Auto News – Page 977 – Automobiles Review

Prior Design PD550 BMW M6

Prior Design has introduced a widebody-kit for BMW E63 and E64 M6 models.

The package includes a new front bumper lip, a pair of fenders, a pair of side skirts, a rear spoiler, a roof spoiler, a trunk spoiler and all mouting material. Furthermore, all parts come with TUV certificate for easy entry of the body panels.

All products are made from quality Dura-Flex Epoxy FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic). This material has an excellent surface finish that provides sufficient flexibility combined with high stability and allows for easy and inexpensive painting.

As an option, you can order a quad tip exhaust system and an exclusive green paint finish.

Price lists are available, after contact.

Source: Prior Design

June 16, 2011

SENNER Tuning Audi A1

Audi A1 has received a stylish tuning package from Senner Tuning. There is also a performance package for 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic version. So, the small hatchback gets better impression of handiness and agility.

The styling package includes shining black radiator grille, a new front apron with front lip and duotone side sills. There is also a rear apron, which is specially modified for the two exhaust tubes endings on the left and right.

Senner A1 stands on enormous 9J x 19” racing white Barracuda Tzunamee rims with Vredestein Ultrac Sessantra 225/35R19 XL tires. The stance is granted by an KW Coilover Variant 1 – height and stiffnes adjustable.

The 1.4 turbocharged direct-injected petrol is boosted to 165HP and 265Nm. The results are thanks to a carbon air box, sports exhaust system with 90 mm end pipe on left and right and some other mods.

Senner Audi A1 comes with SAT NAV, a xenon headlight kit + a media style kit, as well as a multifunction steering wheel. The interior also boasts two-tone upholstery and trimming as well as SENNER-Tuning foot mats with proprietary logo setting accents.

The complete package costs almost 10 000 Euro.

Source: Senner Tuning AG

June 16, 2011

Zenvo ST-1 50S

Zenvo Automotive and Red Sea Distribution have announced a new special edition ST-1 50S, which impresses not only with its brutal power, but with price, too. Zenvo ST-1 50S will be offered exclusively in the United States and it will be limited to just three units.

So you will have to pay additional $550 000 for magnesium wheels, monogrammed seats, an individually numbered plaque and a complimentary Aspen watch priced at $49 000. Just great! This means a total price of $1 800 000. That’s right, one million and eight hundred thounsand American dollars, which is about 1 250 000 EURO.

For this price, you will get a supercharged 7.0-liter V8 engine with 1267PS (932 kW) and 1500Nm (1106 lb-ft) of torque, which is 148PS (109 kW) and 70Nm (52 lb-ft) improvement over the standard model. “Good” price for $550K.

The engine is mated to a 7-speed gearbox. 0 to 100 km/h in 3.0 seconds and top speed of 375 km/h (233 mph) – electronically limited. Eventually it will go to 400 km/h, we hope!

Production will be limited to three units – one each in Intense Red, Crystal White and Mediterranean Blue.

This car is just ridiculous! We are eager to see, who will buy that “thing”?!

Zenvo ST-1 50S:

3 ST-1 50S available in the following colours 1 x Intense Red, 1 x Crystal White and 1 x Mediterranean Blue.
Individually numbered vehicles with Special Edition Plaque signed by the engineers and owners.
Special individual Monogrammed seats
Power increased to 1250hp and 1500nm Torque
Standard F1 7 speed transmission
Magnesium Wheels
Supplied with exclusive complimentary Swiss made ASPEN Zenvo watch worth $49,000.00

Source: Red Sea Distribution

June 14, 2011

RenM Renault Megane RS 250 Black Edition

RENM Performance has announced a tuning package for the latest Renault Megane RS. The car features highly developed engine and chassis, the black edition also comes with striking new styling and race car-like dynamics.

The engine is retuned to 310PS (228 kW) and 430Nm (319 lb-ft) of torque. The results are thanks to a new bigger turbo intercooler, Cold Air Intake, a sports stainless-steel performance exhaust system and an ECU re-map to make sure that everything works perfect.

RS 250 Black Edition stands on enormous 19” Titanium Gray race-light alloys. Furthermore, for better stance, the car is lowered with 35mm by installing an adjustable coilover suspension.

Last, but not least, RENM put a performance brake system with red calipers for maximum stopping power.

The options list includes bucket seats, seat-belt harnesses and a sport steering wheel.

Wheels are the 19-inch Titanium Gray race-light rims while the ride gets lowered by 35 mm (adjustable) with the dampening coilover suspension. The tuner also adds a performance brake system with red calipers.

RENM Performance also offers options such as race seats, seat-belt harnesses and a sport steering wheels.

RenM Renault Megane RS 250 Black Edition

Source: RenM

June 14, 2011

LUMMA Design Porsche Cayenne II

Lumma design are ready with their styling package for the new Cayenne II. The impressive SAV is named CLR 558 GT, where the number of course is the power of the vehicle.

The styling package includes a new front bumper with air inlet frames, front and rear wheel arch enlargements and side sills with door supports, rear diffuser and an installation kit for fog lamps, optionally available in LED technics. The engine bonnet is also new and features lateral air outlets.

The whole vehicle can be lowered up to 40mm as the lowering module is available for air suspended vehicles.

CLR 558 GT comes with a sports exhaust system with central 3-part stainless steel end. Additional performance and sound. Nice!

The tuned SAV stands on 10J x 22” alloy wheels fitted with high-performance 295/30 ZR22 tires. The set includes wheel spacing kit all around.

The interior boasts aluminum pedals, door sill panel set with illuminated LUMMA logo, foot mat set and a trunk mat with loading edge protection .

Price list is not announced, yet, so stay tuned!
LUMMA Design Porsche Cayenne II

Source: Lumma

June 14, 2011

2012 Volkswagen Beetle RS

Looks like Volkswagen Beetle will have its RS version, which is going to feature a high-performance turbocharger kit with bigger intercooler, larger injectors, CAI and of course ECU re-map.

The exterior is dramatically changed, actually, 2012 Beetle RS looks like Porsche GT3 RS, which is not bad, at all.

Still, the project car doesn’t have plates and registration, so it will be created as autoshow concept. The tuning team didn’t have enough time, because the new Beetle Rs had to be presented to dealers this week, so that they can see, what can be done on the new car.

2012 Beetle RS stands on VMR710 20” x 9J ET35 wheels fitted with Continental ExtremeContact DW 245/35 ZR20 tires. The suspension is also improved – H&R from Golf VI GTI. The vehicle is fitted with a Borla exhaust for better performance and sound, of course.

Stay tuned for more information!

Source: VW Vortex

June 13, 2011

America vs. Asia vs. Europe

Despite the hard financial circumstances some car manufacturers keep developing and releasing sports luxurious cars. The three cars in question here are: The 2009 Audi S6 coming from Europe, the 2011 Infinity M coming from Asia and the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V.

3 cars, 26 cylinders, more than 1300hp altogether and let the fun begin.

Being sports cars first of all, it is power on the first place. All three have lots of it, but the Cadillac has 121hp more than the Audi and 136 more than the Infinity. Being supercharged the Cadillac has the most torque as well – 551 NM.

Both the Audi and the Cadillac can be equipped with a six-speed automatic, while the Infinity offers a seven-speed transmission. If you are more conservative, the Cadillac is the only one to offer a manual gearbox – a 6-speed one.

Having such immense amount of power feels great and engineers were well aware of this. All three cars can benefit from at least 350mm rotors on the front wheels. The Audi has the largest brakes – 385mm and two-piston sliding calipers. The Cadillac’s are just 5mm smaller; the Infinity has 356mm rotors.

So it seems the Cadillac has it all in terms of driving experience. It lacks some other stuff though – No DVD player is to be found inside. Also, it is only sold as RWD, which is indeed fun, but AWD provides more stability and control especially if you have more than 400 hp. Another small detail -it does not have a sunroof unlike the other two that have one as standard. At the cost of $62,360.00 the Cadillac is the second cheapest but mpg wise it is doing the worst of all three.

So which is the most fun to drive? The Cadillac is RWD, so maybe young people would prefer it, hence the supercharged Corvette engine and 556 hp. The Infinity is the only one offering 7 speeds meaning you always have enough power and torque to get your back firmly on the seat. The Audi has 2 cylinders more and offers the best picture under the bonnet, also its peak of torque is at the lowest RPM and the peak of power is at the highest. Also it costs 14-16k more than the other two.

Which is the fastest – definitely the Cadillac, considerably.

Which one is the most beautiful – the Infinity for sure slightly reminding of a Jaguar or a Maserati.

What does the Audi lack?

– A little more power to face the competition and let’s face it

– Arguments to justify the 14k gap in price.

June 13, 2011

24 Hours Le Mans: June 11/12, 2011

At a glance: All three Team Peugeot Total cars made it to the end, but Audi R18 LDI no.2 is the winner. The race was full of accidents and interesting moments.

“The die is cast, we are set for a magnificent duel between two great manufacturers,” commented Olivier Quesnel.

“We feel that we have done a good job. But this is sport, and the outcome will now be decided out on the track,” added Bruno Famin. Throughout the 24 hours of the race, the Peugeot 908s demonstrated the performance level and reliability of their cars. Twenty four hours at an incredible pace, without any let up for mechanics or the drivers, twenty four hours that held the attention of hundreds of millions of fans, TV viewers and web users.”, he added.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZJPir6NaHY&feature=share

As forecast, fine rain began to fall at around 11am. Thanks to making the right choice of tyres, Peugeot Sport engineers help Simon Pagenaud to close to within 30’’ of André Lotterer.

The end of the race looked on course to be a head-to-head fight between the two men. At 14:24, both cars dived into the pit lane at the same time for a final stop. Pagenaud kept his Michelin tyres, whereas Lotterer opted to put on a new set of tyres. The two leaders came back out separated by less than ten seconds! Taking full advantage of his fresh tyres, Lotterer pulled away a little as the laps went by, and went on to clinch the win. Peugeot’s three 908s finished in second (no.9), third (no.8) and fourth (no.7) positions. The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP run by Oreca rounded off the top five of one of the closest ever editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Final race positions:

1. Fassler/Lotterer/Lreluyer, Audi R18 LDI no.2, 355 laps in 24H02’21’’525
2. Bourdais/Lamy/Pagenaud, Peugeot 908 N°9, + 13’’854
3. Minassion/Montagny/Sarrazin, Peugeot 908 N°8, +2L
4. Davidson/Gené/Wurz, Peugeot 908 N°7, +4L
5. Duval/Lapierre/Panis, Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Oreca no.10, +16L
6. Jani/Prost/Bleekemolen, Lola Loyota no.12, +17L
7. Ickx/Martin/Leinders, Lola Aston Martin, +27L…

Intercontinental Le Mans Cup Standings:

Manufacturers:
1. Peugeot, 103 points
2. Audi, 69 points

Teams:
1. Audi Sport Team Joest, 50 points
2. Team Peugeot Total, 49 points
3. Team Oreca-Matmut, 34 points
4. Rebellion Racing, 26 points

Source: Peugeot

June 13, 2011

ZF 9-speed automatic gearbox

BMW have been already put on sale some vehicle with ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox, which offers superb driving dynamics as well as nice low fuel consumption. Now, the famous company has introduced the world’s first 9-speed automatic gearbox.

9HP will offer up to 16 percent better fuel efficiency compared to the current 6-speed gearboxes. However, it will be able to work with engine start/stop systems as well as hybrid powertrains and all-wheel drive vehicles.

A minus for the 9HP is the low torque outputs that range from 280(206 lb-ft) to 480 Nm(354 lb-ft), which means that it won’t be suitable for diesel power plants. Still, petrol engines will benefit a lot from the new 9-speed automatic gearbox.

Finally, thanks to its open software and interface structure as well as the powerful electronic control unit, it will be possible to integrate the unit flexibly in different vehicle concepts. This diversity of the 9HP construction kit makes the transmission especially efficient for OEMs.

ZF 9-speed

Source: ZF

June 13, 2011

2011 BMW Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe

BMW has introduced a special 2011 Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupes for the US. The car boasts a matte black exterior with gloss black accents, red calipers and huge 19” GTS alloy wheels. Practically, the car is a successor to the last year’s BMW M3 Frozen Gray Coupe.

The interior comes with Novillo leather upholstery, red contrast stitching and carbon fiber trim with leather accents. Frozen Black Edition M3 also comes with heated front seats and premium audio system and GPS SAT NAV.

The engine remains untouched – 4.0 liter naturally aspirated hi-revving V8 with 420PS (309 kW) and 400Nm (295 lb-ft). It is mated to a M-DCT (M Double Clutch Transmission). The acceleration to 60 mph takes 4.5 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

The price for this pleasure is $79 650. There will be produced just 20 units.

2011 BMW Frozen Black Edition M3 Coupe:

BMW Individual Frozen Black Exterior Paint
Black Extended Novillo leather with Red Contrast Stitching on seats, headrests, door inserts, armrests, middle console, and door pulls.
Black M3 GTS wheels, 19” diameter with high-performance summer tires
Red brake calipers
Gloss black kidney grills
Gloss black side-gill elements
Gloss black exhaust pipe tips

Additional specified equipment from M3 catalog:

M-DCT Transmission with Drivelogic
Competition Package

Lowered suspension
Sport mapping for EDC/DSC

Premium Package 2

Power folding auto-dimming mirrors
Universal garage-door opener
Power front seats
Carbon Leather interior trim
Interior mirror with compass
BMW Assist with Bluetooth

Convenience Package

Anti-theft alarm system
Comfort Access keyless entry system
Park Distance Control (rear)
Navigation System
Voice-command
iPod and USB adapter
Real-time Traffic Information

Heated Front Seats
Satellite Radio with 1-year subscription
BMW Individual Enhanced Premium Sound System

*Excluding $875 Destination & Handling and excluding $1,300 federal gas guzzler tax.

Source: BMW

June 13, 2011

Subaru Impreza WRX STI with a lap record at Isle of Man

Mark Higgins set a new lap record on the Isle of Man circuit with Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The former rally chmapion stopped the clock at 19 minutes an 56.7 seconds for 60.83 km (37.8 mile) road course. The average speed was 182 km/h (113 mph) and a top speed of 261 km/h (162 mph).

“Setting the record was both the most exhilarating and the most frightening thing I have ever done,” said Higgins

“The rules allow for a flying start, so I crossed the line at 125mph. I then went down through the Bray Hill junction – normally taken at around 20mph – at over 150mph. Once that tricky section was out of the way I settled into the lap and quickly got used to the balance and sheer pace of the car.”, he added.

“In the end the lap was simply fantastic, and the WRX STI behaved impeccably,” explained Higgins.

“That we managed to set such an impressive time at our first attempt is a great tribute to the Subaru, especially given that so few modifications have been made. The engine pulled incredibly strongly throughout and the cornering capability proved crucial on such a twisty, unforgiving course.”, he finished.

The new record is over 2 minutes faster, than the previous set 21 years ago by Tony Pond in a Rover 827 Vitesse.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI is powered by a 2.5 liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol with 300PS (225 kw) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft). However, the model which Higgins raced has an MSA-spec T45 integrated roll cage, TRS race harness and a Lifeline fire extinguisher system.

Source: Subaru

June 10, 2011

Renault Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy

Renault has introduced the most powerful road car in the manufacturer’s history. Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy comes at just £27 820 and it is ready to outrun VW Golf and Scirocco R models.

Renaultsport 265 Trophy is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 litre petrol engine with staggering 265PS and 360Nm of torque available between 3000 and 5000RPM. The hot hatch achieves impressive power-to-weight ratio of 191HP per tonne. Not bad, not bad at all!

The results are thanks to an improvement in maximum turbo pressure, which is now 2.5 bar and a new air intake revised to take account of the higher pressure and running temperatures.

A great addition to the sports hatchback is free access to the full 2012 Renaultsport UK trackday calendar, worth around £650.

Besides of the brutal engine, Renaultsport 265 Trophy comes with a huge 19” gloss black Speedline alloys with red rim fitted with high-performance Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres. The car boasts “Trophy” red decals on the F1-style front blade and doors, and LED daytime running lights.

Megane 265 Trophy features stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar and grooved brake discs. It also has a mechanical limited slip differential, Brembo brakes, as well as the innovative PerfoHub independent steering axis front suspension set-up, which virtually eliminates torque steer. All these upgrades makes the Megane a perfect road car suitable for time attack at racetracks.

Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy will be limited to just 500 units, so you’d better hurry up. Orderrs open 20^th June and first deliveries end July.

Source: Renault

June 10, 2011

Category: Auto News