Tsvetan Varbanov – Page 16 – Automobiles Review

MTM Audi S6 Coming Soon

Long time no hear from the guys at MTM. Worry no more as they are currently working on an Audi S6 (C7) – a car that can set your pants on fire relaying solely on its stock 4.0 TFSI 420 hp engine.

At the moment, MTM are keeping it quiet about one of the tastiest intended feature for the S6 – the engine tweak (which can be anything from a minor ECU remapping to a “complete conversion of the engine unit“). The wheels here belong to the MTM Bimboto line and are keeping it light and stylish with a 9-spoke design and a “flawless” finish. We can also be certain about the F-Centronic air suspension and the 20 mm front and 30 mm back wheel spacers which coast 250 Euros all together.

The 2013 Audi S6 (C7) came out this year with a V8 (a toned down S8 version) under it’s hood and a 7-speed S-tronic Double Clutch Gearbox. It’s power stands at 420 hp and the 405 lb-ft of torque is split cleverly through Audi‘s impeccable quattro system.

Now here’s some pictures of the MTM S6:

Source: MTM

July 23, 2012

2013 Peugeot 301 – Designed for Bad Roads and Big People

Just by looking at it, the Peugeot 301 does not strike you as an exceptional off-roader. It’s not really an off-roader at all but it’s creators most certainly did focus on it’s terrain capability. It has been designed to withstand the harshest of road surfaces, the hottest and most humid climates or the coldest. The end result is a robust compact sedan that has had more than 4,000,000 km of testing behind its back.

Aside from the appealing engine range, the 301 offers some improve-my-driving-experience type of features. There is for example a running gear adapted for running on poorly surfaced roads. More screw fixings than normal all over the chassis, double seals for dust and humidity protection, a heated lower screen and an outstanding climate control unit.

It needs to be since you get a lot of space inside this seemingly compact sedan. We’ll let you decide how compact is a 4,44 m lump of metal. The 2.65 wheel base leaves room for quite a compartment.

Width at front elbows: 1,409 mm
Width at rear elbows: 1,395 mm
Leg room for the back seat: 121 mm
Boot volume: 640 liters

Sales are expected to begin from the 1st of November in Turkey. Then the network will start to expand covering Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, the Maghreb, the Middle East, the Gulf States and African countries. Latin American and Chinese markets are also expected to get some of the action.

Source: Peugeot

July 23, 2012

Through the eGarage lens: Concorso Italiano 2010

Concorso-Italiano-thumb This year’s Concorso Italiano event is less than a month away so that explains why at eGarage want to throw us back a couple of years ago when they filmed this. The Concorso Italiano is like comic-con for gear heads, a bowl of Italian goodness, a mingle of pesto that’s been made of the finest herbs around. It all sounds very exotic, but actually it;s most commonly held in California.

The clip we have here is a director’s cut from 2010. That explains the absence of the Ferrari FF for example or the acrobatic photographers around the Ferrari 458 Italia – still hot from the factory. Then there’s the F430 Scuderia which is equally impressive. But the Concorso is not all about Ferraries and what’s hot. There are Countaches, Alfa-Romeos, F40s and the lot. It’s not always necessary about cars as well.

Be on the look out for this year’s Concorso Italiano which will be held at August the 17th at Monterey California.

For now though, just enjoy this not-old-enough-to-be-a-classic video but definitely a worthy one.

httpv://vimeo.com/46009568

Source: eGarage

Video Source: eGarage via Vimeo

July 22, 2012

Ford GT HRE Wheels and eGarage [VIDEO]

“It’s now what you say, it’s how you say it”, that’s what my girlfriend always tells me in an argument. I guess she has a valid point and that the same phenomena can be observed elsewhere. Cinematography for example: It’s not what you film, it’s how you film it. That brings us to the storytellers at eGarage.com. What they can do with a Ford GT and four HRE Wheels is evident in this clip which came up recently.

I personally am not a fan of the Ford GT. I see it more as heap of aluminum, lingering in the shadow of it’s own predecessor (the Ford GT40). Sure, the new one has many new and unique technologies (i.e. – a capless fuel filler system so that you don’t strain yourself every time you stop for a refill… which happens a lot). It also has a punchy twin supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine which puts out 550 hp and 678 Nm of torque at just 3750 rpm – very muscle-like. The Ford GT sounds nice too and apparently, it looks like a Ferrari or something as well. Yet somehow it never really caught on. Or maybe that’s just me being bitter.

Either way, this one in the clip has been modified only in the wheel compartment. HRE Monoblok P44SC wheels from the P40SC line with a V-Five 10 spoke design and a bronze finish. A finish appropriate on a memorial.

httpv://vimeo.com/40067165

Source: eGarage

Video Source: eGarage via Vimeo

July 21, 2012

Aston Martin Rapide 4 Door by Kahn Design

News from Kahn Design. This time, the car that has gone under the knife is a 4-door Aston Martin Rapide. Even though owning a stock one yourself is a statement enough that you are an open-minded, fun and classy executive, things can go even further. That’s true if you ask someone at Kahn.

We say knife but actually the “styling package” consists mostly of matte black painted elements – the front bumper grille mesh, the hood and fender vents, the brake calipers. The exhaust system is new, we’ll give them that. Also, thanks to a set of lowering springs, the ground clearance is less of a thing now. Good for handling then. Probably the most noticeable work done here involves the wheels – Kahn 21” RSX-F pieces in platinum silver finish.

Is the power of the Kahn Aston Martin Rapide up by some points? We don’t know but still, a coat of matte paint won’t bodge down the stock 470 bhp that come out of the saloon’s 6.0-liter V12 engine.

This being Kahn Design which profess individuality, uniqueness and style etc, the interior trim is rather flexible. This one here however has some Alcantra on the wheel and on the sporty binnacle behind. The rest of the Aston Rapide‘s upholstery is left to the creamy leather.

Source: Kahn Design

July 21, 2012

2013 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 1 and 2 [VIDEO]

The Mustang RTR package is not what you’d call a “genuine” after-market love child. Not because it’s insufficient but because it’s actually offered at Ford dealerships. That makes it pretty official, despite being conceived by Vaughn Gittin Jr. – World Champion drifter and Mustang fanatic. Classic Design Concepts helped shape Mr. Gittin shape his dream of a better, more powerful, more appealing and more exciting pony. Will the 2013 Ford Mustang RTR hit the spot?

The package is divided into two stages:

Spec 1 can go on the V6 or the V8 model thus adding some flare with a rear spoiler a front chin…a license plate surround with ducts in it (what?) and some badges on the sides and at the back. Optionally you can go with the special RTR signature graphics that shoo away dullness.

It’s not all hips and thighs though. An RTR Axleback exhaust system adds 9 hp while Ford Racing 1” lowering springs hunker down the whole car. That leaves just enough space in the wheel arches for 9.5 x 19 RTR wheels wrapped in high performance Falken FK 453 tires.

Inside, one gets some more badges, embroidered floor mats an RTR shift knob and a serial plate that indexes the number of your Mustang RTR and also bare Mr. Gittin’s signature.

That was for Spec 1. Spec 2 (V8 only) goes the extra mile and adds a rear diffuser and rocker splitters which will presumably provide even more downforce. That’s why it only seems logical to add a bit more power – 16 hp coming from a Ford Racing Tune and a K&N air filter. Not exactly groundbreaking but the RTR Mustang is no longer a straight road muscle car. Thanks to some Ford Racing adjustable shocks, Ford Racing upper shock mounts, RTR adjustable front and rear sway bars, cross drilled and slotted rotors and some RTR rear chassis support, you can go side ways all day and still not need a pelvis transplant.

Not convinced? Here’s a video with some smooth camera angles, a cool track and a 2013 Ford Mustang RTR doing some eye-candy stuff:

httpv://youtu.be/LRmWlo7zmc8

Video source: MustangRTR via YouYube

July 20, 2012

Hamann Range Rover Evoque

A complete job on the Range Rover Evoque by Hamann-Motorsport. A rather impressive display of character that can only be achieved with the help of true after market geniuses. Your personal Rangie can look like that whether it is the five-door model or the three-door “coupe”

Just looking at the finished piece, we feel intimidated by it’s aggressiveness. This might be due to the added two-part front spoiler or the new side skirts. Or maybe it’s the new fenders which broaden the vehicle’s tracks by 70 and 80 mm front and back respectively. The Evoque’s stance is also improved by the 22-inch wheels that have “anodised anthracite spokes”, titanium screws and high-gloss polished rim flanges. Even further, suspension-springs ensure 30 mm of less ground clearance which is bad for the Range Rover‘s SUV image bud good when it comes to cornering.

One will have the power to get out of a corner as well. Thanks to a sporty exhaust system, a sports air filter and some engine electronics witchcraft, the 2.2 Si4 model delivers 38 hp of additional power. The diesel engines on the other hand (the 2.2 TD4, 2.2 ED4 and 2.2 SD4) do rather respectable with another 31 hp.

Some Hamann work is clearly visible from the inside as well. But chances are that you’ll never enter two same Hamann-Motorsport Range Rover Evoques. The options list is long enough to give the opportunity of every customer to express him/herself fully.

Source: Hamann

July 19, 2012

Mansory Carbonado Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

There are only six of these Lamborghini Aventadors most, probably because there isn’t any more carbon-fiber left in the world. It’s the Mansory Carbonado – “Black Diamond” Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. All of the additional Mansory body components are made of prepeg autoclave carbon-fiber and all fit “seamlessly into the car”. We beg to differ.

The bumper is all new and redesigned with now better inlets. There’s a new lip spoiler as well. The hood has been completely replaced and even the fenders which now enhance the width of the Aventor by 40 millimeters. The side sills now “steady the airflow” between the wheelbase and simultaneously channel air to the engine and the big brakes. At the back, a diffuser works alongside a rear wing so the rear wheels never run out of grip (not that an AWD Lambo tends to do that). There’s one more thing – the roof and the engine cover have also been replaced and the material? You guessed it. It’s carbon-fiber. The forged wheels with carbon-fiber inlays are equally impressive standing at sizes 9.0 x 20 and 13.0 x 21. The tires wrapped around them measure at the impressive VA 255/30 ZR20 and HA 345/25 ZR21.

Mansory Carbonado Lamborghini Aventador Black-Diamond

It’s not all flash and… carbon with this “Black Diamond” since the guys at Mansory have also tweaked the power and have thrown in a high-performance exhaust system. That means 754 PS at 8300 rpm and 750 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm, an acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 355 km/h.

Inside, the seats and dashboard are all treated leather. Just when you think that there’s no place to slot in some carbon-fiber, Mansory manage to amaze us with several carbon woven components. Other than that, the wheel is completely different while the “non-slip” aluminium pedals complete the look.

So there you have it, the Mansory Carbonado Lamborghini Aventador “Black Diamond” in all of it’s glory. You like?

Source: Mansory

July 18, 2012

SR Project Maximus, The Black Bison

This is more like it. It’s a Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG redone by SR Auto. Despite being the Canadian company’s initiative, this “Black Bison” is all Wald. It’s called the Project Maximus and incorporates a conversion kit and some wheels.

The Wald kit makes do with an aggressive front bumper with arched intake vents that have LED DRL integrated in them. The paint job on it is a two tone scheme for better contrast. The two front fenders also bare that tone scheme and so do the side skirts. Further back, there’s a Wald Black Bison trunk spoiler and a Wald Black Bison rear bumper that has specially made exhaust tips sticking out of it.

The cherry (or rather cherries) on top are the four 20-inch Wald Renovatio wheels that come finished in chrome and with silver coating on the windows of the spokes.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG hides a 5.5-liter V8 engine that thrusts out 518 hp towards the back wheels. 700 Nm of torque have to be processed by the 7-speed automatic gearbox in such a way that the zero to sixty acceleration is done in no more than 4.4 seconds. With that kind of performance, those new features better be bolted properly or one might lose them on the highway.

SR Auto Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Project Maximus

Source: SR Auto

July 17, 2012

Aspid Cars Relase First Images of GT-21 Invictus

The first images of the Aspid GT-21 Invictus are out after a long wait. What is the Aspid GT-21 Incivtus? A car reminiscent of the decade old Plymouth Prowler made by the Spanish-based company Aspid Cars and designed by IFR Automotive. The idea might not be ground breaking but the technology used in the making of it, is akin to that on the Ariel Atom V8. It’s not the company’s first car but in fact it is based on their first car which is called the Aspid Super Sport – a lighter, more rudimentary yer powerful and focused car.

The GT-21 is 4.447mm long, 1,883mm wide and 1,226mm high. The curb weight stands at 990 kg which is around 500 more than the Atom but for that you get a completely enclosed cabin and body. In other words a sense of completeness which generates a certain degree of usability. The other difference will be the drive train. While it will have a mad BMW V8 engine in it that puts out 450 hp, an electric motor will also be fitted so it becomes a hybrid. The details on that are not clear yet though. Either way, we are promised a remarkable performance that accounts for the zero to sixty two mph acceleration which is done in less than three seconds. The top speed will be more than 187 mph and some substantial g forces are also to be experienced.

That’s amazing when you think about the layout and the type of the car: a 2+2 hard-top seater with rear-wheel drive. Yes, it has a sporty paddle-shifting gearbox but it also has a luggage compartment. It’s practice, real and logical. Exclusive too – only 250 will be made and even those won’t be alike. The company is offering a super-flexible programme for each one so that more than 100 options will be available to eventual customers.

Source: IFR Automotive

July 17, 2012

BMW XS Concept Render

We love independent works of 3D artists and visionaries. That’s why when we found that brilliant BMW XS design concept – which is based on a BMW platform apparently – we felt the need to share it with you.

It has been rendered by self-taught graphic designer George Manolache who finds cars to be his ultimate source of inspiration. What’s been presented here is his vision of how hydrogen power SUVs should look like. It’s frankly stunning (as far as SUVs go). At the back end we believe we see some Evoqueishness, while at the front there lays a modern interpretation of a 1952 BMW 501’s nose. Stepping inside one finds an interior that’s rather… digital yet bio-mechanic.

Those ambient red lights inside are wonderfully impractical but vital nevertheless as if you were to ask us, they act as the blood vessels of the XS. Best part of all – Mr Manolache has cobbled this video together during his spare time.

httpv://vimeo.com/43521113

For those of you who are more familiar with the craft of 3D and graphic designing there’s a bonus type, behind-the-scenes so to speak video. Enjoy:

httpv://vimeo.com/43595590

Video Source: George Manolache via Vimeo

July 16, 2012

SR Auto Lamborghini Murcielago SV with PUR Wheels

SR Auto have done it again – it’s white, Italian, all-wheel-driven, has PUR wheels on it and it’s called a project. Project White Wing to be exact. It’s a Lamborghini Murcielago SV and in all honesty, as soon as we saw the pictures, a certain endearment took us over. It’s not often we read news about Mercielagos, let alone SVs (which means SuperVeloce or SuperFast).

Let’s not let’s not lie to ourselves, those Aventador predecessors still need some of the spotlight. That’s why SR Auto have taken up on contacting PUR Wheels and acquiring two PUR 2WO Monoblock 19-inch wheels for the front and two 20-inch of the same sort wheels for the back. Guess sometimes it’s the subtle changes that make the difference.

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce was the most powerful bull of the line ever produced. It was the last model to join the family as well – a sort of a grand goodbye party. It’s V12 engine’s power was pumped up to 670 hp which meant that it’s carbon fibery body was capable of accelerating to 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standing start in just 2.9 seconds. Those wheels will have to work for their lunch.

SR Auto White Wing Lamborghini Murcielago SV

Source: SR Auto

July 16, 2012

Author: Tsvetan Varbanov