Brembo team celebrates its 60th birthday at the 42nd Annual Concours d’Elegance of America.
Established in 1961 as a small mechanical workshop by Emilio Bombassei and his brother-in-law Italo Breda, the small business expanded to what we know today as one of the most popular and influential automotive businesses. Today, Brembo is a leader in the design, development and production of braking systems and components for cars, motorbikes, industrial vehicles, and racing vehicles.
Although we celebrate the past at this week’s Concours, our focus is on the future with the world’s cars and trucks going electric. Brakes are playing an even more significant role in the future of electrification. In addition, we announced just this week the opening of Brembo Inspiration Lab in Silicon Valley to further strengthen our expertise in artificial intelligence, data science and software development.
At the show, Brembo displays an array of performance and braking components with carbon-ceramic brake discs and full aluminum calipers on the all-new Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Also, there’s a full array of the brand’s aftermarket products like Brembo Xtra rotor can be viewed alongside a MotoGP Championship carbon rotor and caliper as well as a competition master cylinder.
Highlighting the Brembo sponsored Super Car category are a Viper GTS-R, Ford GT, Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari 488 Pista, Ferrari F12, Mercedes AMG GT R, and a Porsche 992 Turbo S.
After the teaser phot from last week, Lexus has finally unveiled the IS 25 Aniversario at the 2014 Madrid Auto Show in Spain. The model is created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the model. It will be produced in limited series of just 25 units which will be sold exclusively in Spain.2014 Lexus IS 25 Aniversario comes with a complete aggressive body kit including a carbon fiber front hood, roof and a new spoiler. It is developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), which also fitted the special model with quad exhaust system. Other highlights include 19” F-Sport wheels fitted with Bridgestone Potenza tires – 225/35 R19 front and 255/30 R19 rear.The performance saloon also features Brembobig brake system – vented discs and 6-piston calipers.The interior boasts a red start TRD button, perforated leather upholstery with F-SPORT white inserts as well as an individually numbered plaque.2014 Lexus IS 25 Aniversario is powered by a V6 engine or a hybrid powertrain. The manufacturer will also offer a similar kit as an upgrade package for existing IS. The price will be exactly €10,000.
Holden has announced the VF Commodore SS V, which is expected to make its official debut this weekend. Unveiled as a precursor to the new VF Commodore sport luxury range, the new VF SS V show car applies a serious performance edge to the luxury hero concept Holden previewed in the VF Calais V earlier this week.
The new VF Commodore will introduce a range of technology firsts for an Australian car, including Reverse Traffic Alert, Head-up Display, Blind Spot Alert, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Auto Park Assist when it arrives in Australian showrooms mid-year.
The VF Commodore sport luxury range is more refined than any car previously produced by Holden, embodying the same design sophistication, premium appointments and attention to detail as the Calais V luxury sport concept.
The SS V has a mature, new aerodynamic exterior design, which has been finished in eye-catching custom Fantale orange metallic paint specially created by Holden for the show car. There is also a quad-pipe exhaust, a set of 20” multi-spoke alloys, Brembo brakes and a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The interior boasts ice-blue ambient lighting, leather sports steering wheel, a new intrstrument panel and built-in Holden MyLink infotainment system coming with an 8” touchscreen display.
SS V-Series:
Custom Kandy ‘Fantale’metallic paint finish
Twin five-spoke 20-inch wheels, hand-machined in billet aluminium, custom finished in gloss black
Front Brembo brake calipers finished in gloss silver
Wide, dominant front fascia features traditional sports grille and a prominent lower air intake, both laced in custom gunmetal chrome
Sculpted, jewelled halogen projector headlamps with black bezels curve into prominent front fenders, flared, aero-modified wheel arches
Muscular lower fascia incorporates LED daylight running lamps and black bezel fog lamps, custom gunmetal chrome accents, outboard extensions integrated into sharp sports rockers
Prominent VF aluminium hood with centre crease emphasises performance potential; two raking spears sweep from the A-pillars
Low, wide VF rear sports fascia – streamlined graphics with integrated tail lamps, aluminium decklid, body-colour bib spoiler, custom gloss black finish sports valance incorporating licence plate and quad V8 exhausts
In profile, vertical fender vents and window surrounds are finished in custom gunmetal chrome
All-new instrument panel with integrated centre stack combines high-resolution Holden MyLink infotainment system with 8-inch touch screen, climate and other controls
Ergonomically advanced design relocates controls to more convenient positions, introduces console-mounted electric park brake control
Cowled, angled instrument dials flank a LCD Driver Information Display screen with colour graphics
All-new seat structures combine sports back and high-bolstered side support
High-quality, layered finishes in smooth soft-feel leather and suede with perforated leather inserts are accented by contrast twin-needle and deck stitching
Sports profile leather wrap steering wheel design is motorsport-inspired
Ice blue ambient lighting illuminates lower centre console and door pull recesses
Extra large dual cupholders can accommodate a wide range of container sizes
Reifen Coch is yet another German based company that customizes performance cars and such. The target car here however is not at all German. The name they gave their product is the “Konquistador” and it is actually an American icon – a Ford Mustang V. It’s “V” for “Fifth generation” but it might as well be for V8 as this untamed pony moves about with a V8 4.6 liter309 kW heart.
So not much room for improvement in the engine compartment. No worries, as Reifen Coch have focused on other aspects of customizing. A flamboyant Cervini-Bodykit has been installed which has holes on the back of the side skirts. These wholes are for the custom made exhaust system. Yes, the Konquistador has side exhaust pipes – a kid’s dream come true. The suspension boasts KW-coilovers with electrically lifting axles and an HLS (Hydraulic Lift System) Kit. The brakes too have been replaced with some “Brembos”.
However, it would seem that Reifen Coch are most satisfied with what they have done to the wheels – 9Jx20H2 Gotham rims at the front and 11Jx20H2 of the same brand at the back. The wrapping comes in the form of four Dunlop tires in sizes 265/35R20 and 305/30R20, front and back respectively.
The Kia Track’ster concept is out of the box. Attenders at the Chicago Auto Show yesterday had the privilege to witness the rather dramatic revealing. And now when the Track’ster is open to the public, we do are not sure from where to start.
Although it is based on the current Soul, in essence it is an entirely different car. The Track’ster is simply exciting to look at thanks to those air-gulping, carbon grille installations across the front and the massive auxiliary LED lights that complement them. The headlights themselves are impressive enough with that flowing figure that seems to be reaching for the fenders. And can you not notice the color of the whole thing? It’s white and orange as if it’s a pair of trainers – The roof and lower front, side and back valances are in, what Kia calls, an ‘inferno’ shade. That burning hue can be noticed as a motive also on the mirrors and at the front air-scooping slit and inside. To do the honor of the overall sculptured body lines of the Track’ster, Kia have fitted four HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels. Ideal tires would be 245/40-19-inch for the front wheels and a stunningly wide and low pair of 285/35-19′s at the back.
More features that set the Track’ster apart from the Soul include the dimensions – 101.2-inches of wheelbase length make the concept almost an inch longer than its production parent. And most certainly, the 14-inchBrembo vented and cross-drilled brake discs at the front and 13.6-inch ones at the back, gripped by six and four-piston calipers respectively, do not come as standard on a Soul but they are present in Track’ster. Such suspension attention on a concept car seems redundant but when we realize that the Track’ster hides a 2.0-liter, straight four turbocharged power plant that develops 250 hp things start to make sense. What also makes sense is the power being channeled trough an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system in order to prevent any torquesteer, understeer or oversteer tendencies. The transmission is a six-speed, short-ratio manual controlled by a stubby gear stick found on the center console (naturally).
Speaking of the center console, the inside of the car is certainly a place where we or any other car enthusiast might like to spend a great deal of time. The two bucket seats at the front are dressed in gray and orange (inferno) leather. The dashboard, door panels and center console have the same motives with added white patterns. There are standalone gauges on top of the dashboard that indicate things like oil pressure, temperature and battery voltage. Just bellow is a touch-screen interface which deals with the navigation, ventilation and entertainment system. The start button on the other hand, might just be the most exciting feature of all (for a 10 year old).
A part of the Track’ster‘s “street” appeal is lost when we look at the back where, on a normal Soul, one would find rear seats. The Track’ster however stands by its name and occupies the rear space with a section for tools, a sport’s gear compartment, a place for a spare tire and other track-friendly items. It all sounds like a car enthusiast’s dream really. Except one problem – Kia are not thinking of actually making it. It is said that the Track’ster is more of a test for the company’s engineers and their creativity and ability to make perfect, road going, performance superminis. Point taken.
On the new Buick Regal GS will be new automatic transmission and eAssist as a standard, thus making the evolution of Buicks’ Sport Sedan happening. More importantly, the vehicle with the new automatic transmission is already in dealerships. The famous eAssist fuel efficiency technology is also included and as you already understood, it also comes as a standard. The Regal was recently named by the U.S. News and World Report as the “Best Upscale Midsize Car for Families” and as the “Best Car for the Money”.
But what about the other changes included in the 2013 Regal GS Model. The 270 hp (198 kW) of the car come from the powerful turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine, which was by the way one of WardsAuto World’s 2012 “10 Best Engines” for North America. More importantly, it now can be controlled through a second transmission, which is a six-speed automatic with Driver Shift Control. It also comes as a standard choice.
Buick Regal GS
In addition the new Aisin AF40 automatic is calibrated specifically for the model. It includes the car’s Interactive Drive Control System set to “GS” mode. Hence, the transmission delivers firmer shifts and aids performance. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is in only 6.7 seconds. Furthermore the EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway. This is due to the standard performance components like Buick’s innovative HiPerStrut front suspension and Brembo front brake calipers.
What is more, the eAssist will be a standard on all 2013 Regal vehicles. More importantly the eAssist uses a compact lithium-ion battery pack and a small electric motor to aid the performance of a fuel-efficient 2.4-liter gas engine. The system provides an electrical boost to aid the engine at low speeds and on inclines where fuel efficiency can suffer most. Therefore it is possible for the Regal with eAssist to achieve the EPA-estimated 36 highway mpg, which is equal to the performance of some hybrid vehicles. In addition, the eAssist became standard for the larger LaCrosse luxury sedan and at the same price as the V6, thus gathering even more popularity.
Pricing and an on-sale date for the 2013 Regal with eAssist will be announced later this year.
Finally, Nissan has announced the price tag for 2013 GT-R US model. The sports car hits the US market with a competitive price of $96 820 for GT-R Premium, while the Black Edition model is nearly ten grand more – $106 320.
The new 2013 GT-R is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 with 553PS (406 kW) and 627Nm (463 lb-ft) of torque, which is an increase of 15PS and 20Nm. It is not much, but at least it is something. In addition, the suspension has been retuned to enhance both performance and comfort. Other changes for the 2013 model year include a standard RearView Monitor and the Black Edition receives a new dry carbon fiber rear spoiler.
The braking system comes from Brembo and includes full-floating cross-drilled rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads and Brembo monoblock 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers.
The rims are lightweight 10-spoke forged 20” RAYS with a premium dark finish. They are fitted with Dunlop Sports Max GT 600 DSST CTT tires – P255/40 ZRF20 in front and P285/35 ZRF20 in the rear. The Black Edition features special metallic black six-spoke RAYS lightweight wheels with the same tires.
Six exterior colors are available for 2013: Deep Blue Pearl, Jet Black, Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and a 4-stage metallic Super Silver.
The interior boasts performance bucket seats, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display. The Black Edition adds custom red and black Recaro leather-appointed seats, red and black interior trim and a dark headliner.
An 11-speaker Bose sound , is standard. Additional standard equipment for 2013 includes a RearView Monitor, Nissan Navigation System with XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeatherTM capabilities, and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System.
2011 Range Rover comes with a new V8 diesel engine fitted with 8-speed transmission. The big SUV also has two significant Terrain Response® upgrades and slight external styling enhancements. The vehicle will go on sale in late September this year.
Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director comments: “The 2011 Range Rover retains its position as one of the world’s most complete luxury vehicles. Its combination of reduced CO2 emissions and superior engine performance continue to make it a clear industry benchmark. And with the introduction of our all-new ‘super diesel’, we see the Range Rover delivering over 30mpg for the first time,” (more…)
At the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Buick is introducing the Buick Regal GS show car, a high-performance version of the brand’s recently debuted sport sedan. (more…)
Cadillac has released the full specifications list of the announced earlier 2011 CTS-V Coupe, which will make its official premiere at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (more…)
The Bavarian based car specialist MTM, announced its latest tuning programme for the Volkswagen’s notorious Golf 6 GTD. An output upgrade, new exhaust system, rims, lowering springs and brakes are included in the package. (more…)
At this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, Hyundai Motor America, Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) and the Tuner School will unveil their carbon fiber-wrapped, matte black Genesis Carbon Coupe. (more…)