Production version FT-86 might be called Celica

Revealed at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the Toyota FT-86 will be put into production in 2012. Bu while the concept is inspired by the Toyota Corolla AE-86 GT, the production version might revive the Celica name. Why? Due to its resonance in the company’s history.

The FT-86 is a compact, rear wheel drive sports concept powered by a 2.0 Liter horizontally opposed, naturally aspirated four cylinder gasoline burning engine supplied by Subaru. In its non boosted form, the flat four make a maximum output of 150 HP, but the automaker is toying around with the idea of a more powerful super charged version depending on consumer demands.

The production version will be powered by both normally aspirated and turbocharged versions of improved Subaru engines and will target models like Nissan 370Z.

Short history: Toyota Celica was a two-door coupe sports car produced between 1970 and 2005. During its life time there were seven different generation, all of them using various four cylinder engines. The car’s name is derived from the Spanish word for "heavenly" or "celestial". The Celica was Toyota’s version of the Mustang.

2011 Ford Mustang GT will get the 5.0 treatment

Ford is bringing them back, those two little numbers that we all so fondly remember pasted to the side of many Fox Body Mustangs, no matter whether they had the bad boy 302 cubic inch V8 under the hood or not; but the story of the 5.0 goes back beyond to the beginning of the Mustang story. Despite the popularity of the 289 cubic inch engine in the original pony, Ford also offered a 302 cubic inch V8 built from their magical engine plant in Windsor, Canada.

There was also the factory tuned handling machine, the Boss 302, although it didn’t have the big boy 429 Cobra Jet engine under the hood, this car could run circles around its bigger brother. The Boss 302’s motor was taken from the blue oval’s Trans-Am team, the small black racing engine was chosen by Ford in 1969 because of its compact and excellent output, 290 HP, made for the best handling Mustang that has ever come out of Dearborne, it gave the car a more desirable weight distribution than the NASCAR big block. Think the Boss’s 302 cubic inch V8 as the 13B for muscle cars.

When Ford switched over the Mustang II update in 1974, it brought the 302 with it; but it wasn’t until the third generation pony car made its debut that the American automaker decided to add a little flare to the Mustang’s fenders. Unfortunately when Ford switched to the fourth generation Mustang in 1994, the 302 had a short lease on life. The Mustang was only available with that magical motor from Canada in this modern sleek looking Mustang until 1995.

700hp Mustang by Reed Speed

Of course when it comes to tuning the Ford Mustang there are quite a few tuning shops that come to mind. But there is one group that aim to stand head and shoulders above the rest, Reed Speed.

Starting off with a Ford Mustang GT and developed in conjunction with Artisan Performance, the Reed Speed SSE is powered by a 4.6 Liter V8 engine completed with forged rods, redesigned pistons and Total Seal rings to make sure that none of the exploding gasses can escape the combustion chamber. All of these high-performance parts raise the output of the Mustang from 315 HP all the way up to a ground pounding 700 HP.

With great power comes great responsibility, so Reed Speed upgraded the stoppers with a set of 14 inch rotors that are clamped down on by a set six-piston calipers supplied by SSBC. On the outside, Reed Speed is planning on adding a set of their 20" iForged wheels for a little more attitude. The exterior package is made complete by a custom two-tone paint job from BASF and a set of smoked lenses.

The Reed Speed tuning kit will be available by the end of this summer.

Dodge Challenger by KW

The tuners at KW have just finished working on a complete muscle car makeover for the Dodge Challenger. The hot rod tuners will only build a few examples of this Mopar masterpiece, so collector’s status is guaranteed.

To allow the 6.1 Liter Hemi to breathe easier and improve the engine’s performance, KW added a K&N sport air filter and an all new free flowing exhaust system. The Challenger is being equipped with a set of HRE 995R forged alloy wheels finished in brushed aluminum. To top it all off, KW went a step further with Lamborghini style doors.

General Motors is still considering the Z28 Camaro

It was quite a let down when General Motors announced that they were going to cancel