Carscoop's

SEMA Show: 500Hp Rear Wheel Drive Honda Element-D!

Now this is something every car purist would love to take for a spin in a literal sense. Built to compete in the 2007 Formula Drift Series, the Element-D ("D" for Drifting) throws out the stock model's 4cylinder/4WD drivetrain and becomes a thoroughbred through a 3.2 turbocharged V6 that sends 500Hp straight to the rear tires! Don't tell me that doesn't make you think about smoking red-hot rear tires and full opposite locks...

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SEMA Show: Honda Civic MUGEN Si Sedan - Sales start in Spring 2007

Based on the Civic Si, the Mugen Si looks nearly as sexy as the polar white Civic Sedan Type-R we saw a few weeks ago. Mugen packed this Si with a track-tuned suspension, aerodynamic body styling and a performance exhaust system. Planned for production in a limited quantity of 500 units a year, the Civic MUGEN Si sales will start in the US in spring 2007 with a retail price of less than 30,000 USD. More specifically:

The track tuned suspension lowers the vehicle by 0.6" (15mm) with highly aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance.

The full bodykit adds a front spoiler and sports grille, side spoilers, a rear diffuser and a rear wing. The lightweight MUGEN forged alloy wheels measure 18x7.5" and are shod with 215/40R18 summer tires.

The sports exhaust system reduces back pressure from the catalytic converter back resulting in an enhanced power curve.

Additional equipment includes front and rear MUGEN emblems along with a serial number placard on the instrument panel. A spherical aluminum shift knob replaces the standard knob.

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2006 SEMA SHOW: Caresto Speedster, Swedish hotrod powered by a 315Hp Volvo V8

Making its world premiere at the 2006 SEMA Show, the Caresto Speedster is the work of Swedish car specialist Leif Tufvesson. Leif previously worked for the Volvo Concept Center, and for 6 years was responsible for the development department of the Swedish sports car manufacturer, Koenig. He has now started to construct and manufacture his own cars.

The Speedster is a mid-engined retro styled hotrod with a Volvo V8 unit which has an output of 340Hp when fueled with ethanol and 315Hp when using petrol. The car is completely constructed in aluminum and carbon fiber with an advanced sports car chassis fitted with Ohlin shock absorbers. According to Leif, the car tips of the scale at exactly 1.200 Kg.

The leather interior is also crafted with a nostalgic retrospective feel. The steering wheel, instruments and gear selector come from Volvo, as does the 6speed automatic transmission and the car's electrical system.

Interesting enough, Leif has plans to build at least 6 examples of this particular model, although there's no specific date on the table yet. But if you've got spare money laying in your bank account, Leif may be tempted to sell you this unique hotrod. Here's what he said: "An interested buyer would have to be prepared to pay around 2.5 million Swedish kronor (approximately $338,000)"

Sounds a lot, but on the other hand, you get the chance to buy a unique vehicle, at least till Leif decides to build the other 6 he was talking about.