Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 and 800 based on Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

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Texas-based tuners Hennessey Performance has finished development on the Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 Twin Turbo and VelociRaptor 800 Twin Turbo trucks, based on the recently-released Ford F-150 SVT Raptor . Both special vehicles use a 6.2-liter V8 engine, just like the base model, but with a host of upgrades.Getting the VelociRaptor 600 to produce 605 horsepower (451 kW / 613 PS) and up to 622 ft-lb (842 Nm) of torque was no easy feat. The company installed twin ball bearing turbochargers, dual intercoolers, improved fuel injection system, and a new stainless steel exhaust. Aside from modifying the engine's control unit, the firm adds an electronic boost controller, dual blow-off valves and dual 44 millimeter wastegates.It takes a bit more to make the truck a VelociRaptor 800. After adding aluminum pistons, steel connecting rods, a balanced crankshaft, and further modifications to the ECU, the engine kicks out 810 hp (604 kW / 821 PS). Maximum torque rises to an impressive 745 ft-lb (1009 Nm).Look for the Hennessey VelociRaptor 800 to sprint to 60 mph in about five seconds flat, with the 600 being a few tenths of a second slower. Pricing for the upgrade package starts at $22,950, with installation costing an additional $7,000. Base price of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor begins at about $42,000.

2011 5-Series sold out worldwide

Those of you looking to buy a 2011 BMW 5-Series may have to wait longer than expected. The sedan has already been a hit for the automaker, who now reports that they are sold out of the model.Fear not, 5er fans. The result is that the newest customers will have to wait an additional, but not agonizingly-long, three or four months for delivery. The popular car is expected to make up as much as 17 percent of BMW sales in the United States.Though the car shares 70 percent of its parts and technology with the decidedly more expensive 7-Series, the 5-Series costs $25,600 less than the company's flagship model. The new 5-Series has a starting retail price in the States of $44,550.We wonder if some dealerships will try to add a premium on top of this cost, because of the early sell-out.The 2011 BMW 5-Series went on sale in Europe this past March, with American sales beginning this week.

2011 Suzuki Swift: Interior, more specs & new images revealed

New interior photos of the next generation 2011 Suzuki Swift show a car with a smoother dash, a built in retractable screen, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The car, which will be sold as both a three-door and five-door, will have more ventilation than the previous model, as well as keyless ignition and a new selection of sport cloth for the interior.Full specs show that the car will be sold at launch with a choice between a 1.2-liter WT petrol engine, and a 1.3-liter DDIS diesel. The four-cylinder 16-valve petrol unit produces 93 horsepower (69 kW / 94 PS) and up to 118 Nm (87 ft-lb) of torque. Alternatively, the direct injection diesel, also a 16V four-banger, produces 74 horsepower (55 kW / 75 PS) and up to 190 Nm (140 ft-lb) of torque. Petrol buyers get a choice between a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic, while the diesel only comes with the manual.The 3,850-millimeter long car is 1,695-mm wide and 1,510-mm high (151.57" x 66.73" x 59.45"), and has a wheelbase of 2,430 mm (95.67"). This means the car is 2.5-percent longer, with a 40-mm longer wheelbase, providing both more legroom and more cargo space. Hopefully, this will not detract from the Swift's small car charm.Still, the car's scant kerb weight ranges from 945 kg to 1110 kg, depending on the transmission and added options. By keeping the weight low, the relatively petrol engine and manual transmission get the three- and five-door to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds. Add 0.4 seconds to the time with the diesel, or 1.2 seconds with the automatic transmission. All of the manual transmission cars top out at 165 km/h, while the automatic models peak at 160 hp.To help increase fuel efficiency, the petrol engine with a manual transmission will likely get a start/stop system. Without start/stop, fuel economy on the petrol ranges from 5.0- to 5.5-liters of fuel per 100 km (47 to 43 mpg), while the diesel gets a combined 4.2 liters of fuel per 100 km (56 mpg). This leads to CO2 emissions ranging from 109 to 126 grams per km.Look for the 2011 Suzuki Swift to hit the market by the end of this year.

Tokyo Motor Show set for December 2011

The dates for the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show have been set, and they're a little later in the year this time around.
The event--which will run for three fewer days than the 2009 show--is scheduled for Dec. 2-11, 2011. The shorter schedule is meant to foster a better environment for exhibitors, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said.
The show's venue has also changed, moving from Makuhari Messe to Tokyo Big Sight.