Subaru has finally launched a really special version of the current sedan based Impreza WRX STI (or just WRX STI these days) – the Subaru WRX STI S206. This as usual Japan only special edition is like the earlier S201, S202, S203, S204 and R205. It also reverts back to the ‘S’ moniker instead of the R205 previously. Maybe this change makes perfect sense in terms of keeping in line with tradition.

Anyway, like previous S versions, the car is the pinnacle of Subaru STI tuned cars. These S series cars are JDM road legal cars that basically have a whole bunch of Subaru’s tuning arm STI parts in them and is usually limited to a few hundred units over in Japan. This latest S206 gets all of the option parts plus an additional surprise this time.

According to a recent report, Ferrari will form an owners' club and give its members first crack on the ludicrously expensive limited-edition Ferraris that roll out from time to time.

Last year, the Italian automaker announced plans to build 80 units of the SA Aperta (shown above), a roadster derived from the 599 GTB coupe. But many long-time Ferrari collectors complained that these limited edition cars were snapped up before they had a chance to act. The SA Aperta was unveiled at a customer-only event in August 2010 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was then displayed publicly at the Paris Auto show the following month. The cars were sold out by the end of September 2010.

Let us continue in this second instalment of iconic vehicles from the movies and TV shows.

Herbie VW Beetle from The Love Bug

Herbie is an anthropomorphic Volkswagen Beetle that was featured in the Love Bug movie franchise. The character has a mind of its own and basically it can do anything it wants, for example driving on its own. The romantic comedy is about a struggling race car driver who, after a racing crash, went out to look for a replacement race car.


He eventually bought a white VW Beetle after visiting a showroom and at one point of the movie; he was convinced that the car had a mind of its own. The rest of the movie tells the adventures of the driver and his companions’ involvement in a race competition.

Martin Tomczyk, winner of the 2011 DTM Championship, announced he will no longer compete for the Audi squad in the 2012 season. The 29-year old Champion from Rosenheim has competed for Audi for 11 years, and thanked the Audi team for their support, “The entire Audi Sport team and in particular Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich have always been behind me throughout the many years we spent together. I’m delighted that I could repay the trust by winning the 2011 championship title together with team Phoenix.”

Despite his success with Audi, Tomczyk said that he is ready for a new challenge in 2012. “I have now decided to accept a new challenge. To conclude, I would once again like to thank everybody with whom I have worked together during my eleven years at Audi Sport and assure every single individual that these years were, in hindsight, something very special,” he explained.

The Alfa Romeo Spider, first released in the mid 1960s, lasted for almost three decades. It is one of Alfa Romeo’s most popular models especially in North America where large numbers of it were sold. Furthermore, the car was made even more famous when it was used in the movie The Graduate, driven by actor Dustin Hoffman.

Alfa Romeo has indicated that they are developing a next-generation Spider and will challenge the Mazda MX-5 which has controlled the roadster market segment ever since it came out.


During that time, other than the Spider, this market segment was dominated by mainly British roadsters. British automakers such as Austin Healey, Triumph and MG had their own roadster models.

The usage of lightweight materials in cars is not something new. Many automakers have done it and this trend is increasing. Usually, carbon fibre is the preferred material choice. Recent reports have shown that several automakers plans to shed more weight from their cars by infusing more carbon fibre parts and some have even invested in companies that manufacture carbon fibre.

The main factors of carbon fibre usage are pretty well known. It is light in weight, pretty strong and for some; it gives out an image of exclusivity especially when most people know that it is an expensive material.


The Lamborghini Aventador is one good example of how automakers infuse carbon fibre into their creations. The Aventador’s body is built entirely with carbon fibre materials, mainly carbon fibre reinforced plastics. These weight saving measures enables the car to deliver 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds.

If you are thinking of owning an all-new 2012 Lexus GS saloon but wish to pay less road tax, here is your chance. The new entry-level model for the GS saloon has been revealed in the form of the GS 250, equipped with a 209 hp 2.5-liter V6 Dual VVT-i engine featuring D-4S direct port injection. The base car was shown recently at the China International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou.

The GS 250 is the third model in the new GS lineup after the GS 350, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 306 hp and the GS 450h that links a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 to the Lexus Hybrid Drive for a combined system output of 338 hp. The base 2.5-liter engine is capable of pushing the GS from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 230km/h. The 2.5-liter is mated to a close-ratio 6-speed automatic transmission that features sequential manual shifting mode. According to Lexus, the GS 250 returns a combined fuel economy of 8.9L/100 km with CO2 emissions of 207g/km.

It looks like the relationship between Suzuki Motors Corporation and Volkswagen Group has gone from bad to worse. Some of us might know about the recent reports of Volkswagen threatening to sue its Japanese partner.


And now, Suzuki has begun arbitration proceedings against Volkswagen on the 24 November 2011 at the ICC International Court of Arbitration, located in London. If the proceedings are successful, it will force Volkswagen to sell back its stake in the Japanese company back to Suzuki or to a third party approved by Suzuki Motors.

A study conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), an affiliate of the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), showed that hybrid drivers are 25% less likely to be injured in an accident than drivers of non-hybrid models. HLDI’s study included more than 25 pairs of hybrid and their conventionally-engined counterpart.

"Weight is a big factor," says Matt Moore, HLDI vice president and an author of the report. "Hybrids on average are 10 percent heavier than their standard counterparts. This extra mass gives them an advantage in crashes that their conventional twins don't have." Moore added that other factors such as the drivers’ habits may contribute ‘noise’ to the result, but researchers have included controls to mitigate the effects of these factors on the final results.

The last time I had sealant treatment done on the paintwork was in June 2010, which was the System 6 paint protection system by Tuff Clad at Sin Ming Drive. I learnt about Amazing Shine from a leaflet on my windscreen and decide to give it a try on a Sunday afternoon. For $38, it includes vacuuming, polish, clay bar treatment, tyre shine and rim polish.

The process began with a car wash. The company is using Sonax products. The 2 staff that attended to my car are attentive in their work. The co-partner of the workshop, Ben, was there to ensure that the car is free from debris before the polishing work starts.