GS H Christ!

PITSTOP

Good Lord! Lexus cars are now not just good looking but extremely eco-friendly too. They have unveiled this, the GS450h, at the recent New York Auto Show "� the world's first hybrid luxury saloon and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine and rear wheel drive.

Lexus says there's no compromise whatsoever in performance, as the GS450h manages 0 to 96 kph in under six seconds, yet offers the fuel economy of a 2000cc four-cylinder compact, plus of course, the lowest emission ratings ever.

The magic is thanks to a hybrid powertrain that combines a 3500cc V6 with a high-output, permanent magnet electric motor.

Between the two, the powerplant manages an output similar to what a 4500cc V8 would develop "� an excess of 300 bhp. Lexus also assures power-mongers that there's more than adequate torque available instantly on demand. Amen.

Shelby date

Take a legend called Carroll Shelby, introduce him to the folks at the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and give them the new Ford Mustang to play with.

The result is the most powerful factory-built Mustang of all time, the Shelby Cobra GT500. Yup, a proper modern interpretation of Eleanor from Gone In 60 Seconds.

The V8 develops over 450 supercharged horses, and they pound the road thanks to a six-speed manual transmission. Other SVT bits come from a specially tuned suspension plus aerodynamic aids, 19-inch wheels, titanium-faced gauges, and of course those Le Mans racing stripes.

Time to make a third remake of that classic movie again, if only for the new Eleanor.