Holden HSV W427 Supercar

Holden is working on unleashing its might on Australian roads as it revealed the HSV W427 at the Melbourne Motor Show. The HSV – Holden Special Vehicles – will be the fastest standard road car to ever come out of Australia, and will probably be one of the quickest globally as well. Unconfirmed power figures put the W427 at over 370kW and 640Nm of torque. Such numbers are seen only in saloons like BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. Many thanks to Corvette’s 7.0-litre LS7 power plant.To better utilize the power, a limited slip diff will be used in conjunction with a new high-strength 6-speed manual shifter.The car receives GM product’s Magnetic Ride suspension which helps adapt the car to current road conditions for optimum handling. A number...

Read more »

Seat Leon Cupra K1 Styling Kit

As if the menacing Cupra’s look wasn’t enough, SEAT is now offering its UK customers an even scarier car to drive in, with the K1 Limited Edition Styling Kit. Purely a plastic surgery kit – the 2.0-litre turbo still kicks out 240 bhp/ 179kW. SEAT has gone a step further by slightly dropping the price of a standard Cupra by some 200 quid, helping to make good headway for the inclusion of K1 for future purchases.Where the major changes are made is just about the only area allowed for general public consumption, which is the exterior. There’s more than just a passing resemblance to the Sport BTCC car, SEAT’s race-winning maverick, as BTCC forms the basic inspiration for the look.Colours offered are Inferi Black, Emocion Red, Luna Grey and Candy...

Read more »

Irmscher V8 Powered GT i40

When the Remshalden-based Opel connoisseurs at Irmscher launched their 315 bhp impression of the 1,335 kg (2,940 lbs) Opel GT last summer, we thought it was pretty darn good. Power from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo had been hiked up another 60 hp from the standard GT roadster, delivering a sub-6 second sprint to 100km/h.To celebrate its 40 year journey, Irmscher, founded by Gunther Irmscher in 1968 and currently headed by Gunter Irmscher Jr. has put out a vehicle "for the true connoisseur." To outshine the 300+ km/h Vectra that it produced for the company's 35th anniversary in 2003, Irmscher has decided to go over the top with the GT i40. Instead of relying on Opel's Ecotec fourpot, Irmscher has gone down an entirely different route with...

Read more »

Aston Martin V8 Vantage RS in Mako Blue

Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage RS Concept has a new colour. Mako Blue is it, and it was chosen out of numerous names suggested by interested public members. When the car was unveiled by Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez last December, he called on the public to send names they thought would suit the colour of the concept.One such quick-thinking world citizen was Mat Wilson whose name was the one picked. Wilson said: “The name came to me instantly, when I first saw the car. There is a distinct parallel between the shark and the car – both being the fastest of their kind.” Mako is the Maori word for Blue Lightning, which Aston Martin reckon is perfectly suited to their 600 bhp/ 447kW 6.0-litre V12. Indeed the car is said to be the fastest Aston Martin...

Read more »

MINI JCW Cooper S Hatch and Clubman Revealed for Geneva Debut

Spiced-up versions of MINI's second-generation Cooper S Hatchback and new Clubman models are to debut at Geneva next month, signalling that Chili simply isn't a hot enough specification for the guys over at JCW. The re-Worksed versions carry adapted performance features from MINI's Challenge race car and offer the full range of John Cooper Works body styling upgrades. JCW have engineered a MINI Challenge for the road, coupling the race car's 211 hp 1.6-litre unit with newly-uprated sports suspension specifically-tuned for Works MINIs, larger disc brakes with uprated red callipers and a strengthened six-speed manual transmission. Prices are expected to start from £20,500 and £21,700 for the hatch and Clubman respectively. These uprated features,...

Read more »

TechArt GTStreet Cabriolet

The standard Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet was never really lacking in the performance department with its 480 horsepower engine, top speed of 193mph, and a 0-60mph time of just 3.8 seconds. This hasn’t stopped tuning firm TechArt from giving an already amazing car a few tweaks. The company will be using the Geneva Auto Show to debut their new GTstreet convertible which is based on the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.TechArt’s GTstreet convertible features a powerful 630 horsepower engine which allows the car to reach a top speed of 345 km/h (214 mph). Being shown along side the new convertible is TechArt’s GTstreet coupe which debuted at last year’s auto show. The company considers their GTstreet vehicles to be among the fastest and highest performing...

Read more »

Kicherer Mercedes ML420 CDI

Tuning firm Kicherer has released a new kit for the Mercedes ML 420 CDI which offers an additional 56hp and 200Nm more of torque. Called the Kicherer ML 42 ICE, the overall specifications are now 360hp and 900Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 6.1 seconds, half a second quicker than a non-tuned model. Top speed for the ML 42 ICE is 280 km/h (174mph).Exterior changes include the body kit from a Mercedes ML 63 AMG, 20-inch AMG wheels with a special black varnish, high performance brakes, an electronic lowered suspension and a four-pipe sports exhaust. Leather is added to the interior’s roof, dashboard, doors, and in several other locations. Real carbon fiber trim is applied throughout the interior and on the new ergonomic...

Read more »

Citroen Reveals C2 R2 MAX Rally Car

Citroen has unveiled its C2-R2 MAX homologation package, a move that's not just good news for anyone who's all about race-bred hot-hatches. The car also confirms Citroen's intent to compete in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship in 2008. The C2-R2 MAX is scheduled to be homologated by the FIA on March 1, and will be available as a kit through Citroen Sport.The C2-R2 MAX fits in between the C2 Super 1600 and C2-R2, offering a performance boost at a more affordable price for rallyists. Changes over the C2-R2 include a 190 horsepower 1599cc engine and brakes, a revised suspension with a wider track and an adjustable rear, and hydraulic steering. Citroen says the upgrades will enable the car to dominate its class as well as challenging...

Read more »

Volkswagen Tiguan by Delta 4x4

Volkswagen’s Tiguan is already getting some interesting makeovers, latest courtesy of Bavarian 4x4 specialist Delta. Two models are created, a road version and an offroad sibling. A few changes have taken place in this manner: suspension has been lowered by some 30mm (for a small fee of €490) for the road car, with flared wings, wider wheels and a sport exhaust system to sound the part.Go has been taken care of as well, to the tune of some 169 bhp/ 126kW and 384Nm of torque, both up on the standard vehicle. Power, which may or may not corrupt, comes at a price. In this case it’s €1,300. Offroad tyres range from 16 to 22 inches, depending. Costs are the same for both types of car.If you choose to take to the bush you can opt for the higher Tiguan,...

Read more »

Gemballa tunes new Cayenne Turbo

Advocates of the anti-SUV campaign are probably not acquainted with this new GEMBALLA conversion, simply titled Tornado GTS and GTR. If they were they could be converted to SUV campaigners in an instant. The vehicle is based on the 957 Porsche Cayenne Turbo and features power previously reserved for razor-door type supercars. In its previous life, the GEMBALLA conversion was extensively covered.Meanwhile, new GTS features adjustable seats, a panoramic roof and 4WD. Optional are the multimedia package and the cooling box. As you can probably tell from these pictures, this is a sort of coupe SUV as it sits quite some way closer to the ground than normal. The rear seats as well are as adjustable as the front seats, and offer the same level of...

Read more »

RENNtech Mercedes SLR McLaren 722GT

What do you do with 680 wild horses under your right foot? Take them to America of course! At least that is what tuner RENNtech, SLR.Club Trophy USA and RML (Ray Mallock Ltd) of the UK plan to do when they host a two-day track day series featuring the maddest SLR cars ever made, the 722GT in 2009. Exact dates will be announced this coming Northern Hemisphere summer.The 722GT is technically superior to the standard car, which already boasts some impressive figures on its own. Fitted with the same 5.4-litre V8 run by a supercharger, the 722GT boosts power from the “ordinary” 626 bhp/ 467kW to 680 bhp/ 507kW and 830Nm of torque, with a weight shaving of some 660 lb/ 299kg. It is whispered in racing circles that the car will scuttle away from a...

Read more »

Renault lineup for Geneva - including new concept and Laguna GT

Carlos Ghosn will be a busy man at Geneva. You’ll spot him easily, he’ll be the guy in the suit with the sweaty brow sprinting in-between the Renault, Dacia, Infiniti and Nissan stands.He will be spending a considerable amount of time at the Renault stand though as Renault are preparing to release 4 new models at the show. There will also be an announcement regarding the future of its value brand, Dacia.Initial details of the Twingo RS and the Koleos have been released recently. The Twingo will sport a 133bhp 1.6L engine in its compact little body which should firmly plant it in “pocket rocket” territory. Could this be the spiritual successor to the original Clio 16V?The Koleos is Renault’s first proper crossover SUV. It shares much with its...

Read more »

Lancia Delta Revealed

Over two weeks ago Lancia released several official images of the upcoming Delta, with a short press release. Today, Lancia decided to reveal more with an 'extended' press release that covers almost everything you need to know about the hot hatch.The Delta is 4.5 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, 1.5 metres high, and has a wheelbase of 2.7 metres that allows for plentiful interior space. The exterior appears very contemporary, particularly with the front nose that is exceptionally aggressive.At launch, buyers can select between the 120 hp 1.4 litre and 150 hp TurboJet petrol engines, or the 1.6 litre 120 hp MultiJet turbodiesel engine. The engines are mated with a 6-speed manual, robotized, or automatic gearbox. More engines will be added in the...

Read more »

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

For those who thought that Alfa Romeo’s irresistible 8C Competizione couldn’t get any sexier, the company has decided to release a Spider version which will also be produced in a limited run of only 500 units. The new model will get a classic fabric soft top which will operate electronically from a button on the dashboard. There are some styling tweaks which differentiate the Spider from its coupe sister but essentially it’s a stock 8C Compitizione, sans roof. Alfa have said that they optimised some of the external styling elements, like wing mirrors, using computer models and tests in wind tunnels etc. However, there's no word on how the car has been modified to deal with the loss of structure due to the roof being chopped off, which always...

Read more »

Fiat 500 Abarth coming soon

“With a strong sporty personality, the new car will be powered by a Fire 1.4 16v petrol Turbo engine, which delivers a maximum of 135 bhp (100kW) at 5,500 rpm and peak torque of 206Nm at 3,000 rpm in ‘Sport’ mode…” says Fiat with a straight face. Say what? Only 135 bhp? We waited so many months for a measly 135 horses? We must have been robbed.See, previous generation Ford Focus used a 2.0-litre engine to generate a similar amount of buzz in the hood. So 135 seems impressive for a 1.4, albeit force-fed. But scratch under the skin a little and you’ll discover that 500 Abarth’s closest nemesis, MINI Cooper S, squats with 172 horses underneath her belly. Fact is, a region of 135 bhp hasn’t been made by a compact hot hatch since Fiesta ST came...

Read more »

Wallpapers 6

...

Read more »

Ferrari F430 Spider F1 by Novitec

656 hp cabrio Novitec has finished its Ferrari 430 Spider Supersport just in time for the cabriolet season. Novitec released the Ferrari 430 Supersport last year after thoroughly testing it in the University of Stuttgart wind tunnel, maximising aerodynamics and down force. The Novitec Spider Supersport isn't just the open-top version of the coupe but has been uniquely enhanced with a special KW coil over suspension systrem which not only improves driving dynamics but also has an additional hydraulic adjustment. The front of the car can be raised by 40 mm at the touch of a button, a major plus point in case your garage is at the bottom or top of an incline. If the car hits 80 km/h the suspension automatically returns to its normal settings....

Read more »

Hartge BMW M3 Accessories

Tuning firm Hartge has released their range of accessories for the new BMW M3. Available options include a new electronic control unit module which upgrades the top speed limit of the car to match the rating of the tires. For Pirelli P ZERO tires the speed limiter rating goes up to 340 km/h / 211mph.Body enhancements include a discrete boot spoiler, carbon casings for the exterior mirrors, and Hartge badges for the hood and boot. Inside there are a number of different steering wheels which can come in leather, with a carbon fiber cover, or with a cover that features a mix of carbon fiber and chrome. Also available are a set of three aluminum pedals for cars with manual transmissions, an aluminum foot rest, Hartge gear knobs, a leather and aluminum...

Read more »

Mercedes CL 65 AMG by Vath

There are already plenty of ways to get your monster-Benz thrills, but one more couldn't hurt, now could it? Aimed at those drivers for whom the Mercedes CL 65 AMG's 612-horsepower V12 just isn't enough, German tuning firm Vath has released a tuning package for the high-performance luxury coupe.With Vath's kit, the twin-turbo 6.0 liter V12 in the big Benz cranks out 718 horsepower. Of course, that kind of power wouldn't be any fun with an electronic nanny aboard, so Vath also removes the CL 65 AMG''s speed limiter, allowing this boosted beast to run all the way up to a reported 211mph (340 km/h), which suggests that this CL 65 AMG can run down most supercars while providing an opulent and relatively quiet ride. A high-performance carbon...

Read more »

Lorinser Nardo3 at Geneva

German tuner Lorinser has released details about their plans for the Geneva Auto Show, where they will introduce the Nardo3 and the C-Class T-Model.The C-Class T-Model is based off of Mercedes’ C320 T CDI and comes with a special Lorinser diesel module, tuned to deliver 192 kW/261hp instead of the 164 kW/224hp delivered by the standard model. It also features an aerodynamic styling package and 19-inch wheels.Using the Mercedes SL as a platform, the Nardo3 pushes the biturbo V12 to create 485 kW/660hp and 1013 Nm of torque. Top speed is limited to 325hm/h to prevent damage to the transmission. Exterior differences include a new rear bumper with integrated exhaust, unique wheels, extended side skirts, modified side vents, and a new front end....

Read more »

Rolls-Royce Phantom by EDAG

The multi millionaires and billionaires of the world have a rough life, so tuning company EDAG has decided to make things a little easier for them. Debuting at the Geneva Auto Show the EDAG Rolls-Royce Phantom has an articulating roof design that eliminates the need for rear passengers to duck down as they enter the car.Inspiration for the roof opening comes from what EDAG considers an oversight by Rolls-Royce. In factory models the C-pillar was purposely created extra large so rear passengers would have the sense of additional privacy and security. This however results in a rather difficult entry and exit from the vehicle, even for people of average height.To correct this problem EDAG had to use carbon fiber reinforcements in the roof and...

Read more »