Subaru WRX STI Spec-C Rumored
Not to be outdone by Mitsubishi, Subaru is also rumored to be developing a motorsport-ready Spec-C variant of the GH WRX STI for the Japanese-and perhaps international-markets.
Like the Evo X MR, the Spec-C will also feature a range of weight reduction measures. An aluminium tailgate and roof will help shed a few pounds, while thinner glass and a smaller fuel tank show that the Spec-C is intended to be sold to dedicated motorsport enthusiasts.
A roof scoop may also be part of the package, an indicator that Subaru may delete the air conditioning in a further effort to drop the curb weight-or at least offer it as an option. All of these measures are believed to drop overall weight by 150 pounds, making for an overall weight of around 3,262 pounds.
Power is unlikely to change from the standard car's 304 hp, although considering the WRX STI was already more powerful than the Evo X it should mean both the MR and the Spec-C will be fairly evenly matched.
Evolution X Mr On The Way
Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution X hasn't even been on sale for a year, yet rumors are already afoot of a hard-core MR version being released later this year.
The new MR will likely employ many of the same goodies of previous MRs, principally a reduction of weight through the use of an aluminium roof and the ditching of various creature comforts. Power should also be raised by around 20 hp, while the twin-clutch SST gearbox is tipped to be the only cog-swapper on offer.
Suspension will also be changed from the GSR and RS versions, with harder valving and stiffer shocks making the MR trackable straight off the showroom floor.
The Evo X MR is expected to be revealed within the next few months.
LF-A Takes To Nurburgring Enduro For "Testing"
The Lexus LF-A has undergone perhaps the most prolonged development of any sports car. Since debuting at the '05 Detroit motor show, the LF-A is still not ready for production but in May Lexus took the big step of entering a prototype LF-A in the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance-a sure sign that the finished product is not far away.
Lexus' presence at the race wasn't to start racking up motorsport victories for their new hyper-car, but was intended to validate the performance of the LF-A's various mechanical systems under extreme duress. Because this issue of Turbo went to press before the race had actually run, we can't tell you how well they did, but we do know the LF-A should be blisteringly quick once it eventually reaches your local Lexus dealer.
R35 Blitzes Nurburgring With 7:29 LAP Time
After setting a very impressive 7-minute 38-second lap time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife last year, Nissan could've rested easy in the knowledge that their all-new R35 GT-R was one of the fastest production cars around the fearsome 14-mile-long circuit.
Nissan, however, isn't the kind that rests on its laurels. As soon as the German winter was over the company again took to the "Green Hell" to try and best their previous effort, eventually coming away with a scorching 7:29 lap. To put that into perspective, that's faster than a Porsche GT2, Koenigsegg CCR, and Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 GT. It also means the GT-R is now the second-fastest production car around the 'Ring-that's no mean feat considering the current leader is the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, a bespoke, low-volume supercar.
Nissan has also been spotted testing a mysterious modified R35 prototype at the Nurburgring, which many believe is the much-anticipated Spec V variant. The Spec V is rumored to be 220 pounds lighter and 40 hp more powerful than a standard GT-R, which begs the question: Just how fast will that car be around the Nordschleife?