Cars Reviews

New Bmw Gina A Car Whit Skin - The best bloopers are here Read More......

Honda Civic= EK4 Turbo 500 BHP ! - The most popular videos are here Read More......

Audi’s RS6 sedan was finally officially released this week, but the German racers and tuners at Abt Sportsline have just unveiled their take on the RS6 Avant. Not content with 580hp (426kW) and plenty of room for family and friends, Abt has boosted output to 700hp (515kW) and 590lb-ft (800Nm) of torque, making the Abt RS6 Avant one of the most insanely powerful people carriers in the world.

The tuning package matches or exceeds the MTM RS6 Avant, released just a couple weeks ago. Though Abt hasn’t released performance specs for the tire-shredding wagon, the MTM version manages the sprint to 60mph (96km/h) in under five seconds and is reportedly capable of speeds in excess of 187mph (300km/h), so the Abt RS6 should post similar numbers.

Among the extensive list of improvements to the car, Abt has removed the electronic speed limiter, re-tuned the ECU to boost power, outfitted a new aerodynamics package that includes a carbon fiber front lip spoiler and rear diffuser, a wide range of custom alloy wheels, custom Abt-branded floor mats and shift knobs, plus a specially-tuned rear muffler with four exit pipes. As usual with Abt’s tuning kits, the individual elements are highly customizable and most can be had individually or as a package.

Pricing for the speed-limiter removal starts at €1,500 ($2,200) and the ECU tuning will cost €4,900 ($7,200), but both pale in comparison to the car’s base price of €107,800 ($158,000). Read More......

Although rumor still has it the 2010 Mercedes E-Class won't be making its debut until the International Auto Show in Frankfurt next year, that hasn't stopped Auto Bild from showcasing the model in their newest publication. In the article, the model is displayed from a number of different angles, all without the masking that up until now it's been adorned with.

Before you get too excited, however, I do have to note that despite their quality, the photos aren't actually photos... they're instead high quality renderings showing an approximation of what the 2010 Mercedes E-Class will look like. Nevertheless, when compared to prior spy shots, the renderings do a commendable job at replicating the visible lines of the model, meaning the final product shouldn't be too far off from what's pictured before you.

We will of course keep you posted as new details of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class emerge; in the meantime, keep scrolling to see Auto Bild's 2010 Mercedes E-Class photos in their entirety. Read More......

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Update: Mercedes’ upcoming SL gullwing successor may not be a Mercedes’ after all, according to the latest reports. The car will be the first production road car to be badged exclusively under the brand of Mercedes’ performance arm, AMG, perhaps to highlight the AMG Gullwing’s performance prowess.

The AMG Gullwing is expected to be shown in production trim at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, while a concept is expected to be shown at Frankfurt next year. A convertible variant, most likely sporting a cloth roof, is expected to be unveiled in 2011.

The car’s exact dimensions have also been reported to be 4.65 meters long, 1.95 meters wide and just 1.25 meters tall, with a wheelbase of just 2.7 meters.

Mercedes’ decision to use only the AMG brand on the new car will also coincide with the release of the company’s first supercar since the end of its partnership with McLaren for the SLR.

Original: Mercedes’ successor to the original SL gullwing coupe has been spotted once again in prototype form and this time one of the car’s new vertical lifting doors has been revealed. Until now prototypes for the car, which is tipped to be called the SLC, have been heavily camouflaged, even wearing mock Dodge Viper panels.

The latest images give us a much better indication as to what the final version may look like, with a long hood, truncated rear cabin and short rear deck highlighting the design. An adjustable rear spoiler is also present, although the final design will almost certainly change before production.

The SLC has already been touted as the replacement for the outgoing Mercedes-McLaren SLR but its expected price tag and performance levels will position it closer to the current SL63 AMG. According to latest reports the final price of the SLC will be around €150,000 (approximately $234,196) and its world debut is slated for next year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Production numbers are expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year and first sales should start in mid 2010.

Power will come from AMG’s familiar hand-built 6.2L V8 engine and is expected to top out at 580hp (433kW). The engine will be located up front but will be mounted behind the front axle for better weight distribution. Drive will be sent to the rear wheels via a newly developed dual-clutch transmission sitting in front of the rear axle. The SLC’s final kerb weight will be around 1,650kg and with the V8 engine the car should be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 315km/h.


http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1541138701/bclid958607989/bctid1541138512 Read More......

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Despite its somewhat confusing moniker, Wald's newest tuning package is anything but. In fact, it's quite simple, really. The Japanese tuning wizards started with the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and they developed a range of styling components aimed to make the model look more like... you guessed it... a W221 S-Class.

In terms of actual execution, the Wald W221 Look package does indeed make your W220 S-Class look somewhat more like the latest-generation S-Class, but more importantly, it makes your W220 look just plain delicious. A new front and rear apron, side skirts and vented front wheel arch lend an air of sportiness to the former monarch of luxury, while the crème de la crème is Wald's 6.3-Liter AMG-esque wheels, which I'm going to place at 21 inches or so.

Completing the package is a rich golden hue - a paint color that although falling out of grace as of late, will not doubt re-emerge as the must-have color of 2011.

To see more of Wald's W221 Look tuning package for the W220 Mercedes S-Class, you can see a number of photos showcasing the goods immediately below.

Enjoy. Read More......

BMW’s wildly successful Mini Cooper will experience a fall in sales in coming months, despite demand for the iconic car being higher than ever. Due to the heavy demand, dealerships across the U.S. are experiencing short supplies of current stock and with rising fuel prices pushing more and more consumers towards small cars waiting lists are expected to expand dramatically.

While production will be boosted for the U.S., even the additional 2,000 to 3,000 units earmarked for this purpose will not be enough to supply the hungry market. The Mini plant in Oxford, England, is currently running three shifts, seven days a week and builds about 800 cars a day for 80 markets, reports Automotive News.

Mini has several plans in place to help meet the increase in demand. Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini, revealed that the current dealership network will expand by 13 stores for a total of 95 by 2011. He also confirmed that base prices for some 2009 models will increase but dynamic stability control will be made standard on all models. The Mini Cooper hardtop goes from $18,700 to $19,200, while the Cooper S hardtop price rises from $21,850 to $22,600; Cooper Clubman and Clubman S models get a $250 price increase to $20,850.

Additionally, a diesel Mini is being considered for the North American market, as is the possibility of building the Mini in countries that are more viable and less expensive than England in order to bring costs down and increase supply. The Mini Cooper D (pictured) averages more than 50mpg (4.7L/100km) on the highway but the vehicle won’t be launched Stateside until it can be sold in all 50 states. Read More......

Tata Motors and Fiat are already tied up over a number of projects including manufacturing low cost engines and the sharing of engineering teams, but the partnership could soon expand even further with Tata boss Ratan Tata considering using Fiat to sell its Nano minicar (pictured) outside of India. The Nano will only cost $2,500 to manufacture and is set to start production in October at a plant in Singur, India.

Ratan Tata told reporters from Automotive News that Tata has “held talks” with Fiat and that the Indian company is “open to considering a partnership” in terms of selling the Nano through Fiat’s dealer network. However, he also stated that there are no concrete plans to go ahead with this.

The two companies are also expected to resume talks on a joint venture to manufacture, sell and distribute trucks through both Tata and Fiat’s truck division Iveco. These talks were interrupted by Tata’s acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, but with the completion of the deal between Ford and Tata the talks can now be resumed. Read More......

If you're looking for the latest in pure, unadulterated Mercedes tuning goodness, you've come to the right place ladies and gentlemen. Today we have the first glimpses of not one... not two... but five new tuning packages from the hands of the industrious designers at Wald. Yes, you heard me right: five new tuning packages. The C-Class, the GLK-Class, the SL-Class, the R-Class and the Viano -- these are the models Wald has bestowed their tuning prowess upon.

While I could attempt to describe the various features found on each of the new tuning kits, the photos do a far better job than I could ever hope to, so instead I'll let them have all the fun. Allow me to quickly note, however, that each of the Wald kits are currently in development stages, so you'll have to wait a bit longer before placing your orders.

For more info, keep scrolling to see the full collection of future Wald Mercedes tuning packages, or head over to the Wald website for their complete tuning portfolio.

Enjoy. Read More......

Following this month’s reveal of the new facelifted 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S models comes latest spy shots of the updated Turbo Cabrio model due at the end of the year. It will be hard to spot the difference between the new and the old as the spy images reveal because most of the planned changes will be taking place under the sheet-metal.

The facelifted 911 Turbo range is expected to get an extra 20hp (15kW) to give it an edge over the new Nissan GT-R and return its supremacy at the Nurburgring. The bump in power is courtesy of a new direct-injection system, which is also expected to improve fuel economy. In line with the changes in the new 911 facelift range, the engine in the updated Turbo will also sport increased combustion chambers, a new crankshaft and an upgraded oil and water pump.

Power levels will likely fall close to the 500hp (373kW) mark, which combined with the quick-shifting Doppel Kupplung (dual clutch) gearbox should ensure quicker acceleration and track times.

Visually, the car is being enhanced with larger front air intakes and new fog-lights in the front bumper, giving a more aggressive look. At the rear are a new set of LED taillights and a new diffuser similar to that on the new GT3. Read More......

With the covers coming off Ferrari’s all-new California GT only a month ago, a test-mule for the carmaker’s next supercar has already been spotted. The test-mule, disguised under the body of a modified 360, was spotted on the streets of Modena and was easily distinguishable by its centrally mounted exhaust pipe and taped-off engine bay.

It’s still too early to gauge what the test-mule is for but initial speculation suggests it could be the next-generation F430 or a powertrain mule for the Enzo-successor. According to the spy photographers, the test-mule was also sporting an F430 front bumper and camouflaged rocker panels.

Late last month reports emerged claiming Ferrari’s next supercar would be based on the Millechili Concept but built on a modified F430 chassis. Power is expected to come from a new V10 engine churning out in excess of 600hp (450kW).

Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo also confirmed recently that the carmaker was developing new hybrid technology for its production cars based on the Kinetic Energy Recycling System (KERS) gearbox set to feature in its F1 cars next year, and before that a spokesman said the company was even open to V6 turbo technology as it attempts to battle new emissions and fuel-economy regulations. Read More......

This is one machine that can be described in many words. Some will call it kitsch, the other one will brag. Some will deem a strange model, others on the contrary, a challenge. All are welcome qualifier and strengthens the principle which says that tastes not discuss.


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

On the basis of a stand Spider Golf 2, say its creators. Nicolas and Sylvain in France have established a firm NSF Colors, which aims to lead the notion of amending the extreme. How limit of kitsch and quality is what may be thin, the public prosecution remains the most important factor. And the audience is composed of all of us.
Probably we would take one day and something to mention all that has her, and in it under her. The spectacle is an essential element, namely the work of these people, which can not be under any wonder.


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Model: Spider NSF Golf 2
Engine: 2 NX kits which provide an extra 50 horses of power


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Rims: 18 inches of MJL: 8X5X18 inches on the front and back 9.5X18 inches
Tires: Continental
Springs: Apex -60
Disc brakes front of 50 mm
Disc brakes rear 80 mm


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Body-Kit: custom made outside the NSF Color
Rear: cut and welded the bodywork
Lights: VW New Beetle
Color: Color NSF
Deco: Style metallic

Inside:
Chairs: custom fiber
Wheel: S’Racing
Change gear Velocity: Type U.S.
Hand Brake: S’Racing
Console custom


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Sound:
4 amplifiers Digital Design
2 subwoofers Digital Design
6 tweeters Digital Design
4 Speaker Digital Design
2 LCD screens
1 monitor console Read More......

OZ proposes a new type of alloy rims which are inspired by Formula 1 technology. Named Ultraleggera, these wheels are easier with 40% than any other model, since now and it is available in 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 inches dimensions. The price starts at € 145. It can offer amazing look to your car! Read More......

Citroen bet on experience of British SQ Plus that built Alien Citroen C2 in 6 months. The rear bumper and side sills match with the rest of alien style. Xenon headlamps will illuminate every monster in its sight (a mother-in-law too). There are no mirrors and doorknobs – usual tuning move. Stock 16“ rims were replaced with 20“ Toyo rims with low-profile tires and Mr. Chilli’s pneumatic suspension decreasing the Alien’s height.




The wheels replacement caused that fenders needed to be extremely extended. There’s a new wing on the rear window, so the car is now visually longer. Almost whole interior is covered with laminated parts so now it looks like a spaceship. Replacement of transmission allowed removing a central console behind the knob. Its seating capacity was decreased to driver only so the audio tunnel is now bigger.




The tunnel includes three powerful amplifiers and four Alpine subwoofers and behind the front seat you can discover a canister full of N20 gas. The interior is full of powerful speakers; some of them are placed also in the seats too. The dashboard includes five large LCDs that show what’s behind the car and also parameters of audio. And don’t forget that whole car is illuminated with blue neon tubes.




This disco car can produce 15.780 Watts of music power thanks to 20 speakers, 8 subwoofers and 11 amplifiers.
Pretty impressive, don’t you think? Read More......

Three wheel car are fairly popular in recent time, not too many of them are seen on the road. But, the production of the Cirbin V13R will change that, at worst this articles will explain that. The low stance and light weight should provide a pretty good feeling through the corners while the potent HD engine can give you a nice rush via your right foot. The body is fiberglass and the chassis is welded tubular steel with a heavier impact zone in the front.



It comes with a full lighting system including headlights with high and low-beams and daytime running lights, turn signals, brake lights and reverse indicators. Everything is easily control from your bucket seat positioned in front of the motor. You even have some cargo space in the front. Actually it’s not completely a three wheel car. The V13R was originally introduced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) last year, but production is set to start very soon. The roadster-meets-trike is powered by a 1250cc v-twin borrowed from the Harley Davidson V-Rod. Power goes through a 5-speed sequential transmission to the rear wheel. Read More......

ZDNet reports that a biodiesel conversion specialist, Jonathan Goodwin, has retrofitted a Hummer to run on ethanol, hydrogen, biodiesel or natural gas. The car gets the equivalent to 40 miles per gallon. Goodwin's company is an alternative energy start-up, SAE Energy. The company is filling an unlikely niche in the clean tech market: making muscle cars green. He's already converted about 60 H2 Hummers from gas to diesel and about 100 H1 hummers, including a Hummer that can burn the whole menu of clean fuels.

A gas-to-diesel conversion boosts a Hummer's mileage from about 10 miles a gallon to between 22 and 24 miles a gallon. Additionally, the horsepower jumps from about 325 in the regular Hummer to 650, giving the car more power.




Goodwin, who's based in Wichita, Kan., doesn't advertise or push the services through Web sites much because it generates too many inquiries. "I really get pounded with a lot of requests when I do," he said. "But it doesn't look like I will be able to hide much longer."

Gas-to-diesel conversions are the automotive equivalent of a heart transplant. The gas-burning engine and original transmission are removed and replaced with a Duramax diesel engine, typically inserted in Chevy trucks, and an Allison transmission.

With a Hummer, little retrofitting is required. With the Impala, the center divider in the car had to be widened. In the end, though, the car still accommodated four or more passengers, unlike the two-seater Lamborghini.

The performance increase comes in part from the inherent properties of diesel engines. Overall, a diesel can deliver more torque–the rotational force applied to an object, in this case the car's crankshaft–than a gas engine. A 500 horsepower gas engine might put out 600 foot-pounds of torque. A similar diesel might put out 800 to 900 foot-pounds of torque.

The engine inserted into the 1965 Impala cranks 850 horsepower and 1200 foot-pounds of torque. The Impala was chosen because it has a stronger frame than most other mid-1960s muscle cars. Read More......

To a large extent Lamborghini exists today because of the Gallardo. While the Murcielago has always remained the top model in the company’s line-up, it was strong sales of the Gallardo that allowed it to reach profitability after almost 30 years of losses. At its initial launch back in 2003 there was the worry that this new ‘entry-level’ Lamborghini would dilute the brand’s exclusive cachet. As the first model completely designed under the watchful and sensible eye of Audi, there was also some concern the carmaker was expanding its market share at the cost of exclusivity and heritage.

But once the first trickle of reviews came in, all fears were put to rest, and the new car was able to strike an almost impossible balance between accessibility and exclusivity. It’s since gone on to become the Italian marque’s most successful model to date - selling around 7,100 units - and its reputation as an everyday supercar is the best descriptor of the new Lamborghini: outrageous but still entirely livable.

However, Lamborghini was never one to rest on its laurels. Just as it had done with the Murcielago and the more extreme LP640 variant, designers also tinkered with the Gallardo and added some extra kit to make it a much more vicious machine. Put on a diet, the brand new LP560-4 loses 20kg over the standard model and is given another 40hp (30kW) for extra bite. The most significant changes come in the form of a new aerodynamic package that improves downforce considerably and makes the car a far more formidable track weapon than the standard Gallardo.

Technical
Named for its 560hp (418kW) output and 4WD powertrain, the latest incarnation of the Gallardo impresses on several fronts. With its highly-strung 5.2L V10 the LP560-4 has stunning performance, accelerating to 62mph (100km/h) in just 3.7 seconds and going on to reach a top speed in excess of 200mph (320km/h).

The engine emits a deep bellow when pushed, and is most brutal in the lower end of the rev-range where it seems to summon the most force. Hitting the top end is equally exciting because the torque curve remains flat and stable throughout the rev-range.

It’s strange to think of the self-titled ‘Most outrageous car company’ considering emissions and fuel economy in its marketing materials, however even Lamborghini is beginning to think about tough new pollution regulations to be ratified by the EU. For this reason it has introduced a new Bosch direct injection system, giving the LP560-4 more power and torque but better fuel-efficiency and lower emissions than the previous Gallardo.

Styling and interior
Lamborghini has updated the Gallardo’s shell to bring it more in to line with the Murcielago and recent Reventon concept. You can clearly see the family resemblance in the new model with giant air dams and new lights in the front.

The rear has also been altered significantly, with cooling vents, new rear lights and bumper plus a redesigned diffuser all contributing to its changed appearance. In what may be a subconscious nod to its German cousin, the LP560-4’s rear looks a little like the Audi R8’s. The rear lights are now positioned in a ‘Y structure’ and the same motif appears in the front LED daytime running lights.

Sitting inside, the interior resembles that of the regular Gallardo. The seats are set extremely low but leg and shoulder room are generous for both driver and passenger. Lamborghini offers the LP560-4 with either leather or Alcantara upholstery for the seats, and the same options are given for various accents around the cabin.

While the interior hasn’t changed much from the pre-facelift model, the driving experience certainly has. Gone is the instability during high speed cornering and the tendency to understeer that were the negative hallmarks of the Gallardo. The LP560-4’s new aerodynamics package has significant effect at speed, and the front spoiler and rear diffuser work together to improve aerodynamic efficiency by a staggering 31%.

On the road
The optional carbon-ceramic brakes are also excellent, though we wish Lamborghini would follow cross-town rival Ferrari’s example and make them standard on the new model. Still, there’s not much to complain about when you’re spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car and the brakes deliver up to 1.2g of seatbelt-straining force.

With its high-revving engine, excellent four-wheel drive system, improved down force and powerful brakes, the LP560 is more confident around a track than the Gallardo. The suspension has also been tuned and lightened, and is adept at keeping the car stable during high-speed cornering. Body roll is now almost non-existent.

Steering the car through the pedals was necessary more than a few times, especially when understeer reared its ugly head. However, these were rare occasions and generally the car was responsive to our steering inputs. The transmission comes in three modes, Normal, Sport and Corsa, with the final being the most hardcore option. In Corsa mode the gear shifts are around 40% faster than normal. There’s also a launch control option, during which both brake and accelerator are depressed, locking revs at 5,000rpm and sending the Gallardo off while matching traction with power perfectly.

The LP560-4 isn’t brilliant in all areas though. The carbon-ceramic brakes still lack proper feel for stop-and-go traffic, a problem we’ve noticed on a number of other cars fitted with them, including the McLaren SLR (not sold here) and the Porsche Carrera GT (now out of production). The extremely low front spoiler also makes the car hard to take around town and even when you do use the handy front-raising feature there’s still the occasional painful sound of grating metal.

Final verdict
The LP560-4 takes Lamborghini’s biggest success and changes the formula - as a driver’s car, it is devastatingly quick and a delight to throw around a track but as just a car, a daily driver, the old Gallardo made more sense. Then again, when did buying a Lamborghini ever make sense? Read More......

Bentley wants to reach 120g/km of CO2 by 2012. That’s why, in 2009 Bentley will introduce its 1st flex-fuel engine and by 2012 everything they produce will be capable of running on bio-fuels. The ultra-luxury British brand, which is owned by Volkswagen, intends to achieve at least a fifteen percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2012.
New engine management systems and improved transmissions will cut around 15 percent from tailpipe emissions, which currently average 450g/km across the range.
Lower emissions and improved economy will be delivered while maintaining vehicle performance.
“It is our conviction that renewable fuels, in particular second-generation biofuels, have strong potential,” said Dr. Paefgen. Read More......

Ferrari 599 GTB is a beautiful car with impressive performance. But, an Saudi Arabian person wasn’t satisfied only by its performance, he wanted more. So, he specially ordered this amazing chrome Ferrari 599 GTB. I don’t know how much he paid, but I’m not that sure the transformation was a success. Do you like it? Read More......

Mercedes-Benz and its in-house tuner AMG recently revealed its updated SL fleet but there’s one important model that we still are yet to see. The car is the upcoming SL Black Series from AMG, a super-sports version of the SL that could potentially upset the SLR flagship in the performance stakes. Heavily camouflaged prototypes have been spotted testing in Germany, each of them sporting new bumpers, widened fenders and an oversized GT wing, and now we have a new rendering that gives us a hint of what lies beneath the thick camo gear.

The latest Black Series edition will be based on the turbocharged V12 SL65 (pictured) but will develop up to 670hp (66hp more than the standard model) and 1,000Nm (738lb-ft) of torque. Engineers decided not to bump up torque levels due to the limitations of Mercedes’ older five-speed automatic.

The car has also undergone an intensive weight reduction program, which sees it weigh in 570 pounds less than the standard SL65. This results in a 6.1 pounds per horsepower ratio and should see the car accelerate from 0-60mph in less than four seconds. The car’s top speed will be electronically limited to 186mph although AMG engineers insist it’s capable of reaching 220mph when delimited.

To shed all the pounds engineers removed the car’s folding metal hard top and added a fixed carbon-fiber unit – this alone saves 88 pounds. The car’s bonnet has also been replaced with a carbon unit and more of the lightweight material was used for a new rear-lip spoiler (which rises at speeds above 60mph) and diffuser. The end result is a kerb weight of just 4,080 pounds.

Other modifications to the SL65 include a widened track, the addition of flared fenders, new Dunlop Maxx GTs measuring up to 325mm in the back, forged one-piece alloy wheels, bigger brakes and a new front grille.

AMG plans to build just 350 Black Series SLs all up and first sales are expected early next year. Read More......

One of the biggest vehicles on the road is now available with flex-fuel capability across the range following the announcement on Friday that all 2009 Cadillac Escalades will be able to run on E85 ethanol blended fuel as well as petrol or any combination of the two. Cadillac won’t be charging customers extra as the feature is fitted standard on all 2009 models, including the new Escalade Hybrid.

The Escalade, Escalade EXT and Escalade ESV as well as the GMC Denali, join the previously announced 2009 Chevrolet HHR, Buick Lucerne and Hummer H2 and H2 SUT as additions to GM’s new flex-fuel lineup.

The latest E85 product announcements coincided with the opening of a dozen new E85 fueling stations in the Greater Atlanta area this week. According to GM there are already seven million vehicles in North America that can run on E85.

GM has already confirmed that half of its U.S. lineup will be flex-fuel capable by 2012 providing the infrastructure is in place, and the carmaker built more than a million flex-fuel vehicles in the past year alone.

Not only is the fuel cheaper than regular petrol, it’s also a cleaner-burning fuel. The Escalade running E85 produces up to 23% less greenhouse gas emissions than it would on petrol alone. Read More......

At first glance the R35 Nissan GT-R is a physical paradox. The 3,800lb car’s 480hp twin-turbo V6 just shouldn’t be able to move it around like it does, and the base model’s 20-inch Dunlop Sport tires shouldn’t let it be thrown through the corners with such abandon, either. But the physics books are wrong, and Nissan has videographic proof.

Filmed by a fan at what appears to be a Nissan event or factory garage, the video below shows the GT-R, as reported earlier this month, running the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife in a blistering 7m29.03s - within 1.5 seconds of the rather more extreme Pagani Zonda F. The GT-R’s previous best time, a still-impressive 7m38s, was set in semi-wet conditions, but this lap was completed in perfectly dry, sunny weather, enabling optimum traction and times. Nissan claims the car is a perfectly stock model in street-going retail trim.

Despite its video-of-a-video nature and the irksome background noise overriding the music of tires and turbos, the video is strangely mesmerizing. Watching test driver Tochio Suzuki pilot the gargantuan machine around the 73 corners also gives some insight into the car’s on-the-limit handling.

Based on Suzuki’s steering inputs, the car appears to tend toward mild understeer, with just a hint of throttle-on oversteer at corner exit, which is natural for a rear-biased drivetrain. Still, both Suzuki and the car appear to handle the tires’ slip angles very well. The Bridgestone Potenza RE070Rs that come as standard on the Premium and ‘Black’-spec GT-Rs are believed to be quicker in the wet, but the Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tires used for this run, made April 8th, shave 4-5 seconds per lap off the GT-R’s ‘Ring time, according to Suzuki in an interview with Drivers-Republic.

Read More......

General Motors has taken heed of public desire for smaller, more economical engines and developed two brand-new engines for its global markets. The new engines consist of a new 1.4-liter petrol unit and a 1.6-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) unit, and will be rolled out in GM’s production cars over the next 12 months.

Both engines are compact four-cylinder units that use turbochargers to make up for their lack of displacement. The petrol unit delivers an 8% fuel consumption saving compared to a naturally aspirated engine with the same output of 120hp to 140hp.

The 1.6 liter CNG unit is more powerful than its smaller petrol brother, churning out an estimated 150hp and 210 Nm of torque. It also cuts CO2 emissions by around 25% when compared to a similarly powerful petrol engine. The CNG unit will likely be used first in the 2009 Opel Zafira minivan although there is no word yet on what other products, including U.S. models, will be using the two engines.

Combining small engines with turbo chargers to reduce emissions but maintain performance has been a simple yet effective strategy for manufacturers, especially in light of tougher emissions laws. Turbocharger manufacturer BorgWarner, in fact, has been so convinced of increased turbocharger demand that the company is ramping up production and even building new plants in order to quell demand in the future. Read More......

The 2008 Volvo V70 has not even been officially unveiled yet, but German tuning specialist Heico Sportiv already offers a pair of new tuning programs for the models with 2.4D (163 bhp) and D5 (185 bhp) diesel engines. It is available for the 2008 Volvo XC70, too.



By reprogramming the engines' ECUs, Heico Sportiv raises their maximum power output, reducing the V70's zero to 100 km/h acceleration time to impressive 7.6 seconds.



The engines also breathe easier with the help of Heico Sportiv's twin-outlet stainless-steel exhaust system with oval tips in 120x74mm diameter. There is also a four-pipe 76 mm exhaust with modified silencer for the T6 model.

The tuning program is finished with new suspension kit lowering the vehicle by about 30 mm and two sets of the VOLUTION V. (5 spokes) in dimensions 8x18", 8x19" and 8,5x20" and VOLUTION X. (10 spokes) wheels in dimensions 8x18". Read More......

The brand with the sword – nothelle
WORLD FIRST: Better performance, better look and better dynamics for the new Audi Q7

• Up to 275 HP for 3.0 V6 TDI/bi-turbo for 4.2 V8 with 580 HP
• Aerodynamics kit and electronically lowered suspension
• Complete nothelle “NOVEDRA IX SPORT” wheel sets in 22-inch design

Nothelle is changing the external appearance of the Q7 by equipping it with a sporty and elegant body-styling kit. The kit consists of a lift-reducing front spoiler, an air inlet grille in the front apron, side skirts, a totally new rear apron including 4 sports tailpipes, wheel arch extensions and a roof spoiler for enhanced stability at high speeds.

With nothelle’s own-brand wheel rim from the Novedra series, the king size 10.0 x 22-inch NOVEDRA IX SPORT, fitted to the nothelle tires of technology partner KUMHO in sizes 295/30-22, the Q7 acquires a more powerful and individual look. The Q7 can be even more exclusively equipped with “NOVEDRA IX SPORT titanium edition“, “NOVEDRA IX SPORT black edition“ and “NOVEDRA IX SPORT brilliance edition“ wheels.

The new look and additional power is set off by the electronically lowered suspension in the form of an electronic module which nothelle has developed especially for the “Audi adaptive air suspension“ of the SUV produced in Ingolstadt, Germany. Needless to say, nothelle also has a sports spring kit for the factory-provided dynamic chassis.

In order to enhance the braking performance of the 2.3-ton vehicle, nothelle also developed a brake kit – for every eventuality.

Scarcely visible from the outside, the alterations are all the more noticeable under the hood. The Q7 starts out with two engines, namely a large three-liter turbo diesel engine, the 3.0 V6 TDI with 500 nm of torque and 171 KW (233 HP), in addition to the large 4.2-liter V8 gasoline engine with 257 kW (350 HP). With a curb weight of 2.3 tons, it is hardly possible to talk about powerful motorization at this point. Each additional unit of horsepower and each nm of torque would produce superior locomotion.

Consequently nothelle is also boosting the power of both these engines. After passing through the hands of nothelle engineers for chip tuning or the installation of the N TRONIC BOX©, the 3.0 TDI generates an impressive 275 HP and delivers 600 nm of torque to the crankshaft at upwards of 1,750 RPM. The prices of such power enhancements range between 1,100 (chip tuning) and 1,500 euros (N TRONIC BOX) and include a two-year warranty.

As a rule, nothelle offers three enhanced performance options, each with different characteristics.

First is the N TRONIC BOX©, the intelligent power box for diesel engines. It is an additional ECU, which provides a significant yet not excessive power boost.

The LEADERCHIP© chip tuning type delivers similar power outputs and is designed for the demanding driver who wants more controlled power. The vehicle unleashes its full potential while at the same time maintaining its outstanding handling and consistently smooth running qualities. With well-balanced values, the engine offers significantly improved torque and enhanced power. It is the diplomat of the tuning chips with untamed pizzazz.

The third option offered by nothelle is BULLCHIP©, the power boost for drivers with sporting ambitions. It is characterized by its full power, breathtaking torque and phenomenal acceleration. It is the real muscle among the tuning chips.

In all its innovations, nothelle pays particular attention to ensure compliance with current exhaust emission standards.

In the case of gasoline variants as well, nothelle is reaching for the stars. A bi-turbo kit is being developed for the 4.2 V8, which draws up to 580 brute horsepower and 720 nm at 3,200 RPM from the direct injection engine. This should enable the Q7 to mutate into a real road beast!

Since the standard muffler failed the sound test, nothelle is replacing it with its own rear muffler featuring a sonorous purr and a 4-pipe look. nothelle also offers the option of replacing the entire exhaust system, allowing the Q7 to broadcast its newly gained power in no uncertain terms. Read More......

The World's Fastest and Most Powerful Luxury Sedan
BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo with 730 hp, 1,320 Nm and 340 km/h

BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo: At the Geneva Motor Show 2006 BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240
Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet www.brabus.com)
celebrates the debut of the world's fastest and most powerful luxury sedan. The 340-km/h high-
performance automobile is based on the new Mercedes S 600 and is powered by a BRABUS S
V12 S Biturbo twelve-cylinder engine with 730 hp / 537 kW and a peak torque of 1,320 Nm.

The BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo engine is a prime example for the old adage that nothing can
replace displacement except more displacement. A special crankshaft with longer stroke, forged
pistons with a larger diameter and an increased cylinder bore result in a displacement increase
from standard 5.5 to now 6.3 liters. In addition the inlet and outlet ports of both cylinder heads
are optimized for improved mixture flow. Four special camshafts also contribute to that same
effect.

The BRABUS engine specialists further equip the engine with larger turbochargers, a more
efficient intercooling system and a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with four
pipes and metal catalysts with low back pressure. Newly programmed engine electronics
ensure that all new components work together flawlessly. They also contribute to maximum
power yield and to meeting current exhaust emission limits.

With 730 hp / 537 kW at 5,100 rpm the BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo engine delivers superlative
power. The same is true for its peak torque of 1,320 Nm at 2,100 rpm. In the car peak torque is
limited electronically to 1,100 Nm.

This extraordinary performance makes the BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo into not just the most
powerful but also the fastest luxury sedan in the world: 0 – 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, 200 km/h
after just 11.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 340 km/h.

Power is transferred to the real wheels via a modified five-speed automatic transmission. An
optional BRABUS locking differential optimizes traction. All BRABUS powertrain components
are operated exclusively with ARAL high-performance lubricants.

BRABUS also offers performance tuning for the S 600 and S 65 models. The list ranges from
the T12 performance kit for 580 hp / 419 kW to the T 65 S performance tuning that boosts
power output of the S 65 model to 715 hp / 526 kW.
The enormous performance of the BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo place especially high demands on
the vehicle's aerodynamic properties. The BRABUS designers used the wind tunnel to develop
a special front apron whose refined shape reduces lift on the front axle. Its large central air inlet
optimizes cooling of engine and front brakes.

For optimizing the airflow around the sides of the vehicle the designers shaped the BRABUS
side sills that feature integrated entrance lights for added utility.

The BRABUS aerodynamic-enhancement concept is rounded out with the BRABUS rear spoiler
lip and the rear apron with integrated LED lights and custom-tailored cutouts for the BRABUS
sport exhaust with four tailpipes.

The enormous performance of the BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo is kept in safe control at all times
by custom-tailored solutions for tires, brakes and suspension. These include BRABUS
Monoblock light-alloy wheels with 20- or 21-inch diameters. The largest version features multi-
piece forged and highly polished BRABUS Monoblock VI wheels in size 9Jx21 on the front axle
and in size 10.5Jx21 in the rear. Extensive tests demonstrated Pirelli and Yokohama tires in
sizes 255/30 ZR 21 in front and 285/30 ZR 21 on the rear axle to be ideal.

The large wheels also create the necessary space to install the BRABUS high-performance
brake system with 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 380 x 36-mm vented and cross-drilled
discs in front, and 355 x 28-mm discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers on the rear axle.

Luxurious and highly customized interiors are yet another BRABUS specialty. The product
lineup for the new BRABUS S V12 S Biturbo ranges from sill plates with BRABUS logo to
ergonomically shaped safety steering wheels with airbag to an exclusive BRABUS interior
crafted from especially soft yet Mastik leather and the finest Alcantara. The fastest luxury sedan
in the world can be further refined with an exclusive state-of-the-art BRABUS multimedia
package. Read More......

While the DBS is being repeatedly abused on Bond film sets around the world and the V12 Vantage was recently confirmed for production, Aston Martin has set about updating its successful V8 Vantage with a host of technical and technological improvements, the first since the car was introduced for public sale in 2005. That sexy Aston silhouette remains untouched, fortunately, and there is enough extra performance to keep pace with the competition.

At the forefront of the update is an 11% boost in power to 420hp and a 15% rise in torque to 470Nm. The gains come from an additional 0.4L of displacement, bringing the V8 engine up to 4.7L. The new power and more responsive mid-range brings 0-60mph times down to just 4.7s and lets the Vantage carry on to a top speed of 180mph.

Because Aston is not a full-line car maker, and therefore doesn’t have a minicar to help improve its overall emissions and fuel consumption figures, the company has put a lot of energy into improving the efficiency of its engines. Even with the significant rise in power and performance, the new engine also improves fuel economy and CO2 emissions by 13%, helped in part by the improved Sportshift transmission.

But the update isn’t solely mechanical - there are significant upgrades inside the cabin as well. A revised center console houses new switchgear, and a new ECU replaces the previous model’s ‘V8 Vantage’ key. The ECU is a construction of glass, stainless steel and polycarbonate that functions as a key, though it is not one by any classical definition. It was first used on the 2007 DBS. Other interior upgrades include a hard disk-based navigation system that features full iPod or MP3 player integration and improved graphics.

On the outside, a new range of 19-inch alloy wheels will let the aficionado spot the new model from a distance, though it will carry on with the V8 Vantage’s winning looks otherwise. Read More......

The PanTerra Concept created by Australian designer Filip Tejszerski has taken top honors at this year’s Californian Off-Road Machine design competition organized by Local Motors. The goal for designers was to create an ‘exciting design for an exceptionally capable off-road vehicle which is also functionally practically.’

Tejszerski’s PanTerra was picked because of its combination of functionality and all-around comfort and style. The new design will now enter a finals competition that will conclude on the 17th of June and includes a $10,000 cash prize.

Other strong competitors include the Gravemaker concept, seen here in red, by Marek Rakucak, as well as the Opportunity Concept by Benjamin Louis and LMone concept by Jon Leu.

Local Motors describes itself as a next-generation American car manufacturer and plans to eventually build and bring to market one of the winning designs. Read More......

Renault’s Megane line has been widely credited as a solid buy, and a few of its special editions have been quite highly regarded, even among the hard-to-please European hot-hatch crowd. The latest - and possibly the last - update to the hottest of Megane’s RenaultSport variants, the Ultima Edition, brings serious performance to the table while remaining a practical daily driver.

Though the first Megane RenaultSport (RS) edition suffered a somewhat mixed reception by the press in 2004, several special editions remedied the major problems. The R26 Megane was previously an even-hotter version of the Megane RS, with power up to 230hp in the latest version. The Ultima RS significantly one-ups even the R26, however, with 255hp. It’s also 0.8s quicker to 100km/h and 130kg lighter than the R26 edition.

For the Ultima Edition, the sprint to 100km/h takes just 5.7s, the car weighs a scant 1235kg (2717lbs). It also features a custom-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and a unique exhaust system. For just €32,000, you can have a car that will outrun an Audi S3, nearly hang with the top-end BMW 1-series and still get you to the grocers and back with a minimum of fuss.

The Ultima Edition is expected to hit the streets in October, and as the name suggests, this could be the final RenaultSport edition Megane, as the model’s replacement is rumored to be scheduled for 2009. Read More......

Earlier this month Toyota announced it would be raising prices across its U.S. line-up, and now it seems Honda may be following suit. The cause is a confluence of factors, with a weak U.S. dollar, high raw materials costs and the global downturn in sales conspiring to make the price rises inevitable.

North America may not be alone in feeling the pinch of higher prices, either. Speaking during an interview in Tokyo Honda Chief Operating Officer Yoichi Hojo said that prices in Japan and North America may have to rise, though doing so would make it even harder to make sales targets in the softening market, according to Steelguru. The rising raw materials costs are primarily centered around a jump in the price of steel, though other materials are contributing factors.

Honda’s North American operations are central to its corporate structure, with nearly 70% of its operating profit originating on the continent. Despite the move to raise prices, the slackening sales means Honda is predicting a 32%, or ¥75 billion, drop in profits for the coming year.

Toyota’s recent price rises averaged just under 2% for the Prius and Yaris, and though Honda hasn’t yet disclosed what range of price increases it is contemplating, it would make sense for it to make similar adjustments since roughly the same materials prices and market forces apply to both car makers. A GM executive also recently opined on the subject, noting that another driving force of the increased costs are the stricter CAFE standards within the U.S. Read More......

The Saab 9-5 is long overdue for an overhaul, with the current model first hitting streets as far back as 1997, but the next-generation model due late next year may not even be built at Saab’s traditional home in Sweden. Latest reports claim the new model will be sourced from Opel’s Ruesselsheim plant in Germany with production tipped to start mid next year.

The car will then debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September before going on sale towards the end of the year. According to Automotive News, the new 9-5 will be available with Saab’s new XWD traction system and electronic limited-slip differential and will also be offered with a range of flex-fuel turbocharged engines as well as a new V6 diesel.

The reason for the move to Ruesselsheim is because the next 9-5 will be based on GM’s new FWD Epsilon II platform, which has already debuted in the all-new Opel Insignia and is produced at the German plant. To differentiate Saab as a premium product engineers will provide a stiffer suspension set-up, a new steering rack and a different range of electronics. The car’s styling will also be heavily influenced by the original Aero X concept car pictured above.

Production of Saab’s next 9-3 will remain in Sweden. The car will move to the smaller Delta platform and isn’t expected to be launched until 2011. Read More......