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Porsche to make ^Adidas^ model?(7/16/2005)

Adidas, Porsche-style; High-end shoes, apparel and equipment for golf, tennis and running will launch in 2007. German sports goods firm Adidas will launch a top-end collection in 2007 with luxury car maker Porsche, the company said Monday. Under a long-term deal with Porsche^s accessories business, Adidas will make shoes, apparel and equipment for golf, tennis and running, featuring the Porsche and Adidas logos, it said in a statement. A spokesman declined to comment on financial details.

Acura to develop a replacement for aging NSX(7/16/2005)

Acura is developing a new supercar to replace the current NSX, which ceases production at the end of 2005. Extensive retooling is needed to meet the more stringent 2006 emissions requirements for the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The NSX was the first Japanese supercar. It was a hand-built, exotic, mid-engine sports car that sold more than 18,000 units worldwide during its 15 year production run.

Lotus Readies New Coupe — and It^s Coming to America(7/10/2005)

Lotus is testing a new 2+2 coupe that will fit between the current lightweight two-seat Elise and Exige models and the new Esprit supercar, due in 2007. The car, expected to revive either the Elite or Excel nameplate, which will be priced around $70,000, has a composite body and an aluminum chassis. It^s wider and longer than the Elise, but has the same midengine layout as the small Lotus models.

Wreckage Lessons: Twisted sheetmetal speaks to State Farm researchers(7/10/2005)

As the story goes, the 2004 Subaru WRX STi was northbound on Interstate 55 near Springfield, Illinois, when the driver took an exit, tried to stop on wet pavement, and hammered the white-winged rally car into a light pole at the top of the ramp. A total wreck, the Subie was junkyard-bound when Earl Hyser stepped in to detour the heap of twisted metal a few miles up the road to the State Farm Insurance Vehicle Research Facility in Bloomington.

Audi Plans Topless A3(7/6/2005)

German automaker Audi will soon introduce a convertible version of its A3, sources have told Inside Line, as the hardtop version is just now hitting the U.S. market in hatchback form. The A3 Cabriolet is scheduled for introduction in Europe in spring 2007; plans for the U.S. are not known yet. The A3 Cabriolet will be based on the next-generation A3, which uses the sixth-generation Golf platform. It will share no exterior body panels with the current A3. The current three-door A3 hatchback will be replaced in 2010.

Honda^s New Hybrid Engine Promises 20 Percent More Power(7/6/2005)

Honda said it has developed a new gasoline-electric hybrid engine for the upcoming 2006 Honda Civic, with a 20 percent improvement in power over the engine in the current hybrid Civic. The new hybrid engine, which is smaller than the one in the current Civic hybrid, improves fuel economy by five percent, Honda said. The current Civic models, powered by a hybrid engine and a manual transmission, get about 46 miles per gallon in city driving and 51 miles per gallon on the highway.

Mazda seeking to beef up its U.S. lineup; seven-seat sport wagon possible(7/6/2005)

Within three years, Mazda plans to replace the MPV minivan with a new vehicle specifically for North America. One possibility is a larger seven-seat car-based sport wagon, say company sources. In another segment, the company has confirmed that a car-based SUV, the CX-7, will arrive in fall 2006. The MPV replacement would be in addition to the CX-7.

Flying Scotsmen...(7/4/2005)

Colin and Alister McRae will headline the UK^s premier rally car show at Castle Combe Circuit on Saturday 13 August. The famous rally driving brothers will be demonstrating their Mk2 Ford Escorts throughout the event, giving spectators the unique opportunity to witness them on track together. Other highlights at the event will include precision driving displays by British Autotest Champions Russ Swift and Paul Swift and a display of over 75 Audi quattro cars to celebrate the rallying icon^s 25th anniversary. More information at www. rallyday.com

Megane returns to its RenaultSport roots(7/4/2005)

Renault has added to their RenaultSport product line with a new Cup version of the Megane 225. Priced at £18,600, the Cup is £1,400 less than the regular 225 thanks to the removal of items such as the CD changer. Removing equipment also loses valuable weight, all the better to enjoy the tweaked chassis.