* 3-year paintwork warranty

The 2009 BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo will join the B6 GT3 race car on the stand in Geneva, and thanks to AutoZeitung, we’ve got a singular photo and some preliminary specs on the uber-sedan from Alpina.

The B7 Bi-Turbo is essentially the M7 BMW forgot to build, packing a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V8 putting out 507 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Alpina claims the B7 can run to 60 in 4.7 seconds and on to an electronically-limited 173 mph. We’ll have more details from the Geneva Motor Show next week, but expect a host of upgrades to join the engine mods, including uprated brakes, suspension components and a reworked interior to compliment the B7’s new body kit.

[Source: AutoZeitung]

Star Wars fans, behold, your dream car; too bad the listing has ended. The original owner of this particular piece of automotive art apparently had a serious love affair with George Lucas’s space-themed soap opera. Painstakingly painted across the surface of this unassuming Chevy are images of Yoda, Han Solo, X-Wing fighters and other movie characters, as well as nebula and galaxies originally photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope. This would have been just the thing to drive to the theatrical premiere of the Clone Wars. A lot of work went into this paint job, though it would take a level of dedication we don’t have just to own it, let alone drive it in public. After all, it’s a Cobalt underneath it all, and it’s emblazoned with the stigmata of the basement dweller.

Tucked away in a corner of McCormick Place was this custom WRX STI built in as part of a cooperative effort between Subaru and Travis Pastrana’s race team, Vermont SportsCar. The car commemorates Pastrana’s third consecutive Rally America National Championship, and although a one-off, many of the parts on the car can be purchased through your local authorized Subaru dealer.

The exterior features custom yellow paint, a carbon fiber hood and rear spoiler, front chin spoiler, and a set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights. Handling is improved thanks to an SPT strut tower brace, lower chassis brace, and BFGoodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S tires wrapped over satin black Work Evolution XD-9 wheels.

Under the hood, the 2.5-liter boxer engine gets an upgraded ECU and custom downpipe, while the interior now sports custom blue Alcantara seats with yellow piping, short-throw shifter, Kicker sound system and… an XBox 360.

Subaru may have halted its World Rally Championship campaign, but that isn’t stopping the automaker from playing to the hopes and dreams of its enthusiast base and one of the sports’ most visible characters. At the Chicago Auto Show, Subaru will take the wraps off the Impreza WRX STI Travis Pastana Edition, a one-make road-going rally machine almost entirely created by raiding the STI and SPT parts bin.

Subaru worked with Pastrana and Vermont Sports Car to create a mildly tuned variant of the STI, beginning with a custom down-pipe and a tweaked ECU. A front strut brace and a SPT lower chassis brace work in conjunction with satin black 18×9-inch Work Evolution wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S tires (sized 275/35 all around).

The rest of the mods are typical SEMA fare, including the yellow paint scheme, sticker job, carbon fiber hood and rear wing, along with a mesh grille, front chin spoiler, exhaust tips, mud flaps and PIAA 2100 HID driving lights. Inside, blue alcantara upholstery joins yellow piping, “199 Pastrana” embroidered logos, matching shift boot, steering wheel and parking brake handle and carbon fiber trim. Although the rally map light, short-throw shifter and passenger side metal foot rest may fool some rally fans some of the time, the Eclipse head unit, mass of Kicker speakers and Xbox 360 make it clear that this one-of-a-kind STI is little more than a show piece designed to draw attention to an otherwise spartan booth. Hit the jump for all the details.

PRESS RELEASE

Subaru Designs Custom Impreza WRX STI for Rally Champ Travis Pastrana

• Pastrana Won His Third Consecutive Rally America National Championship for Subaru in 2008
• Special WRX STI Fortified with SPT and STI Parts
• Carbon Fiber Hood and Rear Wing
• Custom Interior with High-Power Audio System and Xbox

CHICAGO, Feb. 9 — Subaru of America, Inc. will show a one-of-a-kind Subaru Impreza WRX STI designed for its factory rally driver Travis Pastrana at the Chicago Auto Show, February 13-22 in McCormick Place. Subaru worked with Pastrana to create a brilliant yellow “199″ liveried WRX STI to commemorate his third consecutive Rally America National Championship. Pastrana is scheduled to appear at the Chicago Auto Show to sign autographs in the Subaru booth February 14th and 15th.

Winner of nine X Games Gold Medals, two for X Games Rally competition, Pastrana’s street ride had to be as formidable on the road as his racing WRX STI is on the rally circuit. The Travis Pastrana WRX STI is not only a visual stunner, but also amps up performance capability of the stock production Impreza WRX STI. Vermont SportsCar, technical partner for Subaru and builder of the team’s rally cars, customized the WRX STI using an array of Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT) and STI parts, along with unique custom pieces. The SPT and STI engine, exhaust, chassis and interior parts showcased on the Travis Pastrana WRX STI are available for any WRX STI through authorized Subaru dealers.

Travis Pastrana: Rally Star

Pastrana was already a motocross champion and X Games gold medal winner when he launched a rally career in 2003. He began driving for the Subaru-backed Vermont SportsCar rally team in 2004.

On August 5, 2006 Pastrana won the gold medal in the first rally car competition at the X Games and was signed to lead the new Subaru Rally Team USA in 2006. Pastrana secured his third consecutive Rally America National Championship driver’s title with a win at the 2008 Rally Colorado round of the championship.

Pastrana WRX STI: Back-Road and Highway Star

Commissioned by Subaru, Vermont SportsCar started the Travis Pastrana WRX STI with a stock 305-horsepower 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Pastrana’s new WRX STI delivers even sharper handling response than the stock model. An SPT front strut tower brace and SPT lower chassis brace help to further tighten handling response. The stock wheels and tires are replaced by BF Goodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S 275/35 ZR18 tires on Work Evolution XD-9 18 x 9-in. wheels in custom satin black. Red STI Brembo brake calipers with white “STI” decals are visible behind the spokes.

The rally-bred WRX STI exterior design lights up with custom yellow paint and graphics. The carbon fiber hood and carbon fiber rear wing are unique to the Pastrana’s WRX STI. As on the stock production WRX STI, the functional hood scoop streams outside air to an intercooler. The Sport Mesh Grille is available for all WRX STI owners. Likewise, the STI front chin spoiler and the exhaust finishers are available through Subaru dealers. A set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights and rally-spec mud flaps underscore the aggressive rally-bred design of the 5-door WRX STI.

Engine Compartment

Under its custom carbon fiber hood, this WRX STI is equipped with a number of modifications including a performance-tuned ECU and custom Down Pipe to unleash a bit more power from the DOHC 2.5-liter intercooled turbo Boxer engine. A turbo boost gauge facilitates tuning. The SPT billet aluminum battery hold-down and billet aluminum oil cap are rendered in the trademark SPT blue color.

Interior

The custom blue Alcantara interior upholstery, the trademark of the original U.S.-spec WRX STIs, is accented with Pastrana’s traditional yellow piping and “199 Pastrana” embroidered logos in yellow thread to match vehicle exterior. Likewise, custom yellow stitching is used to accent the steering wheel, shifter boot and parking brake handle boot. An STI short-throw shifter provides an even more direct connection to the 6-speed manual gearbox. Carbon fiber patterned interior trim highlights the dash, doors and console. A rally map light and co-driver foot rest bring a bit of Pastrana’s Subaru Rally Team USA car into his new street WRX STI.

During a rally, Pastrana listens to a continuous stream of navigation commands from his co-driver. In his new custom WRX STI, he can listen to anything he wants — loudly. The audio system is based on an Eclipse AVN 6620 navigation/DVD/CD/MP3 stereo head unit and uses Kicker amplifiers and speakers, including:

Kicker ZX700.5 4×75 watt and 1×400 watt stereo amplifier
Kicker RS65.2 6.5-in. component speakers, front
Kicker RS56.2 5.25/6-in. component speakers, rear
Kicker Solo-Baric L5 10-in. subwoofer in a custom subwoofer/amplifier enclosure

An Xbox 360 is also mounted under the front passenger seat, rounding a package that is as entertaining as its owner. Pastrana and his co-driver can play the Colin McRae DIRT video game using custom yellow

by Drew Phillips on Jan 29th 2009 at 10:58AM

Not satisfied with the 638 horsepower on tap in your Chevrolet Corvette ZR1? Hennessey Performance has the solution. They’ve come up with a tuning package that includes a smaller supercharger pulley that increases boost from 11 to 14 psi, an upgraded intercooler, K&N intake, stainless steel headers, high-flow catalytic converters, and a reprogrammed engine management system that pushes output past the 700-horsepower mark. If that still doesn’t meet your needs, Hennessey can keep the upgrades coming with high-flow cylinder heads and a more aggressive camshaft that puts the ZR1 at 755 hp. Hennessey’s website says that 1000 hp is attainable, and we’re guessing it involves a pair of turbochargers. Follow the jump to watch a video of the Hennessey ZR700 knock out an 11.03 second quarter-mile with relative ease.

[Source: Hennessey Performance]

Even though its MSRP is well shy of $100,000, the GT-R is still Nissan’s most special model, and as such, it carries an air of exclusivity. Because of what the car is, and what it can do, Nissan has been exceptionally iron-fisted on some issues, and now the grip is tightening further.

Citing the fact that the GT-R uses bits and pieces that are “highly engineered, using technologies unique to Nissan,” it is now impossible to order, say, a GT-R engine unless you’re a dealer doing work on an actual GT-R. All of your dreams crate motor swaps? Gone. And it’s not just engines – the transmission, electrical system, fuel system, and chassis parts are also restricted to a GT-R -specific ordering process that reads like a ransom demand. It’s not such a big deal for most owners, we’d guess, as they’re going to to back for dealer service anyway. Tinkerers and tuners are the ones that will be mainly affected, and we’re betting that ingenuity (or a few wrecked examples) will win the day with a workaround. Of course, it’s easy enough to not blow up the engine, but about that tranny…

Nissan’s latest Z-car has hit the ground running in the U.S. and Nissan may begin stirring the pot to ratchet up excitement another notch. Although we usually have to wait for the extra goodies launched in Japan to make the trek to the States, rumor has it that the factory NISMO S-Tune kit will migrate over the Pacific in short order. In addition to the coupe’s already aggressive bodywork, a ground effects kit designed to improve aerodynamics will be part of the package, along with a new set of deep dish, five-spoke aluminum wheels and upgraded suspension and brake kits. A cat-back exhaust system rounds out the bits and pieces. If the rumors hold true, we can expect to see the NISMO S-Tune 370Z kits on dealer shelves sometime in June.