2000 Acura Integra Type-R

Despite what you may think by reading the bold letters set on the title line of these pages, this isn't about a heated rivalry between two owners, from the same coast or from the same car crew. In fact, the ATS Garage crew is tighter than ever. Throughout the years they have had a fleet of heaters that are all worthy of mention in their own right. The "feud" as we have stated, is not between two men, it's a battle between ideologies. Let's call it a "friendly" debate within the Honda community between the B-series loyalists and the enthusiasts who have taken to the power and new technology of the K-series.

Anh Truong's 2000 Acura Integra Type R #0310

While Ryan Der was busy reacquainting himself with his love of all things B-series, Anh Truong was just beginning to get familiar with his new setup. Though he was once B-faithful, the newer technology and instant power of the K engine quickly lured him away. And he isn't the only one. It's a fair statement to say that the K-series single-handedly breathed new life into the growing monotony that once existed in the Honda community.

"I just couldn't believe the difference in power and how the car felt throughout the powerband," Anh explains. Like Ryan, he's had his fair share of experience with the ITR motor. He's gone through two of them and the last made a very respectable 201whp. Even so, one ride in a K-swapped Honda completely changed his mind. "I looked at the build on my B18C and I honestly questioned myself. Some of you might think that comparing a B18C5 to a K20A is like comparing apples to oranges but nothing can explain the feeling you get when you drive a Honda with a K-swap. The six-speed transmission is another thing that I love. The way that it's geared keeps you in the power band throughout. The B-series is a great motor...that I don't doubt. But my mind was made up."

"The majority of the people who try to knock the K-engines have probably never driven one," Anh says confidently. "All it takes is a test drive to get you thinking. They just have so much potential and react very well to modifications. Whether you decide to boost or go N/A, you can't go wrong. I'm happy with my choice and I'll never look back."

"The K20 R that sits in my ITR is pretty mild and it already makes a ton more power than my previous B set-up. It currently has Supertech valvetrain components, TODA Racing N2 cams, some basic bolt-ons and there's still a ton of room to squeeze more power out of it."

There are some Type R fanatics and enthusiasts who might say that pulling the ITR engine out in favor of a K20 is Honda-sacrilege. They would say that the Integra Type R was built for that engine and nothing else, and getting rid of it would ruin the balance of the car. There is definitely some truth in that statement, but it's most certainly debatable. An ITR was built for that engine... back then. Guys like Anh set out to exceed the maximum potential of their ITRs and the K-series engines are the perfect tool to do just that.

Anh credits his Integra Type R's most current Super Street cover-worthy state to a dream, the right team of people and his strong religious faith.

"I remember seeing my first Integra Type R at a local Burger King when I was just a high school sophomore back in 1998. I knew at that moment that it would be my dream car," he reminisces. "I didn't get the opportunity to actually own one until I was in college. Looking back, I'm actually thankful that I didn't get it until that time because I wouldn't have known how to take care of it. I'm pretty sure it would have been stolen or I would have done all the ricey things to it that I did with the Prelude I had then."

Pontiac Solstice 2008

A coupe version of the Solstice was unveiled at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The 2008 Solstice is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Convertible to the T2 Convertible. It is a pure roadster with a compelling and unique exterior design.

“It is equipped with a standard 2.4 liter, I4, 173-horsepower engine that achieves 19 mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. The T2 Convertible is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 260-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 19 mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission”. Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic transmission.

Auto critics say that this is an eye-pleasing, well proportioned, and a sensuous package. Both trim levels of the Pontiac Solstice come with a manual folding convertible top. Engineers made only minor changes and facelifts to create the new Solstice. It has its sleek lines in its roof that give the car a fresh appearance. Edmunds.com says that the Solstice is "downright sexy".

It features; steering-wheel mounted cruise control, enhanced DIC controls and fog lamps, power locks, mirrors and windows, along with remote keyless entry, and leather seating surfaces. It has bolstered bucket seats that most passengers will find comfortable. Most reviews say that the overall finish of this new Pontiac is very good.

Breckland Beira

Europeans really deserves appreciation, especially the Brits. Once again they have created a great car model that set car aficionados in big surprise. This is the new Breckland Beira – a new soft-top 2-seater sportscar that unexpectedly existed.

It uses the General Motors Kappa platform as the foundation for its design. This said platform is also currently used by the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Opel Gt. While the engine performance exhibits identically with the Chevrolet Corvettes. Corvette uses its old LS2, 6-litre V8 engine that produces just less than 400 bhp. The 0-60mph time is said to be sub 5-seconds and the top speed lies at 155mph.

Mark Easten, Engineering Director for Breckland Beira says that “The Kappa platform offers a highly competent chassis, which has been subject to intensive crash and safety tests, and is readily available.

Breckland’s overall director Mike Rawlings states that the cars purpose was to showcase great design and engine potential as well as to construct a thrilling driver’s car with brilliant handling dynamics and marvelous performance.

The top attribute for this new model was the engine that can either use a Liquefied Petroleum Gas as well as petrol. With this feature it can definitely reduce the toxic emissions brought by pure petroleum fueled engines.

The unique and sporty exterior styling displays classic design familiarized on British exhibition areas. Although, older components such as heavy steel panels have been replaced with lightweight components to increase aerodynamics. On its cabin it doesn’t have much sophistication but it has all the standard features that a sportscar must have.

The Breckland Beira will go on sale this November with an expected retail price of £55,000 and it will make its debut at the London Motorexpo.

Ford Shelby GT40

According to Superformance, the Shelby vehicles are made to simulate the mark of GT40s that completed 1-2-3 at the “1966 24 Hours of Le Mans”. All cars are built as Mk. IIs (while Superformance does propose an Mk. I replica) as well as for the body color, it is highlighted or fashioned with your option by blue with white stripes, black with silver stripes, and red with white stripes.

With narrow making of this car, merely 85 copies of Ford GT40 will be created and all will be endowed with several signs and symbols with Carol Shelby, it also loaded with sporty suspension with Bilstein springs H & R, quality braking system and 15 inches disks with 225/50 and 275/60 tyres and added with a prevailing Shelby-badged V8 crate engine but the price of this GT40 is unknown.

Positively, there are a lot of methods to go about acquiring homage to the GT40. I believed, if you're wanting for a truthfully reliable recreation and you want to wish Shelby a happy birthday, this may be one for you.

New Volvo C30 Green Racing Car

It’s green racing time! The Volvo Car Corporation has taken vehicle technology to new heights by developing a totally new racing car and sustaining its efforts with bioethanol (E85) and the Green Racing in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) for the next three years!"

Our decision is based on the positive attention and the good results that the recently concluded STCC season has meant for Volvo's brand," says Derek Crabb, the head of Powertrain and Engine at Volvo Cars and the man recently appointed to lead Volvo's Racing department."It is now time to take the next step for the coming STCC seasons, and to meet the growing international interest in green racing," added Derek Crabb.

According to AutoSpectator.com, the car will be enhanced by developing a new and up to date green racing car based on the Volvo C30. The C30 is the basically the model that displays Volvo's environmental technology in the market such as the Flexifuel and the forthcoming 1.6D Efficiency. The Volvo 1.6D Efficiency has an average fuel consumption of 0.45 litres per 10 km (52 mpg-US/62 mpg-UK) and CO2 emissions under 120 grams per kilometer. Now that’s absolutely ground-breaking - so great that it can definitely shatter your Dodge bumper bracket!

"The decision to leave this year's racing car, a Volvo S60, was fairly simple. The Volvo C30 is a somewhat smaller and more agile car with excellent driving characteristics, even in the standard version," says Derek Crabb.

"Development of the new racing car will be done jointly by Volvo Cars and Polestar Racing, who has successfully handled our participation in STCC for several years. However, it is currently too soon to provide any detailed information about the construction of the new car. The objective, on the other hand, is crystal clear - we will develop a winning car," Crabb concludes.

Now check out a few of Volvo C30 E85 FIA Super 2000’s technical specifications:
Body: A standard C30 body reinforced by a safety cage and side impact protection on the driver's side, developed in collaboration with Caran.

Aerodynamics: Front splitter (the lower section of the bumper) and a rear spoiler wing developed by Polestar in Volvo's wind tunnel.

Engine: A fully aluminium, transversely mounted, 5-cylinder, inline, four-valve, 1999 cc engine. / Only minor modifications are permitted on the cylinder block and cylinder heads, while valves, cam shafts, pistons, connecting rods, and the crankshaft have been replaced by racing-specific components.

Oil: Castrol 5W-30

Output/torque: 280+ hp at 8,750 rpm/Approx. 230 Nm at 7,300 rpm.

Fuel: E85

Exhaust system: Stainless steel with catalytic emission controls, specially manufactured by Ferrita.

Driveline: 6-speed sequential gearbox with straight-cut gears, manufactured by Hewland. Front-wheel drive. / Mechanical differential with a torque controlled ramper and friction discs. / SACHS 184mm two-disc carbon fibre clutch.

Oil: Castrol TWS 10W-60.Front wheel suspension: Öhlin's McPherson struts developed together with Polestar. Racing-specific support arms and adjustable anti-roll bar.

The Porsche Cayman is a mid-engined 2-seat sports car produced by Porsche AG of Germany. First launched in the 2006 model year, the Porsche Cayman is the coupé version of the second generation Porsche Boxster convertible. Like the Boxster, the Cayman is assembled in Finland by Valmet Automotive.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is Ferrari's 2-seat Gran Turismo flagship model, replacing the 575M Maranello in 2006 as a 2007 model. It is named for its total engine displacement (5999 cc), Gran Turismo Berlinetta nature, and the Fiorano Circuit test track used by Ferrari.

The 599 GTB debuted at the Geneva Motor Show on February 28, 2006. Styling of the 599 GTB was handled by Pininfarina, under the direction of Ferrari stylist, Frank Stephenson.