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Castrol Syntec - Top Shop Challenge
Rules have been drawn up and invites sent out: the Castrol Syntec Top Shop Challenge is on. The Challenge is an engine build-up competition between seven magazines: Eurotune, Import Tuner, Lowrider, Modified, Super Street, Turbo and us, Sport Compact Car. Each magazine will team up with a shop and will be responsible for selecting an engine and building it to the limits of the rules.

Those basic rules are:
* Production engine from a production-based car
* 100-octane fuel
* Spec Castrol Syntec synthetic oil of shop's chosen weight
* Only one forced induction system permitted (OEM counts as one)
* No methanol, external intercooler cooling, or water injection
* Custom parts are allowed
* No muffler during testing, but header must fit a production chassis

After each engine is finished, they will be given a total points score based on peak horsepower and torque per liter of displacement (turbo/supercharger entries are given a 2X displacement multiplier), power under the curve, surviving a 30-minute drive cycle, and a subjective judging panel for quality and craftsmanship. All testing will be handled on an engine dyno.

When it came time to pick an ally, our choice was easy. We called Cosworth Engineering. With experience in the WRC, Formula One and Champ Car series, Cosworth's prowess is second to none. It also produces a full range of performance parts aimed at the Ford Duratec, Mitsubishi 4G63, Subaru EJ20/25 and Nissan VQ35 engines. We're going to be building a naturally aspirated, high-compression VQ35 engine (at least 11:1 and 400bhp) using many off-the-shelf Cosworth parts anyone can buy over the phone. We'll be covering the build-up on our ultimate naturally aspirated VQ in upcoming issues, as well as keeping you up to date on the progress of all the underbody lighting and panty-loving tuner mags.

And the best part is, the winning engine in the Castrol Syntec Top Shop Challenge will be given away to one lucky reader. For more details on the contest and how to win our Cosworth engine, visit www.SyntecTopShop.com

Mitsubishi Concept-RA
Proves Green Can Be Mean
Mitsubishi's Concept-RA coupe concept may give some clues as to the next-generation Eclipse. While maybe not the prettiest model to bow in Detroit, the Concept-RA apes all the recent design cues from Mitsubishi's Lancer and adds a healthy dose of Speed Racer styling. The front fascia takes the gaping corporate grin to an illogical extreme and sets the tone for the muscular bodylines that give the RA its squat, aggressive stance. The interior is typical concept car chic, with flowing curves, brushed aluminum controls and a gauge cluster straight out of Philip K. Dick's frontal cortex.

Under all that sci-fi-inspired bodywork lies a 2.2-liter turbodiesel, with MIVEC4 controlling the 16 valves and dual overhead cams. The engine is visible through the hood and uses a piezo-electric injection system with a variable diffuser/variable geometry turbo to make 201bhp and 310lb-ft of torque. Harnessing that power and sending it to all four wheels is the Evolution X's Super-All Wheel Control system that utilizes active steering and suspension inputs along with ACD, AYC, ASC and 'Sport' ABS to provide a balance between sporting driving and emergency avoidance.

Mitsubishi is trying to prove that high-mileage motoring and performance driving aren't mutually exclusive. The Concept-RA could be a significant step in that direction.

MAZDA'S Furious FURAI
Most concepts appearing on rotating show stands are nothing more than aspirational exercises. Mazda's Furai is the exception. This is the fifth model to benefit from Mazda's Nagare (or 'flow') design language, under which lies the 2005 Courage C65 chassis campaigned in the LMP2-class of the American Le Mans Series.