Proton Shows Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X Lookalike Concept of Inspira with 240HP Turbo Engine

The 2010 Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show at the Putra World Trade Centre in Malaysia saw local automaker and owner of Lotus, Proton, revealing a host of concept models including a sport prototype of the recently launched Inspira called the Jebat. Needless to say, it's clearly inspired from the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X.

As you may remember, the Inspira is a rebadged Mitsubishi Lancer sedan and is the result of an OEM collaboration between the Malaysian automaker and Mitsubishi Japan. However, we're not so sure if Mitsubishi had this in mind when it was signing the agreement with Proton.

In any case, the Jebat study, which could very well lead to a similar production model, features a wide body kit with blistered wheel arches and splashes of matte black paint all around the car. Power is provided by a turbocharged 4-cylinder MiVEC engine producing 237HP (177kW) at 6,000 rpm and 343Nm of peak torque at 3,000 rpm.

No word if the pseudo-EVO (that does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) comes with the real EVOs four-wheel drive system, but Proton has announced that the Jebat completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.6 seconds and tops out at 232 km/h or 144 mph.

Via: Proton and CBT

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Fiat's Split Into Two Groups Results in New Logos

In about a month's time, on the 1st of January 2011, Italy's Fiat will have completed the separation of its truck and tractor business from its car making operations. The split will result in the creation of two separate groups; Fiat SpA with a clear focus in the automobile sector, and Fiat Industrial SpA incorporating the firm's truck, commercial vehicles, agricultural and construction equipment, and related powertrain divisions.

In a brief announcement today, the Italian giant published the logos of the two newly formed groups. Fiat SpA, which will include the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands as well as the firm's 20% minority stake in the Chrysler Group LLC, will be identified by a logo displaying the word Fiat in tall, condensed blue lettering on a white background.

In contrast to the Fiat SpA logo, the Fiat Industrial SpA group, which will incorporate Iveco trucks and Fiat Powertrain Industrial and Marine as well as CNH Global NV (CNH), a subsidiary of Fiat Netherlands Holding N.V., gets a logo with burnt gold lettering on a blue background.

The new logos, designed by Robilant Associati, replace the Fiat Group logo adopted by the company in October 2005.

Following the demerger of the two groups, Fiat SpA and Fiat Industrial SpA will be listed separately on the Milan Stock Exchange with each company operating with their own management teams and boards of directors.

VIDEO: Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo Drives the New Stratos

After Pininfarina presented the New Stratos to the car's owner Michael Stoschek, the Italian design house invited Ferrari head-honcho Luca di Montezemelo to take it for a spin around the Fiorano circuit in Maranello.

According to the project's official website, Mr. di Montezemolo was very impressed with the New Stratos, openly praising it with exclamations such as "bellissima" and "congratulazioni". And that's not all, as the Ferrari CEO called his technical director, Roberto Fedeli, and suggested he should also take a look at the car.

Chief test driver Dario Benuzzi was next behind the wheel, pushing the new Stratos to its limits. With more than 40 years of experience in calibrating sport and racecars, Benuzzi concluded that the rear axle becomes a bit "agitated" during high speed cornering, but it can be "cured" by a bit more toe-in on the rear wheels.

Then again, given that the New Stratos is based on the F430 Scuderia's underpinnings, we weren't expecting anything but words of praise from the Ferrari brass. The next meeting with the New Stratos will take place at the official press unveiling at the Paul Ricard Circuit, in France in about a week's time.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

Pininfarina Hands Over One-Off New Lancia Stratos to its Owner

In what could be one of the happiest days in Michael Stoschek's life, the German millionaire who commissioned the creation of a modern-day Lancia Stratos, took delivery this week of the one-off Italian supercar from Pininfarina's headquarters outside of Turin.

All in all, it took two years for the Italian design firm and coachbuilder to complete the project. Pininfarina's engineers and technicians built the New Stratos almost from scratch, using the platform and mechanical hardware of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia as a base. In the process, they tweaked and modified the Prancing Horse model's chassis as well as its V8 powerhouse.

Even though the car has been handed to its rightful owner, Pininfarina said final output and performance figures will be announced at a later date.

This isn't the last we'll be hearing of the New Stratos as in two week's time, the Italian supercar will be presented to the international press at the Paul Ricard Circuit. Until then, check out the photos below from the delivery ceremony at Pininfarina's plant or click here for a video of the car filmed during the development phase.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________