Author: Victor Ivanov

JE DESIGN Seat Ibiza Estate ST

JE Design has released an upgraded version of the new Seat Ibiza Estate ST. The five-door car has its own range now as well.

The aerodynamics kit includes a front spoiler, a sports radiator grille, headlamp covers, side skirts and a rear apron extension. The price of the package is 1149 Euro.

The suspension is also improved by installing lowering springs by 35mm. The price is just 149 Euro. The stance is just perfect as well as the performance.

JE Design Seat Ibiza Estate ST stands on elegant Multispoke wheels in dimensions 7J x 17” ET 35 or 7.5J x 18” ET 35 fitted with 215/40 R17 or 215/35 R18 tyres. The rims can be finished in “Shadow Silver” or “Matte Black with Silver Wheel Rims”. The price starts from 1809 Euro.

The performance package boosts the 1.6 TDI CR engine from 105PS (77 kW) to 121PS (89 kW) and 282Nm of torque. The top speed is 194 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h takes 10.2 seconds. The price of the additional electronics box is 1399 Euro.

The interior can be individualised with leather upholstery – 1599 Euro, a leather steering wheel – 399 Euro, leather shift boot and handbrake sleeve – 179 Euro. Additionally, there is an option for any colour combination of the leather and the stitching for no extra charge. If desired, the car tuner can also embroider an individual logo on to the front seat rests for 79 Euro.

For maximum comfort, Je Design offers the two-stage seat heating – 379 Euro, electrically adjustable lumbar support – 319 Euro and the massage system with a total of twelve programmes – 429 Euro.

JE DESIGN Ford Focus Estate ST

Source: JE Design

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

Volvo will make first tests of the new V60 Plug-in Hybrid in Berlin. The vehicle combines advanced technology with luxury design. The first official road test drive with the unique Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will take place at the 11th Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Berlin – 18-22 May 2011.

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, the Volvo C30 Electric and the Volvo V50 DRIVe featured in Berlin are three examples of Volvo Car Corporation’s uncompromising attitude to green motoring.

“In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure,” commented Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation.

“Since the Michelin Challenge Bibendum drives include acceleration and handling tests as well as energy efficient driving, we expect that our cars will do very well. All of them are just as well equipped, comfortable, sporty and safe as all Volvo models.”, he added.

V60 Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel with 215PS and 400Nm. In addition, there is a 70PS electric motor, which receives power from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid

In Pure mode the car runs only on its electric motor as much as possible. The driving range is up to 32 miles.
In the default Hybrid mode the diesel engine and electric motor interact to provide the optimal balance between driving pleasure and low environmental impact. Emissions of CO₂ (NEDC) are 49 g/km, corresponding to diesel fuel consumption of 150 mpg. The car’s total range is up to 746 miles.
In Power mode the technology is optimised to give the car the best possible performance. The diesel engine and electric motor have a combined power output 215 + 70 horsepower and maximum torque of 440 + 200 Nm.

Source: Volvo

Vilner Smart FotTwo Square Style

Smart ForTwo received another tuning package, but this time from the Bulgarian Custom studio Vilner. The small city car is completely transformed both inside and outside. The aim of the company is to create a vehicle, which attracts a lot of attention. Still, Vilner ForTwo will be used as a promotional car.

The name of the project is Square Style derived from the chequered motifs on the vehicle.

Vilner used orange foil with patterns of stitching for the exterior with full chrome panles and orange soft for the alloy wheels, mirrors and other details.

The interior boasts new two-tone leather upholstery, new trim for the dashboard, roof and door panels. ForTwo also received special floor mats.

The steering wheel is revised, too. It is specially designed to be more ergonomic, because the car is used mainly in the city.

With all these modifications, Vilner Smart ForTwo is a real eye-catcher, instead of a regular small city car. The idea for creating customised Smart is not unique, but the way Vilner did it is just brilliant.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pepqsOma7Wc&feature=channel_video_title

Vilner Smart FotTwo Square Style

Source: Vilner

STaSIS Audi R8 V8 Challenge Extreme Edition

STaSIS has introduced Audi R8 V8 Challenge Extreme Edition, which is available specially for the British market. The car is developed to bring high doses adrenaline, which is not so hard especially, when you have 540BHP.

Following on from the successful UK debut of the R8 V10 STaSIS Challenge Extreme Edition, which was released last month. From concept to production each new STaSIS component is rigorously tested to ensure maximum performance and factory levels of reliability.

The STaSIS Audi R8 V8 Challenge Extreme Edition accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, thanks to the 28% power increase.

The performance package is available now from APS of Brackley and the UK STaSIS sales agent network.

To celebrate this fact until May 31^st 2011 UK importer APS of Brackley is offering the 540BHP STaSIS Audi R8 V8 supercharger package at a specially discounted price, with the additional bonus of an extra 10% discount from any associated STaSIS product purchased at the same time.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSFWRKUvZ14

STaSIS Audi R8 V8 Challenge Extreme Edition

Audi R8 V8 Challenge Extreme Edition:

Engine – Eaton / Magnusson TVS 1900 supercharger running 7.5 psi of boost, independent charge cooler system to ensure consistent high power output, CNC billet alloy machined intake plenum for durability and strength, high performance STaSIS ECU remap – performance increases to 540 bhp and 435 lb.ft of torque
Exhaust – 3.0 inch TIG welded and individually numbered stainless steel, cross-flow exhaust system with reduced back pressure for improved power and efficiency
Brakes – Alcon 390mm front / 355mm rear with two piece floating discs
Suspension – Lowering springs to improve handling and give a more aggressive appearance while retaining ride quality, matched bump stops, factory ‘drive select’ feature retained
Wheels – 9.5 x 20 inch ultra-lightweight forged aluminium front, 12 x 20 inch forged aluminium rear with high performance low profile tyres

STaSIS Audi R8 V8 Challenge Extreme Edition Performance Specification:-

	Factory Audi R8 V8	STaSIS Audi R8 V8 Challenge Extreme Edition	Factory Audi R8 V10
Power:	420 bhp	540 bhp	525 bhp
Torque:	350 lb.ft	435 lb.ft	391 lb.ft
Weight:	1560 kilos	1575 kilos	1620 kilos
0-60 mph:	4.4 sec	3.6 sec	3.7 sec
Lateral accel’:	0.96 G	1.01 G	0.99 G
Brake decel’:	1.04 G	1.06 G	1.02 G

Source: Stasis

Porsche Cayman S Black Edition

Porsche has announced a factory tuned version of Cayman S called Black Edition. The special edition will be limited to just 500 units, which will boast extreme performance and superb specification.

Cayman S Black Edition is powered by a 3.4 litre six-cylinder boxer engine with 330PS (243 kW) at 7400RPM and 370Nm (274 lb-ft) of torque at 4750RPM. The acceleration is brutal – 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds with 6-speed manual and 5.0 seconds flat with the optional PDK gearbox. However, with the launch control, which will be available with the Sport Chrono package, the time is dropped to just 4.8 seconds. The top speed is 279 km/h (173 mph) with manual gearbox and 277 km/h (172 mph) with the PDK.

Cayman S Black Edition stands on 19” wheels fitted with 235/35 ZR 19 at the front and 265/35 ZR 19 at the rear. The wheels are half an inch wider than the regular 18” alloys.

The car is superbly well equipped. It features Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights and LED daytime running lights, automatic anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor, black partial leather seats with Porsche crest on the headrests, climate control, Sport Design steering wheel and cruise control.

The dashboards is black as well as the gear lever and instrument dials. The interior also boasts door entry guards emblazoned with the lettering “Black Edition” made of stainless steel, Sound Package Plus.

The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) controls the navigation

module and universal audio interface (AUX, USB, iPod).

Porsche Cayman S Black Edition is priced at 67 807 Euro in Germany including VAT.

Porsche Cayman S Black Edition

Source: Porsche

Superchips Ford S-MAX 2.0 Ecoboost

Superchips Ltd has developed another performance package for the latest Ford S-Max with 2.0 liter direct injected turbocharged Ecoboost engine.

The ECU re-map boosts the 2.0 litre petrol engine with 40BHP at 5648RPM and 67Nm at just 2065RPM. With all that new power, the family vehicle is even more friendly to drive than before. Furthermore, the exceptional mileage is unchanged – 35 mpg on combined cycle. So despite the performance increase produced by the upgrade, if a Superchips remapped S-MAX is driven in a “like for like” manner, fuel consumption will not be adversely affected.

Customers will get a full Service Guarantee and an industry-leading 12 month / 30 000 supplementary full vehicle warranty.

The performance upgrade is suitable for all Ford S-MAX 2.0-litre, 203 PS Ecoboost models produced from March 2010 onwards. The result is 243PS and 367Nm of torque. The price is £455.00, so don’t compromise, optimise.

Superchips Ford S-MAX 2.0-litre Ecoboost

Source: Superchips

Cobra VW Touran, Sharan and Caddy

Cobra now offers an exterior package for the latest Volkswagen Touran.

It includes a high-gloss stainless-steel front brush guard with a tube diameter of 48mm and a stainless-steel bumper grille. The Touran also comes with high-gloss side guards with integrated step and a tube diameter of 60 mm, and a version with a brushed surface finish without the integrated step. At the rear, there is a bumper guard with a choice of high-gloss or brushed finishes.

Cobra Touran stands on new alloy wheels with dimension 8Jx18”.

The tuning company also offers some upgrades for the latest Sharan.

The minivan comes with a stainless-steel front brush guard and bumper grille. At the sides, there are guards with integrated step.

The five-spoke 17” wheels are available as one-piece and multi-piece designs. The width is 8J.

VW Caddy also benefits from Cobra Technology and Lifestyle. The front received brush guard and bumper grille, both made from high-gloss stainless steel. Side guards with and without integrated step are also available.

These accessories are complemented with striking Cobra Grenada alloy wheels in size 7Jx15 for retaining the stock tires or in size 8Jx17 for mounting sporty low-profile tires.

Cobra VW Touran

Source: Cobra

Mercedes G-Class “BA3 Final Edition” and “Edition Select”

The iconic G-Class of Mercedes-Benz will be available in two new special editions – BA3 Final Edition and Edition Select.

The first – Edition Select costs €6 735 for the long-wheelbase model. It includes two-tone paint scheme, an AMG sports exhaust and black 18” alloy wheels. The interior boasts two-tone designo leather upholstery and piano black wood trim.
The second – BA3 Final Edition is based on the short-wheelbase model and celebrates its end of production. It includes AMG flared wheel arches in the vehicle colour, 5-twin-spoke 18” light-alloy wheels fitted with 265/60 R 18 tires. There are also a 3D Mercedes-Benz star in stainless steel and an AMG radiator grille in a 3-louvre design with chrome highlights. The interior comes with black leather seats, burr walnut trim and ambient lighting.

There are two engine available – G 350 BlueTEC comes with a six-cylinder diesel with 211PS (155 kW) and 540Nm (398 lb-ft). The G 500 has a 5.5-liter V8 petrol with 388PS (285 kW) and 530Nm (391 lb-ft).

Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC BA3 Final Edition is priced at €90 511 and the more powerful G 500 has a price tag of €100 685.

G-Klasse - BA 3 Final Edition

Source: Mercedes

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Price – £310 000

The price of the new McLaren MP4-12C GT3 is £310 000. The manufacturer will build just 20 units, which will race for teams in 2012.

At a press conference held at the McLaren Technology Centre, senior McLaren GT executives revealed to the world’s media and a group of prospective 12C GT3 clients the price and development programme details of the first non-Formula 1 race car built by McLaren since the McLaren F1 GTR.

“Having been a customer of GT car manufacturers for many years, I’m delighted we are now able to offer a carbon chassis based GT3 car for £310,000. There will be no hidden costs and we will work as hard as we can to support as many races as we can.”, commented Andrew Kirkaldy, CRS Racing Team Principal and Project Manager for McLaren GT

“We will spend the 2011 season developing the car with a team from McLaren Racing, McLaren Applied Technologies and McLaren Automotive and make sure this is the most efficient, reliable and easy to drive GT3 car on the grid when we deliver cars to customers next year.”, he added.

“The new MP4-12C sports car is the essence of a race car and we used Formula 1 simulation technology to get us ahead in our development programme. We have a unique mix of experience in the McLaren GT team and I expect the 12C GT3 to be the start of our GT racing plans. We have had great success outside of Formula 1, from the US, to France, to Japan and there is no reason why we can’t repeat that success in sports cars after 2012.”, said Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Conference

Source: McLaren

2012 Mercedes SLS Roadster

Mercedes-Benz has released first official photos of the all new 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. After the Gullwing version, the luxury open-top variant is the second car, which will be independently developed by AMG.

The new SLS AMG Roadsters are slightly disguised as they cover their test routes. However, it is easily to identify the vehicles, because of the two seats and a fabric soft top. The proportions are well-known: a long bonnet, large wheels and a short rear end.

The SLS AMG Roadster gets a soft-top roof made of cloth that can be retracted or closed in 11 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). Despite losing the gullwing doors, the weight of the roadster didn’t suffer at all. The weight of the bodyshell is just 2 kilograms more.

2012 Mercedes SLS Roadster is powered by a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 with 571PS (420 kW) and 650Nm (479 lb-ft). 0 to 100 km/h takes 4.0 seconds, flat and the top speed is electronically limited to 317 km/h (197 mph). Whether open or closed, even at top speed the SLS Roadster is perfectly stable.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster will make its official debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September and it will hit the market in the end of the year.

2012 Mercedes SLS Roadster

The endurance testing at a glance:

Long-term testing on a variety of different roads:

All the components and systems are tested together in everyday operation. Loaded up to their permitted gross vehicle weight, the test cars are put through a precisely defined test programme on country roads, on motorways and in city traffic.

Endurance testing on heathland:

In this case, the developers focus on the durability of the chassis and suspension components, the entire bodyshell and the integral subframe on which the front axle, steering and engine are mounted. The test cars are loaded up to their permitted gross vehicle weight.

“Accelerated” endurance testing:

Testing of the entire vehicle, focussing on the powertrain, chassis and suspension. Special features of the AMG programme include 10,000 kilometres on the Nürburgring’s North Loop and 10,000 kilometres in city traffic.

Full-load endurance testing:

Extreme acceleration and braking manoeuvres with a high proportion of full-load operation, making extreme demands on the cooling, fuel-delivery and braking systems.

Long-term corrosion testing:

Corrosion testing of the entire vehicle simulates the toughest dynamic and climatic environmental influences.

Final board approval:

All-inclusive verification of the degree of development and production maturity.

Source: Mercedes

Team Peugeot RCZ Nokia – RCZ 2.0 HDi Sport Coupe

Team Peugeot RCZ Nokia with two Kumho-shod RCZ 2.0 HDi Sport Coupes made it to 1st and 2nd place in class in round two at the Nurburgring last weekend (April 30).

Peugeot No.545 with Michael Bohrer, Stéphane Caillet and Jürgen Nett came on 1st place with a best lap of 9:55.224 minutes with average speed of 137.777 km/h.

Peugeot No.546 with Alexandre Premat, Olivier Perez and Guillaume Roman finished in 2nd place.

“I was very positively surprised by the grip, torque and acceleration of the RCZ on such a technical circuit.”, said Alexandre Premat.

“I must congratulate the team for the race strategy and our tyre partner Kumho for the S700 slicks. During my eight 14-mile laps, the times varied by no more than two seconds.”, commented Jürgen Nett.

“The balance of our Peugeot RCZ is just a dream.”, said Stéphane Caillet.

“This team is clearly fully into its stride already and it’s very encouraging to learn how well our tyres our working and how well the cars handle on them.”, said Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager Steve Thompson.

Team Peugeot RCZ Nokia - RCZ 2.0 HDi Sport Coupe

Source: Peugeot