Articles by CarsGuide team

   

...at the UK’s Silverstone circuit.

The one-of a-kind, road-legal version of the latest Formula Ford single-seat racer completed the lap in 7 minutes, 22 seconds to register the 11th fastest time ever on the circuit, a performance that puts it ahead of a host of supercars including the 600+ horsepower Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari Enzo and Pagani Zonda. The tiny 1.0-litre, three cylinder EcoBoost engine is also used in the European Focus.“This little engine has people rubbing their eyes in disbelief,” said racing driver and course specialist Nick Tandy, 28, who completed the drive. “It's simply astonishing that a 3-cylinder, one-litre engine can deliver that kind of performance.”Ford engineers replaced the usual 1.6-litre EcoBoost power unit with a specially tuned 150kW version of the company's new global 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. The project team also modified the vehicle so it would be fully street legal for on-road use by fitting it with wheel covers, front and rear lights and indicators, aerodynamically designed wing mirrors and a horn.The car is fitted with a 6-speed manual gearbox and was driven on road-legal tyres. The car's unofficial top speed is 255.5 km/h with a 0-100 km/h time of less than four seconds. The vehicle completed the 20.832 km Nordschleife circuit at an average speed of 169 km/h. 

...for the Smart Fortwo city car.

...for the Bad Girls video.

Before retiring, the Michigan car dealership owner wanted to thank his employees in a special way.All 89 employees at the Howard Cooper Import Centre in the city of Ann Arbor were given $US1000 for each year of service to the 47-year-old car dealership."The lady behind me had tears running down her face,'' employee Sandy Reagan told AnnArbor.com."I sat next to a person who drives the parts van and he's been here almost 28 years. He doesn't make a ton of money, but he got almost $US28,000."He just said, 'Oh my God','' said Ms Reagan, who has been with the company 46 years."I wanted to thank my employees and that was a way I could do it,'' said 83-year-old Mr Cooper. "I hope it makes a difference in their lives like they have made in mine.'' 

Available now, the 2012 CBR600RR is priced from $15,490 for the standard version and $16,490 for the Combined ABS version. Excelling in sports track and road performance, Honda's CBR600RR delivers blistering power balanced by easy, natural handling and road manners. The CBR600RR is powered by a compact, lightweight, 600cc, liquid-cooled, inline-4 engine which is tuned for strong midrange performance and designed to deliver maximum drive out of corners. Smooth, strong braking power is provided by radially-mounted four-piston caliper front disc brakes while the ABS version features electronically-controlled "Combined ABS". Fully adjustable inverted front fork and Unit-Pro-Link rear damper combine to allow late braking into corners and smooth progress around them. The undercowl, bodywork sculpting and specially designed air vents provide highly effective airflow at medium and high speeds and enhance machine stability while aggressively styled, aerodynamic fairing allows maximum rider enjoyment. An electronic steering damper contributes to the safe ride feel by automatically adjusting to speed and aiding stability at high speeds and enabling light, easy low-speed handling. In either the standard or the Combined ABS version, the CBR600RR is a versatile and agile Supersports machine. Capable of the fastest, most intense track riding, this machine from Honda also delivers a controllable and naturally easy road-riding experience.