Car Makes – Page 635 – Automobiles Review

The Sporty SR Auto Scion FR-S Rocket Bunny

Rocket Bunny is the name of the latest vehicle tuned by the specialists at SR Auto. The car behind this name is the sporty Scion FR-S. In fact the abbreviation FR-S stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive and Sport, thus expressing all that this car is about.

This is proven and re-confirmed by the engine that is at the heart of the vehicle – the 2.0-liter boxer that generates the impressive 200 horsepower (147 kW) and 151 pound-feet (205 Nm) of torque. The flat engine is mounted extremely low, giving the car a dynamically low center of gravity.

However, what sets apart the Rocket Bunny from other FR-S build vehicles is one key feature: the very unique set of forged PUR 4OUR DEPTH wheels. They are in the stunning shade of electric blue, which perfectly matches the asphalt grey exterior color of this Scion in order to make an ever alluring appeal.

The wheels were specifically designed and engineered for the Rocket Bunny kit, and come on sizes 19×10 inches for the front and 19×12 inches for the rear. What enhances them additionally is the set of super sticky Yokohama Advan AD08′s, which were mounted to deliver more spirited driving.

The suspension of the car was also improved via BC Racing Coilovers, while the performance now is even more auspicious being an Invidia Catback Exhaust System. What is left to mention is to bring attention to the Rocket Bunny kit. It comprises of Rocket Bunny Wide Body Fender Flares, Rocket Bunny Front Lip, Rocket Bunny Side Skirts, Rocket Bunny Rear Diffuser, Rocket Bunny Rear GT Wing, APR Carbon Fiber Side Mirrors and Bespoke Smoked Headlight Housings.

Source: SR Auto

June 24, 2013

Switzer ClubSport Nissan GT-R – US Price $29,900

Switzer Performance has announced they latest aftermarket program one of the best cars in the world – Nissan GT-R.

The kit will turn the sports car into “the most track-focused Nissan GT-R” – a combination between Ultimate Street Edition mixed with other upgrades developed over the years.

The price for the package is $29,900 and for this amount of money you will get a complete aerodynamics package – a rear wing, front splitter and hood (all made from carbon fiber) , track suspension and big brake system including on-nano brake pad compound.

Other upgrades include composite racing seats, as well as track-designed Toyo R888 tires.

Source: Switzer

June 21, 2013

25th BMW International Open: Ernie Els and Rolls-Royce Ghost

Rolls-Royce Ghost was launched in 2009 and has been the epitome of elegance, dynamics and technological progress. Captivating in every way, this remarkable car allowed Ernie Els (South Africa) to travel to the 25^th BMW International Open.

Although Els himself owns an impressive fleet of cars, the outing in the Rolls-Royce Ghost was a first for the four-time Major winner. Having landed at Munich airport in his private jet, Els’s route took him past Munich’s striking squares and landmarks, including Leopoldstrasse and the famous Siegestor (Victory Gate), before he arrived at the Chinese Tower. There, Els met up with a further six players from the high-class field at the 25th BMW International Open to take part in the “Tee Time” show event in the English Garden.

Rolls-Royce Ghost is powered by a 6.6 liter twin-turbocharged V12 (N74B66) with 570HP (419 kW) at 5,250RPM and 780Nm (575 lb-ft) of torque at 1,500RPM. The engine is mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox – 0-100 km/h in 4.7 Seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Check out the interview with Ernie below!

Ernie, the reigning Open Champion at the wheel of a British Icon: is that a perfect combination?

Ernie Els: “Absolutely. Rolls-Royce is a unique brand, which speaks for itself. That is something it definitely has in common with the Open, which is the biggest of the four Majors. In that sense, they really suit each other very well.”

The feeling of driving a Rolls-Royce is often described as a “magic carpet ride”. Did you feel like you were on a magic carpet?

Els: “Yes, it really does feel like that. Magic is precisely the right word. It is simply fantastic. I have driven a lot of cars over the course of my life, but never a Rolls-Royce. I was actually a bit nervous about driving it. Rolls-Royce is obviously a big status symbol. If you can afford to buy a Rolls-Royce, you have obviously done something right with your life.”

The BMW International Open is still missing from the long list of tournaments you have won. Will that change in 2013?

Els: “I have always liked München Eichenried. I have been playing here since 1997. Unfortunately I don’t know why the other guys have always played better here than me. I have often had problems on the odd hole. That said, I love the course and the city.”

Why are BMW tournaments held in such high regard on the Tour?

Els: “Tournament Director Marco Kaussler has a wealth of experience when it comes to organising the tournament, and does a fantastic job. The way he looks after the players is sensational. The fact that we all feel so happy here is largely down to him. But you could say the same for everyone at BMW – and you really feel that as a player.”

Do you like Germany and, in particular, the host city of Munich?

Els: “I have not seen all that much of Germany or Munich over the course of my career. In recent years I have been out to some restaurants in the evening, but don’t ask me which ones. Unfortunately we never see enough of the cities, as we spend most of our time at the golf course. However, I am impressed by what I have seen of Munich. It is a beautiful and very clean city, which is very popular among South African tourists. I am sure I will come over for Oktoberfest one day.”

Source: BMW

June 21, 2013

Nissan ZEOD RC – World’s Fastest Electric Racing Car

Nissan has unveiled the groundbreaking and innovative ZEOD RC. This is the world’s fastest electric racing car, which will reach speeds of more than 300km/h with electric technology at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) will make its race debut at next year’s Le Mans 24 Hour. The global leader in electric vehicles for the road, Nissan will trial variants of new electric drive train technologies as part of its intended future return to LM P1 competition to challenge for overall victory at the world’s most prestigious endurance race.

Nissan’s invitation from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) to compete in the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours was announced by Nissan Chairman and CEO, Carlos Ghosn in Japan in February. The car will compete under the ACO’s ‘Garage 56′ entry – an additional spot on the grid for vehicles that showcase new and innovative technology.

Run as a Nissan / Nismo full factory international program with input from Japan, Europe and the US, the Nissan ZEOD RC design team is headed by Ben Bowlby who has been newly-appointed as Nissan’s Director of Motorsport Innovation and previously worked on the Nissan DeltaWing program in 2012.

While the car will not race until next year’s Le Mans 24 Hours, Nissan today kicked off a unique aspect of the program – race fans getting the chance to unveil the car in the public area of the Circuit de la Sarthe. Nissan intends to draw back the curtain for fans across the globe to provide continued updates via its international partnership with YouTube and its Nismo.

Source: Nissan

June 21, 2013

2014 Renault Twingo [render]

Theophiluschin has published two render pictures of the upcoming 2014 Renault Twingo. The third generation of the smallest Renault is expected to hit the market in the beginning of the next year. The renderings are based on the Renault Twin Run Concept.

The new Twingo is a direct rival to Opel Adam, MINI and Fiat 500. The smallest Renault shares its platform with the next-generation Smart ForTwo and might eventually spawn a hotter model envisioned as a Renault 5 Turbo.

An EV version could also be in the progress, joining a variety of petrol and diesel-powered engines. Still, no words about engine range and specifications.

June 21, 2013

2014 Dodge SRT Viper GT3-R Is Ready For Competition

2014 Dodge SRT Viper GT3-R has been released and it is ready for competition. Powered by a new V-10 engine, the race car was designed and developed by Chrysler Group’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Motorsports team.

According to the brand this Viper GT3-R is the peak of nearly two decades of racing development resulting in a robust sports car. The vehicle is the logical progression of the successful Viper GTS-R that has conquered many prestigious races.

In addition, the GT3-R is a direct descendant of the SRT Viper street car. This is why the new Dodge model stays true to the emblematic appeal of the Viper, but it is also an evolution provoked by the demands of racing at a world class level.

The birth of the SRT Viper GT3-R is a result of the collaboration of the brand with Riley Technologies, which specializes in the design and production of winning race cars. Moreover, the technology developed by Chrysler for the factory engine, chassis, suspension, electronics and aerodynamics of the GTS-R, is also incorporated into every Viper GT3-R.

For instance, the chassis has been equipped with a highly-efficient aerodynamic package which effects in improved handling. Other features included in this race car are the Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters, six-piston front brake calipers with four-piston rears, lightweight wheels and a multi-disc race clutch for maximum performance from the V-10 engine.

The starting price of the new 2014 Dodge SRT Viper GT3-R begins at $459 000 USD with orders are now being taken for late 2013 delivery.

Source: Dodge

June 21, 2013

VUHL 05 Confirmed For 2013 Salon Prive

At this year’s Salon Prive the visitors will have the opportunity of seeing the debut of a future legend. We are speaking here about the highly anticipated new supercar from Mexico – VUHL 05, which will be on the lawns of Syon Park in September.

Although we don’t know much about the forthcoming vehicle, the information that has been released so far reveals that the VUHL 05 will be a road-legal lightweight supercar. It has been precision-engineered for the track and endowed with exhilarating performance.

Up to date, only three teaser images have been released. It was also announced that the vehicle will be officially unveiled in July at Goodwood Festval of Speed, shortly followed by Salon Privé in September.

The name of the car is pronounced “vool” and stands for ‘Vehicles of Ultra- lightweight and High-performance. It is the brainchild of brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, whose Mexican/American design agency, Etxe, penned the breath-taking 05. Some of the suppliers and development partners of the performance car industry which are featured in this project are Magna Steyr, Multimatic and Ford.

Source: VUHL

June 21, 2013

Mitsubishi Outlander Is Official Safety Vehicle For Pikes Peak

A completely redesigned 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is going to be the Official Safety Vehiclefor this year’s 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. PPIHC event will be held on 30th of June 30 at the breathtaking Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

The challenging Pikes Peak International Hill Climb features a road course that is 12.42 long and has 156 corners. It commences at an elevation of 9390 feet and fends at 14 110 feet.

The safety car will include technologically-advanced safety features such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM). In addition to this, this Mitsubishi will be equipped with company’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system. The latter will deliver superior stability, traction and control, which attributes are ideal for harsh weather and road conditions.

Furthermore, in the race will also be seen the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution high-performance sports sedan. It will join Outlander as a supplemental safety vehicle. As a matter of fact, both cars were built specifically for the race with support coming from AEM®, BBS USA, Cobb Tuning, DC Sports®, Kenwood USA Corporation, and Muellerized Suspension Tuning.

In addition, the brand will also make a racing return to the event with its new and more powerful 100% electric-powered prototype racing car – the MiEV Evolution II. It will be driven by two-time Dakar Rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka.

Source: Mitsubishi

June 21, 2013

Schmidt Revolution Enhances Ferrari F360 and 575M

Two Ferraris are being enhanced by the company SCHMIDT Revolution. They have equipped the models with new rims, which fit perfectly to the exquisite Italian models. They were designed especially for these vehicles according to the customer requirements.

The models which were improved are the Ferrari F360 and its „younger brother“ Ferrari 575M. The first vehicle is the iconic two-seater sports car, which was built by the Italian brand from 1999 to 2005. It is equipped with a mid-engine 3.6 litre V8 unit and has a rear wheel drive.

Its engine utilizes flat plane crankshaft, titanium connecting rods and produces 400 bhp (300 kW). The car runs from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.3 seconds. The next vehicle is again a two-seater, two-door grand tourer, which was launched in 2002.

It is equipped with a V12 engine mated to a semi-automatic electrohydraulic manual ‘F1’ gearbox. The displacement of the unit is 5.7 liters and can generate up to 508 hp (379 kW) and 588.6 N•m (434.1 lb•ft) of torque at 5,250 rpm. The acceleration time for this model for the sprint from standstill to 100 km/h is only 4.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).

Both Ferrari F360 and 575M are equipped with a coil over and both vehicles were screwed to the optimum height. However, there can always happen an adjustment to the standard tires, therefore making possible an easy conversion back of both vehicles in absolute original condition.

Source: Miranda Media

June 21, 2013

2014 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S – 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds

This is officially the fastest Aston Martin excluding the limited edition, and sold-out, One-77 hypercar.

The V12 Vantage S is powered by an AM28 6.0-litre V12 engine – 573HP (421 kW) and 620 Nm (459 lb-ft) of torque at 5,750RPM. 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). The engine is connected to a Sportshift™III AMT (automated manual transmission) powering the rear wheels.

“The new V12 Vantage S brings our winning GT3 race formula to the road. It’s a car for those customers who want superior sporting performance in a ‘gentleman’s suit’. It’s the most pure, yet understated, driving machine we can imagine today.” , commented Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez.

The suspension features 3-stage adaptive damping – Normal, Sport and Track.

The pricing for the new V12 Vantage S is also confirmed – £138,000 in the UK, €179,950 for Germany and $184,995 for the US.

Source: Aston Martin

June 20, 2013

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 Performance Specs

Chevrolet has announced full performance specifications for the 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51 Package.

The sports car is powered by a 6.2 liter V8 engine with 455HP (339 kW) and 624Nm (460 lb-ft) of torque. 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph) in 3.8 seconds and ¼ mile is covered in just 12.0 seconds. The sports coupe can pull 1.03 g on the skid pad and decelerate 60-0 mph in 32.6 meters (107 feet).

Cumulatively, the acceleration, cornering and braking capability of the Corvette Stingray enabled it to lap the Virginia International Raceway’s (VIR) 4.2-mile “Grand Course” in 2:51.78.

The Z51 Performance Package costs $2,800 and includes aerodynamic styling upgrades, an electronic LSD (limited-slip differential), a dry-sump oiling system and an upgraded cooling system.

The test car was also equipped with Magnetic Ride Control which adds $1,795.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is priced from $51,995.

Source: Chevrolet

June 20, 2013

Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid with Michelin Pilot Super Sport

All models of the new the Porsche Panamera will be equipped with Michelin tyres when it is launched in July 2013. The performance Michelin tyres grant superb traction at all conditions. There will be summer, winter and all-season tyres in 12 different sizes.

Summer Tyres:

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport was created through the unique combination of three components: the aramid fibre belt, the Bi-Compound tread band and the Variable Contact Patch 2.0.

The Variable Contact Patch 2.0 enables complete control of the vehicle by keeping the same amount of rubber on the road, even as the patch’s shape changes during tight cornering.

Front
255/45 ZR 19 (100Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0
255/40 ZR 20 (101Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0

Rear
285/40 ZR 19 (103Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0
295/35 ZR 20 (105Y) PILOT SUPER SPORT N0

Winter Tyres:

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 integrates a new winter tyre design called Ridge-n-Flex, which involves the optimal combination of two features.

Front
255/45 R 19 100V PILOT ALPIN PA4 N1
255/40 R 20 101V XL PILOT ALPIN PA4 N0

Rear
285/40 R 19 103V PILOT ALPIN PA4 N1
285/35 R 20 104V XL PILOT ALPIN PA4 N0

All-Season Tyres:

Developed for the North American market, the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus stands out for its consistent high-level performance in all weather conditions.

Front
255/45 R 19 100V PILOT SPORT A/S+ N1
255/40 R 20 101V XL PILOT SPORT A/S+ N0

Rear
285/40 R 19 103V PILOT SPORT A/S+ N1
295/35 R 20 105V XL PILOT SPORT A/S+ N0

Check out Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid with Michelin Pilot Super Sport on the picture below!

Homologation: facts and figures

1 tyre manufacturer certified worldwide
12 sizes certified for all driving conditions (summer, winter and all season)
3 tyre ranges all featuring the Porsche N marking (N0 or N1)
Global tyre coverage for a global car
40% of production will be fitted with Michelin tyres
A 2½ year co-development project conducted jointly by Michelin teams and Porsche engineers
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is the summer tyre certified for two different rim diameters
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 is the winter tyre certified for 19- and 20-inch rims
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus is the tyre certified, particularly for the North American market, in two rim diameters: 19- and 20-inches

Source: Porsche

June 20, 2013

Category: Car Makes