Awesome customized firetruck

If you like customizing vehicles or simply a fan of customized vehicles then you will love this Custom Ford Firetruck. Called Project Responder, a former volunteer firefighter starts off with an old Ford F-250 truck. He then restores and converts it into a customized "ultimate fire fighting emergency vehicle".

The site has some great articles about the project including detailed technical information. It also has news, photographs and much more about the project. It was quite engrossing to read the history of the project - right from the "Genesis" of the project to the rebuilding process and the ongoing improvements.

Today the truck is a fully equipped and fully functional fire/ rescue vehicle. However, the modification continues and in fact it is a work in progress. As noted by the owner,

"Even though the truck is "finished", it will never be complete."

Right now they are busy attending shows and events around the country - the last one being the St. Louis Auto Show. I was laughing when I read about their encounter with a "Walt Winters" at the show.

Check out the site to find out what I am talking about.

Supermini concepts from Chevrolet

Three concept cars that debuted at the New York Auto Show, namely the Beat, Groove and the Trax. Check out link here.

Created by GM's design studio in Incheon, South Korea, these cars are clearly targeted at countries outside the US with a demand for small cars.

I feel that they would do quite good in the UK, that is, if the price is right. Right now, I guess the Ford Ka is the leader in the small car market.

Coming back to the three concepts, my favourite is the Trax, which is powered by a 1 litre petrol engine, 16 inch rims and a rugged look.

Lotus Exige GT3 Concept

Forgot to post this up earlier.
Lotus Sport, part of Lotus Cars Ltd (owned by Malaysia's Proton) launched the Exige GT3 Concept in Geneva, Switzerland on the 6th of March at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show.

This car features a new one-piece front clam-shell with fully masked front wheels and wheel arch venting. Quite aggressive looking.

The car is powered by a supercharged engine that produces 275PS (271bhp / 203kw) and max speed of 257kph (160mph).

It rests and runs on ten inch rear wheels with 255 width tyres.

The Exige GT3 Concept is expected to go on sale in late 2007 with an estimated price tag of between £50,000 and £60,000.

The new Mazda 2

This story is a bit old but I decided to put it up anyway.


Mazda Motor Corporation launched the World premiere of the new European spec Mazda2 (known as the Mazda Demio in Japan) at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show.

It is available in 1.3-litre and MZR 1.5-litre petrol engines. According to sources, there’ll also be a 1.4 litre diesel engine in the near future.


The safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Brake-force Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist.

Mitsubishi unveils Outlander and Prototype-x

Mitsubishi finally unveils the Motors European market Outlander SUV and Prototype-X 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Read my previous post here.

The company is displaying a total of 10 exhibits (16 during the general public session) at the show which runs from March 6 through 18 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex. It opens to the general public on March 8.

So what's different about the European market Outlander?

For a start, the on-road SUV comes with a choice of three engines : 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel and a 2.4-liter Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control (MIVEC). Mitsubishi Motors' own variable valve lift (VVL) system.

It has the split tailgate and auto-folding function for the second row seats and Hide&Seat™" retractable third row.

It also includes a new front grille with the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt Fuji-motif plinth (Mitsubishi brand design identity in the European market), as well as Euro-specific chassis tuning.

With the European launch, the Outlander is now on sale in all the world's major auto markets.

As for the Prototype-X concept. It is a design study for the new Lancer Evolution due to be launched during the 2007 fiscal year.

Mechanical features include, Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control, the Vehicle dynamics system that integrates control of drive torque, braking, steering and suspension at all four wheels (S-AWC) built around a 4WD driveline; a new aluminum block MIVEC turbocharged engine mated to a high-performance six-speed automated manual transmission; and the use of aluminum in some body panels to reduce body weight.

Mazda2 to debut in Geneva

The new European spec Mazda2

The all new Mazda2 (known as the Mazda Demio in Japan) will debut at the 77th annual Geneva International Motor Show to be held from Tuesday, March 6 through Sunday, March 18, 2007.

Also on display at the Mazda stand will be the Mazda Hakaze concept car and a diesel engine powered Mazda3 (Mazda Axela in Japan).

Audi A5 Microsite

Audi has created a microsite for the Audi A5, which will debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2007.

The car is a compact coupé, based on the A4 and is the latest model from Audi following the TT and R8 models.

There will be a 'four-door coupé' version as well as a two-door coupé and convertible versions.

The A5 has a 4.2 Liter V8 engine delivering 350 horsepower. Later, a 5.2 Liter V10 will follow to bring power output to 450hp.

Mitsubishi to unveil new SUV

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will unveil the European market version of the Outlander on-road SUV and the Prototype-X concept for the next-generation high-performance 4WD sedan at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show in March this year.


Outlander European market and Prototype-X (Image sketches)

The 2007 Geneva Motor Show runs from March 6 through March 18 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex. It opens to the general public on March 8.

The Outlander on-road SUV has a low-consumption/high-output aluminum cylinder block engine and an electronically controlled 4WD system. To meet local market needs, the European Outlander will be offered with 2.0-liter turbodiesel and 2.2-liter diesel engines.

The Prototype-X concept shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2007 is a design study for the new Lancer Evolution due to be launched during the 2007 fiscal year. It embodies Mitsubishi Motors' trademark "fun-to-drive" qualities throughout.

Mechanical features distinguishing the concept include Mitsubishi's S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) vehicle dynamics system built around a 4WD system and a new aluminum block MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control) turbocharged engine mated to a high performance six-speed automated manual transmission.

Tags: Mitsubishi Outlander Prototype-X