Blog

  • Wald International Mercedes-Benz SLK Black Bison (R172)

    Wald International has presented their latest tuning project based on the latest version of Mercedes-Benz SLK – the R172 model. It comes with complete Black Bison package including a number of styling upgrades.

    The Black Bison package is designed to give the R172 an “overwhelming presence”. The roadster boasts a new front bumper with integrated LED DRLs (daytime running lights) and bigger air intakes. There is also a pair of new aerodynamic side skirts and a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser. The Black Bison package is priced from ¥464,400 ( around $4,560).

    Available as an option is a new carbon fiber rear spoiler for an additional ¥73,440 ($720). The car on the pictures is also fitted with a complete four-tailpipe sports exhaust system and a set of unique alloy wheels fitted with low profile tires. No words about pricing of these upgrades.

    Mercedes-Benz SLK R172 is available in four models – 200 CGI, 250 CGI, 350 CGI and 55 AMG. The SLK 200 CGI has a 1.8 liter engine with 184HP (135 kW); the SLK 250 CGI is equipped with also a 1.8 liter engine – 204HP (150 kW); the SLK 350 CGI has a 3.5 liter V6 with 306HP (224 kW) and the SLK 55 AMG is powered by a 5.5 liter V8 with 422HP (310 kW).

    Source: Wald International

  • 2014 Peugeot 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Revealed!

    Peugeot-208-GTi-30th-Anniversary-Limited-Edition-THUMB2014 Peugeot 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Limited Edition was just unveiled at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Unlike we supposed, judging from he teaser image revealed recently, the car is not painted in all-red, but actually features a two-tone paint scheme. The car s based on the 208 GTi, however it delivers a more intense driving sensation because it is equipped with the new Euro6 1.6-litre THP petrol engine that develops 208 hp (153 kW) and 300 Nm (222 lb-ft) of torque. The unit has been mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, it has great traction and efficiency assured through the specification of a Torsen differential, specific suspension and steering settings.

    208 GTi 30th proves that it has a sporty temperament. Just look at these figures: the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is covered in 6.5 seconds. Although the performance is great, the achieved efficiency figures are low and CO2 emissions are just 125g/km.

    Furthermore, the suspension here has been lowered by 10mm, the track widened by 22mm at the front and 16mm at the rear. Peugeot has also fitted larger wheels to the anniversary edition car. At the front there are grille surround, the fog lamp bezels and door mirror shells finished in matt black.

    From the side, the lowered stance is highlighted further by matt black side skirts and wheel arch extensions that cover new 18″ wheels finished with matt black rims. The wheels are coupled with Michelin Pilot Super Sport 205/40 ZR 18 tyres. The front wheels include large red Peugeot Sport brake calipers with 323mm diameter and 28mm thick discs at the front and Brembo fixed four-piston calipers.

    The window trim strip are also finished in matt black, while the quarter panel bears a ‘208 GTi 30th logo’. At the rear we see round twin chrome tail pipes. The exterior has been finished in a two-tone and this dual material treatment is innovative and unique. The front is finished in a textured black, contrasting with the new high-gloss red at the rear. The two colours are divided by a sharp oblique straight-cut line. There is another bi-color option: Pearl White and Ruby Red.

    Inside, the interior is in perfect harmony with the exterior. The black door handles with a red line echo the seat belts, high-quality floor mats are trimmed in red, while the front bucket seats were trimmed in an exclusive blend of materials, such as Alcantara, black TEP with red stitching and a black dotted mesh pattern with red highlights.

    2014 Peugeot 208 GTi 30th Anniversary Limited Edition will be presented to the public at the forthcoming 2014 Paris Motor Show, with sales starting in November.

    Source: Peugeot

  • Lamborghini Aventador LP988 Edizione GT by DMC

    DMC-Lamborghini-Aventador-LP988-Edizione-GT-THUMBLamborghini Aventador LP988 Edizione GT by DMC looks breathtaking not only because it is a Lambo or it has this vibrant red exterior paint, but also because it was refined to the tiniest detail. The German super-car tuner DMC has added to it a package which is dubbed the Edizione-GT or simply E-GT. And despite the conversions, the car is completely street legal. The major work has been done on the body kit and the engine. The exterior has been painted in a special two tone color, and there have been also added a set of forged alloy wheels. The tuning also includes an interior make-over.

    To go into details, the body kit comes with new front and rear bumpers, as well as an engine-bonnet replacement that includes a motor cooling air-scoop. There are also new side skirts. Furthermore, the package is defined by the presence of a massive GT-Spoiler that can be manually set to 3 different angles for different aerodynamics.

    The package is completed with a full array of tunnels, flaps and diffusers. If you take a look at the pictures (gallery is featured below), you will then see that a lot of carbon fiber has been used for the aforementioned elements. This will definitely save a lot of the weight of the Anentador.

    Furthermore, the LP988 has been subject to a Twin-Turbo procedure in combination with a reprogrammed ECU. Now data has been released about the figures, but we are sure that the power improvement will be great. A set of forged alloy wheels and a new kit of suspensions keep the beat on the road and make the Lamborghini stand out further.

    At last, the package is finalized with exclusive interior refinements. Inside, one can see Italian fine leathers and of course, a lot of carbon finer. There are plenty of buttons and trims, which are available as a small package. The steering wheel has been also redesigned and adds on to complete a medium package. At last, the whole interior can be redone for the VIP package.

    Another interesting fact about this package is that it can’t be just purchased, but it is a limited edition. This means that if you want to can get one you have to first apply before being able to buy. Each unit is strictly limited to only one colour and/or style, making every one of them unique.

    Source: DMC

  • Kahn Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI XS 10 Chelsea Wide Track Edition

    Kahn-Land-Rover-Defender-Chelsea-THUMBKahn Land Rover Defender 2.2 TDCI XS 10 Chelsea Wide Track Edition has a very to long name but it is definitely a nice project. The engineering and the design of every element has been done with intent. In other words, this vehicle is blend of refinement, and its all-terrain capability makes it distinctive and unique. The exterior color here has been decided in the unusual Nara Bronze, which in my opinion looks very good. The paint scheme is complimented by wide range of additions.

    At the front, we can see that the tuners at A. Kahn Design have included a new front bumper with bumper lighting, front bumper sump guard, front wide wheel arches in matt black, and LED diamond bright headlights as well as bonnet vents with mesh. At the back we can see a rear wheel wide wheel arch and wings in matt black, exhaust shields and Kahn crosshair exhaust system.

    Other added design elements that make this Land Rover truly one-of-a-kind are the privacy glass, painted brake calipers, hardwearing mud flaps, and of course the Kahn 9 x 20″ Mondial wheels in volcanic black as well as the Chelsea truck company spare wheel cover.

    Going inside, the car’s exquisite interior features front sports GTB, middle bench and rear folding seats in quilted and perforated leather with Harris Tweed detailing. The other enhancements are a centre glove box, rev counter facia in red, centre dashboard surround, Kahn single spoke leather steering wheel, rev counter facia, dashboard and instrument binnacle, hard wearing front and rear cabin floor mats, Kahn fire extinguisher, Churchill time clock facia insert and vented foot pedals in machined aluminium.

    Source: A. Kahn Design

  • Nissan Reveals The Story Behind The Design Of Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo [VIDEO]

    Nissan_2020_concept_THUMBNissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo has been introduced last week and it was also announced that the virtual car will join the PlayStation3 game on 6th of July. In fact, the game celebrates 15 years anniversary since it was released for the first time on the market. This Nissan concept has a strange V-motion front fascia and slender headlights. Also, there have been added huge air-intakes which were specifically made that big to deliver enough air for the powerful engine. The unit is producing more than 800HP (588 kW).

    In the video below, which the company has just published, Nissan tells the story of how Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo’s life began. Initially it was a dream project for young Nissan designers. They were given the freedom to create the perfect supercar … for their own Gran Turismo fantasy garage, of course.

    The team at Nissan Design Europe based in London however, created a spectacular design which seemed to have so much potential. It also benefited from input from an engineering team based in Japan.

    In addition, their design also adapted cues from current Nissan performance models. The concept was created from scratch with the latest digital tools. In the video the designers say that this design will be used in future Nissan vehicles and probably will turn out to be a future concept.

    A full-size Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo will be presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

    httpv://youtu.be/v2-utp6TZ6A

    Video Source: YouTube

    Source: Nissan

  • Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 with 329 km/h [video]

    A very brave driver managed to hit an epic top speed with the spectacular Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4. The supercar achieved 329 km/h (204.4 mph) on a German Autobahn, where are no speed restrictions. Still, it is extremely dangerous, because there is a lot of traffic cruising with normal speeds.

    Although the official maximum top speed of the Huracan is 325 km/h (202 mph), the driver churned out another 4 km/h and, if there was no traffic he would did over 330 km/h (205 mph).

    As a reminder, the engine is a 5.2 liter V10 – 610HP (448 kW) and 560Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph). The model also has an engine start/stop system which enables the car to average 12.5 L/100km (18.8 mpg US / 22.5 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 290 g/km. The engine is connected to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and an all-wheel drive system.

    There are three modes of operation (STRADA, SPORT and CORSA) will decide the throttle and gearbox response, the sound quality, and the stability control and the AWD system behavior.

    Available as an option is the Lamborghini Dynamic Steering system and Magneto-Rheologic damper control.

    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6pMCqsOs04

    Source: Thegermansupercars via Youtube

  • 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS – Review [video]

    Autocar has published a full video review of the new 2014 Porsche Boxster GTS. The small sports car comes with a number of performance improvements and unique styling. The particular vehicle used for this review is equipped with the Sport Chrono Package and the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system.

    The new Boxster GTS is powered by a 3.4 liter flat-six with 330HP (243 kW) and 370Nm (273 lb-ft) of torque. The Chrono package comes as standard and the acceleration is extreme – 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 281 km/h (175 mph).

    Some of the standard features include a set of 20” alloy wheels from the 911 Carrera S fitted with 235/35 front and 265/35 rear performance tires. There are also darkened bi-xenon headlights along updated front and rear bumpers.

    The interior boasts leather sport seats with Alcantara trim and a lot of carbon fiber elements. The central console features a big touch-screen display offering all needed information as well as some car settings. The fabric roof can be folded down in just 9.0 seconds, while a pair of luggage areas in the front and in the rear make the Boxster GTS pretty practical for a sports car.

    2014 Posrche Boxster GTS is priced from €69,949.

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

    Source: Autocar.co.uk via Youtube

  • 2014 Engine of the Year – Results [images]

    Ford managed to scoop the International Engine of the Year Award for third consecutive time. The “star” is again the three-cylinder 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine which was recently updated. It now produces 140HP (103 kW) and is able to accelerate the new Fiesta from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds. The engine is also super-economical – 4.5 liters / 100 km (52.3 mpg US or 62.8 mpg UK) on combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 104 g/km.

    The engine managed to gather 351 points from the jury putting it on 1st place. The 2nd place is for Ferrari’s 4.5 liter V8 with 281 points and 3rd for Volkswagen’s 1.4 liter TSI – 254 points. Of course, the 1.0 liter EcoBoost won the sub 1.0 liter category with 505 points.

    Here are all the winners:

    • Sub 1-liter: Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo
    • 1.0-liter to 1.4-liter: Volkswagen 1.4-liter TSI Twincharger
    • 1.4-liter to 1.8-liter: BMW / PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.6-liter turbo petrol
    • 1.8-liter to 2.0-liter: Mercedes-AMG 2-liter turbo
    • 2.0-liter to 2.5-liter: Audi 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo
    • 2.5-liter to 3.0-liter: BMW 3.0-liter twin-power turbo six-cylinder gasoline
    • 3.0-liter to 4.0-liter: McLaren 3.8-liter V8
    • Above 4.0-liter: Ferrari 4.5-liter V8
    • New Engine: Mercedes-AMG 2.0-liter turbo
    • Green Engine: Tesla Full-electric powertrain
    • Performance Engine: Ferrari 4.5-liter V8
    • International Engine of the Year: Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo

      Source: Engine of the Year Awards

    • Google Android Auto – Technology Brilliance [video]

      Google has presented the Android Auto – designed to give drivers the “right information for the road ahead”. The system works exclusively with Android smartphones and is able to provide all needed information about traffic jams, collisions, etc.

      “Android Auto combines the best the best of both worlds. You get the connected apps and services on your smartphone with the physical controls that were optimized for driving in your car”, commented Android Director of Engineering Patrick Brady.

      Android Auto boasts a nice and easy to use interface. For example, Google Maps has a streamlined design with larger “touch targets” helping to minimize the distraction. The system also features Google Now voice commands giving an instant access to Google Maps, text messages, phone book and applications like Google Play Music. The users can also set reminders, plan their time and meetings.

      The first car with Android Auto will be introduced later this year. There are already several manufacturers, who signed up to be a part of the Open Automotive Alliance. These include Audi, General Motors, Honda and Hyundai.

      Android Auto will make the life and travelling a lot easier and fun. It will help drivers to stay more focused on the road without disturbing their comfort.

      httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht8yzpIV9M0

      Source: Google

    • Ford and Intel – The Future of In-Car Personalization [video]

      Ford and Intel are researching new opportunities in-car personalization. The companies will offer new opportunities for the connected car, including giving drivers the ability to remotely peer into their car using a smartphone, or a vehicle that could identify its owner using facial recognition software.

      The project is called – Project Mobii and aims to aims to explore how interior-facing cameras could be integrated with sensor technology and data already generated within and around the vehicle to create a more personalized and seamless interaction between driver and vehicle that transforms the driving experience.

      “Our goal with the Mobii research is to explore how drivers interact with technology in the car and how we can then make that interaction more intuitive and predictive,” commented Paul Mascarenas, Chief Technical Officer and Vice President, Ford Research and Innovation.

      “The use of interior imaging is purely research at this point; however, the insights we’ve gained will help us shape the customer experience in the long-term”, he added.

      Project Mobii will use facial recognition technology, so it will be able to recognize different drivers and automatically adjust vehicle settings according to their demands. If the system can’t recognize a person, an image of the individual will be sent to the owner’s smartphone and he or she will be able to approve or deny access to the car. Other nice safety features include teen drivers recognition and reducing audio volume.

      Last but not least, the system will feature voice commands and gestures recognition. You can easily turn the heat up or down while driving without removing hands from the steering wheel.

      httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_DacM5G7PM

      Source: Ford

    • Bespoke McLaren MSO 650S Spider Concept Debuts At Goodwood

      McLaren MSO 650S Spider Concept which has been teased previously this month. If you are fan of the brand, then you will undoubtedly remember that MSO 650S Coupe has already been revealed in China in April. Both models will enter a production, which will not exceed 50 examples. As mentioned previously this month the production Spider will make its debut at Goodwood in the Supercar Paddock. It will also make a run though the famous Hill.

      MSO 650S Spirder has many similarities with the Coupe. The exterior is fitted abundantly with number of carbon fibre styling upgrades with a satin finish. For instance, the extended MSO Side Blades are all carbon, while the three-piece rear bumper includes a carbon fibre centre section, which sits above a restyled and aggressive rear diffuser.

      The supercar will be offered in three paint finishes: Papaya Spark, Agrigan Black and Sarigan Quartz. The first one is a modern interpretation of the famous McLaren Orange, while the Agrigan Black we have already seen in the MSO 650S Coupe. It is a stylish metallic black with a deep ruby red metallic flake. A new color is the Sarigan Quartz which is vibrant metallic silver with a subtle golden infusion, and it will be shown for the first time at Goodwood.

      The final element of this exceptional exterior feature Palladium coloured 10-spoke Super Lightweight alloy wheels. They have unique diamond cut effect to the inside edge of each spoke. It is interesting that these wheels save 4 kg over the standard design.

      The interior of this McLaren is upholstered with carbon black leather and Alcantara. There is stylish satin lacquered carbon fibre detailing which can be seen on the driver and passenger zones. As a contrast to these elements, a gloss finish has been applied to the air vents and handling and powertrain switchgear on the Active Dynamics Panel. At last, a signature dedication plaque is installed on the MSO carbon fibre sill panel.

      Every single example of MSO 650S will be delivered with a Frank Stephenson-signed sketch and a luxury MSO branded, leather weekend bag. The latter is handcrafted from stealth black carbon fibre leather and includes Alcantara lining.

      The pricing of the McLaren MSO 650S begins at £252,500 for the Coupe, while the Spider is rated at £272,500. Those 50 that will purchase the car can expect their deliveries before the end of the year.

      Source: McLaren

    • Skoda CitiJet Concept at Goodwood

      Skoda is going to present the CitiJet Concept at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed (starting today). The small open-top car is designed and built by 16 apprentices under the guidance of Jozef Kaban, Head of Skoda Design, who challenged the team to build their dream car. Obviously, the dreams of the apprentices don’t include a powerful engine and epic sound from the exhaust system.

      Skoda CitiJet is a striking cabriolet that combines a host of innovations and unique design features.

      The exterior features distinctive two-tone metallic paintwork, 16” wheels and a hand-crafted rear spoiler. The interior boasts a red-stitched, leather-trimmed steering wheel, bespoke seat trim and a dashboard panel finished in white and red. Completing the interior package is a 300 watt sound system and music-reactive LED lighting.

      No words about engine, but since the CitiJet is in the same segment as the Citigo, it will obviously get a 1.0 liter MPI petrol with either 60HP (44 kW) or 75HP (55 kW). The engine is available with either 5-speed manual or an automated-shift gearbox (ASG). The fuel consumption will be around 4.1 liters / 100 km with CO2 emissions of below 100 g/km.

      As in previous years, Skoda will be the main attraction at the Forest Rally Stage. The brand’s legendary Fabia S2000 – the most successful rally car of the Super 2000 era – will be demonstrating its remarkable talents on the Skoda-supported 1.7-mile Forest Rally Stage.

      Source: Skoda