SEMA : Mazda MX-5 Spyder review

Based on the soft-top MX-5, the two-seater roadster model has been tastefully modded with a mix of bespoke accessories and body parts such as the ground effects kit and the redesigned front bumper that sports a new grille and air vents. The lowered suspension and the new 17-inch, 10-spoke ADVAN RS wheels in Gun Metal Metallic shod in beefy Yokohama AO48 225/45R17 performance tires give the MX-5 Spyder an even more aggressive stance.

The car's low-slung looks are further accentuated by a simple, single-panel grenadine-red soft-top that was designed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and Magna Car Top Systems, and made by Haartz Corporation. The lightweight top is fitted on the windshield with two locks at the back holding it on the trunk. Under the hood, the MX-5's standard 2.0-liter engine has been modified to run on BP's isobutanol, a biofuel that is also used by the Mazda/Dyson Racing entry in the American Le Mans Series.

"Although similar to how ethanol is produced from agricultural feedstock, isobutanol does not compromise vehicle performance for the sake of fuel economy and can be added to the current fuel distribution infrastructure without requiring modifications in blending facilities, storage tanks and retail station pumps," says Mazda. Other mechanical changes on the MX-5 Spyder include a Racing Beat header, intake and exhaust muffler, a MAZDASPEED coil over kit, Brembo brakes and a lightweight lithium-ion racing battery made by Braille Battery.

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Porsche Boxster S Black Edition 2012

For starters, the newly designed Boxster looks phenomenal, even if it's not dressed up for a black-tie event. In red, blue, yellow, it doesn't matter. Porsche took the Boxster and made it beefier, made it more substantial and, essentially, made it look more like a 911. Where it may have looked “weak” in the past, the Boxster now has as much grunt and chutzpah on the road as its big brothers, and that's just fantastic. Built on the Boxster S chassis, the mid-mounted, direct fuel-injected 3.4L 6-cylinder engine is good for 320 hp, which is 10 more ponies than the standard Boxster S. Couple that to Porsche's ever-impressive PDK transmission and you've got yourself a Boxster that seems to go like the wind – and it almost does. You'll see 0-100 km in just 5.1 seconds and you'll be a streak of black wonder on the track with a top speed of 274 km/h. The Sport Chrono package also means you'll get to experience Porsche's dizzyingly enjoyable launch control for an even faster start off the line as well as more efficient and quicker shifts – just in case they weren't fast enough to begin with.

I absolutely loved driving the Porsche Boxster S Black Edition. Not only did it get some serious attention on the road, but it sounded just phenomenal and stuck to the road no matter what I asked of it. Winding country roads were no match for the black beast, and it ate up long stretches of highway with ease. Add to that the fact that the fully electric retractable roof is operable up to 50km/h, and you never really have to stop moving in your Boxster S Black Edition, no matter what the weather.

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