Recently voted the Best Off-Road Vehicle for 2008 by Overlander magazine, the Jeep Wrangler is now available with a range of hardcore accessories from Mopar.

Chrysler has made the Mopar Adventure Pack available in Australia for the first time, featuring Genuine Jeep accessories as rugged, durable and capable as the car they were designed for.

At a recommended retail price of $3,100 the Adventure Pack will improve both approach and departure angles and offers greater car protection.

Jeep Wrangler Mopar Adventure Pack

1. Heavy-Duty front bar2. Heavy-Duty rear bar3. Rock Rails, with integrated rub rail4. Tail lamp guards5. Front skid plate6. Headlight protectors7. Rubber slush mats

The new Mopar bumpers feature a textured satin black electro coat and powder coat finish with the front bumper incorporating factory energy absorbers and is crash tested to work with the car’s airbag system.

The strong integrated tubular Jeep Rock Rails offer great body side protection without reducing ground clearance.

The pack also consists of a front skid plate to protect the cars vital components, tail lamp guards, headlight protectors and rubber slush mats.

Even in racing retirement, Michael Schumacher still has one of the ideal careers in the world, currently completing the track and road development stages of the Ferrari California.

The new V8-powered Ferrari California isn’t due to make its official global debut until the Paris International Motor Show on October 2nd this year.

The seven times Formula 1 world champion has worked with Ferrari’s team of engineers, technicians and test-drivers on honing the California’s performance.

“I’ve to say that, as with the 430 Scuderia, participating in the project since the very startning has been really fascinating and great fun,” Michael Schumacher at the end of a test session at the Fiorano circuit.

“The 430 Scuderia is, of course, a more extreme model with a focus on absolutely slicing-edge performance. However, although the Ferrari California is very much a Grand Tourer in terms of its usability and high level of interior comfort, it is still surprisingly sporty and fun to drive under any kind of conditions.”

The result is a car which can be comfortably driven each day and on long trips, whilst still offering blisteringly quick Ferrari trademark performance - with 0 to 100km/h coming up in under 4 seconds.

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Nissan GT-R var digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/autos/Blog_drives_Nissan_GT_R_and_lives_to_write_about_it’; Nissan recently allowed Autoblog four fleeting days with a red 2009 Nissan GT-R. While it seems every major automotive outlet has tested “Godzilla” on the track (including our First Drive), we chose instead to keep it on the streets to see if one of the world’s most powerful and fastest accelerating cars could be domesticated by stop-and-go traffic, family errands, and carpool duty. Of course, we only stuck to that routine for a day or two… the rest of the time was spent on the famed canyon roads of Southern California. Follow the jump to read about our 100-hour experience in the Nissan GT-R and don’t miss what very well may be the most beautiful gallery of high-res images we’ve ever published courtesy of our own Drew Phillips and all ready to become your next desktop wallpaper.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Nissan GT-R

A technology which promises to increase the fuel economy and performance of LPG cars when compared with the standard petrol models will now be available in Australia for the first time.

This next generation LPG system offers significant advances over the current VSI (Vapour Sequential Injection) industry standard.

In current arrangements, LPG Autogas is a lighter fuel which yields less energy per litre than petrol therefore more is needed per kilometre resulting in higher consumption, however at over a dollar less.

“However, the lower pump price of Autogas - currently about a dollar a litre below standard unleaded petrol - much more than compensates. Its light, low carbon structure gives it the added benefit of lower greenhouse gas emissions.”

The European-developed system dubbed JTG (Just Think Green) consistently achieves consumption of around 10 percent less litres per kilometre than vapour injection LPG systems and around 10 to 15 percent more litres per kilometre than petrol systems.

Initial testing of the product by Australian LPG Warehouse yielded a power increase of 18kW in an Falcon XR6 Turbo, with the company already developing kits for popular models, including the BA Ford Falcon and VE and VZ Holden Commodore.

It is also developing this system for small engines such as the four-cylinder Toyota Camry and Corolla.

“If a consumer can drive their car with improved performance, similar fuel consumption, no maintenance or longevity penalty and save plenty of money, it’s a revolutionary result for them and for the greater LPG industry.”

LPG Australia’s industry development manager Phil Westlake said LPG liquid injection technology increased motorists’ fuel savings over petrol - and that having Autogas’ litres per 100km figures closer to those of petrol would simplify real-world direct comparisons between the two fuels.

Click the image above for a high-res view.The Redline Time Attack series has been growing steadily since its inception a few years ago. The events follow a format similar to the qualifying portion of a typical race — essentially fastest time wins. Redline events have been the stage for several exciting top lap time battles, such as one between James Sofronas (of SCCA Speed World Challenge fame) piloting his GMG Porsche GT3 against XS Engineering with their R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R (of Speed’s Street Tuner Challenge fame). Recently we caught up with the Redline Time Attack series at California Autoclub Speedway to see what sort of competition Southern California could stir up. On top of the normal schedule, the event featured the first Live Sockets Circuit Battle competition. Circuit Battle differed from Time Attack in that it paired two cars together for a lead and chase race over 3 laps for ideal average time. Hit the jump to find out some of the results and check out all the pics in the gallery below.

Gallery: Autoclub Speedway Redline Time Attack

Video: Lightning GT unveiled, in action, and spotlightedPosted Jul 23rd 2008 at 6:56PM by Domenick Yoney

Filed under: EV/Plug-in

The freshly unveiled all-electric Lightning GT we showed you yesterday is certainly garnering a lot of attention and video tape at this years British International Motor Show. We received a message from British electric-car vlogger, Danny, telling us he’d footage of the hi-tech silver beauty having its shroud publicly removed. We rushed to watch it and happily discovered he also had his own mini Q & A session with Lightning Car Company representative, Chris Dell. We got to hear some very interesting tidbits that answer some of the questions we’ve been getting. For instance, the range is less than we hoped for at about 150 to 180 miles (this should come as no surprise since the Altairnano batteries only have half the energy density of the cells used by Tesla). However, the size of the 36 Kwh battery pack can be increased. Mr Dell informs us the “nought to sixty” time should be under 4 seconds with its top speed limited to 130 mph. Just as impressive as its Tesla-challenging numbers was the way it looked with its linen removed, spinning on the turntable.Another comment we heard a lot yesterday was that it’s still vapor because it’s not driveable. Our second video, though brief, dumps a lake full of cold water on this assumption. From RockaboxMedia comes teaser footage of the Lightning GT looking quite at home on a length of track. In true teaser fashion, most of the clip is soundless and in slow-motion but they promise they’ll bring us a full documentary on the creation and launch of the car. Unfortunately, they’ren’t sharing the embed code so you must go to YouTube to see it.The last video we want to bring to your attention today is an Al Jazeera news piece that seems to hold the spotlight on the Lightning GT. We are briefly shown the NICE Mega City but most of the report seems to be spent contrasting the Tesla Roadster with the new UK contender. Find out which car the British-accented presenter prefers as well as Danny’s video after the jump.Gallery: All-New Lightning GT

Blasphemy! Due to high customer demand, Atom has developed a lightweight windscreen for owners who want to use their Atom on the road without a helmet.

The removable screen offers the convenience of typical open air driving at high speed and can easily be removed for optimum performance on the track.

The one piece screen is constructed from a composite glass surround incorporating a wiper, washing system, switchgear and wiring attached with five fixtures plus a quick release electrical connector.

“We believe in offering Atom customers maximum choice and being able to build a car that’s exactly right for their use, from simply good fun to full on track use. The screen widens that choice, the Atom’s appeal to new customers and is the first in a range of options dedicated to keeping the Atom the ideal in its class.”

Needless to say this will be a welcome addition for current owners, given the face-warping nature of the Atom at high speeds, as demonstrated by Jeremy Clarkson.

2008 London (British) Motorshow Gallery

Alfa RomeoAlfa Romeo MiTo 2008 London MotorshowAlfa Romeo GT 2008 London MotorshowAlfa Romeo stand 2008 London MotorshowAlfa Romeo 159 2008 London MotorshowBentleyBentley stand 2008 London MotorshowCadillacCadillac stand 2008 London MotorshowChevroletChevrolet Beat Concept 2008 London MotorshowChevrolet Epica 2008 London MotorshowChevrolet Captiva 2008 London MotorshowChevrolet Camaro 2008 London MotorshowCitroenCitroen stand 2008 London Motorshow GalleryCitroen C4 Picasso 2008 London Motorshow GalleryElectric carsElectric cars 2008 London MotorshowFordFord stand 2008 London MotorshowFord Focus RS 2008 London Motor ShowFord Fiesta Econetic 2008 London MotorshowFord Fiesta 2008 London MotorshowHondaHonda stand 2008 London MotorshowHonda CR-V 2008 London MotorshowHonda concepts 2008 London MotorshowHonda Civic 2008 London MotorshowHonda Accord 2008 London MotorshowHummerHummer H2 2008 London MotorshowHummer stand 2008 London MotorshowHyundaiHyundai Genesis Coupe 2008 London MotorshowJaguarJaguar stand 2008 London MotorshowIFRIFR Aspid 2008 London MotorshowKamalaKamala 2008 London MotorshowKiaKia Picanto 2008 London MotorshowKia Kee concept 2008 London MotorshowKia Exceed Concept 2008 London MotorshowLand RoverLand Rover stand 2008 London MotorshowLexusLexus LF-A Roadster 2008 London MotorshowLotusLotus Evora 2008 London MotorshowMastrettaMastretta MXT Prototype 2008 London MotorshowMazdaMazda Furai concept 2008 London MotorshowMazda stand 2008 London MotorshowMiniMini stand 2008 London MotorshowNissanNissan stand 2008 London MotorshowNissan Cube 2008 London MotorshowNissan Qashqai+2 2008 London MotorshowOpelHolden Vectra (Insignia) 2008 London MotorshowPeugeotPeugeot stand 2008 London MotorshowPeugeot 308RCZ 2008 London MotorshowPeugeot 107 2008 London MotorshowRenaultRenault Twingo 2008 London MotorshowRenault Megane concept 2008 London MotorshowRenault Laguna Coupe concept 2008 London MotorshowSaabSaab stand 2008 London MotorshowSsanYongSsangYong stand 2008 London MotorshowSubaruSubaru Impreza WRX STI 380S concept 2008 London MotorshowSuzukiSuzuki Grand Vitara 2008 London Motor ShowSuzuki A-star concept 2008 London MotorshowTeslaTesla Roadster 2008 London MotorshowToyotaToyota Prius concept 2008 London MotorshowToyota Aygo Crazy 2008 London MotorshowRandomTopgear cop cars 2008 London MotorshowSupercars 2008 London Motorshow

You can read our review of the actual here.

British Motor Show: The Aspid. Ultra sports meets efficient.Posted Jul 23rd 2008 at 3:03PM by Xavier Navarro

Filed under: Lightweight, European Union

Click for high-resolution gallerySpanish company IFR Automotive has unveiled the Aspid at the British Motor Show. The Aspid is a new ultra-lightweight sports car. The Aspid (Spanish for viper, ahem) features a 2-liter I4 engine in two versions able to produce 270 and 400hp, the latter thanks to supercharging. This powerful engine, mated to a 700 kg (1,543 pounds) weight provides spectacular performance. The 270hp version runs from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 3.7 seconds, and 2.8 for the most powerful version. IFR also announced the estimated consumption figures, that would be vaild only if owners keep the Aspid at speeds roughly around the EU mixed cycle. In that case drivers might manage 4.8 and 5.5 l/100 km, which translates into 49 and 43mpg (US) respectively.According to the manufacturer, the Aspid isn’t a easy toy to take for a drive out for track days, but it’s a capable road car, something hard to tell from its design. It’s almost completely made from aluminum and carbon fiber. It also sports plenty of gadgetry: GPS, GPRS, a complete HiFi system, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-fi, and Ethernet connection, because the Aspid gathers data you can download regarding the car’s performance. And all this gadgetry, as well as most of the electric systems have been simplified to a maximum level to reduce weight. Impressed? They’re taking orders already. Gallery: IFR Aspid

GM teams up with utilities to prepare plug-ins.Posted Jul 23rd 2008 at 4:03PM by Xavier Navarro

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GM, USA

The Wall Street Journal has published a very interesting article that says that GM is teaming with a dozen electric utilities operating in 40 says to prepare the arrival of its plug-in model (the Volt, if you didn’t remember the name). From the business point of view, the article says that both the utilities and the auto industry have a lot to win. The plug-in hybrid car is seen as a “hot product” that can revive car sales, as well as reduce our dependence on oil. GM needs utilities which can keep the grid reliable for recharges, the same way it needed a reliable battery manufacturer for the cars to work correctly. Why a safe grid? Think of what happens in a hot summer afternoon with all A/C working and energy at its peak tier prices and plants at maximum production. Intelligent chips and software tuning would identify the car as plugged to the electric grid and then use spare electricity to recharge. According to some studies, spare power plant capacity at night could feed millions of cars. Gallery: Chevy Volt Concept