MCCHIP VW Scirocco : 246 hp For 848 euros.

This is probably the cheapest way to get more power out of your Volkswagen without any other fluff. A simple chip thats priced at 849 Euros from MCCHIP brings your Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TFSI up from 200 horsepower to 246 horsepower and 346Nm of torque. These tuners really make tuning up turbo cars sound so easy!

Of course, if you desire anything more then the MCCHIP demo car here also features a stiffer performance suspension from H&R, 19 inch wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 235/35ZZR19 tyres, and a performance exhausts system.

I wonder if Volkswagen Malaysia has any plans to offer the Scirocco here. The 2.0 TFSI Scirocco would priced at a premium above the Golf GTI would probably sell, as considering the amount of Mk5 GTIs running around here it�s starting to look boring.

BTW don�t you find it weird that all the demo kitted up Volkswagens from the tuners have so far all been done up in a white colour scheme? I was in Singapore over the weekend and saw a Volkswagen exhibition at Vivo City and all the cars were white too.

White is still the new black!

Mazda Atenza 2.0 Style Edition In Japan.

Mazda will sell a special �Style Edition� of the Mazda Atenza (we know it as the Mazda 6) in Japan, based on the Atenza 20C model but with various equipment upgrades. These upgrades include LED indicators in the door mirrors, fog lamps, HID headlamps, water-repellent coating for the windows, dark tinted glass for the rear doors and rear window, 17 inch alloys wrapped with 215/50R17 tyres, leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, blackout meters, and an audio-less spec which means the speakers are there but a space is left for you to add your own head unit. Some of these features are probably available on the larger displacement model, so this special version is probably for those who do not want the larger engine but want the little gadgets that the big brother has such as the blackout meters (meters that appear black and only turn on when the car is turned on).

Mitsubishi Racing Lancer and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: side by side comparison photos.

Click for enlarged image

Mitsubishi Motors has commissioned this interesting photoshoot featuring the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X and the Mitsubishi Racing Lancer MRX-09 side by side in static and action shots. Both are turbocharged and feature all-wheel drive, but they are totally different machines despite sharing the Lancer nameplate.

The Racing Lancer does not use the Lancer�s chassis, as you would already know looking at how much larger it is, or if you�ve been reading this blog�s previous coverage of the Racing Lancer. It�s actually built on a tube steel frame structure, with carbon fiber �skin� bolted on. It�s a hardcore rally machine that�s used as Mitsubishi�s entry in the Dakar 2009.

Powering it is not a variation of the 4B11T that powers the Lancer Evolution, nope. This one�s an oil burner! A 3.0 liter V6 mated to a Ricardo 5-speed sequential gearbox puts out 260 horsepower and a massive 650Nm of torque over a decent torque curve, or at least that�s what Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart�s driver Hiroshi Masuoka says. According to Hiroshi, the diesel engine outperforms its petrol-powered siblings in terms of controllability on a challenging terrain, and it also rushes faster out of corners and along straights.

2010 Cadillac SRX.

Cadillac has updated its SRX crossover SUV and it is now in its second generation since first introduced in 2004. The mid-sized Caddy SUV now looks more dynamic and in tune with current design trends, unlike the first gen which had a slightly boxy look that reminds you of a Dodge.

Two engines are available - a normally aspirated direct injected V6 and a more powerful turbocharged 2.8 liter V6. No SRX-V yet, but looking at how BMW is rushing to make M versions of their SUVs, I won�t be surprised if we see the introduction of a SRX-V, perhaps with the CTS-V�s 550+ hp LS V8 engine under the hood?

The 3.0 liter V6 is a downsized version of the 3.6 liter unit in the Cadillac CTS, which was named one of the world�s 10 best engines for 2009 according to Ward�s Auto. It�s equipped with the latest fuel-sipping technology such as variable valve timing and direct injection, and is paired to a 6-speed Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful engine is the 2.8 liter turbocharged V6 that puts out 300 horsepower and 400Nm of torque, similiar figures to BMW�s turbo inline-6.

To help with fuel economy, all-wheel drive is not a standard feature so customers who do not want or need it can opt for a two wheel drive version that sheds the AWD system�s heavy equipment. But for those who opt for all-wheel drive power, it is also equipped with an eLSD at the rear, which helps with torque distribution for maximum traction. There is also a real-time adjustable damping system which can vary the suspension�s parameters on the fly in response to road conditions.

This week in Spanish Class: January 5-9, 2009

Welcome back chicos! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation! I look forward to starting the second semester fresh!

Monday: I will be testing your Spanish skills! How much have you really learned so far?

Tuesday-Thursday: We will review all the material covered in the first semester; to help you refresh your mind, and prepare you for an outstanding second semester!

Friday: We will be having a guest speaker from Spain! How exciting!

Question of the week for the week on January 5-9, 2009

Where is Uruguay?

What are the colors of its flag?

Name one historic event that took place there?