Subaru today announced the SPT Power packs, a new performance kit for the Subaru Impreza WRX and the Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT. The kit consists of the new SPT Performance Exhaust System, SPT High Flow Air Intake System and the SPT Heat Sheild. The SPT Power Packs give an extra 30 horsepower and 20lb-ft of torque on a stock 2007 STI. It gives the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX an extra 10 horsepower and 17lb-ft of torque. On the 2007 Legacy 2.5 GT the SPT Power Pack gives an extra 30 horsepower and 30lb-ft of torque. Continue reading Subaru Announces New SPT Power Packs
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Nissan today announced pricing on the 2007 Nissan Altima, which goes on sale this week at Nissan retailers nationwide. Along with its distinctive styling, the new fourth generation Altima utilizes the all-new Nissan “D” platform with improved body rigidity and a redesigned suspension with the development objective of making Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive sedans available globally. 
During the past 10 years, the Canadian automobile insurance industry’s underwriting results have changed dramatically as reflected by the significant variations in the direct loss ratio according to a special report by A.M. Best Co. From 1996 to 1998, the industry direct loss ratio remained flat at around 75. Premiums did not grow and claims incurred remained steady. 
Fiat took the wraps off its new Bravo in Rome today before the company plans to offer the five-door hatch across Europe in the coming weeks. The Bravo returns to the market with a sleek and sexy Italian body that makes it appear far more expensive than the typical five-door hatches we’re used to passing on U.S. roadways. The Italian automaker says the new car embodies the synthesis of Beauty and Substance. 
Saturn has announced that its new 8-passenger crossover called the Outlook will have an MSRP of $27,990 for a two-wheel drive model and $29,990 for an all-wheel drive XE model. Uplevel XR models will start at $30,290 for two-wheel drive and $32,290 for all-wheel drive. All models will get General Motors’ 3.6-liter VVT V6 that produces 270 hp and 248 ft-lbs. of torque in the base XE and 275 hp and 251 ft-lbs. of torque in the XR thanks to a dual exhaust system. 
Toyota is teasing Aussie customers with a very hot-looking show car that takes the new Aurion in a very sporty direction. The car is purely a styling exercise, so there’s no news regarding any newfound goodness underhood, but Toyota Australia is careful to note that many of the appearance mods seen here are under consideration for a potential future sports model, which would likely be powered by “a supercharged or turbocharged version of an advanced Toyota engine.” 
Through the digital grape vine we came across an article on MSNBC that rehashes the impending battle between Ford, Chevy and Toyota on the full-size pickup front. We’ve heard this story before, hell, we’ve told this story before, but what caught our eye was close to the end of the article when MSNSB Business Editor Roland Jones tells us that the 2007 Toyota Tundra’s top engine, the i-Force 5.7-liter V8, will produce 381 horsepower. Wow! We’ve been trying to get that info out of Toyota since the Chicago auto show back in February, and Roland just lets it roll of the tongue like he were quoting rear-seat leg room. Unfortunately no torque numbers were mentioned, though we’re far from sure this number is accurate anyway. 
HUMMER is going down under. GM Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and Aftersales (say that ten times fast), Alan Batey, just made the announcement at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. After announcing 16 other new models that will be arriving for 2007 and beyond, Holden pulled back a huge curtain to give Australians their first glimpse of the HUMMER H3. 
Presented to gauge interested in a possible sporty model, Hyundai unveiled its Sonata SXi concept in Sydney this week. Powered by the optional 3.3-liter V6 in stock form, the SXi features an upgraded suspension, a brake upgrade with red-painted calipers, new wheels and tires, and a very subtle body kit that add skirts to the car’s flanks and rear bumper, as well as a new lip spoiler up front. A decklid spoiler rounds things out. 
The new MAZDASPEED3 will be featured in the upcoming Electronic Arts video game Need for Speed Carbon, which will be in stores across North America on November 1. Leading nontraditional marketing company Channel M worked with Mazda and EA, as well as retailers GameStop and EB Games, to create a campaign around the car and the game. Not only will the MAZDASPEED3 be integrated into the game, but Channel M is going to have the car featured at the game’s debut in GameStop and EB Games stores nationwide. 
John Cooper Works is the British tuning garage that created the original ’61 Mini Cooper as a sportier version of the base model. So when BMW revived the MINI, they turned to the same garage, now headed by the founder’s son Mike, to create a hotter new MINI. And with the release of the newer new MINI, John Cooper Works has come out with a series of enhancements to make the hot little hatch even hotter.