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.

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.

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.

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.

Shelby GT500 production is limited to only 2000 units, 1700 are currently unsold

We have a pretty bad news for all of you who were waiting to bring home a Shelby GT500 to enjoy for yourself. It looks like the American automaker will only build 300 units of this ultimate pony car. The plant had a capacity of making 2,000 GT500s for 2010, but since there are 1,700 blank build sheets, it looks like those workers will be able to clock out early.

Most dealerships will only receive 1 Shelby GT500 a piece, the premiums will certainly go through the roof. It looks like if you have already placed an order it will be filled, but if you want to put your John Hancock on one of those pink slips. The 21st century Shelby will certainly become an instantaneous collectors item when they do quickly move off of dealer’s lots.

*UPDATE: Autoblog reached out to Ford representatives to confirm the validity of the Team Shelby document, the automaker has officially denied the claims. Apparently the 2010 Mustang GT500 production has NOT been limited to 2,000 units, and the report is inaccurate. Ford does not report volume figures for the GT500.

General Motors is still considering the Z28 Camaro

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