Thursday, June 12, 2008

Maserati Bellagio Fastback Touring Goes into Production

Not too long ago at the 2008 Concorso d'Elegance Villa d'Este the recently revived Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera showed up with two concept cars, one sports berlinetta called A8GCS Berlinetta Touring and a homage to the shooting brake of old the Bellagio Fastback Touring.

The coachbuilding company Superleggera has decided to take the fastback into production, limited production actually since they will only build 25 of them. If you want your Maserati Quattroporte to have additional storage for your golf bags, skis or shotguns then head on over to Milan.

Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera hasn't exactly announced pricing but they claim that if you bring your Quattroporte to Milan, the coachbuilding should not push the bill over a super car price tag. Autoblog.nl claims that 200,000 euro excluding taxes will suffice.


Except for the new rear end, the Quattroporte donor car stays the same unless the owner wants a new interior. Everything is possible if your heart so desires, but at a price of course. Power still comes from the 295 kW / 400 hp 4.2 liter V8 engine. The added cargo space, now max 1,500 liters, only ads 50 kg to the total weight of the car and is capable of a 0-100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds.

READ MORE - Maserati Bellagio Fastback Touring Goes into Production

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Bentley Sacrilege: 800hp ASI Tetsu GTR

The Bentley Continental GT is a quite superb car with its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine pumping out 552hp, it is a favourite with the rich and famous including one Paris Hilton. She could well be happy after news of of this new tuning kit from Japanese tuning firm TSI featuring a golden livery complete with flowers (yes, that is flowers) all over the hood, surely there is only one person in the world who could feel at home in this.

Despite this sacrilege the Japanese tuning house has at least gone to work to create a more aggressive wide body kit made of ASI's dry carbon. The engineers have also tackled the engine by enhancing the turbochargers and exhaust system along with a bit of ECU tuning bringing the total output to an over-the-top 800hp. To handle this extra power the transmission also required a bit of strengthening.

The ASI Tetsu GTR will be produced in limited numbers with each model being produced individually.

READ MORE - Bentley Sacrilege: 800hp ASI Tetsu GTR

2009 Porshe 911 Carrera S Coupé

Starting on 5 July, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is introducing the next generation of the 911 model series. The four new models – two Coupés and two Cabriolets – with classic rear-wheel drive offer an even higher standard of dynamic performance thanks to their all-new flat-six power units displacing 3.6 and, re-spectively, 3.8 litres. And the introduction for the first time of direct fuel injection on a Porsche sports car, together with the optional double-clutch gearbox Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), makes the new 911 even more sporting and dynamic.

At the same time these new technologies enhance the already outstanding efficiency of the 911 to an even higher level than before: Featuring PDK, the Carrera Coupé offers outstanding fuel economy of 9.8 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 28.8 mpg imp. And with all new Carreras remaining significantly below the fuel consumption benchmark of 11 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 25.7 mpg imp, CO2 emissions are down by up to 15 per cent.

Maximum output of the 911 Carrera with its 3.6-litre power unit is up by 20 bhp to 345 bhp (254 kW). Output on the 911 Carrera S with its 3.8-litre power unit is equally impressive, up by 30 bhp to 385 bhp (283 kW). With this extra power, the Carrera S Coupé now offers a top speed of slightly over 300 km/h or 186 mph.

The new generation of the 911 is available for the first time with the new Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), Porsche’s double-clutch gearbox. Offering no less than seven forward gears, the new gearbox combines the driving comfort of a converter automatic transmission with the dynamic gearshift of a sequential racing gearbox. And since PDK also boasts an automatic gearshift function, it replaces the former Porsche Tiptronic S automatic transmission on both the Carrera and Carrera S. Through its optimised and adaptive gearshift programs, PDK improves the car’s acceleration and reduces fuel consumption to a level even lower than before.

Porsche developed this gearshift principle featuring two clutches to shift gears without the slightest interruption of traction and pulling power and without even the slightest break in between gears no less than 25 years ago for motorsport. Porsche works drivers benefiting from this technology were able to accelerate faster than their competitors and keep both hands on the steering wheel while shifting gears, thus avoiding even the slightest distraction while shifting. The pioneering achievement from back then now gives the new 911 Carrera even better performance: Equipped with seven-speed PDK, the Carrera S Coupé accelerates in 4.5 seconds from 0-100 km/h, another 0.2 seconds faster than with a manual six-speed gearbox. And the customer in search of optimum driving dynamics even has the option to combine PDK with Porsche’s optional Sport Chrono Plus including Launch Control. The result is high-speed acceleration free of slip from a standstill and a racing gearshift, with the car accelerating to 100 km/h in a truly outstanding 4.3 seconds.

The new generation of the 911 stands out clearly at first sight through innovations in design both front and rear as well as new lights with LED technology. LED daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights now standard on all new models in the Carrera range give the silhouette of the 911 even more distinctive style and a truly unique look, interacting with new LED rear lights to ensure an unmistakable and striking appearance also at the rear. And as a further safety option, Porsche now also offers Dynamic Bending Lights on all models.

Prices start at Euro 69,600.- for the Carrera (Euro base price). The Carrera Cabriolet and Carrera S both retail at Euro 78,000.- (Euro base price), and the Carrera S Cabriolet is entering the market at Euro 88,000.- (Euro base price).

READ MORE - 2009 Porshe 911 Carrera S Coupé

Friday, June 6, 2008

Jeep Patriot by StartTech

Available in UK dealerships this June, Jeep is now offering a huge range of accessories from notable Chrysler group tuner, Startech. Such standalone items include a Startech chrome grille and a bodykit in addition to a sports suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels. Additional accessories include illuminated entrance sill panels, aluminium pedal pads, three-piece aluminium design kit for the dashboard and aluminium door locking pins. Two sizes of alloy wheels are also available: 19-inch Monostar IV five-spoke alloys or 20-inch Monostar IV five-spoke alloys. Both options come fitted with Yokohama tyres and a locking wheel nut kit.

Jeep has also put together a few exterior and interior packages. The “SE Package” includes a front and rear under-ride bodykit, chrome grille inserts, tailpipe cover and Startech logo for the rear of the vehicle for just £999. For the interior, the “SE Lifestyle” package includes a leather effect centre armrest cover, four chrome loudspeaker rings, a chrome gearshift gate; leather gear knob and leather effect treatments for the top of the door panels and dashboard instrument panel all for £1199.

Lastly, as a performance upgrade, Startech's PowerXtra Performance Module is available for the 2.0-liter diesel and adds 40hp, also prices at £999.

Notes:

  • All prices include fitting and VAT. Installation of these accessories will not affect the vehicle warranty. Prices may vary by dealer dependent upon labour rate charged.
  • Startech accessories are also available for other Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models.
  • Patriot in the attached images features the exterior pack, interior pack and 19-inch Monostar IV five-spoke alloys.
READ MORE - Jeep Patriot by StartTech

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Veilside and Valvoline Unique Mustang

The Valvoline Mustang GT-V is an American pony at its climax, designed by renowned tuner RJ de Vera, built by Roush with VeilSide body kit and given-away by Valvoline! This USD 60,000 car can be yours if you just enter the sweepstakes at a Nightshift event or at www.valvolinechallenge.com until 21 October 2008.

“The overall theme developed for the Mustang GT-V was ‘Modern yet Classic’. Since we were hoping to bridge the gap between different car enthusiasts we decide to create a fusion between the young tuner performance oriented and aggressive ethos with that of classic American muscle feel. I believe we succeeded in producing an automobile that any car nut would love to have in his garage.” said RJ de Vera.

The Valvoline Roush Mustang GT-V comes with VeilSide's D1GT body kit, Roush 427R engine package, H&R springs, Volk Racing wheels, Diamond audio system and custom suede interior by Street Concepts amongst others.

READ MORE - Veilside and Valvoline Unique Mustang

New Hartge Body Kit for BMW X5

German BMW specialist tuner Hartge has revealed a new body kit for the E70 BMW X5. Although the front lower fascia/spoiler looks a bit muscular, the package as a whole is pretty sweet. Kit details as follows:
  • Front fascia/spoiler (includes wheel arch extensions - not possible with M Aerodynamic package)

  • Rear skirt (includes wheel arch extensions - not possible with M Aerodynamic package - only in connection with HARTGE stainless steel tail piece)

  • 2 piece side sill (only possible with standard aluminium running board)

READ MORE - New Hartge Body Kit for BMW X5

Audi S5 GT Supercharged by MTM

The production Audi S5 draws its power from its 4.2L V8 FSI engine producing 349 horsepower and 440Nm of torque, but clearly this is not enough in the eyes of Audi tuner MTM. Their new tuning package bursts the power banks of this baby increasing total output to 505 horsepower (equates to 120 hp per liter) and 546Nm of Torque. This boosts the S5's performance figures up to M3 territory with a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300km/h.

As the name suggests, MTM has added a supercharger to the V8 unit which can lay claim to being the main reason behind the power increase and it is backed up by a flow-optimized 4-pipe stainless steel sports exhaust system. To counter the heating effect the extra power generates, you will also find an MTM intercooler housing with integrated water cooling ensures that the engine can always generate maximum performance.


To further compliment the system the MTM S5 GT Supercharged gets a new brake system with 8-piston fixed calipers which allows the car to decelerate from 100-0 km/h within about 35 meters. Other features include a tuned coilover suspension and MTM styled 21'' rims.

READ MORE - Audi S5 GT Supercharged by MTM

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