MINI Countryman WRC

This is badass. It's great to see another marque in the WRC! This dropped at the Paris Motor Show.

Hyundai i20 Sport Edition is sporty, really orange on the inside

Here's the Hyundai i20 Sport Edition. Hyundai teamed up with Brabus to create this one, which showed up a the Paris Motor Show. Allegedly, it's just a cosmetic kit at this point; no word on the powerplant. I think it looks pretty sweet. The interior, however, looks like a can of orange spray paint exploded. Regardless, the U.S. isn't going to get it.

Lilttle car, big engine

It's the oldest trick in the go-fast book. Take a small car, put a big engine in it. Think Shelby Cobra. Think any hot-rodded car ever. Anyway, this guy's project Vega Kammback is a good example. Take one, small, lightweight car, and put in a fire-breathing V-8 in it. Although I can't attest to it actually breathing fire, it certainly sounded like it did. I saw this little guy on the way home from work.

What do you want to see on Subcompact Culture?

If you haven't noticed, most of my posts are happening in the evening. That's because I've got a 9-5 job again (actually it's 7-4, but who's counting?). Regardless, it's a very good thing. Have no fear, I'll still be keeping up on Subcompact Culture, just in the PM.

With that being said, what do you, the reader, want to see on SCC? More Subcompact Showcase? More more Nostalgic Subcompact? More of something completely different? Maybe even less of something ...

Anyway, let me know what you like (and don't like) to see in terms of content. Hey, without you guys, I'm just writing to myself. Which reminds me of Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself."

I'm going to bed.

In the driveway: 2011 Mazda2 Touring

So what's in the driveway this week? It's back to a bona-fide subcompact: The 2011 Mazda 2 Touring. In its unmistakable "Spirited Green Metallic" finish, the Mazda 2 is smaller than I thought it was the first time I saw it an the Portland Autoshow. The 2 has a lot of fender gap and is would definitely be a good candidate for lowering springs.

Initial impressions are that it's a miniature driver's car. The five-speed manual shifts very smoothly, and the car is very easy to drive. The steering wheel feels great, and the driving position is that of "yes, let's drive!" It isn't a rocketship with only 100 hp, but in my short jaunts today, it did fine. More later!

Review: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWD—An often overlooked CUV is quite good

Nope, it's not a subcompact, but I did get a chance to review it. Mitsubishi’s Outlander is now in its second generation. It’s bigger, more powerful, and more substantial than the previous model. It is a seven-passenger crossover SUV with all-wheel drive, a V-6, and plenty of accouterments in GT trim. In fact, it’s pretty sporty for a crossover, and its Rockford Fosgate sound system is probably the loudest on the block.

EXTERIOR: Clean and sporting

The Outlander GT has modern, clean lines. Its corporate Mitsubishi Lancer EVO-inspired front end has a sporting look, albeit, a bit odd at first on the front of a CUV. Although not drop-dead gorgeous, but it isn’t cookie-cutter, either. To me, it’s one of the more attractive CUVs. The 18” wheels and tires help give the exterior a bit of sport, as does that shark-like front end.

INTERIOR: Comfortable (minus the third row), pleasant (minus the third row)

In GT trim, the Outlander does a lot to make its interior a good place to spend time. Comfy, heated power leather seats, leather-trimmed dash, plenty of room, and just the right amount of gadgetry are all nice touches. It loses points for somewhat cheap feeling climate control knobs, but other than that, it’s quite nice. All the controls are easy to use, the gauges are spot on, and it all just seems to fit. Build quality feels good, too.

In the second row, seating is comfortable and roomy. My friend’s 6’3” brother (and he’s a big guy, too) fit without complaint in the back seat. However, the third row, on the other hand, is really only good in a pinch. It comes out of the rear cargo area and can be tricky to setup at first. And once out of the floor, it’s not anywhere near comfortable. It feels like a metal chair frame covered with some fabric, sans padding. But, in a pinch, it can be good to have. With that being said, even kids probably wouldn’t be comfortable back there for any period of time.

Speaking of cargo, with the seat folded into the floor, there is plenty of room for hauling stuff. It easily gulped my purchase of four winter tires, and had plenty of room for groceries. It also has a cool clamshell-style tailgate, too.

DRIVETRAIN: 3 liters, 6 speeds, all wheel drive

With 230 horsepower on tap from its 3.0-liter V-6, the Outlander has ample power, but it’s not overly gutsy. The all-wheel-drive system has settings for tarmac, snow, and “lock,” which presumably locks the center differential for deep snow, sand or mud. Power is delivered to all four wheels via a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic with manual shifting capability using either the shifter lever or paddles mounted on the steering column. The engine/transmission is complaint-free.

DRIVING: A of bit sport, a bit of comfort, needs a bit more power

The Outlander is actually rather sporty for a “sport” utility vehicle (or CUV, whatever they call them these days). Although the vehicle isn’t super gusty, it has no lack of power. But, a little more grunt, being a GT version and all, would be nice. Grip from its 18” wheels/tires is good, and body roll isn’t bad for a CUV. In fact, it’s actually quite fun in the corners. The vehicle always feels sure-footed and stable. Although certainly more sporting than its four-cylinder base model, at more than 3,700 lbs. and making 230 hp, the Outlander doesn’t quite live up to its GT badge.

I found the Outlander GT to ride quite well on all surfaces. I don’t recall ever thinking the car had any issues in this department. Even on some of the rougher roads around Portland, the vehicle was pleasant to ride in. Plus, it’s a good combination of handling and comfort.

TECHNOLOGY: Outstanding audio; easy-to-use tech (yay!)

It’s refreshing to be in a vehicle that makes its technology easy to use! The outstanding (and incredibly loud) 710 watt Rockford Fosgate stereo (with 10” subwoofer) is controlled through a touch-screen monitor that also displays the vehicle’s navigation and back-up camera. And yes, it’s all quite easy to use and intuitive. Add to this Bluetooth (with streaming Bluetooth audio), AV hookups, a DVD player in the dash (I assume it plays on the screen; I didn’t try it), and satellite radio and you’ve got a lot of customizable in-car entertainment. Plus, the trip computer displays a host if information including temperature, traction info, fuel economy, and more.

On the mechanical side, the Outlander GT with Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) has the aforementioned adjustable all-wheel-drive. It also has a hill-holding feature that automatically keeps you planted on an incline—a nice feature, especially in hilly areas.


OVERALL: One of the most underrated cars; worth a look

I’d say the Outlander GT is a fair deal. It’s not overly high on the bang-for-the-buck scale, but it’s definitely in the ballpark for this segment. Mitsubishi isn’t known for its high resale value, however, and dealerships can be few and far between. However, most major metropolitan areas have at least one or two dealers. It does have a 10 year, 100,000 powertrain warranty, though. Regardless, you can shave off $3,000 by not getting the Premium Navi and Leather Package, if that’s not important to you.

This may be one of the most overlooked and underrated vehicles on the market. I think it deserves a look if you’re shopping for a CUV. With plenty of room, ample power, notable driving dynamics, a comfortable interior, and good cargo-carrying ability, this is one of the better cars Mitsubishi has sold in the U.S. in a while. It feels solid and well built, plus it can carry seven people in a pinch. It could use a bit more get-up-and-go, but it’d likely be fine for 99% of the driving population. This is one of those vehicles that is quite good, and deserves more attention.

Neat hatchback article at Autoblog

Neat article over at Autoblog about hatchbacks. Part of the article compares versions of cars that have a hatch model and a sedan model, and which sells better. The answers might shock you. Well, maybe not, but it's still neat. FYI: Hatchbacks only account for 10% of sales according to the article. It's a good read for those of us who love us some hatchback. Giddyup! OK, sorry.

LINK
Hatchbacks: Who says Americans don't buy 'em? (Autoblog)

Custom 1970 Datsun 510 wagon ... with a Ford V-6?

Datsun 510s are cool. This 510 probably scoots pretty well, too. Found on craigslist here in Portland, this 510 has a bulit 2.6-liter Ford V-6 out of a European Capri. How's that for an engine choice? Other bits include a narrowed 240SX rear end, a three-speed C3 automatic trans, a 4bbl Holley carb, and a bunch of other bits. Could be fun! Could be yours for $2,800.

Thanks to Jim Redden for the tip!

Nostalgic Subcompact: Historic turbocharged hot hatches

I grew up with small hatchbacks. We had a 1979 Plymouth Champ, an '82 Dodge Omni, an '86 Dodge Colt (Mitsubishi Mirage), two Mitsubishi Eclipses ('90 and '94), and a '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV, which I later inherited. However, we never had the turbocharged "hot hatch" version of these vehicles, instead the higher-volume, higher-mileage, lower-cost, normally aspirated variants. I always wished my parents opted for the turbo versions of all of these (sans the Expo, which was available with a turbo overseas).

For example, the Plymouth Champ's twin was the Dodge Colt. The Colt GTS was available with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with the Twin-Stick (eight-speed) transmission. It put out 102 hp, but weighed about 1,800 lbs.

The Dodge Omni GLH, with its Shelby-tuned turbocharged 2.2-liter engine put down as much as 146 hp from the factory. And yes, GLH stood for "Goes Like Hell." This is probably the most iconic factory-turbocharged hot hatch of the '80s. There's still a rabid fanbase that tunes the crap out of them, making them crazy fast.

The next-generation Dodge Colt and Mitsubishi Mirage also got a turbo variant, as pictured above. The Colt GTS/Mirage Turbo featured classic angular '80s Japanese styling. It had 120 hp, and like the first Colt GTS I mentioned, is also a rarity to find in good condition. I totally want one.

I remember sitting in a 1990 Eclipse at the Minneapolis Auto Show in 1989. My dad, looking for a sporty car with four seats, decided this was going to be our family's next car. We got a GS (non-turbo 4G63) not the turbo GST, but it was a real head turner in Minnesota, and we had one of the first ones. The GS made 135 hp, while the FWD and AWD turbo versions put down 180-195 hp. Of course, these are still incredibly popular with tuners and racers.

The next generation Colt/Mirage also got a turbocharged engine: A 1.6-liter DOHC making 145 turbocharged (non-intercooled) horsepower. Being a DSM household, I remember these, and always thought they were awesome. I'd still rock one.

Although my family didn't have one of these, I always thought they were cool. The Suzuki-built Chevrolet Sprint turbo had a boosted and intercooled three-cylinder engine that made 70 hp and 79 ft./lbs. of torque. Car and Driver recorded 0-60 times of 8.7 seconds and a quarter mile ET of 16.7 at 79 mpg. Weight? Try 1,633 lbs. Another totally cool, totally wonky '80s hot hatch.

Perhaps one of the more elusive models was the Isuzu-built 1987-1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo. I believe the 1.5 SOHC engine made around 110 hp-115 hp, but I haven't been able to confirm that. This car was also sold as the Isuzu I-Mark RS from 1988 to 1989, although in '89, the car offered a DOHC, normally aspirated engine instead of the turbo 1.5. There is a decent site for these vehicles at isuzone.org.

FUTURE SUBCOMPACT TURBOS
We've heard the rumors and seen the spy photos. Allegedly, there could be a return of the boosted subcompact market. There have been spy shots of an EcoBoost Ford Fiesta, talks of a turbocharged Chevrolet Aveo RS, and who know what else. I'd love to see a resurrection of this genre. Maybe we'll see a turbo Colt again? Maybe a spooling Suzuki Swift?

Tell me something I don't know: Why I love the X Prize-winning car

I love it. The vehicle that won the X Prize runs on gas and ethanol. No fancy hybrid or electric drivetrain; no super-ultra-sophisticated space-age engine. To put it simply, Edison2's "Very Light Car" uses already well-established technologies to get more than 100 MPG: aerodynamics and weight reduction. FYI, the Very Light Car weighs a very light 800 lbs., has a top speed of 100 MPG, and a range of 600 miles. It has a heater, air conditioning, and could allegedly be sold for about $20,000. I think it's awesome. Edison2 won $5 million for their efforts, speaking of awesome.

Don't get me wrong, I know a metric ton of engineering went into this vehicle—this victory wasn't a simple feat. However, one of the car's core components is something the auto industry used to do: keep things lightweigt. These days, I know there are more safety features, more sound deadening, and more power than the 1980s econoboxes. But look back to those cars. Low-horsepower vehicles with low curb weights that got 50 MPG+. No heavy, expensive, toxic-to-manufacture battery pack needed. These cars were plain, simple fuel misers. Heck, if some of them were more aerodynamic (Chevrolet Sprint, anyone?), they probably would've achieved even better mileage than they did.

Frankly, I love the fact that this single-cylinder, gas powered, lightweight vehicle (that is painstakingly aerodynamic, if something can be painstakingly aerodynamic) claimed overall victory against electrics, the hybrids, and the crazy-high-tech vehicles. It's a well-done, modern take on old, well-established, simple principles. It's just kind of funny and ironic that when these long-known principles are employed (coupled with outstanding engineering) old ideas become new again. Designing a lightweight, low-powered, aerodynamic car can yield more than 100 MPG? Tell me something I don't know ...

LINK
Edison2

Review: 2011 Honda CR-Z EX—A "sport hybrid" needing a bit more sport and MPG

The CR-Z is billed as a “sport hybrid”—sporty driving characteristics and hybrid fuel economy. The CR-Z is a two-door two-seater, much like the beloved Honda CR-X from days gone by. Unlike other current hybrids, the CR-Z is available with a six-speed manual transmission, aiding in its sporty offerings. Make no mistake about it: The CR-Z is a small, tech-laden vehicle that talks big about “sport” and “hybrid.” It certainly looks sporty, but does it deliver on MPGs?

EXTERIOR: Ultra-modern, sporty

The CR-Z looks good in person. It’s ultra-modern and certainly sporty looking with its 17” wheels and tires, low-to-the-ground stance, and swooping bodywork. In fact, I think the car looks a good deal better in person than in print or on the Web. And yes, I’ve got to say it: The rear end—especially the glass—does harken back to the good ol’ CR-X. On the outside, Honda does achieve “sport” with this sport hybrid. And yes, it turned heads, especially in eco-conscious Portland, OR. I had a few people stop me and ask me, “Is that the new Honda hybrid?”

INTERIOR: Spaceship, party of two

The interior of this car makes me feel like I’m piloting a space ship. The dashboard has a digital speedometer surrounded by a host of gauges and readouts. There’s a battery charge gauge, a charge/assist gauge, a fuel tank gauge, a fuel economy gauge, and upshift and downshift arrows. Plus, there’s a trip computer that allows for a variety of functions from temperature to other fuel-economy-related readouts.

On the left side of the dash are three buttons that allow you to select Eco, Normal, or Sport modes, each eliciting a different colored glowing ring around the speedometer, too. On the right side is the ultra-compact, ultra-simple climate control. I loved how basic and easy-to-use it is. My test model also came with the company’s navigation system, which has a host of other audio features, too. All worked pretty well, and sound quality is above average. Oddly, satellite radio is not available (a sign of things to come?).

Seats are sporty and comfortable, but a bit more side bolstering would been nice. The area behind the seats, which looks like two jump seats, is not for people; they’re just areas to put stuff. The cargo area is spacious, and the rear divider folds down for more cargo carrying ability.

There’s a lot going on in this futuristic interior; perhaps too much. Sometimes I felt a bit distracted with the amount of information presented to me while driving. Overall, it’s a fine interior, but it’s a bit on the highly caffeinated side.

DRIVING: Not that sporty, not that efficient

This hybrid drives decidedly un-hybrid like, especially in Normal and Sport modes. The 1.5-liter engine is also found in the Fit, but the CR-Z gets Integrated Motor Assist thanks to an electric motor. There are definite differences when switching into the three modes, too. Shifter action is the usual Honda greatness. The engine is a bit noisy, though.

This car features stop/start technology, which shuts the gasoline engine off when the car is not in gear—good for fuel economy. However, I found it to be a bit wonky on a hill with the manual transmission. When you put the car in gear, the engine turns back on. It’s easy to roll back or kill the car. I did both. Several times.

Well shoot. I really wanted this thing to be like a go kart, but it’s more like, well, a low-to-the-ground Honda Fit with half the doors and half the seating. In Eco mode, the CR-Z is glacially slow, but it should return the best fuel economy. Normal is, of course, better on go, worse on gas. Sport mode makes quite the difference in thrust, since you can feel the electric motor’s torque. Yes, the MPGs will go down, but “sport” is surely up.

The suspension is on the softer side. There is more body roll than I expected, and when pushed into a corner, the nose does seem to dive. The car is tossable, but I’d like to see a bit stiffer springs.

My fuel economy was downright disappointing. Rated at 31/37, I got a measly 28 mpg in a combination of all three modes, and I didn’t lead-foot it around, either. Most of my driving was in the city. Well, that’s not very hybrid-like is it? To be fair, I am not accustomed to driving hybrids, and I know there are techniques to squeeze out the MPG. Some folks on CRZForum.com are reporting much better numbers with the manual trans. Maybe it’s just me.

The CR-Z’s ride is quite good. It feels very substantial and fairly weighty. Then again, it isn’t exactly a lightweight at 2,654 lbs. Sportier than an Insight? Yes. A canyon carver? Not exactly, but not bad.

TECHNOLOGY: A metric ton of tech

This car offers more tech than you’ll ever need, and possibly ever want. I could write volumes about the amount of tech. From the Integrated Motor Assist, the cryptic fuel readouts in the trip computer (I still don’t know what some of those readouts were), the start/stop tech, and so on. If you’re gadget person, a techie, or someone that wants to feel like they’re piloting a miniature USS Enterprise, this is the car for you. The only reason it doesn’t get a 10 is because 1) It’s almost distracting how much stuff there is and 2) it rides on a torsion-beam solid rear axle.



OVERALL: A mixed personality, a mixed bag

At more than $23,000 with destination, the CR-Z EX with navi is a pricey little bugger. There are a lot of vehicles that are less expensive but get slightly less EPA-rated fuel economy, are more practical, and more fun to drive. However, the CR-Z buyer will likely know what they’re getting themselves into. For comparison’s sake, my slightly modified Toyota Yaris is getting 37-39 MPG combined and it cost $14,000 and has a back seat (and no battery). I’m just sayin’ ... it seems like a chunk of change for something not that sporty and with EPA number that aren’t that high.

Oh Honda CR-Z, how I wanted to love thee. Yes, this is the first attempt at a sporty hybrid, and it is by no means “bad.” But it is not that sporty or that efficient, or at least that was my impression. I’m sure hypermilers will be able to get 50+ MPG from the vehicle, and there might even be a lofty aftermarket for the car (I know there will be a few hopped-up versions at this November’s SEMA Show). Heck, it might even be a game changer if it catches on. To me, the car has a bit of a confused personality.

But hey, this is a first attempt. Perhaps a sporty Si variant will come out. Then again, that’d lower the fuel economy. Let’s remember that the original CRX everyone is so quick to compare this car to wasn’t exactly a rocketship, either. It was, however, very miserly with the gasoline in certain trim levels. I actually wonder if Honda had released a non-hybrid CR-Z alongside the battery/electric version, what would its mileage would be, and would it be more fun to drive?

2012 Fiesta ST spied ... with EcoBoost four cylinder?

Oh yes. Autoblog has spy photos of a Ford Fiesta ST with a big ol' intercooler. A 2012 EcoBoost Fiesta? I hope! Turbo 1.4 is the guesstimate for a power plant. Assuming it happens, it'll be great to see the hot-hatch segment back again, especially if we see more pocket-rocket, turbocharged hatches ... e.g. Chevy Aveo RS?

More proactive paint protection: Rally Armor mudflaps for our SX4

Unlike our 2009 SX4, we're taking no chances with our 2010 when it comes to flying stones, gravel, and dirt—proactive paint protection. I just installed a set of Rally Armor mudflaps. They're very sturdy but still flexible. I bought plastic body rivets to attach them to the car, then added two stainless-steel sheet metal screws and washers per flap for added stability. I bought these used off of an SX4Club forum member (they're the universal models), and they should help protect the paint, especially in addition to the clear film we had installed. Bring on winter.

In the driveway: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

Now in the driveway is the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT. It's AWD, got a V6, and is pretty sporty for a crossover. The interior is surprisingly nice, and it has the awesomely powerful Rockford Fosgate 710 watt stereo.

So far, I like it a lot more than I thought I would. It's very comfortable, sportier than I thought it would be, and has very good cargo carrying ability. It's a seven passenger, but the pop-up jump seat in the rear is very tiny and is like a metal frame covered by fabric—super basic. But it'd work in a pinch. More later!

New snow tires

It may be a balmy 65.5 degrees here in Portland today, but soon it will be colder. I have a set of 185/60/14 snow tires on my silver-painted super steelies, but all four tires were different brands, and the majority of the studs have come out.

While tolling craigslist, I came across a set of Hankook W409 studded snow tires in 185/65/14—a more correct size for my Yaris—for $150. I met up with the woman selling them who said she only had them for a year. In fact, she said she only used them for two months! Score. Soon I'll have 'em mounted on the super steelies and be ready for the cold and icy conditions that hopefully won't actually rear their ugly frozen-precipitation heads this winter.

VIDEO: Another reason why I wish American Suzuki sold the Jimny

We don't get the Suzuki Jimny in the U.S., but I wish we did! I'd be all over one of these tiny titans. Great off-road capability, a great aftermarket, and a proven platform make the Jimny one cool off roader.

This video is by 4x4 MAGAZINE, which is a gorgeous publication out of Japan that comes into my work. Yes, it's in Japanese, and no I can't read it. But the pics sure are great. Anyway, perhaps someday we'll get the Jimny in the U.S. I'm not holding my breath, but it'd be nice to have the option of an affordable, small 4x4 again. Might be a cool niche vehicle, too.

LINKS
4x4 MAGAZINE
4x4 MAGAZINE YouTube channel

Slammed Juke = woah + want more pics

Wow. I wish there were more pics of this slammed Nissan Juke. It looks pretty sweet, actually. I wonder if we'll see any juiced Jukes at SEMA this year?

SOURCE
Speedhunters

What the hell? Toyota truck has more shed in the bed

My wife, Mercedes, photographed this while passing Winco Foods in northeast Portland today. It is obviously a 1980s Toyota pickup with what appears to be a small shed in the bed. Some helper springs might ... help. Is it attached? It must be. I wonder what it's used for? Whatever the hell it is, it looks heavy.

What'd make the ultimate subcompact rally bomber?

Can you tell I've been bitten by the rally car bug? I loved watching the cars at the rallycross this weekend. I thought about what cars might make a good small rally/rallycross car. Of course, the Subaru Justy is always up there, what with its available 4WD system. However, there are plenty of good FWD options, too. Perhaps a modified older Tercel for a front-driver, or even a Geo Metro or Suzuki Swift. Yes, the idea of a Suzuki SX4 would be sweet, too but it'd be more expensive. Maybe an AWD Mitsubishi Expo LRV/Eagle Summit Wagon/Plymouth Colt Vista? Now that I think about it, there are quite a few cars that'd make awesome subcompact rally beast.

Anyway, what would be your choice for a subcompact rally bomber?

First photos of the USDM Fiat 500 Sport

Here 'tis: The USDM Fiat 500 Sport. Looks familiar, eh? It also looks great. Love that interior. Oh, and were getting the turbocharged 1.4-liter Multiair engine.

The SX4 gets some clear film protection

Can you see the clear film on the car? Likely not. We had parts of the car covered in clear 3M film to protect against rocks, sand, and gravel, mainly when we're up on Mt. Hood. This includes the entire front end, a quarter of the hood, the front fenders, side mirrors, door cups (area under the handles), and rear fender/door area covered in the nearly invisible protection.

The work was done by Dave Ball, owner of Roadrunner Protective Films & Graphics here in Oregon. Dave's operation is mobile (he's got a 2005 Scion xB as a work vehicle), and he came to us. He did an amazing job. The film is nearly undetectable on the car until you get right up to the vehicle. Dave's attention to detail, amazing precision, and ability to get in the small areas and even do a custom job under some of the side trim was amazing. Highly recommended! Next up: installing the y Rally Armor mudflaps.

Here are a couple of photos to show you how detailed the installation was. I'd post other photos, but you just can't see the film!



LINK
Roadrunner Protective Films & Graphics

Roadrunner Protective Film

Photos from the September 12 Oregon Rally Group Rallycross

The Oregon Rally Group's September 12 Rallycross was lots-o-fun. From Acuras to Volvos, there was a diverse field of vehicles. Some were total rally-prepped racers; others rally-prepped beaters. All were cool in their own way, though.

The morning event had the AWD class (and morning time-only class); the afternoon group had the 2WD vehicles (and afternoon time-only class). After a pass by the water truck, cars took to the muddy, twisty track. The first couple of runs after the H2O truck are slow and slippery. However, once things dried out, the dirt was a flyin'. Below are 61 photos from the event. The next rallycross is October 10 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. I hope I can make it, and maybe even flog the SX4, too!

Rallycrossing the Corolla

Hell yeah! There's something about rallycrossing an everyday car that's just so cool. This guy was hangin' it out, too. Although I didn't see his times, he was really working this 1990-ish Corolla. I've got a ton more photos from the September 12 Oregon Rally Group Rallycross to share, and I'll upload them this week.

AWD subcompacts on the horizon

Between 1994 and 2007 there were no all-wheel drive subcompact cars. The last one was the Subaru Justy, the latest was the Suzuki SX4. Now it's 2010 and there still is only one AWD subcompact on the market, the SX4. However this will change soon.

The Nissan Juke will be available soon what with its turbocharged engine and AWD run through a CVT. Also coming soon is the MINI Countryman, which will even be running in the WRC. Pretty cool! Add to this, the recent spy photos of a Ford Fiesta crossover and an alleged AWD Fiat 500, and suddenly there's a bona-fide small, AWD segment. Who'd have thought?

Road Race Motorsports' Platinum Edition Kizashi is hot

Again, I know this isn't a subcompact, but it's really hot looking. Road Race Motorsports plans on offering the Suzuki Kizashi "Platinum Edition" with a variety of handling, braking, aero, and performance parts. It will be available in stages and will come in either "200+ hp" or "300 hp" turbocharged versions. I know I'm a unabashed Suzuki fan, but this thing is hot hot hot. I wonder if any dealers will scoop these up, or if it'll be a turn-key tuner item? Regardless, it's a fantastic looking vehicle. Remind me why people aren't scooping up Kizashis left and right?