Cars Reviews

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.

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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......